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Cup Series Kicks Off Round of 12 This Weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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NEW HAMPSHIRE

Saturday, September 20 – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Noon ET (FS1)
Sunday, September 21 – NASCAR Cup Series, 2 p.m. ET (USA)

The Round of 12 kicks off in the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway while the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will see its 10-driver postseason field cut to eight after the checkered flag. Ford still has seven drivers alive in the two series combined, including three champions in Joey Logano (Cup 2018, ’22, ’24), Ryan Blaney (Cup 2023) and Ty Majeski (NCTS 2024).

TEAM PENSKE MOVING ON

All three Team Penske drivers advanced to the Round of 12 after last weekend’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. This marks the third time in the last four years the trio of Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric have all advanced out of the Round of 16. As the organization continues on its goal for a fourth straight series championship, Blaney begins this three-race stretch 19 points above the cut line while Cindric and Logano are one and two points below, respectively.

HOME SWEET HOME

New Hampshire Motor Speedway is the home track for New England native Joey Logano and he’s definitely had his share of success with two NASCAR Cup Series victories, including the first of his career in 2009. Logano added another win in 2014 with Ford and in 26 starts has an average finishing position of 14.8. He’s been particularly consistent in recent years, entering Sunday’s race with six top-10 runs in the last eight Loudon events.

FORD DRIVERS IN THE CUP PLAYOFFS

DRIVER – POINTS POSITION

Ryan Blaney – 5th (+19 above the cut line)
Austin Cindric – 9th (-1 below the cut line)
Joey Logano – 10th (-2)

Note: Top 8 advance after Charlotte

FORD PLAYOFF DRIVERS AT NEW HAMPSHIRE

Joey Logano: 26 starts, 2 wins, 9 top-5, 14 top-10
Ryan Blaney: 12 starts, 0 wins, 2 top-5, 4 top-10
Austin Cindric: 3 starts, 0 wins, 0 top-5, 0 top-10

AUSTIN CINDRIC: HAS JOEY TOLD YOU ANYTHING ABOUT HIS TIRE TEST AT NEW HAMPSHIRE? “I think the team definitely got some good data from being able to go to the tire test. It’s obviously a similar tire to what we raced at Richmond and have some good notes from there and Martinsville, where we’ve run that tire, so I think from a notebook standpoint we should be in really good shape. Doing that and being able to go out and execute the weekend is a whole other thing.”

JOEY LOGANO: HOW BIG OF A GAUGE IS NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR PHOENIX? “Loudon has those big bumps and transitions. It’s kind of a unique track and more fall off as well, so Loudon is a unique one, similar, like setup-wise you’re probably not that different, but just the way you drive the track for a driver is quite a bit different. But just because you’re good at those tracks, you’ve got to get there still. Just because we’re good at Phoenix most of the time we’ve got to still get there. I look forward to Loudon. I love that place. It’s home and it’s a great track for us. I always look forward to getting up there for many reasons.”

RYAN BLANEY: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT GOING BACK TO THE LOUDON TRACK? “We’ll see. I don’t know. It was a pretty decent track for us before. There’s a new tire, so we’ll figure out what happens there as well. There’s only one way to find out.”

WEEKEND SWEEP

Brad Keselowski had a weekend to remember as he became the first driver to sweep a NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series race weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, achieving the feat on July 12-13, 2014. Keselowski led 138-of-305 laps, including the final two under a green-white-checkered finish to beat Kyle Busch to the finish line. The win was Ford’s fourth straight series win, marking the first time that had happened since 2001.

BURTON LEADS EVERY LAP

Jeff Burton is the last driver to lead every lap of a NASCAR Cup Series race when he did it on Sept. 17, 2000 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Bobby Labonte started from the pole, but Burton grabbed the lead after starting on the outside of the front row. Even though Labonte and Dale Earnhardt challenged him throughout the day, Burton never gave up the lead, becoming the first driver to lead every lap of a series race since Cale Yarborough did it in the Music City USA 420 at Nashville Speedway on June 3, 1978. The race, which was run with the use of restrictor plates, ended under caution after Sterling Marlin was involved in an accident with three laps remaining. It was Burton’s fourth win at the speedway and concluded a stretch that saw him win four consecutive seasons at the Magic Mile.

OWNER/DRIVER FIRST

Ford’s first NASCAR Cup Series win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway came in the track’s second year of hosting events in 1994. That’s when Ricky Rudd outdueled Dale Earnhardt in the closing laps to post his 15th career win. Rudd led 55 laps on the day, but won it after a memorable side-by-side battle with seven laps to go in which he passed Earnhardt on the inside, only to see the black No. 3 crossover and pull alongside for the next lap. Rudd eventually pulled in front and held on to take the Slick 50 300 on July 10, 1994. Rudd went on to post 23 NCS wins in his career and had at least one victory in 16 consecutive seasons (1983-98), but none may have been as satisfying as this one because it marked his first triumph as an owner/driver.

RIGGS TO MAKE 50TH CAREER TRUCK SERIES START

Fresh off his third win of the season and fifth of his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career, Layne Riggs heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for his 50th career start with a spot in the Round of 8 secure. Riggs has been on a roll of late, winning three times in the last seven events while also registering two poles. The North Carolina native has led 446 laps this season, compared to 161 a year ago in his rookie season, and has an average finishing position of 9.6 through the first 20 races.

FIRST TRUCK RACE AT NHMS SINCE 2017

This weekend will mark the return of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the first time since 2017. As a result, many current Ford drivers have never competed on the flat one-mile oval. That includes all four of Ford’s playoff drivers – Layne Riggs, Ty Majeski, Jack Garcia and Chandler Smith. In fact, the only two current F-150 drivers with experience at NHMS are Matt Crafton (15 starts) and Ben Rhodes (2 starts). Ford has won three times in the series at NHMS with Kurt Busch (2000), Terry Cook (2002) and Rick Crawford (2005).

FORD DRIVERS IN THE NCTS PLAYOFFS

DRIVER – POINTS POSITION

Layne Riggs – Bristol Winner (Clinched Round of 8)
Ty Majeski – 4th (+46)
Jake Garcia – 9th (-14 below cut line)
Chandler Smith – 9th (-24)

Note: Top 8 advance after New Hampshire

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS AT NHMS

1994 – Ricky Rudd

1996 – Ernie Irvan

1997 – Jeff Burton (1)

1998 – Jeff Burton (1)

1999 – Jeff Burton (1)

2000 – Jeff Burton (2)

2001 – Dale Jarrett (1)

2002 – Ryan Newman (2)

2004 – Kurt Busch (Sweep)

2008 – Greg Biffle (2)

2014 – Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano

2018 – Kevin Harvick

2019 – Kevin Harvick

2020 – Brad Keselowski

2021 – Aric Almirola

FORD’S NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT NHMS

2000 – Kurt Busch

2002 – Terry Cook

2005 – Rick Crawford

The Ford Mustang, celebrating its 61st anniversary in 2025, is the world’s best selling sports car. It is also one of the planet’s most popular race cars. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Australian Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 20 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more at FordPerformance.com.

RFK Advance | Loudon

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Official Release
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Loudon Event Info:
Date: Sunday, September 21
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Loudon, New Hampshire
Format: 301 Laps, 318.46 Miles, Stages: 70-185-301
TV: USA
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 3 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 4:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 2 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • New Hampshire Motor Speedway hosts the first race of the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs for the circuit’s annual stop in New England.
  • Loudon is the site of seven wins all-time for Jack Roush in the NASCAR Cup Series.
  • Chris Buescher holds the third highest average starting position (12.1) in the Cup Series this season, anchored by 11 starts inside the top 10.
  • Buescher is also one of seven drivers with 15+ top-10 results this season, and has an average finish of 13.7 which is the fourth highest among Cup drivers.
  • Brad Keselowski has posted five top-10 finishes over his last nine races, including three in the top five, with an average finish of 12.2 dating back to Dover.
  • Loudon also stands as Keselowski’s best track of any on the circuit as he’s finished 10th or better in nine of the last 11 races.
  • Ryan Preece has set Cup Series career highs this season in top-fives (3) and top-10s (10), and has finished inside the top-20 in 13 of his last 15 starts.

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Kroger Health / Flublok

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Mohawk Northeast

Keselowski at NHMS
Starts: 24
Wins: 2 (2014, 2020)
Top-10s: 16
Poles: 4 (2010, 2013, 2014, 2019)

  • NHMS stands as Keselowski’s best track statistically with an average finish of 10.5 and 16 top-10s, the most of any track on the circuit. He’s won in Loudon twice – first in 2014 and most recently in 2020.
  • He’s finished top-7 in six of the last seven Loudon events, and has led laps in 15 of his 24 NHMS starts.
  • Keselowski is coming off three straight P9 starting spots and has four poles all-time, the last coming in 2019. He carries a 10.2 average starting position into the weekend, the best of any track on the circuit.
  • He also has two NXS wins in Loudon winning consecutive races in 2012 and 2014. He earned the pole in five of his 10 NXS starts and finished top-10 in every start with an average result of 3.8.

Buescher at NHMS
Starts: 11
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Buescher makes his 12th Cup start at NHMS this weekend where he’s coming off a fifth-place result last season, his first top-10 finish at the track.
  • He carries a 23.1 average starting position into the weekend with a best effort of 15th (2024).
  • Buescher also made two Xfinity Series starts with a best finish of fifth back in 2014.

Preece at NHMS
Starts: 6
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Preece is set for his seventh Cup start at New Hampshire this weekend, where he earned a career-best 11th-place finish last season.
  • He holds a 28.7 average starting position at Loudon across his six starts, with a best of 21st in 2023.
  • Preece has also made five NXS starts at NHMS with a pair of top-10s in 2017 and 2018.

RFK Historically at New Hampshire
Cup Wins: 7 (Jeff Burton, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000; Kurt Busch, 2004 (twice); Greg Biffle, 2008

  • Patriot’s Day: This weekend’s NCS event at New Hampshire is in the home territory of RFK’s co-owners, the Fenway Sports Group. FSG is based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and is located just 82 miles from New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
  • Niner Niner: RFK has won in all three of NASCAR’s major touring series at New Hampshire, including seven times in the NCS and once each in Xfinity and the Truck Series. Jeff Burton drove the No. 99 to RFK’s first NCS win at Loudon back in 1997, while Greg Biffle earned the most recent win in 2008. Kurt Busch went to victory lane in 2000 in the trucks while Carl Edwards picked up the win in 2006 in Xfinity series action.
  • Four in a Row: RFK won at least one NCS race at New Hampshire in four consecutive seasons from 1997-2000, with former driver Burton taking the checkered flag on each occasion. In addition, RFK swept both races at New Hampshire in 2004 with former driver Busch.
  • Wicked Good Domination: Former RFK driver Burton posted one of the most dominating wins in NASCAR history at New Hampshire on Sept. 17, 2000, with Burton qualifying on the front row (second) and leading all 300 laps of the event en route to his fourth victory at the New England track. RFK has led over 100 laps in NCS action at New Hampshire on six different occasions, including leading over 150 laps four times and over 190 laps three times. All-in-all, RFK has led 1,557 laps at New Hampshire in the NCS.

RFK Loudon Wins

1997-1 Burton Cup

1998-1 Burton Cup

1999-1 Burton Cup

2000-2 Burton Cup

2004-1 Busch Cup

2004-2 Busch Cup

2008-2 Biffle Cup

2006 Edwards NXS

2000 Busch Truck

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Bristol: Keselowski 2nd; Buescher 11th; Preece 21st.

Points Standings (17: 17th, 60: 18th, 6: 20th): Buescher and Preece sit 17th and 18th in points, respectively, while Keselowski moved up two spots to 20th in the standings, earning 10 stage points and a runner-up finish at Bristol.

HFT Advance | Loudon

By
Official Release
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Loudon Event Info:
Date: Sunday, September 21
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Loudon, New Hampshire
Format: 301 Laps, 318.46 Miles, Stages: 70-185-301
TV: USA
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 3 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 4:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 2 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • New Hampshire Motor Speedway hosts the first race of the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs for the circuit’s annual stop in New England.
  • The NASCAR Xfinity Series takes the weekend off after the opening race in the Round of 12 last Friday night at Bristol.
  • Sam Mayer sits third in the playoff standings with 2066 points, +35 points to the cutline, while Sheldon Creed is in seventh place with 2038 points, +7 above the cutline.
  • Mayer (10.3) holds the second highest average finish among full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers this season, behind only Connor Zilisch (8.3).
  • Mayer has finished inside the top five in five of his previous seven and has tied his career-high with 13 top-five finishes this season (also: 2023).
  • Mayer (7.2) also has the third highest average starting position among full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers this season, behind Zilisch (6.2) Justin Allgaier (6.9).
  • He has started inside the top five in each of his last seven starts dating back to his lone pole of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: HaasTooling.com

Custer at Loudon (Cup)
Starts: 4
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Custer is set to make his fifth Cup start at Loudon this weekend, where he has a 21.0 average finish. His lone top-10 finish came in 2020 when he finished eighth.
  • He started inside the top 20 once, a career-best P14 in 2020. He boasts a 23.0 average starting position.
  • Custer finished top-10 in four of five career NXS starts at Loudon, including a runner-up finish in 2019. He also has two career poles in the Xfinity Series coming in 2019 and 2024.

Where They Stand
Cup Points Standings (41: 33rd): Custer is 33rd in the Cup Series points standings with 367 points heading into Loudon this Sunday.

Racing to End Alzheimer’s set for Pilot Challenge clash at Indy

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Official Release
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The penultimate event on the Michelin Pilot Challenge calendar will see the team debut a new Ford Mustang at the legendary Brickyard

LOS ANGELES (September 16, 2025) – The Racing to End Alzheimer’s with Stephen Cameron Racing team looks to finish the Michelin Pilot Challenge season strong, bringing a new Ford Mustang to the penultimate series event, the two-hour Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 (Saturday at 12:40 p.m. ET on Peacock).

The team will debut a new No. 19 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Ford Mustang chassis this weekend (one that drivers Sean Quinlan and Greg Liefooghe tested several weeks ago at Road Atlanta), aiming for the elusive first victory on the season. To accomplish that at Indy would check off a bucket list item for drivers and team alike: as Racing to End Alzheimer’s founder Phil Frengs notes, few experiences compare to racing at the legendary Brickyard.

“In my opinion – and not just my opinion, clearly – Indy is the cathedral of racing in the U.S.,” said Frengs. “There is so much history, you get goosebumps just walking in. When you’re standing on the yard of bricks, looking at the grandstands which seem to go on forever, and then turning around and looking at the famous pagoda, it’s just a very, very special feeling: I never get tired of it. There are so many fans walking around, and they’re so knowledgeable. We can’t wait for the weekend.”

Liefooghe has raced at Indy numerous times and hopes to one day enjoy the fruits of victory on the track many drivers can only dream of.

“The history is so deep there,” said Liefooghe. “It’s always been a dream to be able to kiss the bricks, but there’s always been something that happened to us late in the race that prevented us from being able to put our name in the record books. It’s a very tricky track, with tight corners that invite drivers to perhaps be a little bit optimistic. It’s hard to get a good run out of corners when you’re behind a car, because there are really only two passing zones: turn one and the end of the back straight, and it’s tough to time runs to get a good passing opportunity at the end of the straights.”

As always, the on-track action is only part of the story for Racing to End Alzheimer’s, as the race car carries the names of nearly 150 people who have suffered from dementia or Alzheimer’s, placed there by family and friends who want to honor their legacy.

The No. 19 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Mustang gives families the chance to honor loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. For a $250 donation, the family member’s name and hometown is placed on the car, and their photo can be posted on the Racing to End Alzheimer’s website’s tribute page. All donations are matched by Frengs’ company Legistics, with 100% going to the program’s two beneficiaries – the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist, and the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program.

To date, Racing to End Alzheimer’s has donated over $1 million to those two programs.

Donate now at this link.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway 120 for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series will take the green flag Saturday at 12:40 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on Peacock TV, and internationally on IMSA.tv and on IMSA’s YouTube channel – ad-free courtesy of Michelin.
About Racing to End Alzheimer’s

In 2013, Phil Frengs’s late wife Mimi was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Their experience with the disease led Frengs to a seminal moment: his company, Legistics, had long sponsored a team in IMSA sports car racing and he realized an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the fight against the disease. In 2017, he formed Racing to End Alzheimer’s, giving fans the opportunity to honor loved ones by putting their names on the race car via donation – with Legistics matching each donation. 100% of those donations go to the two organizations the team supports:

The Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist is exploring cutting edge strategies in therapy, care and research to find a cure for these dementias. NNAC was founded by longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz and his family in honor of his father, Jim, Jr., who passed away after a 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

The UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program is a nationally-recognized grant-funded program designed to help patients and their families with the complex medical, behavioral and social needs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

INDYCAR Announces 17-Race 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Schedule

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Official Release
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Dynamic, Hyper-Competitive Event Roster Built To Accelerate Sport’s Growth

All NTT INDYCAR SERIES Races Again To Air on FOX

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025) – INDYCAR has announced an action-packed 17-race schedule for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, highlighted by multiple new events and several exciting showcases for the stars of racing’s most exhilarating and competitive series. This includes:

  • A supercharged set of races on three consecutive weekends to kick off the season, including new events at Phoenix Raceway and on the Streets of Arlington.
  • A massive showcase at Nashville Superspeedway with FOX’s telecast of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final serving as the historic lead-in.
  • More prime-time racing under the lights on ovals, at both World Wide Technology Raceway and Nashville Superspeedway.
  • A return of the season finale and the crowning of the 2026 champion to the renowned WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

For the second consecutive season, all 17 races will be broadcast on FOX, with two additional appearances during the two days of qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is once again the only premier motorsport series in North America with all races broadcast on network television.

In the first year of a multiyear partnership with FOX Sports, viewership of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season was up 27 percent from the previous season, generating the fastest growth curve of any major sport. An average of 1.36 million viewers watched the 17-race schedule that led to the history-making championship of Alex Palou, the first three-peat series title winner in 14 years.

“Our growth is industry-leading and will only accelerate faster as we continue our powerful partnership with FOX Sports and increase investment in our events,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule provides a dynamic showcase for our sport and its stars, blending fan-favorite race weekends with incredible showcases at exciting new venues. We cannot wait for 2026.”

Massive March

For the first time in the sport’s history, North America’s premier open-wheel series will compete on four dates during March. The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opens Sunday, March 1 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. It is the 16th time and fifth consecutive year INDYCAR has opened the season on the sun-splashed streets of St. Pete.

Following the launch of the 2026 season on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES arrives at Phoenix Raceway as part of a buzzworthy weekend alongside NASCAR. The Saturday, March 7 race will be the 65th time the INDYCAR SERIES has raced on the historic oval and the first on the track’s reconfigured “dogleg” layout. The weekend will provide a joint-showcase with NASCAR in partnership with FOX Sports.

“We’re going to kickstart the season in fitting fashion, with four races in five weeks,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “Our joint weekend in partnership with NASCAR and FOX at Phoenix Raceway will be a can’t-miss for motorsport fans across the country and a truly special celebration of fast, fearless racing across the motorsport landscape.”

The INDYCAR SERIES first raced at Phoenix in 1964. Past winners include a legendary list of champions such as A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, Tom Sneva, Bobby Rahal, Rick Mears, Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden.

A week later, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES races on the new 14-turn, 2.73-mile Streets of Arlington circuit for the inaugural INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington. A tentpole event during the 2026 championship, the weekend is a first-of-its-kind venture uniting three championship organizations: INDYCAR, the Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment, the official events partner of the Texas Rangers.

The Sunday, March 15 race will anchor an action-packed all-star lineup of entertainment and engaging fan activations in what is expected to be racing’s next can’t-miss global spectacle.

Two weeks later, the month of March finishes on the series’ first natural terrain road course of 2026 with a return to beautiful Barber Motorsports Park for round four of the championship, Sunday, March 29. This is the 16th race for the series on the picturesque and physically demanding track.

Spring to Indianapolis

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule resumes Sunday, April 19 on the palm tree-lined Streets of Long Beach for the iconic Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. It will be the 42nd time the INDYCAR SERIES has raced on the iconic Southern California streets as the event enters its sixth decade.

In 2025, a modern event record of more than 200,000 fans attended California’s “200 mph beach party” at the INDYCAR SERIES’ longest-running street circuit event on the calendar.

A few weeks later, the series moves into the traditional Month of May calendar at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. May at IMS begins with a race on the road course Saturday, May 9 before attention shifts to the famed 2.5-mile oval for two days of qualifying Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17 building toward the 110th edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” – the world’s largest single-day sporting event – on Sunday, May 24.

Summer’s Time

INDYCAR’s traditional post-Memorial Day weekend visit to the Streets of Detroit starts a summer stretch of intense on-track action through the Fourth of July holiday.

The Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear is scheduled for Sunday, May 31, with racing on the 1.645-mile street circuit for the fourth straight year. The layout on the city’s vibrant and challenging streets has become a fan favorite and has featured the most on-track passes on a street course in nearly three years.

A week later, it’s back to Sunday prime-time oval racing at World Wide Technology Raceway for the 10th Annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline Sunday, June 7. The 2025 night race featured an event record 14 different leaders and tied the event record with 254 on-track passes for position.

A return to tradition-rich Road America and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America Presented by AMR is scheduled for Sunday, June 21. Last year’s race on the picturesque circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, had a race-record nine different leaders and the second-most passing numbers on record at the track.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will continue the series’ tradition of a Fourth of July trackside celebration by hosting the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on Sunday, July 5. The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio matches Long Beach as it hosts INDYCAR SERIES racing for the 42nd year in 2026.

Prime-time Oval Racing Follows FIFA World Cup 26™ Final

The FIFA World Cup™ Final on FOX will provide a massive lead-in and showcase as the series begins the final six races of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship. Following FOX’s full telecast of the FIFA World Cup™ Final and Trophy ceremony Sunday, July 19, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will take the green flag at Nashville Superspeedway. The expected start time of the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix will take the series’ stars and wheel-to-wheel action to a checkered flag finish under the lights on the 1.33-mile concrete oval. Next year’s race also will provide more thrilling action, with the race length set for 400 miles on the unique and demanding track.

The season’s schedule continues into August featuring a flurry of four races beginning at the hard-charging Portland International Raceway and the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland on Sunday, Aug. 9. It will be the 32nd INDYCAR weekend in the scenic Pacific Northwest city.

A week later, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to Canada to race on the new Streets of Markham layout Sunday, Aug. 16. Recently announced, the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham continues the series’ rich history of exciting wheel-to-wheel racing in the Toronto area. Major investments from the city are creating a 12-turn, 2.19-mile layout, which will include a double-sided pit lane, a high-speed straight and technically challenging sectors.

Markham, as part of the young and diverse York Region of Ontario, is experiencing significant growth at a population of more than 1.25 million. The 2026 race will mark the 38th year the series has competed in Ontario and 40th INDYCAR SERIES race in the province.

A popular doubleheader at the famed Milwaukee Mile will mark a crucial championship stretch Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30. In recent years, the 250-lap races have featured the most on-track passes on record at the oldest continuously operated motor speedway in the world.

The climactic ending of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship and the presentation of the Astor Challenge Cup returns to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Monterey on Sunday, Sept. 6. The historic venue is known for its challenging corners, unique and demanding elevation changes and the world-famous Corkscrew. It is more impressive than ever, having benefited from significant investment and fan-focused renovations through the leadership of “Friends of Laguna Seca,” a local non-profit that now manages the venue.

“Once again INDYCAR will have the most challenging schedule in all of motorsports with its nearly even mix of ovals, road courses and street circuits,” Boles said. “This championship format and diverse schedule test driver and team adaptability and truly celebrate the most complete driver and team at the end of the season.”

The INDYCAR Radio Network again will provide audio coverage of all NTT INDYCAR SERIES sessions via SiriusXM Channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

Start times for the 2026 events will be announced at a later date. The 2026 schedule for INDY NXT by Firestone, INDYCAR’s developmental series, will be announced in the coming days.

2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES SCHEDULE

DateVenueTelevision
Sunday, March 1Streets of St. PetersburgFOX
Saturday, March 7Phoenix RacewayFOX
Sunday, March 15Streets of ArlingtonFOX
Sunday, March 29Barber Motorsports ParkFOX
Sunday, April 19Streets of Long BeachFOX
Saturday, May 9Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road CourseFOX
Sunday, May 24The 110th Indianapolis 500FOX
Sunday, May 31Streets of DetroitFOX
Sunday, June 7World Wide Technology RacewayFOX
Sunday, June 21Road AmericaFOX
Sunday, July 5Mid-Ohio Sports Car CourseFOX
Sunday, July 19Nashville SuperspeedwayFOX
Sunday, Aug. 9Portland International RacewayFOX
Sunday, Aug. 16Streets of MarkhamFOX
Saturday, Aug. 29Milwaukee Mile Race 1FOX
Sunday, Aug. 30Milwaukee Mile Race 2FOX
Sunday, Sept. 6WeatherTech Raceway Laguna SecaFOX

Magnus Racing Confirms Petit Le Mans Return, Heylen to Join Team

By
Official Release
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT (September 16, 2025) – Adding another edition to their limited 2025 campaign, Magnus Racing is pleased to announce their commitment to the upcoming MOTUL Petit Le Mans, the final round of this year’s IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. Joining team veterans John Potter and Spencer Pumpelly in the No. 44 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO, long-time IMSA competitor Jan Heylen will join the team at the historic Road Atlanta circuit.

“It’s great to return to competition during our limited season,” stated Magnus Racing owner and driver John Potter. “Petit Le Mans is something well engrained in the roots of our team, going back to our origins, and we’re excited to push for another result. Adding Jan Heylen to the team should be a great addition, he’s someone we’ve competed against for many years and it will be nice to finally have him under our tent.”

Hailing from Belgium, but with a long established career in the United States, Jan Heylen has become a staple of IMSA competition. A winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona as well as multiple races in both the WeatherTech Sports Car Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge, Heylen is one of the most versatile and adaptable drivers in the paddock, although this event will mark his debut both with the team and Aston Martin machinery.

“I’m really looking forward to joining everyone at Magnus Racing and Aston Martin,” stated Heylen. “I’ve raced against the team for many years, so it will be nice to finally join the group and help them achieve the ultimate goal at Petit. The Aston Martin is a very different car from what I’ve been competing with over the last several years, but it’s always been a strong car and one I look forward to getting more time with.”

This year’s MOTUL Petit Le Mans will mark the third for Magnus in 2025, who has been on a partial season due to business commitments for team owner John Potter. At the season opening Rolex 24 at Daytona, an engine failure would sideline the team early in the race, which was followed most recently by the Six Hours of the Glen in June, where the team was forced to retire due to another car striking them and creating terminal damage.

Practice for this year’s race will begin on Thursday, October 9, with the 10-hour race taking place on Saturday, October 11.

Charlotte Advance for the NHRA Four-Wide Carolina Nationals

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Official Release
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Tony Stewart & Matt Hagan
Dodge Direct Connection Top Fuel & Funny Car Drivers
NHRA Four-Wide Carolina Nationals
Sept. 19-21 | Charlotte, North Carolina

Event Overview
Friday, Sept. 19 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 4:45 p.m. EDT
Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 7 p.m. EDT

Saturday, Sept. 20 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Nitro qualifying session (Q3): 12:30 p.m. EDT
Nitro qualifying session (Q4): 3 p.m. EDT

Sunday, Sept. 21 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)
Round 1: 11:30 a.m. EDT
Round 2: 1:30 p.m. EDT
Finals: 3:20 p.m. EDT

TV coverage on FS1
Sunday, Sept. 21: Qualifying show recapping Friday and Saturday’s action (10 a.m. EDT)
Sunday, Sept. 21: Finals show (12 p.m. EDT)

Notes of Interest

The NHRA Four-Wide Carolina Nationals near Charlotte, North Carolina, is the 16th race on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race schedule and it serves as the second race in the six-race Countdown to the Championship. Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan are eyeing a title run in their respective Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions. This year’s Countdown marks Stewart’s second appearance in the NHRA postseason and Hagan’s 13th consecutive appearance.

Stewart is currently second in the Top Fuel standings heading into the second round of Countdown, 18 points behind leader Doug Kalitta. Hagan is fifth in the Funny Car standings, 55 points behind leader Austin Prock.

Direct Connection is the primary partner of Stewart and Hagan this weekend in Charlotte. With muscle car enthusiasts looking for “ready to run” parts, Direct Connection serves as the source for high-performance parts and technical expertise straight from the factory.

Stewart and Hagan competed at Charlotte April 25-27 in the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Stewart secured the No. 8 qualifying position after four qualifying sessions, and advanced to the Finals on Sunday, where he finished third behind Shawn Langdon and Justin Ashley. Antron Brown finished fourth. Hagan secured the No. 8 qualifying position at the Four-Wide Nationals and advanced to the Finals. Hagan finished third behind Austin Prock and Ron Capps. Alexis DeJoria finished fourth.

2025 marks the first time the NHRA has held four-wide events at Charlotte in both the Spring and Fall events.

The Four-Wide Carolina Nationals will serve as Stewart’s 36th career Top Fuel start. It’ll be his fourth overall start at Charlotte and his second in the Carolina Nationals. For Hagan, the Carolina Nationals will be his 368th career Funny Car start. It’ll be his 32nd overall start at Charlotte and his 17th in the Carolina Nationals.

Stewart is seeking his first victory in the Four-Wide Carolina Nationals, as well as his first No. 1 qualifier at the event. In 2024, Stewart secured the No. 14 qualifying position and his 4.299 ET at 220.48 mph lost to Doug Kalitta’s 3.894 ET at 306.67 mph in Round 1 of eliminations.

Converting the Carolina Nationals to the four-wide format could prove fortuitous for Tony considering the success he has had in such events. Although he has yet to win a four-wide race at Charlotte, he won his very first drag race on April 16, 2023 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when he prevailed in Top Alcohol Dragster in the four-wide event at that facility. Two years later, on April 13, 2025, he won his first Top Fuel trophy in the same event on the same track. Earlier this year, he reached the final quad at the spring four-wide at Charlotte. In his first appearance in the Carolina Nationals last September, he qualified 14th but was ousted in round one.

Hagan has four career wins at Charlotte – two in the Carolina Nationals and two in the Four-Wide Nationals. His Carolina Nationals wins came in 2011 and 2014 while his Four-Wide triumphs were earned in 2013 and 2024. In his first Carolina Nationals win on Sept. 18, 2011, Hagan’s 4.130 ET at 301.06 mph defeated Mike Neff’s 4.431 ET at 202.79 mph. Hagan scored his second Carolina Nationals win on Sept. 20, 2014 when he defeated John Force. Hagan ran a 4.212 ET at 297.81 mph while Force fouled at the start, negating his run of 4.140 ET at 309.77 mph.

Hagan has two No. 1 qualifiers at the Carolina Nationals, which came in 2011 (3.995 ET at 316.23 mph) and 2024 (3.832 ET at 333.25 mph).

In four-wide racing, Hagan has won more quads (22) and advanced to more final quads (15) than any other driver, regardless of category, and his three wins (two a zMAX Dragway and one at Las Vegas Motor Speedway) are the most by an active Funny Car driver (John Force and Robert Hight also have three wins). Overall, he’s won four times at zMAX Dragway. At only two tracks has he won more often – Pomona (7 times) and Dallas (5 times).

Hagan was the first Funny Car driver to break the four-second barrier when he completed a run of 3.995 seconds in 2011 at Charlotte. His milestone run was commemorated with a sign on the retaining wall near the starting line.

The Mopar CAP (Career Automotive Program) will be partnering with TSR on Friday for the fourth of seven events this season. CAP consists of strategic alliances between Stellantis and over 100 colleges and trade schools teaching technical curriculum integrated into the school’s general automotive program, so that students can become certified Stellantis technicians.

Leah Pruett will be available to speak with the media in the zMAX Dragway Media Center on Friday from 2:00-2:30 p.m. EDT. It was recently announced that Pruett will be returning to Top Fuel competition in 2026 after stepping out the last two seasons to start a family with Stewart.

Tony Stewart, Driver of the TSR Dodge//SRT Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster

The NHRA will be competing in a four-wide event for the first time during the Countdown at Charlotte. What dynamic will that bring to the fight for the Championship?

“Charlotte is going to be an interesting weekend. It’ll be the first time we’ve had a four-wide event in the Countdown. We’ll have to bring out a backup car. It’s a car that’s ran before, so Monday we tested with Leah behind the wheel just to make sure all the systems ran correctly. It’s an unfortunate situation, but I have a lot of confidence in PBRC (Precision Built Race Cars). They build our chassis, so going from one car to another is no drama. They build very repeatable cars, so that’s a strength for us to have that second car in the bullpen. You hate to have to get it out in the Countdown, but it’s the cards we were dealt and I have the confidence the car will be just as good as the one we crashed last weekend in Reading. Doug (Kalitta) gained points on us last weekend, but we have a chance in Charlotte to win another four-wide event like we did in Last Vegas. I love the four-wides, so if we have a race to rebound, this is the one to do it at.”

Matt Hagan, Driver of the TSR Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car

The NHRA will be competing in a four-wide event for the first time during the Countdown at Charlotte. What dynamic will that bring to the fight for the Championship?

“The four-wide events create their own challenges because you can’t see when the other two cars leave the starting line. In the Countdown, you have to go to the end. Whether your car has a hole out or it’s on fire, you have to go to the end. The racing is risky, but we’ll be pushing everything to the limit. We’ll have one less round of racing, so everything will count. We stayed over in Reading to test, so that gave us a better idea of where the car is at heading into Charlotte.”

Tom Sheehan Prepared to Tackle VIR in Trans Am Weekend

By
Official Release
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Alton, VIRGINIA – September 16, 2025 – Trans Am driver Tom Sheehan is set to return to the cockpit of his No. 97 Vixen Cycle / LTK Insulation Technologies Damon Racing Ford Mustang this weekend as the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli rolls into Virginia International Raceway (VIR) for one of the most anticipated events of the season on September 19 – 21.

The 3.27-mile natural terrain road course at VIR is a driver’s track in every sense, featuring a demanding mix of high-speed straights, technical corners, and elevation changes. It has long been a favorite stop on the Trans Am calendar, offering a perfect showcase for the Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Series, where Sheehan continues to compete against some of the most challenging fields in modern road racing.

“This place really has everything,” said Sheehan ahead of the weekend. “VIR is fast, it’s technical, and it always brings out the best in the competition. We’ve been working hard as a team to maximize our setup, and I’m looking forward to getting after it.”

The action begins Thursday, September 18, with registration, pre-tech, and two optional TA2 test sessions in the afternoon. Friday, September 19, brings the first official practice at 12:35 PM before qualifying is split into two sessions later that evening. Saturday marks the centerpiece of the weekend for the TA2 class, with Sheehan and his competitors set for 31 laps or 75-minutes of door-to-door racing, beginning at 12:35 PM following a fan walk and pre-race ceremonies.

Fans can expect a full weekend of racing excitement, with both the TA2 and TA/GT classes competing. The TA/GT drivers will cap off the event on Sunday afternoon with their feature race. Off-track, the Trans Am paddock will host a number of community and series traditions, including the Barry Boes Memorial Service on Thursday evening and a chapel service Saturday morning, reflecting the close-knit nature of the Trans Am family. Boes competed alongside Sheehan in the ProAm Challenge before his tragic death in a plane crash in Arkansas last month.

For Sheehan, VIR represents another chance to battle within one of the most competitive grids in North American road racing and improve on his current standing in the ProAm Drivers Championship where he currently sits in P5 out of 21 competitors with 635 points. The Damon Racing crew has been dialing in improvements throughout the season, and the former Iron Man is eager to translate that progress into results on one of the sport’s most challenging circuits.

“Every weekend is about building momentum, finding speed, and executing as a team,” added Sheehan. “VIR is a race where you can’t leave anything on the table. It’s about focus, consistency, and making sure you’re ready when it counts.”

The Trans Am Championship presented by Pirelli continues to grow its fan base, with VIR expected to draw strong crowds to watch Sheehan and the rest of the TA2 competitors push the limits. The race is broadcast live on Sep 20, 12:00 PM ET on SPEED SPORT 1. Fans can also follow along via Trans Am’s live streaming coverage throughout the weekend on YouTube.

Follow Tom’s social media channels via his Facebook page, Damon Racing, Instagram account (@TomSheehanTA97), and X account (@TomTA2_97).

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Cadillac at Indy: Aiming for home victory

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Official Release
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Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing enters six-hour race with built-in support

DETROIT (Sept. 16, 2025) – Cadillac Racing returns this week to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks, and for Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing it’s a homecoming.

The Brownsburg, Indiana-based IMSA team will contest the six-hour race on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course with the Nos. 10 and 40 entries, complementing the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R campaigned by Action Express Racing in the 12-car Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) lineup amongst the 53-car roster in four classes.

“Something about home races, it gives you more pressure. However, the pressure is already there from everybody that you need to win, no matter what,” said Filipe Albuquerque, co-driver with Ricky Taylor of the No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R. “It is just nice when we win in front of our home crowd. But the mentality for any race is and should be the same. As Mario Andretti said, ‘Every race is important, and preparation must always be at a maximum effort.’ ”

Jordan Taylor will share driving duties with Louis Deletraz in the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R, while Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber and Frederik Vesti will get seat time in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R that placed fourth in the most recent IMSA race at Road America.

Cadillac earned the pole for the 2024 race, which was plagued by changing weather and track conditions that included a long full-course yellow in the opening hours. The weather forecast for the penultimate IMSA race this weekend is considerably more positive.

Deletraz, LMP2 runner-up at the track in 2023, and Jordan Taylor qualified second with another manufacturer. Ricky Taylor and Albuquerque placed fourth after qualifying sixth in the 11-car field.

Peacock will provide flag-to-flag streaming of the race Sunday for U.S. subscribers, while the IMSA YouTube channel will stream for the international audience. NBC will telecast the final three hours starting at 3 p.m. ET. IMSA Radio will broadcast the race in its entirety (imsa.com/radio, XM 206, Web/app 996).

What they’re saying

No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R

Ricky Taylor: “It is late in the season; we do not have much to lose in the points. It is our home race, so everyone is really motivated to get a good result and have some momentum at the end of the year. It has been a hard year, but we have been improving and finding some gains. I think, after having a good test in Road Atlanta, having a great race at Indy to take some momentum into Petit is the approach. This is our last Indy six-hour since it is changing next year. A six hour is a hard balance in between a sprint race and an endurance race. It is not one you can take it easy but there is still a lot of opportunity to get behind and make a mistake. It is a hard balance between how much you push and how much you save. Indy is really hard to set the car up for. The track is very unique. It is not really like any other place we go. You could say it is a roval but it is nothing like Daytona. It is smooth but nothing like Watkins Glen or the other smooth tracks we go to. It is quite on its own, so in regard to car setup, it is unique and one of the few places we have not tested with the Cadillac, so it is a little bit of the unknown. Action Express has experience at Indy with the Cadillac, so we will lean on our teammates before going.”

Filipe Albuquerque: “Obviously, the expectation is to win. We are closing the gap, narrowing it down and increasing the performance of the Cadillac. We are getting more and more comfortable. We tested as well at Road Atlanta to unlock more knowledge about the Cadillac. We are looking forward to Indianapolis as we are looking forward to any time in the car because it makes us faster. We were pretty competitive in Road America and before that with two podiums. We are definitely looking for podiums at Indy and, obviously, you need to be a little bit lucky as well with the race strategy situation as well since you never know when a yellow comes. So, we look for a podium and a win.”

No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R

Jack Aitken: “It’s that time of year when you can get very mixed weather conditions and especially Indianapolis. It’s quite a low energy track, so it’s quite hard to fire up the tire and get temperature in. That’s really the challenge for us, and I think every year we’ve gone back there we’ve gotten better at it and that will be the hope again this year. While it’s not one of our strongest tracks, I think we can still do a good job there. Last year, we were in contention until we had a powertrain issue and that bodes well for this year.”

Earl Bamber: “I haven’t driven there in IMSA, but I’ve driven there before so I know the track. I think when you’re inside a racecar any time, it’s good because that’s what we need. We need miles. We need repetition. Like a tennis player, we need to be on the court all the time. So anytime you have that sort of extra knowledge and experience, it’s a good thing. I’m looking forward to getting back to Indianapolis. I think we had a good test in Atlanta (week of September 2), so I think we’ve got some good gains. Go in there and look to get the first podium of the season. We’ve been so close — fourth a couple of times. We’ve had the chance, honestly, at Watkins Glen and even Road America to win a race. So, if we just keep putting ourselves in those positions, we’re going to get one soon.”

Frederik Vesti: “I’m excited to head to Indianapolis for the race at this historic track. I went to the Indianapolis 500 this year for the first time and had an incredible time. We’re doing so much work in the Dallara simulator in Indy that I’ve been able to explore the area a bit. It’s good to finally get to race there. The road course will certainly bring some action, and the weather tends to have a role there. I’m excited to get back in the car. We had a good test at Road Atlanta. I have two great teammates and a great Cadillac, so I’m looking forward to the race at Indianapolis and going for the win.”

No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R

Jordan Taylor: “We only have two races to go. It is another endurance race. It is our home race, so a lot of family and friends of the team will be there. And a lot of support from Dallara, being based in Indy as well. I think we had a decent run there last year and were in contention for the Indy for most of the race. We haven’t been able to test there with the Cadillac, but we will do two days in the sim to prep. Over the course of this year, we have learned a lot and the past couple of events, we have felt comfortable and confident with the car. I think we are arriving with some confidence and hopefully will get a win on the board for the 40 car. Indy is unique. It is not like any of the other endurance races. It is a short and condensed track, especially with the number of cars we have, so you are constantly in traffic. Throughout the race, you are trying to take care of the car and stay out of trouble and at the end of the race, there is a lot of risk versus reward in the traffic itself. It can make or break you there. Last year, we saw mixed conditions, so you kind of never know what you are going to get there, especially with it being six hours. We will be ready for whatever comes our way.”

Louis Deletraz: “Indy is always a fun race. It is a different race than usual. Traffic is always pretty crazy. It is a home race for us, so I am very excited. We want to be back on the podium, that is the goal. You need a lot of mechanical grip at Indy. I think that is the focus. We will not have tested there this year, but I think you can set up the car a bit differently than some of the other tracks. It is very smooth. It is a track that you want a well-balanced car with good mechanical grip and easy to drive in traffic.”

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Crew Chief Nails Marquez’s Season With One Perfect Word

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SM
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Image by Jiří Rotrekl from Pixabay

Marc Marquez has turned 2025 into his personal showcase, and his Ducati crew chief, Marco Rigamonti, found the perfect way to sum it up. When asked to describe riders he works with in single words, Rigamonti called Marquez “complete.” That one word tells the whole story of this season.

The Spanish rider has made the championship look easy. What started as a potentially close fight between several top riders has become a masterclass in motorcycle racing. Marquez rides the factory Ducati like he built it himself, finding speed everywhere and making difficult tracks look simple.

His control over proceedings has caught the attention of betting markets worldwide. Offshore sportsbooks have watched their odds shift dramatically as Marquez continues his rampage through the calendar. Many betting sites now focus on alternative markets since the main championship appears settled. The Spanish veteran has removed most uncertainty from what is typically an unpredictable sport.

Rigamonti knows riders. He has worked with champions and also-rans throughout his career. When he labels Johann Zarco as “honest” and praises Aleix Espargaro’s “heart,” those descriptions fit. But calling Marquez complete goes deeper. It suggests a rider who has fixed every weak spot and maximized every strength.

The journey to this point makes the achievement even more impressive. Just a few years ago, Marquez was struggling with serious injuries and an uncompetitive Honda. Many wondered if he would ever return to his previous level. Moving to Gresini first, then to factory Ducati, he rebuilt his reputation race by race.

Francesco Bagnaia learned this lesson the hard way. The defending champion looked unstoppable until Marquez arrived with competitive machinery. Now Bagnaia appears to be fighting for second place rather than first. The psychological shift has been obvious to anyone watching closely.

Track conditions rarely matter to Marquez anymore. Wet weather, scorching heat, technical circuits, high-speed ovals; he adapts faster than his competition can react. When qualifying goes wrong, he fights back through the field. When everything goes right, he disappears into the distance.

Other riders have complained about the difficulty of the current Ducati. They struggle with tire management, electronics settings, or setup compromises. Marquez seems immune to these problems. He extracts pace from the bike in situations where teammates and rivals fall short.

The 32-year-old has reached a level of performance that recalls his most successful years. But this version might be even better. Experience has taught him patience and race management. He no longer needs to win every session or lead every lap. He picks his moments and strikes when it matters most.

Rigamonti’s assessment captures something important about greatness in motorcycle racing. Being fast is not enough. Being smart helps, but has limits. Being complete (having speed, intelligence, experience, and mental strength working together) creates the kind of dominance Marquez has shown this year.

The crew chief found the right word. Complete describes not just this season but perhaps the final evolution of one of racing’s greatest talents.

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