Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 At Texas Motor Speedway: O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Entry List

Texas Motor Speedway has never been a track that forgives hesitation. The 1.5‑mile layout forces drivers to commit instantly, and the asymmetrical corners punish anyone who misses their marks. After the turbulence of Talladega, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series arrives in Fort Worth for its twelfth points‑paying race of 2026, and the garage is already humming with tension.

Texas has averaged more than 165 mph in green‑flag conditions across recent seasons, making it one of the fastest intermediates on the schedule. Teams understand that mistakes here are magnified because track position becomes harder to reclaim with every lap.

Thirty‑eight teams have unloaded for the weekend, creating one of the deepest fields of the season. The temperature is expected to sit in the mid‑80s, which means the track will transition quickly as rubber builds.

Crew chiefs will need to anticipate balance changes before they happen, and drivers will need to stay ahead of the handling curve as the groove widens and tightens throughout the afternoon. Teams that miss the shift by even a lap can fall behind the curve faster than they expect.

Where Speed, Timing, And Execution Shape The Afternoon

Texas demands a blend of raw speed, aerodynamic stability, and long‑run discipline. Tire falloff typically ranges between one and 1.4 seconds over a green‑flag run, and a missed entry into Turn 1 can cost a driver several positions before they reach the backstretch.

The average green‑flag run at Texas sits around 30 laps, which forces drivers to manage their equipment with precision. Even a slight overstep on the corner exit can create a handling imbalance that lasts an entire stint.The groove evolves quickly as rubber builds, and the dirty air is unforgiving.

Leaders often reach lapped traffic within 20 laps, creating constant decision‑making pressure. Texas rewards drivers who stay calm in turbulence and punishes those who hesitate. With the Cup Series idle until Sunday, the spotlight is fully on the O’Reilly field, and this is the point in the season where contenders begin to separate from pretenders.

The Dash 4 Cash Finale: A Six‑Figure War

Sheldon Creed: No. 00, Haas Factory Team

Sheldon Creed enters Texas with the biggest target in the garage after winning two straight Dash 4 Cash bonuses and chasing a rare third. His recent form makes him a real threat, and his aggression on restarts will shape the race. Texas demands precision, and Creed knows he’ll have to fight for every inch while the field is equally determined to stop his sweep.

Justin Allgaier: No. 7, JR Motorsports

Justin Allgaier is one of the primary threats to Creed’s Dash 4 Cash run. He owns five top‑five finishes at Texas and understands how to maintain balance deep into a tire cycle. Allgaier’s experience on intermediate tracks makes him a consistent danger in long‑run situations, and his ability to read traffic is one of his biggest strengths.

Sammy Smith: No. 8, JR Motorsports

Sammy Smith enters Texas with the speed to disrupt Creed’s momentum. He has led more than 100 laps this season and continues to improve his traffic management. Smith’s aggression on restarts has been one of his defining traits, and if he qualifies near the front, he becomes a legitimate threat to dictate the early stages.

Cup Series Invaders Shift The Competitive Balance

Three Cup Series stars are confirmed on the Entry List, and their presence instantly raises the difficulty level for every points‑eligible driver. Cup drivers have won four of the last six O’Reilly races at Texas, and their ability to adapt to changing track conditions often forces the field to elevate its execution.

Kyle Larson: No. 88, JR Motorsports

Kyle Larson leads the group in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. His ability to run the edge of the groove at Texas is unmatched, and anytime he drops into the O’Reilly Series, he becomes the measuring stick for the entire field. Larson’s recent O’Reilly starts include multiple wins, and his presence alone forces teams to rethink their race‑winning strategy.

Austin Dillon: No. 3, Richard Childress Racing

Austin Dillon returns to the series in the No. 3 Boot Barn Chevrolet. Dillon has Texas wins on his résumé and will use Saturday as a tune‑up for Sunday’s Cup race. His experience in traffic and his ability to maintain a long‑run pace make him a legitimate threat to disrupt the championship picture.

Connor Zilisch: No. 1, JR Motorsports

Connor Zilisch rounds out the Cup trio in the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. The young phenom has been fearless all season, and his adaptability across different track types has made him one of the most talked‑about rising talents in the sport. Zilisch’s ability to maintain speed in dirty air will be tested at a track that punishes hesitation.

Breaking Down The Texas Entry List

Thirty‑eight cars are locked in, forming one of the most competitive fields of the season. JR Motorsports brings the deepest lineup with Larson, Allgaier, Zilisch, and Carson Kvapil in the No. 9 Arby’s BBQ Chevrolet. Kvapil continues to prove he belongs at this level, and JRM’s intermediate‑track notebook remains one of the strongest in the series.

Joe Gibbs Racing: The Tension Pusher

Joe Gibbs Racing counters with William Sawalich, Brent Crews, Brandon Jones, and Taylor Gray. Sawalich and Gray have been magnets for each other all season, and their rivalry adds another layer of tension to a track where aero matters more than anywhere else. Gray’s average finish on 1.5‑mile tracks makes him a legitimate contender.

Richard Childress Racing: The Tactician

Richard Childress Racing enters Jesse Love in the No. 2 and Austin Hill in the No. 21. Hill is one of the best restart tacticians in the series, and Love’s raw speed continues to force veterans to stay honest. Both drivers have shown the ability to maintain pace deep into long runs.

Sam Hunt Racing And Jordan Anderson Racing: The Breakout Teams

Sam Hunt Racing brings Harrison Burton and Dean Thompson, both trending upward. Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport counters with Jeb Burton, Blaine Perkins, and Rajah Caruth, who continues searching for an intermediate‑track breakthrough. Sam Mayer, Corey Day, and Ryan Sieg round out the group as capable spoilers.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series At Texas Motor Speedway

Andy’s Frozen Custard 340: Full Entry List

(i) indicates ineligible for championship or playoff points

• 1. Sheldon Creed — No. 00 — Haas Factory Team
• 2. Garrett Smithley — No. 0 — SS GreenLight Racing
• 3. Connor Zilisch (i) — No. 1 — JR Motorsports
• 4. Jesse Love — No. 2 — Richard Childress Racing
• 5. Ryan Ellis — No. 02 — Young’s Motorsports
• 6. Austin Dillon (i) — No. 3 — Richard Childress Racing
• 7. Justin Allgaier — No. 7 — JR Motorsports
• 8. Josh Bilicki — No. 07 — SS GreenLight Racing
• 9. Sammy Smith — No. 8 — JR Motorsports
• 10. Carson Kvapil — No. 9 — JR Motorsports
• 11. Corey Day — No. 17 — Hendrick Motorsports
• 12. William Sawalich — No. 18 — Joe Gibbs Racing
• 13. Brent Crews — No. 19 — Joe Gibbs Racing
• 14. Brandon Jones — No. 20 — Joe Gibbs Racing
• 15. Austin Hill — No. 21 — Richard Childress Racing
• 16. Harrison Burton — No. 24 — Sam Hunt Racing
• 17. Dean Thompson — No. 26 — Sam Hunt Racing
• 18. Jeb Burton — No. 27 — Jordan Anderson Racing
• 19. Kyle Sieg — No. 28 — RSS Racing
• 20. Blaine Perkins — No. 31 — Jordan Anderson Racing
• 21. Rajah Caruth — No. 32 — Jordan Anderson Racing
• 22. Dawson Cram — No. 35 — Joey Gase Motorsports
• 23. Ryan Sieg — No. 39 — RSS Racing
• 24. Sam Mayer — No. 41 — Haas Factory Team
• 25. Brad Perez — No. 42 — Young’s Motorsports
• 26. Brennan Poole — No. 44 — Alpha Prime Racing
• 27. Lavar Scott — No. 45 — Alpha Prime Racing
• 28. Patrick Staropoli — No. 48 — Big Machine Racing
• 29. Jeremy Clements — No. 51 — Jeremy Clements Racing
• 30. David Star — No. 53 — Joey Gase Motorsports
• 31. Taylor Gray — No. 54 — Joe Gibbs Racing
• 32. Joey Gase — No. 55 — Joey Gase Motorsports
• 33. Austin Green — No.87 — Peterson Racing Group
• 34. Kyle Larson (i) — No. 88 — JR Motorsports
• 35. Mason Maggio — No. 91 — DGM Racing X JIM
• 36. Josh Williams — No. 92 — DGM Racing X JIM
• 37. Anthony Alfredo — No. 96 — Viking Motorsports
• 38. Parker Retzlaff — No. 99 — Viking Motorsports

What This Means

With three Cup Series drivers in the field, every points‑eligible contender faces a strategic dilemma. Texas has produced 11 different winners in the last 14 O’Reilly races, underscoring how unpredictable this track can be. Drivers must decide whether to risk everything trying to beat Larson for the win or protect their equipment and maximize points.

Texas is the ultimate intermediate‑track barometer. Teams with speed here will carry that advantage into the summer stretch, while teams that miss the setup will spend weeks trying to recover. This race often sets the tone for the next month, and a strong Texas run can be the foundation of a championship push.

What’s Next

The 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series stop at Texas Motor Speedway sets up a season‑shaping showdown, with thirty‑eight cars locked in, $100,000 on the line, and Cup stars ready to challenge the regulars. Texas exposes weaknesses and rewards execution, making Saturday a momentum‑defining race for the entire field.

The haulers are parked, the setups are locked in, and the only thing left is to drop the green flag. Fans are about to witness one of the most intense intermediate‑track battles of the season. Tune in Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on The CW as the field takes on one of the fastest, most unforgiving tracks in the sport.