As the 2024 NASCAR season draws to a close, many drivers are still trying to figure out their plans for 2025. With the high bench at Daytona approaching the start of 2025 in less than four months, here are some of the NASCAR free agents looking for opportunities next season:
Corey Haim
Current Ride: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series #11 TRICON GarageHeim might be the top prospect in NASCAR right now, but he has yet to officially announce his plans for 2025. Heim was linked with a third entry for 23XI Racing last summer, but those rumors have now been quashed.
Signs seem to point to Heim staying at TRICON for one more season. This team is a pleasure to host and is amazing for the Truck Series. But Heim, 22, is ready for the Cup. Keep an eye on potential LEGACY Motor Club Cup contenders and Sam Hunt Racing in the Xfinity Series to sign Heim this offseason. Heim will begin working for both organizations in 2024, with both teams flying the Toyota banner.
Zane Smith
Current Race: NASCAR Cup Series No. 71, Spire Motorsports The first 18 races of Smith’s first Cup Series season were poor, but in the next 15 races he was one of the best drivers in the series. Smith averaged 15.9 points in the second half of the season, including second in Nashville, where Smith won and qualified for the playoffs.
Smith’s contract with Trackhouse Racing expired last summer, but he remains a strong contender for Front Row Motorsports’ third car in 2025. Smith won a Truck Series championship with the team in 2022 and has proven his worth as a Cup Series contender . Don’t be surprised if the 25-year-old returns home in 2025.
Ryan Preiss
Current Appearance: #41, NASCAR Cup Series, Stewart-Haas Race It’s true that Preece’s average performance in the Cup Series doesn’t put him at the top of free agent lists, but he’s a solid short-track competitor who rarely breaks his the equipment. Preece has been linked to several runs throughout the season, most notably possibly bringing in a former teammate from Kroger. That would give Press the best Cup Series opportunity of his career.
Daniel Hemrick
Current Race: NASCAR Cup Series #31, Kaulig Racing Hemric’s second Cup Series run was less than impressive to the public, and it was confirmed in September that he would not return to Kaulig Racing next season. Still, it would be surprising to see the 2021 Xfinity Series champion without a car in 2025. Because, like Prees, he almost always comes home with a clean car. Hemric may not have a future in the Cup Series, but he’s a decent driver who deserves a competitive ride in the Xfinity Series. Don’t be surprised if he gets a part-time opportunity with a top team in the Xfinity Series.
