NASCAR Drivers Most Likely To BOUNCE-BACK In 2026

The calendar is about to flip, and with it comes a fresh reset for the NASCAR Cup Series. While 2025 had its highs and lows, several drivers showed just enough promise to believe a bounce-back season could be coming in 2026. Speed flashed, momentum built late, and in a few cases, circumstances quietly set the stage for a much better year ahead.

• Can Carson Hocevar turn Spire’s growing speed into consistent top 15 and top 10 finishes in 2026?
• Did Brad Keselowski’s strong second half of 2025 signal that RFK has finally turned a corner?
• Is Chris Buescher capable of returning to the form that once made him a Round of 8 contender?
• Will a contract year, new crew chief, and updated Chevrolet package spark a Kyle Busch rebound?

Hocevar’s box score may not tell the full story, but the on-track pace was real, and Spire continues to invest heavily in performance and personnel. Keselowski and Buescher both ended 2025 far stronger than they began, suggesting RFK Racing may be closer to a breakthrough than recent playoff results imply. And then there’s Kyle Busch, coming off one of the toughest seasons of his career, but entering 2026 with motivation, change, and pressure all pointing in the same direction. Bounce-back seasons don’t always mean championships or multi-win years. Sometimes they mean restoring confidence, consistency, and relevance. For these four drivers, 2026 could be exactly that kind of reset.

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