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Nick Sanchez Lands Last-Minute 2026 NASCAR Deal With AM Racing
The 24-year-old driver secures a new opportunity after a surprise exit from Big Machine Racing.
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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Nick Sanchez, a 24-year-old NASCAR driver, has signed a deal to race for AM Racing in the 2026 season. Sanchez had a solid rookie campaign in 2025, winning his first race and finishing 11th in the standings, but was unexpectedly released from his contract with Big Machine Racing. With the 2026 season just days away, Sanchez has now landed a new opportunity with AM Racing, where he will pilot the No. 25 Dark Horse Ford Mustang.
Why it matters
Sanchez's sudden exit from Big Machine Racing had created uncertainty about his NASCAR future, but this new deal with AM Racing provides him a chance to continue his career and build on the success he had in his rookie season. For AM Racing, the signing of Sanchez represents an important addition as the team looks to build on its surprise playoff appearance in 2025 after a proposed merger fell through.
The details
Sanchez had a breakout rookie season in 2025, winning at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) and recording seven top-five finishes and 12 top-10s. However, his momentum was abruptly halted when he was released from his contract with Big Machine Racing during the offseason. With just days remaining before the 2026 season opener at Daytona International Speedway, AM Racing stepped in to sign Sanchez, who will now drive the No. 25 Dark Horse Ford Mustang alongside part-time driver Daniel Dye.
- Sanchez won his first NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) in 2025.
- Sanchez was released from his contract with Big Machine Racing during the 2025 offseason.
- Sanchez has signed a deal to drive for AM Racing in the 2026 NASCAR season, which opens on February 14 at Daytona International Speedway.
The players
Nick Sanchez
A 24-year-old NASCAR driver who had a breakout rookie season in 2025 before being unexpectedly released from his contract with Big Machine Racing.
AM Racing
A Statesville, N.C.-based NASCAR team that has signed Sanchez to drive the No. 25 Dark Horse Ford Mustang in the 2026 season, providing him a new opportunity after his departure from Big Machine Racing.
Daniel Dye
A part-time driver who will also compete for AM Racing in the 2026 season.
Big Machine Racing
The team that Sanchez drove for in 2025 before being released from his contract during the offseason.
Tyler Reddick
A NASCAR driver who scored a victory for Big Machine Racing at Texas in 2022, the last time the team had visited Victory Lane prior to Sanchez's win in 2025.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
The 2026 NASCAR season will open at Daytona International Speedway on February 14 with the United Rentals 300 race, where Sanchez will make his debut for AM Racing.
The takeaway
Sanchez's new opportunity with AM Racing provides him a chance to build on the success he had in his rookie season and continue his NASCAR career after the unexpected end of his time with Big Machine Racing. The team's signing of Sanchez also represents an important addition as AM Racing looks to build on its surprise playoff appearance in 2025.
