The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series returns Friday evening to Watkins Glen International, bringing a stacked 36-truck field to the historic road course. This weekend marks the first full entry list since the Daytona season opener, highlighted by several NASCAR Cup Series regulars dropping down to compete and multiple new names making their series debuts. With the Mission 176 set for 5 p.m. ET, the entry list promises a compelling mix of veterans, part-timers, and rookies battling for road course supremacy.
Key Highlights
A 36-truck field is set for Friday’s Mission 176, the first full entry list since Daytona’s season opener.
Cup drivers Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, and Chris Buescher will join Truck regulars, adding star power to the event.
Connor Zilisch begins a triple-duty weekend driving the No. 45 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet.
Brent Crews Motorsports makes its debut with Brent Crews piloting the No. 70 Toyota entry.
Kaden Honeycutt, sixth in driver points, is notably absent from the lineup after parting ways with Niece Motorsports.
Cup Stars Boost the Truck Field
Four NASCAR Cup Series regulars headline the Mission 176 entry list, adding intrigue to Friday’s race. Kyle Busch, the all-time winningest Truck Series driver, will pilot the No. 07 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. Ross Chastain joins Niece Motorsports in the No. 44 Chevrolet, bringing his aggressive driving style to the field.
Christopher Bell fills in for the injured Stewart Friesen in the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota. Chris Buescher makes his Truck Series debut in ThorSport Racing’s No. 66 Ford, providing another Cup-level challenge for series regulars. Their presence will test younger drivers and potentially shake up the points standings with limited regular-season races remaining.
Connor Zilisch and the Honeycutt Shake-Up
Connor Zilisch will run triple-duty this weekend, starting with Friday’s Truck race in the No. 45 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. The young driver replaces Kaden Honeycutt after the team announced a sudden split earlier this week.
Honeycutt, currently sixth in driver standings and eighth in the playoff picture, is without a confirmed ride but has made previous starts with Young’s Motorsports, whose No. 02 entry remains unassigned. Zilisch’s addition continues his rapid progression across NASCAR’s three national series, with expectations high for his road course skills to deliver a competitive performance at The Glen.
| POS | Car No. | Driver Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | William Sawalich |
| 2 | 2 | William Lambros |
| 3 | 02 | – |
| 4 | 5 | Toni Breidinger |
| 5 | 07 | Kyle Busch |
| 6 | 7 | Sammy Smith |
| 7 | 9 | Grant Enfinger |
| 8 | 11 | Corey Heim |
| 9 | 13 | Jake Garcia |
| 10 | 15 | Tanner Gray |
| 11 | 17 | Giovanni Ruggiero |
| 12 | 18 | Tyler Ankrum |
| 13 | 19 | Daniel Hemric |
| 14 | 22 | Gian Buffomante |
| 15 | 26 | Dawson Sutton |
| 16 | 33 | Frankie Muniz |
| 17 | 34 | Layne Riggs |
| 18 | 38 | Chandler Smith |
| 19 | 42 | Matt Mills |
| 20 | 44 | Ross Chastain |
| 21 | 45 | Connor Zilisch |
| 22 | 52 | Christopher Bell |
| 23 | 56 | Timmy Hill |
| 24 | 62 | Wesley Slimp |
| 25 | 66 | Chris Buescher |
| 26 | 69 | Derek White |
| 27 | 70 | Brent Crews |
| 28 | 71 | Rajah Caruth |
| 29 | 75 | Parker Kligerman |
| 30 | 76 | Spencer Boyd |
| 31 | 77 | Andres Perez De Lara |
| 32 | 81 | Connor Mosack |
| 33 | 88 | Matt Crafton |
| 34 | 91 | Jack Wood |
| 35 | 98 | Ty Majeski |
| 36 | 99 | Ben Rhodes |
Friday’s race will also see the debut of Brent Crews Motorsports. Brent Crews himself will pilot the new No. 70 Toyota, marking his fourth Truck Series start and first with his own team. Gian Buffomante will also make his series debut in the No. 22 Reaume Brothers Racing truck, adding another fresh face to the field.
Several familiar part-time entries return, including William Lambros in the No. 2, Timmy Hill in the No. 56, Wesley Slimp in the No. 62, and Derek White in the No. 69. Xfinity Series regular Sammy Smith returns for his third Truck start of the season, driving Spire’s No. 7 Chevrolet. This blend of experience, new ventures, and cross-series competitors sets up a dynamic battle through the field.
News in Brief: 2025 Watkins Glen Truck Race Entry List
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series returns to full strength with 36 trucks entered for Friday’s Mission 176 at Watkins Glen. Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, and Chris Buescher headline Cup Series participants, while Connor Zilisch takes over the No. 45 Niece Motorsports entry amid Kaden Honeycutt’s sudden departure. Brent Crews launches his self-owned team, with multiple part-time and debut drivers adding depth to the race lineup. The green flag drops at 5 p.m. ET, with live coverage on FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Fans won’t want to miss this star-packed road course showdown.
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