Credit score: Jason Allen-Imagn Photos
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Collection season is ongoing with the perfect drivers within the sport targeted on competing for this 12 months’s championship. Nonetheless, NASCAR foolish season is only a few months away and there could possibly be loads of motion with excellent racers eligible to hit the open market.
Let’s dive into the accessible NASCAR free brokers after the 2025 Cup Collection season. We’ve included asterisks for drivers whose contract standing is unsure for 2026, with an connected be aware to every driver.
NASCAR free brokers: Upcoming free brokers and re-signings
Austin Cindric, No. 2, Group Penske Racing
Credit score: Jason Allen-Imagn Photos
Austin Cindric signed a multi-year contract with Group Penske in 2023 and the deal for the No. 2 automotive is predicted to run out after this season. Cindric completed eleventh within the Cup Collection in the course of the 2024 season and he’s delivered wins in consecutive seasons. Simply as vital, Cindric’s common ending place has improved over the past three seasons. He’ll be 27 in September and stands out as an apparent candidate for a brand new contract with Penske.
Associated: NASCAR insider sheds mild on Austin Cindric’s future with Group Penske
Kyle Busch, No. 8, Richard Childress Racing – Prolonged By 2026
Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photos
On Could 24, Richard Childress Racing introduced a one-year extension with Kyle Busch to drive the No. 8 automotive via the 2026 NASCAR Cup Collection season. Whereas Busch’s profitable streak snapped final 12 months and he hasn’t received a race for RCR since 2023, top-of-the-line drivers of the fashionable period continues to be getting essentially the most out of his automotive. Richard Childress Racing affords the perfect alternative to win, together with that elusive victory within the Daytona 500, which made it a simple determination for Busch to stick with RCR in 2026.
Associated: Insider sheds mild on Kyle Busch’s future with RCR after 2026
Denny Hamlin, No. 11, Joe Gibbs Racing*
Credit score: Randy Sartin-Imagn Photos
Denny Hamlin’s contract standing is extra unsure than a few of the recognized prime NASCAR free brokers this offseason. Hamlin signed a multi-year contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023, however it’s unknown simply how lengthy the deal is. Hamlin will likely be 45 in November, however he’s arguably nonetheless one of many 5 greatest NASCAR drivers proper now. If his deal expires after the season, a short-term take care of JGR is probably going. It might depart open the opportunity of Hamlin ending his profession in a number of years with 23XI.
Associated: Denny Hamlin credit Kyle Busch for large growth in his profession
A.J. Allmendinger, No. 16, Kaulig Racing
Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos
A.J. Allmendinger returned as a full-time Cup Collection driver in 2025, reportedly touchdown a short-term take care of Kaulig Racing for the No. 16 automotive. He’s carried out comparatively effectively in 2025, even amid engine blowups, however this very public outburst at Kansas might jeopardize his future with the staff. If he can’t discover a staff for 2026, Allmendinger might proceed his roller-coaster profession cycle with a return to the Xfinity Collection.
Associated: NASCAR schedule for Cup Collection, Truck Collection and Xfinity Collection
Christopher Bell, No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing*
Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photos
As with fellow Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, it’s unsure precisely how for much longer Christopher Bell is beneath contract for the No. 20 automotive. Earlier than the 2023 season, he signed a ‘long-term deal’ with JGR that will seemingly open the door to him changing into a free agent after the 2025 marketing campaign. Nonetheless, Bell received three consecutive races this 12 months and the 30-year-old is a perennial championship risk. There’s zero motive to imagine, even when he’s on an expiring contract, that JGR received’t give him a brand new deal this 12 months.
Bubba Wallace, No. 23, 23XI Racing*
Credit score: Scott Sewell-Imagn Photos
Bubba Wallace can depart 23XI if NASCAR strips the staff of its constitution
Very like teammate Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace changing into one of many prime NASCAR free brokers after this season means catastrophe has struck for 23XI Racing. Wallace and Reddick have provisions of their contracts that will enable them to depart for one more staff if NASCAR strips 23XI of their charters if the staff loses its lawsuit in opposition to the game. So long as 23XI has a constitution, although, Wallace’s improved maturity and a robust supporting forged for the No. 23 automotive – top-five pit crew and crew chief Charles Denike – make this an ideal match for him.
William Byron, No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports – Prolonged via 2029
Credit score: Jerome Miron-Imagn Photos
On Could 23, Hendrick Motorsports signed driver William Byron to a four-year contract extension via the 2026 NASCAR Cup Collection season. The deal ensures that Hendrick Motorsports may have Byron, Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman via the 2026 season. Byron now has one of many longest contracts within the Cup Collection, preserving him at Hendrick Motorsports via his age-31 season. Byron stays top-of-the-line NASCAR drivers proper now and he offers Hendricks a number of perenial championship contenders.
Associated: NASCAR standings for Cup Collection, Xfinity Collection and Truck Collection
Tyler Reddick, No. 45, 23XI Racing*
Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photos
Tyler Reddick can depart 23XI if NASCAR strips the staff of its constitution
Tyler Reddick has discovered a house with 23XI, changing into the staff’s first driver to succeed in the Championship 4 in 2024. He’s been one of many 10 greatest drivers in NASCAR over the past three years, maximizing the gear and help workers put across the No. 45 automotive. If NASCAR have been to strip 23XI of its charters, Reddick would immediately turn out to be one of the in-demand racers forward of his age-30 season.
Carson Hocevar, No. 77, Spire Motorsports*
Credit score: Jerome Miron-Imagn Photos
Just like Denny Hamlin, Carson Hocevar signed a multi-year deal earlier than the 2024 season with no particulars accessible on the precise size of the contract. The 2024 NASCAR Cup Collection Rookie of the Yr hasn’t received his first race on the highest degree but, however he delivered a 2025 Truck Collection victory and is racing nearer to the entrance of the sphere extra constantly within the Cup Collection. Hocevar’s aggressive driving model hasn’t made him widespread amongst fellow drivers, however he’s simply 22 years previous and retains enhancing. If his contract expires after the 2025 season, he’ll nearly actually be prioritized for a multi-year deal by Spire Motorsports.
Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88, Trackhouse Racing
Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photos
Shane Van Gisbergen acquired a one-year contract for the 2025 season to drive the No. 88 automotive within the Cup Collection for Trackhouse Racing. The 36-year-old was introduced in each for his recognition and his dominance on highway programs. He’s been a non-factor in every single place else this 12 months, however that’s additionally a mirrored image on the standard of kit Trackhouse Racing has put out in 2025. Contemplating SVG’s recognition and the truth that his excellence on highway programs not less than offers Trackhouse a number of photographs at an computerized playoff bid, one other short-term deal feels very doubtless after the 2025 season.
Daniel Suarez, No. 99, Trackhouse Racing
Credit score: Jerome Miron-Imagn Photos
Among the many prime NASCAR free brokers following the season, Daniel Suárez is likely to be the likeliest to wind up on a brand new staff subsequent 12 months. Connor Zilisch appears well-positioned to turn out to be a full-time Cup Collection driver in 2026 and Trackhouse Racing would have the No. 99 automotive accessible for him. If that occurs, Suarez might discover a dwelling with Kaulig Racing subsequent season as Allmendinger’s potential substitute for the No. 16 automotive.
