Long-term: through 2029 with options to 2032 (Chris Rice). AJ: “not going anywhere.”
1-year extension for 2027 only, then retires from full-time Cup (Jul 23, 2026).
Trackhouse through 2027; Hendrick multi-year #48 Ally from 2028 (Aug 17, 2026).
#33 full-time Cup in 2027 (RCR announced ~Aug 24). Filled seat after Busch’s death in 2026.
Won't return to Legacy Motor Club in 2027 (The Athletic, Sep 2026). Josh Berry the leading candidate to replace him.
| No↕ | Driver↕ | Age↕ | Status↕ | Team↕ | Owner↕ | Tenure↕ | Contract / FA detail↕ | 2027 plan↕ | FA / opens↕ | Notes↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ross Chastain | 33 | full-time | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet | Justin Marks | 6 seasons (since 2021) Trackhouse full-time since 2021 | Trackhouse through 2027 (Pockrass). Team must work to retain beyond 2027 high | Trackhouse #1 — through 2027 | 2028 | — |
| 2 | Austin Cindric | 27 | full-time | Team Penske Ford | Roger Penske | 5 seasons (since 2022) Penske #2 full-time since 2022 | Penske — Cindric indicated he signed an extension (details private); confident fans will see him in 2027 med | Penske #2 — expected back (extension indicated) | — | — |
| 3 | Austin Dillon | 36 | full-time | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet | Richard Childress | 13 seasons (since 2014) RCR #3 full-time since 2014 | RCR — expected to return 2027 (Pockrass). End year not public med | RCR #3 — expected back | — | — |
| 4 | Noah Gragson | 28 | full-time | Front Row Motorsports Ford | Bob Jenkins | 2 seasons (since 2025) Front Row full-time since 2025 | FRM extension announced Aug 14, 2026 — through 2027 with options to keep longer high | FRM — locked 2027 (+ options) | 2028+ | — |
| 5 | Kyle Larson | 34 | full-time | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | Rick Hendrick | 6 seasons (since 2021) Hendrick #5 since 2021 | Hendrick multi-year extension (Feb 2026) — reported through 2031; Cliff Daniels also extended high | Hendrick #5 — locked | 2032 | — |
| 6 | Brad Keselowski | 42 | full-time | RFK Racing Ford | Brad Keselowski / Jack Roush | 5 seasons (since 2022) RFK co-owner/driver since 2022 | RFK co-owner/driver — will race until he chooses to retire; says several more years high | RFK #6 — returning (ownership role) | open-ended | — |
| 7 | Daniel Suárez | 34 | full-time | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet | Jeff Dickerson / T.J. Stukes | 1 season (since 2026) Spire #7 since 2026 (from Trackhouse) | Spire — NOT locked long-term. Likely same 2027 lineup absent better option; Spire will eat contracts if needed med | Spire #7 — likely returning (not long-term locked) | 2027 soft | — |
| 8 | Kyle Busch | 41 | full-time (deceased mid-season) | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet | Richard Childress | 4 seasons (since 2023) RCR #8 from 2023 until death May 2026 | Deceased May 21, 2026 — n/a. #8 RCR memorial context high | n/a | n/a | Races: 1–12; 🕯️ Deceased May 21, 2026 (pneumonia/sepsis). #8 RCR memorial / succession to Austin Hill. |
| 9 | Chase Elliott | 30 | full-time | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | Rick Hendrick | 9 seasons (since 2018) Hendrick full-time since 2016 (#24), #9 since 2018 | Hendrick: existing deal covers 2027 (5-yr extension from Feb 2022). New long-term extension talks active (Gordon: wants him 'forever'); terms of new deal not public high | Hendrick #9 — signed for 2027; extension negotiations ongoing | 2028 | — |
| 10 | Ty Dillon | 34 | full-time | Kaulig Racing Chevrolet | Matt Kaulig | 2 seasons (since 2025) Kaulig #10 since 2025 | Kaulig — NOT locked for 2027 (Pockrass). Org in flux without mfr support; Dodge 2027 entry speculative high | Kaulig #10 — unsigned/unlocked; change possible | 2027 | — |
| 11 | Denny Hamlin | 45 | full-time | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota | Joe Gibbs | 21 seasons (since 2006) Joe Gibbs Racing continuously since 2006 | JGR through 2027 — described as final full-time deal (announced ~2025). Heather Gibbs has left door open to more if both sides want high | JGR #11 — final contracted year (possible further talks) | 2028 | — |
| 12 | Ryan Blaney | 32 | full-time | Team Penske Ford | Roger Penske | 9 seasons (since 2018) Penske full-time since 2018 (#12) | Penske multi-year / long-term extension (May 2026). Exact end year not disclosed high | Penske #12 — locked via extension | — | — |
| 16 | A. J. Allmendinger | 44 | full-time | Kaulig Racing Chevrolet | Matt Kaulig | 5 seasons (since 2022) Kaulig full-time Cup since 2022 | Kaulig long-term: CEO Chris Rice — through 2029 with options through 2032. AJ (Jun 2026): 'contract 'til like 2032… not going anywhere.' Pockrass notes annual decision flexibility / not rigidly 'locked' year-to-year, but deal structure is long-term on AJ's side high | Kaulig #16 — his option to continue; expected back | 2029–2032 (options) | — |
| 17 | Chris Buescher | 33 | full-time | RFK Racing Ford | Brad Keselowski / Jack Roush | 5 seasons (since 2022) RFK #17 since 2022 (Roush org earlier) | RFK contract extension announced June 16, 2026. End year not public high | RFK #17 — locked via extension | — | — |
| 19 | Chase Briscoe | 31 | full-time | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota | Joe Gibbs | 2 seasons (since 2025) JGR #19 since 2025 (from SHR) | JGR multi-year — signed beyond 2026. End year not public high | JGR #19 — returning | — | — |
| 20 | Christopher Bell | 31 | full-time | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota | Joe Gibbs | 6 seasons (since 2021) JGR #20 since 2021 | JGR multi-year — signed beyond 2026 (Pockrass). End year not public high | JGR #20 — returning | — | — |
| 21 | Josh Berry | 35 | full-time | Wood Brothers Racing Ford | Wood family (Eddie/Len Wood) | 2 seasons (since 2025) Wood Brothers #21 since 2025 | Wood Brothers out after 2026 (Jesse Love takes #21). Leading candidate to replace Nemechek at Legacy Motor Club for 2027 (The Athletic, Sep 2026). high | FREE AGENT — leading candidate for Legacy (Nemechek's seat) | 2027 | Sep 2026: The Athletic reports Berry is the leading candidate to replace Nemechek at Legacy for 2027. Jesse Love takes the Wood Brothers #21. |
| 22 | Joey Logano | 36 | full-time | Team Penske Ford | Roger Penske | 14 seasons (since 2013) Penske since 2013 | Penske — under contract with Blaney (Pockrass: both former champions under contract). End year not public high | Penske #22 — returning | — | — |
| 23 | Bubba Wallace | 32 | full-time | 23XI Racing Toyota | Michael Jordan / Denny Hamlin | 6 seasons (since 2021) 23XI #23 since team launch 2021 | Sources had indicated option year, but 23XI + Wallace camps say he races for 23XI in 2027. Longer end year unclear high | 23XI #23 — returning 2027 | 2028? | — |
| 24 | William Byron | 28 | full-time | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | Rick Hendrick | 9 seasons (since 2018) Hendrick #24 since 2018 | Hendrick — signed for 2027 (Pockrass tracker). Longer end year not public high | Hendrick #24 — returning | — | — |
| 34 | Todd Gilliland | 26 | full-time | Front Row Motorsports Ford | Bob Jenkins | 5 seasons (since 2022) Front Row full-time since 2022 | FRM contract extension (Jul 2026) — solid for 2027+ high | FRM #34 — extended | — | — |
| 38 | Zane Smith | 27 | full-time | Front Row Motorsports Ford | Bob Jenkins | 3 seasons (since 2024) FRM #38 since 2024 (Penske deal then FRM) | FRM multi-year extension (Oct 2025) — solid at Front Row high | FRM #38 — extended (2025 deal) | — | — |
| 42 | John Hunter Nemechek | 29 | full-time | Legacy Motor Club Toyota | Jimmie Johnson / Maury Gallagher | 3 seasons (since 2024) Legacy full-time Cup since 2024 | Out at Legacy Motor Club after 2026 — will not return in 2027 (The Athletic, Sep 2026). Free agent for 2027. high | FREE AGENT — leaving Legacy after 2026 | 2027 | Sep 2026: The Athletic reports Nemechek won't return to Legacy in 2027; Josh Berry the leading candidate to replace him. |
| 41 | Cole Custer | 28 | full-time | Haas Factory Team Chevrolet | Gene Haas | 2 seasons (since 2025) Haas Factory Team #41 full-time Cup return 2025 | Haas Factory Team — struggling year; change debatable. Joe Custer (Aug): not selling charter. 2027 status not firmly announced low | Haas #41 — unclear / org still finding footing | 2027 soft | — |
| 43 | Erik Jones | 30 | full-time | Legacy Motor Club Toyota | Jimmie Johnson / Maury Gallagher | 3 seasons (since 2024) Legacy #43 since 2024 | Legacy — no firm public extension; Pockrass: could very well return on improved form. Legacy adds 3rd charter 2027 (Herbst expected) low | Legacy #43 — likely return (unconfirmed) | 2027 soft | — |
| 45 | Tyler Reddick | 30 | full-time | 23XI Racing Toyota | Michael Jordan / Denny Hamlin | 4 seasons (since 2023) 23XI #45 since 2023 | 23XI contract extension earlier in 2026 — 'locked in for the future' (end year not public) high | 23XI #45 — returning (extended) | — | — |
| 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 38 | full-time | Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet | Matt Kaulig / Joe and Brett DiBenedetto (Hyak) | 2 seasons (since 2025) Hyak #47 since 2025 (from JTG) | Hyak extension signed May 2026 — set for 2027 high | Hyak #47 — extended | — | — |
| 51 | Cody Ware | 30 | full-time | Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet | Rick Ware | 6 seasons (since 2021) RWR full-time/mostly since ~2021 | RWR — should remain his ride if team doesn't sell charter med | RWR #51 — expected if team stays | — | — |
| 54 | Ty Gibbs | 23 | full-time | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota | Joe Gibbs | 4 seasons (since 2023) JGR full-time Cup since 2023 | JGR — not expected to leave; signed beyond 2026. End year not public high | JGR #54 — returning | — | — |
| 60 | Ryan Preece | 35 | full-time | RFK Racing Ford | Brad Keselowski / Jack Roush | 2 seasons (since 2025) RFK #60 full-time since 2025 | RFK picked up 2027 option (Keselowski confirmed ~Jul 25, 2026). May run as open car if RFK returns leased charter to Legacy; Kroger support strong high | RFK #60 — option exercised for 2027 | 2028 | — |
| 71 | Michael McDowell | 41 | full-time | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet | Jeff Dickerson / T.J. Stukes | 1 season (since 2026) Spire #71 since 2026 (from FRM) | Spire — NOT locked long-term (Pockrass Aug 2026). Still expected back 2027 after Bowman stayed at HMS; no better fit emerged med | Spire #71 — likely same lineup 2027 (not long-term locked) | 2027 soft | — |
| 77 | Carson Hocevar | 23 | full-time | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet | Jeff Dickerson / T.J. Stukes | 3 seasons (since 2024) Spire full-time Cup since 2024 | Spire long-term lock (multi-year; some reports ~10-year). Firmly committed high | Spire #77 — long-term lock | long-term | — |
| 88 | Connor Zilisch | 20 | full-time | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet | Justin Marks | 1 season (since 2026) Trackhouse #88 Cup rookie 2026 | Trackhouse through 2027; Hendrick multi-year deal begins 2028 for #48 Ally (announced Aug 17, 2026). Justin Marks: bittersweet, keep winning with him in 2026–27 high | Trackhouse #88 through 2027 → Hendrick #48 starting 2028 | n/a (HMS deal) | Hendrick #48 Ally multi-year starts 2028. |
| 97 | Shane van Gisbergen | 37 | full-time | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet | Justin Marks | 2 seasons (since 2025) Trackhouse full-time Cup since 2025 | Trackhouse through 2027. Same retention onus beyond 2027 as Chastain high | Trackhouse #97 — through 2027 | 2028 | — |
| 8 | Austin Hill | 32 | seat share / #8 succession listing | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet | Richard Childress | 1 season (since 2026) Appears on some 2026 lists as #8 post-Busch; RCR 2027 announcement is #33 full-time | RCR: full-time Cup #33 Chevrolet in 2027 (team announced ~Aug 24, 2026). 2026: filled RCR Cup seat after Busch's death (Toby: #33 since May; some entry lists also showed #8 succession races) high | RCR #33 full-time Cup (not #8) | — | Races: 13–36; 🕯️ #8 memorial context; Hill's 2027 full-time ride is #33 per RCR/TobyChristie/Pockrass. |
| 35 | Harrison Burton | 25 | seat share / partial | 23XI Racing Toyota | Michael Jordan / Denny Hamlin | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Select Cup; Sam Hunt O'Reilly primary | — | — | Races: 26 |
| 35 | Riley Herbst | 27 | seat share / partial | 23XI Racing Toyota | Michael Jordan / Denny Hamlin | 1 season (since 2026) 23XI full-time Cup since 2026 | 23XI 2026 full-time; replaced by Corey Heim full-time in 2027. Expected landing: Legacy Motor Club 3rd charter (2027) med | Out at 23XI → expected Legacy 3rd car | 2027 seat change | Races: 1–25, 27–36 |
| 48 | Alex Bowman | 33 | full-time (injury subs early '26) | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | Rick Hendrick | 8 seasons (since 2019) Hendrick #48 full-time since 2019 (earlier part-time/sub) | Hendrick 1-year extension for 2027 only. Announced Jul 23, 2026: retires from full-time Cup after 2027. Ally stays on #48 high | Hendrick #48 — FINAL full-time season, then retirement | 2028 | Races: 1–3, 8–36; Missed early-2026 races; Alfredo/Allgaier subs on some weeks. |
| 48 | Anthony Alfredo | 27 | seat share / partial | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | Rick Hendrick | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 4 |
| 48 | Justin Allgaier | 40 | seat share / partial | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet | Rick Hendrick | 13 seasons (since 2014) JR Motorsports full-time since 2014 | JRM mainstay; 2027 status not in this pass (long-time #7) low | JRM expected (not re-verified this pass) | — | Races: 5–7 |
| 33 | Austin Hill | 32 | full-time / mid-season fill-in → 2027 FT | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet | Richard Childress | 1 season (since 2026) RCR Cup #33 after Busch death (May 2026); full-time #33 in 2027 (RCR announced) | RCR: full-time Cup #33 Chevrolet in 2027 (team announced ~Aug 24, 2026). 2026: filled RCR Cup seat after Busch's death (Toby: #33 since May; some entry lists also showed #8 succession races) high | RCR #33 full-time Cup (official) | — | Races: 4, 7; Official 2027 car: #33. Some 2026 entry lists also tied him to #8 succession races. |
| 33 | Jesse Love | 21 | part-time | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet | Richard Childress | 3 seasons (since 2024) RCR O'Reilly full-time since 2024 | Wood Brothers #21 full-time Cup 2027 (replaces Berry). Announced mid-Jun 2026. Leaves RCR O'Reilly seat high | Wood Brothers #21 full-time Cup rookie year | — | Races: 3, 10 |
| 36 | Chandler Smith | 24 | part-time | Front Row Motorsports Ford | Bob Jenkins | 2 seasons (since 2025) FRM Trucks | RCR O'Reilly full-time #21 in 2027 (1-800-PACK-RAT). From FRM Trucks high | RCR O'Reilly #21 full-time | — | Races: 1 |
| 40 | Justin Allgaier | 40 | part-time | JR Motorsports Chevrolet | Dale Earnhardt Jr. / Kelley Earnhardt Miller / Rick Hendrick | 13 seasons (since 2014) JR Motorsports full-time since 2014 | JRM mainstay; 2027 status not in this pass (long-time #7) low | JRM expected (not re-verified this pass) | — | Races: 1 |
| 44 | J. J. Yeley | 49 | part-time | NY Racing Team Chevrolet | John Cohen | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 1–2, 15, 19 |
| 44 | Joey Gase | 33 | part-time | NY Racing Team Chevrolet | John Cohen | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 10, 26 |
| 62 | Anthony Alfredo | 27 | part-time | Beard Motorsports Chevrolet | Mark Beard | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 1 |
| 62 | Casey Mears | 48 | part-time | Beard Motorsports Chevrolet | Mark Beard | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 10, 16, 22, 26, 34, 36 |
| 66 | Casey Mears | 48 | part-time | Garage 66 Ford | Carl Long | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 1 |
| 66 | Chad Finchum | 31 | part-time | Garage 66 Ford | Carl Long | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 8, 10–11, 14, 20–21 |
| 66 | Gray Gaulding | 28 | part-time | Garage 66 Ford | Carl Long | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 26, 32, 35 |
| 66 | Josh Bilicki | 31 | part-time | Garage 66 Ford | Carl Long | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 12, 19, 24, 29 |
| 66 | Timmy Hill | 33 | part-time | Garage 66 Ford | Carl Long | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 6, 13 |
| 67 | Corey Heim | 24 | part-time | 23XI Racing Toyota | Michael Jordan / Denny Hamlin | 4 seasons (since 2023) Tricon full-time Truck star | Announced full-time 23XI Cup for 2027 (replaces Herbst in #35). 2026: part-time Cup #67 + Truck. ROTY ineligible 2027 (prior starts) high | 23XI #35 full-time Cup | — | Races: 1, 9, 11, 13–14, 17, 19, 22, 26–27, 32, 36 |
| 78 | B. J. McLeod | 42 | part-time | Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet | B.J. McLeod / Matt Tifft | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 1–2, 20 |
| 78 | Daniel Dye | 22 | part-time | Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet | B.J. McLeod / Matt Tifft | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Jordan Anderson Racing #32 multi-year beginning 2027 (Champion Container). First multi-year deal in JAR history high | JAR #32 O'Reilly multi-year | — | Races: 10, 16, 22, 26, 34 |
| 78 | Katherine Legge | 46 | part-time | Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet | B.J. McLeod / Matt Tifft | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 12–13 |
| 84 | Jimmie Johnson | 50 | part-time | Legacy Motor Club Toyota | Jimmie Johnson / Maury Gallagher | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Legacy #84 partial owner-driver schedule med | Legacy partial as desired | n/a | Races: 1, 17 |
| 91 | Kevin Magnussen | 33 | part-time | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet | Justin Marks | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 17 |
| 99 | Corey LaJoie | 34 | part-time | RFK Racing Ford | Brad Keselowski / Jack Roush | — Stint length not verified publicly for this seat | Part-time / race-by-race — typically no multi-year Cup charter deal disclosed | — | — | Races: 1 |