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The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid continues its Fourth of July traditions this weekend

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Official Release
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Annual NTT INDYCAR SERIES event features many fan experiences to celebrate America 250

LEXINGTON, Ohio (July 2, 2026) – On-track action begins tomorrow (July 3) at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Ohio’s biggest racing event, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid. This spectacular Fourth of July weekend celebrating America’s 250th birthday will feature a kickoff party later today, camping activities, fireworks show, movie on site, 10 total races and more.

The stars and cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES headline the three-day spectacle, racing for the 43rd time on the legendary 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course in Lexington, Ohio. The competitive field of INDYCAR drivers will feature multiple Ohio connections including two entries from Pataskala, Ohio-based Meyer Shank Racing (MSR), Marcus Armstrong and 2026 Indianapolis 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist, and Columbus, Ohio’s hometown favorite Graham Rahal of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Seven-time Mid-Ohio winner, and six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion, Scott Dixon, heads to Mid-Ohio hopeful for back-to-back wins as last year’s race winner. Dixon, nicknamed “Mr. Mid-Ohio”, is the record holder as Mid-Ohio’s winningest INDYCAR driver.

“The fan experience at Mid-Ohio has always been exceptional,” said Scott Dixon. “I think it’s a very family atmosphere, a lot of people camping. It’s motorhomes, tents and all of that kind of stuff. I don’t know, I just love it. Even after the track stuff, you can hang out with a lot of different people and just talk and catch up. It has a more laid-back Midwest style to it which is pretty cool.”

Alex Palou, current NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader by 60 points and four-time series champion, will again be one of the favorites at Mid-Ohio. Palou, pilot of the No. 10 OpenAI Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, tallied a victory at Mid-Ohio in 2023 and has finished second three times including the last two years.

Off-track race weekend fan experiences begin later this afternoon (July 2) with a kickoff party at The Local @ 97 in downtown Lexington, Ohio (58 OH-97) from 4:30 – 7 p.m. ET. The gathering will feature appearances by Armstrong, Dixon, Romain Grosjean, Rahal and Rosenqvist, plus Meyer Shank Racing co-owner Michael Shank. Attendees can partake in food and beverage specials, enjoy live music from Ryan Otis Bandy and check out the official INDYCAR show car on display.

Fourth of July celebrations begin at the track on Friday evening starting with a campers golf cart parade where weekend campers can decorate their golf carts or side-by-sides in patriotic red, white and blue and then take a lap of the 13-turn road course. After a trip around the track, shortly after dusk (sunset is 9:05 p.m. ET), ticket holders can enjoy a spectacular fireworks show over the Mid-Ohio grounds.

On Saturday (July 4) after INDYCAR qualifying, late in the afternoon, the Camping with Honda tradition continues as Honda-powered NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers will tour the trackside camping areas to meet fans and check out the festive, patriotic campsite decor. At 7 p.m. ET, campers and ticketed guests are invited to head to the “Esses” spectator mound to watch the 2025 hit “Superman” on the big screen positioned between Turns 4 and 5.

On Sunday (July 5), fans can get involved in INDYCAR pre-race festivities by participating in the Fan Grid Walk from 11:50 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. ET, an opportunity to get up close to the cars on pit lane before the race begins. The command for drivers to start their engines is at 12:45 p.m. ET, followed by the green flag waving over the 25-car field by honorary starter and four-time U.S. Olympian Kendell Coyne Schofield at 12:52 p.m. ET. The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid airs live on FOX with national broadcast coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Weekend tickets offer the best value when attending an event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult. Daily tickets and Pit and Paddock Passes are also available. Tickets are $10 additional when purchased at the gate. All the ticket options and pricing are posted online at midohio.com. 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.

RCR Race Preview: Chicagoland Speedway

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Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Chicagoland Speedway… Richard Childress Racing has two wins among 58 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series at Chicagoland Speedway. As a rookie, Kevin Harvick brought the Welcome, North Carolina organization to Victory Lane in the track’s inaugural Cup Series race in 2001, leading a race-high 113 laps en route to victory. The Bakersfield, California native backed up his performance the following year, leading the final 25 laps of the 2002 race to finish ahead of NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon by 0.812 seconds after starting the race 32nd. RCR has earned 10 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes in Cup Series competition at the track and has two pole awards. Austin Dillon won the pole for the Cup Series’ most recent appearance to Chicagoland Speedway in 2019.

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Chicagoland Speedway… Richard Childress Racing has 62 starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Chicagoland Speedway, acquiring four wins. Elliott Sadler brought RCR their most recent victory at the Illinois oval in 2012, leading 35 laps, including the final 32, en route to Victory Lane. Harvick accounted for two of RCR’s wins (2005, 2007), while Johnny Sauter delivered both his first career series win and RCR’s first victory at Chicagoland Speedway in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2002.

Spotlight on Patriotism: Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary in Washington, D.C… Richard Childress and Austin Dillon spoke on a panel moderated by acting United States Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling this week to discuss the unique role motorsports has played in U.S. history. The “Horsepower in America” panel also featured NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell and GM Vice President for Performance and Motorsports Jim Campbell as part of the Great American State Fair. RCR, in particular, has built a lasting legacy through motorsports, with more than 200 victories, 17 championships, and numerous civic and philanthropic contributions to communities across America.

Tickets to the 2026 Carolina Cowboys Home Stand Are Available Now… The Carolina Cowboys, a professional team in the PBR Teams Series owned by Richard Childress and Jeff Broin with Austin Dillon serving as the team’s general manager, are set to defend their PBR Teams Series Championship for the 2026 season beginning next week in Fort Collins, Colorado on July 11-12. The Cowboys host a talented roster with new additions featuring 2018 PBR Rookie of the Year and 2025 Challenger Series Champion Keyshawn Whitehorse, Elizmar Jeremias and Thiago Salgado. Don’t miss the Carolina Cowboys 2026 “Cowboy Days” home stand September 18-20 at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tickets are on sale at PBR.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Catch Saturday’s Action… The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Chicagoland Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, July 4 at 5:30 p.m. ET on The CW. The live radio broadcast can be heard on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Friday’s practice session at 4:30 p.m. ET, along with Saturday’s qualifying session at 2 p.m. ET, will be shown for free on The CW App.

Watch Us on TNT Sports… The NASCAR Cup Series’ eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, July 5, beginning at 6 p.m. ET on TNT Sports. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Friday’s practice session at 6 p.m. ET, along with Saturday’s qualifying session at 3 p.m. ET, will both be broadcast on truTV and Max. Ride shotgun all season long with live, in-car camera feeds and scanner audio with a paid subscription to Max as part of their NASCAR driver cam experience during the race.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Dow Salute Veterans Aptiv Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway… Although this weekend marks the NASCAR Cup Series’ return to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019, Austin Dillon has experience at the 1.5-mile track, having made six Cup Series starts there. He earned his best-finish of 10th in the Cup Series’ most recent race at the track in June 2019 after sitting on the pole.

Beyond the Cup Series… Dillon has competed in six NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races at the 1.5-mile track, acquiring an impressive average finish of 4.0 by earning five top-five finishes at the track and never finishing worse than sixth. The 2011 Truck Series champion has four career starts at Chicagoland in the Truck Series with two top-five and four top-10 finishes including a win in 2011.

Winner, Winner… Dillon won a NASCAR Truck Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in September 2011, the fourth of seven career victories in the series. The veteran racer took the lead with 14 laps remaining and won by an impressive 4.950 seconds over Kevin Harvick.

Honoring Veterans… As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Dow, RCR, Aptiv, and Team Rubicon are honoring those who have served our country through a special paint scheme for Dillon’s 2026 No. 3 Dow Salutes Veterans Aptiv Chevrolet. Continuing a 12-year legacy, this year’s design features the names of 1,438 veterans and active-duty service members, up from the 350+ names in 2015 when Dow and RCR began this initiative.

The car will also spotlight Dow’s Veterans Employee Resource Group (VetNet) and Military Degree Equivalency (MDE) program, which provide veterans with support and career opportunities at Dow.But this paint scheme also represents commitments that go deeper than the hood. In addition to using their partnership as a platform to amplify their shared support of veterans and active-duty military members, Dow and RCR collaborate regularly to make the No. 3 car faster, safer and more precise. This year, another mobility partner has joined the fun. Long-standing Dow customer Aptiv is also featured on the hood for its own impactful Military Affinity Network. Dow and Aptiv have collaborated for 45 years on materials innovation to advance software-defined vehicles, autonomous safety systems and electrification. The No. 3 car will also spotlight Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization and Dow’s partner in disaster relief efforts. Ultimately, the 2026 No. 3 Dow Salutes Veterans Chevrolet demonstrates how strong partnerships can accelerate innovation, strengthen communities and create lasting impact — on and off the race track. Stay up to date with Dow’s exciting developments at www.dow.com/sports, and follow them on X (@DowSports) and LinkedIn (Dow Sports Marketing Solutions).

Meet Dillon… On Sunday, July 5 at 1:15 p.m. Local Time, Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Chicagoland Speedway. Stop by to meet Dillon and purchase new No. 3 gear.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on returning to Chicagoland Speedway now that its back on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule?

“I can’t wait to get to Chicagoland Speedway. It’s been a solid mile-and-a-half track for us. I love the character the place has. It reminds me of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It reminds me of a big fast mile-and-a-half. I’m sure the asphalt is going to be worn a little differently, so looking forward to that practice session on Friday and trying to get through the bump in Turns 3 and 4. Last time, we did sit on the pole in 2019, so I’d love to be able to do that again this year.”

Austin Hill and the No. 33 zone x 7-Eleven Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway… Austin Hill will make his first NASCAR Cup Series start at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend. In preparation for NASCAR’s return to the Joliet, Illinois facility, Hill has spent extensive time logging laps on the simulator and reviewing race footage. The 32-year-old has competed in three previous races at Chicagoland – two in the NASCAR Truck Series and one in the ARCA Menards Series.

Did You Know? In his three prior starts at Chicagoland Speedway, Hill has never finished outside the top-10.

Zoning in on zone… zone™, the latest innovation from ITG Brands, is the next generation of nicotine pouches that delivers a superior tobacco-free experience and outperforms competitive products where it matters most. Available in 6mg and 9mg strengths and 10 variants, zone pouches are made with top shelf ingredients and high-quality materials to provide immediate nicotine intensity, longer-lasting flavor, and extra soft comfort. zone’s pouches are carefully crafted and designed to meet the needs of 21+ adult nicotine consumers, providing the best experience from the first pouch to the last.

Meet Hill… On Sunday, July 5 at 2 p.m. Local Time, Hill is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Chicagoland Speedway. Stop by to meet Hill prior to the green flag.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

What impact will 50 minutes of practice have?

“50 minutes of practice in both series is going to be huge. We can make changes to the car, more than we traditionally can on standard weekends. It will be nice to go make a run, come in, and if you need to change a rear spring or front-end stuff, you have the option to open up your playbook. I think it will especially help on the Cup side with our zone x 7-Eleven Chevrolet, because we can try things to see if it works for my driving style. Right now, we are in a little box of going to the track each week with what the team already knows. We don’t want to go down a rabbit hole of trying something and then we’re stuck with it all weekend and run 30th.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway… Jesse Love will make his first career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday. The young gun hopes to achieve his first win on a 1.5-mile oval.

Consistency Continues… Love’s average finish of 10.7 is fourth-best among full-time drivers in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Get to the Points… Love remains second in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver championship point standings, 207 points behind leader Justin Allgaier and six points ahead of third-place Corey Day.

About Whelen Engineering… Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, and we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

Everyday Champion… You don’t have to wear a cape to be a hero. Sometimes, all it takes is a willingness to step forward, a commitment to others, and the determination to make a difference—day after day, year after year. That’s the spirit behind Whelen Engineering’s Everyday Champion program, which is now accepting nominations for 2026. Created to honor first responders and everyday citizens who rise to the occasion when it matters most, the program celebrates the quiet strength, compassion, and leadership that define true heroism. Each year, the Everyday Champion program recognizes those who go above and beyond – whether through a single act of heroism or a continued commitment to serving others. Past honorees have included law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedicine teams, and civilians whose actions made a life-saving difference.

Nominations are open from May 1 through August 14, 2026. Individuals can nominate a deserving hero by visiting whelen.com/everydaychampion and completing a brief submission form outlining their story. The selected 2026 Everyday Champion will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they will be honored during a special ceremony and inducted into the Whelen Hall of Champions. In addition, a generous donation will be made in their name to the charity of their choice.

Meet Love… On Saturday, July 4 at 2:05 p.m. Local Time, Love is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Chicagoland Speedway. Stop by to meet Love and purchase new No. 2 gear.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

What are your thoughts heading to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time in your career?

“I don’t know much about it as far as real life experiences. I’ve really enjoyed the track on the simulator and watching races there in the past. I’ve enjoyed learning a new track with some good character. To me it seems like your typical mile-and-a-half with all of the good things taken from each mile-and-a-half. It has the seams that affect the car like you would see at Darlington and it has the low grip, sliding around like Kansas and it has the shapes and the bumps kind of like Las Vegas and you can move around. The track’s been able to age which I don’t think has changed a whole lot. I’m looking forward to this weekend, anytime we go to a mile-and-a-half racetrack I’m excited.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet at Chicagoland Speedway… Austin Hill will make his first career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Chicagoland Speedway this Saturday. While NASCAR returns to Chicagoland for the first time since 2019, Hill has prior experience at the Joliet, Illinois-based track. The Winston, Georgia native has competed in two NASCAR Truck Series races, earning a pair of top-10 results (best finish of fifth in 2019) and one pole position (2019). Hill has also participated in one ARCA Menards Series event, posting a 10th-place effort (2018).

Get to the Points… Hill remains fifth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver championship standings. The 16-time Series winner is 247 points behind leader Justin Allgaier and 31 points behind fourth-place runner Sheldon Creed.

About Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen… Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is the homestyle casual dining restaurant where guests always Get a lot. For not a lot™. The restaurant offers a variety of homemade meals and generous portions served up in a warm, welcoming atmosphere – all at an unbelievable price. After being welcomed with a signature Honey Butter Croissant on the house, guests can enjoy signature entrées like hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, homemade Chicken Pot Pie and slow-smoked Baby Back Ribs. Cheddar’s operates more than 180 restaurants in 28 states. For more information or to locate the nearest restaurant, visit Cheddars.com. Fans can like or follow Cheddar’s on Facebook, X and Instagram.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

Chicagoland Speedway has been compared to its sister-track, Kansas Speedway. Do you think that’s accurate?

“Yeah, I could see that. Kansas has a little more grip than Homestead-Miami or Darlington would have. The biggest difference at Chicagoland is the backstretch is curved, which is odd. Most tracks, the backstretch is completely straight. With it being curved, the way you enter into Turn 3 seems weird because you are turning right and following the wall. It should be a track that you can run bottom, middle, or top, which will create good racing. From everything that we’ve been told, the track surface itself is really rough. It has gotten rougher since the last time we ran there in 2019. I feel like it’s going to fit my driving style, with it being rough, bumpy, and low grip. Tire falloff is going to be big.”

RFK Racing – Chicagoland Speedway Advance

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Official Release
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Chicagoland Event Info:
Date: Sunday, July 5
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Joliet, Illinois
Format: 267 Laps, 400.5 Miles, Stages: 80-165-267
TV: TNT Sports
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 6 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 2 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 6 p.m. ET, Cup Race (TNT Sports, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The blast from the past famed Chicagoland Speedway returns hosting the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend for the 19th points race of the 2026 season.
  • The 1.5 mile Chicagoland Speedway hosted 19 Cup Series races between 2001-2019 but has not held a cup series race since 2019.
  • Brad Keselowski has 2 wins at Chicagoland and is one of three drivers in the current field to have won at the track,
  • The NASCAR In-Season Tournament continues this weekend at Chicago, with one remaining RFK Ford advancing into the “Sweet 16”. The second-round matchups are as follows:
  • No. 17 Chris Buescher vs No. 20 Christopher Bell

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: Castrol / TravelCenters of America

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Body Guard

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Mariano’s / Athletic Brewing

Keselowski at Chicagoland

Starts: 11
Wins: 2
Top-10s: 9
Poles: —

  • Keselowski is set to make his 12th start at the Chicagoland speedway.
  • In 11 Chicagoland races he has won twice and has finished outside the top-10 only twice, contributing to a remarkable average finish of 8.8
  • Keselowski is one of only three former Chicagoland winners in the field this week
  • Looking ahead: Keselowski is 2 positions below the Chase cut line, 25 points back with several tracks remaining in the regular season where he has been historically strong.

Buescher at Chicagoland
Starts: 4
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Buescher is set to make his 5th career start at Chicagoland Speedway.
  • In four previous starts he has an average finish of 23.8
  • This will be Buescher’s first Cup Series start at Chicagoland Speedway with RFK Racing
  • Buescher has made four O’Rielly Auto Parts Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway, never finishing worse than 12th establishing an 8th place average finish.
  • Looking ahead: Buescher is solidly contending for a Chase berth; 7th the standings, 129 points to the good.

Preece at Chicagoland

Starts: 1
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Preece will make his second Chicagoland Speedway start this weekend. In his only appearance at the 1.5 mile speedway, he started 22nd and finished 28th.
  • In the last ten races on 1.5 mile tracks, Preece ranks 9th among active drivers with an average finish of 14.4 (4 top-10 finishes)
  • Looking ahead: Preece is contending for a Chase berth, currently holding a qualifying position as he sits 15th in the standings, 13 points to the good.

RFK Historically at Chicagoland

  • RFK in Joliet: As an organization, RFK has made 73 Cup Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway with 1 pole, 17 top-10 finishes including six in the top-5.
  • Looking to Breakthrough: RFK Racing has not won at Chicagoland Speedway but has come close, finishing second three times. Carl Edwards (2010) and Matt Kenseth twice (2005 & 2007).
  • Throwing it Back: In 2007 Matt Kenseth led the most laps of the race (176/267), finishing second. Close behind was his teammate Carl Edwards finishing third.

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Sonoma: RFK Racing put on a show of determination at Sonoma Raceway, led by Ryan Preece’s eighth-place finish in the No. 60 Consumer Cellular Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Preece used strong strategy, fast pit stops and excellent long-run speed to record the team’s best finish of the day. Brad Keselowski rallied from 35th to 15th in the No. 6 Castrol /Les SchwabFord Mustang Dark Horse after charging through the field. Chris Buescher overcame handling challenges in the No. 17 Liverpool FC/Trimble Ford Mustang Dark Horse, with steady adjustments helping him recover for a 19th-place finish. Together, the three teams maximized their day with resilience and execution on the demanding Sonoma road course.

Points Standings: Buescher: 7th, Preece: 15th, Keselowski: 18th

Louis Foster to Drive the No. 76 Truck at Lime Rock Park

By
Official Release
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This will be the Full-Time IndyCar Driver’s first race in NASCAR

Mooresville, NC (July 2, 2026) – It was officially announced today that Louis Foster will drive Freedom Racing Enterprises’ No. 76 Chevrolet Silverado at Lime Rock Park in his first-ever NASCAR national series race. Spencer Boyd, owner of Freedom Racing Enterprises, shared the news including that their shared partner, DROPLiGHT will be the primary sponsor on the truck.

“We’ve shown some great speed with our road course program this season,” noted Spencer Boyd the primary driver of the No. 76. “It was our goal this season to stay focused on the 76 this year while bringing road course talent to best showcase our abilities in building fast trucks. The schedules aligned so that we could execute this crossover with Louis at Lime Rock and we are proud to be the ones getting him his first drive in a NASCAR race truck.”

Louis Foster is a full-time racing car driver for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing piloting the No. 45 DROPLiGHT/Desnuda car in the NTT IndyCar Series. Louis, originally from Odiham in Hampshire, UK, is the son of former British Touring Car Championship racer Nick Foster. He claimed Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season with RLL.

Foster commented on his debut in NASCAR, “This is quite the exciting opportunity and a bit of a bucket list item for me personally. I like to run different circuits in iRacing and NASCAR vehicles are at the top of my list of fun things to drive. So when Spencer and DROPLiGHT reached out with this opportunity, it was a pretty easy ‘yes’ for me.”

DROPLiGHT, the engine behind many successful brands including Desnuda Organic Tequila, will debut the livery that appears in the NASCAR 26 console game for this race. DROPLiGHT is a cultural engine that builds brands, accelerates founders, and connects the worlds of racing, culture, and innovation under one pulse. DROPLiGHT is the primary sponsor for both Spencer Boyd and Louis Foster in 2026.

Joseph Anderson, CEO of DROPLiGHT, spoke of the partnership with both drivers, “These are type of partnerships we seek to build. Ones that push the envelopes of traditional thinking. Ones that seek innovative ways to advance our brands. We are delighted to have both Spencer and Louis on our crew and are eagerly anticipating this race in Connecticut.”

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race featuring Louis Foster in the No. 76 DROPLiGHT Chevrolet Silverado is on July 11, 2026 at Lime Rock Park. The race can be seen live on FS1 with coverage starting at 1pm ET.

Wood Brothers Racing – Race Week Briefing: Chicagoland Speedway

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Official Release
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Event: eero 400

Date/Time: Sunday, July 5, 2026, 6 p.m. ET

Location: Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, Illinois

Layout: 1.5-Mile Oval

TV/Radio: TNT, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

As NASCAR returns to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019, Josh Berry and the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing team are set for a big weekend with primary partner eero, which also serves as the entitlement sponsor of Sunday’s eero 400.

“It’s going to be good to get back to Chicagoland,” Berry said. “It’s obviously a track we haven’t raced at in a while, so it’s great to see it back on the schedule.

“From everything we’ve heard and what we’ve seen, it looks like the facility is in great shape, and I think it’ll produce some good racing.

“It’s also a big weekend for our partner eero with them serving as the entitlement sponsor of the race, so we’d love to put together a good run for them.”

Adding to the significance of the weekend, the No. 21 Ford Mustang will sport a special patriotic paint scheme celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“We’ve got a really sharp patriotic paint scheme on the No. 21 Ford Mustang, and hopefully we can give everyone at eero a weekend they’ll be proud of,” Berry said.

As part of the eero 400 weekend festivities, Berry will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Saturday night’s Fourth of July game between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

Berry heads to Chicagoland with one previous NASCAR national series start at the 1.5-mile oval, where he finished 13th after starting 22nd in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in 2016.

Track activity begins with practice Friday at 6 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Both sessions will air live on truTV.

Sunday’s 267-lap eero 400 is scheduled to take the green flag shortly after 6 p.m. ET. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 80 and 165, with live television coverage provided by TNT.

Josh Berry

Age: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Miles Stanley

IG: @joshberry88

X: @joshberry

About eero
eero was founded to make wifi and networking the way they should be—fast, reliable, secure, and, most importantly, easy to use. After introducing the first home mesh wifi system with a high-quality design that blends into its environment and technology that intuitively works behind the scenes, eero became known for sweating every single detail and delivering award-winning hardware and software for homes, businesses, communities, and service providers. Founded and headquartered in San Francisco in 2014, eero is an Amazon company. For more information, visit eero.com.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: CHICAGOLAND RACE PREVIEW

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Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
CHICAGOLAND PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: eero 400
DATE: July 5, 2026
Race: NASCAR Cup Series 19 of 36
TRACK: Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill. | 1.5-Mile Oval

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 RAID/DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT CHICAGOLAND: John Hunter Nemechek has made five NASCAR national series starts at Chicagoland Speedway. In the 2019 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, he started 15th and finished 11th. In his four starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he has earned three top-10 finishes, including a race win in September 2015.

FIRST WIN AT CHICAGOLAND: Nemechek took home the checkered flag in the 2015 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Chicagoland, earning his first ever NASCAR national series win. He led two of 150 laps and won with an impressive 12.014 second margin of victory over Tyler Reddick.

JHN ON INTERMEDIATES: John Hunter Nemechek has 66 starts on intermediate tracks throughout his NASCAR Cup Series career. He has recorded eight top-10 finishes, with his best result of fourth coming from September 2025’s race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

T-MACK AT CHICAGOLAND: Crew Chief Travis Mack has one NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Chicagoland with Michael Annett. The duo started 16th and brought home a third-place finish and 25 laps led.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“I’m excited to get back to an intermediate track, and I feel like Chicagoland will be a fun one. This place has always had a special place in my heart since it’s where I got my first Truck Series win in 2015. It will be interesting to see how things go with how rough the track is, but it will be good to have a full practice session on Friday. I’m ready to get back to an oval, and I feel like our intermediate program at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is our bread and butter. Looking forward to a good weekend in our Raid/Dollar Tree takeover No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“We’re coming off of a fourth-place finish at Pocono and a fast car in Michigan, so I’m super pumped about Chicagoland. No one has run the Next-Gen car here, so I feel like it’s an even-playing field this weekend. We’re continuing to build off of our intermediate program, and I’m feeling really good about what we can do come Sunday.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 UCHICAGO MEDICINE/ADVENTHEALTH TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES CHICAGOLAND STATS: Erik Jones owns three NASCAR Cup Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway, where he earned two top-10 finishes. In July 2018, Jones started ninth and finished sixth to earn his best start at the 1.5-mile oval. He followed that up in June 2019 with a seventh-place finish after starting 21st. Jones has an additional five starts outside of the Cup Series – four in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Jones has two wins and three top-10s at Chicagoland. Meanwhile in his one and only Craftsman Truck Series start at the track, Jones started eighth and finished sixth in September 2015.

WINNER AT CHICAGOLAND: Jones already knows how to win at Chicagoland Speedway. In his impressive O’Reilly Auto Parts Series career, Jones earned two victories at the 1.5-mile oval. In June 2016, Jones started 11th and led 94 laps en route to a 1.958 second margin of victory over Ryan Blaney. He defended his win in September 2016 where he started fifth, led 10 laps, and bested Kyle Larson by .392 seconds.

ADVENTHEALTH AT BOLINGBROOK: On Wednesday evening prior to the Chicagoland race weekend, Jones joined AdventHealth in the Village of Bolingbrook just over an hour outside of downtown Chicago. UChicago Medicine and AdventHealth brought Jones out to meet the fans in a Fourth of July celebration. He signed autographs for over 200 fans to help promote the race.

JONES PROMOTES SKIN CANCER AWARENESS: Last weekend at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway, the Erik Jones Foundation and Dollar Tree teamed up to pass out sunscreen to fans on property. Jones and his organization handed out over 4,000 units of sunscreen provided by Dollar Tree throughout the entire race weekend. Early cancer prevention is one of the three pillars of the Erik Jones Foundation. In years prior, Jones has passed out sunscreen samples to fans and industry members in addition to bringing skin checks to the track.

IN-SEASON CHALLENGE: By besting Joey Logano in last weekend’s race at Sonoma, Jones has advanced to the second round of the TNT In-Season Challenge. With just 13 laps to go in the race, the driver of the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE successfully passed his opponent and held him off in the final laps of the race. This weekend at Chicagoland, Jones will face off against the No. 11 of Denny Hamlin.

ALEXANDER AT CHICAGOLAND: Crew chief Justin Alexander has been on top of the box for three Cup Series races at Chicagoland Speedway. He earned a best finished of 16th in September 2017 with Austin Dillon after the duo started ninth. Alexander has one additional start in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Paul Menard where they finished ninth in September 2016.

ERIK JONES QUOTE:
“I’m looking forward to Chicagoland. When we went there years ago, I felt like I ran good there as a driver, and I think for us just as a team where we’re at and where we run well, a track like Chicagoland with a lot of character and roughness and high wear will be good for us. I hope it is, and also having a full practice is good for us having a real practice session as a two-car team is a big deal. Hopefully, it’s a place we’re going to perform well. We put ourselves in a decent spot after two road course races, and we’re looking forward to this next stretch of eight races on from Chicago to have a good shot trying to get in the Chase.”

JUSTIN ALEXANDER QUOTE:
“It’s great to be heading back to Chicagoland and back to an intermediate track. We’ve seen a lot of growth from our 43 team this season, and having a full practice session gives us a chance to fine tune the car and maximize what we’ve brought to the track. We haven’t been back to Chicagoland in many years, so the track surface will be a little bit of a curveball for everyone but with our performance on intermediates this year, we feel like we have a good starting point and plan to be fast off the truck. Now the west coast road course swing is over, I look forward to getting this team back into the rhythm we had so that we can continue to accumulate points and secure our spot in the Chase.”

CLUB MINUTES:
JJ AT CHICAGOLAND: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson owns 18 Cup Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway. While he never won there, he did earn eight top-fives and 12 top-10s. Johnson led a total of 705 laps at the 1.5-mile oval with a best finish of second, which he earned twice – July 2004 and September 2012. He has an additional two starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series where he won in July 2001 after starting sixth and leading 43 laps. He bested Mike Skinner by 4.932 seconds.

KENSETH CHICAGOLAND STATS: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB competition advisor and 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth has 17 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series at Chicagoland Speedway. In total, he earned one win in September 2013, four top-fives, and nine top-10s. In 2013, he started 10th, led 89 laps, and crossed the finish line .749 seconds ahead of Kyle Busch. Kenseth has an additional nine starts at Chicagoland in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He earned a best finish of second three times – July 2003, July 2007, and September 2015.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT:

Take a full walkthrough of the 2027 Newmar Essex used by Legacy Motor Club during the NASCAR season!

CLUB APPEARANCES:
On Saturday, July 4, John Hunter Nemechek will visit the trackside merchandise trailer for an autograph session at 12 p.m. local time. On Sunday, July 5, he will visit the Toyota merchandise trailer at 1:30 p.m. local time.

On Sunday, July 5, Erik Jones will visit the AdventHealth display in the fan zone at 1:45 p.m. local time for a Q&A session with the fans.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, July 5 at 6 p.m. EDT on TNT Sports, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

KENNINGTON READY TO REBOUND AT MONTMAGNY

By
Official Release
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Photo Credit: Matthew Manor

July 2, 2026. DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Dodge team return to NASCAR Canada Series competition this Saturday, July 4th, as the series heads to Autodrome Montmagny for a doubleheader event.

Located just outside Quebec City, the 3/8-mile oval has been a challenging and exciting stop on the NASCAR Canada schedule. During its first two years hosting series competition, Montmagny served as the season finale with a 250-lap event, but this season the format changes with two sprint-style races of 125 and 150 laps that will feature nonstop action from start to finish.

With no scheduled pit stops, strategy will take a back seat to speed, consistency, and execution.

Kennington enters the weekend looking to rebound after a frustrating outing at Riverside International Speedway last week. The #17 Castrol Dodge showed impressive speed throughout the weekend, but an early cut tire forced the team into a difficult situation and took away a chance at a strong finish.

Despite the setback, Kennington has plenty of confidence heading back to Montmagny. The veteran driver finished fifth at the track one year ago and has shown the pace needed to contend on this demanding oval.

“Montmagny is a tough track and has some challenges to find the right set up. With this being two sprint races there’s going to be no time to settle in you have to be on it right away,” said Kennington. We had a fast car last week and didn’t get the result we deserved, so we’re focused on putting together a complete weekend and bringing the Castrol Dodge home up front.”

Race Event Preview

Saturday July 4th Green Flag Race one 6:10PM Race two 8:10PM
Races five and six of 14 in 2026
This will be the third and fourth NASCAR Canada Series races at Autodrome Montmagny

The Track: 3/8-mile paved oval

Career Victories: 25

Most Recent Win: Riverside International Speedway, 2025

DJ Stat Nuggets
Scored a fifth-place finish in last year’s race.
Has finished in the top ten in both previous races at Autodrome Montmagny.
Finished in the top ten in all 12 races in 2025, the only competitor to do so.
The race will be Kennington’s 232nd consecutive NASCAR Canada Series start, the only driver to participate in every series event,

Career Victories: 25

Most Recent Win: Riverside International Raceway, 2025

Television Coverage
Race fans can watch the two races from the Autodrome Montmagny live beginning at 6PM ET on REV TV. Race highlights will also be shown on TSN, date and time TBD.

Race fans can follow DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Dodge team on their official social media platforms:

Twitter www.twitter.com/@djkracing
Instagram www.instagram.com/djkracing
Website www.djkracing.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DJKenningtonRacing/

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA targeting a strong result in São Paul

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Official Release
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July 2nd, 2026 – Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA will look for a taste of last year’s success as the team heads to Brazil next week for the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo and the latest round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

2025 saw the team claim a historic win at the 4.409 km (2.677-mile), 15-turn Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlargos) circuit. With the sister car crossing the finish line in second place, it was the first 1-2 by a U.S. manufacturer in the LMP1/Hypercar class.

The No.38 car Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R will be driven by Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais, whilst the No.12 car will be driven by Norman Nato and Will Stevens, as Alex Lynn continues his recovery from surgery.

The Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo gets underway with two Free Practice sessions on Friday July 10th. A third Free Practice on Saturday will be followed by Qualifying and the 10-minute Hyperpole session. The Race is scheduled for 1130am local time on Sunday July 12th.

 What they’re saying

Keely Bosn, Cadillac Racing Programme Manager:

At last year’s 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, Cadillac secured a 1-2 in qualifying and its first ever win (and P2) in WEC. Describe this historic moment?

Winning our first WEC race in Brazil was a huge milestone for us. We put the #12 on pole and then went on to achieve Cadillac’s first-ever WEC victory with a 1-2 finish. It was incredibly special. It was a key moment for the programme and a strong validation of the hard work that had gone in across the team since our return to the series.

What did it mean to Cadillac and GM?

It meant a lot because it was about much more than one single result. It showed that Cadillac can compete with the best in the world and win on a global stage, and that matters for both Cadillac and GM. Programmes like WEC and Le Mans build visibility and credibility for the brand, while also giving us a real-world test bed for performance, durability, and technology that carries back into our production vehicles.

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA finished just off the podium in Le Mans this year. What are the aims and expectations for this year’s race in São Paulo?

The aim is always to put ourselves in a position to fight and ultimately compete for the win. We know we have the right ingredients in the car this year with our driver lineup, partnering with JOTA, and after the pace we’ve already shown this season at Le Mans, the focus is now on executing a clean race at São Paulo and turning that potential into another winning result.

Le Mans is incredibly competitive and unpredictable. Although we fell just short of the podium, Cadillac led quite a lot of the race and showed excellent pace.

No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R:

Norman Nato: “Brazil is obviously a special place for us. We had our first win with Cadillac there last year and got Pole and a 1-2 finish. I have great memories of winning at such an iconic circuit – an amazing crowd, a podium celebration at sunset with all the fans and the team around. I hope we can reproduce the same level of performance this year, and keep the good momentum after a very strong fight for the win at Le Mans.”

Will Stevens: “I’m looking forward to getting back to São Paulo, especially coming off Le Mans where we showed strong pace throughout. We had a great win in São Paulo last year, it’s a track we were pretty dominant on, so hopefully we can repeat that same success this time around. There’s a lot of history there and it’s great fun to drive, so I can’t wait to be back.”

No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R

Jack Aitken: “I’ve been to São Paulo as a reserve in F1, but I’ve never actually driven the track, so I’m looking forward to finally getting to do it! It helps that the Cadillacs were very competitive here last year and we will be carrying some good momentum from our strong showing at Le Mans.”

Earl Bamber: “I’m looking forward to getting back racing in Brazil. We had a lot of pace and potential in Le Mans, and the Cadillacs have been performing very well all season, so we were very disappointed in the end result. We’ll be heading to São Paulo looking for a bit of redemption!

Sebastien Bourdais: “We are heading to the location of the best race weekend for the team last year, with a 1-2 finish off the back of a Pole position. We are all excited to return to see if we can get another strong result. It’s a tricky track to race. Tyre deg is pretty significant there, and the high altitude means the car slides more than at other circuits due to there being less downforce. So it’s always a bit of a challenge to get the right window, to get the tyres in the right place, but we definitely managed it last year. We have had a competitive package again this year, with strong pace at all races. The results just haven’t gone our way yet.”

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future.

GM Motorsports, including the Cadillac Formula 1® Team develops and proves advanced technologies in the most demanding environments, accelerating innovation in performance, safety, efficiency, and electrification for its production vehicles. Cadillac Racing is one of the leading manufacturers in the IMSA and FIA World Endurance Championships (WEC). Chevrolet competes in single seaters in the US IndyCar series, and in NASCAR with multiple team partners and drivers. Corvette customer teams compete in GT series across the globe including IMSA and WEC. Learn more at GM.com.

Fresh Off Top-Five ARCA Finish, Jason Kitzmiller Excited to Arrive at Chicagoland Speedway

By
Official Release
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JOLIET, Ill.: Fresh off his first top-five finish of the 2026 season at Elko (Minn.) Speedway last weekend, ARCA Menards Series veteran Jason Kitzmiller carries valuable momentum into Friday night’s Ashley Furniture 150 at Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway, as the series begins the second half of its schedule.

By every measure, Elko was one of Kitzmiller’s strongest ARCA Menards Series performances to date.

Competing against powerhouse organizations including Joe Gibbs Racing, Nitro Motorsports and Pinnacle Racing Group, Kitzmiller posted the fastest lap in practice before qualifying his No. 97 A.L.L. Construction Racing — CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet eighth for the 250-lap feature.

Once the green flag waved, Kitzmiller quickly established himself as a contender. He spent the entire race inside the top 10, and adjustments made by crew chief and 10-time ARCA Menards Series champion Frank Kimmel during the race transformed an already solid Chevrolet into one capable of charging toward the front of the field.

With renewed speed over the closing laps, Kitzmiller reeled in the leaders and mounted a late charge for fourth before ultimately crossing the finish line fifth. The result marked his first top-five finish of the season, sixth top-10 of the year and another significant step forward for the A.L.L. Construction Racing — CR7 Motorsports team.

“Elko gave us exactly what we needed,” added Kitzmiller. “We’ve had speed throughout the season, but we finally put together the kind of complete race we’ve been chasing. It shows what this team is capable of when everything comes together.

“We’re entering the second half of the season with a lot of confidence, but we also know there’s still work to do. Chicagoland is another opportunity to keep the momentum rolling, score another strong finish and continue climbing the championship standings.”

The ARCA Menards Series joins the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for an Independence Day holiday weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, marking the NASCAR national series’ long-awaited return to the Joliet, Ill., facility for the first time since 2019.

While the 1.5-mile speedway is familiar to many competitors, it will present a new challenge for Kitzmiller, who is set to make his first career ARCA start at Chicagoland Speedway.

The Petersburg, West Virginia, driver embraces the opportunity to add another track to his extensive racing résumé and is eager to continue the momentum his team has built over the past several weeks.

“Any time you get the opportunity to race at a place you’ve never been before, it’s exciting,” said Kitzmiller.

“There will definitely be a learning curve, but that’s part of what makes this sport so rewarding. We’ll rely on our notes from similar intermediate tracks, work through practice and make the most of every lap.

“The confidence we gained at Elko carries over into this weekend. This team has been getting better every race, and I think we’re starting to see the results reflect the effort everyone has been putting in.

“Frank Kimmel (crew chief) and the entire A.L.L. Construction Racing — CR7 Motorsports team have given me fast race cars, and now it’s about continuing to execute. If we can unload with good speed, make smart adjustments and stay out of trouble, I think we can put ourselves in position for another strong finish.”

While Chicagoland Speedway represents unfamiliar territory for Kitzmiller, it also presents an opportunity. With confidence on the rise following his breakthrough top-five finish at Elko and the championship battle entering its second half, another solid performance could provide the momentum needed to continue climbing the ARCA Menards Series standings.

“We’ve got some momentum on our side, but nobody on this team is ready to celebrate,” added Kitzmiller.

“The goal is still the same. We want to keep putting ourselves in contention every week. We know we’re still within striking distance in the championship, and as long as there’s a chance, we’re going to keep fighting until the final checkered flag of the season.

“Chicagoland is new for me, but every race is another opportunity to learn, score points and keep building on what we’ve started. This team believes in each other, and I think our best races are still ahead of us.”

For the second straight year, Kitzmiller and company welcome Carter Machinery, promoting the Caterpillar® (Cat®) brand as the primary partner aboard the No. 97 Chevrolet for Friday night’s 100-lap battle at Chicagoland Speedway.

Carter Machinery’s humble beginnings date back to 1928, serving customers throughout Virginia and southeastern West Virginia. As customer needs evolved, the company expanded its offerings by adding new products, services, and locations, with significant growth following its 2020 acquisition of Alban Tractor Company.

Today, Carter Machinery’s footprint spans the Mid-Atlantic, with more than 30 locations across Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. The company sells, rents, and supports the full line of Cat® equipment, engines, and electric power generation systems, backed by strong parts availability, a diverse rental fleet, and an expert service team committed to customer success.

Continued investment in people, infrastructure, technology, and tooling has positioned Carter Machinery as one of Caterpillar’s premier dealers in North America and around the globe.

“We’re excited to welcome Carter Machinery and the Cat® brand back on board for Chicagoland Speedway,” said Kitzmiller. “There’s something special about racing on Independence Day weekend, especially at a venue just outside one of America’s great cities.

“It’s a fitting stage for a company like Carter Machinery and the Cat® brand, whose equipment helps build the roads, bridges, infrastructure and communities that keep our country moving forward every day.

“They’ve been tremendous partners for our program and share the same values of hard work, reliability and performance that our race team strives to demonstrate every time we hit the racetrack.

“We’re proud to represent Carter Machinery and Cat® on the No. 97 Chevrolet during such a patriotic race weekend and look forward to putting together another strong performance for everyone who supports our program.”

In addition to Carter Machinery, A.L.L. Construction Inc., Grant County Mulch, A&J Excavating, Cobra Mining, Champion Power Equipment and Volt Battery Technology will all serve as associate marketing partners for his 58th career ARCA Menards Series start.

Entering Chicagoland, Kitzmiller, 52, sits fourth in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings, 68 points behind championship leader Jake Bollman with 10 races remaining.

The A.L.L. Construction Racing — CR7 Motorsports team also holds a respectable ninth place in the championship owner standings.

Since 2020, Kitzmiller has earned three top-five and 28 top-10 finishes in 57 ARCA Menards Series starts, including a career-best third-place effort at Daytona International Speedway in February 2025.

The Ashley Furniture 150 (100 laps | 150 miles) is the 11th of 20 races on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Friday, July 3, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m., while Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole Qualifying is slated to begin shortly thereafter at 2:35 p.m. The race is scheduled to take the green flag shortly after 7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m. ET). The continuation of the 74th season of ARCA competition will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire day’s festivities. All times are local (CT).

Danner Delivers Sweet Redemption With BC39 Victory

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, July 1, 2026) – Briggs Danner provided redemption for himself and his team July 1 with a drive to victory in the BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors.

Danner, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, earned his first career USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship victory at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in one of the most prestigious short-track races in the country. He earned $20,039 for the victory in the No. 40x Chase McDermand Racing car in the 39-lap race, which continues to honor late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson.

“Between last night and tonight, we were good every time we hit the track,” Danner said. “There’s no feeling like this right now. I don’t even know what to say right now.”

Kevin Thomas Jr., the winner of the 30-lap Stoops Star Spangled Showdown Tuesday at IMS, finished second in the No. 14 4 Kings Racing entry. Jacob Denney was third in the No. 67 Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports car.

Two-time reigning BC39 winner Cannon McIntosh fell short in his bid for a three-peat, finishing fourth in the No. 71K Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports entry. Kale Drake rounded out the top five in the No. 4 RMS Racing machine.

The victory erased a tough night for Danner and the McDermand team Tuesday in the 30-lap feature. Danner was hit from behind by teammate Drake Edwards on Lap 6 and struggled to finish 13th, also hurt by a deflating tire late in that race.

Edwards went on to win the race for the McDermand team but was disqualified after a technical violation was discovered in his engine in post-race inspection. Thomas, who crossed the line in second, was awarded the victory.

“We were really good last night,” Danner said. “There’s no better place to be in Victory Lane. This crowd, this track inside IMS, there’s nothing like this. This is really cool, and it will take a little bit to set in.”

Said team owner Chase McDermand about the rebound from the disqualification: “We had our little moment when we were all kind of just moping around. Got everybody together in the lounge of the trailer, building everybody right back up. After that point, we all knew we had the cars to do it.”

Pole sitter Danner lost the lead to Drake immediately at the drop of the green flag in the BC39 feature. Danner immediately decided to run a higher line on the dirt oval, a strategy he maintained for nearly the entire race.

Danner made a rare low move to dip under Drake for the lead exiting Turn 4 on Lap 9 before a three-car tangle unfurled the first caution flag of the night on Lap 10.

On the restart, McIntosh passed Drake for second place and loomed behind Danner. Then Danner and McIntosh produced 10 consecutive laps of magic, swapping the lead nearly every trip around the oval. The scintillating duel also included Danner keeping the lead despite bouncing off the Turn 4 wall on Lap 16, as repeated sliding through Turn 4 created a banked cushion of dirt that caught some drivers off guard.

“It’s so tough, and it’s so slick, too,” Danner said of the changing conditions in Turn 4. “When it’s fluffy like that, it just kind of catches you instead of letting you drive off of it or just bounce off of it.”

The fight for the lead became a three-car joust when Thomas, who faithfully stuck to the low line for the entire feature, passed both Danner and McIntosh for the lead on Lap 24.

But Danner regained the lead on the next lap running the high line and began to pull away by a few car lengths. The final caution period on Lap 30 bunched the field, but Danner rocketed away on the final restart.

“Thankfully, I didn’t have a rearview mirror because I’m sure it was getting pretty busy, but I just had to try to protect,” Danner said.

About the only adjustment Danner made in the closing laps was to drop his line slightly lower to avoid the bumps and the berm forming in Turn 4, creating a smooth ride to Victory Lane.

USAC action will return to The Dirt Track at IMS on Thursday, July 23 when Brickyard Weekend kicks off with an Indiana Sprint Week event for the AMSOIL National Sprint Car Championship. Tickets are available at IMS.com.

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