Patrick Staropoli
Big Machine Racing
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Nick Sanchez is out at Big Machine Racing and in is Staropoli. He takes over the No. 48 Chevrolet for the upcoming season and has some decent sized shoes to fill. Youngster Sanchez drove this car to one win and 12 Top 10's last season, finishing a respectable 11th-place in the final standings. Staropoli is 36-years-old, but in terms of experience he's frankly a "rookie" in seat time. With just nine-combined starts between the Craftsman Truck Series and O'Reilly Series, he has a lot to learn yet about racing in NASCAR's second largest touring series. With a full-slate of racing ahead of him in 2026, Staropoli will be learning on the job. Patrick Donahue will work with him at crew chief and bring his 351 O'Reilly series starts at chief to help lessen the learning curve a bit. Read Past Outlooks
Moving to Big Machine Racing
Staropoli is continuing his journey into the stock car racing world. In 2026, he will replace Nick Sanchez as the full-time driver of the No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet, Motorsport.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Staropoli made just four Truck Series starts last season and only four in the O'Reilly Series as well. The 36-year-old driver managed a pair of Top 20's in that effort in NASCAR's junior division. Staropoli now gets a big chance to kickstart his racing career as he takes over the No. 48 Chevrolet full-time for the 2026 season.
Staropoli made just four Truck Series starts last season and only four in the O'Reilly Series as well. The 36-year-old driver managed a pair of Top 20's in that effort in NASCAR's junior division. Staropoli now gets a big chance to kickstart his racing career as he takes over the No. 48 Chevrolet full-time for the 2026 season.
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