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Nick Sanchez loses Big Machine Racing ride ahead of 2026 NASCAR season

JHby: Jonathan Howard12/08/25Jondean25

Unfortunate news for Nick Sanchez this morning. He is out at Big Machine Racing and the No. 48 Chevrolet ahead of the 2026 NASCAR season. Sanchez is fresh off a winning season in his rookie year, but is now out of his ride.

Big Machine Racing had many races where team owner Scott Borchetta had his own brands on the car. However, Nick Sanchez had support from Gainbridge in the 2025 season, which should have brought considerable funding. It is strange to see this move made at this point in the offseason, too.

Unexpected and random, there is a very talented young driver out there up for grabs. Maybe a Truck Series ride or an O’Reilly Series ride is out there waiting. Sanchez released a statement this morning on social media.

“Over the weekend, I was informed that I will not be driving the No. 48 for Big Machine Racing in 2026,” Sanchez shared online. “I’m grateful to Scott Borchetta, Patrick Donahue, everyone at Chevrolet and the whole team. I am proud of all we have accomplished this year including our win. Unfortunate timing and circumstances, but it’s strictly business. When one door closes another one opens. Excited about what is ahead!”

Nick Sanchez had a great season in 2025. It was perhaps overshadowed by this guy named Connor Zilisch, who was also a rookie, and won 10 races. But Sanchez had seven top-five finishes, a win, and a handful of additional top-10 finishes.

When you look at his road course results, he is perhaps the most underrated driver in the O’Reilly Series on the roads. P5 at Chicago, P4 at Sonoma, and P3 at Portland, along with a P9 at the Roval, showed his strengths going left and right.

The plan was to run it back with Nick Sanchez. He earned his place in that car. But, apparently, the plans have changed since November. It will be very interesting to see who fills that seat, because it is hard to see it being a driver better than Sanchez.

Where will Nick Sanchez land in 2026?

It feels as though the full-time rides are all taken in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. So, where does Nick Sanchez go from here? Perhaps dropping back to the Truck Series is the move. Christian Eckes is doing just that, along with drivers like Daniel Dye and even Cup driver Justin Haley.

The O’Reilly Series gives drivers a more intense and competitive base to race against. The Truck Series gives drivers a vehicle that handles more like the Next Gen Cup car. So, there are pros and cons to both situations. Sanchez could benefit and develop as a driver in either series.

Big Machine Racing is going to have to make the right hire. You can’t get rid of a winning driver in the middle of December without a good backup plan. If it ends up being a driver who is considerably less talented but with a bigger check, the PR hit the Big Machine team will take could be a big one.

Nick Sanchez is looking for a ride. Where would you like to see him land for the 2026 season?