A fresh rumor circulating through NASCAR gossip channels suggests that TeamāÆPenske has quietly secured a current Xfinity Series driverāsomeone not affiliated with Fordāunder contract. With no official name released, the speculation has ignited the Silly Season chatter

š§ The Clues So Far
1. Not a Ford-aligned talent
Penske doesnāt currently run an Xfinity team (they exited after AustināÆCindric moved to Cup in 2021), but insiders picked up a key detail: the mystery driver ādoesnāt drive a Fordā .
2. Hidden contract ahead of 2026 reboot?
If Penskeās preparing to relaunch its Xfinity program next yearāor planning to place the driver with an affiliateāit would explain the private move .
3. Podcast confirmation
Sources behind the āClosing Lapsā podcast reportedly confirmed there is indeed a Penske Xfinity deal in the worksāand itās not a Ford-based signing .
āļø Who Fits the Profile?
With Fords eliminated, speculation centers on a few standout Chevrolet and Toyota drivers:
CarsonāÆKvapil (JRM/Chevy): A popular pick among fans and insiders . NickāÆSanchez (Big Machine/Chevy): With manufacturer backing and strong connections via ScottāÆBorchetta, heās a logical candidate . JesseāÆLove (RCRāÆChevy): Viewed as arguably Cup-readyāwith two wins in 2025 and praise from Jimmie Johnsonāheās a top contender .
š§© Whatās at Stake
Reviving Xfinity operations: Penske has sat out Xfinity since 2021. Cementing a developmental contract could mean a full team return in 2026. Cup lineup shake-up: With Logano and Blaney locked in, and Cindricās seat under scrutiny, Penske may be positioning this driver as a future Cup contender . Silly Season strategy: If true, the move signals Penskeās long-term visionāand could prompt ripple effects across Chevrolet and Toyota-aligned teams.
š Fan & Insider Reaction
Reddit chatter captures the excitement and mystery:
āEveryone seems to be convinced itās Kvapil for some reason.ā
āNickāÆSanchez clearly has someone backing himā¦and ScottāÆBorchetta⦠means he already has a working relationship with Roger.ā
š What to Watch Next
Charter announcements: Penske may lease out or retool a charter for this driverās entry in 2026. Official drops: Sponsorship deals, test entries, or team statements could reveal the truth early next season. Silly Season dominoes: As Cup spots evolve, Penskeās secret poaching could trigger broader team swaps.
šÆ Bottom Line
TeamāÆPenskeās alleged clandestine deal is one of the biggest yet in the 2025 Silly Season. Poaching a nonāFord Xfinity talent hints at strategic maneuversāpossibly rebooting their Xfinity program and shaping a Cup contender behind the scenes. Whether itās Kvapil, Sanchez, Love, or another rising star, this mystery hire could be a game-changer.
Whatās your bet? Who do you think Penske already has under contractāand how do you see it reshaping the NASCAR landscape?