Two current Cup drivers held the keys to the NASCAR silly season, and one of them is staying put … for one more year. Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports) was the most high-profile driver who was not signed for next year. HMS announced on July 23 that Bowman would return next season and that 2027 would be his final year before retiring from full-time competition.
The other driver who is key is Connor Zilisch, who is signed through next season. He's one of the most heralded prospects and Trackhouse is struggling. Could he sign early with another team — much like Tyler Reddick did a few years ago, a move that eventually led to him leaving a year early at season’s end?
It’s possible although, the most likely landing spot would have been to replace Bowman. Obviously, there are things that can’t be predicted. The devastating death on May 21 of Kyle Busch leaves a much bigger void beyond a seat in the Cup Series.
It will likely take some time for Richard Childress Racing to determine how it will move forward for 2027. Here is how things look at each organization, in order of owner points following the July 21 race at North Wilkesboro. Joe Gibbs Racing It would be a surprise if JGR has any changes for next year.
Ty Gibbs (fourth) isn’t expected to be going anywhere and Denny Hamlin (first), Chase Briscoe (eighth) and Christopher Bell (10th) are signed beyond this season. The one thing that JGR might need to anticipate is Hamlin retiring from full-time racing after 2027 then having to fill that ride. Brent Crews, who drives for JGR in the O’Reilly Series, is the team’s focus on the development driver side who could be Cup ready.
23XI Racing Corey Heim has been announced as a full-time driver, replacing Riley Herbst (25th in the standings). Tyler Reddick (second in the standings) signed a contract extension earlier this year. Bubba Wallace (13th) is in an option year and is expected to be back.
Team Penske With Ryan Blaney (third) having recently signed a contract extension, Team Penske has its former champions Blaney and Joey Logano (15th) under contact. Austin Cindric doesn’t have a deal yet for next year. He’s 16th in the points, and it appears all those ahead of them could very well return to their same rides next year.
Hendrick Motorsports Chase Elliott (fifth), Kyle Larson (sixth), William Byron (12th) and Alex Bowman (29th) are all now signed for next year. If you want to look ahead to the 2027 silly season, Zilisch and HMS O'Reilly Series driver Corey Day are the top candidates to replace Bowman for 2028. Spire Motorsports Spire Motorsports has Carson Hocevar (seventh) locked in long-term, while Michael McDowell and Daniel Suárez are not.
Spire has shown the willingness to eat a year of a contract to get a driver it wants. But who would that be at this point? Suárez is 11th in the standings and McDowell is 20th.
Now that Bowman is set to return at Hendrick next season, it appears that the Spire lineup likely will be the same for 2027. RFK Racing Ryan Preece, at 18th in the standings, is a driver whose future appears mildly unclear althought he and RFK leadership said they expect he will be back. RFK likely will have just two charters for next season (it is leasing one that will go to Legacy Motor Club next year) but it also has strong sponsorship from Kroger and its vendors to the point where running Preece as an open car next year appears to be the plan.
Chris Buescher (ninth) has signed a contract extension (announced June 16). Brad Keselowski (19th) will race at RFK until he is ready to retire, which he says won’t be for several more years. Trackhouse Racing All three Trackhouse drivers — Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen and Zilisch — are signed at least through next season.
Zilisch is the one who could be on the move if there is enough money that money talks. Only van Gisbergen (14th in the standings) is having a season to be happy about as Chastain is 21st and Zilisch is 34th. Legacy Motor Club Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek could very well return next year as some improved performance since April (Jones is now 17th in the standings; Nemechek is 26th) is an indication of progress at the organization.
Legacy will add a third chartered car next year as well and that is the expected landing spot for Riley Herbst. Kaulig Racing Neither AJ Allmendinger nor Ty Dillon are locked in at Kaulig next year although Allmendinger has the option to race as long as he wants. The organization is in a tough spot without manufacturer support.
It would be a huge scramble for Dodge to enter Cup in 2027 although that is their hope, and if they do so, whether that could impact DIllon is to be determined. Allmendinger is 22ndt in the standings; Dillon is 30th. If Kaulig does make a change, Josh Berry could be a candidate, but he currently doesn't bring sponsorship.
Front Row Motorsports Todd Gilliland (23rd in the standings) signed a contract extension earlier this month and Zane Smith (24th) signed a contract extension last year that has him solid at FRM. Noah Gragson? He’s a strong personality but hasn’t had the results that would wow many, as he sits 31st in the standings.
Would FRM move Layne Riggs or Chandler Smith to Cup? That depends on sponsorship most likely and the team has indicated they are working on a contract extension for Gragson. Hyak Motorsports Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (27th in the standings) signed a contract extension in May and is set to remain with the organization.
Richard Childress Racing Austin Dillon is expected to return in 2027 as he sits 28th in the standings. Who will fill the open seat is still to be determined. Austin Hill has been the driver of the renumbered No.
33 car, and he appears to be the leading candidate for the ride for 2027. Josh Berry and Noah Gragson are longshots. Haas Factory Team Cole Custer hasn’t had a good year (he’s 32nd in the standings) but whether a change is made is debatable as the team appears to be still trying to find its footing.
He did have a respectable month of May. Wood Brothers Josh Berry (33rd) will be replaced next season by defending O'Reilly Series champion Jesse Love, who turns 22 next January. Wood Brothers Racing President Jon Wood, in a news release, said: "Jesse has accomplished a lot at a young age.
He’s demonstrated the ability to win races, compete for championships and handle the expectations that come with racing at a high level." Rick Ware Racing As long as RWR doesn’t sell, this should remain Cody Ware’s ride.
