As preparations intensify for the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the future of several seasoned racers, particularly Aric Almirola, remains unclear. While teams shape their driver rosters, the Aric Almirola NASCAR future is a focal point, especially with unconfirmed lineups stirring speculation across the sport.
Aric Almirola Awaits Direction Amid Joe Gibbs Racing Plans
The 2026 NASCAR driver shuffle is in full swing, with major questions surrounding veterans like Aric Almirola. Almirola delivered a notable performance in 2025, steering Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota to an owner’s championship in a shared ride and clinching three race wins in his 17 starts. Despite this success, JGR has yet to clarify its complete driver allocation for the No. 19 car for the upcoming season. Planned arrangements include Brent Crews participating in 29 events and Brandon Jones returning to the No. 20 seat, while William Sawalich is set to remain the mainstay of the No. 18.
With Brent Crews unable to compete in the opening four races until he turns 18 and several seats already assigned, uncertainty surrounds who will handle the remaining races in the No. 19. This situation directly impacts Almirola’s trajectory, keeping industry watchers and fans guessing about his path forward.
Speculation Intensifies Around Almirola’s Career Decisions
The ongoing ambiguity about Almirola’s next steps has sparked lively discussion among NASCAR followers, particularly after NASCAR fan Daniel Kriete highlighted the various possibilities.
“There are some questions around Aric Almirola currently at the moment, what he’ll be doing for 2026. One of the rumors that has been circulating is that Aric Almirola could be officially retired from the sport at the end of this year. He also could make a one-off start for Joe Gibbs Racing. Brent Crews is not going to be able to run the first two races of the year because he doesn’t turn 18 years old,” Kriete noted. (4:04 onwards)
Given these circumstances, Almirola may be considered for a temporary role while the team settles its young talent. His extensive experience with partial race schedules could position him as a valuable asset for early-season races.
Nick Sanchez Exits Big Machine Racing, Eyes New Opportunities
Nick Sanchez, a rising star in the Truck Series who transitioned to Big Machine Racing for his Xfinity debut in 2025, also finds himself in flux. Sanchez posted a significant rookie season, including a breakthrough win at Atlanta, which secured his postseason slot. Despite these achievements, Sanchez revealed on social media that he will not return to the No. 48 car in 2026, expressing gratitude toward his current team but withholding specifics regarding his future plans.
“There’s a lot of question marks currently at the moment with there not being a ton of rides left available at this point on where Nick Sanchez could end up in 2026. One of my theories has been is maybe he goes Spire Motorsports…. I think him going in-house Spire Motorsports would make a ton of sense at this point. I also could see him ending up with a different organization for next year.” (1:47 onwards)
There is noticeable interest in where Sanchez might land, as several rides across the series are rapidly closing up. With Spire Motorsports revealing intentions to operate two trucks and potentially organizing part-time programs with their No. 7 and No. 77 entries, Sanchez remains part of the ongoing driver market narrative.
Hailie Deegan Considers Possible NASCAR Return After Open-Wheel Season
Hailie Deegan’s status continues to generate interest as she looks ahead to 2026. Departing from her roots in NASCAR, Deegan entered open-wheel competition by joining HMD Motorsports in INDY NXT in 2025. Piloting the No. 38, she concluded the year with a 14th-place finish overall and earned valuable experience, though standout results were elusive.
As Deegan’s contract covered only a single season, HMD Motorsports has already started assembling its roster for next year. Recent additions, such as rookie Emmo Fittipaldi and Australian talent Jack Beeton, have fueled speculation about Deegan’s residency in open-wheel racing.
“Hailie Deegan, there’s been some questions about her maybe making a return to racing in 2026. She did post a go-kart video recently and did say she is preparing for the 2026 year. There were rumors earlier this year about her going to McAnally–Hilgemann, but that seems like those rumors have kind of died down… I’m not sure if she’ll do something with Ford (Performance) or she’ll stay in Indy Lights or Indy NXT. But she also could return to NASCAR as early as the 2026 year,” he added. (6:40 onwards)
With options on the table, Deegan could pursue a spot back in the NASCAR ranks, as there remain unsettled seats in both the Truck Series and Xfinity lineups for 2026. Openings at ThorSport after Ty Majeski’s move and unsettled arrangements at Kaulig Racing suggest the potential for a significant shift, should Deegan opt for the familiar NASCAR circuits once more.
What Lies Ahead for the NASCAR Driver Market?
With team rosters filling up and race calendars taking shape, the status of drivers like Aric Almirola, Nick Sanchez, and Hailie Deegan remains a central topic. As the 2026 NASCAR season approaches, these unknowns not only stoke speculation but also signal possible changes in both team strategies and individual careers. With the driver market shifting, the coming months are likely to bring further announcements that will clarify the direction for these athletes and reshape the competitive landscape.
