Home Blog Page 19

Andretti Global Drivers Turn Up the Heat on Day 1 at Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON, Ohio (Friday, July 3, 2026) – On a hot day in the heartland, Andretti Global had cars that were the hottest.

Specifically, teammates Will Power and Kyle Kirkwood were 1-2 on the speed chart as the Fourth of July holiday weekend began with a 95-degree afternoon at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Power turned a lap of 1 minute, 5.5540 seconds in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda as the 25-car field opened preparations for Sunday’s The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid (12:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). Kirkwood’s best lap in the No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda was 1:05.6674.

If this practice was an indication, the 90-lap main event will tax the drivers. Temperatures are expected to remain in the low 90s at least through Saturday’s qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (2:30 p.m. on FS1, FOX One and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

Power is always one to watch in NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying sessions. His mark of 71 career poles is handily the sport’s all-time best, and he will be seeking his first pole of the season. Kirkwood also has yet to start a race in the No. 1 position this season; he has won three poles in his career.

Rounding out the top five on Day 1 were series points leader Alex Palou in the No. 10 Open AI Chip Ganassi Racing Honda (1:05.7557) followed by Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard (1:05.8924) and Pato O’Ward (1:06.0340). Lundgaard has won two of the three road course races this season; Palou won the other.

Power (2020), Palou (2023) and O’Ward (2024) are former Mid-Ohio race winners.

Through 10 of 18 races, Palou holds a 60-point lead over Team Penske’s David Malukas, whose best lap on this day (1:06.2534) ranked 10th. Kirkwood sits third in the standings (61 points out of the lead) with Lundgaard fourth (77 points in arrears).

This practice followed Meyer Shank Racing’s announcement that Marcus Armstrong had signed a multiyear extension beginning in 2027. Armstrong is in his second season with the Ohio-based organization, and he will move from the team’s No. 66 entry to its No. 60 driven by Felix Rosenqvist each of the past three seasons.

Rosenqvist, this year’s winner of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, recently was confirmed to be leaving MSR for 2027. Armstrong finished fifth in that race after leading with one lap remaining.

But Armstrong’s Mid-Ohio weekend did not get off to a good start, as what appeared to be a mechanical failure in the rear of the Honda-powered car sent him into the Turn 2 barrier.

“What I felt was when I was braking there was one half of the car was just sliding across the ground,” Armstrong said. “From my (seat), one of the corners was hanging off on the rear, and I was just trying to decelerate quick enough. From what I was hearing, it was making a scraping sound so the floor was dragging.

“It’s a shame. I think we only did one push lap and the car felt really good. Fingers crossed that the tub’s all good and we can repair it without any major concerns for (the second practice).”

Armstrong’s best lap in the abbreviated session (1:07.3433) left him 24th. Rosenqvist, who was runner-up in 2019 at this 13-turn, 2.258-mile permanent road course, had the seventh-quickest lap.

Seven-time Mid-Ohio winner Scott Dixon is also having an interesting weekend. He and Chip Ganassi Racing are working together for the first time since it was announced that he would be leaving the organization after 25 seasons, the longest partnership in the sport.

Dixon, who won last year’s race when Palou drifted wide in Turn 9 with six laps to go, posted the 15th-fastest lap (1:06.5372).

Turn 9 was problematic for Dale Coyne Racing’s Romain Grosjean in this session. He lost control of the back end of the No. 18 BMax Honda late in the session, sliding off track and hitting the tire barrier with the rear. He, like Armstrong, was not injured.

Saturday’s action begins with the weekend’s second practice at 10 a.m. ET on FS1.

Brigadier General Darren Hamilton named Grand Marshal for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid

The Chief of Staff for the Ohio Air National Guard will give the command for NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers to start their engines on Sunday

LEXINGTON, Ohio (July 3, 2026) – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Honda are proud to announce Brig. Gen. Darren E. Hamilton, the Chief of Staff for the Ohio Air National Guard, as the grand marshal for Sunday’s The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid. The former Wing Commander of the 179th Cyberspace Wing (CW) at nearby Mansfield Lahm Airport in Mansfield, Ohio, will give the command for 25 NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers to start their engines as part of pre-race ceremonies.

Brig. Gen. Hamilton’s distinguished career began when he joined the 179th Airlift Wing (AW) in 1986 and was assigned as a crew chief on the C-130B aircraft. He attended training to become a C-130 Flight Engineer in 1989, then graduated from Kent State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Technology.

Brig. Gen. Hamilton started as a traditional guardsman at the 179th AW, Ohio Air National Guard at Mansfield Lahm Airport. He has served as a corporate pilot, airline pilot and as a dual status military technician with the 179th AW in a multitude of roles to include: Flight Safety Officer, Training Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and 164th Airlift Squadron Commander. He served as the Joint Force Headquarters Director of Operations Ohio (A3) before returning as the 179th Operations Group Commander. He participated in Operations Restore Hope, Southern Watch, Joint Forge, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Freedom Sentinel. He is a Command Pilot with over 5000 hours in the T-41, T-37, T-38, C-13O B/E/H and C-27J aircraft. He was promoted to Brigadier General on June 7, 2026. His numerous assignments and accomplishments have led to over 30 major awards and decorations.

“As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, it’s fitting to recognize Brigadier General Darren Hamilton’s numerous accomplishments and long service to our country by having him join us in this role on Sunday,” said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “It is an even more special occasion with his strong connections to the local community, the State of Ohio and the United States military.”

Shortly after Brig. Gen. Hamilton gives the command, Kendall Coyne Schofield – two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist for Team USA Women’s Hockey and a Team Honda athlete ambassador – will wave the green flag over the starting field. Coyne Schofield was previously named the honorary starter for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid on Sunday (July 5).

The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid this weekend marks the 43rd running of Ohio’s biggest racing event. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES headlines the weekend of 10 races across five different racing series. The full development ladder of the sport’s rising stars will be on display with INDY NXT by Firestone, USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire, USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire and USF Juniors Presented by Continental Tire all competing on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course.

All event information including ticket options and pricing is posted online at midohio.com. Children 12 and under receive free general admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Follow the event on social media with #Honda200.

About Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course:

A comprehensive motorsports facility in Lexington, Ohio, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course sits on 380 acres and features a permanent road-racing circuit with two primary race track configurations: 2.4-mile, 15-turn or 2.258-mile, 13-turn layout. Located 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland near Mansfield, the natural terrain road course is commonly referred to as the “Most Competitive in the U.S.” and annually hosts a diversity of locally, regionally and nationally-sanctioned race events for amateur, club and professional drivers and riders. It is also home to The Mid-Ohio School, featuring over 20 driving and riding courses, for teenagers to professional racers using Honda vehicles. Opened in 1962, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has been owned and operated by Green Savoree Mid-Ohio, LLC since 2011, just the raceway’s third private ownership group in its history.

For more information, visit midohio.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page at @MidOhioSportsCarCourse or follow updates on X at @Mid_Ohio and Instagram at @officialmidohio.

Fittipaldi Strikes Late, Opens Mid-Ohio Weekend with Quickest Lap

LEXINGTON, Ohio (July 3, 2026) – Enzo Fittipaldi waited until the closing minutes of INDY NXT by Firestone practice Friday to top the speed chart, turning the fastest lap to kick off this weekend’s doubleheader at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

The HMD Motorsports rookie posted a lap of 1 minute, 10.7286 seconds in the No. 67 HMD Motorsports entry with less than two minutes remaining in the 45-minute session. Temperatures reached 94 degrees during the afternoon practice, the hottest session of the season.

“It’s very hot out there — super hot,” Fittipaldi said. “I think it was a good practice. We had a good session there. We made some good changes throughout the session, and we made very good progress throughout the whole session. Very happy about it.”

Fittipaldi edged HMD Motorsports teammate Tymek Kucharczyk, who led much of the session before settling for second at 1:10.7736.

Andretti Global’s Lochie Hughes was third at 1:10.8710, followed by AJ Foyt Racing’s Alessandro de Tullio (1:10.9097) and championship leader Nikita Johnson of Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR (1:11.0264). Four teams were represented in the top five.

Johnson entered the weekend with a six-point lead over Kucharczyk in the championship standings, while Fittipaldi sits 27 points behind in third.

Qualifying for both races is scheduled for 9 a.m. ET Saturday, followed by Race 1 at 1 p.m. Both sessions will air live on FS1 and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.

“The track’s going to be quite a lot colder in the morning,” Fittipaldi said. “It’s quite early in the morning, so it could change a bit the balance of the cars. It’s just making sure we get the car in in the right window and where we want it to be for tomorrow morning, in which is the day that counts, which is qualifying.”

De Tullio will aim to continue his remarkable qualifying form. The AJ Foyt Racing driver enters the weekend with seven poles in 10 races, including three of the last four and has claimed five of the six available poles during road course doubleheader weekends this season at Barber Motorsports Park, Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and Road America.

The INDY NXT by Firestone single-season record is nine poles, set by Pato O’Ward in 2018. Ed Jones (2016) and Thiago Medeiros (2004) each earned eight.

The No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing driver has started from the front row in every race this season except the opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, where he qualified eighth.

The 911 Is the Car Enthusiasts Can’t Let Go Of. Artovelo Puts It on the Wall

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

Every enthusiast has a car that lives in their head rent-free, and for a huge number of them it’s a 911. There’s a reason for that. No other car has held one basic silhouette for sixty years while quietly reinventing everything underneath it. The rear-engined layout that should never have worked. The air-cooled cars that people still talk about like lost relatives. The 996 that everyone slated for its headlights and now quietly admits was brilliant value. The 911 isn’t one car — it’s a running argument that enthusiasts have been having with each other since the sixties, and nobody’s winning.

Which is exactly why it ends up on so many walls.

The car you owned, sold, or still dream about

Car people are sentimental in a specific way. They don’t just like cars in the abstract — they carry particular ones around. The first one they saved for. The one they sold to fund a house and regretted immediately. The dream spec they’ve configured a hundred times and will buy one day. The 911 sits at the center of more of these stories than almost any other car, because it’s aspirational enough to dream about and attainable enough (in older generations) to actually reach.

That emotional weight is what most car “art” completely misses. A generic supercar poster doesn’t carry a story. It’s decoration. What enthusiasts actually want on the wall is their car — the exact generation, the shape that means something — rendered well enough to earn its place.

What Artovelo does with it

That’s the gap Artovelo builds for. The brand makes 3D layered metal automotive wall art focused on specific cars, and the 911 is one of the cars it treats with real care. Their Porsche 911 wall art leans into the thing that makes the 911 special in the first place: the evolution. Rather than freezing one generation, the Evolution display lays out how the shape developed across decades — the through-line that connects a narrow-body classic to a modern turbo car. For anyone who can argue 964 versus 993 at length (which is every 911 owner), it’s a piece that rewards a second look.

There’s a separate tachometer piece built around the 911 dial — the redline as its own kind of portrait — and a wheel evolution study for people who nerd out on the details. It’s not one generic “Porsche” product; it’s the car looked at from a few different angles by someone who actually studied it.

Layered metal, not a folded print

The physical execution is where it separates from the poster crowd. The pieces are handcrafted aluminium, layered to build real depth instead of sitting flat behind glass. From across a room it reads as a clean, graphic take on the car. Up close, the layering gives it dimension a printer can’t fake. That’s the difference between something that looks like merchandise and something that looks considered — and for a car as obsessed-over as the 911, “considered” is the only version worth owning.

The people behind it, co-founders Tony Chen and Xavier Liu, come at this as designers who study chassis and proportion rather than as collectors flexing a garage. It’s why the details land. The proportions are right, the references are correct, and the work reflects someone who looked closely at the car before turning it into art.

The gifting problem it quietly solves

Here’s the practical upside: enthusiasts are famously hard to buy for. They’ve already bought the part they wanted, they have opinions about everything, and generic “car guy” car gifts — the keychains, the novelty signs, the mugs shaped like pistons — end up in a drawer within a month. The thing that actually lands is specificity. A gift that nails the exact car, generation, or detail someone cares about beats an expensive one that treats “likes cars” as a single interest.

Model-specific wall art is close to cheating in that respect. If you know your person drives, dreams about, or once owned a particular 911, you don’t have to guess at taste — the car does the work. It’s a self-bought reward after a build comes together, and it’s an even better gift, because getting the model right is exactly the kind of detail that reads as “you actually paid attention.”

The through-line

Car culture is full of stuff that’s about cars in the loosest possible sense. The 911 deserves better than that, and so does the person who loves one. Artovelo’s whole bet is that enthusiasts would rather have one considered piece about their car than a wall of interchangeable posters — and with a car as personal as the 911, that bet is an easy one to make.

Top 3 Cloud Gaming Services for Racing Games

Racing games are a good test for cloud gaming because the genre makes every small delay feel bigger.

A late brake, a missed apex, a small correction through a corner, or a bad launch off the line can change the whole race. That makes cloud gaming especially interesting for fans who want to play on more devices without building a full gaming setup around every screen they use.

For motorsport fans, the appeal is easy to understand. You may follow NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, endurance racing, rally, or local short-track racing, then want to jump into a driving game on a laptop, smart TV, tablet, or phone. Cloud gaming gives players that kind of flexibility by running the game remotely and streaming the gameplay back to the device.

The best service depends on the games you want to play, the devices you use, and the quality of your internet connection. Racing games reward stable performance, clear visuals, and controller response that feels natural. This guide looks at three of the most useful cloud gaming services for racing fans – Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Boosteroid – along with a few other options worth knowing about.

What racing fans should look for in a cloud gaming service

Before choosing a platform, start with the game library. Some cloud gaming services are built around a subscription catalog, while others let players stream supported games they already own through connected PC stores. That difference matters if you are looking for a specific racing series, sim-style title, open-world driving game, or arcade racer.

Connection quality also matters. Cloud gaming depends on a steady link between the player, the service’s servers, and the device being used. Racing games make this easy to notice because steering, braking, throttle control, and camera movement all rely on quick feedback. A wired connection, strong Wi-Fi, and nearby cloud servers can all help the experience feel smoother.

Device support is another big factor. Some players want to race on a laptop while traveling. Others want to use a smart TV in the living room or play on a tablet with a controller. The best service is usually the one that supports the games you want on the screen you actually use most.

1. Nvidia GeForce Now

Nvidia GeForce Now is one of the strongest choices for PC players who already own racing games through major digital stores. The service connects with supported PC game libraries, including Steam, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, GOG, Xbox, and PC Game Pass, then streams supported titles using Nvidia’s cloud hardware. Nvidia positions GeForce Now around GeForce RTX performance in the cloud, which makes it a natural fit for visually demanding games.

For racing fans, the appeal is clear. Modern driving games can be heavy on hardware, especially when they use detailed car models, weather effects, large open worlds, cockpit views, night racing, and high-speed scenery. GeForce Now gives players a way to access that kind of experience from devices that may have limited local gaming power.

The service is especially useful for players who already treat PC as their main gaming platform. Instead of starting from a separate catalog, GeForce Now works around supported games from connected stores. That makes it a good fit for players who have already built a PC game library and want more flexibility in where they play.

GeForce Now also works across several device types, including PCs, Macs, mobile devices, and supported TVs. For racing fans, that means a game that usually belongs at a desk can move more easily to another screen. A player can practice on a laptop, continue on a larger display, or use another supported device when their main setup is unavailable.

The main reason to choose GeForce Now is performance. Players who care about visual quality, frame rate options, and a PC-style experience will likely find it one of the most serious cloud gaming platforms available. It is a strong fit for racing fans who want demanding games to look sharp and feel responsive without relying fully on local hardware.

2. Xbox Cloud Gaming

Xbox Cloud Gaming is a strong option for players who prefer a console-style experience. It is tied closely to the Xbox world and lets Game Pass Ultimate members play hundreds of console games on PCs and supported mobile devices, with supported smart TV access also available through the Xbox app on select devices.

For racing fans, Xbox Cloud Gaming is easy to understand. Choose a supported game, connect a controller, and start playing through the cloud. The experience is built around access and convenience, especially for players who already use Xbox Game Pass or follow the Xbox catalog.

This makes Xbox Cloud Gaming a good choice for players who want a straightforward way into racing and driving games without managing PC store connections or hardware settings. The service fits naturally into a living-room gaming routine, and it can also work well for travel or casual play on supported devices.

The Xbox catalog is the main reason to consider it. Racing fans who enjoy Xbox-linked franchises or already subscribe to Game Pass may find the cloud option useful as part of their existing setup. It also gives players a way to try supported games without planning each purchase around one device.

Xbox Cloud Gaming works best for people who value simplicity. It feels closer to picking up a controller and starting a console session than building a custom PC streaming setup. For many racing fans, that ease is the whole point.

3. Boosteroid

Boosteroid deserves a place in the top three because it combines broad device access with a growing international cloud gaming network. The service lets players run supported PC games through the cloud and play across Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, browsers, and apps. Boosteroid also emphasizes that users can launch supported games they already own, with the game running on remote gaming rigs while gameplay streams back to the player’s device.

For racing fans, that means the service can work well across everyday screens. A lower-powered laptop, a browser, a mobile device, or a smart TV can become a way to access supported racing and driving games through the cloud. That kind of flexibility is useful for players who do not want every gaming session tied to one machine.

Boosteroid’s infrastructure story is also important. The company operates cloud servers across the United States, giving players reliable access throughout North America. It maintains strong infrastructure across Europe, with consistently high performance supported by a mature regional network. It has also expanded into South America through newly deployed servers in Brazil, improving access and quality for players in that region. Boosteroid’s North American, European, and South American coverage are all active parts of its global cloud gaming network, with the United States and Europe both serving as strong regional pillars while Brazil extends access for South American players.

That regional footprint matters in cloud gaming because distance and network quality affect the feel of play. Racing games make those details easy to notice. When a player turns into a corner, corrects oversteer, or brakes late into a tight section, the quality of the connection helps decide how natural the stream feels.

Boosteroid is also easy to use. The service is built around starting games without local downloads or updates, which can be especially convenient for players who want quick access during a race weekend, after watching a motorsport event, or while moving between devices. The point is simple: choose a supported game, launch it through the service, and play on the device that fits the moment.

For players comparing the major cloud gaming options, Boosteroid stands out as a practical service with meaningful reach across North America, Europe, and South America. It gives racing fans another serious route into cloud gaming, especially if they want broad device support and a global infrastructure footprint behind the experience.

Other cloud gaming services racing fans may consider

Amazon Luna may also be worth a look for players who want a simple cloud gaming service connected to Amazon’s wider entertainment setup. Its value depends on the available games, the player’s region, and whether the service’s channel-style model fits how they already subscribe to games and entertainment.

PlayStation cloud gaming is another option for players who already use PlayStation services and want access tied to that world. It makes the most sense for people who are already invested in PlayStation’s catalog and subscription structure.

These services can be useful, but Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Boosteroid create the clearest top-three structure for racing fans. Each one serves a different type of player: the PC-library user, the Xbox subscription user, and the player looking for broad device access backed by a wide international cloud network.

The right cloud service depends on how you race

Cloud gaming is at its best when the game, device, controller, connection, and server location all work together. Racing games make that clear because they are built around timing. A player feels the difference when the steering responds naturally, the track stays clear at speed, and the session starts without extra setup getting in the way.

Nvidia GeForce Now is a strong choice for players who already own PC racing games and want cloud access to higher-end performance. Xbox Cloud Gaming works well for players who prefer a console-style catalog and a familiar subscription model. Boosteroid gives racing fans another strong option, with broad device access and active infrastructure across North America, Europe, and South America.

The best place to start is with the games you care about most. Check which service supports them, test the devices you actually plan to use, and pay attention to how the experience feels in real racing moments: braking, turning, passing, recovering, and finishing a clean lap. The right cloud gaming service should make it easier to focus on the race.

How The Business Of Formula 1 Is Structured And What Is The Strategy?

Photo by Marc Kleen on Unsplash

Formula 1 has long grown out of the format of regular races for the championship title. Today, it is a huge empire, where everything is decided by advanced technologies, strict budget limits, and competent marketing. It is incredibly interesting to watch this. If you like to analyze team form and analyze tactics, then the current line on Formula 1 will be a great help for checking your predictions. Over the past few years, Royal Racing has greatly restructured its business, becoming a benchmark for the entire entertainment industry. It is best to talk about how F1 really makes money, what kind of engineering magic happens in the pits, and how the championship is relearning how to communicate with fans.

The Technology Race – A Lab on Wheels and Data Monetization

Formula 1 has long been considered the pinnacle of automotive engineering. For decades, top teams poured hundreds of millions of dollars solely into research and development. Today, the F1 business model operates differently: participants do not burn through budgets in pursuit of trophies; they generate significant revenue by selling their technologies. Take, for instance, energy recovery systems, ultra-strong carbon fiber, or sophisticated engines. All these innovations are gradually migrating from the racetrack to consumer road cars, yielding substantial profits for automakers.

Another major revenue stream for teams is big data. A modern race car is essentially a server on wheels; equipped with over 300 sensors, it collects terabytes of telemetry data during a single race weekend. To process this data stream in real time, teams partner with IT giants such as AWS, Oracle, and Cognizant. It is easy to see why sponsors from Silicon Valley are flocking to the sport: for them, the race car has become the ultimate high-speed showcase, offering a dynamic platform to demonstrate their cloud solutions to the vast B2B market.

Team Economics and the «Budget Cap» Revolution

For a long time, the primary issue facing Formula 1 was the massive disparity in budgets. Championship frontrunners – Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing- could spend up to half a billion dollars annually and employ thousands of specialists. By comparison, small private teams with budgets of up to 100 million USD seemed like mere «extras». The sport was losing its competitive intrigue and its audience, while the series’ business model itself was under threat, as it deterred potential investors.

A historic turning point arrived in 2021 with the introduction of a strict budget cap. Spending on car development and operations was limited to a range of 135-140 million USD. This forced team principals to completely overhaul their operations. Engineers could no longer solve technical problems through endless financial injections; instead, prudent financial management and the efficiency of every dollar spent became the key factors for success.

From a business perspective, this move paid off completely. Racing teams ceased to be money-losing playthings for billionaires. Today, they operate as profitable sports franchises, much like NFL or NBA teams. Acquiring a team has become a sound investment, and the valuation of most championship participants has already surpassed the 1 billion USD mark.

A New Era of Fan Engagement – The Netflix and Liberty Media Effect

When the American company Liberty Media acquired the rights to Formula 1 in 2017, the sport’s conservative era came to an end. The new owners quickly realized that simply broadcasting races on Sundays wasn’t enough to drive growth; people wanted a show. Launching the Netflix series «Drive to Survive» proved to be a masterstroke. Viewers were no longer bombarded with dry technical details and lap times; instead, they were shown real-life drama:

  • Team bosses clashing.
  • Drivers fighting for their careers.
  • Intrigues unfolding in the paddock.

It worked: young people began tuning in to Formula 1, and the US market, which had previously all but ignored the sport, suddenly woke up. At the same time, the championship made a major push into social media and launched the F1 TV streaming service. Now, fans can watch races from any driver’s onboard camera and listen to uncensored team radio. They are no longer mere spectators; they are right in the heart of the action.

Sports Analytics And Informed Forecasting

Formula 1 fans now have access to incredible statistics – ranging from tire wear graphs and pit-stop predictions to track heat maps. This has sparked a whole new trend in the sport: in-depth analytics for the audience. Fans look at data provided by AWS and try to predict the outcome of qualifying sessions or races themselves.

For analysts, modern F1 is the perfect sandbox. Once you grasp how teams manage tire degradation, how the slightest weather shift affects grip, and what impact new aerodynamic packages have, clear patterns emerge from the chaos. This significantly boosts engagement with the broadcasts. If you understand the concept of the «undercut» during a pit stop, the race is no longer just cars driving in circles; it becomes a high-speed game of chess played at nearly 300 km/h.

Photo by Roy Tsong on Unsplash

Key Success Factors Of The Modern F1 Commercial Strategy

The success of Formula 1 as a business is easy to describe by looking at the strategy that is used. Among the main elements that form the revenue and audience loyalty are:

  • Geographic expansion. The championship is actively entering markets with high purchasing power. Examples are the new Grands Prix in the USA and the Middle East.
  • A new approach to sponsorship. Traditional advertisers from the tobacco and automotive industries have been replaced by tech brands, like cloud services and fintech to cryptocurrency platforms.
  • Environmental initiatives. The «Net Zero 2030» program attracts socially responsible investors. Formula 1 plans to eliminate its carbon footprint entirely by switching to biofuels and optimizing logistics.
  • Premium services. The creation of exclusive hospitality areas, such as the Paddock Club, generates significant profit through the sale of high-priced tickets to corporate and VIP clients.
  • Esports development. The launch of F1 Esports tournaments by Electronic Arts and mobile games attracts a younger generation of viewers.

These are the measures that help in making the overall brand more valuable. By making multimillion-dollar investments in digital formats and new technologies, Formula 1 is one of the most innovative and in-demand forces in the modern world of sports.

Why the VW Light-Up Emblem Is the Most Satisfying Badge Upgrade in the Aftermarket Right Now

Every VW owner is familiar with this moment: when you walk away from your car after dark and look back casually, you will find there is no difference between your car and other ones around it. They have almost the same silhouette and lights. You can hardly separate yours from the several identical models parked nearby. Of course, not everyone cares about the similarity. But if you selected a Volkswagen because of its design heritage and badge cachet, you will feel more and more depressed over time.

In fact, the installation is simpler, and the emblem is cheaper than most people think. You can buy a VW light-up emblem to replace perfectly for the factory roundel badge. And it will make any Volkswagen stand out at night. You can take care because this upgrade will not change the car’s bodywork, paint, or mechanical systems. What’s more, we guess you may even have a doubt: why didn’t the factory upgrade it at first?

The VW Roundel: Built for Illumination

Actually, not every car badge is suitable for backlighting design. Some logos are too complex, too colorful, or too small in size. So they cannot benefit a lot from the emblem upgrade. The Volkswagen round car logo is totally different. When you light it up, it might be one of the most satisfying logos in the mainstream automotive world.

The logo is almost ideal: there are two clean capital letters in a circular outer ring. The color is high-contrast chrome and black. When that emblem lights up, you can see a soft and even LED effect which is more high-end and fantastic than a factory badge. The light can come out from the round emblem smoothly without hot spots. You can also see the illuminated logo clearly and fully because of the V-over-W letter-form design. Many other badges usually have multiple color zones, heraldic details, and fine engraving. So it is easy to understand why VW owners are crazier about upgrading the badge than other vehicle owners.

What Has Changed in the Market

To be honest, the first generation of light-up emblem kits that appeared on the enthusiast market was mixed in quality. Early products have some common problems. First, you may see obvious LED light spots. It means you can see single bulbs through the diffusion layer. Second, some emblems cannot stand bad weather and may stop working in the first wet winter. Third, the emblem might be loose. This might cause gaps around the edge of badge, so moisture will get into it over time. Because of these problems, people changed their bad impression of LED emblems after a long time.

The products of the latest generation are totally different. Serious suppliers have applied proper optical diffusion engineering to eliminate light spots. Moreover, they set IP65 or higher weatherproofing as standard level. Also, they measure the specific sizes for different models. In this way, the new emblem can fit well with the factory mounting points with no gaps. The VW light up emblems today are suitable for many Volkswagen models. For example, Golf, Polo, Tiguan, T-Roc, Passat and Transporter are all included. It should be mentioned that the sizes of badges are not the same for different models and years. So you should be careful when you choose the emblem for your vehicle..

Front Badge, Rear Badge, or Both?

Before you carry out the upgrade, you should decide at first whether to upgrade the front badge, the rear badge, or both. You can consider how to use the car and personal preference in advance.

The front badge is no doubt the best choice during the day. Pedestrians, drivers in oncoming vehicles, and parking lot users can notice it at first. At night, when the headlights are on,  the badge will also light up. Although the light may be partly washed out by headlight output, people can still see the illuminated emblem clearly.

The rear badge has the opposite effect: it cannot be noticed easily in daylight. But at night, the rear emblem will deliver a striking effect when the car tail lights are on. When a Golf is parked outside a restaurant or venue, the light up rear emblem will win attention and praise from almost everyone there. It will become an outstanding point rather than a functional car. Many owners tend to replace both front and rear badges finally. In this way, the car will look better as a whole. It may look strange to upgrade only front or rear emblem.

Installation Without the Workshop Visit

Many people choose this upgrade because the installation process is simple. Owners with even basic mechanical experience can handle it easily. There is no cutting and drilling during the process. You can also move it if you don’t need it one day.

You need a plastic trim lever to remove the factory badge.  In some cases, you also need a heat gun to soften the adhesive backing. Then you should connect the LED harness of the new emblem to the sidelight or DRL circuit. Next, you can put the new badge back into the original location with clips or adhesive. If you install the emblem for the first time on Volkswagen models, you need about 30 to 60 minutes to finish the work. But you will need less time for a second try.

During the installation, some people usually hesitate about circuit selection. Most people choose to connect the emblem to the sidelights or parking lights. It means the emblem will light up as soon as you turn on the car’s exterior lights. However, newer Volkswagen models are equipped with lighting management systems. At this time, you should make sure the circuit you choose won’t cause a fault code on the vehicle’s CANbus network. Most reliable emblems include resistors or CANbus compatibility by design. It is still necessary for you to confirm before ordering.

The Bigger Picture: Personalization Without Modification

Car upgrades can vary a lot for different personal needs. They can be both subtle and dramatic. But many people usually choose small upgrades. Full body wraps and wide-body kits are really big upgrades that will change the car’s outlook. In fact, not everyone can accept the changes in daily life. The light up emblem is totally different. It will not change the appearance of the car. Especially in daytime, people can hardly notice it if they doesn’t light up.

Many people are attracted by the outstanding effect. Maybe they are tired of similar vehicles and decide to change. The light up emblem may be their best choice. In daytime, your car will look almost the same as usual. But when it gets dark, your car will stand out on the road. If you are VW owner who is proud of the brand’s design style, the light up emblem will not let you down.

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

Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway | Cuervo 300

Fast Facts

No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Ryan Ellis

Primary Partner(s): GOVX — Tablo TV

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Eddie Troconis

2026 Driver Points Position: 28th

2026 Owner Points Position: 34th

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

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

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

Ellis will pilot the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro across the full 33-race schedule, continuing with Saturday’s Cuervo 300 at Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway and culminating with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway in November.

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

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

The 35-year-old Virginia native is coming off his first career NASCAR top-10 finish in 2025 and looks to build on that momentum while continuing to expand his résumé, which includes 183 career starts in series competition.

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

● All-Aboard!: For the 20th of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Tablo TV as the primary partner on the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday’s 200-lap event.

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

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

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

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

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

Content and channels are subject to availability in your area.

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

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

For more information, visit TabloTV.com.

● Tablo TV and GOVX Celebrate Those Who Serve: Tablo TV and GOVX continue their partnership this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.

GOVX, the members-only platform serving U.S. military personnel, veterans, first responders, emergency medical professionals and government employees, provides exclusive access to premium brands and special pricing for those who serve.

Tablo TV and GOVX will continue to build on their new partnership this weekend, celebrating military members, veterans and their families through an exclusive offer for the military community.

Following the successful launch during the United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 on June 20, eligible GOVX members can receive $30 off the Tablo Total System, making it even easier to enjoy free over-the-air television at home.

GOVX will have a prominent presence this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, featured on the hood of Ryan Ellis’ No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet for the Cuervo 300.

● Tablo Gives Fans More Ways to Watch NASCAR: As a valued partner of Ellis and Young’s Motorsports, NASCAR fans have even more ways to watch and record racing action with Tablo.

Fourth-generation Tablo DVR owners can now access and record The NASCAR Channel, featuring 24/7 free programming, including classic races, delayed broadcasts of the current season, select live events, NASCAR Studios original content, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s The Morning Drive.

The addition brings Tablo’s lineup to 106 free streaming channels, complementing its ability to watch and record free local broadcast television with a TV antenna through its whole-home DVR platform.

● Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with Tablo: With the world’s biggest soccer tournament underway, Tablo TV offers fans an easy and affordable way to watch live matches from official broadcast partners FOX and Telemundo — all without a monthly subscription.

With a one-time device purchase, a TV antenna and the free Tablo TV app, viewers can watch, pause, record and stream FIFA World Cup 2026™ action alongside local broadcast favorites from NBC, CBS, ABC, ION and The CW on compatible devices throughout their home.

Whether you’re cheering on your favorite nation, catching every NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on The CW or enjoying your favorite local programming, Tablo makes it simple to bring America’s biggest sporting events and entertainment home for free.

● Glad to Have Your Local Support: As the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to Chicagoland Speedway for one of the most anticipated races of the season, Young’s Motorsports and Ryan Ellis are pleased to welcome Larson Steel Products as an associate marketing partner.

Larson Steel Products in Joliet, IL, is a family-owned metal fabrication and supply business. Founded by Mark and Sarah Larson, they specialize in custom steel fabrication, cutting, painting, and direct steel sales for clients ranging from small local businesses to major industrial operations

● Ryan Ellis O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway Stats: Saturday’s battle in the Windy City will mark Ellis’s fourth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the 1.5-mile Joliet, Illinois, racetrack.

In his previous three outings at Chicagoland Speedway, Ellis delivered a track-best finish of 27th after starting 33rd in the 2016 edition of the Drive for Safety 300 while driving for Rick Ware Racing. Overall, he holds an average NOAPS finish of 34.3 at the popular racing venue.

This weekend, the NASCAR national series returns to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since the 2019 season, renewing one of the sport’s most anticipated venues for a special Independence Day triple-header under the lights.

The action begins Friday, July 3, with the ARCA Menards Series Ashley Furniture 150, before the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series celebrates America’s 250th Independence Day with the Cuervo 300 on Saturday evening. The weekend concludes Sunday night with the NASCAR Cup Series eero 400, capping an exciting holiday weekend of racing.

Located just outside Chicago in Joliet, Illinois, Chicagoland Speedway has produced some of NASCAR’s most memorable finishes, thanks to its wide racing surface, progressive banking and multiple racing grooves that encourage side-by-side competition.

The 1.5-mile tri-oval rewards patience, consistency and long-run speed, while changing track conditions throughout the evening challenge drivers and crew chiefs to make the right adjustments.

As the sun sets and temperatures ease, handling becomes increasingly important, placing an added emphasis on communication and strategy throughout the race.

Unlike road courses or short tracks, Chicagoland’s intermediate layout allows drivers to search for grip across the racing surface, creating opportunities for thrilling battles from the green flag to the checkered flag.

With the eyes of the motorsports world focused on NASCAR’s long-awaited return to Chicagoland Speedway, Ryan Ellis and Young’s Motorsports will look to capitalize on the opportunity as the No. 02 team continues its push toward the second half of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

For Ellis and Young’s Motorsports, Chicagoland Speedway represents another opportunity to put together a complete weekend, build on recent momentum and continue gaining valuable points as the regular season roars towards its final stretch.

● Ryan Ellis NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Chicagoland, Ellis has 183 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races to his credit, earning a career-best sixth-place finish after starting 32nd in the 2026 edition of the United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for Young’s Motorsports.

Since his 2012 debut, Ellis has averaged a 26.6 finish in series competition, including the past three seasons running full-time.

● Sonoma Raceway | Pit Boss / FoodMaxx 250 Race Recap: The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series concluded its road course schedule for the 2026 season with the Pit Boss / FoodMaxx 250 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway, where Ryan Ellis and the Young’s Motorsports team delivered another solid performance on a road course.

The No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet team continued to show speed throughout the weekend, posting a strong practice effort before qualifying 29th on speed in time trials.

From the drop of the green flag, Ellis steadily worked his way forward and, despite varying pit strategies throughout the race, remained in contention for a strong top-20 finish.

When the checkered flag waved, Ellis crossed the finish line in 23rd aboard the No. 02 Sweetwater Construction Chevrolet, giving the team its best road-course finish of the season.

With the road course portion of the schedule now complete and the second half of the 2026 season underway, Ellis and Young’s Motorsports shift their focus to NASCAR’s long-awaited return to Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway, for the first time since 2019, is looking to carry the momentum from Sonoma into one of the season’s most anticipated race weekends.

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

On Saturday, Troconis will call his 41st NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race from atop the pit box. In his previous 40 starts, he has recorded two top-10 finishes, most recently in the 2026 season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

The season’s 20th race will mark Ellis’ first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Chicagoland Speedway.

Troconis, however, brings valuable experience to the 1.5-mile oval.

As a crew chief in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, he has made four starts at Chicagoland, earning two top-five and three top-10 finishes, including a career-best track result of second with Ben Rhodes in the 2018 Overton’s 225 while leading ThorSport Racing.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Chicagoland Speedway: This weekend’s Cuervo 300 will mark Young’s Motorsports’ first two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway, the wide, progressive-banked intermediate track just outside Chicago making its first appearance on NASCAR’s national series schedule since 2019.

While the organization has no previous NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series experience at Chicagoland to add to its growing résumé, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization also brings valuable experience to Chicagoland through its NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program.

Since 2013, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team has made 10 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway, highlighted by a track-best ninth-place finish with Austin Hill in the 2018 Overton’s 225.

ARCA Menards Series winner Gus Dean also gave the organization its best qualifying effort at Chicagoland, starting 12th in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ final event at the track, the 2019 Camping World 225.

Across its 10 Truck Series starts at Chicagoland, Young’s Motorsports owns an average starting position of 17.0 and an average finishing position of 15.3, providing a solid foundation as the organization returns to one of NASCAR’s premier intermediate speedways.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 104 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.5 and an average finish of 25.0.

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

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

Ryan Ellis Quoteboard:

On Sonoma Raceway: “Sonoma is a fun challenge and one of the most unique tracks we visit all season. Road course racing always puts an emphasis on execution, and that’s something our team has continued to improve on.

“We’ve had some speed lately, so hopefully we can put together a complete weekend and come away with a result that reflects the effort everyone at Young’s Motorsports is putting in.”

On Keys to Success at Sonoma Raceway: “Sonoma is all about execution. You have to be disciplined in the braking zones, take care of your tires and avoid making mistakes because they can be really costly there.

“Track position is always important, but so is staying on top of adjustments throughout the weekend. If we can maximize our speed, keep the fenders on it and put ourselves in the right spot late in the race, I think we’ll have a solid opportunity to put together a good result.”

On Goals for Sonoma Raceway: “The goal every weekend is to maximize what we’ve got and come away with the best finish possible. We’ve had some strong runs recently that were interrupted by things outside of our control, so hopefully Sonoma gives us the chance to put together a clean race, stay on the lead lap and show what this No. 02 team is capable of.”

On the Continued Partnership with Sweetwater Construction at Sonoma Raceway: “It’s great to have Sweetwater Construction back with us at Sonoma Raceway.

“Partnerships like this are what make it possible for us to compete each weekend, and we’re grateful for their continued support of our team.

“We’re looking forward to another opportunity to showcase their brand and hopefully put together a strong run for everyone involved.”

On Being Part of a Historic Weekend at Naval Base Coronado: “It was a privilege to be part of such a historic weekend at Naval Base Coronado. The atmosphere was unlike anything we’ve experienced, and you could really feel the significance of celebrating the Navy’s 250th birthday.

“Even though our race didn’t end the way we hoped, it’s something I’ll always be proud to have been part of, and I think everyone involved helped make it a memorable event for NASCAR.”

On Goals for Reminder of 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Season: “Our goals for the remainder of the season are pretty straightforward.

“We want to continue building on the speed we’ve shown recently, execute more consistently, and put ourselves in a position to capitalize on opportunities when they come. We’ve had several races where our speed has been better than the final result, so the focus now is on turning that potential into finishes.

“Everyone at Young’s Motorsports has continued to work hard and make improvements throughout the year, and if we can keep qualifying well, stay out of trouble and execute throughout the race, I believe we can close out the season with some of our strongest performances of the year and earn results that truly reflect the effort that’s gone into this program.”

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Garrett Smithley

Primary Partner(s): BLH Creations — Trophy Tractor

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

2026 Driver Points Position: 33rd

2026 Owner Points Position: 33rd

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

● Year Three, Driven Forward: Young’s Motorsports continues its campaign in the newly rebranded NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, looking to build momentum with its expanding two-car effort as the season rolls on at Sonoma Raceway this weekend.

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series veteran Garrett Smithley will make his debut with the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization this weekend, set to wheel the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro in the 20th race of the 33-race 2026 schedule.

● About Garrett: Garrett Smithley is a veteran NASCAR driver from Ligonier, Pennsylvania, who has built a reputation as one of the sport’s hardest-working and most versatile competitors.

Since making his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut in 2015, Smithley, 34, has amassed hundreds of starts across NASCAR’s top three national touring series, including the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Throughout his career, he has competed for several organizations while earning respect for his perseverance, adaptability and ability to maximize every opportunity.

In addition to his driving duties, Smithley is known for his entrepreneurial approach to racing, actively helping secure sponsorships and promoting his partners both on and off the track.

A respected ambassador for the sport, he continues to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series while engaging fans through digital content creation, streaming and social media, bringing an authentic and approachable personality to the NASCAR community.

● All-Aboard!: For the 20th of 33 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes BLH Creations as the primary partner aboard the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday’s 200-lap event at Chicagoland Speedway.

BLH Creations is a custom, made-to-order boutique store that creates a variety of personalized products. On social media, the small business is known for donating half of all proceeds from its mental health and suicide-awareness products to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

● Trophy-Like Service: In addition to BLH Creations, Trophy Tractor will serve as an associate marketing partner on the No. 42 Chevrolet for Chicagoland Speedway.

Trophy Tractor offers a cost-effective alternative to the purchase and rental of new equipment with quality, low-hour used equipment.

We specialize in the sale and rental of haul trucks, loaders, dozers, scrapers, excavators, compactors, graders, and water equipment. Trophy Tractor serves mines, quarries and contractors around the world.

We maintain a multi-million dollar inventory of new, low-hour, and reconditioned equipment.

Visit their website at trophytractor.com.

● Garrett Smithley O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway Stats: Saturday’s battle in the Windy City will mark Smithley’s fifth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the 1.5-mile Joliet, Illinois, racetrack.

In his previous four outings at Chicagoland Speedway, Smithley delivered a track-best finish of 19th twice, most recently after starting 25th in the 2018 edition of the Overton’s 300 while driving for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller.

This weekend, the NASCAR national series returns to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since the 2019 season, renewing one of the sport’s most anticipated venues for a special Independence Day triple-header under the lights.

The action begins Friday, July 3, with the ARCA Menards Series Ashley Furniture 150, before the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series celebrates America’s 250th Independence Day with the Cuervo 300 on Saturday evening. The weekend concludes Sunday night with the NASCAR Cup Series eero 400, capping an exciting holiday weekend of racing.

Located just outside Chicago in Joliet, Illinois, Chicagoland Speedway has produced some of NASCAR’s most memorable finishes, thanks to its wide racing surface, progressive banking and multiple racing grooves that encourage side-by-side competition.

The 1.5-mile tri-oval rewards patience, consistency and long-run speed, while changing track conditions throughout the evening challenge drivers and crew chiefs to make the right adjustments.

As the sun sets and temperatures ease, handling becomes increasingly important, placing an added emphasis on communication and strategy throughout the race.

Unlike road courses or short tracks, Chicagoland’s intermediate layout allows drivers to search for grip across the racing surface, creating opportunities for thrilling battles from the green flag to the checkered flag.

With the eyes of the motorsports world focused on NASCAR’s long-awaited return to Chicagoland Speedway, Garrett Smithley and the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports team will look to put together a strong performance in one of the season’s marquee events and continue building the team’s notebook for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.

● Garrett Smithley NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Chicagoland, Smithley has 215 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races to his credit, earning a career-best fifth-place finish after starting 25th in the 2018 edition of the PowerShares QQQ 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller.

Since his 2015 debut, Smithley has averaged a 25.2 finish in series competition, with one top-five and six top-10 efforts overall.

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

On Saturday, he will be the crew chief in his 181st NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 180 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

The season’s 20th race will be his second tango at Chicagoland Speedway as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In 2019, Abbott guided veteran driver Jeremy Clements to a solid 13th-place finish in the Camping World 300.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Chicagoland Speedway: This weekend’s Cuervo 300 will mark Young’s Motorsports’ first two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway, the wide, progressive-banked intermediate track just outside Chicago making its first appearance on NASCAR’s national series schedule since 2019.

While the organization has no previous NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series experience at Chicagoland to add to its growing résumé, the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization also brings valuable experience to Chicagoland through its NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series program.

Since 2013, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team has made 10 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway, highlighted by a track-best ninth-place finish with Austin Hill in the 2018 Overton’s 225.

ARCA Menards Series winner Gus Dean also gave the organization its best qualifying effort at Chicagoland, starting 12th in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ final event at the track, the 2019 Camping World 225.

Across its 10 Truck Series starts at Chicagoland, Young’s Motorsports owns an average starting position of 17.0 and an average finishing position of 15.3, providing a solid foundation as the organization returns to one of NASCAR’s premier intermediate speedways.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 104 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.5 and an average finish of 25.0.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Garrett Smithley, please like him on Facebook (Garrett Smithley), follow him on Instagram (@garrettsmithley), TikTok (@garrettsmithley) and X | Twitter (@GarrettSmithley).

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).

Garrett Smithley Quoteboard:

On Chicagoland Speedway: “It’s exciting to see Chicagoland Speedway back on the schedule. It’s a place that many drivers and fans have wanted to see return, so being part of NASCAR’s first race back there is pretty special. The goal is to make the most of the opportunity, work closely with the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports team all weekend, and put ourselves in position for a strong finish.”

On Keys to Success at Chicagoland Speedway: “Success at Chicagoland comes down to execution from start to finish. It’s a place where you’ve got to stay ahead of the track as it changes, manage your tires over a long run, and keep making the car better every time you come to pit road.

“Communication with the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports team will be critical because everyone has to do their job, from unloading with a good baseline to making the right adjustments throughout the race.

“If we can stay out of trouble, keep ourselves in position, and execute when it matters most, I think we’ll have a great opportunity to come away with a strong finish.”

On Goals for Chicagoland Speedway: “Any time you get the opportunity to drive in this series, you want to make the most of it. My goal is to give the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports team solid feedback, race smart, avoid mistakes, and put together a finish that reflects the effort everyone puts into these cars each week.”

On Racing During America’s 250th Independence Day Celebration: “It’s always an honor to race on Independence Day weekend, but this year carries even more meaning as our country celebrates its 250th anniversary.

“It’s a chance to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and recognize the men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect them. Hopefully we can put on a great show for the fans and be part of a memorable weekend.”

On NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Opportunity with Young’s Motorsports: “I’m grateful to Young’s Motorsports for the opportunity to drive the No. 42 this weekend. Every chance to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is something you don’t take for granted, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone on the team.

“Hopefully we can put together a clean weekend, maximize our potential, and come away with a strong finish.”

Race Information:

The Cuervo 300 (200 laps | 300 miles) is the 20th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., July 3, 2026, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. Qualifying will follow on race day, July 4, launching at 12:30 p.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag, shortly after 4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. ET), with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race Preview – Chicagoland

Track: Chicagoland Speedway
Race: Cuervo 300
Date/Broadcast: Saturday; July 4, 2026 5:30 P.M. ET
TV: CW Network
Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) – Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, and X

Racing in the Midwest – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Ready to Race at Chicagoland Speedway

Joliet, IL. (July 10, 2026) – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport travels to Joliet, Illinois this weekend to race at Chicagoland Speedway in the Cuervo 300.

The mile and a half race track makes its return to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) schedule for the first time since June 2019.

The team will field three Chevrolets this weekend: Jeb Burton in the No. 27 Bommarito Automotive Group 250 Chevrolet, Blaine Perkins in the No. 31 GFL Environmental Chevrolet, and Rajah Caruth in the No. 32 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet.

Car handling and an adequate setup will be vital as the track is known for its bumpy and worn out characteristics, that have made it a staple for action packed racing.

Jeb Burton arrives in returns to Chicagoland Speedway, a place where he has found success in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where he achieved one pole position, two top-10s, one top five, and an average finish of seventh, in just two starts.

Burton will be sporting a patriotic paint scheme this fourth of July weekend in collaboration with Bommarito Automotive Group and their “Bommarito 250 July Savings” program.

“I’m excited to go back to Chicagoland as I’ve run well there before in two truck series races. (I) got a pole there in trucks, and it’s a fun, wore-out mile and a half. I feel like our mile and a half stuff has been decent. At Charlotte we were a top-15 car, so hopefully we can go there and have a good day. We’ve got the fourth of July colors on the car with Bommarito Automotive Group, so hopefully we can get some TV time and run good.”

Blaine Perkins will be making his first career start at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend. Perkins currently sits 22nd in the NOAPS standings, and looks to rebound after being involved in an incident the previous weekend at Sonoma Raceway.

“Excited to get to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend with GFL Environmental on the car. It’s going to be a real good weekend with the fourth of July. Hoping to have a big bounce back weekend from Sonoma and I feel like Chicagoland should be a good track for us.”

Rajah Caruth enters his ninth start with Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport currently sitting fourteenth in the NOAPS driver standings. In his first full time season in NOAPS, the Washington D.C. native has an average finish of 21st, to go along with six top-10s finishes and one top five finish. Caruth aims to have a strong performance to remain in the hunt to make “The Chase” (postseason).

“It should be a fun race for us on the fourth of July. It’ll be really hot. I’m excited to get back in the No. 32 for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport. Hopefully it’s a solid weekend for us. Chicagoland is a new track for me in real life, but I’ve raced probably thousands of laps on that track in iRacing over the years. We’ll see how much that translates to this weekend. I’m very thankful to be representing the Hendrick colors with Ricky Hendrick’s paint scheme and Hendrick Automotive Group’s 50th anniversary, so we’ll have a strong weekend, a strong effort for sure, and hopefully the results reflect that.”
About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport was built from the ground up, fueled by passion, persistence, and a bold vision for what an independent NASCAR team could become. Founded by driver and owner Jordan Anderson, the organization has grown from a grassroots operation hauling a single truck across the country into a competitive multi-car NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team through a pivotal partnership with St. Louis automotive dealer John Bommarito. Along the way, the team has earned wins, poles, and a reputation for grit, growth, and opportunity within the NASCAR garage. Today, Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is investing in talent, innovation, and culture to challenge the status quo and build a new kind of racing legacy.

The hauler drivers for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport drove a total of 5,670 miles as they completed the NASCAR “Caliofrnia Swing.” The trip started at the team race shop in Statesville, North Carolina with stops in San Diego, California and Sonoma, California. A special thank you goes out to our partners at Capital City Towing, AJ Transport, and to all of the hauler drivers for completing the trip.

Get your Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport merchandise at the all new official team store! Visit jordanandersonracing.com to place your order today!

HSR NASCAR Classic Presented by Goodyear Brings 30-Plus Historic Stock Cars to Le Mans Classic Legend in HSR’s Overseas Debut

Livestream Coverage for First Two of the Three Races NASCAR Classic Races July 4th Holiday Weekend Saturday and Sunday on the HSR YouTube Channel and the IMSA YouTube Channel

LE MANS, France (July 2, 2026) – Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) takes its racing heritage to one of motorsport’s most hallowed venues this weekend as the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear joins the Le Mans Classic Legend at Circuit de la Sarthe from July 3 – 5.

The event marks HSR’s first overseas race and will showcase more than 30 HSR Historic NASCAR stock cars on the same legendary French circuit that has hosted the 24 Hours of Le Mans for more than a century.

Two of the historic weekend’s three races will be livestreamed with English-speaking commentary and available on the HSR YouTube Channel and IMSA YouTube Channel. The first race broadcast window is 11 – 11:55 a.m. EDT on the 4th of July this Saturday. The second race streams on Sunday, July 5, at 3:55 – 4:50 a.m. EDT. The weekend’s third and final race later on Sunday will not be part of this weekend’s livestream programming schedule.

Numerous historically significant entries are set to compete in the full weekend celebration, which fittingly coincides with the Fourth of July Holiday and the yearlong celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. The diverse field ranges from a Richard Petty-inspired 1966 No. 43 Plymouth Belvedere to more modern machinery retired from competition across NASCAR’s umbrella of major series.

Several legacies will be honored across the grid as Victor Corda and Chris Stillwell each campaign 2009 Ford Mustangs with lineage to the late Greg Biffle, while Michael Parsons will be behind the wheel of the iconic black No. 3 Goodwrench Chevrolet Lumina, a chassis driven by, “The Intimidator,” Dale Earnhardt Sr. from 1992 to 1994 with Richard Childress Racing.

For Corda, the opportunity to compete at Le Mans with his family during a milestone weekend for both NASCAR and the United States is one he doesn’t take for granted.

“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Corda, who races with Cobra Automotive in his ex-Roush Fenway Racing 2009 No. 60 Ford Mustang. “I don’t think that I’ll ever have the opportunity again. We decided it would be the thing to do. I’m very lucky my wife Erica is going to come out and crew for me, and my son Kyle and his fiancée Hannah are coming out to help. It’s a pretty exciting, pretty aggressive schedule and pretty neat event. It’s July 4th weekend as well. It’s the 250th birthday of America. So, you get to Le Mans on the 250th birthday of America where NASCAR has become so synonymous here in the States. I think that was an interesting piece of it for us too that made it exciting. And I’m really looking forward to it.”

2026 NASCAR Hall of Famer and 2004 Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch is set to make his Le Mans racing debut in the HSR NASCAR Classic aboard his NEMCO-prepared 2020 No. 1 Monster Energy Chevrolet Camaro, a former Chip Ganassi Racing machine Busch raced in its prime.

“For me, it’s getting those juices flowing, grabbing gears, feeling the speed and the energy of the car again,” Busch said. “With HSR, I didn’t know about it and started doing some research. I had a Goodyear tire test, and a guy from HSR came up and said, ‘You’re going to Le Mans this year.’ I said, ‘What? How do you get to Le Mans? What are you guys doing?’ He said, ‘We’re shipping as many cars as we can to Le Mans.’ I’m like, ‘I have a car. Let’s go.'”

Former Pro Football lineman Scott Dolfi will also pilot a former Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado NASCAR Truck from 2016, originally driven by John Hunter Nemechek, helping honor the legacy and impact of the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.

Beyond honoring the sport’s legends, the field also pays tribute to NASCAR’s history at Le Mans. The former Donlavey Racing No. 90 1976 Ford Torino is the same car that served as one of two original NASCAR entries in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 50 years ago. Jean Algernas will continue the car’s legacy behind the wheel this weekend as HSR celebrates the 50th anniversary of NASCAR’s first appearance at the famed French circuit.

The evolution of NASCAR’s Le Mans journey wouldn’t be complete without a tribute to the sanctioning body’s groundbreaking Garage 56 entry from 2023. Leading that connection between past and present is JC France who pilots a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro carrying the same Garage 56 livery that Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button and Mike Rockenfeller drove at Le Mans in 2023.

From history to Hollywood, a trio of “Talladega Nights” inspired entries will take to the grid to honor the 20th anniversary of the 2006 film. Stock Car road-racing specialist Ryan Gemmell will drive the No. 55 Perrier 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo used by Sacha Baron Cohen, who portrayed Jean Girard, during the filming of the blockbuster comedy.

Joining Gemmell are 1992 NASCAR Busch Series champion “Front Row” Joe Nemechek, who will pilot the Cal Naughton Jr.-inspired No. 47 Old Spice 2006 Toyota Camry honoring the character portrayed by John C. Reilly, and HSR and IMSA President John Doonan, who will take the wheel of the iconic Wonder Bread 2006 No. 26 Toyota Camry made famous by Ricky Bobby, portrayed by Will Ferrell.

The action kicks off Friday, July 3, with the first official qualifying session at 10:20 a.m. local time (4:20 a.m. EDT). Qualifying concludes Friday at 6:20 p.m. local time (12:20 p.m. EDT), ahead of Saturday, July 4, which features the first of three races at 5:10 p.m. local time (11:10 a.m. EDT). The weekend concludes Sunday, July 5, with Race 2 at 10:25 a.m. local time (4:25 a.m. EDT) and Race 3 at 3:25 p.m. local time (9:25 a.m. EDT).

The entry list for the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Goodyear Le Mans Classic Legend is available by clicking here. Additional information, including the provisional event schedule, event ticket purchases and more can be found at the official HSR NASCAR Classic Le Mans Classic Legend Event Page by clicking here.

About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) is the premier vintage and historic racing series in North America. It was formed in the mid-1970s with an inaugural event at Road Atlanta and became a part of International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) in 2022. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate and enjoy the racing cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions

eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Daytona International Speedway, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Watkins Glen International and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/, on Twitter X @HSR_race and on Instagram @HistoricSportscarRacing.