Samwise NASCAR Cup Series Newsletter
Thursday, May 21, 2026
“Kyle Larson vs. The Double” Documentary Premieres Today on Prime Video
“Kyle Larson vs. The Double” arrives on Prime Video today in 240 countries, chronicling Larson’s two-year bid to complete NASCAR’s legendary double — the Coca-Cola 600 and the Indianapolis 500 on the same day. Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award winner Cynthia Hill and executive produced by Ron Howard, the documentary captures the mechanics, emotion, and raw uncertainty of Larson’s 2024 and 2025 attempts. Larson is not attempting the Double in 2026, making the documentary a definitive account of his efforts. The film arrives the day before Charlotte race week practice sessions begin.
Sources: NASCAR.com
Chastain and Zilisch Each Attempt All Three NASCAR Series at Charlotte, Covering 1,101 Miles
Ross Chastain and rookie Connor Zilisch will each race all three NASCAR series at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, covering roughly 1,101 combined miles. Chastain pilots the No. 1 Trackhouse Cup car, the No. 9 JRM entry in the O’Reilly Series, and the No. 45 Niece Truck. Zilisch lines up in the No. 88 Cup car, the No. 1 JRM O’Reilly entry, and the No. 77 Spire Truck. Chastain is the defending Coca-Cola 600 champion, having won from 40th starting position in a backup car in 2025. Back-to-back Coke 600 wins have not been achieved since Jimmie Johnson in 2003–04.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Team Penske Replaces Rear Tire Changer on Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Ford for Charlotte
Team Penske has reshuffled the pit crew on Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Ford again, announcing that Justin Fox will replace Zach Price as rear tire changer for the Coca-Cola 600. Fox comes from the No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford. The move follows the April addition of jackman Graham Stoddard, who also transferred from FRM. Blaney’s crew has lost 88 track positions on pit road through the first eight races of the season, one of the worst marks in the field. Despite those struggles, Blaney won at Phoenix and sits fourth in the Cup Series standings with 405 points.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Harvick and Burton to Be Inducted Together as NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027
Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton will enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame together as the Class of 2027, a pairing both men say makes the honor more meaningful. Harvick, a first-ballot inductee who appeared on 92 percent of Modern Era ballots, won 60 Cup Series races and the 2014 championship over a 26-year career. Burton won 21 Cup races with RCR and Hendrick Motorsports. Pioneer inductee Larry Phillips rounds out the class. All three will be formally enshrined at a ceremony on January 22, 2027, in Charlotte, where Harvick spent much of his career competing at the nearby speedway.
Sources: NASCAR.com
NASCAR Releases Qualifying Draw for Coca-Cola 600 Weekend at Charlotte
NASCAR has released qualifying orders for this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, formalizing the entry field as teams prepare for 600 miles on the 1.5-mile oval. Cup Series practice opens at 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday, with single-car qualifying at 2:40 p.m. ET — both on Prime Video. Qualifying position determines pit road stall selection, a strategic factor at Charlotte where track position and pit exit placement can influence race outcomes over a long run. The race starts 6:00 p.m. ET Sunday, also on Prime Video. Charlotte’s 600 is the longest event on the NASCAR Cup calendar.
Sources: NASCAR.com
What's Trending in NASCAR Cup Series
Tyler Reddick’s 129-Point Lead Into Charlotte — Reddick arrives at Charlotte with 567 points and a commanding 129-point cushion over second-place Denny Hamlin, the largest gap any driver has held at this point in the season.
The 67th Coca-Cola 600: Charlotte’s Endurance Tradition — Sunday’s race marks the 67th running of the Coca-Cola 600, which has anchored Memorial Day weekend since 1960 as one of NASCAR’s four crown jewel events.
Connor Zilisch’s Rapid Rise in His Debut Cup Season — The 20-year-old Zilisch has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about rookies in NASCAR, and his three-series Charlotte weekend underscores the confidence teams have placed in him.
Cup Series Standings (Top 16)
1. Tyler Reddick — 567 pts
2. Denny Hamlin — 438 pts
3. Chase Elliott — 422 pts
4. Ryan Blaney — 405 pts
5. Chris Buescher — 375 pts
6. Ty Gibbs — 372 pts
7. Carson Hocevar — 342 pts
8. Kyle Larson — 332 pts
9. Brad Keselowski — 318 pts
10. Christopher Bell — 313 pts
11. Bubba Wallace — 311 pts
12. William Byron — 309 pts
13. Ryan Preece — 296 pts
14. Daniel Suarez — 295 pts
15. Austin Cindric — 287 pts
16. Shane van Gisbergen — 283 pts
Manufacturer Standings
1. Toyota — 547 pts
2. Chevrolet — 495 pts
3. Ford — 409 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
