Diecast Update: Week of 1/19/26

Nine new preorders this week have arrived from Lionel Racing, giving 1/64 scale collectors lots of interesting new collecting options. There’s a great mixture of cars from the Cup series with all three OEMs receiving at least one new representative. Small teams flourish in this round with Legacy M.C., Frontrow Motorsports, and JRM all providing some interesting liveries. There’s also three O.A.P.S. Camaro’s, one of them coming from the Alpha Prime Racing stables, and a huge announcement from JRM regarding their second Cup start, for more...

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Standard Versions (Cup)

Chevy:
The Anheuser Busch company has been one of the longest lasting and most influential sponsors in the Cup series, and they will continue on with that tradition in 2026. Ross Chastain is entering his fifth season with Trackhouse Racing, and he’s got six wins to his name over that span. I certainly believe he will add to that stat in 2026, perhaps from behind the wheel of this undated Busch Light scheme.

The career of Justin Allgaier is a unique one. Even as perhaps the most important litmus test in the O.A.P.S. garage, he also maintains an impressive Cup resumé. JRM places a lot of stock in Allgaier and last year he was selected to drive the first ever JRM Cup series entry in the Daytona 500. The team will be running it back in 2026 in this completely refreshed No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevy. From neatly designed contingency stickers, to a great palette, this is a stunner, hopefully it make the 500.

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Ford:
Zane Smith has been one of the most consistent outliers in the Cup series field over the past few seasons. Since FRM reestablished itself as a three car team, Smith has written the book on doing the most with some of the least. It's been great to have Aaron's back in Nascar over the past few years, and the Lucky Dog No. 38 is up for preorder. This car didn't reach MOQ last year but I think that changes this time around. 

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Toyota:
The No. 19 program at JGR has been one that’s maintained great support from sponsors like Bass Pro over the last several seasons. With the exodus of Martin Truex Jr., a lot of questions persisted about whether or not JRG would be able to maintain the prestige that the #19 car carried with emerging driver Chase Briscoe. Not only did Briscoe rise to the occasion in 2025, but he has now attracted interest from Free Bird.

As we explained in last week's edition of the Diecast Update, Dollar Tree has been a pillar of Legacy Motor Club. Not only will they be sponsoring John Hunter Nemechek this year, but they will also adorn the No. 43 Legacy Camry as well. Jones is now entering his 10th full time season in the Cup series, and he will be looking to steal a win for the first time since 2022. Under equipped, but not without talent, maybe this car will find victory lane in 2026.

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Standard Versions (O.A.P.S.)

Moving on into the O.A.P.S., we get a pretty big update about who Carson Kvapil will be supported by this year. After the announcement was made the he and Connor Zilisch would be ride sharing the No. 1 JRM Camaro, the question turned to how the sponsorship on the race car would be divided up and shared. Kvapil will maintain his support from Bass Pro Shops, in 2026, and the car gets a sharp refresh. The jagged orange lines give big McMurray vibes. 

JRM will also welcome a new partner for 2026 with Champion Irrigation. This is a very eye catching livery, and makes some strong utilizations of the company's dark blue and gold colors. JRM always uses an impressive formula to devise quality schemes that get brands recognized. From what I can tell, it remains to be seen how many races Champion will be onboard for. 

We have heard very little from any O.A.P.S. teams aside from JRM about scheme for 2026. Up until now, only JRM has collaborated with Lionel Racing to bring race fans 1/64 preorder options, but now we get our first alternative, a loud and eye catching Camaro from Alpha Prime to be driven by Brennan Poole. Alpha Prime Racing has been doing some interesting things in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, and they have momentum. Keep an eye on their cars .

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Special/Fantasy

As both a big diecast fan, a big believer in the beauty of old race cars, you can't be surprised at all to see JRM and Dale Jr. taking a chance at offering fans this really interesting fantasy model of a 1978 Monte Carlo decorated in virtually the same scheme as the one Justin Allgaier will dive on the No. 40 JRM Chevy during speed weeks and hopefully into the Daytona 500 as well. For big time collectors, this car will make a nice stable mate to the 1/64 Next Gen.

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Conclusion:
​I know many, if not most of the race fans who read this will be focused on the JRM Traveller Whiskey car, but there's a lot to like this week from Lionel, top to bottom. There are some long time racing sponsors that are back this year with some nice refreshed liveries. There's also some new sponsors that will be playing a part that are contributing some great looking paint schemes that I'm looking forward to seeing on track, and maybe in the collection too. Both theJustin Allgaier JRM car, and the Free Bird car the will be driven by Chase Briscoe will join the top 10 list of new schemes for this season so far and are clearly the pick of the litter. I'm going to preorder the Aaron's 1/64 too, and I'll be crossing my fingers that one gets produced! Which cars from this week are you most excited about and which ones do you plan on preordering if any? That's it for this week's edition, see you next Monday!

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