NASCAR may not be in action for two weeks while NBC airs coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, but there’s never any downtime in the Cup garage. Silly season is in full swing and several drivers are still looking for homes for 2025.
Here are some of the biggest names on that list and some predictions about where they might land.
Zane Smith (Nº 71 | Spire Motorsports)
Smith is driving for Spire Motorsports in his rookie Cup season while on loan from Trackhouse Racing, but it has already been announced that Michael McDowell will drive Spire’s No. 71 car in 2025. Spire has an opening as Corey LaJoie will not be returning to the No. 7, but the team will likely look to lease that car on its own.
One option for Smith is to move in-house to Trackhouse as the team looks to acquire one of Stewart-Haas Racing’s two remaining charters. However, Shane van Gisbergen is also waiting in the wings there and seems more likely to earn the ride given that he’s already proven his ability to win on road courses in Cup. So, Smith will return to Front Row Motorsports to drive the team’s new third car, in a virtual swap with McDowell.
Ryan Preece (No. 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing)
Three of Stewart-Haas Racing’s four current Cup Series drivers have already found new homes for 2025. Chase Briscoe will replace Martin Truex Jr. at Joe Gibbs Racing, Josh Berry will drive the famed No. 21 for the Wood Brothers and Noah Gragson will join Front Row Motorsports. That leaves Preece, who has now taken advantage of multiple opportunities to prove himself in the Cup Series.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Preece doesn’t remain at NASCAR’s top level. However, he has proven he can win in the Xfinity Series, and fortunately for him, what’s left of SHR will be renamed the Haas Factory Team and run two cars full-time in that series. With Cole Custer returning to Cup to reclaim his No. 41 vehicle under that banner, that opens the door for Preece to drive one of the Haas Factory Team’s Xfinity Series cars.
Corey LaJoie (Nº 7 | Spire Motorsports)
LaJoie is a late addition to the silly season, having been expected to remain with Spire Motorsports through 2025 before a surprise announcement in late July that he would part ways with the organization. He is drawn criticism throughout the year because of some of the damage he’s caused on the track, but he’s a talented driver who has shown he belongs at the Cup level and there are still several openings available for him.
The one that would make the most sense is Kaulig Racing, which has yet to fill any of its 2025 seats. Kaulig typically relies on funding for his hiring decisions, but LaJoie has several loyal sponsors that have supported him throughout his career, including Celsius Energy Drink, which also sponsors Kaulig’s drivers. He could take over the No. 16 (currently a driver rotation) or replace Daniel Hemric in the No. 31.
Harrison Burton (No. 21 | Wood Brothers Racing)
Burton’s three-year tenure with the Wood Brothers will come to an end after 2024, as it was announced that Berry will drive that car through 2025 and beyond. His Cup career has been disappointing, to say the least, with just five top-10 finishes in 95 career starts and their points position has slipped every year.
However, like Preece, Burton has had some success at the lower levels and could resurrect his stock with a solid Xfinity or Truck program. He has sponsorship from DEX Imaging and his connections within the industry will keep him behind the wheel in 2025 with AM Racing in the No. 15 Xfinity car.
Other Open Cup rides (and predictions for who will drive them):
Spire Motorsports No. 7: Sam Mayer
Rick Ware Racing No. 15: Riley Herbst
Kaulig Racing’s second car: various drivers (Daniel Hemric, AJ Allmendinger and others)
Trackhouse Racing’s third car: Shane van Gisbergen
Third car for 23XI Racing: Corey Heim
