Diecast Update: Week of 1/26/26

On this week's edition of the Diecast Update, we've got a solid bunch of 1/64 preorders to take a closer look at. As you can see by this week's thumbnail photo, there's a bunch of red, black and orange! We have at least one representative from each of the three Cup series OEMs, and a pair of raced late model stock cars to investigate as well. This has certainly been a down week with fewer liveries announced, but a few of these are big time sponsors that have purchased multiple races in 2026. Without further delay, let's take a look at what's up for preorder for the week of 1/26. 

---

Standard Versions (Cup)

Chevy:
​Chevy is the only manufacture that has two cars for the Cup series this time around. The first, is this Choice Privileges Chevy that Ross Chastain will drive for Trackhouse Racing. Choice Privileges was a partner with Trackhouse last year, but was displayed primarily on Daniel Suarez's car (six races). Chastain had one race with the company, but I'd guess we'll see more on the No. 1 Chevy now.

Even after losing Kroger, and many of the major grocery store's affiliated brands, Hyak continues do effectively market Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and their style of racing. The first 1/64 of the year for Stenhouse will be this red Chef Boyardee Chevy. This is one of my least favorite preorder offerings of the year so far. As I've said in the past, I'm not usually a big fan of liveries that showcase the product. This is clearly an example of that. I'll be staying away.

Ford
Next up is our only Mustang of the week. Front Row Motorsports and Noah Gragson announced that Rush Truck Centers would be returning to support the Gragson and the No. 4 Ford for several races this year. They've stuck with Gragson since his SHR days. To my eye, the Rush scheme is virtually unchanged compared to last year's with just the addition of MillerTech on the C post. I'll be preordering this.

Toyota:
The only Camry of the week is the second 1/64 announcement for Chase Briscoe. Last week we got the Free Bird water livery, and this week we get the instantly recognizable Bass Pro livery for 2026. This is another scheme that is virtually unchanged. I'm a little surprised Free Bird isn't represented more prominently, but it is on the B post. You can also see on this rendering, along with the others, the new rear window OEM banner. I have last year's 1/64, so I'll skip this.

---

LMSC/CARS Tour

Lionel Racing continues to take full advantage of the many opportunities that the 1/64 scale Late Model Stock Car offers. This past year saw many thrilling and historic races with important winners that have been emerging onto the racing scene. One of those is Branden Lopez. Up for preorder is this great looking blue and orange LMSC Chevy SS that Lopez raced to victory at Ashboro in 2025. There's a great story you can read about this important win, here.

You'd have to really be living under a rock to not know that Keelan Harvick, the son of racing legend, Kevin Harvick, is truly making a name for himself in the CARS Tour. Keelan won a big one at the Snowflake 125 in this awesome Christmas themed race car that he drove for Rackley W.A.R. If they can really squeeze every detail that this car has on a 3-inch piece of zinc, I'm going to have to get one of these. I'll wait to see what the finished product looks like but kudos for even trying. 

---

Conclusion:
Even with fewer choices this week, we are truly living in a glut of preorders that continues to get better and better. There are some great options, and my favorite is probably Keelan's LMSC. While I will hold out to see what this car looks like post production (if it makes it), the only lock from this group for me is the Noah Gragson Rush Truck Centers Mustang. I have a copy of his 2024 Mustang from Stewart Haas that was also supported by Rush, but I'm not overly pleased with it, and I'd love to make an upgrade there.

​There's plenty more coming down the line in 1/64 scale next week. We are just one week away from racing action at Bowman Gray (weather permitting) and I'm sure there will be many, if not dozens more preorder options to cover in the days to come. That's all for this week, stay warm out there!

---