Layne Riggs Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
By Roy J. Akers– www.skyviewsports.net
Bristol, TN.– When NASCAR relaxed racing rules to allow CUP drivers more appearances in both the O’Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series, it figured to pay big dividends. NASCAR has found that at Daytona, CUP drivers and social media and racing legends had a nearly sold-out crowd and plenty of buzz. Tony Stewart did a one-off at Daytona in the Truck series, and racing legend Travis Pastrana and Cleetus McFarland peaked fan interest, and they filled the grandstands.
NASCAR relaxed the rules, and CUP drivers can now drive in ten O’Reilly events, up from five and can drive in eight Craftsman Truck events, where it was five in 2025. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. answers my question on how he and other CUP drivers like the change, and the Craftsman Trucks 2026 winner gives his perspective of the Sunday drivers racing in the series.
Roy J. Akers covers NASCAR and motorsports for www.skyviewsports.net and is the host of High Banked Fury- the Podcast. Subscribe to this website and the podcast. It’s free!
