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…
Paint scheme beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to the sport of NASCAR, but sometimes the race teams miss the point. Let’s just say that these folks need to make sure they hire an interior designer if they start revamping the look of their houses. There’s no harm in admitting what you’re not good at.
Inspired greatly by the readers’ comments on the matter in a recent Reddit post, we began to whittle down some of the more unusual paint schemes from the 1990s to the present. Talk about having good memories and inspiration, they certainly posted some good examples. Opinions will vary on this topic.
Toward the end of Bill Elliott’s career, he drove for his own company in the No. 94 McDonald’s car. But in the final race of the 1999 season in Atlanta, Elliott raced in a car that crammed a tad bit too much into the paint scheme.
There was a Buzz Lightyear pig, a friendly dinosaur, McDonalds’ iconic golden arches, all kinds of different colors, and … of course … a Reese’s Cup advertisement on the back side for good measure.
Nothing says NASCAR like a big glob of cream cheese placed on the side panel of your racecar. That’s exactly what Ricky Stenhouse had slathered over a Thomas’ bagel on the side of the car. It takes a second to sink in, but after a second you realize that while it seems rather strange — it does look pretty yummy.
In 2004, Schrader drew the short straw and drove a mostly blue and white Dodge No. 49. There was one exception, and it was the “comedian” Carrot Top’s face and flowing red hair on the hood, with the hair spilling over to each side of the racecar in a way that looked more like a splattering of blood than hair. Plus you had Carrot Top’s crazy face on the top.
At first glance, it’s hard to figure out what you’re looking at.
Lake Speed had one of the coolest names in NASCAR back in the 1980s and 1990s, and he certainly drove one of the most unique-looking cars in his final year in the Cup Series (1998) — The Cartoon Network Chevrolet. Robert Pressley also drove it part-time during the 1997 season.
Due to these two cars’ struggles, team-wise, you didn’t see this Cartoon Network car on television very often.
Dale Earnhardt, Sr.’s rainbow-colored GM Goodwrench Chevrolet was — shall we say — a bit much for the eyes. The 2000 color scheme didn’t seem to fit the trend of other unique color schemes that came along over the years. In fact, some said, “let the rainbow warrior drive in those colors”, obviously referring to Jeff Gordon.
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.
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 Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
