NASCAR Silly Season: Can Ryan Preece land a Cup Series ride in 2025?

Ryan Preece is the only Cup Series driver from Stewart-Haas Racing Ford's roster without a confirmed ride for the 2024 NASCAR season. Moreover, continuing to compete in NASCAR's top division is also a big question for the 33-year-old.

Earlier this season, Tony Stewart and Gene Haas announced plans to shut their operations by the end of the 2024 season. As a result, Preece, with five other SHR drivers, is on the hunt to find a new home. SHR currently fields a four-car and two-car charter in the Cup and Xfinity Series, respectively.

Noah Gragson, Josh Berry, and Chase Briscoe have secured their rides for the 2025 Cup campaign. Moreover, Cole Custer from SHR's Xfinity program has moved up the ranks and has secured a Cup Series ride with Haas Factory Team, a newly-formed NASCAR team led solely by Gene Haas.

In a recent X post, Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass stated that it is still unknown when asked about #41 Preece's future. Pockrass said:

"Nothing has changed as far as Preece. I believe he will be somewhere in the three national series but not sure where he lands."

Before joining SHR, Preece had a run with the No. 15 of Rick Ware Racing for two races. RWR currently fields two-car charters with Justin Haley, piloting the #51 full-time, and three part-time drivers for the #15 Ford. With Rick Ware competing with part-time drivers for the #15 and Kaz Grala as the anchor driver, Preece could become a top contender provided he brings a full-time sponsorship to the team.

Following the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASCAR breaks into a two-week hiatus before returning for Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 11.

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Ryan Preece shares his plans for the two-week distraction from NASCAR silly season

In his second full-time season with SHR, Ryan Preece has amassed one top-5 and two top-10 finishes after 22 starts. He now sits at P26 with 329 points in the overall standings.

After a third DNF at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the final moments of the race and an exhausting season, Preece shared a detailed plan for his time off during the two-week Paris Olympics break. Ryan Preece said:

"During the Olympic break, I'm going to go back up to Connecticut. We're going to visit some family on the first week and then on the second week we are going to the outer banks."

The Connecticut native also admitted that he and his wife, Heather DesRochers haven't taken a vacation in more than eight years and are planning to disconnect. This break seems like the perfect getaway for Ryan Preece as drivers and teams get closer to the 2024 NASCAR playoffs.