Nick Sanchez will not return to Big Machine Racing in 2026
LEXINGTON, N.C. — Nick Sanchez said Monday that Big Machine Racing will not be bringing him back as their NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver in 2026.
Big Machine Racing reportedly told Sanchez over the weekend that he wouldn’t be returning to the No. 48 Chevrolet.
“Unfortunate timing and circumstances but it’s strictly business. When one door closes, another one opens,” Sanchez said.
After winning the ARCA Menards Series championship in 2022 and racking up NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoff appearances in the next two seasons, plus a pair of wins, Sanchez moved up to NOAPS with Big Machine Racing in 2025. He made the playoffs in his first year after winning at EchoPark Atlanta in June of 2025 and finished 11th in points.
The final six races of the season saw Sanchez score three top-10 finishes in a row, including a fifth-place finish at Las Vegas, that is likely to raise his stock for 2026 – wherever he may now land.
“I’m grateful to Scott Borchetta, Patrick Donahue, everyone at Chevrolet and the whole team. I am proud of all we have accomplished this year, including our win,” Sanchez said. “Excited about what is ahead!”
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com