NASCAR Cup Series team opts not to return for Daytona race

As a seasoned gamer who’s been keeping tabs on NASCAR for the past few years, it’s always intriguing to see teams like MBM Motorsports come and go. Their absence from the 2023 season was noticeable, but their return this year has added a bit of unpredictability to the races. It seems they’re playing a game of hide-and-seek with the race calendar, popping up when least expected!

2023 saw MBM Motorsports absent from the entire NASCAR Cup Series, which was their inaugural season without making a single appearance at the highest level of the sport since joining the series in 2017.

However, by 2024, the team owned by Carl Long has come back to compete, but on a part-time schedule. So far this season, they have participated in seven points races, as well as an extra race during May’s All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Six people have piloted the No. 66 Ford in points races throughout this year. Among them are B.J. McLeod, who has made twice as many starts in points races for the team during this season, and Timmy Hill, also a participant in the All-Star Open. Additionally, David Starr, Chad Finchum, Josh Bilicki, and Parker Retzlaff have all taken turns driving the vehicle.

It appears that the team was intending to participate in this coming Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, but unfortunately, their Ford car isn’t included on the entry list for the final race before the regular season ends.

MBM Motorsports not competing at Daytona

They recently made a surprise appearance in the race at Richmond Raceway, a race in which they weren’t initially planning to compete.

As I prepare for my race at Daytona with Beard Motorsports this weekend, NASCAR suggested I get some experience under my belt before tackling the superspeedways. So, I’m stepping up to the plate for the first time with MBM Motorsports on a short track!

After cancelling their participation in the 160-lap race on the four-corner, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Daytona Beach, Florida oval scheduled for this coming Saturday, MBM Motorsports’ next competition isn’t set until the playoffs.

They will race the No. 66 Ford at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 21st (Saturday), Kansas Speedway on the 29th (Sunday), Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval on October 13th (Sunday), Las Vegas Motor Speedway on the 20th (Sunday) of October, and Phoenix Raceway on November 10th (Sunday).

Despite their unexpected exit from the Iowa Speedway race in June, followed by an unanticipated return at Richmond a fortnight ago and their non-participation at Daytona this weekend, and with no official drivers named for the upcoming five playoff races they aim to attend, it’s uncertain when the No. 66 Ford will grace the race track once more.

Tune into NBC this coming Saturday, August 24th at 7:00 p.m. ET as they broadcast the Coke Zero Sugar 400 live from Daytona International Speedway. If you don’t have a FuboTV subscription yet, now is the perfect time to start your free trial!

2024-08-22 16:32