While 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR spent the week in a federal courthouse for an antitrust lawsuit trial, multiple drivers locked up their rides for the 2026 season.
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Let's recap which drivers changed teams and the other important moves that happened during a busy week for the industry.
Rajah Caruth
Caruth announced in October that he would join JR Motorsports for a part-time O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season. This meant that he would depart Spire Motorsports after two seasons with the Craftsman Truck Series team.
Now, Caruth has set the rest of his plans for the 2026 season. He will fill out his schedule so that he can compete full-time in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.
The Washington, D.C. native has agreed to join Jordan Anderson Racing for 10 races next season. He will drive the No. 32 Chevrolet. This means that Caruth will spend 23 races in the No. 88 Chevrolet.
Rajah Caruth is back for 10 races in 2026, driving the No. 32 Chevrolet! His schedule with us completes his full-season lineup alongside JR Motorsports, giving him the chance to run for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship.
We’re excited to be alongside him as his… pic.twitter.com/GSure36Vpt
— Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport (@JARnascar) December 4, 2025
Kaden Honeycutt
This news became public knowledge at the end of the 2025 Craftsman Truck Series as Honeycutt competed for the driver's championship. Now, Tricon Garage has provided confirmation.
According to a Friday announcement, Honeycutt will join Tricon Garage for the 2026 season. He will drive the No. 11 Toyota Tundra while working with veteran crew chief Scott Zipadelli. This provides some consistency on the team after Heim and Zipadelli won 21 races and a championship together.
"I've waited my entire career for an opportunity like this. I can't thank Toyota and Tricon enough for trusting me to carry the torch for the No. 11 Safelite Tundra and continue its incredible run of success," said Honeycutt in a press release.
"I'm truly honored and fired up to chase a championship with this team in 2026."
It’s time to show the world what he’s got. pic.twitter.com/aekNjMKNCQ
— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) December 5, 2025
Anthony Alfredo
One of the earliest stories in this packed NASCAR week featured Anthony Alfredo moving to a new team. He announced he would not return to Young's Motorsports after one season. Instead, he will join Viking Motorsports as the team expands to two full-time entries.
Alfredo will drive the No. 96 Chevrolet as he becomes teammates with Parker Retzlaff. He will reunite with crew chief Josh Graham, who guided him at Our Motorsports in 2024. Graham spent last season with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing and celebrated one win with Daniel Hemric.
"I'm fired up to join Viking Motorsports and drive the No. 96 Chevrolet in 2026," Alfredo said. "Having the chance to work with Josh again is something I'm really excited about — we've had success together, and I know what we can accomplish as a team.
"You can see how much Viking is building and investing in its future. Being part of their expansion to a two-car program is a big opportunity, and I can't wait to get going."
We’re expanding! @anthonyalfredo will pilot the number 96 for Viking Motorsports full time in 2026 with crew chief Josh Graham! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/qA9A5XchpL
— Viking Motorsports (@VKNGMotorsports) December 4, 2025
Cope Family Racing
Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope returned to NASCAR last season with an O'Reilly Auto Parts Series team, Cope Family Racing. This team fielded the No. 70 Chevrolet with drivers Leland Honeyman Jr. and Thomas Annunziata splitting the starts.
Now, however, Cope Family Racing will join forces with Stanton Barrett Motorsports. This merged team will switch from the No. 70 to the No. 30 Chevrolet while working out of a newly-purchased shop in Mooresville, North Carolina.
SBM with CFR did not provide any details about the drivers and sponsors for this inaugural season. These announcements will happen at a later date.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to partner with CFR and continue the long history of SBM," Barrett said in a press release.
"Derrike has been a staple in the racing industry and someone that I have great respect for. We collectively bring over 70 years as owners and drivers at the highest levels of NASCAR."
Austin Green
Green, the son of former champion David Green, has made 21 starts in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series over the past two seasons while posting eight top-10 finishes and two top-fives.
Now, he will take on the full schedule while driving for Peterson Racing Group. Green will have 3 Dimensional Series as his primary sponsor.
Peterson Racing Group competes full-time in the IMSA Mustang Challenge and has competed part-time in the Xfinity Series through a partnership with Jordan Anderson Racing. The team will now have a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing for this full-time season.
