NASCAR driver makes surprise start in the Cup Series for the first time in three years

For the first time since joining the NASCAR Cup Series in 2017, MBM Motorsports did not compete in the Cup Series in 2023, but returned for a number of races in the 2024 season.

Although they planned to compete in the recent race at Iowa Speedway and ultimately withdrew the No. 66 Ford from the entry list, Carl Long’s team will actually return for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway this weekend.

Three drivers have driven the No. 66 Ford so far this year, and two of them have not competed in the Cup Series since 2021.

Timmy Hill had attempted to qualify for the 2022 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, but failed to do so. His start at Circuit of the Americas in March was his first since November 2021 at Phoenix Raceway. He also competed in the All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May.

David Starr competed in the race at Martinsville Speedway in April and had not competed in the Cup Series since October 2021 at Kansas Speedway. He was scheduled to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, but due to a prior commitment, it was BJ McLeod who drove the No. 66 Ford.

Chad Finchum, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, will compete in Sunday’s 300-lap Ally 400 on the 1.333-mile (2.145-kilometer) four-turn oval in Lebanon, Tennessee. The 29-year-old has not competed in the Cup Series since October 2021 in Kansas.

Finchum has competed in the Cup Series six times in his career, all with MBM Motorsports, including in Nashville in June 2021.

Finchum has competed for the team in the Xfinity Series every season since 2017. From 2017 to 2022, he competed exclusively for Long’s organization at NASCAR’s second-highest level.

In 2023, he also competed in select races for SS-Green Light Racing and will compete for the team again this weekend in Nashville in the Xfinity Series. He also competed in a race for Joey Gase Motorsports a few weeks ago.

MBM Motorsports also plans to compete in the upcoming race on Sunday, July 7 at the Chicago Street Course and has confirmed that Josh Bilicki will drive the No. 66 Ford in that race, making him the team’s fifth driver this year.

They also plan to compete in regular season races on Sunday, July 21 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Saturday, August 24 at Daytona International Speedway, but have not yet confirmed drivers for either event.

MBM Motorsports then plans to return for the playoff races on Saturday, September 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Sunday, September 29 at Kansas, Sunday, October 13 at the Charlotte Roval, Sunday, October 20 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Sunday, November 10 at Phoenix. No drivers have been confirmed for any of those races.

The Ally 400 will be broadcast live from Nashville Superspeedway on NBC this Sunday, June 30th, beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. Start a Try FuboTV for free now and don’t miss it!