Before the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season kicked off, there was a significant shuffle among drivers and teams. About one-third of the 36 chartered teams underwent changes following the closure of Stewart-Haas Racing and expansions involving teams like 23xi Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. Here’s a rundown of key driver moves and their new team placements for the season.
Noah Gragson, driving the No. 4 Ford for Front Row Motorsports, is in his third Cup Series season but with different teams each year. After losing his ride at Legacy Motor Club due to a racist social media incident, he joined Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024, only for SHR to shut down at season’s end. Front Row Motorsports expanded to three cars, adding Gragson, who had seven top-10 finishes and an average finish of 19.6 last season.
Ty Dillon, piloting the No. 10 Chevy for Kaulig Racing, transitioned from part-time racing in 2024 back to full-time. His 2023 season ended with a 32nd place finish and no top-10s, but over 245 races, he has achieved two top-fives and seven top-tens.
AJ Allmendinger, now with Kaulig Racing in the No. 16 Chevy, wrapped his final full-time Cup Series season in 2023. Having bounced between Cup and Xfinity Series for Kaulig, he boasts two Cup wins and 16 Xfinity victories. Kaulig aims to provide him a top-tier car for road course events.
Chase Briscoe takes over the No. 19 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing, replacing Martin Truex Jr. After winning in 2022 and making the playoffs in 2023, Briscoe joins a strong team capable of weekly wins, though he must avoid the missteps that hampered Truex.
Josh Berry, now driving the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing, found a ride after SHR’s closure. Berry’s rookie Cup season last year showed promise with multiple top-fives and top-tens, making him a solid playoff contender.
Riley Herbst moves up to the No. 35 Toyota with 23xi Racing as they expand to three cars. After several seasons in Xfinity without wins, he secured one victory in 2023 and two in 2024.
Zane Smith returns to Front Row Motorsports for his second stint, driving the No. 38 Ford. The 2022 Truck Series champion had a tough start to 2024 but improved in the latter half with two top-fives and four top-tens.
Cole Custer drives the No. 41 Ford for Haas Factory Team, a new outfit using leftover assets from SHR. Son of HFT president Joe Custer, he returned to Cup racing after a successful 2023 Xfinity title and a previous 2020 Cup win.
Cody Ware, behind the wheel of the No. 51 Ford for Rick Ware Racing, faced legal issues in 2023 but returned to compete late that season. He has made 67 Cup starts with occasional top-10 finishes.
Ryan Preece joins Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing in the No. 60 Ford for his sixth full season. Though winless, he hopes the move to RFK and their expanded lineup will boost his performance.
Michael McDowell moves to Spire Motorsports in the No. 71 Chevy after spending time with Front Row. Notable wins include the 2021 Daytona 500 and the 2023 Indianapolis Road Course, making him a capable competitor.
Shane van Gisbergen drives the No. 88 Chevy for Trackhouse Racing. The Australian star won his Cup debut in 2023 at the Chicago Street Race and secured three road and street course wins in the Xfinity Series, poised to be a podium threat on road courses.
Fan Take: These driver and team shifts shake up the traditional NASCAR landscape, injecting fresh talent and new dynamics into the competition. Fans can look forward to a more unpredictable and exciting 2025 season, with emerging stars ready to challenge established veterans and potentially reshape the future of the sport.
