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Honeycutt’s Big Move, Legend’s Sound Off On NextGen Car: NASCAR News Flash

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor
written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Honeycutt’s Playoff Gambit Shakes Up Truck Series; Legends Criticize NextGen Car

Driver switch ignites mid-season moves as concerns grow over NASCAR’s current car

A seismic shift in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has occurred as Kaden Honeycutt departs Niece Motorsports, triggering a cascade of driver announcements for the upcoming Watkins Glen races. Meanwhile, racing icons Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have voiced significant criticisms of the NextGen Cup car, signaling potential turbulence for NASCAR’s future.

Honeycutt’s Pre-Playoff Move Creates Vacancies

The drama began with **Kaden Honeycutt**, currently ninth in the Truck Series playoff standings, announcing his departure from Niece Motorsports. He is expected to fill in for the injured **Stewart Friesen**. Friesen suffered a broken pelvis and a fractured leg in a recent wreck, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. His victory at Michigan secured a playoff spot, making his replacement a crucial decision.

LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 20: **Kaden Honeycutt**, driver of the #45 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series MillerTech Battery 200 at Pocono Raceway on June 20, 2025 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Niece Motorsports confirmed their split with **Honeycutt** on Monday. Rumors suggest **Honeycutt** is slated to take over the #11 Toyota next season, potentially as **Corey Heim** moves to the Cup Series. This development, coupled with **Friesen**’s injury, has expedited **Honeycutt**’s new role.

Although **Honeycutt** was in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs with Niece, this move prioritizes his career advancement. He will drive the #52 Toyota for Halmar-Friesen Racing at Richmond and the #02 Chevrolet for Young’s Motorsports at Watkins Glen this weekend. The #52 entry is already playoff-bound, offering a significant career boost.

Watkins Glen Sees Musical Chairs Among Drivers

The Watkins Glen International lineup features several notable driver changes. **Connor Zilisch** will take the reins of the #45 truck for Niece Motorsports this weekend, with **Bayley Currey** slated to drive it after this event. **Ross Chastain** is confirmed for the #44 truck.

**Christopher Bell** will pilot the #91 for Halmar-Friesen Racing at the Glen, stepping in due to **Friesen**’s injury and **Honeycutt**’s immediate departure.

A new contender emerges as young talent **Brent Crews** launches his own Truck Series team. He’s set to make his debut this weekend in the #70 Toyota, sponsored by Pristine Auction. This marks a significant new venture in the series.

**Michael McDowell** will drive the #11 Camaro for Kaulig Racing, following the team’s parting ways with **Josh Williams**. **McDowell**’s car will feature sponsorship from **Bailey Zimmerman**’s upcoming album, “Different Night Same Rodeo,” releasing Friday.

In the Cup Series, **Connor Zilisch** makes his fourth start of the year, piloting the #87 Red Bull Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing.

Veterans Voice Discontent with NextGen Platform

The ongoing dialogue surrounding the NextGen car’s performance intensified this week with strong opinions from NASCAR legends **Kevin Harvick** and **Dale Earnhardt Jr.** following a challenging race at Iowa Speedway.

**Harvick** expressed concern that the Cup cars were slower than ARCA machines during qualifying.

NASCAR’s SVP of Competition, **Elton Sawyer**, indicated on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that increased horsepower for the NextGen car is being considered, but not before the 2026 season. However, **Harvick**’s observation points to broader issues beyond just power, suggesting fundamental design challenges.

**Earnhardt Jr.** was more blunt with his assessment.

“I don’t love this car. It’s an IMSA car, it’s got a diffuser, low profile tires, big rims, and big brakes, it’s a sports car, not a NASCAR stock car, but it is here. It doesn’t do any good, doesn’t do me any good to sit and b**ch about the f*****g lack of tire fall off or the inability to pass, it’s frustrating.”

—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer

Criticism from respected figures like **Harvick** and **Earnhardt Jr.** highlights growing dissatisfaction with the NextGen car’s on-track product. These sentiments suggest that significant adjustments may be necessary to improve the racing experience for fans and competitors alike.

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