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Kyle Busch-Spire Motorsports Pairing Returns With Hendrickcars.com in Select 2026 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Events

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 9, 2026) – Kyle Busch, one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers of the modern era, will compete in eight NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races for Spire Motorsports in 2026. HENDRICKCARS.COM will serve as the primary partner aboard the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for the bulk of Busch’s eight-race slate.

The high-profile pairing between the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the Mooresville, N.C.-based team will shift into high gear for the Feb. 21 Fr8 Racing 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Following the conclusion of the Fr8 Racing 208, Busch will return to the seat of the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado at:

  • Bristol Motor Speedway – April 10
  • Texas Motor Speedway – May 1
  • Dover Motor Speedway – May 15
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway – May 22
  • Nashville Superspeedway – May 29
  • North Wilkesboro Speedway – July 18
  • Richmond Raceway – Aug. 14

“I’m excited that after NASCAR amended the ‘Kyle Busch rule’ that I was able to work it out with Jeff (Dickerson, owner), Brian (Pattie, crew chief) and everyone at Spire Motorsports to increase my race count up to the eight that are allowed this year,” Busch said. “With the schedule we’ve put together, the majority of the tracks I’m fortunate to have a lot of wins at but there are also a few that I haven’t won at yet in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and will be looking to add to the win list. I’m looking forward to going out each and every race, giving it all we can to get Mr. H, HENDRICKCARS.COM and the other partners that will fill out the schedule to Victory Lane.”

Busch has made 10 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts over the past two seasons for Spire Motorsports, where he’s earned three wins, five top-five and six top-10 finishes. Busch, a Las Vegas native, enters the 2026 season with 63 wins in NASCAR’s premier division. He advanced to the Championship 4 for five consecutive seasons from 2015-2019 and remains one of only three active multi-time Cup Series champions. Busch has also captured wins in several of the sport’s most prestigious events, including the Brickyard 400 (2015,2016), Southern 500 (2008) and Coca-Cola 600 (2018).

Busch’s dominance extends across all of NASCAR’s national divisions. He is the 2009 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion and the series’ all-time wins leader with 102 victories. In the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Busch stands atop the record book with 67 wins and a series-best 6.7 average finish.

In August of 2010, Busch made NASCAR history by sweeping the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Cup Series races in the same weekend at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, a feat he duplicated again in August of 2017.

“HendrickCars.com is proud to support Kyle and Spire Motorsports,” said Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “Kyle is one of the best drivers of his generation and Spire is a proven winner in the Truck Series, so it’s another opportunity to align our brand with a successful driver and team. We look forward to the partnership and to connecting HENDRICKCARS.COM with more of our passionate race fans.”

The Fr8 Racing 208 from Atlanta Motor Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Saturday, Feb. 21 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The second of 25 races on the 2026 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About HENDRICKCARS.COM …

HENDRICKCARS.COM is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.

About Spire Motorsports …

Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and High Limit Racing.

The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.

In 2026, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization will also field the No. 77 410 sprint car in High Limit Racing competition.

Nick Sanchez signed by AM Racing for 2026 O’Reilly season

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Adam Lovelace for SpeedwayMedia.com.

AM Racing took to social media to reveal the signing of Nick Sanchez as the team’s full-time competitor for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

Sanchez, the 2022 ARCA Menards Series champion and 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie-of-the-Year recipient from Miami, Florida, will pilot AM Racing’s No. 25 Ford Mustang, which was driven by Harrison Burton this past season. 

The news comes as Sanchez is coming off his first full-time campaign in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series division with Big Machine Racing. Throughout the 33-race schedule, the Miami native recorded his first career victory at Atlanta’s EchoPark Raceway in July and made the series’ Playoffs, finishing 11th in the final standings. He also recorded seven top-five results, 12 top-10 results, 87 laps led and an average finish of 17.1.

Amid a strong campaign in 2025, Sanchez was revealed not to be retained by Big Machine Racing for the 2026 season on December 8, 2025, as the team replaced Sanchez with Dr. Patrick Staropoli, the latter of whom was signed on December 23.

The 2026 NASCAR season is set to mark AM Racing’s fourth in a row competing in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series division. This past season, the organization achieved its first pole with Harrison Burton at Martinsville Speedway in October and its first appearance in the Playoffs, along with two top-five results, 10 top-10 results, and a career-best third-place result with Burton at Rockingham Speedway in April.

Following the 2025 season, in which Burton finished 12th in the final standings before parting ways to join Sam Hunt Racing, AM Racing was initially reported to have been purchased by Sigma Performance Services. Nevertheless, the transaction was never finalized, and AM Racing revealed this past January to return to compete in the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

Through a combined 99 starts in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series division, AM Racing has achieved a pole, three top-five results, 21 top-10 results, and 72 laps led as the organization continues its strive for a first victory in NASCAR.

The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season is scheduled to commence this upcoming Saturday, February 14, at Daytona International Speedway for the United Rentals 300. The event’s broadcast time is slated to start at 5 p.m. ET on the CW Network, MRN Radio and SiriusXM.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: DAYTONA 500 RACE PREVIEW

By
Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
DAYTONA 500 PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: DAYTONA 500
DATE: Feb. 15, 2026
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series 1 of 36
TRACK: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway | 2.5-Mile Oval

CLUB MINUTES:

ACCESS THE CLUB: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB recently launched “The CLUB” – a place where fans can access content and news first. Through push notifications, fans can see exclusive content and notifications from the team. Fans can sign up for “The CLUB” HERE.

THE KING OF DAYTONA: Richard “The King” Petty made 74 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Daytona throughout his legendary career. Not only does he own the most DAYTONA 500 victories of any driver in the history of NASCAR with seven of his 10 Daytona wins coming in that race (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1979, and 1981). He was also collected 28 top-fives, 37 top-10s and led 1,287 laps at the 2.5-mile oval in Florida.

“LED BY LEGACY” NUMBERS: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB will sport its heritage-inspired color treatments, and shadowing to honor the LEGACY of those who made the numbers famous. This weekend at Daytona and for all the “Crown Jewel” events, the No. 42 will honor Lee Petty and the Petty family with a red drop shadow; the No. 43 returns to its legendary “Parts Blue” drop shadow made famous by Richard Petty, and the No. 84 channels its origins through the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 “Neon Yellow” drop shadow which shared tremendous success with Johnson at the helm. LEGACY MOTOR CLUB will also launch merchandise this year with the LEGACY numbers for fans to enjoy.

KENSETH DAYTONA STATS: 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Competition Advisor Matt Kenseth owns 37 total Cup starts at Daytona International Speedway. He’s earned two victories in the 2009 DAYTONA 500 and the 2012 DAYTONA 500, plus six top-fives and 14 top-10s. When he won his first DAYTONA 500 in February 2009, Kenseth started 39th of 43 cars. He led the final seven laps to secure his victory. Three years later in February 2012, Kenseth started fourth for the Great American Race and led twice for 50 laps to earn a second victory in the iconic race. Throughout his career, he led a total of 383 laps. Kenseth owns an additional 14 starts at Daytona in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series where he won the February 2000 and July 2013 races.

BAYNE SETS A RECORD: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ambassador Trevor Bayne is the youngest person ever to win the DAYTONA 500 at 20 years and one day old. In 2011, Bayne was making just his second career NASCAR Cup Series start in the No. 21 car for Wood Brothers Racing. On the final restart in NASCAR overtime, Bayne was deemed the race leader with Tony Stewart on his outside and Mark Martin and Kurt Busch looming behind him. The newly minted 20-year-old driver held off the entire field on the green-white-checkered finish to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the “Great American Race.”

DAYTONA 500 QUALIFYING: To kick off the week in Daytona, the entire NASCAR Cup Series field will qualify on Wednesday night to set the front row for the DAYTONA 500. The top-two qualifying times from the session will determine who sits on the pole and outside pole for the “Great American Race,” while the rest of the results set the field for Thursday night’s America 250 Florida Duels. In addition, the two fastest lap times from the open cars will secure their spot in the Daytona 500.

DUELING BEFORE THE DAYTONA 500: On Thursday night, the NASCAR Cup Series field will race to set the lineup for the 2026 DAYTONA 500 through the America 250 Florida Duels. The lineup for both duels will be set by their qualifying times on Wednesday. While the front row will have been set for Sunday’s DAYTONA 500, the rest of the field will now compete for a duel win and their starting spot for the race. The winner of the first duel will start third, while the winner of the second will start fourth, with that pattern repeating through the rest of the field. In addition, the final two open cars to make the DAYTONA 500 will be determined by who finishes ahead of the other open cars in their duel.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT DAYTONA: John Hunter Nemechek has six starts at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series. He earned his highest finish at the track of fifth in last year’s DAYTONA 500. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he accumulated six starts at the track during his career, earning three top-10 finishes and a best finish of second in February 2023. Nemechek also has five starts at Daytona in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a highest finish of fourth in February 2017.

T-MACK DAYTONA STATS: Sunday afternoon’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s 12th NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona. His first outing came in February 2018 with Kasey Kahne. After a short gap, Mack was back at Daytona in February 2021 with Daniel Suárez, where the duo competed for six total races between 2021 and 2023, with their highest finish being seventh. He returned in the February 2024 DAYTONA 500 with AJ Allmendinger, where the pair finished sixth. Mack followed that up in August 2024 with Shane Van Gisbergen, who finished 35th. His highest finish came with Nemechek in February 2025 when the duo finished fifth after starting 18th. In the NASCAR Xfinity series, Mack has four starts at Daytona with Michael Annett, where the duo took home the race win in their first start together in February 2019 after starting third.

DOUBLE DUTY: Nemechek, a 13-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race winner, will return to the Truck Series for a special appearance in the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 13. Nemechek will drive the No. 62 DriveValue.com® Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Halmar Friesen Racing, marking his 150th career start in the series.

TOP OF THE CHARTS AT DAYTONA: Nemechek boasts impressive statistics at Daytona. Among full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers with more than one DAYTONA 500 start, he holds the highest average finish at 7.67 from his three starts in the race. Looking at his overall performance at Daytona International Speedway, including both the DAYTONA 500 and the summer race each year he has competed in the Cup Series, Nemechek also owns the best average finish among full-time drivers with an 11.0 average over six starts.

NEMECHEK TAKES FLIGHT: Nemechek is set for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as he rides with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds on Thursday, Feb. 12. He will undergo flight gear training that morning in preparation for pulling up to nine Gs, before taking to the sky in an F-16 for a preview ahead of the traditional flyover fans will see on Sunday.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“I’m looking forward to Daytona. I’m excited to get going for 2026. I feel like our superspeedway stuff has been really good. I’ve been able to lead laps at Daytona and Talladega over the past couple of years, so I’m definitely looking forward to a strong run to kick off the year. Our DAYTONA 500 finishes have definitely been good over years, so I’m hoping to keep it rolling.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“John Hunter has one of the highest average finishes at Daytona, so hopefully we capitalize on that. I think we’ll bring a better car than we had last year, and we had a top-five there. Anything can happen in that race, but I feel really good about our chances going down there to win the race.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 ADVENTHEALTH TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES DAYTONA STATS: Erik Jones has 18 starts at Daytona in the NASCAR Cup Series, with nine of those being in the DAYTONA 500. His best DAYTONA 500 finish came in February 2019 when Jones started 28th and finished an impressive third behind runner-up Kyle Busch and race winner Denny Hamlin, both his teammates at the time. In total at Daytona, he’s earned one win, three top-five, and five top-10s at Daytona, this includes his fifth-place result last August. Jones has an additional seven starts outside of the Cup Series at Daytona – six in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, he earned a best finish of eighth in July 2015. He finished second in his one and only Craftsman Truck Series start in February 2015, finishing just 1.73 of a second behind race winner Tyler Reddick.

WINNING AT DAYTONA: While Jones has yet to add his name to the history books with a win in the DAYTONA 500, he is a winner at Daytona. In the July 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400, Jones was starting 29th in his fourth Daytona NASCAR Cup Series start. He led just one lap – the final and most important lap of the race – to score at win in the summer race.

2025 SPEEDWEEK RECAP: Last year at Daytona Speedweek, Jones started 18th of 22 cars in the second duel on Thursday evening. He skillfully worked the draft to lead a total of 16 laps throughout the 60-lap shootout. On the final lap, Jones was battling for the lead with the No. 2 car of Austin Cindric. An accident on the frontstretch as the field was coming to the checkered flag brought out the caution. While it at first seemed that Jones was the winner, NASCAR determined that Cindric was the leader at the time of the caution. With 2025 behind him, Jones is looking for redemption in the 2026 duels.

ADVENTHEALH AT DAYTONA: Florida-based AdventHealth will once again ride along with Erik Jones on the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE this week at Daytona. With various activations around the speedway throughout the week at the racetrack, the healthcare company is ready for a busy week in Daytona. Fans can find their display in the fan midway and the medical centers in the fan midway and infield. As the Official Healthcare Partner of Daytona and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, AdventHealth believes in focusing on the care and well-being of the mind, body, and spirit of all in attendance.

HELPING THE ADVENTHEALTH COMMUNITY: On Friday prior to the DAYTONA 500, Jones and AdventHealth will make a pit stop at STARKE Elementary School in Deland, Fla. During their visit they will hold a special #READwithErik for the students and surprise them with a special gift to continue the mission of igniting a passion for reading in young minds.

ALEXANDER – A DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION: Justin Alexander is not only a Daytona-winning crew chief but a DAYTONA 500 Champion. The accomplished crew chief was making the calls on top of the box for the No. 3 car of Austin Dillon in February 2018, when he was running second behind Aric Almirola as the race was coming to a close. In the end, Alexander kept his driver on course to cross the finish line in first and earn the crew chief his first DAYTONA 500 victory. In total, he’s been on top of the box for 15 NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona and won twice – the 2018 DAYTONA 500 and the 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400.

ERIK JONES QUOTE
“I think everybody is always looking forward to the DAYTONA 500. We’re all energized after the off season and ready to get going again. Having the opportunity to run in the DAYTONA 500 each year is pretty neat. I don’t think that ever gets old. I’m excited to get there and get rolling to see where we stack up. Hopefully, I have good speed and we can get Justin (Alexander, crew chief) his second DAYTONA 500 win and my first.”

JUSTIN ALEXANDER QUOTE
“Daytona is always special for me. I’ve been fortunate to win the DAYTONA 500 before, so coming back here is an exciting time, but you also know how unpredictable it can be. Erik’s a really good speedway racer, so our focus is putting him in the best position we can and staying out of trouble. You prepare as much as you can, but ultimately it comes down to communication, execution, and a little bit of luck.”

JIMMIE JOHNSON
NO. 84 CARVANA TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
DAYTONA CV: Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner Jimmie Johnson returns to competition for the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500, climbing back into the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry XSE for his 23rd career start in the iconic race. A two-time champion of the DAYTONA 500, Johnson earned his first victory in 2006 after starting ninth and leading 24 laps – a defining moment that helped launch his championship career. He repeated the feat in 2013, once again starting ninth and finishing ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr., then capped that season with a second Daytona win in the July event to complete a rare sweep. Across 41 career starts at the 2.5-mile banks of Daytona, Johnson’s résumé includes three wins, 13 top five finishes, and 17 top 10s, underscoring his enduring impact at one of NASCAR’s most demanding tracks.

LAST TIME OUT: After stepping away from full-time competition, Johnson delivered a standout performance with a third-place finish in the 2025 DAYTONA 500—his best result in the “Great American Race” since his victory in 2013. A two-time DAYTONA 500 winner, Johnson first claimed the iconic race in 2006, a breakthrough moment that launched his run to a first NASCAR Cup Series championship. He returned to Victory Lane again in 2013, a season in which he swept all NASCAR Cup Series events at Daytona International Speedway. Johnson’s third place finish in the DAYTONA 500 is his best finish in the event since 2013 when he won his second.

SPECIAL HELMET: This weekend at the DAYTONA 500, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety and Carvana will reveal an all-new “Helmet of Heroes” honoring America’s fallen firefighters. A press release with more details will be distributed on Wed., Feb 11 at 8:00am ET.

NEXT UP: During his storied career, Johnson recorded 83 NASCAR Cup Series wins, racing for Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 48, tying him with Cale Yarborough for sixth on the all-time wins list. Over his full-time career (2002–2020), he secured seven championships, 222 top-fives, 341 top-tens, and 35 poles. The DAYTONA 500 will be Johnson’s 701st NASCAR Cup Series start. Another win in the series would tie him with Darrel Waltrip for fifth.

LOCKED INTO THE DAYTONA 500: Although Johnson’s No. 84 Toyota will compete as an unchartered entry in the DAYTONA 500, NASCAR has approved the use of the ‘Open Exemption Provisional’ for the seven-time champion, guaranteeing his place on the starting grid as the 41st car in the field. Introduced ahead of the 2025 season, the provisional ensures Johnson’s entry in the race regardless of his qualifying result or finish in the Duel qualifier event.

JOHNSTON CALLING THE SHOTS: Longtime industry crew chief and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s Director of Competition Chad Johnston will be the crew chief of Johnson’s No. 84 team this season. The Indiana native served as the crew chief for Johnson’s two races in 2025 as well.

SPECIAL HELMET FOR FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS: When asked what he might have become if not a racecar driver, Johnson often says he would have been a firefighter. Growing up in El Cajon, a community familiar with the impact of major wildfires, Johnson developed a deep respect for the profession and has long admired the courage and service it represents. This weekend, Johnson is partnering with Pye-Barker Fire & Safety to honor the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. As part of the tribute, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB will host two families who lost their fathers in the line of duty, and Johnson’s DAYTONA 500 helmet will be auctioned following the race to benefit the foundation.

CARVANA IS BACK: For a sixth consecutive season, Jimmie Johnson continues his partnership with Carvana, a relationship built on shared values, trust, and a belief in doing things the right way. What began as a primary NASCAR partnership has evolved into something deeper—one that empowers Johnson to keep chasing the races he dreamed about long before seven championships. With Carvana’s continued support, Johnson is checking off true bucket-list moments across motorsports, from marquee NASCAR events, to hydroplane boats, to off-road and endurance challenges that reconnect him with the roots of why he started racing in the first place. Together, Johnson and Carvana aren’t just experiencing a partnership—they’re honoring a career defined by curiosity, gratitude, and the freedom to keep racing with purpose.

JJ’s RACE SEASON: As announced recently, Johnson will take part in two Cup Series races this season – the DAYTONA 500 and San Diego, as well as a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event in San Diego. Johnson also announced he will race in the Mint 400 for Terrible Herbst Motorsports in Las Vegas March 4-8.

MINT 400: In March, Johnson will take on the legendary Mint 400, checking off a true bucket-list challenge in motorsports. Long regarded as one of the most iconic and demanding off-road races in the world, the Mint 400 represents a return to Johnson’s desert-racing roots and his lifelong passion for pushing himself beyond the racetrack. Set against the unforgiving terrain outside Las Vegas, the event blends endurance, toughness, and tradition—qualities that mirror Johnson’s own career and competitive mindset. For Johnson, racing the Mint 400 isn’t just about the result; it’s about honoring the history of the sport, embracing a new challenge, and continuing to write the next chapter of a legacy built on curiosity, courage, and competition. The Mint 400 takes place March 4-8 in Las Vegas.

JIMMIE JOHNSON QUOTE:
“Daytona is special. Last year when the CLUB crossed the finish line in the top-10, it was the first time as a team owner that it sunk in how incredibly proud I was of the men and women who work at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. I am really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel. It’s been a long off-season and almost nine months since I’ve been behind the wheel of the No. 84 – I’m ready for it.”

CLUB APPEARANCES:
Nemechek, Jones, and Johnson will all appear at the Pit Shop store at Daytona International Speedway to sign their 2026 LIONEL Racing Action Racing Collectable diecast cars. Nemechek will sign first at 11 a.m. local time on Friday, Feb. 13th followed by Jones at 11:30 a.m. local time. On Saturday, Feb. 14th, Johnson will make a pit stop at 10:15 a.m. local time. Fans MUST purchase a diecast to receive an autograph.

Nemechek will sign autographs at the trackside merch hauler for fans on Saturday, Feb. 14th at 12:30 p.m. local time.

Fans can see Jones once again on Saturday, Feb. 14th at the Toyota Merchandise Hauler in the fan midway at 12:40 p.m. local time.

Then on Sunday, Feb. 15th at 10:30 a.m. local time Jones will stop by the AdventHealth display in the fan midway for a Q&A session.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Duels at Daytona on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. EST on FS1, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

The 68th Running of the DAYTONA 500 will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2:30 p.m. EST live on FOX, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

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

New Alliance and Tenured Backer Heighten Cody Ware’s Confidence in 68th Daytona 500

By
Official Release
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Out Front in August at Daytona, Ware Aims to Stay Hot in February in NASCAR Cup Series Season Opener With New No. 51 Jacob Construction Chevrolet

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 9, 2026) – The last time Cody Ware raced at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, he led four times for 23 laps around the 2.5-mile oval.

In the Aug. 23 Coke Zero Sugar 400 NASCAR Cup Series race, the Rick Ware Racing (RWR) driver scored the third-highest laps-led total, and when he wasn’t leading the 40-car field, Ware was a constant presence among the top-10.

Now back at Daytona six months later for the Daytona 500, Ware expects to pick up where he left off.

“In years past, I took a much more cautious approach to these superspeedway races, but the last handful of times we’ve been to Daytona, I’ve ramped up my aggression level without putting myself in bad spots,” Ware said. “I’ve got the confidence to just race hard, get up front, and stay up front.”

That confidence was on display in the Coke Zero Sugar 400, where despite starting 35th, Ware was leading by lap 39.

“I’ve always enjoyed the superspeedways. They’re one of the great equalizers for the Cup Series,” Ware said. “After what we learned at Daytona the last time we were there, now’s the time to capitalize and not just focus on a good result, but what it’s going to take to win.”

Eyeing his first career Cup Series win, Ware brings a new partnership to Daytona along with a tenured backer that has been with RWR for nearly a decade.

The blue-and-white colors of Jacob Construction are back with RWR for a ninth straight season. The multifaceted, Florida-based construction firm has helped build RWR into the team it is today – one that in addition to fielding an entry in the elite Cup Series, also campaigns winning teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track (AFT), FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) and zMAX CARS Tour.

Motorsports fans regularly see an example of Jacob Construction’s work – the Chevrolet Experience located adjacent to Daytona’s victory lane. Built by Jacob Construction, the design of the Chevrolet Experience emulates the familiar appearance of a Chevrolet dealership. During race events, it is home to Chevrolet VIPs. Other times, it is home to an exclusive delivery experience for Chevrolet customers where they can take their new ride for a lap around Daytona.

The Jacob Construction/Chevrolet Experience partnership is an appropriate connection because in 2026, RWR debuts a new partnership with Chevrolet, which includes a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) where RWR will use engines prepared by ECR Engines.

“It’s a new advantage for us to be able to work with Chevrolet,” said Ware, who will drive the No. 51 Jacob Construction Chevrolet Camaro in Sunday’s Daytona 500. “The number of teams Chevrolet has, the success – they’ve won the last three Daytona 500s – and the alliance we have with RCR, it’s all positive for us. I’m looking forward to rolling into Daytona with a Chevy bowtie on my hood and on my firesuit.”

Ware has a lot to look forward to at Daytona. Beyond his front-running drive last August, Daytona is home to Ware’s best career Cup Series finish – fourth in the 2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400.

“Daytona is a place where we know we can have success because we’ve had success in the past,” Ware said. “And with our new alliance with Chevrolet and RCR, and all the effort and hard work that’s been put in over the offseason, we can ramp up our usual aggression in the race. We can see where we’re really at, how we stack up, how our qualifying program is compared to what it was last year. I think it’s going to be a lot different than what we’ve had in the past, and I think we’re going to be able to put our stake in the ground to show people all that we’re trying to accomplish this year.”

The lead up to the Daytona 500 begins Wednesday with a 50-minute practice session at 10 a.m. EST with pole qualifying that evening at 8:15 p.m. Only the top-two positions will be locked into the 68th Daytona 500. The rest of the field will earn their respective starting positions in the Duel – twin 150-mile heat races, the first of which gets underway at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12 with the second Duel immediately following. Both can be seen live on FS1 and heard on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The week then culminates with the Daytona 500 at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday with live coverage provided by FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Rick Ware Racing:

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

Brad Keselowski Cleared to Race Following Successful Recovery

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Official Release
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Roush Fenway Keselowski

2012 NASCAR Champion Puts Broken Leg Behind, Will Return at Daytona

CONCORD, N.C. (February 9, 2026) — Bad Brad is back! Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing announced today that Brad Keselowski has been cleared to return to competition following a broken femur suffered December 18th. A successful medical evaluation and on track session at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) on Feb. 9 confirmed his readiness for the season ahead, beginning with all Daytona 500 activities Feb. 12-15.

“Getting cleared was a huge moment for me. You put in the work, you trust the process, but until you hear that final ‘yes,’ nothing is guaranteed,” said Keselowski. “Knowing what Daytona means, and how hard it would have been to miss it, made this moment even bigger. I’m grateful to the medical team and to NASCAR for being thorough, and I’m excited to get back in the car.”

Laser focused on returning for the Great American Race, Keselowski persevered during the past several weeks to overcome his injury. Relentlessly, the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion spent hours each day, working alongside his medical team and physical therapists, to regain strength and mobility.

“This process was about discipline and patience. There were no shortcuts,” Keselowski said. “I had a poster in my workout area that said, ‘Daytona. Earned not given,’ and that became my mindset every day. The focus was on getting stronger, improving mobility, and making sure I was truly ready to race.”

The approval process required a comprehensive medical evaluation that included an X-ray taken Jan. 30. The imaging revealed remarkable healing, providing doctors with the confidence to advance Keselowski to the next phase of clearance. With that benchmark met, attention shifted to competition readiness. During his on-track session at CMS, initiated by RFK Racing, Keselowski proved that he was more than capable of getting behind the wheel of the No. 6 Castrol Ford Mustang in Daytona.

“Brad approached his recovery the same way he approaches racing; with focus, commitment, and attention to detail,” said Chip Bowers, RFK Racing President. “His drive and determination to be healthy and ready to compete in the Daytona 500, just eight weeks after his injury is inspiring to everyone at RFK Racing.”

Motivation throughout the process was fueled by the allure of the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s most prestigious race and the only crown jewel absent on Keselowski’s stellar resume. Now with the green light to move forward, Daytona’s green flag lies ahead, and the Rochester Hills, MI driver is focused on the Harley J. Earl Trophy.

“The Daytona 500 is the most coveted race we have. The history, the names on that trophy, it speaks for itself,” Keselowski said. “I’ve won at Daytona, but I haven’t won the 500, and that’s always been one I want. After everything it took to get back to this point, having another chance at it means everything.”

During his career Keselowski has thrived at superspeedway racing, collecting a combined seven wins at Talladega and Daytona. His lone Daytona win came in July of 2016. Keselowski will be one of four RFK Racing drivers entered at Daytona, joining Chris Buescher in the No. 17 Fastenal/Body Guard Ford, Ryan Preece in the No. 60 Kroger/Viva Towels Ford, and Corey Lajoie in the No. 99 Trimble Ford.

About RFK Racing 

RFK Racing, in its 39th season in 2026, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit https://www.rfkracing.com/ and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing. 

Black’s Tire Expands Slate with TRICON for 2026

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Official Release
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Tanner Gray to Drive Black’s Tire Tundra in Multiple Races

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 9, 2026) – TRICON Garage (TRICON) announced today that Black’s Tire (BTS) will return to the team in 2026 and expand its slate to multiple events throughout the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) season beginning with the season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

The partnership will feature the familiar blue and yellow, Black’s Tire branding on the No. 15 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro with driver Tanner Gray, continuing a relationship that has spanned multiple seasons. The pairing combined for a fourth-place finish at Daytona in 2022 and a third place at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in 2023.

In addition to Daytona, BTS will be on Gray’s entry at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Richmond (Va.) Raceway and Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

Black’s Tire, which has operated for over 95 years, has more than 75 locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia & Eastern Tennessee and remains a local, family-owned tire retailer and wholesale distributor.

“We are excited to kick off the season in Daytona! It is a pleasure to continue our partnership with TRICON and Tanner Gray in 2026,” said Ricky Benton II, VP of Purchasing, Sales & Marketing for BTS Companies. “Our BTS Team along with our BTS partners are ready ‘to go together’ with TRICON this year. Throughout the season, we plan on featuring some of our partner dealers on the truck as we celebrate our business partnerships together.”

“It is awesome to have Black’s Tire back on board for 2026,” said Tanner Gray. “Ricky Benton and his team have supported us and believed in what we are doing at TRICON for a long time and I am hopeful to give them some good runs this year.”

The season opening Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 on Friday, February 13 at 7:30 P.M. ET, with radio coverage provided by SiriusXM and the NASCAR Racing Network.

About TRICON Garage

TRICON Garage is a professional racing organization fielding five full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entries. Serving as the flagship Truck Series partner of Toyota Racing Development, the team plays an integral role in the NASCAR development ladder. Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, TRICON has quickly established itself as the premier home for cultivating the next generation of motorsports industry professionals. Actively involved in three different industries – racing, fabrication and transportation, the team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet.

About Black’s Tire

Black’s Tire Service (BTS) was founded as Black’s Service Station by W. Crowell Black in Whiteville, N.C. in 1929 and celebrating 97 years of business in 2026. With more than 75 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia & Eastern Tennessee, Black’s remains a local, family owned- and -operated tire sales and service and vehicle repair business. In addition to the retail and commercial locations, Black’s also operates 15 warehouse/distribution centers, BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, a commercial sales division, and a tire-retreading business, Carolina Retreads. Today, the Black’s Tire family includes more than 1,200 team members. To learn more about Black’s Tire or to find a location, visit www.blackstire.com. Follow Black’s Tire on social media: Twitter at @BlacksTire, Instagram at @BlacksTire and Facebook at facebook.com/blackstire.

CORVETTE RACING AT BATHURST: At Long Last!

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Official Release
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First event at famed Mount Panorama for Corvette Z06 GT3.R

DETROIT (February 9, 2026) – In almost 30 years of competition, Corvette Racing has taken on and won at the greatest tracks in the world: Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona, Spa, Watkins Glen… just to name a few. Maybe the biggest one missing from that list gets crossed off this weekend with the program taking on iconic Mount Panorama at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

Two Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs from Johor Motorsports Racing (JMR) are set to race up and down the 3.86-mile, 23-turn circuit that winds its way up, over and down Mount Panorama. It’s a mix of public road and permanent racetrack that will test a field of 35 cars – the largest grid in the race since 2020.

Bathurst also serves as the opening round of this year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge – SRO Motorsports’ all-GT3 global championship. For the first time, Chevrolet is a participating manufacturer in the five-race championship.

JMR’s No. 2 Corvette is one of 15 entries in a stacked Pro class. Full-time Corvette Racing factory drivers Alexander Sims – a JMR regular – and Nicky Catsburg will team with Cadillac factory ace and New Zealander Earl Bamber in his first race in a Corvette since 2024.

Bathurst will be the second Pro-class race for JMR and the No. 2 Corvette. The team finished third overall last fall in the Suzuka 1000K with Sims and Catsburg teaming with Scott McLaughlin in a thrilling race.

Bamber is a two-time class winner in the Bathurst 12 Hour as a driver and won the 2019 race as a team owner, but he’s seeking his first overall win in the event behind the wheel. Catsburg has made three starts in the race, and Sims is making his debut at Mount Panorama.

In addition to the No. 2 Pro entry, JMR is fielding its No. 99 Corvette in the Pro-Am class for the lineup of Ben Green, Australian Jordan Love, Prince Jefri Ibrahim and Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim. The pair of Malaysian princes were part of a third-place effort in Pro-Am at Suzuka, and all four will arrive at Bathurst after contesting the six-round Asian Le Mans Series with JMR.

The Bathurst 12 Hours is scheduled for 5:45 a.m. Eastern Australian Time on Sunday / 1:45 p.m. ET on Saturday. The race will stream live on SRO Motorsports’ YouTube channel.

CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R DRIVER QUOTES

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 2 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’ve been fortunate to race at some of the best tracks in the world in my career, and I’m thrilled to finally be able to add Bathurst to that list. This is something that I’ve been looking forward to for quite awhile and have spent a good deal of time preparing for in the DiL (Driver-in-the-Loop simulator) and in talking with some of the Corvette Racing engineering team, as well as JMR. It’s really exciting to be part of finally taking Corvette to The Mountain in the Pro class and to kick off the IGTC. The team has the experience of last year at Suzuka to fall back on, so that plus the pre-event work should hopefully have us in a decent spot to start this week. It’s been a very busy and positive start to my season but I can’t think of a better way to close out this run by tackling Bathurst.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 2 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Bathurst this year will be extra-special for me. First, I get to team with my good friends Alex and Earl in what looks like an extremely competitive race. Just as important to me is being part of a Pro-class effort with Corvette. This is another big milestone race for the Z06 GT3.R, going back to our podium finish last year at Suzuka. We will have a few things to work on in practice to get us in a competitive window. But I’m confident that we will be in a good spot by the time qualifying and the race come around.”

EARL BAMBER, NO. 2 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Bathurst is a special place to me for a lot of reasons. It’s a race I’ve basically grown up watching and racing in – both as a driver and a team owner. Being part of Corvette’s first race there in the Pro class with JMR is something that means a lot and that I’m very thankful to do. I’ve driven the Corvette around the track in the DiL and think we should arrive in a pretty good window to make progress through the first couple of practices to get into the window for qualifying and the race. An overall victory as a driver at Bathurst is one of the few things missing from my CV, so I’m excited to see how we progress and how the Corvette feels around this iconic track.”

BEN GREEN, NO. 99 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m very excited to be making my debut at Mount Panorama, Bathurst, and to do it with Johor Motorsports Racing and Corvette is a fantastic opportunity. It’s great to be joining Corvette for the program’s debut at the track, too, and to kick start the impressive IGTC calendar. It’s safe to say I can’t wait to get started!”

HH PRINCE JEFRI IBRAHIM, NO. 99 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Bathurst has always been a very special place for me and one of my favorite tracks in the world. The history, fans, atmosphere and racing are incredible, and it’s also where I first raced in Australia. I’ve raced the 12 Hour three times, and since starting JMR it has been one of my main goals to return with our own team. To return next month with two cars makes it even more meaningful, especially racing alongside my brother and two great teammates, Jordan Love and Ben Green. Watching Bathurst last year was a huge motivation for us, and now to return with a new manufacturer in GM Corvette makes it even more exciting. We’ve been working towards this moment for a long time, and I’m incredibly proud to see JMR lining up with a Pro car at such an iconic event. We’re ready for the challenge and looking forward to an exciting year ahead.”

HH PRINCE ABU BAKAR IBRAHIM, NO. 99 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Competing in the Bathurst 12 Hour represents a significant milestone in my career. Having been fortunate enough to attend the event in person on several occasions, the opportunity to now race at Mt Panorama is incredibly meaningful. The Bathurst 12 Hour is one of the world’s most iconic endurance races, and I’m fully committed to giving my best effort to help the team achieve the strongest possible result.”

JORDAN LOVE, NO. 99 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “The Bathurst 12 Hour is without a doubt one of the most exciting events of the year, and one everyone wants to be part of. Driving a GT around my favorite track is something special and requires commitment and precision. It’s extremely exciting to see Corvette at the mountain and to be a part of it is very special! I’ve now done a full year in the car, and I absolutely love it and feel extremely comfortable. We have a clear goal to walk away with a trophy and hopefully the tallest one. It’s a big race, and a challenging one at that, but we’re fully prepared and ready to tackle the mountain.”

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. Learn more at GM.com.

WALLY PARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY APPRECIATION FUND PART OF $27 MILLION OVERALL PURSE FOR NHRA RACERS DURING MILESTONE YEAR

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INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 9, 2026) – NHRA announced the introduction of the Wally Parks 75th Anniversary Appreciation Fund for 2026’s milestone season, a special initiative that will pay out $500,000 over the course of the celebratory year and recognize teams in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series who continue to carry forward Parks’ illustrious legacy.

In all, more than $27 million in purse and payouts will be awarded to teams during the 20-race schedule for 2026’s 75th anniversary season.

The multi-million dollar payout, which is also an increase from 2025, includes the event purse for drivers in the Mission Foods and Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series on the national event tour, as well as the year-end championship purse for the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, payouts for the All-Star Callout races in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in the four professional categories and other incentive programs.

It also includes payouts for the regular season championship, which was introduced last season in the four professional categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle) and will continue in 2026.

The total purse and payout features the Wally Parks 75th Anniversary Appreciation Fund, which will only be available during the 2026 campaign. The special campaign honors the vision of Wally Parks, who founded NHRA in 1951. Teams will be rewarded and incentivized for promoting each race during the 2026 season, displaying a 75th anniversary decal on their car and flying a 75th anniversary flag on their haulers at races.

“Supporting and rewarding our racers at every level has always been a priority for NHRA. During our milestone 75th anniversary season, we’re excited and proud to take that commitment further,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “The introduction of the Wally Parks 75th Anniversary Appreciation Fund is a fitting way to honor Wally and NHRA’s legacy, while directly giving back to the competitors who are currently part of it.

“With a total purse of more than $27 million for 2026, we’re thrilled to award the incredible drivers and teams who compete at the highest level in our sport and deliver an amazing show for NHRA fans across the country. With programs like the regular-season championship, specialty races and more, we’re excited about what will be a truly remarkable and historic 2026 season.”

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Series season opens March 5-8 with the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway, the first of 14 races during the regular season and 20 overall events during the historic 75th anniversary season.

In 2025, Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Richard Gadson (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all claimed world championships in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Kalitta won his second title in three years in the loaded category, while Prock rolled to a second straight championship in dominant style. Both Glenn and Gadson claimed their first career world titles.

Racing legend Tony Stewart (Top Fuel), Prock, Glenn and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won the first-ever regular season championships a year ago in their respective categories.

For more information on NHRA, including the full 2026 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series 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.

ALEX LABBÈ PARTNERS WITH LIBERTY BREW AT WATKINS GLEN

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Partnership to honor veterans while celebrating America’s 250th birthday

MOORESVILLE, NC, February 9, 2026 – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Alex Labbé announced today that he is partnering with Liberty Brew Coffee for the Mission 200 at The Glen NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Watkins Glen. Labbé will drive the #0 of SS-GreenLight Racing sporting a livery, dubbed “The Liberty Torch,” that features the iconic American flag colors of red, white and blue with stars and stripes.

“Liberty Brew Coffee has sponsored several drivers at SS-GreenLight Racing over the past three years. They’ve been a tremendous supporter of our team, and they truly embody the spirit of honoring those who have given so much,” said Labbé. “It’s always a pleasure to represent a brand that focuses on serving its community.”

Liberty Brew Coffee is more than just a coffee shop – it’s a mission. Founded by veterans and proudly based in Conway, SC, they serve locally roasted, specialty coffee with a focus on quality, community and freedom. Every cup they brew is rooted in service and purpose, honoring those who have served while creating a welcoming space for friends, families and neighbors. From handcrafted espresso drinks to fresh pastries and breakfast favorites, Liberty Brew Coffee is your local gathering place to recharge, connect and be inspired.

“Liberty Brew Coffee is thrilled to partner with the Snow Belt team. Together, we’re honoring veterans and first responders this year in a truly unique way,” said David Steadman, CEO of Liberty Brew Coffee. “Through our Hero Honor Cup program and permanent digital tribute at heroes.libertybrewcoffee.com, we’re preserving stories of service with a lasting memorial experience. Each laser-engraved cup features your hero’s photo, service details, and a QR code that opens their personal story page so their legacy can be shared and remembered with every scan.”

“And we’re taking that mission to the track with our NASCAR VIP Hero program at heroes.libertybrewcoffee.com/nascar-vip, where people can nominate a Military Hero or First Responder to be a special guest of Liberty Brew Coffee and Snow Belt MGMT at Watkins Glen. America turns 250 this year, and Liberty Brew Coffee is honoring the generations who built it and defended it – our veterans – by carrying their names and their legacy on this car. Every lap is a tribute. Every cup is a thank you. We’re also inviting fans to submit a hero’s story for a chance to be featured in our ‘This Lap is For…’ hero recognition.”

Liberty Brew Coffee has several opportunities for fans to honor veterans through this partnership.

The Hero Honor Cup is a 20oz insulated tumbler with a laser-engraved photo and details of the veteran the purchaser wishes to honor. The cup also has a QR code that opens a personal memorial story page. The Hero Honor Cups are available for $24.99 at https://heroes.libertybrewcoffee.com/.

Additionally, fans can nominate a veteran or first responder to win VIP passes to this year’s Mission at The Glen race. The entry form can be found at https://heroes.libertybrewcoffee.com/nascar-vip. Every veteran who is nominated is entered into a chance to have a race lap dedicated to them. The entry period ends on April 24.

Liberty Brew Coffee is also selling limited edition products to commemorate this partnership. There are two new coffee blends: Founders Reserve – America 250 Blend, which features a bold, classic American profile, and Liberty Roast – Veteran Honor Edition. A portion of the proceeds of Liberty Roast will be donated to veteran support organizations. The first 22 fans who order a coffee bundle will get to see their name on the decklid of the race car at Watkins Glen. Fans can also purchase “America 250 – Brewed by Freedom” tees featuring the Liberty Torch car and challenge coins to commemorate this partnership. All of these can be purchased at https://www.libertybrewcoffee.com/online-store.

The Mission 200 at The Glen (82 laps | 200.9 miles) is the 13th of 33 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice starts on Saturday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m., followed immediately by qualifying. The field is set to take the green flag later that day at 4:00 p.m. with live coverage on The CW, the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are Eastern Standard Time.

For more information on Alex Labbé, follow him on X (https://twitter.com/AlexLabbe36) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AlexLabbe36/).  

For more information on Liberty Brew Coffee, https://www.libertybrewcoffee.com/ or follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sc.libertybrew.coffee/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/libertybrewcoffee/) or TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@libertybrewcoffee?lang=en).

Take 5 Oil Change Named Presenting Sponsorof Pennzoil 250

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INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Feb. 9, 2026) – Take 5 Oil Change, a leading provider of fast, friendly and simple car maintenance, has been named the presenting sponsor of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Pennzoil 250 presented by Take 5 Oil Change will take place Saturday, July 25 as part of Brickyard Weekend, which also includes the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 presented by PPG on Sunday, July 26 and additional practice and qualifying Friday, July 24.

“The Saturday of Brickyard Weekend provides fans with a lot of racing in a single day at IMS,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “From qualifying for both the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Cup Series and then the Pennzoil 250 presented by Take 5 Oil Change, it’s an action-packed day. The addition of Take 5 Oil Change, a brand that delivers high-quality service in a short amount of time, is a perfect partner for this exciting day of on-track activity.”

“Racing is about eliminating wasted seconds, and so are we,” said Doug Zarkin, chief marketing officer of Take 5 Oil Change. “Partnering with IMS during Brickyard Weekend puts us in the heart of a culture that values speed, trust and performance – exactly how our customers experience Take 5 every time they stay in their cars and drive out ready for what’s next.”

At Take 5 Oil Change, customers stay comfortably in their cars while technicians complete a high-quality oil change in approximately 10 minutes. Every service includes free tire pressure checks, fluid top-offs and complimentary bottled water. This simple, customer-first model has helped Take 5 Oil Change build loyalty and fuel strong growth across nearly 1,300 locations nationwide.

Visit IMS.com for ticket information for Brickyard Weekend on July 24-26.

For additional information about Take 5 Oil Change, visit take5.com.

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