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Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

Nationwide Wild Card: The Aaron’s 312 Preview

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Talladega,it’s an amazing fan experience and has been a fan favorite for many years. ‘Dega is one of two superspeedways and is always an entertaining race where the finish always seems to end in controversy and excitement.

This week we have both Busch Brother fighting it out as well as a showcase of young stars like Austin Dillon, Ryan Truex and Cole Whitt. Everytime Nascar heads to Alabama, it’s hard to judge just which race is better; the Cup race or the Nationwide race?

We’ve seen some great finishes year in and year out and the biggest thing to watch for is how this race effects the Championship battle.
Entry List and More after the Jump!

Entry Car# Driver Sponsor Manu Owner
1 1 Kurt Busch(i) * Phoenix Contruction 12 Chevy James Finch
2 01 Mike Wallace Restaurant.com 12 Chevy Johnny Davis
3 2 Elliott Sadler OneMain Financial 12 Chevy Delana Harvick
4 3 Austin Dillon Advocare 12 Chevy Morgan Shepherd
5 4 Danny Efland (S) 12 Chevy Rusty Wallace
6 5 Dale Earnhardt Jr(i) [PC2] * Hellmann's 12 Chevy Rick Hendrick
7 6 Ricky Stenhouse Jr Cargill/Blackwell Angus 12 Ford Jack Roush
8 7 Danica Patrick GoDaddy.com 12 Chevy Kelley Earnhardt-Miller
9 08 Tim Andrews (S) * 12 Ford Randy Hill
10 10 Jeff Green [PC1] (S) * 12 Toyota Mark Smith
11 11 Brian Scott Dollar General 12 Toyota J D Gibbs
12 12 Sam Hornish Jr Alliance 12 Dodge Roger Penske
13 14 Eric McClure Hefty/Reynolds Wrap Toyota Camry 12 Toyota Mark Smith
14 15 Jeffrey Earnhardt Fastwax.com 12 Ford Rick Ware
15 18 Joey Logano(i) GameStop 12 Toyota Joe Gibbs
16 19 Tayler Malsam G-Oil 12 Toyota Mark Smith
17 20 Ryan Truex * Grime Boss 12 Toyota Joe Gibbs
18 22 Brad Keselowski(i) Discount Tire 12 Dodge Roger Penske
19 23 Robert Richardson Jr North TX Pipe 12 Chevy Robert Richardson Sr
20 24 Benny Gordon 12 Toyota Jason Sciavicco
21 30 James Buescher(i) Accudoc 12 Chevy Harry Scott Jr
22 31 Justin Allgaier Brandt 12 Chevy Sandra Turner
23 33 Kevin Harvick(i) Armour 12 Chevy Delana Harvick
24 38 Brad Sweet Great Clips 12 Chevy Steve Turner
25 39 Joey Gase (S) * 12 Ford Archie St Hilaire
26 40 Erik Darnell 12 Chevy Curtis Key Sr
27 41 Timmy Hill Poynt.com-Shania Kidscan 12 Ford Rick Ware
28 42 Josh Wise(i) (S) * 12 Chevy Curtis Key Sr
29 43 Michael Annett Pilot/Flying J 12 Ford Sandra Turner
30 44 Mike Bliss 12 Toyota Mark Smith
31 46 Chase Miller (S) * 12 Chevy Curtis Key Sr
32 47 Scott Speed(i) (S) * 12 Chevy Curtis Key Sr
33 50 T J Bell * 12 Chevy Rusty Wallace
34 51 Jeremy Clements Clements Automotive 10 Chevy Tony Clements
35 52 Kevin Lepage * 12 Chevy Jimmy Means
36 54 Kyle Busch(i) Monster Energy 12 Toyota Kyle Busch
37 70 Johanna Long Foretravel 12 Chevy Mary Louise Miller
38 74 Mike Harmon (S) * Koma Unwind 12 Chevy Mike Harmon
39 75 Blake Koch * 12 Chevy Rick Ware
40 81 Jason Bowles American Majority 12 Toyota Gina MacDonald
41 87 Joe Nemechek AM/FM Energy Wood & Pellet Stoves 12 Toyota Andrea Nemechek
42 88 Cole Whitt TaxSlayer.com 12 Chevy Dale Earnhardt Jr
43 89 Morgan Shepherd * 12 Chevy Morgan Shepherd
44 99 Kenny Wallace American Ethanol 11 Toyota Robby Benton
(S)- Known Start and Park
(i)- Not Running for Title
(PC)- Past Champion
* - Must Qualify on Time

44 teams entered, so someone is going home.

  • #1- Last week’s winner Kurt Busch will drive for his Sprint Cup team Phoenix Racing this week. Busch is a great superspeedway driver and should be a favorite to go back to back.
  • #5- Dale Earnhardt could use this race as a great leaping off point for a strong enough run Sunday to break his win-less streak. Earnhardt hasn’t had quite the success that I’m sure he wishes he would have in this series.
  • #15- Jeffrey Earnhardt is running the #15 this week with Blake Koch running the start and park #75 team this week. (Editor’s Note: the #15 was the number Dale Earnhardt, Jeff’s Grandaddy, used when he raced for Bud Moore back in the 1980’s)#20-Ryan Truex is looking for some success. He’s been making some great starts for Joe Gibbs but could really make a name for himself this week.
  • #24- Benny Gordon returns this week after taking off last week.
  • #38- Brad Sweet is making a start this week for Turner Motorsports.
  • #99- Kenny Wallace returns to RAB Racing with a new number and a new drive to try and return to victory lane.

Join us Saturday Afternoon at 3pm eastern for the Live Running of the Aaron’s 312 on ABC. Check your local listings and join us at Nascar Ranting and Raving for an open race thread. Enjoy!

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