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…
Sunday saw one of the most interesting points battles in the history of NASCAR’s playoffs. But, it’s still not time to shut the book on NASCAR’s trip to the Great Plains. So, who were the biggest losers from NASCAR’s weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL?
Look, we can rag on the playoff and the regular season, factoring in as much as we want, but this weekend, we actually got to see a decision made in March factor into the Xfinity Series Round of Eight. So, when Sammy Smith booted Taylor Gray at Martinsville, everyone laughed because Smith didn’t even win the race, but at the Roval, the No. 8 somehow won the war.
Say what you want about Sammy Smith, the guy pulled off one of the best comebacks in recent memory. After all, he was in last place, behind playoff point-less Austin Hill, leaving the first race at Bristol. But, for Gray, his Rookie season will unfortunately be forgotten, overshadowed by no wins, an early exit from the playoffs, and, of course, a Rookie of the Year battle that wrapped up in July. However, the playoffs could still deny Zilisch his title.
Man, that was tough. Brent Crews led not only his first NASCAR National Series laps, but he also led 56 of the day’s 70 laps, and was en route to the first win for TRICON for a driver not named Corey Heim since Ryan Preece won Nashville for the then Ford team in 2022. There was even a chance that this could be a close finish, with Crews citing low fuel before a caution, caused by another TRICON entry, ended his pursuit.
In NASCAR, we often talk about almost wins; Matt DiBenedetto, Kenny Wallace, and others often come to mind, but Crews’ run from last Friday afternoon will be forgotten. Not because he lost, but because his valiant effort was overshadowed by his teammate Corey Heim breaking a 25-year-old record. But hey, Crews was born in (checks notes), 2008. He has enough years to rebound from this race.
Oh boy, what a year for 23XI Racing! While Bubba Wallace and Charles Denike have put together one of Wallace’s best yet, Tyler Reddick is putting up numbers similar to those he achieved in his second year at RCR. Even after a hot start to the playoffs, Bubba did not advance to the Round of Eight after his owner, Denny Hamlin, made his now-infamous pass attempt at Kansas.
Last year was a literal banner season for the team, a reminder that they, not Joe Gibbs Racing, were the lone Toyota representative in the Championship Race at Phoenix. Now, it’s easy to say, “Hey, let’s regroup for next season,” but technically, due to some ongoing litigation, we don’t know if there will be a next season for the team in its current form or 23XI at all. But 23XI’s tough afternoon didn’t stop there.
Did you think we forgot about Riley Herbst? It is easy to forget that a third 23XI car and even a third Monster Energy car exist. So where do we start? What about the Kyle Busch comments?
Now, Riley didn’t say this, but whoever did left an open door for the NASCAR community to absolutely roast the No. 35’s tough first season. Oh, but it gets worse. Herbst also retaliated against Ty Dillon under caution for a prior shove and cut down his own left front tire.
Finally, Herbst’s day ended with a disqualification, meaning that he could have parked it five laps in, avoided all this other stuff, and still finished in the same spot.
We knew that SVG vs Herbst for Rookie honors would be boring at times, but at least SVG has improved on Ovals this season. That’s not to say Herbst isn’t a skilled driver; after all, he has demonstrated his skill in the Xfinity Series. However, this weekend served as a great recap of his first year in NASCAR’s top division.
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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.
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