What’s Happening?
Silly Season is officially underway, and that means a lot of movement for NASCAR’s top teams and drivers. Be sure to bookmark this page as we keep track of every major move this Silly Season across NASCAR.
Every Open NASCAR Cup Series Seat in 2025 Silly Season
What’s Happening? NASCAR Silly Season is in full swing, and fans and pundits are searching high and low for clues…
- As Silly Season rolls on, every major move will be documented. This includes driver swaps, charter sales, manufacturer changes, and ownership swaps.
- Silly Season looms in the background of every NASCAR season. Unlike most sports where these types of moves often happen in the off-season, NASCAR sees many of these moves happen during the season, which allows fans to anticipate the next season.
- Fans always love talking about Silly Season. It dominates conversation during the week when there is no racing happening.
Cup Series
May:
May 2024: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Signs Multi-Year Extension with JTG-Daugherty Racing
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Will STAY with JTG Daugherty Racing Through 2027
What’s Happening? 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is staying put for the next few years. He announced on…
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. signed a multi-year contract extension with JTG Daugherty Racing. Candice Lee Spencer of Catchfence reports that it’s a 3-year contract, which would keep Stenhousr Jr. with the team through 2027. The official announcement only stated that it was a multi-year extension. The deal comes amidst rumors of major changes in ownership at JTG-Daugherty Racing.
May 2024: Michael McDowell Leaves Front Row Motorsports for Spire
UPDATE: Michael McDowell Leaving Front Row, New Ride for 2025 CONFIRMED
What’s Happening? Michael McDowell made a surprising announcement on Wednesday, saying he will move on from Front Row Motorsports at…
Michael McDowell made a surprise announcement that he would leave Front Row Motorsports at the end of 2024 after 7 seasons with the team. His next destination is the No. 71 car for Spire Motorsports, calling into question what Trackhosue will do with Zane Smith in 2025.
Michael McDowell Signs Multi-Year Deal With Spire Motorsports
What’s Happening? Michael McDowell is on the move for 2025. He will join Spire Motorsports on a multi-year deal driving…
May 2024: SHR Shutting Down at the End of the Season
Stewart-Haas Racing Shutting Down at Season’s End
What’s Happening The day that many expected but few yearned for has come. Stewart-Haas Racing has announced through a joint-statement from…
A somber Tony Stewart and Gene Haas informed everyone that Stewart-Haas Racing will close down at the end of the season. All four SHR drivers (Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry, Noah Gragson, and Ryan Preece) are now free agents. Four charters are also officially on the market.
June:
June 2024: Todd Gilliland Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Front Row Motorsports
In the wake of losing Michael McDowell to Spire, Front Row Motorsports has locked up their driver of the future. Todd Gilliland signed a multi-year contract extension to stay with FRM beyond 2024. The news comes amidst an announcement from the team that they intend to field a third full-time car in 2025.
June 2024: Martin Truex Jr. Decides on Retirement
CONFIRMED: Martin Truex Jr. Makes Retirement Decision
What’s Happening? Martin Truex Jr. announced at Iowa Speedway on Friday that he will retire from full-time competition following the 2024…
Martin Truex Jr. announced at Iowa that he will step away from full-time competition at the end of 2024. While his replacement was not specified, Jordan Bianchi says that Chase Briscoe is the favorite to take over for Truex Jr.
June 2024: Gene Haas to Keep One Cup Charter
Gene Haas is Keeping His NASCAR Charter
What’s Happening? Gene Haas announced to the media on Thursday that he will keep the fourth SHR charter and rename his…
Gene Haas announced that he will keep one charter and rebrand Stewart-Haas Racing into “Haas Factory Team.” He will also retain his two-car Xfinity Series team, and Joe Custer will serve as the President. No drivers have been announced.
June 2024: Chase Briscoe to Joe Gibbs Racing
Chase Briscoe Signs with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025
What’s Happening? On Tuesday, Chase Briscoe and Joe Gibbs Racing are finally making it official, announcing that Briscoe will take…
After Christopher Bell accidentally announced at New Hampshire that Chase Briscoe would join JGR in 2025, the team made it official. James Small will return as the crew chief and Bass Pro Shops will continue sponsoring the team.
July:
July 2024: Josh Berry to The Wood Brothers
Josh Berry Finally Gets a Full-Time Ride for 2025
What’s Happening? On Wednesday, The Wood Brothers officially announced Josh Berry as the team’s new driver for 2025, replacing Harrison…
Josh Berry became the next SHR driver to announce his next move by signing with The Wood Brothers for 2025. He replaces Harrison Burton, whose 2025 plans are currently unknown. No sponsor or crew chief has been announced.
July 2024: Noah Gragson to Front Row Motorsports
Noah Gragson Finds a Full-Time Cup Series Ride For 2025
What’s Happening? On Wednesday, Front Row Motorsports announced their newest driver for 2025: Noah Gragson. Gragson signed a multi-year contract…
Noah Gragson becomes the third SHR driver to find a new home for 2025. He will race for Front Row Motorsports after signing a multi-year contract teaming up with Todd Gilliland alongside an unknown driver that team owner Bob Jenkins called a “Young, talented” driver.
July 2024: Spire Dumps Corey LaJoie
Spire Dumps Corey LaJoie
What’s Happening? Spire Motorsports is letting go of its’ longest-tenured driver. On Thursday, Spire announced that they would move on from…
In a shocking Silly Season move, Corey LaJoie informed Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic that Spire Motorsports would let him go after the 2024 season. This came despite LaJoie signing a multi-year contract with the team before the season.
This story will be updated as Silly Season progresses.
August:
August 2024: Suarez Re-signs with Trackhouse for near future
Suarez and Trackhouse Will Stay Together in 2025
What’s Happening? Daniel Suarez has finally received an extension on his contract with Trackhouse Racing. The two-time Cup Series winner will…
Fans and industry insiders were wondering when Daniel Suarez would get his contract extension. On August 9, Trackhouse and Suarez made it official, signing on for at least one more season, with Freeway Insurance expanding their sponsorship.
August 2024: Allmedinger back in Kaulig No. 16 in 2025
A.J. Allmendinger Returns To the Cup Series in 2025
What’s Happening? Veteran road course ringer A.J. Allmendinger knows his plans for 2025. His longtime team, Kaulig Racing, posted today that…
Kaulig Racing and A.J. Allmendinger announced that its winningest driver in both the Cup and Xfinity Series will return to the team’s No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro in 2025. Allmendinger leaves open the No. 16 Xfinity Series ride in doing so.
August 2024: Erik Jones and Legacy MC sign an extension
Every NASCAR Cup Series Team’s Silly Season Additions (So Far)
What’s Happening? We are deep into the silly season and quickly catching up to the offseason. Many teams have made moves…
Legacy Motor Club re-signed Cup Series veteran Erik Jones to a multi-year deal. Jones is the only driver at the team’s current iteration to win a race.
August 2024: Trackhouse Racing releases Zane Smith; Promotes SVG for 2025
Trackhouse Boots Zane Smith for Shane van Gisbergen
Trackhouse Racing had a decision between SVG and Zane Smith, and this decision could possibly lead to bad blood. Also,…
Trackhouse Racing made a flurry of moves in Daytona, releasing struggling Zane Smith from his contract that he signed in 2023. In exchange, Shane Van Gisbergen, who has won three races in the Xfinity Series this season, will drive a third chartered No. 88 entry for Trackhouse in 2025.
September:
September 2024: Bubba Wallace Signs New Contract With 23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace Will Be Back in 2025
What’s Happening After months of speculation, Bubba Wallace and 23XI have announced an extension for the team’s longtime driver. Notably, the…
Bubba Wallace finally got his new contract with 23XI. After stalled talks due to 23XI holding out on NASCAR’s new Charter Agreement, Wallace will return to 23XI next season on a new multi-year deal. However, 23XI’s Charter status is still unknown.
September 2024: Harrison Burton Signs with AM Racing for 2025
Harrison Burton Gets a New Ride For 2025
What’s Happening One of NASCAR’s best underdog stories of 2024 finally knows the next step in his career. Friday morning, AM…
Facing free agency with his impending release from the Wood Brothers, Coke Zero Sugar 400 winner Harrison Burton finally got a ride for next season. AM Racing, the former home of Hailie Deegan, is bringing on the former four-time Xfinity Series winner for 2025.
September 2024: Spire and RWR “Trade” Haley for Lajoie; Haley Locked in No. 7 for 2025
NASCAR Cup Series Teams to Trade Drivers Following Bristol
What’s Happening? In a dramatic move, two NASCAR Cup Series teams will switch drivers following this week’s race at Bristol. Both…
Friday at Bristol, Rick Ware Racing and Spire Motorsports essentially “traded” Corey Lajoie and Justin Haley. While we expected these moves for quite some time, the rumors did match the result. While Haley is staying with Spire in 2025, RWR confirmed they have no set plans for 2025. This confirmation means Corey Lajoie’s free agent search is yet to be over.
September 2024: Ty Dillon will race for Kaulig Racing in 2025
What is Ty Dillon’s Long-Term Future at Kaulig?
What’s Happening? Kaulig Racing finished its silly season this past weekend by adding its second Cup Series driver for the 2025…
Kaulig Racing announced at Kansas they are making a driver and number switch in 2025. Kaulig is signing part-time driver Ty Dillon to drive the renumbered No. 10 for the team in 2025. In addition to signing Dillon, Kaulig and Richard Childress Racing will expand their pre-existing partnership.
November:
November 2024: RFK Expands to Third Car for 2025, Signs Ryan Preece
Ryan Preece Joins RFK in Expanded 3rd Car for 2025
What’s Happening? After months of speculation, RFK Racing announced on Tuesday morning that it will expand to three full-time cars for…
RFK Racing made a splash in the NASCAR off-season, bringing on sponsor Kroger in an effort to expand to three full-time rides in 2025. Furthermore, the team signed free-agent veteran Ryan Preece to drive this new No. 60 in 2025.
November 2024: JTG-Daugherty Racing Rebranding for 2025
Is JTG-Daugherty Racing Finally Rebranding?
What’s Happening? Several NASCAR fans driving by JTG-Daugherty Racing noticed that the team has officially rebranded its shop. This change, while…
After months of speculation, JTG-Daugherty Racing looks to be rebranding to HYAT Racing in 2025. This follows the loss of longtime sponsor Kroger and the extension of driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
November 2024: 23XI Racing Expands to Third Car for 2025, Signs Riley Herbst
Meet 23XI Racing’s Newest Driver
What’s Happening Another major rumor has come to fruition: Riley Herbst will be the third driver at 23XI Racing for the…
Riley Herbst will drive the new 23XI entry. This new car, No. 35, was up in the air due to the team’s ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR. However, the team had already been hiring for the car prior to this lawsuit. Herbst brings sponsor Monster Energy to the new car.
November 2024: Daniel Hemric Heading to Truck Series in 2025
Former Champion to Race in The Truck Series in 2025
What’s Happening As part of a flurry of Silly Season moves this week, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing has the new driver of their…
Former Xfinity Series Champion Daniel Hemric is stepping down to the Truck Series prior to the 2025 season. After one season at the Cup Series level with Kaulig Racing, Hemric turns his efforts to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s No. 19.