Driver movement came fast and furious during the closing weeks of the 2020 season, providing a preview of the 2021 landscape that includes three new NASCAR Cup Series teams, a two-time championship crew chief switching rides and new drivers at powerful Joe Gibbs Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing.
Our 2021 Silly Season Tracker is below, listing what we know for full-time Cup Series teams in 2021. We’ll update this page often, as teams finalize their plans for next season. Anything highlighted in red indicates a change from 2020, and clicking on the red line will give you more information on the move and its impact.
No.
Driver
Crew Chief
Team
Kyle Larson, the former No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet driver, will pilot Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 entry, as the car number makes its return to the Cup Series. Cliff Daniels is making the transition from the No. 48 pit box to Larson's team since his driver, Jimmie Johnson, retired from full-time racing.
Corey LaJoie, the former No. 32 Go Fas Racing Ford driver, moves to Spire Motorsports in its No. 7 Chevrolet -- and his crew chief from last year, Ryan Sparks, comes with him. Spire is upgrading to a two-car operation for 2021, adding to its No. 77 entry.
Chase Briscoe, who finished fourth in the final 2020 Xfinity Series standings after a nine-win campaign, is moving up into the Cup Series. Briscoe will drive the No. 14 Ford – retired Clint Bowyer's old ride, and the number Tony Stewart made famous.
Ben Beshore will climb atop two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch's No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing pit box. Beshore used to be an engineer for the No. 18 team, and then he spent two years as a crew chief in the Xfinity Series for JGR.
Christopher Bell is headed to the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, which Erik Jones used to fill. Adam Stevens will be Bell's crew chief after six seasons -- and two titles -- with another JGR driver, Kyle Busch.
Bubba Wallace was picked to be the first driver of the new Michael Jordan-Denny Hamlin team, 23XI Racing, which means he is leaving the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet. Wallace will steer the No. 23 Toyota in its debut season with crew chief Mike Wheeler – Leavine Family Racing's former competition director – in his ear.
Rudy Fugle will take over Chad Knaus' role as the No. 24 crew chief for driver William Bryon as Knaus transitions into an executive role at Hendrick Motorsports. Fugle and Byron used to work together in the Camping World Truck Series, and Fugle is leaving his truck gig at Kyle Busch Motorsports to reunite with Byron.
Alfredo will compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors as he makes the leap to the sport's top series following part-time duty for Richard Childress Racing in the Xfinity Series.
Ross Chastain is joining Chip Ganassi Racing full time in its No. 42 Chevrolet and leaving Kaulig Racing's Xfinity Series team. Kyle Larson piloted the No. 42 entry for four races in 2020 before Matt Kenseth finished out the season.
Erik Jones is switching from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Petty Motorsports, taking over Bubba Wallace's previous No. 43 Chevrolet. Jones has two Cup Series wins under his belt.
Alex Bowman is remaining at Hendrick Motorsports, but taking over the storied No. 48 Chevrolet that Jimmie Johnson drove to seven championships before retiring from full-time competition. Greg Ives is sticking with Bowman, too, atop the pit box.
Ware has 23 Cup Series starts to his name but he made just one start in 2020 -- a 19th-place finish in the fall Talladega race.
Bilicki made a career-high 22 starts in the Cup Series in 2020 with eight of those coming for RWR.
McLeod joins forces with fellow driver Matt Tifft to co-own their new team which will see McLeod run full time for the first time in his Cup career.
Suarez moves to the brand new team owned by former driver Justin Marks. The organization will have an alliance with RCR. This marks the fourth team for Suarez in four years.