Garage 66 has unexpectedly pulled out of the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series event in Atlanta, putting a halt to their recent momentum after qualifying for the Daytona 500. The team’s withdrawal leaves only two open (non-chartered) cars in the field for Sunday’s race, impacting the overall lineup for the NASCAR Cup Series Atlanta withdrawal.
Unexpected Change After Daytona Return
Earlier this month, Garage 66—previously known as MBM Motorsports—achieved a major milestone by making the Daytona 500 for the first time since 2020. Veteran driver Casey Mears piloted the No. 66 Ford to a 32nd-place finish despite falling a lap down early in the qualifying race. For the team, owned by Carl Long, it was a significant achievement, ending a streak of seven failed qualifying attempts since Timmy Hill last entered the Great American Race in 2018. The team had not seen the checkered flag in the Daytona 500 since Mark Thompson managed a 22nd-place finish six years ago.
With renewed hope, the organization looked to build on that result as their entry was listed for this Sunday’s race at EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway. With 39 cars expected, the No. 66 Ford seemed secured to race, given only two other open entries were present. However, this optimism was short-lived as Garage 66 officially removed both Mears and car No. 66 from the entry list.
Garage 66’s Approach to the 2024 Season
Since rejoining Cup Series competition in 2024 after not racing in 2023, Garage 66 has operated on a week-to-week basis. Their next planned appearance is for the April event at Bristol Motor Speedway, where Chad Finchum is scheduled to drive in one of his two races this season. However, plans remain flexible and subject to change based on circumstances. Chad Finchum previously attempted to compete at Bowman Gray Stadium, but he did not qualify for the preseason Cook Out Clash exhibition event.
Entry List for Atlanta and Other Open Car Updates
With Garage 66 out, the remaining open cars for the 260-lap race in Hampton, Georgia, are the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet (driven by J.J. Yeley) and the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet (with B.J. McLeod behind the wheel). J.J. Yeley did not make the cut for the Daytona 500, while B.J. McLeod, like Casey Mears, had managed to qualify for Daytona, although his race was cut short due to a race incident.
Six other open teams that either competed in the Daytona 500 or attempted to qualify for it will also be absent from this weekend’s Autotrader 400 in Atlanta, narrowing the presence of non-chartered cars in the field.
What This Means for NASCAR Fans and Teams
The NASCAR Cup Series Atlanta withdrawal by Garage 66 changes the field dynamics, reducing competition among open teams and providing new challenges for those still vying for strong finishes. Garage 66’s future participation remains uncertain, with attention now shifted to their scheduled Bristol appearance with Chad Finchum. Additionally, teams and fans will watch for updates as the 2024 season progresses, including potential changes in driver lineups or further withdrawals.
The race at EchoPark Speedway is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 22, with coverage on Fox. The story of Garage 66’s withdrawal underlines the unpredictable and challenging nature of competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, particularly for smaller teams balancing participation and resources throughout the long season.
