What’s Happening?

Front Row Motorsports kicked off their Silly Season by buying a charter from the shuttering Stewart-Haas Racing. The departure of Michael McDowell left FRM with the need for two new drivers for 2025. So, who will join Noah Gragson as one of the “New Guys” at FRM next season?

• This Silly Season initially was not kind to FRM. The team lost its winningest driver, Michael McDowell, to Spire, followed by his Crew Chief Travis Peterson. Noah Gragson’s signing compensated for the team’s losses alongside the new charter.
• With Gragson and Todd Gilliand on the team, the third driver would need to complement the current lineup for 2025. A veteran driver would benefit the two, while a young driver would make FRM a fresh, youthful team in the Cup Series.
• Front Row Motorsports grew from a mid-pack team to gaining tier-one support from Ford. Since its opening, the team has earned a reputation for punching above its weight while not having the support that larger teams do. The team now has a chance to take a larger step forward, with the potential to sign a consistent cornerstone driver or a future cup series champion.

Ryan Preece

Ryan Preece’s return to the Cup Series could have been better. Not only did Stewart-Haas Racing drop in performance upon his arrival, but the team is ceasing operations after this season.

Preece, once a top prospect for Toyota, has yet to be given a true chance to compete at the Cup Series level. His time at JTG Daugherty Racing was less than stellar, and the issues mentioned above at SHR leave the now 33-year-old as less of a hot commodity than he once was.

A proven winner at the Xfinity and Truck Series levels, Preece could realistically be out at the Cup level next season. But SHR has done a great job of finding its drivers new Cup rides in 2025.

With Preece the last remaining driver with no plans for 2025, FRM could be a real option for the Ford driver. His years in NASCAR’s National and Regional Series would complement the young pair at FRM.

Justin Haley

Justin Haley may be the most interesting story of this Silly Season. Once a driver many had given up on, Haley has outdone himself this season at underdog Rick Ware Racing.

It feels like Haley’s name has been tied to every car in the garage for next year, none more so than Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 entry. However, for Ford, a team with a developmental gap from Trucks to Cup, Haley may be worth holding onto.

If not at RWR, then where? Haley could be considered if RFK were to get their rumored third car, but FRM is just as compelling a case. Haley could be the cornerstone of the team, a consistent driver who can run well and bring the car home.

While there is no sign that Haley would leave RWR, FRM is a real option that both parties should consider.

Riley Herbst

Riley Herbst has grown his brand exponentially this season. The Monster Energy-backed driver once found himself out of a ride at JGR and is now a top free agent for next season.

Herbst, another SHR driver, will be out of a ride next year as SHR’s Xfinity team transfers to the Haas Factory Team. The team is already full for next season with drivers Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer.

Herbst has, for the most part, been tied to 23XI for next season. While there is no confirmation that the team has a new charter, they are expected to be a top contender to buy one. In this event, FRM may be outbid from Herbst.

However, Herbst brings two valuable assets with him that could make it worth the money. These are his skills, and Monster Energy, the brand that has sponsored Riley in almost every race he has ever entered.

These entries include a top-ten finish with Bob Jenkin’s FRM last season at Talladega. If FRM wanted to take a young-gun approach to next season, Herbst and his sponsor would comfortably fit into that third car.

Zane Smith

Zane Smith may be a real option for FRM. Currently having a tough season at Spire Motorsports, Smith looks like he will be out of the No. 71 next season.

Smith and FRM have a long history. Smith was the second driver the team attempted to develop in the Truck Series. FRM even moved their first developmental driver, Todd Gilliland, to an unchartered entry last season so that Smith could get select chartered starts in the Cup Series.

However, after two championship-caliber seasons in the Truck Series, Smith headed to what he thought were greener pastures. Trackhouse Racing, in association with Spire, signed Smith to drive in the Cup Series for Spire this season.

With factors like Shane Van Gisbergen’s rise through NASCAR and a tough rookie year. Smith, who looks like he may be out with Chevrolet, could return to FRM. In an interview with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, team GM Jerry Freeze said FRM would consider the reunion.

Freeze sounds confident that Smith will find his groove. But could that be back in a Ford rather than a Chevrolet?

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