The 2023 NASCAR Cup Season has barely reached the halfway point of the regular season but the annual “Silly Season” has already begun with Xfinity Series regular Josh Berry at the center.

Since Kevin Harvick announced that the 2023 season would be his last in the Cup Series – he has already signed on with FOX to enter the broadcast booth next season – there has been a great deal of speculation as to who would replace Harvick in the number four Stewart-Haas Racing car.

Current reports are that Josh Berry who served as the replacement driver for Hendrick Motorsports drivers Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman when the drivers were out of the car with injuries is being mentioned as a frontrunner to join SHR next season and is in talks to sign with the team.

There is a great deal of speculation surrounding SHR with it’s lineup of drivers – Kevin Harvick who is retiring, Aric Almirola who may or may not retire, Ryan Preece who has a one year contract, and Chase Briscoe.

Last season Aric Almirola announced that he was retiring at the end of the season and then un-retired himself for another season of racing. 

SHR co-owner Tony Stewart signed Ryan Preece to a one year contract at the beginning of the season; replacing Cole Custer – who is driving in the Xfinity Series – in the number 41 car.