The NASCAR silly season has been almost non-existent in 2025, with the majority of top drivers in the Cup Series signed to multi-year deals or having agreed to extensions before the summer. While the top-tier drivers are safe in their seats for next season, there are a few others who might be fighting over the next few weeks to secure a spot in the Cup Series for 2026.

Let’s examine our list of the NASCAR drivers on the hot seat nearing the end of the regular season.

Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Trackhouse Racing has already confirmed that Daniel Suarez won’t return after this season. What puts the 33-year-old among the NASCAR drivers on the hot seat is the fact that he’s racing for his future in the Cup Series. Suarez’s results this season – 29th in NASCAR standings – suggest he’ll have to settle for a ride with a bottom-tier team or spend next season as a top competitor in the Xfinity Series. The Cup level certainly pays more, but long-term viability at this playing field might be more likely if he dominates at the Xfinity level next year.

Related: Biggest Surprises, Disappointments in NASCAR this season, including Daniel Suarez

Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Cole Custer has had plenty of opportunities in the Cup Series in recent years. After a three-year stint (2020 through 2022), he returned to the Cup level with the Haas Factory Team for the 2025 campaign. While he certainly hasn’t been helped by driving one of the weakest cars in the field, it’s also becoming clear that this level might be too much for him. Across 20 races this season, Custer is one of just two drivers (along with Cody Ware) with five or fewer top-20 finishes. Nepotism is keeping Ware in his seat next season; Custer doesn’t have that advantage. The fact of the matter is that he might only be good enough for the Xfinity Series.

Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

The antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing could give Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick the ability to leave and sign with other teams if there aren’t charters available for them in 2025. Even if that scenario doesn’t fully materialize, the amount of money 23XI Racing is spending on this legal fight — along with the financial impact of running as an open team — is significant. That situation puts Riley Herbst on particularly dangerous footing. He’s been one of the least competitive NASCAR drivers in 2025, currently sitting 35th in points (258), with an abysmal average finishing position of 25.45. The sponsorship money he brings from Monster Energy is the primary reason he remains in the seat. If 23XI Racing needs to cut costs further or loses its third charter, Herbst could be forced to return to the Xfinity Series.

Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports Credit: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Carson Hocevar looks like an emerging star for Spire Motorsports, and Michael McDowell gives the team a shot at every road course. Together, Hocevar and McDowell have combined for seven top-10s and four top-5s. All of this is to say that equipment isn’t the reason Justin Haley finds himself 32nd in points this season, with just a single top-10 finish and only three laps led through 20 races. Consecutive seasons finishing outside the top 30 in the standings are bound to catch up with him, and it should come as no surprise that there is at least some buzz that he could be replaced this offseason.

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Of all the NASCAR drivers considered on the hot seat, Alex Bowman is by far on the safest ground. He’s currently tied for the fifth-most top-10 finishes in the Cup Series and ranks 10th in laps led this season. However, what at least puts him on the watch list is the fact that he’s viewed as the “fourth car” at Hendrick Motorsports—a team with championship-level expectations for all its drivers. Bowman has only one win over the last three seasons, which raises questions about long-term upside. If a top-tier driver were to become available, such as if Tyler Reddick leaves his current ride, Bowman’s seat could potentially be in jeopardy.

NFL, MLB & college football writer for Sportsnaut. Graduated from San Diego State University with BA in Journalism, 2019. ... More about Matt Johnson