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The Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Outlook

Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Darlington Raceway for the Cook Out Southern 500 on August 31st at 6 p.m. ET on the USA Network for the first race of the 10-race Cup Series Playoffs. The 2025 season also marks the fifth year the NCS Playoffs opened at Darlington.

Bubba Wallace captured the 2024 Cook Out Southern 500 pole with a speed of 167.146 mph (29.421 secs.) and Chase Briscoe crossed the finish line first in his No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford to win the race.

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings Outlook

RankDriverPointsBehindNextWinsTop-5Top-10PolesPLayoof Pts+/- Cutoff
1Kyle Larson2,032003111613226
2William Byron2,03200291323226
3Denny Hamlin2,029-3-34111312923
4Ryan Blaney2,026-6-32101432620
5Christopher Bell2,023-9-3391412317
6Shane Van Gisbergen2,022-10-144532216
7Chase Elliott2,013-19-917131137
8Chase Briscoe2,010-22-3110126104
9Bubba Wallace2,008-24-21410082
10Austin Cindric2,008-240125082
11Ross Chastain2,007-25-11310071
12Joey Logano2,007-250137171
13Josh Berry2,006-26-112506-1
14Tyler Reddick2,006-26005916-1
15Austin Dillon2,005-27-111505-2
16Alex Bowman2,002-30-3061422-5

Five times the winner of the opening race of the NCS Playoffs has gone on to win the championship (2004 – Kurt Busch, 2011 – Tony Stewart, 2012 – Brad Keselowski, 2017 – Martin Truex Jr, and 2024 – Joey Logano).

Track & Race Information for the Cook Out Southern 500

Track Length: 1.366-Mile
Degree of Banking in Corners: 25 degrees – Turns 1 & 2 and 23 degrees – Turns 3 & 4
Degree of Banking on Straights: 6 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,229 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,229 feet
Season Race: #27 of 36 (August 31, 2025)
The Purse: $10,447,135
Race Length: 501.32 Miles (367 laps)

Time

August 31 at 6 p.m. ET on the USA Network, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Stages

Stage 1 & 2 Length: 115 Laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 137 Laps

Who and what should you look out for at Darlington Raceway?

  • Joey Logano (2022 sweep) and William Byron (2019, 2025) lead all active NCS drivers in poles with two each. Joey Logano has two poles, one win, six top fives, 11 top 10s, and an Average finish of 13.304. Byron has two poles, one win, five top fives, seven top 10s, and an average finish of 15.000.
  • Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Darlington Raceway with 27 starts.
  • Denny Hamlin has one pole, five wins, 14 top fives, 19 top 10s, and the series-best average finish of 7.923. Hamlin also leads all active NCS drivers in average starting position at 8.731 in 26 starts. Hamlin (2010, 2017, 2020-2, 2021-2) leads all active NCS drivers in wins with four.
  • Tyler Reddick has one pole, four top fives, six top 10s, and an average finish of 12.333.
  • Kyle Larson has one win, seven top fives, nine top 10s, and an average finish of 12.533.

Eight of the 55 NCS Darlington race winners are active this weekend:

Active Darlington Race WinnersWinsSeasons
Denny Hamlin52025, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2010
Brad Keselowski22024, 2018
Erik Jones22022, 2019
Chase Briscoe12024
Kyle Larson12023
William Byron12023
Joey Logano12022
Kyle Busch12008

Logano is the only active driver to win from the pole in the NCS at Darlington (2022).

World Supercross announces latest line-up news as it prepares for greatest set of riders ever

  • Newly announced household names Jason Anderson and Max Anstie added to the line-up for the 2025 season across SX1 and SX2 classes
  • Favourites from last season also return including reigning SX2 World Champion Shane McElrath, South American fan favourite Enzo Lopes and 2024 SX1 podium finisher Joey Savatgy
  • Latest updates add to already announced global stars including two-time former World Champion Ken Roczen, reigning SX1 World Champion Eli Tomac, 2025 AMA Supercross 450 champion Cooper Webb and reigning two-time AMA Supercross 250 East champion Tom Vialle
  • Yarrive Konsky’s Quad Lock Honda adds star power and depth to help defend its team championship crown

London, UK 26th August 2025: The FIM World Supercross Championship today unveiled its most competitive rider lineup to date for the 2025 season, underscoring a new era of depth and global star power in the sport.

This year’s roster sees international headliner Jason Anderson join to compete for the World Championship title in SX1, along with the addition of Justin Hill who returns to the series joining Venom Bud Racing Kawasaki. While in SX2 a fierce battle is expected as Max Anstie returns as a full series rider in 2025, looking to reclaim his 2023 world title by facing off against last year’s champion Shane McElrath, who will be looking to make it two world titles in a row.

They are joined by a stellar cast of established race winners and rising talent across the rest of the starting gate, setting the stage for the most anticipated season in championship history. The 2025 season also sees the return of former World Champion Ken Roczen, as well as wildcard entries from Eli Tomac, Cooper Webb, Justin Cooper and Tom Vialle adding even more firepower at key events, ensuring world-class matchups across all five rounds.

Tom Burwell, CEO at World Supercross said: “The depth and quality of this year’s lineup is unmatched – this is without doubt the strongest roster we’ve ever had. Nowhere is this more apparent than in BA which will see the strongest rider line up assembled outside of the USA for the past 20 years, this is only possible due to the support of the city of Buenos Aires and local promoter EDV Entertainment, as well as the long-term stability provided by the Geneva Agreement. Fans worldwide are going to witness something very special this year, with our big name stars heading around the globe, there isn’t a stop on the tour you’d want to miss out on. We’re delivering on our mission to give global supercross fans what they deserve, a true world class championship with even more star talent to go with it. Bring it on.”

The season kicks off under the lights in Kuala Lumpur with Round 01, when the Malaysian GP sets the tone for the rest of the season as championship favourites, reigning title holders and up and coming challengers take to the starting gate for the 2025 season.

Round 02, the Buenos Aires City GP, will mark a pivotal moment as the strongest supercross rider lineup assembled outside of the USA in the past two decades – a milestone for Argentina’s passionate motorsport fans. Championship stars including Jason Anderson and Justin Hill will race against big name wildcards including Justin Cooper and Tom Vialle, with more riders to be announced. While in SX2, reigning world champion Shane McElrath is back to defend his title against full season debutant Max Anstie and a name sure to bring the South American fans to town, Brazilian star Enzo Lopes. The event brings global icons together once again in a market already steeped in elite motocross history.

Other highlight moments on the global calendar include Round 03 in Vancouver as Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen take on Justin Cooper in a fierce face off, before Round 04’s Australian GP will see another trio of Ken Roczen, Eli Tomac and this time Cooper Webb doing battle down on the Gold Coast. The season is then wrapped up with Round 05 in Cape Town for the South African GP, as the titles of World Champion are decided and history is written in a high-stakes showdown.

Team and rider highlights:

  • Pipes Motorsports Group: Kyle Chisholm and Robbie Wageman set to compete for the SX2 title, with further announcements still to come on the team’s full lineup
  • Quad Lock Honda: Shane McElrath and Joey Savatgy return, and Brodie Connolly brought in as the reigning champions look to defend their team crown
  • GSM Yamaha: Max Anstie returns to the series after a standout wildcard appearance last season, joining French stars Jordi Tixier and Maxime Desprey
  • Venum Bud Racing Kawasaki, Rick Ware Racing, and MotoConcepts Racing all add depth and international talent, highlighting the breadth of competition across SX1 and SX2
  • Stark Future join as the seventh team enabled by the long-term stability of the recently signed Geneva Agreement, with riders to be announced soon

Kurt Nicoll, Vice President of Race Development at World Supercross, said: “This is, without doubt, the deepest, most competitive field we’ve ever had, and we have the data to back that up. We’ve analysed rider performance, championship finishes, and global rankings to ensure fans see the world’s best on a truly international stage.

“It speaks volumes about the championship’s growth and the riders’ desire to race against the elite. The Geneva Agreement has played a key role in making this possible, giving teams the stability to invest in elite talent and ensuring the championship continues to grow at a global level. Fans around the world are in for an incredible season of supercross action.”

Shane McElrath, reigning SX2 World Supercross Champion, added: “I can’t wait to get back out on the global stage and defend my World Supercross title. The rider lineup is shaping up to be incredibly strong, and I’m ready to prove I can do it again against the best in the world.”

The landmark Geneva Agreement, signed with teams earlier this year, provides financial stability and ensures the participation of world-class talent through 2027. With prize funding, participation fees, and incentives tied to elite rider recruitment, the agreement underpins the growth of the championship and allows teams to invest confidently in marquee names.

With long-term stability secured through the Geneva Agreement, a calendar spanning five continents, and a roster filled with the sport’s biggest stars, the 2025 championship is set to deliver the most thrilling season in World Supercross history.

Even more rider announcements will be revealed soon. Fans can purchase tickets at worldsupercrosschampionship.com.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

2025 FIM World Supercross Championship Rider Lineup (to date)

PIPES MOTORSPORTS GROUP

TBC – SX1
TBC – SX1
Kyle Chisholm (USA) – SX2
Robbie Wageman (USA) – SX2

QUAD LOCK HONDA

Joey Savatgy (USA) – SX1
TBC – SX1
Shane McElrath (USA) – SX2
Brodie Connolly (NZL) – SX2

MOTOCONCEPTS RACING

Austin Politelli (USA) – SX1
Ryan Breece (USA) – SX1
Noah Viney (USA) – SX2
Cullin Park (USA) – SX2

VENUM BUD RACING KAWASAKI

Justin Hill (USA) – SX1
Quentin Prugnieres (FRA) – SX1
Cole Thompson (CAN) – SX2
Kyle Peters (USA) – SX2

RICK WARE RACING

Henry Miller (USA) – SX1
Devin Simonson (USA) – SX1
Enzo Lopes (BRA) – SX2
Coty Schock (USA) – SX2

GSM STAR RACING YAMAHA

Greg Aranda (FRA) – SX1
Jordi Tixier (FRA) – SX1
Max Anstie (GBR) – SX2
Maxime Desprey (FRA) – SX2

STARK FUTURE

TBC – SX1
TBC – SX1
TBC – SX2
TBC – SX2

WILDCARDS

Cooper Webb (USA) – SX1 – Australian GP
Eli Tomac (USA) – SX1 – Australian GP & Canadian GP
Justin Cooper (USA) – SX1 – Buenos Aires City CP & Canadian GP
Tom Vialle (FRA) – SX1 – Buenos Aires City GP & Australian GP
Reid Taylor (AUS) – SX2 – Australian GP
Plus more to be announced

2025 FIM WORLD SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR:

Round 01: Malaysian GP, Kuala Lumpur – Stadium Merdeka, 18th October
Round 02: Buenos Aires City GP, Argentina – Oscar & Juan Gálvez Racetrack, 8th November
Round 03: Canadian GP, Vancouver – BC Place, 15th November
Round 04: Australian GP, Gold Coast – Cbus Super Stadium, 29th November
Round 05: South African GP, Cape Town – DHL Stadium, 13th December

Front Row Motorsports: Darlington Raceway Competition Notes – Noah Gragson

Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Long John Silver’s Ford Team
Darlington Raceway Competition Notes
Southern 500

Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Event: Race 29 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Darlington Raceway (1.3-miles)
#of Laps: 367
Time/TV/Radio: 6:00 PM ET on USA/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Noah Gragson Notes

Noah Gragson and the No. 4 team return to Darlington Raceway in South Carolina this Sunday for one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, the Southern 500. This year’s race will mark Gragson’s fifth career NASCAR Cup Series start at the 1.3-mile oval, and his second in the Southern 500. Gragson finished 19th in April’s Goodyear 400. Gragson’s history at the Darlington Raceway at the Xfinity Series level is strong, having only one finish outside the top-10 in eight starts. In total, Gragson has two wins, five top-five, and seven top-10 finishes in the feeder series at the track.

“Darlington is such a fun but challenging racetrack, and with the Southern 500 it’s always a true test,” said Gragson. “It’s a long race that wears you out mentally and emotionally, and you’ve got to stay locked in for 500 miles. I enjoy it a ton because I feel like I know every bump and crack around that place. If the car’s handling one way, I can adjust my line and really help the balance. I just have a good feel for what the track gives me and how to make the most of it. We had a top-20 there in the spring, and I’m excited to go back and build on that.”
Road Crew

Driver: Noah Gragson

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Joey Forgette

Hometown: Iron Mountain, Michigan

Engineer: Dillon Silverman

Hometown: Chico, California

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Tony Infinger

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

Tire Specialist: Chris Aunspaw

Hometown: Zelienople, Pennsylvania

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Spotter: Nick Del Campo

Hometown: Blauvelt, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Nate “Cookie” Eller

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Thomas Hatcher

Hometown: Middleburg, Florida

Rear Tire Changer: Adam Riley

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Tire Carrier: Jarren Davis

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Jackman: Nate McBride

Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia

Fueler: Ray Hernandez

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

ABOUT LONG JOHN SILVER’S

Long John Silver’s was founded in 1969 and is on a mission to create treasured moments through high-quality food and bell-ringing service. With restaurants from sea to mouth-watering sea, Long John Silver’s continues building on a belief that the unique seafood experience from the coasts should be accessible to all. Learn more at ljsilvers.com or join the conversation via social media on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: SOUTHERN 500 RACE PREVIEW

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: SOUTHERN 500 PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Cook Out Southern 500
DATE: August 31, 2025
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series 27 of 36
TRACK: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway | 1.366-Mile Oval

CLUB MINUTES:

JJ – TWO-TIME SOUTHERN 500 CHAMP: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB co-owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson has 24 Cup Series starts at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. In his career, Johnson is a two-time Southern 500 champion and a three-time winner at Darlington. He has earned nine top-fives and 13 top-10s at the track nicknamed “The Lady in Black” as well as led 563 laps. His first win at Darlington came in March 2005 when Johnson started 11th and led 69 laps en route to a .132 of a second margin of victory over Bobby Labonte. He followed that up in the November 2004 Southern 500 when he started fourth, led 124 laps, and bested Mark Martin by .959 of a second. His final win at Darlington came in the 2012 Southern 500 when he started second, led 134 laps, and beat Denny Hamlin by .781 of a second.

KENSETH WINS AT DARLINGTON: LEGACY MC competition advisor Matt Kenseth owns 28 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway. He earned one win, three top-fives, and 13 top-10s in these starts and led 193 laps. Kenseth is also a Southern 500 winner. A year after Johnson’s win in 2012, Kenseth started seventh and led 17 laps en route to a 3.155 seconds margins of victory over Denny Hamlin.

THE KING AT DARLINGTON: Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and LEGACY MC ambassador Richard Petty owns 65 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway and is also a Southern 500 champion. In total, he accumulated three wins, 25 top-fives, and 34 top-10s at Darlington. He also led 2,391 laps at the 1.366-mile oval. His first victory came in April 1966 where Petty started on the pole and led 281 of 291 laps to find victory lane. He found victory lane again in May 1967 when he started second behind David Pearson and led 266 laps to win his second race at the track. His final win came in the September 1967 Southern 500 where Petty once again started on the pole and led a total of 345 laps to best David Pearson once again.

HONORING LOCAL HEROES: This weekend at Darlington, LEGACY MC will pay tribute to fallen Darlington County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Devin Mason with a commemorative decal on both the No. 42 and No. 43 Toyota Camry XSEs. Additionally, Deputy Mason will ride along with John Hunter Nemechek as his name is displayed above the driver-side door on the No. 42 Pye-Barker Fire & Safety Toyota Camry XSE.

On June 30, Nemechek visited the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office to meet with first responders and gain insight into their service to the community. The following evening on July 1, Deputy Mason was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call in Darlington. His sacrifice serves as a reminder of the daily risks law enforcement officers face to keep their communities safe.

CROWN JEWEL NUMBER SHADOWING: LEGACY MC’s Number Shadowing program will be back this weekend for the Crown Jewel race of the Southern 500. As part of the program that was announced prior to the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway, the shadows of Parts Blue on the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE and Lee Petty’s red on the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE will be on the door for NASCAR’s Crown Jewel races – which include the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 500, Brickyard 400, the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, and the Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

NEVER SETTLE NOW ON YOUTUBE: Join ESPN’s Marty Smith and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s co-owner Jimmie Johnson for their weekly podcast, “Never Settle”. The podcast airs live on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 at 2 p.m. EDT every Wednesday and can be downloaded wherever fans source their podcasts.

This week’s guest is Greg Olsen, former NFL Carolina Panthers tight end and sportscaster for FOX Sports. NEW Fans can now tune into Never Settle on YouTube and watch the behind the scenes as well as full episodes. Click HERE to watch and subscribe.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN TAKES ON ‘THE LADY IN BLACK’: John Hunter Nemechek has six starts at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series. He earned his highest finish of ninth in his first start there in the first race of the May 2020 doubleheader. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he has six starts at Darlington, earning three top-5 finishes and two poles, earned in May 2023 and September 2023. He also earned his highest finish of third in the May 2023 race. Nemechek also has three starts at Darlington in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he won in May 2022, earned two poles in May 2021 and 2022, and never finished worse than eighth, including two top-two finishes.

TRUCK SERIES WINNER AT DARLINGTON: In May 2022, Nemechek took home the checkered flag in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race after starting on the pole. He led 69 out of 147 laps and won with a .552 margin of victory over Carson Hocevar. Nemechek was running a full time season in the Truck Series in 2022, and Darlington marked his first of two wins that season.

T-MACK DARLINGTON STATS: Sunday evening’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s 10th NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington. His first outing at the 1.366-mile oval came in May 2021 with Daniel Suárez, and the duo competed for six total races between 2021 and 2023. Mack’s highest finish of tenth came with Suárez in May 2022. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Mack made four starts at Darlington with Michael Annett between 2018 and 2020, earning two top-10 finishes and a best result of eighth in September 2020.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“Darlington has been a strong track for me in other series, so I’m excited to get back there and see what we can do based on what we’ve learned so far this season. We’ve had really fast LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyotas recently, so I’m feeling confident that we’ll be able to capitalize on that speed and have a strong weekend.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“I’m happy we get a second run at an intermediate track. We feel like we’ve made big improvements since the spring race at Darlington. We’ve been reviewing our notes and noticed upwards trends, and we can build off Indy and the cars we’ve been bringing to the racetrack. We feel good about Darlington.”

PHOTO CREDIT: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
THAT JONES BOY AT DARLINGTON: Sunday evening’s Cook Out Southern 500 will mark Erik Jones’ 16th NASCAR Cup Series start at historic Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Jones made a name for himself at the 1.366-mile oval where he owns two Southern 500 victories, five top-fives, and eight top-10s. He has led 132 laps in his career at Darlington. He an additional two starts at Darlington in the NASCAR Xfinity Series where he never started worse than 11th and never finished outside the top-six. In his first start there in September 2016, Jones started 10th and finished an impressive sixth. He followed that up in September 2017 when he started 11th and earned a fourth-place result.

TWO-TIME SOUTHERN 500 WINNER: Jones is not only a winner at Darlington, but a two-time Southern 500 winner. The crown jewel race has been kind to the Byron, Michigan native in his career. His first Southern 500 victory came in September 2019. Jones started 15th and led 79 laps en route to a 4.058 second victory over Kyle Larson. After a couple of top 10s, Jones found victory lane at Darlington once again in the September 2022 Southern 500. He once again started 15th and led a total of 23 laps to find victory lane with a .252 of a second margin of victory over Denny Hamlin.

BESHORE DARLINGTON STATS: Crew chief Ben Beshore has seven NASCAR Cup Series under his belt at Darlington Raceway. He made his first start in May 2012 with Kyle Busch who started third and finished in the same position, his best Cup Series finish at the track. He worked another three races with Busch before moving over to John Hunter Nemechek in the 2024 season. The duo finished 31st and 25th, respectively. He then moved over to Jones with several races to go in the 2024 season. He finished 17th earlier this year at Darlington with the No. 43 team. He has an additional five races on top of the box in Darlington in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Denny Hamlin, Harrison Burton, and Nemechek. He earned a best finish of third after starting on the pole with Nemechek in September 2023. In the Xfinity Series, he only finished outside of the top 10 once with his drivers and led 183 laps.

ERIK JONES QUOTE
“I’ve always been comfortable at Darlington. It’s a place where I’ve done well and had a lot of speed. It reminds me of a lot of the tracks I grew up racing on. I’ve been lucky to be able to not only win two Southern 500s, but also just have really strong runs at this track. There are some places that you just get that feeling and Darlington is one of them for me. I know the No. 43 team will bring me a strong car, and I’m excited to get to Darlington and see what we can do.”

BEN BESHORE QUOTE
“There are a few keys to being successful at Darlington. It’s an asymmetrical track with a big, wide radius in Turn 1 versus a tighter radius in Turn 3. You’re sort of trying to balance both ends as well as you can. Typically, you’re a little free across Turns 1 and 2 with some bumps off of Turn 2. Then you’re tight when you’re trying to run the wall in Turns 3 and 4. We want to put a good setup underneath him that is a good compromise for both ends of the racetrack. It’s going to come down to qualifying well and having good pit stops. You’re probably going to have a lot of green flag runs and pitting under green. You have to execute all the tiny details and not have the mistakes. Then, you can chip forward as other guys do make mistakes or have tire issues. It’s a long race though, so you can also have time to get back in it. You can get off strategy and catch a caution at a different spot. I’m excited to get to Darlington.”

CLUB APPEARANCES:
Jones will be at the NASCAR Experience Stage for a Q&A session on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 2:45 p.m. local time.

Nemechek will be at the NASCAR Classics trackside merchandise rig to sign for fans at 3:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, Aug. 31.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on Sunday, August 31 at 6 p.m. EDT on USA, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization co-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 Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

Trans Am Series Announces 2026 Schedule for 60th-Anniversary Season

National Championship Returns to The Brickyard, Adds Two Doubleheader Events Next Season

CHARLOTTE (August 26, 2025) — The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli announces its 2026 schedule for its 60th-anniversary season. As the longest-running professional road racing series in North America celebrates six decades of competition, the National Championship will visit 10 bucket list venues across the United States and Canada, while the Western Championship will feature a five-race schedule at three iconic tracks.

The 12-race National Championship calendar includes a return to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway after a two-year absence, along with many competitor and fan-favorite venues from past seasons. Two doubleheader events are also on the schedule at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International, giving fans at those popular tracks four races in a weekend between the TA/GT classes and the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series.

The Western Championship will join the National Championship for two events next season, while hosting one standalone doubleheader.

The National Championship will begin its 60th-anniversary season as it has since 2013, at the birthplace of Trans Am, Sebring International Raceway (February 26-March 1). The season-opener will be preceded by a two-day Sebring test (January 21-22). Sebring is the track where the series, originally named the Trans-American Sedan Championship, made its debut on March 25, 1966, and the historic venue has hosted 31 Trans Am races over the past 59 years.

After Sebring, Trans Am will travel to Road Atlanta (March 12-15). The series will then head west to Sonoma Raceway (April 23-26) for a doubleheader event with the Western Championship, hosting two TA/GT and two CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series races in one weekend. Next, is a trip to Lime Rock Park for its longstanding tradition of racing on Memorial Day Weekend (May 21-23).

In the next round, the series will return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time since 2023 (June 18-21), which will go back-to-back with Road America the following weekend (June 25-28). The series then heads to Watkins Glen International for a summer doubleheader (July 16-19). Teams will head North of the border to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (September 3-6) to participate in the Labour Day Weekend Sprints before the penultimate race of the season will be held at VIRginia International Raceway (September 17-20). Teams will visit Circuit of The Americas (November 5-8) for a season finale combination event with the Western Championship. The weekend will be capped off with the series’ year-end awards gala.

2026 Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli National Championship Schedule

January 21-22 – Sebring International Raceway Test (Sebring, Fla.)
Feb. 26-Mar.1 – Sebring International Raceway (Sebring, Fla.)
March 12-15 – Road Atlanta (Braselton, Ga.)
April 23-26 – Sonoma Raceway (Sonoma, Calif.)*
May 21-23 – Lime Rock Park (Lakeville, Conn.)
June 18-21 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Ind.)
June 25-28 – Road America (Plymouth, Wis.)
July 16-19 – Watkins Glen International (Watkins Glen, N.Y.)*
September 3-6 – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Bowmanville, Ontario)
September 17-20 – VIRginia International Raceway (Alton, Va.)
November 5-8 – Circuit of The Americas (Austin, Texas)
*Denotes Doubleheader

Western Championship Schedule Features Five Points-Paying Events

The 2025 Western Championship schedule kicks off its 10th season of competition with a doubleheader combination event with the National Championship at Sonoma Raceway (April 23-26), providing two races each for the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series and TA/TA Cup/XGT/SGT/GT classes.

Drivers return to action in the fall for a standalone doubleheader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (October 2-4). As in seasons past, the schedule will conclude at Circuit of The Americas (November 5-8) for a championship weekend with the National Championship. Western competitors will be celebrated at the awards gala that Sunday.

2026 Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Western Championship Schedule

April 23-26 – Sonoma Raceway (Sonoma, Calif.)*
October 2-4 – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (Salinas, Calif.)*
November 5-8 – Circuit of The Americas (Austin, Texas)
*Denotes Doubleheader

“I am really happy with the quality of tracks that we have for 2026,” said Trans Am President Andy Lally. “Trans Am released their best schedule ever in 2025, and to be able to improve upon that by having our Trans Am Series class winners kiss the bricks at Indianapolis is just icing on the cake. That track is a crown jewel on any series’ schedule. Additionally, in all of my years in motorsports, it’s tough to remember a time when racing did not get more expensive each year. We listened to our teams, who expressed concerns about rising travel expenses, and we are experimenting with two doubleheader weekends at great tracks in an effort to deliver the same amount of racing, while reducing travel costs.”

As the 2025 season approaches its exciting conclusion, the Trans Am Series returns to action this weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, August 28-30, followed by VIRginia International Raceway, September 18-21. The Western Championship next heads to Thunderhill Raceway Park on October 10-12 for their final doubleheader weekend of the season. The National Championship makes its debut at Barber Motorsports Park, October 17-19, before both championships then converge for the season finale at Circuit of The Americas, October 30-November 2.

About the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli: The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is the longest-running professional road racing series in North America. Founded in 1966, the Trans Am Series and has excited audiences for nearly 60 years with its combination of powerful American muscle cars and elite GT cars from around the world. With several diverse and competitive classes of racecars and both National and Western Championships, Trans Am offers something for every fan and every competitor. The series will host 11 events nationwide in 2026. For more information, visit GoTransAm.com.

Spire Motorsports Sober or Slammer 200 Race Advance

  • In four NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Spire Motorsports has earned one top-10 finish. Chase Purdy collected a team-best sixth-place result at the famed 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval last May. The Mooresville, N.C., organization fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets full time in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The No. 7 entry will see a rotating roster of all-star caliber drivers throughout the remainder of the season, while Rajah Caruth and NASCAR Cup Series veteran Corey LaJoie will pilot the Nos. 71 and 77, respectively.
  • The Sober or Slammer 200 will be televised live on FS1 Saturday, Aug. 30 beginning at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The first round of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoffs will be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

Corey Day – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Corey Day will race Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado in Saturday’s Sober or Slammer 200 at Darlington Raceway.
  • The 200-mile event will mark the Clovis, Calif., native’s 12th CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start and eighth with Spire Motorsports. Last month, Day secured his second consecutive top five via a career-best runner-up finish at Indianapolis Raceway Park. He previously finished fifth at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway in June and scored his first-career Kennametal Pole Award in his season debut at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
  • The Hendrick Motorsports development driver has started five races behind the wheel of the team’s No. 17 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. His series-best 11th-place finish also came in May at Nashville Superspeedway.
  • In three ARCA Menards Series appearances with Spire Motorsports in 2025, including the national tour and ARCA Menards Series West competition, Day buoyed a disappointing start to the season at Daytona (Fla.) International Raceway by earning top-10 results at Phoenix Raceway (10th) and Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway (seventh). He will contest his fourth and final event aboard the team’s No. 77 Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway Sept. 26.
  • The 19-year-old will round out his nine-race CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule in two weeks at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
  • The open-wheel phenom is coming off a $100,071 payday at last weekend’s Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. He started from the pole after collecting the most points and earning an additional $10,000 for winning Thursday’s preliminary event.
  • HENDRICKCARS.COM is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
  • Day will race Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-083 Saturday afternoon. Day raced the same truck earlier this season at Nashville and Las Vegas, collecting a fifth-place result and a Kennametal Pole Award, respectively.

Corey Day Quote
What are your thoughts heading to Darlington Raceway, another new track for you?
“I am definitely excited to get to Darlington [Raceway] coming off a couple pretty good runs in the Truck. I hope to continue the momentum at a place that seems to lend itself for dirt guys to be successful there. Definitely excited about that. I know Spire Motorsports will prepare a solid HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevy Silverado for this weekend. One of the key factors will be how quick I can get up to speed at and adapt.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Brian Pattie

  • Brian Pattie stands atop of the No. 7 pit box, an entry that has seen an abundance of all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2025 season.
  • The No. 7 team qualified for the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner’s playoffs and sit seventh on the grid, two points ahead of the Round of 8 cutoff. Through the 18-race regular season, the crew tallied two wins, six top fives and eight top 10s.
  • The Zephyrhills, Fla., native has called two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Darlington, highlighted by a fourth-place finish with William Byron in 2023.
  • In a combined 25 races atop the pit box in NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series competition at Darlington, the 50-year-old has collected a pair of top fives. He led both Joe Nemechek (Xfinity, 1999) and Juan Pablo Montoya (Cup, 2010) to fifth-place finishes.
  • In May, the team and driver Carson Hocevar claimed victory in the Heart of Health Care 200 at Kansas Speedway. Hocevar led 75 of the event’s 134 laps and survived last-lap contact en route to his fifth victory in the series and first aboard a Spire Motorsports- prepared Chevy Silverado.
  • The No. 7 team defended its 2024 victory in the Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February with Kyle Busch behind the wheel. The Las Vegas driver spent all 135 laps in the top 15 while leading a race-high 80 laps and recording a field-leading average running position (3.2) and driver rating (124.6).
  • The 24-year industry veteran spent 14 seasons in NASCAR’s premier division. As a crew chief, he’s amassed six wins in Cup Series competition, 11 in the Xfinity Series and seven in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. He stands as one of 11 crew chiefs to win races across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series.

Rajah Caruth – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Rajah Caruth will handle the driving chores for Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado in Saturday’s Sober or Slammer 200 at Darlington Raceway.
  • This weekend, Spire Motorsports will be participating in the Martin Truex, Jr., Foundation and NASCAR Foundation’s Honor a Cancer Hero Campaign. Susan Mummert and Fannie Prince will ride on the driver’s- and passenger’s-side name rails, respectively, of Caruth’s HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevy Silverado.
  • Susan Memmert was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2017, months after their family had moved to South Carolina from Pennsylvania. The exciting new chapter of their lives filled with palm trees and salt air was brought to a halt by the grim reality of an uncertain future. Surgery was nearly immediately scheduled at Johns Hopkins, then months and months of recovery and chemotherapy followed. With her treatment happening in Maryland and the family remaining in South Carolina, they were apart for the remainder of 2017 and most of 2018. Many would have succumbed to such an immense physical and emotional toll, but thanks to the exceptional care by the folks at Hopkins, she survived and has been cancer free for over seven years. She’s now thriving and enjoying her new home. She’s become a tireless advocate for ovarian cancer awareness, while helping teach nursing students about the needs of ovarian cancer patients.
  • Fannie Prince was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through surgery to remove the cancerous tumors and radiation to prevent further spread. Throughout, she remained optimistic and prayerful for a good outcome. Her family was by her side throughout the surgery and treatment processes, and when she finally rang the bell.
  • The 23-year-old secured his second CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoff appearance after claiming victory at Nashville Superspeedway in May. He sits eighth on the playoff grid two points above the Round of 8 cutline.
  • Caruth has two prior CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval and secured a venue-best sixth-place result in his first Darlington appearance in 2023. Last season, he was competing for position in the top 10 until he was swept up in a multi-truck incident. The Winston-Salem (N.C.) State University graduate also owns one NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the track in August 2023 where he earned a 16th-place finish.
  • Through the 18-race CRAFTSMAN Truck Series regular season, the Washington, D.C., native registered one win, three top fives and nine top 10s. He has led 189 laps, tripling his 57 career laps led entering the year.
  • In the No. 71 team’s first playoff appearance in 2024, Caruth and Co. advanced to the Round of 8, but mechanical issues stalled their Championship 4 hopes in the season’s penultimate event at Martinsville Speedway.
  • With his first career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last season, Caruth became the third African-American driver to win a NASCAR National Touring Series race, joining 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Wendell Scott and current Cup Series star Bubba Wallace.
  • HENDRICKCARS.COM is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
  • The blue and white HENDRICKCARS.COM colors will wrap Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-080. The truck has seen action six times, including a chassis-best third-place finish with Caruth in May at Texas Motor Speedway.

Rajah Caruth Quotes
What are you feeling as the playoffs kick off this weekend and how do you believe the intensity will ramp up?
“I like the excitement. It is cool to kick things off at Darlington and be in sync with the Cup guys. I’m just excited for the opportunity to be able to perform, and do so when it matters most. I’ve learned a lot over the last couple years, and I think it builds up to this opportunity and this final stretch of seven races. I’ve been close at Darlington the last two years, specifically in 2023. I don’t expect anything different. If anything, I expect to be running up front instead of third. Hopefully we have a good practice and qualifying session on Friday to help us start fast Saturday.”

You have talked about how you enjoy racing at Darlington and it suits your driving style, despite being one of the toughest tracks on the schedule. Why is Darlington a favorite for you?
“I think Darlington is a place that suits my driving style for how worn out it is and reflects the high speeds of a mile-and-a-half. The pavement reflects places like Myrtle Beach (Speedway), Florence (Motor Speedway), Richmond (Raceway) and Southern National (Motorsports Park). Those are places I raced early in my career. Darlington just clicked for me the first time I raced there. I’m excited to get out there this weekend and hopefully we can lock our No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado into the Round of 8.”

Atop the No. 71 Box – Crew Chief Kevin “Bono” Manion

  • Veteran crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion has called five CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Darlington Raceway. Last season, he led Nick Sanchez to the pole position and a runner-up finish.
  • The Boylston, Mass., native has stood atop the box for four NASCAR Xfinity Series events at “The Lady in Black,” collecting three top fives and four top 10s. Most recently, he called Carson Hocevar’s sixth-place result in May 2023. It marked the first of four appearances for Spire Motorsports’ part-time Xfinity Series entry.
  • Manion, a 31-year veteran of the sport, founded Spire Motorsports’ CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program alongside industry veteran Mike Greci in 2022. The team claimed victory in its second outing with driver William Byron at Martinsville Speedway.
  • The 53-year-old has racked up six Cup Series victories – including the 2010 Daytona 500 – 17 NASCAR Xfinity Series triumphs and 12 CRAFTSMAN Truck series wins. Manion is also one of 11 crew chiefs to have called wins across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series.
  • In 2023, Manion became one of few to call a race in all three of NASCAR’s national series in a single season, all of which came under the Spire Motorsports umbrella. He led the part-time effort on the No. 7 Silverado in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, helped in limited starts for Carson Hocevar in the Xfinity Series and took the reigns during the second half of the Cup Series season for Ty Dillon and the No. 77 team.

Corey LaJoie – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Corey LaJoie will drive Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado in the Sober or Slammer 200 at Darlington Raceway.
  • Friday’s 147-lap event will mark LaJoie’s eighth career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start and third of the season with Spire Motorsports. The 33-year-old has snagged two fifth-place finishes in as many 2025 starts.
  • The Concord, N.C., native has one prior CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at Darlington. LaJoie started 29th and finished 16th in the May 2023 event with Spire Motorsports’ upstart CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program. Crew chief “Bono” Manion was atop the pit box for the No. 7 effort.
  • Last time out at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, LaJoie drove the No. 77 Gainbridge Silverado to a fifth-place finish from the 26th starting position. Crew chief Chad Walter decided to stay out as long as possible during the green-flag pit cycle in the Final Stage in hopes of catching a caution flag and gaining valuable track position. To the team’s credit, the yellow flag was displayed on Lap 200 while the No. 77 team was running fourth. LaJoie hit pit road during the caution period for four fresh tires and fuel and lined up fifth for the 35-lap sprint to the finish. He survived a physical restart to secure his second top-five result of the year.
  • The former Spire Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series driver owns 14 series starts at the 1.366-mile oval. Last September, LaJoie secured a venue-best ninth-place result in the prestigious Southern 500 at the wheel of the No. 7 Chili’s Chevrolet.
  • LaJoie is familiar with Victory Lane in the “Palmetto State.” In 2012, he powered his family-owned No. 07 to an ARCA Menards Series East victory at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. In four series starts at the famed half-mile, “Supershoe” collected one pole, one win, and two top fives.
  • The short-track stalwart finished fourth in a UARA STARS Late Model Series event at South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2009. He bested current Cup Series star Bubba Wallace and Spire Motorsports Director of Vehicle Performance Matt McCall during the 150 lapper.
  • Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.com or follow and connect with Gainbridge on X and LinkedIn.
  • LaJoie will pilot Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-088 on Saturday. In the truck’s most recent of two appearances, Andres Perez de Lara earned a chassis-best ninth-place result at Michigan International Speedway in June.

Corey LaJoie Quote
Coming off of your second top five in two starts, what is your outlook for the remainder of the season, including Darlington this Saturday?
“It is really cool to be two-for-two in top fives in my Spire Motorsports reunion, including my least favorite track, Richmond. We looked really good preparing in the simulator for Darlington, and Chad (Walter, crew chief) and the whole No. 77 team has been working really hard to build us a fast Gainbridge Silverado. I really enjoy racing at Darlington with how much history it holds. I have so many great memories there as a kid watching my dad race. As we finish off the year, I would hate to think we can’t go win a couple of these last seven races.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Chad Walter

  • Chad Walter has called five CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Darlington Raceway. He secured a venue-best sixth-place finish at “The Lady in Black” with Rajah Caruth in 2023.
  • In NASCAR Xfinity Series competition, Walter has tallied two top-five and four top-10 finishes, highlighted by a fourth-place result in 2012 with Sam Hornish, Jr., at the controls.
  • Early in his career, the Albion, N.Y., native served as a pit crew member for fellow northeasterner Steve Park, including the March 2001 NASCAR Cup Series event at Darlington. Park led 164 laps and looked to be headed for the win until a late-race caution erased his three-plus-second lead. He was ultimately passed by Dale Jarrett and forced to settle for a runner-up finish. Fellow Spire Motorsports crew chief “Bono” Manion also served as the car chief on the No. 1 team that weekend.
  • Between NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, the Cornell University graduate has racked up six wins, 53 top fives and 132 top 10s.

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

In 2025, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and an ARCA Menards Series Chevrolet in select events.

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: Darlington Raceway

NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: DARLINGTON RACEWAY
Event: Sober or Slammer 200 (147 laps / 200.8 miles)
Round: 19 of 25 (Playoffs Round of 10)
Track: Darlington Raceway
Location: Darlington, South Carolina
Date & Time: Saturday, August 30 | 12:00 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | NASCAR Racing Network (NRN) | SiriusXM Ch. 90

Team Stats & Notes

  • Niece Motorsports Darlington Stats: Niece drivers have accounted for a combined 21 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) starts at Darlington Raceway. Last season, Ross Chastain delivered the organization its first win at the track in an exciting dash to the checkered flag. The team has amassed one race win, four top-fives, and four top-10 finishes here over the years.

No. 42 J.F. Electric Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Landon Polinski

  • Mills’ Darlington Stats: Matt Mills has made one NCTS start at Darlington Raceway, where he finished 11th last season. Mills competed in eight NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) races held at ‘The Lady in Black’, finishing as high as 22nd in 2020.
  • Polinski’s Darlington Stats: Landon Polinski will make his first start as a crew chief at Darlington Raceway on Saturday.
  • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric, who will be featured as a co-branded primary sponsor along with DQS Solutions & Staffing and Precision Vehicle Logistics.
  • Honoring Cancer Heroes: The No. 42 Chevrolet will carry two special names displayed on the roof this weekend as part of a special project with The NASCAR Foundation and Martin Truex Jr. Foundation. Roger Collier and Douglas Cambron will both be featured on Mills’ driver’s side and passenger side, respectively, as part of the special program. Chambron is a survivor of testicular cancer.
  • Recapping Richmond: Matt Mills and the No. 42 team came away as the lead truck for the organization in Richmond. Mills started the race in 20th and had to fight for a shot to get back onto the lead lap following a quick opening stage. Through strategy, the team almost caught the break they were looking for and nearly got back onto the lead lap. Ultimately, Mills rebounded for a 17th-place result in the 250-lap race.
  • Points Rundown: Mills continues to hold onto 18th-place in the championship points standings following the regular season finale in Richmond. As he enters the remaining seven races of the year, Mills currently sits only eight points behind Andrés Pérez de Lara in 17th, and 29 points ahead of Jack Wood in 19th-place.
  • Quoting Mills: Last time trucks raced at Darlington was early in the year, so do you think coming back in the heat of the day will have a big impact on grip?

“Darlington is a high-wear track on our tires, so I think either way, the tire management is going to be a key factor. This has been another good track for me similar to Richmond and Homestead. I’m better at those places that you have to conserve your stuff at because that fits my driving style. We were good there last year till we had some issues, but we came back and were top-10 worthy. Hopefully we can capitalize on that again this time with our J.F. Electric Chevy.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

No. 44 Telcel Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Andrés Pérez de Lara | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

  • Pérez de Lara’s Darlington Stats: Andrés Pérez de Lara will make his first-career NCTS start at Darlington Raceway on Saturday.
  • Rogers’ Darlington Stats: Wally Rogers has called six NCTS races at Darlington, including one race where he picked up a top-10 (eighth with Matt Crafton in 2004). Rogers has also competed in 10 NXS races and three Cup Series events at the historic track.
  • On the Truck: Pérez de Lara’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Telcel, a Mexican telecommunications giant, along with associate partners, Claro and Infinitum.
  • Honoring Cancer Heroes: The No. 44 Chevrolet will carry two special passengers on it this week as part of an initiative by The NASCAR Foundation and Martin Truex Jr. Foundations. Jeanann Orna, who sadly passed away after battling both breast cancer and stage four ovarian cancer, will be featured on the driver’s side of Pérez de Lara’s truck. Kirsten Morrow, a breast cancer survivor of three years, will ride along on the passenger side.
  • Recapping Richmond: Andrés Pérez de Lara and the No. 44 team battled through adversity in Richmond and salvaged a decent night. Pérez de Lara struggled to find pace early on, but showed speed in stage two. The team made a bold strategy call to wave around onto the lead lap, but was quickly spun around on a restart where a caution did not fly. Stuck on old tires, Pérez de Lara fell back off the lead lap, but carried forward to finish in 21st-place.
  • Points Rundown: Pérez de Lara remains 17th in the point standings as he continues his rookie campaign. Looking ahead to Darlington, the driver is 19 points behind Matt Crafton in 16th-place, and eight points ahead of Matt Mills in 18th.
  • Quoting Pérez de Lara: This track is so different from your typical intermediate track, so what do you expect racing there for the first time?

“Darlington is a very technical track, so I’d say the adaptation process will be pretty big for me since I’ve never raced there before. I know my team better now since we have a race together, but there are still a lot of things to adapt to. We just have to try to execute and have a solid day as I keep learning. I think it will be a fun experience with the Telcel No. 44 team.”

About Telcel: Telcel is Mexico’s leading telecommunications company, providing nationwide coverage, cutting-edge mobile connectivity, and high-speed internet services to millions of users. With over 30 years of experience, Telcel continues to innovate in digital communication, offering solutions that keep people connected anytime, anywhere.

No. 45 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

  • Currey’s Darlington Stats: Bayley Currey has competed in three NCTS races at Darlington Raceway. Currey’s best result of 12th-place came in 2020, and the driver finished 22nd last year after suffering a flat tire with just a handful of laps to go. In six NXS starts at the legendary track, Currey’s best finish of 19th happened in 2022.
  • Gould’s Darlington Stats: Phil Gould has called six NCTS races at Darlington, resulting in one win and four top-fives. Gould is the defending race-winning crew chief for this event, having led Ross Chastain to victory lane here last season. In six NXS starts here, Gould’s best finish was 11th-place (twice).
  • On the Truck: Currey’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from DQS Solutions & Staffing, who will be featured as a co-branded primary sponsor along with J.F. Electric and Precision Vehicle Logistics.
  • Honoring Cancer Heroes: As part of the annual Honor a Cancer Hero program with The NASCAR Foundation and Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, Currey’s No. 45 Chevrolet will feature a special passenger on it this weekend. Donna Benallie, a breast cancer survivor and mother of a Niece Motorsports pit crew member, will also be in attendance for the race.
  • Eldora Bound: Next week from September 4-6, Currey will compete in the 55th Annual World 100 race at Eldora Speedway with the Niece Motorsports dirt team. He will race a special throwback paint scheme which pays homage to Charles ‘Chuck’ Efaw, father of the organization’s CEO, Cody Efaw. The iconic Super Late Model race showcases the best talent in the country and will be broadcast live on FloRacing.
  • Recapping Richmond: Bayley Currey and the No. 45 team put up a valiant effort in Richmond, but unfortunately were unable to get the result needed to qualify for the Owner Playoffs. Currey qualified the highest for the team in 13th, but fell back early in the race. At the end of the first stage, the team fell off the lead lap and had to fight hard to get their position back the rest of the night. Through various strategy calls, the No. 45 nearly got back into the picture, but had to settle for a 20th-place finish.
  • Owner Points Rundown: Though the No. 45 team did not qualify for the Owner Playoffs, the team now assumes the position of ‘best of the rest’ in 11th-place. With a sizable 63-point gap over ThorSport Racing’s No. 13 entry, the team’s goal remains to finish in the same spot they started in – 11th.
  • Quoting Currey: Your team has a pretty good track record here at Darlington, so how optimistic are you in this weekend?

“Yeah, I’m very confident going to Darlington this weekend. It’s a really fun racetrack, and it’s a place that has been good to Niece Motorsports and I in the past. I’ve got a lot of experience there between Xfinity and Truck Series races, so it should be a good place for us to go and bounce back from Richmond at. I’m looking forward to going there with Phil (Gould) and the rest of our No. 45 team.”

About DQS Solutions & Staffing: Guided by a mission to achieve excellence and adaptability, DQS partners with clients to create custom solutions that address unique business challenges. Recognized as Michigan’s fastest-growing company and #22 in the nation on the Inc. 5000 list, DQS drives industry growth while giving back through its nonprofit, Foundation for Pops, and partnerships like the River Rouge School District.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, the team celebrates its 10th consecutive season competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) where it fields the Nos. 41, 42, 44 and 45. Since its founding in 2016, Niece Motorsports has garnered nine wins, 50+ top-fives, 100+ top-10s, 200+ top-15 finishes and made five playoff appearances. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a trusted build shop for the Chevrolet Silverados of multiple NCTS teams as well as a customizable fabrication shop for any manufacturing needs.

Follow the Team: To keep up to date with the latest team news, visit niecemotorsports.com or connect on Facebook and Instagram (@NieceMotorsports) as well as X (@NieceMotorsport).

Front Row Motorsports: Darlington Raceway Competition Notes- Todd Gilliland

Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 Grillo’s Pickles Ford Team
Darlington Raceway Competition Notes
Southern 500

Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Event: Race 29 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Darlington Raceway (1.3-miles)
#of Laps: 367
Time/TV/Radio: 6:00 PM ET on USA/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Todd Gilliland Notes

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Darlington Raceway this weekend for the Southern 500. Todd Gilliland has had his fair share of success at the 1.3-mile track, notching four top-15 finishes in seven Cup Series starts on the egg-shaped oval. In his three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Darlington, Gilliland has one top-five and two top-10 finishes.

Grillo’s Pickles will partner with Gilliland for the 367-lap event, bringing back their a “Hot Pickle” scheme from the Chicago Street Race. “I’m looking forward to running the ‘Hot Pickle’ car again,” said Gilliland. “Sam Sam didn’t make it many laps at Chicago so it’s only right to bring him back this weekend for another shot at a good result.”

“While we missed out on the Playoffs, we left Daytona with a solid result (11th) to give us some much-needed momentum heading into Darlington,” said Gilliland. “Darlington is a challenging place to navigate, but it is one of my favorite tracks on the schedule. We’re heading back to tracks we’ve already seen earlier this season, so we know what it takes to come away with better results—and there’s no better place to start than Darlington.”

Road Crew

Driver: Todd Gilliland

Hometown: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Chris Lawson

Hometown: Medway, Ohio

Car Chief: Joe Marra

Hometown: Somers, New York

Engineer: Marc Rullo

Hometown: Ringwood, New Jersey

Engineer: Kevyn Rebolledo

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Spotter: Brit Andersen

Hometown: Branford, Connecticut

Underneath Mechanic: Michael Brookes

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Interior Mechanic: Chance Burke

Hometown: Siler City, North Carolina

Tire Specialist: Billy John

Hometown: Pitman, New Jersey

Engine Tuner: Tim Meyer

Hometown: Beatrice, Nebraska

Transporter Driver: Randy Bernier

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Danny Olszowy

Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

Rear Tire Changer: Justin Fox

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Paul Steele

Hometown: Wichita, Kansas

Jackman: Landon Honeycutt

Hometown: Mount Pleasant, North Carolina

Fueler: Zeke Nance

Hometown: Calhoun, Georgia

ABOUT GRILLO’S PICKLES

For people who want freshness, Grillo’s is the pickle company that is changing the game. That’s because Grillo’s uses only clean, garden-fresh ingredients to make deliciously simple foods that deliver all the crunchy, tangy, satisfying flavor you’ve been searching for, with none of the junk. How do we do it? Our products are made cold, shipped cold, and consumed cold. You get an incredible crunch, and we never have to mess with artificial preservatives. In fact, the only thing traditional about us is our 100-year-old family recipe. The rest? It’s fresh. Grillo’s offers mouthwatering bites nationwide with their selection of spears, chips, wholes and Pickle de Gallo. For more information, visit GrillosPickles.com or contact grillos@autumncommunications.com.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

NASCAR Brings Innovative New Content Strategy to Fans on Substack

NASCAR becomes the first major league to launch on Substack Platform to immerse fans in the storylines and culture of the sport

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 26, 2025) – NASCAR today announced the launch of its official Substack newsletter, debuting on August 28, just ahead of the 2025 NASCAR Playoffs. The Substack will offer fans a new way to connect with the sport, spotlighting the personalities, competitive spirit and storylines that animate NASCAR beyond the track.

With this launch, NASCAR becomes the first major sports league to establish an official presence on Substack, underscoring its role as a first mover in adopting new digital platforms.

The initiative reflects the continued evolution of NASCAR’s content strategy, building on the momentum of NASCAR Studios, which has expanded the league’s storytelling through original programming including “Full Speed” on Netflix, “Earnhardt,” and “American Thunder” on Prime Video, as well as through gaming innovations such as the hit Driving Empire experience on Roblox, and the upcoming launch of NASCAR 25 on console in partnership with iRacing.

The Substack debut also comes during the first year of NASCAR’s new media rights deal, a landmark multi-partner agreement that has delivered results throughout the 2025 season. Coverage now spans broadcast/cable (FOX, NBC and TNT), free-to-air (The CW), and streaming (Prime Video/Max).

These initiatives across platforms show how NASCAR is redefining its media and content strategy by expanding storytelling, embracing new channels, and building deeper connections with the next generation of fans.

The move to Substack extends this momentum onto a fast-growing cultural platform. Substack now counts over tens of millions of total active subscribers and more than 5 million paid subscriptions across its network, reflecting its growing influence in media and publishing. NASCAR’s presence on the platform offers fans direct, narrative-driven access to the personalities, competitive spirit and culture that shape the sport.

“Substack gives us a powerful new way to tell NASCAR’s story with the voice and authenticity fans expect,” said Tim Clark, NASCAR EVP & Chief Brand Officer. “Today’s audiences, particularly younger fans, are looking beyond highlights and results to connect with the personalities, rivalries, and culture that fuel the sport. The NASCAR Substack will capture that energy in a way that brings fans closer than ever to the people and moments that showcase the drama and fun of a NASCAR season, particularly as we kick off our Playoffs.”

Fans can subscribe to the NASCAR Substack beginning the week of the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (Sunday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m. ET on USA Network), with the first edition set to publish on August 28 and regular editions continuing throughout the Playoffs.

About NASCAR

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

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

HFT Advance | Portland / Darlington II

Darlington II Event Info:
Date: Sunday, August 31
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Darlington, South Carolina
Format: 367 Laps, 501.32 Miles, Stages: 115-230-367
TV: USA
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Darlington Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 9 a.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 10:10 a.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 6 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Portland Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 3 p.m. ET, Xfinity Practice (CW App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 4:05 p.m. ET, Xfinity Qualifying (CW App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 7:30 p.m. ET, Xfinity Race (CW, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin this weekend with the running of the annual Southern 500, marking the 75th Anniversary of historic Darlington Raceway.
  • The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Portland International Raceway for the penultimate race before the start of the NXS playoffs.
  • Sheldon Creed (2023) and Sam Mayer (2024) are the two most recent pole winners at Portland, before they became teammates at Haas Factory Team.
  • Mayer (9.3) holds the second highest average finish among full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers this season, behind only Connor Zilisch (9.1)
  • Mayer has finished inside the top five in each of his previous four starts spanning Indianapolis (2nd), Iowa (1st), Watkins Glen (2nd), and Daytona (4th).
  • He has started inside the top 10 in 10 of his last 11 starts dating back to Nashville Superspeedway in May, including his lone pole of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway three weeks ago.
  • Mayer (840) sits third in the regular-season points standings behind Zilisch (863) and Justin Allgaier (866) with just two races remaining before the start of the playoffs.
  • Cole Custer posted a season-best fourth-place finish at Daytona last Saturday, his lone top five this season and the third of his Cup Series career.

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: Autodesk/HaasTooling.com

Sheldon Creed Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jonathan Toney
Partner: Pit Boss

Sam Mayer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jason Trinchere
Partner: Audibel

Custer at Darlington (Cup)
Starts: 8
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Custer makes his 9th Cup start at Darlington this weekend, where he has a 21.8 average finish.
  • He has started inside the top-15 twice with a career-best of P14 in 2020. Custer holds an average starting position of 24.3.
  • Custer has finished top 10 in all seven career NXS events at Darlington, including a victory in 2019 after starting P3, posting an average finish of 3.4.

Creed at Portland (Xfinity)
Starts: 3
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: 1 (2023)

  • Creed is set to make his fourth Xfinity start at Portland on Saturday, where he has one career top-10 finish which came in 2023 (7th). He finished 13th last season and led two laps.
  • He has started inside the top-10 in all three career starts at Portland, including a pole in 2023, and holds an average starting position of 4.7.

Mayer at Portland (Xfinity)
Starts: 3
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: 1 (2024)

  • Mayer is in line for his fourth Xfinity start at Portland this weekend, a track where he has finished in the top-10 once, P3 in 2023. He finished 28th last season after starting on the pole.
  • He has started inside the top-10 in two career starts at Portland, including a pole in 2024, and holds an average starting position of 13.7.

Where They Stand
Cup Points Standings (41: 33rd): Custer is 33rd in the Cup Series points standings with 340 points heading into Darlington this Sunday.

Xfinity Points Standings (41: 4th, 00: 10th): Mayer sits fourth in the Xfinity points standings with 840 total points on the season, behind the three multi-winners, while Creed is in 10th place with 651 points heading into Portland this Saturday.