Cole Custer waves during NASCAR driver introductions
NASCAR Silly Season 2024-2025 has started early this year as drivers and teams solidify their plans for next season. Rumors are still swirling, questions are being asked and we are keeping track of the latest developments as the season progresses.
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The Front Row Motorsports No. 34 team takes cover in the rainy Cup Series garage at Daytona International Speedway
Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR.com
Front Row Motorsports to expand to three-car team in 2025 (NCS)
The scoop: Front Row Motorsports revealed plans on May 29 to expand to a three-car operation starting in 2025.
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Stewart-Haas Racing drivers (from left) Ryan Preece, Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry and Noah Gragson pose for photos at NASCAR Productions Days in Charlotte.
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Stewart-Haas Racing to close at the end of 2024 (NCS/NXS)
The scoop: Stewart-Haas Racing announced on May 28 that the team will cease operations in both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series at the end of the 2024 season, opening up four charters to be sold.
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McDowell looks on
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Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (NCS)
The scoop: Spire Motorsports announced on May 8 that Michael McDowell will take over the No. 71 in the NASCAR Cup Series fulltime, starting in 2025 in what will be a multiyear deal.
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Todd Gilliland smiles as he watches the action unfold at Talladega Superspeedway from the Cup Series qualifying grid
James Gilbert | Getty Images
Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports (NCS)
The scoop: Todd Gilliland is set to return to Front Row Motorsports in its No. 38 Ford on a multiyear deal that starts in 2025, the team announced June 5.
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Martin Truex Jr. looks on.
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Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (NCS)
The scoop: 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. announced on June 14 that he will retire from full-time competition at the end of the 2024 season.
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Cole Custer drives the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
James Gilbert | Getty Images
Gene Haas to operate organization in 2025 (NCS/NXS)
The scoop: After announcing Stewart-Haas Racing will close operations at season’s end, longtime team owner Gene Haas revealed plans on June 20 to operate one Cup charter and field two Xfinity Series programs under the name Haas Factory Team in 2025.
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Chase Briscoe on the Cup Series grid at WWT Raceway
Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (NCS)
The scoop: Martin Truex Jr.’s successor was named quickly, as Chase Briscoe landed a multiyear contract to drive the No. 19 Toyota starting next season. The move includes the continuation of primary sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops for the majority of the 2025 races. JGR indicated that James Small will continue as No. 19 crew chief.
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Josh Berry wearing Overstock.com red hat and fire suit.
Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford (NCS)
The scoop: With Stewart-Haas Racing closing down at the end of the 2024 season, Wood Brothers Racing scooped up Berry, the five-time Xfinity Series victor and short-track favorite. Berry, who was in his rookie season with SHR, will start his sophomore campaign in 2025 for Wood Brothers replacing Harrison Burton, who has been driving for the team full-time since 2022.
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Hailie Deegan, driver of the No. 15 AirBox Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series King of Tough 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 23, 2024 in Hampton, Georgia.
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Hailie Deegan, No. 15 AM Racing Ford (NXS)
The scoop: AM Racing announced on July 8 that Deegan would part ways with team effective immediately. Deegan piltoed the. No. 15 Ford for the first 17 races of 2024 averaging a finish of 26.8. AM Racing has not yet announced who will drive the No. 15 in 2025.
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Crew chief Rodney Childers wearing light blue Busch Light fire suit in 2021 at Darlington Raceway.
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Rodney Childers, No. 7 Spire Motorsports (NCS)
The scoop: With Stewart-Haas Racing closing operation at the end of the 2024 season, Spire Motorsports tapped the 40-time Cup Series race winning crew chief to lead the No. 7 team and Corey LaJoie starting in 2025, moving current crew chief Ryan Sparks to a full-time Competition Director role at the end of the 2024 season.
Noah Gragson waves to fans during driver intros.
Meg Oliphant |
Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports (NCS)
The scoop: With the news of Front Row Motorsports expanding to three charters and Michael McDowell leaving the No. 34 team to join Spire in 2025, that left a seat open for Gragson to fill. The sophmore driver will join FRM on a multiyear deal and remain in the Ford Performance camp next season.
Cole Custer waves during NASCAR driver introductions
Sean Gardner
Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team (NCS)
The scoop: Making his return to the Cup Series after two seasons of more seasoning in the Xfinity Series — where he’s the defending champion — Cole Custer will pilot the No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford for the newly revamped team, with an alliance formed with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.
Sean Gardner
Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports (NCS)
The scoop: The 32-year-old driver announced that he will part ways with Spire Motorsports at the end of the 2024 season. LaJoie has spent the past four seasons with the team with a best finish of fourth place, accomplished three separate times at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
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