On Tuesday afternoon, NASCAR released the preliminary entry list for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, and the entry list contains 39 cars, which will make the trip to the track in Lebanon, just outside of the Music City.

There are no real surprises among the 36 Chartered entries, which compete each week in the NASCAR Cup Series, but there will be three “Open” entries among the notables.

The most notable among the “Open” cars will be the return of Corey Heim behind the wheel of the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing. Heim will carry primary sponsorship from Chief’s, a Nashville bar owned by country music star Eric Church, on his race car.

At Kansas Speedway, Heim’s most recent NASCAR Cup Series outing with 23XI Racing, the driver recorded an eye-opening 13th-place result. Heim, 22, is a standout in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ranks, and he is already up to four victories through the opening 11 races of the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

The young racer from Georgia already has 15 victories in just 75 career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts.

JJ Yeley will return to the No. 44 NY Racing Team’s Open entry Chevrolet a week after Derek Kraus piloted the car to a 32nd-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Yeley will have primary sponsorship from Fanatics Sportsbook on his race car.

Rounding out the lineup for the Open entries in the field this weekend will be Chad Finchum, a Tennessee native, who will once again pilot the No. 66 Garage 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend. Finchum will have sponsorship from Aires as he makes his second NASCAR Cup Series start of the season.

Cracker Barrel 400 Entry List

# indicates Rookie of the Year contender
* indicates “Open” entry
(i) indicates driver ineligible to score points

Recommended Articles

One of the most exciting races of the NASCAR weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) is the Mohegan Sun 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) race. Known for its fast-paced action, close racing and diehard fan following, this event has earned its reputation as a must-watch for anyone attending the NASCAR Playoffs weekend at “The Magic Mile.”

What Makes It So Popular?

The Mohegan Sun 100 features open-wheel modified cars, which look and race differently from the stock cars in the NASCAR Cup (NCS) or CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS). They’re lighter, faster through the corners and often race just inches apart. The result? Tons of side-by-side action, bold passing moves and the occasional bump-and-run. With only 100 laps to get the job done, drivers have no time to waste, making for one of the most thrilling races of the weekend.

New England’s Racing Legacy on Display

Modified racing is woven into the fabric of the Northeast’s motorsports culture, and the Mohegan Sun 100 is the ultimate showcase. Before NASCAR’s top series arrived in the region, local tracks across Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and beyond were dominated by modifieds. That tradition lives on through the NWMT, the pinnacle of grassroots-style racing. The Mohegan Sun 100 brings together New England racing veterans and rising stars to compete on the region’s biggest stage, delivering intense competition and hometown pride with every lap. For many local fans, this race isn’t just an event, it’s a celebration of their racing identity. Generations of families return each year to cheer on local heroes and experience the raw, authentic spirit of New England racing.

The Perfect Kickoff to an Action-Packed Saturday

The Mohegan Sun 100 is more than just a race – it’s the ultimate way to launch an adrenaline-filled Saturday at NHMS. As part of the highly anticipated Doubleheader Saturday, this race sets the tone with high-speed intensity, wheel-to-wheel drama and the unmistakable rumble of modifieds tearing around “The Magic Mile.”

Fans love how the Mohegan Sun 100 delivers classic short-track energy with a big-league feel. It’s the perfect appetizer to the NCTS playoff race later that day, giving racegoers nonstop thrills from the moment engines fire up. Whether you’ve followed the NWMT for decades or you’re brand new to racing, this event draws you in with its raw competition and hometown pride.

What makes it even better? You get two incredible races in one afternoon – all with one ticket. That’s why Doubleheader Saturday has become a can’t-miss tradition for thousands of fans across New England.

For tickets and more information, visit NHMS.com.

Christopher Bell Makes Waves in NASCAR with Exciting Global Partnership

In the fast-paced world of NASCAR, securing sponsorships is as crucial as speed on the track. The latest buzz in the racing community revolves around none other than Christopher Bell, the talented 29-year-old driver making headlines with a groundbreaking collaboration.

Bell, hailing from Oklahoma, is revving up his performance with Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE, but what’s catching everyone’s attention is his recent partnership with Coofandy, a menswear brand celebrating its 10th anniversary in style. This dynamic duo is not just about slapping a logo on a car; it’s a fusion of racing grit and fashion finesse, aiming to redefine the NASCAR experience.

Coofandy, originating as a small startup in 2015, has rapidly grown into a global sensation, dressing individuals across 100 countries with their sharp and affordable attire. Teaming up with Bell at Martinsville, they are launching their “Dress the Win” campaign, adorning the No. 20 car with their sleek branding while introducing a limited-edition clothing line inspired by Bell and JGR.

Bell expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the importance of confidence both on and off the racetrack. Joe Gibbs, the team owner, also chimed in, emphasizing the shared values of excellence and passion for winning between JGR and Coofandy. The collaboration signifies a significant milestone for both parties, resonating with fans worldwide.

In a sport where sponsorship deals can make or break a team, the spotlight also falls on Joe Gibbs Racing’s strategies to stay ahead in the sponsorship game. Denny Hamlin’s recent deal with Progressive Insurance stirred discussions about the team’s approach and potential future developments. However, Bell’s partnership with Coofandy showcases JGR’s ability to attract global brands and solidify their position in the racing realm.

As Bell gears up for upcoming races, fans are eager to witness how this new alliance will shape his performance on the track. With a history of impressive wins and a dedicated fan base, Bell’s collaboration with Coofandy adds a layer of excitement to the NASCAR scene, promising a blend of speed, style, and success.

Moreover, a recent shake-up within Bell’s team, with the sudden replacement of his longtime spotter, has added a twist to his racing journey. The switch to a new spotter right before a challenging event like the Coca-Cola 600 has sparked curiosity among fans and experts alike, amplifying the anticipation surrounding Bell’s upcoming races.

As the NASCAR season unfolds, all eyes are on Christopher Bell and his game-changing partnership with Coofandy, setting the stage for a thrilling chapter in his racing career. Stay tuned for more adrenaline-pumping action and groundbreaking collaborations in the world of NASCAR.

Limiting the carbon footprint is the new direction the world is heading, and Japan is leading the way in the liquid fuel world. Toyota continues to highlight the importance of hydrogen technology while showing the people its efficiency through its inventions. Liquid hydrogen, which brings in a greater energy density, in motorsports, is in discussion with the introduction of the GR Corolla H2 Concept in Toyota’s 2024 Super Taikyu Series. Racing can still be sustainable, and Toyota brings weight to the movement as it develops practical solutions for hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Toyota is advancing liquid fuel hydrogen technology in motorsports

Showing the practicality of liquid hydrogen technology in competition surroundings, Toyota sets the tone for the occasion with the GR Corolla H2 Concept entered in the Super Taikyu Series 2024. Liquid hydrogen, unlike gaseous hydrogen, makes space for an increase in fuel in the same tank capacity. While this may sound great, an issue that comes with this is the boil-off gas which happens when the liquid hydrogen vaporizes because of the heat exposure.

Not letting this concern set them back, Toyota is currently finding a solution to reuse the hydrogen instead of letting it evaporate into the atmosphere. Toyota says:

“Although it is still in the concept stage, if realized, this technology is expected to improve the energy efficiency of the entire liquid hydrogen system.”

Hydrogen-powered vehicles continue to bring much interest, and the exposure of this engine in motorsports may promote great usage in commercial applications.

Vaporized hydrogen: Reusing the boiled-off gas for great efficiency

The liquid hydrogen innovation functions well after Toyota’s self-pressurizer development. Bringing forth this ambitious innovation, Toyota aims to remove dependence of external energy to increase the pressure of boil-off gas. While the cycle of converting the vaporized hydrogen into fuel to power the vehicle may require electricity, the self-pressurizer rids the unnecessary steps and does it itself.

Showing the powers of their development, Toyota says:

“The self-pressurizer increases pressure by two to four times and produces reusable fuel without using any additional energy.”

This invention eliminates the vaporizing and waste of liquid hydrogen and contributes to the improvement in the efficiency of the vehicle.

Coupled with the self-pressurizer, a small fuel cell stack has been brought on to create electricity from the boil-off gas not used as fuel, to give power to vehicle components such as the liquid hydrogen pump. Everything has been thought off well and the success of the two developments can produce a well-rounded system making the hydrogen powered vehicles more self-sufficient.

A decrease in carbon footprint: Toyota’s vision

A new sustainable environment begins now with the small steps taken by every industry in the world. Contributing to this green initiative, Toyota’s hydrogen efforts are part of the Beyond Zero initiative, which is a strategy that looks to reduce the impact it has on the environment. Implementing two developments that seek to reuse energy, Toyota plans to invite more people to take a stand for hydrogen-powered vehicles.

This stands as a practical alternative and helps them make the boil-off gas tools commercialized. Voicing their support for the Beyond Zero initiative, Toyota said:

“Achieving zero, and adding new value beyond it.”

Continuing to explore sustainable efforts, Toyota has introduced its initiatives in the motorsports world, showing real-world testing.

Beyond Zero continues to grow in Japan’s sustainable transportation sector. Finding a further step in hydrogen cells, the introduction of liquid hydrogen technology finds a space in the future of zero-emission vehicles. The self-pressurizer and small fuel stack cell are developments created by Toyota to tackle the issues of boil-off gas and the reuse of the hindered emissions to become energy. Drawing up a template of what it means to be a future forward mobility thinker, Toyota takes a stand against carbon and harming the environment.

More people watched the 2025 Indianapolis 500 than the 2025 Daytona 500.

Sunday’s race won by Alex Palou averaged just over 7 million viewers on Fox despite rain delaying the start of the race by under an hour. The Daytona 500 in February averaged over 6.7 million viewers after it was once again delayed by rain.

Advertisement

Per the Sports Business Journal, it’s just the third time in the past three decades that the Indy 500 has drawn more viewers than the Daytona 500, along with the 1995 Indy 500 and the 2021 Indy 500. Four years ago, the Daytona 500 was delayed for hours by rain and finished early Monday morning on the East Coast.

This year’s Indy 500 was the first one on Fox after NBC held the broadcast rights in recent years. Fox garnered approximately 1.7 million more viewers than NBC did in 2024. That increase is likely attributable to Fox’s promotion of the series. The network ran IndyCar ads starting during the NFL playoffs.

The IndyCar Series left NBC at the end of the 2024 season for a deal with Fox that included all of its races on network television. Outside of the Indianapolis 500, the IndyCar Series struggles to gain traction with viewers. Just over 700,000 people watched the Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course just two weeks before the Indy 500. Viewership for pole qualifying for the Indy 500 was also down from 2024.

The Sonsio Grand Prix was held late on a Saturday afternoon, but multiple IndyCar races so far this season have been held at the same time as a NASCAR Cup Series race. That hasn’t benefitted either series — NASCAR ratings are down slightly from 2024 — and two start times for IndyCar races later this season have been moved to not conflict with Cup Series races.

The next IndyCar Series race is on Sunday in Detroit. The series sometimes sees a post-500 viewer bounce for the races that immediately follow the biggest race of the year. However, IndyCar is also dealing with a racing quality issue on its road and street courses. The introduction of the hybrid engine a year ago has led to far less overtaking on those circuits.