Home Blog Page 173

Sam Mayer notches O’Reilly pole at Las Vegas

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Sam Mayer muscled his way to the pole position for The LiUNA! at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 14.

The event’s starting lineup was determined through a single-car, single-lap qualifying format. In this format, all 41 competitors vying for 38 starting spots cycled around Las Vegas Motor Speedway once while attempting to post the fastest lap. The competitor who posted the fastest single lap was awarded the pole position.

Mayer, who was the eighth-fastest competitor during Saturday’s lone practice session, clocked in a single pole-winning lap at 183.287 mph in 29.462 seconds. The lap was enough for the 22-year-old Mayer from Franklin, Wisconsin, to knock Kyle Larson off the top of the qualifying charts and remain atop the standings for the remainder of the session and for the pole position.

With the pole, Mayer achieved his fifth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series career pole for his 154th series’ start, his third driving for Haas Factory Team and his second of the 2026 season after he previously qualified in first place at Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway in late February. Currently, Mayer is ranked in ninth place in the 2026 driver’s standings as he attempts to achieve his first victory of this season for Saturday’s main event.

Mayer will share the front row with Kyle Larson, the latter of whom is making his first of three scheduled O’Reilly starts driving the No. 88 HendrickCars.com/JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro entry. Larson, who also won at Vegas in 2018, posted his single-qualifying lap at 182.902 mph in 29.524 seconds.

Sheldon Creed, Sammy Smith and Brandon Jones will start in the top five, respectively. Taylor Gray, Jesse Love, Rajah Caruth, Justin Allgaier (reigning Las Vegas spring winner) and Jeremy Clements (fastest in practice) complete the top-10 starting grid, respectively.

With 41 competitors vying for 38 starting spots, Myatt Snider, Chad Finchum and Dawson Cram were the trio who failed to qualify for the main event.

Las Vegas – Qualifying Position, Best Speed, Best Time:

  1. Sam Mayer, 183.287 mph, 29.462 seconds
  2. Kyle Larson, 182.902 mph, 29.524 seconds
  3. Sheldon Creed, 182.624 mph, 29.569 seconds
  4. Sammy Smith, 182.291 mph, 29.623 seconds
  5. Brandon Jones, 182.143 mph, 29.647 seconds
  6. Taylor Gray, 181.898 mph, 29.687 seconds
  7. Jesse Love, 181.708 mph, 29.718 seconds
  8. Rajah Caruth, 181.696 mph, 29.720 seconds
  9. Justin Allgaier, 181.372 mph, 29.773 seconds
  10. Jeremy Clements, 181.251 mph, 29.793 seconds
  11. Corey Day, 181.111 mph, 29.816 seconds
  12. Parker Retzlaff, 181.026 mph, 29.830 seconds
  13. Austin Hill, 180.566 mph, 29.906 seconds
  14. William Sawalich, 180.264 mph, 29.956 seconds
  15. Jeb Burton, 180.114 mph, 29.981 seconds
  16. Cole Custer, 180.036 mph, 29.994 seconds
  17. Connor Zilisch, 179.904 mph, 30.016 seconds
  18. Carson Kvapil, 179.874 mph, 30.021 seconds
  19. Austin Green, 179.742 mph, 30.043 seconds
  20. Ryan Sieg, 179.611 mph, 30.065 seconds
  21. Nick Sanchez, 179.599 mph, 30.067 seconds
  22. Patrick Staropoli, 179.503 mph, 30.083 seconds
  23. Chase Briscoe, 179.414 mph, 30.098 seconds
  24. Harrison Burton, 179.330 mph, 30.112 seconds
  25. Dean Thompson, 179.027 mph, 30.163 seconds
  26. Brennan Poole, 178.790 mph, 30.203 seconds
  27. Daniel Dye, 178.755 mph, 30.209 seconds
  28. Chandler Smith, 178.607 mph, 30.234 seconds
  29. Kyle Sieg, 177.983 mph, 30.340 seconds
  30. Lavar Scott, 177.573 mph, 30.410 seconds
  31. Anthony Alfredo, 177.107 mph, 30.490 seconds
  32. Josh Williams, 177.026 mph, 30.504 seconds
  33. Blaine Perkins, 176.736 mph, 30.554 seconds
  34. Nathan Byrd, 176.051 mph, 30.673 seconds
  35. Ryan Ellis, 175.188 mph, 30.824 seconds
  36. Joey Gase, 175.171 mph, 30.827 seconds
  37. Mason Maggio, 175.035 mph, 30.851 seconds
  38. Josh Bilicki, 173.896 mph, 31.053 seconds


The 2026 edition of The LiUNA! at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is scheduled to occur on Saturday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network, PRN and SiriusXM.

TOYOTA RACING – NCS Las Vegas Quotes – Christopher Bell – 03.14.26

By
Official Release
-

TOYOTA RACING – Christopher Bell
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

LAS VEGAS (March 14, 2026) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell was made available to the media on Saturday prior to the NASCAR Cup Series race from Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

How does this track effect you because you have been so good but haven’t been able to secure a victory?

“I mean, honestly, it just makes me excited to come back here. It’s a really competitive track for my group and my team. So yeah, I guess if we keep doing that, hopefully one of these days we’re going to get to Victory Lane, but it’s a great racetrack for me, so I enjoy coming out here and competing at Las Vegas.”

Have you experienced the sim yet for Darlington?

“I have not. My schedule hasn’t allowed me to get sim time in Darlington yet, but, I will agree with them that as slick as Phoenix was, I think Darlington is going to be very, very, very different than what we’ve had in the years past with the Next Gen car. So, I’m excited about it. I think it has potential to look like a much different Darlington race than what we’ve had in the in the last couple of years. I just had a ton of fun at Phoenix. I thought Phoenix was night and day different than what we’ve had the last, well, since we’ve started going there, it’s been really hard to pass and this race was the first race. I felt like you could actually make your way through the field if you had a better car. I proved that; Ryan Blaney proved that it seemed like. If you had a better car, you were able to pass, and I think a lot of that a lot of that was due to the horsepower and the added horsepower made the track feel slick. The tires degraded. We were sliding around, and the best cars made the way to the front. I think Darlington is going to be more of the same.”

Are you going to be doing anything with the High Limit Series tonight?

“I will, yeah. I’m going to be in the Flo booth so, we’ll see how that goes, but it’ll be fine. I’m excited to be a fan, watch the race, and talk about what I’m seeing.”

Are you more optimistic after Phoenix with the horsepower change?

“Yeah, absolutely, cand I don’t know. I’m surprised by it because I would have thought Phoenix was one of the racetracks that it really wasn’t going be able to tell the difference. I can promise you that if we’re feeling it at Phoenix, just wait till we get to Martinsville and Richmond, and on top of that, Darlington. But Darlington – it’s going to be a much greater change at Darlington because of the downforce package and the rules package that were the car package that we’re taking there, so we’re getting more horsepower and less car potential. So, I think it’s going to be a massive difference in Darlington, and then with what we’ve already found out at Phoenix, I love where we’re headed. I always think that we can use more, and I would love to get more horsepower, and hopefully this is an indication that we’re turning the right knob, and I think sky’s the limit. If we continue to add horsepower, I think we’re going to get right to where we need to be.”

How much are you looking at points this year versus last year?
“Yeah, it’s just a completely different mindset and way of attacking the weekend where before it was it was literally win or bust. You’re here for race wins and stage wins, and you’re looking at those playoff points, and if you don’t win a race, you it’s like, okay, well, it’s behind us, it’s on to the next one. The regular season standings were a thing, with the previous format, but it really only mattered whenever you got towards the end of the regular season and still on top of that, the only reason that you’re talking about the regular season was because of the bonus points that it played that it paid out. So now it means everything. It’s the true standings; the true standings in the previous format was the playoff points, and now it is the points that everybody sees. We don’t have 2 goofy point standings. The points are the points and it really matters and it’s important. So, yeah, I’m thankful that I’m not buried in the 30s anymore. I was talking to Jeff (Gluck) before COTA, and I’m like, well, the regular season championship is probably out the window, and here we are, it looks a lot different now. It just goes to show that if you run well, you can make up points and put yourself in position.”

Do you think consistency is going to be important or was that overrated from the start of the year?

“Ah, no, I mean, a lot of the big movers in the point standings is just because nobody has accumulated a large mass of points yet. So, the field is still relatively tight, and especially the first two races are speedway races. It’s just, it’s literally lottery racing. I think as you get going into the season, we get to, you know, 10, 15 races into the season, you’re going to start seeing it a little bit harder to make up the differences and positions and the point standings, and consistency will weigh out, but, I will say the addition for the race win points is going to be huge. So, if you find yourself in a hole and you’re able to win races, you will be able to make up the difference. So, I think they they’ve hit a really good you know balance point there of being able to be consistent, but yet if you can go out and hit home runs and win races, you’re going to be able to really advance your position as well.”

Can you talk about being back in a truck next weekend and if it can help for the Cup race?

“I don’t know that it’ll help me at all for the Cup race, but certainly it’s going to be fun, and yeah, just enjoyable to go out there and compete with a group of people that I’ve been around before – driving for Jimmy (Villeneuve), the crew chief, he was, I’m pretty sure he was the truck chief on my championship truck back in 2017 or whatever that was. So, I had a ton of fun racing with them in Watkins Glen filling in for Stew (Stewart Friesen) last year. So, yeah, they’ve proven that they have great equipment, and I think they’re doing the right steps to assert themselves at the top of the standings there in the Truck Series. So hopefully we can keep this 62 truck up in points and I think they’re just really coming out of their shell. They invested a lot into trying to be one of the best teams in the series and it’s showing right now.”

Would you entertain running more race for them?

“Yeah, I mean, absolutely. I love racing, so we’ll see what happens after Darlington. I don’t know what’s next, but we’ll see how Darlington goes and see where it ends up in there.”

What are you looking for this weekend with it being the first mile-in-a-half race this year?

“It’ll let us know where we’re at and really things haven’t changed very much from, where we ended last year aside from the new Chevrolet body, and we haven’t been to a true high speed downforce style track yet. So, I would think that the Chevrolets – this will be a really good test for them to see where they stack up with their new car, but aside from the rest of us, it’s going to be more the same and going back to the horsepower stuff. I would love if we could start running that short track package and all of the intermediates. I think it’s getting to be about time for a change and we’d love to love to see that. We’ll see how it races in Darlington. We get a couple sample sizes in Darlington, Bristol will now have that package. Dover will have that package. So, a couple of high speed tracks, but yeah, if we brought that thing here in Vegas or any of the intermediates, I think it could be, it would be a game changer so, yeah, I expect this weekend to be more of the same minus the Chevrolet body.”

What is your favorite racing film that would give Best Picture?

“It has to be Days of Thunder, right? Yeah, let’s go with that one.”

What would a sequel to Days of Thunder do for the sport?

“Yeah, it would be really cool. I think anytime you get more exposure for our sport and just getting more eyes on it would be huge. One thing I appreciate about Days of Thunder was it was taken a little bit more serious. As a kid growing up, I loved Talladega Nights, and I thought it was hilarious, but then the older I got, and the more into the sport I got, I realized that the general public kind of took that as reality and not the comedy than it was. I think if you could get more serious footage of it and showing how amazing our sport is, is a great, great thing.”

Would you be okay if NASCAR switched the horsepower package for the second race at Las Vegas later this year?

“Yeah, I would be. I’m not sure what my team would think. Maybe they’re going to be mad at me after talking about this, but I would love it. I think we’ve run it now at a lot of different racetracks, and especially with us going to Bristol and Darlington next week, which are tracks that we’ve run the intermediate package on and now we’re running the short track package on. I think it’ll be fine so, I would be all for it.”

What was it like going to the Thunder game?

“It was cool. I love getting to go to Thunder games. Anytime I’m back in Oklahoma, I really enjoy cheering on my hometown team. It’s really cool to see all the success they’ve had and where they’re at right now. They are in a really good spot. But, yeah, I had no idea I was on the Prime broadcast. I wasn’t on the big screen or anything at the event. So that’s awesome that they showcased me and, I think that’s good for our Prime races to get a little bit more intermingling there, but yeah, I’m thankful that they are advertising our sport on a huge, huge platform, but I had no idea that I was on the broadcast or anything.”

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.

Signs Your Hybrid Car Battery is Failing in Illinois

By
SM
-
Photo by JS Leng on Pexels

Hybrid vehicles, specifically brands from Toyota and Lexus, are well-regarded for their reliability, fuel efficiency, and long lifespans. Unfortunately, even the most robust hybrid batteries wear down and have shorter lifespans than many other systems in the vehicle. Illinois Hybrid Batteries is a specialized service provider in Illinois that works with drivers across the state who are dealing with battery issues or warning messages.

Understanding the early signs of a failing hybrid battery helps you address problems long before they lead to poor performance or a breakdown.

Hybrid Battery Service in Illinois

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of the warning signs, it’s important to know where you can get them easily resolved. For those in Illinois, Illinois Hybrid Batteries provides a one-stop shop for resolving issues with your car’s battery and other hybrid-specific services for Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

By visiting a specialized service provider, you ensure that technicians working on your vehicle fully understand and can accurately identify battery-related problems. Addressing issues early will keep your car operating flawlessly and reliably.

Sign 1 – “Check Hybrid System” Warning

Easily one of the most common signs of early trouble is the “Check Hybrid System” message appearing on your console dashboard. This alert indicates that the system has detected a potential issue with the hybrid system itself. Unfortunately, there are many causes, but the most common is battery degradation.

In conjunction with the warning sign, drivers may also see:

  • A check engine light
  • Hybrid warning messages
  • Reduced electric power functionality

Sign 2 – Reduced Fuel Economy

A functioning hybrid battery allows your vehicle to rely more heavily on electricity than on gas, greatly reducing fuel consumption. As the battery degrades, your vehicle will use much more gasoline to compensate.

If your battery is weakening, look out for a drop in your miles per gallon, the gasoline engine running much more frequently, and less electric-only driving. It’s common for drivers to notice reduced fuel economy long before the system’s warning lights come on.

Sign 3 – Reduced Acceleration or Power

Hybrid batteries provide additional power to assist the gasoline engine. If your battery is degrading, you may notice reduced responsiveness when pressing the accelerator. Common symptoms include slower acceleration and a general feeling of reduced power. In some cases, your car may even enter a limited-performance mode to protect the hybrid system from damage.

Sign 4 – The Car Relies on the Gasoline Engine

When the hybrid battery underperforms, the gasoline engine compensates. You might observe:

  • The engine is turning on frequently.
  • The engine is running longer than normal while driving
  • Significantly less time spent in electric mode

Typically, this change occurs gradually over a long period, making it difficult to notice.

When Should You Have Your Hybrid Battery Inspected

If you begin noticing any of the above signs frequently, you’re likely well overdue for a battery inspection. There really is no bad time to have your hybrid battery checked by a technician, because catching problems early can save on costs down the road.

Even minor degradation can cause many issues with your hybrid Toyota or Lexus. Leave it up to the professionals to determine whether your battery has weakened enough to warrant a replacement.

Conclusion

While hybrid vehicles are designed for long-term reliability and lifespans, their batteries will eventually wear out. By recognizing the early warning signs, you can catch issues before they become major problems.

If your car shows signs of battery decline, seek a professional inspection to identify the best course of action. Act proactively to keep your car running reliably for many more miles.

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race Overview- Las Vegas

By
Official Release
-

Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Race: The LiUNA!
Date/Broadcast: Saturday; March 14, 2026 5:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. PT)
TV: CW Network
Radio: PRN Radio- Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, and X

Desert Momentum: Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Heads to Las Vegas for The LiUNA!

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 13, 2026) – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport heads to the Nevada desert this weekend looking to build on recent momentum as the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to the high speeds of Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Saturday’s The LiUNA!

The 1.5-mile tri-oval just outside Las Vegas is one of the fastest and most demanding intermediate tracks on the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule. Progressive banking, sweeping corners, and multiple racing grooves challenge teams to find the perfect balance between raw speed, tire management, and long-run consistency.

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport will field three entries in the 200-lap, 300-mile event: Jeb Burton in the No. 27 Bommarito.com Chevrolet, Blaine Perkins in the City Lights Shine No. 31 Chevrolet, and Rajah Caruth behind the wheel of the No. 32 Donut Media Chevrolet.

The team arrive in Las Vegas riding momentum from last weekend at Phoenix Raceway, where Burton finished seventh and Caruth followed closely with an eighth-place result..

Burton returns to Las Vegas looking to carry that momentum forward on one of the series’ fastest intermediate tracks. The Virginia native has consistently shown strength on mile-and-a-half’s where patience, momentum, and long-run balance are critical.

“Las Vegas is all about carrying speed and keeping the balance in the car over long runs,” Burton said.

“You’ve got to be able to move around and search for grip as the track changes. Our Bommarito.com Chevy team has been working hard, and if we can qualify well and keep ourselves in position, we should have a solid shot at the end.”

With confidence from last week’s strong run, Burton and the No. 27 team will aim to pair a solid qualifying effort with consistent pace over extended runs to challenge for another top-10 finish.

Blaine Perkins comes to Las Vegas continuing to build momentum on intermediate tracks. The California native has steadily improved his approach to the high-speed tracks, where smooth throttle inputs, rhythm, and tire management are key.

“Vegas is one of the fastest tracks we go to, and you’ve got to stay focused every lap,” Perkins said.

“You’re managing your tires while still pushing hard through the corners. The Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport team has been putting a lot of effort into our intermediate program, and I’m excited to see what we can do this weekend.”

With steady progress and strong pit execution, Perkins and the No. 31 team aim to turn preparation into a solid finish while contributing to the team’s overall momentum.

Caruth enters Las Vegas fresh off his eighth-place finish at Phoenix, eager to build on that performance and continue the team’s early-season success.

A partnership with Donut Media this weekend highlights the connection between modern automotive culture and the next generation of racing fans.

“Vegas is a place where everything happens fast,” Caruth said.

“You’ve got to commit to the corner and carry that momentum all the way through the exit. I’m excited to get out there and see what we’ve got.”

With momentum from last weekend’s top-10 performance, Caruth will look to maintain strong pace over long runs and capitalize on track position as the race unfolds.

As the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series continues its early-season west coast swing, the high-speed desert oval presents another opportunity for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport to showcase the determination and progress of its growing program.

When the green flag waves Saturday afternoon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, three Chevrolets representing Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport will take on the speed and strategy of the desert oval. With momentum building early in the season, the team looks to deliver a strong performance in The LiUNA! and continue its pursuit of progress in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

The The LiUNA! from Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be broadcast live on The CW beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. PT) on Saturday. Radio coverage will be provided by the Performance Racing Network (PRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90, offering flag-to-flag coverage from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fans are urged to stay updated thru the weekend via Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Social platforms; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport is a NASCAR team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito. Established in 2017 the organization is fueled by an incredible, close-knit team of employees, fans, and sponsors with a focus on integrity in the pursuit of excellence. Our goal is to embrace the journey we’re on and to never give up – whether on the track, in the pits, or in life. Every single team partner, and fan of ours, is what keeps our race cars running strong and our team performing at the highest level.

McLaughlin Jubilant With Time, Track After Leading Arlington Debut

By
Official Release
-

ARLINGTON, Texas (Friday, March 13, 2026) – Scott McLaughlin had a great time in the first practice Friday for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, and his pleasure didn’t come just from the fast digits next to his name on the results sheet.

McLaughlin led the 80-minute first session for the third NTT INDYCAR SERIES race of the season, producing a best lap of 1 minute, 34.8926 seconds in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet. But McLaughlin was just as happy with the layout of the 14-turn, 2.73-mile temporary street circuit that winds around AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of MLB’s Texas Rangers.

“That is instantly my most favorite street circuit ever,” McLaughlin said. “That is such a blast. The DEX Chevy feels great. It’s just an absolute ball to drive. I’m like a little kid again. This is great.”

McLaughlin will aim for his second NTT P1 Award of this young season in qualifying at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday (FS2, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). He won the pole for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg two weekends ago. Another 80-minute practice will precede qualifying at 9:35 a.m. ET Saturday (FS1, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

Live coverage of the 70-lap race, a joint venture between INDYCAR, the Cowboys and the Rangers, starts at 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

Reigning and four-time series champion Alex Palou started his rebound from a 24th-place finish at the last race, the Good Ranchers 250 on March 7 at Phoenix Raceway, by ending up second in practice today at 1:34.9513 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Will Power, also looking for a bounce-back after sitting 22nd in points after two races, was third at 1:35.3051 in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda fielded by Andretti Global. Pato O’Ward ended up fourth at 1:35.3641 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top five at 1:35.3775 in the No. 60 SiriusXM/Texas A&M Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian. That time came despite Rosenqvist brushing the concrete barriers lining the challenging, fast, flowing circuit after his car snapped suddenly near the final turn late in the session.

“The track (surface) is a little rougher than we expected,” Rosenqvist said. “Good fun, though. They did a great job on the layout.”

Series leader Josef Newgarden, winner last Saturday at Phoenix, was 16th out of 25 drivers at 1:36.3108 in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Dennis Hauger was the quickest rookie, 10th overall at 1:36.0528 in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda of Dale Coyne Racing.

Less than one second separated the top eight drivers as the entire field learned the new circuit. The drivers filling the top 10 spots represented seven different teams, as Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren each ended up with two drivers in that group.

There were two red flags stopping action during the session, including one for contact. Sting Ray Robb hit the wall in Turn 1 in the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet 15 minutes into the practice. He was unhurt.

That was the start of a fraught session for Juncos Hollinger Racing. Robb’s teammate, Rinus VeeKay, triggered the second red flag 23 minutes later when he drove into the runoff area in Turn 10 at the end of the long backstraight, smoke pouring from the rear wheels of his No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet.

TEAM CHEVY INDYCAR FRIDSAY PRACTICE REPORT – Java House Grand Prix of Arlington

By
Official Release
-

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Java House Grand Prix of Arlington
2.73-mile, 14-turn Arlington street circuit
Arlington, Texas
Friday Practice Report
March 13, 2026

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (March 13, 2026) – Scott McLaughlin, in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, was the quickest of the drivers sporting a Bowtie during the first practice of the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. The drivers and teams are still learning the new track, but the pole-winner on the Streets of St. Petersburg at the first race of the 2026 season clearly enjoys the 2.73-mile, 14-turn Arlington street circuit.

“That is instantly my most favorite street circuit ever,” said a beaming McLaughlin after getting out of the car. “It’s such a blast. The DEX Chevy feels great. It’s just an absolute ball to drive. I’m like a little kid again. It’s great, I’m having a blast and so lucky that we’re able to do it. I’m feeling pretty good about everything, and we’ll see how we go.”

The first and second practices this season are split into three sessions: 40 minutes, during which all 25 cars run on the Primary Firestone Firehawk racing tires (black), and a pair of 12-minute sessions, during which half the field runs the Alternate Firestone Firehawk racing tires (red).

Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet led the first 40 minutes of practice, during which all 25 cars were eligible, and drivers only used the Black tires. His best lap was 95.6861 seconds (101.582mph), which was quickest of the six Chevrolet-powered cars in the top eight, with Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet) second, David Malukas (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet) third, Alexander Rossi (No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet) fifth, Christian Lundgaard (No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet) seventh, and Christian Rasmussen (No. 21 ECR Java House Chevrolet) eighth.

A lap timed at 94.8926 seconds (102.432mph) by McLaughlin, led the first 12-minute session, where all drivers were on Reds. The Kiwi’s lap was more than four-tenths of a second better than the next quickest driver. O’Ward, the quickest driver on the blacks, made it two of the top three for Team Chevy during the session.

Two of the top three in the second 12-minute session on the Reds were Chevrolet-powered drivers, with Rossi and Lundgaard setting the second and third-best times.

Combined Friday Practice Times at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington

NTT INDYCAR SERIES News Conference
Friday, March 13, 2026
Scott McLaughin
Alex Palou
Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the brand new Streets of Arlington circuit. I think Scott McLaughlin has already become a big fan. Alex Palou will join us here momentarily. Scott joins us, driver of the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, sitting third in the overall NTT INDYCAR SERIES points standings, the podium at St. Pete, second fastest in the all-car session, and then fastest in the group session that just wrapped up.

First of all, your general thoughts about the Streets of Arlington circuit, Scott?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I’m not just saying this because you probably think I’m getting paid to say it, but it’s hands down the best street circuit personally that I’ve driven on. So far it’s got a huge straight, bumpy straight, very hard to test your brake point into turn 10 there. Then there are so many corners that are technical, but then also daring.

It’s an absolute blast, and it was honestly a pleasure to learn it and get better and better. Obviously I’m a bit happier because my car is handling really good right now, but a really good start to our weekend. Just wanted a solid session and build on it from here and have a lot of confidence to the point I feel like just polishing the car and just put it in the truck. It feels really good.

THE MODERATOR: I was going to ask you, obviously engineering session coming up. What do you think you want to work on, what needs to be worked on to be even faster tomorrow?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: There are a couple of things I need to look at, and you’ll look at data tonight. There will be guys doing a corner a little bit different to you, and is it good or bad, and just trying to dissect that a little bit.

I felt like a strength of mine has been learning new tracks, even since I was a kid. I really enjoy this side of it. I’ll do a deep dive into the data tonight and be ready for tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Good start to the weekend. We’ll take questions.

Q. It seems like all of Team Penske is on an upbeat after the sweep at Phoenix, both NASCAR and INDYCAR. Did you kind of feel that boost coming here at Arlington?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, I think just a huge weekend for the Captain, and obviously pretty cool to do it with our NASCAR friends. Obviously I wanted to be the guy that won, but at the end of the day, it was great for the team to get some momentum and then have the NASCAR guys win on Sunday and be there for that and then them being there on Saturday.

It wasn’t my ideal weekend personally, but from a team perspective, it was great.

Q. You called it your favorite street course ever.

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah.

Q. How excited are you? What is it you love about it?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I just think there’s so much — it’s so technical in spots, and then there’s spots where it’s really tough to brake into. You’ve got to maximize high-speed corners, high-speed entries. Yeah, it’s a blast to drive. I don’t know what you think, but —

ALEX PALOU: I love it.

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, it’s sick. It really is. There’s no other word. Gen Zs will get that.

THE MODERATOR: Obviously Alex Palou joins us. Driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. He was ninth in the all-car session and then second overall in the group session through on the alternates. Currently fifth in points after a win at St. Pete two weeks ago, four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion as well, including the last three.

Alex, your thoughts about this place?

ALEX PALOU: Love it. Yeah, it’s insane. It’s super fun to drive. It’s just a lot more fun than I thought just how the car feels. There’s so many different corners. Like, there’s corners that you can attack so much, and you feel like a superhero. There’s other corners where you need to back off because the grip is very different.

Very bumpy. A lot more bumpy than I thought, which makes it super challenging, but super fun. Super fun.

THE MODERATOR: More questions.

Q. Obviously both of you planned well, because you’re quick right off the bat. Are there any corners that surprised you once you actually got out there?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: The how bumpy it was down the back straight surprised me and the team a little bit. We definitely had to raise the right height a little bit. I think everyone had the same issue.

Then I think it was just more like the corners where you didn’t think it was going to be difficult or it was going to be a little bit simple. To be honest, turn 10, for instance, across the bricks and stuff is super slippery. I don’t know what you thought of that. It made it so much more of a corner, especially if you are committing.

So it’s just got so much character. It’s a lot of fun. I feel like it’s a big Nashville. Just a bit more open, you know?

Q. Were you guys scraping the track at all as far as like —

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Scraping? Like bottoming?

Q. Yes.

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, you did I think, and I did. Straight away first lap I was, like, Oh, we got to raise this thing. Yeah, I felt like we nailed it.

Q. Then there’s various types of racing surfaces, right? There’s old asphalt and new asphalt, concrete, painted concrete. Is that a challenge? If so, how do you manage that challenge?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, I think as we both know, it’s going to just keep gripping up. You’ve got to build up with the track. That’s why it’s so important to do as many laps as you possibly can and be happy with your race car.

I’m lucky. I feel very comfortable and confident, so that’s a good feeling. Like going into tomorrow where the car is just going to get faster and faster naturally with the track grip as well, and everyone else will as well. You’re going to have to take another step again.

Q. 34.8, 34.9, how much more lap time do you think is in this track once you go back to debrief and make your setup changes for tomorrow morning’s practice?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I thought my lap was pretty good, but the track is just going to keep getting better, and you’ll find time by the track just getting better, and you’ll carry speed differently, and it might change corner profiles a little bit for you and stuff. So, yeah, like I said before, you’ve just got to go with the track, because it’s just going to take a lot of rubber.

Q. Scott, you talked about the bumpiness of the track. How do you get used to that and make sure it’s not giving you any issues?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Oh, like I said, you just got to communicate to the team how bad it is and then explain how much do I think I need to go up or down or whatever. Yeah, I thought Raul, my engineer, did a really good job at toning that in, but it’s the same for everyone. I look at it that way. You’ve just got to try and maximize better than most.

Q. Tomorrow for the Fast Six it will be the single lap, single car qualifying. What are your guys’ thoughts on that?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Got to get there first.

Q. A little bit of a follow-up on that. Some of the drivers today think that the first guy out in the Fast Six single lap, when the car is heated up, will have an advantage. By the time you get to the fastest driver entering, the cars cool off enough, it might take time to get the heat up. How do you feel about it?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I mean, yeah, I could see that. That’s kind of why Supercars went away from doing a qualifying shoot-out directly after the qualifying itself to get into the shoot-out. We would qualify two, three hours later. It may not be applicable here, but it’s just whatever.

Like Alex said, I think if you get to the Fast Six, it’s a great spot regardless, and you will just choose what you can do. Obviously pole would be nice, but I still think if you have a quick car, it’s not going to take too long to get up to temp and make it happen.

Q. For both of you, some tracks, they reward smoothness, finesse. What does this track reward?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, a new track, regardless, I think you’ve just got to be flexible. You’ve got to be able to able to — I think this track, long back straight, big braking zones, and then you have some real tight, twisty, technical stuff like Nashville. You’ve just got to be very open to a unique car setup, I imagine.

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Good luck tomorrow.

Fan Friendly

Fans can visit Team Chevy Display in Fan Zone in the Fan Zone on the east side of AT&T Stadium, near the NTT INDYCAR SERIES paddock to check out an INDYCAR show car, along with a full line-up of new vehicles, including the Corvette ZR1X, Corvette Stingray (Stars and Steel edition), Equinox, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500 (Stars and Steel edition), Silverado EV (Stars and Stel Edition),Tahoe, and Traverse, Hours are 8 am – 7 pm on Saturday, and 7:30 am – 3 pm on Sunday.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver appearances

Saturday:

· noon – 12:15 pm – Arrow McLaren (Tony Kanaan)

· 4:15 pm – 4:30 pm – Juncos Hollinger Racing (Sting Ray Robb & Rinus VeeKay)

Tune-In Guide

Saturday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 9:30am (ET)/8:30am (CT)/7:30am (MT)/6:30am (PT) – FS2/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 2:30pm (ET)/1:30pm (CT)/12:30pm (MT)/11:30am (PT) – FS2/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Sunday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 10am (ET)/9am (CT)/8am (MT)/7am (PT) –FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
Java House Grand Prix of Arlington (70 laps) – 12:30pm (ET)/11:30am (CT)/10:30am (MT)/9:30am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

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.

Taylor Learns Quickly To Dominate First Arlington Practice

By
Official Release
-

ARLINGTON, Texas (Friday, March 13, 2026) – Max Taylor was the star student in the opening practice for the Grand Prix of Arlington, leading the field by more than a second Friday as 24 drivers in the INDYCAR development series learned the new circuit at this inaugural event.

Taylor set a high bar for his rivals to match with his top lap of 1 minute, 39.8262 seconds in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen car fielded by Andretti Global on the 14-turn, 2.7-mile temporary circuit that winds around AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of MLB’s Texas Rangers.

That lap, Taylor’s last in the 45-minute session, was 1.1205 seconds clear of his closest pursuer, rookie Tymek Kucharczyk, who stopped the clocks at 1:40.9467 in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports car.

“The track is bumpy; it’s got a lot of different pavement changes and undulations, elevation changes,” Taylor said. “So, it’s a really intense track. But it’s also really a blast once you get into the rhythm of it. Definitely one of my favorite street courses.”

Taylor, 18, from Greenwich, Connecticut, will be one of the favorites to win the pole during qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday (FS2, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). He won the pole for the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Feb. 28 and finished second to Nikita Johnson in the race March 1.

A 45-minute practice at 11:15 a.m. ET Saturday will precede qualifying. The 27-lap race is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET Sunday. FS2 will televise the practice, with the race on FS1. Coverage of both sessions also will be available on FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.

Rookie Jack Beeton rebounded from an 11th-place finish at St. Petersburg to end up third in this session at 1:40.9504 in the No. 45 HMD Motorsports car. Myles Rowe was fourth at 1:40.9981 in the No. 99 ABEL Motorsports with Force Indy entry.

Lochie Hughes rounded out the top five at 1:41.0420 in the No. 26 Andretti Global car, as Andretti Global and HMD Motorsports each put two drivers into the top five.

St. Petersburg race winner Johnson was 14th at 1:41.8598 in the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR car.

Kyle Larson Wins High Limit Race Night 1 at LVMS Dirt Track

By
Briar Starr
-
https://www.floracing.com/

In the dawn of a new era for the High Limit Racing Sprint Car Series, which is co-owned by NASCAR star Kyle Larson and dirt superstar Brad Sweet, the series opened up its first start of the season with night 1 at the LVMS Dirt Track and provided thrilling action not only in the A-main but also in the heat races. At the end of the night, it was NASCAR Cup Series champion Larson who fended off a young racer in the making and Hendrick Motorsports developmental Corey Day in the waning laps of the 25-lap feature by 0.096 seconds.

37 entries were seen Thursday night, including defending High Limit Sprint Car champion Rico Abreu. Abreu, who recently competed for his own team in the past few years, made the transition over to Tony Stewart Racing during the off-season.

In the A-main feature, the No. 19 Brent Marks started on the pole, taking the inside row, and Spire Motorsports, Giovanni Scelzi, who piloted the No. 77 Chilis machine, took the outside row, lining up in the second position, led the field to green. Larson started in the fifth position.

Quickly, Thorson made the move on Marks to take second in the early going on Lap 1. However, both Thorson and Marks battled it out multiple times for the second spot, allowing Day to close in. With 19 to go, Day got past Thorson for third. Afterward, Day got stuck with Marks, who then saw eventual race winner Larson to insert himself in the picture, making it a three-race battle for the third position. At 14 to go, Larson made easy work of both Day and Marks, passing them and then set his eyes on race leader Scelzi. As he was doing so, Day eventually passed Marks for third and attempted to chase Larson down as well.

Shortly after the leaders passed the start/finish line with eight laps to go, Larson made the dive bomb move into Turn 1 and took the lead from Scelzi. The next lap later, Day got by Scelzi for second and tried battling with Larson for the lead. There were a few times that saw lap traffic get in Larson’s way, which then had Day right there in the picture. On the last lap of the race, Day went to the top side of Turns 3 and 4 and nearly got by Larson for the win, but ultimately came up 0.096 seconds short of the victory. Larson piloted the No. 57 Silva Motorsports entry for his 10th career High Limit Racing victory in a caution-free main event.

“It felt like we were going longer than 25 (laps) there,” Larson said in victory lane on the fronstretch. “I kept looking at the flagstand because I could feel some pressure from behind. The lapper in front of me, he was kind of changing his mind a couple of different times and I followed him. I knew I choked up my momentum. Like, I said, I was just counting the laps down.

Thankfully, it worked out. I saw a nose coming with two to go and the white flag. So I figured if it was Gio or Corey, they were building a run up top or something behind me through (Turns) 3 and 4. I also didn’t want to give up that distance into three because they could’ve split me. I thought the safest thing was to stay committed to what I was doing. Great car and cool to get back to victory lane with High Limit. Thanks to the fans for coming out, I look forward to the crowd getting bigger and bigger throughout the weekend.”

Despite coming up short, Day provided the fans with a thriller in the final few laps.

“No, I didn’t think I got him (Larson),” Day said in his post-race interview. “I didn’t think it was that close. I thought we had already crossed the line and dipped below him there. Yeah, that’s cool, but wished we would have been on the other side of it. Thanks to my guys. It’s always cool to come to the first race of the year and have a fast car and have a good run. Thanks to all my sponsors and partners. It’s going to be a fun year for me doing some full-time NASCAR stuff and still get to comeback to race with High Limit, and the team that I’ve done (Sprint Car) with for many years. A lot of fun.”

Larson, Day, Scelzi, Marks, Thorson, Timms, Abreu, Madsen, Kyle McFadden, and Reutzel rounded out the Top 10 finishers.

Heat race winners include Abreu, Marks, Timms, and Scelzi. The B-feature winner went to Tyler Courtney. Brent Marks won the dash race, which allowed him to start on the pole in the A-feature.

At the conclusion of night 1, Scelzi leads the Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing championship standings over Marks by three points.

Official Results Following Night 1 of High Limit Racing at the LVMS Dirt Track

  1. Kyle Larson
  2. Corey Day
  3. Giovanni Scelzi
  4. Brent Marks
  5. Tanner Thorson
  6. Ryan Timms
  7. Rico Abreu
  8. Kerry Madsen
  9. James McFadden
  10. Aaron Reutzel
  11. Justin Sanders
  12. Daison Pursley
  13. Justin Peck
  14. Austin McCarl
  15. Sye Lynch
  16. Tanner Holmes
  17. Tyler Courtney
  18. Hank Davis
  19. Chase Randall
  20. Danny Sams III
  21. Hunter Schuerenberg
  22. Brenham Crouch
  23. Kaleb Montgomery
  24. Tanner Carrick

GMG Racing Confirms Trio of 2026 IMSA Carrera Cup North America Entries Across All Three Competing Classes

By
Official Release
-
  • Full-Season Campaigns for John Capestro-Dubets in Pro and GMG Racing Founder and Team Driver James Sofronas in Pro-Am
  • Longtime GMG Racing Driver Kyle Washington Returns for Select Schedule of Carrera Cup Masters Class Races
  • GMG Racing Looks to Extend Winning Legacy as it Opens 25th Year of Competition Next Weekend at Sebring International Raceway in Season-Opening Carrera Cup Doubleheader

THERMAL, California (March 13, 2026) – GMG Racing, one of North America’s most successful sports car road racing operations, today announced a three-car entry in IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America for the team’s milestone 25th Anniversary racing season in 2026. The Southern California-based team headquartered at the Thermal Club near Palm Springs, fields a full-season campaign for drivers John Capestro-Dubets in the No. 7 GMG Racing Porsche 911 Cup and team founder James Sofronas in the No. 14 Mobil 1/GMG Racing Porsche 911 Cup. Longtime GMG driver Kyle Washington is also set to contest a select schedule of events this year in his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 Cup.

The announcement comes as the team prepares for the season-opening Carrera Cup doubleheader next week, March 18 – 20, at Sebring International Raceway. The 2026 schedule features eight rounds across legendary American venues, including support races for Formula 1 at Miami and Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a one-off appearance with IndyCar at the Grand Prix of Long Beach and IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship race weekends at Sebring, Watkins Glen, Road America, Indianapolis and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

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 COTA. Sofronas swept that weekend’s Pro-Am races in his and the team’s series debut, a breakout performance that has seen him continue to win at least two races a season through last year. Sofronas has secured eight of the nine career Carrera Cup victories GMG Racing has captured the past three years, but he is confident Capestro-Dubets – best known as “JCD” – and Washington have what it takes to join him in adding to the tally in 2026.

“With their respective experience and non-stop commitment to improving their driving, I am super confident both JCD and Kyle will join me in contending for Carrera Cup class victories and podiums this year,” Sofronas said. “As Porsche’s top single-make racing series, the level of competition in Carrera Cup is immense and pushes us to be better as a team. We’ve had a taste of victory at several of the tracks on the calendar, and with the new Type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup car debuting this season, there is new opportunity and challenge ahead. I’m looking forward to sharing that challenge with JCD and Kyle. Having JCD with us for the full season adds consistency and winning history to our program, and whenever Kyle is in the car, we know he’s a threat for the podium in the Masters class.”

Taking on the Carrera Cup Challenge in the top-tier Pro class, JCD has won races and championships in practically every sports car racing series he has ever contested. He has driven and coached for GMG Racing in recent seasons.

“Carrera Cup is undoubtedly one of the toughest series in the States,” Capestro-Dubets said. “With so many drivers moving on to IMSA WeatherTech and WEC, my goal this season is to clearly prove my value. The dream has always been a shot at a Rolex 24. At 37, I’m lining up against a grid of hungry juniors, so the challenge isn’t just about raw pace. I’m excited for this new chapter, and every lesson I learn on track this year is something I can eventually pass down to the drivers I mentor. The bumps there are no joke at Sebring, but it is always a dream come true to race at a track with so much heritage.”

Washington is on the brink of winning in Carrera Cup as a frequent visitor to the Masters class victory lane. A string of career third-place finishes, including at the Formula 1 support races in Miami and Montreal, are highlighted by a career-best second at COTA in 2024. He makes his 2026 debut in next month’s Carrera Cup doubleheader at Long Beach.

Next week’s season-opening races are available for viewing live on NBC’s streaming service Peacock as well as on IMSA.TV and IMSA’s YouTube Channel. The first 40-minute race starts at 3 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 19, while the second and final round is slated to go green at 5:45 p.m. EST on Friday, March 20.

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.

NHRA’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONTINUES AT LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS IN POMONA

By
Official Release
-

POMONA, Calif. (March 13, 2026) – As part of its 75th anniversary season, NHRA is celebrating at tracks across the country, including one of its most historic venues and races during the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at the famed In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on April 9-12.

Along with the milestone celebration in 2026, this year’s legendary event will be part of another monumental moment in NHRA history as the organization hosts its 1,000th Funny Car race.

From the first Funny Car win in 1966 to the 900th in 2021, the rich history of the Funny Car class will be celebrated at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals as current drivers look to put their name in the NHRA history books. Legends from landmark races will all be represented in Pomona to add to the celebration, while the winner of the 1,000th Funny Car race will receive a special trophy to go along with the diamond 75th anniversary Wally.

Add in two rounds of qualifying on both Friday and Saturday – as well as the Mission #2Fast2Tasty bonus race on Saturday – and this year’s first visit to the historic track will be one of the biggest yet during NHRA’s milestone year. As part of NHRA’s yearlong 75th anniversary celebration, fans can expect multiple highlights at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, including:

An appearance from NHRA legend and six-time NHRA world champion Kenny Bernstein, in honor of his historic 310-mph pass at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in 1994.

On Friday, the first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a special NHRA 75th anniversary Winternationals event poster.
Fans can check out the new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and 75th anniversary stage in Nitro Alley as all drivers try to claim a diamond 75rh anniversary Wally that will only be awarded in 2026.

In 2025, Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Clay Millican (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) claimed Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals wins. This year’s race will be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage on Sunday, April 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Hailing from southern California, past Funny Car world champ Beckman earned his fourth win from his home track last season when he took out Daniel Wilkerson. Beckman leads the charge for powerhouse team John Force Racing, which welcomed Alexis DeJoria and Funny Car rookie Jordan Vandergriff to the JFR stable. Two-time reigning world champ Austin Prock shocked NHRA fans this offseason when he moved to Tasca Racing, while past world champs Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon and J.R. Todd will also be eyeing the 1000th Funny Car win.

Clay Millican, a Top Fuel fan-favorite, claimed his eighth career victory last season when he took out motorsports legend Tony Stewart in the final round to win for the first time in Pomona. Veteran Doug Kalitta secured his second world title at the end of the year, while other past Pomona winners include Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Justin Ashley and eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher. Josh Hart won in Gainesville to open 2026 in his first race with John Force Racing.

Greg Anderson, the winningest active NHRA driver, won his 16th race from the famed In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip last season over his KB Titan Racing teammate Dallas Glenn. The duo battled on the race track all season for the world championship, but it was Glenn who earned his first world title to finish the season. Anderson advanced to the final round in Gainesville, but Matt Hartford opened the year with the victory. Others to watch include Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield and Cody Coughlin.

Along with racing in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, fans will also be treated to racing action from the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

The Nitro Alley Stage is a huge attraction all weekend and is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, and much more. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun.

Race fans at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features qualifying at 1:30 and 4 p.m. PT on Friday, April 10, and the final two rounds on Saturday, April 11 at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 12. Television coverage includes eliminations on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. Fans can get closer to the action with a Top Eliminator Club experience, offering the best seats in the house and a premium experience, as well as a members-only hospitality center, complimentary food and beverage, driver appearances, a premium view and more.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

1...172173174...6,742Page 173 of 6,742