Your full information to the NASCAR Foolish Season strikes for 2025

When Stewart-Haas Racing introduced the approaching closure of its four-car NASCAR Cup Collection operation, it despatched shockwaves by the game, whereas scattering quite a lot of proficient folks all through the paddock. It is finish grew to become the catalyst to what has grow 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 sequence are usually not slowing sure groups down both. We did our greatest to kind all of it out that can assist you perceive who’s going the place for the 2025 season.

A number of crew expansions on the horizon

SVG within the #88: Trackhouse is one in every of at the very least three groups that plan so as to add a 3rd full-time entry subsequent 12 months. For 2025, that chosen driver will likely 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 Road Course race. The New Zealander gained three Xfinity races this 12 months and made the playoffs. His solely wrestle seems to be on the ovals, for now. He’ll drive the No. 88 Chevrolet subsequent 12 months, a quantity most lately utilized by Hendrick Motorsports.

Preece and Kroger be part of RFK: RFK is bringing in Kroger as a significant 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 crew. Former Whelen Modified champion Ryan Preece isn’t any stranger to the Cup Collection with almost 200 begins, however when he takes the wheel of the No. 60 Ford Mustang, will probably be his greatest probability but to lastly grow to be a winner on the highest degree of the game.

Herbst strikes as much as Cup: SVG will likely be joined within the Rookie of the Yr battle by NASCAR Xfinity Collection standout Riley Herbst, who signed with 23XI Racing to pilot the newly created No 35 Toyota, bringing long-time associate Monster Power 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 current 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 12 months, 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 automobile whereas Daniel Hemric drove the No. 31. Regardless of Van Gisbergen almost successful at Watkins Glen, there weren’t many positives to remove from their 2024 Cup program. Subsequent 12 months, they’ll reinstate A.J. Allmendinger because the full-time driver of its No. 16 Chevrolet. Their resolution to maneuver Allmendinger right down to the Xfinity Collection final 12 months 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

Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Pictures

In the meantime, Hemric is out of the No. 31, which now turns into the No. 10 automobile for 2025. His substitute will likely be Ty Dillon (youthful brother to Austin), who has loads of expertise on the Cup degree however minimal success. These drivers will likely be paired with new crew chiefs as Kaulig seeks to regain some misplaced floor on the sector. Skilled govt Ty Norris will likely be there to assist, shifting over from Trackhouse to grow 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 latest rides as properly. Fortunately, all 4 will stay within the Cup Collection with full-time rides.

Briscoe replaces MTJ: Chase Briscoe will depart SHR because the crew’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 crew in 2025.

Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing, Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang

Photograph by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Pictures

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 12 months within the Cup Collection and is a late arrival to the highest degree of the game at 33 years previous, however has proven promise as he prepares to take the wheel of the long-lasting No. 21.

Gragson joins FRM: Noah Gragson needs to be used to this by now as FRM is about to grow to be his sixth Cup experience within the final three years. He’s hoping this experience lands some stability in his Cup profession, and he wants it. Gragson is predicted to drive the No. 38 whereas FRM’s personal Todd Gilliland strikes over to the No. 34 automobile.

Haas lives on with Custer: Now, SHR could also be gone, however the Haas identify isn’t. Gene Haas owned a Cup Collection crew 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 experience once more after a two-year stint again within the Xfinity Collection the place he gained the 2023 title. Custer will drive the No. 41 Ford and his father Joe will function the Haas Manufacturing unit Crew’s president.

Cole Custer, Stewart-Haas Racing, Haas Automation Ford Mustang

Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Pictures

A shock signing by Spire

Michael McDowell has been within the Cup Collection longer than most with over 500 begins relationship again to 2008. Since 2018, he has raced with Entrance Row Motorsports the place he gained two races together with the Daytona 500. Nonetheless, the veteran driver selected to surrender his snug experience to affix Spire Motorsports, a crew that historically runs youthful drivers simply getting their begin within the sport. He can 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 tip of the 2024 season.

Michael McDowell, Entrance Row Motorsports, Love’s / Fleetguard Ford Mustang

Photograph by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Pictures

Exit JTG, welcome Hyak

Whereas Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will proceed to drive the No. 47 Chevrolet subsequent 12 months, will probably be with a brand new look and a brand new crew 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 adjustments atop the pit packing containers as properly, with one specifically standing out above the remainder. 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 crew.

Chris Gabehart, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry and Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Mavis Tire Toyota Camry

Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Pictures

A brand new identify calling the photographs for Wallace: Elsewhere, Bootie Barker will now 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 some of the skilled crew chiefs within the enterprise with almost 600 races beneath his belt, relationship all the way in which again to 2003. He’ll shift to an inner 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 attention-grabbing change entails 2012 NASCAR Cup champion Brad Keselowski, who reunites with former crew chief Jeremy Bullins. Collectively at Crew Penske, they almost gained 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 adjustments all through the storage, we’ll finish it on the vacation spot for Rodney Childers. Childers is without doubt one of the most revered crew chiefs on the market and for good motive. He led Kevin Harvick to the 2014 NASCAR Cup title and has gained 40 Cup races in his almost twenty years as a Cup Collection crew chief. In 2025, he’ll be part of Spire’s No. 7 crew with driver Justin Haley because the crew seeks to additional enhance a formidable 2024 season.

The remaining unknowns

FRM’s third automobile: Whereas it’s anticipated that Entrance Row Motorsports will increase to a few full-time vehicles as properly, it has but to be formally introduced. Like 23XI, they’re in the course of an antitrust lawsuit towards NASCAR and the France household, and will go into the 2025 season with out charters. They appear decided to increase whatever the final result, and Zane Smith is rumored to be the ultimate extra driver. Smith competed for Spire in 2024 and was beneath 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, Centered Well being Chevrolet Camaro

Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Pictures

RWR and LaJoie: Rick Ware Racing’s state of affairs continues to be unclear. The crew ran two full-time entries in 2024, however since they’ve leased one in every of their two charters to RFK for 2025, it is probably that they’ll solely run one full-time automobile subsequent 12 months. Earlier than the tip 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 crew, might be chosen as the motive force for subsequent 12 months. The crew might choose to run numerous drivers all year long as properly, which they did do with the No. 15 automobile.

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 current entries (which is the cap).

Martin Truex Jr, Joe Gibbs Racing, Bass Professional Outlets Toyota Camry

Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Pictures

Trackhouse’s Project91 did not seem this 12 months, however crew co-owner Justin Marks made it clear that this system isn’t lifeless and will seem with one other worldwide racing star once more. Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 will likely be again, and it is probably 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 haven’t any information to report as of this writing, however we will count on to see most of them again on the grid in 2025 comparable to the No. 66 of MBM Motorsports, the No. 44 of the NY Racing Crew, the No. 62 of Beard Motorsports, the No. 50 of Crew Amerivet Racing, and the No 78 Reside Quick Motorsports entry with B.J. McLeod.