NASCAR silly season has been electric over the last few years and the leadup to the 2024 season should not be any different. There are plenty of storylines to follow, including Stewart-Haas Racing’s driver lineup, Martin Truex Jr.’s future, and more.
Let’s dive into the latest updates involving NASCAR silly season as the process for next year continues to ramp up!
Related: NASCAR schedule for the 2023 season
Josh Berry announced as Kevin Harvick’s replacement at Stewart-Haas Racing
Stewart-Haas Racing has announced that Josh Berry will drive the No. 4 car in the NASCAR Cup Series starting in 2024. Berry, 32, will replace Kevin Harvick as he steps away from the Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Sportsnaut’s Matt Weaver was the first to report that Berry would officially join Stewart-Haas Racing. The current NASCAR Xfinity Series driver will join Chase Briscoe as drivers under contract with the organization next year.
Aric Almirola and Ryan Preece are not certain to return to the team. Almirola has been linked to a possible retirement while Preece is reportedly set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the year. Stewart-Haas Racing will continue to be active during NASCAR silly season.
Related: Stewart-Haas Racing linked to Daytona 500 champion to replace Aric Almirola
NASCAR silly season: Toyota Racing ‘optimistic’ that Martin Truex Jr. returns in 2024
Martin Truex Jr. had a rough start to the 2023 NASCAR season but he has turned it around with two victories in the last two months. Truex, 42, holds the points lead entering the second half of the season but his status for 2024 remains uncertain.
The driver of the No. 19 car for Joe Gibbs Racing has been weighing the possibility of retirement for a second straight year; however, Toyota remains optimistic that its talented veteran will return to the organization and manufacturer next year.
Truex has rebounded very well after missing the playoffs last season. Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota would be better off seeing Truex return as it would be difficult to enter NASCAR silly season trying to replace a Cup Series champion.
Aric Almirola ‘widely expected’ to retire at the conclusion of the 2023 season
Aric Almirola was set to retire at the conclusion of the 2022 season after announcing it before the Daytona 500. Stewart-Haas Racing was facing the task of replacing Almirola in the No. 10 car with uncertainty surrounding Smithfield Foods.
However, the driver of the No. 10 car decided to come back for the 2023 season. Almirola didn’t commit beyond this season but the latest reports say he is “widely expected” to retire with Harvick after the final race at Phoenix Raceway.
Stewart-Haas Racing would have essentially pushed back Almirola’s departure by one year. It lines up with Harvick so the organization would be able to rebuild its lineup around Briscoe as it looks to improve on its current performances.
Read More: Aric Almirola expected to retire from NASCAR at the end of 2023
NASCAR silly season: Martin Truex Jr. expected to return to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024
Martin Truex Jr. considered stepping away from the NASCAR Cup Series after the 2022 season but ultimately decided to return to Joe Gibbs Racing. It has been a much better campaign as he possesses two wins to his name.
However, what about Truex’s status for the 2024 season? The 42-year-old driver is expected to return as all signs point toward the outcome. Nothing has been made official but it is obvious that this season’s success has helped his future.
The task of replacing a Cup Series champion is always tough, especially when they are still racing at a high level. For now, Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota hope to avoid such a situation and see their star driver return for another year instead of truly joining NASCAR silly season.
What is a silly season in NASCAR?
NASCAR silly season is a time of the year when organizations work on solidifying their driver lineups for the upcoming season. The majority of NASCAR’s driver movement begins in the summer months and goes throughout the rest of winter until the Daytona 500. The idea of NASCAR silly season is essentially the same as other sports with their free agencies.
