What’s Happening?

Ryan Preece is a relatively big name still on the NASCAR Free Agent board. Despite his tough 2025 season, rumors are suggesting he has a ride for 2025, so why has this not been announced?

• Ryan Preece is out at Stewart-Haas racing just two years into his return to the Cup Series. However, this is not due to performance but rather to SHR closing as a whole.
• Preece was once a top modified tour prospect in NASCAR, making it to the Cup Series with JTG-Daugherty Racing in 2019. However, this car, the No. 37, closed following the 2021 season and signed with Ford shortly after.
• Notably, Preece is the only SHR driver not to have confirmed plans for 2025. Josh Berry is heading to the Wood Brothers, Noah Gragson is heading to Front Row Motorsports, and Chase Briscoe is heading to Joe Gibbs Racing.

The Rumor Mill

Rumor Mill: RFK Expanding to Third Car

Rumor Mill: RFK Expanding to Third Car

What’s Happening? Kroger’s new home may be with Ford rather than Toyota. Recent rumors point to Brad Keselowski and Jack Roush’s…

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While Ryan Preece was not the biggest name on the Free Agent board this Silly Season compared to Chase Briscoe or Josh Berry, there have been a few rumors about Preece’s future.

None is more notable than RFK Racing’s rumored third car. While other rumored rides are filled, this one is not and seemingly remains unconfirmed.

This rumored expansion sparked in mid-August when Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reported that Kroger, a major free agent sponsor, would sign with RFK rather than Joe Gibbs Racing for the future.

Soon after, Preece was pointed to as the likely driver of this car. Kroger would bring the necessary sponsorship, something that some insiders joke RFK has “too much of,” to the third car. Furthermore, Kroger is departing JTG-Daugherty Racing, Preece’s former team, where he raced with Kroger on the hood of his car 55 times from 2019 to 2021.

Some insiders, like Bob Pockrass, have questioned RFK co-owner Brad Keselowski with this rumor, to some interesting results.

Multiple sources say that Preece is heading to RFK, which raises questions about why they would want him. Those same sources, such as BrakeHard, say that those at RFK believe Preece has yet to reach his full potential in NASCAR.

@brakehard WHO GETS THE REMAINING SEATS IN NASCAR CUP SERIES SILLY SEASON? #nascar #racing #motorsport ♬ original sound – brakehard

So, while more and more drivers and open seats go off the free agent board, why is there no word on Preece, and why has RFK not announced their new car?

What Is RFK Racing Waiting For?

RFK’s delay in announcing this signing could be related to sponsors and charters. As previously mentioned, Kroger is a key part of financing this car.

As NASCAR fans, we tend to lean on sponsors as a fluid substance, coming and going. However, these multi-million dollar deals take time to hammer out. RFK has lots of sponsors, such as King’s Hawaiian, BuildSubmarines.com, and Fastenal. They would perhaps have to carefully lay out the who and when of the Kroger-sponsored car.

Is a Charter The Missing Link?

However, where RFK will get a charter is equally uncertain. All three available SHR charters are off the market, but NASCAR has not approved two of the purchases. This is due to the buyers being Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing. These two-car teams held out on signing the 2025 NASCAR Charter Agreement and are in an anti-lawsuit with NASCAR.

NASCAR Lawsuit Reveals 23XI Agreed to Purchase a Third Charter for 2025

NASCAR Lawsuit Reveals 23XI Agreed to Purchase a Third Charter for 2025

What’s Happening? Wednesday morning, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. While the teams are up front…

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If NASCAR does not approve the sale of these charters, there is no clear way to know if RFK could buy one. Furthermore, NASCAR, pending a decision on a preliminary injunction, is planning on only 32 charters racing next year, with NASCAR allowing 23XI and FRM’s combined four charters to expire. If this happens, the process of buying these expired charters is also unknown.

One rumored option is to lease a Charter, perhaps from the associated team, Rick Ware Racing. While this rumor is making the rounds, it has little credibility. This is, however, a realistic option, but RWR has announced they will have two cars at Daytona next year. In doing so, they left the door open that one of these cars could be a non-chartered or “open” car.

While there is no word as to Charter or driver, this does not mean the door is closed for either. In fact, last week, many fans wondered if a meme posted by RFK Racing’s X account hinted at expansion.

Did RFK Hint At Their New Cup Car?

Did RFK Hint At Their New Cup Car?

What’s Happening? RFK Racing has fought rumors since mid-August that it is expanding to a third car. However, on Thursday night,…

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There are still options, such as buying an expired charter or leasing. As for Preece, his record in NASCAR’s Modifieds will surely give him a ride at any level. However, fans should keep an eye out for more RFK and Ryan Preece rumors.

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