NASCAR O’Reilly Silly Season: Veteran movement disrupts series landscape

The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series silly season was relatively quiet, with just eight full-time driver moves. The most notable involved Connor Zilisch’s promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series.

By comparison, the 2027 silly season has already surpassed last year’s total number of moves, with more expected before the dust settles in February.

Here’s a look at all the changes announced over just the past three weeks.

Haas Factory Team Wipes Slate

In August, Haas Factory Team President Joe Custer announced the organization would expand to a three-car program for 2027. The announcement doubled as they introduced Dean Thompson as the driver of its newly-minted third entry.

Despite signing Thompson to a multiyear deal, HFT had yet to reveal the futures of its two current full-time drivers, Sam Mayer and Sheldon Creed.

Custer left that media availability without offering clarity on either driver’s status, fueling speculation about their returns.

Just over two months later, those doubts were confirmed.

Mayer’s Familiar Home

The first domino to fall was Sam Mayer, driver of the No. 41. Mayer spent the 2025 and 2026 seasons with HFT, delivering the organization its first victory under the rebrand at Iowa in 2025.

In late September, Mayer and HFT parted ways. Just a week later, JR Motorsports announced his return to the organization where his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series career began. Mayer will drive the No. 1 entry in 2027 and beyond.

He’ll bring sponsor Starkey with him for what will be his fifth season with JRM and seventh in the series.

“I’m looking forward to working with Sam again,” said team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“JRM and Sam know how to win races together, and it’s my belief that Sam has improved as a driver since our past relationship. I appreciate Sam’s eagerness to win, and I know he’s excited to get back in the building and get to work. We’re also excited to welcome Starkey to the team and look forward to building a strong relationship and accomplishing great things together.”

Creed’s New Digs

Mayer’s departure was soon followed by Sheldon Creed’s announcement that he, too, would leave HFT.

The current Chase leader will join Sam Hunt Racing in 2027, moving to his third manufacturer in the series. Creed will pilot the No. 26 Toyota under a multiyear agreement.

“ Sheldon fits every category I look for in a driver that can build a scrappy race team into its future; talent, experience, personality, and most importantly – who he is as a human. He’s a racer in the purest form, a winner, and a rockstar husband, father, and friend,” said Sam Hunt Racing owner and president Sam Hunt.

The three-time O’Reilly Series winner was equally enthusiastic about the opportunity.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join Sam Hunt Racing in 2027 and to chase trophies alongside Kris Bowen as my crew chief. I’ve known Sam for several years and have watched SHR grow first-hand, so it’s special to put my name above the door and to be able to also call it home,” Creed said.

With both Mayer and Creed moving on, HFT has two full-time seats to fill. The organization remains committed to fielding three entries in 2027, meaning more driver announcements should be on the horizon.

The New Look Sam Hunt Racing

With Sheldon Creed effectively swapping seats with Dean Thompson in the No. 26 entry, Sam Hunt Racing’s remaining lineup was still up in the air.

A week after Creed’s announcement, the future of the team’s No. 24 entry was finally clarified.

Harrison Burton parted ways with SHR and will join Peterson Racing in 2027, driving the newly established No. 78 entry with support from Richard Childress Racing. The move marks Burton’s third team in as many seasons.

“I am really excited to join Peterson Racing and be a part of what they are building,” stated Burton.

“It is a blessing to continue my career, and I feel this is a great opportunity to grow alongside this team as we focus on becoming a race winning organization. They have done a great job in putting together a group that is primed to take the next steps in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. I just feel that Peterson Racing and I are a great fit and share the same goals of going to the racetrack and winning. I am excited to get to work and chasing that goal together,” he concluded.

Perfect for Perkins

Only a few days after their announcement, their 2027 driver lineup was finalized. Blaine Perkins will jump ship from Jordan Anderson Racing to pair up with Sheldon Creed at SHR in a multi-season contract agreement.

Perkins will move to SHR to take the wheel of the No. 24 GR Supra, working alongside crew chief Brian Gainey.

“We’re extremely excited to have Blaine join the SHR family and continue his
development with us into the future,” said Sam Hunt, Owner and President of Sam Hunt Racing.

“I’m proud to announce that I will be joining Sam Hunt Racing in a multi-year deal starting in 2027. It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to race for SHR and Toyota,” said and energized Blaine Perkins.

Burton to RSS Racing

Jordan Anderson Racing finds itself in a similar position to Haas Factory Team, with both organizations losing their full-time drivers from 2026 and just one confirmed driver among a potential three-car lineup for 2027.

For JAR, Daniel Dye will take over the No. 32 entry full-time in 2027, returning to the series full-time for the first time since his rookie season in 2025.

Blaine Perkins, meanwhile, departed after two seasons, leaving Jeb Burton as the team’s only remaining full-time driver with an unresolved future.

That uncertainty didn’t last long, as Burton soon announced his departure after four seasons with the organization.

Burton will join Ryan Sieg Racing in 2027, becoming the team’s third entry alongside brothers Ryan and Kyle Sieg.

With approval from Team Penske, Burton will bring his family’s iconic number to the new team. He’ll pilot the No. 22, using the same font his father, Ward Burton, made famous during his time with Bill Davis Racing.

“The Siegs are building something special and the performance is headed in the right direction,” Burton said in a social media post. “I’m grateful and excited about this opportunity.”

Poole out; Ellis in at Alpha Prime

Alpha Prime Racing’s longest-tenured driver will not return for a fourth season, as Brennan Poole prepares to leave the No. 44 entry at the end of 2026.

Aside from his stint with Chip Ganassi Racing nearly a decade ago, APR has provided Poole with his most competitive equipment in the series. The organization has also delivered some of his most consistent results as he prepares for a new opportunity in 2027.

His next destination has yet to be confirmed. Current speculation points to a potential full-time ride with Jordan Anderson Racing.

Taking his place at APR will be a familiar face. Ryan Ellis is set to return to the organization on a multiyear deal, with Tablo TV serving as his primary sponsor.

“I’m so excited for 2027,” Ellis said in a social media post. “Alpha Prime was home for me for a long time. Tommy Jo Martins has built this team into a powerhouse of a small team, and positioned it extremely well for the future.”

Driver number, crew chief, and additional sponsors will be named at a later date but Ellis will look to spearhead the team as they turn to new manufacturer Ford in 2027.

What’s Left?

Despite the major shakeup in the landscape across the series, at least 13 full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series seats remain open for 2027.

Most of the uncertainty surrounds smaller organizations. Larger teams have largely finalized their lineups, with Haas Factory Team being the notable exception.

Here are the confirmed full-time openings as of Thursday, October 12.

• No. 00 – Haas Factory Team
• No. 02 – Young’s Motorsports
• No. 07 – SS Greenlight Racing
  • Josh Bilicki is the leading canidate
• No. 0 – SS Greenlight Racing
  • Garrett Smithley is the leading canidate
• No. 27 – Jordan Anderson Racing
• No. 31 – Jordan Anderson Racing
• No. 41 – Haas Factory Team
• No. 45 – Alpha Prime Racing
• No. 48 – Big Machine Racing
• No. 51 – Jeremey Clements Racing
  • Owner/Driver Jeremey Clements is rumored to return in 2027
• No. 88 – JR Motorsports
  • Rajah Caruth is the leading canidate
• No. 96 – Viking Motorsports
• No. 99 – Viking Motorsports

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