NASCAR's silly season in 2025 was largely non-existent, with the only significant move being Daniel Suarez joining Spire Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing, replacing him with Connor Zylisch. Things are going to be very different this year, with some big names in the Cup Series having their deals expiring.
Let's take a look at our early NASCAR silly season predictions with some guesses as to where some of the top free-agent drivers and up-and-comers will land next season.
Tyler Reddick: No. 45 car for 23XI Racing
Could Hendrick Motorsports try to make things interesting with Tyler Reddick as a possible option for the No. 48 car? Maybe, but that would require Hendricks to overtake 23XI Racing, and Michael Jordan is not allowing that to happen. Reddick has already secured the 2024 regular season title for the 23XI, and he set the team's single-season wins record before the calendar even turned to April. He's in blank check territory, and given Jordan's reputation for winning at all costs, there's no way anyone else could drive the No. 45.
RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings after Darlington
Corey Heim: No. 35 car for 23XI Racing
Corey Haim proved in 2025 that he already belongs in the Cup Series full-time. However, the young driver is sticking to the plan set out for him by 23XI Racing. This included historic dominance of the Truck Series last season, and he is now splitting time between the Truck, Cup and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026. Patience will finally be rewarded this offseason. Heim will replace Riley Herbst in the No. 35 car, giving 23XI Racing a three-man team of Reddick, Heim and Bubba Wallace that will give them a chance to form a new "Big Three" of teams in NASCAR.
RELATED: NASCAR insider explains why Corey Haim doesn't have a full-time Cup ride yet
Riley Herbst: Legacy Motor Club
After a brutal first season in the Cup Series with 23XI Racing, Riley Herbst has shown signs of progress in 2026. He recorded an eighth-place finish in the Daytona 500 and, in the same race, proved he could be a great teammate by helping Tyler Reddick to victory. He finished 23rd at COTA and 18th at Phoenix, and had a real chance of breaking into the top-20 at Darlington, before being spun by Connor Zylisch on the final stage, with car damage dropping him back into the field. Herbst is performing well enough to at least get another full-time ride next season, and given the financial resources he brings to the table, he is a perfect fit for Legacy Motor Club next season as it brings in a third car.
RELATED: Beginner Driver emerges as third card option at Legacy Motor Club in 2027
Alex Bowman: a few steps away from racing
Medical issues have been an unfortunate theme of Alex Bowman's NASCAR career. An injury kept him out of five races in 2022, and the following year, a broken back kept him out of three races. Unfortunately, he will now miss at least five races in 2026 due to dizziness. This is the last thing to happen in a contract year with Hendrick Motorsports, but it's been one thing after another for him over the past five years. We think Bowman will miss a Cup Series ride and will take the 2027 season off. Maybe he should get a role working as a NASCAR analyst for Amazon Prime Video's coverage and see how he feels after that.
RELATED: Identifying potential Alex Bowman replacement for Hendrick Motorsports in 2027
Daniel Suarez: No. 7 car for Spire Motorsports
After how ugly things ended at Trackhouse Racing, the 2026 campaign with Spire Motorsports felt like a now-or-never situation for Daniel Suarez's Cup Series career. Not only is he performing well, but the driver of the No. 7 car is outpacing all of his former teammates, including Ross Chastain. Perhaps this says more about Spire versus Trackhouse, but what has become clear this spring is that Suarez is still more than capable in the Cup Series behind the wheel of a solid car and a supportive team. He brings a great deal of stability to the table, is well liked, and is backed by great sponsors. It's checking enough boxes that we can't move Spier out of the No. 7 spot, even if it means Suarez will potentially have to take a one-year deal after this season.
Read More: NASCAR Stage Winners 2026, Stage Results Tracker
Kyle Busch: No. 71 car for Spire Motorsports
As his Cup Series win streak reaches three points, one thing is clear: Kyle Busch probably won't be back with Richard Childress Racing in 2027. The future Hall of Famer is fed up with the car he's been provided by RCR, and the team's sentiment – at least based on what's heard on the radio – reflects a similar sentiment toward the driver. Although we do not expect Busch to replace Suarez in the No. 7 car, Spire may decide to replace Michael McDowell for Busch. McDowell, who will turn 42 in December, will have to find a smaller team to ensure a full-time ride in the Cup Series next season.
Jesse Love: No. 8 car for Richard Childress Racing
Jesse Love, one of the top prospects in NASCAR, is already a development driver for Richard Childress Racing and he's getting some opportunities to prove himself in the Cup Series this season. Given recent reports that the Legacy Motor Club doesn't want to be a short-term spot for another team's emerging player to be developed for just a year before leaving, we think RCR will let Love join him next season. He will replace Busch in the No. 8 car, giving the team a 22-year-old driver who is perhaps more capable of guiding during races and with whom any early success will be seen as a positive step towards an even brighter future.
Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski: RFK Racing
There's an old saying in sports that you can't replace the boss. So, even if he wasn't performing consistently, it's hard to imagine any scenario where co-owner Brad Keselowski gives up his seat in the No. 6 car for RFK Racing. As far as Chris Buescher is concerned, although he doesn't have an ownership stake in the team, the No. 17 team has proven to be a perfect fit for him, and this partnership is certainly working out for both parties. We believe the three-car team of Buescher, Keselowski and Ryan Preece will stay together at RFK next year.
