NASCAR Teams Facing Most Pressure Heading Into 2026 Season

Kevin Harvick and Bob Pockrass identify the organizations with the most to prove in the upcoming year.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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According to NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick and FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass, Richard Childress Racing and 23XI Racing are the teams facing the most pressure heading into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Pockrass cited RCR's driver uncertainty and internal changes, while Harvick pointed to 23XI's rising expectations after recent progress, especially Bubba Wallace's win at Indianapolis. Both experts agree that 2026 could be a pivotal year in defining the trajectory of these organizations.

Why it matters

As the new NASCAR season approaches, certain teams are under more scrutiny than others to perform and prove their worth. The pressure on RCR and 23XI Racing highlights the high stakes and evolving landscape of the sport, where established programs and new upstarts alike must consistently deliver results to maintain their standing.

The details

Pockrass identified RCR as the team facing the most pressure, citing the uncertainty surrounding driver Kyle Busch's future and the organization's need to get things right with a new crew chief. He also pointed to questions about the team's pipeline of young talent, with prospects like Austin Hill and Jesse Love looking for Cup opportunities while veterans currently occupy those seats. Harvick, on the other hand, believes the spotlight is on 23XI Racing, particularly on driver Tyler Reddick, whom Harvick expects to become a regular winner and leader of the team. Harvick also noted that 23XI's co-owners, Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, have high expectations and will not settle for anything less than championship contention.

  • The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is approaching.

The players

Kevin Harvick

A veteran NASCAR driver and host of the Happy Hour podcast.

Bob Pockrass

A veteran FOX Sports reporter covering NASCAR.

Richard Childress Racing

A long-established NASCAR team facing uncertainty and internal changes.

23XI Racing

A relatively new NASCAR team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, with high expectations for the upcoming season.

Kyle Busch

A veteran NASCAR driver who is a free agent and a key part of the uncertainty surrounding Richard Childress Racing.

Austin Dillon

A driver for Richard Childress Racing whose future is also a question mark.

Austin Hill

A NASCAR prospect looking for a Cup Series opportunity, potentially at Richard Childress Racing.

Jesse Love

The reigning Xfinity Series champion, also seeking a Cup Series opportunity.

Bubba Wallace

A driver for 23XI Racing who won at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, helping to raise the team's profile.

Tyler Reddick

A driver for 23XI Racing who Harvick expects to become a regular winner and leader of the team.

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What they’re saying

“To me, it's RCR. You talk about Kyle Busch being a free agent. Can you get things right with a new crew chief and make him feel like this is where he wants to keep racing?”

— Bob Pockrass, FOX Sports reporter (on3.com)

“For me, it's 23XI. We gave them a mulligan last year. They expect them to go out and contend for a championship.”

— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver and podcast host (on3.com)

“He went there to win races and he's been there long enough to win races. You're expecting multiple wins out of that car.”

— Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver and podcast host (on3.com)

What’s next

As the 2026 NASCAR season approaches, the pressure will continue to mount on Richard Childress Racing and 23XI Racing to deliver results and prove their worth in the highly competitive Cup Series.

The takeaway

The 2026 NASCAR season will be a pivotal year for several teams, with Richard Childress Racing and 23XI Racing facing the most scrutiny. The ability of these organizations to navigate driver uncertainty, internal changes, and rising expectations will be crucial in determining their long-term trajectories in the sport.