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Who Are The Current (Confirmed) NASCAR Free Agents

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What’s Happening?

The 2025 NASCAR season is right around the corner, however, there are still names on the free agent market. Here are all the confirmed 2025 NASCAR free agents.

  • For this list we will focus on those full-time drivers from 2024 who have confirmed that they do not have a ride for 2025.
  • This confirmation could come from the driver themselves, or via their team signing a driver to replace them, or in some special cases, closing down.
  • This list will be updated as these drivers sign and announce their plans for 2025. Furthermore, if a full-time driver reveals that they are a free agent, they will be added to this list.

Truck Series

Chase Purdy

Prior to the season finale at Phoenix, Spire Motorsports driver Chase Purdy announced via X that he will not return to Spire in 2025. This season, driving the No. 77 Purdy had two top fives and six top tens.

In four full-time Truck Series seasons, Purdy has just five top fives but has yet to break through with a win. However, he has seen speed in qualifying with a high average starting position.

While there are no confirmed Truck Series drivers in Spire’s 2025 lineup, there are rumors. But, these rumors, alongside the wording of Purdy’s post suggests that the Spire door is closed for Purdy.

Xfinity Series

Anthony Alfredo

Following his early exit from the Xfinity Series Championship race at Phoenix, Anthony Alfredo told Frontstretch that he is unlikely to be back at Our Motorsports in 2025.

Alfredo has struggled since leaving Richard Childress racing after 2020. This season, however, it looked like both he and his team took a positive turn. While this departure is a bit of a shock, Alfredo always seems to find a ride. Perhaps he can do so as the countdown to 2025 continues.

Chandler Smith

Shocking news from late in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season was that championship contender Chandler Smith does not have a ride for 2025.

Smith put up a championship-caliber performance this season despite falling short for Joe Gibbs Racing. However, rumors followed him late into the year that sponsorship troubles, alongside up-and-coming Toyota talent, could push him out of his ride at JGR.

Smith confirmed his departure following the Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Smith was very honest in his comments about his future, saying that he could be working for his dad next year. But, as a young driver with a quality resume and talent, he still has a solid chance to find a ride for 2025.

Riley Herbst

Riley Herbst has been on the free agent market for some time. His current team, Stewart Haas Racing, is closing at season’s end and rebranding as the Haas Factory team in 2025.

Team owner Gene Haas already announced that Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer will race for the newly named team in 2025, leaving Herbst as a free agent. While many rumors have tied him to a Cup Series ride, 23XI Racing’s antitrust lawsuit with NASCAR is negatively affecting his free agency.

On the bright side, Herbst has sponsorhship from Monster Energy and his family’s company, Terrible Herbst. Perhaps this backing will secure Riley’s longterm future in NASCAR.

Cup Series

Daniel Hemric

Kaulig Racing’s signing of Ty Dillon confirmed that Daniel Hemric will be apart of the 2025 NASCAR free agent class. Hemric, a former Xfinity Series champion, had a quiet yet consistent season in the No. 31.

While Hemric is facing down free agency, he is a likable driver with sponsorship. One rumor this season suggests that he could head to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Truck Series team for 2025. While this is not confirmed, our sources in the garage area have indicated this is a likely route for the veteran.

While Hemric is a champion, he has struggled to win in his NASCAR career. Perhaps taking this step could provide a new lease on life for Daniel.

Ryan Preece

Ryan Preece is an interesting NASCAR free agent as his future is all but confirmed. For some time now, the main rumor surrounding the former SHR driver is a potential future at RFK Racing.

Several sources suggest that sponsor Kroger could jump to RFK in 2025. Other rumors suggest that with Kroger, RFK will run a third chartered entry in 2025 with Preece as the driver. While the rumor mill has slowed on this paring, RFK has hinted at it throughout the second half of the season.

On Oct. 29, in an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran may have accidentally let Preece’s signing with RFK slip. However, RFK has not confirmed this signing.

Zane Smith

Zane Smith was one of the highest-valued prospects in NASCAR last season. His past performances led Trackhouse Racing to sign him to a developmental deal prior to this season.

However, his full-time season with Spire Motorsports proved less than desirable, and Trackhouse released him not even one year into that long-term deal. While Smith elevated his performance late in 2024, rumor spread that he would reunite with Front Row Motorsports in 2025.

However, the ongoing 23XI and FRM lawsuit could leave him a free agent. Much like Riley Herbst, this proven winner is facing an uphill climb entering 2025.

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Kauy Ostlien

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