O’Reilly Auto Parts couldn’t have picked a better season to take over as the lead sponsor of NASCAR’s second-tier national series. Look at the offseason moves that’ve taken place already and you’ll start to sound like the store’s famous jingle.
Oh, Kaulig Racing is gone. Oh, we have rookie drivers splitting their season over two different rides. Oh, one of last year’s rookies got booted from their ride after just one season. Oh, Hendrick Motorsports is going full time. Oh, nobody wants to drive a Ford. O-O-O … you get the idea.
With the calendar ready to turn over to 2026, several high profile seats are still open and some drivers are still looking for rides.
Here’s what to watch for as the new season looms large.
Big Machine Racing/Nick Sanchez
In arguably the most shocking move of the offseason, Nick Sanchez and Big Machine Racing parted ways after just one season in which Sanchez recorded a win and had seven top fives. Sanchez had previously announced he’d remain at BMR in September, but a statement on Dec. 8 said “unfortunate timing and circumstances” led to the split.
Nick Sanchez Won’t Be Back at Big Machine
The No. 48, already in an alliance with Richard Childress Racing, has found its way to the playoffs each of the last three seasons with Sanchez and Parker Kligerman. Between those two are several races outside of Sanchez’s win at EchoPark Speedway where they competed for wins. Whoever finds themselves in this car will likely have several winning opportunities in 2026.
Sanchez said in his statement that “when one door closes another one opens.” There’s no word on which doors have opened up for Sanchez, but his track record is sure to open many in the O’Reilly Series.
JR Motorsports
Rajah Caruth’s rookie season in the O’Reilly Series is already unconventional before a single lap has been turned in 2026. Caruth’s move up will see him drive the No. 88 for JR Motorsports in 23 races while running the other 10 with Jordan Anderson Racing in the No. 32.
The question is what becomes of both rides with Caruth not in them. For the JRM ride, it’s likely a spot that will go to Carson Kvapil as he splits time in the No. 1 with Connor Zilisch. It could also be the new ‘All-Star’ car for Hendrick Motorsports’ Cup drivers now that Corey Day occupies a full-time ride in the No. 17.
Kvapil is confirmed to be running at least 10 races in the No. 1 with Rodney Childers taking over as that team’s crew chief.
Jordan Anderson Racing
Team owner Jordan Anderson is confirmed to be running a few dates in the No. 32 — which the team has confirmed will be full time — but he hasn’t run more than five races in a season since 2022. Assuming that trend continues, Caruth’s 10-race slate leaves half the calendar still open for 2026.
Austin Green ran several races in the No. 32 last season, but he’s slated to run full time for Peterson Racing. That essentially leaves Katherine Legge from last year’s rotation of drivers, who attempted eight races in 2025.
Joe Gibbs Racing
Two of JGR’s four rides from last season already have their drivers set in stone with William Sawalich and Brandon Jones. The other two are still up in the air.
Taylor Gray finally broke through for his first career win at Martinsville Speedway in October, but he’s yet to be confirmed as the driver of the No. 54 for next season. Gray has 17 top 10s in 45 starts with JGR. He’s likely to return, but not being confirmed by this point is bound to raise questions.
Additionally, Brent Crews will be full time for Joe Gibbs racing after he turns 18 on March 30. That leaves the first four races of the season open in the No. 19 car that won last season’s owners championship. Aric Almirola, Justin Bonsignore and Jack Perkins all ran in the No. 19 throughout 2025, along with Cup drivers like Christopher Bell, Riley Herbst and Ty Gibbs.
Young’s Motorsports
Young’s Motorsports is, pun intended, still in its infancy when it comes to its O’Reilly Series program. After two full-time seasons with the No. 42 being piloted by Leland Honeyman and Anthony Alfredo, the team is expanding to two cars in 2026 with Ryan Ellis set to pilot the new No. 02.
If its run in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is any indication, the team has a long rolodex of drivers to field in the No. 42. A total of 10 different drivers made at least one attempt for the team in the Truck Series.
Other openings
Sigma Performance Services, the series’ lone Ford ride, has yet to make any announcement about what its 2026 plans look like. The team hasn’t announced a number, a schedule or a driver since acquiring AM Racing in November.
Cope Family Racing is partnering with Stanton Barrett Motorsports to field the No. 30; however, the two drivers that split the No. 70 in 2025 — Honeyman and Thomas Annunziata — are set to run full time in the ARCA Menard’s Series.
SS-Greenlight Racing announced Garrett Smithley as its “primary driver” for the No. 0 in 2026. Smithley entered 27 of the 33 races last season for SS-Greenlight.
Ellis’ departure leaves the No. 71 from DGM Racing open. Mason Maggio is slated for a part-time ride in the No. 91.
Alpha Prime Racing is downscaling to two full-time teams with the No. 4 as its part-time ride, though there haven’t been any announcements on who will be behind the wheel and when.
NASCAR Amends Cup Driver Limits for O’Reilly & Truck Series
Drivers Looking for Rides
Sanchez is the free agent with the highest ceiling, but the question comes down to if he’s willing to take a step back in terms of how competitive he’ll be.
It’s very unlikely he goes full time, but there’s a chance Corey Heim can find himself in a few races this year.
Matt DiBenedetto has made a habit of bouncing around quite a bit in recent years, but he’s also made a habit of finding himself a ride.
Nick Leitz ran 13 races in 2025, including back-to-back top 20s to finish the year.
Other names to keep an eye out for? Carson Ware, Dawson Cram, Brad Perez, Alex Labbe and Kaz Grala.
James Krause joined Frontstretch in March 2024 as a contributor. Krause was born and raised in Illinois and graduated from Northern Illinois University. He currently works in Fort Wayne, Indiana covering minor league, college and high school sports. Outside of racing, Krause loves to keep up with football, music, anime and video games.