Two current Cup drivers held the keys to the NASCAR silly season, and both of them are staying put … for one more year. Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports) was the most high-profile driver who was not signed for next year. HMS announced on July 23 that Bowman would return next season and that 2027 would be his final year before retiring from full-time competition. The other driver who was key is Connor Zilisch, who is signed through next season at Trackhouse and then will head to Hendrick Motorsports to replace Bowman starting in 2028. Obviously, there are things that can’t be predicted. The devastating death on May 21 of Kyle Busch leaves a much bigger void beyond a seat in the Cup Series. Austin Hill, who has driven the car since Busch’s death, will continue on in that ride. Here is how things look at each organization following the Sept. 2 announcement by Legacy Motor Club that John Hunter Nemechek would not return to the team in 2027. Josh Berry is the top (and at this point, only) candidate to replace him. Joe Gibbs Racing Barring an unforeseen occurrence, JGR will not have changes for next year. Ty Gibbs (fourth in the standings) isn’t expected to be going anywhere and Denny Hamlin (first), Chase Briscoe (fifth) and Christopher Bell (sixth) are signed beyond this season. The one thing that JGR might need to anticipate is Hamlin retiring from full-time racing after 2027 then having to fill that ride. Brent Crews, who drives for JGR in the O’Reilly Series, is the team’s focus on the development driver side who could be Cup ready in 2028. 23XI Racing Corey Heim — who already has won twice this year on a part-time schedule — has been announced as a full-time driver, replacing Riley Herbst (29th in the standings). Tyler Reddick (third in the standings) signed a contract extension earlier this year. While sources had indicated Bubba Wallace (14th) was in an option year, both the 23XI and Wallace camps have indicated he is set to race for 23XI next season. Team Penske With Ryan Blaney (second) having recently signed a contract extension, Team Penske has its former champions Blaney and Joey Logano (ninth) under contact. Austin Cindric is 15th in the points and indicated he has signed a contract extension, saying his contract details are between him and Team Penske but that he is confident fans will see him in the car next season. Hendrick Motorsports Chase Elliott (eighth), Kyle Larson (seventh), William Byron (13th) and Alex Bowman (30th) are all now signed for next year. And Zilisch will replace Bowman in 2028. Ally will return as the sponsor for the No. 48 and Zilisch. Spire Motorsports Spire Motorsports has Carson Hocevar (12th) locked in long-term, while Michael McDowell and Daniel Suárez are not. Spire has shown the willingness to eat a year of a contract to get a driver it wants but no one emerged as a good or better fit. Suárez is 11th in the standings and McDowell is 20th. Now that Bowman is set to return at Hendrick next season, it appears that the Spire lineup likely will be the same for 2027. RFK Racing Ryan Preece, at 16th in the standings, was a driver whose future appeared mildly unclear, but team co-owner Brad Keselowski confirmed July 25 that RFK had picked up his option for next season. RFK possibly will have just two charters for next season (it is leasing one that will go to Legacy Motor Club in 2027) but it also has strong sponsorship from Kroger and its vendors to the point where running Preece as an open car next year appears to be the plan. Chris Buescher (10th) has signed a contract extension (announced June 16). Brad Keselowski (18th) will race at RFK until he is ready to retire, which he says won’t be for several more years. Trackhouse Racing All three Trackhouse drivers — Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen and Zilisch — are signed through 2027, and the onus is on the organization to try to keep either Chastain or van Gisbergen or both beyond next year. None of the drivers made the Chase with van Gisbergen 17th in the standings, while Chastain is 19th and Zilisch is 34th. Legacy Motor Club Erik Jones (21st in the standings) and John Hunter Nemechek were both expected to return before Legacy executives opted to release Nemechek at the end of the year. Nemechek (27th) in the standings said he was “disappointed” in the decision but that “I know my best days are ahead.” The team statement said: “We are grateful for John Hunter’s contributions … and appreciate his professionalism and commitment to the organization throughout his time with the team.” Josh Berry is the only candidate to replace him. Legacy will add a third chartered car next year as well and that is the expected landing spot for Riley Herbst. The team has set a Sept. 3 announcement. Kaulig Racing Neither AJ Allmendinger nor Ty Dillon are locked in at Kaulig next year, although Allmendinger has the option to race as long as he wants. The organization is in a tough spot without manufacturer support. It would be a huge scramble for Dodge to enter Cup in 2027, despite that being their hope. And if they do so, whether that could impact DIllon is to be determined. Allmendinger is 23rd in the standings; Dillon is 33rd. Front Row Motorsports This team will have the same lineup in 2027 as Todd Gilliland (22ndd in the standings) signed a contract extension earlier this month, Zane Smith (24th) signed a contract extension last year that has him solid at FRM and Noah Gragson (31st) announced a contract extension on Aug. 14. Gragson’s extension runs through 2027 with options to keep him there longer. Hyak Motorsports Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (26th in the standings) signed a contract extension in May and is set to remain with the organization. Richard Childress Racing Austin Dillon is expected to return in 2027 as he sits 25th in the standings and RCR announced Austin Hill will continue in the No. 33 car in 2027. Team owner Richard Childress: “Austin Hill is a talented race car driver and his continued growth, work ethic and success across multiple levels of NASCAR competition have positioned him for his next step with RCR.” Haas Factory Team Cole Custer hasn’t had a good year (he’s 32nd in the standings) but whether a change is made is debatable as the team appears to be still trying to find its footing. He has had a respectable summer. Joe Custer, who operates the team, reiterated in early August that the organization is not looking to sell its charter. Wood Brothers Josh Berry (28th) will be replaced next season by defending O’Reilly Series champion Jesse Love, who turns 22 next January. Wood Brothers Racing President Jon Wood, in a news release, said: “Jesse has accomplished a lot at a young age. He’s demonstrated the ability to win races, compete for championships and handle the expectations that come with racing at a high level.” Berry is expected to land at Legacy. Rick Ware Racing As long as RWR doesn’t sell, this should remain Cody Ware’s ride. Ware is 35th in the standings. Read More
NASCAR Silly Season Tracker: Josh Berry Top Candidate To Replace Nemechek
Two current Cup drivers held the keys to the NASCAR silly season, and both of them are staying put … for one more year. Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports) was the most high-profile driver who was not signed for next year. HMS announced on July 23 that Bowman would return next season and that 2027 would be his final year before retiring from full-time competition. The other driver who was key is Connor Zilisch, who is signed through next season at Trackhouse and then will head to Hendrick Motorsports to replace Bowman starting in 2028. Obviously, there are things that can’t be predicted. The devastating death on May 21 of Kyle Busch leaves a much bigger void beyond a seat in the Cup Series. Austin Hill, who has driven the car since Busch's death, will continue on in that ride. Here is how things look at each organization following the Sept. 2 announcement by Legacy Motor Club that John Hunter Nemechek would not return to the team in 2027. Josh Berry is the top (and at this point, only) candidate to replace him. Joe Gibbs Racing Barring an unforeseen occurrence, JGR will not have changes for next year. Ty Gibbs (fourth in the standings) isn’t expected to be going anywhere and Denny Hamlin (first), Chase Briscoe (fifth) and Christopher Bell (sixth) are signed beyond this season. The one thing that JGR might need to anticipate is Hamlin retiring from full-time racing after 2027 then having to fill that ride. Brent Crews, who drives for JGR in the O’Reilly Series, is the team’s focus on the development driver side who could be Cup ready in 2028. 23XI Racing Corey Heim — who already has won twice this year on a part-time schedule — has been announced as a full-time driver, replacing Riley Herbst (29th in the standings). Tyler Reddick (third in the standings) signed a contract extension earlier this year. While sources had indicated Bubba Wallace (14th) was in an option year, both the 23XI and Wallace camps have indicated he is set to race for 23XI next season. Team Penske With Ryan Blaney (second) having recently signed a contract extension, Team Penske has its former champions Blaney and Joey Logano (ninth) under contact. Austin Cindric is 15th in the points and indicated he has signed a contract extension, saying his contract details are between him and Team Penske but that he is confident fans will see him in the car next season. Hendrick Motorsports Chase Elliott (eighth), Kyle Larson (seventh), William Byron (13th) and Alex Bowman (30th) are all now signed for next year. And Zilisch will replace Bowman in 2028. Ally will return as the sponsor for the No. 48 and Zilisch. Spire Motorsports Spire Motorsports has Carson Hocevar (12th) locked in long-term, while Michael McDowell and Daniel Suárez are not. Spire has shown the willingness to eat a year of a contract to get a driver it wants but no one emerged as a good or better fit. Suárez is 11th in the standings and McDowell is 20th. Now that Bowman is set to return at Hendrick next season, it appears that the Spire lineup likely will be the same for 2027. RFK Racing Ryan Preece, at 16th in the standings, was a driver whose future appeared mildly unclear, but team co-owner Brad Keselowski confirmed July 25 that RFK had picked up his option for next season. RFK possibly will have just two charters for next season (it is leasing one that will go to Legacy Motor Club in 2027) but it also has strong sponsorship from Kroger and its vendors to the point where running Preece as an open car next year appears to be the plan. Chris Buescher (10th) has signed a contract extension (announced June 16). Brad Keselowski (18th) will race at RFK until he is ready to retire, which he says won’t be for several more years. Trackhouse Racing All three Trackhouse drivers — Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen and Zilisch — are signed through 2027, and the onus is on the organization to try to keep either Chastain or van Gisbergen or both beyond next year. None of the drivers made the Chase with van Gisbergen 17th in the standings, while Chastain is 19th and Zilisch is 34th. Legacy Motor Club Erik Jones (21st in the standings) and John Hunter Nemechek were both expected to return before Legacy executives opted to release Nemechek at the end of the year. Nemechek (27th) in the standings said he was "disappointed" in the decision but that "I know my best days are ahead." The team statement said: "We are grateful for John Hunter’s contributions … and appreciate his professionalism and commitment to the organization throughout his time with the team." Josh Berry is the only candidate to replace him. Legacy will add a third chartered car next year as well and that is the expected landing spot for Riley Herbst. The team has set a Sept. 3 announcement. Kaulig Racing Neither AJ Allmendinger nor Ty Dillon are locked in at Kaulig next year, although Allmendinger has the option to race as long as he wants. The organization is in a tough spot without manufacturer support. It would be a huge scramble for Dodge to enter Cup in 2027, despite that being their hope. And if they do so, whether that could impact DIllon is to be determined. Allmendinger is 23rd in the standings; Dillon is 33rd. Front Row Motorsports This team will have the same lineup in 2027 as Todd Gilliland (22ndd in the standings) signed a contract extension earlier this month, Zane Smith (24th) signed a contract extension last year that has him solid at FRM and Noah Gragson (31st) announced a contract extension on Aug. 14. Gragson's extension runs through 2027 with options to keep him there longer. Hyak Motorsports Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (26th in the standings) signed a contract extension in May and is set to remain with the organization. Richard Childress Racing Austin Dillon is expected to return in 2027 as he sits 25th in the standings and RCR announced Austin Hill will continue in the No. 33 car in 2027. Team owner Richard Childress: "Austin Hill is a talented race car driver and his continued growth, work ethic and success across multiple levels of NASCAR competition have positioned him for his next step with RCR." Haas Factory Team Cole Custer hasn’t had a good year (he’s 32nd in the standings) but whether a change is made is debatable as the team appears to be still trying to find its footing. He has had a respectable summer. Joe Custer, who operates the team, reiterated in early August that the organization is not looking to sell its charter. Wood Brothers Josh Berry (28th) will be replaced next season by defending O'Reilly Series champion Jesse Love, who turns 22 next January. Wood Brothers Racing President Jon Wood, in a news release, said: "Jesse has accomplished a lot at a young age. He’s demonstrated the ability to win races, compete for championships and handle the expectations that come with racing at a high level." Berry is expected to land at Legacy. Rick Ware Racing As long as RWR doesn’t sell, this should remain Cody Ware’s ride. Ware is 35th in the standings. Read More
