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Why Should Larger Auto Businesses Consider Executive Benefit Plans?

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

Large auto groups and multi-location repair chains run on more than vehicles and service bays. They rely on executives who can juggle inventory cycles, negotiate with lenders, and steer brand strategy through volatile markets. When rivals are eager to poach that level of talent, money alone rarely seals loyalty. 

Executive benefit plans give owners a smarter lever—tying compensation to long-term performance and providing security that cash bonuses cannot match. Replacing key leaders costs time and money, distracting from showroom results.

Executive Benefits Keep Top Talent Engaged

Replacing an experienced general manager or chief operating officer can bleed profits for years. Partnering with a trusted financial services company to craft supplemental benefits—such as deferred compensation, split-dollar life insurance, or phantom equity—sends a clear signal that leadership contributions are valued for the long haul. 

Because these plans mature over time, they reward executives who stay through model launches, facility expansions, and the inevitable market dips. A retention tool that grows in value every year often outweighs the lure of a signing bonus dangled by a competing dealership network. Retention also stabilizes lender relationships.

Tailored Plans Strengthen Leadership Stability

Generic perks feel hollow to veterans who already command six-figure salaries and generous commissions. Larger auto enterprises achieve real stickiness when benefits are personalized around individual goals: accelerated vesting for younger leaders, college-funding incentives for mid-career directors, or supplemental health coverage for executives approaching retirement. 

Customization turns a perk into a personal asset; walking away means forfeiting tangible wealth that mirrors years of effort. That psychological calculus steadies leadership benches and shortens the list of positions that owners must scramble to fill during peak selling seasons. It also strengthens trust between executive tiers and frontline staff.

Tax-Efficient Rewards Protect Cash Flow

Excess payroll drains working capital that dealerships need for floorplan financing, digital marketing, and facility upgrades. Many executive benefit arrangements defer income taxes for both company and recipient until distribution, preserving present-day cash without shrinking the total reward. 

Captive insurance funding, Section 162 bonus plans, or non-qualified deferred compensation can be structured so that after-tax cost aligns neatly with projected revenue cycles. The result is a competitive pay package that protects cash flow, keeps lenders comfortable, and still motivates leadership to hit quarterly gross profit targets.

Future-Proofing the Organization’s Competitive Edge

Compensation is more than a retention device; it is a blueprint for succession. Buy–sell agreements backed by life insurance prevent ownership changes from triggering sudden asset sales, while long-term incentive pools tied to EBITDA or equity encourage rising managers to think like owners early. Executives who can visualize a clear path to future stakeholding tend to mentor successors, document processes, and maintain disciplined reporting. 

That culture of foresight shields the organization from regulatory shocks, electric-vehicle adoption curves, and shifting consumer expectations that might otherwise catch leadership flat-footed. It also reassures OEM partners that the franchise will honor long-range commitments.

Conclusion

Executive benefit plans are not boardroom luxury items; they are operational guardrails that protect profit, culture, and continuity. By investing a modest amount of strategic planning today, larger auto businesses secure loyal leaders, smoother transitions, and tax-smart cash management tomorrow. 

In an industry where technology advances faster than model years can keep up, that stability outweighs any one-time bonus check. Steady leadership keeps the engines of growth running.

How to Protect Your Eyes While Driving (and Actually Make it Stick)

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

A Little Truth About Eyes on the Road

Let’s be honest, driving is one of those things we pretty much do on autopilot, right? We hop in the car, crank up the tunes, and don’t really think about our eyeballs…until they feel dry, itchy, or you’re squinting in late afternoon glare, stuck behind a dusty truck. The thing is, driving can be surprisingly rough on your eyes—especially if you’re doing it every day. Let’s talk about what you can actually do (without turning into someone who wears those giant wraparound sunglasses from the eye doctor).

Shielding Your Eyes From the Sun (It’s Not Just a Style Thing)

Sure, sunglasses look cool. But if you ask eye doctors, sunglasses—especially ones that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays—aren’t just for fashion. They cut down on the sun’s harshness, lower your risk of cataracts, and stop those surprise headaches after a day on the road. Polarized lenses help reduce glare, which is a real lifesaver if you’re driving into the sunset or bouncing between puddles after a rainstorm.

If you’re picky about how they look, you’re in good company. I once spent a comical amount of time trying on pairs just to find some that didn’t make me look like an undercover agent from the 80s. Just make sure you commit to wearing them, even if it feels a little extra at first.

Deal With Dryness and the Dreaded Red-Eye

Long drives, especially with the AC or heater blasting, will dry out your eyes fast. Blinking more often actually helps, even if you feel a bit silly at a stoplight doing it on purpose. If you wear contacts, keep rewetting drops in your glove box. Don’t grab whatever’s cheapest, either—ask your eye doctor which kind works best for you.

And don’t underestimate what a five-minute break can do. Pull into that rest stop, close your eyes, let them chill for a sec. It sounds simple, but wow, sometimes you don’t realize how tired your eyes are until you stop.

Keep the Windshield (and Your Vision) Crisp

Clean glass is not optional, trust me. Dirt, dust, and streaks double the glare and make night driving way tougher. My personal ritual? A quick wipe with glass cleaner before any road trip, no matter how short. Bonus points: keep your wipers in good shape and top off washer fluid.

Blue Light and Nighttime Driving Woes

Let’s talk night driving for a second. Blue light from oncoming headlights can cause serious strain, and that blinding effect messes with everyone—especially if you’re already squinting. Anti-reflective glasses or a visor extension can help lessen the impact. Some people with chronic night glare should check out a Raleigh LASIK specialist, especially if glasses alone aren’t doing the trick anymore.

Don’t Forget Regular Eye Exams

I know, I know, no one loves doctor visits. But regular eye exams matter more than you think when it comes to safe driving. An updated prescription or a quick check-in can shave off so many daily frustrations—not to mention catch serious stuff before it sneaks up on you. 

One Last Thing…

Your eyes work hard when you’re behind the wheel. Treat them well and thank yourself the next time you’re driving home under a fiery sky or through a pop-up summer thunderstorm. Safe travels—you’ve got this!

Front Row Motorsports: Michigan International Speedway NCS Race Advance (Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith)

By
Official Release
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Noah Gragson | Todd Gilliland | Zane Smith
Michigan International Speedway NASCAR Cup Series Race Advance
Michigan International Speedway 400

Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026
Event: Race 17 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Michigan International Speedway (2.0-miles)
#of Laps: 200
Time/TV/Radio: 3:00PM ET on Prime/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

FRM Points Standings:

Zane Smith (20th)
Todd Gilliland (25th)
Noah Gragson (29th)

Noah Gragson Notes

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Irish Hills of Michigan and the Michigan International Speedway this weekend. Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Front Row Motorsports team enter the event after collecting a 16th place finish at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, their fourth top-20 result of the 2026 season. Gragson has competed at Michigan International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series on three previous occasions, with a best result of 12th, in 2024, for Stewart-Haas Racing. Gragson has experienced previous success at the 2.0-mile oval in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with four top-10 finishes in four starts. In 2022, Gragson started from the pole and led 39 laps on his way to a third-place finish.

Noah Gragson and the No. 4 team are welcoming a new partner to their Ford Mustang Dark Horse for this weekend’s race at Michigan International Speedway. Physical operations software developer, Ribbiot, joins the Front Row Motorsports sponsor lineup, with their first venture in the sport. Built for real-world operations, and based in Irvine, California, Ribbiot’s purpose-built platform offers centralized management of people, processes and equipment, all within a unified system covering quoting, scheduling, execution, payroll, billing and reporting. The system enables equipment-intensive specialty trades to replace fragmented systems and paper-based processes with a structured variety of operational management tools, created for optimization and reduced costs.

“Physical operations are complex when every day involves coordinating people, qualifications, equipment, certifications and field execution,” said Ribbiot Chief Executive Officer, Joe Frigo. “Companies need to get all those pieces working together to accomplish their work, or they lose. It’s actually very similar to the job a race team has, so they can go out every weekend, and it’s what makes Front Row Motorsports the right kind of partner for us. We’re proud to be on the No. 4 at Michigan and looking forward to a great run with Noah and the team.”

“We were able to get a solid finish in Nashville, even through some mistakes that we made during the race,” said Gragson. “We’ve still got to work harder on cleaning up those mistakes, to get ourselves in a better position on-track for the later portions of each race. Track position is just so important and will be important again this weekend, in Michigan. I really enjoy going to Michigan. It’s a fun, fast track, and it’s always one that we circle on the calendar to bring our best efforts in Ford’s backyard. We’re excited to see what we can do for Ford, and for Ribbiot, in their first race on the car.”
Road Crew

Driver: Noah Gragson

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Crew Chief: Grant Hutchens

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Car Chief: Joey Forgette

Hometown: Iron Mountain, Michigan

Engineer: Dillon Silverman

Hometown: Chico, California

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Tony Infinger

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

Tire Specialist: Chris Aunspaw

Hometown: Zelienople, Pennsylvania

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Spotter: Adam Fournier

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Transporter Co-Driver: Ron Miske

Hometown: Fairfield, Connecticut

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Tafton Hensley

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Sheridan Jones

Hometown: Norfolk, Virginia

Tire Carrier: Drew Baum

Hometown: Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Jackman: Tommy Bebie

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Fueler: Blake Baker

Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Todd Gilliland Notes

Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 team make their annual visit to the Michigan International Speedway. This will be Gilliland’s fifth NASCAR Cup Series start at the two-mile oval located just south of Brooklyn, Michigan. In three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts, Gilliland has two fifth-place finishes (2018 and 2020).

Love’s Travel Stops returns with Gilliland and the No. 34 team for Sunday’s race. Love’s Travel Stops rolls out a major update to the Love’s App, introducing a unified Love’s Rewards program that now benefits every customer who stops at Love’s. Whether fueling up, grabbing a snack, or stocking up on Love’s-branded products, customers can now save and earn points at every turn simply by scanning the Love’s App in-store or at the pump. The new Love’s Rewards program focuses on delivering meaningful value at every stop and aims to make Love’s the first stop drivers think of on the road. Love’s Rewards App users can also save 10¢ per gallon on gas and up to 25¢ per gallon on auto diesel. Fans can download the app from Google Play and the Apple App Store. To explore all the new benefits of the Love’s Rewards program, visit www.loves.com/loves-rewards.

Gilliland and the No. 34 team will have Martin Transportation Systems join in on the fun this weekend. A loyal Love’s Travel Stops customer headquartered in Byron Center, Michigan, MTS is a family-owned and operated transportation and logistics company with a fleet of over 1,100 trucks and employs over 2,500 drivers and support staff. MTS provides dedicated, just-in-time (“JIT”) services to its customers with a dedication to safety, customer service, and technology.

“Michigan is such a fun, fast track and right in Ford’s backyard,” said Gilliland. “The track has wide corners with a lot of lanes to choose from. We want to have a good run for Ford. They do a lot for us, giving us the tools we need to succeed to race on Sundays, so we want to be able to give them some bragging rights and show off Ford’s speed in their backyard.”
Road Crew

Driver: Todd Gilliland

Hometown: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Chris Lawson

Hometown: Medway, Ohio

Car Chief: Joe Marra

Hometown: Somers, New York

Engineer: Marc Rullo

Hometown: Ringwood, New Jersey

Engineer: Kevyn Rebolledo

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Spotter: Brit Andersen

Hometown: Branford, Connecticut

Mechanic: Michael Brookes

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Interior Specialist: Ethan Deguevara

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Tire Specialist: Billy John

Hometown: Pitman, New Jersey

Mechanic / Engine Tuner: Kyle Moon

Hometown: Troy, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Randy Bernier

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Rick Grissom

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Danny Olszowy

Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Paul Steele

Hometown: Wichita, Kansas

Jackman: Ryan Selig

Hometown: Lindenhurst, Illinois

Fueler: Zeke Nance

Hometown: Calhoun, Georgia

Zane Smith Notes

Zane Smith is back in the Aaron’s Lucky Dog scheme this weekend for Ford’s home race at the Michigan International Speedway. It was at the 2.0-mile oval that Smith captured his first NASCAR win, taking the checkered flag in the 2020 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event. In the NASCAR Cup Series, Smith has two starts at the track, finishing seventh in both the 2024 and 2025 events.

“Michigan is one of those I always have circled on my calendar,” said Smith. “We race there right on my birthday, and it’s been a good one for us. I think we finished in the top-10 the past couple times there, and that brings a level of confidence for sure. I got my first NASCAR win there in the Truck Series. So that’s awesome. And then just for all the manufacturers, but especially us, we try to get that one for Ford. We know how much that means to Ford. I’ve gone to Dearborn and visited all of the employees, and I know how much it means to them. There is a level of pressure that comes with going into that weekend. I think it’s like extra brownie points if you could win that one. So, that one’s high on the list to try to get.”
Road Crew

Driver: Zane Smith

Hometown: Huntington Beach, California

Crew Chief: Ryan Bergenty

Hometown: Plainville, Connecticut

Car Chief: Will Norris

Hometown: Bells, Tennessee

Engineer: Jacob Clamme

Hometown: Hartford City, Indiana

Engineer: Chris Yerges

Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Mechanic / Engine Tuner: Steve Godfrey

Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut

Interior Specialist: Matt Fowler

Hometown: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Mechanic: Austin Bloom

Hometown: Lowell, Oregon

Spotter: Ryan Blanchard

Hometown: Bethlehem, Connecticut

Transport Co-Driver: Bryan Whitman

Hometown: Newton, North Carolina

Transport Co-Driver: Shawn Sellew

Hometown: Stafford Springs, Connecticut

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Michael Louria

Hometown: Gibraltar, Michigan

Rear Tire Changer: Adam Riley

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Tire Carrier: Jarren Davis

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Jackman: Nate McBride

Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia

Fueler: Ray Hernandez

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

ABOUT RIBBIOT

Ribbiot is the Physical Operations Platform for equipment-centric specialty trades, the businesses where coordinating people, processes and equipment across the cycle from sales to billing defines whether a job runs profitably. Ribbiot replaces the paper, spreadsheets, whiteboards, and disconnected point tools that create the fog of operations with one connected operating environment. The platform builds operational readiness before work starts, keeps field execution visible while the work is underway, and delivers financial clarity at closeout. Together, these capabilities advance Ribbiot’s mission to simplify the complexities of physical operations to deliver visibility and foster sustainable growth. For more information, visit ribbiot.com.

ABOUT LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with more than 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with 640 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.

ABOUT AARON’S

Headquartered in Atlanta, The Aaron’s Company, Inc. is a leading, technology-enabled, omnichannel provider of lease-to-own and retail purchase solutions of appliances, electronics, furniture, and other home goods. Aaron’s offers a direct-to-consumer lease-to-own solution through its approximately 1,200 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com.

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.

NASCAR at Michigan Weekend Schedule

By
Angie Campbell
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BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN - JUNE 08: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NASCAR travels to Michigan International Speedway this weekend. The ARCA Menards Series headlines the weekend activities on Friday. Saturday evening, the spotlight is on the Craftsman Truck Series. The Cup Series takes center stage Sunday afternoon with the FireKeepers Casino 400.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is off this weekend but returns to competition at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, June 13.

Notes:

Chase Briscoe is the defending pole winner.

Denny Hamlin is the defending Cup Series race winner. He also leads all active Cup Series drivers in starts at Michigan with 35.

Joey Logano leads all active Cup Series drivers in poles at Michigan with four (2013, 2016 sweep, 2019).

Kyle Larson’s first Cup Series win was at Michigan on August 28, 2016.

Active Drivers with Cup Series wins at Michigan:
Denny Hamlin (2025, 2011, 2010)
Joey Logano (2019,2016,2023)
Kyle Larson (2017 sweep, 2016)
Tyler Reddick (2024)
Chris Buescher (2023)
Ryan Blaney (2021)

Friday, June 5

2 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Practice
3:15 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Qualifying
5 p.m.: ARCA Henry Ford Health 200
100 laps = 200 miles
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM

Saturday, June 6

9:30 a.m.: Craftsman Truck Series Practice – FOX One
10:35 a.m.: Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – FOX One
1:30 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 race
Stages end on laps 30/60/125 = 200 miles
Purse: $789,700
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Race: NASCAR Press Pass

5 p.m.: Cup Series Practice
Prime/MRN/SiriusXM
6:10 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying
Prime/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Qualifying: NASCAR Press

Sunday, June 7

3 p.m.: Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400
Stages end on laps 45/120/200 = 400 miles
Purse: $11,233,037
Prime/MRN/SiriusXM
Post-Race: NASCAR Press Pass

*All times are Eastern.

Wood Brothers Racing, PPG Launch 2026 Kids Color PPG Contest

By
Official Release
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Winning design, selected by Josh Berry, to be featured as pit wall banner at Indianapolis

STUART, Va. (June 3, 2026) – Wood Brothers Racing, in partnership with PPG, is excited to announce the return of the Kids Color PPG contest, a fan-favorite initiative designed to engage young racing enthusiasts through creativity and racing tradition.

Now open to fans 15 and under, this year’s edition of the contest invites kids to design a custom PPG pit wall banner themed around “America’s Birthday Celebration” in honor of America’s 250th birthday. One lucky winner will have their artwork, selected by Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry, brought to life and displayed as the No. 21 team’s pit wall banner during the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 26, where Berry will pilot the No. 21 PPG Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

In addition to seeing their design featured on pit road at one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, the winner and their family will also receive a VIP race-day experience at The Racing Capital of the World. The winning entry will additionally receive the race-used pit wall banner and the original artwork as a keepsake.

Templates are available for download at WoodBrothersRacing.com and can also be picked up at select locations, including the Wood Brothers Racing Museum, Team Penske Gift Shop and the Wood Brothers/Team Penske merchandise unit in the fan zones at Michigan International Speedway and Pocono Raceway.

To enter, participants must complete their design using markers only, take a photo holding their finished template, and post it to Facebook, X or Instagram using the hashtag #KidsColorPPG while tagging Wood Brothers Racing and PPG.

The deadline to submit entries is Monday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The winning design will be announced the week of July 6 on Wood Brothers Racing social channels, and the winner will be contacted through the same social media platform used to submit their entry.

“The Kids Color PPG contest is always a fun program because it gives young fans a chance to feel connected to our team in a creative way,” said Berry. “I’m looking forward to seeing all of the designs and having one of them featured with the No. 21 team at Indianapolis during such a big race weekend.”

The complete rundown of the program details can be found below or at WoodBrothersRacing.com.

How To Enter

  • Download or pick up the official template from WoodBrothersRacing.com
  • Create your design on the printed template using markers only
  • Have a parent or guardian take a photo of you holding your finished design
  • Post the photo on Facebook, X or Instagram using the hashtag #KidsColorPPG and tag the accounts listed below:

Facebook

Hashtag: #KidsColorPPG
Tags: @WoodBrothers21 / @PPGRefinish / @PPGIndustries

X

Hashtag: #KidsColorPPG
Tags: @WoodBrothers21 / @PPGRefinish_NA / @PPG

Instagram

Hashtag: #KidsColorPPG
Tags: @WoodBrothers21 / @PPGIndustries / @PPGRefinish

Contest Rules

  • The deadline to enter is Monday, June 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
  • The contest is open to kids 15 years old and under with permission from a parent or guardian
  • Designs must be completed using markers only to be eligible
  • The winner will be notified through the same social media platform used to submit their entry
  • The winning design will be publicly announced the week of July 6 on Wood Brothers Racing social media channels
  • The winner must mail their original artwork to Wood Brothers Racing for banner production
  • The original artwork will be returned to the winner along with the race-used banner and signed diecast

Where To Pick Up A Coloring Sheet

  • Download the template at WoodBrothersRacing.com
  • Wood Brothers Racing Museum – 21 Performance Drive, Stuart, VA 24171
  • Team Penske Gift Shop – 200 Penske Way, Mooresville, NC 28115
  • Wood Brothers Racing/Team Penske at-track merchandise hauler – Michigan International Speedway, Pocono Raceway

About PPG

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 50 countries and reported net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

About Wood Brothers Racing

Founded in 1950 by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood in Stuart, Virginia, Wood Brothers Racing holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s longest-running team. Over eight decades, the team has earned 101 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with 120 poles, and remains proud of its longstanding relationship with Ford Motor Company, fielding only Ford products since its inception. Glenn’s brother, Leonard Wood, played a key role in shaping modern racing by developing the techniques behind today’s pit stops. With a rich legacy rooted in innovation and tradition, Wood Brothers Racing continues to honor its heritage while adapting for the future as it competes in the NASCAR Cup Series with Josh Berry.

TOYOTA RACING Weekly Preview 06.03.26

By
Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: June 2 – 7, 2026

NCS/NCTS/ARCA: Michigan International Speedway – June 5-7
ARCA WEST: Tri-City Raceway – June 5-6

PLANO, Texas (June 3, 2026) – NASCAR’s Cup and Truck Series, joined by the ARCA Menards Series, head to Michigan International Speedway for three days of high-speed racing, culminating with a 400-mile Cup Series race on Sunday. The ARCA Menards Series West is also in action, heading to the Pacific Northwest and Tri-City Raceway.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NCTSS

Hamlin seeks two in-a-row and Michigan repeat … After scoring a dramatic victory last weekend at Nashville Superspeedway, Denny Hamlin heads to Michigan International Speedway this weekend in search of his second straight victory, and third of the 2026 Cup Series season. Along with his Nashville win, Hamlin also visited victory lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway back in March, as well as the non-points paying All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway. The victory for Hamlin last Sunday night was the 62nd of his career and his 59th as a part of Team Toyota. Not only does Hamlin look for career win number 63 this weekend – which would tie him with Kyle Busch for ninth all-time in the Cup Series – and win number 60 with Toyota, he will also seek his second consecutive victory, and fourth overall, at Michigan. The driver of the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE also has wins at Michigan in 2010 and 2011. Additionally, Hamlin has eight consecutive top-10s at Michigan, dating back to 2019.

Toyota seeks another Heritage Trophy … After victories by Tyler Reddick (2024) and Hamlin (2025) in the last two Cup Series races at Michigan, Toyota looks for its third consecutive Heritage Trophy – given to the winning manufacturer each season at Michigan. Another victory by a Toyota Camry XSE this Sunday would give the manufacturer its fourth Heritage Trophy since the award was instituted in 2013, with Matt Kenseth also victorious in 2015.

Gibbs returns to favorable Michigan … The high speeds of Michigan have been favorable to Ty Gibbs in his young Cup Series career to-date. The driver of the No. 54 Toyota Camry XSE for JGR has finished inside the top-11 in each of his four starts around the two-mile oval. He’s also accrued two consecutive third-place finishes. Gibbs is a previous winner at Michigan in the O’Reilly Series (2022) and the ARCA Menards Series (2021).

Jones eager to continue strong run at home track … Arriving to his home track at Michigan, Erik Jones looks to continue his recent strong run surge in his No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. Jones, who finished third in the All-Star Race, is coming off two consecutive top-15 results in the Coca-Cola 600 (13th) and at Nashville (11th) and is entering his 14th career start at the two-mile oval in Brooklyn, Michigan, this weekend. In his previous 13 starts at Michigan, Jones has one top-five (2017) and three top-10s and has finished inside the top-11 in three of the last four Michigan races.

Friesen looks for Michigan repeat … Stewart Friesen returns to Michigan International Speedway this weekend in search of a repeat victory after his tremendous triumph in 2025. Friesen took home the victory after multiple overtime restarts in that race and headed to victory lane for the fourth time in his Truck Series career and second time with Toyota. Friesen enters this weekend ninth in the Truck Series driver’s point standings off one-top five and three top-10s in the first 11 races this season.

Heim, Davis to pilot No. 1 and 5 Tundra TRD Pros … Corey Heim and Spencer Davis will be behind the wheel of the No. 1 and 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pros for TRICON Garage in Michigan this weekend. Heim makes his fifth Truck Series start of 2026, where he has two wins (Darlington Raceway and Rockingham Speedway), along with three top-fives and top-10s. For Davis, this weekend will be his first Truck Series start since 2023, and his first start with Toyota since 2021. Both Heim and Davis have made one previous Truck Series start around Michigan in their careers.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series National and West

Toyota brings stacked lineup to Michigan … Team Toyota will be in prime position to pick up its fourth ARCA Menards Series win of 2026 with a great lineup of drivers at Michigan. Gio Ruggiero, who has wins at Daytona International Speedway and Kansas Speedway, will compete in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota Camry this weekend. Ruggiero finished fourth in the ARCA race at Michigan last season. For Nitro Motorsports, Wesley Slimp will pilot the No. 15, Jake Bollman is in the No. 20, Gavan Boschele in the No. 25, and Toyota Development Drivers Isabella Robusto and Thomas Annunziata in the No. 55 and 70 entries.

Lovell seeks fourth straight top-10 … In the ARCA Menards Series West race this weekend at Tri-City Raceway, Mia Lovell of Nitro Motorsports goes for her fourth consecutive top-10 result in her sixth start of the West series season. The driver of the No. 15 Toyota Camry finished eighth at Tucson Speedway, ninth at Shasta Speedway and sixth at Colorado National Speedway in that span. The Phoenix, Arizona, native also sits ninth in the series point standings entering this weekend.

Avedisian to pilot No. 13 Camry in Tri-City … For the fourth time in 2026, Jade Avedisian will take on the ARCA Menards Series West, driving the No. 13 Toyota Camry for Central Coast Racing this weekend at Tri-City Raceway. Avedisian started off her West Series season in style, earning the pole position and finishing eighth at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Speedway back in March. The Toyota Development Driver has also made two starts in the national ARCA Menards Series, where she finished seventh at Kansas Speedway in her last outing.

About Toyota

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

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

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

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

By
Official Release
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Layne Riggs | Chandler Smith
Michigan International Speedway NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race Advance
Michigan International Speedway 250

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Event: Race 12 of 25
Series: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Location: Michigan International Speedway (2.0-miles)
#of Laps: 125
Time/TV/Radio: 1:30 PM ET on FS1/SiriusXM channel 90

FRM Points Standings:

Layne Riggs (1st)
Chandler Smith (4th)

Layne Riggs Notes

Layne Riggs and the No. 34 head to Ford Racing’s backyard this Saturday for a 125-lap shoot out at the Michigan International Speedway. Riggs will enter into Saturday’s race with back-to-back win momentum, after a dominating performance at the Nashville Superspeedway, sweeping both stages on his way to capturing the checkered flag and the points lead.

Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) returns with Layne Riggs this Friday at the Michigan International Speedway. The partnership marks Bare Knuckle Boxing’s continued support of Riggs as he builds momentum early in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season, aligning one of combat sports’ fastest-growing brands with one of the sport’s rising young drivers. 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/.

“Front Row Motorsports has done an amazing job building these trucks for Chandler and me,” said Riggs. The guys in the fab shop have been doing a great job. They’ve built a lot of raw speed into our trucks that we’re able to take to the racetrack. The trucks at Michigan are basically like Cup cars at Atlanta. The leader is never going to be able to break away from the pack. You have to be pack racing the entire time, but it’s not like Daytona or Talladega where you’re two or three-wide in a pack holding it wide open. You still have to have handling and you still have to lift in the corners, but there’s a lot of straightaway time and a lot of throttle time, so it’s going to be a big tradeoff between how much handling and downforce do you want to bring versus that raw speed. Last year, we went a little bit too much for the handling and I was just getting motored by down the straightaway and just really couldn’t be aggressive and make moves. This year, we’re going to take something back that’s going to have a little bit more raw speed that now I’m comfortable knowing what I need at that racetrack, knowing what I need to go fast. Like I said, just building off of notes from last year, but Michigan is definitely a calculated racetrack. You see how single file it gets down the straightaways. If you’re not on the outside at the frontstretch, you’re probably going to lose five to ten spots down one straightaway, so just really calculated moves and make sure you complete your passes is super important and everybody in the field knows that.”
Road Crew

Driver: Layne Riggs

Hometown: Bahama, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Dylan Cappello

Hometown: Peoria, Arizona

Truck Chief: Brandon Selph

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Engineer: Jonathan Coates

Hometown: Hudson, Ohio

Mechanic: Clark Houston

Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Mechanic: Robert Benzenhafer

Hometown: Niceville, Florida

Interior Specialist: Brian Sliney

Hometown: Milford, New Hampshire

Spotter: Josh Williams

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Transport Driver: James O’Neal

Hometown: Palm Bay, Florida

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Blake Hickman

Hometown: Ocala, Florida

Rear Tire Changer: Stephen Chereek

Hometown: Tuckerton, New Jersey

Tire Carrier: Alvin Wilson

Hometown: Lexington, Mississippi

Jackman: Kendall Futrell

Hometown: Greenville, North Carolina

Fueler: Patrick Gaddy

Hometown: Kannapolis, North Carolina

Chandler Smith Notes

Following last Friday’s race at the Nashville Superspeedway, Chandler Smith is now fourth in the standings, ahead of Saturday’s race in Michigan. Smith has two starts in both the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. His best finish in his two NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts came in 2025, with Front Row Motorsports, driving from 31st starting position to eighth at the finish of the race.

Chandler Smith and the No. 38 team will sport a new partner this weekend in Michigan, teaming up with Everglades Isle for the 125-lap event. Nestled in the heart of Southwest Florida, Everglades Isle offers a peaceful luxury retreat with just 59 motorcoach lots and two private villas, creating an exclusive atmosphere for guests seeking a seasonal getaway. The gated resort combines modern amenities with classic “Old Florida Charm” at the Lighthouse Club, where guests can enjoy light meals, handcrafted cocktails, a salon and spa, fitness center, theater, and billiards lounge. Outside, visitors can relax on the tropical sun deck, cool off in the saltwater pool, or unwind at the Tiki bar. Everglades Isle also features a wide range of activities and conveniences, including boat and golf cart rentals, guided eco and fishing excursions, RV and boat storage, pickleball courts, and pet-friendly amenities, ensuring a memorable stay both on and off the water.

“I’m really happy about our performance at Nashville,” said Smith. “As an organization, we are right where we need to be. We have fast Ford F-150’s coming out of the shop, everyone is firing off on all cylinders, and we’re just meshing well. Michigan is a big race for Ford, so it would be awesome to give them a win on Saturday.”
Road Crew

Driver: Chandler Smith

Hometown: Talking Rock, Georgia

Crew Chief: Jon Leonard

Hometown: Vinton, Iowa

Truck Chief: Ron Schutte

Hometown: Shakopee, Minnesota

Engineer: Roland Kummel

Hometown: Mitterberg, Austria

Mechanic: Rowan Mason

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska

Mechanic: Mahlon Borkholder

Hometown: Ulysses, Pennsylvania

Interior Specialist: Kyle Clark

Hometown: Ashville, North Carolina

Spotter: Ryan Blanchard

Hometown: Bethlehem, Connecticut

Transport Driver: Mark Hadley

Hometown: Panama, New York

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Josh Francos

Hometown: Weirton, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Curtis Thompson

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Drew Baum

Hometown: Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Jackman: Shane Perry

Hometown: Holly Springs, North Carolina

Fueler: Anthony Bryarly

Hometown: Columbiana, Ohio

ABOUT BARE KNUCKLE BOXING

Originating in South Florida as BYB Extreme with Mike Vazquez and backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BKB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle fighting into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BBB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle on both a domestic and international level, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States and globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle fighting. In the past two years, BKB has purchased the UK-based BKB, the world’s oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company, and in doing so merged the organizations to create the largest global bare knuckle boxing organization in the world in terms of roster, library and distribution; ushered in ethical and legalized gambling to the sport; acquired the rights to the historic and prestigious Police Gazette Diamond Belt which now serves as the Bare Knuckle Boxing World Championship; and brought bare knuckle boxing to lineal television on both sides of the Atlantic, including the recent deal with VICE TV and Telemundo Desportes in the US, and in the UK with TalkSport. Fans can learn more about BKB by visiting https://www.bkbbareknuckle.com/.

ABOUT EVERGLADES ISLE

With just 59 motorcoach lots and 2 luxurious villas, our gated resort provides a serene getaway from the daily grind. Discover your perfect seasonal retreat, ready to welcome you back year after year.

Enter the Lighthouse Club and immerse yourself in the allure of “Old Florida Charm.” Enjoy delightful light meals and expertly-mixed cocktails at our full-service bar, treat yourself at our salon and spa, or energize at our fitness center. Watch the latest hit movies in our theater, or engage in friendly billiards competition in the lounge. Outside, bask in the sun on our tropical sun deck, take a refreshing swim in our salt-water pool, or unwind with a cool beverage at the Tiki bar.

At Everglades Isle, we go above and beyond with an array of outstanding amenities for a truly remarkable stay. Rent a boat or golf cart to discover the scenic waterways, set off on an eco or fishing excursion with our experienced captains, or store your RV or boat in our covered or open storage areas. Spoil your pet at our dog run and washing station, or enjoy a lively game of pickleball with fellow guests on our brand new courts.

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.

Kevin Magnussen to drive Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 entry at San Diego

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by James Black (Penske Entertainment).

Kevin Magnussen has been revealed as the driver for the No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry for Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program. He will pilot the entry for the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series’ Anduril 250 event at Qualcomm Circuit, San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, in San Diego, California, on June 21.

Magnussen’s No. 91 entry will be sponsored by Qualcomm Technologies, as Qualcomm will be serving as the Official Circuit Partner during NASCAR’s inaugural race weekend festivities at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado. In addition, Phil Surgen, a former full-time Cup crew chief who is now a technology director at Trackhouse, will crew chief Magnussen. Surgen notched six victories as a Cup crew chief from 2022 to 2025, including the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 with Ross Chastain.

The news comes as Magnussen, a 33-year-old native of Roskilde, Zealand, Denmark, is currently campaigning in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar class and in select IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship endurance events within the GTP Class for BMW M Team WRT. Magnussen joined the BMW M program before the 2025 season after spending the previous three seasons (2022-24) driving for the Haas F1 Team in Formula 1.

The upcoming Cup Series’ event at San Diego will mark Magnussen’s first career start in NASCAR’s premier series, the Cup Series division, and he will join Kimi Räikkönen, Shane van Gisbergen and Hélio Castroneves as iconic international competitors to pilot Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 entry for at least a single Cup event. It will also occur a day after Kevin’s father and former 24 Hours of Le Mans and IMSA SportsCar champion, Jan, made his lone Cup start at Sonoma Raceway 16 years ago, where the latter finished in 12th place while driving for Phoenix Racing.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to compete in NASCAR,” Magnussen said. “What [team owner] Justin Marks and Trackhouse have done with PROJECT91 is unique. To provide drivers from outside of the NASCAR world with a chance to compete at this level. I’m proud to have this opportunity. I’ve already spent time with the team in North Carolina – meeting everyone, doing the seat fit, going through pit stop procedures and all the details that come with preparing for a NASCAR weekend. They’re an awesome group of people, incredibly dedicated, and just as excited about this debut as I am. I really can’t wait to get to San Diego and experience it all for the first time.”

Kevin Magnussen, a champion in Formula Renault 3.5 (2013) and Danish FFord (2008), made his Formula 1 debut at the start of the 2014 season with McLaren Mercedes. He became the first Danish competitor to achieve a podium result in F1 competition after he notched a runner-up result during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit.

To date, Magnussen has made a total of 185 F1 starts (2014, 2016-20 and 2022-24). His starts include competing with McLaren, Renault and Haas. Between his starts, he achieved 177 points, 49 top-10 results and an average finishing result of 13.6. His best result while driving for Renault was during the 2016 Russian Grand Prix at Sochi Autodrom. His best results while driving for Haas were a trio of fifth-place results: 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix, 2018 Austrian Grand Prix and 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix. During the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix, Magnussen achieved the first-ever F1 pole for both himself and Haas. His best points result was ninth in 2018 as he also accumulated a career-high 56 points.

In addition to Formula 1, Magnussen competed in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing’s Daytona Prototype International (DPi) class in 2021. He achieved his first victory during the Detroit Grand Prix at The Raceway on Belle Isle, Michigan. Since then, he has made four Rolex 24 at Daytona starts, two 24 Hours of Le Mans starts and one 24 Hours of Spa start. Magnussen made his lone NTT IndyCar Series start at Road America with Arrow McLaren SP in June 2021.

The creation of Project 91 was revealed on May 24, 2022, with the intent of featuring iconic international competitors to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series division for at least a single event. Kimi Räikkönen, the 2007 Formula 1 champion, was the first competitor to pilot Trackhouse’s Project 91 entry at Watkins Glen International in August 2022. Since then, the entry has appeared in a total of six Cup events from 2022 to 2023 and in 2025.

The highlight of Project 91 was when Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion from Auckland, New Zealand, piloted the entry to his first-ever Cup Series victory in his debut during the inaugural Chicago Street Course event in July 2022. At the time, van Gisbergen became the first competitor in 60 years to win in a Cup debut. Van Gisbergen currently competes as a full-time Cup competitor for Trackhouse in the No. 97 Chevrolet entry and has seven victories to his resume.

Project 91’s recent start was the 2025 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway with Hélio Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion from São Paulo, Brazil. At the conclusion of the Cup Series’ event at Watkins Glen International on May 10, 2026, Trackhouse’s team owner Justin Marks was asked if Project 91 would return, to which he only replied, “Don’t forget about Project 91.” Ten days later, Trackhouse revealed a teaser through social media that confirmed the project’s return before the official reveal was made on June 3, 2026.

“I’m thrilled to be able to bring back PROJECT91 again this year, especially at San Diego,” Marks said. “We were waiting for the right opportunity with the right partner and driver to bring this PROJECT91 entry to fruition. Qualcomm is a worldwide brand, and Kevin Magnussen is a global driver, and both are elements we look for when it comes to running PROJECT91.”

The inaugural Anduril 250 at Qualcomm Circuit, San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, is scheduled to occur on June 21 at 4 p.m. ET on Prime Video, MRN Radio, SiriusXM and HBO MAX.

Spire Motorsports DQS Solutions and Staffing 250 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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  • In four NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), Spire Motorsports has earned one top-five and and two top-10 finishes. Corey LaJoie earned the team’s best finish with a fifth-place result in 2025.
  • The DQS Solutions and Staffing 250 will be televised live on FS1 Saturday, June 6 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 12th 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.

Connor Mosack – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Connor Mosack will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Friends of Jaclyn Chevrolet Silverado RST in Saturday’s DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway.
  • The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers and to raise awareness through the Adopt-A-Child, Safe on the Sidelines and Guardian Angel Programs.
  • The 125-lap event will mark Mosack’s fourth NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start this season and ninth overall with Spire Motorsports. In his three previous 2026 starts, the Charlotte, N.C., native has logged one top-five and two top-10 finishes.
  • In a pair of ARCA Menards Series starts at the two-mile D-shaped oval, Mosack has earned one top five, highlighted by a third-place result in the 2023 Henry Ford Health 200.
  • Mosack has registered one CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at the famed venue, located in Michigan’s picturesque Irish Hills. Last June, the 27-year-old racer scored a 19th-place result while competing out of the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing stable.
  • Last time at the controls of the No. 7 Chevy Silverado, Mosack overcame early handling issues at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International to rally from 26th at the end of Stage 1 to secure a 10th-place result.
  • Mosack will pilot Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-091. The truck has made six starts, scoring four top-five and six top-10 finishes, including Mosack’s fifth-place finish at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in March. In the chassis’ maiden voyage at Kansas Speedway last May, William Byron finished second. Overall, the truck has recorded a 5.3 average finish.

Connor Mosack Quote
What are your expectations heading back to Michigan and how can last year’s experience help you this weekend?
“I’m really looking forward to racing at Michigan. It’s one of my favorite ovals and I learned a lot there last year. I remember the No. 7 team was strong there last year, so it should be a great weekend.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Brian Pattie

  • Brian Pattie is the Crew Chief of Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST, an entry that has seen an abundance of all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel during the 2026 season.
  • Pattie called his first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event at MIS last season, where Carson Hocevar led a race-high 56 laps before a tire issue and restart penalties forced the team to settle for an 11th-place finish.
  • The veteran NASCAR topkick has participated in 27 NASCAR Cup Series races at MIS in the crew chief role where has earned one top five and nine top 10s, highlighted by a fifth-place result with driver Clint Bowyer in August 2013.
  • Pattie made a pivotal strategy call last weekend at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, vaulting driver Rajah Caruth from 25th to second for the final-stage restart, where the No. 7 Chevy lead 45 laps before securing and impressive runner-up finish.
  • Through 11 races, the No. 7 team sits third in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner’s championship point standings on the strength of two wins, five top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST

  • Carson Hocevar, a Portage, Mich., native, will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet Silverado RST in Saturday’s DQS Solutions and Staffing 250 powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics.
  • 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.
  • The 23-year-old driver, a veteran of 89 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, has logged one pole, six wins, 24 top fives and 37 top 10s, while leading 843 laps. He made the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoffs in all his three full-time seasons and earned a spot in the 2023 Championship 4.
  • The six-time CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race winner made his first series start at Michigan one year ago. Despite leading 56 laps, contact initiated by a fellow competitor left Hocevar with a flat left-rear tire. He ultimately took the checkered flag 11th.
  • Hocevar will pull double duty this weekend at MIS, where he’ll also drive Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Firekeepers Casino 400.
  • Hocevar currently sits ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series championship point standings. His one win, three top fives, six top 10s, 356 points scored, average starting position of 11.6 and 14.9 average finish are all career highs through the first 14 points-paying races of the 2026 season.
  • Hocevar will be at the controls of Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-092 Saturday afternoon, the same truck he drove to Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this season.
  • Carson Hocevar quote
  • You nearly won the truck race last season despite multiple setbacks. What is your outlook for Saturday?
  • “Last year we were super fast. We had a couple different issues and had no problem driving to the front after any of them. We just ran out of time at the end to get back to the lead. I feel really good about Saturday and think we have a shot at a really good day. It is cool to have Zeigler Auto Group around for both races this weekend.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Chad Walter

  • Chad Walter is the crew chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST, an entry that will see multiple all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2026 season.
  • Walter has called two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Michigan International Speedway, collecting one top five and two top 10s highlighted by a fourth-place finish in 2020 with driver Tyler Ankrum.
  • In eight NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events atop the box at Michigan, the Albion, N.Y., native collected two top fives and four top 10s, including a venue-best fourth-place result with NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Mark Martin in 2008.
  • Walter was part of Bobby Labonte’s 1994 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory at Michigan for late team owner Carl Wegner. Labonte took the lead with six laps remaining and held off Chad Little and Mark Martin to seal the victory. The team was housed at Labonte Racing in Trinity, N.C.
  • The 54-year-old has noted success at another high-speed two-mile oval. While serving as the lead race engineer for Kyle Busch’s first-career Cup Series win at the now defunct Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Busch led a race-high 95 laps en route to victory in his 31st start.
  • Between NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Walter has racked up seven wins, 57 top fives and 143 top 10s.
  • Walter earned a mechanical engineering degree from the Cornell University College of Engineering. During his studies, he played defensive end for the Big Red football team.

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 May 24, 2026, when Daniel Suárez won the NASCAR Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

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.

Traffic and Parking Infractions: How the Little Stuff Turns Into Big Hassles

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

A Ticket on Your Windshield—It Happens to the Best of Us

You know the feeling. You’re running a few minutes late, you park in that “probably okay” spot, then come back to that all-too-familiar piece of paper flapping on your windshield. Or maybe you’re coasting through a yellow, but the camera flashes anyway. These small moments seem harmless at first, but traffic and parking infractions have a sneaky way of making life harder than you’d think.

How Fast the Costs Stack Up

Let’s skip the lecture—everyone makes mistakes. Maybe you missed the parking sign, or your speed snuck up in a school zone. The ticket itself is the obvious pain point: the fine (ouch), the hassle of paying it, and the time you’ll waste grumbling about it. But what a lot of folks forget is how quickly these costs add up. Some cities are downright aggressive about late fees, and interest kicks in before you know it.

And don’t overlook insurance. Minor tickets can seem like no biggie—until your insurer hikes your premium because, technically, you’re now “high risk.” Over the years, those increases can add up to hundreds, if not thousands, just because of a couple of unfortunate mornings.

Points, Licenses, and That Sinking Feeling

Plenty of traffic tickets—think speeding, running a red, not properly yielding—put actual points on your license. Rack up too many and you could be facing a suspended license, which can just destroy your daily routine if you rely on your car for work or dropping the kids at school. That’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a serious knock to your freedom.

Repeat offenders sometimes need to take extra driving courses, or worse, their record can get flagged for job applications that require a clean record (delivery gigs, certain professional licenses, etc.). I once watched a friend lose out on a great job because of two speeding tickets in the past year.

The Paper Chase Isn’t What It Used to Be

If you’re already annoyed about hunting for stamps and mailing checks, brace yourself. So many places have switched to systems where your ticket just pops up in your email or online account—no more crumpled paper under your windshield wiper. The upside? It’s easier to pay (or contest) tickets and review details from anywhere, which can save you a headache. The downside? Sometimes, people miss those emails, and late fees pop up before you even realize you have a ticket hanging over your head. This is the age of the electronic ticketing system, and it’s not going anywhere. It’s all meant to keep the process moving fast, but only if you’re paying attention. 

A Little Care Now, Fewer Headaches Later

Parking and traffic tickets might feel minor at first, but the domino effect can hit your wallet, your record, and even your peace of mind. It only takes a few careful habits—watching signs, checking for ticket emails, slowing down, leaving earlier than you think you need—to save yourself money and stress down the line.

Hey, no one’s perfect. But the less you have to deal with tickets, the more you can focus on life—minus the grumbling and fees!

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