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Dave Marcis Named Honorary Starter for Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway

By
Official Release
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Fan favorite will wave green flag for Sunday’s marquee event at the Track Too Tough to Tame

DARLINGTON, S.C. (March 18, 2026) – Darlington Raceway announced today that NASCAR pioneer Dave Marcis will serve as the Honorary Starter for the upcoming Goodyear 400, adding another chapter to his remarkable, five-decade connection with the sport’s most historic venue.

Hailing from Wausau, Wisconsin, Marcis carved out one of the most enduring and respected careers in NASCAR history. His NASCAR Cup Series career spanned from 1968 through 2002 — an extraordinary 35-year run that included 883 starts across five decades. Marcis was widely regarded as one of the sport’s most successful “independent” drivers, fielding and maintaining his own equipment for much of his career.

Marcis earned five NASCAR Cup Series victories, including his final triumph at Richmond in 1982, driving a car he prepared himself. That blue-collar determination defined his career and made him a fan favorite, often seen sporting his trademark Goodyear hat — a nod to his longstanding association with the iconic tire brand that headlines Darlington’s NASCAR Alumni Weekend.

“Dave Marcis represents the very spirit of Darlington Raceway — toughness, perseverance and a deep respect for the history of our sport,” said Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris. “From competing here across five decades to building his own cars and carrying the independent banner with pride, Dave’s legacy is woven into the fabric of NASCAR history. It’s only fitting that a driver so closely associated with Goodyear and the grit of this track will wave the green flag for the Goodyear 400.”

“Dave Marcis is one of Goodyear’s most loyal, lifelong supporters, recognized for his trademark Goodyear hat and unwavering belief in our brand through some of NASCAR’s most competitive years,” said Dan Brackett, Director of Marketing, Goodyear Racing. “We’re proud to honor his legacy by having him serve as both honorary starter and trophy presenter for our entitlement race this weekend at Darlington – a track that represents the competitiveness and heritage at the heart of NASCAR, making it the perfect stage to celebrate Goodyear’s enduring legacy in the sport.”

Few drivers share a history with Darlington Raceway like Marcis. He competed in 58 races at Darlington Raceway from the spring of 1969 through Labor Day weekend in 2000, also spanning five decades at the 1.366-mile oval. In his first Darlington start in 1969, Marcis finished an impressive ninth in the spring race, setting the tone for a career of steady excellence at the track “Too Tough To Tame.”

Over the years, Marcis recorded nine top-five and 15 top-10 finishes at Darlington, with a career-best finish of third place three times — including both 1981 events and again in 1971.

While he never captured a NASCAR Cup Series victory at Darlington, Marcis did earn a memorable win at the track in what is now known as the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. In 1980, Marcis finished second in a thrilling, photo-finish battle with David Pearson in the first race for the series at Darlington. He returned in 1981 and rebounded in definitive fashion, winning the event and adding a Darlington trophy to his storied résumé.

As Honorary Starter, Marcis will wave the green flag to begin the Goodyear 400, a race that celebrates NASCAR’s heritage at one of its most iconic venues. His presence serves as a powerful reminder of the sport’s roots and the competitors who built it — one lap at a time.

NASCAR Alumni Weekend begins Friday, March 20, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Buckle Up South Carolina. The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series takes center stage on Saturday, March 21, with the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200.

And then on Sunday, March 22, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will compete in the Goodyear 400, which serves as an opportunity for today’s top talent to etch their names into Darlington Raceway’s list of legendary winners.

Throughout the weekend, NASCAR Alumni will participate in special fan engagement opportunities, giving fans an incredible chance to celebrate the legends who helped shape the sport. Tickets are going fast, so fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets now at www.DarlingtonRaceway.com.

About Darlington Raceway

Darlington Raceway, nicknamed The Lady in Black and the Track Too Tough to Tame, annually hosts two NASCAR Cup Series race weekends, along with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Opening in 1950, Darlington Raceway is “A NASCAR Tradition” and NASCAR’s original superspeedway with its famed 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval, challenging the sports best in one of the most iconic NASCAR races, the Southern 500®. For more information about Darlington Raceway, visit darlingtonraceway.com. Stay connected to Darlington Raceway on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the NASCAR Tracks App.

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 15 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.

Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti To Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

By
Official Release
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Two-Time National Coach of the Year To Lead Field to Green Flag

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, March 17, 2026) – Curt Cignetti, in celebration of Indiana University Football’s epic undefeated National Championship season, has been named honorary Pace Car driver for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

Cignetti will drive the all-new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X – the most advanced Corvette ever, designed and built right here in the United States – to lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Exact Pace Car details, including the one-of-a-kind Indianapolis 500 livery, will be unveiled at a later date.

The 2026 Indy 500 is set for Sunday, May 24, with FOX’s live coverage kicking off at 10 a.m. ET.

Cignetti and the Hoosiers have been on a meteoric and inspirational run following his announcement as head coach in December 2023. This includes a nation’s-best 27 victories across two seasons, a pair of College Football Playoff appearances and IU’s first national title (2025-26).

Cignetti is the first-ever Division I head coach to start 8-0 or better in consecutive seasons at different institutions and the third ever to begin consecutive seasons at 10-0. He is also just the third Big Ten head coach to start each of his first two seasons with at least an 8-0 record.

He won 14 of the 17 national Coach of the Year awards for which he was eligible in his first two seasons at Indiana. Cignetti is the first FBS coach to win consecutive national Coach of the Year awards from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Associated Press, ESPN Home Depot, The Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation.

Along with the national accolades, Cignetti is the first coach to win both the Hayes-Schembechler (coaches vote) and Dave McClain (media vote) Big Ten Coach of the Year awards in consecutive seasons in conference history.

“Coach Cignetti will have our field in a special victory lap formation as he leads the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to the green flag at this year’s Indy 500,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “His Hoosiers have been nothing short of remarkable, and their National Championship run inspired our entire state. He’s the perfect choice to drive the Chevrolet Pace Car, and I know his introduction on Race Day will bring out a special roar of appreciation from our crowd.”

Previous Indy 500 Pace Car drivers include Michael Strahan, Morgan Freeman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Robin Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, Ken Griffey Jr., Tyrese Haliburton and more esteemed Race Day guests.

FOX Sports is the exclusive home of all INDYCAR action, with all 18 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races set to broadcast on network television via FOX in 2026. This includes the world-famous Indianapolis 500, annually the largest single-day spectator sporting event on the globe. Coverage of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will be extensive for fans across the country, with a six-hour Race Day window on FOX for the second consecutive year.

Tickets for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24 and all other Month of May events are available at IMS.com/Tickets or via the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700.

An absolute transformation with body kits for BMW XM

By
SM
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The BMW XM represents a bold leap into the future of high-performance electrified SUVs, blending raw power with a design language that challenges traditional aesthetics. However, for those who seek to push the boundaries of exclusivity and visual impact even further, the Renegade Design body kit offers a comprehensive transformation that elevates this flagship model to a new level of dominance. This custom aerodynamic package is specifically engineered to accentuate the aggressive proportions of the XM while introducing a sophisticated carbon fiber aesthetic that mirrors the vehicle’s racing heritage and luxurious positioning.

A Philosophy of Cohesion and Muscle

The design philosophy behind this modification package centers on creating a more cohesive and muscular silhouette. At the front, the redesigned hood and massive bumper elements rework the face of the vehicle, making the iconic illuminated kidney grilles appear even more integrated into a singular, imposing front end. The addition of a pronounced front splitter not only enhances the aerodynamic profile but also visually lowers the car, giving it a more planted and purposeful stance on the road. Every curve and intake has been meticulously calculated to ensure that the increased visual weight does not compromise the cooling efficiency required by the powerful hybrid drivetrain.

A Broadened, Athletic Profile

Progression toward the side profile reveals widened wheel arches that provide the BMW XM with a significantly broader footprint. These extensions are seamlessly integrated into the bodywork, flowing into side skirts that bridge the gap between the massive front and rear wheels. This creates a continuous line of carbon fiber that draws the eye along the length of the vehicle, emphasizing its length and athletic build. The craftsmanship involved in these panels ensures that the transition between the factory bodywork and the aftermarket components is virtually indistinguishable in terms of quality and fitment.

Refining the Rear into Performance Art

The rear of the BMW XM is perhaps its most discussed feature, and the Renegade Design kit aims to refine this area into a masterpiece of performance art. A multi-stage diffuser surrounds the unique vertically stacked exhaust tips, framing them in a way that highlights the vehicle’s technical complexity. This is complemented by a sophisticated roof spoiler and a mid-trunk spoiler, which work in tandem to manage airflow and provide a sense of completion to the rear geometry. The use of high-quality carbon fiber patterns allows the light to catch the edges of these components, revealing the intricate texture of the material and reinforcing the premium nature of the build.

A Statement of Individuality

Beyond the mere aesthetics, this body kit serves as a statement of individuality for the modern enthusiast. In a world where luxury SUVs are becoming increasingly common, the ability to tailor a flagship vehicle like the XM to personal specifications is a rare privilege. The Renegade Design approach focuses on harmony, ensuring that the new elements enhance the original design language rather than clashing with it.

Performance Meets Bespoke Design

By utilizing lightweight materials and precision manufacturing, the kit maintains the performance standards expected from an M-badged vehicle while providing a visual presence that is impossible to ignore. This transformation turns a standard production car into a bespoke piece of automotive engineering that stands as a testament to the owner’s taste and the endless possibilities of modern car culture.

The Technology Behind Creating Race Analysis Videos for Social Media

By
SM
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Social media has become the ultimate arena for motorsport fans — and race analysis content is quietly taking over feeds everywhere. If you’ve ever thought about turning your passion for NASCAR into videos that actually get watched, shared, and talked about, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about the tech and the craft behind it.

Why is race analysis content exploding right now

These days, motorsport fandom is bigger than ever. Now that streaming has put racing a click away, millions of new viewers are chasing content that explains the action. Highlights grab attention — but they want the context that explains everything. Why did that pit strategy win the race? What made that late-race move genius or stupid?

Social media video content built on race analysis consistently outperforms scattered clip compilations. People share analysis. They argue about it in the comments. That engagement is exactly what algorithms love.

Step 1: Get your raw footage right

Most aspiring creators don’t think about footage quality before they even touch an editing app. If you’re recording broadcast replays or streaming feeds on a Mac, you need a screen recorder for Mac that keeps up with high frame rates — no lag, no compression artifacts. 

You have plenty of recording options, but anything below 60fps won’t do justice to fast-moving racing footage. Thirty frames per second just can’t keep up: slow pans and high-speed straights look awful when you’re analyzing tire behavior or drafting gaps.

Go big on recording quality, then compress the footage when exporting. You can always go down in quality — you can never go up.

Step 2: Organize like you mean it

Before you touch a timeline, build a folder structure. Label your raw clips by lap number, incident type, and driver. When you’re deep in the edit, hunting for that moment from lap 47, you’ll thank yourself for it.

For a solid NASCAR race breakdown, you’ll typically need: 

  • The incident clip; 
  • A wide shot for context; 
  • Any telemetry or graphic overlays from the broadcast; 
  • Your own talking head or voiceover reference. 

Having these organized saves you an hour minimum per video.

Step 3: Handle the annoying technical stuff first

You’re going to run into footage orientation issues. Clips pulled from mobile streams, foreign broadcasts, or fan-shot content often come in sideways or upside down. Don’t panic — just run them through a video rotator before importing to your main timeline. Most standalone video rotators will let you permanently bake in the rotation so your editing app doesn’t have to compensate frame-by-frame. A wrongly oriented clip inside a complex timeline can introduce subtle sync issues and slow down your render time noticeably.

Step 4: Choose the right editing apps for the job

Plenty of editing apps for social media exist, but not all of them are right for your platform. Some apps are built for speed and vertical formats — perfect for quick turnaround content. Others are designed for complex, multi-track projects where color grading and audio precision actually matter. Know what you’re making before you commit to a workflow.

The mistake people make is treating editing apps like a magic fix. They’re tools. The insight you bring to the footage is what makes a social media video worth watching.

Step 5: Train your eye by analyzing the greatest races

You can’t analyze something you don’t truly understand. To become an expert in race analysis content, you need to watch races obsessively — and then watch them again. Not casually — analytically.

Start with the greatest races in NASCAR history: 

  • The 1979 Daytona 500 (first live flag-to-flag coverage in TV history); 
  • The 1992 Hooters 500 at Atlanta (Richard Petty’s last race, title decided on the final lap);
  • The 2011 Daytona 500. 

Watch them frame by frame. Look closely at why every decision was made. That insight will shape your commentary, and your audience will see the difference.

Anyone can name NASCAR winners. The real skill is understanding how they won and what made their strategy or driving style different that day. That’s what separates lazy recaps from analysis people trust.

Step 6: Think social media first when structuring your video

This is a big one. A television broadcast assumes you’re sitting on your couch for three hours. A social media video has about four seconds to convince someone not to scroll past it.

Your structure for a solid social media video should look like this: 

  1. Hook (3–5 seconds of the most explosive clip); 
  2. Setup (10–15 seconds of context); 
  3. Breakdown (the actual analysis — keep it tight); 
  4. Payoff (your conclusion or hot take that invites comments).

For how to make a viral video in the motorsport space specifically: controversy helps, but informed controversy helps more. “Here’s why this pit call was actually brilliant” will outperform “crazy crash compilation” almost every time with an engaged audience.

Step 7: Use on-screen graphics intelligently

Static video of cars going around is boring to explain. Use annotations, speed overlays, and highlight circles to direct viewer attention. Most modern editing apps support motion-tracked annotations — callouts, arrows, and highlight circles that follow specific cars through corners rather than sitting static on the frame.

For NASCAR race analysis specifically, a simple graphic showing track position changes lap-by-lap does more explanatory work than two minutes of voiceover. Always think visually first — you’re making social media video content, not a podcast.

Step 8: Stay in the loop with NASCAR updates

Great analysis starts with great information. Keep official NASCAR channels, beat reporters, and team socials on your radar at all times. When NASCAR news breaks — rule changes, penalties, qualifying results — the fastest analysis usually takes the traffic.

Set up Google Alerts for driver names and racing events so news finds you first. If your breakdowns are packed with data, people take your analysis seriously.

Your perspective is the product

At the end of the day, motorsport fandom runs on passion and genuine knowledge. Viewers can tell the difference between someone who watched a race and someone who understood it. 

The technology covered in this guide will get your content looking clean and professional — but your point of view is what keeps people coming back. Develop it. Protect it. And don’t be afraid to be wrong sometimes — the best conversations in the comments usually start there.

NASCAR at Darlington Spring 2026 Weekend Schedule

By
Angie Campbell
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Denny Hamlin celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on April 06, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

NASCAR travels to Darlington Raceway this weekend with all three national series competing at “The Track Too Tough to Tame.”
NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers Harry Gant and Kurt Busch will be the Grand Marshals for Sunday’s Goodyear 400 and give the command, “Drivers, start your engines!”

Mark Martin, also a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will have the role of Honorary Pace Car Driver and lead the field to green for the Goodyear 400. His success at Darlington makes him the perfect candidate with 12 wins across multiple series, highlighted by two Southern 500 victories.

Martin commented on social media, saying, “Some tracks never leave you. Honored to return this Spring as the Honorary Pace Car Driver and lead the field to green at the Lady in Black. See you there.”

Dave Marcis, a NASCAR veteran with 883 career starts, will serve as the honorary starter and also present the Goodyear 400 trophy to the winner in Victory Lane.

Denny Hamlin, fresh off a victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend, is the returning race winner.

On Tuesday, Hendrick Motorsports announced that “Alex Bowman will miss at least the next three races as he continues to recover from vertigo. Justin Allgaier will fill in through Bristol. Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover.”

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Triple Truck Challenge returns this year, beginning at Darlington Raceway. Drivers will compete to earn a $50,000 bonus for winning a race. The bonus multiplies if a driver wins more than one of the races. If a driver wins two of the three races, they will receive $150,000. Win all three races in the Triple Truck Challenge and a bonus of $500,000 is awarded. Eligible drivers must have declared to collect Craftsman Truck Series points.

Triple Truck Challenge Schedule:
March 20: Darlington Raceway
April 3: Rockingham Speedway
April 10: Bristol Motor Speedway

Friday, March 20

3:30 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series Practice – FS2
4:35 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – FS2
7:10 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series Driver Intros
7:30 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series Buckle Up South Carolina 200
Stages 45/90/147 Laps = 200.8 Miles
FS1/SiriusXM
Post-race: NASCAR Press Pass

Saturday, March 21

Noon: O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice – CW App
1:05 p.m.: O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying – CW App

2:30 p.m.: 3:30 p.m.: Cup Series Practice
Prime/MRN/SiriusXM
3:40 – 4:30 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Impound)
Prime/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Cup Series Qualifying: NASCAR Press Pass

5 p.m.: O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver Intros
5:30 p.m.: O’Reilly Auto Parts Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200
Stages 45/90/147 Laps = 200.8 Miles
Post-race: NASCAR Press Pass

Sunday, March 22

2:20 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series Driver Intros
3 p.m.: Goodyear 400 Stages 90/185/293 Laps = 400.2 Miles
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
Post-race: NASCAR Press Pass

*All times are Eastern

The Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway Outlook and Picks

By
SM Staff
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Photo by by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m. ET on FS1. William Byron claimed the pole for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway with a 170.904 mph (28.774 secs) lap during qualifying in the spring race in 2025. Denny Hamlin only led 10 laps, but they were the ones that mattered most, and he took the lead in the overtime restart to win the race.

Track & Race Information for the Goodyear 400

Track Length: 1.366 miles
Track Type: Oval
Surface: Asphalt
Banking: Turns 1-2 (25°), Turns 3-4 (23°)

Length and Race Stages for the Goodyear 400

90/185/293 Laps = 400.2 Miles

Darlington Spring 2026 Weekend Schedule

Who and what should you look out for at the Darlington Raceway?

Denny Hamlin leads all active NCS drivers in victories at Darlington Raceway (2010, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2025), and Kyle Busch was the youngest NCS winner at 23 years, 0 months, 8 days on May 10, 2008.

Active Darlington Race Winners (8)WinsSeasons
Denny Hamlin52025, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2010
Chase Briscoe22025, 2024
Brad Keselowski22024, 2018
Erik Jones22022, 2019
William Byron12023
Kyle Larson12023
Joey Logano12022
Kyle Busch12008

The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing 21 wins, more than any other starting position at Darlington (16.28%). The most recent was Joey Logano in 2022, and he is also the only active driver to win from the pole.

Starting PositionWinsWinning %
12116.28%
22015.50%
31511.63%
4107.75%
5129.30%

The Driver Picks For Darlington Raceway

  • Denny Hamlin has two poles, five wins, 14 top fives, 20 top 10s, and a series-best average finish of 7.889. Hamlin leads all active NCS drivers in top-five finishes at Darlington with 14 top fives. Hamlin also has 20 top 10s.
  • Kyle Larson has one win, seven top fives, nine top 10s, and an average finish of 12.938.
  • Joey Logano has two poles, one win, six top fives, 11 top 10s, and an average finish of 13.583.
  • Tyler Reddick has one pole, five top fives, seven top 10s, and an average finish of 11.538.
  • Chase Elliott has four top fives, eight top 10s, and an average finish of 15.889.

Spire Motorsports Buckle Up South Carolina 200 Race Advance

By
Official Release
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  • The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to action at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway after a two-week hiatus. In eight starts at Darlington, Spire Motorsports has earned two top-10 finishes, highlighted by Chase Purdy’s sixth-place effort in May 2024.
  • The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 will be televised live on FS1 Friday, March 20 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The fourth of 25 points-paying races on the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

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

  • Connor Mosack will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Friends of Jaclyn Chevrolet Silverado RST in Friday’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway.
  • Two weeks ago in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ inaugural race at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Mosack took the green flag from the pole position after Friday’s qualifying session was canceled due to inclement weather. He raced inside the top five for the majority of the race, and despite sustaining cosmetic damage during the race’s final stage, soldiered home to a respectable 13th-place finish.
  • Mosack has registered a single appearance at the famed 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval. Last August, the 27-year-old driver scored a 13th-place result while competing out of the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing stable.
  • Mosack spent six races in the seat of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Silverado in 2024. He tallied one top five and four top 10s, highlighted by a third-place finish at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
  • Across 37 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, the Charlotte, N.C., native has logged one top-five and eight top-10 finishes, highlighted by a third-place effort in the 2023 Baptist Health Cancer Care 200 at the controls of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado.
  • The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers and to raise awareness through their Adopt-A-Child, Safe on the Sidelines and Guardian Angel Programs.
  • Mosack will pilot Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-091 Friday evening. The truck has made five starts, scoring three top-five and five top-10 finishes, including back-to-back fifth-place showings last season with Corey LaJoie at Michigan International Speedway and Richmond (Va.) Raceway. In the chassis’ maiden voyage at Kansas Speedway last May, William Byron tallied a runner-up finish. Overall, the truck has averaged a finishing position of 5.4.

Connor Mosack Quotes
You finished 13th at Darlington last season. What did you learn from that race that can help you this weekend?
“My first race at Darlington showed me a little of what it takes to perform well there. What the corners are really like, when the lanes begin to shift, how restarts feel, what I need out of my truck, and how to use my tires to have speed on the long runs.”

You had several strong runs with Spire Motorsports in the No. 7 truck in 2024. How confident are you heading back to Darlington with that group this weekend?
“I feel really good about all the races I have in the No. 7 truck this year. The team had a lot of speed at Darlington last year, and I think they’re even stronger this year. In 2024, we had a lot of strong runs together on the ovals and though Darlington is still a newer track for me, I feel confident in going there and being able to have a really strong run.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Brian Pattie

  • Brian Pattie will call the shots for Connor Mosack in 12 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races in 2026.
  • The veteran crew chief led Kyle Busch to his 68th-career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory in the Fr8 Racing 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway last month. The No. 7 Silverado led a total of 37 laps, including the final seven, to secure Spire Motorsports’ 10th all-time series win.
  • The Zephyrhills, Fla., native has called three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Darlington, highlighted by a fourth-place finish with William Byron in 2023.
  • In a combined 25 races atop the pit box in NASCAR Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition, the 50-year-old has collected a pair of top fives at Darlington. He led both Joe Nemechek (O’Reilly, 1999) and Juan Pablo Montoya (Cup, 2010) to fifth-place finishes in their respective series.
  • The 25-year industry veteran spent 14 seasons in NASCAR’s premier division. As a crew chief, he’s amassed six wins in Cup Series competition, 11 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and eight in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. He stands as one of 11 crew chiefs to win races across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series.

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

  • Carson Hocevar will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Delaware Life Chevrolet Silverado RST in Friday’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200.
  • Hocevar will pull double duty this weekend at Darlington, where he’ll pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevy Silverado prior to his traditional NASCAR Cup Series duties aboard the team’s No. 77 Chili’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s Goodyear 400.
  • The five-time CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race winner owns four previous starts at “The Lady in Black” where he’s tallied three top fives, including a runner-up finish in May 2022.
  • The 23-year-old, a veteran of 83 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, has logged one pole, five wins, 23 top fives and 35 top 10s, while leading 751 laps. He made the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoffs in all his three full-time seasons and earned a spot in the 2023 Championship 4.
  • Last time out with the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hocevar started 12th and mixed it up inside the top 10 for the majority of the afternoon, racking up 15 stage points to bolster the No. 77 team’s hunt for an owner’s championship. As the event drew to a close, he remained directly behind teammate Kyle Busch, pushing him to the victory. The finish marked the second one-two finish in team history.
  • The Portage, Mich., native registered a victory in one of four CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts in 2025, guiding the Brian Pattie-led No. 7 team to Victory Lane in the Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway. He led 75 of the event’s 134 laps en route to his most recent victory and first aboard a Spire Motorsports-prepared Chevy Silverado.
  • Hocevar will drive Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-092 Friday night, a brand new Chevy Silverado.
  • 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.

Carson Hocevar Quote
You have always run well in a truck at Darlington. Do you think you can seal the deal on Friday?
“I should probably have a win or two in the truck at Darlington. We broke a pit gun in 2022, but was somehow still able to get back to second. Then, the next year I remember we had another issue, but recovered for a top five. I think we have a really good chance to get it done on Friday, and I know Chad (Walter) and all the No. 77 guys built a fast Delaware Life Chevy Silverado. I’m really eager to drive the truck again.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Chad Walter

  • Chad Walter returns to the top of the No. 77 pit box, an entry that will see a host of all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2026 season.
  • Walter guided James Hinchcliffe and the No. 77 Spire Motorsports team to a 10th-place finish last time out on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. After receiving right-side damage, Hinchcliffe was scored 25th with 20 laps remaining, but embarked on a spirited drive to the top 10 in the closing laps.
  • In NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition, Walter has tallied two top-five and four top-10 finishes at “The Lady in Black”, highlighted by a fourth-place result in 2012 with Sam Hornish, Jr., at the controls.
  • Early in his career, the Albion, N.Y., native served as a pit crew member for fellow northeasterner Steve Park, including the March 2001 NASCAR Cup Series event at Darlington. Park led 164 laps and looked to be headed for the win until a late-race caution erased his three-plus-second lead. He was ultimately passed by Dale Jarrett and forced to settle for a runner-up finish. Kevin “Bono” Manion, Spire Motorsports’ CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Competition Director, served as the car chief on the No. 1 team that weekend.
  • Between NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, the 54-year-old has racked up six wins, 55 top fives and 140 top 10s.
  • Walter earned a mechanical engineering degree from the Cornell University College of Engineering. During his studies, he played defensive end for the Big Red football team.

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

The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on Feb. 21, 2026, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the Fr8 Racing 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

In 2026, Spire Motorsports will campaign 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 will also field the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.

TOP FUEL’S JOSH HART LOOKS TO CONTINUE STRONG START AT FMP NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS

By
Official Release
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PHOENIX (March 17, 2026) – A near-flawless weekend to open the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season has Top Fuel’s Josh Hart riding high heading into this weekend’s FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs at Firebird Motorsports Park.

Hart made career-best runs, qualified No. 1, set the Gainesville Raceway track speed record with a 340-mph run and won in his debut with John Force Racing to kick off NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.

It was a storybook start for Hart’s tenure at John Force Racing and it’s only made the talented Top Fuel driver think even bigger in his 12,000-horsepower Burnyzz Speed Shop/Speedmaster dragster. With a diamond Wally under his belt – as well as the points lead – Hart will have a chance to keep rolling in Phoenix and win the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of the year, as well as get his first career victory at Firebird Motorsports Park.

“The Burnyzz Speed Shop/Speedmaster team checked a lot of boxes at Gainesville and we’re going to take this momentum into Phoenix. We’re not going to take our foot off the gas; actually, quite the opposite,” Hart said. “We’ve set the expectation, we know where we need to improve and now it’s just to make sure that I can live up to everybody else’s expectations.”

As part of NHRA’s yearlong 75th anniversary celebration, fans can expect multiple highlights this weekend at Firebird Motorsports Park, including:

  • An appearance from NHRA legend and four-time world champion Don Prudhomme, as well as Charlie Allen and Jon Lundberg.
  • Prudhomme’s iconic career and legacy in NHRA Drag Racing will be celebrated throughout the weekend as the race’s historic moment.
  • On Friday, a free, limited-edition rally towel will be given to the first 3,000 fans in attendance to take in two rounds of pro qualifying.
  • A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and 75th anniversary stage in Nitro Alley.

Last season, Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Paul Lee (Funny Car), and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) each earned wins. This year’s race will be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 22. It is the second of 20 events and run times were moved to earlier slots with the expected heat.

Friday qualifying will begin at 9:30 a.m. local time on Friday with Pro Stock, followed by Funny Car and Top Fuel. The second session is slated to start at 12 p.m. On Saturday, Top Fuel will open the day at 10 a.m., followed by Funny Car and Pro Stock. The final qualifying session is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. with Top Fuel.

Sunday eliminations will be bumped an hour earlier as well, with the first round of eliminations slated for 10 a.m. local time.

Gates will open at 7 a.m. Friday through Sunday, with action in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series to begin at 7:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. on Sunday.

The weather may present some challenging conditions, but Hart and his team, led by standout crew chief David Grubnic, will be ready. The team ran well in all conditions in Gainesville, which adds to Hart’s confidence level.

He’ll face a loaded field in Phoenix, including reigning world champ and Gainesville runner-up Doug Kalitta, Langdon, Tony Stewart, Leah Pruett, Justin Ashley and four-time champ Antron Brown. Hart, though, is thinking big this year and that belief comes from the strong support around him.

“I want to earn the trust and respect of the John Force Racing fans. I want to earn the respect of my peers – be a good driver, stage properly – and I obviously want to earn the trust and respect of our team,” Hart said. “We’ve made a couple of really good steps in that direction but I know that’s just the beginning.”

“As for the weather forecast for Phoenix, I’m from Florida. I’m used to the heat so we’ll be just fine from the driver’s point of view.”

Paul Lee returns to the site of his first career Funny Car victory a year ago, looking to take down Gainesville winner Chad Green, back-to-back champ Austin Prock, Matt Hagan, Jordan Vandergriff and Ron Capps.

Greg Anderson will look to repeat in Pro Stock, but Gainesville winner and area resident Matt Hartford hopes to keep rolling along against reigning world champ Dallas Glenn, Erica Enders and Aaron Stanfield.

The FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

Race fans at Firebird Motorsports Park can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan-favorite SealMaster Track Walk.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This opportunity gives fans a chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. Fans can visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, and food and fun for the entire family.

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10 p.m. ET. on Friday and 12 p.m. on Sunday, leading into eliminations at 6:30 p.m. ET.

To purchase tickets to the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.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 NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series 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 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.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: DARLINGTON RACE PREVIEW

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Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
DARLINGTON PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Goodyear 400

DATE: March 22, 2026
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series 6 of 36
TRACK: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway | 1.366-Mile Oval

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JOHN AT DARLINGTON: John Hunter Nemechek has seven starts at Darlington Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series. He earned his highest finish of fourth in last year’s Southern 500. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, he has six starts at Darlington, earning three top-five finishes and two poles, earned in May 2023 and September 2023. He also earned his highest finish of third in the May 2023 race. Nemechek also has three starts at Darlington in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he won in May 2022, earned two poles in May 2021 and 2022, and never finished lower than eighth, including two top-two finishes.

TRUCK SERIES WINNER AT DARLINGTON: In May 2022, Nemechek took home the checkered flag in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race after starting on the pole. He led 69 out of 147 laps and won with a .552 margin of victory over Carson Hocevar. Nemechek was running a fulltime season in the Truck Series in 2022, and Darlington marked his first of two wins that season.

T-MACK AT DARLINGTON: Sunday afternoon’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s 11th NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington. His first outing at the 1.366-mile oval came in May 2021 with Daniel Suárez, and the duo competed for six total races between 2021 and 2023. Mack’s highest finish of fourth came with John Hunter Nemechek in the pair’s second Darlington race together in August 2025. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Mack made four starts at Darlington with Michael Annett between 2018 and 2020, earning two top-10 finishes and a best result of eighth in September 2020.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“I’m looking forward to it. Obviously tire wear is going to play a huge role at Darlington this year, but I enjoy being able to manage tires. I think our LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota Camrys have been better for that, especially when looking back at how we did at Phoenix. We were able to pass under green and carry speed through the long runs and work our way forward. I’m looking forward to the higher horsepower package and the higher tire degradation. Should be a fun one.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“It’s tough to run really well last year and have to come back this year with a different aero package. It’s going to be a challenge to hit that balance and have a similar car to what we brought last year in the fall, but LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is strong at intermediate tracks, so we’re ready to adapt to the new packages and have a solid showing at Darlington this weekend.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 ADVENTHEALTH TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
“THAT JONES BOY” DARLINGTON STATS: Sunday afternoon’s Goodyear 400 will mark Erik Jones’ 17th NASCAR Cup Series start at historic Darlington Raceway. Jones made a name for himself at the 1.366-mile oval where he owns two Southern 500 victories, six top-fives, and nine top-10s. He has led 132 laps in his career at Darlington, the second-most of any track in his career behind his 293 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Between his first start in the 2017 Southern 500 and the 2020 Southern 500, Jones never finished worse than eighth in the Cup Series. He has an additional two starts at Darlington in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series where he never started worse than sixth. In his first start there in September 2016, Jones started 10th and finished an impressive sixth. He followed that up in September 2017 when he started 11th and earned a fourth-place result.

TWO-TIME SOUTHERN 500 WINNER: Jones is not only a winner at Darlington, but a two-time Southern 500 winner. The crown jewel race has been kind to the Byron, Michigan native in his career. His first Southern 500 victory came in September 2019. Jones started 15th and led 79 laps en route to a 4.058 second victory over Kyle Larson. After a couple of top-10s, Jones found victory lane at Darlington once again in the September 2022 Southern 500. He once again started 15th and led a total of 23 laps to find victory lane with a .252 second margin of victory over Denny Hamlin.

ALEXANDER AT DARLINGTON: Sunday’s Goodyear 400 at Darlington will mark Justin Alexander’s 14th race on top of the box in the NASCAR Cup Series at the 1.366-mile track. In his prior 13 starts, he earned two top-fives and four top-10s at the track. His best finish of second came in the 2020 Southern 500 with Austin Dillon, where the duo finished just .434 seconds behind race winner Kevin Harvick.

THROWBACK TO WALLY: Despite there being no official NASCAR Throwback weekend this year at Darlington, AdventHealth and Erik Jones will bringing back some familiar colors from the 1994 NASCAR Cup Series season. Jones’ No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE will throw it back to Wally Dallenbach Jr.’s 1994 No. 43 STP car. Dallenbach Jr. drove the historic No. 43 car for 20 races during the 1994 season where he earned a best finish of fourth at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway.

ERIK JONES QUOTE:
“I’ve always been comfortable at Darlington in my career, and I think my stats there show that. It’s a place where I’ve done well and had a lot of speed in the past, no matter what team I was with. It reminds me of a lot of the tracks I grew up racing on which helps. I’ve been lucky to be able to not only win two Southern 500s in my career, but also just have really strong runs at this track. That includes last year’s Southern 500. There are some places that you just get that feeling and Darlington is one of them for me. I know the No. 43 team will bring me another strong car, and I’m excited to get to Darlington and build off of what we did last fall.”

JUSTIN ALEXANDER QUOTE:
“I’m really looking forward to Darlington with the high tire falloff and the new aero and engine package this year. Erik has had a lot of success there and really understands how to manage that track. Intermediates were a strong area for us at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB last year and we’re hoping to build on that. The new package may throw everyone a bit of a curveball, but we feel prepared for it and have high expectations going into the weekend.”

CLUB MINUTES:
JJ – TWO-TIME SOUTHERN 500 CHAMP: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson has 24 Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway. In his career, Johnson is a two-time Southern 500 champion and a three-time winner at Darlington. He has earned nine top-fives and 13 top-10s at the track nicknamed “The Lady in Black” as well as led 563 laps. His first win at Darlington came in March 2004 when Johnson started 11th and led 69 laps en route to a .132 second margin of victory over Bobby Labonte. He followed that up in the November 2004 Southern 500 when he started fourth, led 124 laps, and bested Mark Martin by .959 seconds. His final win at Darlington came in the 2012 Southern 500 when he started second, led 134 laps, and beat Denny Hamlin seconds.

KENSETH WINS AT DARLINGTON: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB competition advisor and 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth owns 28 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway. He earned one win, three top-fives, and 13 top-10s in these starts and led 193 laps. Kenseth is also a Southern 500 winner. A year after Johnson’s win in 2012, Kenseth started seventh and led 17 laps en route to a 3.155 seconds margins of victory over Denny Hamlin.

THE KING AT DARLINGTON: Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ambassador Richard Petty owns 65 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Darlington Raceway and is also a Southern 500 champion. In total, he accumulated three wins, 25 top-fives, and 34 top-10s at Darlington. He also led 2,391 laps at the 1.366-mile oval. His first victory came in April 1966 where Petty started on the pole and led 281 of 291 laps to find victory lane. He found victory lane again in May 1967 when he started second behind David Pearson and led 266 laps to win his second race at the track. His final win came in the September 1967 Southern 500 where Petty once again started on the pole and led a total of 345 laps to best David Pearson once again.

LAST YEAR’S SOUTHERN 500: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB had a strong outing last September at Darlington Raceway that the team is hoping to build off of this time around. Jones and Nemechek finished third and fourth respectively in the 2025 Southern 500. Jones started the Southern 500 in 19th and earned stage points with a third-place finish in Stage 2. In the final stage, he ran solidly inside the top-10 to earn his best finish of the 2025 season. Nemechek start 30th but made moves early in the race. The No. 42 team used strategy to earn stage points in both of the opening stages and bring home a fourth-place finish.

CLUB APPEARANCES:
Nemechek will be at the trackside merchandise trailer for an autograph session at 11:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, March 21.

Jones will visit the trackside merchandise trailer to sign autographs at 12:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 21.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m. EDT on FS1, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is a premier auto racing organization owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

Alex Bowman to miss next three races as he focuses on vertigo recovery

By
Official Release
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CONCORD, N.C. (March 17, 2026) – Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, will not compete in at least the next three NASCAR Cup Series races as he continues to recover from vertigo. He will miss events at Darlington Raceway (March 22), Martinsville Speedway (March 29) and Bristol Motor Speedway (April 12).

Bowman, 32, began experiencing symptoms during the March 1 race at Circuit of The Americas before exiting the car at lap 71. The Tucson, Arizona, native was also unable to compete earlier this month at Phoenix Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see how hard he’s working to get back behind the wheel, and we’re looking forward to his return when he’s medically cleared. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports is 100% behind Alex.”

Justin Allgaier will pilot the No. 48 Chevrolet through Bristol. The 39-year-old driver started 22nd and finished 25th Sunday while subbing for Bowman at Las Vegas. He has earned NASCAR O’Reilly Series victories at each of the next three tracks, including three at Darlington, one at Martinsville and two at Bristol. Allgaier competes full-time for Hendrick Motorsports affiliate JR Motorsports.

“Justin is a true professional and someone we have tremendous confidence in,” Andrews said. “He’s had success at the upcoming tracks, and we appreciate him stepping in to help the No. 48 team. We’re also grateful to our partners at JR Motorsports for understanding the situation and making Justin available.”

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