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Daniel Hemric has now signed with Kaulig Racing to drive the #31 car in 2024. Seats are quickly being taken up across NASCAR, and there are plenty of drivers who are lining up to take some of these seats for 2024. Which drivers are left to take some of these seats during NASCAR Silly Season?
Carson Hocevar continues to be one of the most intriguing prospects in NASCAR. He went from being on no one’s radar at the start of the season to being on everyone’s through both an impressive Truck Series season and some solid fill-in runs in the Cup Series. He will find a ride with someone next year, but it’s uncertain who it will be with. The Spire #77 car is still a ride to watch out for with Hocevar, but, if that does not work out, an Xfinity ride will certainly pop up for him.
Zane Smith rumors have been heating up over the last week with recent reports regarding his plans for 2024. First off, Smith told Sirius XM NASCAR Radio that he has a deal done for 2024. Secondly, two reports have linked him to Trackhouse potentially loaning him to including Bob Pockrass and Adam Stern. Stern specifically linked Spire Motorsports as a team that could buy the charter from Live Fast to take Smith on loan from Trackhouse.
Kaulig was always a bit of a pipe dream for Gragson, but just because that is off the table does not mean his future is all bleak. Gragson has the talent to find a ride somewhere in the lower series, and it is not out of the question that a team like Rick Ware Racing or Live Fast gives him at least part-time opportunities with the team to drive. Gragson will likely find something in 2024, but it may not be in Cup.
If DiBenedetto was ever going to get back into the Cup Series in a currently competitive car, Kaulig Racing was probably his best chance no matter how improbable it seemed. Now, that ride is off the table, and the future for DiBenedetto is very uncertain. The only Cup Series ride he could get is maybe the second Rick Ware Racing car, but, aside from that, any future plans for him would likely be a surprise to many.
Rajah Caruth had the rug pulled out from under him when GMS announced they would be shutting down at the end of the season. His future may be uncertain, but people have some ideas for where he could land in 2024. JR Motorsports looks interesting, and Kaulig now has an open Xfinity Series seat at least for now. Caruth has options, and it will be interesting to see how he does with solid equipment.
Grant Enfinger is a Championship threat in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, but he has no idea who he will be racing with next year. He ran one Cup Series race this year, which was a nice story for him, but it is unlikely that the Cup Series will come calling for him. The two drivers to watch in Trucks are Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, who could leave a seat each open at Front Row and Niece in the Truck Series. Enfinger will find someone to race for in 2024, but it may be a while before he announces his plans.
Just because Kaulig has announced their car for 2024 does not mean Silly Season is over. A lot still can and will continue to unfold. Who knows what awaits the rest of this season?
