What’s Happening?

As Silly Season rolls on, teams are looking to fill their last seats for the 2024 season. Many of the seats remaining will be filled by part-time drivers, and a lot of races will be gradually filled as the season goes on. Here is a list of all of the rides part-time drivers should look to for 2024.

• For this list, we will look at all three NASCAR National Touring Series. This will include every team with a car that they likely intend to compete the full season with that could be filled by multiple part-time drivers. Any car with a race open for 2024 is eligible
• It’s becoming increasingly common for teams to field “All-Star Cars”, especially in the lower series. This allows teams to pick drivers based on particular skill sets to improve their standing in the owner’s points, which is how teams get paid at the end of the season.
• Fans are always interested to see how part-time drivers will do in some of these seats. It is a way for fans to see drivers get a big opportunity.

Cup Series: Kaulig Racing #16

Kaulig Racing will bring back A.J. Allmendinger for the Daytona 500, which likely means an All-Star Car for the second chartered Kaulig Racing car in 2024. This car won a race in 2023 with A.J. Allmendinger, so, this team is an attractive landing spot for someone looking for a chance at the Cup Series, provided they have the funding.

Cup Series: Rick Ware Racing Second Car

Rick Ware Racing has Justin Haley driving full-time in 2024, but their second car is still a mystery. Plenty of interesting names including Ryan Newman, Jenson Button, and Andy Lally raced for Rick Ware Racing in 2024, so, this team will be interesting to watch.

Xfinity Series: JD Motorsports #6

JD Motorsports had one main driver with a second car being predominantly an All-Star car in 2023, so, it makes sense to continue that trend in 2024. With Dawson Cram in the #4, JD Motorsports has the #6 still open for 2024. Drivers like Garrett Smithley and Kyle Weatherman drove for the team in 2024.

Xfinity Series: SS Greenlight #07/#08

Bobby Dotter and SS Greenlight have not had a full-time driver since Joe Graf Jr. in 2020. In 2023, Grey Gaulding (12) and Stefan Parsons (11) started the most races for the team. The team had three top-10 finishes in 2023.

Xfinity Series: Sam Hunt Racing #24

Sam Hunt Racing announced Corey Heim would race in select races for 2024. Regardless of Kaz Grala moving on or not, the second car was an All-Star car in 2023, sort of. Connor Mosack dominated this seat for the most part with 21 starts and two top-10s, so, he is a driver to watch.

Xfinity Series: Emerling-Gase Motorsports #35/#53

Emerling-Gase Motorsports had a myriad of drivers start whenever Joey Gase or Patrick Emerling were not starting. This included C.J. McLaughlin, Matt Mills, Brad Perez, and B.J. McLeod amongst others. This team also raced with cars from all manufacturers, so, any free agent is available.

Xfinity Series: RSS Racing #38

RSS Racing announced C.J. McLaughlin as the first driver for their #38 car in 2024. This means this car is likely an All-Star Car. Being a Ford team, this could be a part-time spot for Frankie Muniz, and it may be a spot for Matt DiBenedetto as well.

Xfinity Series: MBM Motorsports #66

MBM Motorsports and Carl Long struggled in 2023 with numerous sponsorship issues not allowing them to complete a full season. Still, it seems they will at least try to compete full-time. However, it’s tough to see a major talent committing to this team even for a race.

Xfinity Series: B.J. McLeod Motorsports #78

B.J. McLeod Motorsports may quietly be one of the most interesting Xfinity Series teams for 2024. McLeod got a major influx of cash after selling the Live Fast charter. McLeod may take many of the races for this team, but, could the extra money help the race team?

Xfinity Series: DGM Racing #92

DGM Racing’s second car has its’ first driver, Josh Bilicki. Ross Chastain and his brother Chad drove for the team in 2023, so, this team may have some interesting entries in 2024.

Truck Series: Young’s Motorsports #02/#12

With Spencer Boyd gone for 2024, Young’s Motorsports is down a driver for 2024. With their move into the Xfinity Series, do they run two or one All-Star Trucks in the Truck Series in 2024? Kris Wright had the most starts for the team outside of Boyd with 11 in 2023.

Truck Series: Reaume Brothers #33/#34

The Reaume Brothers quietly signed Keith McGee to run six races in 2024. Josh Reaume made five starts as well, with Mason Massey leading the way with 6. Many of the same faces could be back in 2024.

Truck Series: Third Spire Motorsports Car

Spire Motorsports will have Kyle Busch drive five races for the team in 2024, but, the rest of the lineup is yet to be announced. Spire Motorsports had some interesting drivers in the Truck Series in 2023 including Kyle Larson, Marco Andretti, and Derek Kraus. Could this be the most interesting “All-Star Car” in the series?

Which part-time ride is the most attractive for NASCAR free agents? There are plenty of rides available.