Home Blog Page 176

Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Announces 30th Anniversary Ride Route and Overnight Stops

By
Official Release
-

The 30th Anniversary Ride will take place from May 1 – May 9, 2026, starting in Sonoma, California, and ending in Charlotte, North Carolina, crossing 11 states in just nine days.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 19, 2026 – Former NASCAR driver and current racing analyst Kyle Petty today officially announced the complete route and overnight stops for the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (KPCRAA). For the milestone edition, the 30th Anniversary KPCRAA will truly cross the United States, starting in Sonoma, California, on May 1, 2026, and concluding in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 9, 2026.

The 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will be book-ended by trips to two iconic Speedway Motorsports (SM) racetracks, Sonoma Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, and will see Petty lead roughly 150 motorcycles over 3,400 miles across 11 states in just nine days to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious and chronic medical conditions. Since 1995, more than 9,575 riders have logged 13.3 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $23 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the 30th Anniversary KPCRAA will ride historic Highway 50, the ‘Loneliest Road in America,’ and parts of the original Route 66, both of which are celebrating their Centennial in 2026. The Ride is working closely with America 250 to highlight iconic stops along the way, and contribute to the “Our American Story,” program in which stories of everyday Americans will be recorded for posterity.

The Ride will also make stops at the original Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Missouri; tour Elvis Presley’s home and museum Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee; explore the Coker Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee; ride the famous 318-curve and 11-mile Dragon through the Appalachian Mountains; visit Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina; capped off with a trip to Victory Junction before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“The reason I am so excited about this year’s Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is because this is our 30th year,” Petty said. “America 250 – the anniversary of our great country’s independence, the 100th anniversary of Highway 50 – the ‘Loneliest Road in America,’ the 100th anniversary of Route 66 – another iconic highway. There is just so much to celebrate this year. The places we are stopping – Bass Pro Shops, Coker Museum, Graceland, riding the Dragon – just like the kid’s book says, ‘Oh the places you’ll go!’ I feel like a kid and I’m ready to do it.”

Spectators and race fans along the 2026 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s nine overnight stops or daily pit stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia, collect autographs and make donations to Victory Junction.

Full 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:

  • Day 1, Friday, May 1 – Sonoma, CA to Ely, NV
  • Day 2, Saturday, May 2 – Ely, NV to Moab, UT
  • Day 3, Sunday, May 3 – Moab, UT to Colorado Springs, CO
  • Day 4, Monday, May 4 – Colorado Springs, CO to Wichita, KS
  • Day 5, Tuesday, May 5 – Wichita, KS to Springfield, MO
  • Day 6, Wednesday, May 6 – Springfield, MO to Memphis, TN
  • Day 7, Thursday, May 7 – Memphis, TN to Chattanooga, TN
  • Day 8, Friday, May 8 – Chattanooga, TN to Asheville, NC
  • Day 9, Saturday, May 9 – Asheville, NC to Charlotte, NC

The start and end points for the 30th Anniversary Ride also replicates the first route taken by Kyle Petty and friends during the initial Ride in 1995. The first Ride kicked off May 8, 1995, following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway, and wrapped up in Charlotte eight days later.

Among the celebrities participating in this milestone 30th Anniversary Ride are NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty; NASCAR Hall of Famer and NASCAR Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth; NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton; former NASCAR drivers Clint Bowyer, David Ragan, Ken Schrader, and Kenny Wallace; former Formula 1, Champ Car, and NASCAR driver Max Papis; former IndyCar driver JR Hildebrand; TV personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood; and great-grandson of William A. Davidson, one of the Harley-Davidson founders, VP & Global Brand Ambassador Bill Davidson.

Since the inaugural year in 1995, the KPCRAA has had 10 total NASCAR Hall of Fame members and two Landmark Award winners participate in the Ride including: Richard Petty, David Pearson, Terry Labonte, Ray Evernham, Robert Yates, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Herschel McGriff, Donnie Allison, Harry Gant, NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton, and NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France.

Applications for the 2026 Ride are closed, and all riders have been selected. The Ride accepted 26 new riders, and applications for the 30th Anniversary Ride filled up in record-setting time – less than 72 hours after applications were distributed. All told, there will be riders from 35 different states, plus two Canadian provinces, taking part in this year’s Ride.

“Once you go on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, you become part of the Charity Ride family,” Petty said. “It’s hard to explain to somebody that doesn’t understand it. We have around 50 people who have gone 20 years or more on this Ride.

“This year we have 150 motorcycles going with us, and we still had to turn people away. It is the hardest thing to tell people it didn’t work out for this year’s Ride.” he said. “We tell those people to come back next year, get on the list, and we will look at those people first. We have two doctors and two nurses that go with us, paramedics that follow the bikes, retired Highway Patrol motor officers who act as our Ride Motor Marshals, we have a hotel and luggage team, a media team, Coca-Cola sends a team and truck with products, Harley-Davidson sends a truck and technicians – there are an additional 30+ people that go with us just to make sure we can ride every day. The level of commitment from our team, our valued partners and many volunteers is really something special.”

For more information about the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America or to apply for future rides, send an email to info@kylepettycharityride.com.

The 30th Anniversary KPCRAA is made possible by incredible partners, including Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson, Racing Electronics, WinCraft, Musco Lighting, Consolidated Pipe & Supply, America 250, Manafort Brothers, Piedmont Moving System, Wiley X, Prevost, Dodge Law, Petty Family Foundation, SoundOff Signal, Headbands of Hope, Goody’s Powder, Blue Emu, Haul Bikes, and Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores.

Additional details surrounding the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America will be announced in the coming months, including fuel stops, and much more.

To stay up to date with the latest news and updates about the 30th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, check out their posts on social media:

For more information about the Ride or to donate, please visit www.kylepettycharityride.com. 

About Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America

Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual cross-country motorcycle trek that raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction. The Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country. Since its inception in 1995, more than 9,575 riders have logged 13.3 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $23 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.

About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camp for children living with complex medical and physical conditions. Founded by Kyle Petty and family in honor of his son Adam, Victory Junction provides life-changing experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering in a medically safe environment – always free of charge, thanks to the generosity of donors and corporate partners. Victory Junction programming is designed to build confidence and foster independence, helping children, families, and caregivers find belonging and build skills that fuel their journeys far beyond Camp. In addition to onsite sessions, Victory Junction’s OUTREACH program delivers Camp experiences to children in hospitals, clinics, and community partner sites throughout the Carolinas and Virginia.

Since opening in 2004, Victory Junction has provided more than 150,000 experiences to children from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and four countries. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the American Camp Association. To learn more, please visit victoryjunction.org.

The Little Decisions After a Crash That End Up Being the Big Ones

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

The crash itself is obvious. The aftermath is where people get quietly trapped.

Not by villains. By small decisions made while tired. A missed appointment. A casual “feeling okay” on a call. A quick settlement because bills are stressing you out. A gap in care because life is busy. Those tiny moments are the ones that end up mattering later.

So let’s talk about the small decisions that become big ones.

Section 1: Evidence disappears faster than people think

Skid marks fade. Cars get repaired. Video gets overwritten. Witnesses forget. Weather changes. Construction cones move. The scene that felt unforgettable becomes impossible to reconstruct.

That’s why early documentation matters. Photos, videos, names, locations, notes. The point isn’t obsession. It’s preservation.

Section 2: “Minor” symptoms can turn into major disruptions

Soft tissue injuries can be stubborn. Concussions can be sneaky. Back pain can flare unpredictably. Some symptoms show up days later, then linger longer than expected.

The best move is early evaluation and consistent follow-through. If symptoms change, report them. If new symptoms appear, report them. If sleep is wrecked, report it. Providers can’t document what they don’t know.

Section 3: When claims stop being simple, having a plan matters

Some cases resolve quickly. Others get complicated: disputed fault, multiple vehicles, coverage issues, future treatment needs, work disruption. That’s when the claim becomes less about “filling out forms” and more about building a coherent narrative backed by evidence.

An auto injury attorney can preserve evidence, handle insurer tactics, and build the damages picture so the settlement reflects reality.

Section 4: The vehicle damage story matters more than most people realize

Take photos before repairs if possible. Keep estimates and invoices. Damage patterns can support how the collision happened, especially if fault is disputed. If the insurer tries to minimize severity based on damage, having solid documentation helps counter that narrative.

Section 5: Consistency is the quiet superpower

Insurance companies love inconsistency. It gives them room to say the injury is exaggerated, unrelated, or temporary.

Consistency looks like:

  • Following the treatment plan
  • Showing up to therapy
  • Reporting symptoms accurately
  • Keeping notes on limitations
  • Documenting missed work and expenses

None of this requires perfection. Just steady effort.

Section 6: The nervous system reacts even when the mind tries to be “fine”

After a crash, some people feel jumpy. Or tense. Or weirdly angry. Or exhausted. It’s not always proportional to the visible damage, which makes it confusing.

But it’s common. And it can affect recovery. So don’t ignore it.

Section 7: Prevention matters, because the road is unpredictable

A crash often makes people more aware of how quickly things go wrong. Defensive driving habits matter. Space cushions. Avoiding distractions. Not driving tired. Paying attention on two-lane roads. Being cautious near curves and poorly lit stretches.

If you want a practical breakdown of a particularly dangerous type of crash and what reduces risk, this article on common causes of head-on collisions and how to prevent them fits naturally here.

Section 8: The goal is a clean recovery path, not a dramatic fight

The best claims don’t feel like war. They feel like a process that respects reality.

Clear facts. Clear medical documentation. Clear financial impact. Clear daily-life disruption. When those elements are organized, it becomes harder for an insurer to pretend the harm is small.

And that’s what you want. Not noise. Not rage. Just a fair outcome that covers the real cost of what happened, so you can move forward without carrying someone else’s mistake like a permanent backpack.

What Gainesville Drivers Should Know Before They “Feel Fine” After a Crash

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

Feeling fine isn’t a diagnosis

After a crash, people sometimes pop out of the car and say, “All good.” It’s automatic. Part adrenaline, part shock, part pride. Then later that night, the neck tightens. The back starts complaining. Sleep gets weird. And suddenly “fine” feels like a joke.

That’s why the smartest Gainesville drivers treat the first few days like an information-gathering phase. Not a time for bold declarations. A time for observation. Calm steps. Documentation.

The quick Gainesville reality check

Gainesville roads can be deceptively tricky. You’ve got speed shifts, frequent stops, student traffic bursts, and weather patterns that turn pavement slick fast. A crash doesn’t have to be dramatic to cause real injury, especially with whiplash-type forces.

So after a crash, the most important early step is a medical evaluation, even if symptoms are mild. It’s not about being dramatic. It’s about creating clarity.

The second section that makes the process make sense

When drivers start thinking about claims, they often get overwhelmed by the number of moving parts. Police report. Insurance. Repairs. Medical bills. Work notes. It’s a lot.

A local learning resource like a car accident attorney in Gainesville can help explain how Gainesville-area claims typically work and why early documentation, consistent care, and clear communication tend to matter so much in Florida.

Also, if you want a practical read on vehicle risk and accident prevention patterns that connects to real-world driving behavior, this piece on preventing repeat vehicle accidents through risk assessment is an interesting way to think about how crashes happen, and how small decisions add up.

The small decisions that quietly protect a claim

Nobody likes thinking about legal stuff while they’re sore and stressed, but these decisions matter:

  • Getting the crash report information early so the event is properly documented
  • Taking photos even if damage looks minor
  • Keeping appointment notes and receipts without assuming you’ll remember later
  • Tracking missed work with simple proof
  • Avoiding casual recorded statements before the full injury picture is clear

It’s not paranoia. It’s reality.

“But what if the crash was partly your fault?”

This question comes up a lot, usually whispered, like it’s taboo. Here’s the reality: fault arguments can be complicated, and partial responsibility doesn’t automatically mean you’re out of options. The way a crash is reconstructed can change the fault picture, especially when evidence shows speeding, distraction, failure to yield, or unsafe lane changes by the other party.

The key is not guessing at the scene or beating yourself up later. The key is gathering facts.

The part nobody warns you about: the mental aftermath

After a crash, some people get edgy on the road. They flinch when a car brakes ahead. They avoid the intersection where it happened. They feel embarrassed that they’re rattled. Then they pretend they’re not.

That stress is common. And it can affect sleep, focus, and decision-making. If it’s significant, talk to a professional and get it documented. The goal is recovery, not “toughing it out.”

A steady, realistic approach

Here’s the simplest way to think about the whole situation:

  1. Get checked out.
  2. Document what happened.
  3. Follow treatment.
  4. Keep records.
  5. Move carefully through the claim process.

No heroics. No shortcuts. Just steady steps.

Because the crash is one day. The paperwork is many days. And the best time to protect the future version of yourself is right now, while the details are still fresh and the timeline is still clean.

INDYCAR Expands Global Broadcast Presence for 2026

By
Official Release
-

International Expansion Continues to Drive Global Visibility of North America’s Premier Open-Wheel Series

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026) – INDYCAR is intensifying its efforts in 2026 to reach global audiences during the 18-race NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. A strong network of international partners, including new media and broadcast relationships, will bring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ star drivers and signature events to audiences in more than 200 countries and territories.

INDYCAR LIVE acts as INDYCAR’s global direct to consumer streaming service, supporting the broadcast partners in their markets and elsewhere, bringing fans full and uninterrupted coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone – every race, every practice and qualifying session as well as in-car camera feeds, highlights, shorts and vodcasts.

“INDYCAR’s growth trajectory is the best in sports and that includes significant expansion of our global availability and new interest from international audiences,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “This season, 14 nations and territories will be represented in our full-time lineup, and, with that, it is crucial that platforms are available to showcase the intense, wheel-to-wheel action of INDYCAR to their countries and our international fanbase. We are delighted to announce this list of new and renewed partners, who will intensely follow what we believe will be a thrilling 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.”

Partnerships for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season include:

  • New in 2026 to Brazil is Band Sport (Bandierantes) after an eight-year hiatus from INDYCAR, allowing fans to witness fellow Brazilian Caio Collet in his rookie season.
  • ESPN continues to provide coverage across sub-Saharan Africa, as well as to Latin America, Brazil and Mexico where fans can support Mexican native Pato O’Ward.
  • Spain will continue to provide premium coverage via Movistar+ and #Vamos, highlighting reigning series champion Alex Palou as he seeks to win his fourth straight and fifth overall title.
  • Sky Sports will showcase reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year Louis Foster in the United Kingdom, and sister channel Sky Sports Italia continues race coverage in Italy.
  • In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Sky Sports will be closely following Mick Schumacher’s Rookie season.
  • Sky Sport New Zealand will be providing coverage of Kiwis Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin and Marcus Armstrong.
  • A new relationship with SBS Sport allows INDYCAR to reach new audiences in Korea for the 2026 season.
  • Viaplay will continue its coverage in the Nordics for fans to follow Danish drivers Christian Rasmussen and Christian Lundgaard, Swedish drivers Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Ericsson and Norwegian rookie Dennis Hauger.
  • Returning for its second year partnering with INDYCAR is Motorvision, also broadcasting in Austria, Switzerland and Germany.
  • Stan Sport in Australia will allow fans to follow Will Power for his 22nd INDYCAR season.
  • France will broadcast Romain Grosjean’s return to INDYCAR with Canal+.
  • Ziggo Sport continues to spotlight INDYCAR in the Netherlands for fans to follow Dutch driver Rinus Veekay.
  • Additional returning broadcasters of INDYCAR in 2026 include TSN in Canada, RTVS in Slovakia, S Sport in Turkey, Arena 4 in Hungary, Gaora in Japan and Sport TV in Portugal.
  • INDY NXT by Firestone will have also have coverage across the globe with first-time coverage in Poland with Motowizja, allowing fans to see rookie Tymek Kucharczyk in action. Polish fans will also be able to stream all races at the URL tymekkucharczyk.pl. REV TV will broadcast throughout Canada, while ESPN will showcase INDY NXT races to fans in Latin America and Brazil. Further coverage will be provided on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Italy, Viaplay in the Nordics and Sport TV in Portugal.

WHAT INDYCAR’S DRIVERS ARE SAYING

“Viaplay has done a great job covering the NTT INDYCAR SERIES the past several years, and I’m glad they’ll continue this season. While it’s a North American sport, there’s a growing global audience which only happens if they have access to watch the on-track action.” – Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren

“It’s cool whenever I’m home in New Zealand and I get to see INDYCAR races be rebroadcasted on Sky Sport. I hope that New Zealanders, can follow closely this season. They have two Scotts (Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin) and a Marcus (Armstrong) competing at the pointy end of the field this year. The opportunity to see three New Zealanders lock out a podium is actually very possible this year, so it’s going to be pretty cool to watch and I’m glad that Sky Sport will be there to catch it all for everyone back home to watch.” – Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing

“It is extremely important to have INDYCAR back on free-to-air television, especially on a broadcaster like Band, which has a long and rich history not only with motorsport, but also with INDYCAR itself. This helps elevate the category, expand its global reach, attract even more fans around the world and also promote brands and personal sponsors that enable us to be there doing our job.” – Caio Collet, AJ Foyt Racing

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins Sunday, March 1 at noon ET with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The start of the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season begins the same day, also on the streets of St. Petersburg, at 10 a.m. ET. A full list of international broadcast partners is available here.

ROSCH Company Continues Partnership with Ryan Ellis at Young’s Motorsports

By
Official Release
-

MOORESVILLE, N.C.: With the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season underway, ROSCH Company — a leading contractor specializing in the design, engineering and installation of large-scale, complex retaining wall systems — will continue its partnership with veteran driver Ryan Ellis, joining him and Young’s Motorsports for the upcoming event at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on February 28.

Founded in 1991, ROSCH Company also specializes in modular block systems and unit paver hardscapes for both residential and commercial projects. The company will serve as the primary partner aboard Ellis’ No. 02 Chevrolet at COTA and again during the summer race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in August.

In addition to its two primary partnerships in 2026, ROSCH Company will serve as a major associate marketing partner at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June.

“I’m incredibly proud to continue our partnership with ROSCH Company,” said Ellis.

“They’re a company built on precision and strength — and that mirrors what we aim to bring to the racetrack every weekend.

“COTA is a place where strategy and discipline matter and having a partner that believes in what we’re building at Young’s Motorsports means a lot.

“We’re focused on delivering a strong result for them in Austin and carrying that momentum into Pocono and Daytona later this year.”

ROSCH is increasing its visibility in the newly renamed NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series after pairing with the Ashburn, Va., native last fall at World Wide (Ill.) Technology Raceway at Gateway.

In that event, Ellis advanced from 32nd on the grid to earn a respectable 18th-place finish.

Ellis, 36, will make his fifth series start at the historic Circuit of the Americas road course. In his previous four appearances at the Austin, Texas circuit, he has completed all but five laps and holds a 23.3 average finish, highlighted by a career-best 16th-place result last season.

“With over 30 years of experience, ROSCH is one of the largest retaining wall companies in the United States, having installed more than 25 million square feet of retaining walls and pavers across 20+ states,” said the ROSCH Company.

“Taking a project from concept to completion, ROSCH is known for their ability to design and build some of the largest and most complex retaining wall structures in the country. ROSCH is proud to expand its support of Ryan for 2026.”

ROSCH is the third primary marketing partner announced for Ellis in his new endeavor at Young’s Motorsports this season.

On the heels of a top-10 finish in their series debut together last weekend at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, the organization is eager to build on its strong start as the schedule shifts to the first road course event of the 33-race season.

“We’re really proud to have ROSCH Company expand its commitment with Ryan and our No. 02 program,” said Tyler Young, team principal of Young’s Motorsports. “They’re a company built on precision and long-term vision, and

that aligns perfectly with what we’re building here.

“Ryan showed at Daytona what this group is capable of, and heading to a technical place like Circuit of the Americas later this month gives us another opportunity to showcase the strength of this partnership.”

The Focused Health 250 will go green shortly after 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 28, with live coverage on The CW, the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

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

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

About ROSCH:

With over 30 years of experience, ROSCH is one of the largest retaining wall companies in the United States and has installed millions of square feet of walls and pavers.

We have vast experience with nearly all types of retaining wall and paver systems.

Our team of in-house engineers, executives, estimators, project managers, office and field staff, along with our significant resources nationwide, unmatched buying power, and state-of-the-art equipment, truly

separate us from our competition.

Electric Lineup Announced for 2026 Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit

By
Official Release
-

Headliner Zedd Joined by Crankdat, Wooli, it’s murph, Wax Motif

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026) – Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning artist, DJ and producer Zedd will headline an all-star lineup of global electronic music artists at the Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit on Sunday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Zedd last played the Snake Pit in 2017 when he also took the ride of his life in the Fastest Seat in Sports with racing legend Mario Andretti to kick off the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500, leading the field of 33 drivers to the green flag.

Crankdat, Wooli, it’s murph and Wax Motif also will perform at the Race Day concert during the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Performances begin early in the morning on the stage located in the infield adjacent to Turn 3 of the IMS oval, with specific set times to be announced.

“The Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit unites some of the world’s top talent in dance music with more than 20,000 fans each Race Day morning,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “It is regarded as one of the best dance music events each year and adds the unique Race Day experience of the sound of 33 racing INDYCAR SERIES cars against the backdrop of friends, music and dancing from an unforgettable location – the Snake Pit.”

General admission and VIP wristbands for the Snake Pit are on sale for $60 and $165, respectively, at www.ims.com. VIP amenities will include access to a raised viewing platform located beside the stage, a private cash bar and private air-conditioned restrooms.

All Snake Pit ticketholders must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Indy 500 general admission or reserved seat ticket. Ticket holders should be prepared to show proper identification to enter the concert.

Packages that include Race Day general admission tickets and Snake Pit wristbands are available. A package featuring general admission to the Indianapolis 500 and Snake Pit is $115, while a Race Day general admission and Snake Pit VIP package is $220.

Snake Pit concertgoers are encouraged to buy tickets now, as prices will increase as May approaches and limited quantities of admission wristbands are available.

Zedd made his debut in 2012 and has been breaking down barriers surrounding music genres ever since. Throughout his career, he has created hits with a diverse range of artists, including Foxes, Hayley Williams, Selena Gomez, Alessia Cara, Maren Morris and Grey. Most recently, Zedd released the Grammy-nominated “Telos.” The 10-song masterwork features a diverse cast of collaborators: rock monoliths John Mayer and Muse; alt-pop stars Remi Wolf, Dora Jar and Bea Miller; modern Irish folk virtuosos the olllam; and the iconic voice of Jeff Buckley.

Zedd has performed sold-out headlining sets across the world at festivals that include Coachella, Lollapalooza, EDC, Summer Sonic Japan, Outside Lands, ULTRA and many more. In 2018, he created his own festival, the famed Zedd in the Park. He has performed at NHL and NBA All-Star Weekends, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Formula One events and 2022’s NFL Super Bowl LVI. That same year, he was the official performer for the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Having sold more than 5 million headlining tickets globally and racking up more than 31.6 billion streams across all platforms, Zedd is truly proving himself to be one of the most timeless artists of his generation.

Crankdat began his career as a teenager in Ohio uploading remixes to SoundCloud that quickly lit up the electronic music scene. These early viral moments led to collaborations with global heavyweights like Marshmello and DJ Snake, quickly establishing Crankdat as a rising force with a growing catalog of originals, including fan favorites like “STFU” and “Movement.”

Crankdat fuses hard-hitting bass with melodic hooks, crafting tracks designed to dominate streaming platforms and ignite festival crowds. That energy has taken him to the world’s biggest electronic music events, including EDC Vegas, Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland, where his sets are celebrated for custom edits, unreleased tracks and unpredictable moments that keep fans on their toes.

Wooli’s mammoth bass music imprint twists harmonic sounds into a grimy discography of varying tastes. Blending icy compositions with fiery drops, his prehistoric mark captures millions of listeners through immersive performances and heavy bass.

Wooli has collaborated with GRiZ, Excision, Subtronics, Illenium, Svdden Death, Tape B, Flux Pavilion and Seven Lions, showing his diverse sound of melodic landscapes as well as headbanging aggressive drops. Wooli’s signature sounds feature sing-along verses and enthralling pounds. His monumental performances draw religious crowds at festival stages like EDC Las Vegas, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Lost Lands and more.

it’s murph is a Nashville-based electronic producer crafting dance music that’s meant to be felt as much as it’s heard. Rooted in emotion but built for movement, his sound lives at the intersection of euphoric melody, gritty low-end and expansive atmosphere – pulling listeners into moments that feel both intimate and anthemic. it’s murph creates records designed to unlock something deeper: a memory, a feeling, a shared release on the dance floor. His productions balance warmth and edge, pairing melodic progressions with driving grooves that keep crowds locked in while leaving space to breathe.

Blending influences from tech house, bass-forward dance and melodic electronic music, his sound draws inspiration from artists like Fred again.., Cloonee and Chris Lake, while remaining distinctly his own. Whether in headphones or under strobe lights, it’s murph’s music invites listeners to step outside themselves and fully immerse in the moment.

Wax Motif’s ability to blend musical influence such as R&B, disco and U.K. bass into his productions has led to collaborations that bridge the gap between electronic music and hip-hop. The acclaimed DJ also continued to dominate the festival and club circuit. His signature House of Wax events resolidified him as an unparalleled event curator and performer in the dance music scene.

With his productions gaining support from industry heavyweights like Dom Dolla, John Summit, Solomun, Meduza and Chris Lake, Wax Motif is at the forefront of the evolution of dance music. His ability to navigate between electronic music and hip-hop – having also produced for Gashi, G-Eazy and the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot – proves that his artistry and talent transcend genres.

Tickets for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24 and the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday, May 9 are available at www.ims.com.

EchoPark Speedway No Walk in the Park: From Daytona to Atlanta

By
Official Release
-

From Daytona to Atlanta, Cody Ware Stays Flat Out as Pack-Style Racing Rolls On

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 19, 2026) – In every on-track session last week at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Cody Ware felt speed in his No. 51 Chevrolet. And when the green flag dropped on the 68th Daytona 500 on Sunday, that speed was validated when Ware drove to the lead, pacing the 41-car field for two laps before finishing 17th.

It was no walk in the park as the race featured five multi-car crashes, with the final one coming as the leaders crossed the stripe and took the checkered flag, some sliding sideways and even one driving in reverse.

Ware expects more of the same this Sunday at EchoPark Speedway in the Autotrader 400.

The 1.54-mile oval located just south of Atlanta in the rural town of Hampton, Georgia, is a mile shorter than Daytona and features corners banked at 28 degrees and a relatively narrow, 40-foot-wide racing surface. The layout allows drivers to go wide-open in qualifying where it’s just them on the track in a race against the clock, but on Sunday when all 39 cars are on track at the same time, drivers have to work the throttle more, as the pack seemingly becomes a living, breathing organism, expanding and contracting. More often than not, this ebb and flow catches drivers out and, in turn, multiple drivers get caught up, creating a sense of déjà vu after enduring similar scenarios a week ago at Daytona.

“Superspeedway racing is always a game of mental chess. It tests your reaction times, how you process information, how well you make decisions in the heat of the moment, and it all comes with a healthy dose of stress, but the stress is amped up to a hundred at Atlanta,” Ware said.

“The time you have to make decisions is pretty much zero. You’re relying on instincts and your spotter. To be able to run well and have a good finish at Atlanta is a testament to your subconscious. Reaction time, judgment, decision-making – it all gets pushed to its absolute limit at Atlanta.”

It helps to be like water at Atlanta and just flow. In that regard, Ware’s cause in the Autotrader 400 is backed by BlueHighway.ai, an integrated waterway infrastructure platform that is designed to move people, goods and vehicles more efficiently in some of America’s largest cities.

Moving efficiently at EchoPark Speedway is key. Drivers typically run with a handling package that frees up their racecar. It enhances speed, but also puts drivers on a knife edge of control.

“You’re always freer than you really want to be at Atlanta, but you really have to be with the way the aero works,” Ware said. “Between the draft and the dirty air and drag that comes with it, you’ve got to have a free racecar to keep going wide open, or almost wide open. It puts you on a knife’s edge, but you make a lot of speed that way. You find a way of getting comfortable being uncomfortable at Atlanta.”

Exacerbating the style of racing featured at EchoPark Speedway is its tight confines. At a mile-and-a-half, the oval is certainly bigger than the kind of half-mile short tracks typically associated with tight confines, but when turning laps at nearly 180 mph, closing rates are quicker and sightlines are diminished.

“At Daytona when we’re in the middle of the corner, the whole track is wide, and when you’re in the banking, you can see a good bit through the corner,” Ware said. “Even when you’re in the draft, even when someone’s bumper is right in your windshield, you can still see pretty well.

“But at Atlanta, the tight radius of the corners means you can only see three or four car-lengths ahead. So, all the information about what’s happening way ahead of you needs to be portrayed to you really well, precisely and quickly by your spotter.

“You’ve got to have a good, close relationship with your spotter. Brent Wentz, my spotter, knows what I need to hear and he delivers what I need to know quickly and efficiently. It’s important, because I need to digest what he’s telling me and make judgements based off something I may not even see yet. That does happen to an extent at Daytona, but nothing like what it is at Atlanta.”

This makes competing at EchoPark Speedway a taxing experience, both physically and mentally.

“One of the biggest things is, honestly, just remembering to breathe,” Ware said. “You feel like you’re on a qualifying lap every lap, and so the G-forces just push you down into the seat. And with the downforce, steering feels a little bit heavier, so your arms and your forearms get more of a workout at Atlanta.

“Keeping yourself loose, remembering to hydrate, staying calm – all basic things – but at Atlanta, they’re massively important. When you keep your mind fresh, you keep your body fresh, all the way through to the finish.”

Ware’s race weekend at EchoPark Speedway begins Saturday at 11 a.m. EST with qualifying. That will determine his starting spot in Sunday’s Autotrader 400, which goes green at 3 p.m. with live coverage on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Rick Ware Racing:

Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age 6 when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware transitioned out of the driver’s seat and into fulltime team ownership. He has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that competes full-time in the elite NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning winning teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track (AFT), FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) and zMAX CARS Tour.

OMP and Bell Racing continue as Official Partners of Racing America

By
Official Release
-

CHARLOTTE (February 19, 2026) – Racing America announced that OMP and Bell Racing, brands of Racing Force Group, will continue in their role as the “Official Racing Product Supplier” of Racing America, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, International GT (IGT), Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas), Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) and Ligier Junior Formula Championship (Ligier JFC), throughout the 2026 race season.

OMP and Bell Racing products will continue to be prominently displayed and used around the paddock, with the Racing America staff outfitted in OMP uniforms, and OMP also supplying fireproof driver suits to champions in Trans Am, the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, IGT, SVRA, FR Americas, F4 U.S. and Ligier JFC.

Bell Racing will continue to award the coveted gold helmets to SVRA competitors during the U.S. Vintage Racing National Championship weekend at Circuit of The Americas, while champions in FR Americas, F4 U.S. and Ligier JFC will be awarded carbon helmets at the end of the season.

“Over the years, our relationship with Racing America and its championships – including the Ligier Junior Formula Championship, Formula 4 United States Championship, and Formula Regional Americas Championship – has grown and continues to strengthen,” said Kyle Kietzmann, President and CEO of Racing Force USA. “This renewal once again confirms the commitment of our brands, OMP and Bell Racing, to supporting young drivers on their path toward the highest levels of motorsport through products that combine safety, performance, and innovation. We will also continue to present the SVRA Bell Racing Championship Gold Helmets, which since 2013, have become a highly sought-after prize for national champions in vintage racing. We look forward to seeing the action begin with the 2026 season.”

“All throughout my career, I was very cognizant of driver safety gear,” said Scott Goodyear, Race Director for FR Americas, F4 U.S. and Ligier JFC. “I first started wearing a Bell Racing helmet while karting, and continued throughout my career, including racing in the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona, providing me the highest safety in the industry. To continue our partnership and provide the best safety gear to our young drivers with Bell Racing and OMP race suits is so important in getting the next generation of drivers started with the best safety equipment as they build their careers.”

Founded in 1973 in Genoa, Italy, OMP is a global leader in motorsport safety, specializing in the design and production of racewear, car parts, and accessories. As one of the few industry players capable of delivering such a comprehensive range of products, OMP adheres to the most stringent homologation standards, including the ones from FIA, CIK-FIA, SFI, and Snell. With a legacy of achievements and continuous innovation, OMP has collaborated with motorsport icons like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, contributing to world titles across multiple championships and disciplines, between circuit racing, rallying and karting.

Bell Racing is the world’s leading supplier of helmets across all forms of car racing, including circuit, rally, and dirt racing. Founded in 1954 in the United States, Bell still remains benchmark for safety, innovation, performance, and engineering excellence, delivering the most advanced line of auto racing helmets globally. From the very beginning, Bell helmets have been trusted by more champions across all racing disciplines than any other brand, solidifying its reputation as the most iconic name in head protection for motorsport.

“On behalf of the entire Racing America organization and all of our race series, we are grateful for the continued support from Racing Force and its premium brands, Bell Racing and OMP,” said Scott Duncan, Chief Partnerships Officer of Racing America. “With their help, 2026 is going to be a great year for our series, and we especially appreciate them taking care of our competitors with outstandingly safe and reliable products.”

Racing America kicks off the 2026 season at Sebring International Raceway, February 26-March 1.

About Racing Force Group: With main headquarters in Ronco Scrivia (Italy), Sakhir (Kingdom of Bahrain), and Mooresville (United States), Racing Force Group is the global leader in motorsport safety, innovation, and performance. Through its portfolio of brands – including OMP, Bell Racing, Zeronoise, and Racing Spirit – equips professional drivers, teams, and manufacturers, as well as passionate amateurs, with racewear, helmets, car parts, communication systems, and technical apparel. Racing Force Group is the only company in the motorsport industry to offer such a comprehensive range of products, contributing each year to numerous victories and titles in both car and kart racing. The Group has also diversified through its HPS brand, applying cutting-edge motorsport technologies to the defense sector. More information can be found at racingforce.com.

About Racing America: Racing America unites a leading owner and operator of motorsports events with a premier digital-first motorsports media platform. Its portfolio includes The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas), Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), Ligier Junior Formula Championship (Ligier JFC), International GT (IGT), and the industry-leading event registration platform MotorsportReg.com.

Through RacingAmerica.TV and the 24/7 Racing America FAST Channel, the company delivers more than 250 live racing events annually, supported by a full production services arm, editorial division, and content distribution network. Blending racing tradition with innovation, Racing America connects drivers, teams, sponsors, and fans across professional and grassroots motorsports worldwide.

For more information, visit RacingAmerica.com.

NASCAR Weekend schedule – EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)

By
Angie Campbell
-
Atlanta EchoPark Speedway 2025 by John Knittel

This weekend, NASCAR travels to Atlanta to compete at EchoPark Speedway. The upcoming race will mark the ninth Cup Series race at Atlanta since the track was reconfigured to a drafting-style configuration.

Notes – Cup Series:

In six of the last seven Cup Series races, the winning pass came on the final two laps.

Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won four of the eight races since the redesign (William Byron-2, Chase Elliott-2).

Elliott is the most recent winner at the track, after taking home the trophy last June at his hometown track.

Notes – O’Reilly Auto Parts Series:

This weekend will mark the 40th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Atlanta.

The racetrack has been on the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule every year since 1992

Since EchoPark Speedway was redesigned in 2022, the pass for the win has occurred in the final six laps five times.

Richard Childress Racing (3) and Joe Gibbs Racing (4) have won seven of the last eight O’Reilly Series races at Atlanta.

Notes – Craftsman Truck Series:

In the previous four races, the final lead change came in the last seven laps.

Three past winners on the new configuration are entered this weekend – Corey Heim 2022, Christian Eckes 2023, Kyle Busch 2024, 2025.

Busch, the defending race winner, will return to make his first Truck Series start of 2026 in the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.

Friday 2/20/2026

3 p.m.: Truck Series Qualifying (Impound) FS1
5 p.m.: O’Reilly Series Qualifying (Impound) CW App

Saturday 2/21/2026

11 a.m: Cup Series Qualifying (Impound) – Canceled due to rain
Prime/PRN/SiriusXM
Post Qualifying: PressPass

1:30 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 Racing 208
Stages 40/80/135 Laps = 207.9 Miles
FS1/FOX ONE/SiriusXM/MRN
Purse: $1,653,590
Post Race: PressPass

5 p.m.: O’Reilly Auto Parts Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250
Stages 45/90/163 Laps = 251.02 Miles
CW/PRN/SiriusXM
Purse: $1,653,590
Post Race: PressPass

Sunday 2/22/2026

3 p.m.: Cup Series Autotrader 400
Stages 60/160/260 Laps = 400.4 Miles
FOX/FOX ONE/HBO Max/PRN/SiriusXM
Cup Series Purse: $11,233,037
Post Race: PressPass

*All times are Eastern.

The Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway Outlook

By
SM Staff
-
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com
EchoPark Speedway
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, for the Autotrader 400 on Sunday, 22 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX.

Last season, Ryan Blaney captured the pole with a lap of 179.371 mph (30.908 secs), and Christopher Bell found himself at the right place at the right time to win the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Carson Hocevar bumped Bell’s No. 20 DeWalt Toyota Camry XSE entry ahead of Kyle Larson entering Turn 3. Just as Hocevar was trying to split himself between Bell and Larson, the caution flew, and the event concluded as a multi-car wreck that involved Josh Berry, Justin Haley, and Ryan Preece on the backstretch.

Following a review of the footage for when the caution was displayed, Bell was shown to have been the leader over Hocevar and Larson when the caution lights were displayed.

Autotrader 400

Track & Race Information for the Autotrader 400

Race Name: Ambetter Health 400
Race Purse: $11,233,037
Track Size: 1.54 miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 28 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 28 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch & Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,332 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,800 feet

Time

February 22 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Length and Race Stages for the Autotrader 400

Race Length: 260 laps / 400 miles

  • Stage 1 Length: 60 Laps
  • Stage 2 Length: 100 Laps (Ends Lap 160)
  • Final Stage Length: 100 Laps (Ends Lap 260)

Who and what should you look out for at the EchoPark Speedway?

Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in NCS starts at EchoPark Speedway with 32 starts, followed by Denny Hamlin with 31, Joey Logano with 24, Brad Keselowski with 22, and Michael McDowell with 20. Kyle Larson leads all active drivers in the NCS in average starting position at 8.286 in 14 starts.

Joey Logano (2015, 2023, 2025) leads all active NCS drivers in poles at EchoPark Speedway with three, followed by Michael McDowell with two, and Ryan Blaney, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin with one pole each.

The most proficient starting positions in the field at EchoPark Speedway are the first (13.0%) and fifth (13.0%) starting positions, which have produced more wins than any other starting positions at 16 each.

Nine of the 50 NCS EchoPark Speedway race winners are active this weekend:

Active Atlanta Race WinnersWinsSeasons
Chase Elliott22025, 2022
Joey Logano22024, 2023
William Byron22023, 2022
Brad Keselowski22019, 2017
Kyle Busch22013, 2008
Christopher Bell12025
Daniel Suarez12024
Ryan Blaney12021
Denny Hamlin12012
  • Chase Elliott (No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) has two wins, three top fives, nine top 10s, and a series-best average finish of 11.357 in 14 starts.
  • Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford) has one pole, one win, seven top fives, nine top 10s, and an average finish of 11.600.
  • Carson Hocevar (No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet) has one top five, two top 10s, and an average finish of 11.750.
  • Kyle Busch (No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet) has one pole, two wins, ten top fives, 16 top 10s, and an average finish of 12.097. Busch is also the youngest NCS EchoPark Speedway winner at 22 years, 10 months, 7 days on 03/09/2008. Busch also leads all active NCS drivers with 15 top-10 finishes and leads all active NCS drivers in laps led with 558.
  • Daniel Suarez (2023, 2024), Brad Keselowski (2018, 2023), Kyle Busch (2020, 2021), Kyle Larson (2017, 2021), and Ross Chastain (2022, 2022) lead all active NCS drivers with two runner-up finishes.
1...175176177...6,701Page 176 of 6,701