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AM Racing NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Martinsville Speedway March Preview

By
Official Release
-

AM Racing | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | NFPA 250

Fast Facts

Driver: Nick Sanchez
Primary Partner(s): Paynuity
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Edward “Dewey” Townsend
Spotter: Adam Fournier
2026 Driver Points Position: 22nd
2026 Owner Points Position: 26th
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

Notes of Interest:

● Season Four, Full Throttle: AM Racing will embark on its fourth full-schedule season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026 with driver Nick Sanchez competing in the full 33-race schedule, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s NFPA 250 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

● Future Focused: In early February, AM Racing announced the signing of NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series winner Nick Sanchez to pilot the team’s No. 25 Ford Mustang, beginning with the 2026 season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 14, 2026.

Nick Sanchez will make his debut with AM Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, joining the Ford Racing camp after previously competing with Chevrolet.

The Miami, Fla., native arrives at AM Racing following his rookie campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2025, where he continued to develop his resume as one of NASCAR’s rising young drivers.

Sanchez, 25, arrives on the scene at AM Racing after a 33-race stint driving for Big Machine Racing.

● Fueled by Paynuity: Paynuity will continue its new partnership with Nick Sanchez and AM Racing this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, serving as the title partner of the team’s No. 25 Ford Mustang for Saturday afternoon’s 250-lap race. .

Paynuity empowers businesses and financial institutions by providing best-in-class financial technology and customer service with a unified, enterprise-grade, global payments ecosystem.

Its innovative digital transaction processing platform enables direct-to-bank settlement for peer-to-peer and/or merchant-to-merchant transactions by providing seamless end-to-end payments and banking services for merchants and banks alike – the nexus of payment processing.

With more than 58 different payment networks and direct card brand associations on its payment switch and routing platform, Paynuity provides plug-and-play solutions for credit/debit card issuers and/or merchant acquirers by enabling direct access to thousands of global banks and card associations to facilitate merchant services, card issuing, and digital banking.

After experiencing firsthand the exposure and engagement generated through its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut, Paynuity recognized the value of aligning with a competitive, Playoff-caliber organization competing on the

sport’s national stage.

● Traveling in Style: Continuing their new affiliation with AM Racing this weekend in Martinsville is Travel Curious, a leading B2B travel technology provider in the experiences industry.

Travel Curious’s Unified Experiences Platform™ enables hotels, travel providers and loyalty programs to seamlessly integrate curated experiences into their offerings, helping partners drive differentiation, deepen customer engagement and unlock incremental value.

Serving as the unifying infrastructure connecting distinctive supply — including live entertainment, major league sporting events, theme parks, tours, attractions and other immersive experiences — Travel Curious connects global demand through a fully integrated, end-to-end technology platform.

● Nick Sanchez O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Martinsville Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s anticipated slugfest marks Sanchez’s fourth career start at the famed 0.526-mile paperclip of Martinsville Speedway.

In his previous three Martinsville Speedway starts, Sanchez’s best result was delivered in his inaugural trip to Martinsville Speedway, where he earned a track-best seventh in the Dead On Tools 250 in October 2022, driving for Big Machine Racing.

Overall, he holds an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series average finish of 19.3 at the historic race track in the heart of the Old Dominion.

Sanchez, the former ARCA Menards Series champion, also has three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts at Martinsville Speedway in 2023 and 2024, respectively, earning two top-five finishes, including a Truck Series track-best fourth-place finish in the 2024 spring edition of the Long John Silver’s 200 after starting fifth.

● Nick Sanchez NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Martinsville, Sanchez has 47 career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by one win, eight top-five and 14 top-10 finishes, with a championship-best result of 11th in the standings during the 2025 season.

Sanchez earned his first career NOAPS series victory in his freshman season in a thrilling summer finish at EchoPark (Ga.) Speedway, where he started 11th and hustled to the front, leading 18 laps before edging fellow rookie Carson Kvapil for the checkered flag by .104 seconds.

Since his 2022 debut, Sanchez has averaged an 18.4 finish in series competition, including the past two seasons running full-time.

In addition to the 47 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, he has achieved 47 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts and 60 career starts across the ARCA Menards Series platforms.

● AM Racing NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Martinsville Speedway: This weekend’s NFPA 250 will mark AM Racing’s seventh career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at historic Martinsville Speedway.

In the team’s six previous appearances in the Commonwealth, its best finish came in its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at the track, when Brett Moffitt drove the No. 25 AM Technical Solutions Ford Mustang from 16th on the grid to a ninth-place result.

AM Racing also earned its first career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series pole at Martinsville Speedway last October, when Harrison Burton turned the fastest lap in qualifying at 95.429 mph. Burton went on to lead 16 laps before finishing 11th.

Overall, AM Racing owns an average finish of 17.0 in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition at Martinsville, highlighted by five top-20 finishes with four different drivers.

On short tracks, the Statesville, N.C.-based organization has made 14 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, earning one top-five and three top-10 finishes, while posting an average finish of 18.6.

● Darlington (S.C.) Raceway | Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 Race Recap: The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series made its traditional stop in the heart of South Carolina with a visit to the legendary Darlington Raceway for last Saturday afternoon’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200.

After a solid practice session in the No. 25 AM Racing Ford Mustang, Sanchez posted the 27th-fastest lap in qualifying after earning the infamous Darlington stripe.

Forced to drop to the rear of the field for unapproved adjustments, Sanchez charged through the field during the fast-paced 147-lap event, contending for a top-15 finish before ultimately settling for a respectable 16th-place result at the checkered flag.

The performance marked the team’s best finish since a third-place showing in the series’ second race of the season at EchoPark (Ga.) Speedway.

● Thanks For Your Support: With 18 percent of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season complete, AM Racing and Nick Sanchez would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AIRBOX Air Purifier, Better Compute Works, Blue Wolf Products, Castle Products, Eagle Rentals, Flying Circle, MAR CARIBE LINE, Mechanix Wear, No Days Off Premium Water, Race to Stop Suicide, Racing Radios, Travel Curious, Volt Batteries and WIX Filters.

● From the Pit Box: Guiding Sanchez as crew chief of the No. 25 AM Racing Ford Mustang is the newly appointed crew chief Edward “Dewey” Townsend.

On Saturday afternoon, the gifted engineer will be crew chief for his seventh career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race and his first at Darlington Raceway.

In his previous six O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, he has collected one top-five and one top-10 finish (EchoPark Speedway — February 2026).

● Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit their Facebook page (Team AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Nick Sanchez, please visit shopnickracing.com, like his Facebook page (Nick Sanchez), or follow him on Instagram (@nicksanchez080) and X | Twitter (@Nicksanchez080).

Nick Sanchez Quoteboard:

On Martinsville Speedway: “Martinsville is one of those places that really challenges you as a driver. It’s tight, it’s physical, and you have to be on your game every single lap.

“I’ve had some solid runs there in the past, so I’m looking forward to applying what I’ve learned and building that notebook with AM Racing for the first time this weekend.

“We’ve seen what this team is capable of at Martinsville, especially being the defending pole winner, so that gives us a lot of confidence heading into the weekend. It would mean a lot to put this No. 25 Ford Mustang back on the pole and make it back-to-back for AM Racing.

“If we can execute in qualifying and keep ourselves up front, I feel like we’ll be in a strong position when it counts.”

On Keys to Success at Martinsville Speedway: “At Martinsville, it really comes down to discipline and execution. You have to take care of your equipment, keep your brakes underneath you, and make sure you’re there at the end of the run.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the moment at a place like this, but the guys who are patient usually end up with the best results.

“Track position is huge, so qualifying well and having clean pit stops will be key for us. If we can stay out of trouble, manage our tires, and keep ourselves in position late in the race, I think we’ll have a shot to be right there when it matters most.”

On Darlington Raceway Finish: “Darlington is always a tough place, but I was really proud of the effort from everyone at AM Racing. We had a solid car in practice, and even after getting the stripe in qualifying and having to go to the back, the team never gave up.

“We were able to work our way through the field and put ourselves in position for a solid finish. A 16th-place result might not jump off the page, but considering where we started, it says a lot about the speed in our No. 25 Ford Mustang and the effort from this group.

“It definitely gives us something to build on heading into Martinsville.”

On the Importance of Finishing Strong: “We’ve been focused on getting ourselves back on track as a team. We lost a little bit of ground in the points in the races leading up to Darlington, so it was important for us to put together a solid, complete day and start gaining that back.

“I think Darlington was a step in the right direction for our No. 25 AM Racing Ford Mustang. Now it’s about continuing to build on that, staying consistent, and stacking finishes so we can keep climbing back to where we know we should be in the standings.”

On 2026 Season Outlook: “I’m really encouraged by the direction our AM Racing team is heading this season. The third-place finish at EchoPark Speedway showed what we’re capable of when everything comes together.

“Our goal now is to keep building on that momentum, stay consistent each week and put ourselves in position to contend for more top finishes as the season progresses.”

Race Information:

The NFPA 250 (250 laps | 131.5 miles) is the seventh of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., March 27, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 5:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Sat., March 28, 2026, shortly after 3:30 p.m., with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multifaceted motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, the organization prides itself on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

Entering its 11th year of competition, AM Racing will compete across NASCAR’s national and developmental ranks during the 2026 season.

Coca-Cola Racing, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Charlotte Motor Speedway Pack 50,000 Meals for Local Families in Need

By
Official Release
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More than 150 volunteers gathered at Charlotte Motor Speedway to package 50,000 meals for Charlotte area families in need. (CMS photo)

Charlotte Motor Speedway, in partnership with Coca-Cola Consolidated and NASCAR personnel, hosted a meal-packing event, producing more than 50,000 meals for Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina

In addition to serving the community, the event is a prelude to NASCAR’s crown jewel, the Coca-Cola 600 event on Memorial Day Weekend; tickets are available online at charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267)

CONCORD, N.C. (March 26, 2026) – Charlotte Motor Speedway, in partnership with Coca-Cola Consolidated, Speedway Motorsports representatives, state and local officials and NASCAR personnel, packed more than 50,000 meals for Second Harvest Food Bank and its network of local pantries during a special event at the speedway on Wednesday.

The event brought together 150 volunteers from across the NASCAR industry, including NASCAR Cup Series and Coca-Cola Racing Family members Austin Dillon and Kyle Petty, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and other local and state elected officials, Coca-Cola Consolidated leaders and teammates, as well as partners and community organizations. Together, the group assembled meals to support families across the region and make a meaningful impact on the community.

Each box included four servings of vegetables, fruits, proteins and grains. The meals will be distributed to elementary school pantries at R. Brown McAllister, Winecoff, Wolf Meadow and Weddington Hills in Cabarrus County, as well as the Rowan County Second Harvest facility, which serves Rowan, Cabarrus and Stanly counties.

Charlotte Motor Speedway was the first stop in a series of meal-packing events across North Carolina, with a goal of packaging more than 250,000 meals statewide by the Fourth of July as part of the yearlong America250 campaign and Coca-Cola Consolidated’s ongoing community impact initiative.

Here’s what local leaders and partners shared about the day’s impact:

Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, North Carolina Lieutenant Governor

“Across our communities, families are still struggling to access basic needs like food, and this is a moment for us to come together. North Carolinians want to help and feel connected to their communities, and those in need deserve to feel supported and cared for. Each of us can play a role, whether it’s volunteering, donating, or simply checking in on a neighbor. That’s what makes our communities strong.”

Vi Lyles, Charlotte Mayor

“What I see here today is the generosity of community – everyone working together to provide something so important to those who need it. The effort to pack 50,000, yes 50,000 meals, for Second Harvest Food Bank and its network of local pantries is amazing and possible only through the strength and determination of everyone gathered here – with the collective mindset that we are going to serve our people, the ones that need it most. Everybody volunteering is working hard and that always makes the difference. It shows that people care deeply about each other and this community. I am proud of everyone who took time from a busy schedule to be here and contribute.”

Mike Burch, Speedway Motorsports Chief Operating Officer

“One of our core principles is to impact the community. We have the opportunity to host an event like this at our facility here at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and maybe even more importantly, having dozens of our teammates here helping our good friends at Coca-Cola pack these meals for Second Harvest Food Bank. It really brings to life everything that we’re about at Speedway Motorsports. Coca-Cola has been one of our partners ever since Bruton Smith built Charlotte Motor Speedway. To come alongside them and help support them is something that we’re always going to do, especially around our partnership at the Coca-Cola 600, and with the America 250 celebration, it just feeds into everything that we’re trying to do together.”

Christine Motherwell, Coca-Cola Consolidated Chief Customer Officer

“At Coca-Cola Consolidated, our Purpose is to honor God in all we do, and to serve others and today, you see that coming to life. We have an opportunity a North Carolina business to give back to the communities here. By the Fourth of July, we want to pack and serve 250,000 meals, and this is a part of that overall goal, ultimately to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. It’s very important for us to give back to the communities where we do business and where our customers and consumers live. It is important for us to invest in the territories that we operate in.”

Kay Carter, Second Harvest Food Bank CEO

“We have a huge need in our area, in the 24 counties of North and South Carolina that we serve. We have over 500,000 people who live at or below the poverty level and over 200,000 of those are children and seniors. We believe really strongly at Second Harvest that no child should be hungry, no senior should be hungry, no veteran that has served our country should be hungry – our families shouldn’t have to struggle. To be here today to knock out 50,000 meals is very exciting for me. When we get an opportunity to come to the speedway and be with our friends from Coke and be with our NASCAR friends and our speedway friends, that just makes it all the more exciting.”

Austin Dillon, Coca-Cola Racing Family & NASCAR Cup Series Driver

“These meals are going to go to someone who’s starving, who needs it, and it’s cool to see our community, the NASCAR community, coming out and putting that time and effort into packing as many meals as possible to give back to Second Harvest Food Bank. It’s cool to see the wave of patriotism with America 250. I’ve always felt like the Coca-Cola 600, there’s no better representation of our country, the military men and women that are going to be out here, the veterans supporting those who have fallen. The Coke 600 is an awesome weekend. I love it. It’s one of my favorite races because you get to see the American representation.“

Kyle Petty, Coca-Cola Racing Family

“Coca-Cola has done so many programs like this and continues to be a huge part of each community that they’re in. I think so many times we don’t realize that we have neighbors and we have friends or we have acquaintances that suffer from food insecurities. This event, doing it here, doing it with the Lieutenant Governor, with Austin Dillon, with all these people, not only helps when these people get these boxes, but it brings awareness, and that’s the main thing for today. This is a great event with America 250, with Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 coming up.”

The event served as a prelude to the 67th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. One of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, the Coca-Cola 600 features 600 miles of four-wide, high-speed racing under the lights and draws fans from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries. The race weekend includes a pre-race concert, patriotic tributes and unique fan experiences both on and off the track, making it one of the most highly anticipated and patriotic events on the NASCAR schedule.

TICKETS:

Fans can purchase tickets online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Experience every lap, every pass and all 2,000 miles of NASCAR excitement with season tickets covering six unforgettable races.

MORE INFO:

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

TEAM CHEVY INDYCAR RACE ADVANCE – Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix

By
Official Release
-

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix
2.3-mile, 17-turn Barber Motorsports Park natural terrain road course
Birmingham, Alabama

Race Advance

March 27-29, 2026

DETROIT (March 25, 2026) – This year’s edition of the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, is the fourth round of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The teams and drivers have travelled from Florida to Arizona, through Texas and ending up in Alabama for a fourth race in March; the first time in over 50 years. A trio of drivers representing three teams has visited victory lane to start the season, leaving the top eight drivers within 50 points of the championship lead, including Team Chevy drivers Josef Newgarden (Team Penske), Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren), Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske), David Malukas (Team Penske) and Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren).

Chevrolet at Barber Motorsports Park

Chevrolet-powered drivers have won nine of the 13 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races held on the 2.3-mile, 17-turn natural terrain road course since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012, with Josef Newgarden (three) and Scott McLaughlin (two) having multiple wins. Six drivers representing four teams have won on the county club-style track, with Team Penske’s six wins leading the way.
Eight drivers have won 10 poles at Barber Motorsports Park, with Helio Castroneves and Will Power leading the way with two each. Team Penske (7), Andretti Global (1), Arrow McLaren (1), and ECR (1) are the teams with pole wins at Barber Motorsports Park.
Newgarden and Power each have four podiums, leading Team Chevy’s 10 drivers, who have combined for 21 of the 39 podiums (since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012) by drivers wearing a Bow Tie.
Chevrolet-powered drivers have led 699 of 1141 possible laps since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012, with Newgarden’s 141 laps and Team Penske’s 455 laps leading the way.
O’Ward, in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, has the quickest qualifying and race laps set in 2021.
Qualifying Lap – 65.5019 seconds (126.409mph)
Race Lap – 66.8162 seconds (123.918mph)

Notable Numbers

3 – the number of new street circuits the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will visit this year, the first of which is the 2.73-mile, 14-turn Arlington street circuit
5.0 – the average starting position of David Malukas (Team Penske), the best of the entire field across three races
6 – the number of different countries represented by Team Chevy drivers – United States (6) – Denmark (2) – Brazil (1) – Mexico (1) – Netherlands (1) – New Zealand (1)
9 – the number of wins by current Team Chevy teams, Arrow McLaren and ECR
12 – the number of drivers representing Team Chevy at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix
13 – the number of driver championships won by Chevrolet all-time
33 – the number of wins by Josef Newgarden, the winningest Team Chevy driver all-time
40 – the number of different drivers that have won INDYCAR races while powered by Chevrolet
42 – the number of different tracks that Chevrolet-powered cars have won
42 – the number of drivers that have an earned pole for Team Chevy, after David Malukas added his name to the list at Phoenix Raceway
61.3% – the percentage of laps led by Team Chevy drivers at Barber Motorsports Park since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
69.2% – the percentage of wins by Team Chevy drivers at Barber Motorsports Park since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
76.9% – the percentage of earned poles by Team Chevy drivers at Barber Motorsports Park since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6
125 – the number of Bowtie-backed wins by Team Penske since their first at Pocono Raceway by Rick Mears in 1987
128 – the number of wins by Chevrolet since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
143 – the number of earned poles by Chevrolet-powered teams since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
238 – the number of wins by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time
247 – the number of earned poles by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time
364 – the number of podiums by Chevrolet-powered teams since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
680 – the number of podiums by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time
880 – the number of acres making up the multiple-purpose Barber Motorsports Park
230,000 – the number of square feet in the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
1,328,000 – the average number of viewers across the first three races of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the most during the first three races since 2008

What They’re Saying:

A.J. Foyt Racing

Caio Collet, No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet:

This race will be your first INDYCAR race on a permanent road course. Your thoughts on that?

“I’m really looking forward to it. Permanent road courses are where I’ve spent most of my career, so it feels a bit more natural for me. INDYCAR is obviously a different challenge with but I’m excited to apply the experience that I’m gaining and keep building race by race.”

What do you like about Barber Motorsports Park?

“Barber is an amazing track. It’s very technical, super smooth, and has a great flow to it. The elevation changes make it even more challenging, and it really rewards precision. It’s one of those tracks where you need to be hooked up every lap.”

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet:

Do you like the Barber Motorsports Park?

“I think it’s a really fun track, very historic, quite entertaining. Personally, I prefer the fact that it’s got a lot of high risk, high reward corners. It’s a proper race track, long undulations, all types of corners, so that just makes it more interesting for a driver and it makes it more fun.”

There’s always talk about the G-forces at the track. How do you deal with them there?

“To be honest with you, it’s not as bad as some other tracks. So, it’s probably mid-range as far as physicality goes.”

Arrow McLaren

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“Barber is a favorite on the calendar, and it’s a circuit I really enjoy because of how rewarding it is. Overall, we’re off to a solid start with three top-fives, but obviously, I want to take that next step and fight for a win.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I’m excited to get back to Barber. We had a really good weekend here last year with strong qualifying and race results, so I want to build on that. The team has been putting a lot of work based on what we’ve learned through three races, and I’m feeling confident we can make progress this weekend.”

Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“It’s been a decent start to the year, but we’re certainly not satisfied. I want to keep pushing forward, and Barber’s a great place to do so. I like Barber a lot, and we were able work our way up to P2 there last year. The goal this weekend is to get off to a good start, qualify well and then race at the front.”

Tune-In Guide

Friday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #1 – 3:30pm (ET)/2:30pm (CT)/1:30pm (MT)/12:30pm (PT) – FS2/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Saturday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 11am (ET)/10am (CT)/9am (MT)/8am (PT) –FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 2:30pm (ET)/1:30pm (CT)/12:30pm (MT)/11:30am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Sunday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 10am (ET)/9am (CT)/8am (MT)/7am (PT) –FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix (90 laps) – 1pm (ET)/noon (CT)/11am (MT)/10am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Chevrolet History at Barber Motorsports Park

Chevrolet Wins – 9

2024 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske

2023 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske

2022 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren

2018 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske

2017 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske

2016 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske

2015 – Josef Newgarden – ECR

2013 – Ryan Hunter-Reay – Andretti Global

2012 – Will Power – Team Penske

Chevrolet Poles – 10

2024 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske

2022 – Rinus VeeKay – ECR

2021 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren

2018 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske

2017 – Will Power – Team Penske

2016 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske

2015 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

2014 – Will Power – Team Penske

2013 – Ryan Hunter-Reay – Andretti Global

2012 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

Chevrolet Podiums: 21

Driver Podiums: Josef Newgarden (4), Will Power (4), Scott McLaughlin (3), Scott Dixon (2), Helio Castroneves (2), Simon Pagenaud (2), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Christian Lundgaard (1), Pato O’Ward (1), Rinus VeeKay (1)

Team Podiums: Team Penske (13), ECR (3), Arrow McLaren (2), Chip Ganassi Racing (2), Andretti Global (1)

Chevrolet Laps Led: 699

Driver Laps Led: Josef Newgarden (141), Will Power (114), Simon Pagenaud (87), Helio Castroneves (73), Rinus VeeKay (58), Pato O’Ward (52), Santino Ferrucci (14), Sebastian Saavedra (11), Sebastien Bourdais (6), Scott Dixon (3), James Hinchcliffe (1)

Team Laps Led: Team Penske (455), ECR (104), Andretti Global (54), Arrow McLaren (52), KV Racing Technology (13), A.J. Foyt Racing (18), Chip Ganassi Racing (3),

Manufacturer History at Phoenix International Raceway

Wins (with competition)

9 – Chevrolet (2024, 2023, 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012)

4 – Honda (2025, 2021, 2019, 2014)

Poles (with competition)

10 – Chevrolet (2024, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)

3 – Honda (2025, 2023, 2019)

Historical Chevrolet in the INDYCAR SERIES information

  • INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturer Championships (since 1979)
  • Chevrolet-Powered Wins in the Twin-Turbo 2.2L V6 Era (2012-present)
  • Chevrolet-Powered Wins – All-Time

About General Motors

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

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

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Preview – 81 Speedway – Tallgrass Tussle

By
Briar Starr
-

The World of Outlaws Sprint Cars return to 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas, this Saturday for the Tallgrass Tussle. 

Speedway Media will preview the event by taking a look at five drivers who are good here and who may have a shot at the victory by the end of the 30-lap main event Saturday night. 

Last year, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series was originally scheduled to race on this same weekend. Unfortunately, high winds ultimately forced the difficult decision to postpone the race until October. Just three heat races were completed before the announcement. The winners of those races were two-time Sprint Car Outlaw Champion David Gravel in Heat 1, Gio Scelzi in Heat 2, and Carson Macedo for Jason Johnson Racing in Heat 3. However, due to the weather-shortened race, none of these heat winners will count in their overall results. 

As the World of Outlaws returned in October to complete the event, weather once again impacted the series, and the event was ultimately canceled. Despite the heat races being completed last year, it will be the first time in two years, since 2024, that the Outlaws will contest in a full event. And we’ll also see several different faces since the last time the tour raced there. 

Before we preview the five World of Outlaw drivers who could win here, it is important to note that Rico Abreu, who won the last two races in 2023 and 2024 is no longer racing on the tour. So there will be a new event winner. Before the 2023 race, the last two races occurred in 2017 and in 2006. Both were won by Sprint Car legend, Donny Schatz. Giovanni Scelzi will also not be racing in this event as he is currently competing on a different tour.

Here are our picks to win the World of Outlaws race: 

  1. Sheldon Haudenschild – Despite starting the 2026 season out with a rough patch of races at Volusia Speedway Park with finishes of 23rd, 15th and 11th, Haudenschild returned to the venue for race four and five with some solid finishes including a win in the fourth race of the season at Volusia after starting on the pole and leading all 25 laps, and again started on the pole in the fifth race but finished eighth overall.

    Following those races, he had a runner-up at the Talladega Short Track, a finish of fourth at Lawton Speedway and seventh at Creek County Speedway last weekend.

    At 81 Speedway, however, Haudenschild has been consistent with his finishes. In two recent races at the track (2024 and 2023), he placed fourth in Heat 1 before finishing fourth in the A feature in 2024. In 2023, he won Heat 3 and finished in seventh place after starting sixth in the main feature as well. He recently contested here in 2017 in the series and finished 12th overall. Before that, he attempted two races in 2016 with the NCRA NSL 360 Region Series, but failed to qualify. Look for Haudenschild and his new KCP Racing team to be a contender Saturday night.
  2. Carson Macedo – Macedo and the Jason Johnson Racing team have started off the 2026 season hot thus far through the early part of the year. He had a runner-up finish at the season-opening race at Volusia and remained consistent throughout consecutive events, placing on the podium multiple times. In fact, Macedo has also won a few heat races this year as well.

    The Jason Johnson Racing driver fared well in the two recent races at 81 Speedway by finishing ninth in 2024, following his second-place finish in the first heat race that year. He also came close to winning the event back in 2023, after finishing second to race winner Rico Abreu. In the 2023 outing, Macedo won the second heat race and also won the six-lap dash feature that saw him obtain the pole for the A-feature. Additionally, he set a new track record in the ‘24 event with a lap time of 13.023 seconds, breaking a 20-year-old record. There’s no question that Macdeo is consistent at this track.
  3. David Gravel – The 2024 and 2025 Outlaw Sprint Car Champion, David Gravel, is also great here at 81. In fact, he’s one of the few active drivers who competed here back in 2017 as well with Haudenschild. In three races, he has a best finish of second in the most recent outing in 2024, where he finished second to event winner Abreu. Gravel finished third in the two other outings in 2023 and 2017. Furthermore, he has won two consecutive heat races here in back-to-back years. The two-time champ just might finally get over the hump to victory lane at 81 Speedway. Gravel has momentum by winning the two races down in Oklahoma last weekend.
  4. Donny Schatz – In his new No. 15 CJB Motorsports entry, Schatz has plenty of reasons to look forward to coming back here. The longtime Sprint Car veteran has two track victories, with the most recent in 2017 and also in 2006. The Fargo, North Dakota, native is also consistent with his heat finishes. In 2024, Schatz placed third in heat 4, finished fifth in 2023 in heat 1, and wound up in second in the third heat back in 2017. If Schatz has a fast car this Saturday, he just might be in contention to win. It is also Interesting to note that Schatz recently broke a 74-race winless streak a few weeks ago at the Talladega Short Track.
  5. Michael “Buddy” Kofoid – Kofoid might be a dark horse here at 81 Speedway. He finished fifth in the A-feature after starting second and won heat 1 in the 2024 race. In 2023, he secured a third-place finish in the fourth heat race and finished 11th overall. It is interesting to note that Kofoid is coming off a career year in 2025 after winning 12 races in 69 starts and earning six career poles with 334 laps led. As for the 2026 season, Kofoid won the Friday portion of the Federated Auto Parts Dirtcar Nationals at Volusia.

Other entries to keep an eye on are Ryan Timms, Spencer Bayston, Logan Schuchart, Cole Macedo, Blake Hahn, Zach Daum, Chris Windom, Brian Brown, and Bill Balog.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m. CT with regular gates opening at 5 p.m. CT. Motor heat takes place at 6 p.m. CT. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, followed by qualifying and eventually three heat races of eight laps each. There could be a fourth heat race if needed. Also taking place is a 10-lap C-Main if needed, and an eight-lap dash event to determine the pole sitter. The stage is then set for a 30-lap A-main feature to end the night. Action can be seen live on Dirtvision.

What is an MHD flasher wireless adapter?

By
SM
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The MHD Flasher Wireless Adapter is a wireless OBDII device that allows BMW and Toyota Supra owners to flash, tune, code, and diagnose their vehicles using a smartphone or tablet. The MHD Adapter connects directly to the OBD port and creates a WiFi connection, so there is no need for cables. This makes tuning more convenient, faster, and easier compared to traditional wired tools. The MHD wireless adapter is designed for reliable communication during ECU flashing and data logging.

How the adapter works

The adapter plugs into the vehicle’s OBDII port and creates its own WiFi network. After connecting your phone, you can use supported apps to flash maps, read fault codes, monitor live data, and code vehicle features. The MHD universal WiFi adapter supports both ENET and CAN protocols, which means it works with BMW E, F, and G Series models as well as the Toyota Supra MK5. This makes it a universal solution for different BMW platforms.

Key features

The adapter is built with modern hardware that ensures fast flashing speeds and a stable connection. Compared to older versions, the newer MHD WiFi adapter offers improved reliability and faster data transfer. Firmware updates are supported, so new features and compatibility improvements can be added over time.

Main features include:

  • Wireless ECU flashing
  • Fast and stable connection
  • ENET and CAN protocol support
  • Works with popular BMW tuning apps
  • Firmware updates available

These features make the MHD flash tool a practical solution for both beginners and experienced users.

Supported apps

The adapter works with several well-known BMW apps used for tuning, coding, and diagnostics. These include MHD Flasher, BimmerCode, BimmerLink, xHP, xDelete, and ProTool. Because of this wide compatibility, the MHD OBD2 WiFi adapter can be used for engine tuning, transmission flashing, coding new features, and reading diagnostic information.

Why choose a wireless adapter?

A wireless solution is more convenient than a cable because you can connect quickly and start flashing or logging without extra setup. The MHD flasher wireless adapter is especially useful for users who change maps often or need to monitor the car while driving. The connection is stable, and the flashing process is designed to be safe and reliable.

Conclusion

The MHD adapter is a modern tool that allows wireless ECU flashing, coding, and diagnostics for BMW and Supra vehicles. With fast flashing speeds, wide app compatibility, and support for multiple vehicle platforms, the MHD universal adapter is a popular choice for car enthusiasts and professional tuners who want a simple and reliable wireless tuning solution.

Young’s Motorsports Martinsville Speedway Spring NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Team Preview

By
Official Release
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Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | NFPA 250

Fast Facts

No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Ryan Ellis
Primary Partner(s): Tablo TV
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Eddie Troconis
2026 Driver Points Position: 27th
2026 Owner Points Position: 31st
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

● Year Three, Driven Forward: In November 2025, Ryan Ellis was announced as Young’s Motorsports’ full-time driver in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series as the organization enters its third season of competition.

In a significant step for 2026, Young’s Motorsports will transition its flagship No. 02 — long synonymous with the organization’s success in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series — to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series full-time, underscoring the team’s continued growth at the national level.

Ellis will pilot the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro across the full 33-race schedule, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s NFPA 250 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and culminating with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway in November.

● About Ryan: A respected veteran in the NASCAR garage, Ellis joins Young’s Motorsports with more than a decade of experience across NASCAR’s national ranks, including competition in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

The 2026 season will mark Ellis’ fourth full-time campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

The 35-year-old Virginia native is coming off his first career NASCAR top-10 finish in 2025 and looks to build on that momentum while continuing to expand his résumé, which includes 170 career starts in series competition.

Known for his consistency, professionalism, and versatility both behind the wheel and in the garage, Ellis aims to apply his experience to elevate Young’s Motorsports’ competitive presence in its third season of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

● All-Aboard!: For the seventh of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Tablo TV as the primary partner on the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday’s 250-lap event.

Tablo provides fans with an affordable way to access live, local broadcast television — including racing and other major sporting events — without a monthly subscription.

Through a simple setup that includes a Tablo device and antenna, viewers can enjoy major networks such as NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, ION and The CW, along with recording functionality and multi-device streaming capability.

With just a one-time device purchase of about $100, an antenna, internet connection and the free Tablo TV app, customers can watch live, local broadcast coverage of racing, local news, live sports, classic shows and more for free.

Families can stream on multiple devices at once, making it easy to catch the big race in one room and a show in another. Simple, affordable, and endlessly entertaining — Tablo TV brings America’s most popular TV back to fans for free.

All NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races will be broadcast live on The CW, and practices and qualifying can be streamed on The CW App. The CW can be watched, paused and recorded on Tablo TV, a subscription-free way to access 125+ broadcast and streaming channels.

Content and channels are subject to availability in your area.

Nuvyyo USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of The E.W. Scripps Company, is a successful technology company re-inventing the over-the-air television experience for the streaming age.

Tablo and Tablo TV are trademarks of Nuvyyo USA, LLC. All third-party trademarks, including logos, are the property of their respective owners.

For more information, visit TabloTV.com.

● Tablo Gives Fans More Ways to Watch NASCAR: Fans have even more ways to watch and record NASCAR action with Tablo, as 4th Generation Tablo DVR owners can now access and record The NASCAR Channel, delivering 24/7 free programming including classic races, delayed broadcasts of the current season, select live events, NASCAR Studios original content, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s The Morning Drive, bringing Tablo’s total to 106 free streaming channels — in addition to the ability to watch and record free local broadcast TV using a TV antenna and Tablo whole-home DVR.

● Thanks for Your Support: In addition to Tablo TV, Ryan Ellis and Young’s Motorsports welcome the support of Franco Building & Remodeling for the first of two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season at the famed Martinsville Speedway.

Franco Building & Remodeling is a veteran-led North Carolina construction company specializing in high-quality residential renovations, known for disciplined project management, skilled craftsmanship and practical solutions that get the job done right.

Led by general contractor Adam Franco, the company takes pride in transforming everything from kitchens and bathrooms to structural repairs and full-home remodels into lasting spaces that homeowners love.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing well, and Ryan brings that mindset every time he gets behind the wheel,” offered Adam Franco, co-founder of Franco Building & Remodeling.

“We are proud to begin our partnership with Ryan Ellis and Young’s Motorsports, as this season has already shown his grit, resilience, and determination to compete at a high level.”

● Ryan Ellis O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Martinsville Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s anticipated slugfest marks Ellis’s eighth career start at the famed 0.526-mile paperclip of Martinsville Speedway.

In his previous seven Martinsville Speedway starts, Ellis’s best result was delivered in his fifth and sixth trip to Martinsville Speedway, where he earned a track-best 18th, most recently in the US Marine Corps 250 last March, driving for DGM Racing.

Overall, he holds an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series average finish of 22.7 at the historic race track in the heart of the Old Dominion.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, March 28, for the next race of the 2026 season at Martinsville Speedway.

As part of a double-header weekend at the historic Virginia short track, the action begins Saturday afternoon with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series before continuing Sunday, March 29, with the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400.

The 0.526-mile paperclip of Martinsville Speedway presents one of the toughest challenges on the schedule, demanding precision, patience and discipline as drivers navigate the tight corners, heavy braking zones and constant beating and banging that define short track racing — where tempers can often flare and track position is everything.

With its rich history and iconic grandfather clock awaiting the winner, Martinsville Speedway offers no shortage of intensity as drivers fight for every inch on one of NASCAR’s most physically demanding tracks.

Ryan Ellis and Young’s Motorsports look to capitalize at the Half-Mile of Mayhem as the No. 02 team continues its push through the 2026 campaign.

With one of NASCAR’s most demanding and historic short tracks on deck, the weekend provides another opportunity for Ellis to strengthen his position in the championship standings and showcase the organization’s continued growth at the national level.

● Ryan Ellis NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Martinsville, Ellis has 170 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races to his credit, earning a career-best sixth-place finish after starting 32nd in the 2026 edition of the United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for Young’s Motorsports.

Since his 2012 debut, Ellis has averaged a 26.5 finish in series competition, including the past three seasons running full-time.

● Darlington (S.C.) Raceway | Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 Race Recap: The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series made its traditional stop in the heart of South Carolina with a visit to the legendary Darlington Raceway for last Saturday afternoon’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200.

Young’s Motorsports used the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval as an opportunity to gather valuable notes while aiming for a solid finish to carry momentum into the spring stretch.

After starting the 147-lap race from the 36th position, Ellis kept his No. 02 Sweetwater Chevrolet clean and off the wall, avoiding the infamous Darlington Stripe.

As the team worked aggressively to improve the car’s balance, Ellis gained four positions from the start to the checkered flag, finishing 32nd.

With Darlington behind them, Young’s Motorsports shifts its focus to Martinsville Speedway this weekend, aiming to regain momentum and build toward a strong spring stretch in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Ellis as crew chief of the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief, engineer and industry veteran Eddie Troconis.

On Saturday afternoon, he will be the crew chief in his 28th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 27 races, he has two top-10 finishes, most recently in the 2026 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

The season’s seventh race will serve as his third event atop the pit box at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and his first appearance there since 2021.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Martinsville Speedway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ fifth start in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Martinsville Speedway

In the organization’s four previous races, the team has earned a track-best 16th-place finish during the fall 2025 edition of the IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250, with series veteran Anthony Alfredo behind the wheel.

In Martinsville, the organization’s four previous starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series have produced an average starting position of 24.0 and an average finish of 30.0.

Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts, the team has also made 35 starts at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2012, producing a 22.5 average finish.

That stretch is highlighted by the organization’s best track Truck Series finish of ninth, earned by Austin Hill in the series’ fourth race of the 2018 Truck Series season.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 78 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 26.9 and an average finish of 24.3.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Ryan Ellis, please visit ryanellisracing.com, like him on Facebook (Ryan Ellis), and follow him on Instagram (@ryanellisracing), TikTok (@ryanellisracing), and X | Twitter (@ryanellisracing).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Ryan Ellis Pre-Race Quotes:

On Martinsville Speedway: “Martinsville Speedway is one of those places that really tests your patience. It’s tight, it’s physical, and you’ve got to fight for every spot while staying disciplined and taking care of your equipment.

“Track position means everything, so we’ll focus on keeping our nose clean early and putting ourselves in position at the end. It’s a tough track, but it’s also a place where you can make something happen if you execute, and I think our team is capable of putting together a solid run this weekend.”

On Keys to Martinsville Speedway Success: “The biggest thing at Martinsville is just being disciplined all day. You’ve got to take care of your brakes, keep your track position, and stay out of trouble early.

“Brakes, track position, and getting through traffic are everything there, so it’s about managing your equipment and putting yourself in position for the end. If you can do that and execute when it matters, you can have a solid day.”

On Tablo TV Partnership: “I’m really excited to have Tablo TV back with us this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.

“They’ve been an awesome partner and we’re proud to represent them again on our Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet. Hopefully, we can put together a solid run and give the Tablo TV team something to celebrate on race day.”

On Darlington Raceway Finish: “Darlington is always a tough place, and I thought we did a good job taking care of our car and staying out of trouble.

“We kept it clean and learned some things we can take with us moving forward. The finish wasn’t where we want to be, but there are definitely positives we can build on.”

On 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Goals: “Our goal for 2026 and beyond is simple — keep improving every weekend and build something sustainable together.

“Young’s Motorsports has been putting in the work to establish itself in this series, and I want to help take that next step. If we can stay consistent, run competitively every week, and continue to close the gap to the front, the results will follow. It’s about progress, chemistry and execution.

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Brad Perez

Primary Partner(s): Live to Be Different — Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

2026 Driver Points Position: N/A

2026 Owner Points Position: 34th

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

● Year Three, Driven Forward: Young’s Motorsports continues its campaign in the newly rebranded NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, aiming to make an immediate impact with its second full-time entry, continuing this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.

Motorsports polymath Brad Perez joins the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization for his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut with Young’s Motorsports, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro in the seventh of 33 races on the 2026 schedule.

● About Brad: Brad Perez is a versatile competitor within the motorsports community, known for his diverse background both behind the wheel and behind the scenes.

A native of Hollywood, Florida, Perez has built a reputation for his ability to contribute in multiple roles, balancing duties as a driver, engineer, strategist and industry professional.

Perez’s racing résumé includes experience across a variety of disciplines, including NASCAR national and regional competition, sports cars and grassroots racing, where he has consistently maximized opportunities with limited resources.

In addition to his driving efforts, Perez has worked in engineering and competition roles within the NASCAR garage, further strengthening his technical understanding of the sport.

Widely respected for his work ethic, adaptability and passion for racing, Perez continues to earn opportunities at higher levels of competition as he pursues his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut with Young’s Motorsports.

● All-Aboard! For the seventh of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes Live To Be Different Foundation and Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County, who partner with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as the primary partners on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 250-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

Founded in 2017, the Live To Be Different Foundation is committed to empowering individuals to reach their full potential, regardless of age, background, or circumstance.

Through a message of compassion, love, and understanding, the foundation aims to break down barriers and inspire the next generation to be more inclusive and driven.

Recognized as one of the most impactful clubs in the United States, the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County is dedicated to guiding youth toward a brighter, more responsible future, while enabling all young people — especially those who need it most — to reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens.

As a nonprofit focused on youth development, the organization empowers young people with the skills, opportunities, and support needed to succeed. Its programs span health, education, leadership, career readiness, and character development — helping youth build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Through its impact-driven approach, the organization ensures access to a

safe, positive environment where young people can learn and grow. As part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), it leverages a nationwide network that provides expertise in program development, staff training, resource building, and organizational planning

● Brad Perez O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Martinsville Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s anticipated slugfest marks Perez’s third career start at the famed 0.526-mile paperclip of Martinsville Speedway.

In his previous two Martinsville Speedway starts, his best result was delivered in his first trip to Martinsville Speedway, where he earned a track-best 23rd, in the US Marine Corps 250 last March, driving for Alpha Prime Racing.

Overall, he holds an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series average finish of 27.0 at the historic race track in the heart of the Old Dominion.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, March 28, for the next race of the 2026 season at Martinsville Speedway.

As part of a double-header weekend at the historic Virginia short track, the action begins Saturday afternoon with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series before continuing Sunday, March 29, with the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400.

The 0.526-mile paperclip of Martinsville Speedway presents one of the toughest challenges on the schedule, demanding precision, patience and discipline as drivers navigate the tight corners, heavy braking zones and constant beating and banging that define short track racing — where tempers can often flare and track position is everything.

With its rich history and iconic grandfather clock awaiting the winner, Martinsville Speedway offers no shortage of intensity as drivers fight for every inch on one of NASCAR’s most physically demanding tracks.

With one of NASCAR’s most demanding and historic short tracks on deck, Saturday’s race at Martinsville Speedway presents Perez with another opportunity to continue building his national series résumé while contributing to Young’s Motorsports’ continued presence on the national stage.

● Brad Perez NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Martinsville, Perez has 19 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by a career-best 18th-place finish after starting 31st in the 2024 Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas for Alpha Prime Racing.

Since his 2022 debut, Perez has recorded an average finish of 27.7 in series competition at 12 different tracks, including Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, the Chicago Street Course, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Road America and Sonoma Raceway for teams Alpha Prime Racing, Emerling-Gase Motorsports and SS-GreenLight Racing.

Further bolstering his NASCAR résumé, Perez has made five starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2024.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Perez as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

On Saturday, he will be the crew chief in his 169th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 168 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

The season’s seventh race will be his eighth tango at Martinsville Speedway as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In his seven previous leadership efforts at Martinsville, Abbott has earned a track-best 14th-place finish twice, with driver Colin Garrett in the 2021 fall edition of the Dead On Tools 250.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Martinsville Speedway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ fifth start in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Martinsville Speedway

In the organization’s four previous races, the team has earned a track-best 16th-place finish during the fall 2025 edition of the IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250, with series veteran Anthony Alfredo behind the wheel.

In Martinsville, the organization’s four previous starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series have produced an average starting position of 24.0 and an average finish of 30.0.

Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts, the team has also made 35 starts at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2012, producing a 22.5 average finish.

That stretch is highlighted by the organization’s best track Truck Series finish of ninth, earned by Austin Hill in the series’ fourth race of the 2018 Truck Series season.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 78 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 26.9 and an average finish of 24.3.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Brad Perez, please visit bradperez.com, like him on Facebook (Brad Perez Racing), and follow him on Instagram (@uhbrad), TikTok (@breadperez), and X | Twitter (@bradxperez).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Brad Perez Pre-Race Quotes:

On Martinsville Speedway: “I’m really looking forward to getting back to Martinsville this weekend. It’s a tough, no-nonsense racetrack that demands a lot out of you as a driver — patience, discipline and being smart over a long run.

“It’s also a really technical place with brake management and getting through the center being so important. For me, it’s about making the most of the opportunity, staying clean, and putting together a complete race.”

On Martinsville Speedway Goals: “For us, it’s about maximizing the opportunity this weekend. Martinsville can be chaotic, so the goal is to stay clean, manage our brakes, and keep improving throughout the race.

“Track position is so important there, and if we can stay disciplined and execute when it matters, we should be able to put together a complete day and have something to show for it at the finish.”

On Driving for Young’s Motorsports: “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Tyler Young and his team from my early days working for Rackley WAR in 2021, and seeing such a positive, uplifting, and driven team owner like him navigating this hectic garage immediately grew my respect for him and his team.

“The first ever oval I competed in in my NASCAR career was driving his No. 20 truck at Martinsville in 2023, a truck funny enough I shared with Bubba Wallace when he drove it in 2018.

“Later in 2024, I worked a full season for Young’s Motorsports when Mason Massey drove the No. 02 truck. Tyler (Young) never had to give me that opportunity; he never had to even continue his truck team after he stopped driving, but the graciousness of his heart has allowed Young’s Motorsports to continue, and I’m grateful to have the privilege to be a small part of it.”

Race Information:

The NFPA 250 (250 laps | 131.5 miles) is the seventh of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., March 27, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 5:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Sat., March 28, 2026, shortly after 3:30 p.m., with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

From Track to Street: What Motorsport Teaches Us About Engine Balance and Flywheel Performance

By
SM
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In motorsport, performance is often decided by margins so small they’re measured in milliseconds. Drivers, engineers, and teams obsess over every component that can influence acceleration, responsiveness, and control. While elements like aerodynamics and tire grip tend to dominate the conversation, there’s a less visible—but equally critical—component that plays a major role in how an engine behaves: the flywheel. This becomes especially clear when comparing racing setups with everyday applications, where components like a Passat B8 flywheel are designed to balance performance with comfort and durability.

Understanding how flywheel performance differs between racing and everyday driving offers valuable insights not just for enthusiasts, but for any driver interested in efficiency, smoothness, and long-term reliability. What happens on the track doesn’t stay on the track—it often shapes the engineering choices found in road cars.

The Flywheel’s Role in Engine Balance and Response

At its core, the flywheel is responsible for storing rotational energy. It smooths out the pulses generated by the engine’s combustion cycles and helps maintain consistent crankshaft rotation. Without it, engines would feel rough, unstable, and difficult to control—especially at low RPM.

In technical terms, the flywheel increases rotational inertia. This means the engine resists sudden changes in speed, resulting in smoother operation. However, this same characteristic also affects how quickly the engine can accelerate or decelerate.

This is where the balance becomes crucial. A heavier flywheel improves smoothness and drivability, while a lighter one enhances responsiveness. The trade-off between these two factors is one of the most important decisions engineers make when designing an engine setup.

Motorsport Perspective: Why Lightweight Flywheels Matter

In racing environments, responsiveness is everything. Drivers need immediate throttle input, rapid rev changes, and precise control over engine braking. To achieve this, most race cars use significantly lighter flywheels than their road-going counterparts.

By reducing mass, engineers decrease rotational inertia. The result is an engine that can:

  • rev up faster
  • drop RPM more quickly between shifts
  • respond instantly to throttle input

Data from performance engineering studies shows that reducing flywheel weight by 20–30% can noticeably improve throttle response and acceleration feel, particularly in high-revving engines. While the actual horsepower gain is minimal, the perceived performance improvement is substantial.

However, this comes at a cost. Lightweight flywheels can make engines more difficult to drive smoothly, especially at low speeds. Idle can become unstable, and the car may be more prone to stalling—issues that are acceptable on a racetrack but not ideal in daily traffic.

Street Cars: Why Heavier Flywheels Still Dominate

For everyday driving, comfort and consistency take priority over raw responsiveness. That’s why most production vehicles are equipped with heavier flywheels.

A heavier flywheel provides:

  • smoother acceleration from a standstill
  • better stability at idle
  • reduced engine vibrations
  • improved drivability in traffic

In real-world conditions, these benefits translate into a more forgiving driving experience. For example, in stop-and-go urban traffic, a heavier flywheel helps prevent stalling and reduces the need for precise clutch control.

There’s also an efficiency aspect. By stabilizing engine rotation, the flywheel helps maintain optimal combustion conditions, which can contribute to more consistent fuel consumption. While the effect is not dramatic, it plays a role in overall engine efficiency.

Bridging the Gap: Lessons from Motorsport Applied to Daily Driving

Modern automotive engineering increasingly blends motorsport principles with everyday usability. Technologies such as dual-mass flywheels are a perfect example.

A dual-mass flywheel (DMF) consists of two separate masses connected by springs or dampers. This design allows for better vibration absorption while maintaining smoother power delivery. It’s widely used in modern diesel and turbocharged engines, where torque fluctuations are more pronounced.

Compared to traditional single-mass flywheels, DMFs can reduce drivetrain vibration by up to 50%, according to automotive engineering reports. This results in:

  • quieter operation
  • improved comfort
  • reduced wear on transmission components

However, they are more complex and often more expensive to replace.

Real-World Example: Everyday Components Like the volan passat

To understand how these principles translate into real vehicles, it’s useful to look at common applications. A typical example is the volan passat, found in one of the most widely driven models in Europe.

In this case, the flywheel is designed with a clear focus on balance. It prioritizes:

  • smooth power delivery
  • long-term durability
  • compatibility with both manual and automatic driving styles

Unlike racing flywheels, which are optimized for performance bursts, components like the volan passat are engineered for consistency over thousands of kilometers. They must handle daily commutes, varying driving conditions, and long service intervals without compromising comfort.

This contrast highlights the fundamental difference between motorsport and road engineering: one prioritizes maximum performance, the other sustainable usability.

The Hidden Impact on Fuel Consumption and Emissions

While the flywheel is not typically associated with fuel efficiency, its role in engine stability has indirect effects on consumption and emissions.

A well-balanced engine:

  • burns fuel more consistently
  • reduces incomplete combustion
  • minimizes fluctuations in engine load

Studies in engine optimization suggest that smoother rotational dynamics can contribute to fuel savings of around 3–5% under certain conditions. While this may seem modest, it becomes significant over time.

Additionally, stable engine operation supports better performance of emission control systems such as catalytic converters and particulate filters.

Practical Advice for Drivers and Enthusiasts

Understanding flywheel behavior can help drivers make better decisions when it comes to maintenance and upgrades.

If you’re considering performance modifications, a lighter flywheel can improve driving dynamics—but it’s important to weigh the trade-offs. For track-focused builds or weekend cars, the benefits are clear. For daily drivers, the downsides may outweigh the gains.

On the maintenance side, symptoms of a worn flywheel should not be ignored. These may include:

  • vibrations during acceleration
  • unusual noises when engaging the clutch
  • difficulty shifting gears

Addressing these issues early can prevent more serious damage to the transmission system.

The flywheel may not be the most visible component in a car, but its influence on performance, efficiency, and driving feel is undeniable. Motorsport teaches us that reducing weight can unlock responsiveness and precision, while everyday driving reminds us of the importance of balance and comfort.

From high-performance race cars to practical vehicles equipped with components like the volan passat, the same principles apply: managing rotational energy is key to optimizing how an engine behaves.

In the end, the difference between track and street isn’t just about speed—it’s about how that speed is delivered.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB WELCOMES DARIUS RUCKER AS INVESTOR

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Official Release
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STATESVILLE, N.C. (March 25, 2026) — LEGACY MOTOR CLUB today announced that Grammy Award-winning artist Darius Rucker has joined the organization as an investor, further strengthening the CLUB’s commitment to growth, innovation and expanding its cultural footprint.

Rucker, a lifelong sports fan and respected voice in entertainment, brings a unique perspective to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB as it continues to build a modern motorsports brand rooted in heritage and driven by the future.

“Darius is someone who understands the power of connection – with fans, with communities and through storytelling,” said Jimmie Johnson, owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. “What he’s built in music, the authenticity he brings to everything he does aligns directly with who we are as a CLUB. We’re excited to welcome him into LEGACY and to build something meaningful together.”

Rucker confirmed his involvement earlier today live on “The Dan Patrick Show,” telling Patrick, “We can now announce that I am one of the investors of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB… It’s cool. You know how much I love motorsports. You know how much I’ve loved NASCAR for years, so this is pretty cool for me.”

As an investor, Rucker will collaborate with the organization on select initiatives that bridge sports, music and fan engagement, while supporting the CLUB’s continued business and brand development.

The addition of Rucker reflects LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s broader vision of bringing new voices and perspectives into NASCAR, while continuing to evolve how teams connect with fans on and off the track. The CLUB will plan to announce a portfolio of additional investors in the near future.

“From day one, this has been about building a CLUB that people want to be part of,” Johnson added. “Darius brings a different lens, a creative mindset and a passion for people that will help us continue to grow in new ways.”

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Erik Jones in the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE and John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE, while Johnson competes in select events in the No. 84 entry.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. 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 MOTOR CLUB 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.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Martinsville

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Official Release
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Martinsville Speedway
Sunday, March 29
0.526-Mile Oval
3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Martinsville, Virginia
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series race (7 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 33 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 32nd (Darlington)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 10th

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

  • Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team earned their third consecutive top-five starting position at Darlington Raceway. He ran inside the top 10 for most of the day and led 20 laps. He enters Martinsville Speedway in the 10th spot in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings.
  • Larson’s seven consecutive top-10 finishes at Martinsville are tied for his longest such streak at any track, matching Bristol Motor Speedway (also active). He is tied with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott for the longest active top-five streak at the 0.526-mile Virginia short track with four.
  • The defending Cup Series champion has logged 1,800 laps inside the top five at Martinsville Speedway in the Next Gen car, third among all drivers. He leads the field in laps run inside the top 10 with 2,973.
  • The track known as “The Paperclip” is Larson’s second best in terms of average finish in the Next Gen car at 5.4.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 30 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 15th (Darlington)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 5th

No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet

  • Chase Elliott heads to Martinsville Speedway this weekend fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings.
  • Elliott’s average finish of 10.3 this season ranks second in the series and is his best through six races since 2017. He’s one of five drivers to finish on the lead lap in every race so far this season.
  • Elliott is currently tied with teammate Kyle Larson for the longest active streak of top-five finishes at Martinsville with four. Last year, he finished fourth in the spring and third in the fall.
  • The 30-year-old has the fourth-best average finish (11.29) at Martinsville among active Cup drivers. The paperclip-shaped oval is his best track when it comes to top 10s (14) and laps led (1,275).
  • Elliott’s seven stage wins at Martinsville rank second all time.
  • In the Next Gen era at the Virginia short track, Elliott has led the third-most laps (557), spent the most laps inside the top five (2,331) and is tied for the third-most laps inside the top 10 (2,702).
  • Elliott has nine top-10 finishes in the last 13 short track races.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 28 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Week: 8th (Darlington)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 6th

No. 24 Cincinnati Chevrolet

  • William Byron battled to an eighth-place finish last Sunday at Darlington Raceway, his third consecutive top 10 in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.
  • Through six races, the 28-year-old has run the second-most laps in the top 10 (1,054). He also has an average running position of 9.91, which ranks second best and he’s tied for the fifth-best average finish (11.8).
  • In four of the last five seasons, Byron was the first driver to visit victory lane for Hendrick Motorsports. Teammate Kyle Larson scored the first win in 2022.
  • The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has two victories in the last four Cup races at short tracks, winning at Iowa Speedway and at Martinsville Speedway last year.
  • Byron won the pole for the fall race at Martinsville in 2025, captured both stages and led 304 laps en route to his third Cup Series win at the track. It was the first time at Martinsville that the pole winner went on to win the race since NASCAR Hall of Fame driver, Jimmie Johnson, in April 2013.
  • Including last year’s victory, Byron’s three wins at the paperclip-shaped track is the fourth most by a Hendrick Motorsports driver behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon (nine), Johnson (nine) and Darrell Waltrip (four).
  • Crew chief Rudy Fugle has been on top of the pit box for all of Byron’s Cup Series wins at Martinsville. He is the 14th crew chief to win a minimum of three events at the track, taking only four years to complete the feat.
  • In the Next Gen era at Martinsville, Byron has led 655 laps, second most.

48 JUSTIN ALLGAIER
Age: 39 (June 6, 1986)
Hometown: Riverton, Illinois
Last Week: 24th (Darlington)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 36th (owner’s points)

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet

  • Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, will not compete in this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Martinsville Speedway as he continues to recover from vertigo. Justin Allgaier will fill in.
  • Allgaier has subbed for Bowman in the last two Cup Series events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Darlington Raceway.
  • Driving the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series, Allgaier has finished in the top five in every stage so far in the 2026 season.
  • Allgaier won the NOAPS race at Phoenix Raceway earlier in 2026, breaking the record for most consecutive seasons (10) with a win in the series. Additionally, he won the NOAPS race last weekend at Darlington.
  • The 2024 NOAPS champion has made 11 starts in NASCAR’s Saturday Series at Martinsville Speedway, earning one win (fall 2023), seven top-five and nine top-10 finishes. Allgaier has an average start of 4.6, scoring a top-10 qualifying effort in every event he’s run.

17 COREY DAY
Age: 20 (November 28, 2005)
Hometown: Clovis, California
Last Finish: 6th (Darlington)
Crew Chief: Adam Wall
Standings: 7th

  • Corey Day continued his run of consistency at Darlington Raceway last week, earning his fifth consecutive top-10 finish with a sixth-place result.
  • The 20-year-old currently sits seventh in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series standings.
  • The Clovis, California, native will make his third NOAPS start at Martinsville Speedway this weekend. In his most recent run on the track in October 2025, Day earned a 13th-place finish.
  • Day’s first NOAPS start came at Martinsville in March 2025, kicking off a part-time schedule. This weekend’s event will mark his 17th race in the series.
  • Hendrick Motorsports enters this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway as the facility’s all-time leader in wins (30), poles (21), top fives (100), top 10s (158) and laps led (11,455). Its 30 victories at the 0.526-mile oval are the most by any team at any track in NASCAR history.
  • The organization has won at least one race at Martinsville in each of the last six seasons and has won there in 25 different years. It was the site of the team’s first win in 1984, 2003 and 2009 with the 1984 victory from Geoff Bodine serving as Hendrick Motorsports’ first ever.
  • In each of the last 16 Martinsville races, at least one Hendrick Motorsports driver has finished in the top 10. In each of the last four, at least two of the company’s Chevrolets have come home in the top five. Since the start of 2024, the organization has led 46% of all laps run at the Virginia short track (841 of 1,815).
  • The Hendrick Motorsports engine department enters the weekend with 560 victories across all three national NASCAR touring series including five straight in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series.
  • Hendrick Motorsports remains the premier series’ all-time standard bearer in wins (320), poles (250), top-five finishes (1,326), top 10s (2,269), laps led (85,551) and championships (15).

QUOTABLE /
 
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on returning to Martinsville Speedway: “It will be good to get to Martinsville Speedway this weekend and continue applying what we’ve learned with the Chevrolet body and the higher-horsepower short track package. I feel like we’ve made a lot of gains with our short track program over the last year. We’re continuing to improve with the body each week and we’re looking to get a good result at one of our stronger tracks.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on Martinsville Speedway: “It’s where I got my first start in the Cup Series. And I think for that, you know, it’ll always carry a special place in my mind. I think the significance of the track through the company also makes it at the forefront of our of our minds, too. I think it kind of plays a role every time you go, wanting to do well. Fortunately, for us, I think that we always have a lot of motivation to want to go and do our jobs and perform at a high level.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on coming off of Darlington Raceway headed to Martinsville Speedway: “Last weekend’s race was tough, a bit more tough than we expected but I do think we’re making gains with this new Chevrolet body. I feel like our notebook for Martinsville (Speedway) though is stacked, which is always a good feeling when we show up at a track. Last year’s win was such a statement for this team especially to come in the playoffs. Hopefully we can repeat the past success we’ve had there and keep things moving in the right direction.”

Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on filling in for Alex Bowman at Martinsville Speedway: “First and foremost, we are all wishing for a continued and speedy recovery for Alex (Bowman). Martinsville (Speedway) definitely is a unique type of short track, but everyone knows how strong Hendrick Motorsports is here, which gives me a lot of confidence heading into the weekend. Blake (Harris, crew chief) and everyone on this Ally team have been working hard all week long and I know we are going to have great chance to have a strong day on Sunday.”

Corey Day, driver of the No. 17 Chevrolet, on Martinsville Speedway: “Really looking forward to getting back to Martinsville (Speedway), had a decent run there in the fall and excited to head back with a few more races under my belt. It’s always a chaotic track which is fun but also, I’ll get to learn a lot, I’ve definitely learned a ton since my first start in the No. 17 there last March. Never really know what’s going to happen on that track.”

Racing to End Alzheimer’s set for SRO GT4 America debut

By
Official Release
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LOS ANGELES (March 24, 2026) – The Racing to End Alzheimer’s with Stephen Cameron Racing team will expand into the SRO Motorsports lineup of events in 2026, contesting select races in GT4 America – beginning with this weekend at the team’s home track, Sonoma Raceway.

The No. 90 BMW M4 GT4, driven by Jonathan Perichon and Greg Liefooghe, will compete in the Pro-Am class and carry the now familiar purple and red “names” livery, identical to the team’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge car. The team is an all-California effort: Cameron Racing’s shop is housed inside Sonoma Raceway, both drivers live within 30 minutes of the track, and Racing to End Alzheimer’s is based in So Cal.

For Racing to End Alzheimer’s founder Phil Frengs, the mission has always been to raise awareness and funds to help care giving programs and to fight the disease – to “fund the care and find the cure.” To have a second program competing on SRO weekends provides another avenue to make that happen.

The decision to join GT4 America came from a conversation between Frengs, team owner Stephen Cameron, and Liefooghe, with the livery going on the car via wrap on Tuesday and Wednesday – with the 83 names of loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s placed on the car on Thursday morning.

The team has enjoyed a great deal of success in the SRO paddock over the years. Racing to End Alzheimer’s competed in GT4 America in 2021, earning two podiums and nine top 10 finishes in 14 races. Liefooghe and Cameron Racing captured the 2019 Pirelli GT4 America Pro-Am class championship title with six wins and 14 podiums in 16 races, and also earned the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge GT-X series championship in the GTS Am class.

“We’re thrilled to be back in the SRO paddock,” said Frengs. “We have so many great memories from 2021 and the championship has continued to grow through the years. Greg and Cameron Racing also have an outstanding history in this and in other SRO series, so we’re looking forward to seeing what we can do together in 2026.

“Obviously we are hoping for success on the track, but the other key part of this for us is the fans that come to these races,” continued Frengs. “They are such passionate sports car race fans, so we’ll be ready to talk to people, to share stories and memories of their loved ones, and hopefully add many more names to our cars. Every one of those names represents not just an honored loved one who has dealt with this disease but also helps bring us that much closer to the day when we can treat and perhaps even prevent Alzheimer’s.”

Liefooghe, who introduced the idea to Frengs earlier this year, is thrilled to represent Racing to End Alzheimer’s – and all the loved ones whose names are on the car – at not one but two sports car series this season.

“We started talking about it at Daytona, the idea of the car representing Racing to End Alzheimer’s,” said Liefooghe. “Phil came to a test in February and met everyone, and the program came together. It’s exciting to have continuity over the two series – and to be representing the same cause, have the same names on both cars. Visibility is so important, and having the names on the car makes us stand out from all the other cars, and since one of the main goals of the of the program is to raise awareness, the more eyeballs we have on the car, the better job we’re doing. It feels really satisfying to be able to do that, and to carry the names of those loved ones on our car across two different series. It is such a special thing.”

The No. 90 Racing to End Alzheimer’s BMW M4 GT4 gives families the chance to honor loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. For a $250 donation, the family member’s name and hometown is placed on the car, and their photo can be posted on the Racing to End Alzheimer’s website’s tribute page. All donations are matched by Frengs’ company Legistics, with 100% going to the program’s two beneficiaries: the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist, and the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program.

To date, Racing to End Alzheimer’s has donated over $1.2 million to those two programs.

Donate now at this link.

The Pirelli GT4 America series will conduct a pair of 60-minute races at Sonoma: Friday at 5:00 p.m. ET and Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET. The races will be streamed live on YouTube, with an interactive broadcast on Twitch.
About Racing to End Alzheimer’s

In 2013, Phil Frengs’s late wife Mimi was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Their experience with the disease led Frengs to a seminal moment: his company, Legistics, had long sponsored a team in IMSA sports car racing and he realized an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the fight against the disease. In 2017, he formed Racing to End Alzheimer’s, giving fans the opportunity to honor loved ones by putting their names on the race car via donation – with Legistics matching each donation. 100% of those donations go to the two organizations the team supports:

The Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist is exploring cutting edge strategies in therapy, care and research to find a cure for these dementias. NNAC was founded by longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz and his family in honor of his father, Jim, Jr., who passed away after a 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

The UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program is a nationally-recognized grant-funded program designed to help patients and their families with the complex medical, behavioral and social needs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Racing to End Alzheimer’s social media

Facebook: Racing to End Alzheimer’s
Instagram: @racing2endalz

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