It’s the middle of Summer, and while NASCAR works to determine which drivers will fight for its three National Series championships, there’s lots of talk about what 2027 (and honestly, even 2028) will hold for all three divisions.
In the modern world, where social media is running rampant, and there are tens of different mediums to digest content on, it can be difficult, and sometimes overwhelming, to keep up with NASCAR’s Silly Season.
So, this year, I’m trying something new (coinciding with the first-ever silly season for JosephSrigley.com) to keep you informed on not just what has been announced by teams, but also what the latest rumors and reports are from the NASCAR garages.
RELATED: 2027 NASCAR Cup Series Driver / Team Chart
RELATED: 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver / Team Chart
COMING SOON: 2027 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Driver / Team Chart
DISCLAIMER: JosephSrigley.com’s Silly Season Blog is designed to keep YOU in the loop when it comes to NASCAR’s Silly Season – whether it be official announcements, reports, rumors, or observations. This page is NOT designed to be used as a vessel to skirt ethical reporting standards and should not be treated as such. If I have news to report, it will not be done on this page.
INDUSTRY MEMBERS: Have a tip? Feel free to email me at srigleyj@gmail.com, or reach out via social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, or BlueSky), and let’s have a conversation!
SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
Tristan McKee is returning to Spire Motorsports in 2027 and will run an expanded NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series schedule. Since McKee doesn’t turn 18 until August of 2027, the Williamsburg, Virginia-native is limited to just 11 NFXFTS events.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2026
In a BOMBSHELL on Tuesday, Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing are parting ways. Keselowski will not be driving the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in 2027, and will no longer be a part of the team’s ownership group. RFK, however, says the team plans to run three full-time NASCAR Cup Series entries next season and is still pursuing a third Charter.
TRUCKS: Jake Garcia is headed to Front Row Motorsports and will drive the No. 38 Ford F-150 with sponsorship from Quanta Services in 2027.
O’REILLY: Expecting an announcement this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that will clear up the future of one championship contender in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
Erik Jones has signed a multi-year contract extension with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, which will see him continue driving the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE for “the forseeable future”. Jones will once again be paired with Justin Alexander.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Thomas Annunziata will NOT be running another full-time campaign in the ARCA Menards Series in 2027, he confirmed Friday during a media availability at Kansas Speedway. The Colts Neck, New Jersey-native is expected to focus on NASCAR National Series opportunities for next year.
Peterson Racing appears to be expanding its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series operation to two cars in 2027, according to a recent job posting. That’s been the expectation out of the garage all Summer, and now, it looks like it’ll be accompanied by a move to Welcome, North Carolina — presumably on the campus of Richard Childress Racing.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
Sam Mayer is headed back to JR Motorsports for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet with sponsorship from Starkey Hearing. That leaves a vacancy at Haas Factory Team, which is committed to being a three-car team next season and has already signed Dean Thompson. Could that be a landing spot for the newly-jobless John Hunter Nemechek? Maybe Sammy Smith?
SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
Ryan Ellis and Young’s Motorsports are parting ways at the end of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign, the parties announced on Wednesday. Where Ellis could land next is unknown, but a reunion with Alpha Prime Racing isn’t out of the question, per industry chatter. As for Young’s Motorsports, their next steps are unknown, as well.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
Layne Riggs is returning to Front Row Motorsports in 2027; he confirmed to members of the media during NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Chase Media Day. While the Bahama, North Carolina-native says nothing is set in stone, yet, he also says he’d like to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut by the end of next season.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
UPDATE (SEPTEMBER 12): Corey Day will run “five to six” NASCAR Cup Series events in 2027, at a variety of racetracks, in an entry for Spire Motorsports. Jeff Andrews, President of Hendrick Motorsports, says those events will likely come in the middle to end portion of the season. Day will continue to run full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, as announced on Thursday.
Sigma Performance Services (SPS Racing) confirmed Wednesday that it will field the No. 43 Chevrolet in three NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events to end the season at Bristol (with Landon S. Huffman), Phoenix and Talladega (with Connor Mosack. Chatter amongst industry members this Summer has suggested the team is trying to build a full-time campaign in 2027, and that Huffman and Mosack would be the front runners for that, should it materialize.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
It’s official. Josh Berry is heading to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. The Hendersonville, Tennessee-native will take over the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE starting next February at Daytona International Speedway, replacing John Hunter Nemechek.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
Alpha Prime Racing (APR) will transition to fielding Ford Mustangs in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next season, switching from Chevrolet. The team will phase in some of its Ford equipment at the end of this season in select events. Driver lineup TBA.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2026
Riley Herbst is joining LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in 2027, driving the No. 84 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE. Herbst will drive the team’s third full-time entry; no announcement was made regarding the No. 42, but it’s expected that Josh Berry will take that seat.
Is Dr. Patrick Starapoli going to be on the move in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series? Brennan Poole, on the Power Hour Podcast that he co-hosts with Eric Estepp, says he’s heard rumors that he’s moving on from Big Machine Racing, leaving the No. 48 open. There’s been some chatter in the industry that maybe Sammy Smith could land with the Scott Borchetta-owned team.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
According to a report from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, John Hunter Nemechek is not returning to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in 2027. Nemechek, who had recently agreed to a contract extension with the organization, is said to have been informed on Monday that he won’t drive the No. 42 in 2027. Josh Berry is said to be the leading candidate.
AUGUST 31, 2026
Josh Bilicki will attempt to qualify for the 2027 DAYTONA 500 with Garage 66, driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. That brings the confirmed entries for next year’s season-opener up to 39 with the 36 Chartered Entries, plus the RFK Racing No. 60, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB No. 48, and the Garage 66 No. 66.
AUGUST 28, 2026
Daniel Dye will compete full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2027, driving the No. 32 Chevrolet Camaro for Jordan Anderson Racing. Dye has inked a multi-year agreement with the team.
AUGUST 27, 2026
Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has confirmed the final piece of its 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver lineup, confirming that both Brent Crews and Brandon Jones will return. Jones will drive the No. 20 with sponsorship from Menards, and Sam McAulay will remain crew chief of the entry.
Carson Kvapil will return to JR Motorsports FULL-TIME in 2027, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro, the team announced on Thursday.
AUGUST 26, 2026
Sammy Smith is not returning to JR Motorsports, the driver confirmed on social media Wednesday. The Johnston, Iowa-native has been driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for three years, and will not return for a fourth. Industry chatter has suggested that Haas Factory Team could be an option for Smith, while some have said an RCR-aligned team could also be his landing spot.
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has confirmed that both Carson Brown and Chandler Smith have signed agreements to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2027. Brown will drive the No. 2 with Smith in the No. 21.
AUGUST 25, 2026
Lee Pulliam is going to drive full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2027, joining Peterson Racing Group to drive the No. 87 Chevrolet. Throughout the Summer, there has been chatter around the industry suggesting the team is looking to expand and run a second full-time entry, but no confirmation of that has been given. Nick Sanchez, Daniel Dye, and Josh Berry have all had their names attached to a second entry, should there be one.
AUGUST 24, 2026
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has confirmed that Austin Hill will drive the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027. It was believed that the two parties had reached an impasse recently, and that Josh Berry and Chandler Smith (expected to join the team’s O’Reilly Series program) were in the conversation; however, the deal has since advanced and been completed.
AUGUST 18, 2026
In a press conference with members of the media on Tuesday, Rick Hendrick confirmed that Corey Day would return to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series full-time in 2027, driving the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports.
AUGUST 17, 2026
Connor Zilisch is heading to Hendrick Motorsports in 2028. Yes, 2028. The 20-year-old driver will take over the Ally Financial-sponsored No. 48 after Alex Bowman retires from NASCAR Cup Series competition at the end of next season.
AUGUST 14, 2026
CUP: Noah Gragson has inked a contract extension with Front Row Motorsports and will remain the driver of the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in 2027.
AUGUST 12, 2026
O’REILLY: After two seasons with Haas Factory Team, could Sam Mayer be returning to JR Motorsports? Some industry chatter suggests that could be the case. That would leave a vacancy in the No. 41 Chevrolet Camaro for 2027.
AUGUST 8, 2026
O’REILLY: Dean Thompson is joining Haas Factory Team in 2027, driving a third NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series organization for the team. Number TBA.
AUGUST 6, 2026
O’REILLY: William Sawalich has signed a contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing, and will continue as driver of the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
O’REILLY: Expecting a top-tier NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series organization to make an announcement this weekend, regarding the addition of a brand-new driver to their group for next season.
AUGUST 5, 2026
TRUCKS: Is Michael Christopher, Jr. headed to Front Row Motorsports? The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver and part-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver was interviewed Friday at Stafford Speedway, where he was seen wearing one of the team’s hats. With Chandler Smith confirming his departure from the team, the No. 38 Ford F-150 is open, and could it go to the nephew of the legendary Ted Christopher?
JULY 28, 2026
TRUCKS: Chandler Smith will NOT return to Front Row Motorsports in 2027.
O’REILLY: Chandler Smith has been linked to join Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, according to industry chatter, where he would likely serve as the more-experienced teammate to the team’s highly-rated prospect, Carson Brown, who will make his series debut at Iowa. This move being executed, though, could depend on whether Austin Hill remains the driver of the NASCAR Cup Series No. 33.
JULY 2026
CUP: Jimmie Johnson will use the No. 48 on his LEGACY MOTOR CLUB entry in the 2027 DAYTONA 500; his final NASCAR Cup Series start before retirement. Alex Bowman will use a different number (TBA) for the season-opener.
CUP: RFK Racing has exercised its option to retain Ryan Preece as part of its NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup. Preece will continue to drive the No. 60, but, as of yet, the team hasn’t found a third charter.
CUP: Alex Bowman has signed a one-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports and will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro in 2027, before retiring. Industry chatter suggests Connor Zilisch could be the leading candidate to take over the ride in 2028.
O’REILLY: Taylor Gray has signed a contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing, and will continue as driver of the No. 54 Toyota GR Supra for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign.
CUP: Jerry Freeze, General Manager of Front Row Motorsports, says he “feels good” about the prospects of the organization signing a contract extension with Noah Gragson. Gragson has driven the No. 4 Ford Mustang for the last two seasons and was believed to be under pressure to perform. Layne Riggs, the team’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver, had also recently mentioned that he believed a Cup Series seat was possible for him in 2027.
CUP: Todd Gilliland has signed a contract extension with Front Row Motorsports and will continue as the driver of the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
O’REILLY: Justin Allgaier isn’t going to be retiring from the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series any time soon, says Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, co-owner of JR Motorsports. The Riverton, Illinois-native is believed to be staying on-board as driver of the No. 7 Chevrolet for 2027 and beyond.
JUNE 2026
CUP: Defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love has signed a NASCAR Cup Series contract with the iconic Wood Brothers Racing and will take over the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse from Josh Berry at season’s end. Love will run for Rookie of the Year honors.
CUP: Chris Buescher has signed a multi-year contract extension with RFK Racing and will continue as driver of the No. 17 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for 2027 and beyond.
CUP: On a Ford Racing media call, Josh Berry announced that he won’t be returning to Wood Brothers Racing in 2027.
MAY 2026
CUP: Corey Heim will be promoted to a full-time NASCAR Cup Series ride in 2027, driving the No. 35 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing, replacing Riley Herbst. Industry chatter suggests that Herbst will join LEGACY MOTOR CLUB to pilot their third full-time entry.
CUP: Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. will continue as driver of the No. 47 Chevrolet for years to come, after signing a multi-year contract extension with HYAK Motorsports.
CUP: 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney has signed a long-term contract extension with Team Penske, which will see him continue as the driver of the No. 12 Ford Mustang well into the future.
APRIL 2026
CUP: Tyler Reddick will remain with 23XI Racing for 2027 and beyond, signing a multi-year contract extension to continue as the driver of the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE.
FEBRUARY 2026
