Kyle Busch will participate in eight races for Spire Motorsports during the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, marking his largest Truck Series schedule since 2014 as a result of eased entry restrictions by NASCAR. This adjustment to the so-called “Kyle Busch rule” provides more flexibility for experienced Cup Series drivers, bringing the Kyle Busch Truck Series schedule into the spotlight this season.
NASCAR Adjusts Limits for Veteran Cup Drivers
Previously, full-time Cup Series drivers with at least three years of Cup experience could enter no more than five lower-division races. The new regulations expand this cap to eight Truck Series events per year, while O’Reilly Auto Parts Series—formerly the Xfinity Series—permit up to 10 races. This change is seen as a significant opening for both teams and drivers like Kyle Busch, allowing them greater participation and increased competitive opportunities in the Truck Series.
Strong Start for Busch and Spire Motorsports
Kyle Busch kicked off his Truck Series campaign by driving the No. 7 Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway, previously known as Atlanta Motor Speedway. With his win at this venue, Busch extended his all-time series win record to 68 victories. Michael McDowell, a Spire Motorsports Cup Series regular, initiated the team’s season in the truck at Daytona International Speedway one week earlier, contributing to a diverse lineup in the opening races.
Connor Mosack Steps In for St. Petersburg Event
Connor Mosack is set to make his season debut in the No. 7 truck for Spire Motorsports during the series’ inaugural street race at St. Petersburg, Florida. The calendar has caused a logistics shakeup, as the only Cup, O’Reilly, and Truck Series races this weekend are at different venues; Kyle Busch will concurrently be racing at Circuit of the Americas for Richard Childress Racing in the Cup Series. Mosack, who last raced full-time with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing and completed six races for Spire Motorsports in 2024, has signed on for 12 Truck Series events in 2026.
New Faces Join the Spire Motorsports Truck Lineup
Spire Motorsports will field a fresh driver roster in St. Petersburg, with Mosack taking over the No. 7 Chevrolet and former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe stepping into the No. 77 entry. Hinchcliffe, known for his career in open-wheel racing and making his first-ever start in a NASCAR national series, joins the team after Carson Hocevar’s appearances with the No. 77 truck at Daytona and Atlanta. This debut for Hinchcliffe, alongside Mosack, introduces a mix of experience and new talent to the Truck Series weekend.
Looking Ahead: Busch’s Next Truck Race
Kyle Busch is not scheduled to rejoin the Truck Series until the sixth race of the season, which will take place at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, April 10. This break gives Spire Motorsports and its new lineup time to build momentum through the unique challenge of St. Petersburg’s 14-turn, 1.8-mile street circuit—an unprecedented setting for a NASCAR Truck Series event.
Race Details and Broadcast Information
The OnlyBulls Green Flag 150, set on the temporary street circuit of St. Petersburg, Florida, will be broadcast live on Fox at 12:00 p.m. ET Saturday, February 28. Fans can witness the debut of the first-ever NASCAR Truck Series street race, featuring Mosack, Hinchcliffe, and the rest of Spire Motorsports’ revised roster, as the series breaks new ground in a dynamic race environment.
