SEBRING, Fla. (Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026) – The development of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ next-generation IR-28 car moved this week to the bumps and bruises of Sebring International Raceway from earlier testing on the silky-smooth surface of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Alexander Rossi, who drives full time for Chevrolet-powered ECR, took over testing duties Tuesday at the historic Florida circuit. The 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner continued the evaluation of the car that will debut at the start of the 2028 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
The Sebring test marks the first opportunity to evaluate the IR-28 away from Indianapolis, following initial sessions on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course and 2.5-mile oval in August and September. Five-time and reigning series champion Alex Palou completed 43 laps Monday on Sebring’s outer loop, putting the new car through its paces on a circuit renowned for its punishing surface and demanding mix of asphalt and concrete. Rossi completed 134 laps Tuesday.
Palou, a Honda-powered driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, and Rossi also were chosen to handle testing duties at both IMS configurations.
The two-day Sebring test session represents another important step in the series’ extensive development program, with the IR-28 facing the kind of conditions designed to expose weaknesses long before the car reaches competition.
“It’s a new car for me at Sebring,” Rossi said. “Coming back here and being part of the next generation of INDYCAR’s future is a huge honor. It’s an exciting time in this sport. This car, in so many ways, is a pretty big upgrade from what we have.”
Sebring is a regular testing destination for INDYCAR SERIES teams, in large part because of its unforgiving character. Its bumps, uneven surfaces and relentless demands on vehicle components make it an ideal proving ground for a car expected to compete on road courses, ovals and temporary street circuits. With street circuits accounting for one-third of the 2026 schedule, durability and driver confidence over challenging surfaces remain important considerations in the IR-28’s development.
“What’s good about this place is it’s the poorest-quality surface that you can have in a permanent road course,” Rossi said. “It mimics a street course kind of. Because it’s a permanent road course, it gets used a lot, so it’s a higher grip level than a street course. In terms of bumps, pavement changes, difficult changes in the asphalt, that’s why everyone comes and tests here. It’s somewhat of a preview that you’re going to get in street courses.”
Rossi’s test plan Tuesday focused on evaluating the car’s fundamental systems and performance, building on work completed during earlier sessions at Indianapolis. He worked alongside Dallara and INDYCAR officials.
The testing emphasis has evolved as development has progressed. Initial tests focused on confirming that the car’s systems functioned as expected. At Sebring, the priority was understanding how the package performs over an extended test and identifying issues that might emerge through more extensive running, especially on rough, bumpy surfaces.
“I don’t know that anyone is looking for anything (particular),” Rossi said. “The messaging we get is run the car as if it’s your race car. From there, we’ll see what issues, problems, surprises come out of that. I think all the test list items were really accomplished in the first two tests. Just making sure things worked as you would expect.
“This test is more of a practical application of: ‘Does it perform over a two-day test as the current car does? Does it do what it is expected to and kind of what little things could come out of that we need to address before the series produces a bunch of these?’”
Driver feedback remains central to that process, particularly when it comes to comfort and cockpit cooling. The IR-28 incorporates a more integrated cooling approach, with strategically positioned ducts designed into the initial bodywork rather than added to the existing carbon-fiber structure. Palou reported a significant improvement in cooling during Monday’s running, highlighting progress since the initial Indianapolis tests.
Rossi also experienced the benefits of those improvements at Sebring.
“First of all, visually, it’s an incredible race car to look at,” Rossi said. “It generates more grip in high-speed corners. It’s a very nice car to drive. It’s well-built and incredibly well-engineered. Cooling-wise, we made a pretty big step in this test, in particular. It’s night-and-day different in terms of comfort and drivability in the cockpit.”
Although the car’s competition debut remains more than a year away, the development schedule allows time to address concerns and validate improvements across different types of circuits before the 2028 season begins. Every lap adds another piece to that process, helping ensure the IR-28 can withstand the demands of a race weekend while delivering the performance drivers and fans expect.
“There are more things that are scheduled to come as time comes that will allow this car to race and perform even better, that will only put on a better show for the fans, which is the No. 1 priority for all of us,” Rossi said.
In 31 previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at Phoenix Raceway, Spire Motorsports has two top-10 and seven top-20 finishes. Michael McDowell owns both of the team’s top-10 finishes (eighth in 2025 and ninth in 2026). Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the Cup Series with Daniel Suárez, McDowell and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
The NASCAR Cup Series will contest the seventh race of The Chase Sunday at Phoenix. Hocevar and Suárez sit 10th and 14th, respectively in the championship standings. McDowell is 20th in points following last week’s race at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
The Freeway Insurance 500 from Phoenix Raceway will be televised live on USA Network Sunday, Oct. 18 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 33rd of 36 points-paying races on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series calendar will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Daniel Suárez – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Daniel Suárez will sport a special Freeway Insurance livery on Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in honor of the brand’s entitlement sponsorship for Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
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Spire Motorsports and Daniel Suárez have agreed to a contract extension that will see the veteran driver return to the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 next season. Through 32 races, he has earned one win, three top-five, seven top-10 and 25 top-20 finishes, with an average starting position of 14.3 and an average finish of 15.2. Entering the seventh of 10 Chase races, Suárez sits 14th in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship standings with 2,152 points, 215 markers behind the leader, following last weekend’s race at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
The three-time NASCAR Cup Series winner has made 19 starts at Phoenix, earning four top-10s and nine top 20s. He holds an average starting position of 21.2 and an average finishing position of 19.1 at the one-mile track. In his first NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix in 2017, Suárez powered from 27th to seventh to his first career top-10 finish and post his best career Cup result at Phoenix.
Earlier this year at Phoenix Raceway, Suárez started fourth and finished seventh in Stage 1 before his day ended on Lap 255 with heavy front-end damage sustained during a multi-vehicle accident.
Last week at Charlotte, Suárez started 15th after inclement weather canceled Saturday’s practice and qualifying. He finished 13th in the sixth Chase race, earning his 19th top-15 finish of the season.
The 34-year-old driver has made 355 Cup Series starts, highlighted by victories at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway (June 2022), Atlanta Motor Speedway (February 2024) and Charlotte (May 2026). A 10-season veteran of NASCAR’s premier division, he has earned 27 top-five and 82 top-10 finishes since making his Cup Series debut in 2017. Suárez has also led 949 laps and collected three career poles.
Daniel Suárez Quotes You’re returning to Spire Motorsports for the 2027 season. How pumped are you to continue building with this team, and what are your expectations heading into next year? “I’m really excited to continue with Spire Motorsports. I believe in this team and, more importantly, the people behind it. We’ve made a lot of progress this year and it’s been rewarding to see how much we’ve grown together. Making the Chase was an important milestone for us and I think it shows what we’re capable of as a team. There’s a lot of talent and determination within this organization and I truly believe in the direction we’re heading. We’ve built a strong foundation, and I’m looking forward to continuing that momentum and seeing what more we can accomplish together.”
What can you take from the spring race at Phoenix to help you this weekend? “We had good speed here in the spring and learned a lot that we can take into this weekend. We’ll go back through our notebook, look at what worked well, and try to build on that to be even stronger this time around. We’re looking forward to having Freeway Insurance with us for the Freeway Insurance 500 and hopefully put together a solid weekend.”
Ryan Sparks – Crew Chief, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Ryan Sparks is the Crew Chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with driver Daniel Suárez in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Sparks has called 234 Cup Series races, earning one victory, seven top-five and 17 top-10 finishes since keying the mic for the first time in NASCAR’s premier division in 2020.
The Winston-Salem, N.C., native has called 12 races at Phoenix Raceway, with his highest finish coming alongside driver Justin Haley who placed 14th in November 2025.
Sparks joined Spire Motorsports in 2021, where he served as both Crew Chief and Competition Director, leading the organization’s competitive and technical efforts. In 2026, Sparks serves in a singular role as crew chief for Daniel Suárez. He brings more than a decade of experience across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series, highlighted by 13 seasons at Richard Childress Racing and contributions to title-winning campaigns in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (2011) and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2013).
Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Michael McDowell will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Tecovas Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
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McDowell, a native of Glendale, Ariz., has made 31 attempts in Cup Series competition at his home track, scoring back-to-back top-10 finishes twice. In the fall of 2023, spring of 2024, and most recently in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026.
In five NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, the veteran racer has completed 999 laps at the one-mile oval, claiming a venue-best 11th-place finish in 2009 during his time with JTG-Daugherty Racing.
Fans will have two opportunities to meet McDowell and stock up on the latest offerings from Tecovas. Saturday at 6:30pm, McDowell will be at the Tecovas Kierland Commons location (15215 N Kierland Blvd, Suite 135B1A, Scottsdale, AZ 85254) for an autograph session. Fans at track on Sunday can meet the hometown driver at 9:35am at the Tecovas activation in the Fan Zone and enjoy custom brands for leather goods throughout the weekend.
Last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the 41-year-old driver found a home in the top 10 for a portion of the race. A corded right-front tire and contact on pit road hindered the progress of the No. 71 Spire Motorsports machine, resulting in a finish of 19th.
Over the first 32 races of the season, the 2021 Daytona 500 Champion has led 24 laps while logging three top-five and six top-10 finishes. He’s recorded a 16.8 average start and a 19.2 average finish. McDowell is currently 20th in points with four races remaining on the 2026 schedule.
Michael McDowell Quote What makes Phoenix such a dynamic track? “I feel like Phoenix is unique in its own way. With the ability to run the dog leg, you can see five-wide restarts and different lanes which makes for fun racing. There’s also a lot of intensity being late in The Chase and the season is winding down. It is a grueling season. You get to the end, and you don’t want the last couple of races to be that gut shot where you just feel like you’ve lost steam. You want to go out with good momentum, but it is going to be different going to Arizona and not ending the season there. We have shown a lot of speed here in the last few runs with Spire Motorsports, and I am hoping we can capitalize on this weekend. We will have a lot of friends and family coming to the race, so I am excited to see them and hopefully put on a good show based on the notes we have put together earlier this year. I think finishing strong across the last few weeks is really important as we build momentum going into the 2027 season and that momentum can be huge with good runs at Phoenix and Talladega.”
Travis Peterson owns four top-10 finishes in seven starts at Phoenix Raceway, all with McDowell behind the wheel.
Peterson is a mechanical engineering graduate of the Williams States Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, earning his degree in 2012.
Across 144 starts serving in the crew chief role, the 35-year-old has captured one win, eight poles, 10 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes.
As a race engineer at Hendrick Motorsports, Peterson played a key role in Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s final Cup Series victory at Phoenix Raceway in November 2015.
The West Bend, Wisc., native continued to boost the Hendrick No. 88 team as a race engineer in 2016, propelling Alex Bowman to his first-career pole award at the Avondale, Ariz., oval that fall. Bowman led 194 of the 324 laps, en route to a sixth-place finish.
Carson Hocevar will race Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chili’s Ride the ‘DenteTM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix Raceway, the seventh of 10 races in The Chase.
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Hocevar and the No. 77 team, alongside teammate Daniel Suarez and Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 team, are competing for 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Championship honors. The opportunity marks the first appearance in The Chase for Hocevar and the first time Spire Motorsports will compete for a Cup Series title. Through six of 10 races in The Chase, the No. 77 team sits 10th in points, 24 markers behind ninth.
Through 32 races, the Portage, Mich., native has already set career-highs in multiple categories:
Season-to-date results – one win, six top fives, 11 top 10s
198 laps led
812 points scored
12.1 average start
16.1 average finish
The 23-year-old driver has been one of the most improved on the circuit throughout the 2026 campaign with average starting and finishing positions that have improved by over five spots compared to this point in 2025. Hocevar is on pace to best his average finish by 5.5 positions by season’s end – the second-best of all drivers – while his 10th position in points is a 13-position increase compared to the end of 2025 – the largest improvement across the field.
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year owns six career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Phoenix, where he secured a venue-best 15th-place finish in March 2024.
In his last five starts, Hocevar has only qualified outside the top 10 once and secured qualifying efforts of third (March 2025), sixth (November 2025) and seventh (March 2026) in the last three races in the Arizona desert. His average starting position of 5.33 during that time period is third among all drivers, and the highest without a pole position in that span.
In the series’ first of two 2026 trips to Phoenix, the driver of the No. 77 Chevy qualified seventh but was forced to start from the tail of the field after the team discovered an alternator issue in final pre-race checks Sunday morning. Despite a hard driver to reach the top 10 early on, and maintaining that track position for much of the afternoon, handling challenges late in the event hampered Hocevar’s progress, leaving him 20th in the final scoring rundown.
The five-time CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race winner owns five previous starts in the series at Phoenix, registering top 10s in 2021 (ninth) and 2022 (10th). Hocevar reached the series’ 2023 Championship 4 race at the facility after punching his ticket via a victory at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway two weeks prior.
Last Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hocevar started 10th and maintained top-10 track position throughout the afternoon. He ultimately took the checkered flag 14th.
Hocevar registered his first-career victory earlier this season at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. He survived a late-race restart with three laps remaining and brought home the checkered flag to register Spire Motorsports’ second Cup Series win and first since the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400.
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Carson Hocevar Quote Your results at Phoenix don’t reflect the speed you’ve displayed. How can that change this weekend? “We have been fast at the flat tracks. We were pretty good at Gateway, which has similar characteristics, so we feel good about it. We have qualified really well there the last couple years, just haven’t necessarily gotten the finishes for one reason or another. Hopefully, we are up front and have an opportunity to get a good finish.”
Luke Lambert – Crew Chief, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Luke Lambert is the Crew Chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the NASCAR Cup Series with driver Carson Hocevar.
Lambert is in his third season at Spire Motorsports and fourth with Hocevar. The duo has logged two pole awards, one win, nine top-five and 26 top-10 finishes in 112 races.
The 16-year veteran crew chief has called 25 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway, notching one win, three top fives and four top 10s.
Phoenix is the site of the 43-year-old’s first-career Cup Series victory as a shot caller, guiding Ryan Newman to Victory Lane at the venue in March 2017. Lambert made the call to stay out and inherit the lead before a lone attempt at NASCAR Overtime. Newman held on to take the checkered flag, beating Kyle Larson to the finish line by 0.312 seconds. The win marked the 18th and final career victory for Newman that ended a 127-race winless streak for the legendary driver and a 112-race winless streak for Richard Childress Racing.
The Mount Airy, N.C., native has been atop the war wagon for four NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) races at the Avondale, Ariz., facility, earning two wins and three top-five finishes. Lambert’s first appearance in Phoenix’s Victory Lane came in March 2012 with Elliot Sadler in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The win marked his first as a crew chief, the first NOAPS win for Sadler since 2004, and the first of four for the Lambert-Sadler duo in 2012 en route to their championship runner-up effort. Lambert returned to Victory Lane with the series at the one-mile oval 10 years later with Noah Gragson in March 2022. Gragson started second and led 114 of the event’s 200 laps to earn the JR Motorsports pairing’s first of eight victories in 2022.
About Spire Motorsports … Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing.
The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado its first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent victory came May 24, 2026, when Daniel Suárez won the NASCAR Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
In 2026, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization also fields the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.
In nine NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Phoenix Raceway, Spire Motorsports has earned one top-five and three top-10 finishes. Rajah Caruth earned a team-best fifth-place finish in the 2025 season finale.
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will contend the third race of The Chase Saturday at Charlotte. Spire Motorsports’ Nos. 77 and 7 teams sit sixth and ninth, respectively, in the owner’s point standings.
The Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POET from Phoenix Raceway will be televised live on FS2 Friday, Oct. 16 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 22nd of 25 points-paying races on the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Connor Mosack will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Friends of Jaclyn Chevrolet Silverado RST in Friday’s Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POET at Phoenix Raceway.
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With just four races remaining to determine the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Owner’s Championship, Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 team sits ninth, 13 markers behind the leader. The team enters Round 22 of 25 with two wins, seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. Last Friday at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Connor Mosack raced the No. 7 Chevy within the top-10 for most of the afternoon, until damage stemming from a crash on Lap 117 limited the team to a 33rd-place finish.
The Charlotte, N.C., native owns a pair of CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Phoenix Raceway, highlighted by an eighth-place result in the 2024 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship race behind the wheel of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet. In 2025, Mosack was inside the top 10 when contact in the closing laps caused left-front tire failure, sending him into the turn three wall. He was relegated to a 26th-place finish in McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s No. 81 Chevrolet.
Through 10 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts for Spire Motorsports in 2026, Mosack has earned two top fives and four top 10s, in addition to two Kennametal Pole Awards (Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and Charlotte Motor Speedway) and a 7.4 average starting position. He earned a season-best result in July at Indianapolis Raceway Park, where he qualified seventh en route to a second-place finish.
Mosack has found success in both ARCA Menards Series starts at the one-mile facility, earning a 10th-place finish in 2022 and a fourth-place result in 2024.
Mosack will be at the controls of Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-085 Friday afternoon in its 10th start. This is the same truck Shane van Gisbergen drove to a third-place finish at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway in July and Connor Zilisch piloted to a fifth-place result at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in August.
Connor Mosack Quote You have two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Phoenix Raceway, one resulting in a top-10 finish behind the controls of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet. How do you approach finding the right balance in your truck to compensate for the flat corners to be competitive throughout the race? “I’ve always enjoyed racing at Phoenix. The corners are wide and there is a lot usable racetrack. You have a lot of options as a driver to help the balance of your truck. We were strong out there in 2024, and with the recent speed we’ve had, there’s no reason we can’t do the same on Friday.”
Brian Pattie – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST
Brian Pattie is the crew chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST, an entry that will see an assortment of all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2026 season.
Pattie has called three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at the Avondale venue, earning a best finish of eighth with Connor Mosack in the 2024 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship season finale.
The 51-year-old has been atop the box for 28 NASCAR Cup Series events at the “Diamond in the Desert,” collecting two top fives and five top 10s, highlighted by a fourth-place finish with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., in March 2017.
The Zephyrhills, Fla., native knows his way to Phoenix Raceway Victory Lane, as Pattie called Jamie McMurray’s 2004 NASCAR O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series win at the venue. McMurray led 47 laps, including the final 13, and held off a young Kyle Busch, the day’s dominant driver, in a green-white-checkered finish.
Through 98 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, the veteran crew chief has tallied nine wins, 30 top-five and 47 top-10 finishes along with a 9.9 average start and 13.5 average finish.
Tristan McKee will race Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Tecovas Chevrolet Silverado RST in Friday’s Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POET at Phoenix Raceway. McKee is the inaugural signee of Spire Motorsports’ Ascent Program and top prospect in the organization’s talent pipeline.
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With just four races remaining to determine the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Owner’s Championship, Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 team sits sixth in the standings, eight markers behind fifth, with one win, seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes on the year. Last Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rajah Caruth raced the No. 77 Chevy within the top five for the majority of the evening. Unfortunately, contact on a late-race restart ended the team’s night and were ultimately credited with a 31st-place finish.
Friday’s 150-lap event will mark McKee’s fourth-career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start. In his three previous appearances this season, he finished eighth at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, sixth at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and fifth at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. His 6.3 average finish in the three events marks the second-best among all drivers in that stretch.
In just three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, the young driver is already making history. McKee became the second-youngest driver to make their CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race debut back at Richmond Raceway when he was 16 years and 11 days old. Last time out at Bristol Motor Speedway, he became the youngest driver to finish in the top five of a CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at 16 years, one month and 14 days old. These honors come in addition to earning the nod as the youngest ARCA Menards Series East champion, the youngest Trans Am TA2 Series champion, the youngest winner on the CARS Tour circuit and second-youngest ARCA Menards Series national tour winner.
McKee has made two appearances at the Avondale, Ariz., venue on the ARCA Menards Series platform, logging two top-five finishes. His most recent outing led him to a runner-up finish in Pinnacle Racing Groups’ No. 77 Chevrolet in the General Tire 150 this March.
The 2026 ARCA Menards Series East Champion will return to the seat of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado to round out his five-race schedule at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway (Oct. 30).
McKee will be at the controls of Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-087 Friday evening. Kyle Larson drove the truck to Victory Lane at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway last March. Most recently, McKee drove the truck to a fourth-place finish at Bristol last month. In 12 starts, the chassis has secured seven top fives, 10 top 10s, a 9.9 average start and 6.3 average finish. SMT-087 has not finished outside the top 10 in eight races, dating back to Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway in May 2025.
Tristan McKee Quote You’ve already earned a top five finish in your first three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts, and you finished runner-up in your lone ARCA Menards Series start at Phoenix Raceway. How will you build on that experience as you return to Phoenix behind the wheel of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado? “I am really looking forward to getting back in the truck with the No. 77 group this weekend. I know I will be able to use my previous starts at Phoenix to my advantage, but I am hoping to continue the success we have had in our previous starts. Hopefully we can get another top-five finish for Spire Motorsports and continue to learn on these bigger tracks.”
Chad Walter – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST
Chad Walter is the crew chief of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST, an entry that will see multiple all-star caliber drivers behind the wheel throughout the 2026 season.
Walter has called eight CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Phoenix Raceway, earning a venue-best seventh-place result with Corey LaJoie in the 2025 season finale.
The Albion, N.Y., native has seen his fair share of success atop the pit box at the “Diamond in the Desert” in O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition. He led Sam Hornish Jr. to victory at the one-mile oval in November 2011 and, just four months later, called Brad Keselowski’s runner-up finish in March 2012.
Between NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Walter has dialed up seven wins, 61 top fives and 149 top 10s.
About Spire Motorsports … Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing.
The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado its first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent victory came May 24, 2026, when Daniel Suárez won the NASCAR Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
In 2026, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization also fields the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.
THE RACE: Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 THE PLACE: Phoenix Raceway THE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 THE TIME: 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT TV: FloRacing, Live
ARCA Menards Series West at The Bullring at Phoenix Raceway: Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 Pre-race Notes
The ARCA Menards Series West heads to Phoenix Raceway for round 12 of its 13-race 2026 season. It is the second time the series has raced at Phoenix this year, and the 57th time in history the series has raced at the one-mile oval.
Trevor Huddleston (No. 50 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford) enters the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 with a 40-point lead over Robbie Kennealy (No. 1 Jan’s Towing / Jan’s Racing Ford) with just two races remaining in the 2026 ARCA Menards West season. Huddleston finished a career-best fourth at Phoenix in March, while Kennealy has three straight Phoenix top-ten finishes including a sixth-place result in this race last fall.
Carson Brown won the ARCA Menards Series / ARCA Menards West combination race at Phoenix Raceway in March, holding off a hard charge from his Pinnacle Racing Group teammate Tristan McKee. PRG has entered two cars in the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100, but neither Brown nor McKee will be behind the wheel. Helio Meza (No. 28 Alessandros / Heraldo Media Chevrolet) will make his second ARCA Menards West start for the team this week; he started from the Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole in his debut at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last week before being derailed by a cut tire. He will be joined by Taylor Reimer (No. 82 Fre Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet), who finished 12th in this race last year driving for Nitro Motorsports.
Max Reaves (No. 18 Cook Out Toyota) will be looking to close Joe Gibbs Racing’s chapter in the ARCA Menards Series platform with its eleventh win of the 2026 season. Reaves has scored four ARCA Menards Series wins and two in the ARCA Menards East, while teammate Gio Ruggiero has four ARCA Menards Series wins as well. The team has announced it will cease ARCA Menards Series operations to focus on its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series teams in 2027. Reaves finished ninth in his only previous start at Phoenix in March.
The Bill McAnally Racing duo of Hailie Deegan (No. 16 Monster Chevrolet) and Mason Massey (No. 19 Mongoose Power Solutions Chevrolet) looks to rebound from a disappointing end to their collective night at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Deegan suffered from a cut tire that sent her into the outside wall as the leader was coming to take the white flag that sent the race into overtime, resulting in a 16th-place finish. Massey looked to capitalize on the overtime attempt and was battling for the win off the final corner when he and Kennealy came together, sending him up the track and into Huddleston, with both drivers spinning out of contention. Massey recovered to finish sixth but fell to third in the ARCA Menards West standings. Deegan has a best finish of fourth at Phoenix in 2019, while Massey finished fifth at Phoenix in March, his only previous West start at the track.
Nitro Motorsports has entered six drivers in the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100: Landon Brown (No. 10 University of Kentucky Toyota), Mia Lovell (No. 15 Pine Health Toyota), Kasey Kleyn (No. 20 Thaemert Farms Toyota), Gavan Boschele (No. 25 Toyota Racing Toyota), Jade Avedisian (No. 70 Mobil 1 Toyota) and Wesley Slimp (No. 90 Road Ready Foundation Toyota). Brown and Kleyn will be making their West series debut.
Dystany Spurlock (No. 66 Charles Schwab Bank Ford) will make her ARCA Menards West debut in the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100. She finished seventh in her ARCA Menards East debut at Hickory Speedway and tenth in her ARCA Menards Series debut at Kansas Speedway earlier this season.
There are an ARCA Menards West record six female drivers entered: Isabella Robusto (No. 2 Random Racing Club / PHOOZY / Roto-Rooter Toyota), Mia Lovell, Hailie Deegan, Dystany Spurlock, Jade Avedisian, and Taylor Reimer. The previous record, set at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2021, was five (Jolynn Wilkinson, Mariah Boudrieau, Bridget Burgess, Amber Slagle, and Amber Balcaen).
The race will be conducted under the Break Pit Stop format; there will be a scheduled caution at or near lap 50 with a five-minute break to allow teams to change tires, add fuel, make adjustments and/or any repairs. The teams will be allotted ten tires to use how they see fit for the event.
Previous ARCA Menards West winners at Phoenix Raceway include Cale Yarborough (1977), Richard Petty (1978, 1980, 1981), Neil Bonnett (1979), Bobby Allison (1982), Ron Eaton (1983), Bill Schmitt (1984), Rich Woodland (1998), Mike Wallace (1999), Kevin Richards (2000), Ken Schrader (2001, 203, 2004, 2006), Austin Cameron (2002), Scott Lynch (2003, 2004), David Gilliland (2005, 2020), Burney Lamar (2005), Andrew Myers (2006), Joey Logano (2007), Mike David (2008), Jason Bowles (2009), Eric Holmes (2010), Greg Pursley (2010, 2011, 2013), Ryan Blaney (2012), David Mayhew (2012), Michael Self (2012), gray Gaulding (2013), Cole Custer (2014), Nick Drake (2014), Todd Gilliland (2015), Ty Gibbs (2019, 2021 – 2), Taylor Gray (2022), Sammy Smith (2022), Tyler Reif (2023), William Sawalich (2023, 2024), Connor Zilisch (2024), Brent Crews (2025 -2), and Carson Brown (2026).
Sammy Smith holds the ARCA Menards West track qualifying record at Phoenix Raceway, set in 2022, at 26.570 seconds / 135.491 miles per hour.
Scott Lynch holds the ARCA Menards West track race record, set in 2003, at 114.262 miles per hour.
ARCA Menards West races at Phoenix Raceway have gone into overtime on 14 previous occasions. Should the race be extended into overtime, it will conclude with unlimited attempts at a two-lap green flag followed by white flag followed by checkered flag finish. Should the caution flag be displayed after the white flag is displayed, there will be unlimited attempts at a one-lap green and white flag together followed by checkered flag finish.
The Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 is set for 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT on Saturday, October 17. The race will be streamed live on FloRacing. Live timing & scoring data and live race audio will be available on ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates please follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly known as Twitter).
About ARCA The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing).
About Menards A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states. Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building. You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more. To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!
Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture. Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries. And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too! For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.
TEMPERANCE, Mich. – (October 13, 2026) – The ARCA Menards Series has released the schedule for its historic 75th season in 2027, opening at Daytona International Speedway in February and closing at Kansas Speedway for the second consecutive year in October.
The 20-race slate will kick off, as it has every season since 1987, with the 63rd annual Daytona ARCA 200 at The World Center of Racing. The series will traverse the country, from the start of the season in the southeast to a visit to the southwest at Phoenix Raceway, the traditional short track stops in the Midwest, and a return to the northeast with visits to Watkins Glen International and Lime Rock Park. The 20 races will be contested at 19 different tracks in 11 states.
The highlights:
The series will race at Daytona International Speedway for the 63rd consecutive year dating to 1964; as it has for the last seven years the race will be the opener of a same-day doubleheader with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series the day before the DAYTONA 500.
The traditional visits to the Midwestern short tracks populate the late spring and summer slate, with stops at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway in May, Michigan’s Berlin Raceway and Minnesota’s Elko Speedway in June, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in July for a doubleheader with the NASCAR FedEx Freight Truck Series, a trip to cheese country just outside the capital of Wisconsin at Madison International Speedway in August, and the second Indiana stop at Salem Speedway in September.
Kansas Speedway continues to be the only track on the schedule twice, with races scheduled in conjunction with the NASCAR national series in May and September.
Additional conjunction races with the NASCAR Cup Series will also take place at Phoenix Raceway in March, Talladega Superspeedway in April, Michigan International Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway in June, Iowa Speedway over the Fourth of July weekend, Bristol Motor Speedway in August, and Watkins Glen International in September.
The state of Illinois will host four races, including the return to the 1.25-mile World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, which will host the series on August 20. The two dirt miles at the Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair both return, with a new Aug. 8 date for Springfield to go along with the traditional Labor Day Sunday night race at DuQuoin.
The race at Phoenix Raceway in March will be a combination race with the ARCA Menards West Series; the full slate of combination races with the ARCA Menards Series East will be announced when the East and West schedules are released in the coming weeks.
The complete 20-race 2027 ARCA Menards Series schedule:
Date
Track, Location
Sat., Feb. 20
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Fri., March 12
Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.
Sat., April 24
Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, Ala.
Sat., May 8
Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.
Sat., May 15
Toledo Speedway, Toledo, Oh.
Sat., June 5
Berlin Raceway, Marne, Mich.
Sat., June 12
Elko Raceway, Elko, Minn.
Fri., June 18
Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Mich.
Fri., June 25
Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, Ill.
Fri., July 2
Iowa Speedway, Newton, Ia.
Sat., July 10
Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Conn.
Fri., July 23
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Brownsburg, Ind.
Sun., Aug. 8
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.
Thur., Aug. 12
Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.
Fri., Aug. 20
Worldwide Technology Raceway, Madison, Ill.
Fri., Aug. 27
Madison International Speedway, Oregon, Wis.
Sun., Sept. 5
DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, Ill.
Fri., Sept. 17
Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY
Sat., Sept. 25
Salem Speedway, Salem, Ind.
Fri., Oct. 1
Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.
All dates are tentative and subject to change.
“Just as we have since John and Mildred Marcum founded ARCA in 1953, the ARCA Menards Series will compete at a widely diverse group of the country’s best racetracks for our 75th season,” said ARCA president Ron Drager. “Our series has established itself as a valuable bridge from grassroots weekly, regional and international racing to the NASCAR National Series over decades, while also serving as a destination for career professional racers. The 2027 schedule lines up well to continue in that capacity.”
The complete broadcast schedule, including television networks and race start times, will be released soon.
For further information please visit ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates follow @ARCA_Racing on Twitter.
About ARCA
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing).
About Menards
A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 341 stores in 15 states. Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building. You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more. To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!
Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture. Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries. And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more.
Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too! For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.
Friday, October 16 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, October 18 — NASCAR Cup Series, 3 p.m. ET (USA)
There are only four races remaining in the season as Phoenix Raceway plays host to NASCAR for the second time in 2026. Ford driver Ryan Blaney is going for the season sweep after he won the fourth race of the season in March and his third in a row at the one-mile track as he captured the season finale race in 2025.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR INAUGURAL VETERANS DAY CLASSIC
Ford, in collaboration with NASCAR, Blue Star Families, IMSA and HSR, is bringing together motorsports, music and a shared mission of military support all in honor of service members, veterans and their families. It’s a first-of-its kind military tribute race with all six branches of the armed forces being represented. The inaugural Ford Proud To Honor Veterans Day Classic is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Daytona International Speedway. The event will feature 12 Ford Racing drivers representing a variety of disciplines competing in a race on the road course with the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R that is used to compete in the IMSA-sanctioned Mustang Challenge and Mustang Cup series. Another highlight will be a musical performance by Zac Brown Band. Donations and proceeds from ticket sales will go to benefit military families through a variety of non-profit organizations. Tickets can be purchased through the official website at fordveteransdayclassic.com.
FORD DRIVERS IN THE CHASE
5th – Ryan Blaney (-85 behind leader Kyle Larson)
6th – Joey Logano (-92)
8th – Austin Cindric (-145)
15th – Chris Buescher (-216)
16th – Ryan Preece (-227)
BLANEY GOING FOR PHOENIX SWEEP
Ryan Blaney passed Ty Gibbs for the lead with 10 laps to go and went on to win the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway earlier this year. The win was Ford Racing’s first triumph of the season and the second straight for Blaney at the track where he won the 2025 season finale. Blaney was the only Ford in the top 10 when the final restart took place with 12 laps to go, starting on the outside of the second row behind Gibbs. He moved into second when Kyle Larson drifted up the track going into turn one and then stalked Gibbs for a lap before finally making the decisive pass. The last driver to sweep both races in the same season at Phoenix was Kevin Harvick in 2014.
LOGANO AND PHOENIX
Joey Logano has made 35 starts in his NASCAR Cup Series career at Phoenix Raceway and more than half of them have ended with the Team Penske driver in the top 10. Logano has four victories (2016-2, 2020-1, 2022-2, 2024-2), 10 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. Those four wins are tied with Las Vegas Motor Speedway for most victories at one track and, coincidentally, have all come in even years, just like his three championships. Logano sat on the pole, but finished 31st in the race at Phoenix earlier this year after getting involved in an accident.
For the first time since 2000, Ford has won at least 10 races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series after Layne Riggs captured last week’s event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Riggs has been the main reason for the manufacturer’s success this year with seven wins while Front Row Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith has two. Jake Garcia owns the other after capturing his first career win last month at Bristol Motor Speedway. The record for wins by Ford in one NCTS season is 12 (2000).
RIGGS CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Layne Riggs has 12 career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victories, which ranks second on Ford’s all-time list. The leader is Greg Biffle, who won 16 times between 1998-2000 and won the series championship in 2000. In addition, the seven wins by Riggs marks the second-most in a single season by a Ford driver and is only bettered by the nine Biffle won in 1999.
FORD’S PHOENIX NASCAR CUP
SERIES WINNERS
1988 – Alan Kulwicki
1989 – Bill Elliott
1991 – Davey Allison
1992 – Davey Allison
1993 – Mark Martin
1995 – Ricky Rudd
1997 – Dale Jarrett
1998 – Rusty Wallace
2000 – Jeff Burton
2001 – Jeff Burton
2002 – Matt Kenseth
2005 – Kurt Busch (1)
2010 – Carl Edwards (2)
2013 – Carl Edwards (1)
2016 – Joey Logano (2)
2018 – Kevin Harvick (1)
2020 – Joey Logano (1)
2022 – Chase Briscoe (1) and Joey Logano (2)
2024 – Joey Logano (2)
2025 – Ryan Blaney (2)
2026 – Ryan Blaney (1)
FORD’S PHOENIX NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS
1997 – Joe Ruttman
1998 – Mike Bliss
2001 – Greg Biffle
2022 – Zane Smith
2024 – Ty Majeski
The Ford Mustang® coupe is America’s best-selling sports car and has a global racing presence. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke regional one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 18 Mustang race cars are scheduled to compete across all active disciplines. Learn more about Mustang at www.FordRacing.com.
Top Liner Spray-On Bedliners Backs Rising Talent as He Prepares for First NASCAR Truck Series Oval Start
Mooresville, NC (October 13, 2026) – Spencer Boyd, driver and owner of Freedom Racing Enterprises, will field Ben Maier in the No. 76 Chevrolet Silverado at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, October 16, 2026. Maier will be backed by Top Liner Spray-On Bedliners for his third Truck Series start of the season and his first with Freedom Racing Enterprises.
“Ben has a great deal of promise in our sport,” said Spencer Boyd. “He has been working with our OEM partner, Chevrolet, to prepare him for a successful launch to his career and we are happy to play a part in his development. As this will be his first oval race in a truck, he has spent a good deal of time in the simulator getting ready for this next step. Our whole team has confidence in his abilities, and he has fit in great with the guys at the shop. We are excited for this weekend!”
Ben Maier finished 11th at the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in St. Petersburg earlier this year after posting 2nd best in practice. Phoenix will be his 5th career start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He is also the 2025 CARS Tour Pro Late Model Tour Champion and Trans Am TA2 Winner.
“I have a burning desire to race every weekend so I’m quite thankful for this opportunity,” mentioned Maier. “While I’m no stranger to ovals, Phoenix in a truck will be a bit different from my days in the CARS Tour. I’m really looking forward to that dogleg! Every race is a chance for me to gain knowledge and make progress towards my goals. I have no doubt we’ll have a bunch of fun out West!”
Top Liner Spray-On Bedliners will serve as the primary sponsor of Maier’s No. 76 Chevrolet Silverado at Phoenix. Its spray-on bedliner products are designed to protect vehicle beds and other surfaces against dents, scratches, rust, and harsh weather, with applications available for truck beds, ATVs, trailers, boats, and other surfaces.
Through its motorsports marketing program with Maier and Boyd, Top Liner is working to expand its dealer network and introduce its products to new markets. Phoenix-area businesses Freedom Outfitting and Camper Capital are among the newest locations offering Top Liner applications, and both will have their logos featured on the No. 76 Chevrolet Silverado.
With Maier making another important step and Freedom Racing Enterprises providing the platform for driver and sponsor development, Friday’s race could very well give NASCAR fans a glimpse of the future of the sport.
ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 13, 2026) — Elite Motorsports is riding high into the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, bringing a surge of momentum, recent victories, and a deep-rooted history to the team’s defining hometown race.
Coming off a strong stretch in the Countdown to the Championship, the team arrives in Ennis having swept the opening three-race. Troy Coughlin Jr. kicked the Countdown off with a victory at Martin, Michigan where he broke a 41-race winless streak for the midnight JEGS team. Greg Stanfield and then Janac Brothers Racing team got the job done in Rockingham, N.C. while taking the points lead for Elite Motorsports, the first time the powerhouse team has led the Pro Stock field since 2024 at Las Vegas. Greg’s son, Aaron and his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brothers team, finished off the swing with a statement victory at the most recent event in St. Louis.
Just under three hours from both the Elite headquarters in Wynnewood, Oklahoma and Stanfield’s hometown of Bossier City, Louisiana, the Texas Motorplex holds special significance.
“Dallas is our home turf. That’s where I test, and it’s probably where I’ve made the most runs ever,” Aaron said. “Dallas is where I got my very first NHRA win in Super Stock, in the same car my wife is driving. I’m super, super pumped.”
Aaron’s victory was his third of the season, he first broke out for victory at the Route 66 Nationals just outside of Chicago before following it up with a win in Norwalk, Ohio. The JHG/Melling team hit a rough patch through the mid-season, but now sit seventh in points, a jump from 10th, with three races left in the Countdown.
“Drag racing is all about highs and lows,” Aaron shared. “We’ve had a few high moments this year, and we went through a long period of losing first round. But we haven’t been afraid to change things. It’s taken some adjustment on my end and some adjustment on the crew chiefs’ end. We haven’t been afraid to change things, and it worked out this weekend.
“You keep your head down, you keep working, you keep trying to get better, and you don’t lose faith,” Aaron continued. “As a whole, the entire Elite team has been running really well. We just need to keep that trajectory.”
Six-time NHRA Pro Stock World Champion Erica Enders returns home to Texas aiming to add another chapter to her storied history at Texas Motorplex. The Houston native has claimed victory three times at the facility and considers the Stampede of Speed one of the most vital stops on the tour.
“Coming home is always a highlight of my season,” Enders said. “We’ve had a ton of core memories here from racing Jr. Dragsters and Sportsman to clinching Championships and collecting cowboy hats. Regardless of where we stand for the season, it’s always something I look forward to. The Meyer family puts on a second-to-none show for 10 days and I’m proud to be one of their hometown racers. A win would surely turn things around for us and coming off of a three-in-a-row for Elite, it’s right there for the taking.”
Competition at the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex begins with four rounds of qualifying Friday at 4:15 and 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations are slated for Sunday at noon. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) with a qualifying show Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET followed by an elimination show at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Selling a pre-owned vehicle in New South Wales requires handling specific legal documentation to complete a compliant sale. Navigating transport paperwork can feel confusing, but having your exact documents organised upfront prevents unnecessary transaction delays. Failing to complete official state paperwork correctly can leave you exposed to future traffic fines or legal disputes.
Knowing exactly which mandatory forms to prepare ensures a smooth, legal handover when dealing with eager buyers. This blog will explore the crucial paperwork you must gather to finalise your transaction today.
The Registration Transfer Form and Proof of Identity
Listing your car online through sell my car Sydney websites and apps requires the Vehicle Registration Transfer Application form. Both you and the buyer must fill out your respective sections clearly and sign the legal document together. This vital form officially initiates the required transfer of legal ownership directly into the new buyer’s name.
You must also verify the buyer’s identity by checking their current NSW driver’s licence details before finalising everything. This simple verification step protects you by confirming the buyer’s official identity on state government records accurately. It prevents messy, costly future legal complications from arising after the keys change hands.
Essential Papers to Hand Over to the Buyer
Providing a comprehensive documentation package builds immense buyer trust and ensures a transparent, professional selling experience. Having all crucial paperwork neatly arranged in a folder makes your car look far more attractive than competing listings.
Be sure to hand over these key documents when closing your final deal:
Original Logbook: Provide the complete factory service booklet containing all properly stamped routine maintenance records
Past Repair Invoices: Include physical paper receipts for major mechanical work like brake replacements, tyres, or timing belts
Owner’s Manual: Pass along the original vehicle owner’s handbook, spare tyre instructions, and audio system manuals
Written Proof of Sale: Issue a signed written receipt detailing the exact sale date, final price, VIN, and both signatures
Obtaining a Pink Slip Roadworthy Inspection
If your vehicle’s current registration is close to expiring or has lapsed, you will need an official eSafety inspection. Commonly known as a pink slip, this safety check must be performed by an authorised NSW inspection station. It confirms roadworthiness by checking crucial elements like tyre tread depth, structural integrity, and fully functional brakes.
Having a fresh, valid pink slip ready reassures buyers that the car meets all mandatory state requirements. It simplifies the online registration renewal process for the new owner and removes major buying hesitation instantly.
Legal Records You Must Retain for Protection
After the sale is finished, you must keep personal copies of all signed documents for your protection. Digital photo copies stored on your smartphone or computer provide instant proof of the ownership change.
Retain these crucial legal records in your personal files following the transaction:
Copy of Notice of Disposal: Keep a clear photo or printed copy of your submitted Notice of Disposal confirmation page
Signed Transfer Form Copy: Retain a clear digital copy of the completed registration transfer document signed by the buyer
Payment Receipt Copy: Keep a precise record of cleared bank transfers or written receipts showing the final payment amount
PPSR Clearance Certificate: Store a copy of the PPSR check proving the vehicle was sold free of financial debts
Submitting the Notice of Disposal Online
The most urgent step directly after handing over the car keys is lodging your official Notice of Disposal. This can be completed online within a few minutes using your MyServiceNSW account and the buyer’s details. Lodging this legal notice immediately releases you from legal responsibility for the vehicle from that exact moment.
It ensures any expensive speed camera fines, parking tickets, or toll charges incurred are legally sent to the new owner. The official state system will direct all future driving penalties straight to the buyer’s home address. This final step completes the selling process and lets you enjoy your hard-earned cash stress-free.
Finalise Your Sydney Sale with Ultimate Peace of Mind
Organising your required legal documentation properly is the key to a stress-free, legally secure vehicle sale today. To ensure your complete protection, it is important to prepare transfer forms, gather verified service records, and submit your disposal notice promptly.
You can confidently turn over the keys because you have met all the necessary legal requirements. Gather your essential paperwork today and complete your car sale with complete confidence.
A European trip does not have to pause your tennis. American club and league players increasingly build short training blocks into their vacations, treating a few focused court days as the athletic anchor of the itinerary. Prague works well as a base for that approach, offering private coaching aimed squarely at adults who already rally.
This is not a generic group resort holiday built around scheduled drill rotation. It is a private, assessment-led camp shaped by your game, your goals, and the dates you already plan to travel. Work begins with a diagnosis of what you actually do on court, then moves into focused repetition and live point play.
The result is a vacation that produces something concrete to carry home: a written set of priorities for your own practice. Sightseeing still fills the rest of your days. The court time simply gives the trip an athletic spine.
Rethinking European Travel: Private Coaching vs. Standard Resorts
Standard tennis holidays sell atmosphere, company, and a packed social calendar. Those formats serve many travelers well, especially players who want companionship more than correction. Anyone with a specific technical question often finds group rotation slow and diffuse.
Private coaching reverses the equation. One coach watches your footwork, your contact point, and your decision-making across every minute on court. Feedback lands immediately, and the next drill answers the exact problem identified moments earlier.
That concentration matters when vacation days are limited. A few focused sessions can move a stalled stroke further than a week of casual hitting, because every minute addresses a named priority.
Why a Tailored Training Visit to Prague Fits International Travelers
International visitors need three things from a training block: clear communication, flexible scheduling, and no dependence on a playing partner. Coaching and consultation run in English, Czech, and Ukrainian, so instruction and discussion need no translation layer.
Planning stays simple as well. Sessions are organized around the days you are in the city and the goals you submit beforehand. Solo travelers book confidently, since the format is one-to-one and never requires pairing with another player.
Short visits fit this model neatly. Camps start from three days, which slots easily between flights and city sightseeing. A longer stay simply gives you more time to test changes in competitive points.
Comparing Generic Resort Camps to Private Assessment-Led Coaching
When planning an active vacation abroad, booking a structured tennis camp for adults europe focused on direct technical assessment offers a far more personalized experience than standard resort group drills. The difference shows up most clearly in who coaches you and how progress gets tracked.
Factor
Typical adult group camp
Private assessment-led coaching
Format
Rotating group sessions
One-to-one with a single coach
Starting point
General drill program
90-minute technical assessment
Scheduling
Fixed camp calendar
Built around your travel dates
Feedback
Group-wide corrections
Direct, continuous correction
Match application
Optional or social
Point play used to test changes
Takeaway
Memories and notes
Written plan of priorities for home
Pricing
Fixed package total
Written quote after goals and dates
Neither column is universally better. Group camps suit players seeking company and a fixed calendar. Assessment-led private work suits players who arrive with a technical question and a limited number of days.
Who the Experience Is Designed For: Player Profiles and Disclaimers
The format fits USTA league players in the NTRP 3.5-4.5 range, club competitors, and returning players rebuilding a game after time away. Solo travelers fit comfortably, because the coaching is individual by design.
Honesty matters more than enthusiasm here. The camp suits players who can already rally and sustain a point. It is not a program for complete beginners, and it is not a packaged resort vacation with meals, transfers, and entertainment bundled together.
If you want court time tied to named goals, with free evenings left for a European city, this format delivers that balance.
The Core Training Format: Assessment, On-Court Work, and Application
Every new court client begins with a 90-minute Performance Assessment. The coach observes strokes, movement, and patterns of play, then names the priorities that will shape the rest of the visit.
Subsequent sessions concentrate on those priorities through focused technical repetition. The changes are then tested in live points, where timing, pressure, and shot selection expose what holds up under match conditions.
Before you leave, you receive a written plan of priorities to continue practicing at home. That document is the practical souvenir of the trip, and it keeps the work useful long after the flight home.
Areas of Technical and Tactical Focus
Court work can target stroke mechanics, footwork patterns, serve and return routines, and transition play. Players often ask for help with contact points, spacing, or the timing of an aggressive first ball.
Tactical sessions cover patterns of play, point construction, and decision-making under pressure. Club players with doubles commitments can work on positioning and communication as well.
These are opportunities to address, not promises of a rating increase. Progress depends on your starting level, the effort you bring, and the practice you continue afterward.
Sample Three-Day Camp Itinerary
Day
Focus
What happens
1
Assessment and priorities
90-minute diagnosis, goal review, priority list agreed
2
Technical change and repetition
Focused drilling on named priorities with immediate feedback
3
Match application and take-home plan
Point play testing changes, written plan delivered
The schedule above is a sample rather than a fixed arrangement. Exact sessions and hours are agreed before booking, based on your goals and travel dates. A week or longer gives more time to test changes in points.
Professional Coaching Background
Leonard Stakhovsky heads the practice and conducts all sessions directly. He is a former ATP player and an NCAA Division I athlete.
Players work with him throughout the camp, without rotation between group coaches. That continuity keeps the diagnosis, the drills, and the feedback aligned from the assessment to the final session.
Prague Venues and Court Facilities
Training takes place on courts in Prague at TK Spoje, Hodkovicky, and CLTK, across Prague 3, 4, and 7. Court access and surfaces are confirmed for your specific dates before the plan is finalized.
Confirming venues early helps travelers plan the rest of the trip. It lets you arrange accommodation near the courts and schedule city days around the training block.
Logistics: Flights, Venues, and Independent Arrangements
Most American visitors fly into Prague Vaclav Havel Airport and continue into the city from there. Agree dates, hours, and venue before booking flights, since court access is confirmed against specific dates.
Flights, accommodation, and meals are not included. Court hire is extra unless confirmed separately, so budget it alongside coaching when you compare options.
Booking lodging independently keeps you in control. Choose a neighborhood near your assigned courts, or stay central and commute to the training block.
Investment Overview and Rates
Item
Detail
Performance Assessment (90 minutes)
3,800 CZK (approx. EUR 155), plus court hire
Assessment credit
If you continue, the full assessment fee is credited to the first program period
Private coaching
From 1,600 CZK (approx. EUR 65) per hour, plus court hire
Court hire
Billed separately unless confirmed otherwise
Full camp total
Provided as a written quote after goals, dates, and hours are agreed
There is no fixed total camp price, because visits differ in length and emphasis. You receive a written quote once your goals, dates, and hours are settled.
Step-by-Step Booking Process
Send an enquiry through the Stakhovsky Tennis website, outlining your level, goals, and travel dates.
Discuss your priorities and confirm the days and hours that suit your visit.
Agree the venue, with court access and surfaces confirmed for those dates.
Receive a written quote for coaching, with court hire noted separately where relevant.
Confirm the schedule, then arrange flights and accommodation independently.
An enquiry requires no payment and does not automatically reserve a place. Confirmation follows once the schedule and quote are agreed in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this suitable for complete beginners? The camp is designed for players who can already rally and sustain points. Complete beginners generally progress faster in a different setting, where fundamentals are introduced gradually without match application. If you can keep a rally going and want structured technical work, the format fits your level well.
Do I need a playing partner to attend? No partner is required. Coaching is private and one-to-one, and match application happens inside your own sessions. Solo travelers book exactly like anyone else, and the coach provides the opposition and structure needed for meaningful point play.
How long should my camp last? Camps start from three days, which suits a short city visit with a training focus. A week or longer gives more time to test technical changes in competitive points. The right length depends on your goals, and the schedule is agreed before booking.
What will the trip cost? The 90-minute Performance Assessment costs 3,800 CZK, approximately 155 EUR, plus court hire. Private coaching starts from 1,600 CZK, approximately 65 EUR per hour, also plus court hire. The full camp price comes as a written quote after goals, dates, and hours are agreed.
Are flights and hotels included? Flights, accommodation, and meals are separate and arranged independently. Court hire is billed in addition to coaching unless confirmed otherwise. Keeping travel arrangements independent lets you choose flights and lodging that match your budget and your preferred part of Prague.
Can I train in English? Yes. Coaching and consultation are available in English, Czech, and Ukrainian. American visitors can discuss technique, tactics, and their written plan without translation, which keeps sessions efficient and lets questions surface naturally during drills and point play.
Is this a group camp or private coaching? It is private, one-to-one coaching with Leonard Stakhovsky, and players work with him directly throughout. There is no rotation between group coaches, so the assessment, the drills, and the feedback stay consistent across every session of your visit.
When should I book relative to my travel dates? Contact the practice before you book flights, since court access and surfaces are confirmed for specific dates. Once hours, venue, and goals are agreed, you receive a written quote and can finalize travel knowing the court schedule is settled.
Taking the Next Step for Your Game
Start with your calendar and your goals. Decide which days you can dedicate to court work, then outline the technical questions you want answered during the visit.
Send an enquiry through the Stakhovsky Tennis website and talk through those goals directly. A considered plan turns a European vacation into training time you keep using at home.
