Have all SHR drivers secured their NASCAR Cup Series future? Exploring the leftovers that are yet to ink a deal

Stewart-Haas Racing's co-owners, Gene Haas and Tony Stewart, officially announced their decision to shut down their NASCAR Cup Series organization in May 2024, after 15 years in the sport. This announcement left the future of all SHR Cup Series drivers up in the air, and here we look at their situation of reserving their respective drives in NASCAR for the 2025 season.

The decision didn't "come easy," the co-owners said when announcing the folding up of the team,

"We have made the difficult decision to close Stewart-Haas Racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season. It is a decision that did not come easily, nor was it made quickly. Racing is a labor-intensive, humbling sport. It requires unwavering commitment and vast resources, with a 365-day mindset to be better than everyone else. It’s part of what makes success so rewarding."

Let's take a look at the SRH drivers' future in the Cup Series, as things stand.

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#1. Chase Briscoe (only NASCAR playoff-qualified SHR driver)

Chase Briscoe is the only driver from Stewart-Haas Racing to land a playoff spot this season. Amid the team's shutdown, he has been racing well this season. However, soon after the co-owners released the statement, Briscoe didn't waste any time and went straight to the Joe Gibbs Racing team.

After driving for four years under SHR's banner, Chase Briscoe is all set to replace the retiring 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Martin Truex Jr. by the end of the 2024 season.

Briscoe said,

"Literally in the conference room, I just started texting all the team presidents I knew, and Dave (Alpern, JGR president) was one of them and just said, ‘Hey, Stewart-Haas let us know today that we’re kind of free to do whatever we want. Would love the opportunity just to talk to you guys if there’s any potential there."

He added that Alpern called him on Wednesday asking Briscoe if he was free for breakfast on Thursday and Joe Gibbs Racing signed the #14 Ford driver in less than a week after the announcement.

#2. Noah Gragson

Noah Gragson was hired by SHR for the 2024 season. Previously, he raced half of the 2023 season with Legacy Motor Club. Following the Stewart-Haas Racing team's shutdown, he will be moving to Front Row Motorsports for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025.

FRM was aiming to expand its two-car operation to a three-car operation, and the opportunity presented itself for both Gragson and FRM. Gragson will be joining his former teammate Todd Gilliand in the 2025 season. The duo raced together in the NASCAR Craftsman Series for Kyle Busch Motorsports from 2017-18.

#3. Josh Berry

Josh Berry is in his rookie Cup Series season and was hired by SHR as a replacement for the #4 Ford driver Kevin Harvick.

After SHR's shutdown, Berry signed a multiyear deal with Wood Brothers Racing for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. He will be replacing Harrison Burton, while Berry's crew chief, Rodney Childres, will move to Spire Motorsports for his next season.

Wood Brothers Racing team president Jon Wood said,

“I think Josh was the obvious choice.”

Berry will be looking to gain experience with the iconic Wood Brothers Racing team. The new addition to the team will be driving NASCAR legend David Pearson's #21 Ford.

#4. Ryan Preece

Ryan Preece, the #41 Ford driver, is the only Stewart-Haas Racing driver who is yet to secure his spot for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. There is no official announcement as of yet. However, RFK Racing is expected to expand its two-car operation to a three-car operation, and Preece could be hired by the team for the 2025 season.