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Ryan Preece Preparing for Chase Opener at Darlington Raceway

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Official Release
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Ford Racing Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Southern 500 Media Availability — Darlington Raceway
Saturday, September 5, 2026

Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse, is the most recent winner in the NASCAR Cup Series after his victory in the regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway. He stopped by the Darlington Raceway infield media center before today’s qualifying session to talk about the past week and his hopes for the Chase.

RYAN PREECE, No. 60 Thornton’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse – DOES IT FEEL LIKE THINGS ARE GETTING BACK TO NORMAL? “I’m happy I have my voice back, well, kind of anyways. I definitely felt like I made it a heck of a week, but it’s business as usual. It’s nice to know the final 10 weeks we’re racing for something. We’ll try to go on a run. We definitely have momentum on our side.”

HOW WAS YOUR FIRST WEEK AS A CUP SERIES WINNER? “I think at New Smyrna it was alright. It didn’t really change much for me, honestly. The nice part about it is all the things that we kind of overcame, one of them being that points penalty. I really don’t have to hear much about it, other than I guess the owner’s being five points ahead of the driver’s right now. Just because the Clash was not a points paying win race didn’t mean I looked at it any different, so I looked at it as we’ve won two races this year and throughout the season we’ve had some moments – a month or two – that we wish would have went a little bit better, but I feel like we’re heading in a really good direction right now, so I’m excited to see how practice and qualifying go for us later today. And then we’ll give these next 10 weeks everything we’ve got just like we did last week.”

AS THE LOWEST SEED IN THE CHASE, DO YOU FEEL LIKE A CHAMPIONSHIP RUN IS WITHIN YOUR REACH? “I don’t remember who it was in the NCAA Tournament a few years ago, but they were a complete underdog. I just remember there was an underdog and nobody expected them to go on and win, so I think a lot of it is circumstances and how you are as a team. I think in previous years usually the guy that was 16th in points was 28th or 30th and, I don’t know, their season wasn’t going really that great. I’m not saying ours had gone phenomenal, but I would say over the past three weeks, four weeks, we’ve taken a turn and we’ve had moments, so when I look at the next 10 weeks, these are all tracks that I feel really good about. We’ve had some decent runs and based on where Derrick and I are at right now and the 60 team, why not? If I came to Darlington, Gateway, Bristol – all those places – and if I showed up thinking I couldn’t win, I mean I’m not the race car driver you want. I feel like this weekend I’m excited about it and we’ll do the best we can. If we go on a tear and have a little bit of luck where those other guys don’t have the best weeks, it’s possible. I think you saw last week – 67 points, that’s a big difference.”

YOUR MOMENTUM CAN’T BE DISCOUNTED, CAN IT? “How you feel as a race car driver when you show up every week, that is real. You show up and if you’ve had three or four weeks where you’ve wrecked in a row, I mean, the month of June it felt like I couldn’t do anything right and if you think it doesn’t affect you as a driver, you’re lying to yourself. You’re just going into a race thinking, ‘Man, I just want to finish this one.’ So, for me, being aggressive – Loudon is the one I’ll look at because we had a strong car there and we were around the top five, top three all day for the most part. So, that’s why when I look at Darlington I think, why not? If we can pick up where we left off last week and have a strong run here, who knows?”

WHAT IS THE MINDSET OF THE TEAM GOING INTO THIS? ARE YOU APT TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE CHASING STAGE POINTS? “Yeah. Honestly, that’s what I really like about where we’re at right now is because we have nothing to lose. The guys that are up front, like Denny, he’s had a phenomenal year. He’s had phenomenal years, you know what I mean? When I look at where we’re at, if we’re aggressive and it doesn’t work out, we’re at the bottom, you know what i mean? So, we can throw the Hail Mary’s and do the risky things and if we get good results out of it, then that’s great. I told Derrick, I went, ‘Are you going to give the same type of interview that you gave last week?’ He looked at me and said, ‘What do you mean?’ And I said, ‘When you told NASCAR and everybody on pit road that we were gonna qualify on the pole. We were gonna win the stages and win the race. I want that same Derrick.’ And he looked at me and said, ‘I want that same Ryan.’ I said, ‘Alright. Deal. You hold up your end and I’ll hold up mine.’”

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO CELEBRATE WITH DERRICK ON HIS FIRST POINTS WIN AS A CREW CHIEF? “Not just Derrick. I think of our entire team, when it comes to the pit crew, the road crew, there are two guys on it that have won a Cup Series race before. Everybody else hasn’t. That’s pretty cool to see the genuine emotion of our team, not only in Victory Lane but also at my house and my shop the next day. That was a lot of fun. It’s a great group to be around. I don’t know, it still feels surreal, but we have a job to do and I’ve been saying it all week – the clock reset at midnight. We’ve to focus on this one.”

THE FANS IN NEW ENGLAND WANT TO KNOW AFTER WATCHING THE REPLACEMENTS LAST WEEK, WHAT MOVIE DID YOU WATCH THIS WEEK? “I don’t think I had any time to watch any movies, but Hangover? Yeah, I lived it. I think they’re gonna write a movie after me on that one. No, honestly, I didn’t watch any movie this week. I think it’s still just kind of thinking about that one. It’s funny because the Monday of Daytona that movie had been on. I’m like, ‘Oh, man. I like this movie.’ And then we have a Group Me like most teams have and you start sending little memes or little clips and everybody’s morale kind of goes up, but I don’t know. If there was gonna be a movie that I would watch tonight for tomorrow, it would probably Days of Thunder.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE A HARD-NOSED RACER? “I think a lot of people kind of have different terminologies of it. Me personally, a racer from where I’m from is somebody, I just remember all the nights when I was 20, 21 all the way up until I moved down here, driving on a Wednesday or Thursday night going up to Thompson Speedway. You get done. You get home at one in the morning. You wake up or if you were heading to scale the car, like mine was about an hour away when I would race at Stafford, you go do that. You head home around two, three, four in the morning. Wake up at eight or nine, head to the racetrack and it was just repeat constantly. No matter what it took, you were there whether it was the next day, the next week or what-not. For me, it was working on race cars, it was everything racing no matter what it took, where I had to be, it was do it. And nothing against it, I wish there were opportunities where you could just show up with your helmet, but I liked being a part of the process, so that’s what my definition of a racer is, but there are all different types.”

YOU HAVE MENTIONED THE PATRIOTS, RED SOX AND BRUINS A LOT THE LAST WEEK. IS THAT JUST A NEW ENGLAND KIND OF THING? “I think that’s just a New England thing. To be honest with you, if you’re around New England natives, we’re pretty passionate about our sports. I happened to grow up very central of Connecticut, which is the Hartford area. If you grew up in that area, you’re either a Yankee fan or your a Red Sox fan. So, I just kind of use them as an example because I’m proud of being from New England, proud of being from Connecticut. You could look at it like the Red Sox, the curse. Patriots when it came to Atlanta versus them in 2017, just in those really back against the wall moments, there’s just been a lot of stories, so that’s why.”

HOW MANY GRAND SLAMS DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED IN THIS CHASE TO POTENTIALLY WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP? “A lot. I need more than that. I probably need a lot of luck, but earlier this week in media day, NASCAR had us pull – I don’t know if you guys have seen the tape measure trick where if your car number is 60, for example, you pull that tape measure out and you’ve got to get it on your number. Well, I did. That was pretty cool. I’m not gonna lie. I felt pretty lucky in that moment, so I’m hoping that luck doesn’t run out because I’ve had a lot of bad luck in my career. Maybe it’s time for the good side of it.”

WE HAVE A LONGER PRACTICE SESSION TODAY COMPARED TO EARLIER IN THE YEAR HERE. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO GET OUT THAT TODAY? “It’s definitely hot today. I can tell you that, I mean, the guys that wait 10 minutes or five minutes to go our are gonna feel like superheroes compared to some of the ones that go out right away. It’s nice to be able to have a second set of tires because, for us, if we want to make an adjustment this is that track that if you’re out there for two laps, three laps and you come in and make an adjustment, it’s almost pointless. You’re not gonna really feel much. The car is already kind of going through it’s migration, so it’s nice to have that and here, I know everybody likes to look at practice and they see who is the fastest. That, to be honest with you, is not what I look at. What I look at is who is at lap 10 and beyond. I could pretty much wipe away lap one to lap nine and just see what somebody’s car looks like at lap 10 and beyond and tell you if they’re gonna be good or not. This is a place that, not only starting an hour earlier compared to last year, it’s gonna go through some migration, especially in key moments. I’m pumped about it and I’m excited that we have a full 50 minute or however many minutes of practice and two sets of tires. It makes a big difference.”

THE FORMAT IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR. IF THINGS DON’T WORK OUT IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS AND YOU GET HOT IN WEEKS THREE, FOUR, FIVE OR SIX, IT DOESN’T COST YOU AS MUCH AS IN THE PAST? “I’m a fan of it. Trust me, there are a lot of different ways. You can critique every system no matter what it is. If you’re a purist of what it was back in the day, I’ve won championships in different series that were just traditional. These are the rules and this is what’s been set up, so I’m a huge fan of the direction that we’ve gone. I don’t know. We had a heck of a week. I closed in like 600 points or 500 points on Denny Hamlin, so you never know.”

TOYOTA RACING – NCS Darlington Quotes – Riley Herbst – 09.05.26

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Official Release
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TOYOTA RACING – Riley Herbst
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

DARLINGTON, SC (September 5, 2026) – 23XI Racing driver Riley Herbst was made available to the media on Saturday prior to the NASCAR Cup Series race from Darlington Raceway.

RILEY HERBST, No. 35 GoGo SqueeZ Toyota Camry XSE, 23XI Racing
Can you talk about how big this past week has been for you?
“Yeah, it’s been a great, great experience. Obviously, excited to stay in the Toyota camp. Just really looking forward to hitting the ground running next year. Just super grateful to Denny (Hamlin, 23XI Racing ownership), Curtis (Polk, 23XI Racing ownership), to Michael (Jordan, 23XI Racing ownership), for allowing me to live out my dream and getting my first Cup contract and wish them nothing but the best moving forward. It’s been an hour of a lifetime to drive for all three of those guys. But looking forward to next year. LEGACY is growing in a huge way, has a lot of support from the manufacturer and is getting a new compound, a new shop. So, looking forward to all those fun things and hopefully we can have some good success.”

Were there any tires left on the Supra when you were done?
“No the Supra tires are gone (laughter), so, yeah, that was fun though.”

What do you want to accomplish this season before you move to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB?
“That’s a great question. Being out last week was tough. So, we got 10 races left to, hopefully, run back where we were in late Spring, early Summer, with a few top 10s, leading laps, being more competitive. That’s kind of where I want to bring this 35 car back. I know we had the speed to do that, but realistically, it’s just really good people around me. I think the huge jumps I made from last year to this year is having two really good teammates in Bubba (Wallace) and Tyler (Reddick). I’m going to miss those guys tremendously, but I know we’ll be friends for life. I have had teammates to bounce ideas off of and have really good people. So looking forward to starting that cultivating process of bringing good people to LEGACY, and making this transition pretty seamless.”

What steps does LEGACY MOTOR CLUB need to make to continue to grow?
“I think it’s difficult to race in the NASCAR Cup Series, as I experienced that last year, and this year as well, and I think they’ve made huge improvements throughout the year. I think the high speed, high down force racetracks are pretty fast. Michigan, I think Erik (Jones) had a real shot to win that race, and a lot of weekends, they’ve been a lot faster than they have in the past, and that’s just to do with hard work, and I think that they’re getting their race cars in a really good position, and I’m excited to jump into this race team at this time, when I think that they’re taking a huge step in the right direction, obviously looking forward to work with Erik (Jones). He’s had the experience of driving fast race cars at (Joe) Gibbs (Racing), and then whoever’s going to be in the 42 car. So, I think the 3 of us will work well together and continue to grow LEGACY and hopefully take it to that next step.”

Who will be in the number 42?
“(laughter) Not me. (laughter)”

How is your health?
“Thank you. It’s good. No symptoms this week, back to 100%. So, yeah, concussion free.”

What was it? Was it a concussion?
“I got diagnosed with a concussion after the wreck in Loudon, and I thought that I was cleared to, to pass. I passed all my tests the week leading up to Daytona. Obviously, I qualified in the race car, and had really fast speed, and then I woke up Saturday morning, feeling really, really rough with trouble with all the symptoms, the worst I’ve had since the wreck. So, I thought it was the best idea for me to step out and let Harrison (Burton) drive the race car, but back to being 100%.”

You did some track time on Thursday with some ride alongs. Was everything okay?
“We were at the sim, so I’ve been into sim every single day this week. No symptoms, I’ve worked out every single day this week, no symptoms, and yeah, I did those little ride alongs on Thursday with no symptoms, so obviously nobody knows until you hop in the race car, but I’ve been cleared of all activities and looking forward to completing another Southern 500.”

Your first start at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB will be Jimmie Johnson’s last. What does that mean to you?
“I think it’s going to be pretty similar for everybody in the field for what Jimmie’s given this sport, seven-time champion, 84,85 wins. It’s pretty remarkable. I was kind of looking back on it with my parents last night. I’ve been pretty fortunate to drive for some pretty cool people, whether that be Coach (Joe) Gibbs, Tony Stewart, Gene Haas, Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and now my childhood hero, Jimmie Johnson. Extremely fortunate and blessed just to be in this opportunity to continue to chase my dream of winning a NASCAR Cup Series race.”

Can you share when concussion like symptoms started to appear and when the diagnosis was, just the timeline of that after the wreck?
“I don’t really know. They come and go. Concussions are a super weird health issue, health problem that honestly, it’s an evolving matter. It’s not like you can x-ray your arm and see a broken bone or see it not broken. It’s all about how you feel in one day, you can feel 100%, and then I can wake up Saturday morning, like I did last week, and struggle to get out of bed. So, yeah, it was a rough process, but obviously I think myself, NASCAR, Atrium Health, we all did the right thing last week and taken me out of the race car for the betterment of myself and obviously the field of race car drivers, but you just kind of have to rest, rest, rest, and hopefully you can beat the symptoms sooner than you want.”

How do you feel about the package here in Darlington?
“Yeah, it was fun. We had it here in the Spring. I thought we had really good pace. We ran ninth to 14th all day in the 400 and until we got caught up in a wreck there in the third stage. So, hopefully we can do the same or even if a little bit better, and I think all of us at Toyota have made big steps since the springtime race here. So, I’m looking forward to see the pace out of all of us this weekend. I mean, the shorter spoiler and the high horsepower and the softer tire is kind of what us race car drivers want. Hopefully the fans want that as well, and hopefully we can put on a good show, so NASCAR likes it as well because that’s the most important part.”

How do you feel when your teammates win? Are you on a different journey?
“I feel I’m extremely happy for Tyler (Reddick). I thought I worked hard leaving the O’Reilly Series and I walk into Airspeed and, Tyler showed me how I have to work, how I need to work to, if you want to win like that. I feel like all of us, me, Bubba (Wallace), Tyler, we work together, and, um, I know myself and Bubba take credit in those wins that Tyler had earlier in the year, and, I’m rooting extremely hard for the 45 (Tyler Reddick) and the 23 (Bubba Wallace) to win this championship for Airspeed, because we are kind of one cohesive group, and so, yeah to the second part of your question, I am on a different journey. This is my – what year and a half into the Cup Series and they’ve been doing this for quite some time and they’re really, really good at it.”

What can you carry from 23XI that can possibility make LEGACY MOTOR CLUB better?
“I think it’s just going to be everybody working in the same direction, and I think 23XI has a great culture, and they do that extremely well. But there’s just invaluable knowledge that I’ve learned from Tyler (Reddick) on how to prepare in the sim, how to prepare for notes. I’ve learned invaluable lessons from Bubba (Wallace) as well, and obviously when you have a team owner like Denny Hamlin (23XI ownership), you can go to with questions and he’s still in the car. He’s feeling the same thing as you. So, there’s things that you literally just don’t know because you don’t know, and so once you start asking questions and you start to get answers, you can start to put things together. It’s kind of like a, a pop quiz, but you have all the answers if you ask. So, I kind of approached my whole year this year that way. I’d rather look stupid asking a question than look stupid doing something stupid on the racetrack because I didn’t ask that question that makes sense a little bit so. I’ve been a sponge with Bubba and Tyler and Denny and just asking as much as I can.”

Initially after the wreck, did you feel any symptoms at that point or did it just appear on Saturday?
“Leaving the Infield Care Center, and then the following Monday and Tuesday was rough and I thought I was over it by Wednesday night, Thursday morning, but ultimately I wasn’t.”

Are you going to try to lean on him because Jimmie Johnson was, like, the consummate work hard, play hard kind of driver?
“I mean, Jimmie Johnson can give you any advice, you should probably listen. He’s won seven championships. I’m absolutely going lean on Jimmie. I going to lean on Erik (Jones). There’s a lot of great people at LEGACY, and that’s when I’m excited to go over there with, and I can’t say it enough. I really hope that the three racecar drivers, whoever the third one is, we can work together as cohesive as the places I have been, and continue to climb LEGACY up the ladder and bring trophies to LEGACY.”

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of over 50 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

LUCAS OIL AND NHRA CELEBRATE 25-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION

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Official Release
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NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 5, 2026) – NHRA officials announced today that Lucas Oil Products, the world leader and distributor of high-performance automotive additives and lubricants, has signed a long-term extension to continue as the title sponsor of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and “Official Oil of NHRA.”

This season, NHRA and Lucas Oil celebrated a partnership that started 25 years ago as Lucas Oil remains a cornerstone and premier partner of NHRA, which is celebrating its 75th season in 2026.

“From the drag strip to the bottling line, NHRA has played a very important and meaningful role throughout my career,” said Morgan Lucas, CEO of Lucas Oil. “As a former professional drag racer, I have seen firsthand the care and craftsmanship NHRA puts into the sport of drag racing, and it is an honor to now support the organization through Lucas Oil’s industry-leading line of automotive additives and lubricants, built to withstand the elements and the tough conditions drivers face. We thank NHRA for its continued partnership with Lucas Oil, which has truly stood the test of time.”

As well as continuing its longtime title sponsorship of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which features the best and most decorated sportsman competitors in drag racing, and its status as “Official Oil of NHRA,” Lucas Oil will also continue as the title rights sponsor with naming rights at legendary Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The track plays host to the world’s biggest and most prestigious drag race, this weekend’s 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Throughout its long-standing and all-encompassing partnership with NHRA, Lucas Oil has worked closely with race teams to develop specialized motor oil, gear oil and fuel treatments for racing, leading to several top-selling products for the company. Each product under the Lucas Oil banner is designed to withstand extreme heat and friction, delivering reliable and standout performance.

“Lucas Oil has been an extraordinary partner with NHRA for the past 25 years, and we’re absolutely thrilled to extend this partnership,” said NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber. “The Lucas family’s commitment to drag racing and our Sportsman racers has been incredible for so many years, forging an incredible legacy in NHRA drag racing. Their support has played a tremendous role in NHRA’s continuous growth and we look forward to enjoying continued success with Lucas Oil well into the future.”

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series schedule in 2026 features 47 divisional events, including 14 double-divisional events across North America. It started Feb. 21-22 in Phoenix at Firebird Motorsports Park and also includes 24 regional events, with the season finale taking place Nov. 5-8 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and then Nov. 12-15 at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona.

For the second consecutive year, NHRA will stream more than 30 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events on either NHRA.tv or the NHRA YouTube page for free during the 2026 campaign, including extensive action from across all seven divisions, special events and more.

For more information about Lucas Oil, visit www.lucasoil.com. For more information on NHRA, including the 2026 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com.

ABOUT LUCAS OIL

For more than 35 years, Lucas has set the world standard in superior engine oils, additives, appearance and lubricant products – powering lifestyles across the automotive, trucking, marine, outdoor, motorsports, industrial and home product worlds. The hard-charging American brand’s commitment to bring the ultimate in performance solutions impacts every customer and partner equally – from jointly-engineered oil for racing teams like Richard Childress Racing (RCR), Monster Jam®, sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts, to additives that deliver unrivaled fuel economy, power and extended engine life to an everyday driver.

Based in Indianapolis, the company’s rapidly expanding global footprint is highlighted by cutting-edge research and development operations, evolving retail channels and high-tech manufacturing. More than 300 premium products make up the largest variety of shelf products of any oil company in the United States with a distribution network across 48 different countries and big-name retailers that include Amazon, Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, Walmart, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, Rural King, Tractor Supply and more. For additional information, visit www.LucasOil.com and follow #TeamLucasOil on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

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.

Built to Race or Built to Remove? How Motorsports Chooses the Right Surface

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SM
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A race venue has to solve two very different surface problems. The track itself needs grip, consistency, and durability at speed. Everything surrounding it — paddocks, infield access, equipment routes, temporary hospitality areas — may need to carry heavy loads for only a few days before disappearing again.

That creates a practical divide in modern motorsports. Some surfaces are engineered to last for decades. Others need to go down quickly, handle a weekend of intense use, and come back up without leaving the venue torn apart.

The interesting question isn’t whether permanent or temporary construction is better. It’s where each belongs. Get that boundary wrong, and a surface that looked economical on the estimate can quickly become the thing holding up the entire build.

Permanent Paving Sets the Ceiling on Grip

Permanent racing surfaces exist because grip, smoothness, and long-term durability are hard to fake. A purpose-built circuit gets engineered from the subgrade up, with tight tolerances on ride quality and a wearing course chosen for how tires behave at speed. That’s why permanent tracks hold up across repeated Cup weekends, sports-car endurance races, and testing days without losing shape.

The trade-off is time and disruption. Milling, base prep, curing, and paving take weeks, and any layout change means the track is offline while the crews work. Infield reconfigurations like the ROVAL job get slotted into competition breaks for a reason.

Temporary Circuits Trade Permanence for Access

Street races and pop-up ovals live at the other extreme. The Las Vegas Grand Prix runs on public roads, and even after paving the racing line to F1 spec, most of what makes the circuit a circuit shows up on trucks: barriers, fencing, bridges, run-off. The 2022 Busch Light Clash famously dropped a quarter-mile asphalt oval inside the L.A. Coliseum, raced on it, and tore it out.

That approach buys access to venues a permanent track can’t touch. It also buys a brutal build calendar. Turning a city’s streets into a Formula 1 circuit can take weeks of construction, and the teardown runs on its own timeline afterward. The racing lasts a weekend. The roadwork lasts a season.

Ground Protection Does the Unglamorous Half of the Buildout

Once the racing surface is settled, the argument moves to everything around it. Composite and timber mats, laminated panels, and modular roadway systems can carry heavy vehicles across ground that was never engineered for point loads, and leave the surface intact for the next event. That’s the same problem pipeline and utility crews solve, which is why the same temporary access solutions show up on both job sites and infields.

The upside over pouring more permanent pavement is straightforward: mats go in and come out in hours, not weeks, and the ground underneath keeps its shape. The limit is just as clear. Mats support access, not competition, and they generally aren’t built to be raced on.

Choose by the Calendar, Not the Catalog

The right call comes down to how often the surface has to perform and how quickly the venue has to become something else again. If a corner will see race traffic for the next decade, pave it correctly. If a paddock road has to disappear on Monday so the infield can host a concert on Friday, temporary systems win before the estimate is finished. Permanent paving sets the ceiling, temporary systems set the pace, and the tracks that plan both together are the ones that keep their schedules.

Pierson Paces Laguna Seca Practice; Title Fighters Stumble

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Official Release
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MONTEREY, Calif. (Friday, Sept. 4, 2026) – Josh Pierson was quickest overall in two combined practice sessions Friday for this weekend’s Grand Prix of Monterey doubleheader, as all three INDY NXT by Firestone title contenders were nowhere near the top of the speed charts.

Pierson led with a top lap of 1 minute, 14.2218 seconds in the No. 29 Starchive Andretti car of Andretti Global after two 25-minute practice sessions on the 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course. Pierson is seeking his first career victory in the INDYCAR development series.

All but one of the 24 drivers on track turned their quickest laps during the second practice, including Pierson.

“Massive fluctuation (between the two sessions),” Pierson said. “First session was super-green track. We did a good job not throwing ourselves out the window and not changing too much, but we made a few changes to get the balance right for this session.

“All in all, I feel like we’re pretty strong. I feel like there’s some stuff I can still clean up driving-wise, and I think there’s a little bit we can find.”

Fellow series veteran Jacob Abel was second by a slim margin at 1:14.2264 in the No. 48 Abel Motorsports machine. Max Taylor was third at 1:14.3416 in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen entry of Andretti Global.

Rookie Max Garcia, who earned his first career series victory last Sunday in Milwaukee, ended up fourth at 1:14.3979 in the No. 12 Abel Motorsports car. JM Correa rounded out the top five at 1:14.4806 in the No. 68 Cusick Morgan Motorsports machine.

Just 29 points separate series leader Nikita Johnson, second-place Enzo Fittipaldi and third-place Tymek Kucharczyk in a fierce race among three rookies for the championship and INDYCAR SERIES career enhancement package at this season-ending doubleheader. All three remained bunched today but not in a comfortable spot.

Kucharczyk was the quickest of the title trio, eighth at 1:14.7576 in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports car. His teammate Fittipaldi was ninth at 1:14.7689 in the No. 67 HMD Motorsports entry. Johnson, who leads Fittipaldi by just three points, was 11th at 1:15.0527 in the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR machine.

Up next is qualifying for both races at 3 p.m. ET Saturday, followed by the 35-lap first race at 6:30 p.m. ET. FS2, FOX One and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls will broadcast qualifying and the race live.

LANGDON, BECKMAN, G. STANFIELD & M. SMITH OPEN CORNWELL QUALITY TOOLS NHRA U.S. NATIONALS AT THE TOP

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 4, 2026) – Shawn Langdon went to the top on Friday’s final run at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, taking the provisional No. 1 spot to kick off the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Greg Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers in Indianapolis at the 14th of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Langdon went 3.727-seconds at 334.98 mph in his 12,000-horsepower SealMaster dragster for Kalitta Motorsports as the past champion looks to pick up his sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 28th in his career.

In Brainerd, Langdon dropped to second in points behind teammate Doug Kalitta, putting a premium on doing well at Indy. He’s currently 67 points behind the reigning world champion as Langdon attempts to win the regular season championship and get his third Indy victory.

“It was definitely a big confidence boost for the team and it takes some of the pressure off for the rest of the weekend,” Langdon said. “The last couple of races, things just didn’t really seem to go our way. We still have a good car, though, and we still know what our group is capable of, so this is definitely a good start to the weekend. With the amount of cars that we have (22 in Top Fuel), we know we’re in, so not qualifying goes out of your head.”

Tony Stewart, who clinched the regular season world championship a year ago, is currently second with a 3.744 at 328.22 and Leah Pruett is third after going 3.772 at 326.24.

For the second straight year, Funny Car’s Jack Beckman is atop the field after Friday night at The Big Go, going 3.937 at 326.79 in his 12,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet SS for John Force Racing.

For the second straight year, Beckman is also in a John Force throwback, with Friday’s car sporting an homage to Force’s dominant 1996 championship season 30 years ago. It was a stellar debut for Beckman with the throwback Indy look as he seeks his third No. 1 spot of the year and the 36th in his career. It’s the start of a big weekend for Beckman, who is also the No. 1 seed in Sunday’s PlayNHRA All-Star Callout bonus race.

“It’s awesome to be No. 1 qualifier when there are 16 cars, but I don’t want to say it’s essential when there are 23 cars – it just sets you right,” Beckman said. “It’s a unique race because we get five qualifiers. It’s the only event where we’re only scheduled for one run on Friday, and we only get one night session. This might be an interesting weekend. Sunday, it looks like the forecast is a lot more favorable. Maybe there’s a chance to swing harder than that, and I hope there is.

“It’s so rewarding when you step on the throttle on one of these things, and it just keeps motoring down there. I don’t know if ours mixed a cylinder up – it wasn’t a great mile an hour, but it was efficient.”

Ron Capps is right behind in second after a 3.938 at 329.10 and back-to-back event winner Austin Prock is third after a run of 3.943 at 313.37.

In Pro Stock, Greg Stanfield enjoyed a strong start in his Janac Brothers Racing car for Elite Motorsports, taking the provisional No. 1 spot with a run of 6.650 at 206.01. Should that hold for the veteran, he would pick up his second top qualifier of what has been a solid regular season.

He’s currently third in points and has been the front-runner for Elite Motorsports thus far in 2026. This race also means a lot to Stanfield, who won in Pro Stock at The Big Go in 2010 and would love to do so again this year.

“If you could be number one at the end of the session, it’s a great day for us, so we’re tickled to death with where we finished up,” Stanfield said. “Looking at the weather for Sunday, and as the race goes on, I think the weather’s going to get better, so things will kind of get jockeyed around, but it feels good to start out on top for sure.

“I love this race. It’s our best race. So, hopefully, we can just keep moving forward and we need luck. That’s what we need more than anything.”

Erica Enders, the defending event winner in Indy, is second with a 6.661 at 206.67 and points leader Greg Anderson, who has seven Indy victories, is right behind with a 6.661 at 205.60.

Pro Stock Motorcycle officially returned to the track for the first time since late June and Matt Smith Racing was ready, taking the top three spots to open the weekend, including a top run from Matt Smith, who delivered a run of 6.864 at 198.90 on his Denso Auto Parts Buell.

Eight riders took part in the GETTRX All-Star Callout in July, but the entire class hasn’t competed in more than two months. But the two-wheeled category will be at the final seven races, including this weekend at The Big Go and Smith is off to a great start as he seeks his third No. 1 qualifier of the season and the 62nd in his career. Currently fourth in points, Smith hopes a big finish to his year starts this weekend at the world’s biggest drag race.

“I thought it was pretty good. We went to Rockingham [Dragway] and made a bunch of test laps,” Smith said. “We spent two days down there in conditions just like this. It was hot and humid, and we dedicated ourselves to it because we knew it was probably going to be hot here.

“Sunday might be a little different, but right now I think we got a good little start. We had some time off and we worked really hard preparing motors and getting everybody’s stuff fresh for this race and for the Countdown.”

Smith’s wife, Angie, is currently second with a 6.905 at 196.64 and John Hall sits third after Friday with a 6.910 at 195.65.

Qualifying continues at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

INDIANAPOLIS — Friday’s results after the first one of five rounds of qualifying for the 72nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, 14th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Shawn Langdon, 3.727 seconds, 334.98 mph; 2. Tony Stewart, 3.744, 328.22; 3. Leah Pruett, 3.772, 326.24; 4. Jasmine Salinas, 3.776, 329.91; 5. Justin Ashley, 3.781, 331.12; 6. Tripp Tatum, 3.805, 308.43; 7. Ida Zetterstrom, 3.809, 328.46; 8. Josh Hart, 3.812, 323.50; 9. Maddi Gordon, 3.818, 324.67; 10. Clay Millican, 3.844, 327.11; 11. Dan Mercier, 3.873, 314.75; 12. Jake Sanders, 3.878, 306.26; 13. Tony Schumacher, 3.920, 312.93; 14. T.J. Zizzo, 3.934, 288.89; 15. Antron Brown, 4.206, 207.94; 16. Will Smith, 4.499, 166.76.

Not Qualified: 17. Billy Torrence, 4.674, 208.84; 18. Doug Kalitta, 5.031, 144.26; 19. Shawn Reed, 5.218, 131.79; 20. Krista Baldwin, 5.399, 128.07; 21. Lex Joon, broke.

Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.937, 326.79; 2. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.938, 329.10; 3. Austin Prock, Ford Mustang, 3.943, 313.37; 4. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 3.947, 329.26; 5. Cruz Pedregon, Dodge Charger, 3.970, 319.98; 6. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.984, 314.17; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.988, 326.40; 8. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.998, 323.89; 9. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 4.013, 318.47; 10. Chad Green, Mustang, 4.044, 283.49; 11. Jordan Vandergriff, Camaro, 4.082, 263.67; 12. Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.135, 300.66; 13. Chris King, Charger, 4.136, 268.49; 14. Dylan Winefsky,

Charger, 4.173, 305.84; 15. Julie Nataas, GR Supra, 4.529, 199.35; 16. Paul Lee, Charger, 4.713, 179.23.

Not Qualified: 17. Blake Alexander, 4.793, 171.99; 18. Justin Schriefer, 4.809, 169.13; 19.

Bobby Bode, 5.289, 138.63; 20. Terry Haddock, 6.713, 110.47; 21. Dave Richards, 7.361, 85.08; 22. John Smith, broke; 23. Hunter Green, broke.

Pro Stock — 1. Greg Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.650, 206.01; 2. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.661, 206.67; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.661, 205.60; 4. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.670, 204.32; 5. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.674, 205.35; 6. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.678, 205.29; 7. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.682, 204.91; 8. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.683, 205.63; 9. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.683, 205.38; 10. Chris Vang, Camaro, 6.691, 203.71; 11. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.699, 205.82; 12. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.704,

204.70; 13. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.711, 206.07; 14. Jerry Tucker, Camaro, 6.711, 205.98; 15. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.732, 205.19; 16. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.740, 204.14.

Not Qualified: 17. Alan Prusiensky, 8.458, 115.75; 18. David Vaseloff, 8.697, 106.97.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.864, 198.90; 2. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.905, 196.64; 3. John Hall, Beull, 6.910, 195.65; 4. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.926, 195.70; 5. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.946, 193.85; 6. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.947, 193.38; 7. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 6.973, 194.66; 8. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 6.994, 190.73; 9. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 7.004, 190.86; 10. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 7.060, 194.38; 11. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.061, 192.63; 12. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 7.069, 194.07; 13. Wesley Wells, Suzuki, 7.126, 187.60; 14. Mark Paquette, EBR, 7.222, 173.36; 15. Hector Arana, EBR,

7.366, 152.97; 16. Hector Arana Jr, EBR, 9.971, 85.54.

Champ Palou Keeps Foot on Gas To Lead First Laguna Seca Practice

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Official Release
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MONTEREY, Calif. (Friday, Sept. 4, 2026) – No wonder Alex Palou calls WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca his favorite road course on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule.

Palou, fresh off clinching his fifth series championship last weekend, continued to look untouchable at the picturesque Central California circuit after the first practice Friday for the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey. He led with a best lap of 1 minute, 9.8994 seconds in the No. 10 DHL Lightning Bolt Honda of Chip Ganassi Racing that is an ode to Alex Zanardi, who won two INDYCAR SERIES titles for CGR in a car with a similar livery. Zanardi died in May.

“Super cool to be here at Laguna, my favorite road course of the year and especially this weekend,” Palou said. “We don’t need to think about points; we can focus on winning.

“First-ever session I’ve run the bolt, the lightning bolt, with the No. 10 car. It was good. It was fast. I cannot wait for the rest of the weekend.”

The Spaniard has dominated at this 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course since his first start here in 2021. He has never finished worse than third in five starts, and he has three victories, including the last two years. He has won the pole for this event the last two years.

His average finish at this circuit is a mind-melting 1.6. He has led 250 laps on this iconic circuit that includes the newly renamed Zanardi Corkscrew turn complex, including 84 of 95 last year.

Add it all up, and it’s safe to say Palou remains the overwhelming favorite to win the NTT P1 Award during qualifying Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, FS2) and the 95-lap race Sunday (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX Deportes).

Felix Rosenqvist kept Palou close, ending up second at 1:09.9907 in the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Honda that includes a special livery featuring hard rock superstars Nickelback.

Pato O’Ward, who swept both races of the Milwaukee doubleheader last Sunday, was third at 1:10.1764 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. O’Ward is one of three drivers in a very tight fight for second place in the championship standings behind Palou in this season-ending race. He is fourth, two points behind third-place Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global and four points behind teammate Christian Lundgaard in second.

Scott McLaughlin ended up fourth at 1:10.3198 in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet. Kyffin Simpson put two Chip Ganassi Racing cars in the top five with his best lap of 1:10.3765 in the No. 8 Sunoco CGR Honda.

There was one incident involving contact in the 64-minute session, divided into three groups. Santino Ferrucci ran wide in Turn 9 and made nose-first contact with the tire barrier in the No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet of A.J. Foyt Enterprises. The car suffered minor damage, and Ferrucci was unhurt.

Up next is another practice session at 1 p.m. ET Saturday (FS2), leading into NTT P1 Award qualifying later that afternoon. FOX One and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls also are broadcasting all sessions live this weekend.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: SOUTHERN 500 RACE PREVIEW

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Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
SOUTHERN 500 PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Cook Out Southern 500

DATE: September 6, 2026
Race: NASCAR Cup Series 27 of 36
TRACK: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway | 1.366-Mile Oval

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT DARLINGTON: John Hunter Nemechek has eight starts at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series. He earned his highest finish of fourth in last year’s Southern 500. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, he has six starts at Darlington, earning three top-five finishes and two poles, earned in May 2023 and September 2023. He also earned his highest finish of third in the May 2023 race. Nemechek also has three starts at Darlington in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he won in May 2022, earned two poles in May 2021 and 2022, and never finished lower than eighth, including two top-two finishes. This weekend will also mark Nemechek’s 100th NASCAR Cup Series start in a Toyota Camry XSE.

TRUCK SERIES WINNER AT DARLINGTON: In May 2022, Nemechek took home the checkered flag in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race after starting on the pole. He led 69 out of 147 laps and won with a .552 margin of victory over Carson Hocevar. Nemechek was running a fulltime season in the Truck Series in 2022, and Darlington marked his first of two wins that season.

DEPUTY NEMECHEK: Prior to last year’s Southern 500, Nemechek visited the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office to meet with local first responders and gain insight into their service to the community. The following evening, Deputy Devan Mason was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call in Darlington. His sacrifice serves as a powerful reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face each day to protect and serve their communities.

As Nemechek continues to build his relationship with the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, the department will recognize him as an honorary Sheriff’s Deputy for Darlington County on Sunday, September 6. Nemechek will be recognized during a small ceremony in Victory Lane, where he will receive his honorary badge and be formally welcomed as a member of the department.

T-MACK AT DARLINGTON: Sunday evening’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s 12th NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington. His first outing at the 1.366-mile oval came in May 2021 with Daniel Suárez, and the duo competed for six total races between 2021 and 2023. Mack’s highest finish of fourth came with John Hunter Nemechek in the pair’s second Darlington race together in August 2025. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Mack made four starts at Darlington with Michael Annett between 2018 and 2020, earning two top-10 finishes and a best result of eighth in September 2020.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“This race was a really good one for us at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB last year. I always enjoy Darlington, especially with managing tire wear and adapting to the shift in track temperature as the sun goes down. Being able to go race at Darlington is super special, especially in a crown jewel race like the Southern 500.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“Darlington has been good to us. Missed it a little bit in the spring with the new package, but I feel better going back there a second time. We got a good baseline there in March and learned a lot that we can apply to Sunday evening.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
THAT JONES BOY AT DARLINGTON: Sunday evening’s Cook Out Southern 500 will mark Erik Jones’ 18th NASCAR Cup Series start at historic Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Jones made a name for himself at the 1.366-mile oval where he owns two Southern 500 victories, six top-fives, and 10 top-10s. He has led 132 laps in his career at Darlington, the second-most of any track in his career behind his 293 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Between his first start in the 2017 Southern 500 and the 2020 Southern 500, Jones never finished worse than eighth in the Cup Series. He has an additional two starts at Darlington in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series where he never started worse than sixth. In his first start there in September 2016, Jones started 10th and finished an impressive sixth. He followed that up in September 2017 when he started 11th and earned a fourth-place result.

TWO-TIME SOUTHERN 500 WINNER: Jones is not only a winner at Darlington, but a two-time Southern 500 winner. The crown jewel race has been kind to the Byron, Michigan native in his career. His first Southern 500 victory came in September 2019. Jones started 15th and led 79 laps en route to a 4.058 second victory over Kyle Larson. After a couple of top 10s, Jones found victory lane at Darlington once again in the September 2022 Southern 500. He once again started 15th and led a total of 23 laps to find victory lane with a .252-second margin of victory over Denny Hamlin.

ALEXANDER AT DARLINGTON: Sunday’s Southern 500 at Darlington will mark Justin Alexander’s 15th race on top of the box in the NASCAR Cup Series at the 1.366-mile track. In his prior 14 starts, he earned two top-fives and four top-10s at the track. His best finish of second came in the 2020 Southern 500 with Austin Dillon, where the duo finished just .434 seconds behind race winner Kevin Harvick.

ERIK JONES QUOTE:
“I think we’re all looking forward to Darlington. It’s historically been a great track for myself and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB the past couple of years. Both cars had a strong run in the Southern 500 last year and we were able to contend up front and contend for the win. We’re all hoping for a great run and to get some momentum rolling. Things just haven’t quite gone our way. We’ve gotten caught up in a lot of other people’s messes – things out of our control. Hopefully, we can get our momentum rolling and get back on track to have a great run at Darlington and hopefully challenge for another Southern 500 win.”

JUSTIN ALEXANDER QUOTE:
“Can’t wait to get to Darlington this weekend. The Southern 500 is a race we look forward to every year with Erik behind the wheel. It’s a tough race that starts in the day and ends at night, and the track changes so much throughout the race. You have to stay on top of the balance, and with the high tire falloff, the driver has to manage the tires all night. Erik knows how to get to victory lane in this race, and we plan on being there Sunday night when the checkered flag waves.”

CLUB NOTES:
JJ – TWO-TIME SOUTHERN 500 CHAMP: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson has 24 Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway. In his career, Johnson is a two-time Southern 500 champion and a three-time winner at Darlington. He has earned nine top-fives and 13 top-10s at the track nicknamed “The Lady in Black” as well as led 563 laps. His first win at Darlington came in March 2004 when Johnson started 11th and led 69 laps en route to a .132-second margin of victory over Bobby Labonte. He followed that up in the November 2004 Southern 500 when he started fourth, led 124 laps, and bested Mark Martin by .959 seconds. His final win at Darlington came in the 2012 Southern 500 when he started second, led 134 laps, and beat Denny Hamlin by .781 seconds.

KENSETH WINS AT DARLINGTON: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB competition advisor and 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth owns 28 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway. He earned one win, three top-fives, and 13 top-10s in these starts and led 193 laps. Kenseth is also a Southern 500 winner. A year after Johnson’s win in 2012, Kenseth started seventh and led 17 laps en route to a 3.155-second margin of victory over Denny Hamlin.

THE KING AT DARLINGTON: Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ambassador Richard Petty owns 65 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway and is also a Southern 500 champion. In total, he accumulated three wins, 25 top-fives, and 34 top-10s at Darlington. He also led 2,391 laps at the 1.366-mile oval. His first victory came in April 1966 where Petty started on the pole and led 281 of 291 laps to find victory lane. He found victory lane again in May 1967 when he started second behind David Pearson and led 266 laps to win his second race at the track. His final win came in the September 1967 Southern 500 where Petty once again started on the pole and led a total of 345 laps to best David Pearson once again.

LAST YEAR’S SOUTHERN 500: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB had a strong outing last September at Darlington Raceway that the team is hoping to build off of this time around. Jones and Nemechek finish third and fourth respectively in the 2025 Southern 500. Jones start the Southern 500 in 19th and earned stage points with a third-place finish in Stage 2. In the final stage, he ran solidly inside the top-10 to earn his best finish of the 2025 season. Nemechek start 30th but made moves early in the race. The No. 42 team used strategy to earn stage points in both of the opening stages and bring home a fourth-place finish.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB: On Thursday, September 3, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced Riley Herbst as the driver of the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE for 2027 and beyond in a multi-year deal. 2027 will mark Herbst’s third fulltime season in the NASCAR Cup Series. In addition, Herbst is bringing along his longtime partner Monster Energy to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB to serve as his primary for a majority of the year.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT:

Hear directly from Riley Herbst and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner Jimmie Johnson‬ on the new partnership, the road ahead, and what fans can expect from the No. 84 team.

CLUB APPEARANCES:
John Hunter Nemechek will visit the trackside merchandise hauler in the fan zone on Saturday, September 5 at 2 p.m. local time for an autograph session.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, September 6 at 5 p.m. EDT on USA Sports, HBO MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

ABOUT 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. The No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE driven by Riley Herbst will debut full time in the 2027 season, while Johnson will make his final NASCAR Cup Series start at the 2027 DAYTONA 500 in the No. 48 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.

The Hidden Costs of Car Accidents That Most Drivers Don’t Expect

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SM
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A car accident can leave lasting financial, emotional, and physical consequences that go far beyond the initial repair bill. The hidden costs of car accidents often include ongoing medical expenses, lost income, higher insurance premiums, emotional distress, and unexpected legal or transportation costs. 

Many drivers are surprised by how quickly these expenses add up, even after what seems like a minor collision. Working with the best car crash attorney can help accident victims understand their rights and pursue compensation for losses that may not be immediately obvious.

Medical Expenses Can Continue for Months

After an accident, emergency medical care is often only the beginning. Many injuries require follow-up appointments, physical therapy, prescription medications, diagnostic imaging, or even surgery. Some conditions, such as whiplash or traumatic brain injuries, may not fully appear until days or weeks after the crash.

These ongoing healthcare costs can create a significant financial burden, particularly if recovery takes longer than expected.

Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity

Many accident victims must take time away from work while recovering. Missing days or weeks of employment can quickly affect household finances, especially for individuals without paid leave.

In more serious cases, permanent injuries may reduce a person’s ability to do their previous job or earn the same income. This long-term loss of earning capacity is a hidden cost many drivers overlook when evaluating an accident’s impact.

Repair bills are only one part of the financial picture. Drivers may also face expenses for:

  • Rental vehicles
  • Towing services
  • Vehicle storage fees
  • Replacement transportation
  • Diminished resale value after repairs

Even if insurance covers some of these costs, deductibles and uncovered expenses can strain a family’s budget.

Insurance Premiums May Increase

Many drivers focus only on immediate repair costs and forget that an accident may lead to higher insurance premiums. Depending on the circumstances and the driver’s policy, insurance rates may increase for several years after a collision.

These higher monthly premiums can become a substantial long-term expense.

Emotional and Psychological Effects

Not every cost is financial. Car accidents often leave lasting emotional impacts, including anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances, or fear of driving.

These challenges may affect work performance, personal relationships, and overall quality of life. Some individuals benefit from counseling or mental health treatment, creating additional expenses that are rarely anticipated immediately after a crash.

Household and Daily Living Costs

Serious injuries may make everyday activities difficult during recovery. Victims sometimes need assistance with childcare, housekeeping, meal preparation, or transportation to medical appointments.

Although these expenses may seem small individually, they often add up over weeks or months and put extra pressure on families already coping with an accident.

Understanding your legal rights is an important part of recovering from a car accident. Depending on the circumstances, injured individuals may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses, so it’s best to consult a car crash attorney as soon as possible.

For example, California Civil Code § 3333 allows individuals injured by another person’s wrongful act or negligence to recover damages that compensate for all detriment caused by the injury. Laws vary by state, so the available compensation depends on the facts of each case and the applicable jurisdiction.

Seeking legal guidance early can help preserve evidence and ensure that all recoverable damages are properly evaluated.

Reduce Future Financial Risks

Although accidents cannot always be prevented, drivers can reduce potential costs by practicing safe driving habits, maintaining adequate insurance coverage, documenting accident scenes carefully, and seeking prompt medical attention after a collision.

Being proactive may minimize both financial losses and long-term complications.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

The true cost of a car accident extends far beyond repairing a damaged vehicle. Medical treatment, lost wages, increased insurance premiums, emotional distress, transportation expenses, and reduced earning potential can continue long after the accident itself. Understanding these hidden costs helps drivers prepare for the unexpected and make informed decisions if they are ever involved in a collision. Contact a car accident attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and pursue full compensation for accident-related losses.

Custom Home Builders Spokane WA: What Building on Your Own Land Actually Involves

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

Custom home builders Spokane WA families turn to have a very different job than the production builders filling out subdivisions north of the city. When you already own the land, or you are about to, the question stops being which lot in which neighborhood and becomes how to turn a specific piece of ground into a house that fits your life and your budget. That shift changes almost everything about the process, from the first site visit to the day the keys change hands.

Spokane is one of the few metro areas in the Northwest where buying acreage and building on it is still realistic for a working family. Between the Palouse to the south, the timbered hills toward Mount Spokane, the lake country around Deer Park and Newman Lake, and the growing corridors through Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake, there is an enormous variety of land, and each parcel brings its own considerations. Knowing what those are before you sign anything is the best way to keep a build on schedule with custom home builders in Spokane, WA.

Why On-Your-Lot Building Is Different

A production home comes with the land already engineered. The grading is done, utilities are stubbed to the lot line, and the builder has built the same plan on the same street a dozen times. A custom build on your own property starts with none of that. Custom home builders Spokane WA landowners work with have to evaluate the soil, the slope, the access, and the availability of water, sewer, and power before anyone can put a real number on the project.

This is where local experience matters. The basalt that sits close to the surface across much of the region can turn a routine foundation excavation into a rock removal job. Parcels over the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie aquifer face stricter septic rules, and properties in the wildland urban interface toward the foothills carry defensible space and fire-resistant construction requirements. Custom home builders Spokane WA homeowners hire for on-your-lot projects have seen these conditions many times over, and that familiarity shows up as accurate estimates rather than change orders.

Site Evaluation Comes Before the Floor Plan

The temptation is to fall in love with a plan first and figure out the land second. The better order is the reverse. A thorough site walk tells you where the house can sit, which direction the main living spaces should face, how long the driveway will be, where the well and drain field can go, and how much earthwork the lot needs. All of that feeds into the total cost, and it can steer you toward a plan that suits the ground instead of one that fights it.

A daylight basement makes sense on a lot that slopes away from the road and can add finished square footage at a lower cost per foot than a second story. A flat parcel with a high water table points toward a slab or crawl space rancher. Experienced custom home builders Spokane WA homeowners rely on make these calls only after the site has been read properly.

What the Building Process Looks Like in Spokane County

Permitting in the region runs through several jurisdictions depending on where the land sits. Property inside city limits goes through the city’s building department, unincorporated land goes through Spokane County Building and Planning, and communities like Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Cheney, and Deer Park each handle their own. A rural parcel typically also needs a septic design approved by the regional health district, a well log or proof of water rights, and an access permit if the driveway connects to a county road.

Custom home builders Spokane WA counts on for rural and suburban projects work across all of these jurisdictions every week. They know which plan reviewers want what, how long each office is currently running, and which submittals tend to bounce. That institutional knowledge is not glamorous, but it routinely saves weeks.

Understanding Cost Beyond the Base Price

Every custom home builder in Spokane quotes a price for the house, and the honest ones are clear about what that number does not include. Site costs are the big variable. Clearing, grading, rock excavation, a well, a septic system, a long power run, and a driveway can add a substantial amount depending on the parcel. Two identical houses on two different lots can land tens of thousands of dollars apart once the site work is tallied.

The right approach is a site-specific estimate prepared after the builder has walked the land, not a per-square-foot figure quoted over the phone. Ask how allowances are handled, what is included in the base package, and how upgrades get priced. A clear contract at the start prevents hard conversations later.

How Adair Homes Approaches Custom Building in the Inland Northwest

Adair Homes has been building on customers’ own land for more than fifty years, and the company’s Spokane branch serves the city, Spokane Valley, and the surrounding communities across Spokane County and the Inland Northwest. The model is built around one idea, which is that the homeowner should be able to choose a proven plan, personalize it inside and out, and have it built on the land they already own without acting as their own general contractor.

Buyers work from a library of plans refined over thousands of builds, then adjust layouts, finishes, and features to fit their needs. Because the plans are engineered and priced ahead of time, the guesswork that makes fully bespoke architecture expensive is largely removed, while the home still reflects the choices of the family living in it.

Guiding the Land Purchase and Financing

One of the reasons Adair is often named among the custom home builders Spokane WA buyers consider first is that the help starts before construction. Many families come in with a piece of land in mind but no clear sense of whether it will support the house they want. Adair’s team evaluates the property, flags the issues that will affect cost, and helps buyers understand what a construction loan on a land-and-build project looks like. For first-time builders, that front-end guidance is often the difference between a project that starts and one that stalls in research.

Questions Worth Asking Any Builder

Before committing to any of the custom home builders Spokane, WA has to offer, a few questions separate the experienced from the aspirational. Ask how many on-your-lot homes the company has completed in Spokane County in the past year. Ask who your point of contact will be during construction and how often you will receive updates. Ask to see a sample contract and a cost breakdown for a similar project. Ask what the warranty covers and who services it after closing.

Then ask what typically goes wrong on builds like yours and how the company handles it. Weather delays, material lead times, and inspection scheduling affect every job in the region. Custom home builders Spokane WA residents recommend can describe those problems plainly and explain the plan for them, because they have lived through them.

Making the Decision

Building on your own land in the Spokane area is one of the most rewarding ways to get a home that is truly yours, with the acreage, views, and layout that resale inventory rarely delivers. It also has more moving parts than a conventional purchase, and the builder you choose determines how many of those parts you manage yourself. The best custom home builders Spokane WA offers bring three things to the table at once: local knowledge of the land and the permitting process, transparent pricing, and a construction process that keeps the homeowner informed without overwhelming them. Find a partner that delivers all three, and the build becomes the beginning of the next chapter rather than a year of stress.

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