Did You Notice? … The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series field has almost completely taken shape?
With two races left, most of what’s left to be decided will come in the courtroom, as Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing continue their antitrust lawsuit against the sport (The next hearing on the case is scheduled for Nov. 4).
But in terms of all the other seats available, the game of musical chairs is coming to a close. One of the last questions appeared to get answered today when NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran said Ryan Preece would be running for RFK Racing next season in a No. 60 Ford (There’s been no official confirmation from the team … at least, not yet).
Let’s take a quick look at the team/driver combinations for 2025 and where the dust apparently settled.
Hendrick Motorsports
No Changes. Kyle Larson (No. 5), Chase Elliott (No. 9), William Byron (No. 24), Alex Bowman (No. 48)
Any nagging rumors about Bowman getting replaced at HMS, despite a contract running through 2026, got snuffed out with a better-than-expected playoff performance. If not for the surprising DQ at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL a few weeks back, we’d be talking about Bowman having a shot at the Championship 4.
Everyone else appears set for the long-term. Byron’s contract expires at the conclusion of the 2025 season but there is zero indication he’s going anywhere else.
Team Penske
No changes. Austin Cindric (No. 2), Ryan Blaney (No. 12), Joey Logano (No. 22)
Austin, the son of Penske President Tim Cindric, appeared to save his job with a playoff-clinching win this June at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. He’ll enter 2025 as the only one in this trio with a uncertain long-term future with Ford’s top program; they’ve won two straight Cup titles and could easily win a third in two weeks with Logano or Blaney.
Joe Gibbs Racing
One change. Denny Hamlin (No. 11), Chase Briscoe (No. 19), Christopher Bell (No. 20), Ty Gibbs (No. 54)
The third leg of the sport’s three marquee organizations is the only one with some sort of offseason transition. Briscoe will replace the retiring Martin Truex Jr. at the No. 19 Toyota for 2025, hoping to rebuild a team that’s tripped over themselves over much of the summer and fall. James Small is expected to stay on as crew chief.
Hamlin will turn 44 years old in November but has no such plans to retire. The hope is Briscoe solidifies this quartet for the…
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