Complete List of All NASCAR Cup Series Penalties in 2025

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: A NASCAR Official direct Erik Jones, driver of the #43 AdventHealth Toyota on the grid after a rain delay in the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

What’s Happening?

Penalties can lead to some of the most hilarious and awe-inspiring news stories of any NASCAR Cup Series season. However, the sheer number of penalties handed out throughout a season can be overwhelming. So, here is the complete list of every penalty handed down by NASCAR in 2025.

  • We will divide penalties into three specific types: pre-race, in-race, and post-race. This pertains to when NASCAR issues a penalty or when a driver receives a penalty.
  • This tracker also displays the penalties context, such as being sent to the rear of the field, disqualification, or a monetary fine. We will also list, when applicable, which drivers were assessed penalties.
  • The total penalty count for the 2025 season is currently 1,064 penalties.

Pre-Race Penalties (88 Penalties)

These are penalties imposed on drivers before the race or during qualifying. They can also be handed down for unapproved modifications to their race cars, such as engine changes or switching to a backup car.

Failing Pre-Qualifying Inspection (5 Penalties)
  • Daytona 500 (3 Penalties)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (Safety; Improperly Installed Ballast; Team assessed with the loss of 10 driver and owner points; Original Crew Chief Ejected)
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Multiple pre-race inspection failures; sent to the rear of the field)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Safety; Improperly Installed Ballast; Team assessed with the loss of 10 driver and owner points; Original Crew Chief Ejected)
  • Atlanta (No Penalties)
  • COTA (No Penalties)
  • Phoenix (1 Penalty)
    • #71 Michael McDowell (Multiple pre-race inspection failures; Car Chief Ejected; Loss of pit selection)
  • Las Vegas (No Penalties)
  • Homestead-Miami Speedway (No Penalties)
  • Martinsville (No Penalties)
  • Darlington (No Penalties)
  • Bristol (No Penalties)
  • Talladega (No Penalties)
  • Texas (No Penalties)
  • Kansas (No Penalties)
  • Charlotte (No Penalties)
  • Nashville (No Penalties)
  • Michigan (No Penalties)
  • Mexico City (No Penalties)
  • Pocono (1 Penalty)
    • #44 Brennan Poole (Pass-Through Penalty, Loss of Pit Selection, and the Ejection of Car Chief)
  • Atlanta Fall (No Penalties)
  • Chicago (No Penalties)
  • Sonoma (No Penalties)
  • Dover (No Penalties)
  • Indianapolis (No Penalties)
  • Iowa (No Penalties)
  • Watkins Glen (No Penalties)
  • Richmond (No Penalties)
  • Daytona (No Penalties)
  • Darlington Fall (No Penalties)
  • WWT Raceway (No Penalties)
  • Bristol Fall (No Penalties)
  • New Hampshire (No Penalties)
  • Kansas (No Penalties)
  • ROVAL (No Penalties)
  • Las Vegas Fall (No Penalties)
  • Talladega Fall (No Penalties)
  • Martinsville Fall (No Penalties)
  • Phoenix Fall (No Penalties)

Unapproved Modifications to the Car (83 Penalties)
  • Daytona 500 (9 Penalties; All to the rear during pre-race)
    • #5 Kyle Larson (Backup Car)
    • #6 Brad Keselowski (Backup Car)
    • #7 Justin Haley (Backup Car)
    • #35 Riley Herbst (Backup Car)
    • #48 Alex Bowman (Backup Car)
    • #54 Ty Gibbs (Backup Car)
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen (Backup Car)
    • #91 Hélio Castroneves (Engine Change)
    • #99 Daniel Suarez (Backup Car)
  • Atlanta (No Penalties)
  • COTA (1 Penalty)
    • #38 Zane Smith
  • Phoenix (1 Penalty)
    • #71 Michael McDowell
  • Las Vegas (5 Penalties)
    • #12 Ryan Blaney
    • #20 Christopher Bell
    • #35 Riley Herbst
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  • Homestead-Miami Speedway (1 Penalty)
    • #43 Erik Jones
  • Martinsville (No Penalties)
  • Darlington (No Penalties)
  • Bristol (2 Penalties)
    • #22 Joey Logano
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek
  • Talladega (1 Penalty)
    • #44 J.J. Yeley
  • Texas (No Penalties)
  • Kansas (7 Penalties)
    • #6 Brad Keselowski
    • #10 Ty Dillon
    • #19 Chase Briscoe
    • #21 Josh Berry
    • #38 Zane Smith
    • #54 Ty Gibbs
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen
  • Charlotte (3 Penalties)
    • #1 Ross Chastain (Backup Car)
    • #8 Kyle Busch
    • #43 Erik Jones
  • Nashville (2 Penalties)
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger (Tail End)
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger (Stop & Go)
  • Michigan (1 Penalty)
    • #45 Tyler Reddick
  • Mexico City (1 Penalty)
    • #4 Noah Gragson (Backup Car)
  • Pocono (6 Penalties)
    • #10 Ty Dillon
    • #12 Ryan Blaney
    • #21 Josh Berry
    • #23 Bubba Wallace
    • #24 William Byron
    • #51 Cody Ware
  • Atlanta Fall (No Penalties)
  • Chicago (10 Penalties)
    • #4 Noah Gragson
    • #5 Kyle Larson
    • #9 Chase Elliott
    • #10 Ty Dillon
    • #11 Denny Hamlin
    • #23 Bubba Wallace (Engine Change)
    • #24 William Byron
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr
    • #48 Alex Bowman
    • #78 Katherine Legge
  • Sonoma (No Penalties)
  • Dover (No Penalties)
  • Indianapolis (5 Penalties)
    • #11 Denny Hamlin (Backup Car)
    • #38 Zane Smith
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek
    • #62 Jesse Love
    • #71 Michael McDowell
  • Iowa (2 Penalties)
    • #4 Noah Gragson
    • #8 Kyle Busch (Backup Car)
  • Watkins Glen (No Penalties)
  • Richmond (2 Penalties)
    • #22 Joey Logano
    • #34 Todd Gilliland
  • Daytona (3 Penalties)
    • #24 William Byron
    • #24 William Byron (Stop & Go)
    • #44 Brennan Poole
  • Darlington Fall (2 Penalties)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland
    • #51 Cody Ware
  • WWT Raceway (1 Penalty)
    • #7 Justin Haley
  • Bristol Fall (No Penalties)
  • New Hampshire (No Penalties)
  • Kansas (7 Penalties)
    • #2 Austin Cindric
    • #12 Ryan Blaney (Backup Car)
    • #22 Joey Logano
    • #71 Michael McDowell
    • #71 Michael McDowell (Stop & Go)
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen (Stop & Go)
  • ROVAL (2 Penalties)
    • #35 Riley Herbst
    • #45 Tyler Reddick
  • Las Vegas Fall (1 Penalties)
    • #1 Ross Chastain
  • Talladega Fall (3 Penalties)
    • #35 Riley Herbst
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek
    • #43 Erik Jones
  • Martinsville Fall (No Penalties)
  • Phoenix Fall (1 Penalties)
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger (Backup Car)

In-Race Penalties (961 Penalties)

These penalties include both on-track and on-pit-road incidents. They can also not be the fault of the driver but the pit crew as well. Most of these result in being sent to the tail end of the field.

Pit Road Speeding (164 Penalties)
  • Daytona (0 Penalties)
  • Atlanta (6 Penalties)
    • #9 Chase Elliott
    • #17 Chris Buescher
    • #34 Todd Gilliland
    • #44 J.J. Yeley x2
    • #78 B.J. McLeod
  • COTA (1 Penalty)
    • #10 Ty Dillon
  • Phoenix (11 Penalties)
    • #1 Ross Chastain
    • #10 Ty Dillon
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger
    • #23 Bubba Wallace
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek
    • #43 Erik Jones
    • #45 Tyler Reddick
    • #54 Ty Gibbs
    • #71 Michael McDowell
    • #78 Katherine Legge
    • #99 Daneil Suarez
  • Las Vegas (10 Penalties)
    • #8 Kyle Busch x2
    • #9 Chase Elliott
    • #11 Denny Hamlin
    • #35 Riley Herbst x2
    • #48 Alex Bowman
    • #54 Ty Gibbs
    • #71 Michael McDowell
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen
  • Homestead-Miami Speedway (4 Penalties)
    • #2 Austin Cindric
    • #24 William Byron
    • #38 Zane Smith
    • #44 J.J. Yeley
  • Martinsville (8 Penalties)
    • #41 Cole Custer
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. x2
    • #48 Alex Bowman
    • #50 Burt Myers
    • #51 Cody Ware
    • #66 Casey Mears
  • Darlington (2 Penalties)
    • #77 Carson Hocevar
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen
  • Bristol (5 Penalties)
    • #01 Corey Lajoie
    • #8 Kyle Busch
    • #71 Michael McDowell
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen x2
  • Talladega (10 Penalties)
    • #5 Kyle Larson
    • #8 Kyle Busch
    • #9 Chase Elliott
    • #21 Josh Berry
    • #44 J.J. Yeley
    • #51 Cody Ware
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen x2
    • #99 Daniel Suarez x2
  • Texas (11 Penalties)
    • #7 Justin Haley
    • #11 Denny Hamlin
    • #12 Ryan Blaney
    • #19 Chase Briscoe
    • #23 Bubba Wallace
    • #35 Riley Herbst x2
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek
    • #43 Erik Jones
    • #51 Cody Ware
    • #71 Michael McDowell
  • Kansas (3 Penalties)
    • #21 Josh Berry
    • #35 Riley Herbst
    • #51 Cody Ware
  • Charlotte (4 Penalties)
    • #35 Riley Herbst
    • #45 Tyler Reddick
    • #54 Ty Gibbs x2
  • Nashville (2 Penalties)
    • #7 Justin Haley
    • #23 Bubba Wallace
  • Michigan (4 Penalties)
    • #5 Kyle Larson
    • #6 Brad Keselowski
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger
    • #34 Todd Gilliland
  • Mexico City (No Penalties)
  • Pocono (3 Penalties)
    • #8 Kyle Busch
    • #12 Ryan Blaney
    • #34 Todd Gilliland
  • Atlanta Fall (7 Penalties)
    • #01 Corey LaJoie
    • #4 Noah Gragson
    • #34 Todd Gilliland
    • #45 Tyler Reddick
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr
    • #78 B.J. McLeod x2
  • Chicago (1 Penalty)
    • #20 Christopher Bell
  • Sonoma (4 Penalties)
    • #10 Ty Dillon
    • #11 Denny Hamlin
    • #41 Cole Custer
    • #78 Katherine Legge
  • Dover (9 Penalties)
    • #20 Christopher Bell
    • #21 Josh Berry
    • #22 Joey Logano
    • #34 Todd Gilliland
    • #43 Erik Jones
    • #44 J.J Yeley x3
    • #77 Carson Hocevar
  • Indianapolis (1 Penalty)
    • #43 Erik Jones
  • Iowa (3 Penalties)
    • #10 Ty Dillon
    • #48 Alex Bowman
    • #60 Ryan Preece
  • Watkins Glen (2 Penalties)
    • #41 Cole Custer
    • #44 J.J. Yeley
  • Richmond (6 Penalties)
    • #8 Kyle Busch
    • #11 Denny Hamlin
    • #51 Cody Ware
    • #54 Ty Gibbs x2
    • #67 Corey Heim
  • Daytona (1 Penalty)
    • #99 Daniel Suarez
  • Darlington Fall (5 Penalties)
    • #21 Josh Berry
    • #34 Todd Gilliland
    • #38 Zane Smith
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr
    • #99 Daniel Suarez
  • WWT Raceway (4 Penalties)
    • #48 Alex Bowman
    • #51 Cody Ware
    • #71 Michael McDowell
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen
  • Bristol Fall (7 Penalties)
    • #3 Austin Dillon
    • #5 Kyle Larson
    • #24 William Byron
    • #66 Chad Finchum x4
  • New Hampshire (1 Penalty)
    • #10 Ty Dillon
  • Kansas (4 Penalties)
    • #12 Ryan Blaney
    • #22 Joey Logano
    • #44 J.J. Yeley
    • #54 Ty Gibbs
  • ROVAL (3 Penalties)
    • #1 Ross Chastain
    • #41 Cole Custer
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek
  • Las Vegas Fall (4 Penalties)
    • #23 Bubba Wallace
    • #71 Michael McDowell
    • #60 Ryan Preece
    • #99 Daniel Suarez
  • Talladega Fall (10 Penalties)
    • #1 Ross Chastain
    • #3 Austin Dillon
    • #8 Kyle Busch
    • #17 Chris Buescher x2
    • #19 Chase Briscoe
    • #77 Carson Hocevar
    • #78 B.J. McLeod
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen
    • #99 Daniel Suarez
  • Martinsville Fall (4 Penalties)
    • #2 Austin Cindric
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger
    • #35 Riley Herbst
    • #38 Zane Smith
  • Phoenix Fall (7 Penalties)
    • #9 Chase Elliott
    • #10 Ty Dillon
    • #34 Todd Gilliland
    • #35 Riley Herbst
    • #44 J.J. Yeley
    • #48 Alex Bowman
    • #51 Cody Ware

Pit Road Violations (179 Penalties)
  • Daytona (7 Penalties)
    • #8 Kyle Busch (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon) x2
    • #12 Ryan Blaney (Driving Through More than 3 Pit Boxes)
    • #40 Justin Allgaier (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon) x2
    • #56 Martin Truex Jr (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #84 Jimmie Johnson (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
  • Atlanta (16 Penalties)
    • #01 Corey LaJoie (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #01 Corey LaJoie (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #6 Brad Keselowski (Removing equipment from assigned pit area)
    • #11 Denny Hamlin (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
    • #12 Ryan Blaney (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
    • #35 Riley Herbst (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #44 J.J. Yeley (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #44 J.J. Yeley (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
    • #48 Alex Bowman (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #54 Ty Gibbs (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
    • #71 Michael McDowell (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #71 Michael McDowell (Removing equipment from assigned pit area)
    • #78 B.J. McLeod (Car/Truck pitting out of the assigned pit box
  • COTA (2 Penalties)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #71 Michael McDowell (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
  • Phoenix (3 Penalties)
    • #4 Noah Gragson (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #45 Tyler Reddick (Equipment over too soon)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Tire Violation)
  • Las Vegas (5 Penalties)
    • #10 Ty Dillon (Removing equipment from assigned pit
    • area)
    • #20 Christopher Bell (Car/Truck pitting out of the assigned pit
    • box)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
  • Homestead-Miami Speedway (3 Penalties)
    • #9 Chase Elliott (Car/Truck must enter pit road single file
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #77 Carson Hocevar (Tire Violation)
  • Martinsville (4 Penalties)
    • #35 Riley Herbst (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Tire violation)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #77 Carson Hocevar (Car/Truck pitting out of the assigned pit box)
  • Darlington (2 Penalties)
    • #4 Noah Gragson (Car/Truck must enter pit road single file)
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Tossing or throwing equipment)
  • Bristol (4 Penalties)
    • #2 Austin Cindric (Car/Truck must enter pit road single file)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek (Tire Violation)
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #99 Daniel Suarez (Equipment Interference)
  • Talladega (3 Penalties)
    • #6 Brad Keselowski (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #19 Chase Briscoe (Removing equipment from assigned pit area)
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
  • Texas (9 Penalties)
    • #8 Kyle Busch (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #10 Ty Dillon (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #17 Chris Buescher (Saftey Violation)
    • #19 Chase Briscoe (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #20 Christopher Bell (Saftey Violation)
    • #35 Riley Herbst (Tire Violation)
    • #38 Zane Smith (Removing equipment from assigned pit area)
    • #66 Chad Finchum (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #71 Michael McDowell (Car/Truck pitting out of the assigned pit box)
  • Kansas (8 Penalties)
    • #2 Austin Cindric (Tire Violation)
    • #3 Austin Dillon (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #7 Justin Haley (Tire Violation)
    • #23 Bubba Wallace (Equipment Interference)
    • #33 Jesse Love(Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #54 Ty Gibbs (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #77 Carson Hocevar (Equipment Interference)
  • Charlotte (4 Penalties)
    • #19 Chase Briscoe (Tire Violation)
    • #44 Derek Kraus (Tire Violation)
    • #54 Ty Gibbs (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #87 Connor Zilisch (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
  • Nashville (3 Penalties)
    • #6 Brad Keselowski (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #21 Josh Berry (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #48 Alex Bowman (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
  • Michigan (2 Penalties)
    • #9 Chase Elliott (Improper Fueling)
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen (Removing equipment from assigned pit area)
  • Mexico City (2 Penalties)
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #60 Ryan Preece (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
  • Pocono (4 Penalties)
    • #8 Kyle Busch (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with
    • pit service area)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with
    • pit service area)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #44 Brennan Poole (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with
    • pit service area)
  • Atlanta Fall (21 Penalties)
    • #1 Ross Chastain (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #4 Noah Gragson (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #10 Ty Dillon (Removing equipment from assigned pit area)
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #19 Chase Briscoe (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #20 Christopher Bell (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #23 Bubba Wallace (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #24 William Byron (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #34 Todd Gilliand (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (DVP Violation)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #45 Tyler Reddick (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
    • #45 Tyler Reddick (Safety Violation)
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #48 Alex Bowman (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #66 David Starr (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #77 Carson Hocevar (Equipment Interference)
    • #77 Carson Hocevar (Tire Violation)
    • #78 B.J. McLeod (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #87 Connor Zilisch (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #87 Connor Zilisch (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #99 Daniel Suarez (Commitment Line Violation)
  • Chicago (6 Penalties)
    • #4 Noah Gragson (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #8 Kyle Busch (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
    • #10 Ty Dillon (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #35 Riley Herbst (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #66 Josh Bilicki (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #99 Daniel Suarez (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
  • Sonoma (1 Penalty)
    • #7 Justin Haley (Safety Violation)
  • Dover (1 Penalty)
    • #77 Carson Hocevar (Removing equipment from assigned pit area)
  • Indianapolis (2 Penalties)
    • #35 Riley Herbst (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #66 Josh Bilicki (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
  • Iowa (4 Penalties)
    • #17 Chris Buescher (Equipment Interference)
    • #23 Bubba Wallace (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #43 Erk Jones (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #45 Tyler Reddick (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
  • Watkins Glen (1 Penalty)
    • #66 Josh Bilicki (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
  • Richmond (5 Penalties)
    • #10 Ty Dillon (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #20 Christopher Bell (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #23 Bubba Wallace (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemecheck (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemecheck (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
  • Daytona (18 Penalties)
    • #1 Ross Chastain (Car/Truck pitting out of the assigned pit box)
    • #3 Austin Dillon (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #8 Kyle Busch (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #10 Ty Dillon (Safety Violation)
    • #11 Denny Hamlin (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
    • #21 Josh Berry (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
    • #33 Austin Hill (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #33 Austin Hill (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #33 Austin Hill (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #33 Austin Hill (Pitting before pit road is open)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #35 Riley Herbst (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #35 Riley Herbst (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek (Removing equipment from assigned pit area)
    • #45 Tyler Reddick (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #66 Casey Mears (Tire Violation)
    • #66 Casey Mears (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
  • Darlington Fall (6 Penalties)
    • #6 Brad Keselowski (Car/Truck pitting out of the assigned pit box)
    • #20 Christopher Bell (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #21 Josh Berry (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #44 Timmy Hill (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #99 Daniel Suarez (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
  • WWT Raceway (1 Penalty)
    • #45 Tyler Reddick (Car/Truck pitting out of the assigned pit box)
  • Bristol Fall (8 Penalties)
    • #3 Austin Dillon (Safety Violation)
    • #11 Denny Hamlin ( Equipment Interference)
    • #11 Denny Hamlin (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #41 Cole Custer (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek (Tire Violation)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Running Over/Under Equipment)
  • New Hampshire (2 Penalties)
    • #8 Kyle Busch (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
  • Kansas (5 Penalties)
    • #6 Brad Keselowski (Improper Fueling)
    • #22 Joey Logano (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
    • #35 Riley Herbst (Tire Violation)
    • #43 Erik Jones (Tire Violation)
    • #60 Ryan Preece (Crewmember(s) over the wall too soon)
  • ROVAL (2 Penalties)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Car/Truck pitting out of the assigned pit box)
    • #66 Josh Bilicki (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
  • Las Vegas Fall (4 Penalties)
    • #9 Chase Elliott (Tire Violation)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #71 Michael McDowell (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #99 Daniel Suarez (Equipment Interference)
  • Talladega Fall (5 Penalties)
    • #3 Austin Dillon (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #10 Ty Dillon (Safety Violation)
    • #23 Bubba Wallace (c
    • #62 Anthony Alfredo (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #66 Casey Mears (Tire Violation)
  • Martinsville Fall (2 Penalties)
    • #3 Austin Dillon (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #7 Justin Haley (Driving through more than 3 pit boxes)
  • Phoenix Fall (7 Penalties)
    • #2 Austin Cindric (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #10 Ty Dillon (Commitment Line Violation)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek (Improper Fueling)
    • #42 John Hunter Nemechek (Safety Violation)
    • #44 J.J. Yeley (Too many crewmember(s) in contact with pit service area)
    • #77 Carson Hocevar (Safety Violation)
    • #77 Carson Hocevar (Tire Violation)

Other (38 Penalties)
  • Daytona (1 Penalty)
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen (Free Pass fueling after the designated lap)
  • Atlanta (1 Penalty)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Improper Dual Role)
  • COTA (7 Penalties)
    • #5 Kyle Larson (Loss of Wheel – 2 Laps)
    • #5 Kyle Larson (Short cut course – Turn 3)
    • #23 Bubba Wallace (Short cut course – Turn 5)
    • #11 Denny Hamlin (Short cut course – Turn 5)
    • #48 Alex Bowman (Short cut course – Turn 5)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (Short cut course – Turn 5)
    • #48 Alex Bowman (Short cut course – Turn 4)
  • Phoenix (1 Penalty)
    • #22 Joey Logano (Going below yellow line before start finish)
  • Las Vegas (No Penalties)
  • Homestead-Miami Speedway (No Penalties)
  • Martinsville (3 Penalties)
    • #4 Noah Gragson (Changing lanes on the restart)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Changing lanes on the restart)
    • #88 Shane van Gisbergen (Loss of Wheel – 2 Laps)
  • Darlington (No Penalties)
  • Bristol (No Penalties)
  • Talladega (No Penalties)
  • Texas (1 Penalty)
    • #43 Erik Jones (Vehicle Interference)
  • Kansas (No Penalties)
  • Charlotte (3 Penalties)
    • #6 Brad Keselowski (Vehicle Interference)
    • #10 Ty Dillon (Vehicle Interference)
    • #66 Josh Bilicki (Loss of Wheel – 2 Laps)
  • Nashville (No Penalties)
  • Michigan (No Penalties)
  • Mexico City (3 Penalties)
    • #6 Brad Keselowski (Short cut course)
    • #19 Chase Briscoe (Fueling as the free pass after the designated lap)
    • #38 Zane Smith (DVP Violation)
  • Pocono (No Penalties)
  • Atlanta Fall (2 Penalties)
    • #34 Todd Gilliland (DVP Violation)
    • #66 David Starr (Fueling as the free pass after the designated lap)
  • Chicago (No Penalties)
  • Sonoma (1 Penalty)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Loss of Wheel – 2 Laps)
  • Dover (No Penalties)
  • Indianapolis (1 Penalty)
    • #43 Erik Jones (Loss of Wheel – 2 Laps)
  • Iowa (No Penalties)
  • Watkins Glen (No Penalties)
  • Richmond (2 Penalties)
    • #9 Chase Elliott (Vehicle Interference)
    • #16 A.J. Allmendinger (Vehicle Interference)
  • Daytona (1 Penalty)
    • #78 B.J. McLeod (Improper Dual Role)
  • Darlington Fall (No Penalties)
  • WWT Raceway (1 Penalty)
    • #54 Ty Gibbs (Vehicle Interference)
  • Bristol Fall (1 Penalties)
    • #11 Denny Hamlin (Loss of Wheel – 2 Laps)
  • New Hampshire (No Penalties)
  • Kansas (1 Penalty)
    • #71 Michael McDowell (Vehicle Interference)
  • ROVAL (2 Penalties)
    • #3 Austin Dillon (Short cut course – 30 Second Post Race Penalty)
    • #8 Kyle Busch (Choose Violation)
  • Las Vegas Fall (No Penalties)
  • Talladega Fall (2 Penalties)
    • #3 Austin Dillon (Fueling as the free pass after the designated lap)
    • #71 Michael McDowell (Vehicle Interference)
  • Martinsville Fall (1 Penalty)
    • #51 Cody Ware (Loss of Wheel – 2 Laps)
  • Phoenix Fall (1 Penalty)
    • #23 Bubba Wallace (Choose Violation)

Pitting Before Pit Road is Open (580 Penalties)

Pitting Before Pit Road is Open is a common penalty, especially on superspeedways, where cars find themselves damaged. This list will only list the total number of cars involved rather than each car.

  • Daytona (63 Penalties)
  • Atlanta (34 Penalties)
  • COTA (6 Penalties)
  • Phoenix (12 Penalties)
  • Las Vegas (18 Penalties)
  • Homestead-Miami Speedway (3 Penalties)
  • Martinsville (9 Penalties)
  • Darlington (4 Penalties)
  • Bristol (1 Penalty)
  • Talladega (30 Penalties)
  • Texas (28 Penalties)
  • Kansas (15 Penalties)
  • Charlotte (17 Penalties)
  • Nashville (14 Penalties)
  • Michigan (15 Penalties)
  • Mexico City (10 Penalties)
  • Pocono (17 Penalties)
  • Atlanta Fall (56 Penalties)
  • Chicago (9 Penalties)
  • Sonoma (2 Penalties)
  • Dover (2 Penalties)
  • Indianapolis (19 Penalties)
  • Iowa (12 Penalties)
  • Watkins Glen (3 Penalties)
  • Richmond (4 Penalties)
  • Daytona (54 Penalties)
  • Darlington Fall (9 Penalties)
  • WWT Raceway (13 Penalties)
  • Bristol Fall (9 Penalties)
  • New Hampshire (9 Penalties)
  • Kansas (13 Penalties)
  • ROVAL (2 Penalties)
  • Las Vegas Fall (10 Penalties)
  • Talladega Fall (36 Penalties)
  • Martinsville Fall (4 Penalties)
  • Phoenix Fall (12 Penalties)

Post-Race Penalties (15 Penalties)

Post-race penalties are the headline makers of the NASCAR penalty world. NASCAR inspects cars after each race, and a driver and team can be penalized or even disqualified almost as soon as the race is over; however, sometimes, this news and the subsequent penalties can take several days to come out.

Daytona 500 – NASCAR Drops the Hammer on Chase Briscoe and James Small (1 Penalty)

NOTE: All Penalties and Fines Overturned

Following their stellar debut in the Daytona 500, word spread that NASCAR had taken the No. 19 back to its R&D facility for further inspection. On Feb. 19, NASCAR revealed that the team would be penalized and fined for “Modification of a single source supplied part.” This part was the spoiler, or more specifically, the spoiler plate.

The resulting penalties are as follows:

  • James Small – Suspended Four NASCAR Cup Series Points Races
  • Joe Gibbs Racing and Chase Briscoe – Penalized 100 Points
  • Joe Gibbs Racing and Chase Briscoe – Penalized 10 NASCAR Playoff Points
  • Joe Gibbs Racing – Fined $100,000

Circuit of the Americas – Cindric Hit With Fine for Hooking Dillon (1 Penalty)

Following Circuit of the Americas, Austin Cindric was fined $50,000 and penalized 50 driver points for a front-stretch incident with Kaulig Racing’s Ty Dillon. Dillon drove Cindric off track, and the No. 2 responded by turning the No. 10. No caution or damage occurred from the incident.

Circuit of the Americas – Larson Suffers Tire Penalty (1 Penalty)

Following a lost wheel during the Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas, NASCAR suspended two crew members of Kyle Laron’s No. 5, Brandon Johnson and Blaine Anderson.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Briscoe Suffers Tire Penalty (1 Penalty)

Following a lost wheel during the Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR suspended two crew members of Chase Briscoe’s No. 19, Caleb Dirks and Daniel Smith.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Busch Suffers Tire Penalty (1 Penalty)

Following a lost wheel during the Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR suspended two crew members of Kyle Busch’s No. 8, Joseph Moser and Shiloh Windsor.

Martinsville Speedway – van Gisbergen Suffers Tire Penalty (1 Penalty)

Following a lost wheel during the Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR suspended two crew members of Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 88, Aslan Pugh and Jonpatrik Kealey.

Martinsville Speedway – Jones Disqualified (1 Penalty)

Erik Jones’ No. 43 was disqualified from its 24th-place finish after his Toyota failed to meet post-race minimum weight requirements.

Talladega Superspeedway – Preece and Logano Disqualified (2 Penalties)

Both Joey Logano and Ryan Preece were disqualified after post-race inspection at Talladega.

Kansas Speedway – Chris Buescher Suffers Major Penalty (1 Penalty)

After the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway, NASCAR ruled Chris Buescher’s No. 17 RFK Racing Ford to violate the Front Bumper Cover section of the Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules. NASCAR fined RFK Racing $75,000 and penalized the team 60 owner points. Buescher lost 60 points and 5 NASCAR Playoff driver and owner points. Furthermore, his Crew Chief, Scott Graves, was suspended for two races.

Charlotte Motor Speedway – Bilicki Suffers Tire Penalty (1 Penalty)

Following a lost wheel during the Cup Series race at Charlotte, NASCAR suspended two crew members of Josh Bilicki’s No. 66, Brehanna Daniels and Ethan Hindman.

Sonoma Raceway – Ware Suffers Tire Penalty (1 Penalty)

Following a lost wheel during the Cup Series race at Sonoma, NASCAR suspended two crew members of Cody Ware’s No. 51, Marquill Osborne and De’Quan Hampton.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Jones Suffers Tire Penalty (1 Penalty)

Following a lost wheel during the Cup Series race at Indianapolis, NASCAR suspended two crew members of Erik Jone’s No. 43, Kellen Mills and John Rosselli.

Bristol Motor Speedway – Hamlin Suffers Tire Penalty (1 Penalty)

Following a lost wheel during the Cup Series race at Bristol, NASCAR suspended two crew members of Denny Hamlin’s No. 11, Austin Maloney and Joel Bouagnon.

Kansas Speedway – Hocevar Fined on Behavioral Grounds (1 Penalty)

On October 1, NASCAR announced they had fined Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar $50,000 for a behavioral infraction after a late spin during the Round of 12 Playoff race at Kansas Speedway. NASCAR claimed that Hocevar “revved and spun his tires” while officials attempted to hook up to his No. 77, which had four flat tires.

This list will be updated race to race as the season continues.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger/Viva Towels Ford, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 zone Jalapeno Lime Chevrolet, race during Duel 1 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The Complete 2026 NASCAR TV Ratings Tracker

What’s Happening?

This year marks the second season of NASCAR’s groundbreaking 2025 media rights deal, and fans are curious to see just how year two will stack up with year one. This article will walk you through the 2026 season race by race, comparing viewership week by week to NASCAR’s 2025 season.

  • The goal of this article is to keep a tally of each race on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Our tracker will also compare head-to-head each week’s race (or closest comparable race) to its 2025 counterpart.
  • This tracker will mostly focus on how NASCAR fared week to week, regardless of schedule changes, such as Watkins Glen, which shifts from the fall in 2025 to 2026.
  • To understand how a race stacked up against itself from the prior season, turn to our race-by-race list to see the totals of compared weeks. Look below to the season as a whole section, which only counts races up to a specific week.
  • Throughout this tracker, alongside breakdowns by race type, broadcast availability, and Chase races, there will be notes about any potential delays or changes to the broadcast network or the race weekend.
  • For tracks like Chicagoland, which replaces the Chicago Street Circuit, their race will be compared head-to-head with last season’s most comparable race. In Chicagoland’s case, that would be the 2025 Chicago Street Race.

The 2026 Season as a Whole: Through Week 3 (2025 Atlanta and 2026 Atlanta)

All Races (4 Total in 2026): Will include all points races, exhibition races, and qualifying races as they occur.

  • 2026 (4 Races to Date) Total/Average Viewership to Date: 16.160 Million/4.040 Million Per Race
  • 2025 (4 Races to Date) Total Viewership to Date: 16.261 Million/4.065 Million Per Race
  • Total Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.101 Million (-0.621%)
  • Average Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.025 Million (-0.621%)

Points Races (3 Total in 2026): Will only include the season’s 36 points-paying races week-to-week as they occur.

  • 2026 Total/Average Viewership to Date: 11.976 Million/5.988 Million Per Race
  • 2025 Total/Average Viewership to Date: 11.347 Million/5.674 Million Per Race
  • Total Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): +0.629 Million (+5.543%)
  • Average Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): +0.314 Million (+5.543%)

Cable Races to Date (1 Total in 2025): Races on FS1, TNT, and USA | Including all points races, exhibition races, and qualifying races as they occur.

  • 2026 (1 Races) Total/Average Viewership to Date: 1.835 Million/1.835 Million Per Race
  • 2025 (1 Races) Total/Average Viewership to Date: 1.837 Million/1.837 Million Per Race
  • Total Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.002 Million (-0.109%)
  • Average Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.002 Million (-0.109%)

Network Races to Date (3 Total in 2026): Races on FOX and NBC | Including all points races, exhibition races, and qualifying races as they occur.

  • 2026 (3 Races) Total/Average Viewership to Date: 14.325 Million/4.775 Million Per Race
  • 2025 (3 Races) Total Viewership to Date: 14.427 Million/4.809 Million Per Race
  • Total Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.102 Million (-0.707%)
  • Average Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.034 Million (-0.707%)

Exhibition/Qualifying Races (2 Total in 2026): This is only applicable to the Clash, Daytona Duels, and the All-Star Race as they happen.

  • 2026 (2 Races) Total/Average Viewership to Date: 4.184 Million/2.092 Million Per Race
  • 2025 (2 Races) Total Viewership to Date: 4.913 Million/2.457 Million Per Race
  • Total Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.729 Million (-14.838%)
  • Average Viewership Difference (2026 vs 2025): -0.365 Million (14.855%)

Autotrader 400 on FOX via Adam Stern

  • 2025 Viewership: 4.586 Million Viewers
  • 2026 Viewership: 4.487 Million Viewers
  • Viewership Comparison (2025 vs 2026): -0.099 Million Viewers (-2.159%)

Daytona 500 on FOX via Adam Stern

  • 2025 Viewership: 6.761 Million Viewers*
  • 2026 Viewership: 7.489 Million Viewers**
  • Viewership Comparison (2025 vs 2026): +0.728 Million Viewers (+10.768%)

*The 2025 Daytona 500 was pushed back several hours due to rain.

**The 2026 Daytona 500 was pushed up one hour to avoid inclement weather.

NASCAR Cup Series 2026 Duels at Daytona on FS1 via Adam Stern

  • 2025 Viewership: 1.837 Million Viewers
  • 2026 Viewership: 1.835 Million Viewers
  • Viewership Comparison (2025 vs 2026):-0.002 Million Viewers (-0.109%)

NASCAR Cup Series 2026 Cook Out Clash on FOX/FS2 via Frontstretch

  • 2025 Viewership: 3.077 Million Viewers
  • 2026 Viewership: 2.349 Million Viewers**
  • Viewership Comparison (2025 vs 2026): -0.728 Million Viewers (-23.659%)

**2026 Clash was pushed from Sunday to Wednesday due to snow, and moved to FS2 due to overrunning time on FOX.

This tracker will be updated throughout the season. Make sure to check back in for the latest!

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 11: NASCAR Hall of Famer and JGR team owner, Joe Gibbs looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 11, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Joe Gibbs Racing Adds Spire Motorsports to Lawsuit, Motions for Gabehart to Cease Work

What’s Happening?

Joe Gibbs Racing has added to its lawsuit filed against former Crew Chief and Competition Director Chris Gabehart, filing to add Spire as a co-defendant, and to prevent Gabehart from continuing his work at Spire.

JGR initiated this lawsuit on February 19, alleging Gabehart, a long-time Crew Chief, most recently for Denny Hamlin, and the team’s now former Competition Director, “embarked on a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information and use it for the benefit of a direct competitor in NASCAR.”

That direct competitor, Spire Motorsports, which currently employs Gabehart as their Chief Motorsports Officer, is now a co-defendant in this lawsuit, via an amended complaint filed Tuesday.

Per the latest filing from JGR, which employed Gabehart as Competition Director last season, is asking the court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction with seven key requests.

Key to these requests is that Gabehardt cease providing Spire with “services for Spire similar to those he provided to JGR” for 18 months following his February 9 formal termination from JGR.

JGR also requested that Spire stop accepting Gabehart’s work as per the noncompete obligation of his termination.

The filing also has several requests regarding the team information Gabehart allegedly retained from JGR.

These include Gabehart returning this information alongside the devices that store this information and “cease and desist from retaining, transferring, using or copying any Confidential Information and Trade Secrets.”

From JGR’s filing:

c. Gabehart immediately cease and desist from retaining, transferring, using or copying any Confidential Information and Trade Secrets

d. Gabehart return any Confidential Information and Trade Secrets in his possession to JGR;

e. Gabehart transfer to the custody of JGR’s counsel any device used to store the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and, through an agreed upon Court ordered process, allow the forensic preservation and review of these devices for identification of Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, the return of any identified Confidential Information and Trade Secrets to JGR, and the removal of any identified Confidential Information and Trade Secrets from the devices;

f. Gabehart cease and desist from using or disclosing JGR’s Confidential Information and Trade Secrets to third parties;

As of press time, Gabehart has commented on the lawsuit in a post to X on February 20, where he claimed a third-party investigator “examined my laptop, cell phone and personal Google Drive and found no evidence to support the baseless allegations in JGR’s lawsuit.”

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 InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

HAMPTON, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 20: Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Samsara Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 at Echo Park Speedway on February 20, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Rumor Mill: Are These the Top Candidates For Legacy Motor Club’s Expansion?

What’s Happening?

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.

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 the Rumor?

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.

What Do We Know?

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 do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.