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TPC Racing and Scott Schmidt Fight to The Finish in IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo at The Glen

By
Official Release
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Schmidt Drives the No. 38 TPC Racing Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 to Eighth in the LB Cup Class in Saturday’s Hot and Hectic Final Race

WATKINS GLEN, New York (July 1, 2026) – TPC Racing and team driver Scott Schmidt persevered and improved to the end in a hot and hectic IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America doubleheader Friday and Saturday at Watkins Glen in the No. 38 TPC Racing Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2.

Once again progressing throughout the weekend, TPC Racing and Schmidt shook off Friday’s challenging race – that was followed by a clutch change in the No. 38 that evening – to improve to a weekend-best eighth-place LB Cup class finish in Saturday’s final 50-minute sprint of the weekend.

Schmidt was making just his second weekend of Lamborghini Super Trofeo race starts since the 2022 season, which included his first career Lamborghini Super Trofeo victory in the LB Cup class at The Glen. He came back to the series after the lengthy layoff this past March at Sebring where he capped a successful return with a fourth-place LB Cup finish in that weekend’s final round.

With a competitive and larger field of LB Cup entries fronting up for the always popular weekend at The Glen, TPC Racing and Schmidt took on a tougher group of LB Cup competitors and equally challenging hot temperatures and in-race conditions and circumstances.

The biggest challenge was clean and clear green-flag running time as rain plagued Thursday’s opening practice sessions and numerous on-track contact incidents everyday slowed the action. Even Saturday’s final sprint was stopped by a time-stealing red flag period that was uncharacteristically caused by a heavy accident between the leading Pro class competitors.

Staying focused despite the 20-minute delay, Schmidt made the most of what little green running time he had to improve three positions for Saturday’s top finish.

The Glen races also marked TPC Racing’s first season of multiple Super Trofeo weekends since the 2024 season. That racing year was highlighted by a heads-up and well-timed victory at Watkins Glen International (WGI) in June, which was even noted in the weekend’s race broadcasts. The TPC Racing entry swept The Glen Pro-Am podium – including some spot-on timing while taking the checkered flag under caution – to secure the class win in the weekend’s opening race. The series has since put a rule in place preventing similar tactics.

Next up for TPC Racing is an August 14 – 16 race weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin where the team’s Porsche Sprint Challenge and Mustang Cup USA programs will both be competing.

Harris Levitas, TPC Racing Director of Race Operations: “A typically hot and humid summer weekend at Watkins Glen and both Scott and the TPC Racing team got the most out of the No. 38 Lamborghini Super Trofeo. The guys once again just did an amazing job on the setup and gave Scott a great car right off the trailer. We had our challenges that we overcame as always, but a major one was not having a lot of clean and green track time to give Scott a real chance to continue to develop and get the most out of the TPC Racing Lamborghini. He and the team still maximized every second of on-track time when we had the chance, it is always great to leave a race weekend knowing you and the team were at its best at the peak of the weekend and when it counts the most.”

About TPC Racing: TPC Racing is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier maintenance, service, tuning and modification center dedicated solely to Porsche sports cars. TPC Racing specializes in R&D and sales of high-performance modifications for Porsche sports cars and race cars, offering a wide range of vehicle upgrades. Best known for a line of forced induction solutions for the Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster, a long-time focus on only one make, Porsche, has enabled TPC Racing to become experts in Porsche service, tuning, and racing. In 2000, TPC Racing began entering races under its own banner, scoring an SGS-class Championship in 2004 in the Grand-American Rolex Series and was a class winner in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and captured the 2013 and 2016 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA Gold Cup Championships. More information can be found at www.TPCRacing.com.

The eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway Outlook and Picks

By
SM Staff
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JOLIET, ILLINOIS - JUNE 30: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Axalta Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on June 30, 2019 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Chicagoland Speedway for the eero 400 on Sunday, marking the first NASCAR action at the track since 2019, at 6:00 PM ET on TNT, MRN, and SiriusXM channel 90.

In June of 2019, Austin Dillon captured the pole with a lap of 176.263 mph (30.636 secs.), and Alex Bowman won the Camping World 400.

Track & Race Information for the eero 400

Season Race #: 19 of 36 (July 8, 2026)
Purse: $11,233,037
Track Size: 1.5 miles
Track: Asphalt Paved Oval

Length and Race Stages for the eero 400

Race Length: 267 laps / 400.5 miles
Stage 1 Length: 80 laps
Stage 2 Length: 85 laps (ends on Lap 165)
Final Stage Length: 102 laps (ends on Lap 267)

2026 In-Season Challenge Bracket – Week 2 Chicagoland Speedway

The In-Season Challenge is a 32-driver, single-elimination tournament contested during the NCS season. The higher finisher in each matchup advances to the next round until a champion is crowned at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Week 2 Chicagoland Speedway
DATEROUNDLOCATIONTIMENETWORK
June 28Round 1Sonoma Raceway3:30 p.m. ETTNT Sports
July 5Round 2Chicagoland Speedway6 p.m. ETTNT Sports
July 12Round 3EchoPark Speedway7 p.m. ETTNT Sports
July 19Round 4North Wilkesboro Speedway7 p.m. ETTNT Sports
July 26Champions RoundIndianapolis Motor Speedway2 p.m. ETTNT Sports

Who and what should you look out for at Chicagoland Speedway?

Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in NCS starts with 14, and Chase Elliott, William Byron and Brian Vickers lead in the average starting position at 9.5 each. Notably, only two races have been won from a top-five starting position.

Stats  Winning %Wins
Winning from the First Starting Position:5.26%1
Winning from the Front Row:5.26%1
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:10.53%2
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:42.11%8
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:26.32%5

Brad Keselowski leads all active NCS drivers in wins with two (2012, 2014), and Joey Logano leads the active drivers with the most starts without visiting Victory Lane with 11.

Active Race WinnersWinsSeasons
Brad Keselowski22014, 2012
Alex Bowman12019
Denny Hamlin12015

Kyle Larson leads all active drivers in runner-up finishes with two.

The Driver Picks for the eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway

  • Denny Hamlin
  • Chase Elliott
  • Kyle Larson
  • William Byron
  • Tyler Reddick

Parker Kligerman joins Spire Motorsports for Truck campaign at Lime Rock Park

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images.

Parker Kligerman will be piloting the No. 77 Delaware Life Chevrolet Silverado RST entry for Spire Motorsports in the upcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ LiUNA 150 event at Lime Rock Park on July 11.

The 35-year-old Kligerman from Westport, Connecticut, has made three Truck Series starts this season, two with Kaulig Racing (Texas Motor Speedway in May and Michigan International Speedway in June) and one with Henderson Motorsports (San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado in June), the latter of which marks his latest start. Between his trio of starts, he finished as high as 11th place at Texas.

Kligerman, who holds a minority ownership stake in Lime Rock Park, made his first Truck career start at Texas in November 2010. Since then, he has made a total of 128 starts in the series and has accumulated a trio of victories: two at Talladega Superspeedway (2012 & 2017) and one at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (2022). He has also recorded two poles, 23 top-five results, 53 top-10 results, 350 laps led, and an average-finishing result of 14.9 between his starts, with his best points result being fifth place in 2012. During the 2025 opener at Daytona International Speedway, Kligerman piloted the No. 75 Henderson Motorsports Chevrolet entry to the victory, but was disqualified due to his entry failing the post-race technical inspection.

In addition to his Truck success, Kligerman has made 122 starts in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series division and 30 in the Cup Series division. During the O’Reilly event at Daytona International Speedway in mid-August, the Connecticut native relieved Connor Zilisch in the early stages and proceeded to win the event. Despite winning the event, Zilisch was credited with the overall victory due to starting the event.

The 2026 season is Spire Motorsports’ fifth consecutive season of competing in the Truck Series division and its third consecutive year of fielding the No. 77 Chevrolet entry on a full-time basis. After debuting the entry for the 2023 season-finale event at Phoenix Raceway, the entry was first piloted by full-time competitor Chase Purdy in 2024. During the 2025 campaign, the entry was piloted by Andres Perez De Lara for the first 17 events before Corey LaJoie drove it for the remaining eight on the schedule.

This season, the No. 77 entry has been piloted by five competitors across 13 scheduled events: Carson Hocevar, James Hinchcliffe, Connor Zilisch, Jesse Love and Justin Marks. Currently, Hocevar has made the most starts in the entry, with nine, and has piloted the entry to Victory Lane at Texas in early May. The entry is ranked in ninth place in the 2026 owner’s standings and has accumulated six top-10 results as Spire continues its pursuit of the owner’s championship.

The 2026 LiUNA 150 at Lime Rock Park is scheduled to occur on July 11 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM.

Colin Braun returns for second Truck start with Kaulig Racing at Lime Rock Park

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Tim Jarrold for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Colin Braun returns for a second campaign in Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 ‘Free Agent’ RAM 1500 entry for the upcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ LiUNA 150 event at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut, on July 11.

Braun, a three-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar champion and four-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner from Ovalo, Texas, makes his second Truck start of the 2026 season with Kaulig four months after he made his first start at the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, where he finished in ninth place. By then, he recorded the first top-10 result for Kaulig’s No. 25 ‘Free Agent’ entry.

“Racing at Lime Rock Park feels special, because of its deep history and pure road course challenge,” Braun said. “It’s exciting to see the Truck Series compete here and add another chapter to this track’s legacy. I enjoyed racing with the Kaulig team in St. Petersburg and look forward to joining them again. We’re going there to compete for the win.”

Braun made his NASCAR Truck Series debut at Martinsville Speedway in October 2007 with Roush Fenway Racing (RFR). He then campaigned as a full-time Truck competitor with RFR over the next two seasons, during which he achieved the Rookie-of-the-Year title in 2008 and claimed his first career victory at Michigan International Speedway in June 2009. During the latter season, Braun recorded a total of nine top-five results and 14 top-10 results before he settled in fifth place in the standings.

Prior to 2026, Braun’s latest campaign in the Truck Series was in 2011, where he competed in two events with Billy Ballew Motorsports and achieved a season-best ninth-place result at Michigan. He previously competed in a total of 31 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events with RFR and made a single NTT IndyCar Series start with Dale Coyne Racing at the Streets of St. Petersburg in 2024.

Today, Braun competes for Meyer Shank Racing and co-drives an Acura ARX-06 entry in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. In addition to winning three championships and four Rolex 24 at Daytona events, including the overall victory in the GTP class in 2023, the Texan’s resume includes victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Spa, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Asian Le Mans Series title (2023-24) and the Fanatec GT World Challenge America Pro-Am (2023).

Kaulig Racing launched its free-agent driver program ahead of its inaugural Craftsman Truck Series campaign in November 2025. The program features various competitors from multiple racing divisions and disciplines. Each will compete in at least a single Truck event in one of Kaulig’s RAM 1500 entries numbered 25. The competitors who compete in the entry would not compete for the 2026 Truck Series driver’s championship. They will, however, be evaluated by their on-track performance for a season-ending program prize.

Currently, Kaulig Racing’s No. 25 entry, led by crew chief Alex Yontz, is ranked in 25th place in the 2026 owner’s standings after 13 of the 25-race schedule. The entry is one of five that is fielded by Kaulig. It competes alongside the No. 10 entry piloted by Corey LaJoie, the No. 12 entry piloted by rookie Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, the No. 14 entry piloted by newcomer Timothy “Mini” Tyrrell and the No. 16 entry piloted by Justin Haley.

Tony Stewart, Ty Dillon, Corey LaJoie, Carson Ferguson, Parker Kligerman, AJ Allmendinger, Clint Bowyer, Travis Pastrana and Jamie McMurray have piloted the No. 25 entry at least once. Dillon, Ferguson and Kligerman have piloted the entry twice each. Allmendinger has recorded the entry’s highest-finishing result of sixth place at Watkins Glen International in early May.

Ryan Newman is scheduled to pilot Kaulig’s No. 25 ‘Free Agent’ entry at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 18. Conor Daly is then scheduled to pilot the entry the following event at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 24. Kaulig’s selection and reveal of drivers for the remainder of this season remains to be determined.

The 2026 LiUNA 150 at Lime Rock Park is scheduled to occur on July 11 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM.

TOYOTA RACING Weekly Preview – Chicagoland Speedway – 07.01.26

By
Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: June 29 – July 5, 2026

NCS/NOAPS/ARCA: Chicagoland Speedway – July 3-5

PLANO, Texas (July 1, 2026) – For the first time since 2019, NASCAR’s Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series make their highly-anticipated return to Chicagoland Speedway this July 4th weekend. Joining them back in Joliet, Illinois, will be the ARCA Menards Series.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NOAPS

Hamlin overtakes Reddick in points … Five months into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, and for the first time, Tyler Reddick is not the Cup Series driver’s points leader. Now sitting second in the standings, just one point behind, Reddick finds himself looking up at his 23XI Racing team co-owner Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE team with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in first place. With three straight wins at Nashville Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway and Pocono Raceway in late May and early June, along with a third-place result at the Coca-Cola 600, Hamlin carved into the massive points lead Reddick held from his historic start to 2026. Hamlin and Reddick are both more than 100 points clear of third-place in the point standings entering this weekend.

Five Toyota drivers move on in In-Season Challenge … After last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series In-Season Challenge opener at Sonoma Raceway, five Toyota drivers are moving onto Round 2 this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. Hamlin, the No. 2 overall seed, will take on LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s Erik Jones, while Christopher Bell will face Chris Buescher. The defending In-Season Challenge winner Ty Gibbs competes against his JGR teammate, Chase Briscoe.

More Chicagoland success yearned by Hamlin … Before NASCAR left Chicagoland in 2019, Hamlin had a knack for the 1.5-mile oval in Joliet. The Virginia native had five top-10s in the last six Chicagoland races, including his victory in 2015. Hamlin has finished inside the top-10 in half of his 14 career starts at Chicagoland, as well as three top-fives. Hamlin also seeks his fourth consecutive win on an oval this season, after those triumphs at Nashville, Michigan and Pocono.

Heim seeks second straight win … After his monumental first career Cup Series win at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego two weeks ago, Corey Heim returns to the 23XI Racing No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE this weekend in Chicagoland. This will be Heim’s 14th career Cup Series start and seventh of the 2026 season as he continues his development ahead of his full-time debut in 2027.

Crews continues strong debut … Another top-five result (third) last weekend at Sonoma gave Brent Crews his seventh top-five and 10th top-10 finish in his debut season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The result was also Crews’ third top-three finish in the last four races, as he now sits 11th in the series point standings with five races remaining before “The Chase.”

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series

Team Toyota eyes another Chicagoland triumph … Heading into this weekend’s ARCA Menards Series race at Chicagoland, Team Toyota eyes its seventh series triumph at the 1.5-mile oval, and its third in the last four races there. Entered this weekend for RAFA Racing in the No. 2 Toyota Camry is Kyle Steckly, who makes his third start of the season. Piloting the No. 18 Camry for JGR is William Sawalich, who takes on double duty with his full-time efforts in the O’Reilly Series. This will be Sawalich’s first ARCA national start since Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2025. For Nitro Motorsports, the lineup is Jade Avedisian in the No. 15, points leader Jake Bollman in the No. 20, Gavan Boschele in the No. 25, Isabella Robusto in the No. 55 and Thomas Annunziata in the No. 70.

About Toyota

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

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

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

How Can You Vacuum Algae Out of an Above Ground Pool?

By
SM
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Yes, you can vacuum algae out of an above-ground pool, but there is one important catch. Vacuuming removes algae debris. It does not kill active algae or fix the water problem that caused it.

The best process is usually simple: brush the pool, treat the water, let dead algae settle, then vacuum slowly. If you skip the first steps and only vacuum, the pool may look better for a day and turn green again soon after.

Can You Really Vacuum Algae Out of a Pool?

A vacuum can remove dead algae, loose green dust, and settled debris from the pool floor. It can also help clear cloudy-looking residue after algae has been brushed from the walls and treated.

Active algae is different. If the water is still green, the walls feel slippery, or algae keeps spreading, vacuuming alone will not solve it. The water needs proper sanitizer, balanced pH, enough circulation, and a working filter.

Above-ground pools can be more sensitive to this problem because circulation may be weaker in corners, around ladders, and along wall seams. That is why algae often collects in the same places again and again.

What You Need Before Vacuuming Algae

Before you begin, gather the right tools. You will need a pool brush, water test kit, shock treatment or sanitizer based on test results, and either a manual vacuum setup or a robotic cleaner.

For manual vacuuming, make sure the hose, pole, vacuum head, and skimmer connection are working properly. If your system has a waste setting, know how to use it before starting. Heavy algae can clog filters quickly, so being prepared matters.

Test the water first. Check chlorine, pH, and alkalinity at minimum. Guessing from color alone can lead to wasted chemicals and repeated algae.

Brush the Pool to Loosen Algae

Brushing is not optional. Algae sticks to walls, corners, seams, ladders, steps, and shaded spots. If you vacuum before brushing, much of the algae may stay attached and keep growing.

Brush the walls from top to bottom. Pay extra attention to the waterline, ladder area, floor edges, and any place that feels slick. After brushing, the water may look worse for a while because algae is suspended in it. That is normal.

This is also where a robotic pool cleaner should be understood correctly. It can help with cleanup, but the pool still needs brushing and water treatment when algae is active.

Shock the Pool and Let Algae Settle

Shock treatment helps kill active algae when used according to the product directions and your test results. Run the pump while the treatment works, and keep filtering as recommended for your pool system.

Do not rush to vacuum immediately. After algae dies, it often turns gray, brownish, or cloudy green and settles on the floor as fine dust. That settled material is what you want to vacuum.

If you vacuum too soon, you may stir the algae around instead of removing it. If the pool is very green, more than one treatment and cleaning cycle may be needed.

Vacuum Algae Slowly and Systematically

When it is time to vacuum, move slowly. Fast movement kicks dead algae back into the water and makes the pool cloudy again.

For light algae, vacuuming through the filter may be fine if the filter is clean and working well. For heavy algae or fine sediment, vacuuming to waste may be better if your system allows it. That sends dirty water out of the pool instead of pushing fine algae into the filter.

Overlap each pass slightly. Work from the cleaner areas toward the dirtiest areas. Stop and clean the filter, basket, or pump strainer whenever flow drops. Algae can clog a system faster than leaves or ordinary dirt.

Why Above-Ground Pools Get Algae So Easily

Above-ground pools often have smaller circulation systems than larger in-ground pools. Water may not move evenly around ladders, corners, seams, and shaded wall areas. Those quiet zones give algae a place to start.

Warm water, sunlight, leaves, grass clippings, sunscreen, and low chlorine can make the problem worse. If the pump does not run long enough, or the filter is dirty, algae has even more time to grow.

Prevention usually means keeping chlorine in range, balancing pH, brushing weekly, removing debris quickly, and running the pump long enough to move water through the whole pool.

A Smarter Way to Remove Dead Algae Debris

A Smarter Way to Remove Dead Algae Debris

Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro fits algae cleanup because the hard part is not only killing algae. It is removing the fine debris left behind before it resettles on the floor, walls, or waterline. After brushing and shock treatment, dead algae can spread like dust. In an above-ground pool with weaker circulation zones, that residue may collect quickly in the same areas.

A modern cleaner can support this stage by helping collect loosened debris while the pool’s filter system continues working. For someone comparing a pool vacuum robot, the useful question is not whether the robot “kills algae.” It does not. The better question is whether it can help remove visible algae residue after the water has been treated.

AquaSense 2 Pro is a practical example for broader cleanup support across common pool areas, which can help owners reduce repeated manual vacuuming during the recovery phase. Still, chemical balance comes first. Owners need to test chlorine, pH, and alkalinity, maintain filtration, clean baskets, remove large debris by hand, and call a professional if algae keeps returning, water stays cloudy, or equipment problems appear.

Keep Algae From Coming Back

After vacuuming, keep the pump running long enough to clear the water. Rinse or backwash the filter as needed. Test again after the water settles, because algae cleanup can change chlorine demand.

Do not let leaves, grass, and insects sit in the pool. Cover the pool when practical, especially during storms or long unused periods. Brush the walls and seams weekly, even when the water looks clean.

When Vacuuming Alone Is Not Enough

Vacuuming is not enough if the water stays green, algae returns in one or two days, walls remain slippery, or filter pressure acts strangely. Cloudy water after repeated cleaning can also mean the filter is struggling or the chemistry is still off.

Black algae, mustard algae, recurring stains, strong odors, eye irritation, or confusing test results need more than another vacuum pass.

Final Takeaway

Vacuuming algae out of an above-ground pool works best as part of a full process: brush, treat, filter, let residue settle, and vacuum slowly.

The vacuum removes the mess. Water chemistry and circulation fix the reason the mess appeared. For a cleaner above-ground pool, think beyond the floor and treat the whole system.

Donovan Strauss Partnering with Nightclubs Suck in Truck Series Debut

By
Official Release
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SALISBURY, NC (July 1, 2026) – Donovan Strauss and Niece Motorsports are proud to welcome a first-time partner into the sport for Strauss’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) debut at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 18.

Nightclubs Suck, a performance lifestyle apparel company co-founded by Ty Martin and Clayton Wilson, will back Strauss’ efforts, serving as the primary sponsor on his No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado RST.

With a background in endurance sports, the co-founders of Nightclubs Suck created the apparel line in tandem with a rigorous training program to prepare athletes for triathlons. The brand produces quality activewear suited to take on challenging environments with style and durability.

“Our partnership with Niece Motorsports and Donovan Strauss means the world for our brand because we feel extremely aligned with our driver and the mission on what Nightclubs Suck is all about – which is really just living a different life,” said Martin. “Being a professional driver is a very atypical life, and we live a very atypical lifestyle with the training that we do as triathletes and IRONMAN racers. We’re all about people, and everyone here on the Niece Motorsports team has been great to work with, so we couldn’t be more pumped for this opportunity.”

Strauss, 20, has past experience at North Wilkesboro having competed in two zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series races at the historic track last year. He will pull double duty this year in both the CARS Tour and NCTS races in just over two weeks from now.

“This partnership that we’ve developed with Nightclubs Suck is very meaningful,” said Strauss. “Ty and Clayton live a lifestyle that I pursue as well, and I feel like we have very similar goals in where we want to go in life and what we’re trying to put out in the world. Having their support in my debut race at North Wilkesboro is very special to me. Racing in NASCAR has been something I’ve been pursuing since I was a little kid, and I’ve truly been dreaming of this opportunity my whole life.”

Fans can browse the full collection of merch offerings from the Nightclubs Suck website and enter a special promo code ‘STRAUSS’ to receive 15% off online orders.

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series heads to North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, July 18th for the Faith Fest 250. Live coverage of the race will air on FOX Sports 1, the NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

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

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

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

JR Motorsports O’Reilly Auto Parts Team Preview

By
Official Release
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TRACK – Chicagoland Speedway (1.52-mile oval)
NOAPS RACE – Cuervo 300 (200 laps / 300 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 5:30 p.m. (ET)

Connor Zilisch

No. 1 – KOA Chevrolet

Zilisch 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 8

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 3

Top 10s: 6

Laps Led: 116

Avg. Finish: 8.5

Points: N/A

Connor Zilisch will make his ninth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start of the 2026 season Saturday afternoon and first at Chicagoland Speedway.

Chicagoland will be KOA’s first primary start of the 2026 season with Zilisch. In 2025, KOA and Zilisch teamed up for a fourth-place finish at Iowa Speedway.

Saturday’s race marks the final scheduled start for Zilisch at JR Motorsports this season. In 44 O’Reilly Series starts, dating back to 2024, Zilisch and JRM have 13 wins, 10 poles, and 26 top-five finishes, including two victories in 2026 at Bristol Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International.

The driver of the KOA Chevrolet has reeled off four top-10 finishes in his last four NOAPS starts dating back to his victory at Watkins Glen in May.

Zilisch was impressive on intermediate-sized tracks in 2025. He scored four victories: Pocono Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, and World Wide Technology Raceway while also racking up nine top-five finishes. In 2026 Zilisch has collected three top-10s on intermediate-size tracks, entering Saturday’s race at Chicagoland with a best finish of sixth place at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Connor Zilisch

“It’s great to have the extra track time this weekend in the O’Reilly Series car since this is the first time I’ve been to Chicagoland. I’ve had a lot of fun this season with Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and everyone with the No. 1 team at JR Motorsports. We certainly want to end our season on a high note with another strong run. Everyone at KOA has been so supportive of me during my time at JR Motorsports, and it would be awesome to have a good run for them on Saturday.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

Allgaier 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 19

Wins: 5

Top 5s: 12

Top 10s: 14

Laps Led: 457

Avg. Finish: 9.8

Points: 1st

Justin Allgaier is a two-time winner at Chicagoland in the NOAPS, having gone to Victory Lane in 2011 and 2017.

Overall, in 12 NOAPS starts at the 1.5-mile oval, Allgaier has amassed four top-fives and eight top-10s to accompany the two wins.

Heading into this weekend, Allgaier currently holds a 207-point lead in the NOAPS standings and leads the series in wins (five), top-fives (12), and laps led (457) among all full-time drivers.

This weekend is a home game for Allgaier, who hails from Riverton, Ill. Additionally, cornerstone partner BRANDT Professional Agriculture also calls Illinois home, with its headquarters located in Springfield, Ill.

This weekend, the No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet will be featuring a scheme inspired by the American Flag that flies high above the BRANDT Research Farm in Pleasant Plains, Ill. The BRANDT Research Farm is home to over 300 acres dedicated to growing practices that can be implemented into everyday farming operations and help produce local data under the same conditions our customers face to assist in making informed decisions and offer the best information for customers profitability.

Justin Allgaier

“I’m so happy to be going back to Chicagoland. This has always been one of my favorite tracks, and it’s great to see it back on the schedule. Hopefully our notes from the past can help us get a good baseline for this weekend, but I know that Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and all the guys on this No. 7 group will be ready to go when we unload. It’s always great getting the chance to race back in the home state, not only for me but for everyone at BRANDT Professional Agriculture as well. We just need to go out and execute like we have throughout this season, and if we do, I think we can have an awesome homecoming on Saturday night and celebrate the 4th of July in style.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Patriotic Pilot Chevrolet

Smith 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 19

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 6

Top 10s: 10

Laps Led: 17

Avg. Finish: 10.5

Points: 7th

Sammy Smith will make his first start at Chicagoland this Saturday with the NOAPS.

In 58 NOAPS starts on tracks measuring 1-2 miles in length, Smith has tallied two wins, nine top-fives, and 28 top-10 finishes.

Through the first 19 races of 2026, Smith is ranked fifth among the NOAPS field for most laps run in the top-15 at 79.1 percent.

The No. 8 Pilot scheme will include blue as well as its normal red and white color palette to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Sammy Smith

“I’m looking forward to Chicagoland, another new track for me. I feel pretty good about the track and the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet the team is putting together, but I know if I need some guidance, Justin (Allgaier) will have some tips since he’s won there in the past. Can’t wait to get our patriotic Pilot Chevrolet to the track and hopefully to Victory Lane.”

Carson Kvapil

No. 9 Arby’s Cheesesteak Chevrolet

Kvapil 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 19

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 5

Top 10s: 11

Laps Led: 70

Avg. Finish: 12.7

Points: 6th

Carson Kvapil will make his debut at the 1.5-mile oval this weekend as Chicagoland returns to the NOAPS schedule for the first time since 2019.

In 31 career starts on tracks 1-2 miles in length, Kvapil has recorded seven top fives and 13 top-10s.

Accompanying Kvapil, crew chief Phillip Bell has made 36 NOAPS starts atop the box on tracks measuring 1-2 miles in length. In those starts, Bell has amassed two wins, five top-fives and 12 top-10s.

Kvapil currently sits in sixth on the championship leaderboard, just seven points from fifth.

The No. 9 will showcase Arby’s new cheesesteak, made with 100% Angus steak, white American Cooper® Cheese, thick-cut caramelized onions, and served on an authentic Amoroso’s® sesame seed sub roll, this Saturday at Chicagoland.

Carson Kvapil

“We have been working hard in the sim the last few weeks preparing for Chicagoland. We’re looking to keep building on the momentum we’ve had. Our cars have been strong all season, and we’re hoping that carries over to Saturday at Chicagoland with our Arby’s Cheesesteak Chevrolet. We’ve had the speed and have been running up front, competing for wins. It feels like everything is about to come together.”

Chase Elliott

No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

Elliott Career NOAPS Stats

Starts: 87

Wins: 6

Top 5s: 39

Top 10s: 71

Laps Led: 754

Avg. Finish: 8.3

Points: N/A

Chase Elliott returns to JRM competition this weekend for the first time since the 2021 season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he earned a fourth-place finish driving the No. 1 Chevrolet

The No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet will carry a special patriotic “Salute to America” paint scheme as part of HendrickCars.com’s Four-Car Salute to America program.

In five O’Reilly Series starts at Chicagoland Speedway, Elliott has earned one victory (2014), three top-10 finishes, and has led 88 laps.

The No. 88 team has been one of the strongest on 1.5-mile tracks in 2026, earning two victories (Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway) and three top-five finishes across its four intermediate-track starts.

Chase Elliott

“I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a JR Motorsports Chevrolet this weekend. It’s been a while, so it’ll be fun to reunite with everyone at JRM. Chicagoland has been a good track for me in the past, and I’m looking forward to having the HENDRICKCARS.COM Salute to America paint scheme on our Chevrolet for this Fourth of July weekend. Hopefully we can unload with speed, execute all day, and put ourselves in contention for the win.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Chicagoland Speedway: JR Motorsports returns to Chicagoland Speedway with a strong history at the 1.5-mile oval. The organization has made 48 starts at the facility in the NOAPS, earning three wins, 12 top-fives, and 25 top-10s with an average finish of 11.9.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Rajah Caruth will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / HMS WB + AB souvenir rig on Saturday, July 4, from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. CT.

Edwards Dominates Feature on Opening Night of BC39 at IMS

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, June 30, 2026) – Checkout time came early Tuesday night for Drake Edwards at The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Edwards drove from the fourth starting spot to the lead on Lap 7 and never trailed thereafter to win the 30-lap Stoops Star Spangled Showdown feature in the No. 40D Chase McDermand Racing car. It was the second career USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship victory for Edwards, from Peoria, Arizona.

“It’s pretty surreal,” Edwards said. “Very cool to be standing here. I knew there was a shot coming to the smaller tracks, but I felt pretty solid all night long. So, I think it’s really cool.”

Kevin Thomas Jr. finished a distant second in the No. 14 4 Kings Racing car on the 1/5th-mile dirt oval, followed by pole sitter Gavin Miller in the No. 97 Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian Motorsports entry. Zach Wigal was fourth in the No. 1 Pat O’Dell car, with BC39 rookie Jake Swanson rounding out the top five in the No. 14K 4 Kings Racing entry.

The 30-lap feature was the climax of the opening night of the two-night BC39 Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors, which will culminate in a 39-lap feature paying $20,039 to win Wednesday night on the track inside Turn 3 of the storied IMS asphalt oval.

There were only two suspenseful moments for Edwards, 23, the 2024 USAC Western States Midget Rookie of the Year.

The first came on Lap 6 when Edwards, charging toward the front, drove into the rear of teammate Briggs Danner in the No. 40x Chase McDermand Racing car in a duel for second place behind Miller. Edwards continued, but Danner spun and triggered a caution period.

“First and foremost, I want to apologize to Briggs,” Edwards said.

On the Lap 7 restart, Edwards drove under Miller in Turns 3 and 4 to take a lead he would never surrender despite multiple caution periods.

Edwards stretched the lead to 4.2 seconds over Thomas – a huge gap on a short track – by Lap 22 as he could place his car on any spot of the dirt oval and find speed almost at will.

“I was just watching him up there,” Thomas said of Edwards. “Honestly, I was enjoying the show. I know he’s pretty talented, but I was like, ‘There ain’t no way he makes 30 laps without a crash.’ It’s pretty remarkable, and they had a great race car. He did a phenomenal job.”

Leading by approximately four seconds, Edwards rocketed around thick lapped traffic on the high line of the oval in the last 10 laps. But Thomas’ prediction of possible calamity for Edwards almost came true with three laps to go in the second dramatic moment on his drive to Victory Lane.

Edwards approached a lapped car that changed lines in Turn 3 and 4, and he had to slow quickly to avoid a collision. But Edwards safely navigated that near-miss and cruised to the victory in a car owned by McDermand, who cruelly lost a BC39 victory with less than two laps remaining in 2024 when his car got hung up in ruts in Turn 4 while leading.

“I didn’t know where to go half the time,” Edwards said. “But luckily we made it through there pretty good, and I felt like I got through them all right.”

Championship night of the BC39 on Wednesday, July 1 will consist of a full program for the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship. Public gates open at 4 p.m. with a driver autograph session in the Fan Zone. A public drivers’ meeting starts at 5 p.m. in the Fan Zone, with hot laps beginning at 6:30 p.m. Racing starts immediately after the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m., culminating in a 39-lap feature event paying $20,039 to win.

Cannon McIntosh will look to defend his BC39 victories from 2024 and 2025 and try to become the first three-time winner of the event, which honors late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson. McIntosh finished eighth in the feature tonight.

Tickets are on sale at IMS.com or at the gate. Spectators must enter IMS via Gate 10 off 30th Street to access The Dirt Track. No entrance will be allowed through Gate 2.

For more spectator information, fans should visit the Plan Ahead site for the BC39.

Watkins Glen Return Cut Short for Magnus Racing

By
Official Release
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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (June 30, 2026) – Magnus Racing came into the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen confident and prepared but was thrown several curveballs at Watkins Glen International. Ultimately, the team’s race ended two and a half hours early, when the No. 44 Virtual Energy Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO got trapped in someone else’s crash.

After two productive practice sessions, John Potter was ready to qualify on Saturday. Track repairs delayed the session by several hours and then, just when it got started, a car crashed in the Bus Stop and the session was red flagged. GTD qualifying did not resume, which meant the GTD starting grid would be determined by championship points. Magnus Racing is last in points, because it’s only race Daytona so far this season, so the No. 44 would be gridded last, only ahead of cars that incurred penalties.

Unfazed, Potter started from the back but quickly picked up several positions in the opening laps. After his second pit stop, Potter returned to the circuit, which was under a full-course yellow. As he re-entered, race control called for the Prototype class to move past any GT cars. Confusion among a group of Prototype cars caused them to run into the back of each other, nearly taking out Potter in the process. The car had a few new dents but was able to continue.

“It was hard starting from the back, but I think we were going the right direction,” Potter said. “I was pretty okay with my stint, and Spencer was doing great until something not his fault happened in front of him.”

Potter handed the car over to Spencer Pumpelly, who was making his 250th top-level IMSA race start. Pumpelly ran as high as fifth before his second pit stop, just after the halfway point of the race. On the following restart, Pumpelly was already in a three-wide pack when the cars ahead of them made contact, spinning across the track in the Esses. Pumpelly had nowhere to escape and clipped one of the spinning cars.

Pumpelly was okay, but the Aston Martin could not continue, and the team’s race came to an end.

It was a massively disappointing result to a race that had been playing into the team’s hand.

“Thanks to everyone at Magnus, because I felt like our effort, our preparation, our car, everything was really first class this weekend,” Pumpelly said. “Everyone did an awesome job and we were in position to have a good day. I was really excited about my 250th top-level start and was really hoping for a better finish. Coming to the Esses on the restart, cars were two wide ahead of me and the cars ahead of them crashed, and everyone checked up. I went left and straight into a car that already crashed. That ended our day, and it’s just really disappointing, because I think we could have had decent results today.”

Driver Mario Farnbacher was making his 100th top-level IMSA start but didn’t even get a chance to drive the car in the race.

“We had a great test here, which was looking very promising, and had a really good car out of the box,” Farnbacher said. “I would say it started good in the first free practice. The team, we were quite a new group together, so we needed to learn from each other, and I think we did a lot of work and improved a lot throughout the weekend, which was very positive. Unlucky qualifying, I would say, with the red flag, which basically forced us to start from the back. A lot of chaotic yellows in the beginning and then unfortunately, the pile up in the Esses where Spencer couldn’t avoid the carnage. It’s just a shame, because we had a good car strategy and it was coming to us at the end.”

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