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From the Pit Lane to the Trading Floor: What High-Performance Industries Have in Common

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SM
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There’s a moment in every NASCAR race that most casual viewers miss. While the car is screaming around the track at 200 miles per hour, a team of engineers in the pit box is watching 300 data channels simultaneously — tire temperatures, fuel load, aerodynamic balance, engine mapping, and making decisions that will play out three or four laps later. The driver reacts in milliseconds. The team anticipates in seconds. The strategy unfolds over hours. All three timescales matter, and confusing them is how you lose races.

Replace the car with an order, the track with a market, and the pit box with a trading desk, and the description still holds. Financial markets are one of the few industries that operate on the same three-tier time structure as motorsport: the speed of execution, the rhythm of tactical decision-making, and the arc of longer-term strategy. It’s not a coincidence that quantitative trading firms have been quietly recruiting from aerospace engineering and motorsport analytics for years. The problems are genuinely similar.

The data density alone draws the parallel tight. A modern Formula 1 car generates around 1.5 terabytes of data per race weekend. A mid-sized trading operation processes comparable volumes of market data every day — price feeds, order book depth, volatility signals, correlation matrices — all of it needing to be filtered, interpreted and acted on faster than a human brain can consciously process. Both industries solved this the same way: by building systems that handle the data layer automatically, leaving human judgment for the decisions that actually require it.

Risk management works the same way in both worlds too. In motorsport, the fastest lap time means nothing if the car doesn’t finish. Every performance decision — how hard to push the tires, how late to pit, how aggressive to be through a corner — is weighed against the probability of not finishing the race. In trading, the highest return strategy is worthless if it blows up the account. Position sizing, drawdown limits, exposure controls, these aren’t constraints on performance; they’re what makes sustained performance possible. The teams and firms that last aren’t the ones that push hardest. They’re the ones that push hardest within a system designed to keep them in the game.

Perhaps the most interesting parallel right now is in how both industries are opening up access to people who have the talent but not the capital. Motorsport has always had junior programs — manufacturer academies, feeder series, scholarship schemes designed to find and fund drivers who couldn’t otherwise afford the path to the top. Financial markets are seeing the same structural shift through the growth of funded trader programs, where prop firms provide capital to traders who demonstrate performance on evaluation accounts rather than requiring them to risk their own money. Companies building infrastructure for this model, like white label prop firms powered by specialist technology providers, are doing for trading what junior academies did for motorsport — separating talent identification from capital access.

The surface differences between a pit lane and a trading floor are obvious. The underlying logic running both of them- data, speed, risk discipline, and the relentless search for marginal gains turns out to be remarkably consistent. Which might explain why the people who are genuinely good at one tend to understand the other faster than anyone expects.

Kemimoto Launches Seasonal UTV Fan Sale for Hot-Weather Riders

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SM
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New UTV cooling fan collection and limited-time sale aim to improve rider comfort on hot summer trails

Los Angeles, California — July 23, 2026 — Kemimoto, an aftermarket powersports accessory brand, today announced the launch of its UTV Fan Collection alongside a seasonal UTV Fan Sale designed to help off-road riders stay comfortable during hot-weather trips. The utv fan lineup is built for riders who spend long hours on the trail as summer temperatures climb, offering a practical solution to one of the most common complaints among UTV owners: heat buildup inside the cab.

The announcement comes as more riders take to the trails during the warmer months, when cab temperatures inside side-by-side vehicles can rise well above outside conditions due to engine heat, direct sunlight, and limited airflow. Kemimoto’s new fan collection is intended to address that problem directly, giving drivers and passengers a way to improve circulation without modifying their vehicle’s factory systems. The seasonal sale gives riders an opportunity to upgrade their setup at a reduced cost ahead of peak summer riding season.

The collection and promotion are aimed at a broad range of UTV owners, including drivers of Polaris Ranger, Polaris RZR, Can-Am Defender, Can-Am Maverick, Honda Pioneer, Kawasaki Teryx, and CFMOTO UForce models, as well as dealers, distributors, and powersports media who cover product developments in the off-road accessory space.

Kemimoto Introduces Advanced UTV Fan Solutions for Summer Riding

Kemimoto designed its UTV fan collection specifically for the demands of off-road environments, where dust, vibration, and heat can quickly wear down accessories that aren’t built for the conditions. The company’s approach centers on practical engineering: fans that mount securely, operate reliably over rough terrain, and deliver consistent airflow without adding unnecessary bulk to the cab.

The collection is positioned as part of Kemimoto’s broader catalog of aftermarket UTV accessories, which the company has developed over several years for the off-road and outdoor recreation community. Riders interested in the full range of products can browse the company’s offerings at Kemimoto’s homepage, where the fan collection sits alongside the brand’s other UTV, ATV, and motorcycle accessories.

According to the company, the goal behind the new lineup was straightforward: give riders a way to stay cooler and more comfortable without compromising the durability or fit they expect from aftermarket UTV parts. That focus on real-world usability — rather than added complexity — has shaped the design decisions behind each fan in the collection.

Designed for Comfort During Hot Off-Road Adventures

Heat is one of the most common issues UTV riders report during summer trips, particularly on longer rides where the cab can trap warm air with little ventilation. Kemimoto’s UTV fan products are built to address that directly through improved airflow, adjustable settings, and quieter operation compared to running windows or vents alone.

Each fan in the collection is designed to circulate air throughout the cab, helping reduce the buildup of heat that typically accumulates during extended trail rides. Adjustable airflow settings allow riders to control fan speed based on conditions, whether they’re navigating technical trails at lower speeds — where airflow through open windows is minimal — or covering long stretches of open terrain.

Noise level was another consideration in the product’s development. Off-road fans that run loudly can interfere with communication between riders and passengers or drown out the sound of the trail itself, which many riders rely on for situational awareness. Kemimoto’s fans are engineered to operate quietly enough that they don’t become a distraction, allowing riders to stay comfortable without sacrificing the overall riding experience.

For passengers, especially on family rides or extended outings, cab temperature can be the difference between an enjoyable trip and an uncomfortable one. By reducing heat buildup, the fan collection is intended to make longer rides more manageable for everyone in the vehicle, not just the driver.

A central feature of the UTV Fan Collection is its compatibility across many of the most widely owned side-by-side models on the market. Kemimoto designed the fans to fit Polaris Ranger and Polaris RZR platforms, Can-Am Defender and Can-Am Maverick models, Honda Pioneer, Kawasaki Teryx, and CFMOTO UForce vehicles, giving owners across different brands access to the same cooling solution.

This cross-platform compatibility reflects a broader trend in the aftermarket UTV accessories space, where riders increasingly expect products that can be installed without extensive modification or specialized tools. Kemimoto’s UTV cab fan and side by side cooling fan products are built with straightforward mounting hardware, making installation accessible for riders who prefer to handle upgrades themselves rather than relying on a dealer or service center.

For Polaris Ranger fan and Polaris RZR fan applications specifically, as well as Can-Am Defender fan and Can-Am Maverick fan setups, Kemimoto has focused on fitment accuracy so the products integrate cleanly with existing cab structures. The company notes that easy installation was a priority throughout development, since many UTV owners perform their own accessory upgrades rather than scheduling shop visits.

Riders looking to explore the full range of compatible options can view the Kemimoto UTV Fan Collection, which outlines fitment details for each supported model.

Why Demand for UTV Fans Continues to Grow

Interest in UTV cooling accessories has grown alongside broader trends in the powersports and outdoor recreation industries. As summer temperatures climb in many regions where off-road riding is popular, riders are spending more time researching ways to stay comfortable on longer trips rather than cutting rides short due to heat.

UTV ownership itself has expanded in recent years, with more households purchasing side-by-sides for recreation, property work, and hunting or camping trips. As that ownership base grows, so does demand for accessories that make the vehicles more practical for extended use — cooling solutions among them. Riders taking longer trail rides, sometimes spanning several hours or multiple days, are increasingly treating rider comfort as a purchasing priority rather than an afterthought.

This shift mirrors patterns seen across the broader outdoor recreation industry, where consumers are investing in gear and accessories that extend the usability of their equipment across more seasons and conditions. For UTV owners specifically, a reliable off-road cooling solution can mean the difference between riding through the hottest parts of summer or waiting until temperatures drop in the fall.

Powersports accessories that address comfort — rather than performance or aesthetics alone — have also seen increased attention from dealers and distributors, who report growing customer interest in practical add-ons that improve the day-to-day experience of owning a UTV. Kemimoto’s entry into the UTV fan category reflects this broader industry movement toward comfort-focused aftermarket products.

Seasonal UTV Fan Sale Helps Riders Upgrade for Less

Alongside the new collection, Kemimoto is running a seasonal UTV Fan Sale to help riders upgrade their vehicles ahead of peak summer conditions. The promotion is designed to make cooling accessories more accessible to a wider range of UTV owners, particularly those preparing for warm-weather trips, extended trail rides, or upcoming outdoor events.

The sale reflects Kemimoto’s broader approach to seasonal product planning, timing promotions around the periods when riders are most likely to need specific accessories. For UTV cooling accessories, that means offering savings during the late spring and summer months, when demand for airflow and heat relief inside the cab is highest.

Riders interested in taking advantage of the promotion can visit the UTV Fan Sale page for current pricing and available models. The sale covers select products from the broader fan collection, giving owners of Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Kawasaki, and CFMOTO UTVs an affordable path to improved cab comfort.

For dealers and distributors, the seasonal timing also presents an opportunity to stock cooling accessories ahead of anticipated customer demand, particularly in regions where summer riding season draws heavy trail traffic.

Executive Statement

“Riders tell us that heat is one of the biggest factors affecting how long they can comfortably stay out on the trail,” said Samantha Carter, Marketing Manager at Kemimoto. “We built this fan collection around that feedback. Our goal was to give UTV owners a straightforward way to improve airflow and cut down on cab heat without adding complexity to their setup. Rider comfort has always been part of how we think about product development, and this collection is a continuation of that commitment to the off-road community.”

Carter added that the company plans to continue expanding its UTV cooling accessories line based on ongoing feedback from riders across different terrains and climates, noting that comfort-focused innovation remains a core part of Kemimoto’s product roadmap.

Explore the Collection and Sale

Riders preparing for summer trail season are encouraged to explore the full range of options available through Kemimoto. The company’s UTV Fan Collection is built to serve a wide range of vehicles and riding conditions, while the current UTV Fan Sale offers a practical opportunity to upgrade at a reduced cost.

Those interested can shop UTV fans directly through the collection page, browse cooling solutions for UTVs suited to their specific model, or explore the broader catalog of trail riding accessories available on Kemimoto’s site. With summer riding season underway, now is a practical time for owners of Polaris Ranger, Polaris RZR, Can-Am Defender, Can-Am Maverick, Honda Pioneer, Kawasaki Teryx, and CFMOTO UForce vehicles to consider how a utv fan upgrade might improve their next trip.

About Kemimoto

Kemimoto is an aftermarket powersports accessory brand focused on developing practical, durable products for UTV, ATV, motorcycle, and outdoor enthusiasts. The company designs its accessories with everyday riders in mind, prioritizing fitment accuracy, ease of installation, and real-world usability across a range of vehicle brands and models.

Since its founding, Kemimoto has built a global customer base of off-road and outdoor recreation enthusiasts who rely on the brand for accessories that hold up to demanding trail conditions. The company’s product development process is shaped largely by direct customer feedback, with a focus on solving the practical problems riders encounter during everyday use — from cab comfort and storage solutions to protective gear and cooling accessories.

Kemimoto’s mission centers on supporting the broader powersports community through accessible, well-engineered products that make off-road recreation more comfortable and practical for riders of all experience levels. More information about the company’s full product catalog is available at Kemimoto’s website.

Media Contact

  • Company: KEMIMOTO TECH CO., LIMITED 
  • Contact: Samantha Carter 
  • Email: sammi@kemimoto.com 
  • Website: https://www.kemimoto.com/ 
  • Country: United States

Why Hacksaw Gaming’s games are in high demand in India

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SM
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The digital entertainment sector in India is growing at a rapid pace, and demand for modern game providers is increasing by the day. One such company, which is gaining popularity thanks to its innovative design, dynamic gameplay, and diverse features, is Hacksaw Gaming. This developer is renowned for its slots, instant games, and unique bonuses, which offer players gaming sessions packed with more adrenaline than any others. Many Indian users are downloading these games, particularly because they are superbly optimised for mobile devices, as the majority of users access online casinos via their smartphones.

Today, hacksaw gambling can be played on an ever-increasing number of platforms. Thanks to the variety of themes, every player can find slot games to suit their taste — from classic fruit slots to futuristic adventures featuring rather unusual characters. The games feature high-quality graphics, the animations run smoothly, and the bonus rounds triggered during spins make the gameplay even more exciting. Another advantage is the availability of numerous payment methods widely used by people in India, which makes the registration and deposit process as convenient as possible.

The best features of Hacksaw Gaming’s games

The variety of Hacksaw Gaming’s games is the main factor behind their popularity. The company regularly releases new titles, utilising modern game mechanics and engaging mathematical models. Many slots feature increasing multipliers, cascades, free spins and bonus rounds, making them highly engaging.

For Indian users, convenience is also extremely important, as there is no need to download any software to play on a PC or mobile device. Most casinos, both established and new, use HTML5-based games that are compatible with Android and iOS. For players, this means they can play their favourite slots anytime, and anywhere there’s an internet connection.

What’s more, on many sites you’ll find welcome bonuses for new players, as well as regular promotions and tournaments across various platforms. This allows them to play a variety of games without spending a fortune. High-quality graphics, smooth gameplay and generous bonuses — this is precisely what makes Hacksaw Gaming one of the most popular developers on the market today.

How to choose a casino offering games from Hacksaw Gaming

  1. If you bear a few points in mind, this will help you choose the right online casino for playing for real money. A good platform should meet a number of criteria: it should have a good reputation, be user-friendly, offer a variety of payment methods, and provide high-quality customer support. For users in India, it is also very important to be able to top up their account and withdraw winnings without delay using local payment systems (UPI, Paytm).
  2. Another key advantage is having a high-quality catalogue of games from various developers. Users’ choice: If you’re looking for games from Hacksaw Gaming on sites such as the two mentioned above, you’ll probably also want to check out other related brands, such as NetEnt, via the link https://indian.1xbet.com/en/providers/netent, to access hundreds of the latest slot machines with a variety of bonus features and different designs. The wider the selection of games, the greater the likelihood that you’ll find something to your liking.
  3. You should also familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions of the bonuses. Some casinos offer bonuses in the form of free spins or special promotions for existing users. Before taking advantage of any offer, you should carefully check the details and terms and conditions of promotions and offers, such as wagering requirements, bonus validity periods and the games included in the promotion. This will allow you to have fun and enjoy the game from start to finish.

Top tips for choosing a reliable online casino

  • First and foremost, make sure the casino is licensed.
  • Before signing up, read reviews from real players.
  • Opt for sites that offer a wide variety of games from reputable developers.
  • Pay attention to payout times and the available withdrawal methods.
  • Compare welcome bonus offers, but be sure to read the small print.
  • Check the quality of customer service and ensure that support is available round the clock.
  • By the way, check whether the site is optimised for mobile devices.
  • Choose casinos that offer secure payment methods and modern data protection measures.
  • Keep an eye out for regular promotions, tournaments and loyalty programmes.
  • Opt for platforms that are easy to navigate and have clear terms and conditions.

It’s important to remember that there is no single strategy or casino that will guarantee you constant wins. However, it’s enough to know that you need to keep a cool head whilst playing, avoid placing large bets straight away, and, if a demo mode is available, try your hand at it first. Take breaks between gaming sessions and set yourself financial limits – that way, your chances of winning will be significantly higher!

NASCAR at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IRP Weekend Schedule

By
SM Staff
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Photo by Adam Lovelace for SpeedwayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) are at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend while the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) is at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP). The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series TSPORT 200 kicks off the weekend on Friday at 8:00 p.m. on FS1. Then on Saturday, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250 is on the CW Network at 4:00 p.m. And finally on Sunday, the Cup Series Brickyard 400 begins at 2:00 p.m. on TNT Sports.

The annual NASCAR Cup Series hauler parade once again kicks off Brickyard weekend on Thursday, July 23. The haulers will drive down Main Street from 5-7 p.m. Following the parade, the haulers will be displayed on Main Street, where fans can get an up-close look at their favorite driver’s hauler while enjoying free entertainment, special guest appearances, race-themed activities, photo opportunities and more.

Cup Series Notes for Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Five races remain before the Chase: Indianapolis (2.5-mile oval), Iowa (7/8-mile short track), Richmond (¾-mile short track), New Hampshire (1-mile flat oval), and Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile high-banked drafting track).

Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers with seven wins in Crown Jewel races, and he can become the 5th driver to complete the Grand Slam of Crown Jewel events with a win at Indy.

The drivers to watch at Indy: Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell. Wallace won the 2025 Brickyard 400, Larson won the 2024 Brickyard 400, and Bell has finished 12th or better in all three Brickyard 400 starts. Wallace, Larson, and Brad Keselowski (2018) are the only entered drivers with oval Brickyard wins.

Six of the last eight Brickyard 400s went into overtime, including the last three, and the pass for the win came with two laps to go in three of the last eight races.

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Notes for Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

This is the 11th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race since the inaugural race in 2012, and the third race since the series returned to the oval in 2024. Justin Allgaier, who won in 2018, is the only past winner in the field.

Four of the last nine races had a pass for the win in the final three laps, and the last two races were in the final 2 laps. Only one race went to overtime (2016).

JR Motorsports (JRM) had at least one car finish in the Top 10 in 78 consecutive races, the second-longest streak all-time. With a Top 10 this weekend, JRM will tie RFK Racing for the longest streak all-time.

Chase Elliott returns to JR Motorsports No. 88, and Ross Chastain will return to the JR Motorsports No. 9.

CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Notes for Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP):

This is the 16th race of 2026, with three races until the Chase: IRP, Richmond, and New Hampshire in the final three races of the regular season.

In 21 races, IRP has never produced a first-time winner, and it is the only active track with at least three races without a first-time winner. The last three IRP races had a driver sweep the stages, and two went on to win the race: Ty Majeski (2023) and Layne Riggs (2025).

Conor Daly is entered in the No. 25 RAM All-Star Truck.

The Weekend Schedule for Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park:

Related: The Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Outlook and Picks

FRIDAY, JULY 24
12:00 PM – 12:50 PM: NOAPS PRACTICE
1:00 PM – 1:50 PM: NCS PRACTICE
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM: AMS PRACTICE
2:00 PM – 2:20 PM: AMS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND) (TIMED – 20 MINUTES)
3:00 PM – 3:50 PM: NCTS PRACTICE
4:05 PM – 5:00 PM: NCTS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
5:25 PM: AMS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
5:30 PM: AMS RACE (150 LAPS, 102.9 MILES)
7:40 PM: NCTS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS – FS1
8:00 PM: NCTS TSPORT 200 RACE (STAGES 60/120/200 LAPS = 137.2 MILES) – FS1

SATURDAY, JULY 25
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: NOAPS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: NCS QUALIFYING (IMPOUND)
3:25 PM: NOAPS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS – CW Network
4:00 PM: NOAPS PENNZOIL 250 RACE (STAGES 30/60/100 LAPS = 250 MILES ) – CW Network

SUNDAY, JULY 26
1:30 PM: NCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS – TNT Sports
2:00 PM: NCS BRICKYARD 400 RACE (STAGES 50/100/160 LAPS = 400 MILES ) – TNT Sports
*All times are Eastern. NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), ARCA Menards Series (AMS)

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Indianapolis

By
Official Release
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sunday, July 26
2.5-Mile Oval
2 p.m. ET
Location: Speedway, Indiana
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (Race 22 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 33 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Race: 15th (North Wilkesboro)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 6th

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

  • Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team overcame pit road contact to finish 15th Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
  • So far in 2026, Larson’s average starting position of 9.14 ranks second.
  • Larson has made two Brickyard 400 starts with Hendrick Motorsports, recording one victory (2024) and one runner-up showing (2025). His average finish of 1.5 is best since the race returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in 2024.
  • The 33-year-old has won three of NASCAR’s four crown jewel races (Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500 and Brickyard 400). The only event missing from Larson’s résumé is the DAYTONA 500.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 30 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last Race: 17th (North Wilkesboro)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 5th

No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet

  • This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Chase Elliott has a best finish of ninth (2019).
  • Since the series returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in 2024, Elliott has the eighth-best average finish (11.5).
  • Through 21 Cup races this season, Elliott has the fifth-best average finish (13.29). He has never fallen out of the top six in points, currently ranking fifth, 208 markers behind the leader. Elliott’s two wins this season are tied for third most.
  • Elliott will run double duty at Indianapolis. In addition to Sunday’s Brickyard 400, the 30-year-old will climb behind the wheel of the No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet for JR Motorsports on Saturday for his second and final scheduled NASCAR O’Reilly Series start of the season. His best NOAPS finish at the track is fourth (2018).

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 28 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Race: 12th (North Wilkesboro)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 12th

No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet

  • With five races left before The Chase, William Byron is currently 12th in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, 84 points above the cut line.
  • Among active drivers in the Cup Series, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native has the seventh-most wins (16). He also has the third-most wins in the Next Gen era (14).
  • The Brickyard 400 is one of four crown jewel races. Byron has two crown jewel wins (2024 and 2025 DAYTONA 500), tied for the fourth most among active drivers.
  • Byron has five starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a track-best finish of fourth in 2019.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 33 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Race: 26th (North Wilkesboro)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 29th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet

  • Alex Bowman finished ninth in last year’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This marked his first top 10 on the oval track in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • So far in 2026, Bowman has earned three top fives and four top-10 finishes. Of his four top 10s, two have come in the last four races.

17 COREY DAY
Age: 20 (November 28, 2005)
Hometown: Clovis, California
Last Race: 32nd (Atlanta)
Crew Chief: Adam Wall
Standings: 4th

  • The NASCAR O’Reilly Series returns to action this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Corey Day will make his first career start on the iconic 2.5-mile oval, driving the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
  • Day enters Indianapolis with five top-10 finishes in his last eight NOAPS starts, including victories at Talladega Superspeedway and Dover Motor Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports

2026All-TimeIndianapolis
Races211,43829
Wins2322*11*
Poles0259*5
Top 5201,342*29*
Top 10322,292*46*
Laps Led1,05386,420*1,101*
Stage Wins91461

*Most
**Tied for most

  • The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for this year’s Brickyard 400. Hendrick Motorsports has piled up more than twice as many wins as any other organization (11) in the crown jewel event and also leads in top fives (29), top 10s (46) and laps led (1,101).
  • Hendrick Motorsports has won two of the last three events held on July 26 including the 2009 Brickyard 400, won by Jimmie Johnson. Current vice chairman Jeff Gordon was also victorious on the date back in 1998 at Pocono Raceway.
  • The Hendrick Motorsports engine department enters the weekend with 575 victories across all three national NASCAR touring series, including 16 of 21 events in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series this season.
  • Hendrick Motorsports remains the Cup Series’ all-time standard bearer in wins (322), poles (259), top-five finishes (1,342), top 10s (2,292), laps led (86,420) and championships (15).

QUOTABLE
 
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on the Brickyard 400: “I enjoy this race and the strategy behind it because it takes your whole team. Every weekend does, but it seems to matter even more here. Your race strategy has to be good. Good pit stops are important, along with having a good car, a good driver and making the right decisions. All of that matters. I enjoy that side of it and just being in Indianapolis is fun because I get to see some friends.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on what it would mean to win the Brickyard 400 and join his dad in being the first father-son duo to do so: “That was one of the very few races that I was old enough to even have a few memories from or even just be in the pictures of dad’s wins, which was really, really neat. Even then, I knew how big of a deal that was. It was evident in the way he acted and in the way that race was portrayed. Even as a child, you could tell the meaning behind it. So, I think for that reason, it always has carried a little more weight than some of the others. I would love to check that box for a lot of reasons, with that one being the number one. But I have never won a big crown jewel race. I’ve been close on a handful of occasions, but never gotten across that bridge, so it would be as good of a place, if not the best, to make that happen.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on the Brickyard 400: “We had such a good race going last year before we ran out of gas half a lap short. But that’s how it goes when you’re trying to win a race as special as the Brickyard 400. With how large [Indianapolis Motor Speedway] is, strategy plays a really big factor and unfortunately it didn’t work out last year. We have had fast cars there in the past though, and that’s what we can take into the weekend. With having a full practice Friday, it gives us a chance to tweak on the notebook we have and go from there.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “The Indy oval has been a tough track for our Ally 48 group. We had a decent run there last year and we’re looking to trend in that direction this weekend. We’re continuing to put in work, and we’re focused on improving every week and getting the No. 48 Chevrolet the best finishes we can.”

Corey Day, driver of the No. 17 Chevrolet, on Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “Indianapolis is one of those places every driver wants to race at, so I’m excited to get there. Last year I raced across the street [at Indianapolis Raceway Park] and had a really good run in trucks, finished second, so I’m hoping Indianapolis Motor Speedway goes just as well. It’s another new track for me and I’m hoping we can unload with good speed and give the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM team a shot at being up front all weekend.”

WILKERSON EYES REDEMPTION AT MUCKLESHOOT CASINO RESORT NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS AFTER RUNNER-UP

By
Official Release
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SEATTLE (July 22, 2026) – Funny Car driver Daniel Wilkerson was .042 of a second away from securing his first NHRA win on Sunday in Sonoma and he will have another opportunity for redemption at this weekend’s 37th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.

Wilkerson drives the 12,000-horsepower Scag Power Equipment Ford Shelby Mustang for Scag Racing and finished as the runner-up just days ago at Sonoma Raceway to Jordan Vandergriff. This weekend, Wilkerson is thrilled to be back in action with quickly as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series continues its Western trek to the Pacific Northwest.

“I go to each and every race 100 percent sure we can win it, or I would just stay home,” Wilkerson said. “Having said that, confidence grows very quickly from results. After being in the finals of two out of the last three races we have been to, you cannot help but get a little more excited than usual to go to the next race.”

The 2025 Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals saw Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) claiming victories. Langdon, Austin Prock and Glenn also earned Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge wins. This year’s race will be broadcast on FOX and FS1, with elimination coverage beginning at 4 p.m. ET on FOX on Sunday, July 26.

Wilkerson’s father, Tim, was a long-time Funny Car driver and tuner before stepping out of the seat in 2023. He saw a lot of success at Pacific Raceways, earning four Funny Car race wins, which adds to the confidence level this weekend. Now, the father-son duo has dad tuning the 12,000-horsepower race car with Daniel at the helm. The results have been impressive as the team continues to show strong progress this year.

“Tim’s past success at Seattle is a huge asset to this team,” D. Wilkerson said. “Every crew chief out here, whether they realize it or not, works in some sort of a box. They have a chain of, if A happens, then change B. And for whatever reason, Tim’s box has always worked very well on the West Coast. This does two things for our team.

“We know we are going to run very well there, which makes decision-making a little easier in my opinion. On top of that, everyone else knows they are going to have to step their game up there, and every once in a while that forces them into a mistake.”

With D. Wilkerson’s runner-up in Sonoma, he’ll be slotted into the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday. He’ll meet up with semifinalist Jack Beckman, while Vandergriff will meet reigning world champion Austin Prock in a rematch of their thrilling duel in Sonoma.

Other Funny Car standouts to watch for in Seattle will include current points leader and three-time world champ Ron Capps. Capps kicked off his NHRA career with a Top Fuel win in Seattle, before jumping into the Funny Car ranks. Last year’s winner Matt Hagan has two wins on the season, while J.R. Todd, Chad Green and Alexis DeJoria will all be seeking their first win from Pacific Raceways.

This year’s Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals will also feature several 75th anniversary items, including:

  • A special tribute and celebration of Jim Dunn, the legendary team owner who has been in the sport for more than 75 years. He was a two-time runner-up in Seattle and tuned his Funny Car to a win in 2008 with Tony Bartone behind the wheel.
  • A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and much more.

Shawn Langdon continues to lead the Top Fuel points, thanks to his four wins and No. 1 qualifiers this season. His Kalitta Motorsports teammate and reigning world champion Doug Kalitta is second, with two wins on the season including last week in Sonoma. Leah Pruett returned to full-time racing this season and picked up a win, over Langdon, in Epping.

Reigning Pro Stock world champion Dallas Glenn grew up racing at Pacific Raceways and won his home race in Seattle last season when he took down five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin and shattered track records. Glenn leads the points after earning three wins this season, while his KB Titan Racing teammate and six-time champ Greg Anderson is second. Elite Motorsports’ Greg Stanfield is third in points, following his win in Sonoma last weekend.

The weekend kicks off on Thursday, July 23, with the $15,000 Mission Foods Tournament at Muckleshoot Casino Resort, where fans can register for free. It kicks off at 1 p.m. and will feature NHRA drivers Capps, Prock, Maddi Gordon, Jasmine Salinas and Krista Baldwin on hand.

That’s followed by the NHRA Fan Fest presented by Explore Auburn later that day from 5-7 p.m. PT in front of Dave & Buster’s at The Outlet Collection. Autographs and a meet-and-greet with NHRA standouts will take place from 6-7 p.m.

The official event afterparty is free and takes place starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Galaxy lounge in Muckleshoot Casino Resort, featuring a performance from Mini KISS.

Also on schedule for the weekend is action in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Seattle race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. Fans are also invited to congratulate the winners at the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds on Friday, July 24 for Pro Stock at 2 and 4:30 p.m. PT, with Top Fuel and Funny Car taking to the track at 2:30 and 5 p.m. On Saturday, July 25, nitro teams will qualify at 12 and 2:30 p.m. with Pro Stock at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Race day will kick off with nitro eliminations on Sunday, July 26 at 10 a.m.

Television coverage includes qualifying action at 10 p.m. ET on Friday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday on FS1, leading into eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Tickets for the 37th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals are currently on sale at www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com. For more information on Muckleshoot Casino Resort, visit https://muckleshootcasino.com.

About Muckleshoot Casino Resort

The Muckleshoot Casino Resort, celebrated as the “Biggest and Best in the Northwest,” has just become even more impressive with the unveiling of their new hotel tower. This exciting expansion features 401 elegant guestrooms, a more expansive casino floor, a serene indoor pool, a luxurious spa, and the exquisite rooftop steakhouse, Smoke & Cedar. From here, guests can indulge in breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Mountain range, and the Seattle skyline. As one of Washington’s premier casino gaming destinations, Muckleshoot Casino offers the largest selection of games in the state, with over 3,500 machines, an array of table games, and one of the most extensive smoke-free gaming areas in the region. Muckleshoot Casino also tantalizes the taste buds with a variety of dining options that take guests on a culinary adventure around the world and provides world-class entertainment at the Muckleshoot Events Center and Galaxy! Guests can enjoy additional perks like complimentary valet service, Wi-Fi, covered parking, and electric vehicle charging stations, making every visit even more convenient and enjoyable. https://muckleshootcasino.com/

About Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is composed of descendants of the Native people who inhabited the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup watersheds of central Puget Sound for thousands of years before non-Indian settlement. The word, Muckleshoot, is derived from the Native name for the prairie on which the tribe’s reservation was established in 1857. Today, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a major contributor to the local economy and community providing resources to other governments, schools, nonprofits, and churches throughout Washington. The benefits of the Muckleshoot Tribe’s economic revival go well beyond financial contributions. From landmark agreements protecting fish and wildlife habitats and innovative educational programming to hundreds of partnerships with organizations serving those in need throughout the state, the Muckleshoot Tribe is committed to improving the quality of life of its citizens, neighbors and work force while preserving its culture and laying the groundwork for a bright future. https://www.muckleshoot.nsn.us/

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

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

2026 Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Preview: Indianapolis Raceway Park

By
Official Release
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NCTS RACE PREVIEW: LUCAS OIL INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK
Event: TSport 200 (200 laps / 137.2 miles)
Round: 16 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Date & Time: Friday, July 24 | 7:30 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | NASCAR Racing Network (NRN) | SiriusXM Ch. 90

Team Stats & Notes

  • Niece Motorsports IRP Stats:

NCTS Starts: 15; Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 2; Best Finish: 4th (Carson Hocevar, 2023).

  • Keep Up the Good Work: Last Saturday’s Faith Fest 250 marked the sixth race in a row where at least one Niece Motorsports truck has finished inside the top-10. The No. 45 team is on a hot streak of their own, locking in three straight top-five results at San Diego, Lime Rock, and North Wilkesboro.

No. 42 Operator Standard Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Parker Eatmon | Crew Chief: Landon Polinski

Read Parker’s Bio

  • Eatmon Returns: CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series regular Parker Eatmon returns to the No. 42 Chevrolet to make his third NCTS start of the season at IRP. Eatmon has done a solid job in the LMSC this year, currently sitting inside the top-10 in CARS Tour points. He picked up his career-best NCTS finish in his most recent start at Dover Motor Speedway, finishing 21st.
  • Eatmon’s IRP Stats:

Parker Eatmon will make his first-career start in any series at IRP on Friday.

  • Polinski’s IRP Stats:

Landon Polinski will make his first NCTS start as a crew chief at IRP on Friday.

  • On the Truck: Eatmon’s No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Operator Standard, a lifestyle operating system and business coaching app developed by Andy Frisella.
  • Recapping North Wilkesboro: Tyler Reif and the DQS Solutions & Staffing team rallied from the rear of the field to pick up their best finish of the season at North Wilkesboro. Reif qualified in 30th-place, but drove through the field and passed several trucks on each run. As the track changed throughout the 250-lap event, the No. 42 came to life. Reif was on his way to a top-10 finish, but a stopped lapped truck heavily damaged the nose and halted his progress. He settled for a 12th-place finish.
  • Owner Points Outlook: Reif’s 12th-place run in North Wilkesboro pushed the No. 42 team up to 25th in the owner point standings. Heading into Indianapolis, the team is three points behind Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 truck in 24th-place, and 13 points ahead of Rackley W.A.R.’s No. 26 Chevrolet in 26th. The team is 147 points below the Chase cutline with three races left in the regular season.
  • Quoting Parker: Friday will be your first Truck Series race on a short track, so do you think you’ll feel more comfortable at IRP compared to Rockingham or Dover?

“I definitely feel more comfortable going to IRP just because it’s a short track and that’s what I grew up doing. Now, I’m running the late model almost every weekend on short tracks, so yeah, I feel a little bit more comfortable going there. We had a really good run in the simulator on Monday and everything went smoothly. I’m looking forward to getting to IRP with Operator Standard on our No. 42 Silverado, and really hope to run well for them this weekend.”

About Operator Standard: Operator Standard is the first daily operating system for your life. A full-life execution system that builds discipline, identity, and consistency through pressure, structure, accountability, and community. Not a habit tracker, not a mastermind, not a coaching group, not a motivation app. It’s a daily operating system, powered by ARCANE, the AI brain inside the app, designed to turn you into someone who follows through every single day. Nothing on the market works like this. Join 15,000+ Operators who use The Operator Standard to execute, win the day, and become someone they actually respect.

No. 44 Acceptance Insurance Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Andrés Perez de Lara | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

Read Andrés’ Bio

  • Pérez de Lara’s IRP Stats:

NCTS Starts: 1; Best Finish: 22nd (2025).

ARCA Starts: 2; Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 2; Best Finish: 2nd (2024).

  • Rogers’ IRP Stats:

NOAPS Starts: 6; Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 2; Best Finish: 5th (2007).

NCTS Starts: 6; Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 3; Best Finish: 3rd (2005).

  • On the Truck: Pérez de Lara’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Acceptance Insurance, who serves as the team’s anchor partner this season.
  • Recapping North Wilkesboro: Andrés Pérez de Lara and the BLAC / GoKartMania Academy team experienced an up-and-down afternoon in North Wilkesboro. Rolling off from 20th, the No. 44 team made advancements through the opening stage. A strategy call to stay out and pick up points resulted in a seventh-place finish in stage two, aiding the team’s Chase bid. In the final run, Pérez de Lara fought an uphill battle with his seat burning in the overwhelmingly hot conditions. The driver was credited with a 23rd-place finish.
  • Driver Points Outlook: Pérez de Lara’s 23rd-place finish at North Wilkesboro dropped him one position in the point standings to 15th. Despite losing a spot, the Mexico City native didn’t lose any ground to the cutline. With three races left until the start of the Chase, Pérez de Lara is still just 31 points below cutline driver, Stewart Friesen.
  • Quoting Pérez de Lara: When you compare IRP to other short tracks, what are some of the characteristics that set this place apart?

“IRP is a very technical track, especially considering the fact that we run the higher lane and there’s not much banking. It’s a track that used to be really good to me in ARCA, but last year wasn’t great to me in the truck race. I’ve been putting in the work with the team on the simulator to figure out how to be better there this year, so hopefully we can turn it around.”

About Acceptance Insurance: Acceptance Insurance is a proud member of Confie, the largest personal lines agency in the U.S. We believe in investing in the communities we serve by offering affordable insurance solutions so our customers can have peace of mind. Our agents and team members uphold our values, which include promoting excellence, responsibility and caring.

Acceptance has been in business for over 50 years. We have over 700 agents in over 288 neighborhood locations ready to give you the service, respect and savings you deserve. We come to you so you can find the solutions you need, regardless of your background and driving record. We offer easy solutions to meet your unique needs.

No. 45 J.F. Electric Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Landen Lewis | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

Read Landen’s Bio

  • Lewis’ IRP Stats:

NCTS Starts: 1; Best Finish: 28th (2023).

  • Gould’s IRP Stats:

NCTS Starts: 4; Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 1; Best Finish: 4th (2023).

  • On the Truck: Lewis’ No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from J.F. Electric and Utilitra, who serve as his anchor partners for the season.
  • Recapping North Wilkesboro: Landen Lewis and the J.F. Electric team earned their third top-five finish in a row at North Wilkesboro Speedway. After starting in 16th-place, the No. 45 slid back in the opening stage. The team made adjustments to change the balance on the first two stops of the race, helping Lewis begin to move forward. In the final stage, the team moved into the top-10 and held their track position throughout the closing laps. Lewis crossed the finish line in fifth-place, notching his third top-five and fourth top-10 result of the season.
  • Owner Points Outlook: With no added stage points, Lewis’ fifth-place finish at North Wilkesboro dropped the No. 45 team to seventh-place in the owner point standings.
  • Quoting Lewis: Are there any other tracks that you’ve raced in the CARS Tour that remind you of IRP?

“Honestly, I’m going to say Langley just because of how flat it is. Langley doesn’t have multiple grooves like IRP, but the tracks are pretty similar and it takes a lot of skill to get around both. IRP is a super fun racetrack; it puts on great racing and tests you as a race car driver. Everything has to be so close and you have to be on your A-game. It’s one of my favorite tracks and I’m looking forward to racing there on Friday night with our J.F. Electric Silverado.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team that has competed in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2016. The team is owned by Josh Morris of DQS Solutions and Staffing and the Fowler Family of J.F. Electric and Utilitra, and was founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a full-service race vehicle build shop as well as a customizable fabrication shop for any manufacturing needs.

Follow the Team: To keep up to date with the latest team news, visit niecemotorsports.com or connect on Facebook and Instagram (@NieceMotorsports) as well as X (@NieceMotorsport).

TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Indianapolis

By
Official Release
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TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Indianapolis Motor Speedway / Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
July 24-26, 2026

NASCAR will venture back to the Midwest to take over the city recognized as the “Racing Capital of the World”. For Chevrolet’s drivers and teams in the Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, this weekend serves as an opportunity to add onto the manufacturer’s already storied history at one of the most prestigious venues in motorsports – Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NASCAR’s top-two divisions will once again take on the hallowed grounds of the track’s 2.5-mile oval configuration, highlighted by Sunday’s Brickyard 400 – the Cup Series’ third crown jewel event of the season. For the Craftsman Truck Series, its regular season schedule will take them just down the road to Brownsburg, Indiana, where the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park will welcome the division back to its facility for the fifth-consecutive season to kick off the sport’s annual visit to the Hoosier state.

 Chevrolet at “The Brickyard”:

Chevrolet’s deep-rooted history with Indianapolis Motor Speedway spans across a variety of racing disciplines, most notably known as the only manufacturer that competes in two of the biggest events in motorsports – the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400.

The Bowtie brand’s 18 NASCAR Cup Series wins on the track’s oval configuration is a record more than double its competitors, with Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson being the manufacturer’s most recent driver to kiss the iconic bricks in the 2024 Brickyard 400 when the crown jewel event returned to the oval for the first time in the Next Gen era. In over a three-decade long history for the crown jewel event, the Chevrolet-Hendrick Motorsports partnership have earned 11 victories together – a record-setting journey that dates back to the inaugural event in 1994 with NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon. That was only the start of Gordon’s success at the Indiana-based venue, with the Chevrolet driver going on to tally five Brickyard 400 wins throughout his career – a record that still stands today.

LARSON’S HOOSIER STATE HISTORY

Kyle Larson ranks second among the NASCAR Cup Series’ active drivers with three career crown jewel wins, one of which came in the 2024 Brickyard 400 when the event made its return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. While the series’ stint on the oval configuration has been short in the Next Gen era, Larson’s 2024 victory, along with a runner-up finish one year ago, undoubtedly puts him at the top of the leaderboard with an average finish of 1.5. Overall, throughout his eight starts on the Indiana-based oval, his win has been accompanied by three top-fives and five top-nines to boast a career average finish of 12.4 (fourth-best), as well as series-leading numbers with an average running position of 10.012 and 1,104 laps completed in the top-15.

VAN GISBERGEN CONTINUES TO CLOSE IN ON A CHASE BID

Shane van Gisbergen and the Stephen Doran-led No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet team put together yet another exceptionally executed race in the NASCAR Cup Series return to North Wilkesboro Speedway. With an eighth-place starting position courtesy of the metric, the New Zealander remained a steady fixture in the top-10 throughout the entirety of the evening – collecting top-five points in each stage en route to his career-best short-track finish of fifth. The effort ended with an accumulation of 47 points – the third-highest of the field – to add a double-digit increase in his cushion to sit 54 points above the cutline with just five races remaining in the regular season. Points aside, it was statistically one of his strongest overall oval performances. He was second-best of the field with 49 laps led, which was also a career-best feat on an oval. Among the 450 laps completed, he ran 355 laps in the top-five and 442 laps in the top-10 – both of which beat his previous records in a single event.

AVERAGES IN THE SUMMER STRETCH

The summer stretch has played a pivotal role in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, and with the introduction of the new Chase format, consistency is more important than ever. Over the past six races, William Byron’s average finish of 13.2 has ranked him fifth-best of the field. Among that timeframe includes a pair of top-four finishes that came at Pocono Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway. Entering the crown jewel affair, Byron sits with an 84-point cushion over the cutline and on the horizon of a strong set of tracks for the No. 24 team. The Rudy Fugle-led team has earned victories in two of the five tracks that conclude the regular season, including one win at Iowa Speedway and three wins at Daytona International Speedway.

ALLGAIER’S CAREER SEASON CONTINUES

Team Chevy veteran driver, Justin Allgaier, continues to add onto an already career season in his quest for a second NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship title. In the series’ last event at EchoPark Speedway, the Illinois native made an impressive charge from seventh to first on an overtime restart to claim his sixth victory of 2026, making it the winningest season of his career. Reaching a 240-point lead over the series’ reigning champion, Jesse Love, Allgaier was able to make an early clinch of the regular season title with three races still remaining. Indianapolis Motor Speedway sets up for the opportunity for yet another strong points day for the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet team. In his past four starts on the Indiana-based oval, Allgaier has scored one win (2018) and three top-nine finishes, along with points no worse than sixth in every stage.

 ECKES, ENFINGER AMONG IRP FRONTRUNNERS

Christian Eckes and the No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet team are finding consistency at just the right time, entering the final three-race stretch towards the end of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular season with a streak of three top-10 finishes, including back-to-back showings in the top-five. Sitting comfortably in the fourth position of the standings, Eckes will head to a track where history indicates that his breakthrough back into victory lane could be right around the corner. His two of three career starts at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park have come under the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing banner – both of which saw the Team Chevy driver earn a runner-up finish. In his most recent start at the track (2024), he topped the field in a variety of statistical categories including a sweep of the stage wins, a race-high 73 laps led and an average running position of 2.1.

Despite a challenging run at North Wilkesboro Speedway last weekend, Grant Enfinger and the No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet team maintained their ninth-place position in the rankings heading into the Indianapolis race weekend. The Team Chevy veteran driver has one Truck Series win at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, which came in his first career start at the track (2022). Since then, he has amassed three top-four finishes, qualifying efforts no worse than eighth and top-seven points in all but one stage.

 BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Chevrolet will serve as the official pace vehicle for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway race weekend with the Corvette Stingray pacing the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in their respective events.

· Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Kyle Larson – one win (2024)

· In 29 NASCAR Cup Series races on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Chevrolet has earned 18 victories – a record more than double the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with six victories. Of those victories includes a streak of 12-straight, recorded between Aug. 2003 – July 2014.

· With Grant Enfinger’s win at Lime Rock Park, Chevrolet sits just two wins away from its milestone 300th all-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win.

· With seven-straight victories to start the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, Chevrolet set the record for the longest season-opening streak by a single manufacturer in the division’s history.

· In 164 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 73 victories – a winning percentage of 44.5%.

· Chevrolet is coming off its 29th all-time sweep of the NASCAR Cup Series championship titles – capturing its 34th driver championship and 44th, and fifth consecutive, manufacturer championship in 2025.

· With its 44 NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer championships, 34 NASCAR Cup Series driver championships, and 887 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

FOR THE FANS:

Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which features a variety of vehicles including: Traverse RS, Silverado EV Trail Boss, Colorado Trail Boss, Tahoe Z71, Silverado HD LTZ, Silverado 1500 ZR2, Corvette Grand Sport, Corvette ZR1, NASCAR Cup Series Camaro ZL1 show car.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

Friday, July 24: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 25: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 26: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Saturday, July 25:

Corey Day: 1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Jeb Burton & Blaine Perkins: 1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Anthony Alfredo & Parker Retzlaff: 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Sunday, July 26:

Carson Hocevar: 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Connor Zilisch: 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Alex Bowman: 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Chase Elliott: 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 am.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr: 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Shane van Gisbergen: 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

 
TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series at IMS

Brickyard 400

Sunday, July 26, at 2 p.m. ET

TNT Sports and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at IMS

Pennzoil 250 Presented by Take 5 Oil Change

Saturday, July 25, at 4 p.m. ET

CW and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at IRP

TSport 200 presented by Warn Industries

Friday, July 24, at 8 p.m. ET

FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

You tested at Indy earlier this year. Is there anything you can really bring back for this weekend? What does racing at Indy mean to you?

“Tire testing there last month got me reacclimated with the track a bit but it changes every day with the different weather, so it will still be a challenge this weekend. I enjoy the oval and that’s what everyone knows the Brickyard as, the oval, not so much the road course, but no matter the course layout, I still enjoy racing there and really want a trophy from there. It is a crown jewel after all. It’s such a unique track when you drive through the tunnel, the pagoda is a huge landmark in the infield that you see in all of the photos of Indy. I can’t imagine what it’s like for the Indy 500. That’s one thing I wish I would’ve made more of an effort to go to before I got into Cup racing, and that’s the Indy 500 to see all of the pomp and circumstance and the race.”

What is the benefit of having a long practice session?

“I think that should be the standard every week, 50 minutes, at a minimum. That gives fans more time to watch, and to watch the cars pull in and out of the garage – watching from the fan zone and watching on TV. When I was watching as a fan, I know I enjoyed that. I think it’s important for the teams, too.”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

What’s it like racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a Crown Jewel Race for our sport. It’s a big, flat track. When you walk across the bricks, it’s special. I’m so glad that we’re racing on the oval. It’s just such a prestigious race. Everyone wants to win it, and everyone knows how hard it is to win there. We’re heading into the race weekend with some momentum, and anxious to prove ourselves after having a stretch of less-than-stellar finishes during the early part of this summer. The entire BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) team is heading into the weekend with confidence after having a strong Chevy at North Wilkesboro Speedway this past weekend.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

As you prepare for Indianapolis, what’s the biggest focus for you and the team?

“Indianapolis is one of those places that is special for every driver. When you get here, you can feel the history and everything this track means to our sport, but once we get on the track, it’s all about doing our job. We have to learn as much as we can, make our Chevrolet have the balance it will need for the race during our practice session, qualify in a good position and execute all day with no mistakes. If we can do that and put ourselves in contention at the end, I like our chances to fight for the win.”

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

What does Indianapolis Motor Speedway mean to you personally and professionally?

“I love this racetrack. To me, Indy will always be the pinnacle of motorsports when it comes to racetracks. It’s the place I always dreamed about racing at growing up. It’s the mecca of racing to me, so I’ve definitely had some great memories there. I’ve had some crazy things happen there as well. We’ve had speed there in our Cup car in the past and I thought our test went well. Hopefully, we can go out there and put a solid weekend together for Grizzly Nicotine Pouches.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the iconic kissing the bricks tradition, which began when Dale Jarrett and Todd Parrott celebrated their 1996 Brickyard victory by kissing the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s start-finish line. What did it feel like kissing the bricks after winning two races there?

“The most special moments of my career will always be kissing the bricks and winning the Cup race there. That was such a cool moment—something I had kind of thought might never happen. To me, it’s one of the greatest moments of my racing career. Then to follow it up the next year by winning the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race was really something else.”

Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Describe the four corners of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“All four corners are different, but from my view when working to make the car better, I gauge off of Turns 1 and 3 being a connected corner and Turns 2 and 4 being a connected corner. Out of the four corners, Turn 2 is probably the hardest because when you turn into the corner, the banking is opposite of what Turn 4 is. You go over a crest and if you turn in too late, you will miss the bottom. Turns 2 and 4 are the most important corners though. You still want Turns 1 and 3 to be good to setup for Turns 2 and 4, but if you can’t get off Turns 2 and 4 with a lot of pace, you will get ate up all day. Track position will be important, so qualifying will need to be a focus for our FICO Chevrolet team.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

“Indy is one of the biggest races of the year, and it’s always exciting to get back there. Qualifying and track position will be important, so hopefully we can put our Brazier Lumber Supply Chevrolet up front early and be in the mix all day.”

Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet

“Indy is one of the most historically significant racetracks in America, if not the most historically significant track, period. It’s got more than 100 years of history, and the races that have been run, with the personalities who have competed there and won there, it’s so incredibly competitive.

Every time you drive into the track and you see that Pagoda, you immediately get hit with the track’s aura, its atmosphere, and what it really means to be racing there. It’s one of those things where, no matter how the race weekend goes, it serves as a reminder to just take in the experience and appreciate the opportunity you have to be racing there at the highest level of stock car racing. It’s always an honor to race at Indy.”

Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

What would it mean to win on the oval and road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“Indy is such a special place for all drivers. Growing up, I always thought I’d be here running INDYCAR, not in a stock car but to have a win at Indy is something I’ll never forget. I came up through the Road to Indy program and ended up deviating from that to get to where I am today. Winning on the road course was nothing short of special, and I’m thankful I was able to share that moment with my family. This weekend is a date we have circled. We didn’t have the race we wanted last year after some early damage and just had to nurse it home, so we are looking for a little redemption in our No. 71 NEFCO Chevrolet Camaro.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

You have expressed how Indianapolis is one of your favorite tracks. Why?

“I like Indy because it is so different compared to anywhere else. Growing up in the Midwest, the Indy 500 was the holy grail. Every kid who runs quarter midgets dreams of winning the Indy 500. Indianapolis is the epicenter of IndyCar, USAC and sprint car racing. It’s super fun to go there and have a shot at the Brickyard when we come to town. It is one of my favorite tracks to drive, let alone race. It is flat, smooth, and fast. You know how hard it is to win there.”

Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

What about your thoughts going into one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races this Sunday at Indianapolis?

“I’m excited for it. I’ve always enjoyed racing at the Brickyard and being at one of our most historic tracks in the country. We had a good run there last year in the O’Reilly car and I hope we can do that again this go around with Trackhouse, Red Bull, and everybody involved. I’m kind of in need of a good run and it’d be really cool to be able to do it at the Brickyard. I feel like Indy is one of my better tracks. I ran well at Indianapolis last year and I enjoyed it, so I hope that translates to Sunday.”

What is it like coming out of Turn 4 looking down the iconic front straightway at Indianapolis as you head into Turn 1?

“I remember my first time getting there to drive on the racetrack and be able to see what it was like. It was one of the coolest things that, you know, as a race car driver, I’ve experienced, just being able to drive across the yard of bricks and to be able to experience that for the first time. I feel like every time I go back and go under the tunnel and get inside the speedway, it always gives you that exciting feeling to, you know, to be back at one of the greatest places on earth.”

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

How do you navigate Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“It’s tough. You have to qualify well, which we did last year. It’s nearly impossible to pass there, so qualifying is a big focus. We had an issue last year that dropped us back during the race. So, we just need to get up front and stay there all day. Indy is such a cool track, so I’m looking forward to it. We have a 50-minute practice session on Friday and that will help a lot in preparation for Sunday’s race.”

A great result last weekend on a short track. What would you say is the last thing for you to master as you make your progression in NASCAR?

“I’m still weak on intermediates, I think. Those are probably my lowest ranked tracks. I’m definitely getting better at the drafting tracks. But on the intermediates, I’m weak and we are weak as a team. We really need to improve as a team on those type of tracks.”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturer Championships:

Total (1949-2025): 44

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Most recent: 2025

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Driver Championships:

Total (1949-2025): 34

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most recent: Kyle Larson (2025)

Driver and Manufacturer Championship Sweeps: 29

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2025

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2026 STATISTICS:

Wins: 6

Poles: 4

Laps Led: 1,598

Top-Fives: 38

Top-10s: 73

Stage Wins: 15

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 887 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 770

Laps led to date: 258,332

Top-fives to date: 4,474

Top-10s to date: 9,224

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,221

       Chevrolet: 887

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 851                                                                               

       Ford: 751

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 215

 

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.

Beard Motorsports is Back at the Brickyard, Where Casey Mears’ Family History Runs Deep

By
Official Release
-

Legacy Meets Opportunity for Casey Mears and Beard Motorsports in Return to Indianapolis

MT. PLEASANT, Michigan (July 22, 2026) – For Casey Mears, every trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway carries more meaning than the last.

The iconic 2.5-mile oval has long been woven into the fabric of one of the most accomplished racing families in America. Long before Mears made his first NASCAR Cup Series start in the 2003 Brickyard 400, his father, Roger, chased a spot in the Indianapolis 500 while his uncle, four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears, cemented his place among the track’s legends.

Now, as Mears prepares for Sunday’s Brickyard 400, the Bakersfield, California, native will write another chapter in his family’s history when he climbs behind the wheel of the No. 62 Gracie Foundation Chevrolet for family-owned Beard Motorsports.

It will mark Mears’ 14th Cup Series start at Indianapolis and the 496th of his career, moving him one step closer to his milestone 500th Cup Series start scheduled for the Nov. 8 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“Obviously, Indianapolis is a very special place,” Mears said. “With my dad racing there over the years and Rick having all the success he had, it’s always had a special place in our family. Then, to be able to sit on the pole in a Cup car my second year there was huge. That lap stood as the track record for quite a while. But beyond our family’s history, when you think about everything that’s happened there going back to the early 1900s, it’s one of those places that really represents the birthplace of motorsports. To be able to go there and be just a small part of that history is pretty amazing.”

Few drivers can appreciate Indianapolis quite the way Mears can.

One of his favorite family memories centers on Rick Mears’ dramatic fourth Indianapolis 500 victory in 1991, when he passed Michael Andretti around the outside entering turn one in one of the race’s recurring highlights. His father experienced Indianapolis from a different perspective, battling to qualify for the sport’s biggest race while driving underfunded equipment and knowing every four-lap qualifying attempt demanded absolute commitment. Those stories have only deepened Mears’ appreciation for the Brickyard as the years have passed.

“When you’re younger, you’re so focused on making the car go fast that you don’t always appreciate the magnitude of the place,” Mears said. “As I’ve gotten older, I appreciate the history so much more. Roger Penske has done an incredible job preserving it while continuing to improve it. It’s one of those places that deserves that kind of care.”

Mears’ own signature Indianapolis moment came in 2004, when he captured the Brickyard pole for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in record-setting fashion. Two years later, he added a sixth-place finish to record his best-career result at the track.

While the NextGen era has brought about changes to how teams and drivers prepare for each race weekend, Mears still believes Indianapolis rewards drivers willing to search for every available advantage.

“There’s still a lot a driver can do there,” he said. “You’re always limited by what your car is capable of, but because of the nature of Indianapolis, where you place the car, how you use different parts of the racetrack, those things can absolutely make you faster.”

For Beard Motorsports, Indianapolis represents another step in the continued evolution of the family-owned organization.

Founded by the late Mark Beard Sr., the Michigan-based team built its reputation as one of NASCAR’s respected superspeedway specialists with its initial focus on events at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. In recent seasons, Beard Motorsports has expanded its schedule to include select intermediate and speedway events, including last year’s first appearance at Indianapolis with young driver Jesse Love.

This season marks another new chapter as the Beard family has joined forces with Mears for a five-race schedule designed to culminate with his landmark 500th Cup Series start.

“It’s been really enjoyable,” Mears said. “They’re a great group of people who are giving me the best piece they possibly can every time out. You appreciate people who are willing to put their best foot forward, and that’s exactly what Beard Motorsports does.”

Their first race together at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June ended prematurely after an early pit stop led to a loose wheel, but Mears believes the abbreviated afternoon still produced valuable insight.

“The result wasn’t what we wanted, but I actually left encouraged,” Mears said. “We started too loose, but everything we changed through the simulator and with the engineers worked exactly the way we expected during the race. We had just gotten the car where I could really start driving it when we had the wheel issue. That gives me confidence because Pocono and Indianapolis have always shared a lot of similarities from a setup standpoint. We learned a lot about each other, how everyone communicates, how Darren (Shaw, crew chief) and the engineers work together, and that makes going into Indianapolis much more comfortable.”

The team’s notebook from last year’s Indianapolis debut adds another measure of optimism.

“It sounded like the No. 62 had really good speed there last year,” Mears said. “Any time you know a car has shown speed at a place like Indianapolis, that’s encouraging. Obviously, it’s a new year and NASCAR is always changing things, but having that baseline is valuable.”

With minimal, if any, track time before qualifying in recent years, preparation has shifted largely from the race shop to the simulator, something Mears admits is one of the biggest differences from earlier in his career.

“We’ll spend a lot of time in the simulator this week working with the engineers to build the best playbook we can,” he said. “With only about 20 minutes of practice, you have to arrive much more prepared than we ever did years ago.”

As realistic as Mears remains about returning to Cup Series competition on a limited schedule, he also believes Beard Motorsports is capable of outperforming expectations.

“If we come home with a top-20 or top-25 finish, I’d leave with a huge smile on my face,” he said. “I’m not racing every week like these other guys, and Beard Motorsports only runs a handful of races each year, so that’s a realistic goal. But if we hit on the setup and get the car handling the way we want, there’s no reason we can’t surprise some people. That’s what’s exciting about it. We just want to qualify well, have a clean day, bring the car home in one piece and have some fun. If we do that, I think the results can take care of themselves.”

No. 62 Beard Motorsports Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Casey Mears

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Crew Chief: Darren Shaw

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Drew Mickey

Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Spotter: Bruce Danz

Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida

President: Linda Beard

Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shiloh Windsor

Hometown: Ada, Oklahoma

Rear Tire Changer: Michael Russell

Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Tire Carrier: Lamar Neal

Hometown: Halifax, Virginia

Jack Man: De’Quan Hampton

Hometown: Los Angeles

Fuel Man: Douglas Warrick

Hometown: Hamilton, New Jersey

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Jack Gagnon

Hometown: Quebec, Canada

Mechanic: Mark Sanders

Hometown: Springfield, Ohio

Tire Technician: Mike Harrold

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Brian Trevino

Hometown: Statesville, North Carolina

Interior Specialist: Nic Hill

Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida

Engineer: Mack Kanupp

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Transporter Driver: Roger Lankford

Hometown: Lexington, North Carolina

MUCKLESHOOT CASINO RESORT NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS KICKS OFF WITH EXCITING FAN-FRIENDLY EVENTS

By
Official Release
-

SEATTLE (July 22, 2026) – With plenty of excitement for this weekend’s 37th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, race fans will have ample opportunity to meet racers leading into the event and be entertained off the track.

The festivities kick off with $15,000 Mission Foods Machine Tournament at Muckleshoot Casino Resort at 1 p.m. on Thursday, where fans can register for free.

To add to the fun during the tournament, fans will have the opportunity to meet NHRA stars during the event, including Austin Prock, the back-to-back Funny Car world champion, Jasmine Salinas, Krista Baldwin, Funny Car points leader Ron Capps and rookie sensation Maddi Gordon, who won in Norwalk. The drivers will be testing their machine tournament skills along with the participants.

Muckleshoot Casino Resort also serves as the official after-party destination for NHRA race fans throughout the race weekend and especially on Saturday. The official event afterparty is free and starts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, featuring a performance from Mini Kiss, the self-proclaimed “hottest littlest band in the world.”

Plus, the NHRA Fan Fest presented by Explore Auburn returns for a fourth consecutive year, bringing an impressive NHRA driver lineup to the evening festivities.

The event takes place from 5-7 p.m. PT on Thursday in front of Dave & Buster’s at The Outlet Collection (1101 Outlet Collection Dr. SW, Auburn, WA 98001), with autographs and a meet-and-greet with NHRA standouts taking place from 6-7 p.m.

Scheduled to appear is a standout list of drivers, including eight-time Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher, Funny Car’s Jordan Vandergriff, who won Sunday in Sonoma, Funny Car’s Dave Richards, Top Fuel drivers Justin Ashley, Will Smith and Krista Baldwin, Pro Stock drivers Jeg Coughlin Jr., Troy Coughlin Jr., Shane Tucker and Chris Vang, and more.

It all leads into the weekend’s Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways, which includes two qualifying sessions on both Friday and Saturday, and the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.

Last year’s winners in Seattle included Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock). Langdon, Austin Prock and Glenn also earned Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge wins. This year’s race will be broadcast on FOX and FS1, with elimination coverage beginning at 4 p.m. ET on FOX on Sunday.

Langdon has been dominant in 2026, winning four races so far and advancing to seven final rounds. Reigning world champion Doug Kalitta in second, while others to look for in Seattle will be Epping winner Leah Pruett, rookie standout and Norwalk winner Maddi Gordon, Bristol winner Antron Brown, and motorsports legend and Winternationals winner Tony Stewart.

Matt Hagan has won twice in 2026, including victories at Bristol and the historic 1,000th Funny Car race at the Winternationals. Hagan is fourth in points behind three-time world champ Ron Capps, who has three wins on the season. Other Seattle winners include Jack Beckman and reigning world champion Austin Prock, who has wins in both nitro classes, while Jordan Vandergriff won Sunday in Sonoma to move to second in points.

Reigning Pro Stock world champion Dallas Glenn grew up racing at Pacific Raceways and won his event in Seattle last season when he took down five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin and shattered track records. Glenn leads the points after earning three wins this season, while his KB Titan Racing teammate and six-time champ Greg Anderson is second, with Matt Hartford in third thanks to three wins this season.

Also on schedule for the weekend is action in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Seattle race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. Fans are also invited to congratulate the winners at the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds on Friday, July 24 for Pro Stock at 2 and 4:30 p.m. PT, with Top Fuel and Funny Car taking to the track at 2:30 and 5 p.m. On Saturday, July 25, nitro teams will qualify at 12 and 2:30 p.m. with Pro Stock at 1 and 3:30 p.m. Race day will kick off with nitro eliminations on Sunday, July 26 at 10 a.m.

Television coverage includes qualifying action at 10 p.m. ET on Friday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday on FS1, leading into eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Tickets for the 37th annual Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals are currently on sale at www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com. For more information on Muckleshoot Casino Resort, visit https://muckleshootcasino.com.

About Muckleshoot Casino Resort

The Muckleshoot Casino Resort, celebrated as the “Biggest and Best in the Northwest,” has just become even more impressive with the unveiling of their new hotel tower. This exciting expansion features 401 elegant guestrooms, a more expansive casino floor, a serene indoor pool, a luxurious spa, and the exquisite rooftop steakhouse, Smoke & Cedar. From here, guests can indulge in breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Mountain range, and the Seattle skyline. As one of Washington’s premier casino gaming destinations, Muckleshoot Casino offers the largest selection of games in the state, with over 3,500 machines, an array of table games, and one of the most extensive smoke-free gaming areas in the region. Muckleshoot Casino also tantalizes the taste buds with a variety of dining options that take guests on a culinary adventure around the world and provides world-class entertainment at the Muckleshoot Events Center and Galaxy! Guests can enjoy additional perks like complimentary valet service, Wi-Fi, covered parking, and electric vehicle charging stations, making every visit even more convenient and enjoyable.

https://muckleshootcasino.com

About Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is composed of descendants of the Native people who inhabited the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup watersheds of central Puget Sound for thousands of years before non-Indian settlement. The word, Muckleshoot, is derived from the Native name for the prairie on which the tribe’s reservation was established in 1857. Today, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a major contributor to the local economy and community providing resources to other governments, schools, nonprofits, and churches throughout Washington. The benefits of the Muckleshoot Tribe’s economic revival go well beyond financial contributions. From landmark agreements protecting fish and wildlife habitats and innovative educational programming to hundreds of partnerships with organizations serving those in need throughout the state, the Muckleshoot Tribe is committed to improving the quality of life of its citizens, neighbors and work force while preserving its culture and laying the groundwork for a bright future.

https://www.muckleshoot.nsn.us

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

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

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