NASCAR champion linked to return to former team in 2025

As a die-hard NASCAR fan with decades of racing lore etched into my heart, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and intrigue as we approach the 2025 season. The ongoing saga of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports has kept me on the edge of my seat, much like those nail-biting finishes that NASCAR is famous for.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ future remains uncertain due to ongoing legal disputes, as they have yet to commit to the new NASCAR charter agreement for the years starting from 2025 and beyond.

After Stewart-Haas Racing closed shop following the 2024 season, both competing teams secured a charter from them, increasing their number of vehicles from two to three. This implies that only 30 out of the total 36 charters are currently in use by the teams that have officially agreed to them.

Regardless if they start the 2025 season as established teams or newcomers, there are strong indications that both teams will field three cars in the following year. In fact, 23XI Racing has officially confirmed their plans, revealing that Riley Herbst will pilot the No. 35 Toyota next year, joining Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick on their team.

Front Row Motorsports have yet to confirm a third driver.

Michael McDowell consented to depart from his current team and take over driving duties for Zane Smith at Spire Motorsports, piloting the No. 71 Chevrolet instead.

Todd Gilliland will shift from driving the No. 38 Ford to the No. 34 Ford as his previous teammate steps aside. It’s Noah Gragson, previously with Stewart-Haas Racing, who seems poised to fill McDowell’s position, though his car number hasn’t been finalized yet, likely either No. 36 or No. 38.

It’s quite probable that the team of Bob Jenkins will look to Smith for the third position. Previously, Smith was bound by contract to this team until the end of the 2026 season. However, they granted him freedom to explore other possibilities following the 2023 Truck Series season. Notably, he clinched the 2022 Truck Series title with this very same team.

From the halfway point of his rookie year, Smith excelled with Spire Motorsports. He even managed to secure a second-place finish at Nashville Superspeedway and significantly improved his position in the overall standings, climbing up five spots from 34th (among full-time drivers), where he had been for most of the season.

Instead, Spire Motorsports decided to proceed with drivers McDowell, Carson Hocevar, and Justin Haley. Haley had been part of Rick Ware Racing but moved back to Spire Motorsports when he was asked to step in for Corey LaJoie towards the end of the season.

In 2025, the Daytona International Speedway will kick off the NASCAR Cup Series season by hosting the 67th Daytona 500 on February 16 (Sunday). Beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Fox will broadcast live coverage of the event.

2024-11-26 17:02