Samwise NASCAR Cup Series Newsletter
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Hocevar wins SpeedyCash.com 250 in overtime at Texas, completing historic double
Carson Hocevar claimed his sixth career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, prevailing in overtime to win the SpeedyCash.com 250. The 22-year-old Spire Motorsports driver led a race-high 76 of 172 scheduled laps before powering past Gio Ruggiero coming to the white flag when Ruggiero was swallowed in a three-wide scramble. Kyle Busch finished second, with Kaden Honeycutt, Brandon Jones, and pole-sitter Ben Rhodes rounding out the top five. The win arrived just five days after Hocevar captured his first Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway, giving the Michigan native back-to-back wins across two different NASCAR national series in the same week.
Sources: NASCAR.com, Motorsport.com
Coca-Cola joins 23XI Racing as Bubba Wallace rejoins brand’s driver family
The Coca-Cola Company announced Friday it has joined 23XI Racing as the exclusive beverage partner of Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE team. Wallace rejoins the Coca-Cola Racing Family after a previous partnership from 2018 through 2020. To mark the deal, Coca-Cola will debut a co-branded paint scheme alongside Hardee’s on Wallace’s No. 23 car at Watkins Glen International on May 10. The partnership builds on a regional relationship with Coca-Cola Consolidated that began in 2025 and pairs one of NASCAR’s newest teams with a brand that has backed the sport for more than four decades, including the Coca-Cola 600 title sponsorship.
Sources: NASCAR.com, Jayski.com
NASCAR and Coca-Cola launch Heroes Pass, honoring 250 military members for America’s 250th
NASCAR and Coca-Cola launched the NASCAR Heroes Pass on Friday, a fan-driven initiative that will award 250 military service members with lifetime race access as part of the sport’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Each recipient receives two tickets to one participating track annually for 20 years. The program is part of NASCAR Salutes 250, which includes special recognition at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24 and concludes at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31. The Heroes Pass was announced alongside Coca-Cola’s expanded partnership with 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace, reflecting the brand’s deepening ties to NASCAR’s community programs.
Sources: Jayski.com, NASCAR.com
Texas Motor Speedway announces multi-year partnership with Caterpillar
Texas Motor Speedway announced a multi-year partnership with Caterpillar Inc. on Friday, bringing the global construction and mining equipment manufacturer in as a track sponsor. Caterpillar branding will appear throughout the 1.5-mile Fort Worth facility during this weekend’s May 1–3 NASCAR tripleheader and at additional marquee events across the calendar year. Headquartered in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, Caterpillar said the deal reflects its commitment to the communities where it operates globally. The agreement makes Caterpillar the latest major industrial company to align with a NASCAR venue, as tracks continue broadening their sponsor portfolios beyond traditional automotive and consumer brands.
Sources: Jayski.com
Allmendinger to drive Kaulig Racing truck at Watkins Glen on May 8
NASCAR veteran A.J. Allmendinger will drive Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 Ram 1500 in the Craftsman Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International on May 8 as part of Ram’s Free Agent Driver Program. The 44-year-old has two prior wins at the New York road course and ranks among the most accomplished road-racing specialists in NASCAR’s current driver pool. Ram’s Free Agent initiative pairs experienced drivers with Kaulig’s Truck entry at select road-course venues across the season. The Watkins Glen Truck race precedes the NASCAR Cup Series event at the same track on May 10, completing a road-course double-header weekend for Allmendinger.
Sources: Jayski.com
Greg Biffle receives North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine for Hurricane Helene relief
NASCAR Cup Series veteran Greg Biffle was inducted into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine on Friday by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, receiving the state’s highest civilian honor for his work supporting recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina in 2025. Biffle, a 19-time Cup Series race winner who claimed Craftsman Truck Series (2000) and Busch Series (2002) championships during his career, used personal resources and time to assist displaced residents and coordinate relief logistics in the affected mountain communities. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to North Carolina and its citizens.
Sources: Jayski.com
Allgaier posts 188.607 mph to claim O’Reilly Auto Parts Series pole at Texas
Justin Allgaier secured the pole for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, posting a lap of 188.607 mph in the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet to claim his 13th career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series pole award and his first of the 2026 season. Brandon Jones qualified second at 188.075 mph, with Kyle Larson third and Connor Zilisch fourth. Allgaier has been among the series’ most consistent front-runners in 2026 but has yet to win this season. The Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on The CW Network, with 38 cars entered for the 225-lap oval race.
Sources: Jayski.com, NASCAR.com
Cup Series Standings (Top 16)
After Race 10 — Talladega
1. Tyler Reddick — 484 pts
2. Denny Hamlin — 374 pts
3. Ryan Blaney — 344 pts
4. Chase Elliott — 340 pts
5. Ty Gibbs — 322 pts
6. Kyle Larson — 315 pts
7. Chris Buescher — 309 pts
8. Carson Hocevar — 292 pts
9. Christopher Bell — 290 pts
10. Brad Keselowski — 279 pts
11. William Byron — 277 pts
12. Bubba Wallace — 276 pts
13. Ryan Preece — 269 pts
14. Daniel Suárez — 235 pts
15. Joey Logano — 234 pts
16. Austin Cindric — 226 pts
Manufacturer Standings
After Race 10 — Talladega (est.)
1. Toyota — 465 pts
2. Chevrolet — 349 pts
3. Ford — 323 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency