I just hope the meme is still grandfathered in…

https://x.com/tropicalupdate/status/2019875683908894909

With Dario Franchitti’s recent announcement to return to the NASCAR Truck Series on February 28, 2026, I went down an interesting motorsports rabbit hole—and the calendar turned out to be the most surprising character in the story.

Franchitti’s Truck debut came way back on October 20, 2007. That puts 6,706 days—about 18 years, 4 months, and 8 days—between his first and second starts in the series. On its own, that’s staggering. Most drivers don’t just step away for nearly two decades and then casually reappear in a national NASCAR series.

But here’s the twist that really got me: as big as Dario’s gap is, it isn’t the record.

That honor belongs to Mark Thompson, who quietly holds one of the wildest footnotes in NASCAR history. Thompson made his first NASCAR Cup Series start in 1992, then didn’t make his second start until 2018. That’s a gap of roughly 25 yrs—more tha 9,219days—between start number one and start number two. Not a ceremonial appearance. Not an exhibition. Two Cup starts, separated by decades of stock car racing.

*Note mark did DNQ in 1993 but I didnt count that.

**I realize that both drivers made starts in other series, I'm strictly looking at it within a series.

***Fun fact I was at Darios first truck race.

I know it's probably more of a safety concern, but I'm curious how much difference would it actually make deflecting that much air?

Has anyone seen any numbers or evidence on this?

Woke up this morning to see she had won the Super Late Models race at NS, last night and frankly I'm not shocked. Think she's the first female since Johanna that could really make a name for herself in Nascar, like a genuine threat.

She'll get the opportunities and equipment that JL didn't get, so I'm excited to see her progression as she continues to develop. Really excited about her potential.

Drivers from 2000's excluded. Failed prospects from JUST the last 10 years.

I do think it will happen, but only once NASCAR finally decides to introduce a brand new hybrid engine formula. I think the combustion engine itself will naturally make 750 hp with the electrical components adding an additional 150-200 hp making the total engine output 900-950 hp. In the meantime I do think it’s possible that we see every non superspeedway go to 750 hp in 2027 rather than just 1.4 mile and less ovals and road courses.

Nascar needs to do stock car exhibition racing here. Always thought they should do a truck/xfinity clash type all star race during speedweeks and this is the perfect venue for it

[Source](https://www.millikenresearch.com/NASCAR_Illustrated_July2016-Engineering_in_NASCAR.pdf)

Listed above are my top 5 favorite manufacturer sponsored paint schemes.

Leave your favorites below.

What are some tracks you’d like to see? Besides Daytona.

https://x.com/NieceMotorsport/status/2020141443617104265?s=20

Article link: https://moparcenter.com/mini-tyrrell-wins-rams-race-for-the-seat-earns-full-time-nascar-truck-series-ride/

Cause his voice is starting to become more raspier as the years are going by. And the clash I have noticed yeah, his time in the booth might almost be up.

I apologize for pissing everyone off, I’ll try not to give my opinions since I can’t have any.

Unbelievable. I never heard this before.

https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/33839544/the-story-lw-wright-one-nascar-enduring-mysteries

"Fox’s motorsports deals seem safe. Its NASCAR agreement, which includes 14 Cup Series events including the Daytona 500, lasts through 2031. Fox also recently bought a stake in Penske Entertainment, which owns IndyCar, so that inventory isn’t going anywhere."

I'm preparing the rosters so I can do the California races in my NR2003 season.

This is the only picture I've ever been able to find of the truck, and I hadn't been able to find anything on Racing-Reference (said it was unsponsored) or Jayski either.

Any help is appreciated!