NASCAR
Who’s Going Where so far in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series?
Just how different will the NASCAR Cup Series grid look in 2024? Silly season drama has been aplenty in 2023. At least 10 cars are slated to have a new look for next year. Let’s take a look at each change that has been confirmed, and the teams still in the running for a new driver. Many openings have a few high-profile rides with still uncertain futures. Here’s a look at some of the many question marks remaining for NASCAR in 2024.
Stewart-Haas Racing
The Ford powerhouse team is going to look wildly different come next year. Thanks to Kevin Harvick’s retirement, we already know that Josh Berry will take over the flagship No. 4 as a rookie. Chase Briscoe will also return to the No. 14 for his fourth season. The silly season headlines do not end there for SHR though.
Aside from the 4 and 14, the other half of this team’s lineup is still very much up in the air. After delaying his retirement, Aric Almirola has reportedly weighed his options on returning to the No. 10. Ryan Preece is also just wrapping up his first season with SHR in the No. 41. Signs point to Preece returning too, but nothing has been signed yet.
Rick Ware Racing
Expect a performance leap from Rick Ware Racing in 2024, after they snagged Justin Haley away from Kaulig Racing. Haley’s 2024 car number and sponsorship are both TBD, as is the other half of RWR. Haley will likely end up in either the No. 15 or 51 Ford. The other car will probably still be a rotating cast of drivers.
Kaulig Racing
Haley’s replacement in the Kaulig No. 31 was just made official last week in Bristol. The Chevrolet organization has named Daniel Hemric to take over their No. 31 Cup Series ride. The Kannapolis, NC native will have a second chance at racing’s highest level.
Their No. 16 ride is also still an undetermined seat, with AJ Allmendinger rumored to be returning to the Kaulig Xfinity Series program. Stay tuned for any updates on Kaulig’s 2024 driver lineup. This ride is among the highest profile silly season seats still open.
Legacy Motor Club
Making the manufacturer switch from Chevrolet to Toyota, Legacy MC will also gain a highly-touted prospect. Current Xfinity Series championship favorite John Hunter Nemechek will take over the No. 42, teaming up with Erik Jones. At the time of this writing, Nemechek has seven Xfinity wins this season. JHN is primed for a great opportunity ahead in his Cup Series return.
Spire Motorsports
Kaulig was far from the only team to stir the silly season pot at Bristol. Spire Motorsports also made big waves that reverberated across the garage. The two-car team will expand to three next year, after buying the No. 78 charter from Live Fast Motorsports. This seat will be taken by Truck Series prodigy Zane Smith. He will run for Spire as part of a development deal with Trackhouse Racing.
The California kid will be teammates with Corey Lajoie and the still-undecided No. 77 driver. Smith has elevated his status as one of NASCAR’s hottest young talents. The 2022 champion is one of the biggest standout drivers today in Trucks. It will be fun to watch the 24-year-old as a Cup Series rookie in 2024.
The 2024 Cup Series grid is slowly coming into place. A lot of seats are still vacant in both Xfinity and Trucks however. Be sure to stay tuned for any upcoming developments in NASCAR silly season.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to James Gilbert/Getty Images
