The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to kick off in just 25 days, and teams are racing against the clock to finalize preparations. With the upcoming Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium marking the first track action, the off-season has been a whirlwind of change—from new drivers and team dynamics to schedule reshuffles and lingering uncertainties.
Driver and Team Shakeups: Faces in New Places
- Noah Gragson joins Front Row Motorsports in the No. 4 Ford, remaining paired with Drew Blickensderfer.
- Chase Briscoe lands at Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 19 Toyota, with James Small as crew chief.
- Josh Berry steps into the storied No. 21 Ford at Wood Brothers Racing alongside new crew chief Miles Stanley.
- 23XI Racing expands to three cars, with Riley Herbst driving the No. 45 Toyota and retaining Monster Energy as sponsor.
- Ryan Preece joins RFK Racing as the team grows to three cars, taking the No. 60 Ford.
Other significant moves include Shane van Gisbergen entering full-time Cup competition with Trackhouse Racing in the No. 88 Chevrolet and Cole Custer anchoring the new Haas Factory Team in the No. 41 Ford.
Crew Chief Carousel and Team Overhauls
- Chris Gayle moves to the No. 11 Toyota to lead Denny Hamlin’s team, while Chris Gabehart becomes Joe Gibbs Racing’s competition director.
- Rodney Childers joins Spire Motorsports, where he’ll work with Justin Haley on the No. 7 Chevrolet.
- Trent Owens reunites with AJ Allmendinger at Kaulig Racing to lead the No. 16 Chevrolet.
Schedule Shuffles and New Opportunities
The 2025 season will see several high-profile schedule adjustments:
- Bowman Gray Stadium will host the season opener, the Cookout Clash, on Feb. 1-2.
- Daytona 500 week now features an added practice session before single-car qualifying.
- The Cup Series heads to Mexico City for the first time in June.
- Atlanta, Chicago, Sonoma, Dover, and Indianapolis will form the in-season tournament lineup.
The playoffs have also been revamped, with Darlington returning as the opener and new postseason stops at WWTR and New Hampshire.
Unanswered Questions: Lingering Uncertainty
- Ryan Preece’s Crew Chief: RFK Racing has yet to name a leader for its No. 60 Ford team.
- Denny Hamlin’s Sponsors: With FedEx scaling back, Hamlin’s team is in search of new backers.
- Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 Driver: Cody Ware is the likely candidate but remains unconfirmed.
- Front Row Motorsports Sponsors: Both Noah Gragson and Zane Smith need additional sponsorship for their 2025 campaigns.
Broadcasting Updates
NASCAR is mixing up its broadcast approach for 2025:
- FOX Sports will cover practice and qualifying for select marquee events, including the Clash and Daytona 500.
- Prime Video will stream practice and qualifying for the first half of the season, while TNT Sports will handle the second half through Max and truTV.
Rookies to Watch
NASCAR’s Rookie of the Year battle could feature a strong field, with Shane van Gisbergen and Riley Herbst among the likely contenders.
What to Watch For
The 2025 NASCAR season is brimming with promise—and questions. From high-profile debuts like Shane van Gisbergen’s full-time entry to schedule innovations like the Mexico City race, fans are in for an exhilarating year. But with teams still ironing out final details, the true shape of the season will come into focus as the first green flag waves at Bowman Gray Stadium.