NASCAR is moving into the summer months of the 2023 season which means silly season is poised to blow up soon. With Kevin Harvick stepping away and other possible retirements, this year’s driver movement could be pretty substantial.
Let’s dive into the official NASCAR Cup Series silly season predictions for next year starting at the 2024 Daytona 500.
Rick Ware Racing and Live Fast Motorsports
Predictions:
- Live Fast Motorsports: No. 78 (Multiple Drivers)
- Rick Ware Racing: No. 15 (Multiple Drivers), No. 51 Riley Herbst
Live Fast Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing are both teams that have been speculated to sell charters in the past. This is still relevant as of June 2023; however, the charter market is through the roof as NASCAR works on a new deal with the organizations.
Therefore, no charter movement will take place for the 2024 season as the demand is way too high for other teams. Live Fast Motorsports will continue its current operations with B.J. McLeod taking a majority of the races and Anthony Alfredo having a bigger presence in 2024.
Meanwhile, the intrigue begins with Rick Ware Racing. As of now, the current full-time driver of the No. 51 car, Cody Ware, is suspended due to charges of “felony assault by strangulation and misdemeanor assault on a female.”
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The prediction is that Ware does not return to the team and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Riley Herbst takes over the car on a full-time basis. It allows Rick Ware Racing to develop with a young driver as the organization continues to make improvements.
It may not be the best team that Herbst can drive for in the NASCAR Cup Series but it could provide a similar situation as Corey LaJoie and Spire Motorsports in the future. The organization continues to develop and could take the next step.
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Kaulig Racing and Spire Motorsports
Predictions:
- Kaulig Racing: No. 16 A.J. Allmendinger, No. 31 Justin Haley
- Spire Motorsports: No. 7 Corey LaJoie, No. 77 Austin Hill
Kaulig Racing has A.J. Allmendinger on a multi-year deal so that won’t be an issue moving forward; however, Justin Haley’s situation is murky. Haley does not have a contract for the 2024 season but the organization wants him to return.
The issue is the business of NASCAR where sponsorship is a big deal. It is still likely that Haley returns for a third season in the No. 31 car but it will likely be very fluid. Luckily, Chandler Smith is waiting in the wings so there is another option just in case.
Meanwhile, Spire Motorsports continues to grow and currently has a shot at making the 2023 NASCAR playoffs strictly on points with LaJoie. The improvement has been noticeable and this leads to LaJoie re-signing on a one-year deal with the possibility of more open rides at the end of his contract.
The No. 77 car has been a different story. Ty Dillon has been struggling and the prediction is that NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Hill takes his place. Hill has run well in the Xfinity Series during the 2023 season and appears to be ready for the jump.
However, Hill looks to be blocked at Richard Childress Racing. Both Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch have multi-year contracts so unless the team buys a third charter, there is no available ride. Therefore, a growing Spire Motorsports team represents a solid option.
Related: Chase Elliott’s suspension has positive ramifications for the Corey LaJoie
Trackhouse Racing and Richard Childress Racing
Predictions:
- Trackhouse Racing: No. 1 Ross Chastain, No. 91 (Multiple Drivers) (PT), No. 99 Daniel Suarez
- Richard Childress Racing: No. 3 Austin Dillon, No. 8 Kyle Busch
Trackhouse Racing inked both of its drivers to long-term deals before the 2023 NASCAR season was underway. Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez have been great for the organization and will be sticking around for a long time.
As for the third car, Trackhouse Racing has considered the idea of expanding to another full-time entry but it doesn’t appear likely to happen for the 2024 season. It does indicate that the organization is serious about expansion in the future though.
For now, the No. 91 car will continue to represent a pathway to NASCAR for international drivers as the team lands even more big names. In fact, Lewis Hamilton has expressed interest in driving a NASCAR stock car and could be an option for Trackhouse Racing but that is far down the line.
As stated above, Richard Childress Racing has two drivers on multi-year contracts so their lineup is staying the same. Busch has the look of a championship contender with three victories and more on the way while Dillon is trying to build consistency.
It has been rough for Dillon and the No. 3 team as they were hit with a big penalty at the NASCAR R&D Center earlier in the year. The speed has been present for the No. 8 team so it will be interesting to see if Dillon can turn the corner.
Related: Carl Edwards reveals desire to tour Trackhouse Racing, won’t drive No. 91 car
Hendrick Motorsports and JTG Daugherty Racing
Predictions:
- Hendrick Motorsports: No. 5 Kyle Larson, No. 9 Chase Elliott, No. 24 William Byron, No. 48 Alex Bowman
- JTG Daugherty Racing: No. 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Hendrick Motorsports has one of the best driver lineups in the NASCAR Cup Series and the organization understands the importance of keeping it together. This is why every driver has a contract that runs through the 2025 season.
In fact, every driver except William Byron has a contract that runs through the 2026 season as well. The organization is primed to do major things over the next decade and there won’t be any changes for a long time.
Meanwhile, JTG Daugherty Racing has been NASCAR’s most improved organization compared to the 2022 season. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the 2023 Daytona 500 and has more top-5 finishes than he did all of last year.
Also, Stenhouse is 12 spots higher in the point standings and his average finishing position has improved by eight positions. The driver of the No. 47 car has the 12th-best average finishing position among full-time drivers.
Stenhouse could easily jump to a deeper and more prolific organization; however, he is building something special with JTG Daugherty Racing. This partnership is one that could go far into the future as everything is improving.
Related: Hendrick Motorsports drivers speak out against NASCAR penalties at R&D Center
Team Penske, RFK Racing, Wood Brothers Racing
Predictions:
- Team Penske: No. 2 Austin Cindric, No. 12 Ryan Blaney, No. 22 Joey Logano
- RFK Racing: No. 6 Brad Keselowski, No. 17 Chris Buescher
- Wood Brothers Racing: No. 21 Harrison Burton
Team Penske has a driver’s lineup that is pretty much set in stone right now. Austin Cindric is currently in a bad sophomore-year slump after winning the 2022 Daytona 500 during his rookie campaign but he has a seat moving forward.
Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano both signed long-term deals so they will be sticking around far into the future. Both will likely compete for championships during that entire stretch so it was crucial to make sure they were both locked up.
RFK Racing has shown major improvement since the start of the 2022 season as Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher both sit in the playoff picture; however, there is not much to talk about here as Keselowski is the co-owner and Buescher is locked in for multiple years.
Meanwhile, Wood Brothers Racing has a decision to make with Harrison Burton. The No. 21 team has struggled with Burton behind the wheel but he has improved over the last month. It is truly needed as a driver change is likely to happen if there is no improvement.
The prediction is that Burton returns to the No. 21 car but it is definitely not a certainty. The next month should really paint the picture of what happens to Wood Brothers Racing for the 2024 season and beyond.
Related: RFK Racing has long-term goals of expanding to 4 cars in the future
Stewart-Haas Racing and Front Row Motorsports
Predictions:
- Stewart-Haas Racing: No. 4 Josh Berry, No. 10 Michael McDowell, No. 14 Chase Briscoe, No. 41 Cole Custer
- Front Row Motorsports: No. 34 Zane Smith, No. 38 Todd Gilliland
Stewart-Haas Racing has several decisions to make for the 2024 season. Kevin Harvick is leaving and Aric Almirola is expected to retire at the conclusion of the championship race at Phoenix Raceway in November.
The prediction is that Almirola steps away from NASCAR and creates two open seats. Josh Berry is set to replace Harvick in the No. 4 car as Stewart-Haas Racing is finalizing a contract that would make him full-time but what about the No. 10 car?
Michael McDowell is linked to the organization and that leads to a prediction of him taking over for Almirola. McDowell has really shown flashes and could compete for wins with a deeper organization like Stewart-Haas Racing.
Meanwhile, Cole Custer is predicted to have a strong second half of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season and reclaims the No. 41 car as Ryan Preece continues to struggle on a weekly basis. It might seem like a surprising move but it is called silly season for a reason.
In the end, Stewart-Haas Racing and Front Row Motorsports hold the keys to the overall driver movement. Front Row Motorsports refuses to let Zane Smith leave for Stewart-Haas Racing and he replaces McDowell in the No. 34 car. This allows Todd Gilliland to remain in the No. 38 car to form a powerful young duo.
Front Row Motorsports has an incredibly bright future and this situation would only make them even stronger. It would be disappointing to see McDowell move on from the team but he deserves an opportunity with an organization like Stewart-Haas Racing.
Related: Stewart-Haas Racing hit with one of the biggest penalties in NASCAR history
Joe Gibbs Racing, 23XI Racing, Legacy Motor Club
Predictions:
- Joe Gibbs Racing: No. 11 Denny Hamlin, No. 19 Martin Truex Jr., No. 20 Christopher Bell, No. 54 Ty Gibbs
- 23XI Racing: No. 23 Bubba Wallace, No. 45 Tyler Reddick, No. 67 (Multiple Drivers) (PT)
- Legacy Motor Club: No. 42 Noah Gragson, No. 43 Erik Jones, No. 84 Jimmie Johnson (PT)
Joe Gibbs Racing has two potential openings but neither will end up coming to frution. Denny Hamlin is very likely to return with FedEx closing in on a deal with Joe Gibbs Racing while all signs currently point to Martin Truex Jr. coming back for the 2024 season.
Truex is considering retirement but the success that has been seen from the No. 19 team this season has created more excitement. It is not a certainty that Truex returns but it appears to be heading in that direction.
23XI Racing has a third part-time car but it doesn’t feel like an expansion will happen after Legacy Motor Club announced its move to Toyota Racing for the 2024 season. The prediction is that Kurt Busch runs a few races while Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick continue to improve.
Speaking of Legacy Motor Club, it has been a rough year. Erik Jones and Noah Gragson have been struggling but their return to Toyota for 2024 should help their development. Jimmie Johnson has not been shy in his return to NASCAR so the team will likely turn it around soon.
Johnson is also predicted to drive select races in the No. 84 car which means he will compete for Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series. It would be an unusual sight but the seven-time Cup Series champion’s presence in NASCAR is great for everyone.
Related: Kurt Busch gives positive update on his return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023
Concluding thoughts about NASCAR silly season for 2024 season
NASCAR silly season has an incredible amount of potential but it all hinges on three organizations. Stewart-Haas Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Front Row Motorsports can create a good amount of driver movement under the right circumstances.
Stewart-Haas Racing will definitely have to sign at least one driver but the other two organizations could keep their current lineups. There is the possibility of mayhem but it can also be pretty tame at the same time.
As for other teams, there is not much else out there right now. Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, Richard Childress Racing, and other major NASCAR organization are ready to go for 2024 barring something unexpected.
It will be fun to follow the entire process of NASCAR silly season as there are plenty of moving parts. This applies to all three NASCAR divisions as the Xfinity and Truck Series are very fluid every single year.
This may not be on the same level as the last three seasons; however, anyone who knows the business side of NASCAR understands that anything can happen.