The top three national NASCAR series remain on a break as the Olympic Games continue in Paris, yet considerable attention remains focused on Silly Season and how driver lineups will change.
Some teams have already added key pieces for the future. Chase Briscoe signed with Joe Gibbs Racing to take over the No. 19 after Martin Truex Jr. leaves full-time competition. Cole Custer announced he will become Haas Factory Team's Cup driver next season.
Michael Mcdowell joined Spire Motorsports on a multi-year deal. Josh Berry joined Wood Brothers Racing while Noah Gragson joined Front Row Motorsports, the team that gave Todd Gilliland a multi-year extension.
These are the biggest remaining questions after 22 Cup Series races.
Who takes over for Corey LaJoie?
Photo credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography
Spire Motorsports made big news during the first week of the break by announcing that Corey LaJoie will not return to the No. 7 Chevrolet next season. The team had a solidified lineup on paper with LaJoie, McDowell, and Carson Hocevar but it has to add a third driver.
There are many talented drivers rising through the ranks. Sam Mayer continues to win races in Xfinity, and he has some sponsors behind him. He will draw attention.
Kyle Busch automatically became linked to Spire after the team announced it would part ways with LaJoie. After all, the team purchased Busch's Truck Series team and his shop in Mooresville, North Carolina.
However, Busch remains under contract with Richard Childress Racing through next season. Sources also indicate that the team already has other strong candidates for the ride and that Busch is not among this group.
Shane van Gisbergen or Zane Smith?
Photo credit: Getty Images
Trackhouse Racing has a conundrum on its hands. The team currently has two charters with two full-time drivers. Ross Chastain is under contract through next season while Daniel Suarez is expected to sign a new deal to keep him with the team.
Trackhouse Racing is expected to acquire one of Stewart-Haas Racing's remaining charters, but the team has two drivers vying for the same seat. Shane van Gisbergen is currently full-time in Xfinity, but he has already won three races. He also had the car to beat in the Cup race on the streets of Chicago, but he did not finish the race after contact from Briscoe.
Zane Smith is also a Trackhouse Racing driver although he is currently on loan to Spire Motorsports. He struggled mightily early in his rookie season but has since delivered some stronger performances. A runner-up at Nashville Superspeedway is the standout finish but he also ran well at Indianapolis.
If Trackhouse acquires one charter and moves van Gisbergen up to Cup as expected, Smith could be left looking for a ride. This could open up a reunion with Front Row Motorsports, who still has to sign a third driver. It could also lead to Trackhouse loaning Smith out to another team.
Who joins Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace?
23XI Racing is the other team tied to one of the remaining SHR charters although no deal is complete due to the ongoing charter negotiations between NASCAR and its teams. However, there are some names currently linked to the Toyota team.
Corey Heim appears to be a future driver at 23XI Racing. The Truck Series championship contender has already made one Cup start for the team, and he ran well in emergency starts for Legacy Motor Club. One of the remaining questions is whether the team feels he is ready for a move to the Cup Series.
The other driver linked to 23XI Racing is Riley Herbst. The SHR driver has made multiple Cup starts and has run well at superspeedways. He also drew praise from 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin after a standout win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Herbst acknowledged after the race that he is examining opportunities across the three national series. He also explained that he would have some say in the decision but that longtime sponsor Monster Energy would play a significant role.
23XI Racing already has ties to Monster Energy through the energy drink company's sponsorship of Tyler Reddick. Adding Herbst would make sense.
Who fills out the Haas lineup?
Haas Factory Team, which will rise from the ashes of Stewart-Haas Racing, has already provided one piece of information about the 2025 lineup. The team has confirmed that Custer will drive the No. 41 full-time in the Cup Series.
This leaves questions about the team's two full-time Xfinity Series cars. Which drivers will take over and lead the way in the second-tier series?
According to team president Joe Custer, there are multiple options on the table. Haas Factory Team has already made an offer to Herbst, but he remains linked to Cup rides. The team has also had conversations with Hailie Deegan, who parted ways with AM Racing.
Joe Custer said during a media session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that the team is looking at all options. This could include a Cup driver moving back down to the Xfinity Series, something that could be an option for SHR driver Ryan Preece.
The biggest thing for the team is that its drivers are in contention for wins. Herbst and Custer have both won races for SHR over the last two seasons. Custer has also won an Xfinity championship.
Maintaining this ability to contend for wins is a big priority for Haas Factory Team, especially considering that there are some other teams in Xfinity that have technical alliances with the organization.