Chase Elliott is set to pilot the No. 7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports in the Faith Fest 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 18, 2026, his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start since a February 2023 outing at Daytona.
Why is Elliott back in the Truck Series?
Elliott’s return follows the tragic loss of Kyle Busch, who was originally slated for the event. Spire Motorsports turned to the 2020 Cup champion to fill the seat, giving the 31‑year‑old a chance to revisit the series where he logged three wins and 15 top‑10 finishes in 18 starts. The move also offers Hendrick Motorsports a high‑profile driver to showcase the team’s partnership with Spire.
What does Elliott bring to the No. 7 entry?
The No. 7 Chevrolet has been Spire’s flagship truck, responsible for eight of the team’s 12 wins this season. Drivers like William Byron, Kyle Larson and the late Kyle Busch have all found success in the chassis. Elliott adds a Cup‑level pedigree and a track record of winning on short ovals, highlighted by his 2017 Martinsville Truck victory and a 2020 win at Charlotte.
How does this fit into Elliott’s 2026 schedule?
Elliott is currently in his 11th straight full‑time Cup season with Hendrick Motorsports, where he has amassed 23 wins and a 2020 championship. The July 18 Truck start will not interfere with his Cup commitments, as the Faith Fest 250 runs on a Saturday and the next Cup race is slated for the following weekend at Pocono.
What are the stakes for Spire Motorsports?
Spire sits fourth in the 2026 owner’s standings, having captured two victories this year with Busch at EchoPark Speedway and Dover Motor Speedway. A strong finish by Elliott could tighten the points gap and keep the team in contention for the owner’s championship as the season heads into its final stretch.
What can fans expect on race day?
The Faith Fest 250 kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET on FS1, with live radio coverage from the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM. Expect a packed field of 25 trucks, a short‑track battle on the historic 0.625‑mile North Wilkesboro oval, and plenty of drama as Elliott seeks to add a fourth Truck win to his résumé.
How might Elliott’s performance influence his Cup campaign?
A solid run in the Truck Series could boost Elliott’s confidence heading into the next Cup event, especially on similar short‑track layouts. While the Truck race won’t affect his Cup points, the experience of handling a different chassis under race pressure often translates into sharper car control and race‑craft in the premier series.
Key details: July 18, 2026 – Faith Fest 250 – North Wilkesboro Speedway – No. 7 Chevrolet – Spire Motorsports – broadcast on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network, SiriusXM.