Gifts for NASCAR Fans
The 2026 NASCAR Season is fast approaching, and teams are setting their lineups for the coming season. This article highlights the 36 full-time entries that will compete in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
Connor Zilisch | No. 88 | Trackhouse Racing
Daniel Suarez | 2026 No. 7 | 2026 Team: Spire Motorsports | 2025 No. 99 | 2025 Team: Trackhouse Racing
Justin Haley | 2025 No. 7 | 2025 Team: Spire Motorsports
Trackhouse Racing No. 88 | 2025 Driver: Shane van Gisbergen
Trackhouse Racing No. 99 | 2025 Driver: Daniel Suarez
John Hunter Nemechek | 2025 No. 42 | 2025 Team: Legacy Motor Club
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 confirmed 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? Spire Motorsports has signed NASCAR Cup Series veteran Daniel Suarez to drive its No. 7 entry during the 2026…
Daniel Suarez is set to move teams for the first time since 2021, as Connor Zilisch takes his spot at Trackhouse Racing, and he will replace Justin Haley at Spire Motorsports. Suarez had a disappointing 2025, similar to Haley’s, but his winning ways and sponsorship make for an appealing signing for the three-car operation.
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? Ty Dillon will return to Kaulig Racing for a second full-time season with the team in 2026, officially locking…
Ty Dillon will return to Kaulig Racing in 2026 for a second season of full-time action. In 2025, Dillon, who was making his return to full-time status in the NASCAR Cup Series, had a hit-or-miss season, which included a run to the final round of NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge.
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.
Although there was no official announcement, those at Kaulig Racing, including Chris Rice and Owner Matt Kaulig, have openly stated that Allmendinger will return 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.
What’s Happening? Front Row Motorsports has made its first move of the 2026 NASCAR Silly Season, signing Zane Smith to a…
Zane Smith returned to FRM after a year abroad earlier this year on a “Multi-Year Agreement”. Though there was some confusion on the length of his contract, on October 23, FRM announced a multi-year extension for the second year Cup Series driver. While he has had a rather quiet season, Smith 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.
No. 51 | Cody Ware | Rick Ware Racing
What’s Happening? NASCAR Cup Series team Rick Ware Racing is reportedly making a switch from Ford to Chevrolet in 2026, making…
There is no clear information on Ware’s contractual status with the team. His father, Rick, is the current owner of the team; however, T.J. Puchyr, a former co-founder of Spire Motorsports, has agreed to purchase the team, and initial reporting claims that if the purchase goes through, the team will remain the same for 2026 at least. That purchase is pending the ongoing lawsuit between Legacy Motor Club and Rick Ware Racing. The lawsuit is resolved, Ware will be in the No. 51 full-time in 2025.
On a sidenote, the team will for sure race in 2026 as a Chevrolet team with technical support from RCR.
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.
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.
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.
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This article will be updated throughout the 2025 season and off-season, should any roster or driver changes/signings happen.
