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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.

NHRA NATIONALS AT THE ROCK: ELITE MOTORSPORTS EVENT PREVIEW

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Sept. 23, 2026) — Elite Motorsports heads to Rockingham Dragway for the NHRA Nationals at The Rock with major momentum in the Countdown to the Championship. The power powerhouse team arrives at “The Rock” led by veteran Greg Stanfield sitting second in the Pro Stock points standings, alongside Troy Coughlin Jr., who vaulted five spots into fifth place following a dramatic Pro Stock victory.

Troy Jr., driver of the midnight JEGS Pro Stock machine, made one of the biggest moves of the postseason, surging from 10th to fifth in points after winning the NHRA Great Lakes Nationals at US 131 Motorsports park in Martin, Michigan. Troy Jr. delivered a series of impressive passes, including a hole-shot victory over Greg Anderson and a final-round win against current points leader Matt Hartford to pick up his first win in 41 races.

“We celebrated for sure, enjoyed that victory, but the next day I was back in the simulator and getting ready for Rockingham,” Troy Jr. said. “We’re going to see how the tree is going to look, where the sun is going to come in, and we’re going to study and prepare the absolute best that we can. We’re going to go up and try and make really nice runs all weekend long, just like we did in Michigan.

“You can see the boost in confidence on my guys’ faces. We had a blast on race day. And when we have a blast, you remember how fun this is because winning is hard,” Troy Jr. continued. “I can’t even imagine having to tune a Pro Stock car. There are so many things to adjust, so many things that have to go right, and so many conditions that you have to see and study. A lot of experience really helps in cases with ever-changing conditions, but there’s a lot of youth upstairs in our crew chief room. Look at Chase Freeman, Kyle Bates, Anthony Lum and you’ve got Timmy Freeman and Mark Ingersoll up there as the two seniors for guidance. You can’t get any better guidance than that. The future of Pro Stock is really bright. We’re really excited.”

Greg Stanfield continues his impressive campaign driving the Janac Brothers Racing Chevrolet Camaro. Fresh off his eighth semifinal finish of the season at US 131 Motorsports Park, the Sonoma Nationals winner’s steady consistency has elevated him into the No. 2 position in the championship standings, keeping the pressure on the rest of the Pro Stock field heading into North Carolina.

Five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. also reached the semifinals in Michigan, falling short of his second consecutive final round appearance to his nephew Troy Jr. With his runner-up finish at the U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend, Jeg Jr. and the classic JEGS car started the Countdown seventh and have shifted into sixth heading to Rockingham.

Tony Stewart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster team enter the weekend from third in points, one spot up from where they started the Countdown to the Championship, after they also reached the semifinals. Stewart also set his career best speed, 343.51 mph, during his second round victory over multi-time champion Antron Brown. Led by crew chiefs Mike Green and Joe Barlam, the R+L team has found some consistency. Their semi-final comes after Stewart reached the finals of the U.S. Nationals for the second consecutive year. The R+L team are now only 79 points out of the Top Fuel lead.

Qualifying for the NHRA Nationals at Rockingham Dragway begins with four rounds of qualifying Friday at 1 and 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 2:30 p.m. with elimination rounds set for Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with a qualifying show Sunday at 11 a.m. ET followed by eliminations at 3 p.m. ET.

How Car Audio Speakers Fit Into Modern Racing and Performance Car Builds

High-performance car with upgraded car audio speakers on a race track
High-performance car audio speakers can complement modern racing and performance car builds.

Motorsports has always been about performance, precision, and preparation. From drag racing and stock car racing to road courses and weekend track events, enthusiasts spend countless hours improving engines, suspension, brakes, tires, and other components. Yet for many performance-car owners, the experience does not end when the vehicle leaves the track. The car itself is also a personal project, and its interior, technology, and audio system can be just as important.

A well-planned audio system can complement a performance vehicle without taking away from its character. For street-performance cars, speedway media show builds, and racing-inspired projects, the right car audio speakers can provide stronger sound while fitting within the vehicle’s available space and electrical capabilities.

The key is understanding what the vehicle needs before selecting individual components. Speaker size, power handling, sensitivity, amplifier compatibility, installation space, and the vehicle’s intended use all have an impact on the final result.

Quick Guide to Choosing Car Audio Speakers

Your GoalWhat to ConsiderSuitable Direction
Better everyday soundSpeaker quality, fit, and balanced responseFactory-size replacement speakers
Louder musicSensitivity and amplifier powerHigh-output car speakers
Strong vocals and presenceMid-frequency performanceMidrange car speakers
High-power custom systemRMS rating and impedancePro audio speakers
Stronger bassLow-frequency response and enclosure spaceSubwoofer system
Performance-car show buildOutput, space, wiring, and appearanceCustom multi-speaker system

This gives enthusiasts a starting point before getting into the technical details of building an audio system around a performance vehicle.

Why Audio Has a Place in Performance-Car Builds

Why Audio Has a Place in Performance-Car Builds

Not every performance vehicle is used exclusively for competition. Many cars that receive performance modifications are still driven on public roads, taken to car meets, or used for long weekend drives.

For these vehicles, the audio system can become another part of the overall build.

A driver might upgrade the suspension and brakes for better performance while also improving the interior and entertainment system. A racing-inspired street car can therefore combine performance-focused modifications with a powerful and enjoyable audio setup.

Dedicated race cars are different. Weight, safety, reliability, and competition requirements may take priority over entertainment equipment. The approach to audio should therefore depend on how the vehicle is actually used.

How to Choose the Right Car Audio Speakers

The first step is deciding what you want the audio system to accomplish.

Some owners want clean and balanced sound for everyday driving. Others want a louder system that can keep up with the aggressive character of a modified performance vehicle.

Once the goal is clear, the vehicle’s factory speaker locations should be measured. Door, dashboard, and rear-deck locations can have different requirements.

Six-and-a-half-inch car audio speakers are common in many vehicles, but the diameter alone does not guarantee compatibility. Mounting depth, mounting pattern, available clearance, and surrounding trim should also be checked.

A speaker that fits the diameter requirement may still interfere with a window mechanism or other interior component. Measuring first can prevent installation problems later.

High-Power Car Speakers for Performance Builds

High-Power Car Speakers for Performance Builds

Enthusiasts who want a more powerful audio system may consider high-power car speakers. These systems are often designed around aftermarket amplifiers and may provide greater output than basic factory replacements.

Pro audio speakers can also be considered for custom builds where high output is an important part of the project.

Elite Auto Gear, for example, offers a dedicated Pro Audio Loudspeakers collection with different sizes and configurations for enthusiasts looking to build high-output automotive audio systems.

The important point is that higher output does not automatically mean a better system. The speakers still need to match the amplifier, wiring, electrical system, installation space, and other components.

Understanding Midrange Speakers

Midrange speakers reproduce an important portion of the audio spectrum. They can help deliver vocals, instruments, and other musical details that sit between deep bass and high-frequency sounds.

In a multi-speaker setup, midrange car speakers can work alongside tweeters and subwoofers to create a more complete sound.

For performance-car enthusiasts who want strong sound without relying entirely on subwoofers, midrange speakers can play an important role.

The right choice depends on the rest of the system. Speaker size, power handling, impedance, and sensitivity should all be considered before installation.

Why RMS Power Matters

RMS power is an important specification when matching speakers with an amplifier.

Rather than focusing only on peak or maximum wattage, enthusiasts should compare the speaker’s RMS rating with the amplifier’s output.

The objective is to create a system where the amplifier can provide appropriate power without pushing the speakers beyond their intended operating range.

A speaker designed for higher power may also require an amplifier capable of supplying that power. Conversely, an amplifier that cannot provide enough power may limit the performance of a speaker designed for a more powerful system.

This is why the amplifier and speakers should be selected as parts of the same system.

The Role of Speaker Sensitivity

Sensitivity describes how efficiently a speaker converts available amplifier power into sound output.

This specification can be useful when comparing different car audio speakers. A speaker with higher sensitivity may produce more output from a given amount of amplifier power than a less-sensitive design.

However, sensitivity should not be considered alone.

Power handling, impedance, frequency response, speaker construction, amplifier output, and installation conditions can all influence the final result.

For enthusiasts building a performance-car system, sensitivity is best treated as one part of the overall selection process.

Matching Speakers With an Amplifier

Amplifier compatibility is critical when building a custom audio system.

Start by checking the speaker’s impedance and RMS rating. Then compare those specifications with the amplifier’s output at the appropriate impedance.

The goal is not simply to find the most powerful amplifier available. It is to create a balanced relationship between the amplifier and speakers.

Gain settings also deserve attention. The gain control is not simply a second volume knob. Incorrect settings can contribute to distortion and reduce the quality of the audio.

More advanced systems may also include an audio processor or digital signal processor to provide additional control over equalization, crossover points, and other aspects of the audio signal.


Car Audio Accessories for a Complete Performance Audio System

Car audio accessories can help turn a basic speaker and amplifier setup into a more complete and reliable system. For performance vehicles, the right supporting components can include speaker mounting hardware, wiring, connectors, amplifier installation accessories, sound-damping materials, and other equipment needed for a clean installation. These components help ensure speakers and amplifiers are securely installed while supporting proper signal and power connections. When selecting car audio accessories, it is important to consider the vehicle layout, available installation space, electrical requirements, and the demands of the overall car audio system. A well-planned accessory setup can also make future upgrades easier without compromising the vehicle’s performance-focused interior.

Electrical Considerations for High-Power Systems

A high-power audio system can increase the electrical demand placed on a vehicle.

This becomes particularly important when several amplifiers or additional accessories are installed. The battery, alternator, power cables, grounds, and electrical connections all form part of the system supporting the audio equipment.

Performance vehicles may already have additional electrical loads from cooling fans, fuel pumps, lighting, data equipment, and other modifications.

Before installing a major audio upgrade, enthusiasts should consider the vehicle’s existing electrical capacity. A speaker upgrade by itself may require little additional electrical demand, while a complete high-power system can require considerably more planning.

Installation Can Change the Result

The equipment is only one part of the equation. Installation also has a significant influence on how car audio speakers perform.

Speakers should be mounted securely and positioned correctly. Loose mounting can create unwanted vibration, while poor wiring connections can lead to reliability issues.

Door installations require additional attention because the speaker must have enough clearance from windows, trim, and other moving components.

Performance vehicles can present even more challenges. Custom interiors, lightweight panels, NASCAR Racing Fast seats, roll cages, and other modifications can change the space available for audio equipment.

Planning the installation before purchasing components can help ensure that the selected speakers actually work with the vehicle.

Choosing Audio for Track Cars and Street Performance Cars

The intended use of the vehicle should always influence the audio design.

A dedicated track car may have limited room and may prioritize weight reduction, safety equipment, and competition requirements. In that situation, an elaborate audio system may not be practical.

A street-performance vehicle provides considerably more flexibility. The owner can combine performance modifications with an upgraded interior and audio system.

This is where high-output car audio can become part of a broader vehicle build. The system can be designed around the owner’s priorities rather than following a standard formula.

Building Around the Complete Vehicle

A successful audio upgrade begins with the vehicle rather than a single product.

Enthusiasts should consider the available space, factory speaker locations, electrical system, amplifier requirements, intended driving conditions, and desired sound before selecting components.

For motorsports enthusiasts, the same planning mindset used for other vehicle modifications can be applied to the audio system. Every component should have a purpose and work properly with the rest of the setup.

Whether the vehicle is a street-performance car, a show build, or a racing-inspired project, the right car audio speakers can add another dimension to the ownership experience while remaining part of a carefully planned vehicle build.

Chicken Plinko Slot: Onlyplay’s Egg-Drop Game, Explained

Remember the giant pegboard on The Price Is Right? Somebody at Onlyplay clearly does. Their take on it came out on 27 November 2025, and instead of a ball, there’s a slightly smug cartoon hen laying eggs onto the board. Silly idea, sure. It works better than you’d expect, though.

For anyone playing from New Zealand, the timing’s a bit funny, because the game turned up right as the country was finally writing proper rules for online casinos. So this piece covers two things. First, the game, then what’s changed legally, since that affects how Kiwis will be playing it from here on.

What you’re actually looking at

Lobbies stick it under slots. It isn’t one, really. No reels, no paylines, nothing to line up. Chicken Plinko is an instant-win drop game: the hen perches at the top of an 8-row board, lets an egg go, and the egg rattles down through the pegs into one of the baskets along the bottom. Each basket has a multiplier on it and that’s your payout.

The look is farmyard with tinsel on top (it launched just before Christmas, which explains the tinsel).

Quick specs

SpecValue
DeveloperOnlyplay
Out since27 November 2025
RTP96.14%
Volatilitymedium
Hit frequency77.27%
Top win1,000x the stake
Board8 rows, can’t be changed
Betsabout 0.50 up to 50 a drop, depending on currency
Devicesdesktop plus iOS and Android browsers

One round, start to finish

Pick a stake. Drop the egg (or put it on autoplay if clicking gets old). It bounces around, maybe clips one of the purple bumpers on the way, and a couple of seconds later it’s in a basket and you’ve been paid. That’s it.

Except for one twist. Sometimes the egg cracks halfway down, and that drop just loses. Old-school Plinko never does this to you, and it’s a big part of why the RTP here is 96.14% and not the 99% you’ll see on some of the plainer Plinko games.

The bits that make it more than a pegboard

Honestly, a bare Plinko board gets boring after twenty drops or so. Onlyplay seems to know that, because they’ve bolted on four extras.

Bumpers

The purple targets. Hit one and it might give you a modifier, or kick you into one of the bonus rounds below. Everything else hangs off these.

Wheel of Fortune

A spinning prize wheel. Some slices pay a multiplier on the spot, others send you into a different feature.

Free Eggs

Free spins, basically, just with eggs. You get a handful of drops that don’t touch your balance.

Jackpot Game

This is where the 1,000x cap lives, and the maths behind it is refreshingly simple. A basket reveals a base multiplier (anything from x5 to x100). Then the hen adds her own on top, from x2 to x10. Multiply the two, apply it to the bet that triggered the round, done. Best case is x100 times x10, which is exactly 1,000x. It’s rare for a game to show you so plainly where its max win comes from, and I appreciate it.

Some markets also get a buy option that jumps straight into a feature, priced per feature. Where it isn’t available, the features only trigger naturally from the board.

Careful with the numbers

People quote three stats for this game. All three are a bit slippery.

96.14% RTP is an average across millions and millions of drops. You won’t play millions of drops tonight. Over a short session you could finish well up or well down and neither would mean the number’s wrong.

Then there’s the 77% hit rate. Sounds lovely. Roughly three drops in four pay something, true, but loads of those payouts are less than you bet. Land a 0.5x basket and the game counts that as a win while you’ve quietly lost half your stake. Lots of little “wins” and not much money, in other words.

Put those together and you get the medium volatility: your balance mostly shuffles along in small steps, and the big jumps are saved for the bonus features.

Strong points and honest limits

What works:

•       Hardly any dead drops, thanks to that hit rate

•       More going on than pretty much any other Plinko title, with four separate features

•       You can see exactly how the 1,000x is built

•       Plays nicely on a phone and rounds are quick

•       Stakes suit casual players fine

What to keep in mind:

•       1,000x isn’t much of a ceiling if you’re used to high-volatility slots

•       Cracked eggs. Just an extra way to lose, really

•       The board’s stuck at 8 rows, so there’s no risk slider to play with like some rivals have

•       RTP is middle of the pack for the genre

Where it lives at LevelUp

The game sits in the instant-games shelf of the LevelUp catalogue for New Zealand players, demo mode included, so you can watch a few dozen eggs fall before any real money is involved. The chicken plinko slot has its own page in the NZ section of the casino’s catalogue, and the rules panel on that page shows the exact RTP version and the bet limits in your currency, worth a glance because Onlyplay ships slightly different configurations to different markets.

Meanwhile, back in New Zealand

This year NZ online gambling finally got a rulebook.

The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 got Royal Assent on 27 April and kicked in on 1 May. Before that, Kiwis mostly played on offshore sites with no local oversight whatsoever. Here’s what’s changing:

•       The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) runs the show.

•       Only 15 operator permits, max. Expressions of interest closed on 14 August and the auction is set for September.

•       Offshore operators already here can carry on until 1 December 2026. After that it’s approved operators only (plus applicants still waiting on a decision, for a little while).

•       Approved sites have to let you set your own deposit limits, offer self-exclusion, stick to advertising rules and stop accepting credit cards.

The DIA said it wanted operators to have time with “these finalised regulations” before the market opens. A fully regulated market should be up and running by early 2027. For players the practical part is simple: from December onward, check that the site you play on appears on the DIA’s published list.

So, is it any good?

Yeah, it’s a solid little game. It won’t hand you giant multipliers. What you get is a steady drip of small returns and a bonus system with a clear 1,000x at the top. Go in thinking of it as entertainment that costs a known amount over time, not a side income, and you’ll probably enjoy it.

Set a deposit limit before your first egg drops. And if it stops being fun, Gambling Helpline NZ is free and confidential on 0800 654 655.

What Makes an Online Gaming Experience Actually Worth Your Time?

Photo by depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/

A good online gaming journey should be fair. You need fast ways to pay and get your money. Your info should be safe at all times. The team should help you quickly if you ask. When sites have these things, you can feel good and enjoy your time when you play online.

Modern digital entertainment platforms need to have strong technical standards. This makes people feel safe, and because of this, they keep playing for a long time. Places like AU99 show how things have changed. They offer games that pay well. Their systems use SSL encryption, so your data is safe. You can play on different devices with no trouble. Everything is clear and simple for everyone who uses it.

Core Infrastructure Pillars of High-Quality Digital Platforms

Today, a lot of people want platforms to work well. They want them to have no trouble when running. When you check the back-end systems in a game hub, you see if they will make things feel stable for us over time.

Platform Performance and Mobile Optimization

A good gaming site will work on all kinds of devices. You do not have to download big apps to use it. The best sites use fast web tools, like HTML5. These tools help by making images load fast. They also handle game updates with no wait, even if your phone is using the internet. A smart layout makes sure the buttons and menus fit your screen. This way, you can see all parts of the site and move around easy.

Data Security Protocol and Privacy Standards

Data safety is key for online entertainment. trusted gaming portals use 128-bit or 256-bit SSL encryption. These keep user credentials, information, and transaction records safe. Verified platforms always follow privacy rules. This makes sure player data stays private. It is never sent to others or kept on unencrypted outside servers.

Key Criteria for Evaluating Online Entertainment Value

Evaluation MetricHigh-Quality StandardsLow-Quality Red Flags
Transaction SpeedInstant deposits (under 1 min) and sub-hour payoutsProcessing delays lasting 3–5 business days
Fairness CertificationAudited Random Number Generators (RNG)Unlicensed or proprietary unverified software
Customer Support24/7 direct live support with localized language assistanceEmail-only support with delayed or automated replies
Account ControlIntegrated deposit limits, cooling-off tools, and self-exclusionComplete absence of player safety and responsible gaming settings

Game Variety and Fair Play Guarantees

The real power of a gaming library is in how many games there are. The name of the provider is also important. A good system for payouts is a big reason people feel safe to play. A library with many types gives you the way to play you like best. It also helps to keep things fair for all players.

Fair Payout Rates and Certified RNG Systems

Player satisfaction is based on real random outcomes and fair chances to win. Trusted entertainment sites use software made by studios that use Random Number Generators (RNG). These are checked to make sure they work properly. Games with a high Return-to-Player (RTP), between 96% and 98%, help make the outcomes fair. This applies to live casino tables, digital slots, and online sports games.

Comprehensive Entertainment Catalog

A good gaming system helps you do all things in one spot. You do not need to make other accounts. Big platforms bring the best game picks to you on one dashboard.

  • Live Casino Tables: You can see real-time video streams. Play games like Baccarat, Roulette, and Blackjack with live dealers.
  • Slot Machines: There are games with many lines. You can win big jackpots that keep getting bigger. The machines have different levels of risk.
  • Sportsbooks: Place bets before games start or while they are happening. Choose from cricket, football, and esports games from all over the world.
  • Easy Games: Play quick games like bingo and lottery draws. There are also simple games you can enjoy fast.

Instant Payment Solutions and Financial Efficiency

How fast people get their money can make a big difference in how happy they feel. If the steps to take out cash are hard, it makes things tough for users. Extra fees that people do not know about at first can also make their time less fun. All this can take away from the good time people want to have.

Modern digital platforms let people use local ways to pay. You can use mobile banking, e-wallets, and bank transfers in your area. It takes around 30 seconds to make a deposit. You should get your payout within minutes, not after several days. This way, players get their money fast and do not have to wait or use extra steps.

Dedicated Customer Support and Account Management

Even the best tech platforms sometimes need real people to step in and help. A fast support system is what makes a good gaming service better than others.

24/7 Multilingual Support Services

Having help desk services day and night helps users solve small problems before they grow. The top sites offer live chat. You can get answers fast in your own language. The staff can help with deposit questions, ways to see your balance, or trouble using the site. This helps things work better for all users.

Responsible Gaming Frameworks

A good platform works to keep people safe. It does this by adding some tools for safe gaming right in the dashboard. People using it can set and use controls for themselves, like:

  1. Deposit and Loss Limits: You can set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on the money you use.
  2. Session Time Restrictions: A message shows up so you know how long you have been playing.
  3. Cooling-Off Periods: You can pause your account for 24 hours or up to 30 days.
  4. Self-Exclusion Protocols: You can lock your account for a long time, or even for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

What security indicators show an online platform is safe?

Look for active SSL encryption. There should be a padlock in the web address bar in your browser. Check the terms and conditions on the site. They need to be easy to read. Make sure licensing is clear. All games should have Random Number Generator (RNG) checks by groups outside the site.

Why are fast withdrawal times so important?

Quick and fast money withdrawals mean the platform has good money reserves and strong automated checks working behind the scenes. Sites that give money out quickly care about trust with users. They will not keep your money if they do not have to.

How do deposit limits help maintain a healthy gaming experience?

Deposit limits help people set up a budget before they start playing. This can stop them from spending money without thinking. The time you spend on digital entertainment will be more fun, safe, and with no stress.

Picking a site that is fast, has games with high RTP, and keeps your info safe helps make playing online feel good and secure. If you want to use a game site that thinks about players first, check out https://au99.site/ to see all the features and games.

The Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway Outlook and Picks

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend for the Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET for the fourth race in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase on the USA Network, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

In September of 2025, Chase Briscoe captured the pole with a 180.078 mph, and Chase Elliott made a final-lap pass for the race lead to capture his second win of the 2025 season and the 21st of his career. Elliott won by a margin of .069 of a second over Denny Hamlin.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase Point Standings after Bristol

RankDriverPointsBehindNextStatsRace WinsStage WinsTop 5Top 10
1Kyle Larson2,2060029161216
2Denny Hamlin2,205-1129451419
3Joey Logano2,190-16152934712
4Christopher Bell2,189-17129151315
5Ty Gibbs2,164-422529251218
6Ryan Blaney2,154-52102939718
7Tyler Reddick2,145-61929521217
8Carson Hocevar2,121-85242910611
9Chase Briscoe2,119-87229101014
10Bubba Wallace2,114-9252902413
11Austin Cindric2,090-11624290127
12Chase Elliott2,089-1171292269
13William Byron2,085-12142903513
14Ryan Preece2,082-1243291219
15Chris Buescher2,082-12402900210
16Daniel Suarez2,072-13410291137

Track & Race Information for the Hollywood Casino 400

Season Race: 30 of 36 (Sept. 27, 2026)
NCS Chase Race: 4 of 10
The Purse: $11,233,037
Track Size: 1.5 Mile Asphalt Oval
Banking/Turns: 17 to 20 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 10 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,685 feet
Backstretch Length: 2,207 feet

Race Schedule, Length, and Stages for the Hollywood Casino 400

Race Length: 267 laps / 400.5 miles
Stage 1 Length: 80 laps
Stage 2 Length: 85 laps (Ends on Lap 165)
Final Stage Length: 102 laps (Ends on Lap 267)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

3:00 PM – 2:45 PM: AMS PRACTICE (TIMED – 45 MINUTES)
4:00 PM – 3:20 PM: AMS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND) (TIMED – 20 MINUTES)
5:00 PM – 4:50 PM: NCTS PRACTICE
6:05 PM – 6:00 PM: NCTS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
7:40 PM: AMS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS (STAGE)
8:00 PM: AMS RACE (100 LAPS, 150 MILES) ON FS1

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

10:00 AM – 10:00 AM: NCS PRACTICE
11:10 AM – 11:00 AM: NCS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
12:40 AM: NCTS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
1:00 PM: NCTS RACE (STAGES 30/60/134 LAPS = 201 MILES) ON FS1

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

2:15 PM: NCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
3:00 PM: NCS RACE (STAGES 80/165/267 LAPS = 400.5 MILES) ON THE USA NETWORK
*All times are Eastern. NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), ARCA Series (AMS)

Who and what should you look out for at Kansas Speedway?

Denny Hamlin leads the NCS in wins with four victories (2012, 2019, 2020, 2023), and a total of eight of the 20 race winners are active this weekend. Hamlin is the only active driver of a total of four who have posted consecutive wins (Jeff Gordon: 2001 and 2002; Matt Kenseth: fall 2012, spring 2013; Martin Truex Jr.: 2017 sweep;  Denny Hamlin: 2019 Playoff race and 2020)

Active Kansas Race Winners (8)WinsSeasons
Denny Hamlin42023, 2020, 2019, 2012
Kyle Larson32025, 2024, 2021
Joey Logano32020, 2015, 2014
Tyler Reddick22026, 2023
Chase Elliott22025, 2018
Brad Keselowski22019, 2011
Ross Chastain12024
Bubba Wallace12022

The deepest a race winner has started is 25th, by Brad Keselowski in the spring of 2011.

Additional Starting Positions StatsWinsWinning %
Wins from the Front Row:1126.83%
Wins From The Top Five2151.22%
Wins From The Top-102868.29%
Wins From Outside The Top 2037.32%

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson lead all active drivers in runner-up finishes with four second-place finishes each, and Hamlin leads in top-five finishes with 16 and top-ten finishes with 18.

The Driver Picks for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway!

The Driver Picks for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway
  • Christopher Bell: Bell has four poles, four top-fives, nine top-10s, and an average finish of 12.231.
  • Kyle Larson: Kyle Larson has one pole, three wins, 10 top-fives, 14 top-10s, and an average finish of 11.696.
  • Denny Hamlin: Hamlin has four wins, 16 top-fives, 18 top-10s, and an average finish of 12.333.
  • Joey Logano: Logano has two poles, three wins, nine top-fives, 13 top-10s, and an average finish of 17.088.
  • Chase Elliott: Elliott has two wins, eight top-fives, 14 top-10s, and the series-best average finish of 9.810.

Spire Motorsports Hollywood Casino 200 Race Advance

  • In 31 previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Spire Motorsports has one top-10 and seven top-20 finishes. Zane Smith earned the team’s best result in September 2024 with a 10th-place effort. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the Cup Series with Daniel Suárez, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
  • The NASCAR Cup Series will contest the fourth race of The Chase Sunday. Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suárez sit eighth and 16th, respectively in the championship standings. Michael McDowell is 20th in the standings following last week’s race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
  • The Hollywood Casino 400 from Kansas Speedway will be televised live on USA Network Sunday, Sept. 27 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 30th of 36 points-paying races on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series calendar will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Daniel Suárez – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Daniel Suárez will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Women in Motorsports of North America (WIMNA) Nation/Gainbridge Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway.
  • Suárez and his wife, Julia Piquet, welcomed their son Otto Suárez-Piquet September 20, 2026. Otto weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. and measured 20 inches long at birth.
  • Founded by legendary racer Lyn St. James and accomplished motorsports executive and team owner Beth Paretta, Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing, connecting, and enabling women across all areas of the motorsports industry. Through professional development, mentorship, networking, and industry-leading initiatives such as the annual Women with Drive – Driven by Mobil 1 Summit, WIMNA Career Connect, and WIMNA Nation, the organization is creating meaningful opportunities for individuals at every stage of their careers. By bringing together professionals, students, allies, and industry leaders, WIMNA is helping build a stronger, more connected future for motorsports. Log on to wimna.org to learn more about WIMNA Nation.
  • WIMNA Nation is the official membership community of WIMNA, uniting professionals, students, enthusiasts, corporations, and allies who share a commitment to advancing women across every facet of the motorsports industry. WIMNA Nation provides a place to connect, grow, and belong—all while supporting WIMNA’s mission to Advance, Connect, and Enable women in motorsports. Join WIMNA Nation at wimna.org/wimna-nation/
  • Gainbridge Insurance Agency, LLC (“Gainbridge”) was founded in 2018 as part of Group 1001 with a simple belief: people work hard for their money, and their money should work hard for them. We offer a simple, safe way to save for the future – with clear annuity products, no hidden fees, and support from licensed teammates whenever you need it. Gainbridge is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. Learn more at gainbridge.com or connect with Gainbridge on LinkedIn and Instagram.
  • As part of this weekend’s collaboration between Gainbridge and WIMNA, Suárez’s No. 7 Chevrolet will feature the WIMNA Nation logo and the names of members who joined prior to August 15. Following the race, one WIMNA Nation member will be chosen to receive an autographed replica of the hood from Suárez’s No. 7 Chevrolet.
  • The youngest WIMNA member, 12-year-old Autumn Kohlhagen, will visit Spire Motorsports’ Mooresville, N.C., headquarters Wednesday morning to meet Suárez and tour the team’s state-of-the-art race shop. A native of Concord, N.C., Kohlhagen discovered racing after battling health challenges and quickly fell in love with karting. Now, she’s chasing her dream of becoming a professional race car driver and inspiring more young girls to get involved in motorsports.
  • In 16 Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Suárez has led 33 laps while claiming two top-10 and 11 top-20 finishes. He carries an average starting position of 17.2 and a 20.8 average finish at the 1.5-mile tri-oval. His series/venue best came in 2017, where he finished seventh.
  • The No. 7 Chevrolet team has delivered a 15.4 average finish in 29 races this season, the best of any of teams in the Chevy stable. Suárez has logged one win, three top-five and seven top-10 finishes, including 22 top 20s. He enters Sunday’s race ranked 16th in the standings, 13 positions better than he was at this point last season.
  • Last Saturday at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Suárez started 28th and brought home his 15th top-15 finish of the season. Despite falling two laps down to the leader in Stage 2, he logged 136 green-flag passes and ultimately finished 14th.
  • The Monterrey, Mexico native brings 352 Cup Series starts of experience to the field, along with victories at Sonoma (June 2022), Atlanta (February 2024) and Charlotte (May 2026). A 10-year veteran of NASCAR’s premier division, Suárez has earned three pole positions, 27 top-five and 82 top-10 finishes.

Daniel Suárez Quote
You’re a first-time father—what has this experience been like for you, and what was it like watching Julia go through the birth of your son, Otto?
“Julia is a warrior! Watching her go through this experience gave me an even greater respect and admiration for mothers. I’m so proud of her, and we’re incredibly grateful to welcome Otto into our family. It’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words, and we’re simply enjoying every moment together.”

What are your thoughts heading into Kansas?
“I’m really proud to have WIMNA Nation on our No. 7 Chevrolet at Kansas. Women play such an important role in motorsports, and it’s important to recognize those contributions. Kansas has been a decent track for me. Hopefully, we can have a strong weekend and give the WIMNA Nation members something to celebrate.”

Ryan Sparks – Crew Chief, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Ryan Sparks is the crew chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 WIMNA Nation/Gainbridge Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with driver Daniel Suárez in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Sparks has called 231 NASCAR Cup Series races, where he’s earned one win, seven top-five and 17 top-10 finishes since keying the mic for the first time as a crew chief in NASCAR’s premier division in 2020.
  • The Winston-Salem, N.C., native’s best showing at Kansas came in September 2025, when he earned an 18th-place finish with driver Justin Haley.
  • Sparks joined Spire Motorsports in 2021, where he served as both Crew Chief and Competition Director, leading the organization’s competitive and technical efforts. In 2026, Sparks serves in a singular role as crew chief for Suárez. He brings more than a decade of experience across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series, highlighted by 13 seasons at Richard Childress Racing and contributions to title-winning campaigns in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (2011) and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2013).

Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Michael McDowell will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Delaware Life/McAdam Financial Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400.
  • Delaware Life is an insurance and annuity company that empowers financial professionals with a wide array of customizable solutions. A subsidiary of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings LLC, Delaware Life focuses on delivering a seamless experience for advisors. The company understands how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation and every individual need. Delaware Life is passionate about equipping advisors with annuities that give their customers peace of mind and a successful future, allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.
  • McDowell has earned one top-10 finish in 30 Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway where he’s tallied an average starting position of 24.4 paired with 26.6 average finish.
  • The No. 71 Chevrolet will sport a refined Delaware Life livery for Sunday’s 400 miler, with the addition of McAdam Financial featured on the No. 71 Chevrolet’s hood.
  • In addition to the McAdam Financial branding, the No. 71 Delaware Life machine will showcase Strategy Retirement Wealth Advisors, Legato, Sound Tax Planning, and Bright Lake Wealth Management.
  • Max Marsh, McDowell’s front tire change, played football at Kansas State University. Marsh earned varsity letters all four seasons, finding a home as the team’s backup safety and with special teams before shifting gears and pursuing a professional career on pit road.
  • McDowell qualified 21st for last September’s Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway and raced his way to a respectable 14th-place finish.
  • The Cup Series veteran has made two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts and one ARCA Menards Series start at Kansas Speedway, highlighted by an 11th-place result during the 2007 ARCA Menards Series race.
  • Last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, McDowell started and finished 21st.
  • After 29 races, the 2021 Daytona 500 Champion has led 24 laps while logging three top-five and six top-10 finishes. He’s recorded a 16.5 average start, an 18.9 average finish and currently sits 20th in points.

Michael McDowell Quote
What makes Kansas such a dynamic track?
“Kansas is such a well-balanced racetrack. It seems like it is really easy to get multiple lanes going early in the race. We see it in practice as well. The track gives you different lanes to run, where at the other 1.5-mile tracks, it can take a bit for those lanes to develop. Kansas is a track that has high intensity, but it always ramps up in the fall, especially this year with the Chase. The track has a lot of speed early in the weekend, but when the race comes around, you start to slide a lot which makes you search for grip throughout the day. We had a tough weekend in the spring, but our No. 71 group has stepped up our game at these intermediates (tracks), so we are looking to capitalize on it, especially over the next three races.”

Travis Peterson – Crew Chief, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Travis Peterson serves as the Crew Chief for driver Michael McDowell and Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Peterson holds a 15.6 average start paired with a 23.1 average finish across seven races at Kansas Speedway, all with McDowell at the controls.
  • As a former race engineer at JR Motorsports, the West Bend, Wis., native played a key role in Regan Smith’s third-place Kansas result in 2013. After qualifying fifth, the team led 81 of 200 laps en route to his seventh of eight top-five finishes during the 2013 season.
  • Prior to his time as a crew chief, the 34-year-old worked as a race engineer for Dale Earnhardt, Jr., at Hendrick Motorsports where he recorded a third-place result at Kansas Speedway in 2015.

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Carson Hocevar will race Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400, the fourth of 10 races in The Chase.
  • Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 88 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and majority of the imported manufacturers. Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company. The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.
  • Hocevar and the No. 77 team, along with teammate Daniel Suarez and the No. 7 team, are competing for 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship honors. The opportunity marks the first appearance in The Chase for Hocevar and the first time a Spire Motorsports team will compete for a Cup Series title. Through three of 10 races in The Chase, the No. 77 team sits eighth in points, 24 markers behind seventh.
  • Through 29 races, the Portage, Mich., native has already set career-highs in multiple categories:
  • Season-to-date results of one win, six top fives, 11 top 10s
  • 198 laps led
  • 774 points scored
  • 12.5 average start
  • 15.8 average finish
  • The 23-year-old driver has been one of the most improved on the circuit throughout the 2026 campaign. The team’s average starting and finishing positions have each improved by over five spots compared to this point in 2025. Hocevar is on pace to improve his average finish by 5.4 positions at the end of the season – the second-best of all drivers – while his eighth position in points is a 15-position improvement compared to the end of 2025 – the largest improvement in the field.
  • In six career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kansas, Hocevar secured a venue-best 13th-place finish in the series’ first of two trips to the 1.5-mile oval in April.
  • Last May, the six-time CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race winner took the checkered flag in the Heart of Health Care 200 driving Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 entry. He led 75 of the event’s 134 laps and survived last-lap contact with another competitor to earn his fifth victory in the series and first aboard a Spire-prepared Chevy Silverado. Hocevar owns six CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Kansas, tallying one win, two top fives and three top 10s. His 135 laps led at the venue are a career mark across all tracks.
  • Last Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year started fifth and spent the majority of the evening racing in the top 10. The No. 77 team inherited the race lead for a Lap-405 restart after a caution flag interrupted a green-flag pit cycle. After leading 39 laps and restarting second for multiple late-race restarts, Hocevar came home with a spirited third-place finish. He also registered the most quality passes (83) and second-most green-flag passes (116) in the field over 500 laps.
  • Hocevar registered his first-career victory earlier this season at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. He survived a late-race restart with three laps remaining and brought home the checkered flag to register Spire Motorsports’ second Cup Series win and first since the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400.

Carson Hocevar Quote
What are your thoughts heading to Kansas?
“I’m looking forward to it. We led some laps last year, and we are improving at Kansas. We’ve been fast at the 1.5-mile tracks, but it seems like that is the one place we don’t have the results to really show it. I enjoy Kansas. You get to move around and run the top for a while, which I enjoy. The fall race tends to have more variation as it is either super hot or it cools down, which changes the track quite a bit. I feel like it has put on quite a few good races, which is fun to be a part of.”

Luke Lambert – Crew Chief, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Luke Lambert is the Crew Chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series with driver Carson Hocevar.
  • Lambert is in his third season at Spire Motorsports and fourth with Hocevar. The duo has logged two pole awards, one win, nine top-five and 26 top-10 finishes in 109 races.
  • The 16-year veteran crew chief has called 24 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas, earning three top 10s and nine top 15s, highlighted by a sixth-place finish in Oct. 2014 with Ryan Newman. He also guided Daniel Hemric to his first-career pole position during his rookie campaign in 2019.
  • The Mount Airy, N.C., native has called two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races in America’s heartland, securing a victory with Noah Gragson in 2022. While the event was paused just after Stage 2 and eventually called 103 laps prior to the scheduled distance due to inclement weather, the win marked the second of four consecutive series victories – Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Sept. 3; Kansas, Sept. 10; Bristol, Sept. 16; Texas Motor Speedway, Sept. 24 – by the Lambert-Gragson duo.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing.

The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado its first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent victory came May 24, 2026, when Daniel Suárez won the NASCAR Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

In 2026, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization also fields the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.

Spire Motorsports Race to Stop Suicide 200 Race Advance

  • In 10 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Spire Motorsports has earned one pole, one win, two top-five and four top-10 finishes. Carson Hocevar led 75 laps in the May 2025 event en route to Victory Lane.
  • The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will contend the second race of The Chase Saturday at Kansas. Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 and 77 teams sit sixth and fourth, respectively, in the owner point standings.
  • The Race to Stop Suicide 200 from Kansas Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Saturday, Sept. 26 beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 20th of 25 points-paying races on the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Brennan Poole – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Brennan Poole will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Delaware Life Chevrolet Silverado RST in Saturday’s Race to Stop Suicide 200 at Kansas Speedway. Poole competes full time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Alpha Prime Racing and is in his third full season with the organization.
  • Delaware Life is an insurance and annuity company that empowers financial professionals with a wide array of customizable solutions. A subsidiary of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings LLC, Delaware Life focuses on delivering a seamless experience for advisors. The company understands how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation and every individual need. Delaware Life is passionate about equipping advisors with annuities that give their customers peace of mind and a successful future, allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.
  • With just six races remaining to determine the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Owner’s Championship, the No. 7 team sits sixth after last weekend’s race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, just 53 markers behind the leader. The team enters Round 20 of 25 with two wins, seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. In the team’s most recent start, Connor Mosack raced the No. 7 Chevy to a 25th-place finish last Thursday at Bristol.
  • Poole began racing go-karts at eight-years-old and made his UARA STARS late model stock car debut in 2009. Over 47 starts, he collected 10 wins, 27 top-five and 34 top-10 finishes. He further established himself in the ARCA Menards Racing Series, registering six victories, 18 top fives and 27 top 10s over 35 starts. In 2015, Poole made his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut with HScott Motorsports with Chip Ganassi. The following year, he moved to Chip Ganassi Racing where he qualified for the NASCAR Playoffs and finished eighth in points. He’s made 43 career NASCAR Cup Series starts, including a full campaign in 2020.
  • Poole started fourth and finished fourth in October 2012 in his lone ARCA Menards Series start at Kansas Speedway.
  • The Woodlands, Texas native made four previous CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Kansas Speedway where he earned back-to-back 12th-place finishes in 2020 when the division raced on back-to-back days at the popular mile-and-a-half Kansas City, Kan., oval.
  • The veteran racer owns eight NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Kansas Speedway, including a venue-best seventh-place finish in the 2016 edition of the Kansas Lottery 300.
  • Poole will pilot Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-091 Saturday afternoon. The truck has made seven starts, scoring four top-five and seven top-10 finishes, including Connor Mosack’s fifth-place finish at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in March. In the chassis’ maiden voyage at Kansas Speedway last May, William Byron finished second. Overall, the truck has recorded a 5.7 average finish.

Brennan Poole Quote
What are your thoughts heading into Kansas?
“I’m just super excited and grateful for the opportunity to race for such a great team like Spire Motorsports. It’s incredible to see what they’ve done over the last five to six years and I just couldn’t be more thrilled to have an opportunity to race for such an awesome team. Thank you to Jeff Dickerson and everybody for giving me the opportunity.”

Brian Pattie – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Brian Pattie is the crew chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST, an entry that sees an assortment of all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2026 season.
  • In the No. 7 team’s most recent outing at Kansas Speedway, Pattie led driver Carson Hocevar to victory in May 2025. Hocevar led 75 of the event’s 134 laps and survived last-lap contact en route to his fifth victory in the series and first aboard a Spire Motorsports-prepared Chevy Silverado.
  • Pattie has called 26 NASCAR Cup Series races on the Kansas asphalt, and calls Juan Pablo Montaya’s 2009 fourth-place finish a venue/series best. He also guided Clint Bowyer to a fifth-place finish in 2013.
  • Through 95 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, the veteran crew chief has tallied nine wins, 30 top-five and 47 top-10 finishes.

Nick Sanchez – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Nick Sanchez will race Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Silverado RST in Saturday’s Race to Stop Suicide 200 at Kansas Speedway.
  • Freeway Insurance was established in 1987 and is one of the largest and fastest-growing personal lines insurance brokers in the United States, offering coverage through a “click, call, or come in” approach that connects customers nationwide. The company continually researches, grows, and diversifies its product offerings to stay responsive to the evolving insurance market. Freeway provides a wide range of options—from basic to premium coverage—in auto, truck, commercial vehicle, homeowners, renters, small business, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, fire, and flood insurance. In 2008, Freeway Insurance became part of Confie, the nation’s leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Customers can access Freeway Insurance through neighborhood offices, online at www.freeway.com, or by calling (800) 300-0227.
  • Sanchez was at the controls of the No. 77 Chevy in July at Indianapolis Raceway Park where he started third and finished fifth. The 25-year-old also races a limited schedule in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for Peterson Motorsports.
  • In nine starts at Kansas Speedway, across the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series, Sanchez has logged two wins, four top-five and eight top-10 finishes and has yet to finish worse than 12th in any series at the challenging 1.5-mile Kansas City, Kan., oval.
  • In 48 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts, the division’s 2023 Rookie of the Year, has recorded seven poles, two victories, 14 top-five and 27 top-10 finishes. Sanchez earned wins at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway during the 2024 campaign.
  • Sanchez will be at the controls of Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-092 Saturday afternoon. This is the same truck Carson Hocevar raced to Victory Lane in May’s SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Nick Sanchez Quote
With four CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Kansas Speedway, you have three top 10’s with an eighth-place average finish. What is it about Kansas that clicks so well for you?
“Kansas is a track where I feel like I’ve always run good. From ARCA to the Truck Series to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. I have two ARCA wins there. I think I was in the top 10 in the O’Reilly Series car last year, so it’s just a good track for me. I’m excited to go there and have another shot at a win. I think we’re more than capable of that.”

Chad Walter – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Chad Walter is the crew chief of Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, an entry that will see multiple all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2026 season.
  • Walter has called nine CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Kansas Speedway where he’s earned two top-10 finishes, highlighted by a seventh-place result in September 2024 with Rajah Caruth.
  • Between NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, the Albion, N.Y. native has racked up seven wins, 61 top fives and 149 top 10s while serving in the crew chief role.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing.

The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado its first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent victory came May 24, 2026, when Daniel Suárez won the NASCAR Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

In 2026, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization also fields the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.

Historic Season Unleashes New Era of Growth for NTT INDYCAR SERIES

Indianapolis, IN - During the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, IN (Photo by Travis Hinkle | IMS Photo)

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026) – The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season was historic, record-breaking and game-changing for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series. From massive audience gains to soaring attendance, booming digital engagement and world-class competition, the series leaped forward into a new position of prominence and impact across the sporting landscape.

“This is an incredible new era for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, defined by growth, energy and momentum,” Penske Entertainment President & CEO Mark Miles said. “Our partnership with FOX Sports has raised the bar for our sport, and in turn we’ve invested in new events and opportunities to accelerate our already immense progress. Alongside our teams and partners, our commitment to maintain and expand one of the fastest growth curves in all of sports is unmatched.”

A look at the season, by the facts and numbers:

Surging Viewership

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES reached an average audience of 1.68 million viewers on FOX across an 18-race schedule. This represents the largest average viewership in almost two decades, dating back to the 2008 season. In total, nine races saw an average audience of more than 1 million viewers, also the most since the 2008 season.

The historic Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. provided particularly stellar viewership, reaching a peak audience of 3.5 million people. This was the highest tune-in for a non-Indy 500 race since 1995. With all coverage on FOX combined, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES made a record 23 appearances on broadcast television in 2026.

Rising Attendance

Race weekend attendance increased by approximately 20 percent, benchmarked by another grandstand sellout at the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and a massive crowd of 215,000 people across the Freedom 250 Grand Prix race weekend.

Additional highlights included a record-breaking weekend at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and a record-tying weekend at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. INDYCAR’s return to Phoenix Raceway resulted in doubled Saturday attendance for the promoter and additional buzz surrounding an action-packed motorsport weekend. The inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington also declared a grandstand sellout on race morning, highlighting incredible interest in the new event powered by a joint venture between INDYCAR, the Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment.

Impressive Digital Gains

INDYCAR’s social channels reached new heights in 2026, led by notable milestones in engagement and video consumption. The 2026 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge delivered the most popular digital day in NTT INDYCAR SERIES history, with more than 1.5 million engagements. In addition, there were more than 250 million video views across social and digital channels, also a new record.

The INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA delivered a record-breaking performance in 2026 with the highest-ever average race day users across the season and a nearly 20 percent increase in screen views compared to 2025. The immersive relationship with NTT also celebrated a monumental moment in May, as NTT, Inc., together with NTT DATA Group Corporation, announced continued sponsorship of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

INDYCAR’s YouTube channel saw significant growth for the 2026 season with a 58 percent increase in watch time, a 41 percent increase in view duration and a nearly 70 percent growth in livestream views.

The new, digital-first docuseries “ALL IN: INDYCAR” also expanded the sport’s dedicated shoulder programming and reached a new and younger audience. Produced by INDYCAR in tandem with FOX Sports and Tom Brady’s Shadow Lion, “ALL IN: INDYCAR” racked up more than 6 million views on YouTube, averaging almost 500,000 views an episode.

Merchandise Sales Soar

NTT INDYCAR SERIES merchandise flew off the shelves across the season, with a nearly 40 percent increase in race weekend sales. The series set a new non-Indy 500 sales record in Arlington, only to break it months later on the streets of Washington. New and expanded lines were unveiled with brands such as Homefield, True Brand, Flag & Anthem, Under Armour, Travis Matthew, Lululemon and more.

World-Class Competition

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES once again featured intense, high-speed drama and competition, powered by a global field of elite drivers. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, at just 29 years old, became the youngest five-time champion in INDYCAR SERIES history. Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian’s Felix Rosenqvist earned his first Indy 500 victory in the closest finish in the race’s storied century-plus history.

Competition remained fierce throughout the 18-race schedule, with eight different drivers winning races and a record 20 drivers making at least one Firestone Fast Six qualifying appearance. In total, nine different race teams were represented on the podium in 2026.

IR-28 Unveiled

With momentum on its side, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES also showcased its commitment to the future with the unveiling of the IR-28 car that will be introduced for the start of the 2028 season. Lighter, faster and built to break track records, the IR-28 will encourage more wheel-to-wheel action through improved raceability, while its innovative and modern design will also engage a new generation of fans.

“The IR-28 unveil was a massive milestone for the sport, and it has been incredible to get so much positive feedback from both our drivers and our fans,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “To capitalize on our momentum, we need to be constantly innovating and look toward the future, and the IR-28 reflects our commitment to this mindset.”

The IR-28 also showcases the continued commitment of Chevy and Honda as INDYCAR’s Official Engine Manufacturers (OEM). The 2026 calendar year started with news that both partners had committed to new OEM agreements running multiple years, reflecting the upward trajectory of the sport and continued investments in its growth.

Stay tuned for more NTT INDYCAR SERIES updates as the sport turns the page on the 2026 season and prepares for an action-packed and highly anticipated 2027.

ARCA Menards Series West at Madera Speedway: Madera 150 Presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame Pre-race Notes

THE RACE: Madera 150 Presented by WSCMHOF
THE PLACE: Madera Speedway
THE DATE: Saturday, September 26, 2026
THE TIME: 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT
TV: FloRacing, Live

  • The ARCA Menards Series West will take on the one-third mile Madera Speedway in the tenth race of its 2026 season in Saturday’s Madera 150 Presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame. The race will be the eleventh West race at Madera Speedway since the first in 1973.
  • Trevor Huddleston (No. 50 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford) leads the ARCA Menards West standings by 35 points over second place Mason Massey (No. 19 Mongoose Power Solutions Chevrolet). Huddleston has two wins this season in back-to-back races at Shasta Speedway and Colorado National Speedway, while Massey also has collected two checkered flags in the season opener at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway and on the road course at Portland International Raceway.
  • Huddleston leads the series with a 4.00 average finish in nine starts this season. Robbie Kennealy (No. 1 Jan’s Towing / Jan’s Racing Ford) is second with a 7.00 average. Massey is third with a 7.44 average while Eric Johnson, Jr. (No. 5 Pacific Office Automation Toyota) and Cole Denton (No. 71 Jan’s Towing / Jan’s Racing Ford) both have an 8.00 average.
  • Huddleston has won each of the last two ARCA Menards West races at Madera Speedway in 2024 and 2025. In those two races, he has led 295 of a possible 303 laps; he led all but eight laps in a 2024 race extended by three laps and every lap in 2025.
  • Three female drivers are entered, with Kenna Mitchell (No. 13 Sinister Diesel / Berco Building Materials Ford), Mia Lovell (No. 15 Pine Health Toyota) and Hailie Deegan (No. 16 5.11 Tactical Chevrolet) all scheduled to make their first West starts at Madera Speedway.
  • Hometown favorite Robbie Kennealy will look to better last year’s fourth-place finish at his home track. Kennealy finished 20th in the season opener at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway but has racked up top-ten finishes in the eight races that have followed. He has a season-best second-place finish behind Huddleston at Colorado National Speedway.
  • Ethan Nascimento will make his second start of the season fresh of his first career ARCA Menards Series West victory in his only other start of the season last time out at All American Speedway. The Nascimento racing team, led by his father Eric Nascimento, Sr., has had success in their limited starts in 2026; in addition to Ethan’s victory at All American, older brother Eric, Jr. finished second in the season opener at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.
  • The 21 cars entered matches the most entered for a West race in the track’s history. The only other time that number of teams entered was in 1996, a race won by Lance Hooper.
  • Previous ARCA Menards Series West winners at Madera Speedway include Jack McCoy (1973), Bill Sedgwick (1989), Doug George (1995), Butch Gilliland (1996), Lance Hooper (1996), Mike Duncan (2003), Eric Holmes (2009), Kaden Honeycutt (2023), and Trevor Huddleston (2024, 2025).
  • Eric Nascimento, Jr. holds the ARCA Menards Series West track qualifying record at Madera Speedway, set in 2023, at 14. 544 seconds/82.369 miles per hour.
  • Butch Gilliland holds the ARCA Menards Series West race record at Madera Speedway, set in 1996, at 68.571 miles per hour.
  • ARCA Menards Series West races at Madera Speedway have been extended into overtime on two previous occasions, in 2003 and 2024. Should the race be extended into overtime, there will be unlimited attempts at a two-lap “green-white-checkered” finish. Should the caution be displayed after the white flag has been shown, there will be unlimited attempts at a one-lap “green and white together” finish.
  • The Madera 150 Presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame is set for 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT on Saturday, September 26. The race will be streamed live on FloRacing. Live timing & scoring data and live race audio will be available on ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates please follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly known as 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.

ARCA Menards Series at Kansas Speedway: Menards 150 Pre-race Notes

  • THE RACE: Menards 150
  • THE PLACE: Kansas Speedway
  • THE DATE: Friday, September 25, 2026
  • THE TIME: 8 pm ET / 7 pm CT
  • TV: FS1, Live
  • The final race of the 2026 ARCA Menards Series season, the Menards 150 at Kansas Speedway, is set for Friday, September 25. Jake Bollman (No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Toyota) enters the race with a 16-point advantage over his Nitro Motorsports teammate Thomas Annunziata (No. 70 JBL Audio Toyota) as both look to clinch the ARCA Menards Series championship in their first full-time season.
  • Bollman has a series leading 18 top-ten finishes in 19 starts, while Annunziata has 17. Bollman leads with 12 top-five finishes to Annunziata’s ten, but should there be a tie in the final points, Annunziata holds the tie breaker: he has one win this season, at Lime Rock Park, while Bollman is looking for his first career series victory.
  • If Bollman finishes tenth or better, he will clinch the ARCA Menards Series championship even if Annunziata wins the race and scores maximum bonus points.
  • If neither driver wins or scores any bonus points, Annunziata must beat Bollman by 16 positions to win the championship. If either driver scores a bonus point and the other does not, that changes the number of positions by one in favor if that driver. For example, if Annunziata leads a lap and Bollman does not, then Bollman must finish 15 positions ahead of Annunziata to win the title. There are a total of three non-victory bonus points available, one each for winning the Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole, leading a lap, and leading the most laps.
  • Bollman finished third in his only previous start at Kansas Speedway in May, while Annunziata finished ninth.
  • The Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 team olds a slim 11-point advantage over the Pinnacle Racing Group No. 28 team for the ARCA Menards Series owner’s championship. The No. 18 team is looking to clinch its fifth championship in the last seven years, while PRG owner Mark Webb is looking to clinch for the second consecutive year. If Gio Ruggiero (No. 18 First Auto Group) finishes sixth or higher, the No. 18 team will win regardless of what Carson Brown (No. 28 DWC Chevrolet) does. Ruggiero won at Kansas in the spring, while PRG won both races at Kansas in 2025 with reigning series champion Brenden Queen driving. Each team won in 2024, with Connor Mosack (PRG) and Taylor Gray (JGR) each taking a victory. Ironically, Mosack, who is PRG team owner Mark Webb’s stepson, also scored a Kansas victory for JGR in 2023.
  • Carson Brown will be on the hunt for his fourth ARCA Menards Series victory of the season and his second in the last eight days. He also won the series’ most recent race at Bristol Motor Speedway to go along with wins at Phoenix Raceway and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.
  • Lanie Buice (No. 77 Sunoco Chevrolet) tied Shawna Robinson, Erin Crocker, Hailie Deegan, and Isabella Robusto for the best finish by a female driver in ARCA Menards Series history with her second-place finish in her last series start at Chicagoland Speedway in July. She also joined Patty Moise, Robinson, Crocker, Milka Duno, Natalie Decker, and Robusto as the seventh female driver in series history to earn a Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole award with her pole at Pocono Raceway in June. Buice has a 4.25 average finish in her four starts so far in 2026 and will be back behind the wheel for the team that cliched the ARCA Menards Series East championship on Thursday with Tristan McKee.
  • Landon Brown (No. 15 University of Kentucky Toyota) will make his third career ARCA Menards Series start in the Menards 150, and his first for Nitro Motorsports. Brown finished a career-best 15th in his most recent start at Chicagoland Speedway and 18th in his most recent start at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
  • There will be one scheduled caution at or near lap 50. Any caution flag is an opportunity for teams to pit, and teams cannot lose or gain positions on pit road relative to any other teams that choose to pit. Teams can change tires and add fuel on the same pit stop but cannot do it simultaneously.
  • Former ARCA Menards Series winners at Kansas Speedway include Jason Jarrett (2001), Frank Kimmel (2002, 2006, 2013), Shelby Howard (2003), Ryan Hemphill (2004), Chad Blount (2005), Scott Lagasse, Jr, (2007), Scott Speed (2008), Parker Kligerman (2009), Ty Dillon (2010), Alex Bowman (2011, 2012), Spencer Gallagher (2014), Mason Mitchell (2015), Chase Briscoe (2016), Michael Self (2017), Sheldon Creed (2018), Christian Eckes (2019), Bret Holmes (2020-1), Corey Heim (2020-2, 2022-2), Ty Gibbs (2021-1), Nick Sanchez (2021-2, 2022-1), Jesse Love (2023-1), Connor Mosack (2023-2, 2024-1), Tanner Gray (2024-2), Brenden Queen (2025-1, 2025-2), and Gio Ruggiero (2026-1).
  • The record for most cautions in an ARCA Menards Series race at Kansas Speedway is 10 for a record 53 laps, set in 2006. The record for the fewest cautions in an ARCA Menards Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway is two, four times (2019, 2020-2, 2021-2, and 2023-2) while the fewest laps under caution was in 2006 at six.
  • Alex Bowman holds the ARCA Menards Series track qualifying record at Kansas Speedway, set in 2012, at 29.258 seconds/184.559 miles per hour.
  • Christian Eckes holds the ARCA Menards Series race record at Kansas Speedway, set in 2019, at 141.695 miles per hour.
  • ARCA Menards Series races at Kansas Speedway have been extended into overtime on six previous occasions: 2009, 2021-2, 2022-2, 2025-1, 2025-2 and 2026-1. Should the race be extended into overtime, there will be unlimited attempts at a two-lap “green-white-checkered” finish. Should the caution be displayed after the white flag has been shown, there will be unlimited attempts at a one-lap “green and white together” finish.
  • The Menards 150 is set for 8 pm ET / 7 pm CT on Friday, September 25. The race will be televised live on FS1 and broadcast on select affiliates of the MRN Radio network nationwide. Live timing & scoring data and live race audio will be available on ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates please follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly known as 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.