What’s Happening?

One of the biggest challenges NASCAR drivers will face in their careers is the prospect of free agency, whether expected or unexpected. This article keeps track of every NASCAR National Series driver who lost their initial full-time ride for the 2025 season in the buildup to the 2026 season.

• This article features drivers exclusively who lost full-time rides during or after the 2025 season. These announcements kicked off during the summer with the release of Josh Williams from Kaulig Racing and will continue throughout the off-season.
• There are some exclusions from this article. Drivers who do not switch series or teams will not be featured. For example, Carson Kvapil, who will not drive the JRM No. 1 full-time next season but will race at JRM full-time, is not on this list.
• Furthermore, it is also important to note that drivers who have been promoted are not on this list either. This means that Connor Zilisch, who is transitioning to NASCAR Cup Series action from the NASCAR Xfinity Series, or Rajah Caruth, will not be included on this list.

NASCAR Cup Series

Daniel Suarez

2025: Trackhouse Racing – No. 99 – NASCAR Cup Series

2026: Spire Motorsports – No. 7 – NASCAR Cup Series

It was well known that Daniel Suarez entered the 2025 NASCAR season on a contract year with Trackhouse Racing. However, no matter how well he performed during the season, it seemed unlikely that he would retain his spot with the team, thanks to the performance of Connor Zilisch in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Luckily for Suarez, a surprise opening at Spire Motorsports has resulted in him earning yet another season in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Justin Haley

2025: Spire Motorsports – No. 7 – NASCAR Cup Series

2026: Kaulig Racing – No. TBA – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Justin Haley joined Spire Motorsports in late 2024 following a standout effort with Rick Ware Racing. Entering his first full-time season with the team, hopes were high for Haley; however, his performance struggled to match that of his teammates, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar. Late in the season, rumors emerged that Spire was unhappy with his performance and was potentially going to move on from Haley, announcing such plans during the playoffs.

Haley has found a ride for 2026 as part of Kaulig Racing’s new five-truck effort with Ram Trucks in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Josh Williams

2025: Kaulig Racing – No. 11 – NASCAR Xfinity Series

2026: DGM Racing – No. 92 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

Josh Williams was the first NASCAR Xfinity Series driver to lose their full-time ride in 2025. Following the Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kaulig Racing announced that Williams would not return for the remainder of the season. Regardless, Williams landed on his feet, finishing out the year racing part-time with Alpha Prime Racing and DGM Racing.

Losing this ride with Kaulig seemed like a major loss for Williams. But, in the grand scheme of things, it did not matter, as Kaulig Racing announced it would pause its Xfinity Series program at the end of the season, meaning he would be out of a ride no matter what.

Williams will return to DGM Racing in 2026, driving their No. 92 on a full-time basis.

Matt DiBenedetto

2025: Viking Motorsports – No. 99 – NASCAR Xfinity Series

2026: TBA

Matt DiBenedetto was headed for new heights in the Xfinity Series with a new team in 2025, going full-time with a fresh-faced Viking Motorsports in their No. 99. Though the 2025 season was a bit of a disappointment, the team shockingly announced in mid-October that DiBenedetto would not return for 2026 or the rest of the season.

His plans for 2026 are currently unannounced and unknown.

Daniel Dye

2025: Kaulig Racing – No. 10 – NASCAR Xfinity Series

2026: Kaulig Racing – No. TBA – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Daniel Dye was a victim of the chain of events at Kaulig Racing that resulted from their new Craftsman Truck Series program. However, unlike his teammate, Christian Eckes, Dye will return to the team in 2026. He joins Justin Haley and Brenden “Butterbean” Queen as one of Kaulig’s three full-time drivers in their first season of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition with Ram.

Christian Eckes

2025: Kaulig Racing – No. 16 – NASCAR Xfinity Series

2026: McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – No. 91 – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Christian Eckes was another victim of Kaulig Racing’s decision to close its NASCAR Xfinity Series program at the end of the 2025 season. The former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standout found himself promoted after a stellar season in McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s No. 19 truck in 2024.

Now, with the closure of Kaulig’s Xfinity series program, Eckes finds himself back with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in their No. 91 entry.

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Kaden Honeycutt

2025: Niece Motorsports – No. 45 – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

2026: TBA

Niece Motorsports surprised the NASCAR world on August 4 when they announced that they were cutting ties with Kaden Honeycutt after he “signed a contract to race with a different Truck Series organization and OEM in 2026.” This OEM is suspected to be Toyota, as Honeycutt finished out the season, including a run at the championship in Phoenix, with Halmar Friesen Racing.

His plans for 2026 are currently unannounced and unknown, though many rumors suggest he will likely land at TRICON Garage in their No. 11 truck.

Andrés Pérez de Lara

2025: Spire Motorsports – No. 77 – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

2026: TBA

The week after Niece released Honeycutt, Spire announced they were releasing rookie Andrés Pérez de Lara from their No. 77 team. At the time, this was part of a downsizing effort, with Spire transferring owners’ points from their No. 07, shuttering its operation, and bringing on Corey LaJoie for a run at the owners’ title.

In the aftermath, Pérez de Lara moved to Niece Motorsports No. 44 for the balance of the season.

His plans for 2026 are currently unannounced and unknown.

Jack Wood

2025: McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – No. 91 – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

2026: TBA

Wood returned to full-time Truck Series action for the first time since 2022 with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing this season, bringing their No. 91 truck full-time. Though it was an overall improvement on his first full-time season in 2022 with GMS Racing, Wood struggled to match his teammates Daniel Hemric and Connor Mosack.

Entering the offseason, there was uncertainty about his return to the No. 91 in 2026. While he could return to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, it would not be in the No. 91, as the team announced on November 20 that Christian Eckes will pilot the truck next season.

His plans for 2026 are currently unannounced and unknown.

This article will be updated and added to throughout the season and off-season.