Stewart-Haas Racing’s Xfinity Series seats may be open in 2024 depending on how the rest of the silly season shakes out. It may be getting later in the game, but, which drivers are currently candidates to be in the Xfinity Series seats at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024 should Aric Almirola retire?
Cole Custer is a candidate for the 10 car should Aric Almirola retire, and it is understandable why. First off, Custer has performed well in the Xfinity Series this season with two wins. Secondly, he has a lot of financial backing from Gene Haas himself in large part because Custer’s dad, Joe, is the team president of Stewart-Haas Racing.
If Almirola does not retire, then Custer seems to have his Xfinity Series seat locked up for 2024. He will be with SHR next season, the question is the car number and the series.
Riley Herbst is another driver with financial backing from Monster Energy. He also has impressed in limited Cup Series action this year with two top-10s for Front Row Motorsports at Daytona and Talladega, including leading 10 laps at Talladega. He’s an interesting case as a driver.
He has never won a race in NASCAR’s National Touring series, but he’s generally been pretty consistent. This year was the first time in his career that he missed the Xfinity Series Playoffs. It’s hard to see him leaving SHR in 2024, but, it’s also hard to see him moving up either regardless of what happens with Almirola.
Depending on what AM Racing decides to do in 2024, Brett Moffitt could be open in 2024. He is a Ford driver, and he has had a rather unique career. SHR has a reputation for hiring drivers who have worked their way through adversity, and Moffitt is a driver who has been through a lot.
As a result, Moffitt could be a perfect fit for SHR in the Xfinity Series. It could be a great opportunity for Moffitt to be in race-winning equipment, something he has not had since he was in the Truck Series.
Again, Gragson is another driver who has been through a lot of adversity, albeit self-inflicted. He is searching for a ride for 2024, and maybe SHR is the place for him should he find enough sponsorship. That is what holds Gragson back in almost every ride that is potentially available for him in 2024.
If it does open up, this could be an ideal ride for Gragson in 2024 because it is race-winning equipment. He could use some wins to get his confidence in himself and pique the interest of potential Cup Series teams in 2024.
Ty Majeski is definitely in the “sure, why not?” category. Majeski is a Ford driver, and Ford’s prospect pool is quite thin at the moment. However, Majeski has been good in his first two full-time NASCAR seasons.
He nearly won the Craftsman Truck Series Championship last year, and he’s still in contention to win it this year. He is a bit older being 29 years old, but, given the current state of Ford’s prospect pool, he could be a candidate.
SHR is in an interesting spot for 2024, and their Xfinity Series team may see some changes because of it. Will any of these drivers be driving for SHR in 2024?
