Cope Family Racing may be a newer name on the scene, but its roots trace back to one of NASCAR’s most unforgettable moments: that stunning 1990 Daytona 500 win by Derrike Cope, who passed Dale Earnhardt Sr. late in the race to take the checkered flag.

That upset remains a defining chapter in the Cope family legacy and in NASCAR lore. And the team has already shown a flair for memorable touches: for the 2025 season, Cope Family Racing rolled out a throwback paint scheme at Darlington Raceway honoring Jeff Green’s iconic 2000 “Nesquik” car when pilot Leland Honeyman Jr. took the wheel of the No. 70. But now, that seems to die down.

Cryptic goodbye sparks shutdown buzz

For many who follow NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and the development ranks, the short post from Aedan McHugh on X landed with a thud: “The last Live Laugh Love Day RIP.”

Attached to the message was an image of a car. On its face, the post suggests the end of something, whether that be the driver, the crew, or the team itself. The lack of further context has driven speculation, especially given the timing: McHugh was recently announced as crew chief of Cope Family Racing’s No. 70 effort.

Crucially, this comes at a moment when Cope Family Racing (CFR) is already in transition. The team, run by former Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope along with his cousin Nick Tucker (who owns Nitro Motorsports), relaunched for the 2025 Xfinity season and fielded the No. 70 Chevrolet for Leland Honeyman Jr. and Thomas Annunziata.

At the same time, industry rumors (though unconfirmed) are circulating that CFR may merge with Nitro Motorsports and switch to Toyota manufacturer support in either 2026 or 2027. One Reddit post summarized: “Cope Family Racing is likely to merge with Nitro Motorsports and switch to Toyota in the O’Reilly Series in 2026 or 2027.”

If true, the “Live Laugh Load Day” message could mark the end of Live Laugh Load’s sponsorship run, the driver’s stint, or possibly even the team’s identity in its current form. For a team still building its first full season back, such a signal is weighty.

What we do know is the official public footprint of CFR remains active: their website still lists the No. 70 full-time entry in the Xfinity Series and their 2025 schedule. So far, no press release has confirmed a shutdown or merger. Meanwhile, Nitro Motorsports has already made headline changes, including the acquisition of Venturini Motorsports’ ARCA program effective post-2025 season.

It remains possible that McHugh’s post is not signaling the end of CFR, but rather the final “Live Laugh Load” branded day, meaning the last race with that sponsorship, with a rebranding to follow. Alternatively, the message may mark McHugh’s own departure or the crew’s final day under current leadership.

With no official confirmation yet, the motorsport media and fan base will be watching closely for updates from the team, the drivers, and sponsor announcements. If a merger or switch of manufacturer support is indeed underway, it would mark a significant shift in CFR’s organizational path and underline the challenges smaller teams face in the Xfinity ecosystem.

CFR’s cryptic close ties into the Xfinity shuffle, but Stefan Parsons snags a fresh start with Spire Motorsports in the Truck Series finale at Phoenix

Spire’s truck finale spot

The 27-year-old, son of Cup winner Phil and nephew to Hall of Famer Benny, grabs the No. 7 Chevy for the 2025 closer, backed by Transportation Charter Services. Parsons spots for Spire already, but driving’s new turf. His five Truck starts this year with Young’s Motorsports netted three top-10s, best a sixth at Daytona.

Twenty-eight career Truck runs, and this one’s his best equipment yet. “I’m really excited to have Transportation Charter Services (TCS) on board for my first race with Spire Motorsports,” Parsons said. “Phoenix is a big market for TCS, and I’m proud to represent them on such a big stage. Spire always brings fast trucks to the track, and I’m ready to go out there and make the most of it.”

Spire’s No. 7 has seen Justin Haley, Kyle Busch, Carson Hocevar, Jordan Taylor, Corey Day, Sammy Smith, Patrick Emerling, Connor Zilisch, J.J. Yeley, and Brenden Queen this year. Parsons adds his family flair to the mix, a Parsons in the pits turning the wheel for a shot at shine.

The CFR riddle and Parsons’ play show Xfinity and Trucks churning change. One team teases an end, another grabs a finale flyer. The garage never sleeps, and the next lap always brings a twist.