The 10-race 2026 NASCAR Cup Series postseason got underway with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway two weekends ago, and there were two non-chartered (open) cars in that race. However, neither one returned for the second race of the playoffs at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.
This weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, one of those two cars is set to return, but not with the same driver who competed at Darlington.
Chad Finchum ran the Southern 500 behind the wheel of the No. 66 Ford for Garage 66 (MBM Motorsports), but he was knocked out with a suspension issue, resulting in a 38th (last) place finish. It was the team's first last place finish since the Goodyear 400 at the same track back in March, when Timmy Hill was scored 37th after also being knocked out early.
Garage 66 changes drivers for Bristol playoff race
It was also Garage 66's worst overall result since Josh Bilicki's 39th place DNF at Bristol Motor Speedway in April 2025, making it their worst finish in 54 races. Of those 54 races, the Carl Long-owned team fielded an entry in 27.
This weekend at Bristol, it's Bilicki who is set to return for his third start of the year. He placed 34th at Watkins Glen International in May and 35th at Richmond Raceway in August. He had been slated to compete at Chicagoland Speedway in July before the team withdrew the No. 66 car.
Because the No. 66 car is the only open car on the entry list, it is locked into the 500-lap race around the four-turn, 0.533-mile (0.858-kilometer) high-banked Bristol, Tennessee oval.
Beyond this weekend, Garage 66 plan to enter the No. 66 car three more times this year. Gray Gaulding, who tried but failed to qualify for the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway, is set to return for the October race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the November race at Martinsville Speedway.
The team also plan to compete at Talladega Superspeedway in October, but they've yet to confirm a driver for that event.
USA Network's live coverage of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 19. Tune in and don't miss any of the action from Bristol Motor Speedway!
Add us as a preferred source on Google