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This NASCAR Silly Season is one for the record books. With one team shutting down, three teams expanded, and longtime pairs parting ways. So, who are the best-known and potential free agents left in NASCAR Silly Season?
Harrison Burton is an interesting case—a once highly touted prospect for Toyota Racing Development is now unsure if he will be in the Cup Series in 2025.
Burton, son of Jeff Burton, won three races at Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series. After a tough final season at JGR, Ford and the Wood Brother’s Racing snatched him up for the Cup Series.
Burton and WBR have not had the smoothest pairing. Burton’s performance has dropped substantially annually in three seasons with the team.
In his first season, Burton’s average finish was 22.8. This season, including his underdog win at Daytona, Burton’s average finish is 25.9.
After Josh Berry signed to drive for WBR in 2025, Burton will not have a ride next season. Though Burton has won a race, the lack of seats in the Cup Series is a glaring problem.
Rick Ware Racing could be an option for him, depending on factors revolving around Justin Haley. However, an Xfinity Series team like AM Racing or RSS Racing is a more realistic choice.
Burton could be out of Ford next season, opening him up to more options in the lower series. The benefit of long-term sponsor DEX Imaging is also a help to Burton, no matter what manufacturer he is with.
Corey Lajoie and the longtime team Spire Motorsports are parting ways after 2024. Lajoie and Spire have been together as he was the team’s first full-time driver entry in 2021.
A veteran of the Cup Series, Lajoie is without a ride and has not been rumored to be tied to any team, Cup or not. This is partly due to lacking performances from Lajoie, who has seen a substantial fall this year alone.
With a 3.2 drop off in average finish this season, Lajoie has one major factor he has been fighting: lead lap finishes. Lajoie has 14 LLFs this season and is on pace for just under 21.
This number is historically high for Spire. However, the growing team has already seen rookie Carson Hocevar set a single-season record this season. Leaving Lajoie 28th among full-time drivers in LLF.
While his 2025 is unknown, Lajoie does not seem bound for a Cup Series ride next season. Leaving all levels and teams open to the now winless 32-year-old.
Zane Smith is a recent addition to this list. Daytona’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 race weekend saw a flurry of moves, including Smith’s termination from his contract with Trackhouse Racing.
Smith made his name in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, mostly with Front Row Motorsports. At one time, Smith was set to drive for FRM in the Cup Series, potentially even this season.
Last season, FRM notably moved Todd Gilliand, its full-time driver of the No. 38, to an uncharted No. 36 in six races so Smith could get chartered entries. This effort appeared to be all for nothing when Smith signed up with Trackhouse Racing to drive No. 71 in collaboration with Spire.
However, that venture was not great for Smith, the second-worst full-time driver in Regular Season points this season. With limited charters, Trackhouse went with Shane Van Gisbergen rather than Smith.
Zane is still a top prospect; he has increased his production in the past ten races, including a career-best second-place finish at Nashville. But what is Smith’s future?
FRM acquired a third charter earlier this season from Stewart-Haas Racing. FRM is a real option for a reunion, as before Smith’s release from Trackhouse, team GM Jerry Freeze said they would consider it if Smith were back on the market.
Other options will exist for Smith. However, a reunion at FRM may make the most sense.
NASCAR Silly Season began when Stewart-Haas Racing announced the closure of its team and the selling of three charters. Luckily, three of the team’s four drivers have found rides for 2025.
The odd man out currently is Ryan Preece. The veteran driver has had a challenging time with SHR in his two seasons, and this has been reflected in his free agency.
Preece has already had to move down and back up to Cup in his career. His first run with JTG Daughtery Racing and his time at SHR have shown similar results.
However, Preece is now 33 and entering this free agency.
When Gene Haas announced that he would keep one charter and race it under the Haas Factory Team banner, some thought Preece could stay. However, Cole Custer would get the call for that ride in 2025.
Given the circumstances, Preece may have an option at FRM if Smith doesn’t, or RWR, given the circumstances surrounding Justin Haley. Even then, Preece has a history with all three manufacturers, all of which have openings in the Xfinity Series and Truck Series.
A consistent finisher, Preece is a good option for teams of any level, and he will have a ride next season, Cup Series or not.
Riley Herbst is out of a ride after the SHR shakeup, with the two Haas Factory Team Xfinity Series cars full. Unlike Preece, Herbst is out for positive reasons, as many assume he is ready for the Cup Series.
Herbst and sponsor Monster Energy have raced with SHR since 2021. In that time, Herbst won two races and showed skill on the track.
Herbst could stay with Ford next season, as the opening at FRM may be a fit. Herbst raced for FRM in an uncharted entry last season; in those races with FRM, Herbst even had a winning-caliber car at Talladega.
However, Herbst’s history shows that a former relationship may get him a spot with a top-level team.
In the aftermath of SHR shutting down, 23XI is rumored to buy what is now the final available charter. Herbst and Monster both have a history with Toyota.
Herbst was a TRD driver until 2020, and Monster is already a dedicated sponsor at 23XI for Tyler Reddick. Many fans still debate whether Truck Series dominator Corey Heim should get the call, but Herbst appears to be the favorite.
However, neither the charter nor the driver has been signed up for next season. One thing is for sure: the Cup Series is calling Herbst, but what call will he answer first?
Justin Haley’s Silly Season saga has captivated fans, industry insiders, and NASCAR media. Haley has run up front consistently with backmarker RWR this season, leading to rampant speculation about his 2025.
While Haley is technically not a free agent, many have tied his name to Cup Series rides at almost every available team. One ride that looks possible is the No. 7 at Spire.
Spire and Haley have a deep history, with Haley winning the team’s first race at Daytona in 2019. This would be a reunion with the team and with Chevrolet, where Haley has spent most of his career.
Another reason many have tracked Haley so well because his move would open up another ride, potentially starting the domino effect of driver signings. The number of available Ford drivers makes it all the more interesting to know what could happen should Haley leave RWR.
For now, Justin Haley is the driver of the No. 51, but that may change any minute.
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