Branching Out: Several Cup Drivers Utilizing NASCAR's Rule Change for 'Racing Down' in 2026
- Kelsey Christman
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
KELSEY CHRISTMAN - STAFF WRITER
Starting this season, drivers with three years of full-time experience in the Cup Series may race in up to 8 Craftsman Truck races per season and 10 O’Reilly races. Those with less will have the opportunity to compete in even more. Many will use the increased numbers to their full advantage. The increase in races not only allows more seat time and competition for wins for the Cup Series drivers, but also is designed to promote mentorship for the up and comers within the lower divisions.
This season will include a Craftsman Truck Series debut for one veteran Cup Series driver. With nearly 600 starts across NASCAR, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has yet to enter a truck race. That will change, as he will drive the 45 truck for Niece Motorsports at Daytona and Atlanta to kick off the year. Niece’s investor, J.F. Electric, will be the primary sponsor. Greg Fowler, CEO of J.F., Electric says that Stenhouse Jr. “gives our team a real opportunity to contend for the win.” Ricky has previously excelled on superspeedways, with two wins at both Talladega and Daytona. For the full 8 race schedule allowed, Ross Chastain will pilot the 45 for Niece Motorsports in his 9th season with the team. He brought them their first victory back in 2019.
Still, there are more notable one-offs and appearances in the Truck Series. Jimmie Johnson will be piloting the 1 truck for Tricon Garage when NASCAR arrives in San Diego, while Tony Stewart returns to NASCAR for the first time in a decade with Kaulig on Friday night at Daytona. Halmar Friesen Racing will be bringing 2021 Truck Series regular season champion John Hunter Nemechek back into the truck series for Daytona in the 62. Corey LaJoie, who has returned to the Cup Series under a part-time schedule with RFK Racing, will launch the 2026 season for Henderson Racing at Daytona in the 75.
Without a full-time driver with the Truck Series program for Spire Motorsports, the 7 and 77 will be considered “All Star Trucks” by the team with a rotation of drivers taking to the track. Carson Hocevar and Michael McDowell will begin this feature in Daytona with Hocevar in the 77 and McDowell in the 7. Carson Hocevar, who has not yet reached the 3 year veteran status associated with the race entry limitations, will be in numerous races for the team. The agreement has been described to include “all eligible Truck Series races that serve as companion events to the Cup Series through Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in July” per a spokesman from Spire Motorsports. Kyle Busch will continue his relationship with Spire for the full 8 races in 2026 as well.
In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, JR Motorsports will be rotating all four Hendrick Motorsports
drivers within the 88 car along with Rajah Caruth part time in the car. William Byron and Kyle
Larson each have three races, while Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott will pilot the car in two
races each. Connor Zilisch will also return to his former team to race the 88 in select races throughout the season.
Zilisch's Trackhouse Motorsports teammates Ross Chastain and Shane Van
Gisbergen will be making secondary series appearances as well. Chastain’s extensive seat time continues with two teams in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Jordan Anderson Racing opened the opportunity with the 32 Chevrelot for four races. Chastain will begin at Atlanta, and then proceed with three road courses to follow. With JR Motorsports, Ross will race select races in the 9 car. Also, in the 9 car for JrRMotorsports, Shane Van Gisbergen will be receiving seat time in select races for the second year with the team.
In addition to his truck effort, Carson Hocevar will be competing in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with the Young’s Motorsports 42 at the season opener in Daytona. He will be the only driver competing in all three series during Speedweeks. Finally, SS GreenLight has opened 5 seat opportunities to the Haas Factory Racing driver, Cole Custer, in the 0. This car will be shared with Alex Labbe and Garrett Smithley throughout the 2026 season.