Peterson Racing Releases Driver Austin Green
The team will use Lee Pulliam and Nick Sanchez for the final races of the 2026 season.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Motorsports
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Peterson Racing has parted ways with driver Austin Green, removing him from his final three scheduled races of the 2026 season. The organization also issued an apology regarding its recent social media interactions following the driver change.
Why it matters
The sudden lineup change and team response have drawn significant attention to the organizations internal communication and social media moderation policies. These moves precede a major expansion for the team in the upcoming racing year.
Austin Green spent 3 seasons with the team and finished 23rd at Charlotte Motor Speedway in his final outing. Lee Pulliam is slated to drive the No. 87 Chevrolet for upcoming races before taking the seat full-time in 2027.
The players
Austin Green
He is a professional race car driver who competed for Peterson Racing for three seasons.
Peterson Racing
This is a professional auto racing organization that fields entries in national series.
Lee Pulliam
He is a professional driver scheduled to pilot the No. 87 vehicle for the team in 2027.
Nick Sanchez
He is a professional race car driver slated to drive the No. 87 vehicle in the 2026 season finale.
Harrison Burton
He is a professional race car driver set to join the team to drive a new No. 78 Chevrolet in 2027.
The details
After the team staff directed social media inquiries to the driver, Peterson Racing blocked several accounts and vowed to review its moderation practices. Lee Pulliam will take over the No. 87 entry for races at Talladega and Martinsville, while Nick Sanchez handles the season finale at Homestead-Miami.
Timeline
Austin Green began his tenure with Peterson Racing in 2023.
Green was scheduled to complete a full season in 2026.
Peterson Racing issued an official apology on Wednesday in October 2026.
Lee Pulliam will assume the No. 87 car full-time starting in 2027.
Season Trajectory
This roster shift significantly alters the team's operational strategy for the final stretch of the 2026 campaign. The move sets the foundation for a 2027 expansion that includes a new No. 78 entry alongside the existing No. 87 car.
Fans should note that Lee Pulliam is now locked into the No. 87 car for the remaining events at Talladega and Martinsville. This adjustment impacts the entry list for the season finale at Homestead-Miami, where Nick Sanchez will take over driving duties.
The takeaway
Team organizations often prioritize mid-season roster adjustments to test new personnel for upcoming yearly campaigns. Following social media controversies, teams are increasingly refining their public moderation strategies to maintain brand integrity.
Further reading
Find more updates on team rosters and series schedules in the United States Motorsports section.
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