As the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series approaches the Chase, there have been many new developments in regards to driver lineups next season. Some are making the expected jump to the next level, while others are finally catching their big break. Let’s break down all of the news, and then discuss the implications of said news.
LEE PULLIAM – #87 Peterson Racing – O’Reilly Series
It was announced this week that long-time late model racer Lee Pulliam would be getting a life changing opportunity. Pulliam will be driving for Peterson Racing in the #87 entry next season, becoming the teams first full-time driver. The #87 car has fielded drivers this past season such as Nick Sanchez and Austin Green. Pulliam will make two starts later this season at Las Vegas , and Martinsville Speedway. Pulliam got his first big break when NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. handpicked the 37 year old to make a one time start in his car this season. Pulliam drove the #9 JR Motorsports entry at Martinsville this past spring, and earned a top five finish in his debut! Pulliam is a four-time champion of the NASCAR Local Racing Series, and has won 51 races in his career. In 2024, current Truck Series driver Brenden “Butterbean” Queen won the CARS Tour Late Model stock championship for Lee Pulliam Racing. It is safe to say that this news has been the “feel-good” story of the week. Pulliam, a driver with a “grassroots racing” background, will become a fan favorite in the series.
AUSTIN HILL – #33 Richard Childress Racing – CUP SERIES
In response to the sudden passing of the late Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing decided to temporarily place veteran Austin Hill into the seat. Hill, who is 32 years old, is currently participating in his fifth full time season in NASCARs O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. In each season, Hill has finished sixth or better in points. Hill has also scored four wins in 2023, 2024 and 2025. He currently sits at a career total of 16 wins, 58 top fives, 97 top tens, and over 1,400 laps led. Since Busch’s passing, Hill has been running double duty each weekend, driving RCR entries in both series’. However next season, Hill will finally make the jump to NASCAR’s most prestigious level.
CHANDLER SMITH – #21 Richard Childress Racing – O’Reilly Series
In response to Austin Hill moving up to the Cup Series, the #21 that Hill rose to fame in was now set to be vacant. However, RCR announced that NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Chandler Smith would be filling the seat. Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass reports that Smith will be primarily sponsored by 1-800-Pack-Rat, a portable storage moving company who occasionally was the main sponsor for Austin Hill in certain races.
CARSON BROWN – #2 Richard Childress Racing – O’Reilly Series
It was announced earlier in the summer that RCR’s development driver Jesse Love would be leaving at seasons end. Love would be jumping from Chevy to Ford to drive the #21 Wood Brothers Racing entry in the Cup Series next season. Love would be replacing Josh Berry who’s future plans are still to be determined. As for Love’s replacement, that’ll be 18 year old Carson Brown. Brown currently drives in the #5 car in the zMAX Cars Tour series for the aforementioned Lee Pulliam Racing team. RCR announced that Whelen engineering company would be the primary sponsor for Brown. This is not a surprise as Whelen has been the primary sponsor on this #2 car for differing drivers such as Sheldon Creed and Jesse Love.
SAMMY SMITH – TBD – O’Reilly Series
JR Motorsports also announced that driver Sammy Smith will not return to the #8 entry for the team next season. Smith, who is currently in his third season with the team, has recorded only two wins, 21 top 5’s and 178 laps led. In 2023 with Joe Gibbs Racing, Smith recorded career highs of a sixth place points finish, and 334 laps led. Considering these statistics, Smith’s performance at JR Motorsports could be deemed disappointing. Smith’s plans in 2027 have yet to be announced, but there is a rumor surrounding the newly free agent driver. Many are saying that there will be driver swap between Smith, and Haas Factory Team’s Sam Mayer. This rumor has not yet been confirmed, but it would make sense. On the podcast Door Bumper (produced by Dirty Mo Media), host Freddie Kraft said that there will be a “driver returning to the building next season”. Dirty Mo Media and JR Motorsports are both owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr, and are located in the same facility. This quote in addition to the rumor could lead many to believe the validity of the possibility. Another possibility for Sammy Smith has been to drive the #48 car for Big Machine Racing. After winning in 2025 with Nick Sanchez, the team elected to move on to Patrick Staropoli in 2026. The results have been disastrous, as the team has gone from making the playoffs, to a 23rd place points position. Staropoli has yet to score a top 10 finish, or lead a lap this season, and he is fifth to last in points among full time drivers. Sammy Smith has been sponsored by the midwest gas station chain “PILOT” for a majority of his career, so it would be assumed that the sponsor will follow him to the next team.
What’s Next?
With all of these new developments, there are many who will overlook the new vacant seats available. To begin, Chandler Smith’s departure will leave the #38 Front Row Motorsports truck open. On the FOX broadcast this past weekend, it was reported that Smith had “handpicked” a driver to be his replacement. As for who that is, it still remains unknown. With Brown moving up to the O’Reilly Series, his #5 entry for Lee Pulliam Performance will now be vacant. This car is ran in the zMAX Cars Tour, where it currently sits seventh in points.
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