Every NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Current Contract Status in 2026
What’s Happening? NASCAR drivers, much like any athletes, have a period of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts. Based on information…
The “Bump and Run” is a maneuver that became famous at tracks like Bristol Motor Speedway. It is one of the most iconic moves in NASCAR history, but what are the greatest versions of the move? Here are the best bump and runs in NASCAR history.
Kurt Busch and Jimmy Spencer endured a fierce rivalry during the early 2000s, and it all started in 2002 at Bristol. Late in the race, Busch bumped Spencer off of turn two to take the lead. Busch went on to take the win, but Spencer responded by saying, “Jimmy Spencer never forgets”. The move set off the two’s rivalry, but it was also the first win in the career of Busch.
The 2016 spring race at Richmond came down to a battle between teammates Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch. Most of the time, it has been Kyle who did the bumping, but he got a taste of his own medicine this Sunday. Edwards bumped Busch out of the way in the final corner on the final lap to take home the win, which was Edwards’ first of the season.
Very few people rattled Dale Earnhardt’s cage throughout his career, but Jeremy Mayfield took advantage of that rare opportunity at Pocono in 2000. Mayfield went into turn three on the final lap with one option, bump Earnhardt and see what happens. The result, “The Intimidator” shot up the track as he was loosened up, and Mayfield took home the win.
Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace made Bristol Motor Speedway their personal playground in the 1990s as the two combined to win 7 of 10 races there from August of 1994 through April of 1999. The two came together late in the 1997 Food City 500, and Gordon had one corner to make it happen. Gordon bumped Wallace just slightly heading into turn three, and Gordon took home the win.
In 2002, Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace came together again, except now, they both carried long winless streaks into the race. Wallace seemed to have the race in hand, but some lapped traffic caused Gordon to catch up late. Gordon got just close enough to re-create his 1997 move, and he took home his first win in 31 races.
Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. battled for a spot in the Championship 4 late at Martinsville in 2018. Truex Jr. held the lead, but Logano had other ideas as he put the bumper to Truex Jr. in turn three to take the lead and the win. Despite Truex Jr. saying “He won the battle, but he ain’t winning the damn war”, Logano went on to win the Cup Series Championship in large part because of this move at Martinsville.
After being spun out from the lead late by a lapped car, Terry Labonte drove like a man on a mission to take the lead from Dale Earnhardt heading to the white flag. Labonte took the lead, but Earnhardt bumped him in turn two spinning Labonte out. Earnhardt took home the win claiming he just mean to “rattle his cage”, but the chorus of boos from the fans showed that they disagreed.
Will there be another iconic bump and run moment at Bristol this weekend? We will have to see, but bump and runs continue to happen throughout NASCAR history.
The NASCAR rumor mill is heating up as a new rumor suggests that a former series champion and an active NASCAR Cup Series driver could be in line to drive for Legacy Motor Club in 2027.
What’s Happening? NASCAR drivers, much like any athletes, have a period of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts. Based on information…
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is well underway, while teams and drivers are still settling into their new lineups and seats, others are already prepping for next season.
Most expect the 2027 NASCAR Silly Season to be one of the wildest in years, with many major names on contract seasons, and top seats looking for new drivers.
One story that will likely carry through the 2026 season, and into the offseason, is Legacy Motor Club, which is expanding to three full-time cars in 2027 via the acquisition of a charter from Rick Ware Racing, which is currently leased to RFK Racing for their No. 60 entry.
While many storylines could stem from this transaction, one that is already playing out is LMC’s driver search, as the team looks to add a new face to their roster alongside drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones.
Though we are nearly a year away from what would be the first race for this third car, per recent rumors, a few names are already emerging as top candidates.
What’s Happening? NASCAR Hall of Famer and Seven-Time Champion Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club is suing Rick Ware Racing over a…
Monday afternoon, a post from a well-known NASCAR rumor account made the rounds on social media, naming two drivers as possible options for LMC.
In their post, the user claimed that 23XI Racing’s Riley Herbst and Richard Childress Racing prospect Jesse Love were “early contenders” for the ride.
Of course, this is just a rumor, and even if they are possible candidates, things can change. However, both of these options come with their own storylines and questions.
The first thing that likely comes to mind when hearing this rumor is that both of these drivers would have to depart their current spots, something that most have suspected will happen by next season.
For Herbst, he is facing the impending promotion of top NASCAR prospect Corey Heim to full-time competition.
This year, Heim, the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion, is racing part-time with 23XI Racing, with almost every rumor and blurb suggesting next year will be his first full-time season in NASCAR’s highest level.
While 2026 Daytona 500 Champion Tyler Reddick is reportedly on a contract season, most see Herbst as the clear weak link at 23XI, though, in the somewhat unlikely event Reddick were to jump ship, there could be a world where a spot opens for Heim without affecting Herbst.
Regarding Love, the reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion is in his third full-time year with RCR in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and, for some time now, has been rumored to be looking for a promotion, beyond his part-time Cup Series schedule.
This is not the first time Love and LMC have been tied together in the rumor mill, as in June 2025, when LMC was in the midst of a lawsuit to get their third charter by this season (something that never came to be), a report from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports suggested there could be interest in Love as that third driver at LMC.
As of right now, Love has yet to score a full-time Cup Series ride. But there is a chance a slot opens in-house as RCR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch is on a contract year, a situation that could leave Love with a difficult decision between staying in a familiar spot or returning ot the Toyota camp.
But the biggest decision could come down to RCR, which, in the event Busch excels this year, could face deciding between a NASCAR legend and keeping their best prospect in some time.
Nonetheless, all of this is hypothetical, as the gears are just now turning on what could be a NASCAR Cup Series Silly Season for the ages.
What’s Happening? Some recent developments in NASCAR Silly Season rumors and reports have some NASCAR fans wondering if Spire Motorsports could…
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Denny Hamlin fires off on Carson Hocevar, Sheldon Creed finally gets his long-awaited breakthrough, and 13-year-old Keelan Harvick makes a massive career move. From sharp words on a podcast to a feel-good victory and a headline-grabbing development deal, this episode covers three very different stories that could all have long-term ripple effects.
There’s controversy, redemption, and a glimpse at the next generation all wrapped into one packed show. Some reputations are being tested, others are being rebuilt, and one young driver may have just taken the first major step toward the Cup Series.
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NASCAR veteran Elliott Sadler is set to return to competitive racing next month as he joins the SMART Modified Tour for their March 20 and 21 race weekend at South Boston Speedway.
This race will end a retirement from racing that began when Sadler last raced in NASCAR with Kaulig Racing during the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
While it is not a NASCAR-sanctioned race, the now 50-year-old will have his hands full as the SMART Modified Tour has a very competitive field of drivers.
Though Sadler may not be known for his exploits in Modified racing, he is familiar with South Boston Speedway. The Virginia native is a former track champion at the legendary 0.400-mile track, having won the track’s NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division in 1995.
Sadler worked his way to the top of NASCAR in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But, unlike many drivers who came through the ranks at that time, such as Dale Earnhardt Jr and Ryan Newman, since stepping away from the sport, Sadler has not made a hobby of short track racing.
In a post to X following the announcement, Sadler credited Earnhardt with giving him the confidence to race again:
“Look @DaleJr… you made me feel like I can do it !!! So I’m doing it !! Back in the saddle again !! Bigger (literally) and better than ever!!!” — Elliott Sadler via X
The race weekend kicks off on March 20 with two practice sessions and a qualifying session. On track action will resume on Saturday, March 21, with a Last Chance Qualifier Race at 1 PM EST, and the feature race scheduled for that afternoon.
What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
