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2027 IMS Event Tickets On Sale Now at IMS.com, Ticket Office

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026) – Tickets for marquee events in 2027 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – including the 111th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks – are on sale online at IMS.com and at the IMS Ticket Office.

The IMS Ticket Office is located on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Tickets also can be purchased by calling 317-492-6700.

“2026 was another unforgettable season at IMS, and now it’s time to start looking forward to the 2027 schedule and welcoming fans back to The Racing Capital of the World,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Buying now not only locks in an exciting and world-class experience at IMS in 2027 but locks in the best available seats at the lowest prices. We can’t wait to see you.”

Tickets for the following 2027 events are on sale at IMS.com and the Ticket Office:

  • Sonsio Grand Prix: Saturday, May 15
  • Miller Lite Carb Day: Friday, May 28
  • Legends Day: Saturday, May 29
  • 111th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge: Sunday, May 30
  • Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit: Sunday, May 30
  • Racing America Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational: Saturday, June 12-Sunday, June 13
  • NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250 presented by Take 5 Oil Change: Saturday, July 24
  • NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 presented by PPG: Sunday, July 25
  • IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks: Friday, Sept. 17-Sunday, Sept. 19
  • GT World Indianapolis: Friday, Oct. 1-Sunday, Oct. 3

Customers also can purchase admission to practice, qualifications and the Indianapolis 500 public drivers’ meeting, as well as parking, camping, hospitality and public credentials (Bronze Badge, Silver Badge, garage passes, pit passes) for these events at IMS.com. Fans also can purchase infield camping for the Sonsio Grand Prix, Brickyard Weekend and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.

“The momentum surrounding events at IMS, especially the Month of May, is spectacular,” Boles said. “Because so many fans renewed, we’re going on sale with limited inventory for the Indianapolis 500. Don’t wait to make your plans for 2027.”

All products are on sale at their lowest remaining prices, with increases coming in 2027. The $5 per-ticket service fee will be waived on items purchased before Jan. 4. Kids 15 and under will continue to be admitted free in general admission locations to all 2027 racing events at IMS when accompanied by an adult general admission ticketholder.

Month of May concert lineups, including performers and ticket sale information, will be announced soon.

Fans can register at IMS.com to receive ticket information for the 2027 BC39 and the USAC Indiana Sprint Week events at The Dirt Track at IMS. Dates for these events will be announced later.

Chris Buescher to Make 400th Career Start at Martinsville Speedway

By
Official Release
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CONCORD, NC – (October 28, 2026) – Chris Buescher can’t believe he’s about to make his 400th career NASCAR Cup Series start.

“How did that happen?” he asked, genuinely surprised at how quickly the time has passed since his 2015 debut.

When the green flag waves on Sunday in Martinsville Buescher will reach that milestone. A moment twelve seasons in the making, after a journey that began almost as surprisingly for Buescher as it had gone by.

In the midst of his 2015 Xfinity Series Championship season Buescher got, “the call.” And it wasn’t one he was expecting. Just about to dig into a stack of pancakes at a southern California breakfast spot, Robbie Rieser, who was the general manager of what was then known as Roush Fenway Racing, helped arrange an opportunity for Buescher with fellow Ford Racing team Front Row Motorsports.

“He said, ‘hey, I need you at the track four hours ago.’ I was like, ‘OK I’ll pay and get out of here,’” recalls Buescher.

Only 22 years old at the time, and realizing the opportunity, Buescher heeded the call to substitute for Brett Moffitt in the No. 34 car at California Speedway that weekend. Although he had firmly established himself as one of the sports young talents at the time, this was a race where he felt the magnitude of the moment.

“I’m not a big fan boy but when I passed him, I was like, damn that’s Jeff Gordon. That’s pretty cool,” said Buescher, who finished 20th that day. “I thought it was a pretty good day all things considered. We didn’t tear anything up. We had speed. There was something that clicked on that day.”

The audition was a clear success. Buescher earned five more starts that season and, on loan from Roush Fenway, was presented with a full-time opportunity with Front Row in 2016.

Just 27 starts into his career, Buescher found Victory Lane at Pocono Raceway, winning a fog shortened race. He remembers his crew chief, Bob Osborne facetiously asking, while running laps under caution and NASCAR contemplating stopping the race, how the visibility was. Buescher responded, perhaps too honestly, saying it wasn’t too bad but immediately regretted his answer.

“I was just happy to be leading a cup race but as soon as I released the button, I said oh damn, wrong answer.” Buescher said with a laugh. “The next lap, going down the straightaway I was like man it’s getting really bad.”

Soon after, NASCAR did halt the race, and the win propelled Buescher’s career. That day opened the door to so much more for the Prosper, TX native. He is more confident and more accomplished. He has since claimed 5 additional Cup Series wins. But as he heads to Martinsville this weekend in the Kroger / Nerds Gummy Cluster’s Ford Mustang, Buescher says he’s far from the finish line.

“It’s cool to say that you’ve earned your place and have the right to be here for 400 starts,” Buescher says, explaining that his next milestone start may come as much of a surprise to him as this one has. “Whether it’s another 100 or 400. We’re not gonna count them down. I’ve not counted them to this point and I’m not going to count them beyond.”

About RFK Racing 

RFK Racing, in its 39th season in 2026, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit https://www.rfkracing.com/ and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

JR Motorsports — NOAPS Martinsville Speedway Preview

By
Official Release
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JR Motorsports O’Reilly Auto Parts Team Preview
TRACK – Martinsville Speedway (0.526-mile oval)
NOAPS RACE – National Debt Relief 250 (250 laps / 131.5 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90, ESPN Mobile App at 4:00 p.m. (ET)

Carson Kvapil

No. 1 – Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet

Kvapil 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 31

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 12

Top 10s: 19

Laps Led: 535

Avg. Finish: 11.2

Points: 5th

Carson Kvapil will make his fifth start at Martinsville Speedway this weekend in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Kvapil has had strong results at Martinsville in late model competition, earning a grandfather clock in 2024, placing second in 2022, and third in 2023, all while driving for JR Motorsports.

On short tracks, the JRM driver has made 10 starts, recording one win, five top-fives and six top-10’s.

Following a runner-up finish at Talladega Superspeedway, Kvapil remains in championship contention with two races left in The Chase.

Carson Kvapil

“Martinsville is one of my favorite tracks and I’ve enjoyed a lot of success there over the years on the late model side. Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and this entire No. 1 Bass Pro Shops team have been bringing fast cars to the track this entire season and I know that will be the case again on Friday when we unload. We just need to go out and execute like I know this No. 1 team is capable of, earn as many stage points as possible, and put ourselves in position to compete for the win at the end of the race.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

Allgaier 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 31

Wins: 6

Top 5s: 18

Top 10s: 22

Laps Led: 751

Avg. Finish: 9.8

Points: 2nd

Justin Allgaier heads to Martinsville just 19 points out of the series lead with two races remaining in The Chase.

Allgaier is the most recent NOAPS winner at the hallowed Virginia track, taking the checkered flag in the spring after leading for a race-high 114 laps.

Overall, the veteran driver is a two-time winner at Martinsville, having gone to Victory Lane in this event in 2023 to accompany his win this past March.

Additionally, Allgaier’s average finish of 8.1 at Martinsville is his best among all the short tracks on the NOAPS schedule.

Justin Allgaier

“I can’t wait to get to Martinsville this weekend. We are still in this fight and Martinsville is a great place to continue to gain ground on the points lead. We had an unbelievable car here in the spring and I know that Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and all the guys on this No. 7 team will give me a car just as strong when we hit the track on Friday. We just need to execute like we did earlier this year here and keep the fenders clean on this special Candy Corn BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. If we do that, I feel like we will have a great chance to come away with a grandfather clock.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet

Smith 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 31

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 9

Top 10s: 15

Laps Led: 52

Avg. Finish: 11.7

Points: 7th

Sammy Smith will make his ninth NOAPS start at Martinsville this Saturday.

In eight previous starts, the short track has proved to be one of Smith’s best performing tracks with five top-five and seven top-10 finishes, tallying an average finish of 5.9.

Smith swept the past weekend at Talladega Superspeedway by winning both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NOAPS races. The Iowa native will be running double-duty again this weekend.

HYWAY Transportation, a shipping solutions company based out of Ohio and Michigan will be on the TV panel of the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet this Saturday.

Sammy Smith

“This No. 8 team has always been strong at Martinsville and the short track fits my driving style so we feel confident going into the weekend but especially after finally getting this Pilot Chevrolet into Victory Lane last week at Talladega. It felt so good to get another win with JRM and to sweep the weekend after winning the truck race Friday night was surreal. We’ve finished in the runner-up position at Martinsville several times so to finally check this one off the list would be amazing. I know Cory (Shea, crew chief) and this team are going to unload a car capable of winning the clock, we’ll just need to keep out of the short-track chaos and be there at the end.”

Rajah Caruth

No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet

Caruth 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 31

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 2

Top 10s: 9

Laps Led: 89

Avg. Finish: 19.9

Points: 12th

Rajah Caruth and the No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team head to Martinsville this weekend for the eighth race of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Series Chase.

Caruth returns to Martinsville after qualifying second and leading 18 laps in the spring race before a late-race incident relegated him to a 25th-place finish.

In three career O’Reilly Series starts at Martinsville, Caruth has recorded two 12th-place finishes.

On short tracks this season, Caruth has earned a fourth-place finish at Rockingham Speedway, a runner-up finish at Iowa Speedway and a 14th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway in April.

Rajah Caruth

“Martinsville is a place where you really have to be disciplined and take care of your equipment all day. We’ve had some good speed there in the past, and I’m looking forward to getting back with Mardy (Lindley, crew chief) and everyone on this No. 88 team. We’re getting down to the end of the season, and we want to finish these last two races strong. I’m thankful for everyone at HendrickCars.com, Mr. H, Ms. Linda, Kelley, Dale and LW for continuing to believe in me and giving us the opportunity to compete. Hopefully we can put together a solid weekend and come away with a good finish.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Martinsville Speedway: JR Motorsports has competed at Martinsville Speedway a combined 52 times in the NOAPS since 2006. In those starts at the 0.526-mile oval, the organization has recorded four wins, 25 top-fives, and 33 top-10s. The average finish is 11.6.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Rajah Caruth will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / HMS WB + AB souvenir rig on Saturday, October 31st, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET.

TOYOTA RACING Weekly Preview 10.28.26

By
Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: October 26-November 1, 2026

NCS/NOAPS/NCTS: Martinsville Speedway – October 30-November 1
ARCA West: Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway – October 31

PLANO, Texas (October 28, 2026) – NASCAR’s Cup, O’Reilly Series, and Truck Series head to Martinsville Speedway for the second of two visits this season around the famous 0.526-mile short track. The ARCA Menards Series West finishes up their 2026 season at the same track where it began – at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, California.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NOAPS/NCTS

Camry XSE drivers look to close points gap … With just two races remaining in the season, Denny Hamlin leads Team Toyota in the standings in second place, with a logjam of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Toyota Camry XSE’s following closely behind heading into this weekend’s race at Martinsville Speedway. Hamlin sits 73 points behind the leader, with teammates Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe third and fourth in the standings, respectively. Bell sits just one point behind Hamlin and 74 out of the lead, while Briscoe is only six points behind Hamlin and 79 markers behind the leader.

Hamlin looks to recapture Martinsville magic … With Hamlin looking to gain ground in the standings, there’s no better place to head than back to his home state, where he’s found plenty of success over the course of his 21-year career in NASCAR’s top series. Hamlin will make his 42nd career Cup Series start at ‘The Paperclip’ on Sunday, where he has six wins, 22 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes during his impressive career. The Virginia native captured his most recent win there last spring and started this year’s spring race with a pole-winning effort. Hamlin knows a seventh career Martinsville win would go a long way to be a part of the championship fight next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Briscoe eager to continue Martinsville success … Chase Briscoe returns to Martinsville Speedway this weekend where he’s found solid success over the last several years. Entering this weekend, the JGR driver has earned six top-10 finishes in the last nine Martinsville races, dating back to the spring of 2022. His best career Cup Series finish at Martinsville was a fourth-place result in the fall of 2023.

Thompson looking to extend late season surge … Dean Thompson left Talladega Superspeedway last weekend with his second consecutive top-10 finish – the first time in his career he has recorded back-to-back top-10 runs. Since Labor Day weekend, Thompson has finished every race inside the top-20, including three top-10 finishes. Even better news for the driver of the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra is the O’Reilly Series heads to Martinsville this weekend and a good shot to extend his top-10 streak. In fact, Thompson has finished inside the top-10 in all three career starts at the .526-mile short track, most recently bringing home a seventh-place finish there in the spring.

Gray looks for Fall Martinsville repeat … JGR driver Taylor Gray captured his maiden NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory in last fall’s race at Martinsville Speedway. Gray started 13th and led 52 laps on his way to taking home the checkered flag at the race’s end. He will make his fourth career O’Reilly Series start at ‘The Paperclip’ this weekend in search of another victory at the track and his third career win in the series.

Honeycutt eyeing first Truck Series Championship…Toyota Development Driver Kaden Honeycutt heads to Martinsville looking to continue his solid run in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase. The driver of the No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro extended his points lead last weekend to 43 points with a fifth-place finish at Talladega. With two races remaining in the season and the championship fight, Honeycutt looks to add another solid run during this year’s postseason. Honeycutt has been a model of consistency during the first five races of the Chase, as he has posted two wins, four top-five and five top-10 finishes. The Texas native brought home his best career finish at Martinsville of second last fall driving a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Halmar-Friesen Racing, as a win would go a long way towards capturing the series title.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series West

Lovell eyes strong finish to her impressive ARCA West rookie season … Mia Lovell heads to the ARCA West Series finale at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in California hoping to finish strong in her fulltime ARCA Menard’s West Series rookie campaign. Lovell, who moved from the world of professional skateboarding to racing, sits third in the rookie standings heading into Saturday night’s season finale. The Nitro Motorsports driver and Phoenix resident is eighth in the standings with one race remaining with two top-five and six top-10 finishes on the season and is hoping to best the 12th-place finish.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs approximately 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 36 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

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

When Someone Else Causes the Crash but Your Insurance Has to Save the Day

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

You did everything right. You stopped at the light, you were wearing your seatbelt, and you weren’t even speeding. Then someone plowed into the back of your car. You’re hurt, the car’s wrecked, and at least the other driver has insurance. Right?

Maybe not. Sometimes the other driver has no insurance at all. Sometimes they have a bare-bones policy that runs dry before your bills even finish piling up. Either way, you’re left holding losses that someone else caused, wondering who’s actually going to pay.

That’s the insurance surprise nobody wants. Getting hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver can turn a straightforward claim into a frustrating puzzle. The good news is that your own policy might hold part of the answer, if you know where to look.

Why the Other Driver’s Insurance Might Not Be Enough

An uninsured driver has no auto insurance at all, or no coverage that applies to the crash. That can include some hit-and-run situations, where the at-fault driver disappears before anyone gets their information. In those cases, there’s simply no policy to turn to.

An underinsured driver has coverage, just not enough. New York’s minimum bodily injury liability limits are fairly low compared to the cost of serious injuries. A single surgery, a long hospital stay, or months of lost income can blow past those limits quickly.

When injuries are serious, the gap between what happened and what the other driver’s policy can pay may be huge. Suing the driver personally is possible, but many people with minimal coverage also have few assets. Collecting can be extremely difficult. That’s the trap.

How Your Own Insurance May Become Part of the Solution

New York requires auto policies to include uninsured motorist coverage. It can help when you’re injured by a driver who has no insurance or in certain hit-and-run situations. It’s built into policies precisely because uninsured drivers are a real part of the road.

Supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, often called SUM, goes further. It can help when the at-fault driver’s coverage falls short, up to your own SUM limits. Many drivers don’t realize how much SUM they carry, or that they can buy higher limits.

These protections are separate from New York’s no-fault benefits. No-fault generally helps pay basic medical bills and some lost wages regardless of who caused the crash, up to set limits. UM and SUM coverage address the injury claim against the at-fault driver when their coverage falls short.

Why Having Coverage Doesn’t Automatically Mean Getting Paid

Your own insurer doesn’t just cut a check because you ask. A UM or SUM claim is still a claim, and the insurer will evaluate it carefully. In some ways, your insurance company steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver. That can feel strange.

Policy conditions matter a lot. Policies often require prompt notice of the accident and the claim, cooperation with the insurer, and sometimes consent before settling with the at-fault driver. Missing a requirement can jeopardize coverage, so reading the policy closely is essential. Deadlines bite.

Liability and damages can still be disputed. The insurer may question who caused the crash, how serious the injuries are, or whether treatment was necessary. Some disputes go to arbitration. Having coverage is a great start, but it isn’t the finish line.

The Financial Problems That Can Arise When Coverage Falls Short

Medical bills don’t wait. Once no-fault benefits are exhausted, ongoing treatment, surgery, and therapy may create balances that need another source of payment. Without enough coverage, those bills can turn into collection calls and real stress. And they keep coming.

Lost income adds pressure. Serious injuries can keep people out of work for months, and no-fault wage benefits have limits. When a job is gone or a career has to change, the financial hole can grow quickly and deeply. Rent doesn’t wait either.

Long-term needs are the biggest concern. Future surgeries, ongoing care, and permanent limitations can carry costs that last for years. When damages exceed available insurance, injured people may face a compensation gap that changes their financial future. That’s why coverage choices matter so much.

Conclusion

Getting hit by someone without enough insurance is maddening. You didn’t cause the crash, but you may still face a mountain of losses the other driver can’t cover. It happens more often than most people expect. Way more often.

In New York, uninsured motorist and SUM coverage can help fill that gap, separate from no-fault benefits. But policy conditions, notice requirements, and disputed claims mean having coverage doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride. Read the fine print now, while things are calm.

The most important coverage may be the one you buy for yourself. Checking your SUM limits before a crash can make a huge difference afterward. If you’ve been hurt, a qualified attorney can explain how these coverages might apply.

When Saving on Car Insurance Turns Into a Very Expensive Experiment

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

Money’s tight. Rent went up, groceries cost more every week, and that car insurance bill is sitting there like a dare. Skipping it for a month or two seems harmless. You’re a careful driver. What are the odds anything happens? Famous last words.

The problem is that insurance isn’t priced for the days when nothing happens. It’s priced for the one moment when everything does. A rear-end tap at a light, a parking lot scrape, a distracted driver who drifts into your lane. That moment doesn’t send a warning.

Driving without insurance in Florida can create consequences that dwarf whatever you saved. Suspended plates, reinstatement fees, and personal liability for someone else’s losses can turn a small monthly savings into a very expensive experiment. Florida doesn’t make it easy to slip through the cracks either.

What Florida Actually Requires Drivers to Carry

Florida does things a little differently than many states. Most owners of registered four-wheel vehicles must carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection, known as PIP, and $10,000 in property damage liability. Those are the basic building blocks. Most people stop there.

PIP is part of Florida’s no-fault system. It helps cover your own medical expenses and lost income after a crash, regardless of who caused it, subject to policy limits and rules. Property damage liability pays for damage you cause to someone else’s property.

Notice what’s missing. Florida generally doesn’t require bodily injury liability coverage for most private drivers, though it may be required in certain situations, like after some serious violations. Requirements can differ depending on circumstances, so checking current rules for your specific situation is smart.

What Happens When the State Discovers You’re Uninsured?

Florida keeps tabs. Insurance companies report cancellations and lapses to the state, so letting coverage slide doesn’t usually go unnoticed for long. You don’t even need to get pulled over. A notice can show up in the mail on its own.

The consequences can include suspension of your driver’s license, registration, and plates. That suspension can last up to three years or until you show proof of new coverage, whichever comes first. Driving on a suspended license creates a whole new set of problems.

Getting reinstated costs money. Fees generally start at $150 for a first offense and climb to $250 and then $500 for repeat lapses within three years. Showing that new coverage began before the suspension date may help avoid some of those penalties.

Why an Accident Without Coverage Can Become Financially Devastating

This is where things get scary. Without PIP, your own medical bills and lost wages may land squarely on you. An ambulance ride, an ER visit, and a few follow-up appointments can add up faster than most people expect.

If you caused the crash, the other driver’s damages become your problem too. Without property damage liability coverage, repairing their car may come out of your pocket. If someone is seriously hurt, they may pursue a claim against you personally. That can follow you for years.

Your own car doesn’t get a free pass either. Unless you carry collision coverage, repairs or replacement are on you, regardless of fault. Combined with suspensions and fees, a single crash can snowball into a financial mess that takes years to dig out of.

The Difference Between Meeting the Minimum and Being Financially Protected

Carrying the minimum keeps you legal. It doesn’t necessarily keep you safe. Ten thousand dollars in property damage coverage disappears quickly if you total a newer car, and serious injuries can blow past PIP limits in a single hospital stay. Minimums are a starting point.

Bodily injury liability coverage protects you if you injure someone else and they make a claim. Even when it’s optional, it can be the difference between your insurer handling a claim and you facing it alone. That protection can be enormous.

Uninsured motorist coverage, collision, and comprehensive fill other gaps. Plenty of Florida drivers are on the road without adequate coverage, and uninsured motorist protection can help when one of them hits you. Choosing coverage based on real risks, not just legal minimums, is smart planning.

Conclusion

Skipping car insurance can feel like a clever way to save money. In Florida, it often turns out to be anything but. Suspensions, reinstatement fees, and personal liability can cost far more than the premiums you avoided. The savings rarely survive contact with reality.

Florida’s minimum requirements are a floor, not a safety net. PIP and property damage liability cover only part of the picture, and optional coverages can protect against the expenses that actually wreck budgets after a serious crash. Gaps get expensive.

The cheapest insurance decision isn’t always the least expensive one. Before letting coverage lapse, weigh the legal risks and the financial exposure. If you’ve been hurt by an uninsured driver, a qualified attorney can explain your options.

Alpha Prime Racing Adds Dystany Spurlock to 2027 ARCA Menards Series Program

By
Official Release
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Foxxtecca-supported program combines national-series competition with testing, coaching and professional development

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 28, 2026)— Alpha Prime Racing announced today that Dystany Spurlock will join the organization and drive the No. 44 Ford Mustang as part of a comprehensive 2027 ARCA Menards Series driver development program, adding a new driver to the team’s expanding national development platform.

Spurlock’s planned program will be built around a 17-race ARCA schedule in the No. 44 Ford Mustang, beginning with preseason preparation and testing at Daytona International Speedway. The program will also include late-model testing, individualized coaching and race preparation alongside Alpha Prime Racing’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series operation, with the goal of accelerating her development both on and off the track.

Alpha Prime Racing will retain the flexibility to adjust Spurlock’s schedule based on her progress, licensing requirements, available track time and the events that provide the strongest competitive and developmental value. Additional racing and testing opportunities may be evaluated as the season progresses.

“Dystany is exactly the type of driver we want to build our ARCA program around,” said Jusan Hamilton, President of Alpha Prime Racing. “She has the talent, ambition and willingness to do the work, and Chris Harris and Foxxtecca share our belief that development must be more than simply putting a driver in a race car. We are building a complete program around preparation, coaching, testing, competition and professional growth. We are excited to welcome Dystany and Foxxtecca into the Alpha Prime family and begin this next chapter together.”

Foxxtecca’s relationship with Alpha Prime Racing began with its support of Lavar Scott’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut. That relationship has continued to grow around a shared focus on driver development, performance and partner activation.

“Last season, we sponsored Lavar Scott’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut with Alpha Prime Racing,” said Harris, Co-Founder of Foxxtecca. “Since then, Tommy Joe and I have established a great relationship, and with the addition of Jusan Hamilton to the team’s leadership, I know Alpha Prime is the place we need to be to develop Dystany Spurlock and unlock the next level of her driving performance. They understand and welcome what we are trying to accomplish from both a performance and development standpoint, as well as from a marketing perspective. I’m excited for the 2027 campaign.”

“I am so excited to become part of the Alpha Prime Racing team for the 2027 ARCA Menards Series season,” Spurlock said. “I’m looking forward to continuing my development as a driver, both on and off the track. Tommy Joe and Jusan are amazing individuals who believe in me, and I can’t wait to see what great things we will accomplish together this season.”

The partnership creates a long-term development pathway for Spurlock while giving Foxxtecca and its partners a national motorsports platform through Alpha Prime Racing’s competition, marketing and content capabilities. Additional details regarding Spurlock’s partners and race schedule will be announced at a later date.

About Alpha Prime Racing
Alpha Prime Racing (APR) is a North Carolina-based motorsports organization competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Led by team owners Caesar Bacarella and Tommy Joe Martins and Team President Jusan Hamilton, APR has built its identity around resourcefulness, development and creating competitive opportunities for drivers, partners and team members. Beginning in 2027, the organization will compete with Ford Mustang race cars as it continues investing in its people, equipment and long-term growth.

About Foxxtecca
Foxxtecca, a Detroit-based experiential events and media company, supports Dystany Spurlock’s professional racing career through program development, partnership strategy and marketing. Its collaboration with Alpha Prime Racing is designed to pair competitive opportunity with long-term driver and brand development.

The Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway Outlook and Picks

By
SM Staff
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The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Martinsville Speedway this weekend for the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, November 1, at 2 p.m. ET on USA, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

Last season, William Byron won the Busch Light Pole Award with a lap of 98.185 mph (19.286 seconds), and then Byron led 304 of 500 laps to win the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase Point Standings after Talladega Superspeedway

RankDriverNoPointsBehindNextRace WinsStage Wins
1Kyle Larson (C)524410039
2Denny Hamlin (C)112368-737345
3Christopher Bell (C)202367-74116
4Chase Briscoe (C)192362-79532
5Joey Logano (C)222341-1002137
6Ryan Blaney (C)122334-107739
7Tyler Reddick (C)452315-1261962
8Austin Cindric (C)22258-1835701
9Ty Gibbs (C)542258-183025
10Carson Hocevar (C)772243-1981510
11William Byron (C)242227-2141603
12Chase Elliott (C)92223-218422
13Bubba Wallace (C)232223-218002
14Daniel Suárez (C)72201-2402211
15Ryan Preece (C)602192-249912
16Chris Buescher (C)172186-255601

Track & Race Information for the Xfinity 500

Season Race: No. 35 of 36 (November 1, 2026)
The Purse: $11,233,037
Track Size/Type: 0.526 Mile Asphalt Oval
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 12 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 12 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 0 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 0 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 800 feet
Backstretch Length: 800 feet

Race Schedule, Length, and Stages for the Xfinity 500

Race Length: 500 laps / 263 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 130 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 240 laps

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

12:30 PM – 1:20 PM: NCTS PRACTICE
1:35 PM – 2:30 PM: NCTS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM: NOAPS PRACTICE
4:05 PM – 5:00 PM: NOAPS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
5:40 PM: NCTS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
6:00 PM: NCTS RACE (STAGES 50/100/200 LAPS = 105.2 MILES ) ON FS1

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31

1:00 PM – 1:50 PM: NCS PRACTICE (IMPOUND) (ALL ENTRIES)
2:05 PM – 3:00 PM: NCS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
3:45 PM: NOAPS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
4:00 PM: NOAPS RACE (STAGES 60/120/250 LAPS = 131.5 MILES) ON THE CW NETWORK

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1

1:15 PM: NCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
2:00 PM: NCS RACE (STAGES 130/260/500 LAPS = 263 MILES) ON NBC

*All times are Eastern. NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), ARCA Series (AMS)

Who and what should you look out for at Martinsville Speedway?

Denny Hamlin (2009, 2010) and Ryan Blaney (2023, 2024) lead all active NCS drivers in postseason wins at Martinsville with two victories each. Hamlin also leads all active drivers with five wins (2008, 2009, 2010 sweep, 2015). This weekend, 10 of the 59 NCS race winners are active.

Active Martinsville WinnersWinsSeasons
Denny Hamlin62025, ’15, ’10 sweep, ’09, ’08
Ryan Blaney22024, ’23
William Byron22024, ’22
Brad Keselowski22019, ’17
Kyle Busch22017, ’16
Kyle Larson12023
Christopher Bell12022
Alex Bowman12021
Chase Elliott12020
Joey Logano12018

The first starting position is the most successful in the field, producing 22 wins, more than any other starting position, and the deepest start by an active race winner is 20th, by Christopher Bell in 2022.

StatsWinning %Wins
Winning from the First Starting Position:14.19%22
Winning from the Front Row:23.87%37
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:50.32%78
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:70.97%110
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:4.52%7

In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the eighth starting position in the ninth race of the postseason and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. In 2023, Ryan Blaney won from the 11th starting position in the ninth race of the Playoffs and went on to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship.

The Driver Picks for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway!

The Driver Picks for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway
  • Denny Hamlin has six wins, 22 top-fives, 28 top-10s, five poles, and an average finish of 10.244.
  • Joey Logano has one win, 12 top-fives, 23 top-10s, five poles, and an average finish of 10.400.
  • Chase Elliott has two wins, ten top-fives, 15 top-10s, one pole, and an average finish of 10.864.
  • Kyle Larson has one win, eight top-fives, 11 top-10s, two poles, and an average finish of 14.783.
  • Ryan Blaney has two wins, 11 top-fives, 14 top-10s, and the series-best average finish of 8.048.

Ford Racing NASCAR – Martinsville 2 Advance

By
Official Release
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MARTINSVILLE 2

Friday, October 30 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 6 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, November 1– NASCAR Cup Series, 2 p.m. ET (NBC)

The penultimate race of the 2026 NASCAR season is this weekend at Martinsville Speedway and Ford’s championship contenders in the Cup and Truck Series have their work cut out for them. Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney are in must-win scenarios after separate multi-car accidents took them out of Sunday’s Cup race at Talladega while Layne Riggs trails by 43 points in the NCTS battle.

PROUD TO HONOR

Driver pairings for the inaugural Veterans Day Classic on Nov. 11 at Daytona International Speedway were announced this week as the 12-driver Ford field was divided into six groups of two representing all six branches of the military. The drivers will compete in Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rs on the Daytona road course. Tickets can be purchased online at fordveteransdayclassic.com.

Veterans Day Classic Driver Lineup

Army: Brad Keselowski and Joey Hand

Navy: Ryan Preece and Logan Sargeant

Air Force: Austin Cindric and Frankie Muniz

Marines: Ryan Blaney and Ben Hobson

Coast Guard: Joey Logano and Ty Majeski

Space Force: Noah Gragson and Layne Riggs

FORD DRIVERS IN THE CHASE

5th – Joey Logano (-100 behind Kyle Larson)
6th – Ryan Blaney (-107)
8th – Austin Cindric (-183)
15th – Ryan Preece (-249)
16th – Chris Buescher (-255)

BLANEY LOOKING TO STAY ALIVE

Ryan Blaney has won two of the last three Martinsville playoff races and likely needs another in order to stay in championship contention. The 2023 series champion is 107 points behind leader Kyle Larson, but no track has been better to Blaney than this half-mile short track. Sunday will mark his 22nd career start at Martinsville and his 8.0 career average finish is the best of any track currently on the circuit (at least five starts). Further proof of his track consistency can be found in the fact he has finished 11th or better in 15 straight events, including the spring event earlier this season when he was sixth.

LOGANO LIKES MARTINSVILLE

Ford’s other playoff contender, Joey Logano is 100 points out of the lead and is also in a likely must-win scenario, but just like Blaney, he’s had a great deal of success at Martinsville Speedway. Logano’s average starting position of 8.3 ranks second among current tracks where he has made at least five starts with World Wide Technology Raceway being the only one that is better (7.8). And just like Blaney, he comes into Sunday’s race on a streak that has seen him post 14 consecutive top-10 finishes at the half-mile paperclip, including a third place effort in the spring.

BUESCHER TO MAKE 400TH

CAREER CUP START

Chris Buescher will be making his 400th career NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, a place where he has a pair of top 10 finishes in 22 starts. Buescher made his debut in 2015 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA, with Front Row Motorsports and finished 20th. Since then, he’s posted six victories, including a career-best three in 2023 when he won at Richmond, Michigan and Daytona. Buescher becomes the fourth active Ford driver to make that many starts, joining Joey Logano (649), Brad Keselowski (627) and Ryan Blaney (412).

KESELOWSKI AND MARTINSVILLE

Brad Keselowski outdueled Kyle Busch down the stretch to win his first grandfather clock after capturing the STP 500 on Apr. 2, 2017. The two drivers waged a memorable battle that saw them swap the lead five times in the last 160 laps, but Keselowski ended up making the decisive pass on lap 458 and led the final 43 circuits to become the first repeat winner in 2017. Keselowski added a second clock in 2019 when he dominated the spring race, leading 446-of-500 laps including the final 127.

FORD DRIVERS IN THE CHASE

2nd – Layne Riggs (-43 behind leader Kaden Honeycutt)

3rd – Ty Majeski (-141)

4th – Chandler Smith (-142)

8th – Ben Rhodes (-203)

RIGGS AT MARTINSVILLE

Layne Riggs finds himself in need of a major points day this weekend at Martinsville Speedway as he sits 43 points behind leader Kaden Honeycutt with two races remaining. This will mark the fifth career NCTS start at Martinsville for Riggs, who sat on the pole and finished third at this event one year ago. He has started all four of his previous races inside the top 10 (4.0 average) while averaging an 8.8 finishing position.

MANUFACTURERS’ RACE

Ford holds a 26-point lead over Toyota in the race for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series manufacturers’ championship with two races remaining. Ford has won that title twice when it posted back-to-back 12-win seasons in 1999 and 2000. Greg Biffle was the driving force behind both of those titles as he won nine times in ‘99 and then provided owner Jack Roush with his first NASCAR championship in 2000.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT MARTINSVILLE

1961 – Fred Lorenzen (1)

1962 – Nelson Stacy (2)

1963 – Fred Lorenzen (2)

1964 – Fred Lorenzen (Sweep)

1965 – Fred Lorenzen and Junior Johnson

1966 – Fred Lorenzen (2)

1969 – Richard Petty (Sweep)

1986 – Ricky Rudd (1)

1990 – Geoffrey Bodine (Sweep)

1992 – Mark Martin and Geoffrey Bodine

1993 – Ernie Irvan (2)

1994 – Rusty Wallace (Sweep)

1995 – Rusty Wallace (1)

1996 – Rusty Wallace (1)

1997 – Jeff Burton (1)

1998 – Ricky Rudd (2)

2000 – Mark Martin (1)

2001 – Dale Jarrett and Ricky Craven

2002 – Kurt Busch (2)

2017 – Brad Keselowski (1)

2018 – Clint Bowyer and Joey Logano

2019 – Brad Keselowski (1)

2023 – Ryan Blaney (2)

2024 – Ryan Blaney (2)

FORD NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT MARTINSVILLE

1995 – Joe Ruttman

2003 – Jon Wood (2)

2004 – Rick Crawford (1)

2005 – Ricky Craven (2)

2015 – Joey Logano (1)

2020 – Grant Enfinger

The Ford Mustang® coupe is America’s best-selling sports car and has a global racing presence. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke regional one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 37 Mustang race cars are scheduled to compete across all active disciplines. Learn more about Mustang at www.FordRacing.com.

A Clear Path to Car Accident Recovery and Legal Guidance in Raleigh

By
SM
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Going through the services that follow a motor vehicle collision may be confusing and overwhelming to anyone who’s involved. There is the obvious shock of the incident followed by physical pain, emotional stress, insurance jargon and property damage. In times of such adversity, it’s a great idea to consult with a Raleigh car accident lawyer to help you understand your rights, options and feel a little better guided by the attorney at every juncture in the recovery process.

Knowing the ins and outs of North Carolina personal injury regulations, what to do immediately after an accident, and the process of insurance claims can play a huge part in making your case go smoothly.

This is what you have to do after your Auto Accident.

Accidents may prove to be traumatic right after they happen, but there are some things that you will have to do to ensure that everyone’s safety is guaranteed and there are no complications when making your claim.

Notify Local Police Authorities: It is important to have an official police report that will offer an objective opinion on what took place, as it will be important for insurance purposes.

Contact: Exchange Names, cell phone numbers, driver’s license information, and car insurance policy numbers with all the other drivers involved in the accident.

Photographs: Take photographs of all cars, car damages, road conditions and when necessary, traffic signals and road signs.

Health Examination: Visit a doctor immediately, as there might be delayed symptoms of your injuries. It will help monitor your health condition and build up a health profile.

Importance of  Car Accident Framework in North Carolina.

North Carolina adheres to the courts’ rules and regulations for vehicle accident claims. It’s necessary to be knowledgeable about these primary guidelines to set your goals accordingly.

Principles of fault and insurance.

North Carolina has a “no fault” lawsuit. This places the party who caused the inconvenience of the collision on the hook for any damages that have been incurred which stem from the accident, the most common of which is insurance.

The Contributory Negligence Standard 

North Carolina utilizes a traditional rule called a pure contributory negligence system; many states have a comparative negligence system. The rule holds that in such cases, if a wounded party is somehow found even marginally responsible for the accident, then the case may become more complicated to obtain from the other motorists’ insurance company. The essays are subject to a very high standard; good presentation of evidence is essential.

The time limitation for filing claims

The state has a statute of limitations in personal injury and/or property damage cases. In general, people have three years from the accident to file a lawsuit, although there are some exceptions that may apply according to the circumstances.

It can be worn to deal with the insurance paperwork and still look after a person physically. This burden can be reduced with professional legal aid which will provide neutral guidance and take care of the administration.

Independent Investigation:Sworn testimony and police reports to piece together the actual story of what occurred, as well as analysis of the traffic videos where applicable.
Insurance Communications:Dealing with the insurance adjusters without pressure and having time to decide how much to compromise.
Fair Settlement Evaluation:Determine total claim value including future care costs and ensure it’s acknowledged in a settlement. 
Court Representation:There’s a third option available when an acceptable negotiated outcome is not reached – that’s when the help of experienced mounting professionals can help you to represent your cause in court.

A collection of commonly asked questions and answers, FAQ includes.

Do I need to report a minor accident to the police in Raleigh?

Yes, it is advisable to report any collision that involves property damage, injury or death that is obviously visible. An official police report is a good document to use for insurance.

When an insurance adjuster calls, what should I tell him?

Don’t guess the cause of the accident or start details about how much damage it caused your vehicle or body just yet, only basic facts (like I’m here and I had my car etc.).

What is the average time for a car accident case to be settled?

This takes about the case, length of medical treatment, and cooperation of the insurance companies. Simple claims may take a couple months, more complex cases could take longer.

Conclusion

Suffering a vehicle collision can ruin your life, but if you comprehend what you need to do and what resources are available to assist you will be able to put your mind at ease. There are key steps to take when deciding to get well — the basics of acting quickly, lifestyle changes and keeping organized files — that lay the foundation for a streamlined recovery. If you’re in need of legal counsel or assistance specific to your needs and situation, however, you can count on trusted professionals like Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. to maneuver you to where you need to be.

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