NASCAR returns to the heart of Tennessee this weekend, as the Cup Series heads to the 1.33-mile concrete oval of Nashville Superspeedway for the Cracker Barrel 400. On Tuesday afternoon, the sanctioning body released its preliminary entry list, revealing a solid 39-car field. While the 36 chartered teams remain unchanged, three “Open” entries will battle for a spot on Sunday’s starting grid in what promises to be a race near the Music City.
From veterans to rising stars, the mix of talent heading into Nashville includes big names, familiar faces, and a few noteworthy storylines that fans should keep an eye on as NASCAR’s summer stretch heats up.
Corey Heim Returns with 23XI Racing and Eric Church Sponsorship
One of the most intriguing storylines on the Nashville entry list is the return of Corey Heim to the NASCAR Cup Series. The 22-year-old Truck Series standout will once again climb behind the wheel of the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing, supported by primary sponsorship from Chief’s, a Nashville bar owned by country music icon Eric Church.
Heim made headlines earlier this season with a solid 13th-place finish at Kansas Speedway, showing poise and potential beyond his years. With four victories already in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season and a total of 15 career wins in just 75 Truck Series starts, the Georgia native is quickly establishing himself as one of the hottest prospects in the sport.
Now returning to the Cup Series in front of a hometown-style crowd and with star-powered backing, Heim could be poised for another breakthrough performance.
Yeley and Finchum Round Out the Open Entries
While Heim headlines the non-chartered entries, two more Open cars will make their presence known at Nashville. JJ Yeley, a veteran of the sport, will be back in the No. 44 Chevrolet for NY Racing Team, with sponsorship from Fanatics Sportsbook. Yeley takes over the seat from Derek Kraus, who finished 32nd in the Coca-Cola 600.
| Entry | Car | Driver |
| 1 | 1 | Ross Chastain |
| 2 | 2 | Austin Cindric |
| 3 | 3 | Austin Dillon |
| 4 | 4 | Noah Gragson |
| 5 | 5 | Kyle Larson |
| 6 | 6 | Brad Keselowski |
| 7 | 7 | Justin Haley |
| 8 | 8 | Kyle Busch |
| 9 | 9 | Chase Elliott |
| 10 | 10 | Ty Dillon |
| 11 | 11 | Denny Hamlin |
| 12 | 12 | Ryan Blaney |
| 13 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger |
| 14 | 17 | Chris Buescher |
| 15 | 19 | Chase Briscoe |
| 16 | 20 | Christopher Bell |
| 17 | 21 | Josh Berry |
| 18 | 22 | Joey Logano |
| 19 | 23 | Bubba Wallace |
| 20 | 24 | William Byron |
| 21 | 34 | Todd Gilliland |
| 22 | 35 | Riley Herbst # |
| 23 | 38 | Zane Smith |
| 24 | 41 | Cole Custer |
| 25 | 42 | John Hunter Nemechek |
| 26 | 43 | Erik Jones |
| 27 | 44 | JJ Yeley * (i) |
| 28 | 45 | Tyler Reddick |
| 29 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 30 | 48 | Alex Bowman |
| 31 | 51 | Cody Ware |
| 32 | 54 | Ty Gibbs |
| 33 | 60 | Ryan Preece |
| 34 | 66 | Chad Finchum * |
| 35 | 67 | Corey Heim * (i) |
| 36 | 71 | Michael McDowell |
| 37 | 77 | Carson Hocevar |
| 38 | 88 | Shane van Gisbergen # |
| 39 | 99 | Daniel Suarez |
Though Yeley’s results in recent years haven’t made much noise, his return to the No. 44 brings valuable experience to the field. Given the unpredictable nature of Nashville’s concrete surface and long green-flag runs, Yeley’s veteran instincts could help him survive and possibly thrive.
Local favorite Chad Finchum, a Tennessee native, will also compete this weekend, driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Garage 66, with backing from Aires. This marks Finchum’s second Cup Series start of the season and another opportunity to shine in front of a home-state crowd. While expectations are tempered, his presence adds a local flair to the event, which is always a hit with fans in the region.
Heavyweights and Playoff Hopefuls Populate the Field
Beyond the Open entries, the 36 chartered cars are loaded with familiar names and championship contenders. Kyle Larson, fresh off multiple wins this season, will once again pilot the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. His teammate, Chase Elliott, continues to fight for playoff security in the No. 9 car, and the Tennessee crowd traditionally rallies behind him.
Defending champion Ryan Blaney returns in the No. 12 Menards Ford for Team Penske, while teammate Joey Logano will look to rebound from a shaky midseason stretch. Logano’s Shell/Pennzoil-backed No. 22 Ford is always a threat on intermediates.
23XI Racing fields a three-car stable with Tyler Reddick (No. 45), Bubba Wallace (No. 23), and rookie Riley Herbst (No. 35) all locked in for the weekend. Wallace, in particular, will look to capitalize on momentum and gain critical points toward the playoffs.
Another notable name is Shane van Gisbergen, who will drive the No. 88 Red Bull Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. The New Zealand native continues to adapt to NASCAR’s unique style and has already gained a fan following in his limited starts.
News in Brief: Cracker Barrel 400 Entry List
With 39 cars on the preliminary entry list, the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway promises to deliver a compelling blend of established stars, rising talent, and underdog stories. Corey Heim’s return is sure to draw eyes, especially with the added celebrity connection of Eric Church, while veterans like JJ Yeley and hometown hopeful Chad Finchum bring depth and character to the field.
From the playoff-hungry drivers near the bubble to the dominant forces looking to strengthen their championship runs, Sunday’s race offers something for everyone. As the summer schedule builds intensity, Nashville could be a pivotal moment in shaping the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture.
Fans and teams alike are bracing for a hot weekend in Tennessee—and with 400 miles on the line, nothing will come easy in the Music City.
