Home Blog Page 108

Front Row Motorsports: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park NCTS Race Advance (Layne Riggs / Chandler Smith)

Front Row Motorsports
Layne Riggs | Chandler Smith
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race Advance

Event Details:

Series: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS)
Track: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Track Size / Surface: 0.686 mile / Asphalt
Track Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Race Date: July 24th, 2026
Race Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Race Information: 200 Laps (Stages – 60 / 120 / 200) – 137.2 Miles
Television: FS1
Radio: SiriusXM

Event Notes:

16th event of the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season.

First and only NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) this season.

No. 34 Team Details

Driver: Layne Riggs

Crew Chief: Dylan Cappello

Primary Sponsor: BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing

Standings: 1st

Recent Season Results:

North Wilkesboro Speedway (July 18th) – 2nd
Lime Rock Park (July 11th) – 23rd
Naval Base Coronado (June 19th) – 1st

Driver Track History (CRAFTSMAN Truck Series)

Starts: 4

Wins: 1

Poles: 0

Top-10 Finishes: 4

Laps Led: 160

Average Finish: 4.0

Recent Results:

2025 (July) – 1st
2024 (July) – 5th

Driver and Team Event Notes

Layne Riggs is set to make his fifth NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) this Friday night. Coming off of a second-place finish at the North Wilkesboro Speedway last Saturday, Riggs now leads the championship standings with a 59-point buffer to Kaden Honeycutt.

In 2025, Riggs captured the checkered flag in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event at IRP, starting 11th and sweeping the stages for his second win of the season

BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing Event Notes

Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) returns with Layne Riggs this Friday at IRP. The partnership marks Bare Knuckle Boxing’s continued support of Riggs as he continues to build momentum in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season, aligning one of combat sports’ fastest-growing brands with one of the sport’s rising young drivers. This will be BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing’s fifth primary sponsorship race of the 2026 season. Originating in South Florida with combat sports legend Dada 5000 and Mike Vazquez (who in 1999 formed HRT Motorsports, NASCAR’s first Hispanic racing team), BKB is the oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company in the world and its largest in terms of roster, library and distribution. BKB is broadcasted in millions of homes across the globe. Fans can learn more about BKB by visiting https://www.bkbbareknuckle.com/.

No. 38 Team Details

Driver: Chandler Smith

Crew Chief: Jon Leonard

Primary Sponsor: Long John Silver’s

Standings: 3rd

Recent Season Results:

North Wilkesboro Speedway (July 18th) – 1st
Lime Rock Park (July 11th) – 30th
Naval Base Coronado (June 19th) – 22nd

Driver Track History (CRAFTSMAN Truck Series)

Starts: 2

Wins: 0

Poles: 0

Top-10 Finishes: 1

Laps Led: 13

Average Finish: 12.0

Recent Results:

2025 (July) – 6th
2022 (July) – 18th

Driver and Team Event Notes

Chandler Smith is set to make his third NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at IRP. Smith’s best finish at the 0.686-mile came in his debut season with Front Row Motorsports, in 2025, where he started third and finished sixth. Following his dominate win last Saturday at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, Smith is still third in the championship standings.

Long John Silver’s Event Notes

Long John Silver’s will make their first appearance on the No. 38 Ford F-150 this season, bringing their iconic “Fish Yeah” scheme to Smith’s team.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix Brings Six Hours of IMSA Racing to Road America July 30-August 2

New endurance format, four premier racing classes, fan walks, autograph sessions, and a full support schedule create four days of sports car action

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., July 21, 2026 – North America’s premier sports car racing series returns to Road America, July 30 through August 2, for the Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix featuring the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

New for 2026, Sunday’s featured race expands to six hours. The longer format will place greater importance on driver changes, pit stops, tire management, fuel strategy, traffic, and team execution.

The change places Road America alongside some of IMSA’s best-known endurance races, including the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, and Motul Petit Le Mans.

Fans will see the fastest and most advanced sports cars in North America compete on Road America’s 4-mile, 14-turn circuit. The track’s long straightaways, high-speed corners, elevation changes, and heavy braking zones create passing opportunities and test every part of a race team.

Four Classes, One Race

The six-hour Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix will feature all four IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship classes competing at the same time.

Grand Touring Prototype: The fastest and most technologically advanced cars in the field. The GTP class includes hybrid-powered prototypes from several major manufacturers.

Le Mans Prototype 2: Purpose-built prototype racecars that combine speed, close competition, and a mix of professional and bronze-rated drivers.

GT Daytona Pro: Factory-supported teams and professional drivers competing in race-prepared cars based on production models.

GT Daytona: A large and competitive field of GT cars featuring professional and amateur driver combinations.

The result is constant action. Faster prototypes work through GT traffic while teams in every class race for their own victory. The speed differences, traffic, changing conditions, and six-hour distance will keep strategy in play until the final laps.

Nearly 20 manufacturers are represented across the IMSA weekend, including Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.

A Full Weekend of Racing

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is the centerpiece of a schedule that begins Thursday and continues through Sunday.

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge will compete in the Road America 120 on Saturday. The two-hour race features Grand Sport and Touring Car competition, with production-based cars racing closely throughout the field.

Porsche Carrera Cup North America will bring identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars to Road America for multiple races. With the cars closely matched, the results often come down to driver skill, braking, and racecraft.

Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America will add two races featuring Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo machines competing in Pro, ProAm, Am, and Lamborghini Cup categories.

WeatherTech Championship practice begins Friday. Saturday includes additional practice, qualifying, the Road America 120, Porsche Carrera Cup competition, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo racing.

IMSA Welcome Party Opens the Weekend

The weekend begins with the IMSA Elkhart Lake Welcome Party on Thursday, July 30, at 6 p.m. in downtown Elkhart Lake.

The gathering gives race fans and community members an opportunity to begin the weekend in the village before the main on-track schedule gets underway.

Fans Get Closer to the Action

The IMSA weekend is built around fan access. Guests can explore the paddock, watch teams work on the cars, see driver changes and pit preparations, and experience the atmosphere behind the scenes.

Scheduled fan opportunities include:

WeatherTech Championship Autograph Session: Fans can meet drivers Saturday afternoon at the team transporters in the paddock.

Open Grid and Fan Walks: Guests can walk among the cars before the Michelin Pilot Challenge race on Saturday and the WeatherTech Championship race on Sunday.

IMSA Driver Fan Forum: Drivers will take part in a fan forum Friday afternoon at the Road America Center.

Car Corral Laps: Corvette, Porsche, Lexus, and Lamborghini owners will have scheduled opportunities to take part in special on-track laps.

Mixed Car Parade Laps: Fans can purchase the opportunity to drive an eligible street vehicle around Road America at a controlled pace on Friday or Saturday.

Sunday Fan Track Walk: Fans are invited to remain at the facility after the final checkered flag for a track walk on the 4-mile circuit.

All activities and times are subject to change.

Family Activities and Fan Amenities

The Bank First Family Fun Zone will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. near Turn 1. Admission is free for children age 12 and younger with adult supervision. Activities include family entertainment, a balloon artist, and a free gift for registered children.

Public karting will be available at the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex. Karts can reach speeds of up to 40 mph. Drivers must be at least 14 years old, and a parent or guardian must be present for participants under 18.

Fans can also play Road America’s free 18-hole disc golf course, shop at the Paddock Shop, use the weekend tram service, and choose from food and beverage locations throughout the facility.

Race coverage and public-address announcements can be heard around the property on RA FM 87.9.

Camping is available at more than 1,000 sites across Road America’s 640-acre property.

Premium viewing and hospitality options are also available at the Finish Line Tower, Turn 14, and Tufte Center.

Sunday Race and Broadcast Information

The Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix is scheduled to begin Sunday, August 2, at approximately 10:40 a.m. CT.

Live Peacock coverage begins at 10:30 a.m. CT and continues through 5 p.m. CT. The scheduled six-hour race window runs from approximately 10:40 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. CT.

WeatherTech Championship qualifying will stream live Saturday, August 1, beginning at approximately 3:20 p.m. CT on Peacock. Coverage of select support races will also be available through Peacock, IMSA.TV, and IMSA’s YouTube channel, subject to regional viewing restrictions.

Fans should check official IMSA and Road America schedules before the event, as broadcast and on-track times may change.

Tickets and Admission

Children 16 and under receive free general admission at the gate with a paying adult. Students can save $10 on admission at the gate by presenting a valid current-year student identification card.

Racing takes place rain or shine.

Tickets, camping, hospitality packages, and additional event information are available at roadamerica.com or by calling 800-365-7223.

ARCA Menards Series at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park: LiUNA! 150, Entry List, Pre-race Notes, Pre-race Stats

THE RACE: LiUNA! 150 Presented by Ideal Garage Door
THE PLACE: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
THE DATE: Friday, July 24, 2026
THE TIME: 5:30 pm ET
TV: FS1, Live
Radio: MRN, Live

ARCA Menards Series / ARCA Menards East at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park: LiUNA! 150 Presented by Ideal Garage Door Pre-Race Notes

  • The ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East will come together for the second of four 2026 combination races in Friday’s LiUNA! 150 Presented by Ideal Garage Door at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The race will pay full points through the field for both series, and the winner will be credited with a victory in both series. The LiUNA! 150 Presented by Ideal Garage Door will be the 13th race of 20 for the ARCA Menards Series and five of eight for the ARCA Menards Series East.
  • Jake Bollman (No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Toyota) leads the ARCA Menards Series standings by eight points over his Nitro Motorsports teammate Thomas Annuniziata (No. 70 JBL Toyota) headed into the LiUNA! 150 Presented by Ideal Garage Door. Bollman leads the series with eight top-five and eleven top-ten finishes but is still in search of his first series victory; Annunziata is coming off his first victory of the season and the second of his career in the series’ most recent race at Lime Rock Park.
  • Three-time winner Tristan McKee (No. 77 Freeway Chevrolet) leads the ARCA Menards Series East standings by 20 points over Max Reaves (No. 18 Cook Out Toyota) headed into Friday night. McKee scored stand-alone victories at Hickory Motor Speedway and Rockingham Speedway and then a win in the most recent combination race at Toledo Speedway. Reaves has an East win at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and two ARCA Menards Series wins at Berlin Raceway and Elko Speedway on his 2026 scorecard.
  • Isabella Robusto (No. 55 Mobil 1 Toyota) sits third in the ARCA Menards Series standings but has fought Lady Luck throughout the first 12 races of the season. Robusto battled a balky fuel pump at Lime Rock Park that left her 25th at the finish. She looks to rebound at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park where she finished fourth in 2025. In eleven career ARCA Menards Series short track starts, Robusto has seven top-five and ten top-ten finishes; she also has finished second on a short track in both the ARCA Menards East at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and the ARCA Menards West at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in 2024.
  • Jason Kitzmiller (No. 97 A.L.L. Construction / Carter CAT Chevrolet) enters the LiUNA! 150 Presented by Ideal Garage Door fourth in the ARCA Menards Series standings, but just two points behind Robusto in third. Kitzmiller had his best career series finish on a short track in the series’ last short track race at Elko Speedway in June.
  • Reigning ARCA Menards East champion Isaac Kitzmiller (No. 79 A.L.L. Construction / Carter CAT Chevrolet) heads to Indianapolis third in the East standings with a pair of third place finishes at Hickory and Rockingham as his season’s best to this point. The younger Kitzmiller also has a pair of top-ten finishes in ARCA Menards Series competition in 2026, a seventh at Phoenix Raceway in March and an eighth two weeks ago at Lime Rock Park.
  • Kaden Honeycutt (No. 17 Mohawk Northeast / MMI Toyota) will make his first ARCA Menards Series appearance since he won at Watkins Glen International in May. Honeycutt and Gavan Boschele (No. 25 ShopGavan.com Toyota) will both compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series nightcap at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; Boschele, who finished a career-best second in the ARCA Menards Series race at Pocono Raceway in June, will be making his NCTS debut in a TRICON Garage-prepared Toyota.
  • Carson Brown (No. 28 Grizzly Coolers Chevrolet) will make his sixth ARCA Menards Series start of the season, Brown became the 39th driver to win in his series debut since 1979 with his win at Phoenix Raceway in March; in his four starts since then he has finished second at Watkins Glen and third at Toledo Speedway, Berlin Raceway, and Lime Rock Park.
  • Two drivers from the Indianapolis area are entered: Speedway’s Zachary Tinkle (No. 53 Racing for Rescues / Zachary Tinkle Foundation Toyota) will make his third start of the season and second for his family-owned team; he finished eighth in his most recent start at Berlin; Greenfield’s Brayton Laster (No. 89 PeerlessPump.com Chevrolet) will make his fourth start of the season and first for RISE Racing.
  • Thirty-six cars are entered for 34 starting positions; it marks the third race of 2026 with more cars entered than available starting positions.
  • The race will be run under the Break Pit Stop format; there will be a five-minute break at or near lap 75 in which teams can change tires, add fuel, make adjustments and repairs.
  • Should the race be extended into overtime, there will be unlimited attempts at a two-lap “green-white-checkered” finish. Should the caution be displayed after the white flag has been shown, there will be unlimited attempts at a one-lap “green and white together” finish.
  • The LiUNA! 150 Presented by Ideal Garage Door is set for 5:30 pm ET on Friday, July 24. The race will be televised live on FS1 and broadcast live on select affiliates of the MRN Radio network nationwide. Live timing & scoring data and live race audio will be available on ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates please follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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

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

Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture.  Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries.  And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. 
Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too!  For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

Taylor Gray re-signs with Joe Gibbs Racing for 2027 O’Reilly season

Photo by Logan Allen for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Taylor Gray has inked a one-year contract extension to continue to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2027.

The news comes as the 21-year-old Gray from Artesia, New Mexico, is currently campaigning in his second full-time season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series and as the driver of the No. 54 JGR Toyota Supra entry. Through 21-scheduled starts this season, Gray recorded a single victory at Kansas Speedway in mid-April. He has also registered a pole at Phoenix Raceway in early March, three top-five results, eight top-10 results, 189 laps led and an average-finishing result of 17.7. He is also ranked in 12th place in the standings and is 17 points above the top-12 cutline to be in contention for making this year’s Chase.

”I am super appreciative of everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing for this opportunity,” Gray said. ”I feel like [crew chief] Jason [Ratcliff] and I have developed a really strong relationship that goes beyond racing. He has been a great mentor to me and helped me a ton both on and off the track. And overall, our team continues to grow and improve, so I’m excited about the rest of this season and next year working together again.”

Gray made his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Richmond Raceway in mid-March 2024, where he drove JGR’s No. 19 Toyota entry to a third-place result. He campaigned in 12 additional events, where he recorded another top-five result in the form of a fifth-place finish at Pocono Raceway and a total of three top-10 results, before he was named a full-time competitor of JGR’s No. 54 Toyota entry for the 2025 season.

This past season, Gray made the Playoffs and notched a total of three poles, seven top-five results, 15 top-10 results, 299 laps led and an average-finishing result of 15.0 throughout the 33-race schedule. Despite having his Playoff run eliminated early following the first round, Round of 12, he scored his first career victory during the season’s penultimate event at Martinsville Speedway and finished in seventh place in the standings. During his rookie O’Reilly season, Gray worked with the 2009 O’Reilly championship-winning crew chief, Jason Ratcliff. Ratcliff will remain as Gray’s crew chief along with the No. 54 JGR Toyota team in 2027.

Through 67 current starts in the O’Reilly division, Gray has accumulated a pair of victories, four poles, 12 top-five results, 26 top-10 results, 501 laps led and an average-finishing result of 16.7 as he continues pursuit of his first NASCAR national touring series championship.

”We are excited to have Taylor back with us next season,” Heather Gibbs, co-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, said. ”He has an incredible work ethic, and that shows with how much he continues to improve. We look forward to Taylor and the 54 team finishing this season strong and building on that success for 2027.”

With his plans for the 2027 season set, Taylor Gray’s 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season continues with the upcoming Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an event in which Gray contended for the victory in the closing laps before finishing in third place. The event is scheduled to occur this Saturday, July 25, at 4 p.m. ET on the CW Network, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, and SiriusXM.

The Bricks Always Beckon: NASCAR Cup Series Readies for 30th Running of Brickyard 400

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 21, 2026) – The excitement was palpable on June 22-23, 1992, when nine NASCAR Cup Series drivers participated in a Goodyear tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Then on Aug. 6, 1994, that excitement reached a fever pitch when the inaugural Brickyard 400 roared to life at the iconic track, marking the first non-IndyCar race held at the speedway in 78 years.

This Sunday, the 30th running of the Brickyard 400 goes green, and the significance of competing on the 2.5-mile rectangular oval and crossing the Yard of Bricks at the start/finish line 160 times remains as powerful today as it did when Indiana’s own Jeff Gordon won the first Brickyard 400.

“Indy is one of the most historically significant racetracks in America, if not the most historically significant track,” said Cody Ware, driver of the No. 51 Sky Fund Aviation Chevrolet for Rick Ware Racing. “It’s got more than 100 years of history, and the races that have been run, with the personalities who have competed there and won there, it’s incredibly competitive.

“Every time you drive into the track and you see that Pagoda, you immediately get hit with the track’s aura, its atmosphere, and what it really means to be racing there. It’s one of those things where, no matter how the race weekend goes, it serves as a reminder to just take in the experience and appreciate the opportunity you have to be racing there at the highest level of stock car racing. It’s always an honor to race at Indy.”

Ware has seen the track from two perspectives – from behind the wheel of an Indy car and from the seat of his No. 51 machine.

Ware’s first taste of Indianapolis came via an Indy car when he drove in the 2021 Indianapolis Grand Prix on the track’s 2.439-mile road course. It was part of a double-duty August weekend for Ware, who also drove in the inaugural Cup Series race on the Indy road course.

When Ware returned to Indianapolis in 2022, he did so solely as a Cup Series driver, finishing 24th in the second iteration of the Verizon 200. When NASCAR returned to the iconic 2.5-mile rectangular oval in 2024, it marked Ware’s first Brickyard 400, and he delivered a solid 18th-place finish.

“To race on the big track for the first time was quite the experience,” Ware said. “Coming out of turn four, looking down the track, seeing Gasoline Alley to the left and rows of grandstands on both sides, you realize real quick how tight the place is. But I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t feel as hectic as it all looked. I felt like the track raced really well.”

For someone who has experience on both the road course and the oval, who has seen the track from inside an Indy car and a stock car, Ware believes the oval is where NASCAR belongs.

“The stock cars race much better on the oval at Indy than they do on the road course,” Ware said. “It was a welcome change to be on the oval and have the Brickyard 400 back.”

Indy’s configuration is challenging. Two 3,300-foot-long straights are connected by two 660-foot short chutes, with four corners banked at just 9.2 degrees bringing the entire layout together. It’s a test of machine and a driver’s mettle.

“Anytime you’re going into a corner at 180, 190 (mph) and you’re looking head-on toward the wall, it’s pretty daunting. If you’re being honest with yourself, it takes a couple of corners to work up to where you need to be, speed-wise,” Ware said.

The long frontstretch and equally long backstretch allow drivers to catch their breath, even as they hit 190 mph.

“Those straights provide one of the few places where you can collect yourself, gather your thoughts, and think about how you’re going to approach the next corner,” Ware said. “The race is a little bit different because you’re blocking runs with the draft and using aero, and there’s a lot that goes into it. It’s not superspeedway racing, but you have to be very mindful of the draft ahead of you, the wake you’re creating behind you, and how to manipulate all those things during the race.”

Ware’s on-track preparation for the race begins Friday with a 50-minute practice at 1 p.m. EDT. He and his team will have an evening to pore through data before qualifying on Saturday, which starts at 1:30 p.m. TruTV and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide live coverage of both. The Brickyard 400 goes live on Sunday at 2 p.m. with flag-to-flag coverage delivered by TNT and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Rick Ware Racing:

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

Best Exhaust Upgrades for the RAM 1500: Performance, Sound, and Towing Benefits

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

A factory RAM 1500 exhaust is designed to control noise, meet emissions requirements, and suit a wide range of drivers. That balance works well for everyday use, but it may leave owners wanting a deeper tone, stronger materials, or a more responsive feel under acceleration. Choosing an upgrade is not simply a matter of buying the loudest system available. Pipe design, muffler tuning, engine fitment, corrosion resistance, and cabin drone all affect the result. The right RAM 1500 exhaust upgrade can improve the truck’s character without making highway driving tiring. This guide explains the main system types, realistic performance benefits, towing considerations, and the features worth checking before you buy.

Why Upgrade the Exhaust on a RAM 1500? 

The most immediate change from an aftermarket exhaust system is sound. A properly tuned muffler can add a deeper idle and a stronger note during acceleration while staying controlled at cruising speed. Volume alone does not create a better driving experience. A harsh setup may sound exciting briefly but become tiring during commutes, trailer trips, or steady highway driving.

Durability is another practical reason to upgrade. Trucks exposed to road salt, coastal air, moisture, or repeated heat cycles benefit from corrosion-resistant construction. Premium T-304 stainless steel offers strong long-term resistance to corrosion, while larger polished or black-coated tips can give the rear of the truck a cleaner, more purposeful appearance.

Cat-Back vs Axle-Back Exhaust Systems 

An axle-back system replaces components near the rear axle, usually the muffler section, tailpipes, or tips. It suits owners who mainly want a different exhaust note at a lower cost. Because most of the factory truck exhaust system remains, airflow changes are limited and major horsepower gains should not be expected.

A cat-back exhaust system replaces the exhaust path behind the catalytic converters. Depending on the kit, it may include the mid-pipe, muffler, resonators, tailpipes, and tips. This gives the manufacturer greater control over tubing diameter, bend quality, sound tuning, and gas velocity. For many owners, it provides the best balance of sound, construction quality, appearance, and modest performance potential.

FeatureAxle-Back SystemCat-Back System
Replaced PartsRear muffler, pipes, or tipsParts behind the catalytic converters
Main BenefitLower-cost sound changeBroader sound and airflow upgrade
Performance PotentialUsually minimalModest and setup-dependent
InstallationOften simplerMore involved, commonly bolt-on
Best ForBudget-focused driversOwners wanting a complete upgrade

How Performance Exhaust Improves Power and Towing 

A performance exhaust for RAM 1500 uses smoother bends, suitable pipe diameters, and less restrictive muffler paths to move spent gases efficiently. The goal is not to remove all resistance. Oversized tubing can reduce gas velocity and weaken low-speed response on an otherwise stock engine. Good systems are designed around the engine and vehicle rather than using the largest pipe available.

Horsepower and torque gains are generally modest and vary by engine, factory layout, system design, and supporting modifications. Drivers may notice cleaner throttle response or stronger pull within part of the rev range, but an exhaust is not a substitute for engine tuning. Any specific power claim should come from testing on the same model year and engine configuration.

For towing, the most noticeable benefits may be smoother response under load and improved cabin comfort. By reducing unnecessary restriction and improving exhaust flow, a well-designed system may help the engine respond more cleanly during acceleration or uphill pulls. However, any improvement in towing performance will be modest and dependent on the engine and exhaust design. Pulling a trailer can also expose low-frequency cabin drone, which is why a tuned muffler and effective resonator matter during long trips. 

Choosing the Right Exhaust for Your Driving Style 

The best system should reflect how the truck is used. Sound clips are helpful, but they cannot fully reproduce cabin resonance, cold-start volume, or sound under trailer load.

  • Daily commuting: Choose a moderate tone with strong drone control for comfortable traffic and highway use.
  • Frequent towing: Prioritize resonators and controlled low-frequency sound instead of a muffler delete.
  • Weekend driving: A balanced sport setup can add a fuller rumble under acceleration without overwhelming the cabin.
  • Maximum sound: An aggressive system suits drivers willing to accept louder cold starts and greater cabin presence.

Borla offers Touring, S-Type, and ATAK sound levels for selected RAM applications. Touring is the most refined, S-Type provides a stronger performance tone, and ATAK delivers the highest volume. Availability depends on the model year, engine, and exhaust layout.

Fitment requires more than matching the words “RAM 1500.” Engine, model year, cab, bed length, drivetrain, bumper outlet, and factory exhaust layout can affect compatibility. Current RAM 1500 exhaust systems for selected 2025 applications use T-304 stainless steel and model-specific pipe layouts, but the exact product page should always be checked before ordering.

Material grade affects long-term value. Aluminized steel can suit a limited budget in a dry climate, while T-304 stainless steel is a stronger choice for long ownership or corrosive conditions. Warranty coverage also deserves review. Borla backs qualifying products with its Million-Mile Warranty, subject to the company’s stated conditions for the original owner.

Borla states that its street cat-back systems, rear sections, and mufflers are 50-state emissions legal because they retain factory emissions-control equipment. Emissions compliance does not cancel state or local noise limits, so buyers should confirm the exact product specifications and the rules where the truck will be driven.

Choosing an Upgrade That Improves the Whole Truck

A worthwhile exhaust system upgrade should make the RAM 1500 better for its real job, whether that means commuting, towing, road trips, or weekend driving. Begin with the desired sound level, then confirm engine-specific fitment, material quality, drone control, installation requirements, and warranty coverage. A cat-back is usually the most complete option, while an axle-back is practical when sound and budget are the main priorities. The right choice delivers a tone you enjoy without sacrificing comfort, legality, or everyday usability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a RAM 1500 Exhaust Upgrade Worth It?

It can be worthwhile for a better sound, stronger corrosion resistance, improved appearance, or a modest change in response. Its value depends on accurate fitment and a sound level that suits normal driving.

Do Aftermarket Exhaust Systems Increase Horsepower?

They can produce modest gains by reducing unnecessary restriction and improving flow. Results depend on the engine, pipe sizing, muffler design, factory system, and supporting modifications.

Borla states that its street cat-back systems, rear sections, and mufflers are 50-state emissions legal. Buyers should still verify the selected part and comply with local noise rules.

For high-quality exhaust solutions, consider Borla Performance.

Will a Performance Exhaust Affect Towing?

It may improve throttle feel and reduce unwanted resonance when properly tuned. It will not increase the RAM 1500’s official towing capacity or replace factory weight limits.

Should I Choose a Cat-Back or Axle-Back System?

Choose an axle-back when budget and sound are the main priorities. Choose a cat-back for a more complete change to sound, airflow, construction quality, and appearance.

Ford Racing NASCAR – Indianapolis Advance

INDIANAPOLIS

Friday, July 24 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, July 26 — NASCAR Cup Series, 2 p.m. ET (TNT)

Ford Racing heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend on the heels of a NASCAR sweep, where Joey Logano won the Cup race and Chandler Smith took the Truck Series event at North Wilkesboro. The manufacturer is assured of another victory on Sunday as Ryan Blaney and Todd Gilliland compete against each other for the In-Season Challenge championship and $1 million bonus.

BLANEY TO MAKE 400TH CAREER CUP START

Ryan Blaney will reach a milestone this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he makes his 400th NASCAR Cup Series start. Blaney, who has a pair of wins this season and sits third in the point standings, made his debut on May 10, 2014 at Michigan International Speedway driving a third Team Penske Ford entry. That marked the first of two races that season before he moved to the Wood Brothers in 2015 and ran a limited schedule. Blaney has 19 career Cup Series victories and won the 2023 championship.

LOGANO MOVES TO THIRD ON ALL-TIME FORD WIN LIST

Joey Logano’s win at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night marked his 50th career NASCAR victory with Team Penske and Ford, but it also moved him into sole possession of third place on Ford’s all-time NASCAR Cup Series win list. Logano now has 36 Ford victories, one more than Mark Martin, and trails only Ned Jarrett (43) and Bill Elliott (40). The Connecticut native has 38 series wins overall and extended his streak of at least one victory to 15 straight seasons.

ALL-TIME FORD CUP WIN LIST

Ned Jarrett – 43

Bill Elliott – 40

Joey Logano – 36

Mark Martin – 35

Dale Jarrett – 30

David Pearson – 29

Brad Keselowski – 27

Fred Lorenzen – 26

Junior Johnson – 26

Kevin Harvick – 25

AN ALL-FORD IN-SEASON CHALLENGE FINAL

Ryan Blaney and Todd Gilliland both advanced to the NASCAR In-Season Challenge championship this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after winning their individual battles on Sunday night. Gilliland picked a good time to post his second top 10 finish of the season as his eighth place run allowed him to eliminate Chase Elliott (17th). Blaney, despite having to start from the rear after an unapproved adjustment, finished 11th to defeat Christopher Bell (19th). As a result, the $1 million bonus for winning the In-Season Challenge will go to whichever driver finishes the best in the Brickyard 400.

KESELOWSKI AND THE BRICKYARD

Brad Keselowski is the only active Ford driver who has won the Brickyard 400 on the oval, taking the checkered flag in 2018 while driving for Team Penske. Keselowski passed Denny Hamlin coming to the white flag off turn four and won going away to give Roger Penske his first NASCAR Cup Series win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 13 career starts, Keselowski has one win, four top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

400TH POINTS WIN FOR RYE IN NASCAR

Just a couple months after Doug Yates celebrated his 450th career NASCAR victory, his Roush Yates Engines team is doing the same following Joey Logano’s win Sunday at North Wilkesboro. That’s because it represented the organization’s 400th points win in NASCAR’s top three series combined. Since opening up for business in 2004, RYE has captured its most wins in the Cup Series (208) followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (165) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (27).

RYAN BLANEY: “That place has always been special in general, let alone in our organization. When you sign up to race for Mr. Penske, you know that that’s an important place to him. It’s not talked about in the shop, it’s just known, and now that he’s owned the Speedway for the last handful of years it’s even more – I wouldn’t say pressure to win there, but it’s more of a known in our building that if you can win at the boss’ track, that means a lot to him. It would be the coolest thing to share a Victory Lane moment and kiss the bricks with Roger. That would be a heck of an experience.”

JOEY LOGANO: “Indy is one of those places where a lot of times your aggressive racer excels, whether that’s on restarts or strategy. If you’re willing to risk a lot, you can find yourself in position to win it. That same person can also be on the other side of it where they’re torn up or miss the strategy completely and finish 25th, but it is definitely a place where you’re willing to take some risks because, one, it’s Indy, but, two, it’s very challenging to make passes later on in the run, so you’ve got to get them while you can.”

CHRIS BUESCHER: “We have really big expectations going to Indy. We’ve been really fast there and we just haven’t had the full day put together yet, but our potential is extremely high. I’ve been looking forward to that one, much like Pocono or Michigan, for a long time this year. Those are places we’ve had a lot of speed as well. We’re ready for that one. The 6 team got to do the test there not too terribly long ago, so we certainly have a little bit of fresh info, but it doesn’t seem like a whole lot changed for that one.”

MUSTANG WINS BRICKYARD IN FIRST ATTEMPT

Mustang has been a staple of the Ford Motor Company passenger car lineup since 1964 and, just like a bottle of fine wine, it only gets better with age. When the iconic sports car made its NASCAR Cup Series debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2019, it didn’t disappoint. Kevin Harvick set the tone by putting his No. 4 Mobil 1 Mustang on the pole, and he continued that during the race as he led 118-of-160 laps to win by a whopping 6.118 seconds. That capped a big day for Ford, which saw Joey Logano finish second and six Mustangs total in the top 10.

FORD LOOKING TO RUN IRP WIN STREAK TO FOUR

The last three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park have ended with a Ford F-150 in Victory Lane. One year ago, it was Layne Riggs who led 160-of-200 laps, including the final 55, to post his fourth career victory. Prior to that, Ty Majeski registered back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024. His victory two years ago served as a springboard to the series championship as he won the following week at Richmond and then the Championship Race a few weeks later in Phoenix.

FORD AND FRONT ROW GOING FOR THREE STRAIGHT

Ford Racing has won six NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races this season, including two straight and four of the last six. All of those victories have come from the Front Row Motorsports duo of Chandler Smith and Layne Riggs. Smith is coming off a dominating performance at North Wilkesboro Speedway, where he set a record for the biggest margin of victory at a short track in series history (8.479 seconds) and won for the second year in a row. Riggs, who leads the point standings, has captured the pole each of the last two weeks and won at Lime Rock Park for his fourth victory of the year.

2026 TURNING INTO A SEASON TO REMEMBER

As mentioned above, Ford Racing has won six races so far this season, which is one more than each of the last two seasons. In fact, one more NCTS victory will mark the most for Ford in a single season since it won eight times in 2006. The all-time record for the manufacturer is 12, which was done in back-to-back seasons (1999 and 2000). Greg Biffle is Ford’s all-time NCTS winner with 16 while Riggs is second with nine.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT THE BRICKYARD

1996 – Dale Jarrett (Oval)

1997 – Ricky Rudd (Oval)

1999 – Dale Jarrett (Oval)

2018 – Brad Keselowski (Oval)

2019 – Kevin Harvick (Oval)

2020 – Kevin Harvick (Oval)

2023 – Michael McDowell (Road Course)

FORD’S NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT IRP

1999 – Greg Biffle

2002 – Terry Cook

2003 – Carl Edwards

2006 – Rick Crawford

2023 – Ty Majeski

2024 – Ty Majeski

2025 – Layne Riggs

The Ford Mustang® coupe is America’s best-selling sports car and has a global racing presence. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke regional one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 36 Mustang race cars are scheduled to compete across all active disciplines. Learn more about Mustang at www.FordRacing.com.

File Management Tips for Motorsport Content Creators

Photo by Mylene T on Unsplash

Whether your primary focus is on local racing events, global race series, or simply running a blog or media website, managing your files appropriately is essential. Between the vast and varied file extensions of documents and images, high-resolution photos and video, graphics, and sponsored material, you’ll likely find yourself dealing with more files than you realize. File management situations is where platforms like Convertorium become a fantastic addition to your workflow. Browser based solutions like this unify all your files without the need for extra software.

Making Images Social Media and Website Ready

While the advancements in modern cameras and smartphones are incredible, they often leave you with extremely large file sizes. Consistently uploading and using these files fills up your storage much faster, hurts your website’s user experience, and increases the time required for sharing and file transfers.

One step you could do before publishing an image is to optimize it, reducing the file size at the cost of visual quality. Fortunately, modern compression barely affects visual fidelity, leaving you with a much more manageable file that loads faster in editing programs and on websites, and is shared much more quickly. Compression is particularly useful after a race weekend, and a post requires a large number of images from the previous race.

Different platforms may also require different image formats. The most common nowadays online is WebP, but JPG, PNG, and AVIF are still frequently used. Using an efficient converter allows you to balance image quality across many file types while also providing the best compatibility for your needs.

Organize Documentation Quickly

Paperwork and content creation go hand-in-hand. Motorsport documents such as press releases, sponsor requests, entry lists, timing sheets, and race results often come in multiple individual files, commonly PDF.

By combining all the documents related to a specific race event or post into a single file, you can quickly sort and store all pertinent information in one place. Conversely, there may be too much information in a single file. Being able to split a PDF or Word document may allow you to use only the most important information without needing to edit the original file.

Example Document Situations include:

  • Combining all race-related events into one document (Pole position, timings, teams, driver information, location).
  • Collecting specific information, such as race results from a larger document.
  • Rotating files that are incorrectly aligned.
  • Preparing documents that will be much more efficient for others to use.

Any improvements, even small ones, will make information easier to sort and distribute while also allowing you to stay organized regardless of your current workload.

Change File Extensions Without More Software

Depending on the outlet you get your information from, it’s likely that they will have differences in how they handle image, video, and document formats. While one organization may distribute only PDFs and MP4s, another may use Word Documents and AVI files.

Rather than dealing with the hassle of extra software, which can quickly add more time to your workflow, browser-based tools reign supreme for this use case. A browser-based solution not only works well but also provides the same conversion benefits regardless of which machine you’re currently using, such as when you’re traveling and using a laptop instead of your typical setup.

For example, Convertorium (mentioned before) offers conversions for the most common document formats along with image compression tools. This easily makes it an efficient one-stop shop for handling documentation and images quickly. It includes a full suite of practical features such as PDF merging and splitting, rotating documents, and converting images into PDFs if you so desire. Browser-based solutions like this boost your file management to even greater heights.

Building a Simple Workflow

Ultimately, creating Motorsport content isn’t just about taking good photos and writing compelling articles. Underneath the hood is a significant amount of sorting and management that must be done if you wish to maintain a consistent workflow.

With good file management solutions, you will spend less time on boring, tedious tasks and more time focusing on providing the best possible content. Free browser-based utilities will make your job much easier, without the need for specialized software or subscriptions.

Whether you’re a writer for Motorsport, documenting local races, or producing content for a racing team, employing good file management habits can improve your workflow drastically and reduce frustration.

The Decision That Can Turn an Ordinary Drive Into a Crime Scene

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

Most drives begin without much thought. Whether it’s a trip home from dinner, a quick stop at the grocery store, or a familiar commute to work, getting behind the wheel is part of everyday life for millions of people. Unfortunately, a single decision made before starting the engine can completely change how that trip ends.

Impaired driving affects far more than the person in the driver’s seat. Passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and entire families can be drawn into an event that lasts only seconds but leaves consequences that continue for years. Many of these crashes happen on roads people travel every day without expecting anything unusual.

One choice, driving under the influence, can dramatically increase the likelihood of a serious collision. Understanding how impairment affects driving, why these crashes are often preventable, and the lasting impact they create helps explain why responsible decisions matter before every trip.

How Impairment Changes the Way People Drive

Safe driving depends on making hundreds of small decisions every minute. Drivers constantly judge speed, monitor traffic, recognize hazards, and react to changing conditions. Alcohol and many drugs interfere with those abilities, making routine situations much harder to handle safely.

Reaction time often slows first. A driver may recognize a problem but respond too late to avoid it. Impairment can also reduce coordination, making it more difficult to steer accurately, brake smoothly, or maintain proper lane position during normal driving.

Judgment is affected as well. Someone who is impaired may underestimate risks, drive faster than conditions allow, or make decisions they wouldn’t normally consider while sober. Those changes increase the likelihood that a simple mistake becomes a serious crash.

One Choice Can Affect Countless Lives

A collision involving an impaired driver rarely impacts only one person. Occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, emergency responders, and family members may all experience lasting consequences from a decision they had no part in making.

Physical injuries are often only one part of the damage. Vehicles may be destroyed, businesses disrupted, and families suddenly faced with unexpected medical expenses or significant financial hardship. Even when injuries eventually heal, the emotional effects may last much longer.

Communities also feel the impact. Friends, coworkers, and loved ones often find themselves supporting people whose lives changed in an instant, illustrating how one impaired driving decision can create consequences that extend far beyond the crash itself.

Many Impaired Driving Crashes Never Have to Happen

One reason impaired driving remains so frustrating is that it’s often preventable. Planning transportation before drinking or using impairing substances can eliminate the need to make difficult decisions later when judgment has already been affected.

Designated drivers, rideshare services, taxis, and public transportation all provide alternatives that allow people to get home safely. Even choosing to stay where you are until you’re able to drive safely can prevent unnecessary risks.

Thinking ahead requires very little effort compared to the consequences of an impaired driving crash. Making transportation plans before an evening begins often removes the temptation to make a dangerous decision later.

The Effects Can Last Long After the Crash

A DUI crash may lead to serious legal consequences, but those are only part of the overall impact. Medical treatment, vehicle repairs, insurance issues, lost income, and emotional recovery often continue long after the collision has ended.

Relationships may also suffer. Families frequently experience financial stress, emotional strain, and uncertainty while dealing with injuries or legal proceedings that follow a serious crash. Those effects can continue for months or even years.

For many people, the most lasting consequence isn’t a damaged vehicle or a court appearance. It’s knowing that a preventable decision permanently changed the lives of others who simply happened to be sharing the road that day.

Conclusion

Every trip begins with a series of choices, and few are more important than deciding whether it’s safe to drive. Alcohol and drugs can affect judgment, coordination, and reaction time in ways that make even familiar roads unexpectedly dangerous.

The consequences of impaired driving extend well beyond the person behind the wheel. Injuries, financial losses, emotional hardship, and lasting legal issues often affect many people who had no control over the situation.

Making a safe transportation plan before driving is one of the simplest ways to reduce unnecessary risk. A responsible decision made before the keys ever leave a pocket can help prevent a tragedy that changes lives in an instant.

Designing a Motorsport Club That Captures the Energy of Race Day

Photo by John Benitez on Unsplash

Want your Motorsport club to feel vibrant and alive the moment someone walks through the door?

Every gearhead fantasizes about a place that evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of the pits- the smell of rubber burning and the heart palpitations of that last lap of the race. Unfortunately, most track clubs fall short. They resemble any other sterile sports bar with tacky race posters hung about.

Here’s the problem:

Race day energy is an emotion. There are screaming fans, heat, and the smell of gasoline. You can’t fake that with cheap decorations.

The good news?

A motorsport club can be leveraged to accomplish all of those things in one. Done correctly. This blog outlines how to do it.

Let’s jump in!

What you’ll pick up:

  • Why Race Day Energy Matters
  • The Numbers Behind Motorsport’s Boom
  • How To Nail The Layout
  • Airflow, Lighting & Comfort
  • Sound, Screens & Sensory Details
  • Memorabilia & Finishing Touches

Why Race Day Energy Matters

A motorsport club lives or dies by its atmosphere.

Members don’t come for the beers. They come because they want to feel alive. That twisting-in-your-stomach rush you feel when you’re trackside? That’s what the environment has to recreate. Even on a Tuesday night.

Get the atmosphere right, and patrons will return each week. Get it wrong, and they will move on to the closest sports tavern within four weeks.

Comfort is also extremely important here. Motorsport clubs stuff rooms with bodies, oversized screens, and heaters galore, which makes for a very warm environment. Airflow is just as important as the video equipment. A good set of ceiling fans can keep air moving throughout a busy room while maintaining clear audio. Remote-controlled ceiling fans allow staff to increase or decrease airflow from the comfort of behind the bar without having to step away — something extremely helpful during busy race days when there’s no time to roam about adjusting wall switches.

The Numbers Behind Motorsport’s Boom

Motorsport is no longer a niche hobby. It’s one of the quickest-growing spectator sports worldwide.

Nielsen Sports has revealed that F1 now boasts 826.5 million fans worldwide — an increase of almost 90 million fans compared to last year. Formula 1 race attendance reached 6.5 million spectators in 2024.

What does that mean for a motorsport club? There’s a huge demand. The audience is younger and more diverse than ever before. And people actually want social spaces around the sport.

Here’s the kicker:

  • 42% of F1 fans are now under 35
  • 41% of F1 fans are female
  • Women aged 16-24 are the fastest-growing segment

Design for that crowd and the club will fill itself.

How To Nail The Layout

Layout is the skeleton of the club.

If you mess this up, every design decision after it doesn’t matter. Get it right and patrons will seamlessly move through the space — starting at the bar, and winding through the big screens and onto the memorabilia wall.

The best motorsport clubs are broken down into clear zones:

  • The Grid: the main viewing area with the biggest screens
  • The Pit Wall: the bar area where drinks are run
  • The Paddock: casual lounge seating for mingling between sessions
  • The Podium: a raised area for VIP members or premium seats
  • The Garage: a quieter zone for private meetings, watch parties or member events

Each Zone should have continuity but feel different. Look at an actual race circuit. Each turn is different but the circuit flows together.

Airflow, Lighting & Comfort

Now for the sensory stuff.

Lighting is your quickest way to transform the mood of a room. Race day screams bright, razor-sharp, high contrast. Therefore, the club should combine warm ambient lighting with dramatic accent lighting to accentuate:

  • Trophy cabinets
  • Framed race suits
  • Signed helmets
  • The bar shelves

Hook up the ones with variable intensity bulbs so you can go from cocktail party ambiance to tunnel vision at race time.

Airflow is the second part of comfort. Bodies. Hot screens. Engines hotter than Hades. It’s stuffy in there fast. Cross-ventilation. Silent overhead units. Keeps air moving without interfering with the announcers. People want to hear Ferraris roar – not HVAC units.

Sound, Screens & Sensory Details

Sound is what separates a decent club from a great one.

Video is doing most of the heavy lifting, but sound sells emotion. Angle the speakers so engine noises boom by you- don’t have them peeking out of a corner. Throw in a subwoofer for that deep thump.

Screens matter too. Big does not always mean better. What you want is:

  • Multiple angles running at once
  • A main “hero” screen for the primary broadcast
  • Smaller screens for onboard cameras or telemetry data
  • Solid sight lines from every seat in the house

Sensory details are the little bits that take it over the top. The slight scent of tire rubber. A wall clad in livery markings. Grid lights over the bar. Little bits like that add up.

Memorabilia & Finishing Touches

Nothing beats real racing history on the walls.

Team posters from the original years, driver helmets, autographed steering wheels, race-worn suits — it turns a bar into a shrine. Guys will stop, stare, and talk about them all day.

Don’t clutter your walls though. Edit, edit, edit. Three amazing pieces will win over a wall full of filler any day. Swap out seasonal pieces for variety. And light your art correctly so it will be seen.

Even little details matter:

  • Menus designed like race programs
  • Table numbers styled as pit boards
  • Staff uniforms with a nod to team crews
  • Coasters shaped like tires

Every touch reinforces the theme.

Bringing It All Together

Designing a motorsport club shouldn’t just be throwing up a checkered flag and being done. Design should incorporate the sights, sounds, and overall feeling of race day into every aspect of the space.

To quickly recap:

  • Build the atmosphere around real race day energy
  • Design zones that mimic a race circuit’s flow
  • Balance lighting and airflow for comfort
  • Nail sound and screens for the sensory hit
  • Use memorabilia to tell a story

Get these three areas right, and you will never feel like a bar. You’ll feel like paddock on race weekend. That is what makes members want to keep coming back. That is what separates a good motorsport club from a great one.