The 2026 NASCAR silly season didn’t deliver quite as much shuffling in the Cup Series as everyone might have initially hoped for heading into the year. The top Cup Series drivers will remain with their respective teams for the foreseeable future, but we did see a bit of movement that will shake up the 2027 season.
Here are the NASCAR drivers who will be in new rides next season, either joining new teams or becoming full-time for the first time.
Riley Herbst: Legacy Motor Club, No. 84 Car
The worst-kept secret in NASCAR is finally official. With Legacy Motor Club acquiring a charter from Rick Ware Racing for 2027, becoming a three-car team in the Cup Series, Riley Herbst is coming over next season. Herbst, who turns 28 in February, will be driving the No. 84 car with backing from Monster Energy. It’s a great opportunity for the young driver after his fate with 23XI Racing was sealed earlier in the year. It’s also a win-win scenario for all parties. Legacy gets an ascending driver–10 top-20 finishes is tied with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and more than John Hunter Nemechek–whose family has deep pockets and great ties to sponsors. Meanwhile, in the midst of a career-best season, Herbst gets a full-time Cup ride with an improving Toyota-backed team.
Austin Hill: Richard Childress Racing, No. 33 Car
The tragic and sudden passing of Kyle Busch this season put Richard Childress Racing in the unfathomable position of needing to find a replacement driver for their second full-time car. While the No. 8 won’t be seen again until Brexton Busch is racing in the Cup Series, RCR will have that charted spot used by Austin Hill. He’s raced full-time in both the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Cup Series since Busch’s death, making The Chase in the O’Reilly Series while struggling at the Cup level. In 2027, he can focus all of his energy on trying to create his own legacy in the No. 33 and committing full-time to driving the Next Gen car while competing with the best NASCAR drivers.
Corey Heim: 23XI Racing, No. 35 Car
Corey Heim‘s patience finally paid off. Widely recognized as the best prospect in NASCAR and a future superstar in the Cup Series who will become a perennial championship contender, he waited until a full-time ride came open for him at 23XI Racing rather than jumping at an earlier opportunity elsewhere. Best of all, he’s becoming a full-time driver for 23XI Racing with two Cup wins already on his resume. Surprisingly, however, Heim won’t be sticking with the No. 67 that he won in and instead will drive the No. 35 that Riley Herbst had. Importantly, Heim won’t be eligible for Cup Series Rookie of the Year in 2027 due to the number of starts he’s already made in the series.
Jesse Love: Wood Brothers Racing, No. 21 Car
The top development driver for Richard Childress Racing, Jesse Love will become a full-time Cup Series driver as a 22-year-old next season with Wood Brothers Racing. Love, a three-time winner in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, didn’t get the No. 33 with RCR seemingly in part due to his age and its relation to a few of the team’s sponsors (nicotine and alcohol). Instead, he is replacing Josh Berry behind the wheel of the No. 21 car with Wood Brothers Racing. The team made the announcement in June, months before Berry ripped off a streak of five consecutive top-10 finishes.
Josh Berry: Legacy Motor Club, No. 42 Car (Reported)
Legacy Motor Club is officially moving on from veteran driver John Hunter Nemechek for the 2027 season, a decision that was made late in the summer. While his replacement hasn’t been formally announced, all signs are pointing to Josh Berry getting the No. 42 car next season. With his NASCAR career on the line, Berry is performing better than ever and that evidently caught the attention of team owner Jimmie Johnson. Legacy will have two new Cup Series drivers for the 2027 season, while Nemechek is likely going to have to spend his time either in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series or the Truck Series.
Related: Legacy Motor Club Cutting Ties with John Hunter Nemechek
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