The 2024 “Silly Season” – that is, when drivers scramble to make plans for the next racing season – has been one for the history books. Most drivers with uncertain futures have belonged to the NASCAR Ford stable, but now, about halfway through the 2024 Cup Series season, things have settled out, at least for some. Here’s a rundown of where The Blue Oval’s drivers are headed in 2025.
According to a recent report from NASCAR.com, the closure of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) kicked off quite a bit of this year’s Silly Season antics, leaving four NASCAR Ford drivers to search for new rides in 2025. Three of the displaced Cup Series drivers have already signed contracts, however. Josh Berry is staying in the Ford camp and will drive the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Wood Bros. Racing next year.
Noah Gragson will also stick with the manufacturer, signing on to drive a Mustang for Front Row Motorsports (FRM) in 2025, as part of the team’s expansion to a three-car operation. Michael McDowell, who currently drives for FRM, is ditching The Blue Oval to race for a Chevy team next year.
Cole Custer, current Xfinity Series racer for SHR, will rejoin the Cup Series as part of the Haas Factory Team, driving the No. 41 Mustang in 2025. Chase Briscoe, meanwhile, is switching to Joe Gibbs Racing, where he’ll drive the No. 19 Toyota TRD Camry beginning next year. That leaves Ryan Preece, who currently drives the No. 14 Mustang for SHR, in limbo, potentially without a Cup Series seat next year – along with Harrison Burton, who was ousted from Wood Bros. in favor of Berry.
Finally, the future is also unclear for Ford Performance racer Hailie Deegan. Deegan completed half the 2024 Xfinity Series season in the No. 15 NASCAR Ford Mustang, but recently announced that she’s parted ways with AM Racing. That means that AM Racing may have a seat open in 2025. Deegan, meanwhile, has no clear path forward in NASCAR, and may be out for good.
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