Garage 66 has detailed comprehensive plans for the 2026 NASCAR season, as team owner Carl Long revealed during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Central to these ambitions is an expanded schedule, new team branding, and an updated driver roster, with the Garage 66 2026 NASCAR plans aiming to boost the team’s competitive edge across multiple series.
Recent Challenges and Notable Drivers in 2024
This past season proved eventful for the outfit, formerly competing as MBM Motorsports. The team initially intended to enter the Daytona 500 with seasoned driver Mike Wallace, but was denied due to Wallace’s prolonged break from active racing. Chandler Smith was brought in as a replacement but failed to qualify after a crash in the Duels. The team continued to rotate drivers—Chad Finchum, David Starr, and Josh Bilicki each participated in select races, while veteran Casey Mears wrapped up the season by competing in the last three Cup events, making his 500th Cup Series start and earning his best finish with an 18th place at Talladega.
Expansion Plans for 2026: More Races and a Broad Driver Lineup
Looking forward, Garage 66 is set to increase its presence in the Cup Series, with Joseph Srigley, a NASCAR reporter, summarizing Carl Long’s statements from the radio interview:
“Long confirms that Garage 66 is planning to run somewhere around 26 NASCAR Cup Series events in 2026, with a number of drivers. The No. 66 will be present at Bowman-Gray for The Clash, with either Josh Bilicki or Chad Finchum.”
For the 2026 Daytona 500, plans include fielding Casey Mears, underlining the team’s intent to blend experienced racers with newer talent as part of its Garage 66 2026 NASCAR plans.
Strategic Moves in the Truck Series
Expansion also continues beyond the Cup Series. In a follow-up update, Srigley reported:
“As for the team’s #NASCAR Truck Series program, Long says MBM has acquired some trucks from FRM (including the truck that Chandler Smith won North Wilkesboro with). Tyler Tomassi will run Daytona, as previously announced, with more to come on the program at a later date,” Srigley wrote in a follow-up tweet.
This move sees MBM Motorsports, now aligned with Garage 66 branding, entering the Truck Series with competitive equipment and a determined focus on developing rising talent such as Tyler Tomassi, who is set to race at Daytona.
Why MBM Motorsports is Rebranding to Garage 66
The transition from MBM Motorsports, officially Motorsports Business Management, to Garage 66 marks a significant strategic shift. The team began operating under the Garage 66 name from 2025, leveraging its in-house engine provider, Power Source LLC, to support its Cup Series entries. Carl Long explained the rationale and benefits behind the new identity:
“We are rebranding our NASCAR Cup Series entry to Garage 66. The new name and logo reflect the streamlining of our team to fewer people with higher standards. We want to deliver great race cars to each track we compete at and produce solid finishes with fewer mistakes. Management and accountability become much less stressful with just one car at the track most weekends and many fewer people,” Carl Long said via Forbes.
This rebrand reflects a focus on quality, efficiency, and accountability, with the team often fielding a single car per event to allow tighter operations and higher standards.
New Investment and Unique Initiatives
Garage 66’s Cup Series program also attracted new investors, providing fresh resources and momentum. Fielding the No.66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, the team generated fan interest with creative promotions, such as Josh Bilicki’s Cup Series start at Bristol Motor Speedway, which raised awareness for testicular cancer through a partnership with Manscaped.
With these structural updates, expanding driver lineup, and high-profile appearances at events such as Bowman-Gray and Daytona 500, Garage 66 is positioning itself as a dynamic, independent presence in the 2026 NASCAR season. The coming months will reveal how these changes translate on the track and whether the team’s streamlined approach will yield stronger results in both the Cup and Truck Series.
