Correspondent Lou Modestino checks in with a report from Michael Bellifemini of Frontstretch….
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NASCAR today announced that Hardee’s, the iconic American quick-service restaurant brand, is returning to the sport in a major way as the Official Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) of NASCAR. In addition to the multiyear agreement, Hardee’s also will join 23XI Racing as a primary partner with Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team, marking one of the most significant comebacks of a heritage brand in recent NASCAR history. Throughout the season, Wallace will drive the No. 23 Hardee’s car at several races, starting in Martinsville, and Hardee’s branding will be included all season on the No. 23 team’s uniforms and equipment and Wallace’s firesuit.
Mooresville, NC (January 21, 2026) – Spencer Boyd, veteran driver and owner of Freedom Racing Enterprises, announced today that he will be stepping out of the seat for the first three road course races of the 2026 Craftsman Truck Series season. Nathan Nicholson, who finished third in the 2025 Mazda MX Cup Championship, will turn his first laps in the No. 76 Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Silverado during the 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg weekend.
Trimble Expands Sponsor Partnership, Bolstering RFK Racing Lineup With Corey LaJoie for the Great American Race
CONCORD, NC (January 20, 2026) – RFK Racing today announced it will field a fourth entry in next month’s Daytona 500, with Trimble serving as the primary sponsor. RFK Racing will reprise the No. 99 – a number the organization ran from 1996-2014 – with Corey LaJoie set to drive the Trimble Ford Mustang in the Feb.15 race.
The No. 99 carries a storied legacy within RFK Racing, standing as one of the most successful numbers in the organization’s history. Over a 19-consecutive-season stretch, the No. 99 delivered 40 NASCAR Cup Series victories for RFK Racing. Jeff Burton piloted the No. 99 from 1996 to 2004, earning 17 wins. That success continued with Carl Edwards, who carried the number from 2004 to 2014, adding 23 victories.
WELCOME, N.C. — Kaulig Racing today announced Mopar, a global brand with a rich racing history tracing back to the inception of NASCAR, as a new full-season partner, bringing the iconic Mopar name to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026.
As part of Ram’s much-anticipated return to NASCAR racing after more than 10 years away, Mopar — the performance parts, accessories, service and customer care brand of Stellantis — will be the primary sponsor for each of Daniel Dye’s races in the No. 10 Ram 1500 truck.
Lake Wales, Fla., (December 17, 2025) – DGM Racing is pleased to announce Mason Maggio as part of its 2026 driver lineup for the No. 91 Chevrolet in the inaugural NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) season. Born and raised in South Florida, Maggio joins NASCAR’s only full-time NOAPS Florida-based team alongside veteran and fellow Florida native Josh Williams of Port Charlotte.
Salisbury, NC (November 19, 2025) – After earning a top-10 finish in his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) debut, Henderson, Nevada’s Tyler Reif has been signed on for a larger schedule with Niece Motorsports beginning next year.
Reif, 18, is a multi-time winner across ARCA Menards Series, Pro Late Models, Jr. Late Models, and U.S. Legends Cars competition. His consistency produced an ARCA Menards Series West owner championship in 2024. This year, Reif primarily competed in ARCA East, finishing second in the points standings.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 27, 2025) –Stefan Parsons will pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season finale at Phoenix Raceway where Transportation Charter Services (TCS) will be showcased as the team’s primary sponsor.
The Cornelius, N.C., native is the son of former NASCAR Cup Series star and current FOX Sports broadcaster Phil Parsons and the nephew of the late Benny Parsons, the 1973 Cup Series champion. Stefan Parsons competes part-time in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
Corey LaJoie will drive Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado in the Slim Jim 200 at Martinsville Speedway.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 22, 2025) – Daniel Suarez, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner and nine-year veteran of NASCAR’s premier division will move to Spire Motorsports for the 2026 season to pilot the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet ZL1.
Suarez, 33, spent the last five seasons at the controls of the No. 99 Chevy for Trackhouse Racing and will make his first start for Spire Motorsports during NASCAR’s annual pre-season festivities Feb. 1 at historic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.
