When Stewart-Haas Racing introduced the upcoming closure of its four-car NASCAR Cup Collection operation, it despatched shockwaves by means of the game, whereas scattering lots of gifted individuals all through the paddock. It is finish turned the catalyst to what has turn out to be one of many silliest foolish seasons in a while. A number of drivers are making a change, new entries are popping up throughout the grid, and lawsuits with the collection should not slowing sure groups down both. We did our greatest to type all of it out that will help you perceive who’s going the place for the 2025 season.
A number of staff expansions on the horizon
SVG within the #88: Trackhouse is considered one of at the least three groups that plan so as to add a 3rd full-time entry subsequent yr. For 2025, that chosen driver will probably be three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, who made plans to totally decide to the NASCAR world after a shock victory on debut within the 2023 Chicago Avenue Course race. The New Zealander received three Xfinity races this yr and made the playoffs. His solely wrestle seems to be on the ovals, for now. He’ll drive the No. 88 Chevrolet subsequent yr, a quantity most not too long ago utilized by Hendrick Motorsports.
Shane Van Gisbergen, Kaulig Racing, Acceptance Insurance coverage Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Peter Casey – NKP – Motorsport Photographs
Preece and Kroger be a part of RFK: RFK is bringing in Kroger as a serious sponsor, as they proceed their upward climb into 2025. They’re additionally changing their part-time ‘Stage 60’ program right into a full-time entry, hiring one of many 4 drivers jettisoned from the doomed SHR staff. Former Whelen Modified champion Ryan Preece is not any stranger to the Cup Collection with practically 200 begins, however when he takes the wheel of the No. 60 Ford Mustang, will probably be his greatest likelihood but to lastly turn out to be a winner on the highest stage of the game.
Herbst strikes as much as Cup: SVG will probably be joined within the Rookie of the 12 months battle by NASCAR Xfinity Collection standout Riley Herbst, who signed with 23XI Racing to pilot the newly created No 35 Toyota, bringing long-time companion Monster Vitality with him. Whereas 23XI is within the midst of a contentious lawsuit with NASCAR and the France household, they aren’t letting the opportunity of shedding their present charters cease them from including a 3rd entry. Herbst has three Xfinity wins and 5 seasons within the second tier of NASCAR, and he additionally earned a top-ten in his Cup debut throughout the 2023 Daytona 500.
These three groups might not be the one ones increasing subsequent yr, however we’ll get to {that a} bit later…
Kaulig shakes issues up
2024 was a step again for Kaulig in each the Cup and Xfinity Collection. They ran numerous drivers within the No. 16 automotive whereas Daniel Hemric drove the No. 31. Regardless of Van Gisbergen practically successful at Watkins Glen, there weren’t many positives to remove from their 2024 Cup program. Subsequent yr, they may reinstate A.J. Allmendinger because the full-time driver of its No. 16 Chevrolet. Their choice to maneuver Allmendinger all the way down to the Xfinity Collection final yr was met with criticism and confusion because the revered veteran is the one driver to ever win a Cup race for Kaulig — which he did twice.
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing, Celsius Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
In the meantime, Hemric is out of the No. 31, which now turns into the No. 10 automotive for 2025. His substitute will probably be Ty Dillon (youthful brother to Austin), who has loads of expertise on the Cup stage however minimal success. These drivers will probably be paired with new crew chiefs as Kaulig seeks to regain some misplaced floor on the sphere. Skilled government Ty Norris will probably be there to assist, shifting over from Trackhouse to turn out to be Kaulig’s Chief Enterprise Officer.
The place did the SHR drivers land?
Whereas we’ve already mentioned Ryan Preece’s vacation spot for 2025, there have been three different SHR drivers in want of recent rides as nicely. Fortunately, all 4 will stay within the Cup Collection with full-time rides.
Briscoe replaces MTJ: Chase Briscoe will depart SHR because the staff’s final winner, taking victory within the Southern 500 after a dramatic showdown at Darlington. His expertise has not gone unnoticed. He is set to drive the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota vacated by 2017 Cup champion Martin Truex Jr. who’s retiring from full-time racing. Briscoe can be the one ex-SHR driver who isn’t shifting to a fellow Ford staff in 2025.
Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing, Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang
Picture by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Berry to the Wooden Brothers: The Wooden Brothers selected to half methods with Harrison Burton earlier than his shock victory at Daytona — determined for a extra constant bump in efficiency after three years with Burton resulted in little success in any other case. Josh Berry is recent off his rookie yr within the Cup Collection and is a late arrival to the highest stage of the game at 33 years outdated, however has proven promise as he prepares to take the wheel of the enduring No. 21.
Gragson joins FRM: Noah Gragson needs to be used to this by now as FRM is about to turn out to be his sixth Cup trip within the final three years. He’s hoping this trip lands some stability in his Cup profession, and he wants it. Gragson is anticipated to drive the No. 38 whereas FRM’s personal Todd Gilliland strikes over to the No. 34 automotive.
Haas lives on with Custer: Now, SHR could also be gone, however the Haas identify will not be. Gene Haas owned a Cup Collection staff earlier than partnering with Tony Stewart in 2009 and he’ll accomplish that once more in 2025. Taking the wheel for Haas is Cole Custer, who has been promoted right into a Cup trip once more after a two-year stint again within the Xfinity Collection the place he received the 2023 title. Custer will drive the No. 41 Ford and his father Joe will function the Haas Manufacturing facility Group’s president.
Cole Custer, Stewart-Haas Racing, Haas Automation Ford Mustang
Picture by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
A shock signing by Spire
Michael McDowell has been within the Cup Collection longer than most with over 500 begins courting again to 2008. Since 2018, he has raced with Entrance Row Motorsports the place he received two races together with the Daytona 500. Nevertheless, the veteran driver selected to surrender his comfy trip to hitch Spire Motorsports, a staff that historically runs youthful drivers simply getting their begin within the sport. He may have two younger teammates to mentor in Carson Hocevar, and Justin Haley, who can be a brand new addition to Spire, however that transfer was already made previous to the top of the 2024 season.
Michael McDowell, Entrance Row Motorsports, Love’s / Fleetguard Ford Mustang
Picture by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Exit JTG, welcome Hyak
Whereas Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will proceed to drive the No. 47 Chevrolet subsequent yr, will probably be with a brand new look and a brand new staff identify. Longtime sponsor Kroger left for RFK Racing and a management change resulted in JTG’s identify change to Hyak Motorsports.
Crew chief shuffle
Hamlin loses Gabehart: There have been some notable modifications atop the pit packing containers as nicely, with one particularly standing out above the remaining. Denny Hamlin and Chris Gabehart half methods after six years in a transfer that caught Hamlin off guard. Gabehart strikes into a brand new position at JGR after successful 22 races with Hamlin and by no means lacking the playoffs. His substitute is Chris Gayle, who strikes over from the No. 54 JGR Toyota of Ty Gibbs. Tyler Allen will now lead Gibbs’ No. 54 staff.
Chris Gabehart, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry and Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Mavis Tire Toyota Camry
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
A brand new identify calling the photographs for Wallace: Elsewhere, Bootie Barker will not work atop the pit field for Bubba Wallace. He linked up with Wallace in 2021 and has led him to each of his Cup wins since then. Barker can be one of the skilled crew chiefs within the enterprise with practically 600 races underneath his belt, courting all the way in which again to 2003. He’ll shift to an inside position at 23XI whereas Charles Denike will tackle the position of crew chief for Wallace. Denike has by no means labored a Cup race as a crew chief, however he has ten wins as a crew chief within the NASCAR Truck Collection.
Again collectively once more: One other fascinating change entails 2012 NASCAR Cup champion Brad Keselowski, who reunites with former crew chief Jeremy Bullins. Collectively at Group Penske, they practically received the 2020 Cup title, parting methods when Keselowski left for RFK.
A brand new problem for a championship-winner: Whereas there are a number of different crew chief modifications all through the storage, we’ll finish it on the vacation spot for Rodney Childers. Childers is among the most revered crew chiefs on the market and for good motive. He led Kevin Harvick to the 2014 NASCAR Cup title and has received 40 Cup races in his practically twenty years as a Cup Collection crew chief. In 2025, he’ll be a part of Spire’s No. 7 staff with driver Justin Haley because the staff seeks to additional enhance a formidable 2024 season.
The remaining unknowns
FRM’s third automotive: Whereas it’s anticipated that Entrance Row Motorsports will increase to 3 full-time automobiles as nicely, it has but to be formally introduced. Like 23XI, they’re in the midst of an antitrust lawsuit in opposition to NASCAR and the France household, and should go into the 2025 season with out charters. They appear decided to increase whatever the end result, and Zane Smith is rumored to be the ultimate further driver. Smith competed for Spire in 2024 and was underneath contract with Trackhouse, however there wasn’t sufficient room for him in Trackhouse’s plans with the arrival of van Gisbergen and younger phenom Connor Zilisch.
Zane Smith, Spire Motorsports, Targeted Well being Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
RWR and LaJoie: Rick Ware Racing’s state of affairs continues to be unclear. The staff ran two full-time entries in 2024, however since they’ve leased considered one of their two charters to RFK for 2025, it is possible that they may solely run one full-time automotive subsequent yr. Earlier than the top of the 2024 season, Corey Lajoie switched locations with Justin Haley within the No. 51, and whereas Haley’s future is safe at Spire, RWR has not confirmed whether or not they’d wish to proceed with LaJoie in 2025. It is also potential that Cody Ware, whose father, Rick, owns the staff, may very well be chosen as the driving force for subsequent yr. The staff may decide to run numerous drivers all year long as nicely, which they did do with the No. 15 automotive.
Half-time entries: Whereas at all times fluid, there are a number of questions across the part-time rides for 2025. Most notably, 2017 NASCAR Cup champ Martin Truex Jr. revealed his plans to run a partial schedule together with the Daytona 500, however there’s been no indication concerning who he’ll drive for. It needs to be a Toyota however 23XI appears to be out of the image and Joe Gibbs Racing is out of room with 4 present entries (which is the cap).
Martin Truex Jr, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bass Professional Outlets Toyota Camry
Picture by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Trackhouse’s Project91 did not seem this yr, however staff co-owner Justin Marks made it clear that this system will not be useless and will seem with one other worldwide racing star once more. Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 will probably be again, and it is possible it’s going to give Austin Hill some extra Cup begins. Jimmie Johnson will return within the No. 84 Legacy Motor Membership Toyota for a restricted schedule.
A number of different part-time groups don’t have any information to report as of this writing, however we will anticipate to see most of them again on the grid in 2025 resembling the No. 66 of MBM Motorsports, the No. 44 of the NY Racing Group, the No. 62 of Beard Motorsports, the No. 50 of Group Amerivet Racing, and the No 78 Reside Quick Motorsports entry with B.J. McLeod.
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Author : Motorsports
Publish date : 2024-12-10 19:25:24
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