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IndyCar Nashville race postponed to Monday

By
Tucker White
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LEBANON, Tenn. - JULY 19: Rain coats the infield at Nashville Superspeedway, after IndyCar postponed the Music City Grand Prix to Monday on July 19, 2026, in Lebanon, Tennessee. Photo: Tucker White/SpeedwayMedia.com

LEBANON, Tenn. — If you have sick days or personal days to burn, use one.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES postponed the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix to Monday, after unyielding rain and lightning. The green flag flies July 20 at 3 p.m. ET, at Nashville Superspeedway.

Thirty minutes before the scheduled green flag, as fans gathered on pit road to watch the final minutes of the 2026 FIFA World Cup title match, lightning struck within the vicinity of the track. Which put the race under a 30-minute hold. Over the next 90 minutes, the cycle repeated. Then the sky opened up. First, it sprinkled. Then the Sun broke through the clouds. The sky, however, opened up again, with more intensity. It stopped long enough for track drying to commence, but then the sky opened one more time and it turned into a monsoon.

Kyle Kirkwood will lead the field to green, Monday, after winning the pole, Saturday.

FOX will carry the TV broadcast, while INDYCAR Radio carries the radio broadcast (simulcast available on SiriusXM Channel 218).

EDITOR’S NOTE: After press time, IndyCar announced it reduced the distance of the race from 300 laps to 225, because the forecast, Monday, calls for record temperatures and a dangerous heat index.

Briggs Danner Leads Wire-To-Wire To Collect The USAC Silver Crown Series Race At Winchester Speedway

By
Briar Starr
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Photo Courtsey of Rich Forman Photo

The 34th annual Rich Vogler Classic took place on Sunday afternoon with the USAC Silver Crown Series at the tight short-track of Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Indiana. A total of 14 cars were entered for the 100-lap feature. To note, caution laps counted until Lap 98 of 100. After qualifying on the pole and holding off a fierce late-race rally from Dakoda Armstrong, pole-sitter Briggs Danner led every lap of the race to take home the 34th annual Rich Vogler Classic.

Once qualifying was concluded earlier in the morning, Danner earned his first career pole position in the USAC Silver Crown Series with a lap time of 14.972 seconds. Danner was also fastest in practice as well. Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Newman was on the entry list as well. Newman has earned five career USAC victories at Winchester, all of which came in Sprint Cars and Midgets combined. In the previous outing in 2025, he finished in the fifth position.

“That was an awesome deal for sure,” Danner said to Flo Racing on the frontstretch. “When you look back at all the races of Kevin (Doran and Kody Swanson) that have ran here and the stats of laps led, and quick times, it’s definitely big shoes to fill. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be able to produce the same results. After yesterday, I was a little nervous. I felt like I had a lot of learning to do, but yesterday’s practice helped me out a lot.

“Happy for the crew guys that put in a lot of effort on this deal. They probably worked a little bit harder than they’re used to, but just a super cool deal. Cool for everyone involved to tick this one off. I feel like every time I get in this car, I have the ability to produce results. If it’s not up front, it’s probably my fault, so happy to check this off.”

The only driver not participating on the entry list was Dave Berkheimer, as he had a DNF prior to the race beginning.

Eventually, the green flag flew, and Danner maintained the top spot with C.J. Leary following closely in second. With five laps complete, it was Danner, Leary, Armstrong, Newman, and Mario Clouser in the top five as the field settled in position. The first caution of the race came out with 87 laps to go for the No. 92 of Newman for a flat right-rear tire. His team replaced the tire and put a new one on.

At 82 to go, the race went back green with Danner, Leary, Armstrong, Clouser, and Justin Grant the top five. Armstrong briefly looked on the inside of Leary for second, but went back in line to stay in the third position. Newman would fall back to 10th after repairs to his tire. Unfortunately, Newman’s day would be cut short as he reported engine problems and was already multiple laps down. The team elected to retire early so it wouldn’t hurt the car much further.

With 71 laps to go, Kaylee Bryson’s No. 11 car had a problem as she came to a stop on the bottom of Turns 3 and 4. The issue was a flat right-rear tire. The second yellow came out just shortly afterward with 70 to go. Her team was able to replace the tire and get her back out there as well. Once again, the race went green with 65 to go with Danner, Leary, Armstrong, Clouser, and Grant your top five. The third yellow came out with 53 to go for Nathan Byrd, who had heavy right-side damage in Turns 1 and 2.

With 50 laps to go signaling the halfway point, the top 10 was Danner, Leary, Armstrong, Clouser, Grant, Tyler Roahrig, Kyle Steffens, Brian Tyler, and Gregg Cory. Eventually, the race went green with 42 to go. Armstrong again looked to pass Leary on the entry of Turn 3, but couldn’t make it work.

However, the green-flag run would be cut short as No. 8 of Steffens suffered a flat right-rear tire, bringing out the caution with 34 to go. The race resumed with 29 to go with Danner and Leary in the first-second position, respectively. With 15 to go, Danner pulled out with a sizable lead. However, there was a three-car battle for the second position with Leary, Armstrong, and Grant jockeying for position.

Armstrong finally made the pass work on Leary for second after Leary had a brief misstep inside 10 to go. Afterward, Armstrong set his eyes on the leader of Danner and cut his lead down significantly as Danner couldn’t get through lap traffic. Eventually, Danner did and was able to control the lead and went on to secure the victory after leading all 100 laps. 

After holding off Armstrong’s late rally, Danner was simply saving his car for the finish.

“Towards the end of the race, I was just kind of saving,” Danner added to Flo Racing following his victory. “I knew I had a pretty good gap and Kevin was doing a good job on the radio helping me run a smart race. All those yellows were not exactly what I wanted to see. I felt like I would get into such a great rhythm about three to four laps in, and I just kept taking it easy on the car, and tires, I kept pulling away. Just wanted to get into rhythm there and finish this one off. 100 laps goes by pretty quick.”

Leary leads the championship points standings over Grant by 36 points.

Official Race Results Following The 34th Annual Rich Vogler Classic At Winchester Speedway

  1. Briggs Danner
  2. Dakoda Armstrong
  3. C.J. Leary
  4. Justin Grant
  5. Mario Clouser
  6. Brian Tyler
  7. Tyler Roahrig
  8. Robert Tyler
  9. Kyle Steffens
  10. Kaylee Bryson
  11. Gregg Cory
  12. Nathan Byrd
  13. Ryan Newman
  14. Dave Berkheimer

Up Next – The next event for the USAC Silver Crown Series is slated for Saturday, August 8 at Iowa Speedway on NASCAR race weekend. However, the USAC National Sprint tour kicks off Indiana Sprint Week on Thursday, July 23 at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All live on Flo Racing.

Nannini Pulls Away To Lead Cape 1-2 Finish at Nashville

By
Official Release
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LEBANON, Tenn. (Sunday, July 19, 2026) – Matteo Nannini earned his second victory of the INDY NXT by Firestone season in the Music City Grand Prix on Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway, and this one meant much more than his first.

Pole sitter Nannini led a 1-2 finish for Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR, driving his No. 20 Enve Motorsports car to a 5.6449-second victory over teammate Nikita Johnson in the No. 21 machine. It was his third career victory in the INDYCAR development series and the first 1-2 finish ever for the longtime junior formula standout Cape team in INDY NXT competition.

This was the first win this year in which Nannini took the checkered flag first. He placed second on track in the second race of the Road America doubleheader last month but was awarded the victory after a procedural violation in post-race inspection with the car of Alessandro de Tullio of AJ Foyt Racing, which crossed the finish line first.

“I’m happy to get P1 on track, actually get it here and not with some penalties and stuff,” Nannini said. “I think it’s great for the team, for me, the sponsors, everybody for confidence. Again, the first of many more.”

Myles Rowe, who had won three of the last four oval races in the series, finished third in the No. 99 Abel Motorsports with Force Indy machine.

Rookie Max Garcia tied his career-best finish by placing fourth in the No. 12 Abel Motorsports car, with Max Taylor rounding out the top five in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen car of Andretti Global.

The fierce championship race also took on a new look with this race, as Johnson returned to the lead by one point, 451-450, over previous leader Enzo Fittipaldi, who finished 11th in the No. 67 HMD Motorsports machine. There are just four races left this season as drivers compete for the INDYCAR career enhancement package awarded to the series champion.

Nannini led 64 of the 65 laps from pole, eventually pulling away to victory by more than five seconds. But those are perhaps two of the most deceiving statistics from the race on the 1.33-mile concrete oval, which featured plenty of action throughout the 23-car field.

The only time Nannini lost the lead came on Lap 17, when Rowe dove under him and Johnson in Turn 1 as they dueled for the lead, jumping from third to first in one move. But the last of two caution flags flew on the next lap for debris as Nannini had just nosed past Rowe to regain the lead.

On the Lap 20 restart, Nannini stayed out front. But the gap to his rivals never exceeded a second over nearly the next 30 laps, as Johnson, Rowe and Lochie Hughes in the No. 26 Andretti Global car all took turns at hounding Nannini’s gearbox and trying to find a way around the Italian.

The complexion of the race changed on Lap 49 when Rowe and Hughes began a wheel-to-wheel duel for second, with Johnson right behind. That joust stirred the crowd, but it also added wear to their Firestone Firehawk tires and let Nannini pull away.

“We had the car to stay out front,” Nannini said. “I was not sure if we were going to get passed, but I wanted to get clean air, so I was driving some different lines depending on how close the guys behind were to me.”

Nannini padded his lead to 1.5 seconds by Lap 50 ahead of the dicing and slicing behind him. By Lap 58, that edge had mushroomed to 4.2 seconds, and Nannini continued to drive away.

Meanwhile, Johnson was able to pass Rowe and Hughes to regain second and grab the points lead. His climb to second comprised some of the track-record 184 on-track passes in this race, including another record 140 for position.

“I tried passing Matteo early on and burned my tires a little bit,” Johnson said. “I just settled in, kind of cleared my mind and made sure the tires got back to normal, pushed again and then at the very end I held off Myles. He was really fast, as well.”

The next INDY NXT by Firestone race is the Grand Prix of Portland on Sunday, Aug. 9 at Portland International Raceway.

Hunter Lawrence Sweeps Motos at Spring Creek to Reclaim Pro Motocross Championship Points Lead

By
Official Release
-

Julien Beaumer Becomes Fourth Different First-Time Winner in 250SMX Class

MILLVILLE, Minn. (July 18, 2026) – The Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, traveled to the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” to begin the second half of the summer campaign, with Round 24 of the 2026 Monster Energy SMX World Championship from the dynamic landscape of Spring Creek MX Park. The FXR Spring Creek National Presented by Frescados Tortillas produced one of the most unpredictable races of the season, as Honda HRC Progressive’s Hunter Lawrence [#96] prevailed in the 450SMX Class with his fourth win of the season following a 1-1 sweep of the motos that put him in the points lead for the third time in seven races. In the 250SMX Class, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer [#13] broke through for his first career victory amidst an afternoon that saw a dramatic shakeup in the championship standings.

450SMX Class

Qualifying

  • Hunter Lawrence began the day atop the charts in morning qualifying with a time of 1:54.746 in the final session. It was just over a half-second faster than Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan [#38], who led the way initially in the first session and bettered his time in the final session to place second overall at 1:55.364. Championship leader and Honda HRC Progressive rider Jett Lawrence [#1] rounded out the top three at 1:56.591.

Moto 1 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

  • The first moto for the premier class got underway with Jett Lawrence, Deegan, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jorge Prado [#26] alongside one another entering the first turn. As the trio pushed wide with Lawrence on the inside, Deegan lost traction with his front tire and went down, which pushed Prado off track. That allowed Hunter Lawrence to slip past everyone on the inside to grab the holeshot and early lead over Jett, with Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia [#51] in third. Deegan reentered at the tail end of the field.
  • Hunter Lawrence opened up a four-second lead over Jett through the first 10 minutes of the moto as the pair pulled away from Barcia and the rest of the field by nearly 20 seconds. Barcia, meanwhile, was engaged in a spirited battle for third with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire [#24]. After a brief fight, Hampshire took control of the position.
  • The top three remained unchanged through the remainder of the moto, as Hunter Lawrence eventually moved out more than 10 seconds clear of Jett, with Hampshire settling in more than 30 seconds back in third. Deegan, meanwhile, was on a torrid charge through the field following his opening lap crash. The rookie impressed as he carved through the star-studded field. As the moto reached its final laps, he was able to break into the top five.
  • Hunter Lawrence rode to a dominant wire-to-wire win, his seventh moto triumph of the season, by a margin of 16.8 seconds over Jett. Hampshire finished well back in third, with Deegan fourth and Barcia fifth.

Moto 2 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

  • The final moto of the day began with another tremendous start for Hunter Lawrence, who slotted ahead of Jett to sweep the holeshots. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb [#2] started third.
  • Jett applied heavy pressure on the opening lap to try and take the lead from Hunter, which allowed the siblings to pull away from the field. Behind them, Prado made the move around Webb for third, as Hampshire followed through into fourth. Deegan then made the move on his teammate for fifth. It wasn’t long before Deegan stormed past Hampshire for fourth.
  • Back out front, Hunter Lawrence weathered the pressure of Jett to assert his hold of the lead and establish a two-second gap within the first five minutes. However, Jett regrouped and proceeded to mount another attack just a couple minutes later.
  • A sibling battle for the lead unfolded as the moto neared the end of its opening 10 minutes. Jett looked for alternate lines and attempted to create passing opportunities at several areas of the track, only for Hunter to fend him off. Jett’s patience and persistence eventually paid off as he made the pass stick. At this point, they sat more than 10 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
  • With the Lawrences well out front, a battle for third took shape between Prado and Deegan. The Yamaha rider waited for his opportunity and made quick work of a pass to take control of third. He faced a deficit of nearly 16 seconds to the Lawrences.
  • Jett Lawrence appeared to have the race well in hand with a lead of more than seven seconds inside the final 10 minutes, but lost traction on the face of a jump and went down. As he fell, the handlebar of his Honda appeared to get stuck in his boot, which hindered his ability to get up. As Hunter reclaimed hold of the lead, Jett eventually got back on his bike, but dropped to fifth place, more than 40 seconds behind the lead. That moved Deegan into second while a battle for third unfolded between Prado and Hampshire.
  • With the lead in hand, Hunter Lawrence cruised to his eighth moto win of the season by 15.4 seconds over Deegan to complete the sweep. The battle for third between Prado and Hampshire continued down to the final turn, with the Spaniard securing the final podium spot. Jett Lawrence followed in fifth.

Overall

  • While it wasn’t without pressure, Hunter Lawrence completed his third 1-1 performance of the season for his class-leading fourth win of the summer and the fifth win of his career. He’s in the midst of a 10-race podium streak dating back to last season.
  • Deegan secured a career-best runner-up finish following an impressive 4-2 effort, for his fourth podium of the season and his third in the past four races.
  • Despite his misfortune in the final moto, Jett Lawrence rounded out the overall podium in third with 2-5 finishes. While it equals his worst result of the season, it’s the ninth consecutive podium for the defending champion dating back to last season.
  • Hunter’s win, combined with Jett’s adversity in the second moto, has moved the elder Lawrence back atop the championship standings for the third time this season. He holds a 10-point lead over Jett, for Hunter’s largest advantage of the season thus far. Deegan sits third, 62 points out of the lead.
  • The victory also allowed Hunter to clinch the top seed for the SMX Playoffs with four rounds remaining in the regular season.
450SMX Class
The Lawrences, Hunter [#96] and Jett [#1] positioned themselves at the front of Moto 1, with Hunter able to grab the holeshot and carry on to a wire-to-wire win. MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Results & Standings

450SMX Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda (1-1 // 50)
  2. Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha (4-2 // 40)
  3. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda (2-5 // 39)
  4. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna (3-4 // 38)
  5. Justin Barcia, Monroe, N.Y., Ducati (5-8 // 31)
  6. Jorge Prado, Lugo, Galicia, Spain, KTM (13-3 // 29)
  7. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Ducati (7-9 // 28)
  8. Benny Bloss, Oak Grove, Mo., Beta (10-10 // 24)
  9. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki (15-6 // 23)
  10. Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., Triumph (14-7 // 23)

450SMX Class Championship Standings (Race 7 of 11)

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 320
  2. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 310
  3. Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha – 258
  4. Jorge Prado, Lugo, Galicia, Spain, KTM – 231
  5. RJ Hampshire, Hudson, Fla., Husqvarna – 221
  6. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki – 206
  7. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Ducati – 180
  8. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha – 153
  9. Mikkel Haarup, Silkeborg, Denmark, Triumph – 149
  10. Jordon Smith, Belmont, N.C., Triumph – 126

SMX World Championship Regular Season Standings (Round 24 of 28)

  1. Hunter Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 666
  2. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., Yamaha – 468
  3. Jorge Prado, Lugo, Galicia, Spain, KTM – 423
  4. Dylan Ferrandis, Avignon, France, Ducati – 356
  5. Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah, Kawasaki – 353
  6. Ken Roczen, Mattstedt, Germany, Suzuki – 349
  7. Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., Yamaha – 323
  8. Jett Lawrence, Landsborough, Qld., Australia, Honda – 310
  9. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., KTM – 298
  10. Chase Sexton, La Moille, Ill., Kawasaki – 298

Quotes

1st Place – Hunter Lawrence | #96 Team Honda HRC Progressive (1-1)
“I got my doors blown off in the second moto. I honestly had no idea Jett crashed. He was flying. I’m happy it worked out, but it’s time to go chill now.”
 
2nd Place – Haiden Deegan | #38 Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing (4-2)
“The track was gnarly. I screwed myself in the first moto, but it’s all good. Another completed round, P2 overall. It’s good to keep putting strong finishes on the board. I’m not going to quit trying to get better. Bring it on.”
 
3rd Place – Jett Lawrence | #1 Team Honda HRC Progressive (2-5)
“I was feeling so good. I had my lines picked out and felt comfortable. A lapper took my focus off for a moment and my bike grabbed going up the jump and that was it. It’s such a bummer. We lost some points to Hunter, but we’ll come back to try and be just a little bit better.”

250SMX Class

Qualifying

  • The Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki duo of Drew Adams [#35] and Levi Kitchen [#47] led the way in each respective timed session, with Adams’ lap of 1:57.950 ultimately resulting in his first pole position of the season and the second of his career. He edged out Kitchen’s 1:58.148 by a mere tenth of a second, with points leader and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Cole Davies [#37] in third with a time of 1:59.479.

Moto 1 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

  • The first moto of the afternoon started with a frightening multi-rider pileup that collected both Kitchen and Davies, the top two riders in the championship. Fortunately, both were able to remount and get back into the race, albeit outside the top 30. Out front, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Kayden Minear [#99] earned the holeshot and moved into the lead ahead of Toyota Redlands BarX Yamaha’s Parker Ross [#40].
  • As Minear looked to take advantage of his opportunity to pace the field the attention shifted to Davies and Kitchen as they followed one another in a run through the field. They easily charged up the running order, breaking into the top 15 just 10 minutes into the moto.
  • Back up front, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Michael Mosiman [#23] fought his way into the lead with a little more than 20 minutes left on the race clock after passes around Ross and Minear. Not long after, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher [#25] moved into the top three.
  • As the moto reached its halfway point, Davies lost power on his Yamaha and came to a stop on the racetrack, ending his moto. It was later confirmed he ran out of fuel due to a hole in his gas tank caused by the crash in the first turn. Kitchen, meanwhile, made his way into the top 10 and looked to continue moving forward.
  • The battle for the podium took another turn when Beaumer, who started seventh, fought his way into the top three with a pass on Thrasher. Beaumer continued his push and made quick work on a pass around Minear for second. With about seven minutes left in the moto, Beaumer faced a 6.3 second deficit to Mosiman.
  • As time ran out on the race clock and the 2 Lap board showing, Beaumer closed within 2.5 seconds of Mosiman. He charged to the rear fender of the Yamaha to initiate a battle for the lead. Mosiman responded to try and keep the KTM at bay. They ran side-by-side on the final lap as Beaumer was able to wrestle his way into the lead. 
  • Beaumer carried on to take the first moto win of career by eight tenths of a second over Mosiman, with Minear in third. Thrasher finished fourth, while Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Daxton Bennick [#58] rounded out the top five. Kitchen put in a resilient effort to finish eighth, while Davies’ DNF placed him 38th.

Moto 2 [30 Minutes + 2 Laps]

  • The second and deciding moto kicked off with Minear out front for a sweep of the holeshots over Mosiman and Beaumer. Davies started fifth while Kitchen started in 15th.
  • Minear inched away with a lead of just over a second over Mosiman, while Beaumer applied heavy pressure from third. Davies moved up to fourth and looked to make his way into the top three.
  • As the first five minutes passed, Mosiman made a push forward to challenge Minear for the lead. Behind him, Davies went down while running fourth and remounted in eighth. Moments later, Mosiman crashed out of the race from second while Davies went down again and dropped outside the top 10, ending his hopes of contending in the moto.
  • The wild turn of events put Minear more than 2.5 seconds ahead of Beaumer, while Honda HRC Progressive’s Chance Hymas [#29] moved into third. Behind them, Kitchen fought his way up to fourth.
  • As the moto surpassed its first 10 minutes Hymas put on a charge that carried him past Beaumer for second and then onto the rear fender of Minear. Kitchen followed through into third with a pass on Beaumer. Not long after, Hymas took control of the lead. Kitchen then made the pass for second at the halfway point of the moto.
  • The parity of the class didn’t relent as AEO Powersports KTM’s Carson Mumford joined the fray as well and fought his way up to third. He then pressured Kitchen for second. After a couple laps of close competition, Kitchen asserted his hold of the spot.
  • With the 2 Lap board out, Beaumer closed in on Mumford for third and looked to make the pass but lost his balance and tipped over. He remounted quickly to maintain his hold of fourth place.
  • Hymas dominated the second half to take his first moto win of the season by 11 seconds over Kitchen, as Mumford earned a career best in third. Beaumer finished fourth.

Overall

  • By virtue of his 1-4 finishes, Beaumer broke through for the first outdoor victory of his career. He’s the fourth different rider this summer to capture his maiden victory and is the 97th different rider in series history to win an overall. It’s the culmination of one of the sport’s most incredible comeback stories after Beaumer’s career was put in jeopardy following a burst fracture in his spine suffered last September during the SMX Playoffs.
  • For Hymas, his first podium result of the season came via a runner-up effort following 9-1 finishes. It’s the sixth podium of his career and puts a bright spot on Hymas’ own extended recovery from a torn ACL suffered last June as well as a torn labrum suffered in January during Supercross.
  • A resilient afternoon for Kitchen proved to be rewarding in all facets, as he finished third overall with 8-2 finishes and regained control of the lead in the championship standings with his fourth podium of the season and 18th of his career.
  • Kitchen came into the race two points behind Davies in the championship, but following the New Zealander’s 16th-place finish (38-13) and a 27-point swing for Kitchen, the Kawasaki rider now sits atop the standings for the second time this summer, with the largest advantage of the season. Kitchen holds a 24-point lead over Beaumer, who moved into second following his victory, while Davies sits 25 points out of the lead in third.
  • Kitchen will now carry the red plate into his native Washougal next weekend, adding even more significance to his annual homecoming to the Pacific Northwest.
250SMX Class
The first moto began with the Yamaha teammates of Carson Wood [#226] and Cole Davies [#37] out front until Wood lost control to initiate a multi-rider incident. MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.

Results & Standings

250SMX Class Overall Results (Moto Finishes // Points)

  1. Julien Beaumer, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., KTM (1-4 // 43)
  2. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda (9-1 // 38)
  3. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Kawasaki (8-2 // 36)
  4. Kayden Minear, Perth, Western Australia, Yamaha (3-6 // 36)
  5. Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., KTM (11-3 // 31)
  6. Drew Adams, Chattanooga, Tenn., Kawasaki (7-7 // 30)
  7. Daxton Bennick, Morganton, N.C., Husqvarna (5-10 // 29)
  8. Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna (6-11 // 27)
  9. Dilan Schwartz, Alpine, Calif., Yamaha (10-8 // 26)
  10. Lux Turner, Gardnerville, Nev., Yamaha (15-5 // 24)

250SMX Class Championship Standings (Race 7 of 11)

  1. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Kawasaki – 261
  2. Julien Beaumer, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., KTM – 237
  3. Cole Davies, Waitoki, New Zealand, Yamaha – 236
  4. Kayden Minear, Perth, Western Australia, Yamaha – 199
  5. Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Honda – 194
  6. Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna – 194
  7. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda – 190
  8. Carson Mumford, Simi Valley, Calif., KTM – 153
  9. Seth Hammaker, Bainbridge, Pa., Kawasaki – 134
  10. Casey Cochran, Portsmouth, Va., Husqvarna – 122

SMX World Championship Regular Season Standings (Round 24 of 28)

  1. Cole Davies, Waitoki, New Zealand, Yamaha – 467
  2. Levi Kitchen, Washougal, Wash., Kawasaki – 438
  3. Ryder DiFrancesco, Bakersfield, Calif., Husqvarna – 358
  4. Seth Hammaker, Bainbridge, Pa., Kawasaki – 314
  5. Jo Shimoda, Suzuka, Japan, Honda – 294
  6. Julien Beaumer, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., KTM – 237
  7. Haiden Deegan, Temecula, Calif., Yamaha – 233
  8. Nate Thrasher, Livingston, Tenn., Yamaha – 232
  9. Daxton Bennick, Morganton, N.C., Husqvarna – 232
  10. Chance Hymas, Pocatello, Idaho, Honda – 228

Quotes

1st Place – Julien Beaumer | #13 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (1-4)
“Laying in that hospital bed [with the back injury] I thought maybe [my career] was over. I told myself I was going to die trying to come back. Now, I’m here. I didn’t make it easy on myself and didn’t ride great in that second moto, but we made it happen. All the odds were against me coming into the season. I worked my ass off for six months coming into the summer and when I got back on the bike I knew I could be one of those guys.”
 
2nd Place – Chance Hymas | #29 Honda HRC Progressive (9-1)
“It’s been way too long of a summer and has taken too long to get a [moto] win. We’ve been struggling, but the team has stayed behind me every step of the way. This is a perfect example of never giving up on yourself. Now I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.”
 
3rd Place – Levi Kitchen | #47 Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki (8-2)
“It was a tough day, for sure. I’m glad to be somewhat okay after the first moto crash. It was nasty. I’m glad to be alright and big thank you to the fans for keeping me going. I’m proud of my fight today.”

The 2026 Pro Motocross Championship will continue next Saturday, July 25, for Round 25 of the SMX World Championship regular season, with the annual visit to the Pacific Northwest and the scenic tree-lined setting of Washougal MX Park. The FLY Racing Washougal National Presented by Peterson CAT and the annual “Military Appreciation Race” will be shown live in its entirety on Peacock, beginning with Race Day Live at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET, followed by coverage of the motos at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET.

For information about the Monster Energy SMX World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
Instagram: @supermotocross
Facebook: @supermotocross
X: @supermotocross
YouTube: @supermotocross
TikTok: @supermotocross

About the Monster Energy SMX World Championship:
The Monster Energy SMX World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series in the world that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the Monster Energy SMX World Championship Series combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 28-round regular season that culminates with the season-ending SMX World Championship Playoffs.
Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About Pro Motocross Championship:
The Pro Motocross Championship features the world’s fastest outdoor motocross racers, competing aboard homologated bikes from one of seven competing manufacturers on a collection of the roughest, toughest tracks on the planet. Racing takes place each Saturday afternoon, with competition divided into two classes: one for 250cc machines, and one for 450cc machines. MX Sports Pro Racing, the industry leader in off-road powersports event production, manages the Pro Motocross Championship.
For more information, visit ProMotocross.com.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:
Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide.
For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc.:
MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., manages and produces the world’s premier motocross racing series – the Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. MX Sports Pro Racing is an industry leader in off-road powersport event production and management, its mission is to showcase the sport of professional motocross competition at events throughout the United States. Through its various racing properties, partnerships and affiliates, MX Sports Pro Racing, Inc., organizes events for thousands of action sports athletes each year and attracts millions of motorsports spectators.
Visit MXSportsProRacing.com for more information.

About Feld Motor Sports, Inc.:
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the Monster Energy SMX World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

Front Row Motorsports: North Wilkesboro Speedway NCTS Race Report

By
Official Release
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Layne Riggs | Chandler Smith
North Wilkesboro Speedway NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race Report
North Wilkesboro Speedway 250
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Event: Race 15 of 25
Series: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Location: North Wilkesboro Speedway (0.625-miles)
Length of Race: 250 laps over one hour, 42 minutes, 19 seconds

FRM Finish:

Chandler Smith (Started 9th, Finished 1st / Running, completed 250 of 250 laps)
Layne Riggs (Started 1st, Finished 2nd / Running, completed 250 of 250 laps)

FRM Points Standings:

Layne Riggs (1st)
Chandler Smith (3rd)

Chandler Smith Key Takeaways

Stage One: 3rd / Stage Two: 2nd / Race Result: 1st

“All glory goes to God,” said Smith. “We’ve been in the valley the past few weeks and I was telling these guys, ‘God is good in the mountains, but he’s also good in the valleys.’ We’ve been in the valleys. Today we’re on the mountaintop. Either way, whether if we’re on the mountaintop or in the valley we’re going to keep raising Him. I just want to give all glory to him. He’s the source of where all blessings and all the trials flow, so I’m just grateful. We won last year with a truck that wasn’t great. This year, our truck was great and it reflected that.”

Layne Riggs Key Takeaways

Stage One: 1st / Stage Two: 13th / Race Result: 2nd

“It was hot,” said Riggs. “Congratulations to the 38 team and Chandler (Smith). They’ve had some really tough races recently. I’m really proud of everybody at Front Row Motorsports and the organization. A one-two finish again this year. We did it the right way this time with no controversy on this one. That first stage I was fighting tight and we freed it up. It was freer, but it just didn’t make any speed, so we really had to throw the wholesale at it to start the final stage. I was loose to start again and just kind of maintained. Once everyone else started falling off I was really good on the long run. We just didn’t have the fire off speed at the beginning of the run to hold my track position, but to come under green up to second I’m very happy and very proud of my team. We got Infinity Communications a good run. I wanted to get them a win, but I’m just happy for this whole organization. Those guys deserve it. They did a great job today.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

How Roof Replacements Protect Your Home and Increase Long-Term Property Value

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

Building a Stronger Home From the Top Down

A home’s roof serves as one of its most important protective features. It shields the structure from rain, wind, sunlight, and changing weather conditions while helping maintain a comfortable indoor environment. Keeping this system in excellent condition is essential for preserving the safety and value of any property.

Many homeowners delay major roofing decisions because the existing roof still appears functional from the ground. Unfortunately, hidden deterioration can develop long before visible warning signs become obvious. Addressing aging roofing systems proactively often prevents more expensive structural problems in the future.

Investing in Roof Replacements provides more than an updated appearance. A professionally installed roof strengthens the home’s defense against the elements while supporting long-term efficiency and reliability. Understanding these benefits helps homeowners make informed decisions that protect their investment.

Understanding the Role of a Roof

A roof protects much more than the living space beneath it. It helps prevent moisture from reaching structural framing, insulation, ceilings, and interior finishes that could otherwise suffer costly damage. Maintaining a dependable roofing system supports the overall health of the home.

Seasonal weather places continuous stress on roofing materials throughout the year. Intense sunlight, heavy rainfall, wind, snow, and fluctuating temperatures gradually reduce the effectiveness of aging components. Over time, even well-maintained roofs naturally reach the end of their service life.

Reliable protection also contributes to healthier indoor conditions by reducing the possibility of moisture intrusion that can encourage mold growth and other environmental concerns.

Recognizing When Replacement Is the Better Option

Not every roofing problem can be solved with routine maintenance. Widespread deterioration, repeated leaks, missing materials, or advanced aging often indicate that replacement may provide greater long-term value than continual repairs. Looking at the overall condition rather than isolated issues supports better decision-making.

Frequent maintenance appointments can become increasingly expensive when the roof continues to decline. Instead of solving the underlying problem, repeated repairs may only provide temporary relief while larger issues continue developing beneath the surface.

Experienced professionals such as Class Roofing can perform detailed inspections that help homeowners understand whether replacement is the most practical long-term solution. Professional evaluations remove uncertainty from an important investment.

Improving Energy Performance

Modern roofing systems are designed to support greater energy efficiency than many older installations. Improved materials and installation methods help reduce unwanted heat transfer while contributing to more stable indoor temperatures throughout the year. Better thermal performance benefits household comfort.

Reducing the workload placed on heating and cooling equipment may also lower overall energy consumption. Even modest efficiency improvements can produce noticeable savings over the lifespan of a new roofing system. Long-term performance often extends beyond simple weather protection.

Proper ventilation also plays an important role by allowing excess heat and moisture to escape from attic spaces. Balanced airflow helps protect roofing materials while improving indoor comfort.

Increasing Property Value

Exterior improvements frequently influence how buyers evaluate a property. A recently updated roof demonstrates that the home has received responsible maintenance while reducing concerns about immediate future expenses. This added confidence may strengthen overall market appeal.

Roof replacements in Newark, DE also improve curb appeal by providing a clean, updated appearance that complements the rest of the home’s exterior. Coordinating roofing materials with siding, trim, and landscaping creates a more attractive overall presentation. Small visual improvements often leave lasting impressions.

Investing in durable materials further supports resale value because buyers appreciate improvements designed for long-term performance instead of short-term cosmetic updates.

Preventing Structural Damage

Water infiltration remains one of the most serious threats to residential structures. Once moisture enters through weakened roofing materials, it can spread into insulation, wood framing, ceilings, and interior walls before becoming noticeable. Preventing these issues is far less expensive than restoring damaged structural components.

Replacing an aging roof before widespread leaks develop protects the home’s overall integrity. Early action minimizes the possibility of hidden deterioration that could require extensive restoration later. Preventive improvements often represent the most cost-effective approach.

Class Roofing encourages homeowners to schedule regular roof evaluations so developing concerns can be identified before they result in significant structural damage. Ongoing inspections support informed planning and long-term protection.

Choosing Quality Materials and Installation

A roofing system performs best when durable materials are combined with skilled installation. High-quality products resist weather exposure more effectively while maintaining their protective capabilities over many years. Selecting dependable materials supports lasting value.

Professional installation ensures every component functions together as a complete system. Flashing, ventilation, underlayment, and drainage all contribute to reliable performance beyond the visible roofing surface. Careful workmanship helps maximize the lifespan of the investment.

Comparing warranties, maintenance expectations, and material performance allows homeowners to select solutions that align with their long-term property goals.

Investing in Lasting Protection

Replacing a roof represents one of the most significant improvements a homeowner can make. Beyond enhancing appearance, a dependable roofing system protects structural components, supports energy efficiency, and contributes to long-term property value. Careful planning creates benefits that extend well beyond the installation itself.

Working with experienced professionals provides homeowners with confidence throughout every stage of the process. Expert guidance helps evaluate roofing materials, installation methods, and long-term maintenance considerations based on the specific needs of each property. Thoughtful recommendations simplify important decisions while protecting valuable investments.

Choosing Roof Replacements with the expertise of Class Roofing allows homeowners to strengthen their property’s protection while improving comfort, efficiency, and lasting value. Investing in quality workmanship today helps create a safer, more dependable home prepared to perform through changing seasons for many years ahead.

LANGDON, CAPPS & GLENN WIN MISSION #2FAST2TASTY CHALLENGE AT SONOMA RACEWAY

By
Official Release
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Kalitta, Vandergriff and Vang all qualify No. 1 at Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge

SONOMA, Calif. (July 18, 2026) – Top Fuel points leader Shawn Langdon rolled to another big Saturday in front of a capacity crowd at Sonoma Raceway, winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge as part of this weekend’s Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge.

Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) also won the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday, while Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Jordan Vandergrif (Funny Car) and Chris Vang (Pro Stock) qualified No. 1 at the 11th of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Langdon and Kalitta have dominated the Saturday bonus race thus far, and it was the points leader who tasted success in Sonoma, getting the victory in a wild final against Clay Millican after going 4.491-seconds at 227.50-mph in his 12,000-horsepower Kalitta Air dragster.

Langdon pedaled the car late in the run to sneak past Millican, giving the past world champion his fourth victory in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. Remarkably, both Langdon and Kalitta have collected 17 championship bonus points in the Saturday specialty, but it was Langdon’s turn to shine this weekend.

“They told me not to pedal. I did, and the first thought that came to my mind was that I was going to be in so much trouble. But at the end of the day, it’s good to get another Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty win, which continues that success on Saturday,” Langdon said.

“It’s the consistency of what the Kalitta group has done the last couple years of going arounds on Sundays and taking advantage of opportunities and being able to be in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty on Saturday, and then just kind of, no pun intended, chipping away at it.”

Kalitta easily held on to the No. 1 spot for the third time this season thanks to Friday’s 3.714 at 337.07 in his 12,000-horsepower Aflac dragster. Langdon is second with a 3.714 at 336.49 and Tony Stewart qualified third after going 3.736 at 333.91 on Friday. Kalitta, the defending event winner and reigning world champion, has been special in Sonoma over the years and he’ll look for a Top Fuel-best seventh win in wine country on Sunday, opening eliminations against Millican.

“That was a great run for us. The thing just stayed straight and didn’t smoke the tires. It’s pretty tricky out there right now and I hope my guys have got a handle on that thing for tomorrow, but so far, so good,” Kalitta said. “We’ll just keep our heads down and try to get to the final. This is a real special place for me and really hope we can get something going tomorrow.”

The final of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge in Funny Car was also a wild one, as Capps skated past Jack Beckman in the final round with a run of 4.429 at 225.03 in his 12,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra.

Both Capps and Beckman ran into trouble late in the run, but Capps pedaled it and slipped past his former teammate in an enjoyable duel for the fans. It is Capps’ first victory of the season in the bonus race and doing it at his home track in Sonoma meant even a little more for the Funny Car points leader and three-time world champion.

“As I said earlier, Guido [crew chief Dean Antonelli] is not going to be happy. I’m not looking forward to walking into the trailer because while it’s great money that Mission Foods puts up for this and the points are incredible, it could have been expensive. Guido would have been like, ‘You won $10,000, but if you had blown the body off it would have been $110,000. Thankfully that didn’t happen,” Capps said.

“I was just thinking about getting to the finish line first, and I didn’t know that [Beckman] was doing the same thing over there, getting sideways. I can’t wait to watch it. It’s got to be pretty epic to watch.”

Vandergriff’s impressive Friday run of 3.849 at 332.43 in his 12,000-horsepower Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS handed the Funny Car newcomer his second top qualifier in his career. His John Force Racing teammate, Jack Beckman, took second with a 3.873 at 333.16 and Daniel Wilkerson qualified third thanks to a 3.899 at 327.66. Vandergriff will open eliminations against Jason Rupert and is full of confidence after making a strong run of 3.931 at 329.99 to close out qualifying on Saturday.

“We made some wholesale changes after Norwalk and they seem to be working out. We can push it a little bit and we’ve been really good these last three sessions,” Vandergriff said. “I think we’ve got a hot rod this weekend and it’s been a great weekend for us thus far. I love racing here.”

In Pro Stock, Dallas Glenn grabbed his third victory in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, defeating Norwalk winner Aaron Stanfield in the final round with a run of 6.526 at 210.14 in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro.

It’s been a unique weekend in the category and Glenn admitted the car quite hasn’t been at its best, but he was thrilled with the victory and the potential to double-up with his first career win in Sonoma.

“Honestly, I felt like when I left and the whole run, it felt better than a 6.52. I was hoping to see a 6.51 or even a 6.50 out there. I feel like we’re not where we should be, especially compared to last year,” Glenn said.

“I know we were really fast last year and it’s hard to compare to that, but I feel like we should just be at least a couple of hundredths faster, especially looking at the weather and corrected numbers. Still, it’s good to win one of these [Mission Challenge events] and I hope we can do the same tomorrow. I really like the diamond [75th anniversary] Wally.”

Chris Vang stayed atop the field to earn a monumental first in his career, taking his first No. 1 qualifier thanks to Friday’s 6.498 at 209.04 in his Prestige Trailers Chevrolet Camaro. Rookie Cody Anderson took second with a 6.499 at 210.54 and Erica Enders qualified third on the strength of Friday’s 6.503 at 211.33.

For Vang, he also nets the $2,000 GESi Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier bonus, a day after getting $2,500 for the Deecell After Dark Low Qualifier bonus. He’ll open raceday against Mason McGaha, looking for his first career win.

“We’ve got good power down low and a good setup,” Vang said. “It takes a whole team to get this done.”

Eliminations for the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge begin at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway.

SONOMA, Calif. — Sunday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 38th annual DENSO Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge at Sonoma Raceway, the 11th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday. DNQs listed below pairings.

Top Fuel — 1. Doug Kalitta, 3.714 seconds, 337.07 mph vs. 14. Clay Millican, 4.203, 206.16; 2. Shawn Langdon, 3.714, 336.49 vs. 13. Will Smith, 3.840, 326.32; 3. Billy Torrence, 3.726, 336.57 vs. 12. Shawn Reed, 3.806, 331.12; 4. Tony Stewart, 3.736, 333.91 vs. 11. Justin Ashley, 3.799, 334.32; 5. Tony Schumacher, 3.744, 323.19 vs. 10. Antron Brown, 3.784, 324.59; 6. Maddi Gordon, 3.751, 336.49 vs. 9. Leah Pruett, 3.772,

327.98; 7. Jasmine Salinas, 3.751, 331.77 vs. 8. Josh Hart, 3.763, 336.82.

Funny Car — 1. Jordan Vandergriff, Chevy Camaro, 3.849, 332.43 vs. 16. Jason Rupert, Ford Mustang, 4.048, 316.67; 2. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.873, 333.16 vs. 15. Jeff Arend, Dodge Charger, 4.019, 315.27; 3. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.899, 327.66 vs. 14. Hunter Green, Charger, 4.006, 320.97; 4. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.900, 330.07 vs. 13. Austin Prock, Mustang, 3.980, 322.19; 5. Chad Green, Mustang, 3.903,

325.69 vs. 12. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.975, 326.48; 6. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.915, 325.92 vs. 11. Dave Richards, Mustang, 3.966, 329.50; 7. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 3.917, 330.80 vs. 10. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.952, 327.82; 8. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.934, 330.31 vs. 9. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.939, 332.10.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Tim Gibbons, 4.081, 297.55; 18. Dylan Winefsky, 4.450, 196.93.

Pro Stock — 1. Chris Vang, Chevy Camaro, 6.498, 209.88 vs. 16. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.564, 210.57; 2. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.499, 210.67 vs. 15. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.549, 211.36; 3. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.503, 211.33 vs. 14. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.545, 210.21; 4. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.511, 211.30 vs. 13. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.533, 210.73; 5. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.516, 212.96 vs. 12. Stephen Bell,

Camaro, 6.530, 210.54; 6. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.516, 211.26 vs. 11. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.522, 210.41; 7. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.517, 211.16 vs. 10. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.520, 210.97; 8. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.520, 211.13 vs. 9. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.520, 210.80.

Did Not Qualify: 17. Joey Grose, 6.568, 208.62; 18. Alan Prusiensky, 6.626, 208.49.

SONOMA, Calif. — Saturday’s final results from the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the 38th annual DENSO Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge at Sonoma Raceway.

Top Fuel Challenge — Shawn Langdon, 4.491 seconds, 227.50 mph def. Clay Millican, 4.646 seconds, 170.26 mph.

Funny Car Challenge — Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 4.429, 225.03 def. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 4.865, 159.19.

Pro Stock Challenge — Dallas Glenn, Chevy Camaro, 6.526, 210.14 def. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.537, 210.54.

SONOMA, Calif. — Final round-by-round results from the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge at the 38th annual DENSO Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge at Sonoma Raceway.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY NHRA TOP FUEL CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Clay Millican, 4.274, 195.68 def. Antron Brown, 4.796, 177.60; Shawn Langdon, 3.913, 252.38 def. Maddi Gordon, 5.078, 138.48;

FINAL — S. Langdon, 4.491, 227.50 def. C. Millican, 4.646, 170.26.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY NHRA FUNNY CAR CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.951, 318.92 def. Austin Prock, Ford Mustang, 4.081, 274.83; Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.941, 329.26 def. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 4.860, 161.34;

FINAL — R. Capps, 4.429, 225.03 def. J. Beckman, 4.865, 159.19.

MISSION #2FAST2TASTY NHRA PRO STOCK CHALLENGE:

ROUND ONE — Aaron Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.524, 210.80 def. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.545, 210.21; Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.526, 211.16 def. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.517, 209.79;

FINAL — D. Glenn, 6.526, 210.14 def. A. Stanfield, 6.537, 210.54.

Kyle Kirkwood takes pole for Sunday’s race at Nashville

By
Tucker White
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LEBANON, Tenn. - JULY 18: Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the #27 Andretti Global Honda, won the pole for Sunday's Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway on July 18, 2026, in Lebanon, Tennessee. Photo: Joe Skibinski/Penske Entertainment

LEBANON, Tenn. — Kyle Kirkwood will lead the field to green, Sunday.

The driver of the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda, who entered 56 points back of championship leader, Alex Palou, scored the pole for Sunday’s Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway with a two-lap average speed of 196.852 mph. The point he gained for winning the pole cut the gap to 55 points.

“Yeah, it was really good,” Kirkwood said. “Quick in practice. Quick again in qualifying there. Happy that our pace has stayed true over the past three years that we’ve run around this place.

“I got more poles here now than anywhere else. A rare thing for me to say. People tend to think I’m a street course driver, so…

“Yeah, but no, happy with our performance. Car has been very fast every year we’ve shown up here. Hopefully continues tomorrow.”

It’s his fourth career NTT INDYCAR SERIES pole, second at Nashville Superspeedway and first of the 2026 season.

Hometown star and defending race winner, Josef Newgarden, still hopping around on crutches after his Indianapolis 500 wreck in May, put his No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet second on the grid with a two-lap average speed of 196.642 mph.

“Yeah, it’s good,” Newgarden said. “I think we did what we could today. Go got a good view point for tomorrow, which is great, with the Astemo car.”

His teammate, Scott McLaughlin, lines up third. Palou clocked in fourth. Scott Dixon rounds out the top-five.

Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen, Marcus Armstrong, Rinus VeeKay and Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top-10.

David Malukas, who enters fourth in points, missed qualifying after a wreck in practice, Saturday. He was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Just before final practice, INDYCAR announced he was cleared to race, Sunday.

2026 Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Recap: North Wilkesboro Speedway

By
Official Release
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NCTS RACE RECAP: NORTH WILKESBORO SPEEDWAY
Event: Faith Fest 250 (250 laps / 156.25 miles)
Round: 15 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: North Wilkesboro Speedway
Location: North Wilkesboro, NC
Date & Time: Saturday, July 18 | 1:00 PM ET

No. 45 J.F. Electric Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Landen Lewis | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

Start: 16th | Stage 1: 20th | Stage 2: 16th
Finish: 5th | Driver Points: 22nd | Owner Points: 7th

  • Key Takeaway: Landen Lewis and the J.F. Electric team earned their third top-five finish in a row at North Wilkesboro Speedway. After starting in 16th-place, the No. 45 slid back in the opening stage. The team made adjustments to change the balance on the first two stops of the race, helping Lewis begin to move forward. In the final stage, the team moved into the top-10 and held their track position throughout the closing laps. Lewis crossed the finish line in fifth-place, notching his third top-five and fourth top-10 result of the season.
  • Landen Lewis’ Post-Race Thoughts: Interviewer: Landen Lewis comes home with a top-five run for Niece Motorsports. First of all, how are you feeling? You have your shoes off and you have ice under your feet. I know it’s very hot for you drivers today.

“Yeah, just mainly my feet, that’s the hardest part. But at the end of the day, it’s a great day for our J.F. Electric group. We fought hard all day long. Phil (Gould) did a great job getting me track position and just put me in a good spot to move up towards the end. I wish it honestly went another 100 laps. I thought we had a really good truck; it just kept getting better and better. This is a great day for us, and we’ll move onto IRP.”

Interviewer: You finished second at Lime Rock and had another top-five here at North Wilkesboro. How confident are you feeling, Landon?

“Well, it’s not just me, it’s my team, right? We’re all in this together. Obviously, I feel really good going into the next couple races, but it makes the team feel even better. We’ll keep moving on and plugging away and continue to just slowly work at it.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

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

Start: 30th | Stage 1: 21st | Stage 2: 11th
Finish: 12th | Driver Points: 26th | Owner Points: 25th

  • Key Takeaway: Tyler Reif and the DQS Solutions & Staffing team rallied from the rear of the field to pick up their best finish of the season at North Wilkesboro. Reif qualified in 30th-place, but drove through the field and passed several trucks on each run. As the track changed throughout the 250-lap event, the No. 42 came to life. Reif nearly capitalized on his first top-10 of the year, but made contact with a lapped competitor within 10 laps to go and received heavy nose damage. He settled for a 12th-place finish.
  • Tyler Reif’s Post-Race Thoughts: “I think we were able to get a good finish today because we kept the truck clean. I don’t think I touched anything until lap 240, so that helped a lot with managing the tires and racing smart. Huge thanks to Landon Polinski and TJ Majors who were keeping me honest and making sure I kept line-wrapping all day. We were super fast on the bottom, and I had to stay disciplined all race long. They really helped me through that, and our No. 42 team brought me a really good truck. I think we should have been able to finish inside the top-five, but one bad restart and one bad incident with a lapper made the difference between a top-five and a 12th-place finish. I had a really good day, but want a little bit more.”

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

No. 44 BLAC / GoKartMania Academy Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Andrés Perez de Lara | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

Start: 20th | Stage 1: 14th | Stage 2: 7th
Finish: 23rd | Driver Points: 15th | Owner Points: 20th

  • Key Takeaway: Andrés Pérez de Lara and the BLAC / GoKartMania Academy team experienced an up-and-down afternoon in North Wilkesboro. Rolling off from 20th, the No. 44 team made advancements through the opening stage. A strategy call to stay out and pick up points resulted in a seventh-place finish in stage two, aiding the team’s Chase bid. In the final run, Pérez de Lara fought an uphill battle with his seat burning in the overwhelmingly hot conditions. The driver was credited with a 23rd-place finish.
  • Andrés Pérez de Lara’s Post-Race Thoughts: “I’m frustrated that we couldn’t get the result that we deserved because we had a fast BLAC / GoKartMania Chevy today. We had heat issues inside the truck, and I feel fine physically, but I had a burning sensation in the seat which hurt our pace at the end. We’re going to regroup and figure this stuff out, because we had a lot of potential and I feel like we showed it. I just wish things went our way out there today. Thanks to the team and all of my partners, we will be better in Indianapolis.”

About BLAC: BLAC is a technology and logistics company specializing in real-time tracking, asset visibility, and intelligent monitoring solutions for transportation, providing also location and condition data in real time for all shipments in the entire supply chain operations. With operations and coverage at an international level, BLAC provides advanced tracking technology designed to help companies reduce risk, improve operational control, and protect high-value cargo through real-time visibility and smart alert systems.

Through its innovative platform and 24/7 monitoring capabilities, BLAC supports businesses across multiple industries with scalable solutions focused on logistics security, transportation efficiency, and asset recovery. With years of experience in GPS tracking, supply chain visibility, and transportation security, BLAC continues to position itself as a trusted technology partner for companies seeking smarter and safer logistics operations.

About GoKartMania: GoKartMania is Mexico’s leading indoor go-kart track, a 100% Mexican company with a global presence. Their karts are of European origin and feature the most precise timing system. At GoKartMania, you’ll find activities for the whole family and a wide variety of race formats and activities.

GoKartMania is the ideal place for both beginners and seasoned motorsport enthusiasts. From a fun-filled, adrenaline-fueled afternoon with the family to competing in high-level series and championships, including position races, knockout format, endurance races, and karting clinics. They also offer birthday parties, team building activities, product launches, and much more.

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

Start: 32nd | Stage 1: 30th | Stage 2: 36th
Finish: 36th | Driver Points: 79th | Owner Points: 32nd

  • Key Takeaway: Donovan Strauss and the Nightclubs Suck team had a challenging day in North Wilkesboro. Strauss started his NCTS debut race in 32nd-place, but made progress in the opening laps. On lap 14, another competitor sent the No. 4 for a spin on the backstretch, but the rookie maintained confidence with no damage. A cool shirt issue plagued Strauss early on and persisted throughout the rest of the afternoon. Strauss suffered heat exhaustion at the end of stage two, and brought his truck to a halt to seek medical attention. The team finished the race behind the wall in 36th, and Strauss was evaluated and released from the infield care center.
  • Donovan Strauss’ Post-Race Thoughts: “I am super proud of the effort from everyone on the No. 4 team today. I felt like my race craft was on par and I made smart decisions setting up passes. Unfortunately, my cool suit didn’t work from the start of the race and I was battling the heat to the best of my ability, but our race came to an end. It wasn’t the result I wanted, but I felt like the progression today was there and I’m looking forward to another opportunity to finish the deal. I had a lot of supporters today and I’m overly grateful for the amount of No. 4 shirts we had walking around. Huge thank you to Ty Martin, Clayton Wilson, and everyone at Nightclubs Suck for the opportunity, along with J.F. Electric, DQS Solutions & Staffing, Precision Vehicle Logistics, Chevrolet, Greg Fowler, Josh Morris, and Cody Efaw. I’m looking forward to the next one.”

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

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

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

Chandler Smith Leads Ford & Front Row Motorsports 1-2 in Saturday’s FaithFest 250 at North Wilkesboro

By
Official Release
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Chandler Smith celebrates after winning Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series FaithFest 250 presented by Mercer Transportation at North Wilkesboro Speedway. (HHP/NWS photo)
  • Chandler Smith captured his second consecutive victory in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, beating Front Row Motorsports teammate Layne Riggs to the checkered flag; Shane van Gisbergen finished third with Christian Eckes fourth and Landen Lewis fifth
  • Smith led a race-high 105 of 250 laps in securing his second victory of the season and Ford’s second 1-2 finish of the year
  • Tickets for Sunday’s Window World 450 are sold out; Fans can lock in 2027 tickets by visiting www.northwilkesborospeedway.com

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (July 18, 2026) — Chandler Smith had no equal in Saturday’s FaithFest 250 presented by Mercer Transportation NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Smith took the lead with 105 laps to go, never surrendered it and, coupled with Front Row Motorsports teammate Layne Riggs’ runner-up result, clinched Ford’s second 1-2 finish of the year.

The win was also Smith’s second in a row in Truck Series competition at NWS. It came on a dominant day for Ford — whose trucks also swept the stages — with pole-winner Riggs (Stage 1) and Ty Majeski (Stage 2) taking mid-race honors.

NASCAR Cup Series star Carson Hocevar paced the field for 74 laps, but a flat tire doomed Hocevar to a 27th-place finish.

Shane van Gisbergen — another Cup Series standout — moved up to third by race’s end, tying his career-best result in the Truck Series. Christian Eckes and Landen Lewis completed the top five.

Giovanni Ruggiero was sixth with Chase Elliott seventh, Stewart Friesen eighth, Corey Heim ninth and Majeski 10th.

Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, made Saturday’s race his third of four starts over the weekend. He competed in Friday’s zMAX CARS Tour doubleheader at NWS and will attempt to score his first Cup win at the track in Sunday’s Window World 450.

Smith grabbed the bonus point for posting the fastest lap on Lap 157, which he completed in 19.148 seconds.

CHANDLER SMITH, NO. 38 FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS FORD (RACE WINNER): “Praise to God. He’s the source of all this. He’s the one who keeps the wheels flowing in my career and keeps these race teams going — specifically, this No. 38 race team. Our team is a Christian team. We went from the valley last weekend to the mountaintop today. (Saturday’s race) was fun. Right off the get-go from the start of the race, I knew we had a really good truck. I could race around guys and see where they struggled and where my strong suit was. Last year (Smith’s first NWS win) went really good but speed-wise, I wasn’t very happy with my truck. This year, we were really good, speed-wise, but I also had a really good-handling race truck.”

WINDOW WORLD 450 QUALIFYING CANCELED DUE TO RAIN

Inclement weather forced the cancellation of Window World 450 qualifying on Saturday. With the qualifying metric in place, Ryan Blaney will start Sunday’s race on the pole with Ty Gibbs starting second.

Race fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding the July 17-19 race weekend by following on X and Instagram or by becoming a Facebook fan.

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