Posted on by Staff Report

Stewart Friesen will return to the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota for the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, Friesen confirmed in a Thursday interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Friesen, a four-time winner in the Truck Series, was injured in a July 2025 crash while racing a dirt modified in Quebec, Canada, fracturing his pelvis and right leg in a crash that sent his No. 44 car flipping before catching fire in a Super DIRTcar Series event.

RELATED: 2026 Truck Series schedule

The crash sidelined him for the rest of the 2025 season, with Cup Series regular Christopher Bell filling in for Friesen at Watkins Glen International before Kaden Honeycutt substituted for the conclusion of the season, earning a Championship 4 berth in the process. On Dec. 5, Friesen posted a video to his X account showing his first steps without assistance since his accident, bouncing back from a reconstructed pelvis, right tibia and fibula, and recovering from a fractured C7 vertebra and fractured left hip.

Friesen told SiriusXM’s “The Morning Drive” that his recovery has gone well and that he’s ready to climb back behind the wheel of his No. 52 Toyota after multiple sessions on the manufacturer’s simulator as he prepares for competition.

“It’s going very well,” Friesen told SiriusXM of his recovery. “The last month, I’ve been making some leaps and bounds. No more crutches, no more cane, walking pretty normal and just trying to work out as much as I can. Still doing a lot of physical therapy and anticipating a return at Daytona here in just over a month.

“I feel great. I’ve done some sim over at TRD in Salisbury, (North Carolina) a few times. I had another session yesterday morning that went really well and really, really looking forward to getting back into action and getting back to normal and getting rolling here to start the season.”

Friesen said his time spent in recovery has allowed him time to reflect on making his dirt modified race cars safer, but the 42-year-old Canadian has no intentions of slowing down either.

“It’s been a long process, but at the end of the day, I’m a racer. It’s what I love to do,” Friesen said. “I’ve wanted to do this since I was probably 8, 9 years old, growing up around a race track and then racing my whole life. It’s just something that we do, and I don’t think I could go through life the same way not being in the seat or not wanting to be in the seat. I feel like I’ve still got a couple more decent years in my prime left before I gotta hang up the Simpsons (seat belts). But right now, that’s the goal — get back to what I love to do and what our family does and go back racing.”

Friesen anticipates getting back behind the wheel of a big-block dirt modified in early February at All-Tech Raceway as well as Volusia Speedway Park before climbing back into his No. 52 Toyota, but admitted his prior commitment of 50 to 60 dirt races per year may be scaled back in 2026.

HFR will also field the No. 62 Toyota full time in the new year, Friesen said, with multiple drivers filling out the 25-race schedule.

The No. 52 truck finished third in the 2025 owners points standings, the team’s best result since going full time in 2018. Friesen credited Honeycutt for his professionalism and talent leading to a Championship 4 berth.

“What a great race car driver and great person, first off,” Friesen said. “Young racer, super passionate about racing. I mean, you see him run almost every division he could at the Snowball Derby. Comes from a dirt-racing background in East Texas. And I think the Toyota guys made a really, really good pick in Kaden to jump in and replace Corey (Heim, defending series champion) in the 11 truck over at Tricon. …

“It was cool for him to jump in my seat and work with him. I was logged into every sim session that he did, and all the races, obviously listening on the radio, and just a great race-car driver. And it really helped our team to develop and make a championship push. That was awesome. That was all we could ask for. He did a great job and got us another, maybe, rung up the ladder with the building of this race team.”

The 2026 Truck Series season begins with the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 13 (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, NRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Posted on by Staff Report

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson will return to the Craftsman Truck Series with Tricon Garage to compete in the June 19 race at Naval Base Coronado.

Johnson, a native of nearby El Cajon, California, will drive the No. 1 Carvana Toyota for Tricon on the 16-turn, 3.4-mile San Diego street course in NASCAR’s inaugural race on an active United States military base. An 83-time Cup Series winner, Johnson is also set to compete in the Anduril 250, the June 21 race for the NASCAR Cup Series featuring the same scenic San Diego backdrop.

MORE: 2026 Truck Series schedule | Johnson guaranteed 2026 Daytona 500 start

The start will mark Johnson’s second appearance in the Craftsman Truck Series, making his lone start back in 2008 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“Racing in San Diego means everything to me — it’s home,” Johnson said in a release. “Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while. The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special. I’m grateful to Tricon and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”

Carvana will also serve as Johnson’s primary sponsor in the NASCAR Cup Series event on his No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE, one of two Cup starts slated for Johnson in 2026 — the other being the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

The 2026 Craftsman Truck Series season begins with the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1, NRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Posted on by Nathan Solomon

Editor’s note: Today’s Haas Factory Team preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2026 Cup Series season.

HAAS FACTORY TEAM

Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: Hendrick Motorsports
Driver-crew chief pairing: Cole Custer-Aaron Kramer (No. 41)

Team outlook: Heading into its second Cup Series season, Haas Factory Team has a big change on the way, aligning with Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports in 2026. The organization previously raced underneath the Ford banner, dating back to 2017 during the Stewart-Haas Racing era. But with the new partnership, the Gene Haas-owned enterprise is hoping to take the next step and reap the rewards for both Cole Custer in the No. 41 Chevrolet, as well as the team’s two O’Reilly Auto Parts Series entries piloted by Sam Mayer and Sheldon Creed.

RELATED: Haas Factory Team aligns with Chevrolet in 2026

COLE CUSTER, NO. 41 CHEVROLET

Experience: Four full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 153 starts
2025 stats: 32nd in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 2 top fives, 3 top 10s, 0 poles, 10 laps led

Driver outlook: Custer made a return to Cup in 2025 after two seasons back in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, winning the title in 2023. While he struggled most of the season, he nearly pulled off a pair of superspeedway victories late in the season at Daytona and Talladega. Certainly, a learning curve is expected with a new manufacturer in 2026, but Custer has his eyes set on a return to Victory Lane for the first time since 2020, when he won at Kentucky as a rookie. Expect the 27-year-old from Ladera Ranch, California, to contend at the early-season drafting tracks, and as 2026 progresses, he’ll likely be a candidate for a bounce-back season.

MORE: Cole Custer driver page

Posted on by Staff Report

Jimmie Johnson and Legacy Motor Club will utilize the Open Exemption Provisional to guarantee Johnson’s spot as the 41st car in the 2026 Daytona 500, NASCAR officials confirmed Wednesday.

Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer, will drive the No. 84 Carvana Toyota in the 68th running of the “Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 15 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

MORE: 2026 Cup Series schedule

NASCAR created the OEP ahead of the 2025 season as a guaranteed “promoter’s choice” provisional in a given NASCAR Cup Series field for accomplished, world-class drivers from NASCAR or other forms of motorsports. Trackhouse Racing became the first team to utilize the provisional in the 2025 Daytona 500 to allow four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Hélio Castroneves to make his NASCAR debut. Revisions to the application of the provisional now mandate a 41-car field whenever the provisional is granted. This differs from last year, when the Duel at Daytona qualifying races determined whether Castroneves would need to rely upon the provisional to make the starting field, typically capped at 40 cars.

RELATED: Jimmie Johnson driver page

Because Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 champion, will start the Daytona 500 via the provisional, he will be eligible to compete for the race win, the trophy and All-Star Race eligibility, but he will not be eligible to receive championship points or prize money from the event.

An 83-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series and team owner of Legacy Motor Club, Johnson retired from full-time competition following the 2020 campaign and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2024 before returning to competition on a part-time basis in 2023 with LMC. Johnson is currently scheduled to drive the No. 84 Toyota in both the Daytona 500 and the June 21 race at Naval Base Coronado near San Diego, NASCAR’s first race on an active United States military base and near Johnson’s hometown of El Cajon, California.

Posted on by Staff Report

Reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love is going back to his roots next week by competing in the 40th running of the Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink.

The Chili Bowl, scheduled to take place from Jan. 12-17 inside the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the largest Midget car racing event in the world.

The event annually draws more than 300 entries from across the globe to compete on a temporary, quarter-mile dirt oval built inside the SageNet Center.

Love, 20, will compete in a Midget car owned by Hendrick Motorsports’ Blake Harris, crew chief for Alex Bowman in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Jesse Love
Jesse Love most recently competed in the Chili Bowl in 2024. (Photo: Nick Oxford/NASCAR)

This will mark Love’s fourth Chili Bowl attempt dating back to 2021. He has not qualified for the championship finale in his three previous attempts, with his best effort being a 13th-place finish in a B-Main in 2021.

Prior to his NASCAR career, Love, the 2023 ARCA Menards Series title winner and two-time West Series champ, honed his skills racing on dirt tracks across the country. The Menlo Park, California native has multiple Midget car victories on his résumé.

Beginning with Sunday’s practice (10 a.m. ET), all seven days and nights of the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink will be shown live on FloRacing. Preliminary night racing begins Monday at 4 p.m. ET.

Posted on by Kobe Lambeth

Editor’s note: Today’s Rick Ware Racing preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2026 Cup Series season.

RICK WARE RACING

Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: ECR Engines
Driver-crew chief pairings: Cody Ware-Billy Plourde (No. 51)

Team outlook: Rick Ware Racing will switch to Chevrolet ahead of the 2026 Cup Series season after fielding Ford entries since 2022. To go along with the new General Motors partnership, RWR will begin a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing and use ECR Engines. This move could elevate the No. 51 team’s performance and put them on the right track toward being more competitive at NASCAR’s premier level. 

RELATED: Rick Ware Racing switches to Chevrolet for 2026, forms alliance with RCR 

CODY WARE, NO. 51 CHEVROLET

Experience: Two full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series; 142 starts
2025 stats: 36th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s, 0 poles, 32 laps led
2026 championship odds (DraftKings): 200-1

Driver outlook: In his first full Cup Series season since 2022, Ware’s 2025 campaign was challenging, but he had two standout performances at a pair of drafting-style tracks. His best finish of the year was 13th in the summer race at EchoPark Speedway, but his most memorable was the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway with an opportunity to win his way into the playoffs. Although Ware settled for a 20th-place finish at the 2.5-mile superspeedway in Daytona Beach, he shone under the Florida lights by leading 23 laps and holding his ground against other drivers looking to make a last-ditch postseason push. Looking ahead to 2026, the goal for Ware should be simple: show progress compared to last year and take full advantage of the new alliances with Chevrolet and RCR to push the No. 51 Chevrolet further up the grid.

MORE: Cody Ware driver page

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

COLUMBUS, Ohio. (Jan. 7, 2026) — Justice, the leading fashion and lifestyle brand for tween girls, is excited to announce its newest collaboration with NASCAR, bringing the high-energy world of motorsports to tween fashion through an exclusive, sport-inspired apparel collection.

This dynamic partnership blends Justice’s vibrant, trend-driven aesthetic with NASCAR’s iconic racing legacy, resulting in a bold collection that celebrates fandom, self-expression and confidence. Designed for tween girls, the NASCAR x Justice collection delivers playful graphics, sporty silhouettes, and nostalgic racing details — all reimagined in a way that feels fun, wearable, and full of personality.

Launching at the start of the new year, the collection features standout hero pieces, including the NASCAR x Justice Bomber Jacket, a statement layering piece with racing-inspired patches and bold color blocking, Flare Denim with a retro edge, a White Oversized Graphic Tee featuring iconic NASCAR graphics and a cozy Heather Fleece Hoodie and Jogger set designed for all-day comfort. Each style is designed for easy mix-and-match dressing, taking tweens from school days to weekend adventures with confidence and ease.

The collection includes over 33 styles, with prices starting at $7, making it accessible for everyday wear and gifting.

“At NASCAR, we’re focused on creating meaningful connections with the next generation of fans,” said Megan Malayter, vice president of licensing and consumer products at NASCAR. “This collaboration with Justice allows us to engage girls and families in a fun, authentic way that brings together fashion, sport and community.”

As part of the launch, Justice has partnered with seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and his family to bring the collection to life in a meaningful, family-forward way. Johnson’s daughters serve as the faces of the NASCAR x Justice collection, modeling the styles and helping highlight the joyful, inclusive spirit behind the collaboration. The partnership will come to life through social content and authentic family storytelling tied to one of NASCAR’s most iconic racing events.

“The NASCAR x Justice collection encourages tweens to embrace the confidence that comes with celebrating what they love, while offering guardians accessible, age-appropriate styles they can feel good about,” said Elizabeth McCusker, vice president of marketing for Justice. “This collaboration reflects the growing influence of fandom-driven fashion and the exciting way iconic brands can connect across generations.”

The collection officially launched on Jan. 4, 2026, alongside a national sweepstakes celebrating the partnership. Fans have the opportunity to win a trip to the 2026 Daytona 500, including travel, accommodations and access to unforgettable race-week experiences. The sweepstakes reinforces Justice’s mission to create meaningful, memory-making moments for girls and families, both on and off the track.

Justice will also host an immersive branded activation at the Daytona 500, taking place Feb. 12–15, allowing fans to experience the collection up close in a dynamic, real-world setting. The on-site experience will feature interactive, family-friendly elements, styling moments and exclusive photo opportunities designed with young fans and families in mind.

NASCAR x Justice styles are available at Walmart stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com, with expanded in-store and digital availability rolling out in the weeks following launch.

Posted on by Official NASCAR Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 6, 2026) — NASCAR today announced that Steve Phelps has made the personal decision to step away from the company and his role as Commissioner of America’s top motorsport. Phelps, who joined NASCAR in 2005, will transition out of the company by the end of the month, leaving a legacy of leadership and a strategic vision that delivered significant growth and lasting innovation, championed equity and social justice initiatives and created industry-wide opportunities for all stakeholders.

“As a lifelong race fan, it gives me immense pride to have served as NASCAR’s first Commissioner and to lead our great sport through so many incredible challenges, opportunities and firsts over my 20 years,” said Steve Phelps. “Our sport is built on the passion of our fans, the dedication of our teams and partners and the commitment of our wonderful employees. It has been an honor to help synthesize the enthusiasm of long-standing NASCAR stakeholders with that of new entrants to our ecosystem, such as media partners, auto manufacturers, track operators and incredible racing talent. As I embark on new pursuits in sports and other industries, I want to thank the many colleagues, friends and especially the fans that have played such an important and motivational role in my career. Words cannot fully convey the deep appreciation I have for this life-changing experience, for the trust of the France family and for having a place in NASCAR’s amazing history.”

Under Phelps’s leadership, the sport has transformed its annual schedule with extraordinary new events and ‘bucket list’ fan experiences, reshaped its strategic vision, expanded its international footprint, secured long-term media rights and charter agreements and assembled a world-class leadership team focused on building the future of stock car racing with fan experience at its core. Among his most important priorities has been welcoming all fans into NASCAR. His other achievements include the integration of NASCAR’s landmark merger with ISC, launching the record-setting Next Gen race car in 2022 — only the seventh new vehicle in the sport’s history — and many other accomplishments that position the sport for continued success.

“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO, Jim France. “For decades, he has worked tirelessly to thrill fans, support teams, and execute a vision for the sport that has treated us all to some of the greatest moments in our nearly 80-year history. It’s been an honor to work alongside him in achieving the impossible, like being the first sport to return during Covid, or in delivering the unimaginable by launching new races in the LA Memorial Coliseum and NASCAR’s first-ever street race in downtown Chicago. Steve leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and collaboration with an unrelenting growth mindset.”

“Over his two decades at NASCAR, Steve has balanced strong leadership and a consistent pursuit of excellence with a sincere commitment to our fans,” said NASCAR Executive Vice Chair, Lesa France Kennedy. “He has helped to bring fans some of the best, most unforgettable moments in our history, and most importantly, he’s laid an incredible foundation for continued growth and success for the entire sport. A true consensus builder and passionate advocate, we thank Steve for bringing his intelligence, integrity and love of racing to this sport each and every day. While his career may take him elsewhere, he’ll always have a place in our NASCAR family.”

NASCAR has not announced any additional leadership or personnel changes as Phelps’s departure comes during a time of stability with an exceptional leadership team in place that ensures the continuity of NASCAR’s strategic vision and critical execution. There are no immediate plans to replace the Commissioner role or to seek outside leadership, as the administration of his responsibilities will be delegated internally through NASCAR’s President and executive leadership team.

Posted on by Zach Sturniolo

Editor’s note: Today’s Kaulig Racing preview begins NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2026 Cup Series season.

KAULIG RACING

Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: ECR Engines
Driver-crew chief pairings: Ty Dillon-Andrew Dickeson (No. 10); AJ Allmendinger-Trent Owens (No. 16)

Team outlook: A building year for Kaulig Racing in 2025 has led to measured optimism for the two-team outfit based in Welcome, North Carolina. Both Dillon and Allmendinger returned to full-time Cup Series racing after completing part-time schedules in 2024, with both delivering highlights for the organization as Allmendinger earned the team its first oval-track pole position and Dillon made a deep Cinderella run in the inaugural In-Season Challenge. Momentum from last year should carry the team into better futures ahead in 2026.

TY DILLON, NO. 10 CHEVROLET

Experience: 7 full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 281 starts
2025 stats: 33rd in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 0 top fives, 1 top 10, 0 poles, 19 laps led

Driver outlook: Ty Dillon returns to the No. 10 Chevrolet this season, marking the first time he’s had consecutive seasons with a team since a four-year tenure with Germain Racing and its No. 13 Chevrolet from 2017 through 2020. That stability offers Dillon and crew chief Andrew Dickeson time to expand on their 2025 learnings and build toward more consistent results in 2026. In all, the No. 10 car earned 13 top-20 finishes in 2025, leaving plenty of room for improvement in the new year.

RELATED: Ty Dillon driver page

AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 CHEVROLET

Experience: 10 full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 482 starts
2025 stats: 26th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 2 top fives, 7 top 10s, 1 pole, 42 laps led

Driver outlook: In 2025, AJ Allmendinger reminded us why he should never be overlooked, earning his first pole position in 10 years by posting the fastest lap in September’s qualifying session at Bristol Motor Speedway and his first pole on an oval since April 2012 at Kansas Speedway. The veteran racer remains as strong a contender on road courses as ever but just as sneaky at intermediate ovals like Charlotte Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he scored finishes of fourth, fifth and seventh, respectively, last season. Another year with crew chief Trent Owens and an updated notebook should bode well for Allmendinger in 2026.

MORE: AJ Allmendinger driver page

Ty Dillon and AJ Allmendinger race at Daytona for Kaulig Racing.
Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Posted on by Staff Report

Legacy Motor Club announced Monday that Justin Alexander will serve as crew chief for the No. 43 Toyota and driver Erik Jones in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Alexander takes the place of Ben Beshore, who moves to a new role as the organization’s director of race engineering.

RELATED: 2026 Cup Series schedule | On the move: Changes for 2026

Alexander is a five-time winner in the Cup Series, scoring each of those victories while paired with Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team. That list includes a triumph in the 2018 Daytona 500 and his first win with Dillon in another crown jewel, the Coca-Cola 600 a year before.

Next season, Alexander will join forces with Jones, who ended up 24th in the final Cup Series standings last year — a four-spot improvement from 2024.

“We’re continuing to evolve and refine every part of our race program, and Justin is a tremendous addition to our crew chief lineup,” said Legacy M.C. owner Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion. “His experience, communication style, and leadership align perfectly with the direction we’re headed. We appreciate Ben’s hard work and look forward to his continued contributions as he transitions into his new role.”

MORE: Erik Jones’ 2025 season in review

Said Cal Wells III, Legacy Motor Club CEO: “Justin is a proven race winner, and we believe there’s the potential for a strong chemistry with Erik (Jones). We’ll also have Ben raising all ships with the performance engineering group. With all these changes, we’re hoping to continue the growth we saw in 2025.”

The organization also announced a personnel shift in its executive leadership, moving Scott Roggenbauer from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Operating Officer.