Nick Sanchez is unexpectedly looking for a ride heading into the 206 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season. Sanchez, who scored a win and made the Playoffs a season ago behind the wheel of the No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet, revealed in a post on X on Monday morning that he was informed he won’t return to the team over the weekend.
“Over the weekend, I was informed that I will not be driving the No. 48 for Big Machine Racing in 2026. I’m grateful for Scott Borchetta, Patrick Donahue, everyone at Chevrolet and the whole team,” Sanchez said in the post. “I am proud of all we have accomplished this year including our win. Unfortunate timing and circumstances, but it’s strictly business. When one door closes, another one opens. Excited about what’s ahead!”
Sanchez, 24, finished 11th in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity Series) championship standings in his rookie campaign in 2025.
Overall, Sanchez has one win, seven top-fives, and 12 top-10s in 41 career starts in the series.
Prior to a full-time move to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2025, Sanchez competed full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2023 and 2024. In that two-year stretch, Sanchez racked up two wins, made the Playoffs both times, and amassed 13 top-fives and 26 top-10s.
Sanchez is also a four-time race winner in the ARCA Menards Series ranks, including three wins during the 2022 season, where Sanchez claimed the championship in that respective series.
The fact that Sanchez is searching for a ride heading into the 2026 season is likely seen as shocking to many within the sport as Sanchez has impressed mightily behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet.
