Predicting where NASCAR's top remaining free agents land in 2025

NASCAR may not be in action for two weeks while NBC airs coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, but there's never really any time off in the Cup Series garage. Silly season is in full swing, with a number of drivers still looking for homes for 2025.

Here are a few of the biggest names on that list and some predictions regarding where they might land.

Zane Smith (No. 71 | Spire Motorsports)

Smith is driving for Spire Motorsports in his rookie Cup Series season while on loan from Trackhouse Racing, but it's already been announced that Michael McDowell will drive Spire's No. 71 car in 2025. Spire does have an opening as Corey LaJoie won't be returning to the No. 7, but the team will likely be looking to make its own hire for that car.

One option for Smith is moving in-house at Trackhouse, as the team looks to acquire one of the two remaining charters solid by Stewart-Haas Racing. However, Shane van Gisbergen is also waiting in the wings there and seems more likely to earn the ride given that he has already shown the ability to win on road courses in Cup. So Smith will instead return to Front Row Motorsports to drive the team's new third entry, in a virtual swap with McDowell.

Ryan Preece (No. 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing)

Three of Stewart-Haas Racing's four current Cup Series drivers have already found new homes for 2025. Chase Briscoe will replace Martin Truex Jr. at Joe Gibbs Racing, Josh Berry will drive the famed No. 21 for the Wood Brothers and Noah Gragson will join Front Row Motorsports. That leaves Preece, who has now struck out on multiple opportunities to prove himself in the Cup Series.

It wouldn't be surprising if Preece doesn't remain at NASCAR's top level. However, he's proved he can win in the Xfinity Series, and thankfully for him, what's left of SHR will be rebranded into the Haas Factory Team and run two cars full-time in that series. With Cole Custer heading back to Cup to reclaim his No. 41 ride under that banner, that opens the door for Preece to drive one of the Haas Factory Team's Xfinity Series cars.

Corey LaJoie (No. 7 | Spire Motorsports)

LaJoie is a late addition to the silly season, as he was expected to remain with Spire Motorsports for 2025 before a surprise announcement in late July that he would part ways with the organization. He's drawn criticism throughout the year for some of the damage he's caused on the track, but he is a talented driver who has proved he belongs at the Cup level and there are several openings still available for him.

The one that would make the most sense is at Kaulig Racing, which has yet to fill either of its seats for 2025. Kaulig typically relies on funding for its hiring decisions, but LaJoie has several loyal sponsors who have supported him throughout his career, including Celsius Energy Drink, which additionally sponsors Kaulig's drivers. He could either take over the No. 16 (currently a rotation of drivers) or replace Daniel Hemric in the No. 31.

Harrison Burton (No. 21 | Wood Brothers Racing)

Burton's three-year tenure with the Wood Brothers will come to an end after 2024, as it's been announced that Berry will be driving that car for 2025 and beyond. His Cup Series career has been disappointing, to say the least, with only five top-10 finishes in 95 career starts and his points position has regressed every year.

Like Preece, though, Burton has had some success at the lower levels, and could resurrect his stock by landing with a solid Xfinity or Truck program. He brings sponsorship from DEX Imaging, and his connections within the industry will keep him behind the wheel in 2025 with AM Racing in the No. 15 Xfinity car.

Other open Cup rides (and predictions of who will drive them):

Spire Motorsports No. 7: Sam Mayer 

Rick Ware Racing No. 15: Riley Herbst 

Kaulig Racing second car: several drivers (Daniel Hemric, A.J. Allmendinger and others) 

Trackhouse Racing third car: Shane van Gisbergen 

23XI Racing third car: Corey Heim