For just the second time in 2018, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series should have a full field.
In all, 40 cars are entered for the GEICO 500, the Cup Series’ first trip to Talladega Superspeedway in 2018. That number includes multiple part-time open teams, such as DJ Kennington in Gaunt Brothers Racing’s No. 96 and even Timothy Peters, who will attempt his Cup debut in Ricky Benton Racing’s No. 92.
Additionally, Brendan Gaughan returns with Beard Motorsports’ restrictor plate-only entry, the No. 62, and Premium Motorsports brings out its second car, the No. 55, currently entered with Reed Sorenson.
The only other major driver changes for the weekend are Joey Gase, who will make his first start with StarCom Racing’s No. 00, and Cole Custer, who will attempt his second Cup race in the No. 51.
The GEICO 500 is scheduled for April 29 at 2:20 p.m. ET. The action kicks off Friday (April 27) with a pair of practices, beginning at 12:35 p.m. ET. Qualifying follows on Saturday (April 28).
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.