A sudden exit from the grid
The NASCAR Cup Series will roll into Chicagoland Speedway with one fewer entry after the Garage 66 operation announced its withdrawal on Thursday. The team, fronted by Carl Long, cited an inability to secure the necessary funding to continue competing.
Josh Bilicki had been slated to take the wheel of the No. 66 entry, but the decision leaves the lineup short just days before the July 4th weekend race. Long’s organization has struggled throughout the season, having already missed the Atlanta event after a wreck at Daytona earlier in the year.
In a brief statement posted on social media, the team expressed disappointment at missing the holiday weekend but indicated that it is working toward a return. “We’re sad to sit out this weekend, but we’re hopeful we can be back soon,” the post read.
The withdrawal underscores the financial volatility that still grips lower‑budget teams in the premier stock‑car series. With only eight races completed so far, the roster has already seen four different drivers share the cockpit of the No. 66 car.
NASCAR officials confirmed that the grid will adjust accordingly, but offered no comment on potential penalties or future scheduling changes. The move also highlights the continued reliance on sponsor‑backed entries to keep cars on the track.