On the Move: Changes to know for the 2026 season

Connor Zilisch

Old ride: No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New ride: No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (NCS)

The scoop: Trackhouse Racing announced in August that Connor Zilisch will contest the entire 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. He moves up to the premier level after a dominating 10-win season in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series last year.

Randall Burnett

Old gig: Crew chief for Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet (NCS)

New gig: Crew chief for Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet.

The scoop: Randall Burnett will lead Connor Zilisch's rookie Cup Series season as crew chief, Trackhouse Racing announced in September. Burnett owns six Cup victories; three of them coming with Kyle Busch in 2022.

Numbers announced for Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zilisch (NCS)

The scoop: Trackhouse Racing announced in November that Shane van Gisbergen will move from the No. 88 to the No. 97 Chevrolet in 2026, while Connor Zilisch will take over the No. 88. The team used the No. 99 during Daniel Suárez's tenure with the team. The No. 97 was previously unoccupied. Van Gisbergen is expected to bring over a majority of his team despite the number swap. 

Daniel Suárez

Old ride: No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (NCS)

New ride: No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (NCS)

The scoop: After Daniel Suárez and Trackhouse Racing mutually agreed to part ways in July, Spire Motorsports announced him as the next driver of the No. 7 in October. The Mexican-born driver has a pair of Cup Series victories to his name and looks for a bounce-back season with the up-and-coming organization.

Spire Motorsports elevates Matt McCall to competition director (NCS)

The scoop: Veteran crew chief Matt McCall will serve as the competition director for the Spire Motorsports Cup Series operation, the team announced in December. He'll oversee the entries of Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suárez after a year as the Director of Vehicle Performance.

Haas Factory Team to switch from Ford to Chevrolet (NCS, NOAPS)

Following the organization's first season, Haas Factory Team announced in September that the operation will switch from Ford to Chevrolet in 2026. HFT fields a full-time Cup entry for Cole Custer and full-time O'Reilly Auto Parts Series entries for Sam Mayer and Sheldon Creed. 

Rick Ware Racing inks multi-year deal to switch from Ford to Chevrolet (NCS)

The scoop: After fielding Fords the last four seasons, Rick Ware Racing will switch to Chevrolet for 2026 and beyond, aligning with Richard Childress Racing, the team announced in December. Cody Ware returns behind the wheel of the No. 51 for his second consecutive season. 

Jim Pohlman

Old gig: Crew chief for Justin Allgaier, No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New gig: Crew chief for Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet (NCS)

The scoop: After three seasons and an O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship with Justin Allgaier, Jim Pohlman (L) will move to the Cup Series to crew chief Kyle Busch at Richard Childress Racing, as announced in October. Busch, a two-time series champion, enters 2026 with back-to-back winless seasons. 

Brandon McSwain

Old gig: Engineer for William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (NCS)

New gig: Crew chief for Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (NCS)

The scoop: Trackhouse Racing announced the hiring of Brandon McSwain in November to become crew chief for Ross Chastain. McSwain was previously a longtime engineer for Hendrick Motorsports and takes over for Phil Surgen, who the team says is moving into a new role with the company. 

Justin Alexander (NCS)

The scoop: Justin Alexander, a five-time Cup Series winner, will crew chief Erik Jones' No. 43 Toyota at Legacy Motor Club, the team announced in January. Alexander takes over for Ben Beshore, who moves into a new role with the company. 

Grant Hutchens (NCS)

The scoop: Longtime Cup Series engineer Grant Hutchens will crew chief for Noah Gragson's No. 4 Ford at Front Row Motorsports, the team announced in January. He takes over for Drew Blickensderfer, who becomes the organization's competition director. 

NASCAR's secondary series rebranded under O'Reilly Auto Parts sponsorship

The scoop: The NASCAR Xfinity Series will become the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series under a multiyear agreement with the company, it was announced in August. Xfinity spent 11 seasons as the title sponsor of the No. 2 series and will remain in the sport as a premier partner. 

Kaulig Racing to pause O'Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts

In 2026, Kaulig Racing won't field entries in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, first reported in October and later confirmed on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The Matt Kaulig-owned organization has raced in the series since 2016. Last year, the team dropped Josh Williams after 21 races, and the organization's other two drivers, Christian Eckes and Daniel Dye, both missed the playoffs. 

Nick Sanchez

The scoop: Despite a win and a berth in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Playoffs last year, Nick Sanchez won't return to Big Machine Racing in 2026, he announced in December. Both Sanchez's and the team's plans for the upcoming season are currently unknown. 

Brent Crews

Old rides: Part-time No. 1 Tricon Garage Toyota, No. 70 Brent Crews Motorsports Toyota  (NCTS)

New ride: No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (NOAPS)

The scoop: Brent Crews will contest 29 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2026, driving all events he's old enough to participate in. Announced in November, Crews will pair with Seth Chavka, who led the No. 19 Toyota to an Owner's Championship in 2025. 

Rajah Caruth

Old ride: No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (NCTS)

New rides: Full-time split between the JR Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet and the Jordan Anderson Racing No. 32 Chevrolet (NOAPS)

The scoop: Rajah Caruth announced in October that he will run the full 2026 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule, entering in 23 races for JR Motorsports and 10 for Jordan Anderson Racing. He moves to NASCAR's No. 2 series after three Truck Series seasons, winning twice with Spire Motorsports.

Jordan Anderson Racing expands to three full-time teams (NOAPS)

The scoop: Jordan Anderson Racing announced in November that the team will add the No. 32 Chevrolet as a third full-time entry in 2026. Additionally, the team joins Richard Childress Racing on a technical alliance. Rajah Caruth will occupy the car for 10 races.

Carson Kvapil

Old ride: No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New rides: No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, TBD (NOAPS)

The scoop: Carson Kvapil will return for a second full-time O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season, JR Motorsports announced in October. He'll spend some of the season in the JRM No. 1 Chevrolet, splitting the entry with Connor Zilisch, while filling out the rest of the schedule in another entry. 

Rodney Childers

Old gig: Crew chief for Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (NCS)

New gig: Crew chief for Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch, No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

The scoop: JR Motorsports announced in September that championship-winning crew chief Rodney Childers will join the organization to lead the team's No. 1 Chevrolet. The entry will be split between rising stars Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. Childers joined Spire Motorsports in 2025 to crew chief Justin Haley after 11 seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing, but he and the driver parted ways after nine races.

JR Motorsports shuffles crew chief lineup (NOAPS)

The scoop: 2024 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Justin Allgaier will have a new crew chief in 2026, JR Motorsports announced in November. Andrew Overstreet, who crew chiefed Carson Kvapil last year, moves to Allgaier's No. 7 Chevrolet after Jim Pohlman departed for a Cup Series opportunity. Cory Shea, who led the team's part-time entry last season, will take over as crew chief for Sammy Smith in the No. 8 Chevrolet.

Corey Day

Old rides: Part-time No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (NCTS), part-time No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New ride: No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

The scoop: Dirt track talent Corey Day has landed his first full-time opportunity in NASCAR, piloting the Hendrick Motorsports No. 17 Chevrolet in 2026, the team announced in November. It's the organization's first full-time O'Reilly Auto Parts Series effort since 2006.

Harrison Burton

Old ride: No. 25 AM Racing Ford (NOAPS)

New ride: No. 24 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota (NOAPS)

The scoop: Harrison Burton will move to Sam Hunt Racing in 2026, piloting the No. 24 Toyota alongside Dean Thompson in the No. 26, the team announced in October. Brian Gainey will serve as crew chief for Burton, while Kris Bowen returns for another campaign with Thompson.

Austin Green

The scoop: After two part-time O'Reilly Auto Parts Series seasons, Austin Green will drive the No. 87 Chevrolet full-time for Peterson Racing in 2026, the team announced in December. Of note, Green finished second in last fall's race at the Charlotte Roval.

Parker Retzlaff

Old ride: No. 4 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New ride: No. 99 Viking Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

The scoop: Parker Retzlaff will join Viking Motorsports in 2026 after a season with Alpha Prime Racing, the team announced in November. Retzlaff has 15 top 10s in 107 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series starts. Danny Efland, former crew chief for Harrison Burton at AM Racing, will lead the No. 99 team's effort.

Anthony Alfredo

Old ride: No. 42 Young's Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New ride: No. 96 Viking Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

The scoop: Viking Motorsports will expand to two full-time cars in 2026, signing veteran Anthony Alfredo to drive its No. 96 Chevrolet, the team announced in December. It'll be Alfredo's fifth consecutive O'Reilly Auto Parts Series effort, and he'll reunite with crew chief Josh Graham atop the box. 

Josh Bilicki

Old ride: Part-time No. 91 DGM Racing Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New ride: No. 07 SS GreenLight Racing Chevrolet (NOAPS)

The scoop: After several part-time O'Reilly Auto Parts Series seasons, Josh Bilicki transitions to a new organization in 2026, joining SS GreenLight Racing for a full schedule, the team announced in November. He owns four top 10s in 127 starts, and also ran the full NASCAR Cup Series schedule with Rick Ware Racing in 2021.

RSS Racing switching to Chevrolet in 2026 (NOAPS)

The scoop: RSS Racing will pivot from Ford to Chevrolet for the 2026 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season and will stay aligned with Haas Factory Team, which also switched manufacturers, the team announced in November. Ryan Sieg will continue to pilot the No. 39 entry while his younger brother, Kyle, returns to the No. 28. 

Josh Williams

Old rides: Part-time with three organizations (NOAPS)

New ride: No. 92 DGM Racing Chevrolet (NOAPS)

The scoop: Josh Williams heads back to DGM Racing in 2026, driving the No. 92 Chevrolet full time, the team announced in November. Williams has spent the majority of his career with the organization, but left ahead of the 2024 season for an opportunity with Kaulig Racing. After parting ways with Kaulig in mid-2025, he returned for three starts late in the season. 

Ryan Ellis

Old ride: No. 71 DGM Racing Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New ride: No. 02 Young's Motorsports Chevrolet

The scoop: Ryan Ellis will join Young's Motorsports in its No. 02 Chevrolet as the organization expands to multiple cars, the team announced in November. A longtime NASCAR veteran, Ellis scored his first top 10 last season at Charlotte.

Lavar Scott

Old ride: No. 6 Rev Racing Chevrolet (AMS)

New ride: No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet (NOAPS)

The scoop: After two full-time ARCA Menards Series seasons, Lavar Scott is heading to the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, piloting Alpha Prime Racing's No. 45 Chevrolet, the team announced in December. He finished runner-up in both ARCA seasons and heads into the new year with two O'Reilly Auto Parts Series starts under his belt.

Jeremy Clements Racing aligns with Haas Factory Team (NOAPS)

The scoop: Jeremy Clements Racing will join Haas Factory Team in a strategic alliance for the 2026 season, the team announced in November. The one-car operation made the change in the wake of Haas' realignment from Ford to Chevrolet. 

Patrick Staropoli

The scoop: Big Machine Racing announced in December that Patrick Staropoli will drive the team's No. 48 Chevrolet in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Staropoli, an eye surgeon by day, made eight national series starts in 2025. 

Hettinger Racing to field O'Reilly Auto Parts Series team

The scoop: Hettinger Racing announced in December that the team would field the No. 5 Ford full-time in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026. The team hasn't announced a driver but signed Joe Williams Jr. to serve as competition director. 

Kaulig Racing partners with Ram in Craftsman Truck Series

The scoop: Kaulig Racing and RAM have partnered to field five full-time Craftsman Truck Series entries in 2026, the manufacturer and team announced in August. Ram had previously announced its intent to return to NASCAR, and the partnership adds a fourth manufacturer to the national series fold. Kaulig's two Cup Series entries will remain Chevrolet. 

Brenden "Butterbean" Queen

Old ride: No. 28 Pinnacle Racing Group Chevrolet (AMS)

New ride: No. 12 Kaulig Racing RAM (NCTS)

The scoop: Brenden "Butterbean" Queen pivots from the ARCA Menards Series to the Truck Series in 2026, driving one of Kaulig Racing's RAMs in 2026, the team announced in October. Kaulig later confirmed he will drive the No. 12 entry. Queen has 10 national series starts and is the defending ARCA champion.

Justin Haley

Old ride: Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet (NCS)

New ride: Kaulig Racing No. 16 RAM (NCTS)

The scoop: After parting ways with Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series, Justin Haley is joining Kaulig Racing behind the wheel of one of the organization's RAM trucks, the team announced in October. Haley previously spent five seasons with Kaulig; three in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and two in the Cup Series. He'll drive the No. 16 RAM.

Daniel Dye

Old ride: Kaulig Racing No. 10 Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New ride: Kaulig Racing No. 10 RAM (NCTS)

The scoop: Daniel Dye will return to the Truck Series in 2026, driving one of Kaulig Racing's RAM trucks, the team announced in October. Dye previously contested the full 2025 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season with the organization.

Kaulig, RAM launch Free Agent Driver Program (NCTS)

The scoop: Kaulig Racing and RAM announced in November that a rotating cast of drivers from all walks of motorsports will fill their No. 25 truck in 2026. The entry will participate in all 25 races, and the reveal for each driver will come in the days leading up to each race.

Ty Majeski

Old ride: No. 98 ThorSport Racing Ford (NCTS)

New ride: No. 88 ThorSport Racing Ford (NCTS)

The scoop: Following Matt Crafton's retirement from full-time competition, ThorSport Racing announced in August that Ty Majeski will move from the No. 98 to the flagship No. 88 beginning in 2026. Majeski won the Craftsman Truck Series Championship in 2024.

Kaden Honeycutt

Old ride: No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota (NCTS)

New ride: No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota (NCTS)

The scoop: Piloting the No. 52 entry for the final eight races last year after an injury to Stewart Friesen, Kaden Honeycutt will stay in the Toyota family in 2026, moving to Tricon Garage's No. 11 Toyota, the team announced in December. Honeycutt raced for three organizations in 2025, but his whirlwind campaign resulted in a trip to the Championship 4. He now takes over the most dominant truck in the series from one year ago. 

Christian Eckes

Old ride: Kaulig Racing No. 16 Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New ride: McAnally-Hilgemann Racing No. 91 Chevrolet (NCTS)

The scoop: After a year in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series with Kaulig Racing, Christian Eckes will return to truck racing in 2026 with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, the team announced in November. Eckes won eight times with the organization in 2023 and 2024. He'll drive the No. 91 Chevrolet.  

Kris Wright

Old ride: No. 5 Our Motorsports Chevrolet (NOAPS)

New ride: No. 81 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet (NCTS)

The scoop: Kris Wright heads to the Truck Series for a full-time slate with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in the No. 81 Chevrolet, the team announced in December. Wright had planned for a full O'Reilly Auto Parts Series slate with Our Motorsports last season, but the sides parted ways in July.

Reaume Brothers Racing rebranding to Team Reaume (NCTS)

The scoop: Reaume Brothers Racing has rebranded to Team Reaume, the three-truck operation announced in December. While much of the organization's plans remain unknown, Frankie Muniz will return to the No. 33 Ford in 2026.

Tyler Reif to anchor No. 42 Niece Motorsports truck (NCTS)

The scoop: Former ARCA Menards Series winner Tyler Reif will pilot Niece Motorsports' No. 42 Chevrolet in a majority of races in 2026, the team announced in November. Reif earned a top 10 in his series debut at Phoenix Raceway last year. 

Jake Garcia

Old ride: No. 13 ThorSport Racing Ford (NCTS)

New ride: No. 98 ThorSport Racing Ford (NCTS)

The scoop: ThorSport Racing announced in January that Jake Garcia will return to the organization in 2026 but will instead pilot the No. 98 Ford. He takes the reins from Ty Majeski, who moves into the team's flagship No. 88 entry.

Cole Butcher

The scoop: ThorSport Racing announced in January that Cole Butcher will take over the full-time reins of No. 13 Ford in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2026. The Canadian raced in two Truck Series contests in 2025 for Halmar Friesen Racing. 

Toni Breidinger

Old ride: No. 5 Tricon Garage Toyota (NCTS)

New ride: Part-time No. 27 Rackley War Chevrolet (NCTS)

The scoop: After contesting the full 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign for Toyota and Tricon Garage, Toni Breidinger will pivot to Chevrolet and Rackley War for a part-time slate in 2026, the team announced in January. Her schedule begins in February at Daytona and also includes North Wilkesboro and Talladega. 

The Chase returns

The scoop: NASCAR announced in January that all three national series will revert to The Chase as the championship format beginning in 2026. The Cup Series decided its champion with a different version of The Chase from 2004-13. 

NASCAR boosting Cup Series horsepower at select tracks 

The scoop: Officials will boost Cup Series horsepower at ovals under 1.5 miles and length and road courses in 2026, the sanctioning body announced in October. At those tracks, horsepower will be increased to a target of 750 from the baseline of 670 in 2024. 

NASCAR adjusts participation guidelines for 2026 season

The scoop: Competition officials announced in November lessened age restrictions for drivers in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, as well as an increase in events that Cup drivers can participate in lower series. Under the change, drivers 17 years of age are eligible to race in O'Reilly Auto Parts Series events at road courses and ovals 1.25 miles in length or shorter. Additionally, Cup drivers can participate in 10 O'Reilly Series races and eight Craftsman Truck Series races each season. 

All three series heading to Naval Base Coronado 

The scoop: Time to race the base in 2026! The NASCAR Cup Series, O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series will race at Naval Base Coronado in June as part of a tripleheader weekend to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy. The announcement from the sanctioning body came in July, with a course announcement following in October. 

Cup, O'Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to Chicagoland

The scoop: For the first time since 2019, the Cup Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will race at Chicagoland Speedway, NASCAR announced in August. The doubleheader weekend will take place July 4 and 5. The two series return to Chicagoland after three straight years racing at the Chicago Street Course over the holiday weekend. 

North Wilkesboro awarded points race; All-Star Race shifts to Dover

The scoop: North Wilkesboro Speedway will host its first Cup Series points race in 30 years, NASCAR announced in August. The speedway previously hosted the All-Star Race for three consecutive seasons, but in 2026, North Wilkesboro swaps with Dover Motor Speedway, which will host the exhibition race for the first time. 

In-Season Challenge returns for second season (NCS)

The scoop: The In-Season Challenge will return to the Cup Series schedule in 2026 with a revamped track lineup, NASCAR announced in August. Once again, all five races will air on TNT Sports and the ISC will culminate at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Truck Series heads to St. Petersburg for first time

The scoop: The Craftsman Truck Series will head to Florida for a second time in February, taking part in IndyCar's season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg weekend, NASCAR announced in August. It will be the Truck Series' first street race in 32 seasons (with a second coming in June in San Diego), and is also the first of two consecutive IndyCar/NASCAR combo weekends. 

NASCAR partners with IndyCar for doubleheader weekend at Phoenix

The scoop: A week after the Craftsman Truck Series' trip to St. Petersburg, the Cup Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series head to Phoenix Raceway for a doubleheader weekend with IndyCar, the sanctioning bodies announced in September. IndyCar and the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will race Saturday with Cup culminating the weekend on Sunday. 

Season finale races return to Homestead-Miami Speedway

The scoop: All three national series will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the season finale in 2026, NASCAR announced in May. Homestead hosted the season-ending events from 2002-2019 before NASCAR shifted the championship event to Phoenix Raceway beginning in 2020. 

Four Cup Series tracks to host races earlier in the season

The scoop: Four tracks on the Cup Series schedule move to significantly earlier in the season. Watkins Glen International moves from August to May, marking the earliest race dates in the history of the Central New York facility. New Hampshire Motor Speedway also moves from the middle of the playoffs to August, while the spring Darlington Raceway and Kansas Speedway dates move to March and April, respectively. The changes were announced by NASCAR in August.

Second Cup Series off-weekend added before Iowa 

The scoop: The Cup Series will be idle for two weekends in 2026, the sanctioning body announced with the schedule release in August. The premier series had just one weekend off in 2025, and it'll be the first time since 2021 that the series has non-consecutive off weekends.