NASCAR: Rumored SHR switch confirmed, final change for 2025

As a die-hard NASCAR fan with decades of racing lore under my belt, I can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia as Stewart-Haas Racing bids adieu to its storied history. Yet, the resilience and adaptability displayed by their drivers in finding new homes for the 2025 season is nothing short of inspiring.

At the onset of the 2024 NASCAR season, Stewart-Haas Racing declared they’d be winding down operations upon the season’s conclusion. This revelation left their quartet of Cup Series drivers and duo of Xfinity Series drivers scrambling to secure alternative racing opportunities.

Each of the six drivers has moved on to new teams, and they’re all geared up for competing in the Cup Series next season.

As a gamer, I’m thrilled to share the news: I, Riley Herbst, am landing a fresh ride for the 2025 season! I’ll be joining forces with the dynamic team at 23XI Racing, who have secured a third car for me. This incredible opportunity comes with a charter they’ve acquired from Stewart-Haas Racing. You can catch me racing with the No. 35 on track. Bring on the new season!

Cole Custer, a teammate of Herbst’s, is planning to transition to the Cup Series too. Team owner Gene Haas decided to keep one of the team’s four licenses to operate the Haas Factory Team with Custer behind the wheel. This is the same number he drove when competing for Stewart-Haas Racing in the Cup Series from 2020 to 2022, which happens to be the No. 41 Ford.

The four Stewart-Haas Racing drivers have all gone in different directions.

Chase Briscoe has been announced as the new driver for the No. 19 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing, taking over from Martin Truex Jr., who recently retired from driving. After four years with the No. 14 Ford, this marks a change in his racing career.

Ryan Preece is poised to move to RFK Racing following a two-year tenure driving the No. 41 Ford. With the addition of longtime JTG Daugherty Racing primary sponsor Kroger and leasing a third charter from Rick Ware Racing, RFK Racing has expanded its fleet from two to three cars.

In the past year, both Josh Berry and Noah Gragson drove the No. 4 and No. 10 Fords, respectively. Similar to Preece, they will continue their association with the same automaker, but now with separate teams.

In the upcoming races, Berry steps in for Harrison Burton as the driver of the No. 21 Ford at Wood Brothers Racing. However, Noah Gragson won’t be driving the No. 34 Ford, instead taking over from Michael McDowell at Front Row Motorsports. Notably, they’ve increased their car count to three, but the third driver has yet to be announced. It is expected that Gragson will either pilot the No. 36 or the No. 38 Ford.

Regarding the Haas Factory Team’s Xfinity Series, Sam Mayer has moved over from JR Motorsports, while Sheldon Creed is now part of the team, previously being with Joe Gibbs Racing.

The upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season in 2025 kicks off on Sunday, February 16 with the 67th annual Daytona 500 race. Fox will be broadcasting live from Daytona International Speedway starting at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

2024-11-21 14:32