Ross Chastain Replacement Confirmed for Pocono NASCAR Race JR Motorsports has confirmed that its fifth car will return to competition this weekend at Pocono Raceway, marking a shift in driver lineups for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The team had previously limited itself to four full-time entries for the most recent race at Nashville Superspeedway, but the fifth car will be reintroduced for the MillerTech Battery 250. However, Ross Chastain, who previously drove the No. 9 Chevrolet to victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway, will not be its driver for the remainder of the season. Chastain’s participation in the No. 9 car was limited to a single start at Nashville, where he finished in the top 10, but his future plans beyond that race remain uncertain. The No. 9 car, which has been a regular entry for JR Motorsports this season, has already secured two wins this year. The most recent victory came in March at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), driven by Trackhouse Racing teammate Shane van Gisbergen. Chastain’s previous win in the series dates back to July 2019 at Daytona International Speedway, where he drove for Kaulig Racing. His return to the No. 9 car for the Nashville race was a notable moment, as it marked his seventh start of the 2026 season and the fourth appearance of the No. 9 Chevrolet. For the Pocono race, the No. 9 car will be piloted by Carson Kvapil, who previously drove the team’s full-time No. 1 Chevrolet at Nashville. Kvapil, a full-time driver across three entries, has demonstrated strong performance this season. He currently sits seventh in the point standings, 106 points ahead of the playoff cut line with eight races remaining in the regular season. His record includes eight top 10 finishes, with four of those placements inside the top five. Kvapil’s move to the No.#trackhouse_racing #jr_motorsports #pocono_raceway #ross_chastain #carson_kvapil
Kevin Magnussen to Make NASCAR Debut in Trackhouse's PROJECT91 Entry in San Diego Kevin Magnussen will make his NASCAR debut later this month as part of Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 entry for the inaugural event at the Coronado Naval Base in San Diego. The race, scheduled for June 19-21, marks Magnussen’s first appearance in the NASCAR Cup Series. Qualcomm is supporting the effort, which aims to provide drivers from outside the NASCAR world with a chance to compete at this level. Magnussen expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “What Justin Marks and Trackhouse have done with PROJECT91 is unique. To provide drivers from outside of the NASCAR world with a chance to compete at this level is a rare opportunity. I’m proud to have this chance.” Magnussen, a Danish Formula 1 driver, has competed in 185 Grand Prix races across two stints in F1 and currently participates in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and select IMSA races with BMW M Team WRT. He has also made a single start in the NTT IndyCar Series. Before the San Diego event, Magnussen spent time with Trackhouse Racing in North Carolina, where he familiarized himself with the team’s operations, including pit stop procedures and equipment setup. The PROJECT91 entry will field a fourth car for the San Diego event alongside drivers Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen, and rookie Connor Zilisch. Phil Surgen will serve as the team’s crew chief. Surgen previously guided Chastain’s team for five years before joining PROJECT91. Team owner Justin Marks emphasized the significance of the partnership, noting, “We were waiting for the right opportunity with the right partner and driver. Qualcomm is a worldwide brand, and Kevin Magnussen is a global driver—both align with our vision for PROJECT91.#qualcomm #trackhouse_racing #kevin_magnussen #project91 #coronado_naval_base
Busch Light Apple Returns in 2026, Fans Can Find It This Spring Busch Light, a light beer brand under Anheuser-Busch, officially reintroduced its apple-flavored variant, known as "Busch Light Apple" or "bapple," to nationwide markets on April 20, 2026. The beer had previously been available in limited releases during 2021 and 2022 but was not stocked in 2023 or 2024. Its return in 2026 marks a renewed effort to meet fan demand, as the product had gained significant attention during its earlier iterations. The 2025 release of Busch Light Apple saw strong consumer response, with 1.2 million cases sold within the first month of its availability. This performance earned the beer the title of "No. 1 beer of innovation" according to Anheuser-Busch’s April 13 press release. Krystyn Stowe, head of marketing for Busch Family & Natural Family at Anheuser-Busch, noted the enthusiasm from fans. "Last year’s return of Busch Light Apple created a frenzy among fans, and the excitement only kept building when we announced it was coming back again this year," she said. "Our fans made it clear just how much they missed that crisp, refreshing apple flavor, so bringing it back was an easy decision." The reintroduction of Busch Light Apple was officially announced on April 13, 2026, with the beer becoming available in retail outlets on April 20. The product is offered in a variety of packaging options, including six-packs of 16-ounce cans, as well as 12-, 24-, and 30-packs. Single cans are also available in 12-ounce and 25-ounce sizes. The limited-time availability of the beer means consumers are encouraged to purchase it while supplies last. As part of the return, the company also conducted a drawing in collaboration with Trackhouse Racing.#anheuserbusch #busch_light_apple #krystyn_stowe #trackhouse_racing #concord_north_carolina
