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TOYOTA RACING Weekly Preview 08.05.26

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: August 3 – 9, 2026

NCS/NOAPS/ARCA: Iowa Speedway – Aug. 7-9
ARCA WEST: Portland International Raceway – Aug. 8

PLANO, Texas (Aug. 5, 2026) – NASCAR returns to action with the Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series taking on the 0.875-mile short oval of Iowa Speedway, just outside of Des Moines. They will be joined by the ARCA Menards Series, creating three days of high-intensity short track racing.

The ARCA Menards Series West is also in action this weekend, road course racing at Portland International Raceway.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NOAPS

Camry XSE drivers zero in on ‘The Chase’ … With four races remaining in the Cup Series regular season, Toyota drivers are all around the battle for the postseason. Leading the way for Team Toyota – and in the series point standings – is Denny Hamlin, who leads Tyler Reddick by 84 points entering this weekend. Those two, along with Ty Gibbs (fourth), are already locked into ‘The Chase.’ Also in the provisional field are Chase Briscoe(seventh), Christopher Bell (10th) and Bubba Wallace (14th). Just outside ‘The Chase’ field is Erik Jones, sitting 18th and 44 points out of the 16th position.

Bell, Briscoe look to continue strong pushes … Both Bell and Briscoe arrive in Iowa this weekend on similar hot streaks. Both Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) drivers have finished inside the top-five in four of the last five races, with Bell coming home second in Indianapolis two weeks ago and Briscoe finishing fourth in his home race. In this span, Bell has three runner-up finishes in the last four races, while Briscoe has a win at Chicagoland Speedway. Both make their third career Cup Series starts at Iowa Speedway this weekend, a track where both have captured victory in the O’Reilly Series before.

GR Supra drivers look to make up ground in points … Ahead of this weekend in Iowa, Toyota drivers across the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) are fighting for their place in the postseason field. Brandon Jones is the lead GR Supra driver, sitting sixth in the point standings and is locked into ‘The Chase.’ His JGR teammates Brent Crews (11th) and Taylor Gray (12th) currently round out the provisional postseason field, while William Sawalich is outside looking in, sitting in 13th, just seven points back of Gray.

JGR GR Supra drivers look to continue momentum … Like their counterparts in the Cup Series, a few JGR drivers in the NOAPS are riding momentum going into Iowa this weekend. Crews has five top-10 finishes in the last seven races after coming home sixth two weeks ago in Indianapolis. Jones has 13 top-10s in the last 18 races after finishing ninth in Indianapolis, and Sawalich has consecutive top-fives after placing fifth two weeks ago.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series + West

Another strong lineup for Toyota … For this weekend’s national series race at Iowa, Toyota brings another strong lineup as it eyes win number 10 on the 2026 season. Max Reaves once again pilots the No. 18 Toyota Camry for JGR, seeking his third national series win of the season. For Nitro Motorsports, Jade Avedisian will pilot the No. 15, Jake Bollman continues in the No. 20, Gavan Boschele is back in the No. 25, Isabella Robustois racing in the No. 55 and Thomas Annunziata is in the No. 70. Entering this weekend, Bollman leads Annunziata by a mere three points in the series championship standings with seven races remaining this season.

Lovell, Corry take on Portland … Out west at Portland International Raceway, Nitro Motorsports brings a few strong Toyota Camrys in search of a second consecutive victory in the series. Mia Lovell will drive the No. 15 Toyota Camry this weekend, coming off a runner-up finish at Sonoma Raceway last time out – her second consecutive top-three finish and fifth consecutive top-10, while Sam Corry returns to the No. 25 Toyota Camry. Corry is coming off his first career pole and victory at Sonoma in June. This will be Corry’s third West Series start of the season.

About Toyota

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

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

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

JR Motorsports — NOAPS Iowa Speedway Preview

By
Official Release
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JR Motorsports O’Reilly Auto Parts Team Preview
TRACK – Iowa Speedway (0.875-mile-oval)
NOAPS RACE – Hy-Vee Perks 250 (250 laps / 218.75 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90, ESPN Mobile App at 5:00 p.m. (ET)

Carson Kvapil

No. 1 – Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet

Kvapil 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 22

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 13

Laps Led: 122

Avg. Finish: 11.6

Points: 2nd

Carson Kvapil will head to Iowa Speedway this weekend for the second time in his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series career.

In his debut at Iowa last season, Kvapil brought home a solid ninth-place finish.

On tracks measuring under 1 mile in length, Kvapil has made eight NOAPS starts with four top-five and five top-10 finishes.

After winning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kvapil jumped up to second in the series point standings.

Carson Kvapil

“Iowa is such a fun track to race on and really suits my driving style. The different variations in pavement really make it challenging. I know Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and this entire No. 1 Bass Pro Shops team will bring another rocket ship to the track this weekend. We want to keep building on the momentum we have right now after winning at Indianapolis and put Bass Pro Shops in Victory Lane on Saturday.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture / Precision Build Chevrolet

Allgaier 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 22

Wins: 6

Top 5s: 14

Top 10s: 17

Laps Led: 476

Avg. Finish: 8.9

Points: 1st

Justin Allgaier is a previous NOAPS winner in the cornfields of Iowa, capturing the checkered flag in June of 2018 after leading for a race-high 182 laps.

Overall, Allgaier has earned a combined four top-fives and 12 top-10s to accompany the 2018 victory at Iowa.

In his career on short tracks in the NOAPS, Allgaier has amassed seven wins, 33 top-fives and 52 top-10s in 85 starts.

This weekend in Iowa, Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet will feature a co-branded effort between BRANDT Professional Agriculture and Precision Build.

Justin Allgaier

“Iowa has always been one of my favorite tracks on the schedule. It’s a track that really lets you run in every groove, which makes it a lot of fun. We’ve had some strong runs here in the past, and I know that Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and everyone on this BRANDT Professional Agriculture / Precision Build Chevrolet have been hard at work through the off week to ensure we unload just as strong again this weekend. Hopefully we can have a smooth day and keep this momentum going as we get closer to the Chase getting underway.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet

Smith 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 22

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 6

Top 10s: 10

Laps Led: 51

Avg. Finish: 11.4

Points: 8th

Sammy Smith will head to his home state to race at Iowa for the third time in his NOAPS career. His best finish on the 0.875-mile oval is fourth, and his average finish is 9.5.

In 18 career NOAPS starts on short tracks, Smith has earned seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.

According to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics, Smith is ranked first for most quality passes thus far in 2026, with 1,112.

The No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet is going to have a special look this weekend, paying tribute to the late Michael Annett. The Pilot scheme Smith will run at Iowa is based on Annett’s first livery with JRM in 2017.

Sammy Smith

“Being able to race in my hometown area is always something I look forward to, but even more so this year as we’re honoring Michael (Annett) with the Pilot scheme. He was a great mentor for me, like family to us and a large influence on why I started racing. Thank you to Pilot for allowing us to bring their old branding back for this race at Iowa. It’s really special to me and would mean nothing more to me, my family, and this No. 8 team to park it in Victory Lane and make Michael proud.”

Ross Chastain

No. 9 Registix Chevrolet

Chastain 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 9

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 3

Top 10s: 6

Laps Led: 149

Avg. Finish: 10.6

Points: N/A

Ross Chastain will be making his final NOAPS start with JRM in 2026 this weekend at Iowa.

Chastain has made one previous start at Iowa with JRM in 2025, where he led for 120 laps and finished in third.

In 34 starts at tracks shorter than 1-mile in the NOAPS, Chastain has eight top fives and 12 top-10s with a best finish of second on three occasions (Bristol Motor Speedway, 2020 Dover Motor Speedway, 2020 and Richmond Raceway, 2018).

Registix, the nation’s largest liquidator of home improvement and appliances, will be riding along with Chastain with an updated paint scheme in their signature colors.

Ross Chastain

“This season with JR Motorsports and everyone on this No. 9 team has been so fun and I am looking forward to going back to Iowa this weekend for our last race together. We almost got it done last year, so I know Philip (Bell, crew chief) and everyone else in this group is going to bring a fast Registix Chevrolet to the track. We are keeping up the intensity to hopefully get a great finish for everyone at Registix.”

Rajah Caruth

No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

Caruth 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 22

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 7

Laps Led: 76

Avg. Finish: 20.2

Points: 14th

Rajah Caruth returns to the No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet this weekend at Iowa and will drive the car for the remainder of the 2026 season.

While Caruth will be making his first NASCAR O’Reilly Series start at Iowa, he has competed at the 0.875-mile oval twice in the ARCA Menards Series, earning one top-10 finish in 2021.

On tracks measuring one mile or less this season, Caruth earned a career-best fourth-place finish at Rockingham Speedway and had strong runs at both Dover and Martinsville Speedway before late-race troubles prevented the No. 88 team from delivering the finishes it deserved.

With two races remaining in the regular season, Caruth sits 14th in the championship standings, just 20 points below the Chase cutline as he begins his full-time stretch behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet.

Rajah Caruth

“I’m really happy to get back with Mardy (Lindley, crew chief) and everyone on the No. 88 team for the rest of the season. I haven’t raced at Iowa since the repave, so it’ll definitely be a different challenge than the last time I was there. The track has changed quite a bit, so we’ll spend practice learning what it wants and making sure we’re ready for the race. We’ve had speed on tracks like this all season, and if we can execute all day, I think we’ll have a good shot at a strong finish and gaining some ground in the points.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Iowa Speedway: JR Motorsports has competed at Iowa Speedway a combined 67 times in NOAPS since 2009. In those starts at the 0.875-mile oval, the organization has recorded four wins, 19 top-fives, and 41 top-10s. The average finish is 11.3.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Rajah Caruth will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / HMS WB + AB souvenir rig on Saturday, August 8th, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CDT.

How to Build the Ultimate Motorsport Support Vehicle for Off-Road Racing

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SM
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Photo by Grégory Costa on Pexels

Off-road racing is a team sport. While the spotlight naturally falls on the driver navigating demanding terrain, the unsung hero of any successful campaign is the motorsport support vehicle. Often referred to as a chase truck, this rig must follow the race route, carry essential tools, and safely transport the crew across harsh outback conditions. The Tatts Finke Desert Race is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most demanding off-road motorsport events, with service roads that are equally unforgiving. The Ford Ranger Raptor has earned a strong reputation as a capable platform for off-road motorsport support. However, converting a high-performance ute into a reliable chase truck requires careful planning and strategic modifications.

Armouring Up Against Regional Hazards

The dangers on regional roads are significant, particularly in areas where wildlife is commonly encountered. Animal strikes can cause severe vehicle damage, serious injuries, and lengthy delays for travelling teams. Kangaroos are among the most common hazards for motorists in many parts of Australia, making robust frontal protection an essential consideration for vehicles operating in remote areas.

Despite repeated warnings from road safety authorities, insurer surveys found that one in five Australian drivers would instinctively and dangerously swerve to avoid an animal. Attempting a sudden evasive manoeuvre with a heavy tool trailer attached is a recipe for a rollover. Instead, outfitting your rig with physical armour ensures the vehicle remains operational if a collision occurs. If you are using Ford’s flagship off-roader as your base, installing heavy-duty bull bars for Ford Ranger Raptor provides critical protection for the radiator and steering components. This modification not only safeguards the crew but also ensures the support team actually makes it to the bivouac to service the race car.

Managing Payload and Suspension Stress

A chase truck carries a massive payload. Between spare tyres, welding equipment, hundreds of litres of fuel, and the heavy race trailer itself, the weight adds up incredibly fast. The current generation Ranger Raptor is legally rated to tow 2,500 kg braked, which is a full 1,000 kg less than the standard V6 Ranger due to its performance-focused, long-travel coil-spring rear suspension. Pushing a factory setup beyond its limits is highly dangerous. In fact, understanding how heavy towing damages your truck’s suspension by causing dangerous squatting and swaying is the first step in avoiding catastrophic failure on unsealed outback roads.

To counter these limitations, aftermarket Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrades have become a popular solution. Modern suspension systems can legally increase payload capacity while maintaining the suspension geometry needed to cope with rough terrain, deep bulldust, and relentless corrugations. Upgraded heavy-duty springs and high-capacity shock absorbers help keep the support truck stable and responsive, even when carrying a fully loaded complement of racing equipment.

The Ultimate Chase Truck Checklist

Building a reliable support vehicle is about striking a balance between off-road capability and practical utility. When putting together your build sheet, consider the following essentials for your setup:

  • UHF Communications: A high-powered UHF radio setup is vital for communicating with the race car, race control, and other support crews in remote areas with zero mobile phone reception.
  • Advanced Lighting: High-output LED driving lights and roof-mounted light bars are necessary for spotting track hazards and wildlife during night stages or late-night transits between pits.
  • Recovery Gear: A minimum 10,000 lb winch, rated recovery points, and a comprehensive set of snatch straps are mandatory for extracting both your rig and potentially the race car from deep sand or mud.
  • Organised Storage: A custom rear canopy with modular drawers ensures tools, spare parts, and emergency first aid supplies are instantly accessible when every second counts during a frantic pit stop.

A successful off-road racing campaign requires rigorous preparation. By investing in heavy-duty frontal protection, proper suspension upgrades, and reliable recovery gear, you create a motorsport support vehicle that can confidently tackle the harshest conditions in Australia. When the chase truck is built right, the race team can focus entirely on what matters most, which is keeping the car running and crossing the finish line first.

Key Features to Look for When Choosing a Championship Ring

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SM
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Choosing a championship ring isn’t like buying jewelry. The stakes are different. This is a physical record of something a team earned together—a season’s worth of practice, sacrifice, and competition compressed into one object. Getting it wrong isn’t just disappointing; it’s a missed opportunity to honor what the team actually went through.

The good news is that the custom ring industry has matured significantly. Options like Legend Rings’ championship rings, built for teams at all levels, from high school programs to professional organizations, show how much thought now goes into making rings that feel personal rather than mass-produced. But knowing what to look for still matters. Here’s what separates a ring worth keeping from one that ends up in a drawer.

Material Quality

Your first priority should be metal quality. The metal and stones are what you’ll be looking at decades from now, so they need to hold up.

Championship rings are typically made from gold or gold-plated alloys, with options for different karat weights. Heavier rings with higher gold content carry more visual and physical weight, and that weight is something wearers notice. Stones, whether genuine or simulated, should have clarity and consistent cut. A ring that looks impressive in a render but loses its finish within a year hasn’t served its purpose.

Ask any manufacturer directly about materials. A company that stands behind its products, particularly one offering a lifetime warranty, is telling you something meaningful about what it’s prepared to deliver.

Customization Depth

The whole point of a championship ring is that it belongs to a specific team, a specific season, and in many cases a specific person. Generic design defeats that entirely.

Look for manufacturers who offer genuine design consultation rather than just selecting from preset templates. The best processes involve:

  • Custom artwork from scratch: The team’s logo, colors, and aesthetic built into the ring’s structure
  • Side panel personalization: Where individual player names, jersey numbers, or season records typically appear
  • Stone choice and placement: Which affects both the look and the ring’s overall character
  • Finish options: Matte, polished, antique, two-tone; each produces a meaningfully different result

The more control a team has over those decisions, the more the finished ring reflects what was actually achieved.

3D Rendering Before Production

This one gets overlooked, but it matters. Any manufacturer worth working with should provide a detailed 3D render of the ring before a single piece of metal is cast. That render is your chance to catch anything that doesn’t look right—a logo that’s slightly off, text that’s too small to read clearly, a stone placement that doesn’t balance well visually.

Changes are easy before production. After casting, they’re expensive or impossible. The render stage isn’t a formality; it’s the moment where the team’s vision either gets confirmed or corrected.

Turnaround Time and Communication

Championship rings are time-sensitive. They’re often presented at banquets, season-opening ceremonies, or events with fixed dates. A manufacturer who can’t give a realistic production timeline or goes quiet after the order is placed creates problems that are hard to solve under a tight deadline.

Ask upfront: how long does production take? What does communication look like between design approval and delivery? Who’s the point of contact if something needs adjusting? These aren’t difficult questions, but the answers tell you a lot about how the relationship will actually go.

Price Vs. Value

Cost matters, especially for school programs and amateur organizations working within tight budgets. But the cheapest option rarely holds up. Rings priced significantly below market usually reflect compromises in material quality, manufacturing precision, or both.

The better frame is value: what are you getting for what you’re spending? A ring made from quality metals, built through a genuine design process, backed by a warranty, and delivered on schedule is worth more than a cheaper alternative that won’t look the same in five years.

Final Word

A championship ring is the final piece a team creates together, so it deserves the same care and effort put into the season itself. By choosing quality materials, thoughtful design, and a trusted maker who values the ring’s true meaning, you get a keepsake that lasts a lifetime. So, know what to ask for, and you’ll end up with something worth passing on.

NASCAR Launches DEGA-CON to Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Columbia Pictures’ Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

By
Official Release
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Charlotte, North Carolina (August 4, 2026) – Twenty years after Columbia Pictures’ Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby became a cultural phenomenon, NASCAR is bringing fans together to celebrate the connection between the film, the sport and Talladega Superspeedway through DEGA-CON.

The campaign is designed to create new moments for longtime fans while introducing the excitement and personality of NASCAR to broader audiences through entertainment, nostalgia, and pop culture. This event will transform Talladega Superspeedway’s fall race weekend into a celebration that blends NASCAR, entertainment and fan culture in a way only Talladega can.

DEGA-CON was announced today via social media with a creative video presenting DEGA-CON as the solution to Talladega Nights Withdrawal Syndrome (TNWS). The video kicking off the campaign was created by Concept 80 featuring Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, Ross Chastain, Ryan Preece, and Riley Herbst.

The announcement offers an early look at what’s to come, including new content, fan experiences and special collaborations that will build throughout the season leading into Talladega race weekend.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby 20th Anniversary available now on disc and digital. Add it to your collection at https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/talladeganightstheballadofrickybobby.

Additional details about DEGA-CON will be announced in the coming weeks.

About Columbia Pictures’ Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

NASCAR stock car racing sensation Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) is a national hero because of his “win at all costs” approach. He and his loyal racing partner, childhood friend Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly), are a fearless duo — “Thunder” and “Lightning” by their fans for their ability to finish so many races in the #1 and #2 positions, with Cal always in second place. When flamboyant French Formula One driver Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) challenges “Thunder” and “Lightning” for the supremacy of NASCAR, Ricky Bobby must face his own demons and fight Girard for the right to be known as racing’s top driver.

Directed by Adam McKay. Written by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay. Produced by Jimmy Miller and Judd Apatow. Executive producers are Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, David Householter, Richard Glover, Sarah Nettinga, and Ryan Kavanaugh. The film stars Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole, and Michael Clarke Duncan.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.

Spire Motorsports Iowa Corn 350 Race Advance

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Official Release
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  • In six previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Spire Motorsports has one top-10 and two top-15 finishes. Carson Hocevar earned the team’s best result at Iowa in 2025 with an eighth-place finish. Spire Motorsports fields the No. 7, 71 and 77 for Daniel Suárez, Michael McDowell and Hocevar, respectively.
  • The Iowa Corn 350 powered by Ethanol will be televised live on USA Sunday, August 9 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 23rd of 36 points-paying races on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series calendar will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

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

  • Daniel Suárez will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway.
  • The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) empowers communities with clean, safe places for underserved youth to play, learn, and grow. Since 2018, Group 1001 and the CRSF have combined efforts to build 17 youth development parks and install 20 STEM centers nationwide. Group 1001 employees have joined CRSF to host and volunteer for four Community Enhancement Projects. CRSF and Group 1001 have impacted over 100,000 youth in their joint effort to promote active lifestyles and educational opportunities. For more information, visit https://ripkenfoundation.org/.
  • The 2026 Coca-Cola 600 winner holds claim to the second largest improvement in points position through 22 races, making a major jump in the NASCAR Cup Series standings from 29th last year to 11th. Suárez has backed up that climb with one win, two top-five finishes and six top-10s, along with an average finish of 14.7. He has finished outside the top 20 just four times this season and has put himself in a strong position with 14 races remaining.
  • The Monterrey, Mexico, native will make his third NASCAR Cup Series start at Iowa, where he owns one top-10 finish in two starts. He has an average starting position of 19.5, an average finish of 17.0, and has led four laps at the 0.875-mile oval. His best result came in 2024 when he finished ninth, while he finished 25th in last season’s race.
  • Two weeks ago at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Suárez earned a venue-best starting position of second, next to Hocevar on the front row, missing the pole by just 0.056 seconds. He finished seventh in Stage 1 and 10th in Stage 2, before ultimately finishing 17th following a 34-lap green-flag run to end the race.
  • In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Suárez has made four starts at Iowa Speedway, earning one top-five and two top-10 finishes. He has started from the pole twice and from the second position in his other two starts, while leading 110 laps.
  • Suárez’s lone start in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Iowa came in 2016, when he qualified 17th and finished sixth.
  • In the ARCA Menards Series East (formerly NASCAR K&N Pro Series East), Suárez recorded seven starts at Iowa from 2011-2014, earning one top five, four top-10 and seven top 20 finishes.
  • Suárez is a veteran of 345 Cup Series starts and has notched three wins, 26 top fives and 81 top 10s. He’s led 947 laps and earned three poles since making his series debut in 2017.

Daniel Suárez Quote
What does Iowa mean to you and what will it take to be successful this weekend?
“Iowa Speedway is a special place for me because I have a lot of history there. From my K&N days to my time in the O’Reilly Series, it’s a track where I learned a lot and built a lot of confidence. Coming back now with Spire Motorsports, the goal is to take everything I’ve learned over the years and use that experience to help our team keep improving. Iowa is the kind of place where myself, my crew, and the setup all have to work together, and that’s what makes it such a challenge and such a fun track to race.”

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

  • Ryan Sparks is the crew chief for Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and driver Daniel Suárez in the NASCAR Cup Series. Sparks has called 224 Cup Series races where he’s earned one win, six top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.
  • In total, Sparks has called two Iowa Speedway races, where he earned a venue-best 21st-place in 2024 with Corey LaJoie at the controls.
  • Sparks joined Spire Motorsports in 2021, where he served as both Crew Chief and Competition Director, leading the organization’s competitive and technical efforts. In 2026, Sparks serves in a singular role as crew chief for Daniel Suárez. He brings more than a decade of experience across all three national series, highlighted by 13 seasons at Richard Childress Racing and contributions to title-winning campaigns in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (2011) and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2013).

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

  • Michael McDowell will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Delaware Life Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway.
  • Delaware Life is an insurance and annuity company that empowers financial professionals with a wide array of customizable solutions. A subsidiary of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings LLC, Delaware Life focuses on delivering a seamless experience for advisors. The company understands how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation and every individual need. Delaware Life is passionate about equipping advisors with annuities that give their customers peace of mind and a successful future, allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.
  • McDowell has made two Cup Series starts at Iowa Speedway. In his most recent outing in Newton, Iowa, he qualified 13th and finished 27th. His prior start resulted in a 23rd-place effort.
  • The Glendale, Ariz., native tallied eight O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) starts at the 0.875-mile oval, collecting two top fives and seven top 10s, highlighted by a runner-up finish in August 2014.
  • The former NOAPS winner’s best average finish in the series came at Iowa with an average starting position of 8.3 and an average finishing position of 6.9, nearly a 10-position increase from his second-best track.
  • While transitioning from open-wheel racing to stock cars, McDowell made a pair of ARCA Menards Series appearances at Iowa in 2006 and 2007, finishing seventh and second.
  • In the Cup Series’ most recent race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 2021 Daytona 500 Champion earned a career-best qualifying effort of sixth and finished 18th, respectively.
  • The No. 71 Spire Motorsports machine has collected two top-five and five top-10 finishes in 2026. Across the last 11 races, the 2021 Daytona 500 Champion holds an average finish of 16.2.
  • After 22 points-paying races on the 2026 calendar, McDowell is 20th in the Cup Series championship point standings. With four races remaining before The Chase begins in September at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, the father-of-five sits 76 points below the cutline.

Michael McDowell Quote
What makes Iowa Speedway so challenging?
“Iowa is great. The last few years have put on some fun shows. I’ve raced there a bunch in O’Reilly and ARCA. Even in years when I wasn’t running full-time in O’Reilly, I’d still do the standalone races for some of the bigger organizations or whoever had an open seat.

“It was honestly my best track from a results standpoint, but going back there with the Cup car was so different. The track had aged in some areas, then there were new asphalts and patches. It was a very different racetrack.

“The heat, surface, roughness, changes and grip differences from patch to patch or from old asphalt and newer asphalt. There’s so much going on in one lap there. It’s really hard to describe. Iowa is very tricky; it’s like a puzzle piece that you’re putting together, where you catch that grip strip and how you come off it, but I am looking forward to getting there and trying to get it right.”

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

  • ravis Peterson is the crew chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series with driver Michael McDowell.
  • During his time as a race engineer at JR Motorsports, Peterson collected one top five and three top 10s, highlighted by a fourth-place result with Chase Elliott in May 2014.
  • The West Bend, Wisc., native is a 2012 mechanical engineering graduate of the Williams States Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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

  • Carson Hocevar will race Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway, his third start at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet” in NASCAR’s premier division.
  • Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 88 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and majority of the imported manufacturers. Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company. The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.
  • Through 22 races, the Portage, Mich., native sits fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings and has already set career-highs in multiple categories:
  • Season-to-date results of one win, five top fives, nine top 10s
  • 638 points scored
  • 10.4 average start
  • 14.1 average finish
  • The 23-year-old driver has been the most improved driver on the circuit compared to 2025. The team’s average starting and finishing positions have each improved by over eight spots compared to this point in 2025. Hocevar is on pace to improve his average finish by 7.5 positions at the end of the season, while his fifth position in the series’ points is an 18-position improvement compared to the end of 2025. He leads all drivers in both categories.
  • In two previous Iowa starts, Hocevar has collected finishes of 14th and eighth in 2024 and 2025, respectively, while collecting a seventh-place qualifying effort last season.
  • In addition to his two Iowa Cup Series starts, Hocevar also owns a sixth-place effort in last season’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race and a fourth-place finish in the 2019 ARCA Menards Series event at the venue.
  • Last time out at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hocevar collected his third-career pole award and paced the field for the opening 31 circuits. He tallied fourth- and sixth-place finishes in Stage 1 and Stage 2, respectively, adding 12 stage points to his total on the day. After restarting 12th following a caution on Lap 121, Hocevar battled to a ninth-place finish, his ninth top-10 result of the season.
  • The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year registered his first-career victory earlier this season at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. He survived a late-race restart with three laps remaining and brought home the checkered flag to register Spire Motorsports’ second Cup Series win and first since the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

Carson Hocevar Quote
What makes Iowa a difficult track to race?
“It is difficult to race because everyone is fighting for two lanes and you’re all on top of each other. It is really bumpy getting into Turn 1. When you are three or four wide on a restart, if you bottom out over those bumps it is very unpredictable. The lane also moves around a little with the patch, so you are constantly racing the bumps and surface changes. It is a really challenging track, but super fun to race at.”

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

  • Luke Lambert is the crew chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series with driver Carson Hocevar.
  • Lambert is in his third season at Spire Motorsports and fourth with Hocevar. The duo has logged three pole awards, one win, eight top-five and 24 top-10 finishes in 102 races.
  • The 43-year-old called a pair of O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races at Iowa Speedway in 2012, both with driver Elliott Sadler. After a second-place finish in May, the duo returned to the facility in August to take victory from the pole position. Sadler took the lead with 58 laps remaining and held off a late-race charge to claim the checkered flag. The victory marked the fourth and final for the pairing in their championship runners-up campaign.

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

The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado its first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent victory came May 24, 2026, when Daniel Suárez won the NASCAR Cup Series Series’ Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

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

Garrett Smithley Welcome GARSEN Golf To SS-Greenlight and BRK Racing

By
Official Release
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Garsen Golf, in collaboration with Sports Chain, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Garrett Smithley, a veteran stock car series racer with more than 300 professional starts across NASCAR’s O’Reilly, Truck, and Cup Series. Through this partnership, Garsen and Sports Chain will work alongside Smithley to showcase the shared commitment to performance, innovation, and precision that defines both motorsports and golf.

Performance plays a pivotal role in the success of racers on the track and golfers on the course. Dynamic design and state-of-the-art engineering ensure that drivers perform at their peak abilities. Capitalizing on the moments where inches mean the difference between first and second. At Garsen, we approach our putter grips in a similar manner. Our designs help golfers maximize their capabilities on the greens by reducing or removing the variables that prevent a player from taking advantage of every opportunity to score. “The Garsen-Sports Chain LLC-Smithley partnership represents an opportunity to align science and technology across motorsports and golf. Garsen’s scientifically proven design and rich understanding of performance-based products is complementary to what Garrett brings to the racetrack, week in and week out. We see this as a unique opportunity to connect with race fans who know the importance of finely tuned vehicles and highlight the same important components in golf,” said Sports Chain CEO and Garsen General Manger, Andrew Doeck. “With our focus on providing tour quality products and Garrett’s extensive experience and understanding of performance vehicles, we see this not only as an opportunity to connect audiences but also work closely in a way that benefits both sides mutually.”

“I’m proud to be partnering with such great brands as Garsen and Sports Chain. I’ve been a long-time fan of golf, but have only recently begun playing and taking the game more seriously. I can say with confidence that I believe in the Garsen products and what they offer to golfers, having used the products myself,” said Garrett Smithley. “I look forward to working, collaborating, and representing Garsen and Sports Chain each week, and couldn’t be happier to partner with such great companies.” As a part of this partnership, branding for both Garsen and Sports Chain will be displayed on Garrett’s vehicles through the remainder of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season. We look forward to connecting and showcasing our performance capabilities to fans and followers across both the racetrack and the golf course.

About Garsen
Garsen was founded in 2014 by Bernerd Garsen with the goal of delivering a product that would instantly improve a golfer’s putting performance. Since launching the company, Garsen has recorded over 100 worldwide wins, including 3 Major Championships and 3 Olympic Medals. Our innovative putter grips include the QUAD Tour, Ultimate, and MAX, all uniquely designed to provide the same benefit of consistency and confidence in every stroke.

Garsen is a leader within the golf industry as a creator and innovator, having gained the trust of golfers and tour professionals worldwide for the quality and performance of its products.

About Sports Chain
Sports Chain is a sports industry operations, logistics, and growth partner dedicated to helping emerging and established brands scale their businesses. From warehousing and fulfillment to sales strategy, marketing, distribution, and operational support, Sports Chain provides the infrastructure and expertise that allows companies to focus on innovation while accelerating growth.
Built on decades of experience in the sporting goods industry, Sports Chain partners with brands, manufacturers, distributors, and athletes to create meaningful relationships and sustainable growth opportunities. By combining operational excellence with strategic business development, Sports Chain serves as the bridge between great products and the customers who rely on them.

NHRA ADDS MOTION PERFORMANCE RACEWAY TO MEMBER TRACK NETWORK

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Official Release
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GIMLI, MANITOBA, CANADA (Aug. 4, 2026) – NHRA officials are pleased to announce that Motion Performance Raceway at Gimli Motorsports Park has joined the NHRA Member Track Network as part of the West Central Division (Division 5).

Under new ownership, the revitalized facility, which is located in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada, has enjoyed a thrilling rebirth in 2026, recently holding a successful grand opening weekend Aug. 1-2.

“Breathing life back into this track that was left for dead has not been easy, but it certainly has been rewarding,” Motion Performance Raceway Owner Sheldon Root said. “We are looking forward to growing this with the NHRA.”

The team, which also includes track manager Cheryl Sinclair, has put in significant work at the facility, making numerous upgrades and renovations. Following the grand opening over the weekend, the facility has plans for four more weekend events in 2026 and the introduction of several new race programs.

By joining the NHRA Member Track Network, Motion Performance Raceway will be eligible to offer racers in the area a variety of NHRA-sanctioned racing opportunities when the facility opens, including the NHRA Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA Street Legal, NHRA Jr. Street and more. Additionally, the track will have the chance to host NHRA specialty events like the NHRA Summit King of the Track and more.

The facility will also receive access to NHRA’s extensive support programs as part of the member track network, insurance benefits and national marketing platforms as the track continues to grow.

The track is also eager to work with a standout group of local racers in the area, providing a top-tier facility to competitors in Central Canada.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Motion Performance Raceway and the racers of Manitoba, Canada back to the NHRA West Central Division family,” West Central Division Director Nick Duty said. “Sheldon and his team have been working non-stop on improvements to the facility and creating new programs. The support they’ve received from the racers and the community has been amazing. The future of drag racing in Manitoba is in great hands.”

For more information on NHRA, including the full 2026 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.

About NHRA

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

ECHOPARK SPEEDWAY HOSTING TWO THRILLING NASCAR WEEKENDS IN 2027

By
Official Release
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  • The Autotrader 400 headlines EchoPark Speedway’s Spring race weekend Feb. 26–28, 2027.
  • Atlanta’s Night Race weekend returns July 17–18, featuring thrilling NASCAR action in primetime on Sunday night, July 18, in the Dollar Tree 400.
  • For the first time since 2008, EchoPark Speedway will host two NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events in a single season.

HAMPTON, Ga. (Aug. 4, 2026) – EchoPark Speedway will host two thrilling NASCAR weekends in 2027, giving fans two opportunities to experience the high-speed, action-packed racing Atlanta is known for in the spring and summer next year.

EchoPark Speedway will once again host the second points-paying race of the year during its spring race weekend February 26–28, 2027. Fresh off the season-opening DAYTONA 500, the Autotrader 400 will be a highly anticipated event for fans and racers alike. Renowned for its intense and dynamic racing, Atlanta’s Spring NASCAR Cup Series race has set new records for lead changes at the Hampton, Ga., track in each of the last three years. The stars of the Cup Series will hope to perform the final lead change and start their 2027 season with a victory at one of the series’ most competitive venues.

NASCAR will return to EchoPark Speedway July 17–18, 2027, for primetime racing under the lights in Atlanta’s Night Race weekend. The weekend is headlined by Cup Series action in the Dollar Tree 400 on Sunday night, July 18, and features the fast and furious racing EchoPark Speedway is known for, enhanced by the spectacle and intensity of competition under the lights.

“We can’t wait to welcome fans back to EchoPark Speedway for two unforgettable NASCAR weekends in 2027,” said EchoPark Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison. “Whether it’s paired with spring sunshine or the electric atmosphere of racing under the lights on a summer night, fans are enjoying some of the best racing in the world when NASCAR comes to Atlanta. We’re looking forward to delivering more white-knuckle, edge-of-your-seat excitement to everyone who joins us in February and July next year.”

For the first time since 2008, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will make two trips to Hampton, Ga., for its 2027 season. The spring race weekend will see the trucks hit the track on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027; on Saturday night, July 17, 2027, the rising stars of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will battle under the lights.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will make one visit to Georgia in 2027. During Atlanta’s Spring NASCAR weekend, the Bennett Transportation and Logistics 250 will run alongside the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race for the 13th year of EchoPark Speedway’s same-day NASCAR doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027.

Green flag times, weekend entertainment, and complete broadcast information for EchoPark Speedway’s 2027 NASCAR events will be announced at a later date.

Season tickets for all five NASCAR races at EchoPark Speedway in 2027, weekend ticket packages, and single-event tickets are available now at EchoParkSpeedway.com or by calling 770-946-4211.

About the Autotrader 400 weekend:

Atlanta’s Spring NASCAR weekend is headlined by the Autotrader 400 on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027, with intense superspeedway pack racing that challenges NASCAR’s best and dazzles fans.

The race weekend also features the 13th year of Atlanta’s same-day NASCAR doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027. The thrills of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the Bennett Transportation and Logistics 250 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race all happen in one action-packed day.

More information on the Feb. 26–28, 2027 Autotrader 400 weekend and ticket availability can be found online at EchoParkSpeedway.com.

About the Dollar Tree 400:

Atlanta’s Night Race returns with the Dollar Tree 400 on Sunday night, July 18, 2027. Sparks will fly as NASCAR’s best duel into the night on EchoPark Speedway’s challenging high banks.

Before Sunday night’s main event, competitors will hit the track for Sunbelt Rentals Qualifying and the rising stars of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will race under the lights on Saturday night, July 17, 2027.

More information on the July 17–18 Dollar Tree 400 weekend and ticket availability can be found online at EchoParkSpeedway.com.

About EchoPark Speedway:

EchoPark Speedway is a premier entertainment venue located about 30 miles south of Atlanta, Ga.

Since 1960, EchoPark Speedway has been a staple of the NASCAR calendar and currently hosts two weekends of racing in the spring and summer each year. When NASCAR isn’t in town, EchoPark Speedway’s versatile facility hosts an assortment of events that attract visitors from near and far, from Monster Jam to the Georgia State Fair and everything in between.

For more information on EchoPark Speedway and to see upcoming events at the facility, visit EchoParkSpeedway.com.

ARCA Menards Series / ARCA Menards Series East at Iowa Speedway: JR & CO 150

By
Official Release
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THE RACE: JR& CO 150
THE PLACE: Iowa Speedway
THE DATE: Friday, August 7, 2026
THE TIME: 7 pm ET / 6 pm CT
TV: FS1, Live
Radio: MRN, Live

ARCA Menards Series / ARCA Menards East at Iowa Speedway:
JR & CO 150 Pre-race Notes

  • The ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East will come together for the third of four 2026 combination races in Friday’s JR& CO 150 at Iowa Speedway. The race will pay full points through the field for both series, and the winner will be credited with a victory in both series. The JR & CO 150 will be the 14th race of 20 for the ARCA Menards Series and seventh of eight for the ARCA Menards Series East.
  • The battle for the ARCA Menards Series points lead has heated up immensely over the last month, with Jake Bollman (No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Toyota) still in command, but his lead has been cut to just three points over his Nitro Motorsports teammate Thomas Annunziata (No. 70 JBL.com Toyota). Bollman is still on the hunt for his first career series victory, while Annunziata notched his second career victory with his second straight win at Lime Rock Park two races ago.
  • Max Reaves (No. 18 Cook Out Toyota) extended his lead in the ARCA Menards Series East standings last Saturday night with his second East win of the season. Reaves, who has ARCA Menards Series wins at Berlin Raceway and Elko Speedway and East wins at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and Flat Rock, will be making his first career appearance at Iowa Speedway. Joe Gibbs Racing has three wins at Iowa Speedway, two with Ty Gibbs in 2020 and 2021, and one with Brandon Jones in 2022.
  • Pinnacle Racing Group has won at Iowa Speedway the last three years with three different drivers. Luke Fenhaus earned the organization’s first ARCA Menards Series victory in 2023, Connor Zilisch won in 2024, and reigning series champion Brenden “Butterbean” Queen won in 2025. The team has entered Phoenix Raceway winner Carson Brown (No. 28 DWC Distributor Wire & Cable Chevrolet), who will also be making his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut for Jordan Anderson Racing on Saturday, and Tristan McKee (No. 77 Chili’s Chevrolet).
  • McKee, who became the second-youngest ARCA Menards Series winner with his victory at Watkins Glen International in 2025 at 15 years, 4 days of age, turned 16 earlier this week. McKee has ARCA Menards East wins this season at Hickory Motor Speedway, Rockingham Speedway, and Toledo Speedway; the Toledo win was also a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series.
  • Jason Kitzmiller (No. 97 A.L.L. Construction / Carter CAT Chevrolet) heads to Iowa third in the ARCA Menards Series standings. His son Isaac (No. 79 A.L.L. Construction / Carter CAT Chevrolet) also sits third in the ARCA Menards East standings. The elder Kitzmiller has seven top-ten finishes so far in 2026, including a career-best short track finish, fifth, at Elko Speedway. Isaac, who also enters third in the East standings and is the reigning ARCA Menards East champion, is coming off a third-place finish at Flat Rock, which matched his career-best set earlier this season at Hickory and Rockingham.
  • Isabella Robusto (No. 55 Yahoo! Toyota) dropped to fourth in the ARCA Menards Series standings after an early race incident at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. When Lady Luck has been on her side, Robusto has performed well with a pair of top-fives including a season-best fourth at Talladega Superspeedway. Unfortunately, finishes outside the top-20 have cost her in the standings; she’s had five finishes of 21st or worse which have left her 103 points out of the lead in fourth.
  • Gavan Boschele (No. 25 Toyota Racing Toyota) returns for the second consecutive ARCA Menards Series race. He finished fourth last time out at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park before scoring an eighth-place finish in his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut. Boschele has a 4.83 average finish across his six ARCA Menards Series starts in 2026, including a career-best second at Pocono Raceway.
  • Talladega Superspeedway winner Andy Jankowiak (No. 71 USNE Power Chevrolet) returns for the first time since a 14th-place finish at Lime Rock Park. Jankowiak finished fifth at Iowa Speedway in 2024, his only previous start at the 0.875-mile oval.
  • Previous ARCA Menards Series winners at Iowa Speedway include Steven Wallace (2006), Frank Kimmel (2007), Matt Hawkins (2008), Parker Kligerman (2009), Tom Hessert III (2010), Ty Dillon (2011), Alex Bowman (2012), grant Enfinger (2013), Mason Mitchell (2015), Chase Briscoe (2016), Dalton Sargeant (2017), Sheldon Creed (2018), Chandler Smith (2019), Ty Gibbs (2020, 2021), Brandon Jones (2022), Luke Fenhaus (2023), Connor Zilisch (2024), and Brenden Queen (2025).
  • Former ARCA Menards Series East winners at Iowa Speedway include Joey Logano (2007), Brian Ickler (2008), Kyle Busch (2009), David Mayhew (2009), Max Gresham (2010), Brett Moffitt (2011), Chase Elliott (2012), Corey Lajoie (2012), Michael Self (2013), Cole Custer (2013), Ben Rhodes (2014), Brandon Jones (2014), Brandon McReynolds (2015, twice), Todd Gilliland (2016, 2017), Tyler Ankrum (2018), and Sam Mayer (2019).
  • The ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards East track qualifying record at Iowa Speedway was set by Brent Crews in 2025 at 22.901 seconds/137.549 miles per hour.
  • The 33 entries are the most for an ARCA Menards Series race at Iowa Speedway since 2012.
  • The ARCA Menards Series track race record at Iowa Speedway was set by Tom Hessert III in 2010 at 105.634 miles per hour.
  • The ARCA Menards East track standalone race record at Iowa Speedway was set by Kyle Busch in 2009 at 100.800 miles per hour.
  • The race will be run under the Break Pit Stop format; there will be a five-minute break at or near laps 50 and 100 in which teams can change tires, add fuel, make adjustments and repairs.
  • Should the race be extended into overtime, there will be unlimited attempts at a two-lap “green-white-checkered” finish. Should the caution be displayed after the white flag has been shown, there will be unlimited attempts at a one-lap “green and white together” finish.
  • The JR & CO 150 is set for 7 pm ET / 6 pm CT on Friday, August 7. The race will be televised live on FS1 and broadcast live on select affiliates of the MRN Radio network nationwide. Live timing & scoring data and live race audio will be available on ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates please follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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

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

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