In a surprise announcement on Monday morning Nick Sanchez announced that he will not return to number 48 Big car race Chevrolet in 2026.
“I was informed over the weekend that I will not be running the #48 for Big Machine Racing in 2026,” Sanchez said in a statement. “I am grateful to Scott Borchetta, Patrick Donahue, everyone at Chevrolet and the entire team. I'm proud of everything we've accomplished this year, including our win. Unfortunate timing and circumstances, but this is strictly business. When one door closes, another opens.
Advertising
The news comes midway through the offseason, with several unclaimed rides still remaining in the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity) season.
Nick Sanchez, Big Machine Racing
Nick Sanchez, Big Machine Racing
Sanchez has had a decent year with Big Machine Racing, with the 24-year-old scoring one win, seven top fives and 12 top tens in his first season in the series. He finished the year eleventh in the championship standings, and his victory in Atlanta was the team's first since then. Tyler Reddick won in Texas over three years ago.
Advertising
It's unclear what No. 48 is going to do in 2026, and we certainly don't have any indication as to where Sanchez will land. He is also a NASCAR Truck Series winner with two wins in 2024, finishing the NCTS season with a strong fifth place finish in the final standings. Sanchez also won the 2022 ARCA Menards Series title and has four wins as an ARCA driver.
Read also:
Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett has died at the age of 39.
All the key moments from the 23XI/FRM vs NASCAR challenge
To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.
