As the NASCAR season draws to a close, fans and insiders alike have been left in the dark about what’s in store for 2026. But here’s where it gets exciting: two drivers have finally broken the silence, revealing their plans for the upcoming season—and it’s big news for their teams and fans. On Saturday morning, Jesse Love and Justin Allgaier stepped up to confirm their commitments, putting an end to months of speculation.
Both drivers shared their 2026 racing plans during media sessions at Talladega Superspeedway, a track known for its high-speed thrills and dramatic finishes. Jesse Love will return to Richard Childress Racing for a third consecutive season, piloting the iconic No. 2 car. Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier will continue his long-standing partnership with JR Motorsports, driving the No. 7 for an impressive 11th straight season.
And this is the part most people miss: Love isn’t just settling for another Xfinity Series run. He’s got his eyes on the Cup Series, expressing hope to compete in more of those races next season if the opportunity arises. With five Cup starts already under his belt and a career-best finish of 24th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Love is clearly hungry for more.
In the Xfinity Series, Love has been a force to reckon with. Behind the wheel of the No. 2 Chevrolet for 63 races, he’s secured two wins—one at Talladega and another at Daytona—and has made the playoffs in both of his seasons. Even more impressive? He’s finished in the top 10 in over 60% of his starts, proving his consistency and skill.
Allgaier, on the other hand, has been a staple at JR Motorsports since joining in 2016 after two seasons in the Cup Series. With 25 wins and a championship to his name, he currently ranks ninth all-time in Xfinity Series victories. But here’s where it gets controversial: with just four more wins, he could climb to sixth place in the record books. Does he have what it takes? Absolutely—but there’s a wrinkle.
After this season, Allgaier’s crew chief, Jim Pohlman, will be moving to Richard Childress Racing to join Kyle Busch and the No. 8 team. This leaves a big question mark: who will replace Pohlman? Allgaier doesn’t have the answer yet, and he’s made it clear he doesn’t want the search to begin until after the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Why? Because he and Pohlman have one last goal: capping off their partnership with a second consecutive championship.
‘There’s nobody who wants to win the championship as much as he does,’ Allgaier said on Saturday. ‘That gives me comfort. We’re not in a lame-duck situation where he’s just waiting to move on. He’s 100% committed to winning this year, and that’s encouraging. We all want to send him off with that championship.’
Now, here’s the thought-provoking question: With Pohlman’s departure, will Allgaier’s performance be affected, or will this fuel his determination to prove he can win with a new crew chief? And for Love, can he make the leap to the Cup Series while maintaining his dominance in Xfinity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!
