Every NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Current Contract Status in 2025
What’s Happening? Like any other sport, Free Agency is a key part of NASCAR. However, driver-free agency is not covered like…
Kaulig Racing President Chris Rice said in a recent interview that the team is still negotiating with Ty Dillon for 2026. However, he says the team is “real close” to resigning the driver.
What’s Happening? Like any other sport, Free Agency is a key part of NASCAR. However, driver-free agency is not covered like…
While there are several rumors about the team’s future beyond the Cup Series, it doesn’t look like a lot will change at Kaulig Racing’s Cup operation in 2026. In a Wednesday interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, team president Chris Rice confirmed they are working out a deal with 33-year-old Ty Dillon for 2026.
When asked about Dillon’s status, Rice said, “We’re still in negotiations. I think by Friday, we will 100% know. We’re real close to having Ty’s deal done again for ’26.” This confirms a report from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports in June that claimed the team was “trending toward” a deal with their first-year driver.
Dillon joined a returning A.J. Allmendinger, who is reported to return in 2026 as well, in a revamped Cup Series lineup at Kaulig Racing this season. His signing with the team followed a 2024 season in which Dillon, without a ride, raced in the Truck Series for most of the year.
Despite fan opinion at the time, Dillon has had a solid season returning to the Cup Series. Rice seemingly agrees with this sentiment: “We feel like he’s done a good job. He’s had some up and downs, yes, but he hasn’t done what everybody thought he was going to do, run around last and be way off the pace.”
Dillon is 32nd in points, behind only four other full-time drivers, and has an average finish of 23.4, also 32nd among active drivers. But the second-generation driver was the underdog story of the summer, advancing all the way to the final round of NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge.
Rice even credits the veteran with pushing for some of the team’s improvements on the year, saying, “I think he’s pushed us to be better in certain areas, and I think we’ll make him better.”
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As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season gets underway, The Daily Downforce is once again tracking how fans feel about race broadcasts throughout the year, just as we did last year. This ratings tracker exists to capture fan feedback in a clear, consistent way across the entire season for each TV partner.
After each Cup Series race weekend, we will post a fan poll asking one simple question: “How would you rate this weekend’s Cup Series broadcast?” And fans can vote and comment based on their overall viewing experience. This article will be updated weekly with the most recent race’s numbers added to the tracker.
Participation is quick and open to everyone.
| Week | Network | Race | Votes | Good | Average | Bad | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOX | Bowman Gray Clash | 368 | 16% | 43% | 42% | Check the Poll HERE |
| 2 | FOX | Daytona 500 | 989 | 42% | 46% | 12% | Check the Poll HERE |
Remember to follow The Daily Downforce on X to catch each weekly poll, share your thoughts, and be part of the conversation.
A new trailer revealed that NASCAR will be a part of The Crew Motorfest’s upcoming free season 9 update.
Will you be playing The Crew for this new update? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Denny Hamlin defends Riley Herbst, Brad Keselowski is furious, and Kyle Busch leaves everyone debating what it means to truly compete for a Daytona 500. The final lap at Daytona International Speedway sparked multiple completely different controversies that say a lot about modern superspeedway racing.
At superspeedways, instinct rules everything. Herbst reacted late, Keselowski paid the price, and Hamlin backed his guy. Meanwhile, Busch lifted from 25th, avoided the wreck, and gained ten spots, a move that looks smart in hindsight but could have backfired badly. In a new points-heavy format, are drivers thinking differently? We break down both moments, what they really mean, and whether everyone involved might actually have a point. Plus, early Cup Series power rankings to wrap it up.
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