The Stewart Haas Racing team ceased its operations formally in 2024. As they bid adieu to the NASCAR world, their drivers will look to keep three-time Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart’s legacy alive. While each of its four drivers – Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, Ryan Preece, and Josh Berry are on their way to a new start, it is quite exciting to decipher how each of them will perform in a new setting. 

The 2025 season is all set to begin and with the Daytona 500 scheduled just a few weeks from now, drivers are in their full-fledged preparation phase. Here’s what NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass has to say about who he thinks will impress the most in 2025 out of the SHR departees.

New season, new team, and fresh opportunities 

When the 2024 season came to an end, Chase Briscoe was the only driver from SHR who had a victory at the Cup Series run. He accounted for a win in the regular-season finale at Darlington Raceway to earn a NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs spot. Consequently, his position in a new team was probably the softest landing that one could get. Joe Gibbs Racing, who was looking for a replacement for the retiring Martin Truex Jr., immediately hired him. 

Consequently, Noah Gragson was signed by Front Row Motorsports, Josh Berry was taken up by Wood Brothers Racing. Ryan Preece was the last one to secure a seat as he joined RFK Racing, which will be expanding from two to three cars for the upcoming season after acquiring a charter from Rick Ware Racing.

Given that each of the drivers is now with a new team, a common question on everyone’s mind is, who will see the most success? Speaking of the same, Bob Pockrass added on the Beating and Banging podcast, “Of those four drivers, I think you look at Chase Briscoe, [he] certainly has the best shot at Joe Gibbs Racing. He may have the most pressure on him as well”. Briscoe progressed past the opening round of the playoffs but was eventually eliminated. His last two top-10 finishes of the season came in the first round, securing sixth at Watkins Glen and eighth at Bristol. 

For the 2025 season, Briscoe will be guided by his new crew chief, James Small, who didn’t see much success with Martin Truex Jr. over the last two years. However, things could change with young Briscoe’s arrival. Briscoe has some impressive stats in the Xfinity Series, posting as high as 9 wins back in 2020.

Along with Briscoe, we have Noah Gragson, who will be taking to the tracks for Front Row Motorsports. Given that Front Row Motorsports is already embroiled in a lawsuit with 23XI Racing, the mounting pressures on him to perform immediately are still less. Speaking on the same, Pockrass further mentioned, “I don’t see a lot of pressure on Noah Gragson at Front Row to perform right away.” 

In regards to Josh Berry and Ryan Preece, Pockrass feels the pressure on their shoulders is considerably less in comparison to Briscoe. “Ryan Preece probably has a little bit of pressure, but I think they’ll give him an adjustment period there… Josh Berry with the Wood Brothers [Racing], is there pressure there? Yes, but I don’t think as much again as Chase Briscoe.” Preece joins RFK Racing as part of their expansion so his role to begin with will be more of a support role. Josh Berry enters his sophomore full-time season after a runners-up finish in the Rookie of the Year award for 2024, so he would also be given some time to acclimatize.

Meanwhile, Pockrass added that Briscoe has the stage set for success. “Chase Briscoe probably has the most tools to perform well. He goes to a team that has a history of performing well… You would think he’s stepping into the best situation.” Briscoe joins a JGR team that looks to revive themselves after missing out on a Championship 4 spot for the first time since 2014. With veterans like Denny Hamlin and his childhood friend Christopher Bell by his side, the expectations from Briscoe are high.

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Chase Briscoe to see if he can rise to the challenge and thrive under the pressure of driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, solidifying his place among NASCAR’s elite.

Will Chase Briscoe’s old sponsor bid adieu to the sport?

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NASCAR is not having the best time when it comes to sponsors. Recently, it was confirmed that Denny Hamlin’s long-time sponsor, FedEx, is leaving its sponsorship deal. However, now that Chase Briscoe is all set to start his stint with JGR, rumors have it that one more big sponsor might be at the ordeal to leave. Mahindra Tractors have been an integral part of NASCAR and they share quite a history with Briscoe. 

Mahindra Tractors has been a key sponsor for Chase Briscoe at Stewart-Haas Racing since 2022. Together, the duo has accounted for a total of 7 top-five finishes, 13 top-ten results, and 2 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, with Briscoe’s move to the No. 19 car at Joe Gibbs Racing—still partnered with Bass Pro Shops—Mahindra’s sponsorship will not continue. Briscoe had recently confirmed the development in an AMA on Reddit, saying, “Currently no plans to have Mahindra on the car unfortunately.” However, the more shocking bit is that the sponsor seems to be completely absent from the NASCAR garage itself. 

Losing out on such big sponsors at this critical juncture could be a difficult blow to NASCAR, given that sponsorship already seems to be a big issue. If Mahindra Tractors does exit the sport entirely, it marks the end of a partnership that delivered notable success in a relatively short span. However, till now there has not been an official declaration on the same.