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RCR Race Preview: EchoPark Speedway

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Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at EchoPark Speedway… In 169 NASCAR Cup Series starts at EchoPark Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has earned nine wins and four pole awards, including Kevin Harvick’s emotional victory in 2001. Dale Earnhardt won eight times at the Hampton, Georgia track under the RCR banner (1984-fall, 1986-fall, 1988-spring, 1989-fall, 1990-spring, 1995-fall, 1996-spring, 2000-spring). The Welcome, N.C., team has 31 top-five and 64 top-10 finishes at EchoPark Speedway and has led a total of 3,045 laps at the 1.54-mile oval.

RCR in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at EchoPark Speedway… RCR has recorded eight NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins at EchoPark Speedway, led by Austin Hill’s five victories (2022-fall, 2023-spring, swept both races in 2024, 2025-spring). Jeff Burton (2006 and 2007) and Kevin Harvick (2013) also secured victories at EchoPark Speedway with RCR. As an organization, RCR has racked up 19 top-five and 36 top-10 finishes across 68 starts at the Peachtree State track.

Did You Know? RCR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series program has won nine of the last 13 (Hill – seven, Jesse Love – two) and 13 of the last 24 drafting track events (all since Hill joined the team in 2022). Additionally, with Hill’s victory last week at Daytona International Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has now won five consecutive season-opening events, tying the previous record set by Dale Earnhardt Inc. (1990-1994).

2.75… With RCR Chevrolets capturing the pole positions for both the Daytona 500 (Busch) and United Rentals 300 (Hill) and all four entries starting no worse than seventh (Love, 2nd; Dillon, 7th), the company’s average starting position at Daytona International Speedway was an impressive and stout 2.75.

Catch the Action on Saturday… The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 at EchoPark Speedway will be televised live Saturday, February 21, beginning at 5 p.m. ET on The CW. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Watch Us on FOX… The NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, February 22, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on FOX. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… In 18 NASCAR Cup Series starts at EchoPark Speedway, Austin Dillon earned a best finish of sixth in March 2021. Across four NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and four NASCAR Truck Series starts at the Hampton, Georgia track, Dillon has posted seven top-10 results and never finished worse than the 11th position.

About Morgan & Morgan… As America’s largest injury law firm, with lawyers licensed in all 50 states, Morgan & Morgan has recovered more than $30 billion for over 700,000 clients. Throughout the United States, our attorneys fulfill our “For The People” commitment in over 50 practice areas, including national mass torts and class actions, labor and employment, product liability and dangerous drugs, among many others. Hundreds of law firms throughout the U.S. refer thousands of cases through our Morgan Connection platform. Our firm has taken on some of the biggest corporations across the globe, including BP, Facebook, Google, Monsanto, and Eli Lilly, and recovered billions in complex national litigation, including $1.8 billion in the Porter Ranch Gas Leak case in California. Learn more at www.forthepeople.com.

Meet Dillon… Fans will have two opportunities to meet Dillon this weekend. On Saturday, February 21 at 9:45 a.m. Local Time, Dillon will participate in a question and answer session at the Fan Zone Stage at EchoPark Speedway. On Sunday, February 22 at 11:45 a.m. Local Time, the 35-year-old will participate once more in a question and answer session at the Fan Zone Stage.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

EchoPark Speedway changed a lot with the repave and the reconfiguration, but how has it changed since? Where are we with the evolution?

“I think EchoPark Speedway is gaining character from the winters, and just the passing of time. That place is so banked, and you’re starting to find little bumps and stuff that were in it from the beginning that are getting bigger. It’s a cool style of racing. It’s a lot different than what we all envisioned a repave of EchoPark Speedway would be, I think. It’s speedway racing but with an important handling component. Handling is going to become more and more important as the track wears. I had a lot of fun in previous races there, even though we’ve been caught up in some messes.”

It’s very easy to get caught up in somebody else’s problems at EchoPark Speedway…

“It seems like it is, because two years ago that was probably the best car I’ve had going there. We were just riding along and the wreck happens and you’re in it. I mean, if you’re within a car length, it’s very tough to get away from the wreck at EchoPark Speedway.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… Sunday’s 260-lap race at EchoPark Speedway will mark Kyle Busch’s 33rd career NASCAR Cup Series start at the Hampton, Georgia track. Busch has two NASCAR Cup Series wins at the 1.54-mile track, reaching Victory Lane in March 2008 and September 2013. The 41-year-old Las Vegas native has 10 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes at the track, holds an average starting position of 11.9 and an average finish of 13.1. In addition to his Cup Series success at EchoPark Speedway, the veteran racer also has eight NASCAR Truck Series and three NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins at the Peachtree State track.

Did You Know? Busch is the youngest winner in Cup Series history at EchoPark Speedway, claiming the checkered flag in the 2008 spring event at 22 years, 10 months, and 7 days of age.

About Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen… Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is the homestyle casual dining restaurant where guests always Get a lot. For not a lot™. The restaurant offers a variety of homemade meals and generous portions served up in a warm, welcoming atmosphere – all at an unbelievable price. After being welcomed with a signature Honey Butter Croissant on the house, guests can enjoy signature entrées like hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, homemade Chicken Pot Pie and slow-smoked Baby Back Ribs. Cheddar’s operates more than 180 restaurants in 28 states. For more information or to locate the nearest restaurant, visit Cheddars.com. Fans can like or follow Cheddar’s on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Double Duty… In addition to his driving duties in Sunday’s Cup Series race, Busch will pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports in Saturday’s Truck Series race.

Off the Track… Before Busch fires up the engine this weekend, he’s making a special pit stop in Georgia. A local 5th grade teacher, Ms. Smallwood, has gone viral for using NASCAR to spark excitement in her classroom. Busch, along with Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, are surprising her students with Cheddar’s croissants, fun surprises, and a hands-on lesson led by the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion himself.

Meet Busch… Race fans will have two opportunities to get up-close with Busch this weekend at EchoPark Speedway. On Saturday, February 21 at 9:30 a.m. Local Time, Busch will be on the Fan Zone Stage for a question and answer session, while on Sunday, February 22 at 11:30 a.m. Local Time, he will participate in the Speedway Children’s Charities LIVE Auction, also on the Fan Zone Stage.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

Talk about racing at EchoPark Speedway and what it’s like.

“EchoPark Speedway is an entirely different track than what it used to be. No more old age asphalt and running and strategy to have the best tires at the end. It’s a speedway race. It’s all everybody on top of one another and there’s a lot of chess matches going on. So trying to figure out the best lane to be in, where you want to be on that last lap, do you want to be leading, do you want to be second, it just kind of depends on the situations and the runs and the energy that is happening behind you from the other cars to push you forward.”

Talk about the chaotic nature of racing in Atlanta…

“Atlanta has gotten pretty chaotic, anything can happen. Any moment, we’re pushing each other, bumping each other, and more times than not we’re crashing down the straightaways. It’s a tricky little racetrack because it’s a mile-and-a-half. So the superspeedway aspect of it, at a mile-and-a-half, the speed sensation is so much higher. So, it’s really a fun place to race, but yet a big challenge on the drivers.”

How do you balance the aggression of racing here, and surviving?

“Yeah, you want to be aggressive at Atlanta because you want to get up towards the front. You want to make those moves to get yourself in position and everybody else is also trying to do that, so you got 30-40 drivers vying for that number one position it gets a little bit hectic, but you know you gotta wait. It’s a long race, you can’t be wrecking and piling up 30 something cars in turn three in the first stage it just makes zero sense, so trying to find a way to make it through the wrecks and not get caught up in one.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Samsara Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… Jesse Love, the reigning O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, will make his fifth start at the Hampton, Georgia track. Across his previous four starts at the 1.54-mile oval, the 21-year-old qualified on the pole for his first three starts (swept both poles in 2024, 2025-spring), earning a best finish of sixth twice. Love has completed 100% of the laps contested at EchoPark Speedway.

Strong Start to 2026… Starting on the outside of the front row alongside his teammate Austin Hill, Love was in contention throughout the race, led 27 laps and finished ninth in the season-opening O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

About Samsara… Samsara (NYSE: IOT) is the pioneer of the Connected Operations® Platform, an open platform that connects the people, devices, and systems behind some of the world’s most complex operations. By bringing real-time data and AI together in one place, Samsara helps organizations turn day-to-day activity into clear, actionable insights to run safer, more efficient operations. With tens of thousands of customers across North America and Europe, Samsara serves the teams who keep the global economy moving—from transportation and logistics to construction, field services, manufacturing, utilities and energy, government, healthcare and education, food and beverage, and more—making these essential operations safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Recently, Samsara unveiled the Samsara Coach—a new AI-powered coaching experience delivering personalized, real-time guidance to drivers—that features Jesse Love as a Samsara Coach avatar. The new feature was recently announced in a Super Bowl commercial featuring the NASCAR champ.

Meet Love… On Saturday, February 21 at 2:30 p.m. Local Time, Love is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at EchoPark Speedway. Stop by to meet Love and purchase new No. 2 gear.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

What are your thoughts going into EchoPark Speedway after a strong showing last weekend at Daytona International Speedway?

“I’m excited for Atlanta, and I am pretty motivated after last week. I felt like I had a great car, and obviously Austin Hill came out on top, and that motivates me even more. We’re going to try and stop his domination at Atlanta, which would be really cool for me. It’s not that I don’t want the 21 to win, but I have put a lot of effort into Atlanta and I feel like on the speedways I’m comparing myself a lot to what Austin has been able to accomplish and that’s been a great motivator for me to get better at these style tracks. Atlanta is a track that I’ve been really close at in the past, I’ve led coming to the white flag twice, ran out of fuel, you know, leading an overtime finish there, and things just haven’t panned out for me. So hopefully I can control my own destiny a little bit better this time around and finally take home a win in Atlanta. That would be huge for me to finally get it done there.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… Austin Hill has eight starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at EchoPark Speedway, earning five victories, including winning three consecutive O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events (swept both races in 2024 and 2025-spring) and five of the last seven at the Hampton, Georgia track. Hill has led laps in seven of eight starts, leading a total of 364 laps. In addition, the 31-year-old has six NASCAR Truck Series starts at the Peachtree State track, posting one pole (2019), two top-five (2020, 2021) and three top-10 results (2019-2021).

Record Chasing x2… This weekend, Hill will look to surpass Kevin Harvick for the most all-time O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins at EchoPark Speedway. Harvick’s five victories came before the track reconfiguration, while Hill’s five checkered flags have all been on the new surface. Also, if the No. 21 Chevrolet crosses the finish line first, Hill will become the first driver in history to win the first two races of a season multiple times (he won both races in 2024).

Drafting Track Dominance… Hill is the all-time O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drafting track leader in wins (11), stage wins (18) and laps led (888). The veteran racer is the only O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver to win on all three drafting tracks.

Bennett 250 Loading… Located a short 15 minutes from EchoPark Speedway, Bennett Transportation & Logistics’ headquarters are based in McDonough, Georgia. Serving as the entitlement partner of Saturday’s race, Bennett Family of Companies will have over 500 guests on site to watch Hill compete in the Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250.

Georgia Boy Returns Home… Hill is a native of Winston, Georgia, located 60 miles from EchoPark Speedway. Hill started his motorsports career racing bandolero and legends cars on the frontstretch quarter-mile oval at the Hampton, Georgia track.

Daytona Winner… After capturing the pole in last week’s season-opening O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Daytona International Speedway, Hill dominated the event, sweeping both stages and leading a race-high 78 laps en route to capturing his fourth career season-opening win at the World Center of Racing.

About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies is a woman-owned, Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified, diversified transportation and logistics company. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies delivers integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Bennett has 4,625 drivers/owner-operators, over 1,000 employees and 600 agents located across the United States. For more information, visit www.bennettig.com.

Meet Hill… On Saturday, February 21, fans have two opportunities to meet Hill prior to the green flag. At 1:55 p.m. Local Time, Hill is scheduled to make an appearance at the Bennett Family of Companies Display in the Fan Zone at EchoPark Speedway. Immediately following at 2:15 p.m. Local Time, the Georgia native is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone. Stop by to meet Hill and purchase a new limited edition No. 21 win t-shirt.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTES:

Do you approach EchoPark Speedway differently than Daytona International Speedway?

“For me personally, I have a different mindset going to Atlanta versus when I go to Daytona or Talladega. The way that runs are formed there with it being a mile and a half, things happen so quickly. I’m more mentally drained after that race than I am any other speedway race we go to. There is so much going on. My spotter, Derek Kneeland, will be talking non-stop simply because of how fast everything happens. Track position on the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series side is crucial. It’s very hard to gain track position back once you lose it. We have been able to make it up in the past, but as the track has deteriorated over the years, it’s getting harder and harder in our series to drive through the field and back up to the front.”

What do you need from your car to have success at EchoPark Speedway?

“We need to have a balance of raw speed and downforce built into the car. It’s always a 50-50 on what we want to do. How much do we want to look at the raw speed and sitting on the pole, and how much do we want to look at the drivability of the car. I thought we did a really good job of that in the February race last year, with having a good mixture of the two. For our series and our teams, it’s tough to understand what we need to have when unloading. Sure, you can go trim your car out and sit on the pole, but what is it going to do once you’re in the pack? There are a lot of different ways to look at Atlanta, which I enjoy. We might see a breakaway of five or six cars, or we all might be bunched up. It really depends on what everyone brings to the racetrack and how the race plays out. Temperature always seems to play a role in the equation too.”

A Georgia driver with a Georgia based sponsor in a Georgia race. How cool is it to represent Bennett Transportation & Logistics in their entitlement race?

“Over the last couple of years when we go to Atlanta, Bennett has either been the pole sponsor or the race entitlement sponsor. Each time they tell me that I have to go win each stage, lead laps, and win the race. I tell them all the time that I’m so glad you have that much confidence in me and I wish I had that much confidence in myself. It is so hard to win these races. So many things can happen and go wrong. We have been fortunate enough to win there multiple times and to do it with Bennett is really special. I’ve already been told this week that I need to win the race, so pressure is on for me to deliver. Hopefully, it’s just like Daytona where we stay up front all day and do what we know how to do on these speedway style races.”

Front Row Motorsports: EchoPark Speedway NCS Race Advance (Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith)

By
Official Release
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Noah Gragson | Todd Gilliland | Zane Smith
EchoPark Speedway NASCAR Cup Series Race Advance
Autotrader 400

Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
Event: Race 3 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: EchoPark Speedway (1.5-miles)
#of Laps: 260
Time/TV/Radio: 3:00 PM ET on FOX/PRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Noah Gragson Notes

Noah Gragson and the No. 4 team head to the EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia with strong momentum following their 11th place finish in last Sunday’s Daytona 500. Gragson currently sits 16th in the NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championship points standings. In six O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, Gragson has two poles, three top-five, and five top-10 finishes.

TitleMax joins Gragson and the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend in Atlanta. One of the nation’s largest title lending companies, TitleMax helps thousands of people get the funds they need for a title loan or personal loan through competitive rates and a superior level of customer service. For more information about TitleMax, visit www.TitleMax.com.

“I’m excited to get to Atlanta and have TitleMax back on our Ford Mustang Dark Horse,” said Gragson. “We didn’t quite have the race we wanted to with TitleMax on the car last season, so we’re hopeful to give them a better showing this year. Coming off a strong finish at Daytona last week, we feel like we have a lot of positive momentum that we’ll look to carry over to this weekend’s race and continue to build from at another superspeedway.”
Road Crew

Driver: Noah Gragson

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Crew Chief: Grant Hutchens

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Car Chief: Joey Forgette

Hometown: Iron Mountain, Michigan

Engineer: Dillon Silverman

Hometown: Chico, California

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Tony Infinger

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

Tire Specialist: Chris Aunspaw

Hometown: Zelienople, Pennsylvania

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Spotter: Nick Del Campo

Hometown: Blauvelt, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Ron Miske

Hometown: Fairfield, Connecticut

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Tafton Hensley

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Justin Fox

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Drew Baum

Hometown: Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Jackman: Graham Stoddard

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska

Fueler: Blake Baker

Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Todd Gilliland Notes

Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 team head to EchoPark Speedway aiming for a bounce-back performance after an early exit in the Daytona 500. The 1.5-mile drafting-style track is one of Gilliland’s better circuits, where he has earned four top-20 finishes in eight career starts and regularly qualifies near the front of the field.

Love’s Travel Stops returns with Gilliland and the No. 34 team for this weekend’s race. Fans are encouraged to download the Love’s Connect App to unlock exclusive benefits and savings. Users can save 10¢ per gallon on gas and up to 25¢ per gallon on auto diesel, along with access to great mobile-only deals. Fans can download the app from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

“We showed a lot of promise at Daytona before the wreck,” said Gilliland. “There’s a lot of optimism heading into this weekend because Atlanta has always been a strong track for us, both in qualifying and in the race. We’re consistently competitive at these types of tracks, and hopefully this Sunday we can put ourselves in position to be there at the end.”
Road Crew

Driver: Todd Gilliland

Hometown: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Chris Lawson

Hometown: Medway, Ohio

Car Chief: Joe Marra

Hometown: Somers, New York

Engineer: Marc Rullo

Hometown: Ringwood, New Jersey

Engineer: Kevyn Rebolledo

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Spotter: Brit Andersen

Hometown: Branford, Connecticut

Mechanic: Michael Brookes

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Interior Specialist: Ethan Deguevara

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Tire Specialist: Billy John

Hometown: Pitman, New Jersey

Mechanic / Engine Tuner: Kyle Moon

Hometown: Troy, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Randy Bernier

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Rick Grissom

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Danny Olszowy

Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Paul Steele

Hometown: Wichita, Kansas

Jackman: Ryan Selig

Hometown: Lindenhurst, Illinois

Fueler: Zeke Nance

Hometown: Calhoun, Georgia

Zane Smith Notes

Zane Smith and the No. 38 team are off to a hot start after finishing sixth in the Daytona 500 last Sunday. Smith’s best finish at the Georgia speedway came in June 2025 where he finished seventh after competing for the win in the final laps.

Smith and Aaron’s kick off the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season as part of a multi-race primary partnership, continuing the return of the iconic Aaron’s Lucky Dog scheme. The nostalgic Lucky Dog design carries a rich history in the Cup Series and has been piloted by multiple race winners and championship contenders, making it one of the most recognizable and celebrated paint schemes in the sport. Aaron’s 2025 season was highlighted by three top-12 finishes with Smith, including a seventh-place finish at EchoPark in June.

As part of its 2026 activation, Aaron’s is running the Fastlane 5000 Sweepstakes, now through March 31. Fans can enter for a chance to win a $5,000 home upgrade from Aaron’s, along with weekly prizes, by visiting Aarons.com/Fastlane5000. The sweepstakes connects the excitement of race weekend with Aaron’s nationwide footprint, driving engagement both in-store and online across nearly 1,200 Company-operated and franchised locations. To find an Aaron’s store location near you, visit Aarons.com.

“We’re carrying a lot of momentum into this weekend, and the confidence around the shop is high,” said Smith. “Front Row Motorsports has a strong history on drafting-style tracks, and we backed that up at Daytona. It’s exciting to have Lucky Dog back on our Ford Mustang Dark Horse, and our goal is to put him in Victory Lane.”
Road Crew

Driver: Zane Smith

Hometown: Huntington Beach, California

Crew Chief: Ryan Bergenty

Hometown: Plainville, Connecticut

Car Chief: Will Norris

Hometown: Bells, Tennessee

Engineer: Jacob Clamme

Hometown: Hartford City, Indiana

Engineer: Chris Yerges

Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Mechanic / Engine Tuner: Steve Godfrey

Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut

Interior Specialist: Matt Fowler

Hometown: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Mechanic: Austin Bloom

Hometown: Lowell, Oregon

Spotter: Ryan Blanchard

Hometown: Bethlehem, Connecticut

Transport Co-Driver: Bryan Whitman

Hometown: Newton, North Carolina

Transport Co-Driver: Shawn Sellew

Hometown: Stafford Springs, Connecticut

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Michael Louria

Hometown: Gibraltar, Michigan

Rear Tire Changer: Adam Riley

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Tire Carrier: Jarren Davis

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Jackman: Nate McBride

Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia

Fueler: Ray Hernandez

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

ABOUT TITLEMAX

TitleMax is one of the nation’s largest title lending companies. TitleMax helps thousands of people get the funds they need with a title loan or personal loan. Offering competitive rates, while providing a superior level of customer service. TitleMax is part of the Community Choice Financial Family of Brands.

ABOUT LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with more than 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with 640 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.

ABOUT AARON’S

Headquartered in Atlanta, The Aaron’s Company, Inc. is a leading, technology-enabled, omnichannel provider of lease-to-own and retail purchase solutions of appliances, electronics, furniture, and other home goods. Aaron’s offers a direct-to-consumer lease-to-own solution through its approximately 1,200 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com.

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 teamfrm.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.

Front Row Motorsports: EchoPark Speedway NCTS Race Advance (Layne Riggs / Chandler Smith)

By
Official Release
-

Layne Riggs | Chandler Smith
EchoPark Speedway NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race Advance
FR8 Racing 208

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Event: Race 2 of 25
Series: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Location: EchoPark Speedway (1.5-miles)
#of Laps: 135

Time/TV/Radio: 1:30 PM ET on FS1/SiriusXM channel 90

Layne Riggs Notes

Layne Riggs heads to EchoPark Speedway following a strong showing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season opener at the Daytona International Speedway, where he finished 15th in Stage One and an impressive second in Stage Two to earn valuable stage points. Despite being collected in a late-race incident that resulted in a 31st-place finish, Riggs proved he could contend among the leaders. He has made three previous starts at EchoPark, earning a career-best finish of 20th in 2025 after starting 16th. Riggs will look to build on that momentum this weekend as he pilots the No. 34 Bare Knuckle Boxing Ford F-150 on Saturday, February 21.

Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) will kick off their 2026 season with Layne Riggs this Saturday at EchoPark Speedway. The partnership marks Bare Knuckle Boxing’s continued support of Riggs as he builds momentum early in the Truck Series season, aligning one of combat sports’ fastest-growing brands with one of the sport’s rising young drivers. 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/.

“I’m excited to get to Atlanta this weekend,” said Riggs. “We showed strong speed at Daytona and gained valuable stage points, which gives our team a lot of confidence. Atlanta is a great drafting track, and I’m ready to put our No. 34 Bare Knuckle Boxing Ford F-150 up front and compete for a strong finish.”
Road Crew

Driver: Layne Riggs

Crew Chief: Dylan Cappello

Truck Chief: Brandon Selph

Engineer: Jonathan Coates

Mechanic: Clark Houston

Mechanic: Robert Benzenhafer

Interior Specialist: Brian Sliney

Spotter: Josh Williams

Transport Driver: James O’Neal

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Blake Hickman

Rear Tire Changer: Steven Chereek

Tire Carrier: Alvin Wilson

Jackman: Kendall Futrell

Fueler: Patrick Gaddy

Chandler Smith’s Notes

Chandler Smith heads to EchoPark Speedway with momentum following his victory in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season opener at the Daytona International Speedway. Smith has found success at the drafting-style track, highlighted by a fourth-place finish from the pole in 2022 and a fifth-place finish in his most recent start in 2025. He will look to continue that momentum this weekend behind the wheel of the No. 38 QuickTie Ford F-150.

QuickTie™ will kick off their 2026 season with Chandler Smith this Saturday at EchoPark Speedway. The patented structural tie-down system continues its partnership with Front Row Motorsports, supporting Smith and the No. 38 Ford F-150 as he builds on early-season momentum.

“I’m excited to get to Atlanta this weekend, especially coming off a win at Daytona,” said Smith. “That victory gave our team a lot of confidence and showed what this No. 38 QuickTie Ford F-150 is capable of. Atlanta is another great drafting track, and I’m looking forward to keeping the momentum going and putting ourselves in position to contend again.”

Road Crew

Driver: Chandler Smith

Crew Chief: Jon Leonard

Truck Chief: Ron Schutte

Engineer: Roland Kummel

Mechanic: Rowan Mason

Mechanic: Mahlon Borkholder

Interior Specialist: Kyle Clark

Spotter: Ryan Blanchard

Transport Driver: Mark Hadley

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Josh Francos

Rear Tire Changer: Curtis Thompson

Tire Carrier: Drew Baum

Jackman: Shane Perry

Fueler: Anthony Bryarly

ABOUT BARE KNUCKLE BOXING

Originating in South Florida as BYB Extreme with Mike Vazquez and backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BKB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle fighting into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BBB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle on both a domestic and international level, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States and globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle fighting. In the past two years, BKB has purchased the UK-based BKB, the world’s oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company, and in doing so merged the organizations to create the largest global bare knuckle boxing organization in the world in terms of roster, library and distribution; ushered in ethical and legalized gambling to the sport; acquired the rights to the historic and prestigious Police Gazette Diamond Belt which now serves as the Bare Knuckle Boxing World Championship; and brought bare knuckle boxing to lineal television on both sides of the Atlantic, including the recent deal with VICE TV and Telemundo Desportes in the US, and in the UK with TalkSport. Fans can learn more about BKB by visiting https://www.bkbbareknuckle.com/.

ABOUT QUICKTIE

Quick Tie Products, Inc., (“QuickTie”) manufactures and distributes the QuickTie™ System (a proprietary, patented hold-down system for high wind and seismic construction) and a full line of framing hardware including u-hangers, hurricane clips, straps, structural wood screws, truss connectors and foundation connectors.

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 teamfrm.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.

Wood Brothers Racing Race Week Briefing: EchoPark Speedway

By
Official Release
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Event: Autotrader 400
Date/Time: Sunday, February 22, 2026, 3 p.m. ET
Location: EchoPark Speedway, Hampton, Georgia
Layout: 1.5-Mile Oval
TV/Radio: FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

With a top-10 finish in the season-opening Daytona 500 in the books, Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team head into the second race of the 2026 season carrying early momentum that has been hard to come by in recent years.

Despite the team’s rich history at Daytona – including five Daytona 500 victories – the Wood Brothers had not recorded a top-10 finish in the 500 since 2018, when Paul Menard crossed the line sixth. Berry’s ninth-place result not only ended that drought but also positioned him 12th in the Cup Series standings heading into Race 2. That early points cushion carries added significance under the current championship format, which no longer includes a win-and-you’re-in provision for the season-ending, 10-race, championship-deciding Chase.

Berry said the focus now shifts to building on the speed shown in Speedweeks as the Cup Series moves to EchoPark Speedway for Sunday’s Autotrader 400. The 1.54-mile track, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, has taken on a superspeedway-style identity in recent seasons, putting a premium on drafting, execution and track position.

“I’m proud of the speed we showed at Daytona,” Berry said. “The 21 team brought a fast Ford Mustang, and we were able to put ourselves in position throughout the week.

“That’s something we want to carry into Atlanta. We qualified well there in both races last year and had cars capable of running up front, but the finishes didn’t reflect the speed we had.

“Atlanta races similar to Daytona now, so hopefully we can build on what we learned last week and put together a complete race.”

Berry’s qualifying efforts at Atlanta last season underscored that potential. He started third in the spring race and second in the summer event, but incidents in both races prevented the team from converting that speed into the finish it deserved.

There is no practice scheduled at EchoPark Speedway prior to qualifying, which is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. ET. Sunday’s 400-mile, 260-lap race is slated to begin just after 3 p.m. ET with live coverage on FOX. Stage breaks are planned for Lap 60 and Lap 160.

Saturday, February 21

Josh Berry will participate in a 15-minute Q&A session at the Ford Stage at 1:00 p.m. in the fan zone at EchoPark Speedway.

Josh Berry

Age: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Miles Stanley

IG: @joshberry88

X: @joshberry

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

OPEN WHEEL SHOWDOWN ADDS $10,000 TO WIN NON-WING SPRINT CAR DIVISION FOR 2026

By
Official Release
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LAS VEGAS, NV (February 19, 2026) – The fourth annual Open Wheel Showdown is excited to announce the addition of Non-Wing Sprint Cars for its 2026 running at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, November 5–7.

The new division will headline Friday Night’s Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying Night, serving as the featured event of the evening. The Non-Wing Sprint Cars will compete in a 75-lap main event paying $10,000 to win and $1,000 to start, adding another marquee moment to one of asphalt racing’s richest weekends. An incentive will also be offered for teams who run both the winged and non-wing divisions with details to be announced later.

Non-Wing’s addition to the Open Wheel Showdown continues the meaningful reintroduction of pavement sprint car racing to the Las Vegas area. The Southwest region was once rich in open-wheel tradition with events like the Turkey Night Grand Prix and the Cooper World Classic drawing national attention. Bringing Non-Wing Sprint Cars back to this stage reconnects the area with that storied history while introducing a new generation of fans to the excitement of pavement sprint car competition.

The addition marks a significant expansion of the Showdown’s class structure, joining Winged Sprint Cars, Modifieds, Super Modifieds, Legends, and Bandoleros to further solidify the event as the definitive asphalt open wheel racing festival.

“Adding Non-Wing Sprint Cars to the Open Wheel Showdown builds upon my vision to make this the premier pavement open wheel event in the world,” Promoter Davey Hamilton, Jr. said. “Not only will this be a great addition for the competitors and the fans, I am looking forward to jumping in to chase the $10,000 prize. Friday night under the lights in Las Vegas will be even more electric in 2026 with the Non-Wing Sprint Cars headlining the program and I can’t wait to see the racing!”

The new division will receive strong support from the YourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour, a national series dedicated to non-wing pavement sprint car competition and preserving the heritage of the discipline.

“This is an important step for the growth of non-wing pavement sprint car racing,” said Jared Owen, Series Director of the YourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour. “Events like the Open Wheel Showdown create major opportunities for our teams to compete on a big stage. It’s another building block in the continued growth of this division and directly supports the momentum we’re seeing around the Unified Group Services Little 500. The more high-profile races we create for non-wing sprint cars, the stronger the foundation becomes for the future of the Little 500 and pavement sprint car racing as a whole.”

The Open Wheel Showdown continues to attract top open wheel talent from coast to coast, offering one of the most compelling purses and competitive fields in pavement racing today.

Event registration opens on March 1. More info can be found at www.OpenWheelShowdown.com

Cadillac, Corvette Have Strength in Numbers at Le Mans

By
Official Release
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  • Cadillac Racing FIA WEC Hypercar contenders to be joined by Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing
  • Four Corvettes – three from TF Sport, one from 13 Autosport – to make up 25-car LMGT3 grid

DETROIT (February 19, 2026) – Three Cadillac V-Series.R race cars along with four Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs will take part in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans with today’s release of the official entry list by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.

Cadillac Racing will challenge for overall victory with a trio of factory Cadillac V-Series.R race cars supported by experienced and championship-winning teams and drivers in the Hypercar class. For LMGT3, four Corvettes are part of a strong class that will feature 25 cars.

“General Motors has the broadest and most diverse motorsports presence of any automaker in the world,” General Motors President Mark Reuss said. “Fielding seven cars at Le Mans reflects not only our competitive ambition, but our relentless drive to advance endurance, innovation and performance on a global stage.”

Cadillac Racing at Le Mans: 
Seeking victory with Three Entries

Event organizer Automobile Club de l’Ouest extended three invitations to Cadillac Racing. In addition to the No. 12 and 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R entries from the World Endurance Championship (WEC), also on the grid will be the No. 101 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R, a full-season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship entrant in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class.

The Nos. 12 and 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R received automatic invitations based on full-season participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). JOTA Sport is in its second season of WEC Hypercar competition with Cadillac as a works team. Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, Sébastien Bourdais, Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens will be the drivers.

The No. 101 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R will compete at Le Mans for the second time. Ricky Taylor, Jordan Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque will be the drivers.

In the 2025 WEC Hypercar competition, Cadillac finished fourth in the manufacturers’ championship and in July in Brazil the No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R won the event, while the No. 38 car was second. At Le Mans, Cadillac swept the front row with the No. 12 car taking the pole and the No. 38 qualifying second.

The Cadillac V-Series.R features a purpose-built Cadillac 5.5L DOHC V-8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing Propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan. The racecar, co-developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara, was informed by the Project GTP Hypercar that was unveiled in June 2022. It incorporates distinctive Cadillac design elements, such as vertical lighting and floating blades.

Corvette Racing at Le Mans: Four of a Kind

For the first time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, four entries from the Corvette Racing program will be on the grid for the June endurance classic.

TF Sport, Corvette Racing’s full-season representative in the FIA WEC, will be present for the third year in a row with its Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs – the No. 33 of Nicky Catsburg, Jonny Edgar and Ben Keating plus the No. 34 of Charlie Eastwood Salih Yoluc and Peter Dempsey – that also will contest the full-season championship.

The team will also take up its automatic invitation from winning last year’s European Le Mans Series with another Corvette, which will sport the No. 66 for Le Mans. Running under the TF Sport banner, the effort also includes personnel from Johor Motorsports Racing with Prince Jefri Ibrahim, Afiq Ikhwan and Ben Green teaming together.

From North America, 13 Autosport will take to the Le Mans grid with its No. 13 Corvette. Under the AWA banner in 2025, 13 Autosport owner/driver Orey Fidani won his second straight Bob Akin Award in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship to earn 13 Autosport a return trip to Le Mans this year. Fidani will team with IMSA teammates Matt Bell and Lars Kern.

This isn’t the first time that four Corvettes have taken on Le Mans in the same year. The brand’s first appearance at the French classic came in 1960 with a quartet of Corvettes – one of which won the GT class in the hands of John Fitch and Bob Grossman. Four Corvettes also appeared at the 2016 race including two factory cars from Corvette Racing in the GTE Pro class.

The Corvette Z06 GT3.R starts with the same production chassis frame as the road-going Z06. Similar carbon-fiber splitters for front downforce, and the surface area from the top of the windshield to the rear of the Z06 remained intact on the Z06 GT3.R. That includes side air ducts behind the doors — directly inspired by Z06 production road car — that help to cool the engine, transaxle and rear brakes.

The similarities carry over to the hand-built 5.5L, flat-plane crankshaft V8 engine in the Z06 GT3.R. Both originate from the Bowling Green factory with the racing version sharing 80 percent of the production content from the Z06

The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans is scheduled for June 13-14 and will be the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future.

GM Motorsports, including the Cadillac Formula 1® Team develops and proves advanced technologies in the most demanding environments, accelerating innovation in performance, safety, efficiency, and electrification for its production vehicles. Cadillac Racing is one of the leading manufacturers in the IMSA and FIA World Endurance Championships (WEC). Chevrolet competes in single seaters in the US IndyCar series, and in NASCAR with multiple team partners and drivers. Corvette customer teams compete in GT series across the globe including IMSA and WEC. Learn more at GM.com.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Atlanta

By
Official Release
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Atlanta Motor Speedway
Sunday, Feb. 22
1.54-Mile Quad-Oval
3 p.m. ET
Location: Hampton, Georgia
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series race (2 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 33 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 16th (Daytona)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: T-14th

No. 5 Valvoline Chevrolet

2026Cup CareerDaytona
Races140316
Wins0320
Poles0220
Top 501343
Top 1002044
Laps Led710,369452
Stage Wins0724
Average Finish16.014.018.9
  • Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team are tied for 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings after last week’s DAYTONA 500, 29 points behind first place.
  • Larson finished third at Atlanta Motor Speedway last February in a three-wide photo finish.
  • The Elk Grove, California, native has won three of the last 11 drafting-track stages.
  • Since 2025, Larson ranks eighth in passing, 10th in defense and fifth on restarts at drafting tracks.
  • The 33-year-old has earned 268 points on drafting tracks over the last eight races, ranking second overall, just 11 points shy of the top spot.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 30 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 4th (Daytona)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 3rd

No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet

2026Cup CareerAtlanta
Races135914
Wins0212
Poles0120
Top 511163
Top 1011919
Laps Led25,982205
Stage Wins0392
Average Finish4.012.811.4
  • Last weekend, Chase Elliott nearly won his first DAYTONA 500. He had the lead coming out of the final turn and got caught up in a multi-car incident coming to the checkered flag, ultimately crossing the finish line in fourth.
  • Elliott heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway as the most recent NASCAR Cup Series race winner at the track. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native led 41 laps en route to victory last June. It was his second Cup Series triumph at his home track.
  • On the current Atlanta configuration, the 30-year-old driver has the best average finish (9.14) and the second-best average running position (11.15) among active Cup Series drivers. He’s led the fourth-most laps (166) and has the third-most stage wins (two).
  • Last season at the 1.54-mile quad-oval, Elliott was tied for the most points earned (74). In total, the driver of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet has earned the second-most points (257) on the track’s current layout.
  • Elliott’s three top-five finishes and four top 10s in the last five races at drafting tracks lead the series.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 28 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Week: 12th (Daytona)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 18th

No. 24 RAPTOR Chevrolet

2026Cup CareerAtlanta
Races128913
Wins0162
Poles0160
Top 50652
Top 1001204
Laps Led04,308181
Stage Wins0341
Average Finish12.015.119.2
  • Despite starting 39th in a backup car Sunday, William Byron still had a chance at a DAYTONA 500 three-peat in the closing laps. Unfortunately, after taking the white flag, he was shuffled out of contention before securing a 12th-place finish.
  • In 41 starts on drafting tracks, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native has five wins – three at Daytona International Speedway and two at Atlanta Motor Speedway. His five drafting wins puts him in a tie with Jimmie Johnson for the second most all time at Hendrick Motorsports behind only vice chairman Jeff Gordon (12). It is also tied for the third most among active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • On drafting tracks in the Next Gen era, Byron has led the fourth-most laps (269). In the last eight races at drafting tracks, the 28-year-old driver has earned the third-most points (242).
  • Since Atlanta Motor Speedway was reconfigured, Byron has the sixth-best average running position of 13.53 and has led the third-most laps (179).
  • In the Georgia track’s history, Byron has two wins which is tied with teammate Chase Elliott for the third most by a Hendrick Motorsports driver.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 32 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Week: 40th (Daytona)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 36th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet

2026Cup CareerAtlanta
Races136215
Wins080
Poles070
Top 50464
Top 1001125
Laps Led01,53343
Stage Wins070
Average Finish40.019.217.0
  • Last week in the NASCAR Cup Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway, Alex Bowman and the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet finished 40th after being involved in an incident on lap 124.
  • In the last three races at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bowman has earned two top-five finishes. That includes his best finish at the track of third after leading 32 laps in June last year.
  • Bowman’s best finish on drafting tracks is second. He has earned a runner-up finish twice, both times finishing second to a teammate (William Byron, 2024 DAYTONA 500, Chase Elliott, 2019 Talladega).

17 COREY DAY
Age: 20 (November 28, 2005)
Hometown: Clovis, California
Last Finish: 27th (Daytona)
Crew Chief: Adam Wall
Standings: 24th

  • Saturday’s NASCAR O’Reilly Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be Corey Day’s first career start at the 1.54-mile track.
  • His experience on drafting tracks is limited to two starts at Daytona International Speedway, one in the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevy last week in the NOAPS race and one ARCA Series start in 2025.
  • The last Hendrick Motorsports NOAPS start at Atlanta was in 2007; Day’s start will be the team’s first time on the track’s new configuration.

Hendrick Motorsports

2026All-TimeAtlanta
Races11,41874
Wins0320*18*
Poles0259*5
Top 511,323*69*
Top 1012,261*108*
Laps Led985,376*3,763*
Stage Wins01376


 
*Most
**Tied for most

  • Hendrick Motorsports will eclipse 5,000 all-time NASCAR Cup Series starts at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday. Currently, the team sits at 4,997.
  • The organization remains the premier series’ standard bearer in wins (320), poles (259), top-five finishes (1,323), top-10 finishes (2,261) and laps led (85,376).
  • Since a repave and reconfiguration at Atlanta in the summer of 2021, Hendrick Motorsports has combined to win four of eight races at the 1.54-mile quad-oval with both Chase Elliott and William Byron winning twice.
  • The organization’s 18 victories, 69 top fives, 108 top 10s and 3,763 laps led are all the most ever at Atlanta. Hendrick Motorsports’ 35 wins at drafting tracks are the most by 14.

QUOTABLE /
 
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on going to Atlanta Motor Speedway: “Our No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team has shown strong speed to start the season, which gives us confidence heading into another drafting track weekend. Track position will be even more critical, so one of our focuses is on putting together a solid qualifying effort to set ourselves up for Sunday. We’re excited to have Valvoline back on board our Chevrolet and look forward to making the most of the opportunity.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on racing at his home track: “For me, it’s nice to stay close to home, number one, but number two, I think it’s the excitement and the energy. I got to experience that firsthand after the race there over the summer (after the win), which was just really cool to see and kind of feel that support. It’s a special place. It’s my home track. I think there’s been a lot of regenerated excitement for the speedway since the change. People have been telling me how much they enjoy going down there again, and that’s always cool too. So, all of that is fun. I’m glad there’s two races too. You get to experience it twice a year instead of once.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on heading to Atlanta Motor Speedway: “It’s tough having two drafting races back-to-back just for the element of the unknown. I do have confidence though in that we’ll show up with a good car and have a good shot again as long as we’re there in the end. The difference between Atlanta and Daytona though is that handling plays a bigger factor this weekend than it did last. Qualifying is the only lap you get to try get a feel for what you have. We have a pretty good notebook for there, so hopefully we unload close and can fine tune for Sunday.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on Atlanta Motor Speedway: “Hendrick Motorsports had a strong showing last weekend (in the DAYTONA 500), which is really positive to see with the new Chevrolet body. Obviously, for our No. 48 Ally team, being in the wrong place at the wrong time ended our day early last weekend. With what we saw out of the car, we’re ready to get to Atlanta, another drafting track, and see what we can accomplish. We have shown speed there, had good runs in the past and we’ll look to continue building on that.”

Corey Day, driver of the No. 17 Chevrolet, on Atlanta Motor Speedway: “Atlanta will be tough, it’s a track I’ve never been to so, it’s all new to me, but I’m ready for it. Daytona was my first drafting track and I learned a lot but have a lot more to learn. Our team has been putting in the work on building fast race cars and I’m excited to see what we can do at a new track.”

Custom Printed Collapsible Boxes for Premium Product Packaging

By
SM
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Photo by Matheus Bertelli at pexels.com

Nowadays, many businesses are looking for premium packaging because it draws people’s attention and convinces them to buy what a brand is selling. Rigid boxes are known for being premium and giving consumers the impression of expense. A brand can choose between collapsible and non-collapsible rigid boxes. The non-collapsible option is the traditional option where the boxes are rigid. Custom collapsible boxes are trending nowadays because brands can get the benefits of a rigid box with the added advantage of simple storage.

The following discusses custom printed collapsible boxes for premium product packaging:

Sturdy Structural Design

Premium products are linked with quality. The packaging should also be of high quality. Rigid boxes are like this because they are made from sturdy materials such as cardboard or paperboard.

Collapsible boxes offer the structural strength of rigid boxes while saving storage space. Products can be protected in the box, and people form a first impression of quality when they look at it.

Consumers are more willing to buy products packaged in sturdy packaging, as they know a high-quality item will be inside. Therefore, sturdy packaging can convey a sense of quality and value to consumers.

Safely Package Product

Premium products should be properly secured in the box so they do not move around or get damaged. Custom-printed boxes can do this because they are made to the dimensions of the items they hold. When the box is the right size and shape, the product fits in it better and is less likely to be damaged because it remains stable. 

Consumers get a premium brand image when the box is opened because the item inside is presented attractively. Durable boxes like these provide added strength and security for the product.

Premium Packaging Design

The packaging even needs to look premium and high-end so that people think something expensive is in the box. These boxes can be designed this way to convey an image of class and expense.

High-quality printing methods are used to design the box. Brands design packaging according to their needs and what they want to communicate to people. Colors that suggest luxury are used, such as black, gold, silver, rose gold, etc. Images are even added, which will let people know what will be in the box.

For instance, if a business is selling premium electronics, it can add the color silver on the box to suggest class and modernity. An image of the product can be printed on the packaging, letting consumers know what it is.

High-End Finishes

Custom packaging boxes can include premium finishes that let the box stand out and even convey a sense of luxury. Brands are considering finishes nowadays, as they make the box look unique and stand out attractively.

A brand can choose which finishing touches to include according to the impression it wants to convey to its consumer base. There are a variety of options available, including matte, gloss, and metallic foil stamping.

A high-end electronics brand can add silver foiling to the packaging, which will make the box shine prominently and convey a modern image. 

Textured impacts are being considered as they make the box feel different and encourage people to interact with it. A brand selling high-end jewelry will add a soft, matte texture that feels high-end.

A business will get premium packaging whilst ensuring the box is collapsible and will not take up too much room. 

Promote Luxury Brand

Custom boxes with logos can promote a luxury brand among competitors, so people know about it. Consumers will know the business exists in the market and is established among the competition when the right brand details are clearly displayed on the box.

Brand information, such as a brand logo, can be added so people can find and notice the business’s products. If a brand uses the same logo on all its packaging, people will be able to recognize the business’s products.

Brand colors are important, too, and they can be included on packaging to help people recognize the business’s items. A business can add its contact information, such as its address and social media links, so people know how to reach it.

Consumers will recognize products from businesses like this and see them as legitimate businesses with a place in the premium product market.

This is why many premium brands choose this packaging type for their products. The boxes can convey a sense of class and luxury to people, encouraging them to buy from the business.

Products such as cosmetics, candles, electronics, food items, and apparel can be placed effectively in the box and delivered to customers in excellent condition. The brand will even be promoted as a high-end, premium brand in the market, making people trust it and want to buy from it. A business needs to give this image if it wants to stand out in the competitive market.

Custom packaging boxes are used for premium product packaging because of their unique value and ability to stand out from the competition. The packaging is strong enough to protect the product from getting damaged. It is even designed in an eye-catching way so that people are drawn to it, even when the box is among the competition. Many businesses are considering collapsible rigid packaging because it offers the advantages of rigid boxes without the concern that the packaging will take up too much room. Generally, the boxes are simple to assemble, making life easier for businesses and consumers alike. 

AO by TF to Defend Le Mans Victory in 2026

By
Official Release
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ST. CHARLES, Ill., (February 19, 2026) – AO Racing is headed back to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2026, announcing its fourth consecutive entry at the world’s most iconic endurance race. After claiming a class victory and second consecutive podium in 2025, AO and TF Sport will again partner up for battle at the Circuit de la Sarthe, ready to defend their class win in the LMP2 PRO/AM class.

The driver roster remains unchanged with European Le Mans Series champions and 24 Hours of Le Mans winners PJ Hyett, Louis Deletraz, and Dane Cameron returning to the fold. The trio’s blend of speed, experience, and composure across 24 hours proved decisive in 2025 and positions the team to once again compete at the front of the field.

“It’s fantastic to be able to head back to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the same program and drivers that we won the race with in 2025,” said AO Racing Team Principal Gunnar Jeannette. “PJ, Dane, and Louis are all very eager to see if they can make it two in a row!”

The partnership of AO by TF has proven to be a formidable force, capturing back-to-back European Le Mans Series championship titles, an LMP2 PRO/AM class win and podium result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and an LMP2 overall podium in the legendary race as well.

Further details regarding the 2026 Le Mans program, including car presentation and partner announcements, will be shared in the coming months.

DRIVER QUOTES

PJ Hyett

Winning Le Mans last year was a dream come true. I cannot wait to go after it again with this phenomenal crew.

Dane Cameron

I am hugely excited to be back at Le Mans with PJ and Louis. To win last year was an absolute dream come true and I’d love nothing more than to do it again. Nothing is guaranteed but being back with the same line up and support from AO By TF gives us confidence that we will fly high again this year.

Louis Deletraz

I’m very happy to be back at Le Mans with AO by TF. Sharing the car with PJ and Dane was awesome last year and going back with the same line up and team will make us even stronger. I’m really excited to start ELMS in a few months and build up to Le Mans.

Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Announces 30th Anniversary Ride Route and Overnight Stops

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Official Release
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The 30th Anniversary Ride will take place from May 1 – May 9, 2026, starting in Sonoma, California, and ending in Charlotte, North Carolina, crossing 11 states in just nine days.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 19, 2026 – Former NASCAR driver and current racing analyst Kyle Petty today officially announced the complete route and overnight stops for the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (KPCRAA). For the milestone edition, the 30th Anniversary KPCRAA will truly cross the United States, starting in Sonoma, California, on May 1, 2026, and concluding in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 9, 2026.

The 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will be book-ended by trips to two iconic Speedway Motorsports (SM) racetracks, Sonoma Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, and will see Petty lead roughly 150 motorcycles over 3,400 miles across 11 states in just nine days to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious and chronic medical conditions. Since 1995, more than 9,575 riders have logged 13.3 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $23 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the 30th Anniversary KPCRAA will ride historic Highway 50, the ‘Loneliest Road in America,’ and parts of the original Route 66, both of which are celebrating their Centennial in 2026. The Ride is working closely with America 250 to highlight iconic stops along the way, and contribute to the “Our American Story,” program in which stories of everyday Americans will be recorded for posterity.

The Ride will also make stops at the original Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Missouri; tour Elvis Presley’s home and museum Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee; explore the Coker Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee; ride the famous 318-curve and 11-mile Dragon through the Appalachian Mountains; visit Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina; capped off with a trip to Victory Junction before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“The reason I am so excited about this year’s Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is because this is our 30th year,” Petty said. “America 250 – the anniversary of our great country’s independence, the 100th anniversary of Highway 50 – the ‘Loneliest Road in America,’ the 100th anniversary of Route 66 – another iconic highway. There is just so much to celebrate this year. The places we are stopping – Bass Pro Shops, Coker Museum, Graceland, riding the Dragon – just like the kid’s book says, ‘Oh the places you’ll go!’ I feel like a kid and I’m ready to do it.”

Spectators and race fans along the 2026 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s nine overnight stops or daily pit stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia, collect autographs and make donations to Victory Junction.

Full 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:

  • Day 1, Friday, May 1 – Sonoma, CA to Ely, NV
  • Day 2, Saturday, May 2 – Ely, NV to Moab, UT
  • Day 3, Sunday, May 3 – Moab, UT to Colorado Springs, CO
  • Day 4, Monday, May 4 – Colorado Springs, CO to Wichita, KS
  • Day 5, Tuesday, May 5 – Wichita, KS to Springfield, MO
  • Day 6, Wednesday, May 6 – Springfield, MO to Memphis, TN
  • Day 7, Thursday, May 7 – Memphis, TN to Chattanooga, TN
  • Day 8, Friday, May 8 – Chattanooga, TN to Asheville, NC
  • Day 9, Saturday, May 9 – Asheville, NC to Charlotte, NC

The start and end points for the 30th Anniversary Ride also replicates the first route taken by Kyle Petty and friends during the initial Ride in 1995. The first Ride kicked off May 8, 1995, following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway, and wrapped up in Charlotte eight days later.

Among the celebrities participating in this milestone 30th Anniversary Ride are NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty; NASCAR Hall of Famer and NASCAR Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth; NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton; former NASCAR drivers Clint Bowyer, David Ragan, Ken Schrader, and Kenny Wallace; former Formula 1, Champ Car, and NASCAR driver Max Papis; former IndyCar driver JR Hildebrand; TV personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood; and great-grandson of William A. Davidson, one of the Harley-Davidson founders, VP & Global Brand Ambassador Bill Davidson.

Since the inaugural year in 1995, the KPCRAA has had 10 total NASCAR Hall of Fame members and two Landmark Award winners participate in the Ride including: Richard Petty, David Pearson, Terry Labonte, Ray Evernham, Robert Yates, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Herschel McGriff, Donnie Allison, Harry Gant, NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton, and NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France.

Applications for the 2026 Ride are closed, and all riders have been selected. The Ride accepted 26 new riders, and applications for the 30th Anniversary Ride filled up in record-setting time – less than 72 hours after applications were distributed. All told, there will be riders from 35 different states, plus two Canadian provinces, taking part in this year’s Ride.

“Once you go on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, you become part of the Charity Ride family,” Petty said. “It’s hard to explain to somebody that doesn’t understand it. We have around 50 people who have gone 20 years or more on this Ride.

“This year we have 150 motorcycles going with us, and we still had to turn people away. It is the hardest thing to tell people it didn’t work out for this year’s Ride.” he said. “We tell those people to come back next year, get on the list, and we will look at those people first. We have two doctors and two nurses that go with us, paramedics that follow the bikes, retired Highway Patrol motor officers who act as our Ride Motor Marshals, we have a hotel and luggage team, a media team, Coca-Cola sends a team and truck with products, Harley-Davidson sends a truck and technicians – there are an additional 30+ people that go with us just to make sure we can ride every day. The level of commitment from our team, our valued partners and many volunteers is really something special.”

For more information about the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America or to apply for future rides, send an email to info@kylepettycharityride.com.

The 30th Anniversary KPCRAA is made possible by incredible partners, including Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson, Racing Electronics, WinCraft, Musco Lighting, Consolidated Pipe & Supply, America 250, Manafort Brothers, Piedmont Moving System, Wiley X, Prevost, Dodge Law, Petty Family Foundation, SoundOff Signal, Headbands of Hope, Goody’s Powder, Blue Emu, Haul Bikes, and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores.

Additional details surrounding the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will be announced in the coming months, including fuel stops, and much more.

To stay up to date with the latest news and updates about the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, check out their posts on social media:

For more information about the Ride or to donate, please visit www.kylepettycharityride.com. 

About Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America

Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual cross-country motorcycle trek that raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction. The Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country. Since its inception in 1995, more than 9,575 riders have logged 13.3 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $23 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.

About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camp for children living with complex medical and physical conditions. Founded by Kyle Petty and family in honor of his son Adam, Victory Junction provides life-changing experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering in a medically safe environment – always free of charge, thanks to the generosity of donors and corporate partners. Victory Junction programming is designed to build confidence and foster independence, helping children, families, and caregivers find belonging and build skills that fuel their journeys far beyond Camp. In addition to onsite sessions, Victory Junction’s OUTREACH program delivers Camp experiences to children in hospitals, clinics, and community partner sites throughout the Carolinas and Virginia.

Since opening in 2004, Victory Junction has provided more than 150,000 experiences to children from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and four countries. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the American Camp Association. To learn more, please visit victoryjunction.org.

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