The roster for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series seems nearly finalized. Provided there are no interruptions from the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, all full-time charter teams will have their seats filled.
Several driver and crew chief changes are expected in 2026, outlined here by car number (with updates to be added throughout the off-season):
– Car 1: Ross Chastain will have Brandon McSwain as his new crew chief. McSwain, who has engineered 16 Cup Series wins most recently with William Byron, replaces Phil Sargen, who is moving to another role within the Trackhouse organization.
– Car 7: Daniel Suarez will move to Spire Motorsports, taking over from Justin Haley, who has switched to full-time truck racing with Kaulig. Suarez’s crew chief has yet to be announced after the team parted ways with Rodney Childers; Ryan Sparks has been filling in temporarily.
– Car 8: Kyle Busch has appointed Jim Pohlman as his crew chief. Pohlman, who recently led Justin Allgaier to the 2024 Xfinity Championship, joined JR Motorsports in 2023 after a stint at RCR focusing on next-generation car development.
– Car 88: Connor Girish, fresh off a stellar 2025 Xfinity season with 10 wins, will step into a full-time Cup Series role with Trackhouse, replacing Daniel Suarez. Girish will drive the No. 88 car, formerly driven by Shane van Gisbergen, who will switch to No. 97 next season. Randall Barnett, Kyle Busch’s crew chief for much of the last three years, will now crew chief for Girish.
Fan Take: This 2026 lineup shake-up signifies a promising new era for NASCAR with fresh talent like Connor Girish stepping up, while experienced veterans continue to bring their expertise. These strategic moves are crucial for maintaining competitive racing and keeping the sport exciting and dynamic for fans.
