TC Daily Pit Stop: Cleetus McFarland Not Approved For Talladega In O'Reilly Series; LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Names Guttilla New President
TC Daily Pit Stop: Thursday, April 9, 2026
Cleetus McFarland Not Approved For Talladega In O’Reilly Series After Rockingham Start
Cleetus McFarland will not scream around the high banks of Talladega Superspeedway like a bald eagle in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in a few weeks, as NASCAR has not approved him to compete in speedways in the series.
McFarland competed at Rockingham last weekend in hopes that he could gain approval, but a 32nd-place finish, six laps off the pace, on a day where he had four near-crashes, was not enough for NASCAR to justify approval on larger tracks.
McFarland says while the decision is a “kick in the nuts,” he agrees that he needs more seat time to deserve approval. NASCAR reiterates that McFarland remains approved for short tracks in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series, and all tracks in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series.
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Acquires Michael Guttilla As President
On the heels of the announcement that legendary singer/songwriter Darius Rucker has joined LEGACY MOTOR CLUB as a co-owner, the team announced the acquisition of Michael Guttilla, who will serve as the team’s president, on Wednesday.
Guttilla is the former Chief Operating Officer of Joe Gibbs Racing. According to a press release from LMC, Joe Gibbs Racing helped facilitate Guttilla’s move to LMC, and the move keeps Guttilla in the Toyota Racing family.
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OTHER NASCAR HEADLINES:
Gray Gaulding to Make First NASCAR Start In Three Years At Bristol
Seven NASCAR Cup Drivers To Compete In Bristol NASCAR Truck Race
Chase Briscoe Joining TRICON for Bristol Craftsman Truck Series Start
Entry List: 2026 NCTS Tennessee Army National Guard 250 at Bristol