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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.

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race Preview – Iowa

Track: Iowa Speedway
Race: HyVee Perks 250
Date/Broadcast: Saturday; August 8, 2026 5:00 P.M. ET
TV: CW Network, ESPN Unlimited
Radio: Motor Racing Network – Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, and X

Racing in the Hawkeye State – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Ready to Race at Iowa Speedway

Newton, IA. (August 6, 2026) – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport travels to Newton, Iowa this weekend to race at Iowa Speedway.

The .875 mile track features progressive banking around sharp corners, that will make handling and car balance essential for the 250-lap race.

The team will field three Chevrolets this weekend: Jeb Burton in the No. 27 Celsius Chevrolet, Blaine Perkins in the No. 31 The Gentleman Thief Chevrolet, and Carson Brown in the No. 32 Distributor Wire & Cable Chevrolet.

Jeb Burton travels to Newton, Iowa currently sitting 20th in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) standings. The Halifax, Virginia native comes off a 20th place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and is looking to keep the momentum going.

“I’m excited to get back to Iowa. We had a really good car there in 2024,” said Burton. “Last year we weren’t very good, but I feel like we know why. It’s always been a really fun track to race. We’ve got Celsius back on the car, so hopefully we can do a good job for them, and keep trying to gain some points to keep us in the top-20, so we can get back to where we need to be.”

Blaine Perkins heads to Newton, Iowa, a track he is familiar with dating back to his days in the NASCAR K&N West Series. Perkins currently sits 22nd in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings, and is looking to put together a strong performance in effort to make it in the top-20 in points. Perkins will have “The Gentleman Thief” on his Chevrolet, the latest movie starring renown Hollywood actor, John Travolta.

“I’m really excited to get Iowa Speedway this weekend,” said Perkins. “Iowa is one of the first big race tracks that I went to, being from the west coast. Being in the K&N West Series back in the day, Iowa was always a big race for us. I’m excited to the have The Gentleman Thief on the car. It’s extremely cool to have them on the car, and we’re looking forward to giving them a good run on Saturday night.”

Carson Brown prepares to make his debut in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Iowa Speedway. The talented prospect from New London, North Carolina, at 18 years old, will become the youngest driver to start in the series in 2026 when the field takes the green flag on Saturday night.

“I’ve been fortunate to race with great teams, filled with really smart and driven people, who have prepared me for this moment.” “The O’Reilly Series is a big step, but it’s the right step and I’m definitely ready for it. It’s an awesome opportunity and I’m proud to be doing it with Chevrolet, Jordan Anderson Racing and Distributor Wire & Cable. Every race I’ve run has been about learning, getting better and preparing myself for the next opportunity,” Brown said. “No matter the series, you’re going up against some really talented drivers and equally talented teams. Everyone is there to win, so you have to bring your A-game every time. That’s the way it should be, and the O’Reilly Series is a continuation of that, but on a bigger stage.”

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport was built from the ground up, fueled by passion, persistence, and a bold vision for what an independent NASCAR team could become. Founded by driver and owner Jordan Anderson, the organization has grown from a grassroots operation hauling a single truck across the country into a competitive multi-car NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team through a pivotal partnership with St. Louis automotive dealer John Bommarito. Along the way, the team has earned wins, poles, and a reputation for grit, growth, and opportunity within the NASCAR garage. Today, Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is investing in talent, innovation, and culture to challenge the status quo and build a new kind of racing legacy.

Jordan Anderson recently appeared on the Dale Jr. Download’s special series: The Business of Motorsports with Kelley Earnhardt Miller. The two team owners talked on Anderson’s journey from striving to make it in NASCAR as a driver, to finding his path to becoming a team owner in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport president and co-owner shared the lessons he has learned along the road, and the story of meeting renown St. Louis area car dealer, John Bommarito, and how the two formed a long partnership that is still in effect today.

To listen to the episode, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@DirtyMoMedia, or any of your major podcast platforms.

Get your Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport merchandise at the all new official team store! Visit jordanandersonracing.com to place your order today!

ACI Motorsports Earns Five Porsche Carrera Cup North America wins at Road America

  • ACI Drivers Lead Two of Three Class Championships in the Single-Make Porsche Series
  • Successful IMSA Carrera Cup Campaign First of Three Race Weekends Across a Trio of Racing Series for ACI Motorsports at Road America in August

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (August 6, 2026) – ACI Motorsports left Road America’s IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America round with five victories and three additional podiums across three classes. Drivers Patrick Mulcahy and Marco Cirone continue to hold the championship lead in the Pro-Am and Masters class, respectively.

The three rounds at Road America – two regularly scheduled and one postponed race from the Miami Grand Prix in May – marked the eighth, ninth and 10th races of the 16-race season for the field full of Type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup cars.

Mulcahy, driving the No. 54 Juice Head Porsche 911 Cup, extended his championship lead and his season-long winning streak, leaving Road America with a perfect 10-for-10 record this season. Mulcahy’s strongest run came in Friday morning’s race where, despite starting in the back of the grid after a qualifying incident, he drove through the 22-car field to finish ninth overall. He backed that up later in the afternoon, driving from 17th to eighth overall.

Mulcahy now leads the Pro-Am class by 111 points with six races remaining in the 14-race championship.

Likewise, Cirone kept his stout championship lead with a pair of wins and a runner-up finish at Road America. The Toronto resident was in the midst of a three-way class battle in both races on Friday, coming out on top each time. Cirone climbed to a season-best ninth overall in Friday afternoon’s race and then held steady in a rainy Saturday morning race to bring home a second-place finish in class with his No. 88 Mark Motors Porsche 911.

Cirone wasn’t the only ACI Motorsports driver to take home trophies in the Masters class. Richard Edge drove his No. 18 Staff Zone Porsche 911 Cup to a third-place finish in the category, 11th overall, on Friday afternoon to stand on the podium alongside his teammate.

ACI Motorsports had success in the Pro Class at Road America as well. Janne Stiak, the 19-year-old German driver making his first North American appearances in 2026, hit the podium for the third time this season with a runner-up finish with his No. 40 Scooters Coffee Porsche 911 on Friday afternoon. He narrowly missed the podium in the other two races at Road America, finishing fourth each time.

John Jodoin and his No. 39 Race Caddy Porsche 911 Cup scored a season-best finish at his home track, following an eighth-place finish in race one with a sixth-place finish in race two for the Chicago native. The 13th-place finish for Alex Pratt and the No. 6 Good Boy Vodka Porsche 911 Cup was a career best for the rookie driver.

Next up for ACI Motorsports is the team’s second appearance at Road America for the USAC Porsche Sprint Challenge and Endurance Challenge race weekend, August 14 – 16.

Curt Swearingin, ACI Motorsports Team Principal: “Overall it was a good weekend for us. We’ll take what we can get every weekend, as long as we can maximize points. We could have had a few things go a little bit better, but it was good as a whole. Our guys work hard to and put in the effort and it shows in the results when everyone does their jobs. Congratulations especially to Marco and Patrick for their wins and Janne scoring P2 on Friday.”

Janne Stiak, Driver, No. 40 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup: “We were struggling a bit, so for the pace we had we got very good points. Two times P4, and one time we were P2. We started with a little bit to do at the beginning of the weekend, but ACI Motorsports has been working very hard to get the best out of it and I have to thank them for that. So, we got very good points, and we’re looking forward to the next one.”

Marco Cirone, Driver, No. 88 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup: “I can’t complain. The car is in one piece and we survived the wet race. It’s incredible. Curt has done a fantastic job to elevate the team status with the engineers and the mechanics. Everything is running like a clock. We all get along, we laugh, we enjoy ourselves and that adds to the weekend. I have to thank Mark Motors, they are just incredible people and have been sponsoring us for a long time. If it wasn’t for them and all of the people back at the dealership in Ottawa, I wouldn’t be here.”

Patrick Mulcahy, Driver, No. 45 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup: “It is a bummer just racing one other guy, but I just try to race the guys ahead of me. We are all on the track at the same time, so it doesn’t matter the color, or number or class. The entire ACI Motorsports team is fully dedicated to giving us the best car, the best program and all of the resources to be successful. So, I don’t think I could ask for more. We are always in a really positive feedback loop between everybody. They’re always trying to be better, and I think that’s what it’s about. A little bit of progress every day.”

About ACI Motorsports: ACI Motorsports is a professional Porsche racing team and motorsports preparation shop headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with additional operations at Road Atlanta in Georgia. The team actively competes in several prestigious racing series, including Porsche Carrera Cup North America, SRO Pirelli GT4, GT America Powered by AWS and more. Additional information can be found at www.acimotorsports.com.

NASCAR Star DANIEL SUÁREZ Connects with Metro St. Louis Hispanic Community Ahead of Sept. 13 Enjoy Illinois 300

NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez poses with World Wide Technology Raceway Owner and President Curtis Francois, Fairmont City Mayor Michael Suarez and members of the Fairmont City community during his Aug. 4 visit. Photo credit: World Wide Technology Raceway.
  • Spire Motorsports driver meets with Fairmont City mayor, first responders and residents before joining the grand reopening of Hispanic-focused Save A Lot y Más.
  • NASCAR returns to World Wide Technology Raceway Sept. 12-13 for a Chase doubleheader featuring the Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

MADISON, Ill. (Aug. 6, 2026) – NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez connected with members of the metro St. Louis Hispanic community earlier this week during a daylong visit ahead of his return to World Wide Technology Raceway for the Sept. 12-13 Enjoy Illinois 300 race weekend.

Suárez, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, began his day in the Village of Fairmont City, Ill., home to a tight-knit Hispanic community and just minutes from WWT Raceway in Madison, Ill. Mayor Michael Suarez welcomed residents and first responders to a complimentary lunch featuring food from El Ranchito, a popular local Mexican restaurant.

During the lunch, the Spire Motorsports driver visited with families in Spanish, thanked the city’s first responders and invited residents to attend the fifth annual Enjoy Illinois on Sunday, Sept. 13.

“It’s very important to me to have the opportunity to connect with the Hispanic community, and this time, being so close to a race track where we are going to be competing in a few weeks, makes it even more special,” Suárez said. “I know several of these people are going to be with us at the race in September.”

The community outreach continued at the grand reopening of Save A Lot y Más, located at 3427 S. Jefferson Ave. in St. Louis. The store was recently rebranded as a Hispanic-focused concept featuring Spanish-language signage and an expanded selection of Hispanic products.

During an hour-long meet-and-greet, Suárez visited with shoppers and staff and assisted at the checkout lanes. He also strolled the aisles, pointing out some of his favorite snacks from Mexico.

The highlight of the visit was Suárez and Save A Lot y Más teaming up to provide the first 20 guests in line with complimentary bags of groceries and tickets to the Enjoy Illinois 300.

“It was a lot of fun to visit Save A Lot y Más, see so many Hispanic fans and check out the large selection of Hispanic products,” Suárez said. “It reminded me of growing up in Mexico and many of the products I used to see. I’m really looking forward to coming back Sept. 12-13 for the big race.”

The two stops were part of World Wide Technology Raceway’s ongoing efforts to connect communities throughout the St. Louis region with NASCAR and the track’s major events.

Tickets for the Sept. 12-13 NASCAR Chase doubleheader weekend, featuring the Enjoy Illinois 300, are available at wwtraceway.com or by calling the ticket office at (618) 215-8888 ext. 1.

About World Wide Technology Raceway

World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the home of NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA racing in St. Louis’ Metro East region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering 700 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1.25-mile superspeedway; 1/4-mile drag strip; 2.0-mile road course; the Gateway Kartplex state-of-the-art karting facility; and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and Owner & CEO Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2023 St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame induction; 2023 Innovation in Philanthropy Award by the St. Louis Business Journal; 2022 Explore St. Louis Hospitality Hero Recognition; 2022 Best in Show and Best Event & Festival from the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism; 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association. Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.

RFK Racing – Iowa Advance

Iowa Event Info:
Date: Sunday, August 9
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Newton, Iowa
Format: 350 Laps, 306.25 Miles, Stages: 70-210-350
TV: USA
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 2:05 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 3:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3:30 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

RFK RACING STORYLINES IN IOWA:

Brad Keselowski

  • For Brad Keselowski, Iowa Speedway is a significant track. He credits his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win there in 2009, as a catalyst in his racing career. He believes his victory there helped propel him to a Cup series career.
  • Determination has driven Keselowski in 2026 and once again is a factor in his race to the Chase. The 2012 Champion has a 50-point deficit to erase in order to become championship eligible. Four races remain in the regular season, and each offers opportunity. Next up, Iowa. A year ago, Keselowski won each of the first two stages, led 68 laps and finished 3rd. He now heads into this pivotal race carrying the momentum of consecutive top 10 finishes (North Wilkesboro and Indianapolis).

Chris Buescher

  • Sitting ninth in the standings with a 133-point cushion above the playoff cut line, Buescher is in a comfortable position as the regular season heads into the final four races. But make no mistake, he is far from satisfied. Buescher is looking to peak heading into the Chase and is targeting a win at Iowa Speedway. With a history of success at Iowa, including a 2015 O’Reilly Series victory, Buescher aims to convert his season-long consistency into race-winning performance.

Ryan Preece

  • Ryan Preece, currently 17th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, is just outside the top 16 playoff cutoff. With only four regular-season races remaining, the upcoming event at Iowa Speedway on August 9 is pivotal. Known for his short-track prowess, Preece views this race as a prime opportunity to secure essential points and break into the playoff field.
  • “I feel confident going to Iowa and feel like I really came close to some success there last year. Short tracks are my thing, everybody on our team is trying to find some speed and even with the (four) races left to the playoffs I don’t go down until it’s done,” said a confident Ryan Preece during his Media Bullpen session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Pace Laps:

  • Iowa Speedway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series for just the third time in its history this weekend.
  • All three RFK drivers have found victory lane at Iowa Speedway in the Xfinity Series, with Brad Keselowski winning the first-ever NXS race at Iowa back in 2009.
  • Chris Buescher won with Jack Roush in 2015 at the track, with current crew chief Scott Graves atop the box.
  • In 2017, Ryan Preece started from the pole at Iowa and led 141 of the 254 laps en route to his first ever NXS victory while driving the No. 20 for JGR.
  • Chris Buescher ranks currently ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with an average starting position of 12.4 and has recorded 10 top-10 finishes through the opening 20 races of the 2026 season.
  • Buescher owns a 13.3 average finish, ranking among the series’ best, while his 10 top-10 finishes have helped keep the No. 17 team firmly in playoff contention.
  • Brad Keselowski has collected five top 10 finish results this season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at Darlington after leading a race-high 142 laps.
  • Keselowski continues to show front-running speed with 167 laps led this season.
  • Ryan Preece emerged as a consistent contributor for RFK Racing in 2026, joining teammates Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski in helping keep all three RFK entries in the possible playoff conversation entering the second half of the season.

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: Trimble

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Body Guard

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Kroger/Force Factor

Keselowski at Iowa
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

  • Keselowski was in contention for a victory in last season’s race at Iowa where he started 5th and brought home a 3rd place finish and led 68 laps of the race.
  • In his first career Cup start at Iowa, Keselowski led five laps and finished 10th.
  • Keselowski was the first winner in the Xfinity Series at Iowa, taking home the inaugural trophy back in 2009. He led 121 laps and drove the No. 88 for JR Motorsports to victory lane, his first of three NXS trophies at the track.
  • He went on to win again in back-to-back seasons in 2013-14, and finished top-8 in every race he ran there, the last coming in 2016.

Buescher at Iowa
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Buescher led 16 laps in the 2024 season’s Cup Series debut at Iowa, but went on to finish 18th.
  • He won at Iowa back in 2015 for Jack Roush in the No. 60 in one of his four NXS starts at the track. Buescher also made four starts in ARCA from 2009-12, earning a pair of top fives.

Preece at Iowa
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • In last season’s race at Iowa Preece showed speed starting 31st and finishing 5th, his career best finish at the track to date.
  • Preece finished 27th two seasons ago at Iowa after starting 29th in the No. 41 car for SHR.
  • He won at Iowa back in 2017 for JGR in the No. 20 in one of his three NXS starts at the track.

RFK Historically at Iowa
Wins: 5 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2011 twice, 2012; Trevor Bayne, 2013; Chris Buescher, 2015)

  • Stenhouse Finds First in Iowa: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. picked up his first Xfinity Series win at Iowa back in 2011, sweeping both races as the series at the time competed there in May and August. The next season he won again, as three of his eight career NXS wins all-time came at the 7/8-mile track.
  • Bayne Breaks Through in 2013: Trevor Bayne continued the winning tradition with the No. 6 in victory lane at Iowa, winning the first race of the 2013 campaign at Iowa. It marked his second Xfinity Series win of his career.
  • Buescher Victorius in 2015: Buescher started fourth in the 2015 race, led 94 laps and won in the No. 60 entry for Jack Roush in what was one of his two wins in his Xfinity Championship season.

RFK Iowa Wins

2011 Stenhouse Xfinity
2011 Stenhouse Xfinity
2012 Stenhouse Xfinity
2013 Bayne Xfinity
2015 Buescher Xfinity

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Indianapolis: Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing hit the bricks on 7/26, with each of its three teams showcasing rock solid performances in Indianapolis. Eying his second career Brickyard 400 victory, Brad Keselowski led the way. Patiently, RFK’s Owner/Driver carved his way through the field, scoring a 6th place finish and continuing his late season push toward the post season. Ryan Preece, with the aid of a very timely caution, was the team’s big gainer on the day, advancing 26 positions from the beginning of the race. Preece is now just one position shy of a Chase berth. Chris Buescher, who continues to appear headed to the post season, again turned in a steady run. His hard, determined drive yielded a respectable 11th place finish.

Points Standings: Buescher: 9th, Preece: 17th, Keselowski: 19th

William Sawalich returns to Joe Gibbs Racing for 2027 O’Reilly season

Photo by Adam Lovelace for SpeedwayMedia.com.

William Sawalich has signed a one-year contract extension to continue to drive the No. 18 SoundGear Toyota Supra entry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

The news comes as the 19-year-old Sawalich from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is currently campaigning in his second full-time season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with JGR. Through 22-scheduled events, he recorded a victory at Rockingham Speedway in early April, which was also his first ever in the series. Sawalich has also registered a pole at Bristol Motor Speedway in early April, six top-five results, nine top-10 results, 131 laps led and an average-finishing result of 16.6. He is ranked in 13th place in the standings and is seven points below the top-12 cutline to make this year’s Chase with two regular-season events remaining on this year’s schedule.

“I am excited to be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2027,” Sawalich said. “The team has become a family to me since I first started here. We’ve been making great progress this year, so I am excited to continue that into next season.”

Sawalich made his first three career starts in the O’Reilly Series during the final three events of the 2024 season, where he drove JGR’s No. 19 Toyota entry. By then, he was coming off his second consecutive ARCA Menards Series East championship with JGR. During his trio of starts, the Minnesota native recorded his first career pole and finished a season-best 13th place during the season’s final event on the schedule at Phoenix Raceway.

For the 2025 season, Sawalich was named a full-time competitor of JGR’s No. 18 Toyota entry for his first full-time campaign in the O’Reilly Series. During his rookie O’Reilly campaign, he recorded his second career pole at Nashville Superspeedway in late May and notched a pair of runner-up results in back-to-back events at Portland International Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway between mid-August and early September. He also recorded three top-five results, nine top-10 results, 51 laps led and an average-finishing result of 18.9 through 31-scheduled starts.

After being involved in a multi-car accident at Talladega Superspeedway in mid-October that required him to be hospitalized, Sawalich missed the final two events of the 2025 season due to suffering concussion-like symptoms. This resulted in him finishing 18th in the standings before returning for a full-time campaign in 2026.

Through 56 current starts in the O’Reilly Series, Sawalich has accumulated a single victory, three poles, nine top-five results, 18 top-10 results, 182 laps led and an average-finishing result of 18.3 as he continues the pursuit of his first NASCAR national touring series championship.

“William has been part of our racing family at Joe Gibbs Racing for almost four years now, and it’s exciting to watch his continued progress,” Heather Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, said. “He earned his first win in the O’Reilly Series earlier this year at Rockingham, and we expect our 18 team to build off that success for the remainder of this season and into 2027.”

With his plans for next season set, William Sawalich’s 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season continues this upcoming Saturday, August 8, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, for the HyVee Perks 250. The event’s broadcast time is slated to commence at 5 p.m. ET on the CW Network, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM.

Talladega Superspeedway to Once Again Play Crucial Role in The Chase

NASCAR returns to the high banks of Alabama in April and October of 2027

TALLADEGA, Ala. (Aug. 6, 2026) – Talladega Superspeedway announced today that once again the famed superspeedway will play a crucial role during The Chase as NASCAR returns to high banks of Alabama in April and October of 2027. Fans will have two opportunities to witness a full slate of high-stakes racing at the biggest and baddest track in NASCAR.

The traditional spring weekend returns with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Cup Series providing an opportunity to gain points in a pivotal superspeedway clash early in the season April 24-25, 2027.

In the fall, The Chase will be in full swing as all three NASCAR national series head back to Talladega Superspeedway Oct. 29-31, 2027. The October race weekend will be pivotal to helping set the field for drivers who will compete for a championship at the end of the 2027 season.

“It’s an honor for Talladega Superspeedway to continue to have two race weekends giving our fans multiple opportunities to experience high-stakes action at this incredible venue,” said Josh Harris, Region President, Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway. “Looking up into the grandstands and seeing the passion the fans have for NASCAR in the heart of Alabama is extremely rewarding and we look forward to seeing action-packed racing return next spring and fall.”

Below are the dates for the 2027 NASCAR races at Talladega Superspeedway:

April 24-25

Saturday, April 24 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series races
Sunday, April 25 – NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500

Oct. 29-31

Friday, Oct. 29 – NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225
Saturday, Oct. 30 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series The Progress Group 250
Sunday, Oct. 31 – NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500

Earlier this year, Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega. The 23-year-old Michigan native edged out Chris Buescher for a thrilling victory, which included a one-of-a-kind celebration post-race in which he sat on the window ledge of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet while taking a victory pass in front of the grandstands.

Fans can still catch plenty of race action this fall as part of The Chase at Talladega Superspeedway kicking off Friday, Oct. 23, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225 followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series The Progress Group 250 on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The excitement continues into Sunday, Oct. 25, with the return of the YellaWood 500 as the NASCAR Cup Series drivers prepare to tackle the iconic 33-degree banking.

For ticketing information and more details about upcoming events, including the YellaWood 500 race weekend, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com. 

Fans are also encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at Talladega Superspeedway by following along on X, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as in the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest speedway news.  

About Talladega Superspeedway      
Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive racetrack on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three-and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.     

About NASCAR    

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 15 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.

ELITE MOTORSPORTS TO DEBUT JERRY HAAS RACE CARS

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (Aug. 06, 2026) – Elite Motorsports has announced they will be switching the Pro Stock entries of six-time world champion Erica Enders, five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., standout Aaron Stanfield and third generation driver Troy Coughlin Jr., from Quarter-Max Racing RJ Race Cars to Jerry Haas Race Cars beginning at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota August 21-23.

“We’ve been poised to make this switch for a while,” said Richard Freeman, owner of Elite Motorsports. “We ordered the cars, me and Joe Janac who owns Aaron and Greg Stanfield’s cars, at the start of 2025 and got the last one delivered a few months ago. I thought we would wait until the hood scoops were back in 2027 to make the full team switch, but we’ve seen the elevated performance.”

The performance the multi-time championship team owner is referring to is Greg Stanfield. Stanfield has been competing in a Jerry Haas chassis all season and has undoubtedly led the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock camp. The veteran racer has had only two first round losses, a No. 1 qualifier, six semifinal finishes, a Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty victory and most recently has had two consecutive final round appearances including a win at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. The success has Stanfield sitting third in the championship hunt with two races left in the regular season before the six-race Countdown to the Championship.

“It’s a big, risky move and we aren’t taking it lightly,” Freeman continued. “The proof is on the track. Greg’s success has changed our mindset. Making the switch now means all our cars will have a chance to compete for the championship.”

Jerry Haas Race Cars have earned an unprecedented 12 Car Craft Magazine All-Star Drag Racing Pro Stock Team Chassis Builder Awards spanning back to 1986. Haas’ state-of-the-art four-link rear suspensions and other major elements of his chassis design have been developed over years of on-the-job training, racing his own cars and learning from clients who are some of the greatest minds in drag racing.

Ahead of the Brainerd Nationals, Elite Motorsports will test the Jerry Haas Race Cars at a closed session at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

“It’s a big step, but the timing couldn’t be better,” Freeman said. “We have the data, we have someplace to start so we’ll test for a couple days and, based on what we know, we should see the difference almost immediately. It’s going to be an exciting end to this season.”

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: IOWA RACE PREVIEW

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
IOWA PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol
DATE: August 9, 2026
Race: NASCAR Cup Series 23 of 36
TRACK: Iowa Speedway | .875-Mile Oval

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT IOWA: John Hunter Nemechek has two starts at Iowa Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, and he earned his highest finish of 15th in last year’s race. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Nemechek has made five starts earning two top-fives and four top-10s, with a highest finish of third in July 2019. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Nemechek five starts at Iowa. During those five starts, he earned a pole in June 2016 and won in June 2017.

TRUCK SERIES WINNER AT IOWA: Nemechek took home the checkered flag in the 2017 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Iowa. He led six of 200 laps and won with a 1.652 second margin of victory over Johnny Sauter.

T-MACK AT IOWA: Sunday’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s third NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa. His first outing was in the inaugural event in June 2024 with A.J. Allmendinger, and his highest finish came last year with Nemechek where the duo finished 15th. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Mack has two starts with Michael Annett in both of the 2019 races, where the pair finished ninth and 10th, respectively.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“I felt like we had a decent car at Iowa last year. I’ve had success in the past here in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Truck Series, so I’m looking forward to building off of that to put together a good run on Sunday. It was nice to have a week off to reset, but I’m ready to get back racing.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“Iowa was one of our better short track races last year. John Hunter was really happy about the car, so we’re trying to look back and study that for our short track package to help us there. I’m looking forward to going back to Iowa with the new package especially after North Wilkesboro to really hone-in and improve our package and be more well-rounded. We need to be more competitive, especially with the next few races coming up.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES IOWA STATS: Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 will mark Erik Jones’ third NASCAR Cup Series start at Iowa Speedway. He participated in the inaugural event in June 2024 where he started 32nd and finished in the same position. Last year, Jones started 25th and finished 16th. He has four total NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at the track where he won in July 2016, four in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where he never finished outside the top-10 with two victories in July 2014 and June 2015, and an additional start in the ARCA Menards Series in July 2012 where he finished 11th after starting sixth.

WINNER AT IOWA: Jones visited Iowa like many of his competitors before the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race two seasons ago in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Truck Series. Not only did he race there, but he’s also a winner at Iowa in both series. In four O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, he earned two poles in May 2015 and June 2016, three top-10 finishes, and one win. In his final O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the track in July 2016, Jones qualified second for the race. He led the opening 42 laps of the race, and another three times throughout the race for a total of 154 laps led. Jones bested his full-time competitor Ty Dillon with a 3.533 second margin of victory.

JONES GOES BACK-TO-BACK AT IOWA: In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Jones went back-to-back on his Iowa wins early in his career. He has also never finished outside the top-10 at Iowa in his Truck Series career. His first victory came in July 2014 when he was only running a part-time schedule in the Truck Series. Jones started second and led 131 laps on the way to a .629 second margin of victory over Ryan Blaney. He followed that up when the series returned in June 2015 during Jones’ championship season. The Michigan-native started from the pole and led 112 laps to find victory lane with a 5.860 seconds ahead of runner-up Brandon Jones.

ALEXANDER AT IOWA: This Sunday’s race at Iowa Speedway will mark Justin Alexander’s second NASCAR Cup Series start on top of the box at the short track. In his one prior start in June 2024, Alexander and his driver Austin Dillon started 36th and finished 19th. He has one additional start in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Joe Graf Jr. where the duo finished 19th.

ERIK JONES QUOTE:
“I think Iowa will go well for the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota team. This package has been better for us in a lot of ways on the short tracks, so I’m excited to get there and see where we stack up with it. Iowa is a tough place with the new pavement and the old pavement. You run a really unique line, and you want a really unique balance out of your racecar. It’s not easy but I feel good about the package and I like the track. I think it’ll go well.”

JUSTIN ALEXANDER QUOTE:
“Iowa is another great opportunity for us to continue building our short track program. We’ve made good strides as a team throughout the season, but we know there’s still room to grow in this area. Iowa is a short track in every definition, but it can race more similar to an intermediate in a lot of ways as well. We’ve put a lot of effort into Iowa and plan to unload solid to give Erik a car we can contend with. We’ve raised our expectations as a team over the last couple of months, and that’s the standard we want to continue carrying into every race, including Iowa.”

CLUB MINUTES:
JJ’S SHORT TRACK SUCCESS: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson knows how to find victory lane at tracks less than a mile in length. In 113 total short-track starts, Johnson won 14 times and earned 63 top-10 finishes while leading 4,307 laps in his career. In total he earned three wins at Richmond Raceway, nine at Martinsville (Va.) Raceway, and two at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. He has an average finish of 12.7 on short tracks in his career.

KENSETH – A SHORT TRACK WINNER: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB competition advisor and 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth has had his own share of success at short tracks in the Cup Series. In 115 starts, Kenseth won six races and earned 53 top-10s. He won four races at Bristol Motor Speedway and two at Richmond Raceway.

THE SHORT TRACK KING: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ambassador and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Richard Petty was “The King” when it came to winning on short tracks. Of his 200 total wins in the Cup Series, 107 of them came at short tracks. In 448 starts, he also earned 259 top-fives and led 30,984 laps on the smaller tracks. He has an average finish of 8.4 on short tracks in his legendary career.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT:

Throughout the 2026 NASCAR season, our team has utilized testing from ‪Nix Biosensors to ensure our athlete’s are always at the top of their game. Through Nix sweat testing technology, our pit crew athletes and drivers like ‪Jimmie Johnson are able to know exactly how they need to replenish and hydrate.

CLUB APPEARANCES:
John Hunter Nemechek will visit the trackside merchandise trailer for an autograph session on Saturday, August 8 at 10:30 a.m. local time.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, August 9 at 3:30 p.m. EDT on USA Sports, HBO MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

Wood Brothers Racing – Race Week Briefing: Iowa Speedway

Event: Iowa Corn 350
Date/Time: Sunday, August 9, 2026, 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
Layout: 0.875-Mile Oval
TV/Radio: USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Following a season-best, seventh-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Josh Berry and the No. 21 Menards/Masterforce Tools team return from the off weekend looking to carry that momentum into Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway.

The 0.875-mile oval near Newton, Iowa, opened in 2006 and has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series since 2024.

Berry said he’s encouraged by the success he’s had on similar tracks, including a second-place finish on the relatively flat, one-mile oval at New Hampshire last year.

“I thought we had a really good car at North Wilkesboro,” he said. “We worked our way forward and got caught by that caution then immediately wrecked by the 20. That was tough.”

Still, Berry is optimistic about the stretch of short tracks ahead.

“Iowa, Richmond and New Hampshire are coming up – places that I ran well in the 4 car and the 21 car,” Berry said. “All should be good opportunities to go out and have good races. I think we are positioned to do that, and I’ve got a lot of confidence that going into these next few weeks we’ve got what we need. We just have to go out and do it – unload well and execute these races.”

Berry also hopes the team can finally put the run of bad luck behind them.

“Lot of times this year we’ve had good cars, just had misfortunes come our way,” he said. “Hopefully we can shake that off our backs and piggyback off of what happened at Indy.”

After the off weekend, Berry and his Cup Series competitors return to the track on Saturday with practice beginning at 2:05 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 3:10 p.m. ET. Both sessions will air live on truTV.

Sunday’s 350-lap race is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on USA. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 70 and 201.

Josh Berry

Age: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Miles Stanley

IG: @joshberry88

X: @joshberry

THE BEST OF BRISTOL RETURNS IN 2027

Tradition-rich Food City 500 returns to familiar date in April; Legendary Bass Pro Shops Night Race comes home to August

  • The 2027 Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race returns to a picturesque April weekend, April 9-11.
  • The Bass Pro Shops Night Race reclaims its historic place on the August calendar, Aug. 12-14.

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Aug. 6, 2026) – Some weekends become dates on a calendar, others become traditions; at Bristol Motor Speedway, fans have cherished two of them for generations.

Bristol’s 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season will be anchored by the beloved Food City 500, April 9-11, as fans return to Thunder Valley when dogwoods bloom across the hills of Northeast Tennessee, and culminate with the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Aug. 12-14, as America’s Night Race returns to its historic August home for the first time in years.

For decades, those two weekends have represented the very best of Bristol—one welcoming fans back each spring for a family tradition unlike any other, the other delivering one of motorsports’ most anticipated nights beneath the lights of The Last Great Colosseum.

The return of America’s Night Race to August marks one of the most significant shifts on NASCAR’s 2027 calendar. For 44 consecutive seasons, Bristol’s signature Saturday night spectacle became synonymous with the final days of summer, producing unforgettable finishes, legendary rivalries and championship-defining moments that helped establish the event as one of NASCAR’s most legendary races. Now, one of the sport’s biggest weekends returns to the date where so much of its history was written.

“The Food City 500 and the Bass Pro Shops Night Race aren’t simply races on our schedule—they’re traditions that generations of fans have built memories around,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “The Food City 500 has found a tremendous home in April, where the beauty of spring in Northeast Tennessee creates an incredible backdrop for one of NASCAR’s favorite weekends.

“And now, to welcome the Bass Pro Shops Night Race back to its longtime August home – there is just something special about Bristol in August. The anticipation, intensity and electricity that builds throughout the weekend. Our fans know they’re about to witness something unforgettable, and our competitors know every lap matters. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate both of these incredible traditions with our fans in 2027.”

The Food City 500 weekend begins Friday, April 9, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Tennessee Army National Guard 250 before Saturday’s Suburban Propane 300 in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Bush’s Beans Qualifying. The weekend culminates Sunday with the Food City 500, one of NASCAR’s longest-running entitlement-sponsored events and one of Bristol’s most cherished annual traditions.

Four months later, the spotlight shifts to one of the most celebrated weekends in all of motorsports. The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series UNOH 250 presented by Ohio Logistics opens festivities Thursday, Aug. 12, followed Friday night by the always-popular Food City 300 and Nobody Trashes Tennessee Qualifying before the Bass Pro Shops Night Race roars to life under the lights on Saturday night.

Whether it’s the vibrant colors of spring or the electric atmosphere of a warm August night, Bristol Motor Speedway’s 2027 NASCAR season promises two unforgettable opportunities to experience the speed, passion and tradition that have made The World’s Fastest Half-Mile one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

“At Bristol, we don’t just host events—we welcome people into our community,” Caldwell said. “Whether it’s families returning for the Food City 500 each spring, race fans filling our campgrounds in August or visitors enjoying one of the many great events our region hosts throughout the year, every one of those weekends leaves an impact. This schedule gives our entire community the opportunity to make each of those moments even more special, and I think that’s something everyone can celebrate.”

Tickets for both NASCAR weekends will be available soon. Fans may visit BristolMotorSpeedway.com or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158 for ticket information.

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY’S 2027 NASCAR SEASON

Food City 500 Weekend

Friday, April 9
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Tennessee Army National Guard 250

Saturday, April 10
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300
Bush’s Beans Qualifying

Sunday, April 11
NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500

Bass Pro Shops Night Race Weekend

Thursday, Aug. 12
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series UNOH 250 presented by Ohio Logistics

Friday, Aug. 13
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Food City 300
Nobody Trashes Tennessee Qualifying

Saturday, Aug. 14
NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race

About Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, known as The Last Great Colosseum, sits in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line. The 0.533-mile concrete oval, with 28-degree banking, hosts two major NASCAR Cup Series weekends each year, the tradition-rich Food City 500 and the crown jewel Bass Pro Shops Night Race. The venue has staged iconic moments such as the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol football game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech (NCAA-record 156,990 fans), the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds (MLB regular-season record crowd of 91,032), the 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race, the rebirth of NASCAR Cup Series racing on dirt from 2021–2023 and sold-out concerts for Morgan Wallen and Kenny Chesney. Fans enjoy Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided screen video board. The adjacent Bristol Dragway is the home to the NHRA Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals, and the dragway can transform into the Thunder Valley Amphitheatre for music concerts. Opened in 1961 and acquired by Speedway Motorsports in 1996, Bristol remains one of America’s most unique and versatile sports and entertainment destinations. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.