Garage 66 NASCAR team, formerly known as MBM Motorsports, made a surprising return to the Daytona 500 in 2024 with Casey Mears driving the No. 66 Ford. Despite falling a lap behind early during the America 250 Florida Duel qualifying race, the team secured a spot in the Great American Race for the first time since 2020. However, the team unexpectedly withdrew from the upcoming race at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia, raising questions about their future participation.
Background on Recent Garage 66 Activity and Atlanta Withdrawal
Owned by Carl Long, Garage 66 had struggled in past seasons, failing to qualify for the Daytona 500 in seven attempts since Timmy Hill last raced for the team six years ago. Their last Daytona 500 finish dated back to 2018 when Mark Thompson placed 22nd. The recent qualification by Casey Mears and the No. 66 Ford was seen as a significant achievement and a sign of potential momentum into the current season.
Originally, the No. 66 was scheduled to participate in the 260-lap Autotrader 400 at the Atlanta oval, now known as EchoPark Speedway. The team’s entry was one of only three non-chartered cars, guaranteeing a race spot. Despite this, Garage 66 made the sudden decision to withdraw Mears and the car from the event, creating a last-minute shuffle in the open car lineup.
Garage 66’s Flexible Race Schedule and Driver Updates
Since their 2024 return to the NASCAR Cup Series after missing the entire 2023 season, Garage 66 has operated with a flexible, week-to-week approach. They currently plan to rejoin competition in April at Bristol Motor Speedway, where Chad Finchum will drive the No. 66 for two scheduled events. Finchum previously attempted to qualify in the Cook Out Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium but did not make the field.
With Garage 66’s withdrawal, the two remaining open entries at Atlanta are now the No. 44 Chevrolet from NY Racing Team, driven by J.J. Yeley, and the No. 78 Chevrolet from Live Fast Motorsports, driven by B.J. McLeod. Yeley failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 earlier this season, while McLeod qualified despite an early exit following an incident in that race.
Wider Impact on Open Entries at Atlanta and Upcoming Coverage
Alongside Garage 66’s absence, six other open cars that qualified for or attempted to make the Daytona 500 will not compete in Sunday’s Autotrader 400 at the 1.54-mile Hampton, Georgia track. This reduction in open entries could influence race dynamics and competition among non-chartered teams.
Fans can watch live coverage of the Autotrader 400 on Fox at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 22. New viewers are encouraged to start a free trial of FuboTV to access the complete broadcast and race-day action.
Significance of Garage 66’s Withdrawal and Season Outlook
Garage 66’s unexpected pullout from the Atlanta race highlights the challenges smaller teams face in maintaining full-season participation in the highly competitive NASCAR Cup Series. While their breakthrough qualifying at Daytona 500 showed promise, unpredictable scheduling and resource limitations may be factors behind their cautious approach.
The team’s plans to return in April with Chad Finchum suggest a focus on selective events rather than continuous engagement, which could impact sponsorship and development opportunities. Observers will watch closely to see if Garage 66 can stabilize its presence and build on the momentum gained early in the season.
