2026 Silly Season

Bianchi mentioned on a live DBC yesterday that all signs are pointing to Kyle Busch renewing with the 8.
 
Even if Bowman was 86’d, who is the replacement? He’s better than anyone that’s rumored to be a FA this year. It’s always easy to fire Alex but the hard part is what’s the plan? I haven’t seen a better one bandied about here or on other socials.
 
Jorge De Guzman said:
Even if Bowman was 86’d, who is the replacement? He’s better than anyone that’s rumored to be a FA this year. It’s always easy to fire Alex but the hard part is what’s the plan? I haven’t seen a better one bandied about here or on other socials.
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Yeah there's no one in the pipeline with ties to Hendrick who is ready for a Cup ride. Rajah Caruth has the Hendrick sponsorship but needs to be far more consistant in the trucks. Corey Day has the development contract but is only in his second year in a stock car and is absolutely not ready yet no matter how good he is on dirt.
 
kkfan91 said:
That's pretty much what the consensus was, he has no better options
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He should have taken the pay cut and stayed at Gibbs.

At this point, his best option for a ride would be replacing Riley Herbst at 23XI but I don’t know if KFB can bring enough money to make that worthwhile and I also can’t imagine Kyle working for Denny.
 
Jorge De Guzman said:
Even if Bowman was 86’d, who is the replacement? He’s better than anyone that’s rumored to be a FA this year. It’s always easy to fire Alex but the hard part is what’s the plan? I haven’t seen a better one bandied about here or on other socials.
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Connor Zilisch, Jesse Love and Corey Heim would all be upgrades.
 
Connor Zilisch would be the one to get it assuming Jr. Motorsports doesn't figure out a way to go Cup racing by '27.
 
kckolbe said:
Plug for my recent "article" on the site. Bowman is finishing, on average, about 7.5 spots behind his three teammates. I'm not sure who Hendrick would bring in to replace him, but there certainly is a gap in ability.
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Keep in mind Bowman's stats include a blown engine and a couple of wrecks that weren't his fault. Honestly I feel like they have shown more speed, if not consistency than the 9.
 
Like maybe Busch stays and Gibbs comes up later. Cause I don't think any other seat would've been open for him til this year? So, Kyle probably didn't have much of a choice to leave tbh.
 
kkfan91 said:
Yeah there's no one in the pipeline with ties to Hendrick who is ready for a Cup ride. Rajah Caruth has the Hendrick sponsorship but needs to be far more consistant in the trucks. Corey Day has the development contract but is only in his second year in a stock car and is absolutely not ready yet no matter how good he is on dirt.
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Day is the next one for HMS and in the pipeline, but I agree, he’s a ways away from being ready. No shame in that, just let him develop in the lower series and keep the status quo on the Cup Team
 
HoneyBadger said:
Connor Zilisch, Jesse Love and Corey Heim would all be upgrades.
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I’m not sure at this current juncture, that is a move I’d make. Cup is really hard as we all know, those fellas while young and supremely talented arnt ready to win let alone contend each for Cup wins. That’s a ways off.
 
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kkfan91 said:
He had already been told he was out at the end of the year and decided **** it.
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I'd say it's more than that. Bell already has as many wins as all last year in less than half a season. By him stepping down now, it invites the comparison of pre-departure Bell v post-departure, which could help him in the offseason.
 
kckolbe said:
I'd say it's more than that. Bell already has as many wins as all last year in less than half a season. By him stepping down now, it invites the comparison of pre-departure Bell v post-departure, which could help him in the offseason.
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I'm literally quoting that what was reported by Jordan Bianchi and Freddie Kraft this week.
 
FLRacingFan said:
As long as Bowman wins a race each year and makes the playoffs, he’s probably secure. Ally really like him and he does just well enough on track. He has more charisma than the rest of his teammates combined. He’s a good ‘glue guy’ to have on the team for HMS.
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Alex Bowman is secure, period. He can finish 30th each week and be safe.
 
With Tim Cindric being out at Penske, look for Austin Cindric to find another ride. This should set off a huge domino effect as this season progresses.
 
2 Sweet said:
Bowman is so much better than a lot of you guys realize. He'll be at Hendrick for a long time
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I agree that he's a solid driver, but if I were Hendrick, I would be looking to ditch him for Hocevar in the near future. Maybe I'll explain why in a future article, because it's not even really about driving ability.
 
kckolbe said:
I agree that he's a solid driver, but if I were Hendrick, I would be looking to ditch him for Hocevar in the near future. Maybe I'll explain why in a future article, because it's not even really about driving ability.
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Hocevar has the natural ability, but he doesn't know how to race.

Bowman has the ability, AND the support of a major sponsor, AND he's not a douchebag. He's gonna be safe in the 48 for several years.
 
MRM said:
With Tim Cindric being out at Penske, look for Austin Cindric to find another ride. This should set off a huge domino effect as this season progresses.
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5+ years ago maybe not now.
 
Maybe I’m naive but I didn’t think this thread would turn into yet another “Fire Bowman” thread. Color me surprised. And Hocevar while fast, is learning how to race up front and is douchey in all kinds of ways. Hendrick had that about 20 years ago now with Kyle Busch….they decided to pass. The more things change….
 
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