The 2024 racing season is almost complete, but “Silly Season” is still in full swing. Drivers have been scrambling to find rides for 2025, and this year’s shakeup seems to have disproportionately affected the NASCAR Ford racers. With four races left in the books this year, thankfully, The Blue Oval’s stable can take a deep breath, as almost all of them have nailed down plans for 2025.
A report from NASCAR.com outlines all the players in the 2024 Silly Season. NASCAR Ford team Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is expanding to a three-car operation next year, but it’s losing Michael McDowell, who currently drives the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Todd Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 Mustang, is slated to stay on board with FRM, however. To make things even more complicated, FRM is in the throes of a lawsuit against NASCAR and could have its charters revoked in 2025.
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. Josh Berry is staying in the Ford camp and will drive the No. 21 Mustang for Wood Bros. Racing next year in place of Harrison Burton, who will return to the Xfinity Series with AM Racing, likely replacing Hailie Deegan. Chase Briscoe will drive the No. 19 Toyota TRD Camry, replacing the retiring Martin Truex Jr., while Ryan Preece is expected to sign on with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing next year.
Cole Custer will return to the Cup Series, where he’ll drive the No. 41 Mustang fielded by the Haas Factory Team. In the Xfinity Series, Haas will field Mustang race cars for Sammy Smith and Sheldon Creed, who are coming from the Chevy and Toyota camps, respectively.
Meanwhile, Corey LaJoie, who recently began driving the No. 51 Mustang in place of Zane Smith, could continue with NASCAR Ford team Rick Ware Racing, but nothing has been announced as of this writing.
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