Stewart-Haas Racing has been the topic of conversation when it relates to NASCAR’s silly season due to the murky future of several drivers on the team. Kevin Harvick, the driver of the No. 4 car, is already certainly gone as he will retire at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Meanwhile, this could be Aric Almirola’s final season in the NASCAR Cup Series after he returned in 2023. This happened despite Almirola’s announced retirement at the beginning of the 2022 season.
Finally, Ryan Preece still has yet to finish in the top 10 spots and sits 28th in the point standings. With all of this under consideration, the latest reports surrounding Stewart-Haas Racing suggest they could announce a new driver sooner rather than later.
Related: Kevin Harvick talks about picking a driver for the No. 4 car in 2024
Josh Berry’s plans for 2024 could be announced by Memorial Day, linked to Stewart-Haas Racing
It was reported ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway that Josh Berry, a driver for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, is a top candidate to join Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024.
Berry, 32, has been the replacement driver for Hendrick Motorsports and has one top-5 finish and three top-10 finishes in six Cup Series races this season. The 32-year-old driver has been very impressive and has caught the eye of many within the industry.
In fact, Berry is finalizing a long-term deal with Kevin Harvick’s agency, KHI Management, after a strong start to the 2023 season, according to Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern. This further suggests that a move to Stewart-Haas Racing is growing more likely by the day.
Also, Larry McReynolds, a racing analyst for FOX Sports, said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that he wouldn’t be surprised if the public knows what Berry will be doing next season by Memorial Day weekend.
With all the reports coming together, it suggests that Stewart-Haas Racing could announce Berry as one of its 2024 Cup Series drivers by Memorial Day. Currently, he is substituting for Alex Bowman in the No. 48 car for Hendrick Motorsports.
Stewart-Haas Racing is the main focus of NASCAR’s silly season and with the organization pursuing at least one new driver, it would be a major deal if Berry joins the team. This would allow the organization to wait and see what happens with its other drivers.
If Berry does find himself in the No. 4 car next season, who else could join the team? Keep reading to find out three ideal candidates for Stewart-Haas Racing below!
Related: Tony Stewart addresses his involvement with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2023
3 bold drivers for Stewart-Haas Racing to hire for the 2024 NASCAR season
There are several solid candidates for Stewart-Haas Racing to hire for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season and beyond. The first one is the defending NASCAR Truck Series champion from Front Row Motorsports.
Zane Smith is a hot commodity for Ford and he will have a full-time ride in the Cup Series very soon. Smith, 23, is the defending Truck Series champion and currently has two wins during the 2023 season.
The 23-year-old driver would be a perfect driver for Front Row Motorsports; however, his talent and potential should allow him to join a more competitive organization. Smith would be a good fit as it would allow the team to have another young driver.
Riley Herbst would have been a surprising name to hear just a few months ago; however, the driver of the No. 98 car has really shown that he can be a quality driver in NASCAR overall. Herbst, 24, currently sits second in the point standings with six top-10 finishes through seven races.
The 24-year-old driver has Monster Energy so it would allow Stewart-Haas Racing to grab a driver with sponsorship and talent. Herbst should be near the top of the list and if he has a breakout season, this will be an easy decision.
Todd Gilliland currently drives the No. 38 car for Front Row Motorsports in the Cup Series and he would be a brilliant option for Stewart-Haas Racing. Gilliland, 22, sits 23rd in the point standings above the likes of Erik Jones, Arc Almirola, Ryan Preece, Austin Dillon, and more.
The 22-year-old driver could be looking to move out of Front Row Motorsports and to be a better team starting next year after the organization made him a part-time driver for a period of time. The idea of joining an organization with a winning culture could make Gilliland flourish.
Stewart-Haas Racing will have plenty of decisions to make for the 2024 NASCAR season; however, the organization should be really attractive to drivers looking for a shot in solid Cup Series equipment.