3 NASCAR drivers facing uncertain futures ft. Corey LaJoie

Before NASCAR broke for the two-week hiatus, several drivers were left without a confirmed ride for the 2025 season. Spire Motorsports' Corey LaJoie recently announced his departure after his fourth full-time season with the team.

With the looming uncertainty of a few Cup drivers, three of the four Stewart-Haas Racing drivers landed a ride for next season after the team's announcement to shut down their operations. Moreover, from the SHR's shed, Josh Berry replaced Wood Brothers Racing's #21 Harrison Burton, endangering the driver's future.

Cup Series teams are scheduled to return to high-octane racing on August 11 at Richmond Raceway for the remaining 14 events, including 10 playoff races. With no choice, the three drivers mentioned below have to look for a ride as they enter the free-agent market.

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#1 Corey LaJoie

#7 Corey LaJoie, JUN 18 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series - FireKeepers Casino 400 - Source: Getty

Corey LaJoie ranks 28th in the drivers' points standings after 22 starts for Spire Motorsports in the 2024 season. Piloting the #7 Chevy, the 32-year-old has only one top-5 finish and has finished the race inside the top-15 in just three races.

Amidst the NASCAR Silly Season, LaJoie's departure news came out shortly after Spire announced the signing of Rodney Childers as the crew chief of LaJoie, who was in a multi-year contract. However, as things stand, Corey LaJoie would be looking for a new home.

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#2 Ryan Preece

#41 Ryan Preece, JUN 22 NASCAR Cup Series USA Today 301 - Source: Getty

#41 Ryan Preece is the sole driver from Ford's roster under the Stewart-Haas Racing shed without a confirmed landing spot for the 2025 season. His teammates Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, and Josh Berry have confirmed their rides with Joe Gibbs Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and Wood Brothers Racing, respectively.

Preece was in his second full-time season with the Tony Stewart-led Cup team. After 22 races this season, the 33-year-old is placed at 26th spot in the overall standings. So far, he has managed one top-5 and one top-10 finish.

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#3 Harrison Burton

#21 Harrison Burton, FEB 16 NASCAR 2022 Daytona 500 Media Day - Source: Getty

Harrison Burton drives the #21 Ford for the historic Wood Brothers Racing. He is in his third full-time season with WBR and has accumulated only five top-10s in over 90 starts in the Cup Series. Currently, he is 34th on the points table and claimed one top-10 finish at Talladega Superspeedway.

SHR's Josh Berry replaced the 23-year-old WBR driver for the 2025 season. With NASCAR inching toward the playoff rounds, Burton has to prove himself, earn his spot, and continue his search in the Cup Series for the upcoming season.