Here’s a breakdown and analysis of the four changes made to the NASCAR Cup Series entry list for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington compared to last weekend’s race at Martinsville:
1. Removal of Team AmeriVet (No. 50 – Burt Myers)
Martinsville: Burt Myers made his Cup debut driving for Team AmeriVet in the No. 50 Chevrolet.
Darlington: This team is not entered, removing one non-chartered entry from the lineup.
Analysis: Myers’ start was likely a one-off or limited-entry plan, likely tied to the local significance of Martinsville for short track racers. Team AmeriVet doesn’t appear to be running a full or even part-time Cup schedule at this point.
2. Removal of Garage 66/MBM Motorsports (No. 66 – Casey Mears)
Martinsville: Mears made a surprise return to the Cup Series in the No. 66 Ford.
Darlington: That team is also absent this weekend.
Analysis: Like Myers, Mears’ entry was probably a special appearance, potentially promotional or testing-related. Garage 66 and MBM are known for sporadic entries, usually tied to specific opportunities or sponsor availability.
3. Addition of Richard Childress Racing No. 33 – Austin Hill
Darlington: RCR adds a third car for full-time Xfinity driver Austin Hill.
Analysis: This is a strategic move. Hill is being tested in the Cup environment on a track that will host a playoff race. It gives RCR a chance to evaluate his Cup readiness and collect extra data in race conditions. Hill is a rising talent and could be in line for a full-time Cup seat soon.
4. Return of NY Racing Team No. 44 – J.J. Yeley
Darlington: NY Racing returns for their third start of the year.
Analysis: Yeley and NY Racing are taking advantage of the open slots in the field to get more starts. These are likely lower-budget efforts, but they help fill the field and give Yeley continued Cup exposure. His presence in multiple events shows a bit of consistency and commitment from NY Racing in 2025.
Overall Entry List Impact
Martinsville: 39 cars (due to both the No. 50 and No. 66 entries).
Darlington: 38 cars (with the No. 33 and No. 44 replacing the other two).
While the number of entries only dropped by one, the makeup changed. One-off appearances were replaced with more strategic or recurring entries, particularly Austin Hill’s RCR expansion, which stands out as the most meaningful change from a competitive standpoint.
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into how these changes could affect the race or any particular driver/team!
