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TOYOTA RACING – NCS Phoenix Quotes – Chase Briscoe – 10.17.26

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Official Release
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TOYOTA RACING – Chase Briscoe
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

AVONDALE, Ariz. (October 17, 2026) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe was made available to the media on Saturday prior to the NASCAR Cup Series race from Phoenix Raceway.

CHASE BRISCOE, No. 19 Columbia Bank Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

How important is momentum when it comes to competing in the Chase?

“It’s definitely a huge advantage. When they can have confidence in just the momentum. It’s really been 15 weeks in a row now. They have not had like a blow-up pit stop, so they’ve just been super solid for really the whole second half of the season. From my standpoint, it just makes your job so much easier because you come down pit road. You know you’re not going to lose spots and you typically gain spots, and that’s honestly the easiest place to lose your track position during the race. And when you can come down and gain two or three spots every time, it just makes a huge difference for your day. So yeah, they’ve been absolutely pivotal in our success and they’ve just been rocking lately.”

What’s it like walking into the JGR competition meeting on a Monday after a win?

“It was good. I liked it. It was a good meeting. I think that’s been the unique thing. That’s been like that a couple times. I feel like this year where one of us has sometimes been really, really strong and the other one’s struggling. Not that we struggled last week as Charlotte, but I don’t know. It’s just a dynamic you truthfully get used to it at JGR. I think we have as a company won like 10 races or something this year, so there’s a lot of the time where you’re in those meetings and one guy’s happy and the other ones aren’t happy. I think the big thing is, like last week, Christopher (Bell) felt like his car was more than capable of winning too. So that changes the mood a little bit. I think the hard meetings are when one of us have just a really, really strong car and the rest of us kind of struggle. That’s when it’s always good to be that one guy that was good, not the guy that struggles because those are those are not fun meetings.”

Are you and Christopher (Bell) good with each other after the close finish last week?

“Yeah, we talked all week. I think just Christopher really wants to win. I don’t think there was anything bad on the racetrack. I didn’t think anything of it. I think Christopher just definitely wears his heart on his sleeve and was mad that he didn’t win obviously.”

You’ve had a string of bad luck here at Phoenix with JGR, but prior to that, with SHR, you have a victory, and you’re constantly running in the top 10. How confident are you that you guys have kind of found that feel that you previously had here?

“I am definitely confident, coming here. You look at JGR and just like the results page here. It’s been terrible. It’s probably been my worst track statistically, but I feel like this has honestly been one of our best tracks. You know, the spring, the first race I ran, it would have been like race three or four of my career at JGR. I was really good and the best I felt early on in the season. Got crashed and the championship race last year, we went from dead last to second, I think, two times. So was extremely strong there, just kept blowing tires, and in the spring this year, I think we were running second or third and we blew a tire. We’ve been really, really strong here. Just been a matter of keeping air in the tires and they’re not blowing. I know that we’ve brought a different approach, at least that’s the plan. So we’ll find out, I guess, hearing a little bit that plan worked out.”

How much of a concern is it for your when you’ve had several blown tires here in recent races?

I mean, it’s a concern, I guess. But I also know that the first time, I guess the championship race, it was like, man, maybe it’s just bad luck that we keep blowing tires. Then when we came back in the spring and we blew tires, I remember the Monday after James (Small, crew chief) was like, obviously we have to make changes. We can’t just keep going back for the same thing and thinking that something else is going to happen. I’m not really concerned from that standpoint because I know that they’re super smart and they can normally make the thing better. I’m not like majorly concerned. And in the sim, it felt still really good, even with everything that changed. So, is there a little concern? Yes, but it’s not like I’m super panicked either. But yeah, if we blow a tire just hopefully it happens down the straight away and not going into the corner.”

How much can you still drive this track the way that you’ve driven it in the past?

“I think when we talk after the spring races, I run very different here than a lot of guys and the big things is I just run so high up the racetrack. Like in (turns) one or two, I’m basically scraping the wall and I think there’s a lot of things that I do that probably make the tires just wear more or have more heat or whatever. That was something that when we talked about even this week, James didn’t necessarily tell me that I had to start driving this place different. It was, we have to get the car to be able to suit how I drive here. That was really encouraging. In the sim it still felt really good. I felt like I could do all the things I needed to do. The sim sometimes isn’t accurate, so who knows if when we start practicing it will drive like that. But if it does drive like that in the sim, I feel really good about it and hopefully we can keep tires on it because I feel like if we can keep the tires on, we’re definitely be in the mix.”

Are you having to adjust the way you drive since joining JGR or is James (Small) adjusting to how you drive with his setups?

“I’m still driving how James wants me to drive for the most part. I think a lot of just my driving style, truthfully, has changed too. As I’ve gotten acclimated to the JGR cars and there’s just a lot of things from a technique standpoint, just how it manipulates the car that I feel like I’ve just almost became second nature. I still have to train myself to do it, but I’ve definitely gotten way better at that. I think just from a searching around the racetrack standpoint, just the line I’m running in (turns) one and two. James wasn’t super strong on me changing that because it’s been extremely fast, obviously. It’s just a matter of being able to keep the tires underneath it to do that.

You talked about Ryan Blaney running a low line in the spring, have you looked at changing your approach because of his success doing that?

“Typically for me it’s just not worked here. Like just how I do things, it just does not, for whatever reason, work. I’ve been able to go down there and still do it, but I’m just not as efficient and not as fast. I remember even back when I won in 2022, I was just running super high compared to everybody, and for whatever reason, that’s always been the thing that’s made me comfortable here. Even back to the 2020 Xfinity Series days, I would be terrible if we had to run the bottom for whatever reason. There’s just something about this place that is how you, or feel, the race car when you run the bottom that I always kind of struggled with. And hopefully the top will come in. I’ll just have to try to figure out how to run the bottom. The track might be totally different this time around as that resin kind of wore off, the top’s gotten worse and worse. It definitely has been trending back towards the bottom. I think the extra horsepower kind of helped the top come back a little bit. Just because it’s so much harder to put the power down the bottom, but we’ll just figure out the racetrack as we go here. I think it will be pretty dominant on the bottom, so I’ll get the least some practice in.”

What are you leaning into with this car with the strong runs you’ve had in recent races?

“We just have a really good understanding of kind of what I need as a team and the team’s just done a really good job of giving me that kind of feel that I look for, whether it’s a short track or a mile and-a- half, or a road course. We’ve been able to work together over the last couple of years, our group just does a great job, truthfully. And if I’m off to start the race or off to start the weekend, they always kind of know the adjustments to make to get it better. That feel obviously changes a little bit based on the track, but for the most part, that same kind of balanced profile you look for the same track to track. They’ve just done a really good job with the more experience of me being able to match that at a lot of different tracks. I feel like that’s where a lot of our successes came from.”

Any shift in strategy with Phoenix no longer being the championship race?

“I don’t think so, it is a little bit different. Last time we were here in the fall, you were really only racing three guys win a championship where you’re still racing for the championship, probably four to five different guys, but it’s not a win or take all, right? So, if you don’t win the race, it still definitely matters where you finish and stages and all those things where typically this race, it was very different from a feel standpoint because you weren’t racing for any points. All that matters is trying to beat the other three guys. I’m sure the strategy will definitely be different at the end of the race. If one of those late race cautions come out, what you did last year would probably a little bit different than what you did this year. I think that’ll all play itself out.

How soon do you start preparing for Homestead?

“I think after Martinsville. The team is obviously already kind of looking at Homestead stuff. We’re in the process of building a car and I’m sure setup wise, they’re in the beginning stages from a sim standpoint. But for myself, it really will start after Martinsville. I’m not going to change anything I’ve been doing. Tuesday night, Wednesday of that week, with Homestead being the last race, I’m sure Monday we’ll do some stuff too, especially if we’re in the mix. I would say after Martinsville is when the approach will actually happen.”

NASCAR announced this weekend that they’re going to allow teams to change the front brake pads and rotors after practice and qualifying. Do you feel like this was needed?

“I don’t mind it. I think that’s probably a good decision. I don’t think it’s going to get to where we’re bringing different brake pads to the racetrack and changing them in and out. If it gets to that point, I’m sure they’re going to make a change anyways. But I think from a safety standpoint, when you look at Gateway and even like our group in Iowa, you just don’t want guys blowing brakes, right? That’s a bad situation to be in as a race car driver. I think anything we can do to prevent that is probably not a bad idea. Who knows if it will actually be a storyline, I don’t know, but from a safety standpoint, I’m all about it. Now, if it starts being a performance thing, then maybe you consider changing that rule back. But from a safety standpoint, I don’t know why we would be so against being able to change brakes.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of over 50 million cars and trucks at our 14 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: Phoenix Raceway NCTS Race Report- Layne Riggs / Chandler Smith

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Official Release
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Layne Riggs | Chandler Smith
Phoenix Raceway NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race Report

Phoenix Raceway 150

Date: Friday, October 16, 2026

Event: Race 22 of 25

Series: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Location: Phoenix Raceway (1.0-mile)

Length of Race: 150 laps over one hour, 24 minutes, 27 seconds

FRM Finish:

Layne Riggs (Started 1st, Finished 3rd / Running, completed 150 of 150 laps)
Chandler Smith (Started 3rd, Finished 15th / Running, completed 150 of 150 laps)

FRM Points Standings:

Layne Riggs (2nd)
Chandler Smith (4th)

Layne Riggs Key Takeaways

Stage One: 2nd / Stage Two: 4th / Race Result: 3rd

“I felt like our balance was kind of all over the place today,” said Riggs. “Obviously, it was a lot different race than it’s been here in the past with the way the sun set for us during the race. It’s still kind of dusk out here now, so I don’t know. The first stage I was really, really loose out front and I was like, ‘Man, if I’m this loose and I’m still leading, I’m going to be just fine.’ We came in and tightened the truck up. I felt like the track came to me, but it just came to those guys a lot more than it did for me. I’m kind of stumped on this one. I felt like my balance was really good. Their truck just had a lot more raw speed than ours tonight. Thank you to everyone at Front Row Motorsports. The Love’s Travel Stops Ford was fast, but not fast enough. We’re not out of this fight yet. We’ve still got a lot of craziness ahead, especially Talladega. I’m not hanging my head on this one. We did the best we could. We executed our day today and that’s very important for this team to do.”

Chandler Smith Key Takeaways

Stage One: 5th / Stage Two: 7th / Race Result: 15th

“Just a tough day all around,” said Smith. “We had contact early that knocked a hole in in the nose and that just killed our straightaway speed, then we had issues with pit penalties and execution on pit road. Looking forward to Talladega to show the speed we had in Daytona.”

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.

Electric Dirt Bike Protective Gear: What to Wear and How to Choose It

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SM
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The bike usually gets the biggest share of a new rider’s attention. Protective equipment is often chosen afterward, with whatever remains in the budget. That order can leave someone with a capable machine and boots, gloves, or a helmet that make riding uncomfortable. A better approach is to treat the rider’s equipment as part of the riding setup from the beginning.

Electric dirt bike gear should match motorcycle-style off-road riding, the conditions, and the rider’s fit. Electric power does not reduce the consequences of a fall. The most useful equipment is equipment that fits properly, stays in position, and allows the rider to operate the controls without distraction.

Begin with a suitable helmet

A bicycle helmet is not the default choice for motorcycle-style off-road riding. Look for a motorcycle helmet appropriate to the activity and compliant with the requirements of your jurisdiction or riding venue. An off-road full-face design commonly provides chin coverage and works with goggles, while other motorcycle designs may suit particular conditions.

Try the helmet on rather than selecting it from head circumference alone. Different models have different internal shapes. It should feel snug without painful pressure points, and it should remain secure when you move your head. Fasten the retention system exactly as instructed.

Spend several minutes wearing it before deciding. A helmet that becomes uncomfortable while standing in a shop is unlikely to improve during a ride. Follow the manufacturer’s replacement guidance, including what to do after an impact. A used helmet with an uncertain history can be a poor place to save money.

Choose eye protection for dust and changing light

Dust, grit, insects, and wind can affect vision even on a short session. Goggles designed for off-road use should fit the helmet opening, seal comfortably around the face, and avoid interfering with the helmet’s position. Check the combination together, not as separate purchases.

Lens choice matters. A dark lens may be comfortable in open sunlight but make shaded woodland harder to read. Select a lens appropriate to the conditions and consider carrying a suitable alternative where the product supports changing it.

Keep the lens clean using the maker’s recommended method. Scratches, smeared mud, or a fogged surface can make obstacles difficult to identify. Good visibility is a reason to stop and clean equipment, rather than continuing because the rest of the ride feels manageable.

Boots need more than a rugged appearance

Off-road motorcycle boots provide coverage and support that casual trainers or ordinary hiking footwear do not offer in the same way. Compare protection, fit, fastening, and compatibility with the bike’s controls. The boot should secure the heel and foot without painful compression.

Try boots with the socks you expect to wear. Check whether you can stand comfortably and move as required. Purpose-built boots may feel less flexible than everyday shoes, but discomfort and a poor fit are not signs of extra protection.

Before riding, learn how the boots feel around the foot controls of the actual bike. Some electric dirt bikes have different control arrangements from conventional motorcycles. Familiarity with one layout does not eliminate the need to check another.

Protect your hands and the rest of your body

Gloves should provide grip and protection without making it difficult to feel the controls. Check finger length, seams, and wrist closure. Overly bulky gloves can compromise dexterity, while an excessively tight pair can become uncomfortable as a session continues.

Body protection may include a chest and back protector, knee protection, and elbow protection, depending on the riding and venue requirements. Read the product’s intended use and relevant certification information rather than judging protection by thickness or appearance. Wear compatible layers so protective pieces stay where they belong.

When researching bikes through Heybike Sports, include protective equipment in the overall budget. The V1 gives riders a specific model around which to plan fit and control familiarity. Buying the machine and equipping its rider are connected decisions, even when the items come from different suppliers.

Balance coverage with comfort

Heat, restricted movement, and badly positioned equipment can become distractions. Choose riding clothing that works with your protective pieces and the likely weather. Ventilation is useful, but it should not be obtained by removing equipment required for the activity.

Someone choosing an electric dirt bike should try their intended riding kit during a fit assessment whenever practical. Boots change how feet reach the ground and controls. Gloves affect lever feel. Body protection can influence movement around the seat and handlebars. These are more useful checks than assuming every item will work together later.

Keep a small bag for the pieces that are easy to forget: goggles, gloves, spare suitable lenses, and any closures or accessories specified for the equipment. A complete kit makes preparation more consistent and reduces last-minute compromises.

Buy the kit you will actually wear

Prioritize appropriate protection and fit before matching colors. A coordinated outfit is optional. A helmet that does not fit, boots that cannot be fastened comfortably, or protection that slides out of position creates a practical problem every time you ride.

Review equipment as it wears. Check closures, damaged seams, helmet condition, and the instructions for cleaning and storage. Ask an experienced retailer or qualified instructor when uncertain about suitability. Protective gear cannot eliminate every riding risk, but choosing it carefully gives the rider a more comfortable, consistent foundation for enjoying the bike.

Kris Wright NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

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Official Release
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Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 | Phoenix Raceway

Race Results

Venue: Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 powered by POET

FINISH: 26th

Start: 24th

NCTS Point Standings Position: 24th

Wright Finds Encouraging Long Run Pace at Phoenix

Kris Wright and the No. 81 iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado RST finished 26th in Friday’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race at Phoenix Raceway, showing strong long-run speed but struggling to make up ground while caught in traffic. Wright qualified 24th with a lap of 27.772 seconds after posting the 12th-fastest time in practice.

Wright battled a loose truck throughout stage one, reporting reduced confidence in the right-rear tire approximately 20 laps into the run. He fell a lap down by lap 35 and finished the stage 25th. During the stage break, the team made tire pressure and track bar adjustments to improve the truck, but a jack issue during the pit stop cost the team additional track position.

The Pittsburgh, Pa. native restarted stage two in 31st and steadily worked through traffic, reaching 25th by lap 81. The iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado RST for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) showed promising long-run pace, recording the third-fastest lap on track on lap 84 and the fifth-fastest on lap 85. Wright continued making passes using both the high and low lines, but despite the speed, he fell two laps down at the stage finish in 25th.

The No. 81 iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado RST restarted the final stage in 32nd and climbed to 27th by lap 106, continuing to work through traffic. However, the No. 81 fell three laps down by lap 132 and ultimately finished 26th. Wright leaves Phoenix ranked 24th in the NCTS driver standings.

Kris Wright Quote:

“The truck was really loose all day long. This 81 team for MHR worked hard all day to get me comfortable in the truck and we started to find our groove in stage two. We’re definitely moving in the right direction, but we need the results to start falling our way. Huge thank you to iHeartRadio for coming on board again and we’ll go get them in Talladega.”

Christian Eckes NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

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Official Release
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Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 – Race Results

Venue: Phoenix Raceway

FINISH: 2nd

Start: 13th

Stage 1: 6th

Stage 2: 3rd

Laps Led: 2

NCTS Point Standings Position: 3rd

Eckes Records Third-Straight Runner-Up at Phoenix

Christian Eckes’ near brush with victory continued in the desert on Friday night at Phoenix Raceway. The driver of the No. 91 Columbia Bank Chevrolet Silverado RST recorded his third-consecutive runner-up finish. The former Phoenix winner came one spot shy but gained one position in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series standings and now sits third on the Chase grid. The result gives Eckes nine top-five finishes on the season and his fourth podium result over the last six races.

Eckes’ road to contention began from outside the top-10 on Friday evening, taking the green flag from 13th. In standard fashion, he cracked the top-10 in just two laps and had climbed to seventh by lap eight. The opening 45 lap segment ran clean under green flag conditions as Eckes’ Chevrolet trended too tight on Phoenix’s flat corners. He managed to advance to sixth by the end of Stage 1 on lap 45 and earned five points.

The No. 91 team delivered a stellar four-tire pit stop under the stage caution and gained Eckes two positions. He restarted fourth on lap 55 and immediately inserted himself as a contender. He claimed the third position on lap 60 and reported the Columbia Bank machine was free on entry but liked the balance. That characteristic equated to speed during the second stage and yielded eight points when the green checkered flag waved on lap 90.

The final stop of the evening came under the second stage caution as the No. 91 crew held serve versus the competitors that took four tires. Eckes restarted third on lap 98 and made an immediate bid for the lead in Turn 1. His effort came up short yet grabbed control of the second spot. He paced the No. 11 truck over the final 53 laps, closing to within six truck lengths. Eckes took the checkered flag 1.55 seconds behind the lead to score his third-straight podium result at the desert mile.

Christian Eckes Quote:

“Even though I’ve won here, I felt like our Columbia Bank Chevrolet was probably the best truck I’ve had here at Phoenix but just not quite enough. They were just a little better than us all day. I felt like we were a third or fourth-place racecar but track position was so important that if I could get our ahead of them I’d be okay. Kind of corded a right front at the end, I believe, and got too tight. Proud of the effort regardless.”

Daniel Hemric NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

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Official Release
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Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 – Race Results

Venue: Phoenix Raceway

FINISH: 7th

Start: 18th

Stage 1: 13th

Stage 2: 10th

Laps Led: 0

Points Position: 6th

Hemric Extends Consistent Streak with Phoenix Top-10

Daniel Hemric extended his recent streak of consistency on Friday evening with a seventh-place finish at Phoenix Raceway. The driver of the No. 19 CRC Brakleen Chevrolet Silverado RST drove from the 18th starting position to tally his third straight top-10 result and fifth over the past six races. Three races remain on the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series docket with Hemric sixth on the Chase rundown.

Hemric took the green flag from mid pack but began a methodical drive from the outset. He quickly cracked the top-15 but began to endure a tight condition with the front tires. His progress continued despite the handling characteristic and ran in 13th position at the end of Stage 1 on lap 45.

Crew chief Kevin Bellicourt and the NAPA Auto Care team bolted on fresh tires, fuel, and adjustments to improve the turn in Hemric’s Chevrolet during the first stage caution. An outstanding stop advanced Hemric to ninth for the lap 55 restart. His climb continued once the green flag recoiled, as Hemric pounced on the outside groove to claim seventh position. As the second stage progressed, the balance on the CRC Brakleen Chevy had improved, yet still developed tighter. Nevertheless, Hemric was able to earn one point on lap 90 at the end of Stage 2 by running in 10th.

The evening’s final pit stop for the No. 19 team came under the second stage caution when the CRC Brakleen squad gave Hemric a wedge adjustment along with four tires and fuel. He lined up 10th for the final restart of the night on lap 99. After blitzing the outside to run as high as sixth, Hemric briefly slipped to eighth before regaining ground in the waning laps to record a seventh-place finish.

Daniel Hemric Quote:

”We needed just a little bit of everything – a little more front grip. Qualifying really put us at a deficit trying to get stage points. Still we were able to rally from starting 18th and get to seventh by the end of the night. We lacked a little bit with our CRC Brakleen, NAPA Auto Care Silverado RST. Proud of the fight and gradual gains to contend for a top-five. Good to see [Christian] Eckes have a good day. That’s great for the company. We’ll keep working on it and go to Talladega next week.”

Giovanni Scelzi Claims Night 1 of Interstate Batteries High Limit Race at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track

By
Briar Starr
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Photo Courtesy of High Limit Racing

The second-to-last race of the 2026 Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Series took place Friday night at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track, which is just right outside of the Texas Motor Speedway. Championship points leader Rico Abreu entered tonight’s race with a slim margin of 45 points ahead of second place and last week’s Saturday night winner at Lakeside Speedway, Giovanni Scelzi. Abreu is seeking his second High Limit championship since last year, while Scelzi would be looking for his first in the series for Spire Motorsports.

Additionally, Abreu’s Tony Stewart Racing team was looking to rebound since last Saturday after he was disqualified due to his team refueling the car during red flag conditions. Finally, there was a chance for Abreu to clinch the championship tonight as well. The scenarios were if Rico won, Scelzi would need to finish third or worse. If Rico placed second, Scelzi would need to finish fourth or worse. If Rico finished third, he would need Scelzi to finish sixth or worse. In a simpler scenario, Abreu just needs to beat Scelzi by four positions on the track. 

However, the championship-clinching scenarios for tonight were quietly put to rest, as it was Scelzi who fired the first shot by winning the 25-lap feature following a competitive battle with Abreu to cut into the championship points by gaining nine points and is now only 36 points behind heading into the finale on Saturday night.

“I can’t even put into words how proud of Eric, Cole, and Kinser I am,” Scelzi told Flo Racing in victory lane. “I had really high expectations hiring Eric Prutzman (Scelzi’s crew chief) with as much as he’s done and he’s succeeded in every single one of them. So just an amazing job. It was just an emotional night, I don’t know why.

“Just the way I felt, I like this place. This place is awesome, and it’s such a gorgeous facility. I always played here on the video games and never got to come here, and finally got to come here last year for the first time. Incredible job at the racetrack. I don’t know who is doing it (track prep), but to have two lanes like that and let us slice and dice and show what this place can show for racing. I really hope we stay here for our finale. This is a great event. I think it’s only growing every year, but yeah, Cole leaned in the car and said, you know, we’re not out of it. Don’t give up and take no prisoners. So, I’m just proud of the performance tonight.”

There were 34 Sprint Cars on the property at the dirt track for tonight’s race.

Feature Race Recap – 25-Laps – $10,000 To Win

Starting on the pole thanks to his dash victory was Tanner Holmes. Abreu started third and Scelzi seventh.

Holmes had the early race lead, with Abreu passing Daison Pursley for second to complete Lap 1. On Lap 2, Scelzi moved to the fifth position and then took over the fourth position one lap later. However, the first caution of the main came with 21 laps to go for Landon Crawley, who came to a stop in the middle of Turns 1 and 2 after he blew a motor off Turn 4. The race resumed, and the battle was on with Abreu and Holmes. Scelzi, however, continued his momentum by going into the third position following the restart.

With 16 laps to go, Pursley battled side-by-side with Scelzi for the third spot. Abreu took the lead from Holmes off Turn 4 with 12 laps to go. A top five battle then took place with Holmes, Scelzi, Pursley, and Courtney. After Abreu grabbed the lead, he began getting into the lap traffic, which allowed Scelzi to close in and take the lead from Abreu off Turn 2 with eight laps to go. Abreu would retake the top spot a lap later in Turn 3 for a brief period, but Sceliz grabbed it again shortly thereafter at the start/finish line. From there, Scelzi went on to lead the final six laps and take the checkered flag in order to stay alive in the championship battle. The victory was his third of the season and fourth of his High Limit career.

After winning tonight’s race, Scelzi would have to win Saturday night’s finale in order to win the championship and have Abreu finish 16th or worse.

Heat Race Recaps – Top Five Transfer – 8 Laps A Piece

Justin Peck paced the hot lap session with a lap time of 13.316 seconds. Following the hot lap session, Courtney’s No. 7 Spire Motorsports Sprint Car had to make an engine change prior to the qualifying session.

There was a Flight A and Flight B Qualifying Session. Abreu paced Flight A with a lap time of 13.151 seconds, while Scelzi was the fastest in Flight B with a quick time of 13.124 seconds. Scelzi time was quick enough to be the overall fastest time of the groups combined.

It is important to note that Aaron Reutzel was involved in a violent crash last weekend at Lakeside Speedway, and his team (Ridge and Sons Racing) decided to use a medical provisional to withdraw from the event.

Heat 1 – Holmes was on the pole for the first heat with Roger Crockett alongside him on the outside. Holmes went on to win the heat with no yellows. Moving on were Crockett, Kerry Madsen, Abreu, and Sye Lynch.

Heat 2 – USAC standout Brady Bacon was the top spot for this heat. A caution occurred with four laps to go in the heat for a flat right-rear tire for Kasey Jedrzejek. Jedrzejek came to a stop off the exit of Turn 4.

Bacon went on to secure the heat victory with Courtney, Pursley, Brian Brown, and Austin McCarl in the top five transferring.

Heat 3 – Peck was No. 1 for the third heat. A caution came out with four laps to go for race leader Peck. A big puff of smoke came out the back of Peck’s car, and he would exit the racing surface to go back to the pit area. It was later determined that the engine expired on Peck’s car. Fortunately, for Peck, he went on to win the B-Main to get back in the A-main.

Kasey Kahne would go on to win the heat race, followed by Scelzi, Chase Randall, Danny Sams III, and Crawley moving on to the A-main.

Heat 4 – Brenham Crouch had the pole for the fourth and final heat. A caution came out immediately as the field had a bad start, which caused a complete restart. The rest of the heat was clean and green, with Crouch winning his heat race. Brent Marks, Tanner Thorson, Ryan Timms, and Chris Martin rounded out the transfers.

Moving on to the seven-lap dash were Holmes, Kahne, Bacon, Crouch, Abreu, Pursley, Scelzi, and Thorson. Holmes led every lap to win the dash and be on the pole for the 25-lap feature event.

For those who missed the feature, you can watch the highlights below.

Official Race Results Following Night 1 At Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track

  1. Giovanni Scelzi
  2. Tyler Courtney
  3. Rico Abreu
  4. Tanner Thorson
  5. Daison Pursley
  6. Brent Marks
  7. Chase Randall
  8. Tanner Holmes
  9. Brady Bacon
  10. Ryan Timms
  11. Kerry Madsen
  12. Brenham Crouch
  13. Austin McCarl
  14. Justin Peck
  15. Kasey Kahne
  16. Brian Brown
  17. Roger Crockett
  18. Rees Moran
  19. Sye Lynch
  20. Danny Sams III
  21. Ayrton Gennetten
  22. Ashton Torgerson
  23. Chris Martin
  24. Landon Crawley

Up Next – With night 1 complete, the series now turns its attention to the championship season finale Saturday night to wrap up their 2026 season, live on Flo Racing.

Toni Breidinger’s NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

By
Official Release
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Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 – Race Results

Venue: Phoenix Raceway

FINISH: 31st

Start: 26th

Breidinger Closes Out MHR Schedule at Phoenix

Toni Breidinger, driver of the No. 20 Celsius Chevrolet Silverado RST closed out her NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) schedule with McAnally Hilgemann Racing Friday evening at Phoenix Raceway where she settled for an unfortunate 31st-place finish. The San Francisco, Calif. native set the No. 20 Chevrolet up to start the 150-lap event from the 26th position. The field bunched up and Breidinger fell back to 30th as she settled in and remained focus forward. An uneventful first segment saw the young driver a 33rd-place Stage One finish and she reported to the team that she was loose but overall balance was not bad. A quick stop for four fresh goodyear tires, fuel to lead her off for Stage Two.

The laps started to wind down as the field started to spread out. The young driver had reported to crew chief Dewey Townsend with 14 laps to go in the stage that she was now feeling tight handling conditions on her race truck and needed better fire off. Stage Two came to a close and Breidinger came down pit road for four tires, fuel and a slight air pressure adjustment to help the handling on the No. 20 Chevrolet. With no luck in dirty air and battling at the tail end of the field, Breidinger was relegated to a 31st-place finish at the checkered flag.

Toni Breidinger Quote:

“We had a really fast Celsius Chevrolet tonight it was just so difficult to pass in dirty air and get the grip we needed but overall the truck felt really good. Huge thanks to Bill (McAnally, team owner), Dewey (Townsend, crew chief) and everyone on the No. 20 team for letting me hop in the seat a few times this season. It has been a ton of fun and I am just super grateful for the opportunity.”

Tyler Ankrum’s NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

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Official Release
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Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 – Race Results

Venue: Phoenix Raceway

FINISH: 13th

Start: 21st

Stage One: 18th

Stage Two: 18th

NCTS Playoff Point Standings Position: 10th

Ankrum Rallies Back in Phoenix

Tyler Ankrum, driver of the No.18 LIUNA Chevrolet Silverado RST had high sights going into the 150-lap event at Phoenix Raceway Friday evening until a Stage Two incident on pit road set him back and gained the young driver more adversity to overcome. Starting near the back of the pack in 21st, Ankrum had his work cut out for him on his chase to the front. On the opening lap, the driver of the No. 18 Chevrolet made up six spots to 16th. By lap 12 he had reported to the team that he was lacking rear grip as he started to fall back a few positions to 18th where he ended Stage One.

Crew chief Mark Hillman called the young driver down pit road for four fresh tires, fuel and a round of adjustments to help with the rear. A quiet second stage fell upon the pack and with just 15 laps to go, Ankrum settled into the 20th position, now struggling with tight conditions on his race truck. A caution in the closing laps of the stage forced the stage end and Ankrum was relegated to a 18th-place Stage Two finish. The San Bernardino, Calif. native came down for what seemed to be a routine stage-break stop for four tires and fuel until the team noticed a massive tire rub on the left-rear. Still under yellow, Ankrum came back down pit road for the crew to tug on the fender and make sure the rub did not continue.

This unfortunate event set Ankrum back to battle in the hornets nest and fight his way back to the top in the closing laps. The young driver set focus forward and powered his way through the field to ultimately settle for a 13th-place effort at Phoenix for the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150.

Tyler Ankrum Quote:

“Tough night for this No. 18 LIUNA team, man. We really lacked a ton of rear grip there in the beginning of the run and it just continued on throughout the night. We can’t escape the bad luck this year and I hate it for this team. Once we got it dialed in at the end we were able to make up some spots but we will hold our heads high and head into Talladega next week where anything can happen.”

2026 Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Recap: Phoenix Raceway

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Official Release
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NCTS RACE RECAP: PHOENIX RACEWAY
Event: Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 (150 laps / 150 miles)
Round: 22 of 25 (The Chase)
Track: Phoenix Raceway
Location: Avondale, AZ
Date & Time: Friday, October 16 | 7:30 PM ET

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

Start: 27th | Stage 1: 19th | Stage 2: 12th
Finish: 12th | Driver Points: 14th | Owner Points: 20th

Read Andrés’ Bio

  • Key Takeaway: Andrés Pérez de Lara and the Freeway Insurance team overcame early setbacks to come home with a solid finish in Phoenix. Pérez de Lara started deep in the field, but the No. 44 team made positive changes to find speed throughout the race. The Mexico City native drove through the field in the opening two stages and contended for a top-10 finish at the end of the race. As the checkered flag flew, Pérez de Lara came home as the highest finisher from the organization in 12th-place.
  • Andrés Pérez de Lara’s Post-Race Thoughts: “I think we have to be happy with the result we had tonight after a very challenging start to our day. We struggled in practice and qualifying, but we got it better in the race. We fought hard all night long. Of course, we were looking for a top-10, but just fell a little too short. I’m just happy to rebound after a day that was looking like it was going to be tough for us. The No. 44 team never quits, and I was very thankful to have Freeway Insurance supporting our efforts on their big weekend in Phoenix.”

About Freeway Insurance: Built for drivers who like to do things their way, Freeway Insurance makes it easy to compare options, choose coverage that fits your ride and your budget, and save. With a simple click, call, or come in approach, we help drivers stay in control and keep moving forward. From auto and truck to motorcycle, homeowners, renters, and more, Freeway offers coverage designed for every journey. Compare. Choose. Save Freeway, Your Way.

No. 45 Sparco Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Landen Lewis | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

Start: 4th | Stage 1: 3rd | Stage 2: 9th
Finish: 16th | Driver Points: 22nd | Owner Points: 10th

Read Landen’s Bio

  • Key Takeaway: Landen Lewis and the Sparco team brought a fast truck to Phoenix, but an electrical issue put a damper on their finishing result. Lewis rocketed to his best-career qualifying effort in fourth-place and drove up to second on the opening lap. Completing stage one in third, the No. 45 team showcased promising speed early on. Towards the end of the second stage, Lewis experienced low battery voltage causing him to sputter to ninth. The team looked under the hood on pit road to rectify the issue, but was ultimately unable to climb back into the top-10. After having to restart from the tail, Lewis made a valiant effort to gain track position and crossed the line in 16th-place.
  • Landen Lewis’ Post-Race Thoughts: “We started off great at the beginning of the day and I felt like Phil (Gould) made really good adjustments in practice. Our Sparco Chevy was really close right off the hauler and I was really happy with how it drove. When we ended up fourth in qualifying, it felt like everything was going great. There was a lot of promise and happiness throughout the team and I felt like we were hitting our stride and getting everything headed in the right direction.

Starting the race off, we ran second for the majority of stage one and fell back to third. In stage two, we fired off with a vibration from a loose wheel on the left-front, and then had an issue with a wiring harness, or something like that. The motor started cutting in and out and we lost all of our track position after coming down pit road. Once that issue happened, the motor just never felt right for the rest of the race.

We still fought back to 16th, but it was a shame. We were coming off of a good run in Charlotte and I was hopeful to make it two in a row tonight. On the bright side, we are starting to build our momentum up as a group and things are starting to click really well. We’ll take this one and put it to the side and move onto Talladega next week.”

About Sparco: Sparco designs, manufactures, and sells racing safety apparel, karting safety apparel, vehicle racing seats / accessories, and gaming products. Headquartered in Volpiano, Italy, and founded in 1977, Sparco is a well-known provider in the racing industry.

No. 4 Nightclubs Suck Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Donovan Strauss | Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett

Start: 22nd | Stage 1: 23rd | Stage 2: 28th
Finish: 24th | Driver Points: 69th | Owner Points: 31st

Read Donovan’s Bio

  • Key Takeaway: Donovan Strauss and the Nightclubs Suck team had a clean evening in Phoenix, gaining valuable experience. In just his second-career NCTS start, Strauss qualified 22nd for the 150-lap race. On the first pit stop of the night, the rookie slid through his pit stall and had to make up for lost ground in stage two. The No. 4 team held serve for the final run to the checkered flag, and Strauss brought his truck home to his best-career finish in 24th-place.
  • Donovan Strauss’ Post-Race Thoughts: “I don’t think the finishing result is too bad considering I made a lot of rookie mistakes tonight. I slid through my box on the first stop, lost my track position, and had to restart at the tail of the field. But overall, I feel like I learned a lot tonight and finished all the laps. I have to learn how to keep up with the balance on how the track changes and be a little better on the initial start. Tonight was a building night for sure, and I thought it went well. Huge thanks to everyone at Nightclubs Suck, Niece Motorsports, and Team Chevy for this opportunity. I have had a lot of fun in my first two times racing in the Truck Series and hope to be back soon.”

About Nightclubs Suck: Nightclubs Suck (NC❌) is a performance apparel brand built for endurance athletes who live differently. Founded in 2025 by two triathletes, Ty and Clayton, NC❌ was born out of a simple but powerful idea: that serious athletes shouldn’t have to choose between technical performance and great design. From faster splits to longer distances, we make gear that matches the 24/7 commitment of the endurance lifestyle. For those who earn their Saturday morning PRs on Friday night, this is for you. For those who endure.

No. 42 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Tyler Reif | Crew Chief: Landon Polinski

Start: 30th | Stage 1: 29th | Stage 2: 30th
Finish: 27th | Driver Points: 28th | Owner Points: 24th

Read Tyler’s Bio

  • Key Takeaway: Tyler Reif and the DQS Solutions & Staffing team faced a challenging night in Phoenix. Reif, who returned to the site of his NCTS debut, rolled off the starting grid in 30th-place. The No. 42 struggled to make headway as Reif wrestled the balance on his truck in the first two runs of the night and made slight contact with the outside wall. After making several adjustments on pit road, the team was able to pick up a handful of positions in the final stage. Reif finished the race in 27th-place.
  • Tyler Reif’s Post-Race Thoughts: “That was a tough race for us tonight. I’m not really sure what our biggest issue was – maybe it was downforce or drag, but really I don’t know. I told Landon (Polinski) after the race that I was kind of lost a little bit because this was the first time I’ve raced here and didn’t know what to tell my crew chief. I had really high hopes coming back here because we qualified and finished inside the top-10 in my debut last year and I feel like Phoenix has always been a good track for me. We will debrief when we get home and go from there, but I know my No. 42 guys will work hard to make sure our next race together goes better for us.”

About DQS Solutions & Staffing: Guided by a mission to achieve excellence and adaptability, DQS partners with clients to create custom solutions that address unique business challenges. Recognized as Michigan’s fastest-growing company and #22 in the nation on the Inc. 5000 list, DQS drives industry growth while giving back through its nonprofit, Foundation for Pops, and partnerships like the River Rouge School District.

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

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

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