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NASCAR is taking a break for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. The Cup Series will resume on August 11 at Richmond Raceway, the Truck Series on August 10, and the Xfinity Series on August 17.
As the NASCAR action takes a break, big changes are happening off the track with the drivers and teams for the upcoming season.
5. Harrison Burton's departure from Wood Brothers Racing
Harrison Burton is set to leave Wood Brothers Racing after the 2024 season. Burton has struggled in his two seasons with the team and is currently 36th in the standings.
The team announced that Josh Berry will take over the No. 21 Ford next year. Berry currently stands 35th in the NASCAR Cup Series for Stewart–Haas Racing.
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4. 23XI Racing's charter from Stewart-Haas Racing
Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin's team, 23XI Racing, plans to get a new charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. The team currently has Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick driving their two cars and plans to add a third car.
Riley Herbst is rumored to be the top choice for the third car.
3. Corey LaJoie's exit from Spire Motorsports
Corey LaJoie said this week that he will not be driving the No. 7 car for Spire Motorsports in 2025. He has had a challenging season this year with only one top-10 finish, ranking 28th in points.
Spire Motorsports is also expanding. They have signed new crew chief Rodney Childers and Michael McDowell will be driving the No. 71 car full-time starting in 2025. LaJoie’s future is now uncertain. However, he could possibly move to Kaulig Racing or Rick Ware Racing.
2. Martin Truex Jr. set to retire
Martin Truex Jr. announced in June that he will retire from full-time racing after the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series. He said he had been thinking about this for a while and felt that it was the right time. The 43-year-old has had a successful 21-year career, including a Cup Series championship and multiple race wins.
He is fifth in the standings this year with zero wins. Truex plans to race occasionally but wants more free time. Chase Briscoe will replace him in the No. 19 car for Joe Gibbs Racing next year.
1. Tony Stewart's SHR exit from NASCAR
Owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas announced in May that Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) would exit NASCAR after the 2024 season. Stewart said the decision was hard but necessary because racing requires a lot of commitment and resources they can no longer maintain.
The team was founded in 2009 and has collected 69 Cup wins and 22 Xfinity wins over its 15 years of operation. Most of SHR's four-car Cup team drivers Josh Berry, Noah Gragson, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Preece have found new homes for the 2025 season.
After SHR closes, Briscoe will join Joe Gibbs Racing, Berry will move to WBR, and Gragson will race for Front Row Motorsports. However, Preece is still looking for a ride.
