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2021 NASCAR Cup Series Team / Driver Chart

NOTE: This is an unofficial page compiled by Jayski.com from many different sources. We try to make it as complete as possible and update it as often as needed.

If you see an error, feel free to email jayski@jayski.com.

Previous team charts by season:

2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007,2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998

2021 Cup Series Rookie Of The Year Candidates (ROTY)

  • None officially announced, but Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe have been most commonly mentioned as possibilities to move up to Cup.

Drivers who are moving to a new team:

2020 full-time drivers that will not race full-time in 2021:

Big questions for 2021:

  • What does Brad Keselowski do? UPDATE: He’s staying at Penske.
  • Who takes over the #48 for Hendrick Motorsports?
  • Does Leavine Family Racing sell? UPDATE: Yes. A buyer has not been announced.  The team will finish out 2020. Bell is likely to move to Joe Gibbs Racing to replace Erik Jones.

The answer to those three questions will dictate a large percentage of what moves happen.

A note about Kyle Larson:

  • Kyle Larson has not asked to be reinstated by NASCAR yet.  Should he make the request, it would likely be approved. He says he would consider a NASCAR return if the opportunity arose, but in the near future his biggest challenge will be finding the support of a sponsor and/or manufacturer.

CHART KEYS
? unknown or a rumor for that section
Red = new driver, sponsor, car#, owner, crew chief…etc
Beneath each driver’s name is the year their contract is up (or is believed to be), if known.

2021 EXPECTED FULL-TIME TEAMS

No. 00 StarCom Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Quin Houff? ? George Church ECR Engines

Like most smaller teams, sponsorship will probably dictate what this team looks like in 2021.

No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Kurt Busch Monster Energy Matt McCall Hendrick Motorsports
(2021) GEARWRENCH?
(2004 Champion) Global Poker?

Busch signed a multi-year extension (believed to be through 2021) to remain with the team. Monster Energy will also continue as a sponsor.(11-2-2019)

No. 2 Team Penske Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Brad Keselowski Discount Tire/America’s Tire (2021+) (15 races) Jeremy Bullins Roush-Yates
(2021) AutoTrader?
(2012 Champ) Miller Lite?
MoneyLion?

Brad Keselowski has extended his contract with Team Penske.  The length of the agreement was not announced, but the Associated Press reports it’s for one year.. (8-3-2020)
Keselowski is one of the biggest questions for 2021. He’s been rumored to be under consideration to replace Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick. Team Penske would like to keep him as a driver, but like most teams, are looking to restructure driver contracts to save money.
Should Keselowski leave, this would be a high profile opportunity for another driver.  Austin Cindric could be the favorite due to his connection with the team and support from Ford, but sponsors could want a more established driver and Ryan Blaney could shift to this car or someone like Matt DiBenedetto could move here.
Discount Tire is set to sponsor about half the season.

No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Austin Dillon DOW? Justin Alexander ECR Engines
Bass Pro Shops?
Symbicort?
RigUp?
Coca-Cola?
RigUp?
American Ethanol?

No reason to believe Dillon will not return. Sponsorship is unknown.

No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Kevin Harvick Busch/Busch Light? Rodney Childers Roush-Yates
(2023) Jimmy Johns?
(2014 Champ) Mobil 1?
Hunt Brothers Pizza?

Harvick is signed with Stewart-Haas through 2023.(2-8-2020)

No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Ryan Newman (2021?) Wyndham Rewards (2021?) Scott Graves Roush-Yates
Oscar Mayer (2021)

Newman’s contract length has not been announced, but was believed to be for three years starting in 2019. However, 2021 could be an option year for either side.

No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Tyler Reddick Caterpillar? Randall Burdett ECR Engines
(2021?) Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s?
Okuma

Reddick will return to RCR in 2021.(8-7-2020)
Reddick’s contract length is not known, but his solid runs so far in 2020 have lead to speculation that he could be under consideration to replace Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick Motorsports or to take over the #42 for Chip Ganassi Racing.

No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Chase Elliott NAPA Auto Parts Alan Gustafson Hendrick Motorsports
(2022) Mountain Dew?
Kelley Blue Book?
Hooters (3 races)

Elliott is signed through 2022.
Hooters will sponsor 3 races each year through 2021.
NAPA Auto Parts is signed through 2022.
Kelley Blue Book and Mtn Dew are signed as sponsors through 2020.

No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Aric Almirola Smithfield (25-30 races?) Mike Bugarewicz Roush-Yates
(2020?)

Almirola’s contract is believed to end in 2020.  He has a good relationship with a solid sponsor and there’s no reason to believe Stewart-Haas won’t try their best to keep him.

No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Denny Hamlin FedEx (2021?) Chris Gabehart Toyota Racing Development
(2021?)

Hamlin and FedEx are believed to be signed through 2021.

No. 12 Team Penske Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Ryan Blaney Advance Auto Parts? Todd Gordon Roush-Yates
(2022+?) BodyArmour?
Menards?

Blaney has signed a multi-year extension with Team Penske.(3-6-2020)

No. 13 Germain Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Ty Dillon GEICO (2020)(32 races)? Matt Borland ECR Engines

Before the 2020 season Dillon denied retirement rumors. 2021 plans for driver, sponsor and team are unknown.

No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Clint Bowyer Rush Truck Centers? John Klausmeier Roush-Yates
(2020) PEAK / BlueDEF?
Mobil 1?
Haas Automation

Bowyer says he wants to return to SHR in 2021.(7-20-2020)
His future with the team could depend on sponsorship.
Ford has Chase Briscoe in the XFINITY Series and would like to move him to Cup at some point.

No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Brennan Poole Spartan Mosquito? Pat Tryson ECR Engines

Like most smaller teams, sponsorship will probably dictate what this team looks like in 2021.
Team started 2020 as Premium Motorsports but was bought by Rick Ware.  While it is still being operated as Premium, it will likely be run as Rick Ware next year.

No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Chris Buescher Fastenal? Luke Lambert Roush-Yates
(2021?) Fifth Third Bank?
SunnyD?

Buescher’s contact status is unknown, but Roush has keep him signed for a number of years and there’s no current indications that he will not return.

No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Kyle Busch M&Ms/Skittles/Snickers/Pedigree Adam Stevens Toyota Racing Development
(2020+) Interstate Batteries
(2015, 2019 Champion) Sport Clips?

Busch’s contract is believed to run through at least 2022.

No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Martin Truex, Jr. Bass Pro Shops? James Small
 Toyota Racing Development
(2021?) Auto-Owners Insurance (? races) (2021)
(2017 Champion) SiriusXM?

Truex, Jr. joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2019 in a “multi-year” deal. He’s expected to remain with Gibbs through at least 2021.

No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Christopher Bell DeWalt? Chris Gayle? Toyota Racing Development
Sport Clips?
Craftsman?
Reser’s?
Rheem?

Bell has officially been named the replacement for Jones in 2021.(8-10-2021) No word yet on who his crew chief will be.
Jones has been released by Joe Gibbs Racing. Bell is the likely replacement.(8-6-2020)
Leavine Family Racing’s decision to sell means Job Gibbs needs to find a ride for Christoper Bell if they do not bring him in to replace Jones.(8-4-2020)
Jones is one of the big questions for 2021.
Toyota would like to keep him in 2021.
He said at the start of 2020 that he wanted to stay with Gibbs.
If Leavine Family Racing were to sell, Joe Gibbs Racing may want/need to bring Christopher Bell over.
Jones may also get offers from other teams.  He’s been mentioned as a replacement for Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick or to take over the #42 for Chip Ganassi Racing.

No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Matt DiBenedetto Menards Greg Erwin Roush-Yates
(2020) Motorcraft/Quick Lane
Reese / Draw-Tite
RED KAP

DeBendetto’s contract is up this year. He has performed well for the team, but his future seems less than certain, due to circumstances out of his control.
Should Ford decide to move Austin Cindric up to Cup, they may want to put him in the #21.

No. 22 Team Penske Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Joey Logano Shell-Pennzoil Paul Wolfe Roush-Yates
(2023) AAA Southern California
(2018 Champion) Autotrader
MoneyLion

Logano is signed through 2023, as is primary sponsor Shell-Pennzoil.

No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
William Byron Axalta (14 races) Chad Knaus Hendrick Motorsports
(2021?) Liberty University (12 races 2021)
Hertz (4 races)

Byron’s contract runs through 2021 and sponsorship seems solid.
Liberty University sponsorship is through 2021.
Axalta’s sponsorship runs through 2022.

No. 27 Rick Ware Racing Chevy / Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Reed Sorenson? ? Mike Hillman, Sr. ECR Engines

Like most smaller teams, sponsorship will probably dictate what this team looks like in 2021.
This team started as the #52 at the beginning of 2020, but changed to #27 when Rick Ware Racing bought out Premium Motorsports.

No. 32 Go Fas Racing Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Corey LaJoie? Schluter Systems? Ryan Sparks
 Roush Yates Engines
(2020) Keen Parts/Corvetteparts.net?

LaJoie’s seems like he will have the opportunity to return, if he wants.  However, he has made it known that he would like an opportunity with Hendrick Motorsports to replace Jimmie Johnson or with another better funded team.

No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Michael McDowell Love’s Travel Stops? Drew Blickensderfer Roush-Yates
FR8 Auctions?
The Pete Store?
Dockside Logistics?

McDowell’s contract is believed to be up at the end of the year.
This team will likely continue to need to piece sponsorship together, so a funded driver could step in.

No. 37 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Ryan Preece? Kroger and associated companies Trent Owens Hendrick Motorsports
Corey LaJoie? Bush’s Beans (2020+?)

LaJoie is now considered to be one of the favorites to replace Preece.
While nothing is official, Preece’s return to the team looks unlikely.

No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
John Hunter Nemechek CITGARD? Seth Barbour Roush-Yates
(2020?) MDS Trucking
Fire Alarm Services?

Nemechek’s contract is believed to be up at the end of the season. He’s had some good runs and could get the attention of some other teams.

No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Cole Custer Haas Automation? Mike Shiplett Roush-Yates

Custer’s win to make the 2020 playoffs and his connection to the team make it unlikely he would go anywhere.

No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Matt Kenseth? Credit One Bank? Phil Surgen? Hendrick Motorsports
Ross Chastain? AdventHealth?
Erik Jones? McDonald’s?
Tyler Reddick? Clover?
Bubba Wallace?

Bubba Wallace says he has an offer from Chip Ganassi to drive the #42 in 2021.(8-9-2020)
When Matt Kenseth was announced at the replacement for Kyle Larson there was no indication of the length of his commitment to the team. It’s expected that he will not return.
Bubba Wallace could be under consideration for the ride.(7-31-2020)
Chastain is believed to still be under contract with Ganassi so he could be the favorite if a change is made.
Sponsors will likely have a lot of input on what the team does.

No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Bubba Wallace US Air Force? Jerry Baxter ECR Engines
(2020) World Wide Technology?
Victory Junction
McDonalds?
Cash App (2022)

Bubba Wallace says he has an offer from Chip Ganassi to drive the #42 in 2021.(8-9-2020)
Wallace has been rumored to Chip Ganassi Racing (and is considered the favorite for the ride), but Richard Petty Motorsports has offered him partial ownership of the team to remain.(8-2-2020).
The team has expressed an interest in having Wallace return in 2021.(6-9-2020)
However, Wallace’s increased visibility throughout the summer has led to speculation that he could be in line for a higher profile ride if sponsorship develops.

No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Kroger Brian Pattie Hendrick Motorsports
(2021)
 NOS Energy Drink

Stenhouse’s contract is believed to run through 2021.

No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Alex Bowman? Ally Financial (2023) Cliff Daniels Hendrick Motorsports
Erik Jones?
Bubba Wallace?
Corey LaJoie?
John Hunter Nemechek?

The team has full season sponsorship from Ally and they will have a lot of input on the driver.
One scenario mentioned is Hendrick moving Alex Bowman to the #48 and closing the #88 team (or bringing on a funded driver for the #88). The odds of Hendrick shrinking to three teams in minimal.
Just about every driver with a contact ending (and some without) has been speculated to be interested in the ride.

No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevy/Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Joey Gase? ASC Agri Supply? Jason Houghtaling Roush Yates Engines?

Like most smaller teams, sponsorship will probably dictate what this team looks like in 2021.

No. 53 Rick Ware Racing Chevy/Ford

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Garrett Smithley? ? Todd Parrott

Like most smaller teams, sponsorship will probably dictate what this team looks like in 2021.

No. 66 MBM Motorsports Toyota

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Timmy Hill RoofClaim.com? Steven Idol MBM Motorsports

Like most smaller teams, sponsorship will probably dictate what this team looks like in 2021.

No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Ross Chastain? ? Peter Sospenzo Hendrick Motorsports

Like most smaller teams, sponsorship will probably dictate what this team looks like in 2021.
Spire has an affiliation with Chip Ganassi Racing, so Ross Chastain could run the full season here if Ganassi wants to get him in a car for the full season.

No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Alex Bowman Axalta (2022) (3 races) Greg Ives Hendrick Motorsports
(2021) Valvoline (2022) (4 races)
Cincinnati, Inc?
Llumar?
Chevrolet Accessories?

One 2021 scenario mentioned is Hendrick moving Alex Bowman to the #48 and closing the #88 team (or bringing on a funded driver for the #88).
Bowman has a contract with Hendrick through 2021.(5-16-2020)

No. 96 Gaunt Brothers Racing Toyota

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Daniel Suarez Coca-Cola? Dave Winston Triad/Toyota Racing Development
CommScope?
Toyota Certified Used Cars?

Toyota wants to keep Suarez so he is likely to stay with Gaunt Brothers.

No. ? Spire Motorsports Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
? ? ? Hendrick Motorsports?

Spire Motorsports bought the charter and assets of Leavine Family Racing and will run a second full time car in 2021.  No further details have been announced.(8-11-2021)

2021 Part-time teams?

No. 7 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Josh Bilicki? ? Tommy Baldwin ECR Engines?
J.J. Yeley? Peter Sospenzo

Unknown plans.

No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Justin Haley Fraternal Order of Eagles Billy Scott ?

Kaulig could be interested in moving to Cup.

No. 49 MBM Motorsports Toyota

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Chad Finchum? Garrison Homes Doug Richert Race Engines Plus

Unknown plans.

No. 62 Beard Oil Racing Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Brendan Gaughan Beard Oil Darren Shaw ECR Engines
South Point Resort & Casino

Gaughan says he will retire at then end of 2020.
The team has just been running superspeedway events.
There are no indications of the future of the team.

No. 78 B.J. McLeod Motorsports Chevy

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
BJ McLeod? ? Todd Parrot Pro-Motor Engineering?

Unknown plans.

Teams with unknown plans:

The Money Racing Team

Teams that will not compete in 2021:

No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Toyota

DRIVER SPONSOR(S) CREW CHIEF ENGINE SUPPLIER
Christopher Bell? Procore? Jason Ratcliff TRD
(2021) Rheem?

Spire Motorsports bought the charter and assets of the team.(8-11-2021)
Bob Leavine announced August 4 that he has sold the team.  The buyer has not been announced, but it believed to be Spire Motorsports. The team will compete for the remainder of 2020.  Bell’s future is uncertain. He is under currently under contract with Joe Gibbs Racing.  He could replace Erik Jones.
Bell joined Leavine at the beginning of 2020.  His deal is believed to be three years: 2020 & 2021 with Leavine and then 2022 with Gibbs.
However, Leavine Family Racing is reportedly interesting in selling out.  That could force Gibbs bring Christopher Bell in house or let him go to another team.