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The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is two months away, with the unofficial kickoff of the season with the pre-season exhibition event at Bowman Gray Stadium. As the NASCAR offseason heats up, the driver market is buzzing with speculation. While several drivers have secured their rides for 2025, while others remain in limbo.
Almost all teams have filled their vacant entry for the 2025 season, but there are two open spots left to fill in the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series organizations. As there are several NASCAR Cup and Xfinity drivers who are still without a ride for the upcoming season. On that note, let’s take a look at the five top free agents still exploring opportunities in the NASCAR off-season.
Top NASCAR free agents for 2025 season
#1 Zane Smith
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Zane Smith is one of the most interesting free agents in the off-season. Due to his past performances, he drove the #71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 full-time for Spire Motorsports in an alliance with Trackhouse Racing in the 2024 Cup Series season.
After one season, Trackhouse Racing released him from their long-term contract, which left Smith uncertain about next season. The 2024 season had been ordinary for Smith, but his performance improved late in the season.
There has been a rumor Smith might reunite with Front Row Motorsports (FRM), the team with which he won the Truck Series championship in 2022. However, the ongoing 23XI and FRM charter dispute with sports could leave him a free agent.
#2 Chandler Smith
Chandler Smith is shocking free agents on the list. Despite a championship-caliber performance for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), he doesn’t have a ride for the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old Talking Rock, Georgia, native competed full-time in the 2024 Xfinity Series in the #84 JGR Toyota Supra. He kicked off this season in style with a P5 finish at Daytona and later earned two wins at Phoenix Raceway and Richmond Raceway.
#3 Corey Lajoie
The 2024 Cup season had been a rollercoaster for Corey Lajoie, both on and off the track. He lost his Cup Series ride at Spire Motorsports, resulting in a swap with Justin Haley at Rick Ware Racing in the 2024 playoffs. This left his NASCAR future uncertain.
The 33-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina, native had an average finish of 23.722 in 2024. He scored only one top-five and three top-10 finishes in a 36-race schedule.
#4 Anthony Alfredo
After the Xfinity Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway, Anthony Alfredo confirmed that he will not return to Our Motorsports in 2025. Kris Wright replaced Alfredo in the #5 entry for next season. His departure is also a bit of a shock.
The 25-year-old Ridgefield, Connecticut, native finished the season at 15th place in the championship standings, tallying two top-5s, seven top-10 finishes, and four DNFs in 36 races.
#5 Kaz Grala
Kaz Grala competed part-time in the 2024 Cup season for two teams, Front Row Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing. He couldn’t leave his mark, despite competing in more than half of the season. His best performance was P14 result at Atlanta Motor Speedway this season.
The 25-year-old Boston, Massachusetts, native may not have a future in the Cup Series, but he’s a talented driver who deserves a competitive ride in the 2025 Xfinity Series. Don't be surprised if he signed for a part-time Xfinity Series opportunity next season.
