NASCAR’s 2025 Season: New Faces,Familiar Powerhouses,and a Potential Shakeup
By Zech Yoder
The NASCAR landscape has undergone a seismic shift in the past year,most notably with the closure of Stewart Haas Racing,a team synonymous with victory and championships. As the dust settles on the 2024 season and the “silly season” winds down, anticipation builds for the 2025 season.
Four teams are poised to expand from two to three cars, injecting fresh talent and intrigue into the Cup Series. Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK) will welcome back Ryan preece, a former Stewart Haas driver, and has secured a charter lease from Rick Ware Racing. This move marks a potential resurgence for RFK, a team that once boasted five full-time Cup entries in its heyday. With Preece joining the ranks, RFK appears primed to challenge for a championship once again.Trackhouse Racing, fresh off Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning debut win at the Chicago Street Course in 2023, will add the New Zealand road course ace to its lineup. Van Gisbergen’s dominance on road courses in the Xfinity Series has solidified his playoff contender status. While his lack of oval experience presents a challenge, even a handful of top-10 finishes on ovals would be considered a success. His charisma and the iconic No. 88 car will undoubtedly propel him to NASCAR stardom.
The expansion of 23XI Racing and Front row Motorsports adds another layer of excitement,though both teams are embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit with NASCAR and currently lack chartered status for 2025. 23XI has confirmed Riley Herbst in the No. 35 car. Herbst, a rising star with Monster Energy backing, has shown steady enhancement in the Xfinity Series and impressed in his limited Cup starts. While a championship run might be premature, Herbst could surprise with a playoff berth.Front Row Motorsports will add Noah Gragson, who has shown significant growth with SHR in 2024. With Front row Motorsports on an upward trajectory, Gragson could be a consistent top-10 contender in 2025.
despite the influx of new talent, the established powerhouses – Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Team Penske – are expected to remain dominant forces. however, RFK’s resurgence and the potential for Legacy Motor Club to rebound after a disappointing 2024 season could shake up the established order.
With Erik Jones behind the wheel of a toyota for a second year, Legacy Motor Club could be a dark horse contender, potentially even securing a win and a playoff spot.
As the countdown to the 2025 season begins, the anticipation is palpable. Will new faces rise to the challenge? Can established teams maintain their dominance? Only time will tell what surprises await on the track.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.
Diving deep into NASCAR’s 2025 Season: A Conversation with Motorsports Analyst, Jake Henderson
NewsDirectory3.com: Welcome, Jake! NASCAR’s 2025 season is shaping up to be quite the spectacle. With the news of Stewart-Haas Racing shutting down and several teams expanding, the landscape feels dramatically different. What are your initial thoughts on these shifts?
Jake Henderson: It’s definitely an exciting time for NASCAR. The closure of Stewart-Haas Racing is a huge loss, but it opens doors for other teams to step up. The expansion of RFK, Trackhouse, 23XI, and Front Row Motorsports is a major advancement.
NewsDirectory3.com: RFK seems particularly poised for a comeback with Ryan Preece onboard. What do you see as their potential in 2025?
Jake henderson: Absolutely. preece brings experience and a desire to prove himself. RFK has the infrastructure and now the driver to be a legitimate contender. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them back in victory lane and in the playoff hunt.
NewsDirectory3.com: Then there’s the Trackhouse wildcard, Shane van Gisbergen. He turned heads with that stunning Chicago win.
Jake Henderson: Van Gisbergen is an absolute talent. His road course prowess is undeniable, but the ovals are a different beast. If he can adapt quickly, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with. He definitely brings a unique flavor to the Cup Series.
NewsDirectory3.com: We’ve also got promising young drivers like Riley Herbst and Noah Gragson emerging into larger roles. How do these newcomers factor into the 2025 championship picture?
Jake Henderson: Herbst and Gragson are both exciting prospects. Herbst has steadily improved in the Xfinity Series,and Gragson has shown flashes of brilliance. while a championship might be a stretch for them in 2025,don’t count them out for playoff contention or even the occasional upset win.
NewsDirectory3.com:
Looking at the reigning powerhouses, do you think Hendrick Motorsports, Joe gibbs Racing, and Team Penske will remain dominant in 2025?
Jake Henderson: Those teams will always be in the conversation. They have the resources and experience. But the rise of RFK and the potential for Legacy Motor Club to rebound could definitely shake things up.
NewsDirectory3.com: Speaking of legacy Motor Club, with Erik Jones back for a second year, are they a dark horse contender?
Jake Henderson: I wouldn’t sleep on Legacy Motor club. Jones is a talented driver, and if they can build consistency, they could be a threat for a win and possibly a playoff spot.
NewsDirectory3.com: how do you see the 2025 season unfolding?
Jake Henderson: It’s going to be an incredibly exciting season.We have new faces, established powerhouses, and teams looking to prove themselves. The competition is going to be fierce. It wouldn’t surprise me to see unexpected winners and a shakeup in the championship standings. Buckle up, because it’s going to be a wild ride!
