NASCAR chief says lack of spending cap lets three teams dominate races

As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series reaches its midpoint, three teams—23XI Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports—have secured fifteen of the season's wins through drivers Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott. NASCAR chief Steve O'Donnell said on a recent interview that the series currently operates without a spending ceiling, even though roughly 70% of Cup teams would back such a measure. He warned that allowing three organizations to dominate every event could alienate fans.

O'Donnell explained that a cap is hard to police because many owners fund their teams through diverse enterprises, blurring the line between personal and team finances. While the Next Gen car and a new charter agreement have reduced some financial disparities, the absence of a cap remains a contentious issue, with the winning teams unlikely to support it.