What’s Happening?

We now have 1/3 of the Haas Factory Team’s drivers for 2024 figured out, and the final two slots to fill are the team’s two NASCAR Xfinity Series cars. Team president Joe Custer has already expressed public interest in a couple of drivers, but who else could slot into the Haas Factory Team?

• Haas Factory Team is a newish NASCAR team starting in 2025. Gene Haas is taking assets from the outgoing Stewart-Haas Racing, including a Cup Series charter and equipment from two Xfinity Series teams, and using those to form the new race team.
• Cole Custer will drive the Cup Series entry for Haas, opening up room in the Xfinity Series. However, it’s possible that both seats could open up as current SHR Xfinity Series driver Riley Herbst could have options elsewhere.
• Like all NASCAR rides, it’s important to consider the funding drivers bring. Those who bring funding and sponsorship often get an inside track on rides across NASCAR.

Riley Herbst

Joe Custer told the media at Indianapolis that the team has offered Riley Herbst a ride for 2025. However, Herbst has other options on the table, and his win at Indianapolis should only help him gain more interest from other teams, including, according to our sources, 23XI Racing. The question is, would Haas Factory Team be his best option?

Haas Factory Team is being formed from the ashes of Stewart-Haas Racing, but will the team have the same resources as SHR formerly had? That makes HFR an unknown, and moving to somewhere like 23XI, where Herbst knows what he’s getting into, would make a lot of sense.

Hailie Deegan

Custer revealed at Indianapolis that the Haas Factory Team has spoken to Hailie Deegan about driving for the team in 2025. Whether or not Deegan is a favorite for the ride remains to be seen, but she brings a massive fanbase along with the sponsorship opportunities.

However, Deegan and AM Racing parted ways for a reason, and she has not shown much promise at the National Touring Series level since she joined full-time in 2021. Could Haas Factory Team be the place where Deegan finally hits her stride?

Ryan Preece

With Cole Custer essentially taking over Ryan Preece’s seat for 2025, we know Preece will go elsewhere. It seems he will most likely jump down to the NASCAR Xfinity Series or Craftsman Truck Series, but could he stay close to home at Haas Factory Team?

HaasTooling.com has funded Preece’s car for 13 out of 22 races this season. Is Gene Haas willing to shell out more money for Preece to compete in the Xfinity Series?

Kaz Grala

Kaz Grala has scrounged enough funding to make 25 NASCAR Cup Series starts with Rick Ware Racing this year. He is a NASCAR winner, taking home a Truck Series checkered flag at Daytona in 2017. Could Grala jump down to race full-time in the Xfinity Series?

He finished a solid 17th in points in 2023 with Sam Hunt Racing. If he cannot find a full-time Cup Series ride, an Xfinity Series opportunity might work for Grala.

Harrison Burton

Harrison Burton is looking for a new ride in 2025 after The Wood Brothers tabbed Josh Berry to compete for the team. Burton brings loyal sponsorship from Dex Imaging, which should help him find a home.

Does it attract the interest of the Haas Factory Team? Burton won four Xfinity Series races in 2020, and jumping back to the series could be perfect for him. He also might be a young driver that the Haas Factory Team could work to develop.

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