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Since the announcement of Stewart Haas Racing’s exit from NASCAR, several teams have been strategizing to broaden their racing initiatives. While Trackhouse Racing and 23XI Racing were initially seen as the leading candidates to secure a charter, the landscape has shifted with the emergence of new contenders.
Front Row Motorsports and a fresh entity called Haas Factory Team have been determined in their pursuit of acquiring a charter each. Following their lead, Justin Marks and his team are set to expand to a three-car operation by 2025. Recently, Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing also aimed to secure a charter, but progress has stalled due to a standstill between NASCAR and team owners. The two sides have yet to finalize an agreement to renew the charter deal, which is set to expire at the end of this year.
Steve Newmark, President of RFK Racing, shared insights on the promising prospect of expanding to a three-car team in 2025. While he expressed hope for their plans, he also pointed out potential obstacles that could hinder their ambitious goals.
RFK Racing is focused on taking a measured approach.
The SHR charters that teams have acquired are estimated to be in the range of $20-25 million. This marks a significant decrease from Spire Motorsports’ recent purchase, where they invested $40 million in Livefast Motorsports to add a third race car just last year. While this drop in price presents an attractive opportunity, Brad Keselowski and Jack Roush are not rushing into any decisions, especially with uncertainty surrounding the charter agreement for 2025.
“We began looking into the possibility of adding a third car. We’ve made some strides in that direction, and I’m optimistic about having a third car next year. However, there are many components to consider, and the charter system is a crucial factor that needs to be understood before we can commit,” Steve Newmark shared with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The ownership group recognizes that aggressive expansion doesn’t necessarily lead to better performance on the track. “We’ve learned that expanding too quickly can lead to setbacks. We felt it was essential to solidify our two-car program as a strong contender, one that can compete for victories every time we hit the track,” Newmark continued.
Interestingly, Jack Roush has experience managing a five-car team from 2003 to 2009, giving him insight into the challenges of expansion. Additionally, teams like Phoenix Racing, Red Bull Racing, and Furniture Row Racing have faced difficulties that led to their exit from the sport. Thus, RFK Racing’s cautious approach is understandable as they seek clarity before making significant decisions moving forward.
Assuming that Brad Keselowski and his team are indeed adding a third charter, they will face another challenge: finding the right driver to take the helm of this new entry. Among the four drivers at SHR, Ryan Preece stands out as the only one without a confirmed ride for the upcoming season. His chances of landing a new team seem slim, given his lackluster performances in the Cup Series and the absence of a major sponsor to support him. However, there are whispers that Kroger, currently the primary sponsor for JTG Daugherty Racing, may switch allegiances to RFK Racing in 2025.
NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi recently shared insights about this potential collaboration on his X account, stating, “RFK Racing is moving towards expanding to three full-time teams in 2025, which would likely involve securing Kroger as a team-wide sponsor and signing driver Ryan Preece, according to sources familiar with the situation.”
Additionally, Bob Pockrass sought to uncover more information during an interview with Brad Keselowski just before the playoffs. He inquired, “Any updates on a third car for next year, possibly with Ryan Preece?” Keselowski’s humorous reply only fueled the speculation: “Not today, Bob. Coming soon. Everything is in the realm of possible.”
Ultimately, any decision regarding this expansion will hinge on the ongoing charter extension discussions with NASCAR as the new year approaches.