NASCAR Silly Season: 4 Cup seats still vacant after Ty Dillon's full-time role with Kaulig Racing

Ahead of the NASCAR Round of 12 race at Kansas, Kaulig Racing announced the signing of Ty Dillon under the full-time Cup Series obligation. Dillion will replace Daniel Hemric and will drive the no. 10 car alongside AJ Allmendinger's no. 16 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Despite Dillon's new opportunity, the NASCAR Cup Series still has four unoccupied seats for the 2025 season.

The charters were released after Tony Stewart decided to withdraw his involvement from Stewart-Haas Racing at the end of this season. That left Gene Haas alone to navigate through the sport, where he decided to retain one out of four charters to provide Cole Custer an opportunity in the 2025 season.

With that said, here are the four charters that are yet to be filled for next season:

#3 Rick Ware Racing's two Charters

Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing is reportedly linked with Rick Ware Racing over two NASCAR charters. As per Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, RFK might have a deal with RWR to acquire or lease a charter. If they lease or charter one, Ryan Preece seems to be the favorite to land this drive.

While the aforementioned charter is still uncertain, RWR has another charter free for which Corey LaJoie might be the top choice. LaJoie, who was recently swapped with RWR from Spire Motorsports against Justin Haley, joined Rick Ware's team recently.

"That (Ty Dillon's Kaulig opportunity) leaves four chartered cars still tbd. Third Front Row car (Zane Smith favorite), third 23XI car (Riley Herbst favorite) but obviously both have charter drama. If RFK does deal with RWR to acquire/lease charter (Preece favorite) and then another RWR (LaJoie favorite)," Pockrass wrote.

#2 23XI Racing

23XI Racing reportedly agreed to take one of Stewart-Haas Racing's charter. However, with the recent charter dispute with NASCAR, the situation within Denny Hamlin's co-owned team has changed.

Prior to the dispute, Riley Herbst was seen as the favorite driver for the seat. But as of September 2024, 23XI Racing did not make any official announcement for the third charter.

Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace are under contract to drive the #45 and the #23 Toyota Camry XSE, respectively, next season.

#1 Front Row Motorsport

Front Row Motorsport is the second team that agreed to take one of Stewart-Haas Racing's charter next season. But with the latest Charter tussle with NASCAR, the situation looks nothing but complicated.

Front Row Motorsport was one of the two teams that did not agree to NASCAR's latest Charter deal. And this not only puts their existing two charters in jeopardy but also the third one. Zane Smith is regarded as the favorite for this seat.

Their existing two charters have Michael McDowell in the #34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse and Todd Gilliland in the #38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse driving for them in 2025.

Notably, Stewart-Haas Racing has reportedly sold its third charter to Trackhouse Racing.