Picture a clean white mushroom standing alone on a freshly mowed lawn, smooth and pale against the green. That’s the white parasol (Leucoagaricus leucothites), a common grassland species that draws attention precisely because it looks so plain and inviting. This article walks you through how to identify the white parasol, which dangerous look alikes you need to watch for, and whether it belongs on your plate.
White Parasol Mushroom Identification
Crouch down and get eye-level with this mushroom. Everything you need to see is within arm’s reach.
Cap: Smooth, dry, and white to off-white, sometimes with a faint ivory or grayish tinge at the center. Ranges from 5 to 12 cm across. Young caps start egg-shaped, then open flat with age. The surface feels silky under your fingertips.
Gills: Free from the stem, crowded tightly together. They start out white and slowly shift to a pale pinkish hue as spores mature. Run a finger underneath and notice how cleanly they detach from the cap edge.
Stem: White, smooth, 6 to 10 cm tall, slightly thicker at the base. It carries a thin, fragile ring that may disappear on older specimens. There is no volva (cup) at the base. Brush the soil aside and check.
Spore print: White to pale cream. Some collections show a very faint pinkish cast. Always take a print on dark paper so you can see it clearly.
Texture and smell: Flesh is firm and white, not changing color when cut. The smell is mild and nondescript.
Habitat: Lawns, parks, pastures, golf courses, grassy roadsides. It favors mowed or grazed turf over woodland. You’ll rarely find it under trees.
Season: Late summer through autumn in temperate regions, often after rain.
If you want to compare your find side-by-side with verified photos, try MushDex. It’s a free mushroom identification tool available both online and as a mobile app, and it’s a solid starting point before you consult a local expert.
White Parasol Mushroom Look Alikes
Several white-capped mushrooms share the same lawns and fields. Some will make you sick. Others can kill you. Study these closely.
Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa) — Deadly. Pure white with a sac-like volva at the stem base and a persistent ring. The gills stay white. If you see a membranous cup buried in the soil at the base of the stem, you are not looking at a white parasol. Walk away.
Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) — Deadly. The cap often has a greenish or yellowish tinge, but pale specimens can appear almost white. Look for the prominent volva and white spore print. The death cap favors oak and other broadleaf trees rather than open lawns, but never rely on habitat alone.
Green-Spored Parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites) — Toxic, causes severe gastrointestinal distress. Very common on lawns in warm climates. Its cap is whitish with brownish scales, and the spore print is distinctly green. A spore print separates it from the white parasol every time.
Fool’s Mushroom (Amanita verna) — Deadly. Another all-white Amanita with a volva and ring, found in spring and early summer in parts of Europe. Virtually identical in lethality to the destroying angel. Always dig up the base to check for a volva.
Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) — Edible and popular among foragers. Much larger than the white parasol, with a shaggy, snakeskin-patterned stem and a prominent, movable ring. Its cap carries coarse brown scales on a pale background. Size and the scaly cap set it apart.
Is the White Parasol Safe to Eat?
The short answer: it’s considered edible by many foraging guides. The longer answer demands your full attention.
Leucoagaricus leucothites is eaten in parts of Europe and North America, and those who collect it describe a mild, pleasant flavor. But this species sits in a dangerous neighborhood. Its plain white appearance overlaps with several lethal Amanita species, and the consequences of a misidentification are fatal. No amount of cooking destroys amatoxins.
Many experienced foragers choose to leave the white parasol alone, not because it’s toxic, but because the risk-to-reward ratio is poor. There are tastier mushrooms that don’t share a look with the destroying angel.
If you do decide to eat it, verify every identification feature: free gills, no volva, white-to-cream spore print, grassland habitat, and a ring without a cup at the base. Cross-reference with a free online mushroom identification resource, and confirm with an experienced forager or your local mycological society. Never eat a wild mushroom based solely on an app or a single source.
Where and When to Find White Parasol Mushrooms
Step out onto a well-watered lawn after two or three days of rain in late summer. Scan the grass at knee height. That’s prime white parasol territory.
This species is saprotrophic, feeding on decaying organic matter in the soil rather than forming partnerships with tree roots. It shows up in parks, athletic fields, cemeteries, suburban yards, and roadside grass strips. It prefers nutrient-rich, regularly disturbed ground.
In North America it fruits from July through October, depending on rainfall and local climate. In the UK and mainland Europe, expect it from August into November. Southern-hemisphere foragers report it in their own autumn months. Warm, wet conditions after a dry spell produce the best flushes.
White parasols often appear in scattered groups rather than dense clusters. Walk slowly and look for that clean white dome sitting just above the grass line. They can pop up year after year in the same spot, so mark a productive lawn and come back.
How to Prepare White Parasol Mushrooms
Only prepare this mushroom if you are completely certain of your identification. Read the safety section above one more time before you start cooking.
Trim the stem base and brush off any grass or soil. The caps hold up well when sliced and pan-fried in butter with a little garlic and salt. They have a mild, slightly nutty taste that doesn’t overpower other ingredients. Avoid eating them raw.
Some foragers bread and fry the caps whole, treating them like a schnitzel. Others dice them into risottos or fold them into omelets. They cook down a fair amount, so collect more than you think you need.
Start with a small portion on your first try. Even with correctly identified edible species, individual reactions vary. If you experience any nausea, stomach cramping, or discomfort, stop eating them and seek medical advice. Keep a raw specimen aside in case a doctor or poison control center needs to confirm the species.
A grassroots motorsport recap has a simple job: help someone understand the occasion without pretending that every viewer stood beside the circuit. A clear sequence can do more than a pile of dramatic transitions. Before choosing effects, write down the audience, the purpose of the video, and the facts that the team can verify. A supporter update, a club announcement, and an explanation for a new volunteer need different openings.
Start with a short outline: where the activity took place, what the audience should notice, and which moment deserves the closing frame. Use placeholders for anything that has not been confirmed. A planning document should never turn an imagined scene into a claim about a real driver, result, sponsor, or event.
Separate reference material from a finished recap
Gather only photographs, clips, logos, and audio that the team has permission to use. Record the owner and any required credit beside each asset. A photograph found through a search engine is not automatically cleared for publication. When a driver, volunteer, or spectator is identifiable, consider consent and the context in which the material will appear.
Build a rough shot list before generating anything. For each scene, specify the subject, the intended duration, the words on screen, and the source material. An AI video generator from Magic Hour can be considered for an illustrative concept, but the output should be treated as a draft to inspect rather than evidence of an actual racing moment. Keep generated visuals separate from documentary footage in the asset folder.
Give still images one clear purpose
A still photograph can introduce a location, show a detail, or give the viewer time to read an announcement. It does not need a complicated camera move. When exploring an image to video AI workflow, describe the intended movement narrowly and inspect the result for changes to numbers, lettering, equipment, faces, and background details. If the motion invents a misleading action, use the original still instead.
A useful review question is whether a viewer could mistake the illustrative sequence for footage captured at the event. If the answer is yes, change the presentation or explain the illustration clearly. Do not reconstruct an incident, imply an endorsement, or present a generated result as an authentic record.
Review voice and likeness separately
Spoken narration should be understandable on its own before it is attached to an image. Write a short script, read it aloud, and remove details that cannot be substantiated. Captions should preserve the meaning without covering the subject. A lip sync AI tool belongs in a consent-based illustrative workflow, not in a fabricated interview. Never make a real person appear to say something they did not approve.
The same care applies to Magic Hour AI character replacement. If a concept uses a fictional character or an authorized likeness, check every frame for confusing changes. Do not substitute a person into a real racing scene in a way that changes its meaning. A straightforward title card is often a better choice when identity or permission is uncertain.
Finish with a publication checklist
Before release, have the responsible editor check the names, dates, permissions, captions, audio, and order of scenes. Watch the recap once without sound and once while listening away from the screen. This can reveal missing context and text that moves too quickly. Keep the editable project and the original licensed assets so corrections do not require rebuilding the entire sequence.
The goal is a useful, truthful recap, not a demonstration of every available effect. Keep generated concepts labeled where needed, protect the distinction between illustration and documentation, and let the verified story determine which visuals earn a place in the final cut.
Editorial note: This article was drafted with AI assistance. It describes a planning workflow, not a product benchmark or an account of a specific motorsport event.
Household mess rarely develops at the same rate in every room. A kitchen used for several meals each day collects crumbs, splashes, dishes, and floor debris much faster than a spare bedroom. Treating both spaces as equal priorities creates extra work without necessarily producing a noticeably cleaner home.
A useful cleaning routine follows actual household activity instead of a rigid whole-house checklist. Cleaning Services can fit into that approach when regular upkeep competes with work, family responsibilities, or other demands. The aim is to identify where dirt develops, decide which tasks need frequent attention, and leave lower-use areas on a slower schedule.
Building such a routine requires observation rather than complicated planning. Shorely Clean operates within a type of household care where different rooms naturally have different maintenance demands. Looking at traffic, surface types, clutter, cooking habits, pets, and changing schedules provides a practical basis for deciding what deserves attention first.
Start With How Each Room Is Actually Used
Room function provides a better starting point than room size. A small bathroom shared by several people may require more frequent cleaning than a large formal dining room that sees occasional use. The difference comes from repeated contact, moisture, personal products, and the amount of debris created during ordinary activity.
Walk through the home and consider what happens in each space during a typical week. Kitchens handle food preparation, bathrooms deal with moisture, entryways receive outdoor dirt, and living rooms collect belongings from different activities. Bedrooms usually develop a different mixture of dust, clothing, bedding, and personal items.
This review makes priorities easier to set. Instead of assigning every room a weekly deep clean, homeowners can identify tasks according to how quickly visible mess returns. A schedule built around real use is also easier to adjust when routines change.
Separate Frequent Tasks From Periodic Cleaning
Some household tasks lose their value when postponed for too long. Food spills, crumbs, wet bathroom counters, and obvious floor debris are easier to address soon after they appear. Allowing these small problems to accumulate makes the next planned cleaning session longer and less focused.
Other jobs can comfortably follow a slower rotation. Dusting less-used furniture, wiping baseboards, cleaning certain cabinet surfaces, or addressing guest rooms may not need the same frequency as kitchen counters or bathroom fixtures. Cleaning Services become easier to plan when homeowners understand which responsibilities are immediate and which can wait.
Create a Short List of Repeat Priorities
A long checklist often makes routine cleaning feel larger than it is. Instead, identify a few tasks that repeatedly affect the appearance and usability of each high-traffic room. Kitchen counters, bathroom sinks, dining surfaces, and frequently used floors are common examples.
Lower-priority work can move through a rotating list. One week might include window sills, while another includes cabinet fronts or less-used furniture. Rotation keeps secondary areas from being ignored without turning every cleaning day into an exhausting project.
Give the Kitchen Its Own Cleaning Rhythm
Kitchen mess develops in several ways at once. Food preparation leaves residue on counters and cooking areas, dishes occupy usable workspace, and crumbs migrate onto floors. Appliance handles and cabinet fronts may also collect marks because people touch them repeatedly while preparing meals.
Daily attention does not need to involve every kitchen surface. Clearing dishes, wiping fresh spills, removing food residue, and keeping preparation areas usable may be enough between longer sessions. Less urgent work can remain on a planned schedule based on visible need.
Shorely Clean fits naturally into conversations about household routines because scheduled cleaning and daily maintenance address different parts of the workload. Professional visits do not remove the need to deal with a fresh spill, just as quick daily wiping does not address every surface. Dividing those responsibilities prevents ordinary kitchen use from becoming one large cleaning job.
Match Bathroom Frequency to Traffic and Moisture
Bathrooms create cleaning demands that differ sharply from bedrooms and living areas. Water spots, soap residue, personal products, hair, and frequent contact with fixtures can make a heavily used bathroom look untidy within a short period. A guest bathroom that remains unused for days may change very little during the same time.
Frequency should therefore follow actual traffic. Shared bathrooms may need quick checks between planned cleaning sessions, particularly around sinks, counters, toilets, and floors. Less-used spaces can stay on a longer rotation while still receiving enough attention to prevent dust and residue from accumulating.
Crowded counters also affect how quickly bathroom cleaning can be completed. Bottles, grooming tools, cosmetics, and other belongings make surfaces harder to reach. Returning unnecessary items to storage creates access to the counter and reduces the amount of moving and replacing required during cleaning.
Treat Clutter and Dirt as Different Problems
A room may appear messy even when its surfaces are reasonably clean. Clothing on chairs, toys across the floor, paperwork on tables, and charging cables around furniture create visual disorder and block access to areas that need cleaning. Wiping around these objects rarely solves the underlying problem.
Organization should happen before detailed surface work whenever practical. Returning belongings to their normal locations exposes floors, tables, counters, and furniture that otherwise remain partially covered. Cleaners are then able to focus on cleaning rather than repeatedly relocating personal items throughout a room.
Small resets between scheduled sessions reduce this problem. Putting away objects after use and keeping major surfaces reasonably clear takes less effort than sorting accumulated clutter later. It also reveals spills, dust, or crumbs before they remain hidden for extended periods.
Use Entryways to Control Dirt Before It Travels
Entryways influence more than the area immediately around the door. Shoes, bags, packages, coats, and outdoor debris frequently gather there, while foot traffic carries loose material toward hallways and living spaces. Ignoring a busy entrance can therefore increase floor cleaning elsewhere.
A simple entry routine begins with removing unnecessary objects from walking areas. Mats should be checked for accumulated debris, and visible dirt on nearby flooring can be addressed before it spreads. Storage that gives commonly used belongings a consistent place also prevents the entrance from becoming a temporary holding area.
These habits are especially useful in households with frequent arrivals and departures. The objective is not to keep an entrance untouched throughout the day. It is to limit the amount of dirt and clutter that moves farther into the home.
Adjust the Routine When Household Patterns Change
No cleaning schedule remains equally suitable throughout the year. Visitors, school breaks, working from home, cooking more frequently, or spending additional time indoors can change which rooms receive the heaviest use. A schedule should respond to those shifts rather than preserving frequencies that no longer match reality.
Cleaning Services may become part of that adjustment when the amount of available time changes or routine household work begins accumulating. The useful question is not whether every task follows its original day, but whether frequently used spaces remain manageable. Tasks can move between daily, weekly, and occasional categories as household activity changes.
Shorely Clean can be considered within this flexible model without treating scheduled assistance as a replacement for everyday habits. Promptly handling spills, putting belongings away, and controlling obvious debris still reduces buildup between larger cleaning sessions. A workable routine combines these small actions with planned attention to areas that require more detailed care.
Let Visible Need Guide the Next Cleaning Session
A practical cleaning plan should make household care easier to manage, not create another demanding set of rules. Rooms with heavy traffic, food preparation, moisture, pets, or frequent gatherings naturally need attention sooner than quiet spaces. Observing those patterns gives homeowners a clearer basis for setting priorities.
Schedules also work better when they leave room for adjustment. If one room remains clean longer than expected, its less urgent tasks can move back while another area receives attention sooner. This prevents time from being spent cleaning already acceptable spaces simply because a calendar says they are due.
The strongest routine is one that remains realistic enough to repeat. Focus first on visible need, keep clutter from blocking cleaning, and rotate secondary tasks instead of tackling everything at once. Household activity will continue to change, so the cleaning plan should be flexible enough to change with it.
AVONDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 16: Kaden Honeycutt, driver of the #11 Safelite Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POET at Phoenix Raceway on October 16, 2026 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images).
Kaden Honeycutt took a critical step towards his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship quest by winning the 2026 Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, on Friday, October 16.
The 23-year-old Honeycutt from Willow Park, Texas, led a race-high 53 of 150-scheduled laps in an event where he qualified on the front row and raced upfront from the drop of the green flag to the drop of the checkered flag. Despite not having the early pace to contend for the lead throughout the first two stage periods, he notched respective finishes of fourth and second to remain in contention.
Then at the start of the event’s third and final stage period, Honeycutt, who restarted on the front row, used four fresh tires to storm to the lead over the field. Despite navigating his way through lapped traffic as the event progressed and the laps dwindled under the lights, Honeycutt, whose handling improved, had enough power and tires to fend off Christian Eckes and title rival Layne Riggs to win in the desert state for a fourth time this season and extend his points lead with a first championship within sight.
With on-track qualifying that determined the starting lineup occurring on Friday, Layne Riggs won the pole position with a lap of 133.141 mph in 27.039 seconds. Kaden Honeycutt qualified in second place with a lap of 132.382 mph in 27.194 seconds.
Prior to the event, Frankie Muniz and Ben Maier dropped to the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments that were made to their respective entries.
When the green flag waved and the event commenced, the field fanned out through the frontstretch’s dogleg and the first two turns as pole-sitter Layne Riggs muscled his No. 34 Love’s Ford F-150 entry ahead with an early lead. As the field cycled through the backstretch, the final two sets of turns (Turns 3 and 4) and back to the frontstretch, Riggs led the first lap while Landen Lewis motored his way into the runner-up spot. Seconds later, Dawson Sutton was penalized for a restart violation.
Over the next four laps, Riggs stretched his early advantage up as high as more than a second over Lewis while the latter fended off Kaden Honeycutt to retain the runner-up spot. By then, Ty Majeski started to challenge Honeycutt for third place while Chandler Smith trailed by more than three seconds in fifth place. Behind, Tanner Gray, Ben Rhodes, Christian Eckes, Tristan McKee and William Sawalich occupied the remaining top-10 spots, respectively, as Riggs led by more than two seconds at the Lap 10 mark.
Just past the Lap 15 mark, Riggs added another second to his advantage as he led by three seconds over Majeski while Lewis, Honeycutt and Chandler Smith occupied the top-five spots. Behind, Eckes, Tanner Gray, Rhodes, Giovanni Ruggiero and Sawalich were in the top 10 ahead of Stewart Friesen, McKee, Connor Mosack, Daniel Hemric and Jake Garcia while Cole Butcher, Leland Honeyman Jr., Brent Crews, Tyler Ankrum, Justin Haley, Andres Perez De Lara and Grant Enfinger pursued in the top-22 mark, respectively.
Through the Lap 20 mark, Majeski shaved off a second of Riggs’ advantage as Riggs was navigating his way through lapped traffic. By then, third-place Lewis trailed the lead by three seconds and fourth-place Honeycutt trailed by four seconds. While a variety of on-track battles ensued within the field both inside and outside of the top-10 mark, Riggs maintained his early advantage by more than a second over Majeski by Lap 30.
At the Lap 35 mark, Riggs’ advantage stood at just above one-and-a-half seconds over Majeski while third-place Lewis and fourth-place Honeycutt trailed the lead by seven seconds apiece. Meanwhile, fifth-place Chandler Smith trailed by eight seconds in fifth place while Eckes, Rhodes, Tanner Gray, Ruggiero and Sawalich continued to race in the top 10, respectively. With Riggs continuing to navigate his way through lapped traffic, Majeski reeled in and reduced the latter’s advantage by half a second on Lap 40.
Then on Lap 43, Majeski capitalized on Riggs getting stalled behind Justin Haley entering the frontstretch to overtake Riggs for the lead. After overtaking Haley, Riggs then used the outside lane through the first two turns to draw even with Majeski and tried to overtake the latter. Riggs then pushed up the track through Turns 3 and 4, which allowed Majeski to motor his No. 88 Menards Ford F-150 entry back ahead by the next lap. Amid Riggs’ charge, Majeski captured his second Truck stage victory of the 2026 season. Riggs settled in second ahead of Lewis, Honeycutt and Chandler Smith while Eckes, Rhodes, Tanner Gray, Ruggiero and Jake Garcia were scored in the top 10, respectively. With seven Chase contenders (Majeski, Riggs, Honeycutt, Smith, Eckes, Rhodes and Ruggiero) racking up the event’s first round of stage points, the remaining Chasers that include Hemric, Ankrum and Enfinger were mired in 13th, 18th and 20th, respectively.
Under the event’s first stage break period, the lead lap field led by Majeski pitted for the first time of the event. Following the pit stops, Majeski retained the lead by exiting pit road first over Honeycutt, Riggs, Eckes and Lewis while Ruggiero, Smith, Gray, Hemric and Garcia followed suit, respectively.
The second stage period started on Lap 54 as Majeski and Honeycutt occupied the front row. At the start, the field dived through the frontstretch’s dogleg and fanned out through the first two turns. At the front, Majeski and Honeycutt dueled for the lead through the backstretch until Majeski used the outside lane to fend off Honeycutt and lead the next lap. Shortly after, Riggs used the dogleg and reeled in on Honeycutt in a battle for the runner-up spot. By Lap 56, Honeycutt forced Riggs up the track through the first two turns, which allowed the former to retain the spot over the latter as Eckes tried to reel in from fourth place. As Tanner Gray started to drift backwards with a tire rub amid on-track contact, Eckes battled Riggs for third place while Majeski led by four-tenths of a second on Lap 60.
At the Lap 65 mark, Majeski stretched his advantage by more than a second over Honeycutt while Eckes, who outdueled Riggs for third place, trailed by three-and-a-half seconds. Meanwhile, Ruggiero was in fifth ahead of Lewis while Hemric, Chandler Smith, Rhodes and Garcia were racing in the top 10 ahead of Sawalich, Perez De Lara, Cole Butcher, Stewart Friesen, McKee, Crews, Mosack, Honeyman, Enfinger and Ankrum, respectively.
Just past the Lap 70 mark, Majeski continued to extend his advantage as he led by more than two seconds over Honeycutt while third-place Eckes, fourth-place Riggs and fifth-place Ruggiero trailed by three, four and six seconds, respectively. Majeski stabilized his two-second advantage by the event’s halfway mark on Lap 75 before his lead slightly decreased by just over one-and-a-half seconds by Lap 80.
Then on the final lap of the second stage period, the caution flew due to a right-rear tire carcass coming off of Ben Rhodes’ entry that was spotted on the track as Rhodes, who was racing in the top-10 mark, was forced to pit. This caution period was enough for the second stage period to conclude under caution as Majeski cruised to his second consecutive Truck stage victory of Friday’s event at Phoenix and his third of the 2026 season. Honeycutt trailed in the runner-up spot while Eckes, Riggs, Garcia, Ruggiero, Smith, Hemric, Lewis and Sawalich were scored in the top 10, respectively. With seven Chasers (Majeski, Honeycutt, Eckes, Riggs, Ruggiero, Smith and Hemric) notching up the event’s second round of stage points, the remaining Chasers that include Enfinger, Ankrum and Rhodes were mired in 17th, 18th and 24th, respectively, with Rhodes losing a lap from his pit stop.
During the event’s second stage break period, Lewis pitted before pit road became accessible for the field due to a mechanical issue. Once pit road became accessible for the lead, Majeski led the lead lap field to pit road. Following the pit stops, Stewart Friesen exited pit road first after he only opted for a two-tire pit service. Honeycutt, Majeski, Eckes, Riggs, Garcia, Ruggiero, Sawalich, Perez De Lara and Hemric, all of whom pitted for four tires, followed suit, respectively. During the pit stops, Smith was penalized for having too many pit crew members over the pit wall.
With 52 laps remaining, the final stage period commenced as Friesen and Honeycutt occupied the front row. At the start, Honeycutt rocketed to the lead and Friesen quickly plummeted to just above the top-10 mark as the field fanned out and jostled for late spots for a full lap. As Honeycutt led with 50 laps remaining, Eckes trailed in the runner-up spot by seven-tenths of a second while Riggs reeled in on Majeski for third place.
Down to the final 46 laps of the event, Riggs outdueled Majeski amid his attempts over the previous four laps for third place. By then, he trailed the leader Honeycutt by two seconds while Eckes was more than a second behind in the runner-up spot. Behind, Garcia occupied fifth place, Ruggiero and Hemric battled for sixth place and Friesen maintained 10th place despite being on only two fresh tires. As Lewis and Chandler Smith were mired in 18th and 20th, respectively, Honeycutt led by more than a second over Eckes with 40 laps remaining while Riggs continued to trail in third place by more than two seconds.
As the event reached its final 35-lap mark, Honeycutt continued to lead by more than a second over Eckes while third-place Riggs trailed by nearly three seconds. Meanwhile, Majeski was strapped more than three seconds behind in fourth place as Garcia, Hemric, Ruggiero, Sawalich, Perez De Lara and Crews occupied spots in the top-10 mark over Enfinger, Mosack, Friesen, Haley and Ankrum, respectively. Back at the front, Honeycutt slightly increased his late advantage by more than one-and-a-half seconds with 30 laps remaining before his advantage then slightly decreased to just above a second five laps later.
Down to the final 20 laps, Honeycutt stabilized his late advantage by more than a second over Eckes while Riggs trailed by more than two-and-a-half seconds in third place. Majeski retained fourth place as he tried to reel in Riggs for third place and Garcia trailed by more than three seconds in fifth place while the rest of the lead lap field comprising 20 competitors trailed by double digits.
Five laps later, Honeycutt maintained the lead by a second over Eckes as the latter tried to reel in Honeycutt for the lead. Riggs also started to reel in the latter two as he commenced his challenge on Eckes for the runner-up spot shortly after. Eckes trailed Honeycutt by nine-tenths of a second and Riggs trailed by more than a second with 10 laps remaining, with the latter two mounting late efforts to try and reel in Honeycutt for the lead. While navigating through lapped traffic, Honeycutt continued to lead by a second over Eckes and Riggs with five laps remaining.
When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Honeycutt remained in the lead by more than a second over Eckes and Riggs. With the latter two unable to reel in for a final circuit, Honeycutt smoothly steered his No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro entry around Phoenix Raceway for a final time before he returned to the frontstretch and claimed the checkered flag.
With the victory, Honeycutt notched the fourth career Craftsman Truck Series win of his career and of the 2026 season. He recorded the seventh victory of the 2026 Truck season for TRICON Garage, the eighth for Toyota and the fourth of this season for TRICON’s No. 11 Toyota team led by crew chief Scott Zipadelli, with the No. 11 team winning at Phoenix for a second consecutive season.
Above all, Honeycutt, who entered Phoenix with a 17-point advantage after being outdueled by Layne Riggs a week ago at Charlotte, increased his points lead in the Chase standings up to 39 as he is three events away from being in position of achieving his first Truck Series championship and the second in a row for TRICON’s No. 11 team.
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 16: Kaden Honeycutt, driver of the #11 Safelite Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POET at Phoenix Raceway on October 16, 2026 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images).
“Man, pit crew, they did a great job!” Honeycutt said on the frontstretch on FS1. “I give so much credit to them because they’re so damn good. This is so amazing. Phoenix, we finally got one, baby! I just can’t say enough about [crew chief] Scott [Zipadelli]…everyone that works so dang hard on these race trucks. I’m so fortunate to be able to drive these things. They spend all their hours of the day just for me to drive them and I can’t be more grateful for them and so grateful for the opportunity at Toyota Racing. Everyone at TRICON Garage, just so awesome.”
“I just didn’t have good rear grip to start that first stage and Scott went to work for me,” Honeycutt added. “He was never concerned. He just got me locked in the whole time and man, I just can’t thank him enough. They had such great adjustments. Pit crew did their job. I can’t thank them enough.”
Eckes, who led two laps, settled in the runner-up spot for a third consecutive week and for his ninth top-five result of the 2026 season while Riggs, who led 43 laps, finished in third place for his 11th top-five result of this season. Eckes’ runner-up spot vaulted him from fourth to third in the standings, though he was disappointed on falling short of winning for the first time this season, while Riggs had his points deficit to Honeycutt increase by 22 points.
“It’s always great to contend [for wins], but man, it sucks, for sure,” Eckes said. “I came back here [in the Truck Series] to win and we haven’t done that yet. It’s frustrating. I feel like our guys deserve a lot more to go win. We’re bringing race trucks that are just close enough to contend, but just kind of missing one or two things for [Honeycutt] and [Riggs] right now.”
“[Me and Honeycutt]’re running upfront every single race,” Riggs, who remained optimistic, said. “Kind of a back-and-forth battle right now. Tonight wasn’t our night, but I’m not gonna hang my head on it. I’m very proud of the effort by the team. I’m glad that we executed a race. If we could’ve executed like that at Bristol and I not make my mistake at Kansas, we’d be sitting pretty right now…We got Talladega next week. You don’t know what’s gonna happen there.”
Ty Majeski, who led 49 laps and swept the event’s first two stage periods before he struggled throughout the final stage period, settled in fourth place for his sixth top-five result of this season. Jake Garcia, William Sawalich, Daniel Hemric, Giovanni Ruggiero, Grant Enfinger and Brent Crews completed the top 10 in the final running order.
With seven of 10 Chasers (Honeycutt, Eckes, Riggs, Majeski, Hemric, Ruggiero and Enfinger) finishing in the top 10 at Phoenix, the remaining Chasers, including Tyler Ankrum, Chandler Smith and Ben Rhodes, finished 13th, 15th and 21st, respectively.
The fourth Craftsman Truck Series Chase event of the 2026 season at Phoenix saw six lead changes among five leaders, and two cautions over 16 laps. In addition, 19 of 36 starters finished on the lead lap.
Results:
Kaden Honeycutt, 53 laps led
Christian Eckes, two laps led
Layne Riggs, 43 laps led
Ty Majeski, 49 laps led, Stages 1 & 2 winner
Jake Garcia
William Sawalich
Daniel Hemric
Giovanni Ruggiero
Grant Enfinger
Brent Crews
Connor Mosack
Andres Perez De Lara
Tyler Ankrum
Tristan McKee
Chandler Smith
Landen Lewis
Corey LaJoie
Cole Butcher
Stewart Friesen, three laps led
Justin Haley, one lap down
Ben Rhodes, one lap down
Dawson Sutton, two laps down
Brenden Queen, two laps down
Donovan Strauss, three laps down
Ben Maier, three laps down
Kris Wright, three laps down
Tyler Reif, three laps down
Tanner Gray, three laps down
Mini Tyrrell, three laps down
Conor Daly, three laps down
Toni Breidinger, three laps down
Monty Tipton, three laps down
Frankie Muniz, three laps down
Leland Honeyman Jr., five laps down
Clayton Green, five laps down
Jackson Lee, eight laps down
*Bold indicates Chase Drivers
After the fourth Chase event of the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, Kaden Honeycutt leads the standings by 39 points over Layne Riggs. The rest of the 10-Truck Chase field is displayed below.
Chase Standings:
1 Kaden Honeycutt 2. Layne Riggs -39 3. Christian Eckes -112 4. Chandler Smith -117 5. Ty Majeski -135 6. Daniel Hemric -148 7. Giovanni Ruggiero -151 8. Grant Enfinger -184 9. Ben Rhodes -188 10. Tyler Ankrum -201
Next on the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase schedule is Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, for the Love’s RV Stop 225. The event is scheduled to occur next Friday, October 23, and air at 4 p.m. ET on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM.
Layne Riggs won the pole position for the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, on Friday, October 16.
The event’s starting lineup was determined through an on-track qualifying session that consisted of a single-truck, one-lap qualifying format. During the session, each of the 36 competitors vying for 36 starting spots cycled around Phoenix once to post the fastest lap amongst one another. The competitor who posted the single fastest lap was awarded the pole position.
During the session, Riggs, who was the 20th-fastest competitor during practice earlier on Friday and was the final competitor in line to qualify, utilized his one-lap qualifying session to post a lap at 133.141 mph in 27.039 seconds. Riggs’ lap was enough for the 24-year-old Bahama, North Carolina, native and driver of the No. 34 Love’s/Front Row Motorsports Ford F-150 entry to secure the top-starting spot.
With the pole, Riggs notched his ninth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career pole, his second at Phoenix Raceway and his fifth of the 2026 season. Riggs, who is coming off last weekend’s victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway, is currently ranked in the runner-up spot in the Chase standings. He trails points leader Kaden Honeycutt by 17 points as he has four races remaining on the schedule, including this weekend at Phoenix, to reel in Honeycutt and contend for his first series’ championship.
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 16: Layne Riggs, driver of the #34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford, poses with the pole award winner $1,00.00 check during qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POET at Phoenix Raceway on October 16, 2026 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images).
Ironically, Riggs will share the front row with Honeycutt, the latter of whom was the fastest in practice and qualified in second place at 132.382 mph in 27.194 seconds. Chandler Smith, Landen Lewis and Ben Rhodes will start in the top five, respectively. Ty Majeski, Tristan McKee, Tanner Gray, William Sawalich and Connor Mosack will start in the top 10, respectively.
With five of 10 Chase contenders (Riggs, Honeycutt, Smith, Rhodes, Majeski) starting in the top-10 mark at Phoenix, the remaining Chasers that include Christian Eckes, Grant Enfinger, Giovanni Ruggiero, Daniel Hemric and Tyler Ankrum will start 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th and 21st, respectively.
With 36 competitors vying for 36 starting spots, all made the main event.
Phoenix – Starting Lineup:
Layne Riggs, 133.141 mph, 27.039 seconds
Kaden Honeycutt, 132.382 mph, 27.194 seconds
Chandler Smith, 132.125 mph, 27.247 seconds
Landen Lewis, 131.979 mph, 27.277 seconds
Ben Rhodes, 131.868 mph, 27.300 seconds
Ty Majeski, 131.762 mph, 27.322 seconds
Tristan McKee, 131.680 mph, 27.339 seconds
Tanner Gray, 131.579 mph, 27.360 seconds
William Sawalich, 131.473 mph, 27.382 seconds
Connor Mosack, 131.420 mph, 27.393 seconds
Leland Honeyman Jr., 131.416 mph, 27.394 seconds
Brent Crews, 131.411 mph, 27.395 seconds
Christian Eckes, 131.133 mph, 27.453 seconds
Cole Butcher, 130.828 mph, 27.517 seconds
Grant Enfinger, 130.757 mph, 27.532 seconds
Giovanni Ruggiero, 130.591 mph, 27.567 seconds
Stewart Friesen, 130.567 mph, 27.572 seconds
Daniel Hemric, 130.303 mph, 27.628 seconds
Dawson Sutton, 130.293 mph, 27.630 seconds
Justin Haley, 130.270 mph, 27.635 seconds
Tyler Ankrum, 130.199 mph, 27.650 seconds
Donovan Strauss, 130.001 mph, 27.692 seconds
Jake Garcia, 129.917 mph, 27.710 seconds
Kris Wright, 129.861 mph, 27.722 seconds
Brenden Queen, 129.576 mph, 27.783 seconds
Toni Breidinger, 129.459 mph, 27.808 seconds
Andres Perez De Lara, 129.450 mph, 27.810 seconds
Mini Tyrrell, 129.171 mph, 27.870 seconds
Corey LaJoie, 128.728 mph, 27.966 seconds
Tyler Reif, 128.434 mph, 28.030 seconds
Monty Tipton, 127.060 mph, 28.333 seconds
Conor Daly, 127.011 mph, 28.344 seconds
Jackson Lee, 125.711 mph, 28.637 seconds
Clayton Green, 124.408 mph, 28.937 seconds
Frankie Muniz, 0.000 mph, 0.000 seconds
Ben Maier, 0.000 mph, 0.000 seconds
*Bold indicates Chase Drivers
The 2026 Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 at Phoenix Raceway is scheduled to occur on Friday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champ Palou Quickest with Helping Hand for CGR
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 16, 2026) – Alex Palou didn’t expect to be the quickest driver in Friday’s Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The five-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion had never driven INDY NXT by Firestone machinery before climbing into the No. 11 Chip Ganassi Racing entry on an overcast, chilly day in Central Indiana. He arrived with minimal expectations. His lap time, however, told a different story.
Palou topped the 22-car test, named in memory of Chris Griffis, the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team manager who died suddenly in September 2011. Palou turned a lap of 1 minute, 14.5050 seconds on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course.
“Feels strange, but it feels good,” Palou said. “Feels kind of strange to be a rookie, but I’m a rookie. I’ve never been in this car before, so I’m a rookie in this series. I think a lot of people think that it’s like other sports where you go down and it’s like you’re so much higher level. Here it’s tough. I didn’t expect to be first.”
Tymek Kucharczyk finished second on the day with a lap of 1:14.8209 in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports entry. The Polish driver finished third as a rookie in the standings this past season with two victories. The last time he was on this road course, he won on May 9. The last time he was in this car, he won the Sept. 6 season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Max Taylor was third Friday at 1:14.8453 in the No. 28 Andretti Global entry. Kucharczyk and Taylor were the highest-finishing drivers from the 2026 championship standings to participate in Friday’s test. Taylor finished fourth last season in the same ride.
Max Garcia, who became the second-youngest winner in INDY NXT by Firestone history with his Aug. 30 victory at Milwaukee Mile, finished fourth at 1:14.9443 while testing for HMD Motorsports. The Miami high school senior competed for Abel Motorsports during his rookie season.
Jack Beeton rounded out the top five with a lap of 1:14.9577. He competed for HMD Motorsports this past season but tested the No. 29 Andretti Global entry.
Friday’s test offered an opportunity to experience a different car for Palou and learn from the next generation of open-wheel drivers. The opportunity first arose during the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, when Chip Ganassi Racing asked him to participate. His answer was an easy yes.
“I love driving cars, any kind of car,” Palou said. “Obviously, it’s a bit different to what I’m used to. But you learn so much. These kids are really, really fast in these cars, but any track day is good. Obviously, I wouldn’t do a race, but test day, 100 percent.”
One of Palou’s key points of reference was teammate Alessandro de Tullio, whose progress he had followed throughout the 2026 season. De Tullio recorded two wins and eight poles during his rookie season with AJ Foyt Racing. Friday marked his first day testing with Chip Ganassi Racing, and he finished sixth quickest with a lap of 1:15.0009.
“I think we have an incredible reference in our team with de Tullio,” Palou said. “He’s been so fast all year, and I’ve been following him a lot.”
The 22 cars combined to complete 1,573 laps during the test.
The 2027 INDY NXT by Firestone season begins the first weekend of March on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Fort Mill, SC; October 16, 2026 – Continental Tire today announced a new partnership with the ARCA Menards Series beginning with the 2027 racing season. The agreement expands Continental’s presence in motorsports and strengthens its connection with one of racing’s most passionate and engaged fan communities.
For more than 70 years, the ARCA Menards Series has played a significant role in American motorsports, serving as a proving ground for drivers, teams, and industry partners while helping shape the future of stock car racing. Throughout its history, the series has built a loyal fan base and earned a reputation as one of the sport’s most respected development platforms.
For Continental, the partnership represents a unique opportunity to engage with an audience that shares a passion for performance, competition, engineering, and automotive culture. ARCA fans are deeply engaged with the sport, and their interests closely align with Continental’s longstanding commitment to delivering premium tire technology and performance-driven products.
The partnership also highlights the connection between the racetrack and the road. The performance, engineering and innovation that defines motorsports is reflected in the products Continental delivers to millions of drivers every day. From enthusiast vehicles and performance cars to family SUVs and daily commuters, Continental continues to develop tires designed to meet the demands of drivers wherever their journey takes them.
“Motorsports has long been an important part of Continental’s heritage, making the ARCA Menards Series a natural fit for our brand. This partnership allows us to connect with passionate racing fans while reinforcing the link between the performance, innovation and engineering found on the track and our products trusted by drivers every day. We are excited to support the ARCA community and continue growing Continental’s presence in motorsports,” said Brian Beierwaltes, Head of Marketing U.S. Passenger and Light Truck.
The partnership marks another step in Continental’s continued investment in motorsports and passionate automotive communities across North America. Through integrated marketing initiatives, fan engagement opportunities, and race-weekend activations, Continental will work alongside ARCA to celebrate the passion and spirit that drives the sport forward.
“The Continental name may be new to ARCA competition, but our commitment to the series is anything but new. Through General Tire and Hoosier Racing Tire, our family of brands has proudly supported ARCA competitors since 1995. We are excited to build on that foundation and bring Continental’s global reputation for innovation, performance and confidence to one of America’s most respected developmental racing series,” said Alexandra Gaillard Continental Tire Global Chief Marketing Officer.
Together, Continental Tire and the ARCA Menards Series look forward to building meaningful connections with racing fans across the country while supporting the continued growth of one of America’s most historic motorsports series.
Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 76,000 people in 54 countries and markets.
Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer and smarter. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has been delivering top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2025, the Tires group sector generated sales of 13.8 billion euros. Continental’s tire division currently employs around 53,000 people worldwide and has 19 production and 16 development sites.
Phoenix, Ariz. (Oct. 16, 2026) – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport announced today that Brennan Poole will drive the organization’s No. 31 Chevrolet full time during the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.
For Poole and Anderson, the partnership represents a full-circle moment in a relationship that began in 2004. What started as two young drivers competing against each other in Legends cars grew into more than 20 years of crossing paths throughout the racing ranks, sharing similar ambitions, and developing a mutual respect both on and off the track.
“The opportunity to race for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is special to me,” said Poole. “Returning to an organization with a strong manufacturer relationship is a big deal. I’ve spent a majority of my NASCAR career behind the wheel of a Chevrolet and look forward to continuing that relationship.
“John (Bommarito) and Jordan (Anderson) have invested an incredible amount of time, effort and resources to build a race-winning team. I’m ready to get to work and showcase the driver I feel I am and can be with the support of my new team and amazing partners coming along for the ride.”
At 35, Poole brings a veteran presence to Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport with 219 career starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and 43 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. Having competed full-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series over the previous four seasons, Poole has established himself as a consistent and determined competitor, earning a reputation for maximizing the performance of his equipment.
For Anderson, the decision to bring Poole into the organization is rooted in both their longstanding relationship and a shared vision for the team’s future.
“This one is pretty special for me personally,” said team president Jordan Anderson. “Brennan and I first started racing against each other back in 2004 in Legends cars. We were both just kids with big dreams, trying to figure out how to make a career in this sport. Over the last 20-plus years, our paths have crossed so many times, and we’ve spent a good portion of our careers competing against each other.
“To see how those journeys have come together, and now have the opportunity to work alongside one another, is something I don’t take for granted. We’ve always had mutual respect for each other, and our shared faith and values make this partnership even more meaningful. Sometimes you look back and realize how things have come full circle, and this is certainly one of those moments.
“From a competition standpoint, Brennan is exactly the kind of driver we were looking for as we prepare for the next chapter of our organization. I’ve watched him get everything possible out of the equipment underneath him for years. He knows how to race, he knows how to communicate what we need to make our cars better, and he understands what it takes to help build a competitive program.
“I’m excited to finally be on the same side as Brennan after all these years, and even more excited to see what we can accomplish together in 2027.”
Poole’s move also brings continued support from partners eager to join him in his next chapter. Macc Door Systems expressed confidence in Poole and the season ahead, stating, “We are very excited for this opportunity for Brennan and are looking forward to next season. We have a lot of faith in his abilities.”
Toxic Waste Candy shared that excitement, stating, “We could not be more excited to follow Brennan in the next chapter of his racing career. As the sweet ambassador to our sour brand, Brennan truly shows his passion on and off the track. We look forward to many more races in 2027 running on the power of sour.”
CW & Sons and Clarks Directional Boring also welcomed the opportunity to continue supporting Poole as he joins Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport. “CW & Sons and Clarks Directional Boring are honored to continue our relationship with Brennan Poole and his new team. We look forward to a great year,” the companies said.
About Jordan Anderson Bommarito Autosport Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport was built from the ground up, fueled by passion, persistence, and a bold vision for what an independent NASCAR team could become. Founded by driver and owner Jordan Anderson, the organization has grown from a grassroots operation hauling a single truck across the country into a competitive multi-car NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team through a pivotal partnership with St. Louis automotive dealer John Bommarito. Along the way, the team has earned wins, poles, and a reputation for grit, growth, and opportunity within the NASCAR garage. Today, Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is investing in talent, innovation, and culture to challenge the status quo and build a new kind of racing legacy.
Ask any Texas race fan what they worry about in spring and you’ll hear about tire strategy, qualifying, maybe whether the cooler will fit in the truck. Hail doesn’t come up until it’s bouncing off the hood.
It should. From the Fort Worth area around Texas Motor Speedway all the way up to the Panhandle, spring and early summer bring storms that can turn a garage full of parts and a half-finished project car into an insurance claim in about fifteen minutes. Amarillo roofers see the aftermath every year, and the fixes they recommend are simple enough to knock out before the next race weekend.
Start With the Building Over Your Car
Your garage roof is the only thing between a hailstone and that fresh paint. Nobody looks.
Walk around the outside and check for missing or curled shingles, dented vents and gutters pulling loose. If the garage is a detached shop with a metal roof, look for loose screws, lifted panel edges and any spot where daylight shows through from inside. Water gets in at the fasteners long before you see a puddle on the floor.
Don’t climb up after a storm. A wet roof is slick and a fall will cost you a lot more than a season of tickets. If something looks off from the ground, get a roofer to check it. Some companies do free inspections with drone photos and a written report, which also gives you something solid to hand an insurance adjuster.
Protect the Project Car
Now the car.
If it’s a convertible or has an older soft top, keep it indoors whenever the forecast mentions hail. A padded car cover helps if it has to sit outside, but it’s a backup plan, not a shield, and big stones will still leave marks. Keep the cover folded somewhere you can grab it fast.
Take clear photos of the car, the garage and your tools at the start of every season, keep them dated in a folder on your phone, and if you ever have to file a claim you’ll have before pictures ready instead of trying to describe from memory what the quarter panel looked like back in March. Date everything.
And think about where everything sits. Parts on open shelves under a skylight or near a leaky corner are asking for trouble. Move the expensive stuff away from the walls and off the floor if water has ever come in before.
The House Counts Too
Racers fuss over the shop. Then the ceiling in the living room starts dripping in the middle of a race broadcast and suddenly everybody cares about the roof.
After a hailstorm, walk the yard and look for shingle pieces, granules piling up at the downspouts, dented gutters and torn window screens. Inside, check the ceilings and the attic for damp spots or a musty smell. Hail bruises shingles in ways that don’t always leak right away, so a roof that seems fine in May can start letting water in by fall.
If you do find damage, ask about emergency tarping, since a properly secured tarp keeps the rain out of the attic and off your stuff for the days or weeks it takes to sort out the insurance side, collect a couple of estimates and pick a contractor you actually trust.
Upgrades That Make Sense in Hail Country
If you’re replacing a roof anyway, look at Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, which are tested under the UL 2218 standard. They’re built to take hail better than standard shingles, and some insurers offer a discount for them, so it’s a fair question for your agent.
For shops and detached garages, metal is a popular pick. R-panel is the familiar ribbed metal you see on barns and work buildings all over Texas, and it’s a practical choice for a garage that’s mostly about function. Standing seam metal has hidden fasteners and a cleaner look, which some people prefer when the shop sits right next to the house. Both shrug off wind better than a tired shingle roof.
Picking a Roofer After the Storm
Storms bring strangers. Some vanish fast.
Stick with a locally owned company that has reviews from your area, gives written estimates, and will help you deal with the insurance claim instead of leaving you to figure it out alone. CRS Roofing & Construction in Amarillo, for example, has more than 1,000 Panhandle projects behind it and a 5-star Google rating, which is the kind of local track record worth looking for wherever you live.
Don’t sign anything on the porch. Don’t let anyone rush you because “the adjuster is coming tomorrow.” Get it in writing.
Race Weekend Habits
Crew chiefs check the car first. Same idea.
Look at the roof in early spring. Photograph your stuff. Know where the car cover is. Have a roofer’s number saved before you need it, because the day after a big hailstorm every phone line in town is busy and the crews are booked for weeks.
Then go enjoy the race. The garage will be there when you get home, and so will the car, dry and dent free.
A four link rear suspension system is one of the most significant upgrades available for a custom build, rod, or off-road vehicle, and it is a decision that affects handling, geometry, and long-term build quality in ways that are not easily undone once the fabrication is complete. Understanding what four link systems do, what differentiates quality kits from budget options, and what the installation process actually demands helps you make a better decision before you buy rather than discovering the gaps afterward.
What a Four Link Suspension System Does
A four link rear suspension controls axle movement through four bars, typically two upper and two lower, that connect the axle housing to the chassis. The geometry of these bars, specifically their length, mounting height, and angle relative to the chassis and the axle, determines how the axle moves under acceleration, braking, and cornering loads.
Compared to a leaf spring setup, a properly designed four link system offers significantly better axle control, more predictable handling under hard acceleration, and the ability to tune pinion angle and anti-squat characteristics through adjustment of the bar lengths and mounting positions. For performance street builds, drag cars, and off-road applications, the geometry control that a four link provides over a leaf spring is the primary motivation for the conversion.
The design of the system, whether triangulated, parallel, or a specific proprietary geometry, determines how the lateral location of the axle is controlled and what handling characteristics the finished system produces. Triangulated four link designs use the angled upper bars to handle both longitudinal and lateral axle location. Parallel systems require a separate lateral locating device such as a Panhard bar or Watts link. Understanding which design fits the application and the available frame space is part of the specification process before any kit is purchased.
What Differentiates a Quality Four Link Kit
The four link kit market spans a wide range of quality levels, and the differences between them are consequential for build quality and long-term performance. The primary quality indicators are the tubing wall thickness and diameter, the quality of the rod end or spherical bearing joints at each end of the bars, the machining precision of the mounting brackets, and whether the geometry of the kit has been engineered for a specific application or is a generic design applied across multiple vehicles.
Tubing that is too thin for the application flexes under load, which changes the effective geometry of the system in motion and reduces the precision of axle control that a four link is supposed to provide. Rod end quality matters because these joints see significant cyclic loading and need to maintain their precision over years of use rather than developing slop that introduces unwanted movement. Bracket machining affects how accurately the system can be set up and how well the finished geometry matches the engineering intent.
Aldan American’s 4 link kits are engineered for specific vehicle applications rather than designed as universal fits, which means the geometry is calculated for the particular chassis and axle combination being used rather than requiring the installer to compensate for generic design assumptions through bracket modification.
The Installation Requirement
A four link conversion is fabrication work. It is not a bolt-on installation in most cases, and the quality of the installation determines whether the engineered geometry of the kit is realized in the finished vehicle or whether fabrication decisions during installation introduce geometry errors that the kit design did not anticipate.
Proper installation requires the ability to accurately position and weld mounting brackets to the chassis and the axle housing, to measure and verify the geometry at each stage of the installation, and to understand the relationship between mounting position choices and the resulting anti-squat percentage, instant center location, and pinion angle behavior under load. Installers who are not familiar with four link geometry can build a system that is structurally sound but geometrically compromised in ways that produce unpredictable handling.
The pinion angle relationship between the driveshaft and the pinion at static ride height, at full compression, and at full droop determines whether the U-joints operate at angles that produce vibration and accelerated wear. Getting this right requires understanding the geometry rather than simply following the mounting positions in the instructions without verifying the resulting angles.
Coilover Selection and System Integration
A four link rear suspension system is typically paired with coilover shocks that replace the leaf springs and provide both the spring rate and the damping for the rear suspension. The coilover selection needs to be appropriate for the vehicle weight, the ride height target, and the intended use, whether that is street driving, performance driving, drag strip use, or off-road application.
Aldan American produces coilover systems alongside their four link kits, which means the shock valving, spring rates, and mounting geometry are designed to work together as an integrated system rather than requiring the builder to match components from different manufacturers and hope the combination works as intended. For builders who want a complete rear suspension solution rather than sourcing individual components, the integrated kit and coilover approach reduces the complexity of the specification process and increases the likelihood that the finished system performs as designed.
