Every NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Current Contract Status
What’s Happening? Like any other sport, Free Agency is a key part of NASCAR. However, driver-free agency is not covered like…
The 2026 NASCAR Season is fast approaching, and teams are setting their lineups for the coming season. This article highlights those 36 full-time entries that will tackle the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
What’s Happening? Like any other sport, Free Agency is a key part of NASCAR. However, driver-free agency is not covered like…
Daniel Suarez
No. 10 | Ty Dillon | Kaulig Racing:
No. 42 | John Hunter Nemechek | Legacy Motor Club
No. 51 | Cody Ware | Rick Ware Racing
Chastain is currently riding out a long-term extension signed with Trackhouse in 2023. The 32-year-old has had several productive seasons for Trackhouse since his debut with the team in 2022, though, in 2025 Chastain has seen a slight fall of in performance.
What’s Happening? The news of Tim Cindric’s departure from Team Penske shook the INDYCAR world. In the aftermath, NASCAR fans asked…
Despite rumors that he could be out of the team come season’s end, due to both performance and his father, Tim, being relieved of his duties by Team Penske, Roger Penske has said that Austin Cindric has a contract with the team through the 2026 season.
Austin Dillon, grandson of team owner Richard Childress, signed an extension with the team in 2024, despite speculation, RCR confrimed he will continue racing for the team full-time in a May 24 press release.
What’s Happening? Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that NASCAR no longer has to recognize…
Gragson is on a “Multi-Year Agreement” he signed with FRM prior to the 2025 season during the summer of 2024. Nonetheless, fans continue to speculate that his poor performance and the ongoing charter issues at FRM could push him out, though there is no indication whatsoever that this is the case.
Kyle Larson is one of a few drivers with a publicly known end date to his contract, with his current deal with HMS, signed in 2022, set to end at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
While there is no public info about Brad Keselowski’s contract status with RFK, and beyond his poor start to 2026, it seems unlikely that the former Cup Series Champion, and co-owner of the team, is headed anywhere anytime soon. However, the clock is ticking for Keselowski, who is now 41 years old, though he looks just as consistent as ever late into the 2025 season.
What’s Happening? Though 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Silly Season has remained rather quiet, the gears are slowly starting to turn. Driver…
One of the major storylines of the summer of 2025 was Justin Haley’s status on the proverbial “hot seat” at Spire Motorsports. While there is no indication that the team is ready to move on, he is on a “Multi-Year Contract” with the team he signed last fall.
What’s Happening? Kyle Busch will continue driving the No. 8 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing through the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series…
Though his time in the NASCAR Cup Series is slowly winding down, 40 year old Kyle Busch will return to Richard Childress Racing for at least the 2026 season, per a May 24 press release.
Chase Elliott is set to return to HMS in 2026 per his 2022 contract extension, which ends at the conclusion of the 2027 season.
What’s Happening? Denny Hamlin will remain with Joe Gibbs Racing beyond the next two seasons, as the team has announced a…
Denny Hamlin started the year off as a key driver on both free agency and retirement watch due to loss of sponsors and a lack of wins in late 2024. But, both issues seemed to be resolved, and on Jul. 25, JGR announced he had signed a “Multi-Year” extension through presumably the 2027 season.
Blaney is unlikely to leave his current spot at Team Penske and is perhaps the team’s most consistent driver. He signed a “Long-Term Contract Extension” with the team in 2022.
Though there was no official announcement, those at Kaulig Racing, including Chris Rice and Owner Matt Kaulig, have openly stated that Allmendinger will be back for the 2026 season on multiple occasions.
Buecsher signed an extension with RFK Racing in early 2024; however, the terms are unknown. It seems unlikely that the veteran would leave his long-time home at RFK.
Briscoe, who is having a career year with Joe Gibbs Racing, signed his initial “Multi-Year Deal” with JGR in 2024. With his on-track success, support from Bass Pro Shops, and contract length, it seems unlikely he would be out of his ride.
Bell signed a “Longterm Extension” with JGR in 2022. While the term of this contract is unknown, Bell is perhaps the best driver at JGR and would be an unlikley candidate to leave the team.
Berry, who showed early signs of success with the Wood Brothers, signed his initial “Multi-Year Agreement” with the team last season, and, as a successful driver, should return in 2026.
Joey Logano signed his most recent “Long-Term Contract Extension” with Team Penske in 2022, while he has had a fall off in consistency, the three-time champ is still a winner in the series.
Bubba Wallace, despite the ongoing charter uncertainty at 23XI Racing, signed a “Multi-Year Renewal” with 23XI last fall. A May 30 report from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic claimed that all three 23XI drivers will be back for 2026.
What’s Happening? Friday morning, Hendrick Motorsports confirmed that they have re-signed William Byron through at least the 2029 season. This means…
William Byron was set to be the most interesting free agent of the 2026 silly season, but to no surprise, the two-time Daytona 500 champion signed an extension with HMS through the 2029 season on May 23.
Todd Gilliland signed a “Multi-Year Contract Extension” with FRM in 2024 and moved to the team’s flagship No. 34. There seems to be no issues between the two as of press time.
What’s Happening? According to a new report, despite fan speculation, 23XI Racing’s lineup for the 2026 season is set, with all…
There are no clear details on Herbst’s status with the team, though all signs point to at least another season in the No. 35 for Herbst. A May 30 report from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic claimed that all three 23XI drivers will be back for 2026.
Zane Smith returned to FRM after a year abroad earlier this year on a “Multi-Year Agreement”. While he has had a rather quiet season, he has improved on his stats from his solo season with Spire Motorsports in 2024.
Despite rumors of a potential sale to Legacy Motor Club, on Sept. 5, HFT confirmed that Custer will return in 2026. Though HFT will see a major shift next season, as the team joins Chevrolet with support from Hendrick Motorsports.
Last summer, ErikJones, now 29 years old, signed a “Multi-Year Contract Extension” with LMC. So far this season, Jones is having a career year with the team formerly known as Petty GMS Racing in their fifth season together.
Reddick, notably, signed with 23XI in late 2022 and is the most consistent driver of the three 23XI Toyotas. A May 30 report from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic claimed that all three 23XI drivers will be back for 2026.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Hyak Motorsports, formerly known as JTG-Daugherty Racing, are in their sixth season together. Last year, prior to the team’s rebranding and ownership reshuffling, the 37-year-old signed a “Multi-Year Contract Extension” with the team.
Bowman is set with HMS through the 2028 season per his extension signed with the team in 2023. Though most view him as a weak link at HMS, the team should consider making any changes to their roster.
While Gibbs’ status with the team is technically unknown, it is unlikely that 22 22-year-old would be out of his No. 54 ride at his grandfather’s team anytime soon. After a rough start to the season, Gibbs and his new Crew Chief, Tyler Allen, have had a solid summer run.
Though there is little to no information on the length of Preece’s deal with RFK, a diecast render from Lionel, the first of the 2026 NASCAR Season, has Preece behind the wheel of the No. 60.
Michael McDowell signed with Spire as part of the first move of 2025 Silly Season in early 2024. This was on a “Multi-Year Contract,” suggesting that the veteran will be around the ever-changing team for one more season at the very least.
Hocevar has made headlines for both the right and wrong reasons in his Sophomore Cup Series season. While the 22-year-old is averaging a worse finish than his 2024 Rookie of the Year season, he is qualifying better and has improved his counting stats. He signed his initial “Multi-Year Contract” with Spire in 2023.
Trackhouse announced on Aug. 8 that van Gisbergen has signed a “Multi-year Contract Extension.” His number seems to be determined, though he will likely drive with the current No. 88 team.
Zilisch will race for Trackhouse in the Cup Series full-time in 2026. His number is to be determined, though he will likely drive with the current No. 99 team.
Key:
This article will be updated throughout the 2025 season and off-season, should any roster or driver changes/signings happen.
