Samwise NASCAR Cup Series Newsletter
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Josh Berry not returning to Wood Brothers Racing in 2027
Josh Berry confirmed Wednesday he will not return to Wood Brothers Racing’s No. 21 Ford in 2027. “I will not be back in the 21 car next year,” Berry said in a media teleconference, adding he learned the news less than 24 hours earlier. Wood Brothers confirmed it is not exercising its option and will announce Berry’s replacement “in the near future.” Berry, who joined WBR in 2025 and won at Las Vegas that March, has struggled in 2026 — finishing 26th or worse in 11 of 15 races with four DNFs and sitting 30th in points. “Open and optimistic about any opportunities that come my way,” Berry said.
Sources: NASCAR.com
Blaney to run Ryan Newman’s Daytona 500-winning throwback scheme at Pocono
Team Penske revealed Wednesday that Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Ford will carry Ryan Newman’s light blue Alltel scheme at Pocono — the livery Newman drove to his 2008 Daytona 500 victory, completing a 1-2 Penske sweep with Kurt Busch. Part of Team Penske’s 60th-anniversary celebration, the throwback was unveiled at the Penske shop, where Blaney, Newman, and 2008 crew members were surprised. “The Alltel scheme was really iconic,” Blaney said. “We’re honored to be able to run it at Pocono.” The car carries a sticker honoring crew chief Roy McCauley, who died in 2024. Blaney enters Sunday third in the Cup standings.
Sources: NASCAR.com
Qualifying orders released: Bell cleared, all 38 cars set for Pocono
The Great American Getaway 400 weekend at Pocono Raceway is fully set for Race 16. Cup qualifying runs Saturday at 2:10 p.m. ET, with practice at 1 p.m. on Prime Video. Sunday’s 160-lap race at the 2.5-mile “Tricky Triangle” starts at 3 p.m. ET on Prime Video, HBO Max, and MRN Radio. Christopher Bell — who fractured his left wrist in a violent crash at Michigan — appears at position 13 in the qualifying order, confirming his return. All 38 entries are in. Casey Mears draws the first qualifying slot; Denny Hamlin draws last. ARCA Menards opens the weekend Friday at 3 p.m. ET on FS1.
Sources: NASCAR.com
‘Hocevar created this accident’: How a split-second restart move triggered Michigan’s huge pileup
NASCAR analyst Steve Letarte detailed Wednesday how Carson Hocevar’s split-second decision on a Michigan restart “created this accident,” triggering a massive pileup that reshuffled the championship picture. The breakdown, published by NASCAR on its Inside the Race series, examined how Hocevar’s move cascaded into a chain reaction at Michigan International Speedway during Race 15. The incident proved costly for multiple contenders, collecting points leader Tyler Reddick and contributing to a violent crash sequence involving Christopher Bell, who sustained a fractured left wrist. Bell is cleared to race at Pocono this weekend. The analysis has renewed discussion about aggressive restart tactics at intermediate tracks.
Sources: NASCAR.com
RCR unveils patriotic ‘Dow Salutes’ scheme for Austin Dillon at Chicagoland
Richard Childress Racing unveiled a patriotic “Dow Salutes” paint scheme Wednesday for Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet, set to run at Chicagoland Speedway over Independence Day weekend. As part of the design, 1,438 veterans will be honored aboard the car during the July 5 race at the 1.5-mile oval, with the event airing at 6 p.m. ET on TNT Sports, HBO Max, and MRN Radio. The special scheme highlights an active week of paint scheme announcements across the Cup Series field. Dillon, currently 27th in the Cup standings through 15 races, will carry the patriotic design into one of the most watched weekends of the NASCAR calendar year.
Sources: NASCAR.com
Hamlin’s 63rd Cup win at Michigan ties Kyle Busch’s career total
Denny Hamlin claimed his 63rd NASCAR Cup victory at Michigan International Speedway on June 7, tying the career total of Kyle Busch — who died on May 21, 2026, at age 41 — in one of the most emotionally charged wins of the 2026 season. Erik Jones finished second after charging from his 37th starting position, while Bubba Wallace completed a Toyota 1-2-3 sweep. The race featured 11 cautions, a Michigan record. Points leader Tyler Reddick suffered his first DNF of 2026 after a crash, while Christopher Bell was involved in a separate violent incident with Chase Elliott. Reddick’s championship lead over Hamlin shrank to 51 points.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Points after Michigan: Reddick leads by 51, Toyota extends manufacturer dominance
Tyler Reddick leads the Cup standings with 669 points after Michigan, 51 ahead of Denny Hamlin (618). Ryan Blaney (512) is third, followed by Chase Elliott (482), Ty Gibbs (470), and Kyle Larson (453). Bubba Wallace climbed four spots to 11th after his Michigan podium; Christopher Bell dropped to 10th after his crash. The playoff cutline falls between 16th-place Austin Cindric (332 points) and 17th-place Joey Logano (329) — just three points apart heading into Pocono. On the manufacturer side, Toyota leads with 692 points, 76 ahead of Chevrolet (616). Ford sits third at 498 with just one Cup win through 15 races.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Great American Getaway 400 preview: Blaney, Hamlin, and the tightening playoff bubble
Pocono Raceway’s 2.5-mile “Tricky Triangle” hosts Race 16 of 36 this Sunday. Ryan Blaney — a two-time Pocono winner entering the weekend third in points — is among the favorites, as Team Penske marks the occasion with the Ryan Newman 2008 Daytona 500 throwback scheme. Denny Hamlin, riding back-to-back wins, drew the final qualifying slot. Tyler Reddick, who slipped from a 97-point lead to 51 ahead of Hamlin after Michigan, will look to stabilize atop the standings. The playoff cutline separates 16th-place Austin Cindric (332 pts) and 17th-place Joey Logano (329 pts) by just three points. The race airs Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Sources: NASCAR.com
Cup Series Standings (Top 16)
1. Tyler Reddick — 669 pts
2. Denny Hamlin — 618 pts
3. Ryan Blaney — 512 pts
4. Chase Elliott — 482 pts
5. Ty Gibbs — 470 pts
6. Kyle Larson — 453 pts
7. Carson Hocevar — 428 pts
8. Chris Buescher — 424 pts
9. Daniel Suarez — 418 pts
10. Christopher Bell — 410 pts
11. Bubba Wallace — 378 pts
12. William Byron — 377 pts
13. Chase Briscoe — 370 pts
14. Shane van Gisbergen — 355 pts
15. Brad Keselowski — 350 pts
— CHASE CUTLINE —
16. Austin Cindric — 332 pts
Manufacturer Standings
1. Toyota — 692 pts (9 wins)
2. Chevrolet — 616 pts (5 wins)
3. Ford — 498 pts (1 win)
After Race 15 of 36 — Michigan, June 7
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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