The official entry list has been released, and a total of 40 drivers and teams will take part in the regular season finale for the NASCAR Cup Series. 20 of those drivers face a must-win situation, meaning they have to win the race or face missing the 2025 playoffs.

Along with the usual 36 full-time drivers and teams, there are four part-time entries filling out the field. Richard Childress Racing will enter the No. 33 Chevrolet as a third entry with Austin Hill. The Xfinity Series regular has four wins at Daytona in the lower two divisions.

The Carl Long-owned No. 66 Ford is also going to take part in the race with NASCAR veteran Casey Mears behind the wheel, making his 591st start in the Cup Series.

NY Racing Team has also entered the No. 44 Chevrolet with Joey Gase as the driver. Gase has 92 previous starts in the Cup Series, including Iowa earlier this year, where he finished 37th.

Additionally, the field will include the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet with team owner B.J. McLeod making his fourth start of the year. McLeod has just two tops in his Cup career, but both of those came at Daytona.

2025 NASCAR Cup entry list for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona 

O’Reilly Auto Parts is replacing Xfinity as the title sponsor of NASCAR’s secondary series starting in 2026.

NASCAR announced a multiyear partnership on Monday that will become effective on Jan. 1.

“Like the great sport of NASCAR, O’Reilly Auto Parts was born in America and built on the hard work and drive of passionate people,” NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell said in a statement. “This new partnership allows us to continue to fuel that passion for the next generation of NASCAR’s stars and fans while celebrating the journey we’ve been on together for decades.”

O’Reilly Auto Parts, founded in Missouri in 1957, has sponsored NASCAR races for several years across multiple series and tracks.

“Our company is rooted in the same values that define NASCAR — teamwork, enthusiasm and dedication,” O’Reilly Auto Parts president Brent Kirby said in a statement.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series marks the fourth sponsorship in the second-tier series’ history.

Before Xfinity (2015-25), it was the NASCAR Nationwide Series from 2008-14. Anheuser-Busch was the title sponsor for decades before that as the NASCAR Busch Series (2003-07), the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series (1984-2002) and the Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series (1982-83).

The NASCAR Xfinity Series, in its first year of an exclusive broadcasting deal with The CW Network, has seen a year-over-year growth of more than 17 percent in total viewership this season, according to NASCAR. The series is averaging 1.1 million viewers per race.

“The success of NASCAR on The CW has shown that millions of fans will consistently tune in for these adrenaline-fueled races every week,” Brad Schwartz, president of The CW Network, said in a statement.

–Field Level Media

Since 1946, thousands of spectators have flocked to the small hamlet of Langford, near Buffalo N.Y., for the annual tractor pull, which is the longest-running competition of its kind in America.

Zach Jaworski for NPR

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Zach Jaworski for NPR

LANGFORD, N.Y. — For two days in August, this small hamlet south of Buffalo becomes a can’t-miss destination for fans of a distinctively agricultural motorsport: the tractor pull.

Spectators gather on wooden bleachers flanking a long dirt runway, forming an arena that seats 4,000 people — more than the surrounding area’s total population.

A welcome sign to the hamlet of Langford features Joe Eder, a tractor pull national champion and local legend.

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“Everybody looks and waits for this first weekend [of August] to come to Langford,” says Richard Love, one of the officials at the 79th annual competition this year.

“It’s non-stop action and it’s just kind of a big party here,” says Love. “It’s grassroots, it’s motorsports — this place is unbelievable.”

Tractor pulling was created in the 1920s by farmers wanting to show off their machines and have something to look forward to, says Love.

This event in Langford has been held annually since 1946, even hosting limited runs during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain its position as the longest-running event of its kind in the country.

Rules of the Road

In the competition, tractors and trucks latch onto a contraption called a sled, which looks like a flat-bed trailer carrying a huge weighted box on a slider.

As the machines thunder down the track, momentum causes the weight-box to slide across the trailer until the balance shifts so much that the sled digs into the ground and the back tires lift, immobilizing it.

The further down the dirt track a puller goes before the sled grinds to a halt, the higher they score. If a driver makes it all the way to the end of the track, a “full pull”, they get perfect marks.

Tractor pulling is a complex dance of skill and mechanics. Drivers have only moments to figure out the ever-shifting balance of inertia, traction, and horsepower that will get their machine down the dirt track.

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It’s a complex dance of skill and mechanics, as drivers juggle inertia, traction, and engine power in a contest that lasts only seconds. A winner is often determined by just a couple of feet.

That excitement is what keeps people coming back year after year.

Horsepower meets tradition

“The crowd is just electric here – I mean, these people come to see tractor and truck pulling and they just love it here,” says Kelly Giltinan, the driver behind the wheel of a red pulling truck called “Bull Headed,” fit with a 1955 chassis and a chrome-plated modern engine.

Giltinan, who came from Pennsylvania, says that driving in a pull is a bit different from driving on the road because his truck only runs in one gear, and its engine is specially designed to produce as much power as possible in as little time as possible.

“As the RPMs come up, the clutch grabs harder and it takes off,” he says.

“I mean, this horsepower you can feel in your chest.”

Kelly Giltinan drives the “Bull Headed,” a pulling truck with a chrome-plated, modern engine inside a 1955 chassis.

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Giltinan’s trip to Langford didn’t go as he’d hoped — the pulling sled heavily damaged the back of his truck on his first attempt, which prevented him from making any more runs at Langford. Giltinan says he’s hoping to repair his truck in time for his hometown pull in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, later in August.

Like Giltinan, many drivers heavily modify their rides for maximum power and tire grip on the dirt track, but also for style and flair. Many of them dawn custom paint jobs and chrome details.

But the tractor pull includes competition groups for the farm workhorses, too. Andy Gabel and his brother Chris, both locals, entered a grey tractor from their family farm.

“My grandfather was here back in the ’60s [and] ’70s,” Gabel said from the stands, eyeing the competition out on the dusty track.

“It’s in your blood, you just love making horsepower.”

The tractor pull has competition categories for both heavily modified rides and for off-the-farm models like these.

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Like NASCAR, but for tractors and trucks

While drivers like Giltinan get all the glory, each competitor typically has a whole team of people supporting them behind the scenes. Collin Meals, who was getting his family’s tractor ready to compete, said it’s similar to NASCAR, where drivers are backed by pit crews to keep their cars in top shape.

“The team behind building them is just as important as a driver,” Meals explained, “If you don’t have a good driver, you can have the biggest motor you want, but it’s still going to fall short.”

Gary Meals, Bobby Maxwell, and Collin Meals (left to right) prepare to work on the family tractor. Much like in NASCAR or Formula 1, tractor pulling requires teams of support crews to back drivers and keep the gear in tip-top shape.

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One local, 20-year-old Matt Sweet, said that he’s been coming every year since he was born, and his father has been attending since 1975.

“The little kids love it – they run down the side of the track, chasing the tractors and in the pits, [and] the drivers will let them sit in the seats,” says Sweet, reminded of when he was in those kid’s position, “it’s very nostalgic, seeing that, I just really get a full circle moment.”

– S.I. Yachts, one of the world’s oldest and largest dealers for both Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks, is proud to announce its sponsorship of Casey Mears in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 23. Mears is just 10 starts shy of hitting 500 NASCAR Cup Series starts, and S.I. Yachts is excited to partner with him on his journey to achieve the prestigious milestone.

Mears will again join forces with Garage 66, the team he drove for at Martinsville Speedway in March. Garage 66 is co-owned by NASCAR veteran Carl Long. Mears will pilot the No. 66 S.I. Yachts Ford Mustang Dark Horse at the World Center of Racing.

One of the most innovative and successful premium new yacht dealers and brokerages in America, S.I. Yachts is owned by Germain Motor Company. In a sport steeped in history, the Germain family and Casey Mears share their own. Mears wheeled the No. 13 NASCAR Cup Series entry for Germain Racing from 2010 – 2016. He has remained close with his former boss, Bob Germain, making this a natural and nostalgic partnership.

“We’re excited to support Casey as he aims to surpass the 500-start milestone, and we’re thrilled to reconnect with him in NASCAR,” said Zach Germain, CEO of S.I. Yachts. “Casey is a person of high character who aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering high-quality, premium boats along with top-tier customer service. We’re dedicated to helping people create memories on the water, and we’re excited to help Casey make memories on the track.” He continued, “I got my enthusiasm for fishing and boating from my Uncle Bob Germain, and it’s an honor to be a Viking and Valhalla dealer because of our shared passion and the memories we’ve created over the years.”

The No. 66 S.I. Yachts Ford Mustang will also feature a nod on the C-post to Bill Healey, one of the founders of Viking Yachts, who recently passed at the age of 97.

Global fintech leader Acrisure, which partnered with Mears at Martinsville, will again ride along as a major associate sponsor in Daytona. The Acrisure branding will be prominently featured as the company remains committed to accompanying Mears on his journey to 500 Cup Series starts. Acrisure offers business and insurance solutions to approximately 3,000 automotive dealer clients nationally.

“We’re happy to again partner with Casey, a driver who excels on and off the racetrack, complementing Acrisure’s culture of execution and elite performance,” said Vernon Leake, CEO of Acrisure Protection Group. “Daytona International Speedway is a legendary motorsports venue and bucket list race for most, so we’re excited to have Acrisure on board with Casey and support him as he continues his pursuit of such a worthy accomplishment.”

Mears’ success at Daytona International Speedway is well-documented. Aside from a host of Top 5 and Top 10 finishes, the Bakersfield, CA, native has completed an impressive 4,234 of 4,528 laps at a track known for its mayhem. He’s widely regarded as one of the top restrictor-plate racers in the business, and his 93.5% lap completion rate at the 2.5-mile, high-banked facility is a testament to his patience, skill and quick reflexes.

Only 47 drivers in NASCAR Cup Series history have made 500 starts, and the only active drivers with this achievement are Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Michael McDowell.

“I’m excited to have this opportunity to return to one of my favorite tracks, and I’m grateful to S.I. Yachts and Acrisure for their support, and to Carl Long for putting me in his car,” Mears said. “My relationship with Bob Germain and the Germain family is special to me, so it’s only appropriate for us to return to Daytona, a track where we’ve had a lot of success together and share many special memories. I’m also appreciative of Acrisure’s continued partnership. I’ve enjoyed the relationship we’ve built, and I look forward to our continued collaboration.”

Carl Long, a fixture in the sport for nearly three decades, is excited to partner with Mears at Daytona.

“I’m glad we could put this partnership together, and we’re excited to have Casey in our car at Daytona,” Long said. “We secured a Roush Yates engine and a quality pit crew, so we’re looking forward to hitting the track. We appreciate the support of S.I. Yachts and Acrisure, and it means a lot to have the Germain family’s backing. The Germain family has a storied history in NASCAR, with two NASCAR Truck Series Championships and a Cup Series team that spanned 12 years, so I’m honored to have them on board with us this weekend.”

Casey Mears PR

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Almost exactly two years ago, Brent Crews picked up his maiden ARCA Menards Series checkered flag on the historic Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Although he was 15 at the time, Crews showcased veteran composure that afternoon by leading 64 laps from the pole and winning by 20 seconds.

The final margin of victory for Crews in Sunday’s Allen Crowe 100 at Springfield was not quite as substantial, but the young prospect was just as efficient.

RELATED: Complete results from the Allen Crowe 100

Once Crews overtook Brenden “Butterbean” Queen for the lead early, the driver of the No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Toyota was unstoppable as he picked up his third national ARCA Menards Series victory of 2025 and fourth overall on the platform.

“This is one of my favorite races on the schedule,” Crews said. “I won Springfield two years ago, and then I won at [the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds] last year, so I’ve had a lot of success on the dirt.

“We had an absolute hot rod today, and it was a blast to drive. I wish we were able to get some practice and qualifying in, but I felt like that kind of worked out to our advantage.”

Another masterclass.@BrentCrews11 dominates at Springfield! pic.twitter.com/e20Cu4i1ob

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) August 17, 2025

While Sunday was Crews’ debut ARCA outing with Nitro, his history with the program dates to his formative years. Nitro was the team that guided Crews to 10 victories and a title during his time competing in the Trans Am Championship TA2 class.

The organization also assisted Crews with the creation of his own NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program, which formally made its debut at Watkins Glen International last weekend.

In the team’s first full-time season of ARCA Menards Series competition, Nitro has found Victory Lane twice. Treyten Lapcevich gave the program its debut win at Michigan’s Berlin Raceway in a wire-to-wire performance in June, and Thomas Annunziata secured Nitro a checkered flag at Lime Rock Park, a road course with which Nitro was long familiar.

For Nitro’s first ARCA Menards Series dirt-track race, enlisting the help of Crews was an easy decision.

All seven of Crews’ prior appearances on the platform this year had come in a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, yet the cohesion he possessed with Nitro immediately materialized as soon as the green flag waved for the Allen Crowe 100.

Even though inclement weather prevented any track time beforehand, as both practice and qualifying were canceled, Crews applied the same strategy that allowed him to enjoy a commanding victory at Springfield two years earlier.

With clean air on his nose, Crews kept his car glued to the bottom groove and proceeded to knock down one perfect lap after another.

The presence of Venturini Motorsports in Victory Lane did give Crews a flashback to the 2023 Springfield race, as he drove one of their cars that day. Nitro formed a close technical alliance with Venturini at the start of the season and will assume full control of the operation in 2026.

With so much experience, leadership and chemistry to rely upon, Crews expected nothing more than a smooth, methodical drive around Springfield on Sunday.

“My guys grinded all week getting this thing exactly where it needed to be,” Crews said. “These guys never stop until this thing is perfect, and we work as late as we can. They’ve done an absolutely amazing job.”

Following Crews home in second was Lavar Scott, with Kelly Kovski, Queen and Sean Corr completing the top five.

The rest of the top 10 consisted of Max Reaves, Brayton Laster, Alex Clubb, Brad Smith and Jason Kitzmiller.

ARCA Menards Series drivers will not have much time to rest after Sunday, as they will be back on track Friday evening at Madison International Speedway, the series’ first visit to the facility since 2019.

The green flag for the Badger 200 will wave at 8 p.m. CT | 9 p.m. ET with FS1 providing live coverage.

Source: Automobile Racing Club of America