Ty Dillon has officially stated that he will compete as a full-time driver for Kaulig Racing in 2026, an announcement shared by Sirius XM NASCAR via X. This development ensures that the Ty Dillon Kaulig Racing 2026 partnership will continue, reflecting Dillon’s pursuit of greater stability in his NASCAR Cup Series journey.
Dillon’s Return to the No. 10 Chevrolet with Sea Best Back as Sponsor
Earlier concerns about Dillon’s future were addressed when Kaulig Racing confirmed he will remain with the organization, piloting the No. 10 Chevrolet next season. In addition, Sea Best, a previous supporter, is set to sponsor the team for eight races in 2026, marking a multi-year partnership that began in 2024. Continuity on race day is also confirmed as Andrew Dickeson will serve as crew chief, maintaining the same leadership team Dillon had throughout the prior season.
Through a message broadcast by Sirius XM NASCAR’s account, Dillon directly addressed his plans for the upcoming year:
“I’m going to be back full-time with Kaulig Racing again.”
This confirmation follows Dillon’s five-race run for Kaulig Racing in 2024, after which he shifted to a full-time driver in 2025. He finished the 2025 season ranked 33rd, but his standout performance in the inaugural In Season Challenge, where he reached the final at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before losing to Gibbs, was a testament to his ability to perform under pressure.
Since his 2014 Cup debut, Dillon has now committed to seven full-time seasons, navigating challenges and creating meaningful partnerships such as the ongoing collaboration with Sea Best. The sponsor’s return signals confidence in Dillon’s competitive prospects and the Kaulig Racing program.
Las Vegas Crash Provides a Defining Test in Dillon’s Season
One of the most pivotal events affecting Dillon’s recent trajectory occurred during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In this race, Ty Dillon faced a major setback when his day ended abruptly following a significant crash involving William Byron. Byron, who had qualified in the top five, was running near the front, while Dillon started further back from 35th position and struggled with car pace from the opening laps.
As the race neared its final stages with 31 laps remaining, Dillon began to slow for pit entry. Byron, pursuing a top spot in second position, came upon Dillon’s No. 10 Chevrolet too quickly, resulting in a heavy rear-end collision. John Hunter Nemechek became involved in the aftermath but managed to rejoin the race. The collision forced both Dillon and Byron out of contention, drastically affecting their final results—Byron would finish thirty-sixth and Dillon thirty-seventh. Nemechek eventually completed the race in twenty-ninth.
Reflecting on the incident, Dillon spoke with members of the media and offered his perspective:
“Yeah, it was a rough day for our team. There was something wrong with our car, and we were hoping to get back to the shop and diagnose that… Unfortunately, I hate it for Hendrick and the Chevrolet guys it happened that way. I’m not even looking out the mirror at that point. I’m just trying to hit my marks to get on pit road.” — Ty Dillon, Driver
He added, “He hit me hard. Unfortunate way for that to happen. That was pretty much the line I had taken (to the pits) all day. I don’t think I was egregious in that. Maybe just a lack of information being transferred.” — Ty Dillon, Driver
Despite the setback at Las Vegas, Dillon was able to demonstrate determination through the rest of his season. The crash, while a notable low point, did not define his campaign. Instead, his resilience and ability to rebound became key themes as he looked ahead to solidifying his place with Kaulig Racing for the Ty Dillon Kaulig Racing 2026 effort.
Looking Forward: Implications of the Full-Time Return
Ty Dillon’s confirmation as a full-time driver in 2026 and the return of both Sea Best and crew chief Andrew Dickeson provide a sense of consistency and support that had often eluded him earlier in his Cup Series career. The partnership with Kaulig Racing, along with the show of trust from sponsors and team leadership, sets the stage for Dillon to capitalize on his experience and potentially achieve improved results.
Heading into the new season, Dillon’s focus will be on translating persistence and lessons learned—such as the difficulties of the Las Vegas crash—into stronger finishes and more competitive outings. Fans and observers will watch closely as the Ty Dillon Kaulig Racing 2026 campaign progresses, to see whether this newly secured stability can propel him closer to the front of the field.
