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NASCAR 2025: Ultimate Guide to Driver Moves and Team News

NASCAR will return to competition on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025, at 8 pm ET with the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. It marks NASCAR’s return to the quarter-mile track for the first time since 1971.

Saturday will feature four 25-lap heats to help determine the starting lineup. To finalize the lineup, there will also be a 75-lap last-chance qualifying race on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET before the main event.

In anticipation of the 2025 season, we’ve got the scoop on the latest driver moves and team news.

*Please check back regularly for updates.

NASCAR Cup Series

Anthony Alfredo, Beard Motorsports

On Jan. 9, Beard Motorsports announced that Anthony Alfredo will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in the No. 62 Chevrolet with Fortify Building Solutions as a sponsor.

Front Row Motorsports will expand to a three-car team in 2025

Front Row Motorsports confirmed on May 29 that they will expand to a three-car team in 2025.

“We have a very positive outlook on the future of NASCAR, and as the sport plans for success, so do we,” commented Bob Jenkins, Owner of Front Row Motorsports. “Today that means having a plan for expanding back to three cars in the NASCAR Cup Series. I always have the vision to continue to grow and improve our team, and that commitment and desire never changes. I am committed to the sport and its passionate fans and partners.”

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford

The team announced on June 5 that Todd Gilliland will return to the NASCAR Cup Series with Front Row Motorsports in 2025 after signing a multiyear deal and will move from the No. 38 Ford to the No. 34 Ford. On December 12th, it was announced that Chris Lawson would return to Front Row Motorsports as crew chief for Gilliland.

Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports Ford

In July, it was announced that Gragson has signed a multi-year deal with Front Row Motorsports as they expand to three charter teams in 2025. On Jan. 3 it was revealed that Gragson will drive the No. 4 Ford Mustang with Drew Blickensderfer as his crew chief.

“It’s definitely exciting times,” Gragson said during a press conference. “When we started out this year, I didn’t know how I was going to run. I didn’t know if I had the potential to run in the Cup Series just based off how the 2023 season went, and to be able to get my feet underneath me with the opportunity at Stewart-Haas, it definitely opened people’s eyes. And with the challenges that have come about with Stewart-Haas, we were looking for a home for a long time, and that’s when I got introduced to Bob and Jerry [co-owners].”

Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford

On January 2 the team announced that Zane Smith will return to Front Row Motorsports in 2025 to drive the Cup Series No. 38 Ford. Ryan Bergenty will be his crew chief.

“I’ve always felt at home with Front Row Motorsports,” Smith said “They believed in me when I signed with them to race in the Truck Series initially in 2022 and we shared so much success together, winning six races and a championship in two seasons. Unfortunately, everyone had to make tough decisions because there were only two Cup cars available at Front Row Motorsports going into last season when I was ready to move up full-time. Now, going into next year, Front Row has really taken their Cup program to another level and I cannot think of a better lineup of teammates.”

Garrett Smithley, Garage 66 (Formerly MBM Motorsports)

MBM Motorsports has rebranded their Cup Series team to Garage 66 as of Jan. 16.

Garrett Smithley will drive the No. 66 Ford in the  Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 2  No announcements have been made as to whether the team will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500, or who the driver will be.

Chandler Smith, Garage 66 (Formerly MBM Motorsports)

It was announced on Jan. 23 that Smith would drive the No. 66 Ford and attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500.

Haas Factory Team (NCS/NXS)

After the news that Stewart-Haas Racing would cease operations at the end of 2024, Gene Haas announced on June 20 that he would field one Cup charter and two Xfinity Series teams under the name Haas Factory Team in 2025.

“My commitment to motorsports hasn’t changed, just the scope of my involvement,” Haas said. “Operating a four-car Cup Series team has become too arduous, but, at the same time, I still need a platform to promote Haas Automation and grow HaasTooling.com.”

On Jan. 7, the team announced Nick Sandler as the competition director for the Cup Series program and Adam Gravitt as the competition director for the Xfinity Series program.

Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team

After two seasons in the Xfinity Series, Cole Custer will return to the Cup Series in 2025 to drive the No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford. 

“I’ve grown up with Haas Automation, and having their name on my firesuit is something I take a tremendous amount of pride in. I’m driven to win for Gene and everyone at Haas Automation because they’ve been such a big part of my career,” Custer said.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports (formerly JTG Daugherty)

JTG Daugherty Racing announced in November that they would rebrand with a new name (Hyak Motorsports) under new ownership, effective immediately. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will continue to drive the No. 47 Chevrolet with crew chief, Mike Kelley. 

Chris Gabehart, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing

On November 22nd, Joe Gibbs Racing announced a couple of major changes for next season regarding the No. 11 team. Chris Gabehart, Hamlin’s crew chief for the previous six years, will advance to the role of competition director in 2025. Chris Gayle, Ty Gibbs’s crew chief for the past two seasons, will be Hamlin’s crew chief in 2025.

“Denny is obviously a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” said Gayle. “I’m looking forward to working with him and the guys on the No. 11 team. He and Gabehart have established an incredible culture that is a very good barometer for our other drivers and teams to strive to match. I have all the confidence in the world we can hit the ground running and continue the success that this group is accustomed to in 2025.”

Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

On June 14, Truex announced his decision to retire from full-time competition at the end of the 2024 season. He will compete in a few select races in 2025, beginning with the Daytona 500.

“It’s been incredible. It’s been a hell of a ride. I’m excited about the future, and I’m not really sure what that looks like yet,” Truex said.

Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

On June 25, ChaseBriscoewas named as Truex’s successor in the NASCAR Cup Series after signing a multiyear contract to drive the No. 19 Toyota beginning in 2025. 

“I have to win. Like there’s no excuse not to win,” Briscoe said. “You have to make the playoffs. If you don’t make the playoffs, then there’s no reason I should be driving this race car. So yeah, I definitely think that you have to win races. You have to be running up front consistently, and I think they feel like I’m capable of doing that. But I have to show that, so hopefully, that’s what I can do.”

Tyler Allen, Joe Gibbs Racing

On December 2nd, Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Tyler Allen will move from crew chief of the No. 20 Toyota in the Xfinity Series to crew chief for Ty Gibbs and the No. 54 team in the Cup Series in 2025. 

“It’s an honor to be named crew chief for Ty Gibbs and the 54 Team as we head into the 2025 season,” said Allen. “This opportunity has been a dream of mine since starting here at JGR 10 years ago, and I’m thankful for the support and guidance I’ve received from my mentors, teammates, and everyone along the way. Ty has shown a lot of speed and potential the last two years, and I look forward to building on that experience to get the 54 car in victory lane.”

Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports

JR Motorsports announced on Jan. 15 that they will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in the No. 40 Chevrolet with driver Justin Allgaier and make their Cup Series debut. Greg Ives will be Allgaier’s crew chief and they will have sponsorship from Chris Stapleton’s Traveller Whiskey.

AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Allmendinger will return to the Cup Series in 2025 to drive full-time for Kaulig Racing and will drive the No. 16 Chevrolet. 

Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing

It was announced on September 28th that Ty Dillon will drive the No. 10 Chevrolet full-time for Kaulig Racing in 2025. 

“I am incredibly grateful for another opportunity to run full-time in the Cup Series, and to be able to do it with the men and women at Kaulig Racing means a lot to me personally,” said Dillon. “They gave me a chance this year to go out and prove myself in a handful of starts. The team and I were able to connect early on, and we put together a few strong runs in the No. 16. I’m really looking forward to what 2025 brings with this team. We have a bright future ahead of us and we’re going to give it our all each and every race next season.”

Erik Jones, LEGACY Motor Club Toyota

The team confirmed that Jones will return to drive the No. 43 LEGACY Motor Club Toyota entry after signing a multiyear deal with the team. Jones will continue to pilot the coveted 43 Toyota Camry XSE for the 2025 NASCAR season and beyond.

“I’m looking forward to what we can build at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. I’ve been with the No. 43 car for a handful of years and feel like I’m coming into some of the best years of my career. I am hoping to grow alongside LEGACY M.C. in the seasons to come,” said Jones.

Jimmie Johnson, LEGACY Motor Club

On Jan. 16, Jimmie Johnson confirmed that he will attempt to qualify for the 2025 Daytona 500 in the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota. He has also signed up for the Memorial Day Weekend Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, his second of two planned appearances. If he qualifies for both events, it will give him 700 career starts.

Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing

On Nov. 20, Richard Childress Racing announced that Austin Dillon will be paired with a new crew chief in 2025 as Richard Boswell takes over on the pit box for the No. 3 Cup Series Chevy. Bass Pro Shops and Winchester confirmed on Jan. 17 that they will sponsor Dillon for 17 races this season.

Jesse Love, Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing confirmed on October 31st that Love will be back to drive the No. 2 Xfinity Series Chevrolet in 2025. 

“I’ll always be grateful that we were able to give Whelen their first NASCAR win earlier this season (2024) and I know we have more victories in our future together,” said Jesse Love.

Tim Brown, Rick Ware Racing

Rick Ware Racing announced on November 17th that Bowman Gray Stadium star Tim Brown, the track’s all-time wins leader (101 Modified Division victories), will drive the Rick Ware Racing No. 15 Ford and attempt to qualify for the Clash exhibition race on February 2nd at the quarter-mile oval.

Corey LaJoie, Rick Ware Racing

On Jan. 27, the team announced that LaJoie will run a limited schedule during the 2025 Cup Series season in the No. 01 Ford Mustang, beginning with the Daytona 500. He will also join the Prime Video 5-race Cup Series broadcast team as an analyst.

Matt McCall, RFK Racing

On November 7th, RFK Racing announced that Matt McCall would not return as crew chief for the No. 6 Ford driven by Brad Keselowski in 2025. 

Jeremy Bullins, RFK Racing

Brad Keselowski will have a new crew chief next year. On Nov. 21, RFK Racing announced that Jeremy Bullins will be Keselowski’s crew chief in 2025. Bullins and Keselowski worked together for two seasons (2020 and 2021) at Team Penske and captured five wins.

“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with BK again, this time in the iconic No. 6 car with RFK,” said Bullins. “We were able to accomplish a lot as a team previously, but we had a couple of unfinished goals like a Daytona 500 win and a championship together and I’m ecstatic we get the opportunity to compete together again. From the outside looking in it’s been obvious the trajectory RFK is on, and I look forward to being part of the growth and future success of the team.”

Ryan Preece, RFK Racing

On November 19th, RFK Racing announced that Ryan Preece will drive the No. 60 Ford full-time in 2025. Kroger will also move its sponsorship from JTG Daugherty Racing to sponsor all of the RFK Racing teams (Preece, Keselowski, and Buescher). 

“I’m a racer. I’m somebody that wants to win races. I want to compete for championships. My entire career has certainly been unorthodox, but I have unfinished business, and I want to win really bad,” said Preece. “I’m eager and ready to get to the Clash and get to Daytona and finish out that goal.”

Veteran Derrick Finley was announced as Preece’s crew chief on Jan. 14. Finley has over 20 years of experience in NASCAR on the pit box and in various roles throughout the NASCAR organization.

Brad Keselowski, co-owner and driver for RFK Racing said, “His experience and technical knowledge of the sport will play a crucial role in the initial development and growth of the No. 60 team.”

Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

On May 8, Spire Motorsports announced they had signed a multiyear contract with Michael McDowell to drive the No. 71 full-time.

“This is a new chapter for my family and me, and we’re incredibly thankful for the opportunity that’s in front of us,” said McDowell. “It’s going to take some hard work, but I feel like everything is in place for us to be successful as a race team, to win races and contend for championships. People are the greatest asset to any organization, and with Spire’s vision, ambition, knowledge, and dedication, we will achieve great things. Failure is not an option, and that’s the mindset that it will take to achieve our goals.”

Rodney Childers, Spire Motorsports

After the announcement that Stewart-Haas Racing would cease operations at the end of the 2024 season, Spire Motorsports hired Rodney Childers as the crew chief for the No. 7 team (Justin Haley) beginning in 2025. The current crew chief, Ryan Sparks, will move to the role of competition director.

“I think the biggest thing is seeing how Spire Motorsports has grown over the last couple of years,” said Childers. “They are investing in people, and that’s what makes a difference these days. We all buy the same chassis, bodies, and parts. What makes a difference is the people. Spire continues to invest in the people within the team, and they seek out good people to add depth to an already strong group.”

Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports  

Spire Motorsports announced on September 20th that Haley had signed a multi-year contract to drive the No. 7 Chevrolet. 

“Spire Motorsports gave me my first few starts in the Cup Series,” said Haley. “My first was in the No. 77 at Talladega on my 20th birthday. We had a lot of great runs in our first year together in 2019, and there’s still a lot of familiar faces around there who were on the team back then. I’m excited to come home. This is where I got my start in the Cup Series, and I’m excited to go out there and compete with (crew chief) Ryan Sparks and the No. 7 team. The next seven races will give us a nice head start and a baseline for next season.”

Haley began driving the No. 7 Chevy Camaro at the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway while Corey LaJoie finished the 2024 season in Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 entry.

Matt McCall and Dax Gerringer, Spire Motorsports

On November 25th, Spire Motorsports announced that veteran crew chief Matt McCall will join the team as Director of Vehicle Performance. Dax Gerringer, the former lead engineer at Stewart-Haas Racing, will join the organization as Technical Director. 

“This is a great addition for our team and one that means a lot to me, personally,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “Matt is a longtime friend, one of my first handful of NASCAR clients I had when I was a young agent, and we’ve always shared the same view of how race cars work and race teams operate. I’m happy the stars finally aligned for us to work together, and I look forward to adding him to an already impressive group for 2025.”

Stewart-Haas Racing will close at the end of the 2024 season (NCS/NXS)

Stewart-Haas Racing announced on May 28 that the team would cease operations at the end of the 2024 season and sell its four charters. In 2008, NASCAR Hall of Famer Stewart joined forces with Haas to form SHR for its inaugural season in 2009, starting with a two-car team with drivers Stewart and Ryan Newman with a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports.

“We have made the difficult decision to close Stewart-Haas Racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season. It is a decision that did not come easily, nor was it made quickly. Racing is a labor-intensive, humbling sport. It requires unwavering commitment and vast resources, with a 365-day mindset to be better than everyone else. It’s part of what makes success so rewarding. But the commitment needed to extract maximum performance while providing sustainability is incredibly demanding, and we’ve reached a point in our respective personal and business lives where it’s time to pass the torch.”

Daniel Suárez, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Trackhouse Racing announced on Friday, August 9th, that Daniel Suárez will return as the No. 99 Chevrolet driver in 2025, marking their fifth season together.

“Trackhouse is home to me, and I have enjoyed every minute I have been here,” said Suárez. “We plan to keep working, growing, and winning more races. We can only do that with the support of my Amigos and Amigas at Freeway Insurance. They have backed me for the last several years and we have grown close with their customers and employees.”

Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing

Shane van Gisbergen will transition from the Xfinity Series to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet full-time in the Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing in 2025. 

“This is what I have planned for, and I am ready,” van Gisbergen said. “I know there is a tough learning curve ahead, but the best way to learn is to go out and do it.” He added, “I feel I have made progress running the Xfinity Series this year with Kaulig Racing, and I can’t thank everyone there enough. I look forward to the Cup Series. Those drivers and teams are the best in the world, and it will be an honor to be part of their races.”

On Jan. 23 it was announced that Red Bull would serve as the official energy drink of Trackhouse Racing and the primary partner on Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 88 Chevrolet in five NASCAR Cup Series races.

Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing

Trackhouse Racing also announced on Jan. 23 that Zilisch will make his Cup Series debut at Circuit of the Americas on March 2 in the No. 87 Chevrolet with Red Bull as his primary sponsor. As noted below, Zilisch is racing full-time in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports.

Martin Truex Jr., TRICON Garage

On Jan. 16, TRICON Garage announced that Martin Truex Jr. will attempt the Daytona 500 in the No. 56 Cup Series car with technical support from Joe Gibbs Racing. Cole Pearn will serve as the crew chief for the entry.

Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing

23XI Racing confirmed on September 26th that Wallace has signed a multiyear renewal to drive No. 23 Chevrolet in 2025 “and beyond.”  

“From day one Bubba has been an integral part of 23XI,” said a statement on social media. “We’re excited to announce that he has signed a multi-year renewal and will continue to play a key role in helping 23XI grow and succeed. #ForwardTogether”

Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing

On November 21st, 23XI Racing announced that Herbst will join the team in the No. 35 Toyota as their third full-time driver in 2025.

“It’s an honor to join 23XI and Toyota for the opportunity to race in the Cup Series each week,” Herbst said. “Racing full-time in the Cup Series has been my goal since I started in NASCAR, and I’m excited to start my Cup career with such an accomplished and driven team. What 23XI has accomplished in a short time is impressive,e and I look forward to building on their success as the organization grows. It’s also great to continue representing Monster and I’m excited about adding to their legacy in NASCAR.”

Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Josh Berry will drive for Wood Brothers Racing in 2025. He replaces Harrison Burton in the No. 21 Ford, who will move to the Xfinity Series with AM Racing next season.

“First and foremost just the history, the heritage, the family atmosphere that the Wood Brothers provide. It just really feels like a great fit for me. I feel like I fit their brand, and who they are and how I’ve gotten here, and how they’ve gotten here. I feel like this is a great fit. I’ve really enjoyed my relationship with Ford, and to continue that on was something that’s important to me, and I appreciate, and I’m thankful to have that opportunity. It just really means a lot to drive an iconic car like the 21. I feel like it’s a great opportunity for me. I feel ready to provide results, and I think that all in all, it’s gonna be a great relationship.” Berry said.

A longtime employee of Team Penske and seasoned race engineer in the NASCAR Cup Series, Miles Stanley will transition to Wood Brothers Racing in 2025 to serve as crew chief of the famed No. 21 Ford Mustang with driver Berry.

Parker Retzlaff, Alpha Prime Racing

On December 18th Alpha Prime Racing confirmed that Retzlaff will pilot the No. 4 Chevrolet full-time in 2025. Joe Williams was announced as his crew chief on Dec. 20. Sponsorship details have not been released. Rettzlaff joins Brennan Poole who returns for a second season in the No. 44 Chevrolet.

“We all want to win races, be consistent, and prove we’re here to compete,” Retzlaff said in a press release. “Everyone here has told me how much they believe in me and what I can do.”

Hailie Deegan and AM Racing Ford “Part Ways”

After competing in the first 17 Xfinity races of 2024 in the No. 15 Ford, it was announced on July 8th that Deegan and AM Racing had decided to “part ways effective immediately.” On October 14th, she issued a statement sharing her decision to move to open-wheel cars and compete in a full season next year in Indy NXT, an IndyCar development program, with HMD Motorsports.

“This year, I took the opportunity to hop into the F3 car. And it was one of the coolest experiences I honestly had. I just fell in love with it. One thing went to the next literally, and I went to a few Indycar races I think. Being in the pit sparked so much conversation so I flew up to Indie, checked out a few shops, met with a few of the teams, met with HMD, and I am so excited to be a part of HMD Motorsports.”

Harrison Burton, AM Racing

On September 20th, AM Racing announced that Harrison Burton would join the team to compete full-time in the Xfinity Series in 2025 after three seasons in the Cup Series with Wood Brothers Racing.

Nick Sanchez, Big Machine Racing

Sanchez will move from the Truck Series to drive full-time in the Xfinity Series in 2025 for Big Machine Racing. 

“This is a huge opportunity for me,” Sanchez said Wednesday in a virtual conference. “When I look at the [Xfinity] schedule and when I look at the places I need to improve as a driver, I think it just offers more for me. I’m excited to get to the race track next year and try to collect trophies for Scott and the whole team. This team has everything to be successful. I look forward to plugging into the team and chasing trophies.”

 “I’m excited to join AM Racing and help build it into the race-winning race team I believe it can and will be,” said Burton. “I think this will be a great opportunity for me to take the things I’ve learned in the Cup Series, bring those to the Xfinity Series, and be the best driver I can be. It’s a blessing to continue my NASCAR journey, and I intend to make the most of this opportunity.”

Cope Family Racing

On Jan. 2, it was announced that Cope Family Racing (CFR)  will debut in 2025 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 70 Chevrolet. The team is a family-owned organization with Derrike Cope as the team’s General Manager. Driving duties will be split between Leland Honeyman Jr. (17 races) and Thomas Annunziata. Honeyman will begin the season in the driver’s seat for the season-opener at Daytona.

“I’m excited to join Cope Family Racing as they launch their NASCAR Xfinity Series program,” said Honeyman. “It’s an honor to be part of a team with such a racing legacy, and I can’t wait to contribute to this new chapter in their history book. I’m ready to take on 2025 and continue chasing success on the track.”

“I’m super excited to be racing part-time with CFR in 2025,” Annunziata responded. “Derrike Cope and the Cope Family are rich in NASCAR experience from his driving days and running the team for StarCom Racing in the Cup Series. Although it’s a new team, CFR has assembled an experienced group to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. I’m ready and more motivated than ever to be a part of this exciting project. Time to go to work.”

Ryan Ellis, DGM Racing

DGM Racing announced on October 18th that Ellis will drive full-time next season in the Xfinity Series. 

“Chatting with Mario (Mario Gosselin, team owner) about his plans for the program in 2025 convinced me that joining DGM was something I couldn’t pass up. He’s a racer, and his enthusiasm was immediately contagious,” Ellis states. “I have so much respect for what the Gosselin family has built, and I hope that we can turn some heads together next year. I’ve seen just how high the potential is at DGM, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Sam Mayer, Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team

Haas Factory Team announced on August 17th that Mayer (No. 41 Ford) and Sheldon Creed (No. 00 Ford) will complete their Xfinity Series driver lineup for 2025. Crew chief Jonathan Toney will be paired with Creed, and Jason Trinchere will be on the pit box for Sam Mayer. On Jan. 7, the team announced Adam Gravitt as the competition director for the Xfinity Series program.

“I’ve won in every division I’ve raced in, and I feel like I’ve earned my place in the Xfinity Series, but that’s not enough. I want to win in the Xfinity Series,” said Creed, who currently drives for Joe Gibbs Racing. He continued, “I watched what Cole Custer did last year on his way to the Xfinity Series championship and when I talked with him about the set-up of the organization, everything he said resonated with me. I feel like Haas Factory Team is a place where I can succeed and where Sam and I can work together to win races and be championship contenders.”

“The Xfinity Series is a really great place to learn and grow and get yourself ready for the NASCAR Cup Series,” Mayer said. “Cup is my ultimate goal, and to really push myself to become the kind of driver who can succeed in Cup, I needed to get out of my comfort zone, challenge myself, and hone my race skills so that when that Cup moment comes, I’m ready. The Haas team got Cole Custer ready for his moment and it’s a place that will help get me and Sheldon ready for our moments.”

Corey Day, Hendrick Motorsports

Hendrick Motorsports announced on Jan. 9 that they have signed a multiyear agreement with Corey Day. He will compete in approximately 30 pavement races across the Xfinity Series, CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, ARCA Series and the Trans-Am Series with sponsorship from HendrickCars.com.

Mark Setzer, Jeremy Clements Racing

On December 12th, the team announced that Mark Setzer would not return as crew chief in 2025. Kase Kallenbach will replace Setzer as the crew chief for the No. 51 team.

“Mark [Setzer] has done a lot to help grow our program here at JCR. We have had some memorable moments with him on the pit box for sure, and I am grateful for all his hard work over the last four seasons. We wish him nothing but the best in whatever comes next.” said Jeremy Clements.

Brandon Jones, Joe Gibbs Racing

Jones will return to Joe Gibbs Racing after signing a multiyear contract on September 3rd to drive full-time in the Xfinity Series in 2025. He drove for JGR from 2018 to 2022 and, most recently, for JR Motorsports (2023, 2024).

“I’m beyond excited to be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing and rejoining the Toyota Racing family,” said Jones. “My time with JGR was some of the most rewarding of my career, and I’m eager to build on that success as we chase more wins and a championship together. I’m ready to hit the ground running and make the most of this incredible opportunity.”

Taylor Gray, Joe Gibbs Racing

Taylor Gray will race full-time in 2025, driving the No. 54 Toyota in the Xfinity Series. 

“I am very thankful for this opportunity,” Gray said. “I feel like I have learned a lot in the races I have run this year, and we can build on that next season. Being able to work with Tyler (Allen, crew chief) and these guys for a few races has been a great head start on next season and getting that chemistry going, so I’m really excited about what we can do running together full-time.”

William Sawalich, Joe Gibbs Racing

On October 21st, Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed that William Sawalich will compete full-time in the No. 18 Toyota in the Xfinity Series next season. 

“I am honored to be driving the No. 18 full-time in the Xfinity Series next year,” Sawalich said. “It has been really cool to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing (ARCA Series), and I feel like I have developed so much as a driver over the past two years. I still have a lot to learn, especially with moving to a new series, so I am looking forward to taking this next step in racing.”

Justin Bonsignore, Joe Gibbs Racing

Justin Bonsignore will return to Joe Gibbs Racing to pilot the  No. 19 Toyota for five NASCAR Xfinity Series races in 2025. He made his  Xfinity Series debut with the team in 2024 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Greg Van Alst, Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen

Joey Gase Motorsports confirmed on December 16th that the team has signed ARCA Menards Series veteran, Greg Van Alst, to compete in most of the 2025 Xfinity Series races in the No. 35 Chevrolet. His first race will be the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 14, 2025.

“I am thrilled about this opportunity to compete in most of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season with Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen,” said Van Alst. “This is an essential step in my racing career, and with a tunneled vision focused on the Xfinity Series, I believe I can step up to the plate and not only be competitive but also produce some strong finishes that can propel our team into the spotlight. I’m ready to get to work and make the most out of the opportunity to make my NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Daytona in about two months.”

Austin Green, Jordan Anderson Racing

Green will return to Jordan Anderson Racing to run a partial Xfinity Series schedule in the No. 32 Chevrolet focusing on road courses and short tracks.

Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports

On August 7th, JR Motorsports announced thatZilisch will join the team in 2025 to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with veteran crew chief Mardy Lindley.  

“There’s a lot of good Chevrolet-affiliated teams with Kaulig and RCR (Richard Childress Racing), but at the end of the day, when you look at the Cup Series and the guys who have come through JR Motorsports and gone to the Cup Series, I feel like they’ve had the most success. And I do think there’s a lot of really good resources at JR Motorsports that I’ll be able to go and learn from as we look on to the years to come. I feel like I’m in a really good spot with a lot of great people around me that’ll help guide me in the right direction as I get into the Xfinity Series next year.”

JR Motorsports Drivers/Crew Chiefs

Jim Pohlman will return to the No. 7 team with Justin Allgaier.
Phillip Bell will move to the No. 8 team with Sammy Smith.
Andrew Overstreet will be on the No. 1 pit box with rookie driver Carson Kvapil.
Mardy Lindley will join the No. 88 team as crew chief for Connor Zilisch.
Corey Shea joins the No. 9 part-time All-Star entry team as crew chief for nine races with Trackhouse Racing’s Chastain and van Gisbergen.

Daniel Dye, Kaulig Racing

On August 23rd, Kaulig Racing announced that Dye will drive the team’s No. 10 Xfinity Series Chevrolet full-time in 2025.

“I’ve really enjoyed driving the Xfinity car this year, and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue working with Kaulig Racing in 2025,” said Daniel Dye. “It’s been a fun experience learning the car and trying to navigate the different feeling compared to the truck. I’m looking forward to finishing out the season, running for the Truck Championship and making the most of my remaining races in the No. 10.”

Christian Eckes, Kaulig Racing

On August 31st Kaulig Racing announced that Eckes will move from the Craftsman Truck Series to drive the team’s No. 16 Chevrolet full-time in the Xfinity Series in 2025.

“Just super excited for this opportunity,” Eckes said. “This is something I feel like it’s been a long time coming, and to do it with Kaulig Racing, Chris (Rice, team president), Matt (Kaulig, team owner) and so many great teammates as well is something that I’m really looking forward to. Obviously, have a lot to achieve this year still, but very excited for the future. Just ready to get to work.”

Kaulig Racing, Crew Chief Lineup

Kaulig Racing revealed their Xfinity Series crew chief lineup on December 19th. Kevin Walter will be paired with Daniel Dye (No. 10 Chevrolet), Eddie Pardue with Josh Williams (No. 11 Chevrolet), and Alex Yontz with Christian Eckes (No. 16 Chevrolet).

Tyler Tomassi, No. 66, MBM Motorsports

MBM Motorsports announced today (Jan 15) that Tyler Tomassi will drive the No. 66 Ford Mustang in two NASCAR Xfinity Series events in 2025 – Martinsville Speedway in March and Bristol Motor Speedway in April.

Kris Wright, Our Motorsports

On November 20th, Wright announced he would drive the No. 5 Chevrolet full-time in 2025. He will replace Anthony Alfredo.  

“I am thrilled to join Our Motorsports for the 2025 season,” said Kris Wright. “I’m equally excited to make my return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and look forward to hitting the road for 33 weeks to take on the challenges of a full season together.”

Dean Thompson, Sam Hunt Racing

On Jan. &, Sam Hunt Racing announced that Dean Thompson will pilot the No. 26 Toyota full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025.

“I’m very excited to join the Sam Hunt Racing group and continue to pursue my dreams in NASCAR,” Thompson said. “The team made me feel at home after the two races we shared last year. Everything clicked with us, and we are both in a spot where we could fulfill each other’s needs to help our growth as a race team and driver. I’m lucky to have this opportunity to take the next step, which most can only dream of reaching, and I’m grateful to share it with such an awesome group of people.”

Garrett Smithley, SS-Greenlight Racing

SS-Greenlight Racing announced on Mon., November 19th, that Garrett Smithley will return to the team in 2025 and compete full-time in the No. 14 Chevrolet with crew chief, Jason Mille and will be sponsored by Trophy Tractor.

“I’m incredibly excited and grateful to be a full-time driver at SS-Greenlight Racing,” Smithley said in a team release. “I haven’t been full-time since 2019, so beyond excited to get to work with Bobby (Dotter, owner) and Jason Miller (crew chief). Daytona can’t come soon enough!”

SS-Greenlight Racing, No. 07

On Jan. 16 the team announced that Patrick Emerling, Alex Labbe and Nick Leitz will split SS-Greenlight Racing’s No. 07 entry for the 2025 Xfinity Series season. Emerling will compete in the season opener at Daytona.

Matt DiBenedetto, Viking Motorsports

On Jan. 16 Viking Motorsports announced that DiBenedetto will drive the No. 99 (new car number) for Viking Motorsports again in 2025 for a full Xfinity Series season with Pat Tryson as crew chief.

Anthony Alfredo, Young’s Motorsports

On Jan. 12 Young’s Motorsports announced that Anthony Alfredo will drive the No. 42 Chevrolet full-time in the 2025 Xfinity Series with sponsors Dude Wipes and RANDCO.

Chandler Smith, Front Row Motorsports

On December 12th, Front Row Motorsports announced that Chandler Smith had signed with them for the 2025 season as they expanded to add a second entry to their Truck Series lineup. He joins returning Rookie of the Year, Layne Riggs. The Truck number and sponsors for Smith will be announced later.

“I’m excited to join Front Row Motorsports truck program,” said Smith. “They are a top contender in the Truck Series and have proven so with championships and wins. I like what they are building here and am honored to have the opportunity to add to it. We are getting a bit of a late start, but I am excited about the caliber of talent we are talking to in being a part of this program for 2025.”

Daniel Hemric, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing announced on November 20th that Hemric will drive the No. 19 Chevrolet full-time in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2025, replacing Christian Eckes.

“This is a great opportunity for me to compete for wins and chase another championship,” Hemric said. “Thanks to Bill McAnally, Bill Hilgemann, NAPA, Chevrolet and everyone involved for the opportunity. It’s a big milestone season to be a part of with NAPA’s 100th anniversary and the 35th year of Bill’s partnership with them. We’re going to do everything we can to get the NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet in victory lane and be in contention for a championship.”

Tyler Ankrum, McAnally-Hilgemann

On November 25th, the team confirmed that Ankrum will return to drive the No. 18 Chevrolet with crew chief Mark Hillman. It will be his seventh season in the Truck Series. 

“I’m really glad to be staying at MHR with Mark and the entire LIUNA team,” Ankrum said in a released statement. “This last year was probably the best of my career with the consistency we showed throughout the season. Making the playoffs was a huge goal for us and we were in the mix all the way to Martinsville, so we want to take another step and make it to Phoenix in 2025. We all want to get back to victory lane, and I think keeping this group together and continuing to develop as a team will help us get there.”

Connor Mosack, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing

On December 3rd, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing announced that Mosack had been signed to drive the No. 81 Chevrolet in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2025. Mosack’s resume includes 11 starts in the Truck Series and 28 in the Xfinity Series throughout his career. 

“I’m ecstatic to start 2025 with everybody at MHR and want to continue this team’s success in the playoffs,” Mosack said. “All four MHR teams had great performances this past year, so this is a big opportunity to race with a winning organization. It’s great to continue being part of Team Chevy and appreciate NAPA Nightvison and everyone at MHR for making this a reality. I’m looking forward to working with Blake and we want to become one of the weekly contenders, compete for wins, and lock ourselves in the playoffs.”

Jack Wood, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) announced on December 3rd that Jack Wood will return to the team in 2025 to compete in the Truck Series full-time in the No. 91 Chevrolet Silverado with crew chief Kevin Bellicourt.

“I’m definitely thankful and excited to be back at MHR next season,” Wood said in a released statement. “We had a lot of bright spots this past season and have a great foundation to build on. I have a lot of trust in Kevin [Bellicourt], [team owner] Bill [McAnally], and everyone at MHR, so that makes me excited for what’s ahead of us next year. It’s great to have Adaptive One Calipers board with us and looking forward to activating with their customers throughout the season.”

Kaden Honeycutt, Niece Motorsports

On Oct. 1, Kaden Honeycutt was announced as the full-time driver of the No. 45 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2025. It will be his first full-time ride in a national series.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how much this opportunity means to me,” Honeycutt said. “Before I got connected with Al (Niece) and Cody (Efaw), last year, I thought my career was over. Both of them took a big chance on me leading into this year and it’s kept me hungry to make them proud. My group of guys on the No. 45 team have become brothers to me, and we’ve been able to share such a good relationship.”

Christian Rose, Niece Motorsports

On December 16th, Niece Motorsports announced that Christian Rose would move up from the ARCA Menards Series to drive the team’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado full-time in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2025.

“For me, it’s a huge opportunity to make the jump from the ARCA Series,” said Rose. “I got my feet wet a little bit in the Truck Series a few years ago, but I believe in everything that we have going on in this building and am very excited to get to Daytona. The speed that we’ve seen from this team is a big reason why we signed our deal, and I’m just excited to make that transition. I think if we do the right things and show up and put the work in, we can have a lot of great things to look forward to next year.”

Dawson Sutton, Rackley W.A.R.

On October 17th, Rackley W.A.R. announced that Sutton would compete full-time in the Craftsman Truck Series next year in the No. 25.

“This is really a phenomenal opportunity,” he said. “I’ve dreamed for this day to come, and my goal is to make it to NASCAR’s Cup Series that represents the best of the best. It’s all a little hard to believe right now, but I know I have a big job to do, and that’s exactly how I look at it.”

Frankie Muniz, Reaume Brothers Racing

Reaume Brothers confirmed on October 22nd that Muniz will race the No. 33 Ford full-time in 2025. 

Cody Dennison, Reaume Brothers Racing 

On Jan. 21, Reaume Brothers Racing announced that Dennison will drive the No. 2 Ford in the Craftsman Truck Series part-time in 2025. He will make his debut at Martinsville Speedway on March 28th.

Tyler Tomassi, Reaume Brothers Racing

Reaume Brothers Racing announced on Jan. 14 that Tomassi would return and run two Craftsman Truck Series races in the No. 2 Ford. He will compete at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30 and Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 11.

Rajah Caruth, Spire Motorsports

On December 13th, Spire Motorsports confirmed that Caruth will return to Spire Motorsports in 2025 to drive the No. 71 Chevrolet for a second season in the Craftsman Truck Series with sponsorship from HendrickCars.com.

“It is great to have a home and stability heading into next year,” Caruth said in a released statement. “I believe this is the first time in my career I won’t be with a new team or competing in a different series at the start of the season. I really appreciate the opportunity [owners] Jeff [Dickerson] and T.J. [Puchyr] have given me, and I’m excited to continue preparations for 2025. Our organization has really grown over the past year, and we have shown what we are capable of. We have set the bar high for the season, and the expectation is to win more races and compete for a championship.”

Corey Heim, Tricon Garage

On November 7th, it was announced that Heim will return in 2025 to drive the No. 11 Toyota for the team along with crew chief, Scott Zipadelli.

“I am excited to be back with TRICON for my third full-time year,” said Heim. He continued, saying, “I have developed so much alongside this organization in the last two years, and we have made some incredible memories along the way. I can’t wait to continue this journey in 2025 with my No. 11 crew.”

Tanner Gray, Tricon Garage

Tricon Garage confirmed on November 18 that Gray will return to drive the Craftsman Truck Series No. 15 Toyota full-time in 2025.

“TRICON has become a second home to me, and I am looking forward to another year as the driver of the 15,” said Gray. “I feel like we have some unfinished business after this past season, and I am as motivated as ever to compete in the postseason in 2025.”

Toni Breidinger, Tricon Garage

Tricon Garage announced on November 26th that Toni Breidinger will advance from the ARCA Menards Series to drive the team’s No. 5 Toyota full-time next year in the Craftsman Truck Series. 

“Racing full-time with TRICON is a dream for me. It’s been a 15-year process to get here but I’m so excited for this moment and ready to capitalize on it,” Breidinger said. “I wouldn’t have this opportunity if it wasn’t for Toyota, Raising Cane’s, CELSIUS, and Sunoco. I’m beyond grateful to have these partners and team in my corner to take this next step in my career.”

Gio Ruggiero, Tricon Garage

On December 2nd, Tricon Garage announced that Gio Ruggiero, who claimed nine top 10s in the ARCA Menards Series in 2024, will drive the team’s No. 17 Toyota in 2025. Ruggiero earned nine top 10s in the ARCA Menards Series in 2024.  

“I am super thankful to have the opportunity to run full-time with TRICON in 2025,” said Ruggiero. “I look forward to getting to work with all of the guys on the 17 team and contending for wins this season.”

Tricon Garage, No. 1 “All-Star” Entry

William Sawalich will begin the season as the driver of the No. 1 at Daytona International Speedway. He will also race at Atlanta Motor Speedway (Feb. 22), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 14), Nashville Superspeedway (May 30) and Watkins Glen International (Aug. 8).

Brandon Jones will drive the No. 1 for seven races, beginning at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 21. His schedule also includes the Bristol Motor Speedway spring race on April 11, Rockingham Speedway (April 18), Texas Motor Speedway (May 2), Kansas Speedway (May 10), Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 23) and Pocono Raceway (June 20).

Brent Crews will make nine starts beginning at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17 and followed by Lime Rock Park (June 28), Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (July 25), Richmond Raceway (Aug. 15), Bristol (fall, Sept. 11), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sept. 20), Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval (Oct. 3), Martinsville (fall, Oct. 24), and the season finale at Phoenix Raceway (Oct. 31).

Lawless Alan will compete in four races in 2025 – Martinsville (spring, March 28), Michigan International Speedway (June 7), Darlington Raceway (Aug. 30) and Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 17). Jake Hampton will lead the No. 1 team on the pit box.

TRICON Garage, Crew Chief Lineup

On December 16th, TRICON Garage announced its crew chief lineup for the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Scott Zipadelli will return to lead the No. 11 team with rookie driver, Gio Ruggiero. Jeff Hensley will return and transition to the No. 15 team with driver, Tanner Gray. Jerame Donley will lead the No. 17 team with rookie Gio Ruggiero, and Derek Smith will serve as crew chief for Toni Breidinger in her first full-time season in the No. 5. Matt Puccia will be back as the team’s competition director.

Young’s Motorsports, Nathan Byrd

Young’s Motorsports announced on Jan. 27 that Byrd will drive the team’s No. 02 Chevrolet in a minimum of 15 during the 2025 season beginning with the season-opener at Daytona.

Young’s Motorsports, Stefan Parsons

On Jan. 27, Young’s Motorsports also revealed that Stefan Parsons will join the organization in 2025. His schedule will be announced at a later date.

ARCA Menards Series Spruce 212 at Salem Speedway to be Televised Live on FOX 

TEMPERANCE, Mich. – (August 10, 2026) – The ARCA Menards Series Spruce 212 at Salem Speedway will be broadcast live over-the-air on FOX on Saturday, September 12. The 212-lap race at the high-banked oval, located in southern Indiana between Indianapolis and Louisville, is scheduled for an 8 pm ET green flag.

“We are thrilled to have a second ARCA Menards Series race broadcast on FOX in 2026,” said ARCA president Ron Drager. “It provides our drivers, teams, sponsors, and fans a tremendous opportunity to see one of the most unique and exciting race tracks on the ARCA Menards Series schedule. No track has hosted more ARCA Menards Series races, and we look forward to adding another exciting chapter to that history live on FOX.”

The race will start at sundown but the track will be bathed in light provided by Musco, the company that revolutionized race track lighting to allow superspeedway racing at night in the 1990s.

“Having the ARCA Menards Series live on FOX puts the series under an incredible spotlight and it will be even brighter thanks to our friends at Musco,” Drager continued. “Thanks to Musco’s support it will be the brightest night race in Salem’s long history and our fans will have a chance to see racing under the lights as they’ve never seen it at Salem before.”

Brenden “Butterbean” Queen won last year’s race at Salem Speedway on his way to the 2025 ARCA Menards Series championship. He joined a distinguished list of winners that includes Indianapolis 500 winner Troy Ruttman, former series champions Nelson Stacy, Jack Bowsher, Benny Parsons, Iggy Katona, Ron Hutcherson, Dave Dayton, Marvin Smith, Bob Keselowski, Bob Brevak, Tim Steele, and Frank Kimmel. NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison also scored his one and only ARCA Menards Series victory at Salem Speedway, as did the two most recent NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champions Jesse Love and Justin Allgaier, NASCAR Cup Series winners Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher, and Christopher Bell, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winner Grant Enfinger.

“With 111 previous races at Salem, the list of winners is a who’s who of ARCA Menards Series history,” Drager said. “To celebrate that history, we’re extending the race by 12 laps to 212 laps to honor our 112th ARCA Menards Series race at Salem. Salem Speedway is one of the most demanding tracks not only on the ARCA schedule, but in the entire country. To win here, you have to not only beat the competition but the race track as well. The 35-degree banking and the unique line, especially in turns three and four where you run inches off the outside wall, are as imposing a challenge as the ARCA Menards Series drivers and teams see every year.”

The ARCA Menards Series race at Daytona International Speedway has been broadcast on FOX in each of the last two years. This will be the first time a series’ short track race has ever been broadcast on national broadcast television.

For more information including the complete Spruce 212 event schedule and live timing & scoring data, please visit ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly Twitter).

About ARCA

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing). 

About Menards

A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states.  Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building.  You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more.  To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!

Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture.  Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries.  And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. 

Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too!  For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

Front Row Motorsports: Iowa Speedway NCS Race Report – Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith

Noah Gragson | Todd Gilliland | Zane Smith
Iowa Speedway NASCAR Cup Series Race Report
Iowa Speedway 350
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Event: Race 25 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Iowa Speedway (0.875-mile)
Length of Race: 350 laps over two hours, 57 minutes, 49 seconds

FRM Finish:

● Zane Smith (Started 14th, Finished 16th / Running, completed 349 of 350 laps)
● Noah Gragson (Started 15th, Finished 17th / Running, completed 349 of 350 laps)
● Todd Gilliland (Started 17th, Finished 22nd / Running, completed 349 of 350 laps)

FRM Points Standings:

Todd Gilliland (23rd)
Zane Smith (24th)
Noah Gragson (31st)

Zane Smith Key Takeaways

Stage One: 10th / Stage Two: 9th / Race Result: 16th

“Tough end to a promising day,” said Smith. “Had good speed, just needed strategy to play more in our favor at the end there. I think we came out of the break strong, and Ford Racing in general had a pretty good weekend, so that’s encouraging for this last stretch of the season. Richmond was good for us last year, so hopefully this moves us in the right direction.”

Noah Gragson Key Takeaways

Stage One: 20th / Stage Two: 14th / Race Result: 17th

“A solid result for this team after the off-week,” said Gragson. “We chipped away at it all race, making the right adjustments throughout the day to keep us competitive. Hopefully, we can bring the same speed to Richmond next week.”

Todd Gilliland Key Takeaways

Stage One: 13th / Stage Two: 24th / Race Result: 22nd

“Not the result we were hoping for, but still a decent finish for this group,” said Gilliland. “We unloaded with a lot of speed in Saturday’s P&Q session, but we had a couple of things not go our way on Sunday, with a bad pit stop and wrong adjustments, that hindered us from a better result. Still happy with the progress we showed, though, so I’m excited for Richmond.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization competing in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, FRM has earned top honors including a 2021 Daytona 500 victory and the 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship. Based in Mooresville, N.C., FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and No. 38 entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with the No. 34 and No. 38 teams in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. For more information, visit FrontRowMotorsports.com and follow Front Row Motorsports on social media — X: @Team_FRM, Instagram: @teamfrm, Tik Tok: @Team_FRM, YouTube: @FrontRowNASCAR, and Facebook: facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Five Brands, One Block: How Brooklyn Drivers Shop Hyundai the Efficient Way

Brooklyn’s One-Block Test Drive: Shopping Hyundai Without Crossing the Borough

Hyundai spent the last decade convincing skeptics. The N division put launch control, rev-matching and genuinely playful chassis tuning into cars priced for real budgets, while the brand’s motorsport program proved the engineering wasn’t just marketing. For anyone in New York who follows racing on Sunday and still has to find street parking in Brooklyn on Monday, that combination is hard to ignore.

The catch has always been buying one in the five boroughs. Lots are small, inventory is thin, and “we can get it for you” usually means a three-week wait.

One Brooklyn lot, three ways to buy

Plaza Hyundai on Nostrand Avenue stocks new, used and Certified Pre-Owned Hyundai vehicles on site — the Elantra and Sonata, the Tucson and Santa Fe, and the IONIQ electric range. CPO matters more than most shoppers realize: a factory-backed inspection and warranty extension turns a three-year-old Tucson into a much safer buy than a private-party gamble, and it closes the gap between the new-car budget and the new-car experience.

Anything on the lot can be delivered free within 25 miles, which covers most of Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan and a decent stretch of Long Island — worth knowing if the idea of a Saturday spent at a dealership is what has kept you in your current car.

Five brands on one block

Plaza Hyundai is part of Plaza Auto Mall, family owned and operating on the same Brooklyn block since 1975. Over 1,000 vehicles sit there at any given time across five franchises — Hyundai, Toyota, Honda, Kia and Acura — plus a multi-brand used car lot carrying everything else that comes through on trade.

That density changes how you shop. Cross-shopping a Tucson against a RAV4 and a CR-V normally means three dealerships, three appointments and three sales pitches spread across a weekend. Here you drive all three back to back in an afternoon and decide with the seat time still fresh. Nobody has to talk you out of the competition, because the competition is parked forty feet away.

Plaza Kia and used cars lot Brooklyn, NY

What happens after you sign

The part that matters at year three: factory-trained service departments, genuine OEM parts, and EV charging on site for IONIQ and hybrid owners. Same-day trade-in appraisals and cash offers are available whether or not you buy, which is useful if you just want to know what your current car is worth before committing to anything.

Financing pre-approval doesn’t require a Social Security number or date of birth to get started, so your credit score stays untouched during the shopping stage.

Worth the trip

Brooklyn traffic is its own kind of endurance event. If you’re going to spend a Saturday car shopping, spending it somewhere you can drive five brands without moving your own car beats a tour of the borough. Whether you want the hot hatch or the family crossover — or want to test both before deciding which one you are this year — it’s all on one block.

What South Florida Drivers Should Review Before Renewing Auto Insurance

Auto insurance can be easy to overlook until a renewal notice arrives, a vehicle is damaged or a driver needs to file a claim. Yet a policy that was appropriate several years ago may no longer match the vehicle, household, commute or financial risks it is supposed to protect.

This is especially relevant in South Florida, where motorists regularly contend with dense traffic, heavy rainfall, coastal weather, flooded streets and expensive vehicle repairs. Instead of renewing automatically or choosing a policy based only on the lowest monthly payment, drivers should review what is covered, what is excluded and how much they could be required to pay after a loss.

A careful policy review does not require becoming an insurance expert. It begins with understanding Florida’s basic requirements and comparing policies using the same information.

Start With Florida’s Basic Insurance Requirements

Before registering a privately owned vehicle with at least four wheels in Florida, the owner generally must show proof of at least:

  • $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection, commonly called PIP
  • $10,000 in Property Damage Liability, commonly called PDL

PIP is designed to pay a portion of qualifying medical expenses and lost income following a covered motor vehicle accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Property Damage Liability helps pay for damage the insured driver is legally responsible for causing to another person’s vehicle or other property, up to the policy limit.

These are minimum requirements, not necessarily appropriate coverage levels for every household. A driver can satisfy the registration requirement while still having limited protection against a serious accident, a lawsuit or extensive vehicle damage.

Bodily Injury Liability is not generally part of Florida’s basic registration requirement for most private vehicles. However, it may be required in certain situations under the state’s financial responsibility laws, including after particular crashes or driving violations.

Minimum Coverage and Adequate Coverage Are Not the Same

A $10,000 Property Damage Liability limit can be exhausted quickly when a crash damages a newer vehicle, multiple vehicles, roadside infrastructure or a building. Once a policy limit is reached, the responsible driver may remain personally exposed to additional costs.

Bodily Injury Liability can help cover injuries the policyholder or another covered driver causes to other people, subject to the policy’s terms and limits. It may also provide a legal defense when a covered claim leads to a lawsuit.

Drivers should consider their income, savings, assets, vehicle use and potential legal exposure when selecting liability limits. The cheapest option may meet a legal requirement while providing little protection against a costly accident.

Insurance professionals cannot determine the right limit without knowing the household’s circumstances. Consumers should ask what each limit covers, how much additional protection would cost and what financial responsibility would remain after the insurer reaches its limit.

Do Not Rely on the Phrase “Full Coverage”

“Full coverage” is commonly used in advertising and informal conversations, but it is not a standardized insurance policy. One person may use the phrase to describe liability, comprehensive and collision coverage, while another policy described the same way may include rental reimbursement, roadside assistance or higher limits.

Instead of asking whether a quote provides full coverage, drivers should request a written list of:

  • Liability coverage and limits
  • Personal Injury Protection
  • Collision coverage
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
  • Medical payments coverage
  • Rental reimbursement
  • Towing or roadside assistance
  • Deductibles and exclusions

This makes it easier to compare actual protection rather than relying on a vague label.

Understand Comprehensive and Collision Coverage

Florida generally does not require drivers to purchase comprehensive or collision coverage. A lender or leasing company, however, will commonly require both while it has a financial interest in the vehicle.

Collision coverage generally helps pay for damage to the insured vehicle after it collides with another vehicle or object, subject to the deductible and policy terms.

Comprehensive coverage generally applies to certain non-collision losses. Depending on the policy, covered events may include:

  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Fire
  • Windstorm damage
  • Flooding
  • Falling objects
  • Broken glass
  • Contact with an animal

Comprehensive coverage can be particularly relevant in South Florida, but drivers should not assume that every weather-related loss is automatically covered. The cause of the damage, policy language, exclusions and deductible all matter.

For example, comprehensive coverage may address direct flood damage to a vehicle, but it does not turn an auto policy into protection for personal belongings, a home or other property damaged by the same flood.

Choose a Deductible the Household Could Actually Pay

The deductible is the amount the policyholder generally pays toward a covered comprehensive or collision loss before the insurer’s payment applies.

Increasing a deductible may reduce the premium, but it also increases the amount needed immediately after a claim. A driver who selects a $1,000 deductible should be reasonably confident that the household could pay that amount if the car were damaged tomorrow.

When comparing deductibles, consider:

  • The vehicle’s current value
  • The household’s emergency savings
  • The premium difference between deductible options
  • Whether the vehicle is financed or leased
  • How difficult it would be to repair or replace the vehicle

Carrying collision and comprehensive coverage on a low-value vehicle may not always make financial sense. However, dropping those coverages means the owner may receive no payment from their own insurer if the car is stolen, flooded or damaged in an at-fault collision.

Review Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Protection

When a Florida auto policy includes Bodily Injury Liability coverage, the insurer generally must offer Uninsured Motorist coverage at limits equal to the selected bodily injury limits. The named insured may reject the coverage or select lower limits in writing.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage may help compensate covered people who suffer bodily injury because an at-fault driver has no Bodily Injury Liability insurance or does not carry enough insurance to cover the resulting damages.

Florida consumers may encounter stacked and non-stacked versions of Uninsured Motorist coverage. The differences can affect how coverage applies across vehicles and policies. Drivers should ask the insurer or licensed agent to explain:

  • The available limits
  • Whether the coverage is stacked or non-stacked
  • Which household members are protected
  • How the coverage applies when occupying another vehicle
  • The premium difference between available options

A rejection or limitation of Uninsured Motorist coverage should not be signed without understanding what protection is being declined.

Remember Florida’s 14-Day PIP Rule

Florida’s PIP system contains an important deadline. To qualify for PIP medical benefits after a motor vehicle accident, an injured person generally must receive initial medical services and care within 14 days.

Waiting longer can affect eligibility for benefits, even when symptoms become more noticeable after the accident. Anyone injured in a crash should prioritize health and obtain appropriate medical guidance rather than relying on general internet information.

PIP does not necessarily pay every medical bill in full. Subject to the policy and Florida law, it generally pays 80% of qualifying medical expenses and 60% of qualifying lost income. Medical benefits may be available up to the $10,000 PIP limit when an authorized provider determines that the injured person had an emergency medical condition. Without that determination, medical benefits are generally limited to $2,500.

Deductibles, exclusions, provider requirements and other statutory conditions may also affect the amount paid. Drivers should review their policy and notify the insurer promptly after an accident.

Make Sure All Regular Drivers Are Properly Disclosed

Insurance applications and renewal documents should accurately identify licensed household members, regular vehicle operators, the garaging address and how each vehicle is used.

A premium may change when:

  • A teenager obtains a learner’s permit or license
  • An adult child returns to the household
  • A new roommate regularly uses the vehicle
  • A driver begins commuting farther
  • A vehicle is used for deliveries or rideshare activity
  • The vehicle is moved to a different ZIP code

Failing to disclose a regular driver or commercial use can create serious problems during a claim investigation. A lower premium obtained through inaccurate information is not a genuine saving if the policy later does not respond as expected.

South Florida Drivers May Face Vehicle Inspection Requirements

Drivers requesting comprehensive or collision coverage may be asked to complete a pre-insurance inspection that documents the vehicle’s existing condition.

Florida’s consumer insurance guidance identifies Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach among the counties covered by statutory pre-insurance inspection provisions for physical damage coverage. Insurer procedures and legal exemptions may apply, so consumers should follow the instructions provided by the company issuing the policy.

The inspection is intended to identify existing damage and reduce disputes or fraud involving damage that occurred before coverage began. Failure to complete a required inspection within the allowed period may affect physical damage coverage.

Compare Quotes Using Identical Information

Comparing only the final premium can be misleading. One quote may appear cheaper because it has lower liability limits, higher deductibles or fewer optional protections.

Each company should receive the same:

  • Driver information
  • Vehicle identification numbers
  • Garaging address
  • Estimated annual mileage
  • Coverage limits
  • Deductibles
  • Vehicle use
  • Requested optional coverages

Drivers researching policy options can consult the auto insurance guides available through LoyalInsurance.org as one starting point for understanding coverage concepts and preparing to compare quotes. Final pricing, eligibility and policy terms should always be confirmed with the insurer, licensed agent or quote provider handling the application.

When reviewing multiple quotes, create a simple comparison table containing:

  • Total premium for the complete policy term
  • Required first payment
  • Installment fees
  • Coverage limits
  • Deductibles
  • Excluded drivers
  • Rental coverage limits
  • Roadside assistance terms
  • Cancellation rules

A low advertised monthly payment may reflect a larger initial payment, a different policy term or additional installment fees. Consumers should compare the total premium for the complete policy period rather than relying only on the advertised monthly amount.

Verify the Company and Agent Before Paying

Before submitting payment or personal information, consumers should verify that the insurer and agent are authorized to conduct insurance business in Florida.

Drivers should be cautious when a seller:

  • Pressures them to pay immediately
  • Refuses to provide policy documents
  • Guarantees a rate without reviewing driver information
  • Requests payment through an unusual method
  • Cannot explain which company will issue the policy
  • Uses a name or logo that resembles another business

The Florida Department of Financial Services provides tools for checking insurance licenses and obtaining consumer assistance. A legitimate quote should clearly identify the insurer, coverage, policy period, premium and conditions.

Ask About Discounts Every Year

Some discounts are not automatically applied forever. Drivers should review available discounts at each renewal and report qualifying changes.

Possible discounts may relate to:

  • Multiple vehicles
  • Bundling auto and home or renters insurance
  • Low annual mileage
  • Good student performance
  • Approved driver education
  • Vehicle safety equipment
  • Automatic payments
  • Paperless documents
  • Usage-based driving programs

Eligibility and savings vary by insurer. Consumers should not purchase a device, course or membership based solely on an expected discount without confirming that the company recognizes it.

Usage-based programs may monitor mileage, braking, acceleration, speed, time of day, location or phone use. The potential discount should be considered alongside the program’s data collection and privacy terms.

Avoid an Insurance Lapse

Florida vehicle owners should not cancel insurance before properly surrendering or transferring the vehicle’s registration and license plate when required.

A lapse can lead to registration or driver’s license consequences, even if the vehicle is not being driven. It may also make future insurance more expensive or limit the companies willing to offer coverage.

When changing companies, the new policy should begin before the previous policy ends. Drivers should obtain written confirmation of the new effective date rather than relying only on a quote or payment receipt.

Keep Policy Records Accessible

Policyholders should retain electronic or printed copies of:

  • The declarations page
  • Insurance identification cards
  • Coverage forms and endorsements
  • Payment confirmations
  • Vehicle inspection records
  • Photos of the vehicle
  • Receipts for major upgrades or equipment
  • Claim correspondence

The declarations page provides a summary, but it does not contain every policy condition or exclusion. Drivers should keep the complete policy and ask questions about anything they do not understand.

Final Thoughts

Auto insurance should be reviewed as financial protection rather than treated only as a registration requirement. The lowest premium does not necessarily provide the best value, and an expensive policy is not automatically the most appropriate.

South Florida drivers should compare identical coverage, choose affordable deductibles, disclose regular operators accurately and pay particular attention to comprehensive coverage, liability limits and protection against uninsured drivers.

A policy review before every renewal can reveal outdated information, missing discounts, inadequate limits or coverages that no longer make sense. Taking time to understand those details before an accident is far easier than discovering a gap after a claim.

Sources

This article provides general educational information and is not individualized insurance or legal advice. Coverage, premiums, eligibility, discounts and policy terms vary. Consumers should verify current requirements and obtain guidance from the insurer or a licensed Florida insurance professional.

We Talking About Practice: Expanded Practice Sessions Welcomed by Cody Ware

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 10, 2026) – With apologies to NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, whose May 7, 2002, rant about practice remains meme-worthy, “We talking about practice.”

Richmond (Va.) Raceway, site of Saturday night’s Cook Out 400, will be the final time NASCAR Cup Series drivers have to split a 50-minute practice session, with two groups each getting 25 minutes of track time the day before the race. Beginning next weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, all Cup Series drivers will get to use the entire 50-minute allotment.

It won’t be the pre-COVID glory days of three-day race weekends when teams had two to three hours of practice spread across Friday and Saturday before the Cup race on Sunday, but the added track time will still be massively valuable. Just ask Cody Ware, driver of the No. 51 Rocket Doctor Chevrolet for Rick Ware Racing.

“The added time will allow us to do mock qualifying runs and work on the car’s balance. That’s something I’ve never really had,” Ware said.

“My first full-time season was back in 2021, and that was during COVID when we had no practice or qualifying. We just went straight into the race. There were tracks where my first lap was in a Cup Series race.

“So, qualifying is where I feel like we can make some progress. The added practice time gives us the chance to make a mock run on our second set of tires. And just having that experience before we’re on the clock in qualifying will make us better.”

Ware and his Cup Series counterparts got a taste of the full 50-minute practice session last weekend at Iowa Speedway in Newton. With Goodyear introducing a new left-side tire compound at Iowa, NASCAR deemed it prudent to give teams the full breadth of practice.

“Saturday at Iowa was a positive day for us. The team brought a really good car to the track, and we had one of the most productive Saturdays that we’ve had in a long time. It showed what we can glean from these extended practice sessions,” said Ware, who turned 80 laps around the .875-mile oval.

“We got to do a 30-lap run and an almost 40-lap run with a couple of short runs in between. To be able to go to bed Saturday night after looking at the data and what we learned from those longer runs, it helped me as a driver and helped our team. Our notebook was bigger and our confidence was higher.”

When there are 1,440 minutes in a single day, how much of a difference can 25 extra minutes make?

“Everything matters. The field is so tight everywhere we go that nothing can be overlooked. You can miss things when you’re rushed. Fifty minutes compared to 25 minutes makes you a little less rushed,” Ware said.

In last year’s Cup Series race at Richmond, the difference between the fastest qualifier and the last-place qualifier was .703 of a second. And toward the sharp end of the spear, just .162 of a second separated the 10th-place driver from the pole winner.

The ability to shave those tenths of a second from one’s qualifying run begins in practice. The more practice you get, the better you can make your racecar and the faster you can go. That matters even more when you’re holding your breath for a lap against the clock.

“You have to go out and get all you can in qualifying,” Ware said. “You need to extract all the speed you can and find the car’s limits, all in a single lap. To better understand where the car’s limits are in practice just makes you more prepared for that white-knuckle lap.”

Since hosting its first Cup Series race in 1953, Richmond has evolved. It began as a half-mile dirt oval, transitioned in 1968 to a paved, .625-mile oval, and then underwent a massive reconfiguration in 1988 that created its current D-shaped, .75-mile layout.

Richmond is unique. Like all short tracks, it features close quarters and requires heavy braking with controlled use of the throttle. But it also rewards smoothness, as Richmond is a momentum track, akin to intermediate-style ovals.

“Richmond is a difficult racetrack because you have two corners that are wildly different. Finding a rhythm there is very tough,” Ware said. “It’s a place where I would definitely welcome a full 50-minute practice session.

“Going into turn one, you’ve got a lot of banking holding you into the corner. Then as you’re coming off the corner and getting down to the back straightaway, you transition onto the flat pretty aggressively. Your entry into turn three is completely different. It’s very flat, not a whole lot of banking. You’re braking very early and lifting very early because you can’t carry speed into the corner like you can in turn one. You don’t have that grip and that banking to hold you into the corner.”

With only 25 minutes of practice at Richmond, the track’s challenges are more pronounced.

“You don’t have much time for trial and error,” Ware said. “You need to maximize your time, so the prep work you put in beforehand, especially on the sim and what you see and feel as a driver, and what the team builds into the setup, is crucial.”

Practice at Richmond starts at 3:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, followed shortly by qualifying at 4:40 p.m. TruTV and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide live coverage of both. The Cook Out 400 goes green at 7 p.m. on Saturday with live, flag-to-flag coverage delivered by USA Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Rick Ware Racing:

Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age 6 when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver’s seat and into full-time team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with his wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that competes full-time in the elite NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track, FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) and zMAX CARS Tour.

Will Older Jeep Cherokee Floor Mats Fit the Redesigned 2026 Model?

Quick Answer

No. Floor mats made for the 2015–2023 Jeep Cherokee should not be assumed to fit the redesigned 2026 Jeep Cherokee. The new model uses a different interior layout and requires its own floor mat fitment, including the driver-side retention points, floor contours, rear footwell, and cargo area.

Lasfit offers dedicated 2026 Jeep Cherokee floor liners designed specifically for the redesigned model, with available protection for the front and rear floors, cargo area, and rear seatbacks. Lasfit also provides separate floor mat applications for 2015–2023 Jeep Cherokee models, reinforcing that the older and newer generations should be treated as different fitments.

Key Fitment Facts

QuestionAnswer
Will 2015–2023 Jeep Cherokee floor mats fit the 2026 model?They should not be assumed compatible. The 2026 Cherokee requires a new fitment.
Is the 2026 Jeep Cherokee a redesigned model?Yes. It is a new-generation Cherokee rather than a simple carryover from 2023.
Does Lasfit make floor mats for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee?Yes. Lasfit offers a dedicated 2026 Cherokee application.
Does Lasfit also make floor mats for older Cherokees?Yes. Lasfit has separate applications for 2015–2023 Jeep Cherokee models.
Can the 2026 Lasfit system protect more than the cabin floor?Yes. Available configurations can include floor, cargo, and rear seatback protection.

Why Older Cherokee Floor Mats Should Not Be Used in the 2026 Model

A floor mat does more than cover the area beneath your feet. A vehicle-specific liner is shaped around the floor, factory retention system, pedals, seat rails, center hump, and surrounding trim.

That means even a small interior redesign can affect whether a liner sits correctly.

The difference becomes even more important when a vehicle moves to a new generation. A mat designed for an older Cherokee may physically fit inside the footwell but still fail in the areas that matter most.

Driver-Side Pedal Clearance

The driver-side liner must stay clear of the accelerator and brake pedals.

If an older mat is too long, too wide, or unable to connect to the proper retention points, it may move forward or curl near the pedal area. A properly fitted liner should remain flat, stay secured, and allow both pedals to move freely.

Factory Retention Points

Custom-fit floor mats often use factory posts, clips, or hooks to reduce movement.

If those mounting points do not align with the holes or fasteners in an older mat, the liner cannot be installed as intended. This is especially important on the driver’s side, where movement should be minimized.

Floor and Rear-Row Shape

The shape around the door sill, center console, footrest, seat rails, and rear center hump can change between generations.

An older liner may leave exposed carpet, pull away from the edges, sit too high over the rear hump, or interfere with seat adjustment.

Cargo Area and Seatbacks

The cargo floor and rear seatbacks also require model-specific fitment.

A cargo liner that is too small can leave exposed areas around the perimeter, while one that is too large may fold or bunch against the trim. Seatback protectors must also match the shape and movement of the split-folding rear seats.

For owners who carry pets, groceries, luggage, sports equipment, or outdoor gear, these rear-area differences matter just as much as front-row floor coverage.

2015–2023 vs. 2026 Jeep Cherokee Floor Mat Fitment

The model name may be the same, but the floor mat applications should be treated separately.

Fitment Area2015–2023 Jeep CherokeeRedesigned 2026 Jeep Cherokee
Vehicle generationPrevious Cherokee generationNew-generation Cherokee
Floor mat compatibilityUses older-generation applicationsRequires 2026-specific fitment
Driver retention systemMust match applicable older modelMust match the 2026 model
Rear floor shapePrevious-generation layoutRedesigned rear-floor layout
Cargo linerOlder-generation fitment2026-specific cargo fitment required
Seatback protectionDepends on older interior designMust match redesigned rear seats
Lasfit availabilitySeparate 2015–2023 applicationsDedicated 2026 application

The key point is simple: Cherokee floor mats should be selected by exact generation and model year, not by model name alone.

Lasfit Floor Mats for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee

Lasfit offers a vehicle-specific interior protection system for the redesigned 2026 Jeep Cherokee.

The product is designed as a dedicated 2026 application rather than being grouped with older Cherokee models. Depending on the selected configuration, Lasfit provides protection for the front and rear floors, cargo area, and rear seatbacks.

Key features of Lasfit floor mats for 2026 Jeep Cherokee include:

  • Custom-fit design for the redesigned 2026 Jeep Cherokee
  • 100% GRS-Certified TPE Material
  • Raised edges and channels to help contain water, mud, snow, and debris
  • Anti-slip and vehicle-retention features
  • Easy-to-clean surface
  • Available floor, cargo, and seatback protection
  • Lifetime hassle-free warranty
  • 45-day free return and money-back policy
Lasfit Floor Mats for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee

The TPE material provides a waterproof barrier between everyday messes and the factory carpet, while the raised perimeter helps contain spills and dirt until the liner can be removed and cleaned.

For family, pet, and outdoor use, the broader floor, cargo, and seatback coverage can be particularly useful. Muddy shoes may affect the front and rear footwells, while dog hair, strollers, groceries, and camping gear are more likely to affect the cargo area and folded rear seatbacks.

Lasfit’s approach also makes the generational distinction clear: the company offers a dedicated 2026 Cherokee application while maintaining separate products for older Cherokee model years.

What About 2015–2023 Jeep Cherokee Owners?

Owners of older Cherokees should continue using products designed for their specific year range.

Lasfit offers separate floor mat applications for 2015–2023 Jeep Cherokee models rather than treating all Cherokee years as one interchangeable fitment.

Depending on the model year, the older applications may be divided further based on interior configuration and design differences. For example, some applications distinguish the driver-side dead-pedal area or separate earlier and later model-year groups.

This is another reason buyers should avoid listings that simply say “Jeep Cherokee floor mats” without clearly identifying the supported years.

A floor mat designed for a 2019 or 2023 Cherokee should not automatically be transferred to a 2026 Cherokee, even if the general size appears similar.

How to Check Whether 2026 Cherokee Floor Mats Fit Properly

When shopping for floor mats for 2026 Jeep Cherokee, check more than the product title.

1. Confirm the Exact Model Year

The listing should explicitly identify the 2026 Jeep Cherokee.

Be cautious with products that group 2014, 2015, 2023, and 2026 together without explaining the generational difference.

2. Check Driver-Side Retention

The liner should connect properly to the vehicle’s factory retention system and remain stable when entering, exiting, and driving.

3. Check Pedal Clearance

With the vehicle parked, press the accelerator and brake through their normal range.

The mat should remain flat and should never touch or restrict either pedal.

4. Inspect Edge Coverage

Look around the door sill, center console, footrest, and seat rails.

A custom-fit liner should follow these areas closely without large exposed gaps or folded edges.

5. Check the Rear Row

Move the front seats through their normal range and make sure the rear liner does not interfere with the seat rails.

The center section should sit naturally over the rear floor rather than floating or pulling away from the sides.

6. Check Cargo and Seatback Pieces

If using a full interior protection set, confirm that the cargo liner sits flat and does not interfere with the liftgate.

Seatback protectors should also move naturally when the rear seats are folded and returned upright.

Can Universal Floor Mats Be Used in the 2026 Cherokee?

Universal mats can provide basic coverage, but they are not designed around the exact floor shape of the vehicle.

They may cover the central footwell but often leave more carpet exposed around the door sill, footrest, center hump, and seat rails. They may also lack properly aligned factory retention points.

For an older vehicle where low cost is the main priority, universal mats may be acceptable. For a newly purchased 2026 Cherokee, a vehicle-specific liner generally provides more complete protection and more predictable fitment.

Final Verdict

Older Jeep Cherokee floor mats should not be treated as compatible with the redesigned 2026 model simply because the vehicles share the Cherokee name.

The 2026 Cherokee requires its own floor mat application because fitment depends on details such as floor contours, pedal clearance, factory retention points, rear-row shape, and cargo-area dimensions.

Lasfit treats these generations as separate applications. The brand offers dedicated interior protection for the redesigned 2026 Jeep Cherokee while also providing separate floor mat options for 2015–2023 Cherokee models.

For buyers, the most important rule is straightforward: choose floor mats according to the exact Cherokee generation and model year, then verify retention, pedal clearance, and coverage after installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will 2015–2023 Jeep Cherokee floor mats fit a 2026 Jeep Cherokee?

They should not be assumed to fit. The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is a redesigned model and requires its own floor mat application. Differences in floor shape, retention points, rear footwell design, and cargo layout can affect compatibility.

Does Lasfit make floor mats for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee?

Yes. Lasfit offers dedicated floor mats for the redesigned 2026 Jeep Cherokee. Depending on the configuration selected, the product can also include cargo-area and rear seatback protection.

Does Lasfit make floor mats for 2015–2023 Jeep Cherokee models?

Yes. Lasfit offers separate applications for 2015–2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. These older products are distinct from the dedicated 2026 Cherokee fitment.

Can a 2023 Jeep Cherokee cargo liner fit the 2026 model?

It should not be assumed to fit. Cargo-floor dimensions and rear interior contours can change when a vehicle is redesigned, so a liner made specifically for the 2026 Cherokee is the safer choice.

What should I check when buying 2026 Jeep Cherokee floor mats?

Check the exact model-year fitment, driver-side retention points, pedal clearance, edge coverage, rear-row fit, material, cargo compatibility, warranty, and available installation evidence.

Should I place a new floor liner over the original mat?

No. Remove existing removable mats before installing a replacement liner. Stacking mats can prevent proper attachment and increase the chance of movement.

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Iowa

Iowa Corn 350
Newton, Iowa – August 9, 2026

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 FREIGHTLINER FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE

START: 12TH STAGE 1: 17TH STAGE 2: 25TH FINISH: 29TH POINTS: 16TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric and the No. 2 Freightliner Ford Mustang Dark Horse team finished 29th in Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway after battling handling issues throughout the afternoon. Cindric started 12th and quickly moved forward, advancing to ninth within the opening three laps. After reporting no major balance concerns during an early caution, Cindric began to fight a loose condition following the restart and slipped outside the top 10. He finished Stage 1 in the 17th position. The No. 2 team continued to work on the balance of the Freightliner Ford throughout Stage 2 as Cindric reported varying handling conditions, including a persistent chatter that affected the car over the course of a run. Crew chief Brian Wilson and the team made a series of adjustments during multiple pit stops in an effort to improve the car’s stability and help Cindric fire off stronger. He was scored 25th at the conclusion of Stage 2. Cindric restarted 25th for the final stage, but the handling challenges continued and the team made its final pit stop with 28 laps to go. Unable to make significant gains over the closing laps, Cindric ultimately crossed the finish line in the 29th position.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “Obviously not the day we wanted with our Freightliner Ford. We struggled with the balance for most of the race and just never got it where we needed it. I’m proud of everyone on the No. 2 team for continuing to work at it and making adjustments all day. Nobody gave up, and we stayed in the fight all the way to the end. We’ll learn from it, put it behind us and move on to Richmond.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/PENNINGTON FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE

START: 1ST STAGE 1: 1ST STAGE 2: 8TH FINISH: 3RD POINTS: 3RD

RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Pennington Ford Mustang Dark Horse team led a race-high 129 laps and captured the Stage 1 victory en route to a third-place finish Sunday afternoon at Iowa Speedway. The result marked Blaney’s third top-five finish in three NASCAR Cup Series starts at Iowa, where he won the inaugural Cup Series event in 2024. After starting from the pole, Blaney maintained control through an early caution and built a commanding lead throughout the opening stage, navigating heavy lapped traffic to score his fifth stage win of the season, tying him for the series lead. Following a four-tire stop during the stage break, the No. 12 team took advantage of their first pit stall to maintain the lead off pit road and remain out front to begin Stage 2. A series of cautions and varying pit strategies throughout the second stage shuffled the running order as Blaney battled an inconsistent handling condition. After taking four tires and fuel under caution midway through the stage, Blaney restarted outside the top 10 but rallied back to finish eighth in the segment. Looking for track position to start the final stage, crew chief Jonathan Hassler called for two tires and fuel, allowing Blaney to restart second before quickly reclaiming the lead. Blaney paced the field until just under 100 laps remained, then later, made one of the first green-flag pit stops among the leaders on lap 285. Following the cycle of green-flag stops, Blaney settled into third and maintained his position to the checkered flag for another strong finish and valuable points day at the Midwest short track.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “The No. 20 and the No. 54 were definitely better than me second half of the race. Still, Jonathan (Hassler) did a good job of putting two (tires) on it after the Stage 2 caution, got some track position back, then I just kind of sat in third and ran there. Overall, a really good weekend, good practice and qualifying, and strong showing in the race. Appreciate Menards and Ford for what they do, and it’s nice to get a good finish here. Even though it’s not a win, pretty decent day.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE

START: 3RD STAGE 1: 2ND STAGE 2: 2ND FINISH: 14TH POINTS: 13TH

RACE RUNDOWN: A strong day for Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse team ended with a 14th-place finish in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway. After qualifying third, Logano spent much of the afternoon racing near the front of the field, finishing second in both Stage 1 and Stage 2 while battling teammates and fellow contenders for the lead. The No. 22 team made adjustments throughout the race to improve rear grip and maintain track position, and strategic calls kept Logano firmly in contention. However, adversity struck during the Stage 2 break, when a slow pit stop and an additional trip to pit road to address an issue forced Logano to restart deep in the field. Undeterred, he methodically worked his way back through traffic, climbing from outside the top 25 to the edge of the top 10 as green-flag pit stops unfolded. Despite the strong recovery effort, there was not enough time to fully regain the lost track position, and Logano crossed the finish line in 14th. While the finishing result did not reflect the speed and performance of the No. 22 Ford Mustang throughout the race, Logano and the team continued to hold a solid position above the NASCAR Cup Series Chase cutline heading into the closing stages of the regular season.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “We had a really strong Shell-Pennzoil Ford all weekend and showed solid speed throughout the race. We were able to contend toward the front, but unfortunately lost some track position there late and just didn’t have enough time to get it all back. Overall, there are a lot of positives to take from the day, and we’ll keep building on that as we head to Richmond.”

With three races remaining in the regular season, the Cup Series now heads to Richmond Raceway for the Cook Out 400 on Saturday, August 15. Coverage of the 300-mile event begins at 7 p.m. ET on USA, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Wood Brothers Racing Race Report: Iowa Speedway

Event: Iowa Corn 350
Location: Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Start: 13th
Finish: 4th

Josh Berry and the No. 21 Menards/Masterforce Tools team turned a fast Ford Mustang Dark Horse and a late two-tire strategy call into a fourth-place finish in Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway.

The result marked Berry’s first top-five finish of the season and the seventh of his NASCAR Cup Series career. It also gave him back-to-back top-10 finishes following a seventh-place run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and marked his fourth top-10 of 2026.

Berry started the 350-lap race from 13th on the 0.875-mile Iowa oval and quickly began working his way forward. He cracked the top 10 within the opening five laps and remained in contention there for much of Stage 1 before finishing the segment in 11th place.

After restarting 12th for Stage 2, Berry again worked his way into the top 10 and spent much of the Stage racing inside or just outside that group before taking the green-and-white checkered flag in 11th.

Berry lined up 14th to begin the final stage and once again steadily worked his way forward. As the field began cycling through its final round of green-flag pit stops, he climbed as high as second before making his final stop with 53 laps remaining.

Crew chief Miles Stanley made the call for two tires, positioning Berry and the No. 21 team to capitalize on track position during the closing run. Berry returned to the track in 14th and moved into fourth as the remainder of the field completed its stops.

Despite having only two fresh tires against several competitors on four, Berry maintained his position over the final laps to bring the Menards/Masterforce Tools Ford home fourth.

“We had a really solid day,” Berry told reporters after the race. “The car was great.”

Berry said the No. 21 showed plenty of speed during Saturday’s practice session, even though the team wasn’t able to fully capitalize on it in qualifying.

“I feel like everybody on the 21 car did a really good job all weekend,” Berry said. “We just unloaded good and definitely had great long-run pace throughout the race. We just needed it to run long enough to show it, and we were finally able to do that and overcome a lot of things.

“It makes it easy when your cars drive like they did this weekend, and we’ve just got to keep pushing. I think we’ve got a lot of good tracks coming up. I’m excited to get to Richmond next week and keep going after these good finishes.”

Berry and the Wood Brothers Racing team will look to carry the momentum of consecutive top-10 finishes to another short track when the Cup Series heads to Richmond Raceway for Saturday night’s Cook Out 400.

RFK Racing – Iowa Executive Summary

RFK RACING
IOWA SPEEDWAY – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Date: August 9th, 2026
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Iowa Speedway – Newton, IA
Format: 306.25 miles / 350 laps with three stages. Stage 1: Ends at lap 70, Stage 2: Ends at lap 210, Stage 3: Ends at Lap 350

RFK RACING RACE SUMMARY: It was a hard-fought day for RFK Racing at Iowa Speedway, with all three teams battling to make the most of a challenging afternoon. Chris Buescher led the way, charging from 27th to a 13th place finish in the No. 17 Bodyguard Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Buescher and his team may not have had the raw speed they wanted, but they made their strategy count, stretching out a tank of fuel for an impressive 137 laps to salvage a strong finish. Ryan Preece also battled his way forward, climbing from 35th to 20th in the No. 60 Kroger/Force Factor Ford Mustang Dark Horse as the team continued to improve the car throughout the race. And for Brad Keselowski, it was a fight from the very beginning — after starting fourth, the No. 6 Trimble Ford Mustang Dark Horse ultimately crossed the line 27th, battling tire chatter after the team worked to repair the car following his qualifying crash. It wasn’t the day RFK Racing was looking for, but with three teams showing resilience and finding gains throughout the race, the focus now turns to taking those lessons and carrying that momentum into the final stretch of the season.

DRIVER HIGHLIGHTS

Brad Keselowski – No. 6 Trimble Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Finish: 27th

Start: 4th

Laps Led: —

Stage Results: Stage 1: 28th; Stage 2: 19th

Headline takeaway: Keselowski showed up ready for battle with some serious speed by qualifying fourth, but the No. 6 had to overcome a major setback after his qualifying crash. The team fought the entire race to get the car dialed in, but persistent tire chatter kept Keselowski from making the run he wanted, ultimately leaving him with a 27th-place finish.

Keselowski Quote: “It was a frustrating day because we started with a setback before the race even began, but I’m proud of this team for getting the car repaired after my qualifying crash and giving us a chance to compete. We fought it out all day and kept making adjustments, but we just couldn’t get the tire chatter completely under control. It’s not the result we wanted, but I appreciate everyone’s effort, and we’ll take what we learned here and move on to next week.”

Chris Buescher – No. 17 Bodyguard Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Finish: 13th

Start: 27th

Laps Led: —

Stage Results: Stage 1: 31st; Stage 2: 22nd

Headline takeaway: While the car didn’t have the pace to run with the leaders, Buescher and his team stayed aggressive on strategy and executed when it mattered most. A remarkable 137-lap fuel-saving run helped him climb 14 spots from his starting position and bring home RFK Racing’s best finish of the day in 13th.

Buescher Quote: “Didn’t have the speed that we wanted but there’s no quit on the team. Some real big strategy calls really made the difference, saving fuel was really my name of the game I somehow was able to master it and went 137 laps on one tank, so it ended up being a decent finish on the day.”

Ryan Preece – No. 60 Kroger/Force Factor Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Finish: 20th

Start: `35th

Laps Led: —

Stage Results: Stage 1: 32nd; Stage 2: 20th

Headline takeaway: Starting deep in the field in 35th, Preece steadily worked his way through traffic to finish 20th. The No. 60 got better as the race went on, and while there’s still work to do to find more short-track speed, the team leaves Iowa with valuable information and a positive step forward heading to Richmond Raceway.

Preece Quote: “Derek, everybody worked hard to make the car better, so I’m thankful for that. We got to be better at short tracks – Richmond, New Hampshire. These are all places that, you know, we got to work hard on. Our car got better today, but we weren’t any better than a lot of the other cars we were racing. I feel good about the work through and learning, just need to keep trending up.”

Point Standings:

Buescher: 9th

Preece: 17th

Keselowski: 19th

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is Saturday August 15th at Richmond Raceway (Richmond, VA). The race begins at 6:00 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by USA Sports and Motor Racing Network (MRN).

How accurate are tennis prediction models, really? We checked the record

How accurate can tennis prediction models be? What the data can – and cannot – tell us

Looking beyond confident percentages

Spend enough time around tennis fans and the same question eventually appears: can prediction models genuinely forecast matches with useful accuracy, or are the percentages little more than polished guesswork?

It is a fair question. Every day, platforms publish expected winners, win probabilities and confidence ratings for matches across the ATP, WTA and Challenger circuits. Presented on a clean dashboard, a 68% or 74% probability can look remarkably precise. Tennis itself is rarely so cooperative.

A pre-match forecast must account for far more than ranking position. Surface, recent workload, quality of opposition, travel, weather, minor physical problems and tactical matchups can all influence the result. Some of these variables are measurable. Others remain incomplete or hidden until the match begins.

The most serious prediction models are therefore not designed to remove uncertainty. They are built to measure it. A useful model does not promise to identify every winner. It tries to assign realistic probabilities across a large number of matches and remain consistent when those forecasts are evaluated over time.

What accuracy really means

The simplest way to judge a model is to count how often its predicted winner actually wins. If a system forecasts 1,000 matches and correctly identifies 680 winners, its raw accuracy is 68%.

That figure is easy to understand, but it does not tell the whole story.

Imagine two models that both finish with 68% accuracy. The first selects the favourite in every match and provides no indication of how close the contest may be. The second separates marginal favourites from dominant ones and assigns probabilities that reflect the actual level of risk.

Although both selected the same number of winners, the second model is more informative. It explains uncertainty instead of producing only a name.

This is why analysts also examine calibration. A well-calibrated model should see players rated near 60% win close to six matches out of ten. Players rated at approximately 80% should win around eight out of ten.

A prediction can be wrong on one occasion and still be reasonable. The larger concern is a model that repeatedly expresses extreme confidence without producing results that justify it.

What a long-term test shows

One useful reference comes from a comparative study of professional men’s tennis using ATP match data from 2005 to 2020. Several forecasting methods were tested over 14 separate periods, with earlier seasons used to predict later ones.

The progressive structure matters because it reduces the risk of data leakage – the use of future information in a supposedly historical forecast. A model should be judged using only information that would have been available before the match took place.

Across the test periods, logistic regression produced an average accuracy of 69.5%, while an Alternating Decision Tree reached 69.8%. Standard Elo and Weighted Elo both averaged 67.5%. A benchmark based on average bookmaker odds achieved 70.4%. The highest result in an individual test period was 72.7%.

These figures offer a useful reality check. Strong pre-match models can perform considerably better than random guessing, but maintaining accuracy well beyond 70% remains difficult when a test covers a broad range of professional matches.

Why 70% is stronger than it sounds

A reader may see 70% and wonder why modern algorithms cannot do better. The answer lies in the composition of the sample.

A broad model is not evaluated only on matches involving dominant champions against much weaker opponents. It must also assess qualifiers, closely matched players, surface specialists, injury returns and tournaments where information is limited.

Many professional matches are genuinely competitive. A model may rate one player at 54% and the other at 46%. Choosing the first player is logical, but an upset would hardly be surprising.

Accuracy also depends on which matches are included. A platform that publishes only obvious selections may report a higher success rate than a system covering an entire schedule. Without knowing the sample size, period, competitions and selection rules, headline percentages can be misleading.

Probability is not certainty

Suppose a model gives a player a 70% chance of winning. That does not mean victory is guaranteed. Across a sufficiently large group of similar forecasts, players in that range should win approximately seven times out of ten.

The other three defeats are not proof that probability has failed. They were part of the original estimate.

Problems arise when a model consistently overstates confidence. If players rated at 70% win only 55% of the time, the probabilities are poorly calibrated even if the overall winner-selection rate appears respectable.

This is why one upset should not define a model. Performance should be judged across hundreds or thousands of predictions, not through the most dramatic result of the week.

What stronger models do differently

The gap between a basic forecast and a more serious model usually appears in the way information is interpreted.

A simple system may compare rankings, recent wins and head-to-head results. That can work when one player is clearly stronger, but it becomes less reliable when the circumstances favour the lower-ranked competitor.

More advanced systems adjust for the quality of opposition, separate results by surface and place greater weight on recent relevant matches. They may also examine service and return performance, time spent on court, travel demands and the conditions of the current tournament.

The value comes from considering these details together.

A player who has won eight of ten matches may appear to be in exceptional form. If most of those victories came against significantly weaker opposition, the record may be less impressive than it looks. Another player may have lost three consecutive matches against elite competitors while still producing strong underlying numbers.

The final scores alone do not explain the difference.

Surface changes the meaning of the data

Surface is one of the clearest examples of context affecting prediction quality.

A player may hold an excellent overall record while producing only average results on clay. Another may sit lower in the rankings but become considerably more dangerous on slower courts.

Clay rewards movement, patience and point construction. Grass increases the value of serving, early returns and shorter exchanges. Indoor hard courts often favour aggressive players who take time away from their opponents.

Even tournaments played on the same nominal surface can behave differently. Madrid’s altitude can make clay faster than it is in Monte Carlo, while an indoor event removes wind and creates more stable conditions than an outdoor hard-court tournament.

A model that treats every match in the same way loses valuable information.

Recent form needs context

Recent form is often reduced to a sequence of wins and losses, but that can create a distorted picture.

The quality of opposition matters. The duration of the matches matters. The surface matters. A player may win five matches while repeatedly losing serve and surviving deciding sets. Another may be eliminated early after producing a high-level performance against one of the best players in the world.

A more complete model looks beyond the result. It may assess points won on serve and return, opponent quality, close-set performance and physical effort during the previous week.

Platforms such as tennispredictions.ai follow this broader analytical approach by combining statistical records, recent form, surface performance and match context instead of relying on one isolated indicator.

The purpose of artificial intelligence is not to see the future. Its advantage is the ability to process more relevant information consistently across a large schedule and reduce some of the biases that affect human judgement.

Why bookmaker odds are difficult to beat

Bookmaker prices are often treated as the opposition to prediction models, but they are also a powerful benchmark.

Odds reflect statistical analysis, professional trading decisions, injury news and the activity of many market participants. As a match approaches, prices are adjusted when new information appears.

A model may select the correct winner at a respectable rate while adding little beyond what the market already implied. Correctly choosing a player with an 80% implied probability is still a successful prediction, but it is also the expected outcome.

The more interesting cases occur when a model and the market disagree. Even then, disagreement is not automatic proof that the model has found value. It may indicate that the market knows something the model has missed, that the model is overweighting old data or that one side’s surface advantage has not been fully recognised.

Good analysis begins by investigating the difference rather than assuming that either source must always be right.

The headline accuracy trap

High accuracy figures are easy to market and easy to misunderstand.

A platform may calculate its record from selected matches rather than its complete output. It may publish only high-confidence predictions, exclude certain competitions or remove abandoned matches according to specific rules.

None of those choices is necessarily dishonest, but they change what the percentage means.

A model that predicts only heavy favourites may achieve a high winner rate while offering little useful information. Another system covering every professional match may post lower accuracy because it includes far more balanced contests.

Sample size matters as well. Correctly predicting 18 of 20 matches produces a 90% record, but the sample is too small to support a strong conclusion. Performance across several seasons and thousands of matches provides much better evidence.

What a transparent platform should show

A trustworthy prediction platform should make its record understandable.

Readers should be able to see how many forecasts were included, which period was covered, whether predictions were recorded before the matches and whether the system analysed every match or only selected opportunities.

It is also useful to separate results by surface, confidence range and type of contest. Heavy favourites should not be evaluated in the same way as nearly even matches.

Transparency becomes especially important when forecasts fail. Every model will produce incorrect predictions. The relevant question is whether the result reflects normal uncertainty or a repeated structural weakness.

A strong favourite can lose despite being assessed correctly. A model that repeatedly overvalues certain players, ignores surface transitions or reacts too slowly to declining form may have a deeper problem.

What models still struggle to measure

Some of the most important variables remain difficult to capture before a match begins.

A player may be officially available while carrying a minor injury that affects movement or serving. Motivation can vary according to ranking points, scheduling and preparation for a larger tournament. Tactical changes may appear only after the first few games.

Weather can also alter conditions quickly. Wind, temperature and humidity may change the speed of the court and favour one style over another.

These limitations do not make prediction models useless. They explain why a forecast should remain a probability rather than a promise.

Final verdict

So, how accurate can tennis prediction models really be?

The available evidence suggests that strong pre-match systems can correctly identify the winner in roughly seven out of ten professional matches across broad samples. That is a meaningful result, especially when the schedule includes closely matched players and unpredictable conditions.

It is not a guarantee.

The most reliable models are not necessarily those publishing the highest percentages. They are the ones tested over large samples, evaluated transparently and calibrated so that confidence levels reflect real outcomes.

A serious prediction brings together ranking strength, recent form, surface performance, physical workload and match context. It explains why one result appears more likely while accepting that the less likely result can still happen.

Tennis models cannot tell us exactly what will happen. They can help us understand what is more likely to happen – and how much uncertainty remains before the first serve.