When NASCAR's new (and relaxed) restrictions on full-time Cup Series drivers competing in Craftsman Truck Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races were announced over the offseason, it was still made clear that no Cup drivers, regardless of their experience, would be allowed to compete in the regular season finales in either of those two other series.
However, that rule was scrapped for the Truck Series regular season finale at New Hampshire Motor Speedway three weekends ago, and three full-time Cup drivers took advantage.
One of them was John Hunter Nemechek, who drove the No. 5 Toyota for Tricon Garage. He had not competed in a Truck Series race for Tricon Garage since 2023, and his only two starts in the series since then had come earlier in 2026 with Halmar Friesen Racing. He finished in 19th at Loudon.
John Hunter Nemechek replacement confirmed for Bristol
But the rule prohibiting Cup Series drivers from running any Truck Series playoff races has not been scrapped; no Cup Series drivers will be allowed to run any of the seven races on this year's Truck Series postseason schedule, including this Thursday night's playoff opener at Bristol Motor Speedway.
With Nemechek out, Bayley Currey is set to take over behind the wheel of the No. 5 Toyota this weekend. Currey competed in the Truck Series on some level each year from 2017 to 2025, but he has not yet competed in a race in any NASCAR national series this year.
Currey ran full-time in the Truck Series for Niece Motorsports in 2024, but he recorded his career-high finishes of fourth place, both at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, while running a part-time schedule for the same team in 2023 and 2025. In five career Truck Series starts at Bristol, his top finish is 13th in 2023. He did finish 11th at the track in the O'Reilly Series back in 2022.
Currey's Tricon Garage deal is notably set to include multiple races, as he's also set to run the October race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The team have yet to confirm any drivers of the No. 5 Toyota for any of the other five races on the playoff schedule.
Their lineup for the No. 1 Toyota, their other shared entry, has been confirmed for the entire postseason, with Nick Leitz set to lead things off at the "Last Great Colosseum" this evening.
Fox Sports 1 is set to provide live coverage of the UNOH 250 from Bristol Motor Speedway beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 17. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don't miss the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener!
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