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TOYOTA RACING – NOAPS Kansas Post-Race Report – 04.18.26

By
Official Release
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TAYLOR GRAY CLAIMS FIRST VICTORY OF THE SEASON AT KANSAS
Joe Gibbs Racing dominated Kansas race winning both stages and the race

KANSAS CITY (April 18, 2026) – Taylor Gray claimed his first win of the season, and second victory overall in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, on Saturday night at Kansas Speedway. Gray took the lead after a great pit call by Jason Ratcliff in the final pit cycle and held it for the balance of the race. Brent Crews finished fifth – his second straight top-five finish – to put two Supras in the top-five, while Joe Gibbs Racing swept the day with Gio Ruggiero winning the ARCA race this afternoon.

Brandon Jones had the dominate car most of the race, winning both stages and leading the most laps, before a pit road penalty relegated his Supra to eighth at the finish. Dean Thompson (11th) – just missed his second top-10 of the year, and gave Toyota four of the top-11.

TOYOTA RACING Post-Race Recap
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS)
Kansas Speedway
Race 10 of 33 – 200 miles, 300 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, TAYLOR GRAY

2nd, Sheldon Creed*

3rd, Justin Allgaier*

4th, Jesse Love*

5th, BRENT CREWS

8th, BRANDON JONES

11th, DEAN THOMPSON

20th, WILLIAM SAWALICH

28th, HARRISON BURTON

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

TAYLOR GRAY, No. 54 Operation 300 Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 1st

How big is this performance?

“First off – thank you to everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, TOYOTA RACING, Operation 300 – and how about (crew chief) Jason Ratcliff. Man, that pit call was awesome. I knew we had a car capable of winning. I thought the 20 (Brandon Jones) was better than us in before the green flag cycle, but you just have to stay locked in. We needed to be a little bit freer – Jason made a really good adjustment on the car, a really good pit call. Can’t thank everyone enough. It’s been a long start to the year. Not that we aren’t bringing speed to the race track, things just haven’t gone our way, so it is nice to be able to close one out.”

What did you have to balance in the closing laps?

“I knew the 00 (Sheldon Creed) was starting to catch me. I was starting to get a little bit snug trying to turn down the hill, and it seemed like he was on the freer side. I had navigate lap traffic better than he could and get him to heat up his rears to try to catch me. I think he ended up getting in the wall trying to catch me, it was a fun race. Just glad to be here.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 31 electrified options.

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

Why More Drivers Are Looking At Electric And Hybrid Car Leasing

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

If you have been looking at your next car recently, you have probably noticed that electric and hybrid models are no longer sitting on the edge of the market. They are becoming a much more normal part of the conversation. For a lot of drivers, leasing is part of that shift because it offers a way to move into newer technology without committing to full ownership from day 1. In the UK, new car registrations reached 2.02 million in 2025, and almost 1 in 4 buyers chose a battery electric vehicle, showing just how mainstream electrified motoring has become.

That does not mean every driver is suddenly ready to buy an EV outright. In fact, that is one of the reasons leasing has become so appealing. When technology is changing quickly, many people prefer the flexibility of a fixed-term agreement rather than tying themselves to a car they may want to replace in a few years. First Vehicle Finance reflects that demand with dedicated electric and hybrid leasing pages, including electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options across a wide range of brands and body styles. 

You can see that change in the way people now compare vehicles. It is no longer just about petrol versus diesel. You may be weighing up charging access, running costs, tax efficiency and how future-proof the car feels. Even if you started your search looking at something sporty and familiar, such as a BMW 4 Series Lease, it is increasingly common to also compare electric and hybrid alternatives before making a decision. That reflects a broader market shift rather than a niche trend.

Lower Running Costs Still Matter

One of the biggest reasons more drivers are considering electric and hybrid leasing is simple: running costs still matter. When household budgets are under pressure, fuel efficiency and day-to-day motoring costs become more important.

An electric car can be cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel model, especially if you can charge at home on a suitable tariff. Hybrid cars also appeal because they can reduce fuel use without asking you to switch fully to an all-electric routine. For many drivers, leasing makes that move easier because you can access a newer, more efficient vehicle without the large upfront cost of buying. Recent reporting based on Auto Trader data also found that the average new EV price in the UK has now dipped below the average new petrol car price, which marks a major change from the old assumption that EVs always cost more upfront.

Drivers Like The Flexibility

A lot of people are interested in electric cars, but not everyone wants to own one for 6 or 7 years. That is understandable. Battery technology, charging infrastructure and model choice are all still moving quickly.

Leasing gives you a more flexible route in. You get the chance to drive a newer vehicle for a fixed period, and at the end of the agreement you usually hand it back and reassess what suits you next. That can feel much more comfortable than buying outright if you are unsure how your needs might change. First Vehicle Finance’s leasing guides explain this clearly through its personal and business leasing structure, which is one reason leasing continues to appeal to drivers moving into EVs and hybrids for the first time.

There Are More Models To Choose From

Another reason for growing interest is choice. A few years ago, electric and hybrid leasing could feel limited if you wanted a certain body style, size or badge. That is much less true now.

Today, the market includes electric hatchbacks, family SUVs, saloons, premium models, plug-in hybrids and fully electric company cars across a wide range of manufacturers. First Vehicle Finance’s site shows this clearly, with electric and hybrid options spread across multiple brands rather than being tucked away in 1 small section. That wider choice makes it easier for you to find a car that suits your budget and routine, instead of feeling like you are compromising just to go electric.

The Charging Network Keeps Expanding

Charging used to be one of the first objections people raised when talking about EVs. It is still a genuine consideration, especially if you do not have off-street parking, but the public network is growing.

Zapmap says that at the end of March 2026 there were 119,080 EV chargers across 46,107 locations in the UK, and its Q1 2026 update said the network had grown 13% year on year. That does not mean charging is perfect everywhere, but it does mean the infrastructure is moving forward, which gives more drivers confidence to consider an electric lease than in previous years. 

For many people, that growing network makes leasing feel more practical. You may not be ready to commit to full EV ownership forever, but you may now feel there is enough support in place to try one for your next contract.

Business Drivers Still Have A Strong Reason To Look

If you are a company car driver or you run a business, electric and hybrid leasing can be attractive for tax reasons as well as running costs.

HMRC’s company car tax tables show that for 2026/27, zero-emission cars sit at a 4% appropriate percentage, while many petrol and higher-emission cars are taxed much more heavily. Plug-in hybrids can also be treated more favourably than conventional petrol or diesel cars, depending on their emissions and electric range. For business users, that can make a real difference to affordability.

That tax position is one reason electric company cars keep drawing attention. Even with gradual increases already announced for later tax years, zero-emission models remain significantly more attractive than many conventional alternatives.

Drivers Want Newer Technology Without The Long-Term Risk

Cars now come with more software, more driver assistance systems and more connected features than ever. With electric vehicles in particular, that technology story is a big part of the appeal.

But new technology can also make people cautious. You may like the idea of driving an EV, while also wanting to avoid the long-term uncertainty that can come with ownership, resale values or how quickly newer models will improve. Leasing gives you a middle ground. You get access to the latest features and efficiency improvements, but you are not locked into keeping the same vehicle for longer than your agreement.

That is one of the biggest reasons the electric and hybrid lease market continues to grow. It suits people who want to move with the market rather than feel stuck behind it.

It Feels Like A Lower-Pressure Way To Switch

For many drivers, the real attraction is not just financial. It is psychological. Leasing can make the switch feel less daunting.

If you are curious about going electric but still have questions around charging habits, range, or everyday practicality, a lease can feel like a more manageable next step than purchasing outright. The same applies to hybrids. They give you a way to reduce fuel use and emissions while keeping a more familiar driving pattern.

That lower-pressure route matters. It means you can make a practical decision based on how you actually live, not just what sounds good in theory.

Final Thoughts

More drivers are looking at electric and hybrid car leasing because the market has changed. There is more choice, stronger infrastructure, attractive business tax treatment, and a growing sense that leasing fits the pace of change better than ownership for many people.

If you want lower running costs, access to newer technology and a fixed-term way to explore electric or hybrid driving, leasing makes a lot of sense. It gives you flexibility without asking you to make a long-term ownership commitment before you are ready.

Ready To Explore Electric And Hybrid Leasing?

If you are thinking about making the switch, speak to First Vehicle Finance. Their team can help you compare electric and hybrid lease options, explain the agreement clearly, and help you find a vehicle that fits your budget, routine and driving needs.

Locked Out at the Track – What Every Driver Should Know About Car Key Replacement

By
SM
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Picture this. Race day. You’ve spent the morning tailgating, finally found your seats, and somewhere around lap 40 your keys are gone. Maybe they slipped out during the crowd rush. Maybe they’re still in the ignition. Either way, the day just went sideways fast.

It happens all the time at big events. Speedways, stadiums, parking lots — anywhere large crowds gather, keys get lost, locked inside cars, or dropped somewhere they’re never found. Knowing what to do before it happens to you is worth the five minutes it takes to read this.

Your Car Key Is Not What It Used to Be

Most people still picture a car key as a simple metal thing. The kind you’d copy at the hardware store for a few dollars. That world is gone.

Most cars built in the last ten years have a chip inside the key. It’s called a transponder. It talks to your car’s computer every time you start the engine. No chip signal, no start. Doesn’t matter if the key fits the lock — it won’t turn the engine over.

Smart keys took it even further. You keep the fob in your pocket and push a button to start the car. Convenient, until you lose it. Then you’re looking at $300 to $500 if you go straight to the dealership.

There are also laser-cut keys. They’re thicker than a normal key, with a wavy cut down the middle instead of the usual jagged edge. Most hardware stores can’t copy them. They need special machines.

The short version: car keys got complicated. Replacing one isn’t quick or cheap unless you know who to call.

Why a Locksmith Beats the Dealership

Most drivers’ first instinct is to call the dealership. That’s fair. But it’s usually the wrong move.

Here’s what happens when you go to a dealership. Your car gets towed. You wait for an open slot. Sometimes you wait days for a part to ship. Then you pay top dollar for all of it. It’s slow, it’s costly, and in most cases it’s avoidable.

A mobile locksmith does the same work — right where you are. No tow truck. No waiting room. If you’re stuck in the Philadelphia area, a South Philadelphia Locksmith will drive out to you, whether that’s a speedway lot or a side street, and fix it on the spot.

Most key jobs take under an hour. A dealership visit can eat two or three days. The cost is usually half as much, too.

What a Key Replacement Actually Involves

A lot of people are caught off guard by how much goes into Car Key Replacement, especially on newer cars. It’s not just cutting a blank key.

First, a good locksmith checks that you own the vehicle. Once that’s done, they cut the blade on a precision machine. Then comes the programming step.

Programming means linking the new key to your car’s computer. The locksmith plugs into your vehicle’s system and syncs the chip to it. The tools change based on the make, model, and year. A locksmith who does this daily will have what’s needed for most cars on the road.

Start to finish, most jobs take 45 minutes to an hour. A straight lockout with no key issues can be done much faster than that.

Do These Three Things Before You Ever Need Help

Get a spare key cut now. It’s the best thing you can do. A lot of drivers have only one key. If that’s you, fix it soon. It costs little and saves a lot of stress.

Put a Bluetooth tracker on your keychain. They’re small and cheap. If your keys are close by, your phone will find them. It takes about 30 seconds to set up.

Save a locksmith’s number before you need one. Find a local shop that does automotive work, check the reviews, and store the number in your phone now. Searching for help when you’re already stressed is no fun at all.

The Short Version

Getting locked out feels like a big deal. It usually isn’t. The right call to the right person gets you back on the road fast — often within the hour.

Skip the dealership. Use a mobile locksmith. Save their number now. Get a spare key made this week.

Whether it’s a rough race day or just a rough Tuesday, you’ll be glad you did.

Taylor Gray gambles on pit strategy to win NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts race at Kansas

By
Briar Starr
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Kansas City, KS – Taylor Gray and the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota team utilized pit strategy and stayed out while the race leaders pitted inside 60 laps to go. Once Gray resumed the race, he led the rest of the way, holding off a late surge by Atlanta winner, Sheldon Creed, by 0.718 seconds. The win was the second of his NASCAR O’Reilly Series career and his first since Martinsville last fall.

“How about Jason Ratcliff?” Gray said. “Jason made a really good adjustment on the car and a really good pit call and got us in clean air. It’s been a long start to the year, man—not that we’re not bringing speed to the race track. It’s just that things haven’t really gone our way. So it’s nice to finally be able to close one out.”

This was the 10th race of the 2026 season for the NASCAR O’Reilly Series. Practice and qualifying were canceled on Friday afternoon due to severe weather and heavy rainfall. Carson Kvapil was awarded the pole position for the first time in his career. Stages 45-45-110 made up the 200-lap race. There was also a competition caution on Lap 20.

Action started early in the race on Lap 2, when Kvapil made slight contact with his JR Motorsports teammate, William Byron, on the backstretch. As a result, he spun up the track and got clipped by the No. 99 of Parker Retzlaff. Afterward, Kvapil wound up flipping multiple times, destroying his car in the process.

Following the wreck, the AMR Safety Team came to the rescue and slowly got the car back on its side. Afterward, Kvapil was checked and released from the infield care center.

The race restarted on Lap 5 and went green until the competition yellow at Lap 20. Brandon Jones, who won the fall race here in September, took the lead at Lap 13 and led up to Lap 20. As the race went back green on Lap 27, there were at least 11 laps of green flag running before the third caution flag flew.

This time, the caution was for RCR Racing teammates, Austin Hill and Jesse Love. Hill was battling with Love and ended up spinning off Turn 4. Eventually, the No. 18 of William Sawalich made contact with him as well, receiving heavy front-end damage to his car.

The restart came with just three laps to go. Jones held on to win the stage over Corey Day. Justin Allgaier, Love, Anthony Alfredo, Gray, Creed, Brent Crews, Jeb Burton, and William Byron completed the Top 10.

During the pit stop cycle, at least seven cars stayed out to change up the pit cycle. This meant Alfredo would assume the lead with Jeb Burton to start Stage 2.

Stage 2 took place between Lap 54 and Lap 90. Early in the stage, Byron led the way with Jones following closely behind him. However, it didn’t take long for Jones to retake the lead on Lap 57. Just a few laps later, the only incident of the stage happened as Alfredo hit the wall on the frontstretch. This was due to a flat right-front tire following brake rotor problems.

The race resumed at Lap 70 as Jones took off like a rocket, taking the lead from Byron, as he had fresher tires than Byron. During the green-flag run, Byron brushed the wall and allowed numerous drivers to drive right on by. Despite that, Jones maintained the lead and swept the stages at Lap 90. Jones, Creed, Allgaier, Love, Day, Sammy Smith, Gray, Burton, Sam Mayer, and Alfredo were the Top 10.

The final stage went green on Lap 98, just two laps before halfway. Creed got a better start than Jones, going three-wide with Gray. This would be the start of a long green-flag run that saw no yellows in the final stage. But various pit strategies played out late in the going. Pit stops began with 57 to go, and Gray was the first to pit from the third position.

At 53 to go, both Creed and Jones pitted from the race lead. With 44 laps to go, Gray was able to take the lead. Hoping for no yellows, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver began to check out with a sizeable gap. However, with 10 laps to go, Creed, who was in the second position, began running Gray down and started to close the gap. Despite Creed having a somewhat faster car, he couldn’t catch Gray, and Gray went on to win the race.

Gray led one time for 48 laps en route to victory.

With the second-place finish, Sheldon Creed collected the $100,000 in the Dash 4 Cash event.

Justin Allgaier finished third, Jesse Love fourth, and Brent Crews rounded out the top 5.

After Kansas, Justin Allgaier leads the series standings by 131 over Sheldon Creed, 149 over Jesse Love, 176 over Corey Day, and 196 over Brandon Jones.

The race featured seven caution flags for 37 laps and 11 lead changes among eight different drivers.

Complete Results – Kansas O’Reilly Auto Parts race:

  1. Taylor Gray
  2. Sheldon Creed
  3. Justin Allagier
  4. Jesse Love
  5. Brent Crews
  6. William Byron
  7. Cole Custer
  8. Brandon Jones
  9. Sam Mayer
  10. Ryan Sieg
  11. Dean Thompson
  12. Corey Day
  13. Jeb Burton
  14. Patrick Staropoli
  15. Jeremy Clements
  16. Sammy Smith
  17. Josh Williams
  18. Lavar Scott
  19. Brennan Poole
  20. William Sawalich
  21. Rajah Caruth
  22. Ryan Ellis
  23. Blaine Perkins
  24. Nathan Byrd
  25. Kyle Sieg
  26. Josh Bilicki
  27. Joey Gase
  28. Harrison Burton
  29. Dawson Cram
  30. Anthony Alfredo
  31. Blake Lothian
  32. Austin Green
  33. Mason Maggio
  34. Austin Hill
  35. Luke Baldwin
  36. Parker Retzlaff
  37. Carson Kvapil

Up Next – The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series visits Talladega Superspeedway, Saturday, April 25, live on the CW Network at 4 p.m. CT.

Felix Rosenqvist rebounds for IndyCar pole at Long Beach

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Chris Jones (Penske Entertainment).

Felix Rosenqvist captured the NTT P1 Award for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach at the Streets of Long Beach, California, on Saturday, April 18.

The event’s starting lineup was determined through a qualifying format that was broken into three segments. The first segment (Segment 1) featured the field being divided into two groups and receiving 10 minutes to post the fastest qualifying lap amongst one another. 

The fastest six competitors from each group transferred to the second qualifying segment, Segment 2. Meanwhile, the competitors who qualified in the first group but did not transfer to Segment 2 filled in the odd-numbered positions while the second group competitors occupied the even-numbered positions, respectively.

Segment 2 featured the top-12 competitors who advanced from Segment 1 given 10 minutes to qualify. From this segment, the fastest six qualifiers transferred to the third and final segment, the Firestone Fast Six, while the bottom six qualifiers occupied positions 7th through 12th, respectively.  

The Firestone Fast Six round featured each of the final six qualifiers posting a single-lap qualifying run individually. This format was first used during IndyCar’s inaugural event at the Streets of Arlington, Texas, in mid-March and will be used for the remaining street circuits this season. The competitor who posted the single-fastest lap was awarded the pole position.

Rosenqvist, a 34-year-old native of Värnamo, Sweden, commenced Saturday’s qualifying session by being the fastest qualifier from the first group of the first qualifying round. He was then the third-fastest competitor and one of six to transfer to the Firestone Fast 6 round. After electing to qualify third of the final six qualifiers, Rosenqvist posted a single pole-winning lap at 105.017 mph in 1:07.4635. 

With the pole, Rosenqvist notched his seventh NTT INDYCAR SERIES career pole, his second driving for Meyer Shank Racing and his first since he won the pole position at Long Beach in 2024. The pole award was also the second ever for Meyer Shank Racing and the third in a row this season for Honda. 

Rosenqvist, who is in his third consecutive campaign driving the No. 60 Dallara-Honda entry for Meyer Shank Racing, enters Long Beach strapped in 14th place in the driver’s standings. He also holds an average-finishing result of 14.3 as he has finished no higher than 12th through the first four-scheduled events this season (Streets of St. Petersburg & Phoenix Raceway). Amid the start, Rosenqvist strives to cap off the weekend by contending for his first IndyCar victory in six years.

“That was nerve-wracking to watch [during the final round of qualifying],” Rosenqvist said on FS1. “My old buddy, Pato, there at the end. He was close. That was a good lap. What a day for us. Meyer Shank Racing had their win in the IMSA race before [today’s qualifying], [IMSA] pole yesterday and then, followed by [IndyCar] pole here, too. It’s been a tough start of the year. We said we wanted to do a little bounce back here and so we did. Huge thanks for everyone, SiriusXM, Honda, Meyer Shank Racing, Acura. Phenomenal day for us.”

Rosenqvist will share the front row with former teammate Pato O’Ward. O’Ward, who opted to qualify the last of the six finalists, was on pace to knock Rosenqvist off the top of the qualifying charts before he settled with the second-fastest single-lap session at 104.948 mph in 1:07.5076.

Alex Palou, the reigning four-time IndyCar champion who is coming off his victory at Barber Motorsport Park, will start in third place with a lap at 104.915 mph in 1:07.5289. Palou, who is pursuing his first Long Beach victory, will share the second row with Kyle Kirkwood, the latter of whom clocked in the fourth-fastest lap at 104.774 mph in 1:07.6199 and has won two of the previous three IndyCar events at Long Beach.

David Malukas, who was the fastest during Segment 2, and Scott Dixon, a two-time INDYCAR winner at Long Beach, will start fifth and sixth, respectively. Will Power, Scott McLaughlin, Kyffin Simpson, Graham Rahal, Christian Lundgaard and Rinus VeeKay, all of whom transferred as high as Segment 2 in qualifications, will start seventh through 12th, respectively.

Rounding out the 25-car field for Sunday’s main event at Long Beach are Marcus Armstrong, Josef Newgarden, Marcus Ericsson, Christian Rasmussen, Louis Foster, Alexander Rossi, Dennis Hauger, Caio Collet, Mick Schumacher, Santino Ferrucci, Romain Grosjean, Sting Ray Robb and Nolan Siegel, respectively.

Long Beach – Qualifying Position, Average Speed, Total Time:

  1. Felix Rosenqvist, 105.017 mph, 1:07.4635
  2. Pato O’Ward, 104.948 mph, 1:07.5076
  3. Alex Palou, 104.915 mph, 1:07.5289
  4. Kyle Kirkwood, 104.774 mph, 1:07.6199
  5. David Malukas, 104.726 mph, 1:07.6508
  6. Scott Dixon, 104.408 mph, 1:07.8566
  7. Will Power, 104.935 mph, 1:07.5163
  8. Scott McLaughlin, 104.797 mph, 1:07.6047
  9. Kyffin Simpson, 104.777 mph, 1:07.6177
  10. Graham Rahal, 104.709 mph, 1:07.6619
  11. Christian Lundgaard, 104.616 mph, 1:07.7218
  12. Rinus VeeKay, 104.606 mph, 1:07.7283
  13. Marcus Armstrong, 104.54 mph, 1:07.7709
  14. Josef Newgarden, 104.608 mph, 1:07.7274
  15. Marcus Ericsson, 104.416 mph, 1:07.8516
  16. Christian Rasmussen, 104.434 mph, 1:07.8399
  17. Louis Foster, 104.338 mph, 1:07.9024
  18. Alexander Rossi, 104.379 mph, 1:07.8756
  19. Dennis Hauger, 103.861 mph, 1:08.2142
  20. Caio Collet, 104.298 mph, 1:07.9282
  21. Mick Schumacher, 103.811 mph, 1:08.2471
  22. Santino Ferrucci, 104.289 mph, 1:07.9340
  23. Romain Grosjean, 103.356 mph, 1:08.5474
  24. Sting Ray Robb, 103.753 mph, 1:08.2850
  25. Nolan Siegel, 103.262 mph, 1:08.6097

The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is scheduled to occur on Sunday, April 19, and air at 5:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

TEAM CHEVY INDYCAR QUALIFYING REPORT – Grand Prix Of Long Beach

By
Official Release
-

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Grand Prix Of Long Beach
1.968-mile, 11 turn, Long Beach street circuit
Long Beach California
Saturday Qualifying Report
April 18, 2026

LONG BEACH, California (April 18, 2026) – Pato O’Ward was the last driver to make a qualifying attempt at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, but came up a slim four-hundredths of a second short in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. O’Ward’s outside front row start bests his previous high at Long Beach of sixth in seven previous attempts. David Malukas, the quickest driver in the Fast 12 in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, will start Sunday’s race from the inside of the third row, besting his best start at this event by five spots.

When the first group in the first segment of qualifying received the checkered flag, five of the six drivers advancing were wearing Bow-Ties. Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was the quickest Team Chevy driver, with David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 AAA Travel Team Penske Chevrolet and Rinus VeeKay in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Chevrolet advancing.

In the Fast 12, Malukas went 67.2447 seconds (105.358mph) on the 1.968-mile, 11-turn, Long Beach street circuit, which was a hundredth of a second quicker than the next best driver, with O’Ward making it a pair of Chevrolet-powered drivers in the Firestone Fast Six.

Grand Prix Of Long Beach Qualifying Results

What they’re saying – Grand Prix Of Long Beach qualifying:

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 2nd:

“I kept checking the delta the whole lap, to what we did in Q2. So, it would have been good enough, but I think I just missed it by a little bit into Turn 9. I think that’s where I let it go. But this is this is the best starting spot I’ve had in Long Beach by far. It’s the best car that I’ve had here. I I feel very ready to race tomorrow, so I’m excited for tomorrow.”

David Malukas, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 5th:

“There was some more. You’re trying to push it as hard as you can, but we’re struggling with getting temps up. We were already struggling compared to all the other guys to get the car up to temp, so that’s why we wanted to go right away. There’s so many mistakes I made, but the car is just not ready, it’s going all over the place. We knew it was going to be tough to compete with them when it comes to this situation. Still very happy, with the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet with Team Penske. We’re up for a good start.”

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 AAA Travel Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 8th:

How did that qualifying run feel?

“Pretty decent. Probably just lacked a little bit of like raw pace. We talk about that all the time, just having like that little bit of pace to just help you advance each session. We got through the first time, just lacked a little bit in that last one when the track rubber came up. So, we got a little bit of session to do, and obviously, David’s really quick so cheering him on here. The AAA Travel Chevy is feeling pretty good. See what we got tomorrow.”

Penske package overall looks quick on the street course. Do you feel that there’s been a step?

“Yeah. For sure. We’re working very hard. Proud of the effort and proud of the hard work. But, more to go.”

Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet 11th:

“We put in a lot of work across the No. 7 crew this weekend for where we’re starting tomorrow. Another Saturday that we’re just not able to put together the potential we have. Pato had the pace today, so we know it’s there. That said, we’ve been able to come back strong on race days, and that’s the plan for tomorrow.”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Chevrolet qualified 12th:

Are you happy with that effort?

“Yes, I think so. We have had an issue all season long with the red in qualifying, trying to get them to turn on and really get that red grip. Right? That magic you get from that softer rubber, and we’ve been struggling to get that. So, we spent the last two weeks working hard to identify the issues, and, well, I finally got that grip here in qualifying. So, with the way the track progressed, we had a bit too much understeer in the Fast 12. Still happy with our pace. We haven’t been this close to the front all weekend and to maximize qualified top 12, I think that’s what we need strategy wise to have a really good race tomorrow. It, makes a difference rather than starting nineteenth.”

Starting 12th, how far can you make it forward in the race tomorrow?

“I mean, you can make it all the way. It all depends on strategy. We’ll go over our options right after this. And, I think we’ve got the pace. We’ve got a good car over a long amount of laps. So, it’s looking promising, but it might be a fuel save race. Maybe the rest won’t hang on, and it will be a three-stopper. So, we’ll see. It’s, all up in the cards.”

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 14th

“The Astemo Chevy was very good, we just didn’t transfer. Qualifying each and every week is so tight. You are working with razor-thin margins in lap times. I think we are in for a good race tomorrow though.”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 ECR Liquid Science Arctic Freeze Chevrolet qualified 16th:

“Maybe if I didn’t hit the wall on my first run we would have had a better chance. I made a small mistake out of Turn 11 and bent a toe-link. Fortunately, I’ve got some great guys behind me that could get it changed quick. I did improve on my second run, but it just wasn’t enough. I had to really rush out and just made it over the line. We’ve struggled for pace all weekend long and obviously it was the same in qualifying. Hopefully, we find something overnight and be better tomorrow.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 20 ECR Liquid Science Orange Chevrolet qualified 18th:

“We have not have the strongest start to the weekend, but the whole team is constantly working to improve as the sessions go on. We are definitely starting farther back than we would like to, but we will put our heads together tonight and see what we can come up with for the race. I really enjoy driving in the streets of Long Beach and I am hopeful to move forward tomorrow.”

Caio Collet, No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet qualified 20th:

“So far, we had a clean weekend, obviously missing a little bit of performance there in qualifying. I felt that we did a good improvement from set one to set two (tires). Maybe a couple of things could have gone a little bit better from my side on my lap, it was not really a perfect lap. I think I had maybe one 1/10 and a half there that I left on the table, but at the end, I think, just missing a little bit general performance. Hopefully, we can improve the car a little bit for tomorrow. I think the race car looks a little bit better than the one-lap pace so far. So hopefully we can maximize the good strategy and put on a good result.

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet qualified 22nd:

“I don’t think it’s a big shock. We’ve been struggling all weekend long, more than we have in previous years. We’ve just been unlucky with red flags and timing and everything else in between. It’s just been really difficult. We haven’t had the chance to really try much and make a ton of changes. We’ve struggled with the same few things. It’s only two tenths off, which unfortunately, is the difference between starting in the top 10 or starting 20th. So it’s not like we’re out to lunch, but it’s just annoying, because I know we’re better than this. We’re going to make some changes for the race tomorrow, and hope we come through the field.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 25th

“Bummer in Qualifying. We just missed the timing and didn’t do a lap on Firestone Reds, so I’m very disappointed in that. We had a lot of pace in the car today, plenty to transfer into the Fast 12 and maybe even the Fast 6. We just didn’t get that run on Reds which is unfortunate. We’ll see what we can do from the back tomorrow, get creative and work our way up.”

NTT INDYCAR SERIES News Conference

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Pato O’Ward

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Pato, your thoughts on how it played out this afternoon.

PATO O’WARD: Stellar day for me in Long Beach. This is by far the best qualifying day I’ve had. I’ve been happy with the car I’ve been given from practice one. Hats off to Arrow McLaren and Team Chevy. I know we’re leading their pack.

I think the plan for us this weekend has truly just been going out there and executing with something I know I’m comfortable with and I know I can push.

Yeah, feels good to be a bit more in attack mode rather than defense. Good to be on the front row with my old pal Fro.

Yeah, I missed it there a little bit. Nonetheless, it’s been a really good day.

THE MODERATOR: Big jump, going fifth into Firestone Fast Six. Well done.

PATO O’WARD: I was very comfortable. I was very comfortable. I kept seeing that we were right on our Q2 lap. It wasn’t really moving much throughout the lap. I knew it was going to be really tight. I don’t know where I put it there. Fro put down a heater.

THE MODERATOR: Open it up for questions.

Q. You decided to go last. What went into that? Would you have done something similar if you had been higher up in the Fast 12 order?

PATO O’WARD: I like going further in the back because you have the deltas to kind of base yourself off of. You can also see what issues they’re having, so maybe you can see some track progression to prepare your run for.

I was pretty happy I was going last.

Q. Would you have gone last if you were higher up? Had you discussed that already?

PATO O’WARD: Well, no, we hadn’t discussed that. We were probably going to go first. You go first when you want to take advantage of the brake temperatures and the tire temperature, if you’re going to stay on that same set.

For us, we knew we were going to be fifth or sixth. I’d much rather be sixth.

Q. You were part of the single-car in Arlington. Now we have this adjusted one. Your thoughts on the adjustment?

PATO O’WARD: I love it. I think it’s a great addition to the show. Like I’ve mentioned before, it’s great to see the pole laps. That’s usually everything that kind of shows off after the normal qualifying sequence we’ve had in the past.

I think this way you can also appreciate the laps second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth have done. Someone in fourth has done a pretty impressive lap with a car that probably shouldn’t be there. There’s always those instances during weekends.

It’s cool to watch everybody be so tight, but the laps do look different.

Q. Was it surprising to see how different this round ended up, considering you had the option to choose, whereas in Arlington you didn’t?

PATO O’WARD: No. I mean, where is Malukas? Fourth?

THE MODERATOR: Fifth.

PATO O’WARD: Yeah, opposite to Arlington. I don’t know. Palou I think was last in Arlington, wasn’t he? I can’t remember. Ericsson was on pole.

I don’t think there’s any coincidence in that. I think it’s kind of how it fell. Whoever can get the tire switched on the soonest is the best.

FELIX ROSENQVIST: How was your hairpin?

PATO O’WARD: Shit. That’s where I lost it.

THE MODERATOR: Pole winner, Felix Rosenqvist, has joined us. We’ll prioritize questions for Pato.

Q. When we spoke yesterday, you were not confident at all. I feel déjà vu. This feels a lot like Toronto. Would you agree?

PATO O’WARD: I think so. It’s great when you come into these with zero expectations, and you’re kind of blowing them out of the water to what you were planning on, having difficulties yes or no.

It’s been one of the toughest places that I’ve come to in the past. I would say Toronto has always been on the top step in terms of difficulty and challenge for us. We turned that around last year.

So going into this year, like, there was a huge emphasis. Like I told my engineer, I told my 5 team, I’m sick and tired of sucking there. I know that I can be strong there.

So we’ve just brought something completely new. It’s obviously working. I’m so much more comfortable. I mean, it just feels like a completely different car, which it pretty much is, so…

Hats off to the team being able to give me those tools to do that. Yeah, it’s crazy when you start doing much better, how much more you enjoy (smiling).

Q. It seems like you’re feeling confident around this track. Do you expect any challenges tomorrow? What do you think is going to be the biggest challenge to take home the victory tomorrow?

PATO O’WARD: I think many challenges. I think strategy is a big question mark on everybody. Can we make these reds last? Is it going to be a fuel-save race? Are we going to be able to attack or is everything going to be kind of in pit stop sequence? I think there’s a lot of unanswered questions that we’ll probably have an idea when we get to warm-up, see where the race car goes.

Yeah, I feel just so much better in just being able to… I feel like I’m driving the car now, and I’m not getting driven around like I have in the past. I feel like we’re in a way better place.

THE MODERATOR: Pato, thanks for coming in.

PATO O’WARD: Thank you.

Saturday morning practice

After Saturday morning practice, Team Chevy held down three of the top five spots on the combined timesheet. David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet was the quickest, turning a lap of 67.7750 seconds (104.534mph) on the 1.968-mile, 11 turn, Long Beach street circuit on Saturday morning, with Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 AAA Travel Team Penske Chevrolet and Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, within two-hundredths of a second of the youngest of the Team Penske drivers.

“It’s going to be as close as ever,” said Malukas after practice. “This team, Team Penske and the Verizon Chevrolet. It’s been fantastic. My journey here, coming in has been a drive come true. Every day, I’m falling more and more in love with these guys, this crew and this team. I’ve been very well integrated and the pace has shown. I’m just happy. I’m confident to come here every single day and drive the car. It’s going to be tough though. I’m looking at Kyle (Kirkwood’s) time in that first session, and it looks quick. We’re going to be going for these Andretti cars and see what we can do.”

Tune-In Alert

Sunday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 1pm (ET)/noon (CT)/11am (MT)/10am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
Grand Prix Of Long Beach (90 laps) – 5:30pm (ET)/4:30pm (CT)/3:30pm (MT)/2:30pm (PT) – – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Mario Andretti in the Chevrolet-powered Newman Haas Racing Lola on the way to win at Long Beach in 1987 (Photo from Penske Entertainment)

Chevrolet History on the Streets of Long Beach

Wins – 12

2022 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske

2016 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske

2015 – Scott Dixon – Chip Ganassi Racing

2014 – Mike Conway – ECR

2012 – Will Power – Team Penske

1993 – Paul Tracy – Team Penske

1992 – Danny Sullivan – Galles Racing

1991 – Al Unser Jr.. – Galles Racing

1990 – Al Unser Jr. – Galles Racing

1989 – Al Unser Jr. – Galles Racing

1988 – Al Unser Jr. – Galles Racing

1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing

Poles – 10

2021 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske

2017 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

2016 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

2015 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

2012 – Ryan Briscoe – Team Penske

1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing

1990 – Al Unser Jr. – Galles Racing

1989 – Al Unser Jr. – Galles Racing

1988 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske

1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing

Chevrolet Podiums: 32

Driver Podiums: Josef Newgarden (4), Al Unser Jr. (4), Emerson Fittipaldi (3), Will Power (3), Bob Rahal (3), Helio Castroneves (2), Scott Dixon (2), Danny Sullivan (2), Mario Andretti (1), Michael Andretti (1), Eddie Cheever (1), Mike Conway (1), James Hinchcliffe (1), Christian Lundgaard (1), Juan Montoya (1), Simon Pagenaud (1), Paul Tracy (1)

Team Podiums: Team Penske (15), Galles Racing (6), Chip Ganassi Racing (3), Newman Haas Racing (2), Rahal Hogan Racing (2), Andretti Global (1), Arrow McLaren (1), ECR (1), Patrick Racing (1)

Chevrolet Laps Led: 991

Driver Laps Led: Al Unser Jr. (395), Mario Andretti (108), Josef Newgarden (101), Paul Tracy (81), Helio Castroneves (78), Scott Dixon (68), Will Power (42), Simon Pagenaud (28), Christian Lundgaard (26), Danny Sullivan (24), Sting Ray Robb (12), Michael Andretti (5), Ryan Briscoe (5), Ryan Hunter-Reay (5), Augustin Canapino (3), Mike Conway (3), Charlie Kimball (3), Sebastian Saavedra (3), Sebastien Bourdais (1),

Team Laps Led: Galles Racing (402), Team Penske (352), Newman Haas Racing (113), Chip Ganassi Racing (71), Arrow McLaren (26), Juncos Hollinger Racing (15), Andretti Global (5), KV Racing Technology (4), ECR (3)

Manufacturer History on the Streets Of Long Beach

Wins (with competition)

15 – Honda (2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2013, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996)

12 – Chevrolet (2022, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)

3 – Cosworth (1986, 1985, 1984)

1 – Ilmor (1994)

1 – Mercedes (1995)

Poles (with competition)

13 – Honda (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2014, 2013, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996)

10 – Chevrolet (2021, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)

5 – Ford (2002, 1998, 1995, 1993, 1992)

3 – Cosworth (1986, 1985, 1984)

1 – Ilmor (1994)

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.

Rosenqvist Keeps Good Times Rolling for MSRWith Long Beach Pole

By
Official Release
-

LONG BEACH, Calif. (Saturday, April 18, 2026) – Three down, one to go for Meyer Shank Racing this weekend at Long Beach.

Felix Rosenqvist continued the team’s California dreaming by winning the NTT P1 Award for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday with a lap of 1 minute, 7.4635 seconds in the No. 60 SiriusXM/Acura Honda fielded by Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian.

SEE: Qualifying Results

MSR won the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race earlier today at Long Beach after capturing the pole for that event, too.

“What a day for us,” Rosenqvist said. “Meyer Shank Racing wins the IMSA race from the pole followed by pole here. Pretty lost for words.”

Rosenqvist can complete a perfect weekend for the Ohio-based team by winning the 90-lap race, which starts at 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). A 30-minute warmup is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

Pato O’Ward, Rosenqvist’s good friend and former teammate at Arrow McLaren, will start from the front row after qualifying a season-best second at 1:07.5076 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Reigning and four-time series champion Alex Palou will start third after his lap of 1:07.5289 in the No. 10 OpenAI Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. He will be joined in the second row by series leader and defending Long Beach winner Kyle Kirkwood, who qualified fourth at 1:07.6199 in the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda of Andretti Global.

David Malukas will start fifth after his lap of 1:07.6508 in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. Scott Dixon will round out the third row after qualifying a season-best sixth at 1:07.8566 in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, his first Firestone Fast Six appearance since March 2025 at St. Petersburg.

Swedish driver Rosenqvist earned his seventh career pole and the second ever for MSR, as he claimed the team’s first top spot in 2024 at Long Beach. But this one was different, as each driver received one lap in the new Firestone Fast Six street course qualifying format introduced last month at Arlington, a change from the group final sessions of the past. Rosenqvist was the third driver on the 11-turn, 1.968-mile temporary street circuit and had to watch and wait as three drivers unsuccessfully tried to topple his time.

“That was nerve-wracking to watch,” Rosenqvist said. “My old buddy Pato there at end, that was close. That was a good lap.”

Rosenqvist tied his career best by finishing sixth in the standings last season, his second year with MSR. But he has endured a slow start to 2026, 14th in the standings after four races, which he said gave the team extra focus this weekend.

“It’s been a tough start of the year,” Rosenqvist said. “We said we wanted to do a little bounce-back here, and we did. Phenomenal day for us.”

Tyler Reddick Wins NASCAR Cup Series Pole At Kansas

By
Briar Starr
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Tyler Reddick wins NASCAR Cup Series pole at Kansas Speedway. Photo by Ron Olds.

Kansas City, KS – With a lap time of 29.142 seconds at 185.300 mph, Tyler Reddick and his No. 45 23XI Racing team won the pole position for Sunday’s Advent Health 400 at Kansas Speedway, his third of the season and 14th of his Cup Series career. The pole position is also Reddick’s first at Kansas since 2017 when he drove for Chip Ganassi Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

“It’s really awesome,” Reddick said after qualifying. “The Toyota Camry was really, really solid in practice. We elected to give up rolling out first, get those adjustments we wanted to. Just really, really good handling on our Toyota Camry. So just proud of everyone’s efforts at 23XI.To have a Saturday go like this, just great handling out of our Camry, is exactly what we want to see.”

Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, Kyle Larson, Chase Briscoe, Carson Hocevar, Chris Buescher, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Blaney, and Bubba Wallace rounded out the Top 10. Reddick will seek his fifth win of the season.

The AdventHealth 400 will be broadcast live on FOX Sunday at 2 p.m. ET with radio coverage provided by MRN Radio.

“It’s really awesome,” Reddick said after qualifying. “The Toyota Camry was really, really solid in practice. We elected to give up rolling out first, get those adjustments we wanted to. Just really, really good handling on our Toyota Camry. So just proud of everyone’s efforts at 23XI.

“To have a Saturday go like this,” he added, “just great handling out of our Camry, is exactly what we want to see.”

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway:

  1. Tyler Reddick
    29.142
  2. Denny Hamlin
    29.161
  3. Ty Gibbs
    29.192
  4. Kyle Larson
    29.192
  5. Chase Briscoe
    29.199
  6. Carson Hocevar
    29.212
  7. Chris Buescher
    29.227
  8. Daniel Suarez
    29.230
  9. Ryan Blaney
    29.231
  10. Bubba Wallace
    29.280
  11. Christopher Bell
    29.325
  12. Ryan Preece
    29.367
  13. Chase Elliott
    29.402
  14. William Byron
    29.504
  15. Joey Logano
    29.507
  16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
    29.532
  17. Shane van Gisbergen
    29.537
  18. Michael McDowell
    29.541
  19. Erik Jones
    29.561
  20. Austin Dillon
    29.569
  21. Brad Keselowski
    29.577
  22. Riley Herbst
    29.583
  23. Kyle Busch
    29.653
  24. Corey Heim
    29.664
  25. Zane Smith
    29.670
  26. Todd Gilliland
    29.723
  27. AJ Allmendinger
    29.726
  28. Noah Gragson
    29.739
  29. Cole Custer
    29.739
  30. Josh Berry
    29.768
  31. Ross Chastain
    29.781
  32. John Hunter Nemechek
    29.831
  33. Alex Bowman
    29.849
  34. Austin Cindric
    30.014
  35. Cody Ware
    30.199
  36. Connor Zilisch
    30.246
  37. Ty Dillon
    31.364

GMG Racing and Tom Sargent Victorious in IMSA Carrera Cup North America in Long Beach

By
Official Release
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  • Sargent Secures Second-Straight Win with GMG Racing and Third Consecutive in Global Porsche Competition in “Back to The Beach” Victory on the Streets of Long Beach
  • Sargent Victorious From the Pole in One-Off Race Weekend in Teammate Kyle Washington’s No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 Cup

LONG BEACH, California (April 18, 2026) – GMG Racing and team driver Tom Sargent scored a convincing victory from the pole Saturday morning in the first of the weekend’s two 40-minute IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America races at the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Carrying the flag for sidelined GMG Racing owner James Sofronas and teammate and car owner Kyle Washington, Sargent opened up a comfortable lead from the start and then drove a smart race to the finish for a 2.245 seconds margin of victory in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 Cup.

Sargent, a former race winner and championship runner-up in Carrera Cup, was a late call up for the one-off drive this weekend at Long Beach to continue the Southern California team’s consistent participation and tradition of success at the nation’s premier temporary street course race.

Team founder and driver Sofronas – a three-time career winner at Long Beach – was set to defend GMG Racing’s stellar record on the 1.968-mile as recently as earlier this week only to learn a recent non-racing accident left him with several broken ribs. With Washington not scheduled to compete this weekend, the quick decision was made to go with Sargent in the more familiar No. 32 Carrera as GMG Racing’s sole entry at Long Beach.

“I am grateful to both Tom and Kyle for not hesitating to make this late change up,” Sofronas said. “This is GMG Racing’s 25th season in racing, and to not have a car in our home race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach was not an option. Tom was the obvious choice, he is one of the hottest drivers in international sports car racing right now, knows our team and all of our Porsches and has winning experience in Carrera Cup. He drove great today in in a car perfectly prepared by the GMG Racing crew. We are looking forward to closing out the weekend with another win Sunday morning. Winning doesn’t make my injuries go away but it is certainly eases the pain!”

A little over three weeks ago, Washington and Sargent co-drove to a milestone victory at Sonoma Raceway in the first three-hour GT World Challenge America powered by AWS race in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo. Just last weekend, Sargent took the checkered flag in a similar Proton Competition GT3 R Evo to secure a victory in his European Le Mans Series debut in Barcelona with co-drivers Matt Kurzejewski and Richard Leitz.

“As a race car driver, you’re naturally just looking to keep bettering yourself,” Sargent said. “For me, the end goal is still a factory drive with Porsche. I need to prove myself for that, and the last three weeks or so have been a good start for that, but there is still a long way to go. I just need to keep hitting the marks, keep improving, and the big thing is every year that’s gone by I’m just driving more and more and more. I think that shows in the results. I have been in the car several weeks in a row and have three more straight weeks coming. I owe Kyle a lot, and that’s no lie, he’s helped me to get where I am right now. James and the team are from here, they were down the road in Santa Ana now they are headquartered at the Thermal Club. It is cool to be able to do this for them at their home track. A lot of supporters for Kyle and the GMG Racing team are out here, and a lot of family and friends. It’s a big deal for them.”

Saturday’s victory was the 10th in IMSA Carrera Cup for GMG Racing and first in the Pro class. While GMG Racing celebrates its 25th season of competition this year, the team surprisingly never raced in IMSA Carrera Cup before the 2023 finale at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). Sofronas swept that weekend’s Pro-Am races in his and the team’s series debut, a breakout performance that has seen him and GMG Racing continue to win at least two races a season through last year. Sofronas has secured eight of the 10 career Carrera Cup victories GMG Racing has captured as the team begins just its fourth year in the competitive series.

Sunday’s second and final Carrera Cup race of the Long Beach weekend is scheduled to go green at 11:20 a.m. PDT. Livestream coverage is available on NBC’s Peacock as well as on IMSA.TV and IMSA’s YouTube Channel.

About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility relocated last year to The Thermal Club and a 28,000 sq. ft. trackside motorsports facility. The staff, attention to detail and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped the company support its customers to the highest level possible. We have since won several Championships, not only with Porsche, but with Audi, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and McLaren. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona, Spa, Montreal, COTA and The Thermal Club, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.

TOYOTA RACING – NCS Kansas Quotes – Tyler Reddick – 04.18.26

By
Official Release
-

TOYOTA RACING – Tyler Reddick
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

KANSAS CITY (April 18, 2026) – 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick was made available to the media on Saturday after winning the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series race from Kansas Speedway.

This is Tyler Reddick’s third pole this season (COTA, Darlington). This is Toyota’s fifth pole in the last six races at Kansas Speedway.

Toyota swept the top-three in qualifying for the second time this season (Las Vegas).

TYLER REDDICK, No. 45 SupplyHouse Toyota Camry XSE, 23XI Racing

What did you find in practice, and ultimately led you getting you the first starting spot tomorrow?

“Yeah, I think for us, we came here a year ago, and really struggled all weekend long, and that was a tough pill to swallow, for sure. We had felt like this has been kind of our playground for a number of years, and we came here this past spring, we just, I mean, start to finish on the whole weekend, just miss the mark pretty bad. So, when we came back here last fall, it was a huge emphasis for us, obviously, it’s in the playoffs and everything as well, at the time. We wanted to come back here with something better, and we didn’t need a lot of laps with the car that we had, but I felt like it was much more the direction where we needed to be. So, I was very happy with that, and we kind of used that as our starting point coming back here, and, yeah, for me, just today was just a car that had great handling, certainly the speed was there as well in the sheet, but very, very comfortable what I had. I feel like we did a good job of building off of last fall, and when you’re able to do that, you can be comfortable, consistent, and run good laps, and then when it comes to qualifying, you have the confidence to put a lap like that down.”

What is about you and your team’s ability to transfer the pole speed to race winning speed?

“Yeah, well, funny enough, I feel like if we were to qualify for Atlanta, even though we got the pole, didn’t count, whatever. We had a lot of good handling in our car for Atlanta. COTA obviously I felt like the 12 (Ryan Blaney) and Shane (van Gisbergen) were really strong. I think just good handling, handling that you can trust, handling that stays with you in the long run. So, Darlington, same thing.

Here, the speeds were a bit higher, and I didn’t know if we’d be able to get the pole, but it was really nice to see that the handling that we have, the short run speed that we have is appears to be all there today.”

When you are in the car and doing a single lap how noticeable is the speed difference?

“It is very noticeable, certainly. You notice that, and that, you’re not going to lift. You feel it in just the amount of grip the car has, the track and the tires have at the cooler temperature, too. We were able to run, like, a 29.50-something in practice, and that’s a lot faster than normal practice pace. So that kind of got us ready for it, but yeah, we started seeing the speeds get down to where they did before we went. We knew that it was going take a big lap, and you just have to commit to doing it.”

What is the plan with pedal car?

“I’m going take it back home and put it with the other three pedal cars. I don’t really fit on it, but I got one for me, one for Beau, and one for Rookie, when he gets a little bigger. So we got a full fleet now.”

Do you feel any sense of relief that you continue to have speed?

“After today, yes, more relief. I did feel like we went to Vegas, and, unfortunately, just kind of missed the mark at a track, where I feel like we’ve typically been right there in that top five mix all day long, and so, that was a little concerning, but it was a good little, gut check for us on, okay, it was where we need to be. This is where we got to kind of stay within, and so to miss it like we did in Vegas, in my opinion. Then come back here, and correct – I know they’re a little bit different track wise, but the same kind of ideology goes into it, and for us to build off a last fall and then really nail it today, definitely makes us feel good. Whether it was Martinsville, I know we did have the screaming speed, but we ran better than we typically do, Bristol, we ran a lot better than we typically do, and then at our tracks that should be our strength, to be able to put together days like this, is promising. Makes us feel good.”

How do you not lose focus with the points lead that you have?

“Just one week at a time. I think that really helps, if you get too far ahead of yourself or let one bad moment snowball into a series of bad moments. That’s the biggest thing, is just one race, one stage at a time. I think certainly, on paper, I seem to be a pretty aggressive driver, appears that way, but, when you have to think about the entire season, and running smart races, and scoring points, you are not necessarily trying to hang on to the lead you have, but grow it and grow it smart throughout, throughout good races. So for me, the start we had is great, and I feel like we’re in a really good spot to be able to hopefully, with performances like today, translating to tomorrow, continue to grow the point lead.”

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 nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 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.

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