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Epoxy Gun Selection for Vehicle Repair: Match the Cartridge Before the Drive

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

An epoxy gun that feels powerful in the hand may still be wrong for the adhesive pack on a repair bench. The cartridge drops into the frame, yet the plungers meet the wrong surfaces or the mixer fouls the front support. For a technician preparing a vehicle repair, the useful question is whether the complete assembly will dispense the specified material correctly.

Start with the repair procedure and the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions. Tool convenience comes afterwards. A dispensing gun supplies mechanical force; it cannot make an unsuitable adhesive appropriate for a vehicle structure or turn an unapproved repair method into an approved one. Keep that boundary clear while comparing manual, air-powered and battery-driven applicators.

Separate drive ratio from adhesive mix ratio

Ebestron describes manual cartridge guns with mechanical thrust ratios from 10:1 to 26:1. That specification concerns the drive mechanism. It is not a statement about how much resin and hardener the gun should combine.

Its separate 50 ml dual-cartridge range lists adhesive mix-ratio options of 1:1, 2:1, 4:1 and 10:1. The repeated numbers can make a hurried order ambiguous. Write “mechanical thrust ratio” and “adhesive volume ratio” as separate fields rather than letting a supplier interpret a shorthand request for a high-ratio gun.

Numbers need labels. When ordering a replacement, provide the cartridge reference and the required plunger arrangement as well as the drive specification, because choosing a mechanism with greater mechanical advantage does not correct a mismatch between the gun’s piston contacts and the chambers it is supposed to drive.

Manual guns suit mobile work within a qualified load

A manual applicator needs no air hose, charger or battery inventory. That simplicity is useful for occasional adhesive work or locations where bringing powered equipment into position would take longer than applying the bead. However, operator effort and bead control still need assessment with the actual material.

Try the intended dispensing movement. A comfortable grip in an empty demonstration gun says little about reaching a joint while wearing gloves, controlling the tip around a corner, or maintaining an even bead through the material’s permitted working conditions.

Where it stops: persistent high effort or poor control. Do not ask an operator to solve an equipment mismatch by working harder. Check for a partially cured nozzle, an unsuitable restriction or an incorrect cartridge arrangement before deciding that a different drive is needed.

Pneumatic applicators change the workstation requirements

Air-powered tools can remove repeated squeezing from the job, but they introduce a regulated supply, hose routing and the need to follow the applicator’s operating limits. Assess those requirements at the actual workstation. A hose that drags across a prepared panel creates a different practical problem from the trigger fatigue it was meant to replace.

Set pressure according to the equipment instructions and the qualified process. More pressure is not a cure for every slow dispense. If material flow changes unexpectedly, stop and inspect the tip, adhesive condition and assembly instead of increasing the setting until something moves.

Include release behaviour in the trial. The technician should be able to finish a bead and remove the tool without creating an uncontrolled deposit. Evaluate that behaviour with the selected cartridge and mixer, since the gun alone does not determine what remains under pressure at the outlet.

Battery drives need a practical charging and spares plan

A cordless gun avoids an air line and may suit work spread across a large repair area. Its controls, weight and access still have to suit the task. Check whether the applicator can reach the joint with the specified mixer installed; measuring the empty tool omits the part that may collide with surrounding structure.

Plan for battery availability. A drive that works well during a short trial can still interrupt production if the workshop has no charged spare, no clear storage location or no way to distinguish a discharged pack from a faulty tool when the adhesive is already ready to dispense.

Assess the setting procedure as part of training. Operators should know which adjustment controls feed and which action releases the cartridge. The correct tool is the one that fits the validated repair process and can be used consistently, not simply the one with the greatest number of settings.

Capacity and carriage fit must be checked together

Ebestron describes its gun lineup as covering applications from a 50ml bench task to a 600ml production line. This is a range across products, not a promise that one applicator accepts every cartridge within it. Request the specific frame and plunger combination for the pack you use.

Check the complete stroke. Confirm that the cartridge is supported as intended, that the plungers contact correctly and that the assembly can be loaded and removed without forcing its components. Ask for dimensional information where photographs leave the fit uncertain.

Keep an approved pack for comparison. Workshop staff can then distinguish a wrong cartridge format from a damaged applicator before taking a serviceable gun out of use. Record the model and component references beside the repair material so a later stock substitution does not silently change the dispensing setup.

The nozzle belongs in the epoxy gun trial

The published mixer range distinguishes MCH 06-24 for a 200 ml bell-mouth configuration from MCH 10-24 for a 400 ml high-flow configuration. These catalog entries illustrate why an applicator trial must include the intended nozzle rather than an arbitrary tip that happens to connect.

Intertronics identifies connection, internal diameter, element design, element count and termination as separate nozzle-selection considerations. Use the adhesive maker’s specified mixer and preparation method as the baseline. If a substitute is proposed, obtain approval and the required validation before using it on a vehicle repair.

Do not clean out a cured disposable mixer and return it to service. Follow the material instructions for replacement and restart, including any required initial discard. A dispensing tool should never be used to push past a blockage just because the next repair is waiting.

Compare tools using a representative repair task

Build the trial around access, material and control. Ask the technician to perform the actual loading, dispensing, stopping and unloading sequence in a representative work position, while recording any point at which the hose, battery, frame or mixer forces an awkward movement or obstructs visibility.

DriveUseful trial questionSupporting requirement
ManualCan the operator control the bead comfortably?Correct mechanical drive and cartridge fit
PneumaticDoes the hose permit clean access and stopping?Specified air supply and operating limits
BatteryCan the assembled tool reach the repair area?Charging routine and identified spare packs

For a hardware comparison, Ebestron’s dispensing guns and matched adhesive cartridges provide a range of component formats to discuss with the supplier. Bring the adhesive and existing pack references to that discussion so the proposed sample is relevant to the workshop’s actual materials.

Keep the approved combination identifiable

Once a tool has passed the relevant checks, record what passed with it. Keep the cartridge reference, nozzle code, drive configuration and operating instruction together. Substituting any of those components can change the behaviour that the trial established.

  • Confirm the repair procedure and specified adhesive.
  • Separate mechanical thrust ratio from adhesive mix ratio.
  • Check frame support, piston contacts and full travel.
  • Trial the gun with the specified mixer and material.
  • Include stops, access constraints and operator control.
  • Identify approved spares before releasing the tool for routine work.

Choose the drive after establishing compatibility. That order makes the comparison useful: instead of debating which gun is strongest, the workshop can select the tool that dispenses its specified adhesive reliably in the positions and working sequence that the repair actually requires.

What Really Makes an EV Feel Quick? The Engineering Behind Instant Torque

Editorial concept illustration: cutaway electric motor and reduction gearing. Not a photograph of a specific car or production unit.

The road-going response of an electric vehicle depends on much more than a single peak power figure

Drivers usually remember what a performance electric car does in the first second after they press the accelerator. There is no rising engine note, no conventional multi-gear shift, and often very little delay between the request and the surge forward. The easy explanation is “instant torque.” It is catchy, but it leaves out most of the engineering that actually determines how quick an EV feels.

An electric motor can respond rapidly because torque is controlled electronically, yet the driver experiences the combined behavior of the battery, inverter, motor, final-drive gearing, tires, and vehicle software. Two cars with similar peak power outputs may therefore deliver noticeably different launches, passing response and smoothness. Looking at the complete drive system tells a better story than comparing horsepower figures alone.

The pedal is a request, not a direct mechanical command

In a traditional combustion car, throttle and transmission behavior shape the acceleration request. In an EV, pressing the pedal typically sends an electronic torque demand to the vehicle controller. That demand is checked against traction, available battery power, motor speed, temperature, and stability limits before the inverter produces the required electrical currents.

One manufacturer may calibrate the first part of pedal travel to feel relaxed and progressive. Another may deliver much more wheel torque with a smaller movement. Both calibrations can use similar hardware. This explains why a city-focused electric crossover and a track-oriented performance EV can feel different even when their published torque numbers appear close.

Why the torque curve matters more than a headline number

Many electric traction drives can provide a broad region of strong low-speed torque. As motor speed rises, electrical and thermal limits increasingly govern what the drive can deliver, and available torque generally falls as the system moves into a power-limited region. The precise shape depends on motor design, voltage, current capability, and control strategy.

Gearing then turns motor torque into wheel torque. A higher reduction ratio can strengthen launch response but changes motor speed at a given road speed. Final gearing, tire radius, and driven axle configuration all matter. So does traction: a system that can produce huge motor torque still cannot accelerate faster than the tires and road surface allow.

The electric motor core is part of the performance equation

Inside a typical traction motor, electrical steel laminations form the stator and rotor cores that guide changing magnetic fields. Geometry, material grade, slot design, and manufacturing quality influence losses, temperature, mechanical stability, and electromagnetic behavior. Engineers selecting electric vehicle motor cores consider not only shape and dimensions but also the operating speed range, magnetic requirements and the way the final stack will be assembled.

The connection to acceleration is indirect but important. Motor losses become heat, and excessive temperature can limit continuous output or force the controller to reduce available torque. The motor that delivers an impressive short burst must also stay within its thermal and mechanical boundaries after repeated hard acceleration.

acceleration
Figure 1. Pedal response travels through several controlled and mechanical stages before a car accelerates.

Repeated pulls tell a more useful story

A single strong launch is exciting. A second, third and fourth can be much more informative. Sustained performance depends on coolant flow, radiator capacity, inverter losses, battery temperature and how effectively heat moves out of the motor. Manufacturers set protection thresholds to defend hardware and battery life, so full output may not be available in every condition.

This does not mean a car is poorly engineered. Protecting the drive system is part of good design. The useful questions are how consistently the vehicle delivers torque, how transparently it reduces power when hot and whether its behavior remains predictable for the driver.

Manufacturing precision and drivetrain feel

The stack made from individual electrical-steel sheets needs controlled alignment, slot geometry and joint quality. Errors that affect air-gap uniformity or rotor balance can contribute to vibration and electromagnetic noise; the significance depends on the motor design. Engineers use materials, tooling and inspection together to limit manufacturing variation.

The role of e-mobility motor laminations therefore extends beyond headline efficiency figures. The production specification should support reliable assembly, appropriate magnetic properties and repeatable behavior in a rotating system that may operate over a broad speed range.

How to judge the feeling from the driver’s seat

When comparing EVs, try several real-world situations instead of relying on a launch demonstration. Note the response to a small pedal input at parking speeds, the transition from coasting to gentle acceleration, a mid-speed overtaking request and the smoothness of torque delivery while turning. If it is safe and legal, consider whether repeated acceleration produces a change in response.

Listen for unexpected tonal whine, feel for drivetrain shunt when power is applied and pay attention to how smoothly traction control intervenes. These are not laboratory measurements, but they reveal qualities the spec sheet cannot capture. A convincing electric performance car should be responsive without being abrupt, quick without drama and consistent when driven beyond a single spectacular launch.

The difference between peak performance and usable performance

Peak torque and peak power are typically obtained under defined operating conditions, but a driver’s acceleration request can happen with a low battery state of charge, on a hot day or after a long highway climb. The control system continuously balances available electrical power and thermal protection against the requested result. That balance is why identical pedal movements can produce different responses as conditions change. Some vehicles communicate these limits clearly, while others leave the driver to discover them through reduced performance.

For engineers, useful validation requires a test plan that looks beyond one acceleration number. Road and laboratory tests can compare response delay, wheel-torque smoothness, thermal stability and repeatability at several speeds and temperatures. Measurement helps distinguish a genuine motor limitation from tire behavior, gearing, traction intervention or deliberate pedal mapping. The same logic matters for manufacturers: stable magnetic-core geometry and repeatable assembly are inputs to consistent output, not guarantees of any particular zero-to-sixty time.

For an enthusiast, this suggests a simple way to read a specification sheet. Treat a claimed maximum torque figure as one piece of information, then look for acceleration performance at different speeds, how the vehicle manages heat and whether independent tests show repeatable results. A well-matched drivetrain often feels more confident in everyday driving than one optimized only for an impressive launch headline.

The takeaway

“Instant torque” remains a useful introduction to electric driving. It is not a full explanation. The compelling part of the experience comes from matching motor construction, power electronics, gearing, thermal capacity, traction and software into one coherent system. Drivers ultimately feel that integration, not the isolated maximum rating of any one component.

Federal Wire Fraud Lawyers: Protecting Your Rights Against Serious Federal Charges

A federal wire fraud lawyer advising a client on criminal defense strategies and reviewing legal documents in a professional law office. 

Being under investigation or charged with federal wire fraud can be stressful and life-changing. Wire fraud allegations may involve emails, phone calls, online transactions, electronic payments, or other communications allegedly used to execute a fraudulent scheme. Federal prosecutors may prosecute such cases if the alleged conduct falls within federal jurisdiction. A conviction can lead to jail time, hefty fines, restitution and permanent damage to a person’s professional reputation. Federal Wire Fraud Lawyers help individuals understand the charges, review the government’s evidence and identify potential defense strategies. Having qualified legal representation early on can help protect your rights and make sure you understand your options throughout the federal criminal process. Here are some ideas about the topic. 

Understanding Federal Wire Fraud Charges 

Federal wire fraud is usually charged under 18 U.S.C. § 1343. It involves an alleged scheme to defraud or obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises, utilizing interstate or foreign electronic communications that qualify. Examples include fraudulent investment schemes, deceptive business practices, Internet scams, and false electronic communications. But a failed business transaction, or an inaccurate statement, is not criminal fraud per se. Prosecutors must prove all elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. A federal wire fraud attorney can assess the charges, examine the evidence, and determine if the prosecution’s case adequately proves the defendant’s criminal intent and involvement in the alleged scheme. 

Potential Penalties for Federal Wire Fraud 

The penalties for federal wire fraud charges can be severe, depending on the facts and circumstances of the offense. The maximum prison term is typically 20 years under 18 U.S.C. § 1343. If the crime involves a financial institution or benefits related to a federally declared major disaster or emergency, the maximum may be 30 years and a fine of up to $1 million. Actual penalties depend on jurisdiction, sentencing guidelines, amounts lost, criminal history and other factors. Conviction can also result in restitution and long-term professional consequences. An experienced criminal defense attorney can explain the possible penalties and help clients understand their legal options. 

What Happens During a Federal Wire Fraud Investigation? 

In federal wire fraud investigations, the FBI, federal prosecutors and other investigative agencies also may be involved. Investigators can examine emails, text messages, bank statements, electronic payment records, contracts and business transactions. They can also ask witnesses questions, demand documents or issue subpoenas. An investigative inquiry is not always followed by criminal charges. But statements and documents made in the course of an investigation can have profound effects on a case. “Prior to engaging in any substantive interviews, individuals should consider consulting with a defense lawyer. They should keep records that are relevant, not destroy evidence or make false statements. Legal counsel can help review investigative requests, protect applicable rights, and prepare for possible criminal proceedings. 

Choosing the Right Federal Wire Fraud Lawyer 

If you are accused of serious criminal charges, finding a good federal wire fraud lawyer is an important step. Find an attorney with experience handling federal criminal cases, white-collar crimes, complex financial evidence, and federal court procedures. During a consultation, ask about the lawyer’s experience with similar charges, how they review evidence, how they communicate, and what their fees are. A good lawyer will honestly tell you the strengths and weaknesses of your case, but will not guarantee a particular result. Legal representation may include investigating allegations, negotiating with prosecutors when appropriate, filing motions and preparing for trial. Having an attorney well versed in federal fraud litigation will help you make informed decisions along the way. 

Federal wire fraud charges can jeopardize your freedom, financial security and professional future. When facing federal criminal charges, it is important to understand the charges, potential penalties, and possible defenses. Federal wire fraud lawyers can examine the evidence, inform you about your legal choices and formulate a defense strategy that is specific to your situation. If you are under investigation or if you have been charged with an offense, you might want to get professional legal advice as soon as possible. “If you get ahead of the game and make decisions with knowledge, you can deal with the allegations and have a better grasp of the choices you have. To know more details about this topic, kindly see this site The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What does a federal wire fraud lawyer do?

A federal wire fraud attorney can help individuals who are accused of using electronic communications to further an alleged scheme to defraud. The lawyer can examine evidence, question the prosecution’s case, negotiate with prosecutors, and represent the client in federal court.

Can I be charged with wire fraud if nobody lost money?

“Yes, potentially.” A completed financial loss is not always required for wire fraud prosecutions. The government still has to prove the elements of the offense, including the fraudulent scheme and qualifying communications.

When should I contact a federal wire fraud lawyer?

If you are under investigation, served a subpoena, or facing criminal charges, you should consider contacting a qualified defense attorney. Obtaining legal advice early on helps you understand your rights and avoid mistakes that could complicate your case.

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Email: info@sweepburger.com
Website: https://sweepburger.com/

TITLE HOPES APPARENT FOR FUNNY CAR’S MATT HAGAN AT MOPAR NHRA LAS VEGAS NATIONALS POWERED BY DODGE

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 27, 2026) – When it comes to consistency in the Funny Car ranks in 2026, nobody has been better than Matt Hagan.

The four-time world champion for Tony Stewart Racing has been a model of consistency through 18 races and it’s a major reason why he’s the points leader and on the verge of a fifth world title heading into this weekend’s MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Hagan has four wins and seven trips to the final round in NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series action in 2026, with only two first-round losses. That is a massive feat in a class that is loaded with contenders, but that consistency has paved the way for a significant points lead with two races left.

He’s collected three final-round appearances, including a Rockingham win, in four Countdown to the Championship playoff races thus far, and with the other event being a semifinal finish, it’s allowed Hagan to build a 98-point lead over Jordan Vandergriff and 119 points over Dallas winner J.R. Todd in his 12,000-horsepower Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car.

Hagan is also the defending event winner in Las Vegas, as he looks to again put on a show at his sponsor’s race – all with a fifth championship on the line.

“The whole week in Vegas is out of control. I don’t care whether or not we’re partying, it’s just Vegas — the time change, the media, the sponsors that come out, all the dinners, MOPAR and Dodge sponsoring the event, then SEMA. It’ll be a marathon being out there,” Hagan said.

“That being said, Vegas has been really kind to us and Pomona’s definitely been kind to us, so we’re closing out the season at tracks where we have great data to work off of. I just want to dig deep, work hard for this team, for Mike Knudsen. We’re trying to get him his first championship as a crew chief. I just need to do my job on the starting line and keep the car in the groove. It’s not all about me, not all about winning number five, it’s about this team, about solidifying this team and its leadership as championship caliber.”

Last season, Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Hagan (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all claimed victories in Las Vegas. This year’s race will once again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 1.

It is the 19th of 20 races in NHRA’s 75th anniversary season and the fifth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, and there’s history on the line for Hagan. A fifth championship would put Hagan with legendary John Force as the only drivers in Funny Car history with five or more championships.

That’s a major deal during NHRA’s milestone season, but Hagan also knows he has work to do. Vandergriff and Todd are eager to close the gap in Vegas to set up a marquee showdown in Pomona, but Hagan will also have to ward off the likes of back-to-back world champ Austin Prock, Jack Beckman and Ron Capps.

“I’m just proud of my guys,” Hagan said. “They’re putting a great race car underneath me. Each Countdown race we’ve continued to build our points lead and that’s just what you have to do to win a championship. Two more races to go, but if we continue the way we’re going, things should work out the way they’re supposed to.”

Top Fuel’s Shawn Langdon has an opportunity to clinch his second world title in Las Vegas, as he currently holds a 139-point lead over teammate and reigning world champ Doug Kalitta. Other top names include Tony Stewart, Antron Brown and Maddi Gordon.

There’s a tight battle brewing in Pro Stock, as Glenn jumped back in the points lead heading to Vegas. His lead, though, is just 14 points over Greg Stanfield, 41 more than Matt Hartford and 78 over six-time champ Greg Anderson.

Two-time world champion Herrera won last year’s MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge over Angie Smith. Reigning champ Richard Gadson leads the points, while six-time world champ and Dallas winner Matt Smith is third.

The MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge will also feature exciting competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier E.T. Finals, where world champions will be crowned in several categories. The event also marks the final race of the popular JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by Elite Motorsports.

Vegas race fans can also enjoy special pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, along with the SealMaster Track Walk. Another can’t-miss experience is the winner’s circle celebration, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners. As always, every ticket is a pit pass to the most powerful motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action as they service their cars, get autographs from their favorite drivers and more. They can also visit the midway for displays, merchandise, food and fun.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12:45 and 3:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Oct. 30, followed by the final two rounds on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 1. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, followed by eliminations at 5 p.m. ET.

To purchase tickets to the MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, call 800-644-4444 or visit LVMS.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit NHRA.com.


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.

Front Row Motorsports: Martinsville Speedway NCTS Race Advance (Layne Riggs / Chandler Smith)

Front Row Motorsports
Layne Riggs | Chandler Smith
Martinsville Speedway NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race Advance

Event Details:

Series: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS)
Track: Martinsville Speedway
Track Size / Surface: 0.526-mile / Asphalt
Track Location: Martinsville, Virginia
Race Date: October 30, 2026
Race Start Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Race Information: 200 Laps (Stages – 50 / 100 / 200) – 105.2 Miles
Television: FS1
Radio: SiriusXM

Event Notes:

  • 24th event of the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season.
  • First and only NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway this season.
  • Penultimate event in The Chase, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series postseason that features the top ten drivers in the regular season standings competing for the 2026 championship.

No. 34 Team Details

Driver: Layne Riggs

Crew Chief: Dylan Cappello

Primary Sponsor: BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing

Standings: 2nd

Recent Season Results:

Talladega Superspeedway (October 23) – 8th
Phoenix Raceway (October 16) – 3rd
Charlotte Motor Speedway (October 9) – 1st

Driver and Team Event Notes

Following an eighth-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway last Friday, Layne Riggs is 43 points behind Kaden Honeycutt in the standings, with two races remaining.

In four NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Martinsville, Riggs has four top-15 and two top-six finishes at the track.

In the fall Martinsville event last season, Riggs started on the pole and led 27 laps, finishing in third. The third-place result is his best finish at the track in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing Event Notes

This will be BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing’s eighth primary sponsorship race of the 2026 season with Riggs and the No. 34 team.

So far, BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing’s race program has been highlighted by three wins, with Riggs’ dominating at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and most recently, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, in the BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing branded Ford F-150.

Originating in South Florida with combat sports legend Dada 5000 and Mike Vazquez (who in 1999 formed HRT Motorsports, NASCAR’s first Hispanic racing team), BKB is the oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company in the world and its largest in terms of roster, library and distribution. BKB is broadcasted in millions of homes across the globe. Fans can learn more about BKB by visiting https://www.bkbbareknuckle.com/.

No. 38 Team Details

Driver: Chandler Smith

Crew Chief: Jon Leonard

Primary Sponsor: Cole Swindell / QuickTie

Standings: 4th

Recent Season Results:

Talladega Superspeedway (October 23) – 14th
Phoenix Raceway (October 16) – 15th
Charlotte Motor Speedway (October 9) – 5th

Driver and Team Event Notes

Chandler Smith enters the event at Martinsville Speedway fourth in the standings, 142 points behind points leader, Kaden Honeycutt, and mathematically alive in the championship battle.

In the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Smith has four starts at Martinsville, earning two top-five and four top-10 finishes at “The Paperclip”.

Since his first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at the track in 2021, Smith hasn’t finished worse than sixth at Martinsville.

In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Smith has four starts at Martinsville. In both 2024 events for the series, Smith finished third, his best finish to date at the track in a NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series car.

QuickTie / Cole Swindell Event Notes

This will be QuickTie’s 11th primary sponsorship race of the 2026 season.

Award winning country music singer, Cole Swindell, joins Smith for his second and final race on the No. 38 Ford F-150. Fans of Swindell can sign up to join his “Down Home Crew” at his website to receive insider updates for future shows and more.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization competing in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, FRM has earned top honors including a 2021 Daytona 500 victory and the 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship. Based in Mooresville, N.C., FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and No. 38 entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with the No. 34 and No. 38 teams in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. For more information, visit FrontRowMotorsports.com and follow Front Row Motorsports on social media — X: @Team_FRM, Instagram: @teamfrm, Tik Tok: @Team_FRM, YouTube: @FrontRowNASCAR, and Facebook: facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Spire Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series Martinsville Race Advance

  • In 31 previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Spire Motorsports has seven top-20 results and a best finish of 12th earned by Michael McDowell in March 2025. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in NASCAR’s premier division with Daniel Suárez, McDowell and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
  • The NASCAR Cup Series will contest the ninth race of The Chase Sunday at Martinsville. Hocevar and Suárez sit 10th and 14th, respectively, in the championship standings. McDowell is 20th in points following last week’s race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
  • The 500-lap NASCAR Cup Series race from Martinsville Speedway will be televised live on NBC Sunday, Nov. 1 beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The 35th of 36 points-paying races on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series calendar will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Daniel Suárez – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Daniel Suárez will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Gainbridge℠ Assists Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Gainbridge℠, Parity, and the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF®) today named the 2026 grant recipients of Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity, awarding $250,000 across 32 organizations expanding access to sports and education for girls and women nationwide. The 2026 cohort spans 20 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico – with six states represented for the first time –and pushes the program’s cumulative investment to almost $700,000 across 87 organizations. Gainbridge Assists has become a force in advancing equity in sports, directly supporting grassroots leaders and community-based programs that use sport and education as a platform to build confidence, opportunity, and leadership.
  • The Monterrey, Mexico native has made 19 starts at Martinsville, earning two top-10 and seven top-20 results with 20 laps led at the 0.526-mile layout.
  • Suárez finished 20th in this year’s spring race at Martinsville where he battled handling issues and sustained front-end damage late in the day.
  • In Sunday’s Cup Series race at Talladega, Suárez overcame a speeding penalty and Lap 131 crash damage to finish 18th, earning his 27th top-20 finish this season.
  • Suárez sits 14th in points, 240 behind the leader. Through 34 races, Suárez has recorded one win, three top fives, eight top 10s and 27 top-20 finishes. He’s logged an average starting position of 14.3 and a 15.0 average finish.
  • The 34-year-old driver has made 357 Cup Series starts, highlighted by victories at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway (June 2022), Atlanta Motor Speedway (February 2024) and Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway (May 2026). A 10-season veteran of NASCAR’s premier division, he has earned 27 top-five and 83 top-10 finishes since making his Cup Series debut in 2017. Suárez has also led 949 laps and collected three career poles over that span.

Daniel Suárez Quote
What makes Martinsville such a challenging track, and what have you and your team been working on to be prepared for this fall’s race?
“We’re looking to have a stronger weekend with our No. 7 Gainbridge Assists Chevrolet this time around. Martinsville is a tough place, and getting the handling right is what we need to have a good race. We’ve learned a lot since the spring, and hopefully, we can put together a fast-qualifying lap and be in position to compete for a solid finish. We want to keep improving and give our team something to build on heading into the final two races of the season.”

Ryan Sparks – Crew Chief, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Ryan Sparks is the Crew Chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Gainbridge Assists Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with driver Daniel Suárez in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Sparks has called 236 Cup Series races, earning one victory, seven top-five and 18 top-10 finishes since keying the mic for the first time in NASCAR’s premier division in 2020.
  • The Winston-Salem, N.C., native has called 11 races at Martinsville, earning three top-20 finishes with his best result coming with driver Corey LaJoie who took the checkered flag 18th in June 2020.
  • Sparks joined Spire Motorsports in 2021, where he served as both Crew Chief and Competition Director, leading the organization’s competitive and technical efforts. In 2026, Sparks serves in a singular role as crew chief for Daniel Suárez. He brings more than a decade of experience across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series, highlighted by 13 seasons at Richard Childress Racing and contributions to title-winning campaigns in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (2011) and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2013).

Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Michael McDowell will pilot the No. 71 Delaware Life Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s 500-lap NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway.
  • McDowell has made 31 starts at the Ridgeway, Va., oval, highlighted by a 12th-place finish in spring 2025.
  • Across those same starts at the famed half-mile, the veteran racer has earned two top-15 and seven top-20 finishes in NASCAR’s premier division.
  • In the Cup Series’ most recent visit to Martinsville, McDowell qualified 20th and finished 18th.
  • McDowell made his first NASCAR Cup Series start at a snowy Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2008, over 6,800 days ago, for the now defunct Michael Waltrip Racing.
  • Not only did he make his Cup Series debut at Martinsville, but McDowell also made his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut at the iconic venue in October 2007. He qualified 29th and ran 181 of the possible 200 laps before being collected in a late-race incident, leaving him 31st in the final rundown.
  • Last weekend, the 2021 Daytona 500 Champion qualified 23rd and finished 10th in the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. He survived a host of on-track incidents to bring home his seventh top-10 finish of the season, his most since being named the driver of the No. 71 machine.
  • Over the first 34 races of the season, the Glendale, Ariz., native, has led 24 laps, logging three top-five and seven top-10 finishes. McDowell is currently 20th in points with two races remaining.
  • The Spire Motorsports trio of McDowell, Carson Hocevar and Daniel Suarez will head to “jail” tonight for this year’s Jail and Bail charity fundraiser. The Jail and Bail fundraiser raises funds for the Brienne Davis Memorial Scholarship to help more women succeed in the technical workforce. Fans can learn more about the Brienne Davis Memorial Scholarship and help “bail” McDowell out by logging on here.

Michael McDowell Quote
What makes Martinsville so special, and what have you learned since your first start there?
“Martinsville is one of those tracks where I feel like if I can win there, I’ve truly arrived as a Cup Series driver. It’s such a unique and technical place. Short-track racing isn’t something I grew up doing like a lot of these guys. The racing is so aggressive compared to intermediate tracks and superspeedway racing. Martinsville is a place with constant action and somewhere you need to manage your track position while still being aggressive. It’s also a track with a lot of history for me, since that’s where I made my first Cup and Truck Series starts. Martinsville is a tough place to get around. You don’t have much time to catch your breath and reset if something doesn’t go your way. We’ve been able to find a good groove in practice and qualifying, but the smallest mistake can ruin your day. Hopefully, we can have a clean weekend and put together back-to-back top-10 weekends.”

Travis Peterson – Crew Chief, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Travis Peterson serves as the Crew Chief for driver Michael McDowell and Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • In seven Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway serving in the crew chief role, Peterson is still looking to log his first top-10 finish. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduate, who earned his degree in 2012, has called three top-20 efforts, including a 12th-place showing secured in March 2025.
  • Peterson served as race engineer for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s fourth-place Martinsville finish in November 2015 for Hendrick Motorsports and was part of the No. 88 team’s three-win season.
  • Across 147 starts serving in the crew chief role, Peterson has called eight poles, one win, 10 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes.
  • The 35-year-old recorded his 30th career top-10 result last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Carson Hocevar will drive Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s 500-lap Martinsville race, the penultimate event on the 2026 Cup Series calendar and the ninth of 10 races in The Chase.
  • Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 88 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and majority of the imported manufacturers. Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company. The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.
  • Hocevar and the No. 77 team, alongside teammate Daniel Suarez and Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 team, are competing for 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Championship honors. The opportunity marks the first appearance in The Chase for Hocevar and the first time Spire Motorsports will compete for a Cup Series title. Through seven of 10 races in The Chase – NASCAR’s playoff-style format – the No. 77 team sits 10th in points, 15 markers outside eighth.
  • Through 34 races, the Portage, Mich., native has already set career-highs in multiple categories:
  • Season-to-date results – one win, six top fives, 12 top 10s
  • 198 laps led
  • 868 points scored
  • 13.0 average start
  • 15.7 average finish
  • The 23-year-old driver has been one of the most improved on the circuit throughout the 2026 campaign with average starting and finishing positions that have improved by over five spots compared to this point in 2025. Hocevar is on pace to best his average finish by 5.9 positions by season’s end – the largest improvement in the field – and his 10th position in points is a 13-position increase compared to the end of 2025, bested only by Spire Motorsports teammate Daniel Suarez’s 15-position rise.
  • The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year owns six career NASCAR Cup Series starts at “The Paperclip” where he’s registered a pair of venue-best 17th-place finishes (April 2024, March 2026).
  • In CRAFTSMAN Truck Series competition, the five-time series race winner owns four previous starts at Martinsville, earning a venue-best 12th-place finish in October 2021. He won at another Virginia short track, Richmond Raceway, in 2023 while competing full time in the series for Niece Motorsports.
  • Hocevar was one of the most consistent drivers throughout the month of October, tallying one top 10 and four top 15s at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Phoenix Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway, respectively. His average finish of 11th throughout the month ranks third among all drivers and highest without a victory in that span.
  • Last Sunday at Talladega, a pit-road speeding penalty during green-flag stops in Stage 1 pinned Hocevar one lap down until the conclusion of Stage 2 when he was awarded the free pass back onto the lead lap. He restarted 23rd on Lap 147 and reached the top five on Lap 155. A multi-vehicle incident on Lap 184 sent Hocevar to the garage area for repairs but returned to the track, on the lead lap, in 14th position for NASCAR Overtime where he was able to race his way to an impressive sixth-place finish.
  • Hocevar registered his first-career victory earlier this season at Talladega. He survived a late-race restart with three laps remaining and brought home the checkered flag to register Spire Motorsports’ second Cup Series win and first since the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400.

Carson Hocevar Quote
What are your thoughts heading into this weekend?
“Martinsville has always been tough. I think we had our best day going there this Spring, but then we got run over and that ruined our day. We were super-fast at Bowman Gray to open the year, so I know we can run well on these types of tracks.”

Luke Lambert – Crew Chief, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Luke Lambert is the Crew Chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series with driver Carson Hocevar.
  • Lambert is in his third season at Spire Motorsports and fourth with Hocevar. The duo has logged two pole awards, one win, nine top-five and 27 top-10 finishes in 114 races.
  • The 16-year veteran crew chief has called 26 NASCAR Cup Series events at Martinsville, earning one top five and six top 10s, highlighted by a third-place finish in November 2014 with Ryan Newman. He tacks on another third-place result at the historic half-mile in March 2008 as a race engineer for Jeff Burton.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing.

The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado its first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent victory came October 23, 2026, when Sammy Smith won the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

In 2026, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization also fields the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.

Spire Motorsports Black’s Tire 200 Race Advance

  • In 14 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Spire Motorsports has earned one win, four top-five and nine top-10 finishes. William Byron earned Spire Motorsports’ first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory in the April 2022 race at Martinsville.
  • The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will contend the sixth race of The Chase – NASCAR’s playoff format – Friday at Martinsville. Spire Motorsports’ Nos. 77 and 7 teams sit sixth and seventh, respectively, in the owner’s point standings.
  • The Black’s Tire 200 Presented by Down East Heating & Air Conditioning at Martinsville Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Friday, Oct. 30 beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 24th of 25 points-paying races on the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Sammy Smith – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Sammy Smith will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Alpha Craft Technologies Chevrolet Silverado RST in Friday’s Black’s Tire 200 Presented by Down East Heating & Air Conditioning at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Alpha Craft Technologies is a full-service, women-owned electrical contractor, with in-house mechanical capabilities, serving Virginia and North Carolina. Alpha Craft Technologies specializes in data centers and industrial and large commercial projects. Its experienced field staff along with dedicated office personnel can successfully complete a customer’s smallest to most complex projects with a focus on safety, quality of work and staying on schedule.
  • With just two races remaining to determine the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Owner’s Championship, Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 team sits seventh after last weekend’s race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, 186 markers behind the leader. The team enters Round 24 of 25 with three wins, eight top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. In the team’s most recent start, Smith raced the No. 7 Chevy to his first career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win.
  • Last week at Talladega, Smith led the No. 7 team to Chevrolet’s 299th CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win where he started on the front row, led six times for 21 laps and captured the checkered flag during NASCAR Overtime.
  • Friday’s 200-lap event will mark the Johnston, Iowa, native’s 12th CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start and 11th with Spire Motorsports. He’s totaled one win, three top fives, seven top 10s and boasts an 8.9 average finish.
  • In his lone Martinsville CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start, Smith qualified 13th and raced the No. 7 Spire Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet to an eighth-place finish in the 2024 Long John Silver’s 200.
  • In eight NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at the iconic paperclip-shaped oval, Smith has recorded five top-five and seven top-10 finishes with an 8.6 average start and 5.9 average finish. He registered runner-up finishes in April 2023, November 2024 and October 2025.
  • Smith will be at the controls of Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-096 Friday night, the same truck Chase Elliott drove to a seventh-place finish earlier this season at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. Tristan McKee also wheeled this truck to an eighth-place finish in his August CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.

Sammy Smith Quote
Coming off your first career Truck Series win at Talladega, how do you carry that momentum into Martinsville?
“I’m excited to get back to Martinsville with Spire Motorsports and carry the momentum from our win at Talladega into this weekend. Winning my first Truck Series race was a special moment, and I’m grateful to everyone at Spire and Chevrolet who helped make it happen. We know these final two races are important for the No. 7 team’s Owner’s Championship hopes, so our goal is to bring another fast Alpha Craft Technologies Chevrolet to the track and put ourselves in position to contend for another win.”

Brian Pattie – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Brian Pattie is the crew chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST, an entry that has seen a collection of all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2026 season.
  • Last week’s win marked a milestone for the veteran NASCAR topkick, who earned his 10th career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory while calling the shots in his 100th series start atop the pitbox. The win also marked the No. 7 team’s third checkered flag of the season.
  • Pattie has called six CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Martinsville and claimed a series/venue-best runner-up finish with Kyle Busch at the controls in 2023.
  • Through 100 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, the veteran crew chief has tallied 10 wins, 31 top-five and 48 top-10 finishes. Meanwhile, he’s posted a 9.8 average start and 13.4 average finish.

Tristan McKee – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Tristan McKee will race Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet Silverado RST in Friday’s Black’s Tire 200 presented by Down East Heating & Air Conditioning. McKee is the inaugural signee of Spire Motorsports’ Ascent Program and leading prospect in the organization’s talent pipeline.
  • Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 88 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and majority of the imported manufacturers. Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company. The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.
  • With just two races remaining to determine the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Owner’s Championship, Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 team sits sixth in the standings, 24 markers behind fifth, with one win, eight top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. Last Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, Austin Green raced the No. 77 Chevy to a third-place finish in his CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut.
  • Friday’s 200-lap event will mark McKee’s fifth-career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start. In four previous appearances this season, he finished eighth at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, sixth at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, fifth at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and 14th at a Phoenix Raceway, respectively.
  • McKee became the second-youngest driver in history to make his CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut when he was 16-years and 11-days-old when NASCAR visited Richmond Raceway in August. He became the youngest driver to finish in the top five of a CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at 16 years, one month and 14 days a month later at Bristol. The same day, he raced his way to ARCA Menards Series East Championship honors. He’s also the youngest Trans Am TA2 Champion in series history, the youngest CARS Tour race winner and second-youngest ARCA Menards Series national tour winner.
  • The Kannapolis, N.C., resident has made three late model stock car series starts at Martinsville Speedway. His most recent outing in September led him to the pole and track record in Matt Piercy’s 7C Chevy.
  • McKee will be at the controls of Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-094 Friday evening. This is the same truck Shane van Gisbergen drove to the pole position and a fourth-place finish at Richmond.

Tristan McKee Quote
How will your experience at Martinsville in a Late Model Stock translate to the Truck?
“The Late Model experience at Martinsville helps a little with knowing the track, and how tight it is. The main thing is continuing to build with the 77 group. We’ve had some solid runs so far and I’m looking forward to keeping that going next weekend and hopefully, finishing my part of the schedule with them on a high note.”

Chad Walter – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Chad Walter is the Crew Chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST, an entry that has seen multiple all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel during the 2026 campaign.
  • In seven CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Martinsville races atop the pit box, Walter earned seventh-place finishes with Rajah Caruth (April 2024) and Andres Peres de Lara (March 2025), and a top-five finish with Corey LaJoie (October 2025).
  • Between NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Walter has dialed up seven wins, 62 top five and 150 top 10s.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing.

The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado its first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent victory came October 23, 2026, when Sammy Smith won the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

In 2026, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization also fields the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.

ARCA Menards Series West at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway: NAPA Auto Parts 150 Presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame

THE RACE: NAPA Auto Parts 150 Pres. by WSCMHOF
THE PLACE: Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway
THE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026
THE TIME: 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT
TV: FloRacing, Live

ARCA Menards Series West at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway:
NAPA Auto Parts 150 Presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame Pre-race Notes

  • Trevor Huddleston (No. 50 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford) heads into the ARCA Menards Series West finale, the NAPA Auto Parts 150 Presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, with a 39-point advantage over second place Mason Massey (No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet). Huddleston merely needs to take the green flag to lock up his second consecutive series championship, while Massey – who won at the half-mile oval in February – sits just four points ahead of third-place Robbie Kennealy (No. 1 Jan’s Towing Ford).
  • Huddleston has scored two victories so far in 2026, coming in back to back races at Shasta Speedway and Colorado National Speedway. Massey also has a pair of victories, the season opener at Kern and a last-lap pass for the win on the road course at Portland International Raceway.
  • Kennealy is hunting for his first victory of the season. Despite not yet visiting victory lane, Kennealy has two second-place results among his seven top-five finishes and has matched Huddleston with 11 top-ten finishes in the first 12 races of the season.
  • Hailie Deegan (No. 16 Monster Chevrolet) looks to lock up fourth in the ARCA Menards West standings in her first full season since she finished third in 2019. Deegan scored her first win in seven years with her last-lap victory at Madera Speedway and enters the finale with a six-point lead over Cole Denton (No. 71 Jan’s Towing Ford) who enters in fifth in the standings.
  • Fifteen-year-old Vito Cancilla (No. 20 Home Smiles / Impact Transportation Chevrolet) will make his second series start, following a solid fourth-place finish in his debut at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the day after he turned 15. Cancilla is the great grandson of Cos Cancilla, the 1955 West championship-winning car owner and crew chief for driver Danny Letner.
  • Bullring winner Taylor Mayhew (No. 17 MMI Chevrolet) will attempt to better a third-place finish in his debut at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in February. Mayhew, the son of seven-time West winner David Mayhew, was in position on the final lap in the first race at Kern but wasn’t able to work his way through the final lap scramble to battle for the victory; he took advantage of lessons learned at Kern to power through the last lap traffic to win at The Bullring.
  • Kenna Mitchell (No. 13 Sinister Diesel / Berco Building Materials Toyota) will make her first start since she finished third at Madera Speedway. Mitchell, a 2026 late model champion at All American Speedway, will be driving for 2023 ARCA Menards West team owner championship-winning team Central Coast Racing, owned by Kelly Souza.
  • Previous ARCA Menards West winners at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway include Greg Pursley (2013, 2014-1), Dylan Lupton (2014-2), Dalton Sargeant (2015), Todd Gilliland (2016, 2017-1), Derek Kraus (2017-2, 2018-1, 2018-2, 2019), Taylor Gray (2020), Landen Lewis (2022), Sean Hingorani (2024-1), Kole Raz (2024-2), Trevor Huddleston (2025-1, 2025-2), and Mason Massey (2026-1).
  • Gray Gaulding holds the ARCA Menards West track qualifying record at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, set in 2013, at 17.908 seconds/100.514 miles per hour.
  • Trevor Huddleston holds the ARCA Menards West track race record at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, set in 2025, at 82.254 miles per hour.
  • ARCA Menards West races at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway have gone into overtime on five previous occasions, including a double-overtime attempt in 2026. Should the race be extended into overtime, it will conclude with unlimited attempts at a two-lap green flag followed by white flag followed by checkered flag finish. Should the caution flag be displayed after the white flag is displayed, there will be unlimited attempts at a one-lap green and white flag together followed by checkered flag finish.
  • The NAPA Auto Parts 150 Presented by West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame is set for 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT on Saturday, October 31. The race will be streamed live on FloRacing. Live timing & scoring data and live race audio will be available on ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates please follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly known as Twitter).

About ARCA 
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing). 

About Menards
A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states.  Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building.  You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more.  To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!
 
Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture.  Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries.  And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. 
Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too!  For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

Las Vegas Advance for the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals

Jeff Arend

KGC Construction Funny Car Driver for Jim Dunn Racing
MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge
Oct. 30-Nov. 1 | Las Vegas

Event Overview
Friday, Oct. 30 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 2 p.m. PDT/5 p.m. EDT
Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 4:30 p.m. PDT/7:30 p.m. EDT

Saturday, Oct. 31 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

Nitro qualifying session (Q3): 12 p.m. PDT/3 p.m. EDT
Nitro qualifying session (Q4): 2:30 p.m. PDT/5:30 p.m. EDT

Sunday, Nov. 1 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

Round 1: 11 a.m. PDT/2 p.m. EDT
Round 2: 1:20 p.m. PDT/4:20 p.m. EDT
Semifinals: 3:15 p.m. PDT/6:15 p.m. EDT
Finals: 4:40 p.m. PDT/7:40 p.m. EDT

TV coverage on FS1

Sunday, Nov. 1: Qualifying show recapping the action from Friday and Saturday (3 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, Nov. 1: Finals show (5 p.m. EDT)

Notes of Interest

The MOPAR NHRA Las Vegas Nationals powered by Dodge at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas is the 19th race on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race schedule and it is the fifth round in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Jim Dunn Racing brings its one full-time entry in Funny Car for Jeff Arend. A native of Canada, Arend moved to Southern California in 1997.

As the NHRA celebrates its landmark 75th season in 2026, Jim Dunn Racing is celebrating 76 years of success in drag racing. Jim started drag racing when he was 15 years old and at 92 years old, he plans to keep going as long as he can. In 2024, Jim received the NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award. He has won some of the sport’s most significant races and has provided driving opportunities for some of the biggest names in the sport.

Coming into Las Vegas, Arend is 15th in the Funny Car standings, 2195 points behind leader Matt Hagan.

KGC (Kindness General Contractors) Construction is the primary partner of Arend this weekend in Las Vegas. KGC, is a full service general contracting firm designed to manage and facilitate a complete range of construction projects. They are responsible for a diversified portfolio of projects with a wide range of construction value and provide customers with what is most important to them: short schedules, unmatched quality and superior flexibility. At KGC, they understand that every project, regardless of size, requires a commitment to quality, attention to detail, and the ability to act and react with speed, efficiency and intelligence. They strive to provide a hassle-free experience to all their clients and look to form lasting partnerships built on mutual respect and trust.

Gateway Classic Cars and Crow Safety Gear will adorn Arend’s Funny Car as associate partners in Las Vegas. Gateway Classic Cars works every day to give classic car enthusiasts around the world the opportunity to get behind the wheel of their dream cars. Embracing the spectrum of all types of classic cars, their inventory has thousands of classic cars and trucks to fit any passion. Gateway is the World’s Largest Classic/Exotic Car Dealership since 1999. They have 14 locations around the United States. Crow Safety Gear makes racing harness and driver restraint systems with both safety and durability in mind. Whether you need a 5-point harness for your Jr. Dragster, or a neck collar for your helmet, Crow Safety Gear has you covered. It also makes full racing suits, gloves, window nets, and more to keep you safe and in-spec within your racing class. You can select from harnesses with a standard latch, duck bill latch, or an innovative Kam Lock system.

The NHRA Las Vegas Nationals will mark Arend’s 263rd career Funny Car appearance, and his 30th overall appearance at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Arend has made more appearances at Las Vegas than any other track except In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. He has raced 29 times at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, four times in his previous association with Jim Dunn Racing. With Jim Dunn Racing, Arend qualified for both Vegas events in 2013 and 2014, posting a 1-3 record. He last raced at The Strip in 2023, failing to qualify for the now defunct spring race.

This will be the 41st Las Vegas appearance for Jim Dunn Racing. The team’s best result came in the spring race in 2005 in which driver Tony Bartone reached the final round before losing to Whit Bazemore.

Jim Dunn Racing is still seeking its first win in a Countdown race although Arend independently won a playoff event in 2009 when, after qualifying only 15th, he beat Jack Beckman, John Force, Ashley Force Hood and Tony Pedregon to win at Memphis, Tenn.

Jeff Arend, Driver of the Jim Dunn Racing KGC Construction Funny Car

The weather for Las Vegas looks ideal and it’s known for being a great racing surface. What are your goals for the weekend as the NHRA looks to wrap up the season with two races to go?

“With the weather looking great and Las Vegas known for having an excellent racing surface, we’re looking forward to a strong weekend. Our goal is to make consistent, competitive runs, keep improving with every pass, and give our sponsors and fans something to be proud of. With only two races left in the NHRA season, every run counts, and we want to finish the season strong. The Jim Dunn Racing team is bringing two special-edition cars to close out the season, and we’re excited to get out there, put on a good show, and make the most of both weekends!”