There are plenty of drivers available to race in 2024, but, those drivers need cars to drive. Silly Season is in full swing, and there are plenty of rides that are still available for 2024. What are the best rides still available in NASCAR in 2024?
Kaulig Racing is set to announce something on Thursday, and one thing they can announce is who drives the 16 car in the Cup Series. Ty Dillon is rumored to be the top candidate for the ride, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. most recently name-dropped Dillon on the Dale Jr. Download. Everyone will find out when Kaulig makes their announcement on November 16th.
The most recent reports have said that Noah Gragson is the favorite to land the #10 car heading into 2024 with Aric Almirola officially retiring. Gragson would be an interesting choice for the ride, but, he would not be the first driver SHR has hired that has a bit of a checkered past. It would be quite the second chance for Gragson, as long as he can gather the necessary funding.
Rick Ware Racing has gone quiet on 2024 plans since signing Justin Haley for 2024. However, recent reports have suggested that multiple drivers will fill the second seat at RWR for 2024 similar to how both cars were fielded for 2023. It will be interesting to see who fields the cat given the interesting lineup they had in 2023.
With Josh Williams joining the team in the #11 car for 2024, that leaves one Xfinity Series ride left. A.J. Allmendinger is the reported favorite to land the ride with Dillon favored to move up to Cup with the team.
When Sheldon Creed left RCR, immediately people thought about Joe Gibbs Racing as the place Sheldon Creed would go, and for good reason. It is the only Xfinity Series ride available that would be seen as an upgrade from RCR. Austin Hill said following Martinsville that Creed was going to Gibbs, but, there has been no official announcement. Chandler Smith also was reported to want to come to JGR from Kaulig, and he has been released from his contract. However, what about drivers like Ryan Truex or Trevor Bayne?
AM Racing has said that their goal is to run a second car in 2025. With Hailie Deegan joining the team, someone who teams with her well is just as important as someone who performs well. Whether or not this second car will actually happen is to be determined, but, it will be interesting to see who takes this ride.
Anthony Alfredo is moving on as announced by B.J. McLeod Motorsports. This team will be interesting to follow as silly season goes on as McLeod sold the charter for his Cup Series team, LiveFast Motorsports. That means this team could go multiple different directions heading into 2024, and it all depends on which direction they go.
With Brennan Poole gone for 2024, JD Motorsports is looking for a main driver. They could go the route of having two cars with multiple drivers in each like some other teams have done. However, it depends on which drivers are available and which sponsorship is available.
With Kaz Grala gone from the team for the 2024 season, Sam Hunt Racing is looking for at least one full-time driver for the season. Connor Mosack is an easy guess given his time with the team this year, but, could Toyota go somewhere else? They have teased some big changes upcoming with their NASCAR teams in 2024.
With Matt DiBenedetto gone for 2024, Rackley W.A.R. is looking to better the success they had with him. It was an impressive run with him as he won a race and made the Playoffs in 2023. With that kind of success, the team should have plenty of suitors.
Front Row Motorsports may be the best truck still available in the Truck Series this silly season. One driver to watch for this seat is Brett Moffitt, who could be moving on from AM Racing, and Moffitt is a Ford driver. Then again, maybe a younger driver could fill this seat as well.
Rev Racing will likely have to fill this seat heading into 2024 with Nick Sanchez moving to Spire. Their exact relationship with Spire is still uncertain, and Rev Racing’s relationship with the Drive for Diversity program narrows down the candidate list some. Rajah Caruth could be someone to watch for this ride, but, they could also look to ARCA.
Which other seats are going to open up as Silly Season progresses? We will have to see.
