Samwise NASCAR Cup Series Newsletter
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Kevin Magnussen Set to Make NASCAR Cup Debut for Trackhouse at Naval Base Coronado
F1 veteran Kevin Magnussen will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut on June 21 at Naval Base Coronado, driving the No. 91 Qualcomm Technologies Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program. The Danish driver made 185 career F1 starts for McLaren, Renault and Haas between 2014 and 2024, and has competed in IMSA sports cars, winning at Detroit for Chip Ganassi Racing. Phil Surgen, who has six Cup victories, will serve as crew chief for the event. Trackhouse’s Project 91 program, led by team owner Justin Marks, fields an open entry for internationally renowned drivers to expand the team’s global reach.
Sources: NASCAR.com, Jayski, RACER
Six NASCAR Drivers Face Navy SEALs in ‘NASCAR vs. Navy’ Special Airing Friday on Prime Video
NASCAR will air “NASCAR vs. Navy: The San Diego Mini Movie,” a 30-minute special on Prime Video on June 5, featuring six Cup Series drivers competing against United States Navy SEALs at Naval Base Coronado. Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, Carson Hocevar and Connor Zilisch each received military call signs and participated in elite challenges. The production previews the sport’s inaugural Naval Base Coronado race weekend June 19–21, with the Cup Series Anduril 250 set for June 21 at 4 p.m. ET on Prime Video. “It was so much fun, really cool,” Bell said. “It’s going to be a very unique experience.”
Sources: NASCAR.com
NASCAR Rules No Penalty for Austin Dillon After Data Clears Him in Keselowski Nashville Crash
NASCAR will not penalize Austin Dillon for a crash involving Brad Keselowski during the May 31 Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, determining the contact was a racing incident. The sequence began on Lap 145 when a pit road bottleneck triggered contact between the two cars; 47 laps later a restart stack-up sent Dillon into Keselowski on the front straightaway. NASCAR’s remote race control center in Concord, North Carolina quickly reviewed SMT data from the incident. Prime Video analyst Steve Letarte determined Dillon was at 100% throttle exiting Turn 4 but dropped to 17% at impact, supporting the conclusion he had not acted deliberately. No penalty was issued.
Sources: NASCAR.com, Motorsport.com
Goodyear Brings New Right-Side Compound for Michigan Cup Debut at FireKeepers Casino 400
Goodyear Racing is bringing a new right-side tire compound for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, paired with a familiar left-side tire. The new right-side rubber was designed specifically for the high speeds of Michigan’s smooth, D-shaped superspeedway, with 37 cars entered for the 200-lap event. Practice and single-car qualifying are scheduled for Saturday June 6, beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Prime Video. Defending winner Denny Hamlin is entered in the No. 11 Toyota, looking for consecutive victories after his Nashville triumph. The FireKeepers Casino 400 goes green Sunday June 7 at 3 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Sources: NASCAR.com, Jayski
Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club Lines Up 27 Celebrity Investors for NASCAR Team
Legacy Motor Club is preparing to announce 27 celebrity investors, co-owner Jimmie Johnson revealed Tuesday, with country musician Darius Rucker the only member publicly named so far. Johnson said the group spans music, sport, motorsport, business and action sports. “We have a huge group of celebrity investors, and we look forward to making that formal announcement with all 27 of them,” Johnson said, adding that additional names will roll out through early summer. Rucker announced his stake in the team in March. Legacy Motor Club, co-owned by Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, fields cars for drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek.
Sources: Jayski
William Byron Faces Make-or-Break Stretch as Playoff Bubble Tightens Heading to Michigan
William Byron heads to Michigan International Speedway on the edge of the NASCAR Cup Series playoff bubble after a difficult Nashville run. The No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet sits 11th in the standings with 352 points, 46 above the playoff cutline currently held by Austin Cindric with 306 points, with 22 regular-season races remaining. Byron’s Nashville race unraveled late due to contact and damage, resulting in a 30th-place finish, continuing a frustrating stretch for a driver who opened 2026 as one of the championship favorites. NASCAR.com’s Power Rankings specifically called Michigan a “make-or-break moment” for Byron, who must string together strong results before the playoff picture sets.
Sources: NASCAR.com
Reddick Leads Hamlin by 97 as Cindric Clings to Final Playoff Spot After Nashville
Tyler Reddick holds a 97-point lead over Denny Hamlin in the NASCAR Cup Series standings following Race 14 of 36 at Nashville Superspeedway. Reddick, driving the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota, sits atop the field with 657 points. Hamlin’s Nashville victory moved him to 560 points, with Ryan Blaney third at 483. The most significant movement below the playoff cutline sees Austin Cindric reclaim the 16th and final transfer spot with 306 points, just two ahead of Ryan Preece, who recorded a DNF at Nashville. Joey Logano sits 18th with 297 points, nine behind Preece. The regular season resumes Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.
Sources: Motorsport.com, Jayski
Cup Series Standings (Top 16)
1. Tyler Reddick — 657 pts
2. Denny Hamlin — 560 pts
3. Ryan Blaney — 483 pts
4. Chase Elliott — 460 pts
5. Ty Gibbs — 449 pts
6. Kyle Larson — 409 pts
7. Christopher Bell — 399 pts
8. Chris Buescher — 393 pts
9. Carson Hocevar — 383 pts
10. Daniel Suarez — 378 pts
11. William Byron — 352 pts
12. Shane van Gisbergen — 348 pts
13. Brad Keselowski — 347 pts
14. Chase Briscoe — 343 pts
15. Bubba Wallace — 338 pts
16. Austin Cindric — 306 pts
Manufacturer Standings
1. Toyota — 582 pts
2. Chevrolet — 550 pts
3. Ford — 439 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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