Richard Childress NASCAR Silly Season 2025 is unfolding with significant changes as teams adjust their lineups and lock down drivers ahead of the new year. Amid these moves, Ty Dillon is reportedly close to finalizing a deal to remain with Kaulig Racing for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, signaling a pivotal moment for both driver and organization.
Major Team Shuffles and Competitive Landscape
The current Silly Season has brought dramatic transformations across NASCAR, going beyond simple schedule changes as charters are reshuffled, team identities are redefined, and fresh strategies are adopted. Trackhouse Racing transformed its Project 91 effort from an international experiment into a core feature of its roster, recently securing a multi-year extension for Shane van Gisbergen and solidifying the No. 88 as a center of attention for upcoming seasons. Meanwhile, 23XI Racing expanded its reach with a third car piloted by Riley Herbst, Front Row Motorsports reorganized around young talents such as Zane Smith and Todd Gilliland, and Kaulig Racing adjusted its entry numbers and infused veteran experience into new seats.
This environment of rapid change has placed even greater attention on established organizations like Richard Childress Racing, where both history and expectations converge. Richard Childress’ grandsons, Ty Dillon and Austin Dillon, are simultaneously navigating unique paths in their racing careers. While Austin Dillon maintains consistent performances with several top-10 finishes and recent improvements in key races, Ty Dillon is making his mark in a renewed phase with Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 entry, rebuilding his profile in a fiercely competitive field.
Kaulig Racing Closes in on Ty Dillon for 2026 Contract
After years of shifting between different teams and divisions, Ty Dillon appears on the verge of achieving rare stability in NASCAR. Kaulig Racing’s President, Chris Rice, recently addressed Dillon’s contract status in a conversation with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, reflecting the team’s proactive approach toward lineup decisions.
“We’re still in negotiations. I think by Friday, we will 100% know. We’re real close to having Ty’s deal done again for ’26.”
—Chris Rice, President, Kaulig Racing.
If completed, this agreement would represent Dillon’s first consecutive full-time seasons since 2020, indicating a strategic shift for both the driver and the organization. This move also highlights Kaulig Racing’s interest in long-term continuity rather than undergoing repeated roster changes. Dillon’s experience with several teams, from Germain Racing and Gaunt Brothers Racing to Our Motorsports and Jordan Anderson Racing, has shaped a career marked by adaptability and perseverance, making this new chapter with Kaulig especially significant.
Consistency and Improvement Mark Dillon’s Year
Contrary to some expectations, Ty Dillon’s 2025 campaign has shown steady results and moments of competitiveness.
“We feel like he’s done a good job,”
Rice commented.
“He’s had some ups and downs, yes. But he hasn’t done what everybody thought he was gonna do, run around last and be way off the pace.”
—Chris Rice, President, Kaulig Racing.
Dillon’s ongoing season boasts his best average starting position in the Cup Series at 24.5, while his average finish of 23.3 places him among his top four full-time years. These statistics are especially important for Kaulig Racing, which seeks steady postseason participation amid a constantly evolving grid of rivals. The reliability Dillon delivers has, in multiple instances, exceeded initial projections for the team’s No. 10 entry and reminded onlookers that potential can manifest both through consistency and unexpected performance boosts.
Flashes of Excellence Fuel Kaulig’s Support
While fluctuations have characterized certain weekends, Ty Dillon’s broader contribution to the team remains a valuable asset.
“He’s actually been in contention at some races,”
Rice observed.
“He had not a really good race this weekend at Watkins Glen. But Ty has done a really good job for us.”
—Chris Rice, President, Kaulig Racing.
Highlighting his progress, Dillon turned heads at the Clash at Daytona by qualifying at the top among non-qualifiers before securing a third-place finish in the Duel event. His run in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series In-Season Challenge further bolstered his reputation: entering as the lowest seed, Dillon outperformed giants like Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski and advanced to the finals. In an environment where Kaulig Racing has often struggled for prominence, Dillon’s resilience and competitiveness have reinforced the organization’s commitment to a multi-year plan.
What This Means for Richard Childress, Ty Dillon, and the NASCAR Grid
As the 2025-26 Silly Season reshapes NASCAR’s competitive landscape, Ty Dillon’s near-finalized contract with Kaulig Racing may set the tone for similar long-term moves across the series. Richard Childress Racing continues to serve as a backdrop for this story, underscoring family ties and the ongoing development of drivers like Ty and Austin Dillon. With top contenders sharpening their strategies and up-and-coming drivers making impactful statements, each change resonates throughout teams, sponsors, and fan communities alike. The trajectory set by Ty Dillon’s potential back-to-back engagement with Kaulig Racing highlights an industry in flux, where commitment to both consistency and competitive ambition could define success in the coming seasons.
