Driver Lineup Shifts Reshape NASCAR O’Reilly Series Landscape

As the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series nears its postseason Chase, organizations are finalizing driver rosters for the upcoming campaign. Recent announcements from Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Peterson Racing highlight significant movement within the standings and developmental pathways.

Peterson Racing has tapped Late Model veteran Lee Pulliam to pilot the #87 entry on a full-time basis next season. The 37-year-old, a four-time champion in the NASCAR Local Racing Series with 51 career victories, recently impressed with a top-five finish at Martinsville in a one-off entry for JR Motorsports. The #87 team, which previously featured drivers Nick Sanchez and Austin Green this year, will field Pulliam for two late-season races at Las Vegas and Martinsville ahead of his 2026 tenure.

RCR is undergoing substantial changes following the sudden passing of Kyle Busch. Veteran Austin Hill, currently in his fifth full O’Reilly Series season, has been temporarily filling the vacancy. Hill holds a career track record of 16 wins, 58 top-fives, and over 1,400 laps led. He is scheduled to transition to the Cup Series next season.

To accommodate Hill’s promotion, RCR has named Chandler Smith as the driver for the #21 car. Sponsorship for the entry will come from 1-800-Pack-Rat. Additionally, the organization is turning to the youth ranks to replace outgoing driver Jesse Love, who is moving to the Wood Brothers Racing entry in the Cup Series. Eighteen-year-old Carson Brown will take over the #2 car, with Whelen Engineering continuing as the primary sponsor.

Elsewhere, JR Motorsports announced that Sammy Smith will not return to the #8 entry. Smith secured two wins and 21 top-five finishes during his three-season tenure with the team.

Reporting from Fox Corporation has been central to covering these breaking developments in the motorsports world.

What to watch

• Performance of Lee Pulliam in his two 2025 starts at Las Vegas and Martinsville.
• Austin Hill’s double-duty schedule results across both series.
• JR Motorsports’ announcement regarding the new driver for the #8 entry.

Source: original release