NASCAR silly season is in full effect. Most of the already announced deals have been drivers re-signing with their current teams, but there is some major movement. These are predictions for the upcoming NASCAR silly season.
Daniel Suarez has had his fair share of opportunities at the Cup Series level. His NASCAR experience has been anything but spectacular, but he has performed on occasion. If he does not land the ride at Spire Motorsports, that could make the end of his NASCAR Cup Series career.
Suarez was one of the most rumored drivers to go to the number seven car, as well as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The only difference is that Suarez is already out of a ride, while Stenhouse still has an agreement with HYAK for 2026. In this scenario, Suarez would be given what is nearly guaranteed to be a final shot. If he does not perform for a rising Spire team, he may have to go to the Xfinity Series for the remainder of his NASCAR career.
Jesse Love is one of the most talented drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but he currently drives for RCR. His patience may be running thin, and he does not have a clear path to the Cup Series at RCR. The quickest way he could currently make the jump would be a Kyle Busch retirement and Love being chosen over Austin Hill. This would be a multi-year waiting game without a surefire opportunity. Is that really worth the wait for Love?
Legacy Motorclub has been looking to obtain a third charter for 2026, and there may not be a better option than Love. The immensely talented rising driver would be a fantastic get for the upcoming team. Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek have shown progress through the year, and with Love in the mix next season, they could begin a push towards the playoffs.
Justin Haley has the talent, but he has not put it all together in the cup series. He was given a great opportunity to drive for Spire this season, but that just hasn’t worked out. He has been heavily rumored to be replaced at the season end, with Suarez as the leading candidate.
Haley would need to find a ride in the Xfinity Series to regroup and make another push to NASCAR’s top level. He could definitely join a solid team and contend in the Xfinity Series, and with a solid year or two, could see himself back in the Cup Series.
Corey Heim has been dominating the NASCAR Truck series, and his path to the Cup Series seems clear. The only obstacle in his way is the underperforming Riley Herbst. The issue is the sponsorship that Herbst brings, but once that runs out, Heim should be good to go. It’s unlikely he will be able to make the jump this season, but 2027 should be his shot.
23XI has a ton of uncertainties at this point, and who knows if they will even be up and running in 2027. Another possibility that could throw a wrench in this plan would be Heim not being willing to wait. If he decides to go somewhere else, what could 23XI really do? They may lose their extremely talented prospect due to a lackluster rookie who only brings Monster Energy sponsorship.
Zilisch kicked off this year’s silly season early, agreeing to a deal with Trackhouse to drive in 2026. This move could be the first of many potential driver changes. As the NASCAR season comes to an end, we should begin to see more movement as time goes on.
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