Samwise NASCAR Cup Series Newsletter
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Preece Playoff Hopes Take Blow as $50,000 Fine and 25-Point Deduction Upheld on Appeal
The National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld NASCAR’s penalty against Ryan Preece on Wednesday, confirming a $50,000 fine and 25-point deduction for the May 3 Texas Motor Speedway incident in which Ty Gibbs was spun. The three-member panel — former Truck Series team owner Tom DeLoach, former sports marketing executive Dixon Johnston, and ex-driver Lake Speed — was not unanimous but concluded that Preece’s radio comments showed he chose not to give Gibbs a break. RFK Racing said it was “extremely disappointed” and would not pursue a final appeal. The penalty drops Preece from 303 to 278 points, placing him outside the playoff bubble behind Austin Cindric at 288.
Sources: Motorsport.com, Jayski
Live Fast Crew Suspended Two Races; 23XI Racing Employee Arrested Following Charlotte Weekend
NASCAR issued two-race suspensions to Live Fast Motorsports crew members Ian Schultz and Deiontae Jones on Wednesday after a wheel fell off Katherine Legge’s No. 78 car during lap 204 of the Coca-Cola 600, violating Section 8.8.10.4A of the NASCAR Rule Book. Jack man Schultz and tire changer Jones will sit out Nashville and Michigan, two events Live Fast was not tentatively scheduled to enter. In a separate action from the Charlotte weekend, NASCAR indefinitely suspended 23XI Racing senior account manager Evanna Howell following her arrest in Cabarrus County, North Carolina on charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
Sources: Motorsport.com, Jayski
Hamlin Heavy Favorite as Cup Series Heads to Nashville for Cracker Barrel 400
Denny Hamlin enters Sunday’s Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway as the heavy favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook (+450), one week after closing at +380 to win the Coca-Cola 600 but finishing third. Hamlin has led 699 laps in 2026, adding one win (the All-Star Race) and six top-five finishes. His 29.66 was the best lap of the day at Nashville in 2025, where he also finished third. Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell are co-second favorites at +700. Ryan Blaney — the 2025 race winner, who defeated Carson Hocevar by 2.83 seconds — enters at +750. The race is Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Sources: FOX Sports, Jayski
Cup Series Standings (Top 16)
1. Tyler Reddick — 620 pts
2. Denny Hamlin — 498 pts
3. Ryan Blaney — 446 pts
4. Ty Gibbs — 425 pts
5. Chase Elliott — 423 pts
6. Kyle Larson — 386 pts
7. Chris Buescher — 385 pts
8. Christopher Bell — 361 pts
9. Carson Hocevar — 356 pts
10. Daniel Suarez — 350 pts
11. Brad Keselowski — 343 pts
12. William Byron — 337 pts
13. Bubba Wallace — 328 pts
14. Shane van Gisbergen — 316 pts
15. Chase Briscoe — 304 pts
16. Austin Cindric — 288 pts
— Chase cutline —
17. Ryan Preece — 278 pts (‑25 pts penalty)
Manufacturer Standings
1. Toyota — 477 pts
2. Chevrolet — 475 pts
3. Ford — 424 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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