Late Model veteran earns full-time ride for Peterson Racing Recent news, and rumors from NOAPS Silly Season

NASCAR's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series is set to enter a new era as veteran driver Lee Pulliam secures a full-time ride with Peterson Racing, the team's first driver in this capacity. Pulliam, a four-time champion of the NASCAR Local Racing Series, will make his debut at Las Vegas and Martinsville Speedway, having previously driven the #9 JR Motorsports entry at Martinsville and earning a top five finish. Pulliam, who has won 51 races in his career, is poised to become a fan favorite in the series.

Austin Hill, aged 32, is temporarily filling in at Richard Childress Racing (RCR) after the tragic passing of Kyle Busch. Hill, a five-time O'Reilly Series driver, has scored four wins in the past three seasons, totaling 16 wins, 58 top fives, 97 top tens, and over 1,400 laps led throughout his career. In Hill's absence, Chandler Smith will take his place in the Cup Series, sponsored primarily by 1-800-Pack-Rat portable storage moving company.

As Austin Hill moves up to the prestigious Cup Series, his former #21 Richard Childress Racing car is set to be filled by 18-year-old Carson Brown, who currently races for Peterson Racing in the zMAX Cars Tour. Brown will be sponsored by Whelen Engineering, a company with a history of sponsoring this specific #2 car. Sammy Smith, who has recorded only two wins, 21 top 5's, and 178 laps led with JR Motorsports, is expected to depart the team, leading to speculation about his future moves.

Rumors suggest a possible driver swap between Smith and Haas Factory Team's Sam Mayer, though this has not been confirmed.