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Austin Cindric Ready For Regular Season Finale in Daytona

By
Official Release
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Ford Racing Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Ford Racing Media Zoom Call
Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse, goes into this weekend’s regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway 15th in the standings, 44 points above the cut line to make this year’s Chase. Additionally, he’s 31 points behind Bubba Wallace for 14th and 39 behind Daniel Suarez in 13th. Cindric spoke about his situation earlier today on Ford Racing’s weekly Zoom call.

AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WILL YOU PLAY IT CONSERVATIVELY ON SATURDAY OR DO YOU TRY TO EARN STAGE POINTS AND TRY TO LOCK YOURSELF IN? “I think that’s a great question. If it was up to me, I know exactly what I would want to do. I’m the guy who begged my crew chief to let me race after being on the front row in the Daytona 500, but, obviously, there’s a lot at play for the race and a lot of factors to come in. I think qualifying will probably play a factor in some of those decisions, maybe, and maybe some of those decisions have already been made and I just haven’t been informed yet. I think there’s a lot of important things, but when you have the package change as much as I think we’re anticipating it – at least changing how the car drives, from my seat you definitely learn a lot more by racing. So, I think there are pros and cons to both and I think we have a couple days left in the week to really understand what our best move forward is.”

DO YOU THINK MOST DRIVERS WILL BE WILLING TO AT LEAST EXPERIMENT WITH THIS PACKAGE AND TRY TO MAKE MOVES? “Absolulely. I think that’s the only way that you learn. I think the way that first stage especially is set up with it only being 35 laps, there’s really not much of a threat of anything else. I mean, even with our other package easily can make 35 laps on fuel, so there’s no reason not to really race hard. I think regardless of how strategy or fuel mileage or anything looks, I think you’re gonna see the drivers trying to learn what the cars have, what the tires do over the course of a run, what the balance of their car is and what adjustments need to be made, so I think if you’re racing, you are experimenting, especially when you’re speedway racing even if you know the package. So, I think the way that first stage plays out is kind of a perfect warm-up, a perfect playground for trying to figure out what we’ve all got.”

YOU ARE AN UNDER THE RADAR KIND OF GUY WHO DOESN’T GET INVOLVED IN A LOT OF DRAMA. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT GOING INTO A RACE LIKE THIS AS AN UNDER THE RADAR DRIVER? “I appreciate what you said and I think, for me, I don’t spend any massive amount of time considering how I am perceived. I kind of just want to do my job and represent our partners and our team well and, most importantly, perform at an extremely high level. I think my commitment to that is maybe what would give that impression, and I guess my focus on what those things would be, so I think it’s really quite that simple. But, I think winning races also puts you in the storylines, so from that standpoint we definitely want to be doing that. Past that, it’s a super important weekend for us to get to business and do what we need to do for the remainder of the season.”

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING WITH THIS PACKAGE AND THE CHASE SITUATION BEING WHAT IT IS? “That’s a great question and it’s something that every driver, every crew chief, even every spotter is currently debating and, obviously, with no practice or any testing with this package, and I say that in the thought of it being a drafting package because it’s essentially the same package that we race on intermediate tracks, so it’s not like we don’t have sufficient aero data and all these other things to help crew chiefs and teams make decisions, but you put the cars in much different positions and spots and situations that you wouldn’t normally otherwise experience – maybe at Michigan in the middle of a pack on a restart, but, otherwise, I think at a bare minimum you take downforce off the car it’s gonna drive worse. It’s never gonna drive better, so I think understanding to what degree those things are, I think that’s been more of mine to date is all the things that I think will be different, it’s more of scaling what degree they’re gonna be and you’re not really gonna know that until you go out there and race. So, I think it’ll be very interesting for everyone and how that affects your approach and how you can work together with your teammates. I think approaching this race very open-minded. Really, the last time I feel like we were able to do that, I’m not trying to foreshadow by any means, but the last time I feel like we had to approach a speedway this open-minded was the first Next Gen speedway race at Daytona for the 500. It’s a challenge for sure, but I also think given the opportunity to go out there and figure it out between myself and my teammates that I’ll be working with all night, I think we all have the tools to be able to be at the forefront of that learning curve.”

IS THERE A BENEFIT TO BEING AN UNDER THE RADAR GUY AT DAYTONA? “I’m not sure. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I’ve always debated though, because I’m driving the Menards car for the weekend, and it’s a night race and I’m very easy to see, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing at a night race. Am I easier to block because my car is easier to see? I have honestly had that debate because what does your eye pick up on? I can promise you that your eye will pick up on that bright yellow Menards/Maytag Ford Mustang.”

HOW HAVE THE CHANGES MADE THIS WEEKEND IMPACTED YOUR PREPARATION? “Yeah, I’ve definitely been a bit looser and open-minded in my preparation in kind of just focusing on the keys of what makes Daytona Daytona. What makes parts and pieces of this car this car. It’s the same tire, so trying not to get too lost in the sauce of the down and dirty of the real specific details because I feel like that can be distracting, but it’s also things that even if I didn’t do any prep for coming back with the same package, I would have a pretty general understanding if you just had to throw me in the car today. I think with that just trying to remind yourself of what things are still gonna exist regardless of the changes and from there kind of keep an open mind and make sure that as a team we have the things that we think are going to be points of debate throughout the race or areas in which we’re trying to understand the varying degrees of change that we’re experiencing versus the package that we’ve raced pretty much since the inception of the car.”

IS IT EVEN WORTHWHILE TO WATCH THIS YEAR’S DAYTONA 500 WITH THE CHANGES? WHAT KIND OF VIDEO HAVE YOU PREPPED WITH? “The bulk of the film that I’ve prepared for this week is the summer race from last year at Daytona. It’s just a hotter event than what the 500 was and, obviously, kind of just more looking at general handling and trends from lanes usage and then always you’re getting a sense of watching other drivers and the decisions that they make or other OEM’s and how they work together. That type of communication that happens between team’s drivers and spotters that you kind of just build up a notebook of how other people operate for better or for worse. It’s no different than I feel like I might operate slightly different than Joey or Ryan, but we have to continue to collaborate on certain ideas. I think those are things that you can usually pick up on by watching and those will be things that won’t change.”

DO YOU THINK PEOPLE THINK YOU’RE BLANEY WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MENARDS CAR? “Good question. Actually, I don’t know if you guys noticed, but last week was one of the craziest double paint scheme weekends of the year. My spotter and I keep track of that. Like, if we see something on social media, we’ll send it to each other. There were two Trackhouse cars that looked the exact same. We had the two Monster cars. I feel like there were two others, but that’s very much a real thing. Obviously, Doug and I will sometimes walk the garage to make sure we know paint schemes just so we’re calling out the right cars and understand the right things because it is super important. The Coke 600 is always one of the hardest ones because everyone is in a red, white and blue paint scheme and when the cars are a mile away from you on the spotter’s stand, it’s easy to mix up a 54 and a 35 just because one has a green banner on the top and the other one doesn’t. I think those are all very important, but I run a Menards car half of the schedule. I think the other guys on the roof are good enough to figure it out.”

WE’VE SEEN A LOT OF MANUFACTURER TEAMMATES WORK TOGETHER IN THIS RACE. WITH TWO FORD DRIVERS BEING BELOW YOU IN THE STANDINGS, WILL THAT AFFECT YOUR STRATEGY? “I’m not sure that it does. I think from a Ford context, there’s a total reality that we get two in, so I think Brad is far enough back from me that he can mathematically pass the 97, but he can’t mathematically pass me. Obviously, they have to have a standout day and you could be easily done by the first stage and know that the 6 car wouldn’t be able to advance, but as far as the 60 and myself and how we work together as a group, I think the more Fords we get in the Chase, the better. That’s my mentality going into it is there’s no reason why we both can’t get in.”

DO YOU FEEL WE’RE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING SIMILAR TO ATLANTA THIS WEEKEND OR SOMETHING ELSE UNIQUE TO THE BIGGER SPEEDWAYS? “Yes, no and yes. I definitely feel that handing will be more important than it’s been in the past. I always feel like the summer race, for obvious reasons, requires more handling needs. I think the biggest differences between Atlanta and Daytona at the moment is the length of the straightaways and the radius shape of the corners. So, for us, how does that impact your ability to race? I feel like the corner happens quite quickly at Atlanta, whereas in Daytona you’re sustained in the corner for quite a while, so are there gonna be factors that apply in a handling limited environment? Sure, that you would have to utilize at Atlanta or actually drive the car a certain way, yeah, perhaps. But I do think the corner shape definitely will I guess drive the most difference between the two. Like I said, it’s hard to know yet until we go out there and race to know how handling limited it is or it isn’t.”

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN OR WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE HOW THE CARS WILL BE AFFECTED WITH BUMP DRAFTING OR GETTING CLOSE THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU? HOW HESITANT OR SELECTIVE DOES THAT MAKE YOU IN TERMS OF DECIDING WHEN TO PUSH? “All great questions that I have no answers to. We will learn at the same time. I’ll probably learn a little sooner than you will, but we will all learn at the same time.”

DARLINGTON SEEMED TO BE A TURNING POINT FOR YOU. WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THE TRACK THAT GOT YOUR TEAM GOING AND WHAT IS YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE SOUTHERN 500? “It definitely was a good event for us for the year. I think that Darlington provides a ton of challenges. I don’t think there’s a more mentally challenging race – maybe the Bristol Night Race – than the Southern 500 and having a clean start there and being able to execute a race, I think there’s really no single area that isn’t important in your race car to be able to have to be able to run well at Darlington, so it’s a good race for us to have a great notebook on and looking at it from a Chase perspective, you’re just trying to get out on the right foot. I mean, every single racing point and all that makes the most difference there, so I think for us it’s definitely one that we’re looking forward to getting back to. It’s a very fun racetrack and a very rewarding place to get a good result.”

HAVE YOU BUSTED BLANEY’S CHOPS ABOUT YOUR CAR LOOKING LIKE HIS? “I guess Ryan and I are probably quite used to that. I think the only thing that I bust Ryan’s chops about is that there are many times, and it’s becoming increasingly less since I’ve been in the Cup Series now for a little while, but there are maybe some casual race fans who think that I am Ryan Blaney. They will yell at me and they will come up to me with a Ryan Blaney trading card and ask me for my autograph while I’m wearing the firesuit, or like the ride around truck when they’re all yelling – ‘I love Blaney.’ I’m like, ‘OK, cool. I do too, but that’s not me.’ So, anyway, we do joke about that from time to time.”

DO YOU SIGN IF ASKED WHEN IT’S NOT YOU? “I show them the belt on my firesuit that says Cindric on it.”

NASCAR Announces 2027 National Series Schedules

By
Official Release
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NASCAR San Diego Returns to Naval Base Coronado to Honor Service Men and Women

Wheatley Vodka Clash at Daytona International Speedway Opens Speedweeks presented by AdventHealth Leading to 69th Running of the DAYTONA 500

NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway Part of Historic Tripleheader Weekend

NASCAR Championship Weekend Goes Back-to-Back at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Richmond Raceway and Watkins Glen International to Open The Chase for NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

Bowman Gray Stadium and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Join NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 26, 2026) – NASCAR today announced its 2027 schedules for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, continuing the sport’s momentum with an innovative calendar of race events. The 2027 schedule blends NASCAR’s crown jewel events and iconic venues with fan-favorite short tracks, superspeedways and road courses, highlighted by NASCAR San Diego’s return to Naval Base Coronado, the Wheatley Vodka Clash at Daytona International Speedway, the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway and the season-ending NASCAR Championship Weekend at upgraded Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“The 2027 NASCAR national series schedules reflect the continued momentum of our sport and the strong collaboration across our industry to deliver an innovative and balanced schedule for our fans that challenges the best drivers in the world,” said Ben Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer, NASCAR. “From the return of NASCAR San Diego and the Wheatley Vodka Clash at Daytona to the NASCAR Championship at Homestead-Miami, this schedule brings together marquee events, iconic venues and key markets while continuing to honor NASCAR’s heritage and evolve for the future.”

Following a successful inaugural event celebrating the United States and the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary, NASCAR will return to Naval Base Coronado for NASCAR San Diego on July 30-Aug. 1, 2027. The event will continue to recognize the men and women who serve while celebrating the shared values of courage, commitment and elite performance. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will compete on Saturday, July 31, followed by the Cup Series on Sunday, Aug. 1.

As announced yesterday, NASCAR and the Department of War share a multi-year plan to continue hosting events beyond Naval Base Coronado. In 2028, NASCAR and the Department of War intend to take the military-base street race to a different U.S. military installation, expanding the opportunity to celebrate and connect with service members, military families and communities across the country.

For the second consecutive year, NASCAR Championship Weekend will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nov. 12-14, to conclude the 2027 season. Homestead-Miami Speedway hosted NASCAR Championship Weekend from 2002-2019 before welcoming the season finale back in 2026. The venue is currently undergoing a $20 million capital investment project that will transform the track with a new gate entry, expanded fan zone and renovated Champions Club to enhance the race weekend experience for fans, partners and industry stakeholders.

“The 2027 NASCAR national series schedules are the result of tremendous collaboration across the industry to find the right balance of venues, race dates and competitive challenges across all three national series—one that brings the best of our sport to fans around the world,” said Julie Giese, Vice President, Market Development & Strategic Scheduling, NASCAR. “From the structure of The Chase to the continued evolution of the schedule, every adjustment is made with the goal of creating the strongest, most compelling season possible from start to finish for our fans, competitors, racetracks and broadcast partners.”

The 2027 season will begin with a homecoming as the Wheatley Vodka Clash returns to Daytona International Speedway to start FOX’s broadcast coverage on Saturday night, Feb. 13. The exhibition event will launch Speedweeks presented by AdventHealth and return to the famed Daytona oval for the first time since 2020. The event will also mark the Cup Series debut of Daytona International Speedway’s new state-of-the-art Musco LED lighting system. Daytona hosted The Clash as part of Speedweeks from 1979 through 2021 before the event moved to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from 2022-2024 and Bowman Gray Stadium from 2025-2026. Speedweeks presented by AdventHealth will take place from the Wheatley Vodka Clash on Feb. 13 to the 69th running of the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 21.

North Wilkesboro Speedway will welcome the NASCAR All-Star Race back to the historic short track as part of the venue’s biggest NASCAR race weekend ever, May 21-23, 2027. After hosting a sold-out Cup Series points race in 2026 for the first time in 30 years, North Wilkesboro will stage the 43rd NASCAR All-Star Race in prime time on the 35th anniversary of “One Hot Night.” The weekend will also celebrate the track’s 80th birthday with its first-ever national series tripleheader, featuring the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on Friday, May 21, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on Saturday, May 22, and the Cup Series All-Star Race on Sunday, May 23, which will conclude FOX Sports’ 2027 broadcast coverage.

The crown-jewel Coca-Cola 600 Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 30, 2027, will launch Prime Video’s five-race broadcast window. The summer slate will continue with four distinct NASCAR challenges: the high-speed concrete oval at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, June 6, Pocono Raceway’s one-of-a-kind three-turn layout on Sunday, June 13, the sweeping two-mile oval at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, June 20, and the highly anticipated return to fan-favorite Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, June 27, to close out Prime Video’s 2027 coverage.

The Cup Series In-Season Challenge will return in 2027 with its five-race, 32-driver bracket-style tournament on TNT Sports featuring five different race disciplines. The 2027 In-Season Challenge will launch on the short track at Iowa Speedway on the Fourth of July to start the five-race broadcast window for TNT Sports. The In-Season Challenge will then continue at the road course at Sonoma Raceway, the superspeedway at EchoPark Speedway and the historic oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before concluding on the streets of Naval Base Coronado at NASCAR San Diego, where the tournament champion will earn a $1 million prize.

The road to the championship will also feature notable changes in 2027 as Richmond Raceway, Watkins Glen International and New Hampshire Motor Speedway open The Chase. Richmond will kick off The Chase under the lights on Saturday night, Sept. 11, followed by Watkins Glen International and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Watkins Glen adds a road course to the championship portion of the season, while Richmond and New Hampshire return to prominent fall dates with long histories in NASCAR’s postseason.

The Bristol Night Race will return to its traditional August date, restoring one of NASCAR’s most iconic events to the time of year with which it was associated for more than four decades. The Cup Series race will open USA Sports’ broadcast coverage. Darlington Raceway will retain its traditional Labor Day weekend while World Wide Technology Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway shift into the final stretch of the regular season.

The CW will broadcast the entire O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, with The Chase once again aligned with the Cup Series beginning at Richmond Raceway. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will also return to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first time since 1985 as part of the track’s first-ever national-series tripleheader weekend.

The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule features two notable additions in 2027, with FOX Sports providing full-season coverage. Bowman Gray Stadium will remain on the national series calendar in 2027, welcoming the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for the first time on Friday, Aug. 20. The event continues NASCAR’s national-series presence at the historic venue following two years of Cup Series competition at The Madhouse.

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park returns to the schedule on Sunday, Sept. 5, for the first time since 2019 as the final race of the regular season. The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series also returns to Pocono Raceway on Friday, June 11, and will once again compete at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Lime Rock Park and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Additional highlights in the 2027 NASCAR national series schedules include:

Dover Motor Speedway returns to a Cup Series points-race date on Sunday, May 16, following its 2026 turn as host of the NASCAR All-Star Race.

World Wide Technology Raceway (Sunday, Aug. 22), Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway (Saturday, Aug. 28) and the crown jewel Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (Sunday, Sept. 5) will be the pivotal final three races in the Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series leading to The Chase.

Pocono Raceway will again feature all three national series during its June 11-13 race weekend.

The Chase for the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will begin at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 25.

All three national series will be off during Easter weekend, March 27-28, and again for a summer break, Aug. 7-8.

FOX Sports, Prime Video, TNT Sports and USA Sports will broadcast the 2027 Cup Series season. The CW will carry the entire O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season and FOX Sports will be home to the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Networks and start times will be announced at a later date.

For tickets to 2027 NASCAR events, visit www.nascar.com/2027schedule.

2027 NASCAR CUP SERIES SCHEDULE

DateEvent / Racetrack
Saturday, February 13Wheatley Vodka Clash (Daytona International Speedway)
Sunday, February 21DAYTONA 500
Sunday, February 28EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Sunday, March 7Circuit of the Americas (Austin)
Sunday, March 14Phoenix Raceway
Sunday, March 21Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sunday, March 28OFF WEEK
Sunday, April 4Darlington Raceway
Sunday, April 11Bristol Motor Speedway
Sunday, April 18Martinsville Speedway
Sunday, April 25Talladega Superspeedway
Sunday, May 2Texas Motor Speedway
Sunday, May 9Kansas Speedway
Sunday, May 16Dover Motor Speedway
Sunday, May 23NASCAR All-Star Race (North Wilkesboro Speedway)
Sunday, May 30Charlotte Motor Speedway
Sunday, June 6Nashville Superspeedway
Sunday, June 13Pocono Raceway
Sunday, June 20Michigan International Speedway
Sunday, June 27Chicagoland Speedway
Sunday, July 4Iowa Speedway
Sunday, July 11Sonoma Raceway
Sunday, July 18EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Sunday, July 25Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sunday, August 1San Diego (Naval Base Coronado)
Sunday, August 8OFF WEEK
Saturday, August 14Bristol Motor Speedway
Sunday, August 22World Wide Technology Raceway (St. Louis)
Saturday, August 28Daytona International Speedway
Sunday, September 5Darlington Raceway
Saturday, September 11Richmond Raceway
Sunday, September 19Watkins Glen International
Sunday, September 26New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Sunday, October 3Kansas Speedway
Sunday, October 10Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Sunday, October 17Charlotte Motor Speedway
Sunday, October 24Phoenix Raceway
Sunday, October 31Talladega Superspeedway
Sunday, November 7Martinsville Speedway
Sunday, November 14NASCAR Championship (Homestead-Miami Speedway)

2027 NASCAR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SERIES SCHEDULE

DateEvent / Racetrack
Saturday, February 20Daytona International Speedway
Saturday, February 27EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Saturday, March 6Circuit of the Americas (Austin)
Saturday, March 13Phoenix Raceway
Saturday, March 20Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Saturday, April 3Darlington Raceway
Saturday, April 10Bristol Motor Speedway
Saturday, April 17Martinsville Speedway
Saturday, April 24Talladega Superspeedway
Saturday, May 1Texas Motor Speedway
Saturday, May 15Dover Motor Speedway
Saturday, May 22North Wilkesboro Speedway
Saturday, May 29Charlotte Motor Speedway
Saturday, June 5Nashville Superspeedway
Saturday, June 12Pocono Raceway
Saturday, June 26Chicagoland Speedway
Saturday, July 3Iowa Speedway
Saturday, July 10Sonoma Raceway
Saturday, July 24Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Saturday, July 31San Diego (Naval Base Coronado)
Friday, August 13Bristol Motor Speedway
Saturday, August 21World Wide Technology Raceway (St. Louis)
Friday, August 27Daytona International Speedway
Saturday, September 4Darlington Raceway
Friday, September 10Richmond Raceway
Saturday, September 18Watkins Glen International
Saturday, October 2Kansas Speedway
Saturday, October 9Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Saturday, October 16Charlotte Motor Speedway
Saturday, October 23Phoenix Raceway
Saturday, October 30Talladega Superspeedway
Saturday, November 6Martinsville Speedway
Saturday, November 13NASCAR Championship (Homestead-Miami Speedway)

2027 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE

DateEvent / Racetrack
Friday, February 19Daytona International Speedway
Saturday, February 27EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Saturday, March 6Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Friday, April 2Darlington Raceway
Friday, April 9Bristol Motor Speedway
Friday, April 30Texas Motor Speedway
Saturday, May 8Kansas Speedway
Friday, May 21North Wilkesboro Speedway
Friday, May 28Charlotte Motor Speedway
Friday, June 4Nashville Superspeedway
Friday, June 11Pocono Raceway
Saturday, June 19Michigan International Speedway
Saturday, July 10Lime Rock Park
Saturday, July 17EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Friday, July 23Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Thursday, August 12Bristol Motor Speedway
Friday, August 20Bowman Gray Stadium
Sunday, September 5Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Saturday, September 25New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Friday, October 1Kansas Speedway
Friday, October 15Charlotte Motor Speedway
Friday, October 22Phoenix Raceway
Friday, October 29Talladega Superspeedway
Friday, November 5Martinsville Speedway
Friday, November 12NASCAR Championship (Homestead-Miami Speedway)

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information, visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.

Richard Childress Racing Development Driver Carson Brown to Compete Fulltime in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Whelen Engineering in 2027

By
Official Release
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Brown to Race No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet in Next Step of Multi-Year Development Program, with Whelen Continuing Long-Standing Partnership with RCR

WELCOME, NC (August 26, 2026) – Richard Childress Racing announced today that development driver Carson Brown will compete fulltime in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series under the RCR banner beginning in 2027, as part of a multi-year plan to continue to develop the 18-year-old’s career. Whelen Engineering, a global leader in the emergency warning industry, will continue its longstanding partnership with RCR as the anchor sponsor of the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet piloted by Brown.

“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Richard Childress Racing and Whelen for believing in me,” said Brown. “This is something I’ve dreamed about for as long as I can remember, and I know how rare and special it is to be in this position. What an absolute honor to drive for Richard Childress, and to be able to represent Whelen, an American-made brand that has invested so much into motorsports over the years. I don’t take a single part of it for granted. I’m going to give everything I have and do whatever it takes to outwork, outlearn, and prepare myself every week. My goal is to work as hard as I can, continue to improve and give RCR and Whelen everything I have every time we go to the racetrack. I’m really proud to be part of this program.”

Brown’s move to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series continues RCR’s more than 50-year tradition of identifying, developing and preparing young drivers for NASCAR’s national series. He enters the seat of the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet vacated by Jesse Love, who successfully utilized his opportunity with RCR to develop into a multi-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race winner and a Series Champion, ultimately allowing him to secure a full-time NASCAR Cup Series ride. Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick are just a few examples of NASCAR Cup Series winners who advanced in their careers under RCR development programs.

Whelen has maintained a strong commitment to motorsports and has used its partnership with RCR to entertain customers, elevate motorsports in America and raise awareness for important causes, including the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Brown will play an important role in representing Whelen both at the racetrack and in the communities it serves, building on the strong ambassadorial role previous RCR drivers have played in the partnership.

“Whelen is proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Richard Childress Racing and to welcome Carson to the No. 2 Chevrolet,” said Peter Tiezzi, general manager of motorsports for Whelen Engineering. “Carson has demonstrated tremendous potential as a young driver, and we’re excited to support his continued development. Just as important, we believe he will be a great ambassador for Whelen and the causes that are so important to our company. We look forward to working with Carson, RCR and our partners to build on the impact this program has made both on and off the racetrack.”

Brown has continued to establish himself as one of stock car racing’s rising young talents since joining RCR’s driver development program last year. This season, the 18-year-old has earned victories in the ASA STARS National Tour at New Smyrna Speedway and Five Flags Speedway, scored a runner-up finish in the ARCA Menards Series East race at Rockingham Speedway and earned his first ARCA Menards Series victory at Phoenix Raceway. He recently led all 200 laps to find Victory Lane in a CARS Tour West race at Evergreen Speedway.

“Carson has continued to impress us with what he can do behind the wheel, but just as importantly, he has the character and work ethic we look for in a driver representing RCR,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He has earned this opportunity through his performance and the way he approaches his development. Whelen has been a tremendous partner for RCR, and we’re excited to have Carson represent the company and help us continue the work we’ve done together in support of important causes and highlight the industry-defining safety solutions that Whelen proudly builds, designs and manufactures in America”

Brown will make his full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut with RCR and Whelen in 2027.

For more information, please visit rcrracing.com.

Whelen Engineering Since 1952, Whelen Engineering has been a proud ally and supporter of our nation’s first responders. Driven by a mission to protect those who protect others, Whelen provides the high-quality, reliable products and technology needed to aid them in their critical missions. From warning lights to white illumination, sirens, controllers, and software, every product that bears the Whelen name has been thoughtfully designed, manufactured, and tested right here in America to perform at the highest level in any condition. Whelen is honored to have earned the trust of first responders around the world as leaders of the emergency warning industry and carries that responsibility earnestly, always striving to ensure that the everyday heroes serving under the illumination and protection of Whelen products are equipped to do their jobs with enhanced efficiency, reliability, and safety. Learn more at www.whelen.com.

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 17 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018).

Stallone overcomes adversity to capture Mazda MX-5 hard charger awards at VIR

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Official Release
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ALTON, Va. (26 August 2026) – Max Stallone – racing in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin with support from PT Autosport – converted a mechanical issue that put him at the back of both race grids at VIRginia International Raceway into two “Penske Shocking Performance” awards, which go to the driver who gains the most race positions in each race.

The Wheels America Racing team had just sent Stallone out for qualifying when a mechanical failure meant that he would finish the session with no recorded times – thus starting race one at the back of the 39-car grid. The failure necessitated an engine change, leaving the team scrambling just to get Stallone on that grid.

But instead of bemoaning his circumstances, the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout scholarship winner made the most of the situation, capturing two Penske Shocking Performance awards (a “hard charger” recognition sponsored by Penske Shocks) for two drives that saw Stallone gain an incredible 42 positions combined – in one of the most competitive racing fields in sports car racing.

“In both races, the car was just hooked up,” said Stallone. “It might have been the best car I’ve driven. I’m impressed with the job the team did to get me out there for both races, and to have set up the car so well. I’m very appreciative to the series for having a hard charger award that recognizes both my effort and the team’s.”

The pair of 45-minute races took place in blazing heat at VIR, which might have contributed to the disjointed nature of both contests. Three cautions slowed race one, including an early yellow for a significant incident that sent Stallone through the turn six grass in avoidance. But the 19-year-old Austin, Texas native remained undaunted, making solid passes through the green flag running, and at the checkered flag, had driven from 39th to – as the series so aptly put it – an “astounding” 14th position.

“That incident happened right in front of me,” said Stallone. “All I could see was smoke and debris. I went straight into the grass and just hoped that he wasn’t going to swing back across track, so a bit of a scary moment there. Once we got back to green it was just a matter of realizing that I had a really good car and moving forward. I really think this car could have gone to the front under different circumstances, and that might be the first time I can genuinely say that, so that’s a positive. This field is so stacked that it’s hard to make passes, but I was aggressive when I needed to be and patient when I needed to be and stayed out of a lot of trouble. No sense in wishing we’d started closer to the front, just happy to have been out there and being competitive.”

Race two took the green flag just after the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on Sunday afternoon, in the heat of the day. Starting 29th, Stallone began to make his way forward once again, staying with the lead group of cars for much of the race and making headway in between two caution periods. In a late restart, Stallone made a move in the tangle of cars, taking P12 at the checkered flag – gaining 17 positions and taking home another Penske Shocking Performance award.

Gaining 42 positions in two races took only a bit of the sting away from what might have been for Stallone.

“Of course it would have been great if the hard running and good passes I was making had been for the lead, but I’m proud of the way the team handled the weekend and happy that I could show what I can do,” said Stallone. “Any issues we had in the race were my fault – I dipped two tires off at South Bend, and that seemed to knock something out of alignment. The car got a bit unruly towards the end of the race, and I was mostly just hanging on. That was disappointing, because I felt as though I could have gained even more positions had I not made that mistake.

“But to get both hard charger awards feels good,” Stallone continued. “It’s a little bit of recognition for all the hard work the team did and all the hard work that I did. Team’s got the car in a solid window, and if I’m not dipping tires off in places I shouldn’t, and we aren’t having issues in qualifying, I don’t see any reason why we can’t fight for a podium at every race the rest of the year. Huge thanks to Mazda for getting me here, and to PT Autosport for everything they’ve done for me. On to Indy!’

Next up for the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin series will be the pair of 40-minute races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, September 19 and 20. Both races will be streamed live on the IMSA and Racer magazine YouTube channels.

PT Autosport would like to thank our Partners for their continued support:

Mazda Motorsports has been winning races around the world for 50 years. From Le Mans, France to Daytona International Speedway in Florida, Mazdas have been a constant presence at racetracks around the globe, garnering wins and championships in races too numerous to list – and the list keeps growing.

Mazda Motorsports is responsible for all auto racing initiatives within the North American market, from promoting and servicing grassroots racers to developing sports car professionals of the future.

Instagram: MazdaMotorsports
X: Mazda Motorsports
Facebook: MazdaMotorsports

Stallone supports Hope Farm, founded in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in 1997 as a long-term leadership development program that guides at-risk boys, without the benefit of a positive male role model in their homes, from the time they are 5-7 years old until high school graduation and beyond. Staff and volunteers are dedicated to meeting the spiritual, nutritional, academic, emotional, and recreational needs of each young man to break the cycle of fatherlessness.

Instagram: @hope.farm
X: @HopeFarmInc
Facebook: Hope Farm, Inc.

About PT Autosport — Discover Unique Talent. Develop Champions.

PT Autosport provides merit-based motorsport industry opportunities for diverse individuals with high integrity, grit, and coachability, achieved through a development program for young aspiring drivers, engineers, mechanics, and other professionals. The first step of this process is applying for the annual Aspiring Driver Shootout, in which aspiring drivers aged 18-23 can compete for a racing partnership with the team.

A rigorous evaluation process of applicants determines the final competitors for the driver shootout. The winner earns financial support of up to $250,000 ($50,000 guaranteed) to pursue their racing career. The review process also provides the team the chance to identify unique talent for other roles in motorsport, including race engineers, mechanics, and professionals.

PT Autosport is building a community that fosters the development of young talent to find a place where they can make an impact in the motorsport community as a career.

Instagram: @pt_autosport
X: @PtAutosport
Facebook: PT Autosport
YouTube: PT Autosport

Uncork The Fun: NASCAR Returns to Wine Country July 10-11, 2027

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Official Release
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SONOMA, Calif. (August 26, 2026) – NASCAR racing returns to Sonoma Raceway July 10-11, 2027, bringing the roar of the NASCAR Cup Series to Northern California for a summer weekend of high-speed action, spectacular scenery and the unmistakable flavor of wine country.

Set among the rolling hills and vineyards of Sonoma Valley, the NASCAR weekend will feature two days of racing and entertainment, highlighted by the 38th running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, July 11 and the 5th running of the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 NASCAR O’Reilly Series race on Saturday, July 10.

Coming just one week after the Fourth of July, the 2027 NASCAR weekend offers fans the perfect opportunity to extend their summer holiday with a getaway to Sonoma. With long summer days, great weather, world-class wineries, outstanding restaurants and some of the most picturesque scenery in motorsports, there’s no better time to experience NASCAR in wine country.

“There’s simply nothing like NASCAR in Sonoma, and moving our weekend into the heart of summer makes the experience even more special,” said Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sonoma Raceway. “Fans can spend the Fourth of July with family and friends, then make their way to Wine Country for an incredible weekend of racing, food, wine and everything that makes Sonoma such a special destination.”

Competitors will take on Sonoma Raceway’s challenging 1.99-mile, 10-turn road course, featuring high-speed corners, tight passing zones and dramatic elevation changes. The unique layout demands precision, patience and strategy from the sport’s best drivers, creating one of NASCAR’s most distinctive and unpredictable races for fans to enjoy.

A compelling storyline to the 2027 Toyota/Save Mart 350 will be defending race winner Shane van Gisbergen, who will return to Sonoma Raceway looking to make history. After winning the event in both 2025 and 2026, van Gisbergen will attempt to become the first driver in 27 years to win three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races at Sonoma. The last driver to accomplish the feat was Vallejo, Calif., native and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon, who won three straight at Sonoma from 1998 through 2000. Gordon remains the winningest Cup Series driver at Sonoma with five victories, making van Gisbergen’s pursuit of a third consecutive win one of the marquee storylines of the 2027 NASCAR summer schedule.

Beyond the track, the weekend will deliver the complete Sonoma Raceway experience, with interactive fan zone displays, family-friendly entertainment and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the spectacular hillside views surrounding the circuit.

And with the race falling in the heart of summer, fans can make a full vacation out of the NASCAR weekend — exploring Sonoma and Napa Valley, visiting local wineries, enjoying farm-to-table cuisine and discovering the many attractions of Northern California’s wine country before or after the race.

“Summer in wine country is an experience all its own, and adding NASCAR to the mix creates a weekend unlike anything else on the schedule,” said Flynn. “Whether you’re a longtime NASCAR fan or someone looking for a summer getaway, Sonoma is the place to be next July.”

Additional information regarding the 2027 NASCAR weekend schedule, including practice, qualifying, race times, as well as television broadcast details, will be announced at a later date.

Tickets, camping, upgrades, premium options and much more are all available at SonomaRaceway.com or by calling (800) 870-RACE [7223]. 

Sonoma Raceway is a 1.99-mile, 10-turn road course and quarter-mile dragstrip located at Sears Point in Sonoma County, California. Built in 1968 the track is carved into rolling hills with 160 ft of total elevation change. It is host to one of the few NASCAR Cup Series races each year that are run on road courses. It is one of the world’s busiest racing facilities, with track activity scheduled an average of 340 days a year. A complete and versatile motorsports complex, it is home to one of the nation’s only high-performance automotive industrial parks with approximately 70 tenants.

TOYOTA RACING Weekly Preview 08.26.26

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: August 24 – 30, 2026

NCS/NOAPS: Daytona International Speedway – Aug. 28-29
ARCA: Madison International Speedway (Wisconsin) – Aug. 29

PLANO, Texas (Aug. 26, 2026) – NASCAR’s Cup and O’Reilly Series return to Daytona International Speedway where both reach their regular season finale, ultimately setting the field for each series’ postseason ‘Chase.’

The ARCA Menards Series remains in action this weekend, staying in the Midwest at Madison International Speedway in Oregon, Wisconsin.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NOAPS

Cup Series regular season concludes … Currently, five Toyota Camry XSE drivers are locked into ‘The Chase’ field ahead of Saturday night’s 400-mile race around Daytona International Speedway – led by Denny Hamlin who clinched the No. 1 seed last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Following Hamlin is Ty Gibbs in third, Tyler Reddick in fourth, Christopher Bell in fifth and Chase Briscoe in sixth. Bubba Wallace currently sits 14th in the series point standings and comes to Daytona with a 75-point advantage over the cutline. Wallace can clinch a spot in the Chase field with two points total scored, or a 35th-or-better finishing position.

Bell, Gibbs continue their strong runs … With fourth and sixth-place finishes, respectively, last Sunday in New Hampshire, Bell and Gibbs remain on their strong pushes to close out the Cup Series regular season and head into ‘The Chase’ with serious momentum. Bell has four consecutive top-10 finishes entering this weekend, and seven in the last eight races. Gibbs has seven such results in the last 10 races, which includes his win at Iowa Speedway three races ago.

Reddick seeks Daytona sweep … Beginning his historic run at the start of the 2026 Cup Series, Reddick captured victory in the Daytona 500 – his first career win in ‘The Great American Race’ and the fourth for Toyota. Reddick returns to Daytona this weekend in hopes of a season sweep at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Saturday night will be his 15th career start at Daytona, where he owns four top-five finishes, along with his win in February.

Sawalich, Crews and Gray battle for postseason berth … The final few spots in the O’Reilly Series’ Chase are at play for three Toyota GR Supra drivers in William Sawalich, Brent Crews and Taylor Gray. Sawalich and Crews currently own the final two spots in ‘The Chase’ field, sitting 11th and 12th in the series point standings, respectively, while Gray sits just out in 13th. Sawalich and Crews are tied in points, while Gray is a mere one point behind them.

Sawalich eager to continue strong push … Sawalich arrives to Daytona this weekend amid a strong run, with three consecutive top-five finishes, including a third-place result last time out at Iowa Speedway earlier this month. This was the second time this season the driver of the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has earned three consecutive top-five results. Friday night’s race marks the fourth career start for Sawalich at Daytona.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series

Toyota goes for fifth consecutive Madison win … Madison International Speedway has been another strong track for Toyota in the ARCA Menards Series as the manufacturer seeks its fifth consecutive triumph, and eighth overall, around the half-mile short oval. Going after that win for Team Toyota will be Max Reaves in the JGR No. 18 Toyota Camry, while Nitro Motorsports fields Jake Bollman in the No. 20, Will Robinson in the No. 25, Isabella Robusto in the No. 55 and Thomas Annunziata in the No. 70. Bollman and Annunziata continue their tight battle for the series championship, with Bollman leading Annunziata by just four points entering the weekend.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs approximately 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Charlotte Motor Speedway Sets the Stage For Unforgettable 2027 NASCAR Season

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Official Release
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From Memorial Day traditions to championship battles, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 2027 NASCAR schedule delivers another season of unforgettable racing and fan fun at the sport’s most iconic venue. (CMS photo)

CONCORD, N.C. (AUG. 26, 2026) – The heart of NASCAR country is ready for another action-packed season as Charlotte Motor Speedway is set for another year of racing in 2027, bringing fans two of the sport’s most anticipated triple-header weekends at America’s Home for Racing.

The stars of all three premier NASCAR series will return to the iconic 1.5-mile oval for the Coca-Cola 600 Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30, before championship contenders battle for a spot in the championship as the Bank of America 400 NASCAR Chase weekend hits the track Oct. 15-17.

TWO WEEKENDS. ONE LEGENDARY TRACK

Every NASCAR season features races that define championships and create lifelong memories. In 2027, Charlotte Motor Speedway will once again deliver both.

The Coca-Cola 600 remains one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events and the sport’s ultimate test of endurance. As NASCAR’s only 600-mile race, the battle challenges Cup Series drivers, teams and equipment through an unforgettable evening of competition.

Beyond the racing, Memorial Day Weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway honors those who have served and sacrificed for our country, creating one of NASCAR’s most meaningful traditions. Fans can enjoy a full weekend of racing, entertainment, driver appearances and experiences for the entire family.

Coca-Cola 600 Weekend:

May 28: NC Education Lottery 200 (NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series)
May 29: Char-Broil 300 (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series)
May 30: Coca-Cola 600 (NASCAR Cup Series)
When The Chase returns to Charlotte in October, every lap will matter as championship contenders compete in the Bank of America 400. With a championship title on the line, NASCAR’s best drivers will face one of the sport’s most challenging tracks while fans experience the energy, excitement and intensity that make championship racing unlike anything else in sports.

Bank of America 400 Weekend:

Oct. 15: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race
Oct. 16: Blue Cross NC 250 (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series)
Oct. 17: Bank of America 400 (NASCAR Cup Series)

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Located in the center of NASCAR country, Charlotte gives fans the opportunity to experience the roots of the sport — from nearby race shops and racing landmarks to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the culture that continues to drive the industry forward.

A trip to Charlotte Motor Speedway is about more than race day. Fans can camp alongside fellow race enthusiasts, explore interactive displays in the Fan Zone, enjoy A-list music entertainment and so much more.

For over 60 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has been the place where legends are made. In 2027, NASCAR’s biggest stars will once again compete on one of racing’s most iconic stages as fans gather for another unforgettable season.

Race start times, television broadcast information, support series schedules and additional event details will be announced at a later date.

TICKETS:

Fans can purchase tickets online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). While fans count down to the 2027 NASCAR season, they can experience the action this fall by purchasing tickets to this year’s Bank of America 400, Oct. 9-11. From kids’ tickets to premium experiences, there’s something for every fan at America’s Home for Racing.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram, or by becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

What Off-Road Racing Actually Involves

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

An introduction to rock crawling and off-road trail racing, how it differs from circuit motorsport, and what a first-time spectator or competitor should know.

Motorsports fans who grew up on circuit racing and drag strips sometimes overlook one of the most technically demanding disciplines in the sport: rock crawling and off-road trail racing. Vehicles set up for this kind of competition, often starting from a stock platform before adding Jeep parts Canada and other suspension work, are judged less on raw speed and more on control, line choice, and mechanical sympathy over terrain that would stop a stock vehicle cold.

How Rock Crawling Differs From Circuit Racing

Circuit and drag racing reward outright speed and consistency at high velocity. Rock crawling flips that formula: competitors are often moving at walking pace or slower, picking a precise line through boulders, ledges, and off-camber terrain where a single wrong tire placement can end a run or damage the vehicle. Events are typically scored on completion, time, and whether a competitor needed a “spotter” to talk them through the line, rather than pure lap time.

The Vehicle Side: What Actually Changes

A rock crawling or trail-racing build differs from a street vehicle in a few key areas:

  • Suspension travel — increased wheel articulation lets each tire stay in contact with uneven terrain rather than lifting off the ground.
  • Gearing — lower axle gear ratios compensate for larger tires and give more usable torque at extremely low speeds.
  • Armor — rock sliders, skid plates, and differential guards protect the underside from direct impacts that are routine in this kind of driving.
  • Locking differentials — allow both wheels on an axle to turn together, which matters enormously when one tire is off the ground or on a low-traction surface.

A Quick Comparison of Off-Road Disciplines

DisciplinePrimary SkillTypical Terrain
Rock crawlingPrecision line choice, low-speed controlBoulders, ledges, technical trails
Desert/trophy truck racingHigh-speed suspension managementOpen desert, whoops, jumps
Trail riding / overlandingNavigation, vehicle recovery, enduranceForest roads, mixed technical terrain
Hill climb / mud boggingTorque management, tractionSteep grades, deep mud

What a First-Time Spectator Should Watch For

New spectators often expect the excitement of speed and are surprised by how slow rock crawling actually looks on first viewing. The skill becomes obvious once you start watching for specific things: how a driver reads the terrain ahead before committing to a line, how a spotter’s hand signals correspond to small throttle and steering adjustments, and how competitors recover from a stalled or hung-up position without simply gunning the throttle, which usually makes things worse rather than better.

Getting Started as a Competitor

Most rock crawling and trail-racing series have entry-level classes built around lightly modified daily-driven vehicles, specifically so newcomers aren’t required to build a dedicated competition rig before trying the sport. A stock or lightly lifted vehicle with all-terrain tires is usually enough to run a beginner-class event and get a feel for the discipline before investing in axle gearing, lockers, or serious armor. Talking to local off-road clubs before a first event is worth the time, since course difficulty and vehicle requirements vary significantly between regions and sanctioning bodies.

Common Misconceptions

A few misunderstandings come up repeatedly among newcomers to the sport:

  • “It’s just about having a big lift.” Suspension travel and articulation matter far more than raw ride height, and an over-lifted vehicle with poor geometry can perform worse than a modest, well-tuned setup.
  • “Bigger tires always help.” Tire size needs to match the vehicle’s gearing and power; oversized tires on unchanged gearing often hurt low-speed control and drivetrain longevity.
  • “Speed wins.” In technical rock crawling classes specifically, going too fast through a section is one of the most common ways competitors get hung up or damage the vehicle.

Why the Sport Rewards Different Skills Than Most Motorsport

Circuit and drag racing largely reward reaction time, consistency, and managing a car at or near the limit of grip at speed. Rock crawling instead rewards patience, spatial awareness, and the discipline to stop and reassess a line rather than powering through a mistake. Competitors frequently describe the mental side of the sport as closer to chess than to conventional racing, since a single poor decision early in a technical section can compound into a much bigger problem a few feet later. That difference is part of why the discipline has attracted a growing crossover audience from both traditional motorsport and general off-roading, since it demands a genuinely different skill set than either.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rock crawling dangerous compared to circuit racing? The low speeds involved make catastrophic high-speed accidents rare, but rollover risk on steep or off-camber terrain is real, which is why roll cages and proper recovery gear are standard even in amateur classes.

Do competitors need a dedicated trailer to get to events? Not necessarily for entry-level events with street-legal builds, but more heavily modified competition vehicles are often not street legal and do require trailering.

How long does a typical rock crawling course take to complete? This varies widely by course difficulty, but individual technical sections often take several minutes to navigate carefully, even though the total distance covered is short.

Can a stock, unmodified vehicle compete in any class? Some series run a true stock class specifically for this, though most participants find even light modifications like all-terrain tires make a meaningful difference in a beginner event’s difficulty.

References

JR Motorsports — NOAPS Daytona International Speedway Preview

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Official Release
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JR Motorsports O’Reilly Auto Parts Team Preview
TRACK – Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile superspeedway)
NOAPS RACE – Winn-Dixie 250 Powered by Coca-Cola (100 laps / 250 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90, ESPN Mobile App at 7:30 p.m. (ET)

Carson Kvapil

No. 1 – Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet

Kvapil 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 23

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 8

Top 10s: 14

Laps Led: 131

Avg. Finish: 11.2

Points: 2nd

Carson Kvapil returns to Daytona International Speedway this weekend for his fourth career start at the 2.5-mile track in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In three previous starts at Daytona, Kvapil has an average finishing position of seventh.

On tracks greater than 2 miles, the JR Motorsports driver has 13 starts, recording one win, three top-fives and eight top-10’s.

After back-to-back wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway, Kvapil sits second in the series point standings heading into the final race before The Chase.

The No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet will carry the name of cancer hero Stephanie Kearns on the name rails as part of The NASCAR Foundation’s Honor a Cancer Hero program.

Carson Kvapil

“Daytona is always an unpredictable race, but I am confident Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and this entire No. 1 Bass Pro Shops team will unload another fast car this weekend. Our team has a bunch of momentum right now and we hope to continue to build off that as we head into The Chase. We just need to race smart in the pack and keep ourselves in position to bring home a third consecutive win.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 Carolina Carports Chevrolet

Allgaier 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 23

Wins: 6

Top 5s: 14

Top 10s: 17

Laps Led: 559

Avg. Finish: 9.5

Points: 1st

Justin Allgaier heads into the final race of the NOAPS regular season having already secured the top seed in The Chase.

Allgaier is a past winner at “The World Center of Racing” in the NOAPS, having gone to Victory Lane in this event in 2023 in a dramatic photo finish.

Overall, in 31 NOAPS starts at Daytona, Allgaier has amassed a combined 10 top-fives and 16 top-10s to accompany the 2023 victory.

Allgaier is the most recent winner on a drafting track in the NOAPS, capturing the checkered flag at Atlanta last month.

This weekend, the No. 7 Carolina Carports Chevrolet will carry the names of cancer heroes Stephanie Kearns and Leslie Jo Mummert by virtue of the NASCAR Foundation on the driver and passenger side name rails.

Justin Allgaier

“Daytona is such a special place to race at. Anything can happen here and we just need to be on our toes throughout the night to make sure we can be in a position to fight for the win with our Carolina Carports Chevrolet. If we can execute like we have throughout the year on the speedways and work well with our JR Motorsports teammates, I see no reason why we all won’t be up front at the end. It was a nice two-week break but we are ready to get back to the track and lock in before The Chase gets underway next week.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet

Smith 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 23

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 6

Top 10s: 10

Laps Led: 51

Avg. Finish: 11.6

Points: 8th

Sammy Smith heads to Daytona this Friday evening in hopes of finishing one position better than he did in the fall of 2025, where he came home in the second position at the hallowed superspeedway.

Smith has eight starts at Daytona with two top-five and two top-10 finishes.

On tracks at least 2-miles in length, Smith has 26 starts with one win, five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.

According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Smith is ranked first for most quality passes thus far in 2026, with 1,129.

Through The NASCAR Foundation’s Honor a Cancer Hero program, Stephanie Kearns’ name will be in place of Smith’s on the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet.

Sammy Smith

“It’s been a great couple of off weeks, being able to enjoy time with family and friends and reset a bit before tackling the final part of the season and into The Chase. This No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet has run well at Daytona the last couple of times. We’ve led laps and brought home a top-five finish the last two times so I feel confident that we can continue that and compete for a win under the lights.”

Rajah Caruth

No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

Caruth 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 23

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 2

Top 10s: 8

Laps Led: 76

Avg. Finish: 16.6

Points: 14th

Rajah Caruth and the No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM team head to Daytona this weekend for the final race before The Chase begins.

Caruth enters Daytona 15 points below the cut line in the driver standings as he looks to secure his place in The Chase.

Caruth has been strong on drafting tracks throughout the 2026 season, earning three top-10 finishes in four starts while leading 46 laps across those events.

The No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet will carry the names of cancer heroes Michele Broadley and Stephanie Kearns on the roof as part of The NASCAR Foundation’s Honor a Cancer Hero program.

Rajah Caruth

“I’ve always felt like drafting tracks suit my driving style, and we’ve shown that this year with how competitive we’ve been at those places. Daytona is all about putting yourself in the right position and making good decisions when it matters. Obviously, we know where we are in the points and what’s at stake, but our approach doesn’t really change. We’re going there to race up front, execute all night and give ourselves a chance at the end. I’m confident in Mardy (Lindley, crew chief) and everyone on this No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM team, and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway: JR Motorsports has competed at Daytona International Speedway a combined 128 times in NOAPS since 2006. In those starts at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, the organization has recorded nine wins, 35 top-fives, and 55 top-10s. The average finish is 15.5.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Rajah Caruth will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / HMS WB + AB souvenir rig on Friday, August 28th, from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. ET.

Richard Childress Racing Signs Chandler Smith to Multi-Year Agreement to Compete Full-Time in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

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Official Release
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Young NASCAR Talent Joins RCR’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Full-Time Beginning in 2027; 1-800-PACK-RAT Steps Up as Anchor Primary on the No. 21 Chevrolet

WELCOME, NC (August 26, 2026) – Richard Childress Racing announced today that Chandler Smith will join the organization’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series program full time beginning in 2027, driving the No. 21 1-800-PACK-RAT Chevrolet as part of a multi-year agreement. 1-800-PACK-RAT, the award-winning portable storage and moving company that makes moving and storage simple, will continue and enhance their relationship with RCR, stepping up as anchor primary partner of the No. 21 Chevrolet, also part of a multi-year deal.

For Smith, joining RCR represents an opportunity to continue his career with an organization that has played a significant role in developing championship-caliber drivers while working alongside a partner committed to building something lasting around the No. 21 program.

“I’m really thankful for this opportunity and for the people who have believed in me and helped me get to this point,” said Smith. “First and foremost, I want to give all the glory to God. He’s opened a lot of doors for me throughout my career, and I know none of this happens without Him. I’m also thankful for my family and everybody who has stood behind me through the ups and downs. To get this opportunity with Richard Childress Racing means a lot to me. RCR has such a great history of taking young drivers and giving them the tools to go out there and be successful, and I’m excited to be part of that. I’m really thankful to Richard and everyone at RCR for believing in me, and having 1-800-PACK-RAT come along with us for this next chapter makes it even more special. They’ve already been a great partner at RCR, and I think we can do some impactful things with this program, both on and off the racetrack. I’m looking forward to getting to work.”

Beginning in 2027, 1-800-PACK-RAT will elevate its presence with the No. 21 Chevrolet, using its partnership with RCR and Smith as a platform for a larger, more integrated marketing program designed to connect the brand with NASCAR fans both at the racetrack and beyond.

“What excites us most about expanding this partnership is everything we can build around it,” said Mark Kuhns, Chief Executive Officer for 1-800-PACK-RAT. “With RCR, Chandler and the No. 21, we have an exciting platform to introduce even more fans to 1-800-PACK-RAT and create memorable experiences throughout the season. We’re excited for 2027, and we can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

Smith, 24, brings a proven record of success across NASCAR’s national series to RCR, along with a reputation as one of the sport’s accomplished young talents. The Talking Rock, Georgia, native is a nine-time winner in the NASCAR Truck Series and has established himself as a consistent front-runner throughout his career. In 2026, Smith continues to demonstrate that performance, earning two victories through the first 17 races of the NASCAR Truck Series season, including wins at Daytona International Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway. He has recorded eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes while ranking third in the championship standings.

Smith has also proven himself in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he competed fulltime in 2023 and 2024. Across 71 career starts in the series, Smith has earned three victories, 25 top-five finishes and 36 top-10 finishes. His 2024 campaign included two wins and a playoff run that saw him remain in championship contention deep into the season.

The 2027 season will mark Smith’s next opportunity to build on that experience with an organization known for identifying, developing and preparing young drivers for success at NASCAR’s highest levels.

RCR’s No. 21 Chevrolet has been an important part of that history. The number has carried a succession of talented drivers throughout the organization’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series program, including Kevin Harvick, Daniel Hemric and Austin Hill. Hill drove the No. 21 to multiple victories and earned NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2022 before becoming one of the series’ most successful championship contenders. The No. 21 has continued to serve as a platform for RCR to develop drivers and prepare them for the next stage of their careers.

“Chandler has earned this opportunity,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He has shown throughout his career that he knows how to win, he knows how to compete and he understands what it takes to be successful at this level. We’ve watched him develop, and we believe he has all the tools to be a great fit at RCR. The No. 21 has a lot of history with our organization, and we’re excited to put Chandler in that car and give him the opportunity to continue building his career with us.”

The No. 21 1-800-PACK-RAT Chevrolet will make its debut with Smith when the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season begins.

For more information, please visit rcrracing.com.

1-800-PACK-RAT, LLC, is the portable storage and moving company that makes moving and storage simple. With numerous storage facilities across the USA and a growing network of containers and trucks, they can get you anywhere you need to go. 1-800-PACK-RAT has a strong history of growth year after year. Each year welcomes new market locations, increased assets, and new technologies to make storage and moving easier for their customers! The company also has several divisions, each with its own focus and expertise. For more information, visit www.1800packrat.com.

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 17 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018).

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