Okay, so the NASCAR silly season just dropped a bombshell, and it means new faces in new places. Legacy Motor Club officially announced on September 2 that John Hunter Nemechek won’t be returning to the team in 2027. The big question mark over that ride? It looks like Josh Berry is the absolute top, and at this point, the *only*, candidate being eyed to replace Nemechek. Talk about an immediate shake-up for the Cup Series!
Shifting Seats and New Faces
It’s not just Nemechek’s departure that’s shaking things up. We’re seeing significant movement elsewhere, too. The devastating death of Kyle Busch on May 21 left a massive void. Austin Hill, who has driven that car since Busch’s passing, will continue in that ride. Over at 23XI Racing, they’re making bold moves. Corey Heim, who’s already bagged two wins this year on a part-time schedule, is stepping up as a full-time driver. He’s replacing Riley Herbst (29th in the standings). Tyler Reddick, crushing it at third in the standings, locked in an extension earlier this year. And Bubba Wallace, at 14th? Both his camp and 23XI indicated he is set to race for them next season.
Locked In for the Long Haul
But for a lot of the heavy hitters, stability is the name of the game, at least for the near future. Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports) was the biggest name not signed. HMS confirmed on July 23 he’s back next season. The big reveal? 2027 will be his final year of full-time competition before he retires. Looking ahead, Connor Zilisch is the future, signed through next season at Trackhouse then heading to Hendrick to replace Bowman starting in 2028. Chase Elliott (eighth), Kyle Larson (seventh), William Byron (13th), and Bowman (30th) are all signed for next year. Ally returns as sponsor for the No. 48 and Zilisch. Joe Gibbs Racing is rock solid with no changes expected next year. Denny Hamlin (first in standings), Ty Gibbs (fourth), Chase Briscoe (fifth), and Christopher Bell (sixth) are all signed beyond this season. JGR is thinking about Hamlin’s full-time retirement after 2027, eyeing Brent Crews, who drives for JGR in the O’Reilly Series, as their development guy for 2028. Team Penske also locked down their champs. Ryan Blaney (second) recently signed an extension, joining Joey Logano (ninth) under contract. Austin Cindric, 15th in points, says he signed an extension, confident fans will see him in the car next season.
Spire’s Strategic Play
Then there’s Spire Motorsports. They’ve got Carson Hocevar, sitting 12th in the standings, locked in long-term. But Michael McDowell (20th) and Daniel Suárez (11th) are not. Spire has shown willingness to “eat” a year of a contract to get the driver they want, but no one emerged as a good or better fit. They’re always looking for that competitive edge.
So, while some big seats are getting new drivers and others are firming up their futures, the Cup Series season rolls on. With all these contract details coming out, you gotta wonder how that plays into the strategy for the rest of this year and beyond. What kind of momentum will these confirmed drivers carry into the upcoming races? It’s going to be wild watching it all unfold on the track, that’s for sure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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