NASCAR reinstates driver, team owner after suspension

NASCAR has reinstated Roper Racing Truck Series driver and team owner Cory Roper after suspending him indefinitely last month.

Following the season opener at Daytona International Speedway last month, NASCAR Truck Series driver and team owner Cory Roper learned that he been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR.

The 45-year-old Vernon, Texas native violated Sections 4.1 & 10.1.A of the NASCAR rulebook, which relate to the sport’s Substance Abuse Policy.

No further details were released, other than the fact that he needed to complete NASCAR’s Road to Recovery Program in order to be reinstated. On Tuesday, it was confirmed that the Roper had indeed been reinstated.

Ironically, Cory Roper does not currently have any plans to compete throughout the 2023 NASCAR Truck Series season.

In fact, he hasn’t been behind the wheel of the No. 04 Ford since 2021, as he withdrew from the organization’s lone appearance last season at Talladega Superspeedway in October.

Roper has competed in 43 of Roper Racing’s 49 Truck Series starts and owns their all-time best finish of third place at Daytona International Speedway in February 2021.

Kaden Honeycutt, who competed for G2G Racing and On Point Motorsports in select races throughout last season, is Roper Racing’s only confirmed driver for the 2023 season. He was not prohibited from competing amid his owner’s indefinite suspension.

Honeycutt failed to qualify for the season opener but then made it into the races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway. He finished those races in 25th and 33rd place, respectively.

The 19-year-old Willow Park, Texas native, who is currently tied for 33rd place in the point standings, is also set to compete in the three upcoming races at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday, March 25; Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 1; and Bristol Motor Speedway (dirt) on Saturday, April 8.

Beyond the sixth race on this year’s 23-race schedule, Roper Racing have not yet confirmed any plans.