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Mastering Online Teen Patti: Key Strategies Every Player Should Understand

Whether you are learning Teen Patti for the first time or trying to improve your existing approach, mastering a few essential principles can help you make more informed decisions during every round.

Understand the Strength of Each Hand

Before experimenting with advanced tactics, make sure you fully understand Teen Patti hand rankings. Knowing the difference between a strong hand, an average hand, and a weak hand helps you decide whether to bet, continue, or fold.

New players often remain in rounds for too long because they hope the situation will improve. However, skilled players understand that folding is not necessarily a failure. Leaving a weak round early can protect your chips and give you more opportunities in future hands.

Pay Attention to Betting Patterns

Unlike traditional card games played face-to-face, online Teen Patti does not allow you to study facial expressions or physical reactions. Instead, you must focus on how each player bets.

Important behaviors to observe include:

  • Regular or repeated bet sizes
  • Unexpected aggressive raises
  • Frequent blind betting
  • Long pauses before making a move
  • Sudden changes in playing style

These patterns may suggest that a player has a strong hand, feels uncertain, or is attempting to pressure others through bluffing. Avoid making assumptions based on one move alone. Look for repeated behavior across several rounds.

Use Blind Play Strategically

Playing blind can create uncertainty and make it harder for opponents to judge the strength of your cards. Blind players may also begin with smaller betting amounts, allowing them to participate without immediately risking a large portion of their chips.

However, relying on blind play too frequently can make your behavior predictable. A better approach is to alternate between blind and seen play. This variation prevents opponents from easily identifying your strategy.

Maintain Emotional Control

Both winning and losing streaks are normal in card games. Problems often begin when players allow emotions to influence their next decision.

A disciplined player should:

  • Establish a fixed playing budget
  • Take breaks after frustrating rounds
  • Avoid chasing previous losses
  • Remain calm after large wins
  • Stay patient when the game moves slowly

Trying to recover losses immediately often leads to larger and less calculated bets. Maintaining emotional control allows you to evaluate each hand independently.

Manage Your Bankroll Responsibly

Effective bankroll management is one of the most important parts of responsible Teen Patti play. It helps limit risk and ensures that a single difficult session does not consume your entire budget.

Choose tables with betting limits that suit your available bankroll. Avoid placing unusually large bets simply because you feel confident about one hand. It is also important to stop playing once you reach the spending or loss limit you established before the session.

Conclusion

Online Teen Patti is not only about receiving strong cards. It also rewards patience, observation, risk management, and disciplined decision-making. By understanding hand values, studying betting behavior, using blind play carefully, and controlling your bankroll, you can develop a more balanced and consistent playing strategy.

Continuous learning and responsible play are more valuable than relying on luck or making reckless bets.

NASCAR at EchoPark Speedway and Lime Rock Park Weekend Schedule

Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) are at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, GA this weekend. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 is on Saturday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET on the CW Network, and the Cup Series Quaker State 400 is on Sunday, July 12 at 7 p.m. ET on TNT, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT for the LiUNA 150 on Saturday, July 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FS1.

Cup Series Notes for EchoPark Speedway:

This is the 10th race at the track since the drafting-style reconfiguration prior to the 2022 races.

Joey Logano is the 2025 pole winner with a lap of 178.960 mph (30.979 secs.), and Chase Elliott was the race winner on June 30, 2025. Logano (2015, 2023, 2025) also leads all active drivers in poles with three, followed by Michael McDowell (2), Ryan Blaney (1), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1), and Denny Hamlin (1).

The top-five active drivers in starts are Denny Hamlin (32), Joey Logano (25), Brad Keselowski (23), Michael McDowell (21), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (19), and Austin Dillon (19).

Josh Berry leads all active drivers with an average starting position of 9.0 in six starts, followed by Kyle Larson (9.412), Ryan Blaney (10.5), Austin Cindric (12.1), and Joey Logano (13.08).

A total of 17 of the 124 NASCAR Cup Series races (13.7%) have been won from the pole or first starting position, making it the most proficient starting position in the field

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Notes for EchoPark Speedway:

This is the 41st NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race since the inaugural race in 1992 and the 10th race at Atlanta since the track reconfiguration in 2022.

There are four previous Atlanta winners in the field: Austin Hill (5), Sheldon Creed (1), Nick Sanchez (1), Justin Allgaier (1 – but prior to the 2022 reconfiguration). But the last two races were won by first-time winners (Nick Sanchez 06/2025 & Sheldon Creed 02/2026).

Justin Allgaier clinched a Chase spot at Pocono (415-point lead to the cutoff), and his lead over second is 195 points, greater than the gap from second to 12th.

Jesse Love can clinch with 43 points, Corey Day can clinch with 67 points, Sheldon Creed can clinch with 68 points, and
Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, and Carson Kvapil can only clinch with help.

The Weekend Schedule for EchoPark Speedway and Lime Rock Park:

FRIDAY, JULY 10 (Lime Rock Park)

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: ARCA Practice
2:15 PM – 2:35 PM: ARCA Qualifying (IMPOUND) (Timed – 20 minutes)
3:40 PM AMS: Driver Introductions
4:00 PM AMS: ARCA 100 Race (68 Laps, 100.5 Miles)

SATURDAY, JULY 11

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Practice (LiUNA 150 – Lime Rock Park)
10:05 AM – 11:00 AM: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Practice Qualifying (Lime Rock Park – IMPOUND)
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying (IMPOUND)
12:40 PM: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Driver Introductions
1:00 PM: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series LiUNA 150 Race at Lime Rock Park (Stages 30/60/100 Laps = 147.8 Miles)
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying (IMPOUND)
6:35 PM: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver Introductions
7:00 PM: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race (Stages 45/90/163 Laps = 251.02 Miles)

SUNDAY, JULY 12

6:30 PM: NASCAR Cup Series Driver Introductions
7:00 PM: NASCAR Cup Series Race (Stages 60/160/260 Laps = 400.4 Miles)

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Atlanta

NEXT RACE
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Sunday, July 12
1.54-Mile Quad-Oval
7 p.m. ET
Location: Hampton, Georgia
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (Race 20 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 33 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Race: 34th (Chicagoland)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 6th

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

  • Kyle Larson has led at least one lap in each of the last seven NASCAR Cup Series races, marking his second-longest such streak. His longest was a string of 15 races, spanning the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
  • The 33-year-old is just five laps led away from surpassing 11,000 for his career. He would become one of only 20 drivers in history to reach that milestone.
  • With eight top-five finishes this season, Larson ranks third, just two behind the series leaders with 10.
  • As the circuit shifts back to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend, Larson has recorded four top-five finishes on drafting tracks during his Cup Series career, with three coming in the last 10 races.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 30 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last Race: 11th (Chicagoland)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 5th

No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts/CHOA Chevrolet

  • Chase Elliott heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend as the defending winner of the summer NASCAR Cup Series race at his home track. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native led 41 laps en route to victory last June. Atlanta is one of eight tracks where Elliott has multiple Cup wins. His first victory there came in July 2022.
  • The 30-year-old has the best average finish (9.38), the second-best average running position (10.96) and has led the fourth-most laps (177) on Atlanta’s current configuration.
  • Elliott is tied for the second-most wins (three) and has led the fifth-most laps (270) on drafting tracks in the Next Gen era. This season on drafting tracks, Elliott has the third-best average finish (6.3), has earned the third-most points (116) and is tied for the third-most stage points (24).
  • In the last seven drafting-track races, the 2020 Cup Series champion leads the series with four top-five finishes. His five top 10s are tied for the most.
  • This weekend marks the return of the Chase Elliott Foundation’s Desi9n to Drive program in conjunction with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and NAPA Auto Parts. Elliott’s baseball-themed paint scheme and uniform for the Atlanta race features designs by two CHOA patients. Fans can support the cause by entering an online sweepstakes with a grand prize of a VIP fly-away trip for two to a NASCAR Cup Series race to meet Elliott. For more information, visit www.desi9ntodrive.org.
  • In the third round of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge, No. 4 Elliott will go up against 12th-seeded Chase Briscoe. Elliott has finished ahead of Briscoe seven times at Atlanta since its reconfiguration.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 28 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Race: 4th (Chicagoland)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 12th

No. 24 HP Chevrolet

  • In the NASCAR Cup Series’ return to Chicagoland Speedway, Byron qualified 10th but propelled himself to the front early on, leading 94 laps and winning both stage one and stage two. He also ran 213 of 267 laps in the top five. With a long green-flag run to the end, Byron crossed the finish line in fourth.
  • In 43 starts on drafting tracks, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native, has five wins (two at Atlanta Motor Speedway and three at Daytona International Speedway). Four of those came in the Next Gen era, most by any driver. That’s also tied with Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson for second most by a Hendrick Motorsports driver behind vice chairman Jeff Gordon (12). His two Atlanta wins are tied for the third most in the organization’s history.
  • In nine races at the reconfigured Atlanta (since 2022), the 28-year-old driver has led the third-most laps (179), has the fourth-best average running position (12.8), and has two wins, tied for the most.
  • Advancing on to the next round of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge, No. 11 Byron finds himself up against third-seeded Ryan Blaney. With three races in 2026 on drafting tracks, Byron has bettered Blaney twice.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 33 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Race: 5th (Chicagoland)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 29th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet

  • Last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, Alex Bowman finished fifth, earning his third top-five finish of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Two of his four top-10 finishes of the year have come in the last two races.
  • Bowman has finished runner-up at a drafting track twice, finishing second to teammates in both instances (William Byron, 2024 DAYTONA 500 and Chase Elliott, 2019 Talladega Superspeedway). Those races account for his best finish on this style track. Since the start of 2025, Bowman is tied for third-most top-10 finishes (four) on drafting tracks.
  • In nine starts on the new configuration of Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bowman has earned two top fives and three top 10s with a best finish of third.
  • Bowman advanced into the third round of the NASCAR In-Season Bracket Challenge after finishing ahead of Austin Cindric at Chicagoland. This weekend at Atlanta, the 33-year-old will go head-to-head with No. 25 Todd Gilliand. Bowman, the tournament’s 32nd seed, has finished better than Gilliand in 17 races on drafting tracks since 2022.

17 COREY DAY
Age: 20 (November 28, 2005)
Hometown: Clovis, California
Last Race: 19th (Chicagoland)
Crew Chief: Adam Wall
Standings: 3rd

  • Through his three career NASCAR O’Reilly Series starts on drafting tracks, Corey Day has compiled an average finish of 10.7, his best at any track type.
  • The 20-year-old’s most recent start on a drafting track came in April at Talladega Superspeedway, where he earned his first NOAPS victory.
  • The Clovis, California, native returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway for his second NOAPS start on the 1.54-mile quad-oval. In his series debut at the venue in February, Day qualified ninth and earned a fourth-place finish.
  • At Atlanta, the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy has recorded five top-five finishes, six top 10s and 275 laps led.

Hendrick Motorsports

2026All-TimeAtlanta
Races191,43675
Wins2322*18*
Poles0259*5
Top 5201,342*69*
Top 10322,292*108*
Laps Led1,04486,411*3,822*
Stage Wins91466

*Most
**Tied for most

  • The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend for the second time in 2026. The organization is the all-time leader at the venue in wins (18), top fives (69), top 10s (108) and laps led (3,822).
  • Currently, Hendrick Motorsports is riding a streak of five straight races with at least one car in the top five, the longest active streak in the series.
  • The Hendrick Motorsports engine department enters the weekend with 574 victories across all three national NASCAR touring series, including 15 of 20 events in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series this season.
  • Hendrick Motorsports remains the Cup Series’ all-time standard bearer in wins (322), poles (259), top-five finishes (1,342), top 10s (2,292), laps led (86,411) and championships (15).

QUOTABLE

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on returning to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the second time in 2026: “It’s always beneficial to return to a track for a second race in the same season because you can build on what you learned the first time around, especially having the new Chevy body. We’re optimistic about the speed we showed as an organization there in the spring and it would be good to win on a drafting-style track.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on Desi9n to Drive returning this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway: “A lot of good, positive energy with the program again this year. And, obviously, last year going as well as it did, it’s kind of hard to top that. So, we’ll try our best to run it back.

“From my perspective, it seems like more and more people are learning about it. It just continues to make it more fun for me, right? It’s easier to talk about and as you bring awareness to everything that we’ve done with CHOA (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta) and then obviously the NAPA partnership and what they’ve meant to the program itself, too. Super proud of the whole effort and I hope that as time goes, we can keep growing it and just keep making it better.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on a strong run at Chicagoland Speedway and what lies ahead at Atlanta: “While it was frustrating not to win, last weekend was definitely back on pace to where we should be. There’s still a little bit more left to gain though. Thankfully Atlanta (Motor Speedway) is the first track we’re returning to this year where we already have some notes with the new Chevy body so that’s also a plus. We’ve always run well at Atlanta, it’s just about surviving and being in a good place at the end.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on Atlanta Motor Speedway: “Not crashing is probably top of the list for Atlanta; we had a tough day there in the spring. I feel like you have to pay a speedway [drafting track] tax; to get good finishes, you have to have bad finishes. We had two bad finishes to start the season, and then we finished third at Talladega [Superspeedway], so they still owe us a good finish. We’ve been getting things pointed in the right direction over the last two weeks and we’re ready to continue that this weekend.”

Corey Day, driver of the No. 17 Chevrolet, on returning to Atlanta Motor Speedway: “We had a strong run at Atlanta earlier this year, so I’m excited to get back there. It’s nice getting to some of these tracks for a second time because I know what to expect. I can spend less time figuring the place out and more time focusing on racing. I have a better feel for where I can push the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet, and I think that’ll help our team this weekend.”

North Wilkesboro Speedway Delivers One-of-a-Kind NASCAR Experience for Fans

North Wilkesboro Speedway blends NASCAR's rich history with modern entertainment as fans prepare for the inaugural Window World 450 weekend. (HHP photo)
  • NASCAR Cup Series drivers explain why North Wilkesboro Speedway delivers one of the most authentic NASCAR experiences for lifelong fans and first-time visitors alike
  • Three-day Window World 450 weekend features NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and zMAX CARS Tour action, live music, Fan Zone entertainment and camping July 17-19
  • Tickets, parking and camping for the Window World 450 weekend are available at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (July 9, 2026) – For generations, North Wilkesboro Speedway has represented the heart of NASCAR. This summer, as the NASCAR Cup Series returns for the inaugural Window World 450—the first points-paying Cup Series race at the legendary short track in nearly three decades—the historic venue once again becomes the place where NASCAR’s past and present come together.

While longtime fans appreciate the speedway’s rich history, today’s drivers say North Wilkesboro offers something just as valuable for newcomers: an authentic NASCAR experience unlike any other. From the Sunday-night short-track atmosphere and passionate fanbase to three days of live entertainment and camping, the Window World 450 weekend captures everything that has made NASCAR a tradition for generations.

Here’s what NASCAR Cup Series drivers had to say about why North Wilkesboro remains one of the sport’s most special destinations:

THE HEART OF NASCAR

Chris Buescher, No. 17, RFK Racing

“It’s that hometown feel, right? That Saturday night short track vibe around it that says there’s going to be action on track the entire time. It’s in the heart of race country for so many of our fans that are within that radius of 6 or 7 racetracks. It’s just a fantastic place. Great racing, great history. The fans around there, the atmosphere, it’s exciting. There’s a lot of buzz that’s gone into that race ever since it’s been revived. It just makes it a very unique experience up there.”

Josh Berry, No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing

“I feel like for me, old school NASCAR, I just think of the 90s and the battles with Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace, and North Wilkesboro fits right in with that style of racing. The track just carries so much history with how many races have been there, and to see it go through the transformation of coming back to NASCAR and as nice as it is now, it’s just a really cool mix of both.”

Cole Custer, No. 41, Haas Factory Team

“You think about all the guys who really made our sport, made NASCAR. That’s literally what North Wilkesboro is. Being up in the mountains there and in North Carolina, that’s where our sport was born. So, I think there’s so much history there that really just speaks to where we came from.”

A SATURDAY NIGHT SHORT TRACK ATMOSPHERE

Alex Bowman, No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports

“I think Wilkesboro and just the vibe is there for the old school side of things. Our sport has changed so much from what I would consider old school NASCAR that the on-track stuff is going to look different, but the vibes are definitely there at Wilkesboro.”

Ryan Blaney, No. 12, Team Penske

“I just think of old school NASCAR as who did I like growing up from decades ago. The most original tracks that we go to like that is old school to me, where just your roots and stuff like that and people you admired or tracks that you loved and things that previous generations of your family enjoyed, that is what comes to mind when I think of old school, and Wilkesboro fits into that. They’ve done a good job of updating the facility, because it needed it, but they also didn’t lose the feel of what it used to be in the 90s. So they did a good job of blending it.”

Cody Ware, No. 51, Rick Ware Racing

“I think it’s given back to a lot of the old school fans that have been around since day one or since the beginning. I’ve driven by North Wilkesboro all the time. I grew up in Greensboro, so I make the drive to Boone all the time and see North Wilkesboro up on the right-hand side of the 421 highway. It’s really cool just to see how unchanged it is, kind of like taking a time machine back in time to experience what NASCAR was back in the 70s, 80s. To be able to do that, I think, is really cool, and again, to not only introduce some of the newer fan base to what NASCAR used to be like, but also kind of throwing back and celebrating for the people that do remember that stuff, and kind of going back to that era.”

A WEEKEND WORTH THE TRIP

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47, Hyak Motorsports

“North Wilkesboro, I think the history, and not being a points race in 30 years is something that you want to attend. Since we’ve been going back to North Wilkesboro, I look at everybody there is just enjoying the history of the racetrack and all the improvements that they’ve made throughout the facilities, around the campgrounds. It’s a great place for people to camp and just enjoy the history of the sport.”

Ryan Preece, No. 66, RFK Racing

“I like to tell this story. I’m from Connecticut, wasn’t born here in North Carolina, so North Wilkesboro, when they were bringing it back, I was like, ‘oh, that’s great’, until I actually was part of the first race back and that was when I realized how much that county, that that town is behind the racetrack and how much they’ve been missing it. So for me like I’ve spoke about, a lot of race car drivers thrive off energy of the fans, and to see that entire place packed with fans that just want to see racing and love that old school vibe of racers that are going to beat and bang or really just, give it all they have, that’s important and that’s what North Wilkesboro has.”

TICKETS:
Window World 450 tickets, camping and race-day upgrades – including Pre-Race Track Passes – can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com. Fans can also purchase tickets directly at Wilkes County IGA Fairvalue Marketplace or Raymer Oil locations with no online taxes or fees.

MORE INFO:

Race fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding the July 17-19 race weekend by following on X and Instagram or by becoming a Facebook fan.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: ATLANTA RACE PREVIEW

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
ATLANTA PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Atlanta 400
DATE: July 12, 2026
Race: NASCAR Cup Series 20 of 36
TRACK: Atlanta Motor Speedway | 1.54-Mile Oval

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT ATLANTA: John Hunter Nemechek has six NASCAR Cup Series starts at Atlanta, with his highest finish at the track of 10th coming in February 2025. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Nemechek has made five starts where he earned two top-fives and three top-10s with a victory in July 2023. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he has six starts, where he found victory lane in February 2016 and scored two third-place finishes in March 2021 and March 2023.

DOMINANT IN ATL: John Hunter Nemechek has found success at Atlanta Motor Speedway across multiple NASCAR national series. He took home the checkered flag in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race in July 2023, leading three laps en route to a 0.245 second margin of victory over Daniel Hemric. Nemechek also visited victory lane in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Atlanta in February 2016, leading eight laps before besting Cameron Hayley by 0.305 seconds.

T-MACK AT ATLANTA: Sunday’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s 12th NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta. His best finish of second came in July 2023 when his driver Daniel Suarez finished just behind William Byron under caution. He has an additional three top-10s in the Cup Series at Atlanta with his most recent being a 10th-place finish in February 2025 with Nemechek. He has an additional two starts as crew chief at Atlanta in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Michael Annett, finishing 12th and 11th respectively in February 2019 and June 2020.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“This is one that I feel like we’ve had circled on our calendars. It’s a mile-and-a-half that races like a superspeedway. Can you ask for anything else? I’m really excited to get on track this weekend and see what we can do in our No. 42 Pye-Barker Fire & Safety Toyota Camry XSE.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“Atlanta is going to be good. John Hunter has had success there in the past, and we’ve shown speed at this style of track. If we can execute and avoid mistakes, I feel like we’ll be up front and have a really solid day. ”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES AT ATLANTA: Sunday’s race at Atlanta marks Erik Jones’ 16th NASCAR Cup Series race at the 1.54-mile track where he owns two top-fives and four top-10s. His best finish of fourth came in July 2022 after the track’s reconfiguration. In the series’ visit to the track last June, Jones earned an impressive fifth-place result after starting 26th. He owns three additional starts at Atlanta outside of the NASCAR Cup Series – two in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His best O’Reilly Auto Parts Series finish of third came in February 2016 after starting second. In his one and only Truck Series start in February 2015, he ended up with a seventh-place finish after starting second and leading 37 laps.

ALEXANDER AT ATLANTA: Crew chief Justin Alexander owns 10 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Atlanta in his successful career. On the newly reconfigured 1.54-mile track, he has been on top of the box for three Cup Series races – both 2022 races and September 2024. He earned a best finish of sixth at Atlanta in March 2021 with Austin Dillon after the duo started 13th. Alexander has one start at Atlanta in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series from February 2017 with Austin Dillon where the duo finished eighth.

ERIK JONES QUOTE:
“I’m excited for Atlanta. Another oval where we’ve run well at in the past. Obviously, it’s kind of become a wild card race where it’s not exactly a superspeedway, but also not an intermediate. It’ll be interesting to see how the track is aging and how these cars will run there this time around. We’re back in the Chase after Chicagoland and with this next stretch of races, the goal is to protect that spot and continue to move up with some strong runs. This could be another shot for us to win, for sure, but it’s also just a great opportunity to have a strong run. We’ll hopefully be there when it matters at the end.”

JUSTIN ALEXANDER QUOTE:
“Atlanta in the summer is always an entertaining race. It will be a hot, slick track and although we will pack racing like Daytona, car handling will be super important. The car setups we took to this track in February won’t work in July. Erik has had some good runs there, and we plan to continue that this weekend. We have moved our way up into Chase contention in the points, and this weekend we will be trying to maximize our points and continue to build a gap to the cutoff line. Our plan is to go execute all night and put ourselves in position at the end to win.”

CLUB MINUTES:
JJ WINS AT ATLANTA: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson owns 29 career Cup Series starts on the old configuration of the track during his career from 2001 to 2020. He was successful in finding victory lane five times at Atlanta (October 2004, March 2007, October 2007, March 2015, and February 2016). He led 586 laps in his career and earned 14 top-fives and 17 top-10s.

KENSETH AT ATLANTA: 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB competition advisor Matt Kenseth also has a solid record at Atlanta on the old configuration. In 30 Cup Series starts, he earned 11 top-fives, 17 top-10s and led 363 laps. His best finish of second came in August 2014 when he finished just .574 seconds behind race winner Kasey Kahne.

“THE KING” VICTORIOUS AT ATLANTA: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Ambassador and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Richard Petty is a six-time winner at Atlanta in his career. In 65 total Cup Series starts, Petty has scored 22 top-fives, 33 top-10s, and led 1,827 laps at the old 1.5-mile oval. His victories at the track came in August 1966, August 1970, August 1971, July 1974, March 1975, and March 1977.

THE KING’S FINAL LAP: On Nov. 15, 1992, Richard Petty famously completed his final NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It marked the end of his career and the beginning of Jeff Gordon’s who made his Cup Series debut in the same race. The race drew a record 160,000 spectators to celebrate Petty’s historic career in the sport.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT:

CLUB APPEARANCES:
Nemechek will visit the Dollar Tree display in the fan zone on Saturday, July 11 at 2 p.m. local time, followed by a trip to the trackside merchandise hauler at 2:30 p.m. local time for an autograph session.

Erik Jones will make a pit stop at the Dollar Tree display in the fan zone on Sunday, July 12 at 2:45 p.m. local time to sign autographs for fans.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Atlanta 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 12 at 7 p.m. EDT on TNT Sports, MAX, PRN, 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.

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

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race Overview-
Atlanta Motor Speedway; July 9, 2026

Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway
Race: Focused Health 250
Date/Broadcast: Saturday; July 11, 2026 7:00 P.M. ET
TV: CW Network
Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) – Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, and X

Racing in the Peach State – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Ready to Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Hampton, GA. (July 9, 2026) – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport returns to Hampton, Georgia for the second time in 2026 to race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The mile and a half superspeedway features a worn out surface and tight corners, which will make handling and aerodynamics essential for maintaining the draft and retaining track position.

The team will field three Chevrolets this weekend: Jeb Burton in the No. 27 AJ Transport Chevrolet, Blaine Perkins in the No. 31 Werner Enterprises Chevrolet, and Jordan Anderson in the No. 32 EasyCare Chevrolet.

Superspeedways have proved fruitful for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport in the past, with the team securing one win, eight top five finishes, and 20 top-10 finishes in its six full time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series seasons.

Jeb Burton returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway set to make his second start at the track in 2026. The Halifax, Virginia native has seven top five finishes, 10 top-10 finishes, and two wins on superspeedways in his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series career. He looks to claim a third victory when the field takes the green flag on Saturday night.

“I’m very excited to head to Atlanta this week, a place where where we have always run really good, so hopefully we can have a solid showing.” said Burton. “We have got AJ Transport back on the car, and we’re looking forward to this weekend. Hopefully we can have a good run, because last time I was running fifth with two laps to go and had a tire go down. Hopefully we can go there and have a good shot once again.”

Blaine Perkins arrives in Hampton, Georgia with high hopes as three of his six top-10 finishes in the series have come on superspeedway tracks. The driver from Bakersfield, CA will have longtime partner, Werner Enterprises, back on his Chevrolet for the tenth time in 2026, and will be striving to deliver a strong performance.

“I’m excited to get to Atlanta this week. I have Werner back on the car. I know it’s a really big race for them, and I feel like we’ve had a lot of speed at Atlanta the past few times, (with) just no luck, so we’re looking for that to turn around. Hopefully we can put a full race together and have a good finish.”

Jordan Anderson returns to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) set to make his second start of the 2026 season this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The team co-owner has a solid record on superspeedway style tracks with five top five finishes in his NOAPS career, and hopes he can add a sixth to his resume.

“Really looking forward to Atlanta this weekend.” said Anderson. “When you don’t get to race full time it’s always a challenge to make the most of every start and opportunity. After our top five finish at Daytona earlier this year and Ross almost winning the spring race there, the expectations are high. It’s going to be a bit of a fight with no practice and going straight to qualifying, so the first stage will be spent getting back adjusted to being behind the wheel. Our entire organization has been working extremely hard these past couple of weeks, so I feel like our balance will be very good there with this style of track. Grateful to EasyCare for their continued support of this journey as 2026 marks our sixth year of partnership. It takes a village and every single partner and team member of ours make it happen every week!”
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.

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

DEECELL AFTER DARK LOW QUALIFIER BONUS SET FOR CAN’T-MISS NIGHT SESSION IN SONOMA

SONOMA, Calif. (July 9, 2026) – Regarded as one of the most spectacular night sessions on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour, the can’t-miss night session on Friday, July 17 at Sonoma Raceway will have added incentive with the Deecell Power Systems “After Dark Low Qualifier” bonus.

The bonus money will go to the low qualifiers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock as part of the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge, enhancing an already epic weekend.

Pro Stock opens the Deecell “After Dark Low Qualifier” festivities Friday at 6:55 p.m. PT, with the 12,000-horsepower, 340-mph nitro categories set to put on a show under the lights at 8:10 p.m. The top qualifier of that session will earn bonus money in each class, with the low qualifier in Top Fuel and Funny Car earning $4,000 each. The Pro Stock low qualifier will get $2,500, while the best Pro Stock Motorcycle run during a final test pass in preparation for Saturday’s GETTRX All-Star Callout will get $1,500.

Combined, it creates an enticing element to what is always an ultimate throwdown session and an incredible atmosphere in Sonoma.

A year ago, Brittany Force dazzled the huge crowd with a record speed run at the time, going 3.645-seconds at 343.16 mph. With a festive scene and an electric atmosphere on hand – as well as the added bonus – there could be something special in the works for Friday in Sonoma.

“One of the best parts of last season was seeing how much excitement the After Dark Low Qualifier bonus created on Friday night in Seattle. The response from the racers and fans made bringing it to Sonoma an easy decision. Sonoma is one of the premier stops on the NHRA tour and Friday night under the lights is always one of the highlights of the weekend. It’s pretty exciting to know we play a small part in adding to the overall experience for fans and giving the racers one more thing to compete for,” said Andrew Moeck, founder of Deecell Power Systems.

The DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge will also feature a full weekend of action in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock – as well as the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout. Following Friday, fans get to see two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, along with the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and eliminations on Sunday.

It is the 11th of 20 events during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, as the weekend will also feature the following highlights:

  • An appearance from legendary NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car world champion Gary Scelzi. Scelzi is one of only three drivers in NHRA history to claim world titles in both Top Fuel (1997, 1998, 2000) and Funny Car (2005). NHRA will honor Scelzi’s accomplishments at his home track in Sonoma.
  • Brittany Force appears on the special commemorative ticket for the event following her incredible 343.16-mph run from a season ago.
  • A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and more.

The 2025 DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge featured wins by Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car) and Greg Stanfield (Pro Stock). This year’s race will once again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19.

Reigning Top Fuel world champion Kalitta is the winningest driver in class history at Sonoma Raceway with six wins. His teammate Shawn Langdon has dominated this season and currently leads the points. Others to watch will be four-time champ Antron Brown, Leah Pruett, Tony Stewart, Josh Hart and Norwalk winner Maddi Gordon.

Two-time reigning Funny Car champion Austin Prock won for the first time in Sonoma last season, defeating 2025 Rookie of the Year Spencer Hyde. Prock currently has one win on the season from Maryland while three-time world champ Ron Capps leads the points, with three wins so far in 2026.

Last year’s Pro Stock final was a family affair, as Greg Stanfield defeated his son, Aaron, in the final round. A. Stanfield has two wins on the year in 2026, while reigning world champion Dallas Glenn currently leads the points with his KB Titan Racing teammate and six-time world champion Greg Anderson in second.

The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the popular Top the Cops exhibition race.

Sonoma race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and the SealMaster Track Walk. After racing finishes on Sunday, fans are invited to congratulate and celebrate with event winners. Fans always get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet and can visit Manufacturers Midway, featuring displays, merchandise, food and fun.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:55 and 6:55 p.m. PT on Friday, July 17, and the final two rounds on Saturday, July 18 at 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, July 19.

The first round of the GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout takes place at 11:15 a.m. PT on Saturday, with the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. and the finals at 3:40 p.m. Television coverage of the Callout begins at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday on FS1.

Television coverage of the event includes the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FS1. Elimination coverage begins at 10 p.m. ET on FS1 on Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals, fans can visit www.sonomaraceway.com or call 800-870-7223. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.


About Deecell Power Systems

Deecell Power Systems was founded by NHRA drag racer Andrew Moeck after years of relying on noisy, fuel-hungry generators at the track and on the road. Drawing from firsthand racing experience, Deecell developed its Solar Power Units (SPUs) to provide reliable, continuous 120V always-on AC power while reducing generator run time, fuel consumption, noise, and emissions.

Today, Deecell systems power race haulers, sleeper cabs, fleet trucks, liftgates, and mobile operations across North America, helping customers keep critical equipment running without relying solely on engine idle or generators. Learn more at www.deecell.com.

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

BOBCAT TAKES THE GREEN FLAG AS A PRESENTING SPONSOR OF THE NU WAY 225 SAUCED BY BLUES HOG NASCAR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SERIES RACE

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase race on Sept. 12 will be the Nu Way 225 Powered by Bobcat and Sauced by Blues Hog.

MADISON, Ill. (July 9, 2026) – World Wide Technology Raceway today announced

Bobcat of St. Louis, part of the Gateway Dealer Network (GDN), will serve as a presenting sponsor of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Sept. 12 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

The race will be known as the Nu Way 225 Powered by Bobcat and Sauced by Blues Hog.

Bobcat of St. Louis operates three Bobcat dealership locations serving the greater St. Louis region plus dozens more serving equipment operators across the United States and is proud to support an event that brings together customers, contractors and racing fans from across the Midwest.

The nationally televised event will feature 180 laps and 225 miles of NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase racing, bringing together some of the sport’s top drivers and thousands of passionate fans for one of the region’s premier motorsports weekends.

For GDN and Bobcat of St. Louis, this event is about creating memorable experiences for customers and celebrating the people who build, maintain and power America’s communities.

“NASCAR fans share many of the same values that define the Bobcat brand – hard work, performance, reliability and pride in getting the job done right,” said John Hopper, president of Gateway Dealer Network.

“We’re excited to host customers, spend time with them away from the jobsite and be part of an event that showcases the excitement, performance and competitive spirit that both NASCAR and Bobcat represent.”

Attendees will have opportunities to enjoy the race, connect with Bobcat representatives, and participate in special race-weekend activities.

Bobcat equipment will also be on display at the event – giving fans a chance to get an up-close look at the machines that help contractors, landscapers, municipalities and agricultural producers tackle tough jobs every day.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming customers from throughout the region and sharing an unforgettable race day with them,” said Chad Cox, GDN’s Missouri Region Sales Manager. “Relationships are at the heart of our business. This event allows us to thank our customers for their trust and introduce new customers to the Bobcat family in a fun and exciting environment.”

The Nu Way 225 Powered by Bobcat and Sauced by Blues Hog sponsorship is supported through a collaborative effort between Gateway Dealer Network and Bobcat Company. It reflects a shared commitment to supporting the contractors, operators and business owners who rely on Bobcat equipment every day.

“As part of our commitment to our region, we continue to build strong partnerships with local leaders to bring new events to World Wide Technology Raceway and further establish the facility as a national destination for fans,” said Declan O’Neill, World Wide Technology Raceway vice president of business development. “Gateway Dealer Network’s Bobcat of St. Louis and Bobcat are well-known names throughout the region, and we’re thrilled to welcome them as partners.”

Race weekend activities will take place throughout the three-day event at World Wide Technology Raceway, featuring the Nu Way 225 Powered by Bobcat and Sauced by Blues Hog on Saturday evening. The race will be broadcast nationally, extending the visibility of the Bobcat brand to NASCAR fans across the country.

“At GDN, we’re passionate about helping our customers succeed,” Hopper said. “Whether it’s on a construction site, on a farm, or at the racetrack, this event is about celebrating the people who keep America moving. We can’t wait to see the green flag drop.”

To purchase tickets to the NASCAR weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway, visit wwtraceway.com or call the ticket office at (618) 215-8888 ext. 1.

About Gateway Dealer Network LLC

Gateway Dealer Network (GDN) is an authorized Bobcat dealer group serving customers across the United States through a network of locally operated branches. GDN provides equipment sales, rentals, parts and service to support customers in construction, landscaping, agriculture, grounds maintenance and related industries. The company is committed to helping customers maximize productivity with industry-leading equipment and responsive local support.

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.

Corey Heim characterizes “up and down” 2026 season ahead of 2027

Photo by Patrick Sue-Chan for SpeedwayMedia.com.

With the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season halfway complete, Corey Heim is also halfway complete towards his select starts in NASCAR’s premier series this season. It comes as he is seven months away from returning to the series as a full-time competitor for 23XI Racing, a team that has been competitive and is primed for a championship run since this year’s start.

Flashback to February, Heim, the reigning Craftsman Truck Series champion and a development competitor for 23XI Racing from Marietta, Georgia, was revealed to compete in 12 of 36 Cup events this season. Prior to this season, he had made four Cup starts with 23XI in 2025 and a trio of starts between 23XI and Legacy Motor Club in 2024. His best on-track results between the latter two years were a sixth-place run at Bristol Motor Speedway, a 0.533-mile short track circuit, in September 2025.

Despite not having a full-time ride within NASCAR’s top-three national touring series secured for this season, Heim’s 2026 Cup starts featured a mix of prestigious crown-jewel events, including this year’s 68th running of the Daytona 500, and 1.5-mile circuits, as all indications signified a futuristic promotion to compete as a full-time Cup competitor began to brew bigger than before.

Through seven of his 12 Cup starts this season, Heim, who is piloting the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE entry and has veteran Bootie Barker calling the shots as a crew chief, has endured an up-and-down battle on the track while competing against NASCAR’s elite in the sport’s premier series. His current average-starting result is 24.9, and his average-finishing result is 18.3, the latter of which is due to finishing outside the top-20 mark a trio of times.

Amid the challenges, Heim achieved breakthrough moments, including leading 8 laps while contending up front in the latter stages of the Daytona 500 and leading 69 laps at Texas Motor Speedway. Perhaps the Georgian’s biggest feat was scoring his first Cup career victory during the series’ inaugural event at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado after outdueling teammate Tyler Reddick in the closing laps. Against the odds, even one that Heim himself did not foresee, the San Diego victory exceeded the expectations 23XI Racing co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin placed on Heim as the latter continues to learn, grow, and develop with each experience he gains in Cup Series competition.

“Prior to [the win at San Diego], I think [this year]’s been pretty up and down,” Heim said. “I had a couple of good runs along the way and had some potential to run well. I was pretty down on myself after [Nashville Superspeedway] and wanted to rebound at San Diego to prove that we are able to run upfront, in the top 10 and whatnot. Obviously, I hit the one out of the park with the win there. It’s just so hard to compare the road courses to intermediates, so…I need to do some work on those. Good year so far for us, but I definitely want a little bit more out of myself for the 1.5-miles.”

This past weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, which is another 1.5-mile circuit, Heim accomplished another feat at a track he had never competed at in prior years by achieving a strong ninth-place result, where he finished a single spot ahead of teammate Riley Herbst, whom Heim is replacing at 23XI in 2027, and three spots behind another teammate, Bubba Wallace. Heim’s ninth-place result marks his second top-10 result through seven Cup starts and his third overall in the series.

Heim’s next Cup start for this season is the 2.5-mile oval circuit of Indianapolis Motor Speedway for his first campaign in the crown-jewel Brickyard 400 on July 26. His remaining Cup starts include the 2026 Cup regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, the crown-jewel Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6 during Labor Day weekend, the Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 11, and the season-finale event at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8.

As Heim strives to continue to utilize and build on the notes garnered through his select Cup starts for the rest of his starts this season, he also has his sights on 2027 as he prepares for his first full-time campaign in the Cup Series in 2027, with the announcement of his promotion occurring at Nashville Superspeedway in mid-May. Amid the challenges of embracing the role of being a full-time Cup competitor for the first time ever, Heim embraces it as he strives to improve his racing craft to be competitive for next season and the years ahead.

“It’s gonna be a grind, but being able to be in the [Cup] seat on a weekly basis is a big advantage,” Heim said. “Just getting that muscle memory better and better on a weekly basis. Kind of better than being out of the car a couple of weeks at a time and trying to improve off of that, for sure.”

Tune in for Corey Heim’s next NASCAR Cup Series scheduled start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400 on July 26. The event’s broadcast is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET on TNT Sports, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, SiriusXM, and HBO MAX.

Jacob Denney Claims USAC National Midget Feature at Mitchell County Fairgrounds Raceway

Photo Courtesy of Ray Hague Photo

The USAC National Midgets returned to Mitchell County Fairgrounds Raceway on a hot Wednesday night for the 15th annual Chad McDaniel Memorial, featuring a thrilling 30-lap feature among 24 cars.

Jacob Denney, who last won earlier this year in the National Midget Series Championship in the second race at Kokomo Speedway, was seeking another in-season victory. He put on a trio of good consecutive finishes from Paragon Speedway through Bloomington Speedway. However, Denney had a great car in Beloit, Kansas, and won after starting from the third position and maintaining his composure amid numerous late-race yellows.

“I didn’t feel very good anywhere,” Denney said to Flo Racing on the frontstretch. “I started to do some different stuff, and I could make more speed down the straightaways. I felt good everywhere, but just not how I felt to run away (with the lead). I kept changing some stuff up and changing my restarts up. Just keep telling yourself to shut up under caution because you start getting in your head. Just want to thank my team. They have been busting their tails, and I’ve been complaining a lot, and I haven’t been the best, and we had some bad luck.

“They stuck to it, and they give me a great car every night. I just can’t thank them guys enough as well as my sponsors and everyone who makes this possible.”

Entering the event, there were 30 cars for 24 spots with four heat races, including a semi-feature. The heat races took the top five, while the semi-feature saw four cars transferring to the feature.

Prior to the heat races, there was a two-lap qualifying portion. One incident to note: Caiden Warren flipped up and over in the middle of Turns 1 and 2. As qualifying concluded, last year’s event winner, Drake Edwards set the fastest lap. This is the second time this week he did so after setting the pace Tuesday night in Missouri at the Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex. His lap time was 12.238 seconds.

In the first heat race, Kale Drake moved up four positions and took the heat win after using the bottom lane. After the eight-lap heat race was done, it was Drake who held on to get the victory. A fierce battle for the last transfer spot took place between Adam Trimble and Drew Sherman. However, it was Trimble who got the better advantage. Moving on were Drake, Bradley Cox, Jakeb Boxell, Edwards, and Trimble, the top five.

Ethan Mitchell started outside pole in the second heat and used the momentum to his advantage by taking the high side. Mitchell was greeted by a short battle with Mak Leopard in the waning laps, but Mitchell went on to take the win. The remaining transfer spots were Leopard, Cannon McIntosh, Kyle Jones, and Kevin Thomas Jr.

Justin Grant won the third heat race after starting in the third position on the inside lane right behind Trey Zorn, who started on the pole. Grant went straight to the top once the green flag waved and then made it three wide in Turns 3 and 4 between Zorn and Gaige Weldon. Taking the top five were Grant, Hayden Reinbold, Cale Coons, Brecken Reese, and Zorn.

For the fourth and final heat race, Gavin Miller made up four starts after starting fourth. Miller made the pass off the exit of Turns 1 and 2 using his momentum to help him win the heat. As the eight-lap heat was done, Miller, Denney, Garrett Benson, Sherrell, and Colton Robinson were the final five transfers for the heat races.

As for everyone else, their final hopes to make the main event would see a 12-lap semi-feature. Sherman and Weldon started on the front row. Sherman led the majority of the semi-feature, including the white flag lap. However, Brandon Carr worked the bottom lane and was wheel-to-wheel with the leader, Sherman. They nearly touched entering Turn 3. Following the near touch, Carr gathered it up and went on to claim the top spot in a thrilling 12-lap race.

Carr, Sherman, Weldon, and Zack Merritt were the final four transfers.

As track prep concluded, it was time for the 30-lap main event. McIntosh and Drake were your front row starters, followed by Denney and Brecken Reese. The green flag flew, and Drake led the opening lap with Reese, McIntosh, Denney, and Thomas Jr the top five. Drake got a little high on the cushion off Turn 4, which allowed Reese to close in and challenge for the lead.

With 18 laps to go, Denney moved into the second position and set his eyes on leader Drake. One lap later, with 17 to go, Denney had the lead cut down to half a second. With 16 to go, Denney was on the back of Drake. Drake would use the lap car of Merritt as a pick to try and slow Denney up. However, the move wasn’t enough for Drake, as Denney took the lead down the backstretch with 15 laps to go.

But the battle wasn’t done, as the two raced side-by-side with each other with 14 to go. Drake took the lead momentarily on the backstretch, however, Denney came back around the frontstretch to maintain the top spot. A near-miss almost took place when a caution came out with 13 laps to go. A car was stopped on the high side of Turns 1 and 2, which then saw Denney take action to avoid the sitting competitor, Weldon.

Following the brief stoppage, the race resumed. Denney began to break out with the lead, but a battle ensued from second through fourth with Drake, McIntosh, and Grant all challenging for position. McIntosh eventually got the better of the battle with eight laps to go and moved into second. While it looked as though the leader of Denney was going to check out with the lead, another caution happened with five laps to go.

The 27 of Kyle Jones slid off the track in Turns 3 and 4 to set up a five-lap run to the finish. Denney, McIntosh, Drake, Grant, and Jakeb Boxell were the top five as the event went back green. The battle among the top five was short-lived, as another yellow flew for Sherman, who was stalled in the middle of Turns 3 and 4.

Despite the final caution, Denney was unmatched and unchallenged for the lead, as he went on to secure the victory at the Mitchell County Fairgrounds.

Official Race Results Following The USAC National Midget at Mitchell County Fairgrounds Raceway

  1. Jacob Denney
  2. Cannon McIntosh
  3. Kale Drake
  4. Justin Grant
  5. Jakeb Boxell
  6. Brecken Reese
  7. Kevin Thomas Jr
  8. Hayden Reinbold
  9. Gavin Miller
  10. Matt Sherrell
  11. Garrett Benson
  12. Colton Robinson
  13. Drake Edwards
  14. Ethan Mitchell
  15. Bradley Cox
  16. Mack Leopard
  17. Cale Coons
  18. Branon Carr
  19. Trey Zorn
  20. Kyle Jones
  21. Gaige Weldon
  22. Drew Sherman
  23. Adam Trimble
  24. Zack Merritt

Up Next – The USAC Nos Energy Drink National Midget travels a few miles north up the road to Fairbury, Nebraska at the Jefferson County Speedway for a two-night swing on Friday and Saturday night, July 10-11. A practice night is scheduled for Thursday night, July 9. Action can be seen on Flo Racing.