NASCAR is actively reconsidering its participation rules for drivers, sparking debate on whether Cup competitors should have more involvement in the lower series, with Kenny Wallace on NASCAR driver rules squarely supporting this change. As the motorsports organization reviews its long-standing limits during a major sponsorship transition, Wallace argues that experienced drivers bring valuable competitive challenge and heightened entertainment to both fans and rising talent.
Possible Revisions for Cup Driver Participation Limits
The evaluation of current regulations comes amid NASCAR‘s significant rebranding of its No. 2 series, which will adopt the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series name beginning in 2026. During an announcement about this partnership, NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell acknowledged that changes to the Cup driver participation limits are under serious consideration.
“We’re going to look at who is able to race in the series in the future as well and maybe make some changes down the road. You look at all of our series and we’ve had limits on, ‘Could a Cup driver compete? How many races could they compete? So we’ve certainly had discussions?”
—Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President
Presently, drivers with more than three years of Cup Series experience may only enter up to five events each in the Xfinity and Truck Series per year. To avoid undue impact on championship outcomes, they are also barred from playoff races and regular-season finales.
This rule was originally designed to prevent dominant Cup drivers from crowding out up-and-coming talent, and to ensure fair opportunities for the next generation. However, the results have not universally aligned with those intentions, and calls for reassessment have grown.
Kenny Wallace Points to On-Track Rivalries as a Measure of Growth
Kenny Wallace, referencing his long tenure and deep investment in NASCAR, claims that the restrictive policy may have unintended consequences for young drivers. He argues that facing Cup-caliber competition forces new talent to improve, citing recent battles between Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen as evidence of the policy’s drawbacks.
“You see Connor Zilisch win four of the last five Xfinity races. Well, it made Connor famous. You know why? Because he outran SVG. Imagine if Shane Van Gisbergen was not in that Watkins Glen race or in some of those other races, then it would have been, ‘Oh Connor hasn’t faced real competition yet’… So, that made Connor the real deal because he outran SVG,”
—Kenny Wallace, former NASCAR driver
Zilisch, driving the No. 88 full-time for JR Motorsports, has gone head-to-head with Shane van Gisbergen, whose record on Cup road courses is nearly flawless. Van Gisbergen, piloting the No. 9 part-time, has claimed four Cup road course victories, cementing his reputation as a top road specialist. The direct comparison, Wallace argues, gives rising stars like Zilisch essential credibility and recognition, both with media and fans.
Wallace maintains that these matchups provide exactly the kind of validation and learning young competitors need, and that preventing such opportunities does a disservice to the sport’s future. The intense Zilisch versus SVG rivalry has captured attention, highlighting the stakes of the current debate around Cup driver involvement in the Xfinity Series.
Looking Back: Wallace’s Personal Tie to the Series and Its Sponsors
Kenny Wallace brings a distinctive voice to the discussion, informed by 547 career starts in the Xfinity Series — the most in its history. His insider perspective not only spans the evolution of driver rosters, but also the many different companies that have served as title sponsors since the early 1980s.
“Well, it’s good to see the sponsor continue to get people that want them. That’s the way I look at it… The Busch Series was great… Then, of course, we had Nationwide… And then of course the third one made sense, Xfinity – the wires, the cell phones. And now the auto parts. I must say that the NASCAR Xfinity Series as we know it right now has had a pretty good run with well-known sponsors,”
—Kenny Wallace, former NASCAR driver
Since its inception in 1982, NASCAR‘s second-tier championship has cycled through brands including Budweiser, Busch, Nationwide, and Comcast‘s Xfinity. In 2026, O’Reilly Auto Parts will take over as the series‘ fifth title sponsor, following an extended era under Xfinity, whose decade-long deal boosted the series’ visibility and reach.
O’Reilly, with over 6,400 locations across North America, has previously been active as a NASCAR race sponsor and will now deepen its presence. Wallace suggests that this move is a testament to the series’ appeal to major businesses, keeping the championship vibrant and well-supported through different eras.
Broadcasting and Business Shifts as the Series Evolves
The transition to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series comes alongside other notable changes. All races will continue to be broadcast exclusively on The CW, a partnership credited with driving a 17% increase in viewership compared to last year. While Comcast leaves its post as title sponsor, the company affirms it will remain engaged with NASCAR through various sponsorship roles, ensuring its ongoing relationship with the sport.
This evolving landscape reflects the complex and layered nature of NASCAR’s current crossroads, as leaders, veterans like Kenny Wallace, new sponsors, and rising driving stars all play active roles in shaping its next chapter. The sport’s efforts to balance tradition, emerging talent, and competitive excellence are likely to be central issues for fans and participants as any changes to Cup driver rules are considered. The anticipated policy revisions, fueled by strong opinions and high-stakes rivalries like that of Zilisch and Van Gisbergen, could redefine the path for future NASCAR champions.
