Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sonoma, Calif. – June 28, 2026
AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 AMERICA’S TIRE FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE START: 23RD STAGE 1: 25TH STAGE 2: 4TH FINISH: 13TH POINTS: 16TH RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric and the No. 2 America’s Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse battled to a 13th-place finish in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway. After starting 23rd, Cindric advanced to 21st before pitting with two laps remaining in Stage 1 for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment. As a result of the early stop, Cindric was scored 25th at the end of the stage but restarted 13th for Stage 2. Cindric opened Stage 2 from the 13th position but slipped back to 17th by Lap 38 as competitors on fresher tires moved forward. He was able to recover to 12th by Lap 50, and the America’s Tire Ford team elected to stay out through the end of the stage. The strategy paid off, as Cindric finished fourth and collected valuable stage points toward the NASCAR Chase for the Championship. Under the stage caution, Cindric returned to pit road for four tires, fuel, and an air pressure adjustment, restarting 25th for the final stage. He steadily worked his way through the field, climbing to 21st by Lap 62 and advancing to 16th by Lap 72. Following his final pit stop on Lap 80 for four tires, fuel, and air pressure, Cindric continued his charge and ultimately finished 13th at the checkered flag. In addition to the solid result, Cindric advanced in the NASCAR In-Season Challenge, besting Brad Keselowski by two positions.
CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “Definitely an improvement from Saturday to Sunday for the America’s Tire Ford Mustang. Happy we were able to make the car better. Sonoma is definitely a scrappy place to make up track position but also stay upfront for some stage points and get a solid finish. Certainly, representative of the effort, definitely want more, but keeps us in the points hunt.”
RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/DUTCH BOY FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE START: 16TH STAGE 1: 16TH STAGE 2: 10TH FINISH: 6TH POINTS: 3RD RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford Mustang Dark Horse team produced their sixth-consecutive top-10 finish – and series-leading 13th top-10 of the season – Sunday at Sonoma Raceway with a sixth-place effort. After starting 16th, Blaney worked his way into the top-10 by lap 17 before crew chief Jonathan Hassler called him to pit road with three laps remaining in the opening segment to flip track position for the start of Stage 2, allowing Blaney to take the ensuing restart from fifth. Blaney settled into fourth in the running order during the following run as Hassler made the same pit call with three laps to go in the second stage, this time allowing Blaney to earn a stage point by climbing to 10th in the closing laps of Stage 2. The Menards/Dutch Boy Ford cycled to fourth after the remaining teams pitted between stages as Blaney maintained track position at the start of the run before assuming the lead during the green flag pit cycle on lap 83. Blaney was called to pit road two laps later for his final stop of the day and charged back up to 10th with 20 laps remaining. Blaney went on to pick up four more spots over course of the final 12 laps to secure a sixth-place finish when the checkered flag flew.
BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “Really proud of another solid road course effort from this 12 group and [crew chief] Jonathan [Hassler] called a great race to keep our track position inside the top-10 all day. A lot of positives to take out of these last two weeks and just need to keep that type of momentum going through this final run of the regular season.”
JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE START: 10TH STAGE 1: 22ND STAGE 2: 33RD FINISH: 24TH POINTS: 20TH RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse team turned in a 24th-place finish Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. Logano maintained top-15 pace during the first run of the afternoon before the call was made to flip the stage and bring the Shell-Pennzoil Ford to pit road for four tires and a round of adjustments with three laps remaining in the opening segment, resulting in a 22nd-place finish in Stage 1 but allowing Logano to take the ensuing restart from ninth. Logano battled handling issues throughout the following run, prompting a similar call to pit with four laps to go in Stage 2 in an effort to regain track position for the final segment. The Shell-Pennzoil Ford made its way back into the top-20 as the handling began to improve, but was unable to gain back track position after the No. 22 team’s final green flag stop of the afternoon with 30 laps remaining, resulting in a 24th-place finish.
LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “Just a tough day for our Shell-Pennzoil team overall. We were decent at the start of the runs, but didn’t have enough pace on the long run to get us back in the game down the stretch.”
For the first time since 2019, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, on Sunday, July 5 for the eero 400. Coverage begins at 6:00 p.m. ET on TNT, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Risi Competizione Ferrari Team Finishes Fifth in Class
Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 No. 62:
Davide Rigon (ITA) Daniel Serra (BRA)
Watkins Glen, N.Y. (June 28, 2026) … The Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Series race featured a surprising nine full course cautions. The No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo finished fifth in the GTD Pro class with starting and qualifying driver Daniel Serra and Davide Rigon at the wheel.
Serra came into Saturday’s qualifying session with the GTD-Pro qualifying track record from 2024 of 1:44.203 and 117.463 mph and qualified in P9, not quite breaking his previous record by posting a time of 1:44.766.
The Risi team led in class briefly, for one lap, just ten minutes before end of the six-hour race but had to make a quick stop for fuel, thus relinquishing the lead. Then the final caution was thrown on the last lap when a GTD Pro Mustang went off course at Turn 9, creating a yellow-checked flag finish.
The Houston, Texas-based team is vying for the 2026 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) championship and this third round of the 2026 schedule was the first race the team has finished this season, having suffered uncharacteristic DNFs in both the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring race.
Risi Competizione won the IMEC Championship in its inaugural 2022 season.
Risi Competizione drivers, Davide Rigon (left) and Daniel Serra (right)
Quotes:
Davide Rigon, driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3:
“I think actually we did our best today. There wasn’t much more we could do. We tried a different strategy in the last hour to stop the strategy the others were using but didn’t gain much with the cautions. Leading the race was nice but we needed to beat them. For the last part of the race we did our best and the team did a great job, but we were not the fastest car today. About the best we could do today was P5 or P6 and we did it. This was our best today. It was nice to finish the race for the first time this year after having an unlucky Sebring and Daytona.”
Daniel Serra, driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 296 GT3:
“We finished the best position we could even if everything went perfect, I think P5 was the maximum we could do. We gambled a bit in the last stint, waiting for a yellow, that unfortunately came a bit too late. It was good to finish the first race of the season and looking forward to Road America.”
Risi Competizione will compete in the two remaining 2026 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) series races, including the 6 Hours of Road America and Petit Le Mans 10-hour enduro. IMEC drivers are Rigon and Serra.
The Enduring Popularity of Wrestling Belts Among Fans
Wrestling belts have remained one of the most recognizable and desired collectibles in sports entertainment. They represent achievement, prestige, and unforgettable moments that define wrestling history. Fans who grew up watching championship matches often develop a strong emotional connection to these belts. As a result, owning one becomes more than just a purchase, it becomes a way to relive those iconic experiences and celebrate personal fandom in a meaningful way.
The increasing availability of wrestling belts online has made it easier for fans to find designs that match their preferences. From modern styles to classic championship looks, there is a wide range of options available for buyers who want both authenticity and value.
What Makes an Authentic-Style Wrestling Belt Stand Out
Authentic-style wwe title belts are known for their attention to detail and quality craftsmanship. These belts are designed to closely resemble those seen in professional wrestling events, making them highly appealing to collectors. Key features often include metal plates with intricate engravings, polished finishes, and durable straps that mimic real leather.
Another important factor is the overall construction. A well-made belt should feel solid and substantial. The weight, combined with accurate design elements, contributes to a more realistic experience for the buyer. These details play a significant role in determining whether a belt meets expectations.
Benefits of Buying championship belts Online
Online shopping offers a level of convenience that traditional retail stores cannot match. Buyers can explore multiple designs, compare prices, and read reviews from other customers before making a decision. This access to information helps reduce uncertainty and ensures a more confident purchase.
In addition to convenience, online platforms often provide access to exclusive designs. Some sellers offer limited-edition championship belts or unique variations that are not available elsewhere. This allows collectors to expand their collections with distinctive pieces that stand out.
Choosing the Right Belt for Your Needs
Selecting the right wrestling belt depends on how you plan to use it. If you are building a display collection, visual appeal and design accuracy should be your primary focus. A well-crafted belt can serve as a centerpiece that enhances the overall look of your collection.
For those who intend to wear the belt, comfort becomes equally important. Adjustable straps and proper sizing ensure that the belt fits well and is easy to handle. Considering these factors helps you choose a belt that aligns with your preferences and purpose.
Ensuring a Reliable Purchase Experience
When shopping online, it is essential to choose a trustworthy seller. Look for detailed product descriptions, clear images, and customer feedback. These elements provide valuable insights into the quality of the belt and the reliability of the seller.
Secure payment options and clear return policies also contribute to a safer buying experience. Taking the time to research sellers can help you avoid potential issues and ensure satisfaction with your purchase.
Final Thoughts on Shopping Wrestling Belts Online
Buying wrestling belts online offers a convenient and rewarding way to build your collection. By focusing on quality, authenticity, and seller reliability, you can find a belt that meets your expectations and holds lasting value.
When money is tight, the natural response is often to avoid looking too closely at the finances. The bills feel more stressful when they’re in front of you. The bank balance is easier to ignore than to confront.
This instinct is understandable. It’s also the opposite of helpful. The households that navigate financial pressure most effectively are the ones that look at the numbers clearly, prioritize the right things, and make deliberate decisions about what to do next.
Here is a practical framework for staying on top of your finances when the pressure is real.
Start With Visibility, Not Judgment
Before making any changes, you need a clear picture of where things actually stand. Not an approximate sense, but an actual breakdown of what’s coming in and what’s going out.
This step is where most people stall. Reviewing your finances when they’re under pressure can feel confronting. The goal isn’t to judge where you’ve ended up. It’s to understand it well enough to act.
According to a 2026 YouGov survey, 64% of Australians who budget do so primarily to make sure they have enough for essential expenses. That’s the right starting point. Essentials first, everything else second.
Separate What You Must Pay From What You Could Reduce
Not all expenses carry equal urgency. When money is tight, the difference between a must-pay and a could-reduce expense matters enormously.
Must-Pay First
These are the obligations that have serious consequences if missed:
Rent or mortgage payments
Electricity, gas, and water
Food and essential groceries
Transport required for work
Any debt with secured assets or legal consequences
Review Everything Else
Everything outside the must-pay category is a candidate for temporary reduction or pausing:
Streaming and entertainment subscriptions
Gym memberships not being used
Insurance add-ons that may not be necessary
Dining out and takeaway
Impulse or discretionary purchases
A practical exercise is to go through your last two months of bank statements and categorize every transaction. This almost always reveals spending that can be reduced without meaningful impact on daily life, as well as subscriptions and recurring charges that have been forgotten about entirely.
Contact Providers Before You Miss a Payment
One of the most consistently underused tools for managing financial pressure is simply contacting your creditors and service providers and asking for flexibility.
Most banks, utilities, insurance providers, and lenders have hardship provisions or payment arrangement options available. Accessing them is significantly easier when you contact the provider proactively, before a payment is missed.
What to ask:
Is there a financial hardship arrangement available?
Can repayments be reduced or deferred temporarily?
Can the due date be adjusted?
Is there a payment plan for this bill?
The answer is more often yes than most people expect. And the outcome of asking early is almost always better than the outcome of waiting until something has already been missed.
Know When a Short-Term Bridge Makes Sense
Sometimes the problem isn’t ongoing financial difficulty. It’s a timing gap: an essential expense has arrived before income does, or something unexpected has created a short-term shortfall that will resolve within a few weeks.
For these situations, a small short-term loan can be a practical tool rather than a sign of financial failure. MoneyBuddy offers emergency loans from $500 to $5,000 with same-day funds and a clear, simple application process. This makes most sense when the expense is genuine, the timing gap is specific, and repayment from incoming income is realistic.
The key distinction is between bridging a timing gap and covering an ongoing shortfall. The first is a useful application of short-term credit. The second requires a different approach: reviewing the budget, reducing expenses, or accessing longer-term support.
Compare What You’re Paying For Everything
One of the most effective ways to create breathing room in a tight budget without reducing lifestyle is to pay less for the same things.
Energy plans, phone contracts, insurance policies, and internet providers all vary significantly in cost for equivalent service. Most people are not on the best available rate because they’ve never compared or because they compared once and never revisited.
Properfolio’s financial comparison tools make it straightforward to see what alternatives are available across financial products without committing to anything. A regular comparison habit, even once or twice a year, consistently saves meaningful amounts for most Australian households.
The same principle applies to any credit you’re currently carrying or considering taking on.
For specific loan needs such as a car, personal loan, or debt consolidation, a broker approach goes further. Loans123 compares 30+ lenders to find the most competitive option for your situation, rather than presenting only a single product.
Build Even a Tiny Buffer
When things are tight, the idea of saving anything can feel impossible. The reality is that a very small buffer, even a few hundred dollars, changes the experience of financial pressure significantly.
An unexpected $300 expense hits differently when there’s $500 sitting in a separate account than when there’s nothing. The buffer doesn’t have to be large to be useful.
Getting Started When It Feels Impossible
Transfer $10 or $20 on payday to a separate account before spending anything
Name the account something specific to reduce the temptation to use it
Treat it as a fixed expense, not a discretionary transfer
Use any small windfalls: tax return, a rebate, or a small bonus
The first few hundred dollars is the hardest to build. Once it exists, it creates a feedback loop: you can see the number growing, unexpected costs don’t immediately drain everything, and the habit becomes self-reinforcing.
A Simple Weekly Check-In
Staying on top of finances when they’re tight requires more frequent attention than when things are comfortable. A brief weekly check-in takes about ten minutes and covers:
What’s been spent this week versus what was planned
What bills or payments are due in the next two weeks
Whether any subscriptions or charges appeared that weren’t expected
Whether anything needs to be actioned before the next payday
This doesn’t need to be elaborate. A quick look at your bank balance and upcoming transactions is enough. The goal is to stay aware of where things stand rather than being surprised by them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I genuinely cannot cover my essential expenses?
Contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. This is a free service that connects you with a qualified financial counselor who can help you understand your options, negotiate with creditors on your behalf, and create a plan for your specific situation. It’s confidential and available across Australia.
Is reducing spending or finding extra income more effective when money is tight?
Both matter, but reducing spending produces immediate results without requiring anything external. Reviewing your budget and identifying what can be reduced is almost always the fastest available path to creating breathing room. Additional income takes time to arrange and often involves ongoing effort. Do both where possible, but start with what you can control right now.
The Bottom Line
Staying on top of finances when things are tight comes down to three things: knowing exactly where you stand, prioritizing the right obligations, and using the tools and options available to you.
Look at the numbers. Contact your providers. Use a budget to find flexibility. Build even a small buffer. And compare what you’re paying for things regularly.
None of this resolves financial pressure overnight. But it gives you control, which is more useful than avoiding the situation, and it produces better outcomes than most people expect when they actually start.
Race fans love horsepower, yet the small chip in your key may matter more on a bad morning. A modern car will not start without the right signal from that key. Most drivers ignore it until the engine stays silent.
Alt text: A black car key with a cut metal blade, lock and release buttons, and a black fob on the ring
That gap shows up at the worst time, far from home. A dead or lost key can leave you stuck for hours, which is why an automotive locksmith helps with getting back into your car when the usual key fails. This guide explains the tech in plain terms.
Why Will a Car Refuse to Start Without the Right Key?
The short answer is the immobilizer. Almost every car built since the late 1990s carries one. It blocks the engine unless it reads a coded signal from your key.
That code lives in a tiny transponder chip inside the key head. When you turn the key or press start, a small antenna near the ignition reads the chip. A match lets fuel and spark flow, and a mismatch keeps the car silent.
This design is not an accident. Carmakers must document how an antitheft device works under the federal theft-prevention standard, and immobilizers became the common answer to that rule. A coded key is the visible part of that system.
The payoff is real protection. A coded key is far harder to copy than an old metal cut. Thieves cannot file a blank and drive away anymore.
What Are the Main Types of Car Keys Today?
Keys have changed fast over the past 30 years. Knowing your type helps you plan for a replacement. Here are the formats most drivers carry.
Basic transponder key. A cut metal blade with a hidden chip. You turn it like an old key, but the chip must match.
Remote head key. The same cut blade joined to buttons for the doors and trunk. One unit does two jobs.
Smart key or fob. No blade needed. You keep it in a pocket and press a start button.
Switchblade key. A blade that folds into the fob body. It saves space and resists bending.
Valet or mechanical key. A backup blade hidden in many fobs. It opens a door when a battery dies.
Each type pairs with the car through programming. The chip and the car must learn each other first. That step is why a hardware-store copy alone will not start most cars.
How Does Key Programming Actually Work?
Programming links a new key to your specific car. A technician connects a tool to the diagnostic port under the dash. That tool talks to the immobilizer and registers the new chip.
Photo by Safety Locksmith Las Vegas on Unsplash
Alt text: An automotive locksmith in a branded shirt working at the open driver door of a black SUV on a driveway
The process is quick once the key blade is cut. Many jobs finish in 20 to 45 minutes. Older cars can take longer because their security systems run slower.
Some makes guard this step tightly. A clear guide to auto locksmith services shows how brand and model change the price. A common sedan is cheap to key, while a luxury model can cost several times more.
Crime data backs the case for these systems. The FBI motor vehicle theft report counted 721,885 stolen vehicles in 2019, with more than $6 billion lost. Automobiles made up 74.5 percent of those thefts. A strong key system is one small wall against that tide.
What Should You Do When a Key Fails or Goes Missing?
A failed key feels like a crisis, but a calm plan saves time. Use this checklist before you panic or call a tow.
Check the battery first. A weak fob battery is the most common cause. A spare coin cell can fix it in a minute.
Look for a spare. A second key skips a long wait. Store one at home, not only in a bag you carry.
Confirm the exact model. Note the year, make, and trim. The right details speed any replacement.
Call a mobile pro. A practical anti-theft devices guide shows how a specialist reaches you at the curb or the track lot.
Skip the slim-jim trick. Wired doors and side airbags make old break-in tricks risky and costly.
A locked door with the key inside is a separate problem. Many fobs open the car through a phone app or a hidden mechanical blade. When neither works, a trained technician opens the door without damage.
How Much Should a Replacement Key Cost and Take?
Cost swings with the key type and the car. A simple transponder key may run $80 to $180. A smart fob for a premium brand can pass $400 once programming is added.
Key Type
Typical Cost
Time to Program
Basic transponder key
$80 to $180
20 to 30 minutes
Remote head key
$120 to $250
30 to 45 minutes
Smart key or fob
$200 to $450
30 to 60 minutes
Switchblade key
$150 to $300
30 to 45 minutes
Two numbers shape the choice. A dealer often charges 2 to 3 times the rate of a mobile specialist for the same job. A spare key cut today costs far less than an emergency call at 2 a.m.
What to Remember About Your Car Key
The immobilizer blocks the engine unless it reads a matching chip in your key.
Federal rules push carmakers to document the antitheft device behind that chip.
Keys range from basic transponder blades to phone-free smart fobs.
Programming links a new chip to your car through the diagnostic port.
A spare key and a fresh fob battery prevent most roadside lockouts.
The Real Value of Knowing Your Key
A car key is no longer a piece of bent metal. It is a coded device that guards a $6 billion theft target. Drivers who grasp the basics react faster when a key dies. A little knowledge today beats a long wait later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Start My Car if the Key Battery Dies?
Often yes. Most smart fobs include a backup that works without battery power. Hold the fob against the start button, or use the hidden mechanical blade to open the door. Then follow the manual for the no-battery start step.
Why Does a Hardware-Store Key Copy Not Start My Car?
A blank copy lacks the coded chip your immobilizer needs. The cut blade may turn in the ignition, but the engine will not fire. The chip must be programmed to your car first. That step needs a tool linked to the car’s diagnostic port.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Lost Car Key?
Most jobs finish in 30 to 60 minutes once the right key is on hand. Cutting the blade is fast, and programming takes the rest. Rare or older models can add time. A mobile specialist often beats a dealer wait.
Is It Worth Keeping a Spare Car Key?
Yes, a spare is cheap insurance. Cutting and coding one in advance costs far less than an emergency call. A spare also saves hours when a primary key fails far from home. Store it somewhere safe and separate.
A vehicle problem halfway through a long journey is rarely unforeseeable – it is usually the result of thirty minutes of preparation that didn’t happen before departure. Whether you are driving across two states or simply covering several hundred miles to visit family, the condition of your vehicle at the start of that trip determines how predictable the rest of it will be.
This guide walks through a thorough pre-trip vehicle checklist: what to inspect, what to top up, what to replace if necessary, and why each item on this list is worth your time before you leave the driveway.
Start With the Tires – All Five of Them
Tires are the most consequential item on any pre-trip checklist and the most commonly neglected. Every tire on your vehicle, including the spare, deserves attention before a long drive.
Check tire pressure on all four road tires when they are cold, meaning the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours. Tire pressure recommendations are found on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual – not on the tire sidewall, which shows maximum pressure, not recommended operating pressure. Correctly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency, handling, and braking performance, and they wear more evenly. Under-inflated tires generate excess heat, especially at highway speeds, and are a leading contributor to blowouts on long drives.
Inspect the tread depth on each tire. The legal minimum in the United States is 2/32 of an inch, but 4/32 is a more practical threshold – particularly if your journey passes through areas where rain is likely. Uneven wear patterns (more wear on the inner or outer edges, or a scalloped pattern across the tread) indicate alignment or suspension issues that should be addressed before a long drive.
Then check the fifth tire: the spare. A spare wheel that is underinflated or in poor condition is not a useful emergency asset. Verify the pressure, inspect the tread and sidewall condition, and confirm that the jack and lug wrench are present and accessible. If the spare has sat uninspected for several years, remove it and check it properly before departure.
If your spare is in poor condition and you are planning a long journey, replacing it before departure is a worthwhile investment. A new or quality used spare wheel for sale can be found through tire shops, dealerships, and online parts comparison websites like PartHunt24, depending on your vehicle’s specifications and your budget. Spare wheel price varies considerably depending on your vehicle’s wheel size, the type of spare (full-size matching vs. space-saver), and the source.
Fluids: Check Everything, Not Just the Oil
Engine oil is the fluid most drivers remember to check. It is important, but it is not the only thing that matters before a long drive.
Engine oil. Check the level with the dipstick when the engine is cold and the vehicle is on level ground. The level should be between the minimum and maximum marks. Check the condition of the oil at the same time. Oil that is very dark or has a gritty texture is due for a change. If your vehicle’s next scheduled oil change falls within the mileage you are about to cover, change it before you leave rather than during or after the trip.
Coolant. The coolant reservoir is a translucent plastic tank, usually near the radiator. Check that the level is between the minimum and maximum marks. Low coolant can lead to overheating, and overheating on a long highway drive at elevated speeds is a much more serious problem than it would be in stop-and-go city traffic. Do not open the radiator cap on a warm engine – the system is pressurized, and the coolant is extremely hot.
Brake fluid. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point. On long descents or during repeated heavy braking, degraded brake fluid can boil, causing brake fade – a sudden and alarming loss of braking effectiveness. Check the level in the reservoir and, if the fluid appears dark brown rather than clear or pale yellow, consider having it replaced. Brake fluid is one of those inexpensive service items that drivers tend to defer longer than they should.
Power steering fluid. If your vehicle has hydraulic power steering, check the reservoir level. Low power steering fluid can cause whining noises and, at the extreme, loss of assisted steering.
Windshield washer fluid. This is often treated as a minor item, but running out of washer fluid on a highway when road spray is coating your windshield is a real safety problem. Fill the reservoir before departure and consider carrying a spare jug if you are covering significant mileage.
Transmission fluid. Automatic transmissions particularly benefit from clean, correctly leveled fluid on long drives. Check the level according to your owner’s manual’s procedure. Some vehicles require the engine to be running and at operating temperature for an accurate reading. If the fluid smells burnt or appears very dark, have it inspected by a mechanic before a long trip.
Brakes: Don’t Wait for the Warning Sign
Brake inspection before a long trip isn’t optional. Wear is gradual, easy to rationalize, and the point at which it becomes impossible to ignore is not where you want to be on a highway.
Listen for squealing or grinding when you brake during normal driving. Squealing typically indicates that the wear indicator on the brake pad has reached its contact point – a deliberate warning built into the pad design. Grinding suggests metal-on-metal contact, meaning the pads have worn through entirely. Either symptom warrants inspection before a long drive.
Pay attention to pedal feel as well. A brake pedal that sinks toward the floor, requires more pressure than usual, or pulsates under braking (often a sign of warped rotors) indicates a system that needs attention. Brake issues do not resolve themselves, and the consequences of brake failure at highway speeds are severe.
If your vehicle’s brakes are due for service based on mileage or the last inspection, schedule it before a long trip, not after.
Lights and Electrical Systems
Lighting failures are among the most common pre-trip oversights. A burned-out headlight may go unnoticed during daytime city driving, but becomes a meaningful safety issue on a dark rural highway at night.
Check both headlights (low and high beam), both taillights, both brake lights, both turn signals (front and rear), and the reverse lights. Checking your own brake lights requires a helper or a reflective surface. Back up close to a garage door or wall to confirm they illuminate when you press the brake pedal.
While you are at it, check that the interior lights and dashboard warning lights are functioning correctly. A warning light that has been sitting ignored for weeks is more likely to become a problem at 70 mph than during a ten-minute school run. Address any warning lights before departure. If you are unsure what a warning means, consult your owner’s manual or have it scanned for fault codes at an auto parts store or shop.
Battery: The Most Unpredictable Failure Point
Battery failure is the most common cause of roadside breakdowns and among the least predictable – cold temperatures accelerate decline, but batteries can fail in any season.
If your battery is more than four years old, consider having it load-tested before a long trip. Many auto parts stores will test a battery for free. A battery that is technically holding charge but performing below specification is a breakdown waiting to happen. Replacing a battery before a trip, at a garage of your choice, costs the same as replacing it at a roadside breakdown – and takes a fraction of the stress.
Check the battery terminals for corrosion (a white or bluish-green crystalline buildup around the terminal posts). Corrosion increases electrical resistance and can cause starting problems. It can be cleaned with a mixture of baking soda and water and a terminal brush – an inexpensive and simple maintenance task.
Planning the Drive, Not Just the Vehicle
A well-maintained vehicle driven by an impaired or fatigued driver is still a risk. A car in perfect mechanical condition is only as reliable as the driver behind the wheel.
Prioritize adequate rest before a long driving day. Fatigue impairs reaction time and judgment in ways that are measurable and serious – driving after 20 or more hours without sleep produces impairment comparable to legal intoxication.
Plan your route and identify fuel stops, rest areas, and the locations of hospitals or urgent care facilities along the way, particularly for remote stretches. Download offline maps for areas with unreliable cell coverage. Identify the location of tire shops or mechanics along your primary route in case the need arises.
In the 1920s, Bentley was not merely a road car manufacturer — it was a factory racing team with drivers who became legends. Figures like Woolf Barnato, Tim Birkin, and John Duff were part of the group known as the Bentley Boys: wealthy enthusiasts who financed and raced for the factory team. Racing in this era was a test of raw physical endurance and mechanical fortitude. Drivers contended with unpaved roads, primitive lighting, and the constant threat of catastrophic mechanical failure. The Bentley Boys were known as much for their high-society lifestyle as for their bravery, often celebrating victories with lavish parties that cemented the brand’s dual identity of performance and prestige. Their exploits gave Bentley a mystique that still defines the brand nearly a century later.
Five Le Mans Victories
Between 1924 and 1930, Bentley won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times:
1924 — John Duff and Frank Clement, Bentley 3 Litre
1927 — Sammy Davis and Dudley Benjafield, Bentley 3 Litre
1928 — Woolf Barnato and Bernard Rubin, Bentley 4½ Litre
1929 — Woolf Barnato and Henry Birkin, Bentley Speed Six
1930 — Woolf Barnato and Glen Kidston, Bentley Speed Six
The five victories in seven years cemented Le Mans as Bentley’s spiritual home and set a standard of excellence that defines the brand’s identity to this day. These early wins established a pedigree of endurance that remains foundational to Bentley’s engineering philosophy.
Bentley’s Return to Racing: Le Mans 2003
The Speed 8
After a 73-year absence, Bentley returned to Le Mans in 2001 with the Speed 8 prototype racer. This long era of silence only added to the emotional weight of their comeback. The Speed 8 was a masterclass in modern aerodynamics and engineering, developed to reclaim the glory of the 1920s. In 2003, the Speed 8s swept first and second overall — Bentley’s first outright Le Mans victory since 1930 and a landmark moment for the Volkswagen Group’s motorsport ambitions. This victory proved that the spirit of the Bentley Boys was alive and well, bridging the gap between a century of heritage and the cutting edge of 21st-century racing technology.
The Continental GT3 Program
GT3 and Customer Racing
Bentley’s current motorsport activity centers on the Continental GT3, developed with M-Sport. This machine is a radical departure from its road-going sibling, stripped of luxury to become a focused racing force. The GT3 uses a dry-sumped version of the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, restricted to approximately 500 hp for Balance of Performance compliance. Crucially, the road car’s heavy all-wheel-drive system and torque-converter automatic are replaced by a rear-wheel-drive setup and a sequential racing gearbox. Extensive use of carbon fiber panels and polycarbonate windows reduces the weight to approximately 1,300 kg—nearly 900 kg lighter than the production model. The GT3 car competes in:
The GT World Challenge Europe
The Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC), where Bentley has secured the manufacturers’ title
British GT Championship
Various national GT3 series across Asia and the Americas
Customer teams purchase the Continental GT3 for their own programs, meaning Bentley-branded GT racing takes place across multiple continents each season.
How Motorsport Shapes Production Cars
Performance Heritage in the Continental GT
The Continental GT Speed and Bentayga S draw directly on GT3 development for chassis tuning, tire specification, and electronic driver aids calibration. The GT3 program serves as a live R&D laboratory. For instance, suspension geometry testing in competition provides critical data on camber and anti-roll settings used to calibrate the road-going Continental GT Speed. Brake data collected during high-temperature endurance races helps improve the thermal management and durability of production brake packages.
Even the Bentayga S benefits from suspension geometry and electronic stability tuning developed through track testing programs. Traction control mapping and throttle response logic are refined using GT3 data to ensure high-performance models remain composed at the limit. Looking forward, Bentley’s ‘Beyond100+’ strategy commits to a future of electrification, with electrified racing cars currently in active development to ensure the Bentley racing spirit thrives in a sustainable era.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has Bentley won Le Mans?
Bentley has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times: five consecutive victories from 1924 to 1930, and once more in 2003 with the Speed 8.
What is the Bentley Continental GT3?
The Continental GT3 is a racing-specification version of the Continental GT, developed with M-Sport and homologated for GT3-class competition worldwide.
Is there a connection between Bentley’s racing cars and road cars?
Yes. The GT3 program directly influences chassis setup, suspension tuning, and electronic calibration of high-performance road cars like the Continental GT Speed.
Where can I test drive a Bentley road car?
Contact bentley denver to arrange a Continental GT test drive and experience the motorsport-derived performance firsthand.
The Ownership Experience: The Consumer Endpoint
If you’re in the Denver, Colorado area, bentley denver is the authorized Bentley dealership serving the Rocky Mountain region. With access to the full Bentley lineup, an expert sales team, and the kind of personalized service that matches the cars themselves, Bentley Denver delivers an ownership experience as exceptional as the vehicles.
Ready to see what Bentley has to offer? Visit Bentley Denver today to explore current inventory, arrange a test drive, or speak with a specialist.
Business Name: Bentley Denver Address: 8301 Parkway Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124 Phone: (303) 996-7392
Not that long ago, online roulette was a fairly simple experience. You opened a website, clicked a few buttons, watched a digital wheel spin, and waited for the result. It worked, but it never quite captured the feeling people associated with roulette in the first place.
The game itself wasn’t the problem. The missing piece was the atmosphere.
A roulette table has always been about more than numbers and probabilities. There’s the anticipation while the wheel spins, the reactions around the table, and the simple fact that something real is happening in front of you. For years, online gaming struggled to recreate that feeling.
Then live roulette arrived, and things started to change.
Today, live dealer games are one of the fastest-growing segments of the online gaming industry. What was once seen as a technical novelty has become a standard feature across countless platforms. More importantly, it has changed what people expect from online casino entertainment.
When a roulette wheel became something you could actually watch
The idea behind live roulette sounds obvious now: instead of relying entirely on computer graphics, stream a real dealer spinning a real wheel.
But when the first versions appeared, the concept felt surprisingly ambitious.
Internet speeds were slower, video quality was inconsistent, and live streaming technology was nowhere near as advanced as it is today. Early live casino products attracted curiosity, but they were still far from mainstream.
The timing turned out to be perfect.
Over the past decade, people have become comfortable spending hours watching live content online. Sports broadcasts, Twitch streams, podcasts, YouTube live events and social media streams have become part of everyday life.
Against that backdrop, watching a live roulette table suddenly felt natural rather than unusual.
Instead of interacting with software, players were watching an actual event unfold in real time. The wheel was physical. The dealer was real. The outcome wasn’t hidden behind an animation.
That simple shift made a bigger difference than many industry experts expected.
It’s not just about realism
At first glance, it might seem that live roulette became popular purely because it feels more authentic. That’s certainly part of the story, but not the whole picture.
The format introduced several things that traditional online roulette couldn’t easily provide:
Real dealers rather than automated interfaces
Live video from professional studios
Real-time interaction through chat features
Multiple camera angles show every stage of the game
Greater transparency for players who prefer seeing the wheel and ball in action
None of these features changed the rules of roulette itself.
European roulette still uses 37 pockets. American roulette still includes the additional double zero. The odds remain the same.
What changed was the experience surrounding the game.
People often talk about technology making entertainment feel less personal. Live roulette is one of the rare examples where technology did the opposite.
From small studio experiments to a global business
One of the most interesting parts of the story is how quickly the industry professionalized.
The first live dealer setups were relatively basic. Today, many live roulette broadcasts are produced in purpose-built studios that look closer to television sets than casino floors.
Major providers operate facilities across Europe, including locations in countries such as Latvia, Malta and Romania. Hundreds of dealers work in shifts around the clock, serving players from different regions and language groups.
A modern live roulette studio typically includes:
Feature
Purpose
HD and 4K cameras
High-quality video feeds
Optical tracking systems
Accurate result recognition
Dedicated presenters and dealers
Consistent player experience
Broadcast control rooms
Managing live streams
Multi-language tables
Serving international audiences
Many people don’t realise just how much production work goes into a single roulette table. Behind every stream sits a team of technicians, camera operators, supervisors and support staff.
The result is an experience that feels smooth and effortless to viewers, even though significant infrastructure is working behind the scenes.
Why mobile phones helped push live roulette into the mainstream
If live roulette had remained a desktop-only product, its growth would probably have been much slower.
The real breakthrough came when smartphones became powerful enough to handle high-quality live video without difficulty.
Suddenly, people could join a live table while traveling, sitting in a café, or relaxing on the sofa at home.
That convenience mattered.
Consumer behavior has changed dramatically over the past decade. People increasingly expect entertainment to be available instantly, wherever they happen to be. Live roulette adapts to that expectation surprisingly well.
Streaming technology became more efficient. Mobile internet speeds improved. Devices became faster.
The result was a format that felt just as accessible as watching a football match or a livestream on social media.
Anyone comparing modern live tables with classic online versions will quickly notice how much the format has changed. Even a quick look at resources like https://roulette77.co.uk/ shows how many roulette variations are available today compared with what players had access to fifteen or twenty years ago.
Something interesting happened: people started watching as much as playing
One trend that often goes unnoticed is the entertainment value of live roulette itself.
Traditionally, casino games were designed around direct participation. Live roulette introduced something slightly different.
Some users enjoy observing the experience almost as much as taking part in it.
This mirrors a broader shift happening across digital entertainment. Millions of people watch others play video games on streaming platforms every day. Others follow poker tournaments, esports competitions or live sporting events.
The line between participation and observation has become increasingly blurred.
Live roulette sits somewhere in the middle. It combines elements of gaming, live broadcasting and interactive entertainment in a way that simply didn’t exist twenty years ago.
That hybrid nature is one reason the format has remained relevant instead of fading after the initial excitement.
Roulette 77 and other industry observers have noted this shift as live dealer content continues to occupy a larger share of discussions surrounding modern online roulette.
What comes next?
Predicting the future of online gaming is rarely straightforward.
A decade ago, few people expected live dealer games to become such a dominant part of the industry. Yet here we are.
Virtual reality continues to attract attention, although widespread adoption remains uncertain. Augmented reality is developing steadily. Artificial intelligence is already being used behind the scenes for customer support, analytics, and operational tasks.
Still, the core appeal of live roulette is unlikely to change.
People enjoy watching real events unfold in real time.
That appeal existed long before online gaming, and it will probably remain relevant long after the next technological trend arrives.
Live roulette succeeded because it added a human layer to a digital environment. In an era where so much entertainment is automated, that feels surprisingly valuable.
And perhaps that’s the simplest explanation for its rise. The technology became better, the streams became sharper, and the studios became more sophisticated. But underneath all of that, the real attraction remained the same: people prefer experiences that feel genuine.
SONOMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 Red Bull Chevrolet, and crew celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 28, 2026 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images).
Shane van Gisbergen rallied from a DNF last weekend at San Diego and, being displeased with his race car at the start of this weekend’s festivities at Sonoma, California, to earn a dominant NASCAR Cup Series victory in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, June 28.
The three-time Supercars champion from Auckland, New Zealand, led three times for a race-high 74 of 110-scheduled laps in an event where he was fifth-fastest in practice and sixth-fastest in qualifying. Through strategic pit moves by pitting prior to the event’s first two-stage periods for track positions for the ensuing stages, van Gisbergen was untouchable when leading at the start of the final two-stage periods.
After cycling to the lead for the event’s third and final stage period with 51 laps remaining, van Gisbergen executed the final restart with 47 laps remaining to perfection as he motored away from teammate Connor Zilisch, Chase Briscoe, and the field prior to entering the first turn. Despite having Briscoe reeling in as the laps dwindled, van Gisbergen had enough power to fend off the latter, including on the final lap, to motor his way to a second consecutive Cup victory in Sonoma and reignite his road-course dominance.
With on-track qualifying that determined the starting lineup occurring on Saturday, June 27, Ty Gibbs secured his first Cup pole position of the 2026 season with a pole-winning lap at 95.738 mph in 74.829 seconds. Carson Hocevar qualified in second place with a lap at 95.706 mph in 74.854 seconds. Prior to the event, a trio of names that included Noah Gragson, Erik Jones, and Bubba Wallace dropped to the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments that were made to their respective entries.
When the green flag waved, and the event commenced, pole-sitter Ty Gibbs and Carson Hocevar dueled through the first two turns until Hocevar managed to motor his No. 77 Classic Collision Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry ahead entering the third turn. As the field fanned out and jostled for spots from Turns 3a to 7a, Gibbs made a move beneath Hocevar through 7a and reassumed the lead entering the Esses. Soon after, Michael McDowell made a move beneath teammate Hocevar and assumed the runner-up spot through Turn 11. Meanwhile, Gibbs proceeded to lead the first lap.
Throughout the next four laps, Gibbs maintained a steady advantage (seven-tenths of a second) over McDowell while Kyle Larson, Shane van Gisbergen, and AJ Allmendinger trailed in the top-five mark, respectively. Meanwhile, Hocevar dropped to eighth place as he trailed Ross Chastain and Chase Briscoe in the leaderboard while Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell occupied the remaining top-10 spots over Joey Logano, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Austin Hill, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Connor Zilisch, and Daniel Suarez, respectively.
Through the Lap 10 mark, Gibbs stretched his early advantage to more than a second over runner-up McDowell while van Gisbergen, Allmendinger, and Larson trailed by as far back as five seconds on the track. Behind, Chastain, Briscoe, Hamlin, Bell and Hocevar were racing in the top-10 mark ahead of Hocevar, Byron, Blaney, Logano and Elliott while Hill, Reddick, Preece, Buescher, Zilisch and Alex Bowman were mired in the top-20 mark ahead of Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric, John Hunter Nemechek, Riley Herbst, Zane Smith, Bubba Wallace, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, Cole Custer and Todd Gilliland, respectively. Meanwhile, Erik Jones, Josh Berry, Brad Keselowski, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Noah Gragson, and Cody Ware trailed at the tail end of the 36-car field.
On Lap 12, van Gisbergen zipped past McDowell through Turn 12 to assume the runner-up spot. By the next lap, van Gisbergen reduced Gibbs’ advantage to nine-tenths of a second while Suarez made an unscheduled pit stop to have a flat tire addressed. As Briscoe marched his way into fifth place over Allmendinger and Hamlin, McDowell and Larson remained in third and fourth, respectively, while Gibbs stabilized his lead to more than a second over van Gisbergen by Lap 15.
On Lap 21, pit strategies ensued as Austin Hill and Connor Zilisch pitted their respective Chevrolet entries. A multitude of names that included Blaney, Byron, Elliott, Allmendinger, Chastain, Logano, Reddick, Cindric, Nemechek, Buescher, Wallace, Zane Smith, Austin Dillon, Gilliland, Brad Keselowski, and Cole Custer pitted during the next lap while top-five competitors van Gisbergen, Larson, Briscoe and Hamlin pitted for the following lap. During the pit stops, Austin Dillon was penalized for speeding on pit road. With pit road becoming inaccessible to the field on Lap 23 due to the first stage period nearing its conclusion, Gibbs, who has not yet pitted, retained the lead.
When the first stage period concluded on Lap 25, Gibbs, who has led every lap thus far, motored his No. 54 SAIA Toyota Camry XSE entry to his second Cup stage victory of the 2026 season. Teammate Bell followed suit in second ahead of McDowell, Hocevar, and Preece while Bowman, van Gisbergen, Erik Jones, Larson, and Riley Herbst were scored in the top 10, respectively. By then, all 36 starters were scored on the lead lap. Under the event’s first stage break period, a total of 13 competitors led by Gibbs pitted while the rest led by van Gisbergen and Larson remained on the track. Not long after, Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota team lifted the hood up on the entry due to a power steering issue. With Reddick making repeated pit stops to have the issue addressed, he dropped out of the lead lap category as he remained in his pit stall prior to the second stage’s start.
The second stage period started on Lap 29 as van Gisbergen and Larson occupied the front row. At the start, van Gisbergen fended off Larson through the first two turns to motor his No. 97 Red Bull Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry into the lead. As the field fanned out, bumped and scrambled for spots from Turns 3 to 7a, van Gisbergen retained the top spot from the Esses through Turn 11. Van Gisbergen then led the next lap and he kept Larson trailing from behind just past the Lap 30 mark while Briscoe, Blaney, Byron, Zilisch, Hamlin, Chastain, Elliott and Logano occupied the top-10 spots, respectively.
Just past the Lap 35 mark, van Gisbergen stretched his advantage to more than a second over Larson as Briscoe, Blaney, Byron, Zilisch, Hamlin, Allmendinger, Elliott, and Wallace were racing in the top 10 ahead of Chastain, Logano, Nemechek, Buescher, Ty Gibbs, Bell, Cindric, Zane Smith, Keselowski, and McDowell, respectively. Meanwhile, Reddick, who was able to continue, was strapped at the tail end of the field and six laps behind the leaders while teammate Wallace, who had carved his way into the top-10 mark after starting at the tail end of the field, got loose in the Esses, but came to a brief stop before continuing through the Esses’ shortcut and being mired back within the top-25 mark when he blended back on the racing surface. Wallace’s maneuver occurred on Lap 37.
Between Laps 40 to 45, van Gisbergen maintained a reasonable lead as his lead stood to more than four seconds over Briscoe by the Lap 45 mark, while Blaney, Larson, Zilisch, Byron, Hamlin, Allmendinger, Elliott, and Gibbs were scored in the top 10, respectively. Meanwhile, a pair of 23XI Racing competitors endured on-track issues. The first was Wallace, who was pushed off the track by Todd Gilliland in the second turn after Wallace had gotten loose and bumped into Gilliland’s No. 34 Love’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry, which sent both up the racing groove in Turn 11 while battling for a top-25 spot. Seconds later, Herbst went off the course in Turn 3a after he was rubbed by Gilliland.
On Lap 47, Austin Hill pitted his No. 33 zone Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry under green before Buescher and Gragson pitted during the next lap. As van Gisbergen continued to lead by more than eight seconds at the Lap 50 mark, a trio of competitors that included Keselowski, McDowell and Preece pitted by the following lap while Briscoe, Larson, Hamlin, Byron, Elliott, Nemechek, Hocevar, Alex Bowman, Ty Dillon, Custer, Gilliland, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Josh Berry, Logano, Suarez and Herbst pitted during the next lap. Van Gisbergen then pitted from the lead along with runner-up Blaney and third-place Zilisch before pit road became inaccessible due to the second stage period nearing its conclusion. Meanwhile, Gibbs cycled as the leader ahead of teammate Bell.
When the second stage period concluded on Lap 55, Gibbs captured his second consecutive Cup stage victory of the Sonoma event and his third of the 2026 season. Teammate Bell settled in second place for a second consecutive stage period while Allmendinger, Austin Cindric, Chastain, Zane Smith, van Gisbergen, Zilisch, Briscoe and Blaney were scored in the top 10, respectively. By then, all but one of 36 starters were scored on the lead lap. During the event’s second stage break period, 13 competitors led by Gibbs pitted while the rest led by van Gisbergen, teammate Zilisch and Briscoe remained on the track. Amid the pit stops, Bell had to reverse his entry back into his pit stall to have a loose wheel tightened.
With 51 laps remaining, the final stage period commenced as teammates van Gisbergen and Zilisch occupied the front row in front of Briscoe, Blaney, Larson and Hamlin, respectively. At the start, van Gisbergen motored ahead of Zilisch to clear him with the lead prior to entering the first turn. As the field fanned out while jostling for spots and stacking up entering Turn 7a, van Gisbergen retained the lead throughout the Sonoma circuit while Zilisch and Briscoe reeled in from behind. As van Gisbergen led the next lap and maintained the top spot by a steady margin over both Zilisch and Briscoe, the caution then flew due to Cindric and Berry making contact that sent Berry spinning in Turn 2 while Gragson and Wallace stacked up to avoid colliding into Berry.
The next restart with 47 laps remaining featured van Gisbergen rocketing away from the field at the launch while Briscoe challenged Zilisch for the runner-up spot. Briscoe managed to assume the runner-up spot from Zilisch through the second turn as van Gisbergen led a stacked field from Turns 3 to 7a. As Denny Hamlin spun from the top-10 mark in Turn 7a due to getting bumped by Carson Hocevar, the field smoothly navigated through the Esses and Turns 10 and 11, though Gilliland spun in Turn 11, while van Gisbergen led the next lap. With 45 laps remaining, Elliott spun in between Turns 4a to 7a and Nemechek spun in 7a, but the event remained under green as van Gisbergen led by half a second over Briscoe and by seven-tenths of a second over Zilisch with 44 laps remaining.
Down to the final 40 laps of the event, van Gisbergen stretched his advantage to more than a second over both Briscoe and Zilisch while Blaney and Larson trailed in the top-five mark by two and three seconds, respectively. Behind, McDowell, Byron, Preece, Gibbs and Hocevar trailed in the top 10 while Bowman, Ty Dillon, Keselowski, Bell, Stenhouse, Cindric, Chastain, Custer, Logano and Herbst were racing in the top-20 mark ahead of Allmendinger, Berry, Erik Jones, Zane Smith, Austin Hill, Suarez, Wallace, Elliott, Buescher, Gragson, Austin Dillon, Gilliland, Nemechek, Hamlin and Cody Ware, respectively. Meanwhile, Reddick was mired four laps behind the leaders in 36th place.
With 31 laps remaining, a late cycle of green flag pit stops commenced as Elliott pitted his No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry under green before teammate Bowman, Cindric, Custer, Logano, Erik Jones, Gilliland, Preece, Allmendinger, McDowell, Ty Dillon, Keselowski, Gragson, Herbst, Cody Ware, runner-up Briscoe and third-place Zilisch pitted over the next two laps. The leader van Gisbergen then pitted under green with 27 laps remaining and he managed to blend back on the racing surface in front of Briscoe’s No. 19 Columbia Bank Toyota Camry XSE entry during the next lap.
Due to van Gisbergen pitting, Blaney, who was among many who has yet to do so, cycled to the lead and the latter led until Larson overtook him with 26 laps remaining. Larson proceeded to lead by a second over Gibbs while Blaney, Byron and Hocevar were scored in the top five, respectively. By then, Bell pitted under green along with teammate Hamlin and Wallace while van Gisbergen was mired in ninth place. Larson then surrendered the lead to pit under green with 24 laps remaining along with Gibbs, Blaney and Hocevar while Byron, Chastain and van Gisbergen cycled into the top-three spots. Once Byron pitted with 23 laps remaining and Chastain during the following lap, van Gisbergen cycled back as the leader with 22 laps remaining, with the latter leading by more than a second over runner-up Briscoe and by more than four seconds over third-place Zilisch.
As the event reached its final 20-lap mark, van Gisbergen continued to lead by more than a second over Briscoe while Zilisch continued to trail in third place by nearly five seconds. Behind, Larson and Gibbs were racing in fourth and fifth ahead of McDowell, Bell, Preece, Bowman and Blaney while Hill, Byron, Hocevar, Cindric and Keselowski positioned themselves for top-15 spots ahead of Allmendinger, Suarez, Suarez, Ty Dillon and Chastain, respectively.
Five laps later, van Gisbergen stabilized his lead to one-and-a-half seconds over Briscoe while Larson, who assumed third place from Zilisch four laps earlier, retained the spot over the latter. By then, Gibbs only trailed Zilisch by six-tenths of a second in fifth place as McDowell, Preece, Blaney, Bowman and Byron were scored in the top 10, respectively. As both Gibbs and Bell Zilisch overtook Zilisch for top-five spots over the next five laps, Larson retained third place by more than five seconds while van Gisbergen maintained the lead by seven-tenths of a second over Briscoe with 10 laps remaining.
Down to the final five laps, van Gisbergen retained the lead by more than a second over Briscoe, with Larson, Gibbs and Bell continuing to race within the top-five mark. Van Gisbergen initially stabilized his lead to within a second over Briscoe as the laps dwindled, but with two laps remaining, Briscoe started to reel in towards van Gisbergen’s rear bumper as van Gisbergen had a handful of lapped traffic in front of him through every turn.
When the white flag waved and the final lap started, van Gisbergen remained in the lead by half a second over a hard-charging Briscoe. From the first turn through Turn 10, van Gisbergen remained atop the leaderboard, but Briscoe kept the latter close and within his sights while trying to gain as much ground. Then exiting Turn 10, Briscoe reeled in and tried to bump van Gisbergen through Turn 11 to stall the momentum and gain a run for the lead. Briscoe, however, was not close enough through the 11th turn and missed his mark as van Gisbergen managed to motor away. With the checkered flag flying, van Gisbergen managed to beat Briscoe for the victory by three-tenths of a second.
With the victory, Shane van Gisbergen notched his eighth career win in the NASCAR Cup Series division, all of which have occurred on road course events. As a result, the New Zealander tied himself with Tony Stewart for having the second-most victories on road course events as the former is a single road course victory away from tying Jeff Gordon for the most at nine. Van Gisbergen also achieved his second consecutive Cup victory at Sonoma, his second victory of the 2026 season, and his first since he won at Watkins Glen International in early May. The Sonoma victory was also the fifth of the 2026 season for the Chevrolet manufacturer and the second for Trackhouse Racing.
“What a day,” van Gisbergen, who became the first competitor to win the O’Reilly and Cup events at Sonoma on the same weekend, said on the frontstretch on TNT Sports. “We were really bad yesterday and these [No. 97] guys did an amazing job turning this car into a winner. [Briscoe] was coming. He was really, really good, and I ran out at the end. Pretty special to make up for last week, too. I was back to normal by the weekend [after San Diego], but yeah, I was certainly pissed at the start of the week. This [win] truly makes up for it, sharing it with these guys and they went through it at the start of the week. Pretty special to win.”
SONOMA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 Red Bull Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 28, 2026 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images).
Prior to Sonoma, van Gisbergen was ranked in 17th place in the 2026 driver’s standings and he trailed the top-16 cutline to make the Chase by five points. After winning at Sonoma, he jumped up three spots in the standings to 14th place and is 24 points above the cutline. With eight regular-season events remaining until the Chase commences, van Gisbergen sets his sights on maintaining his momentum and improving his racing craft on ovals as he strives to make the Chase and contend for a Cup Series title prior to this season’s conclusion.
“[The win] certainly helps [with our Chase hopes], but yeah, I need to really step it up on the ovals and we all do,” van Gisbergen added. “[The win] certainly helps us, but this [sport] is an oval championship and I need to keep getting better at them.”
Chase Briscoe settled in second place at Sonoma Raceway for a second consecutive year and for his sixth top-five result of the 2026 season. The runner-up result did very little to ease Briscoe’s disappointment as he came within striking distance of notching his first victory of the 2026 campaign and dethroning van Gisbergen’s title in Sonoma, California.
“I was better [than van Gisbergen],” Briscoe said. “I just messed up with three or four [laps] to go getting into [Turn] 1. I don’t know. I didn’t time my downshift right and about wrecked. I lost a ton of ground and was able to run him back down, but if I don’t make that mistake, I, truthfully, probably win the race. That one is going to sting for a while. Trying to beat him would just be a big accomplishment. Proud of our Columbia Bank Toyota group. That one stings. That one is a tough one.”
Ty Gibbs, the pole winner who led 31 laps and won the event’s first two stage periods, finished in third place for his sixth top-five result of the 2026 season. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, the latter of whom completed the entire event without being relieved amid a fractured left wrist, finished in the top five.
Ryan Blaney, who was taken to the infield care center at the event’s conclusion due to his cool suit failing, finished in sixth place ahead of rookie Connor Zilisch, the latter of whom achieved his first top-10 career result in the Cup circuit amid a difficult rookie campaign. Ryan Preece, Michael McDowell, and Alex Bowman completed the top 10 in the final running order.
Notably, Denny Hamlin, who never recovered from his late-race spin, ended up in 26th place while Tyler Reddick, who posted the event’s fastest lap on Lap 80, ended up at the tail end of the final running order in 36th place.
There were eight lead changes for six different leaders. The event featured three cautions for eight laps. In addition, 32 of 36 starters finished on the lead lap, while all starters finished the event overall.
Following the 18th event of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Denny Hamlin, with his 26th-place result, leads the standings by a single point over Tyler Reddick, while Ryan Blaney trails by 104 points, Ty Gibbs trails by 130, and Kyle Larson trails by 148.
Shane van Gisbergen, along with Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Todd Gilliland, Carson Hocevar, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones, Chris Buescher, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Ryan Blaney are the 16 competitors who transfer through to the second In-Season Challenge round for next Sunday’s event at Chicagoland Speedway.
Results:
Shane van Gisbergen, 74 laps led
Chase Briscoe
Ty Gibbs, 31 laps led, Stages 1 & 2 winner
Kyle Larson, two laps led
Christopher Bell
Ryan Blaney, one lap led
Connor Zilisch
Ryan Preece
Michael McDowell
Alex Bowman
Carson Hocevar
William Byron, one lap led
Austin Cindric
Ross Chastain, one lap led
Brad Keselowski
AJ Allmendinger
Chase Elliott
Zane Smith
Chris Buescher
Cole Custer
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Bubba Wallace
Erik Jones
Joey Logano
John Hunter Nemechek
Denny Hamlin
Austin Dillon
Josh Berry
Todd Gilliland
Riley Herbst
Daniel Suarez
Noah Gragson
Cody Ware, one lap down
Austin Hill, one lap down
Ty Dillon, one lap down
Tyler Reddick, four laps down
Next on the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the series’ return to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, for the eero 400. The event is scheduled to occur next Sunday, July 5, and air at 6 p.m. ET on TNT Sports, MRN Radio, SiriusXM, and HBO MAX.
NORWALK, Ohio (June 28, 2026) – Kevin Rivenbark opened the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports Road to the Championship with a victory on Sunday at Summit Motorsports Park, knocking off Billy Banaka in the final round as part of this weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.
This weekend’s event was the seventh of 11 races in the category during the 2026 campaign and this weekend’s race is powered by Polaris and presented by Jan-Cen Motorsports.
It is also the first of five playoff races and Rivenbark started strong, going 5.714-seconds at 251.53 mph in the final round to hold off Banaka’s 5.716 at 252.33. Rivenbark’s first victory this season and second in his NHRA Pro Mod career couldn’t have come at a better time, as he moved to ninth in points.
“We haven’t won this (Wally) since Phoenix of 2024, but we never stop,” Rivenbark said.. The guys are restless. They just keep going and going. We’ve had some bad times and some tough times, but hopefully we’re on the right road. We knew we had a better car than what we showed in qualifying.
“This weekend was really a shakeup. We’re hoping to get going for the Road to the Championship and hopefully both of us (with teammate Stan Shelton) will come out on top or at least one and two.”
Rivenbark, who qualified 13th, knocked off past world champion Mike Castellana, Derek Menholt, who came into the race with the points lead, and Lyle Barnett to reach the final round.
Banaka advanced to the final round with wins against Alex Laughlin, Justin Bond and Mike Thielen.
Menholt stayed in the points lead, but has just a 13-point advantage over Mike Stavrinos. Banaka is third, just 15 points out of first.
The JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Series presented by Elite Motorsports returns to action on Sept. 2-7 as part of the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
NORWALK, Ohio — Final finish order (1-16) at the 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. The race is the seventh of 11 events in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports.
PRO MODIFIED:
Kevin Rivenbark; 2. Billy Banaka; 3. Lyle Barnett; 4. Mike Thielen; 5. Mike Stavrinos; 6.
Derek Menholt; 7. Aaron Stanfield; 8. Justin Bond; 9. Chip King; 10. JR Gray; 11. Mike
Castellana; 12. Stan Shelton; 13. Alex Laughlin; 14. Jason Collins; 15. Nick Januik; 16. Tony Wilson.
NORWALK, Ohio — Sunday’s final results from the 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. The race is the seventh of 11 events in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports.
Pro Modified — Kevin Rivenbark, Ford Mustang, 5.714, 251.53 def. Billy Banaka, Chevy Camaro, 5.716, 252.33.
NORWALK, Ohio — Final round-by-round results from the 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, the seventh of 11 events in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports.
PRO MODIFIED:
ROUND ONE — Justin Bond, Chevy Camaro, 5.708, 248.29 def. Jason Collins, Camaro, 5.813, 218.90; Aaron Stanfield, Chavy Camaro, 5.705, 250.37 def. JR Gray, Camaro, 5.730, 251.34; Derek Menholt, Chevy Corvette, 5.700, 250.32 def. Stan Shelton, Ford Mustang, 5.769, 242.98; Kevin Rivenbark, Mustang, 5.749, 250.23 def. Mike Castellana, Camaro, Foul – Red Light; Billy Banaka, Camaro, 5.694, 252.52 def. Alex Laughlin, Camaro, 5.791, 246.03; Mike Thielen, Mustang, 5.746, 246.39 def. Chip
King, Dodge Charger, 5.717, 250.46; Lyle Barnett, Camaro, 6.257, 241.37 def. Tony Wilson, Chevy Willys, 10.050, 87.54; Mike Stavrinos, Camaro, 5.702, 252.85 def. Nick Januik, Corvette, Foul – Red Light;
FINAL — Rivenbark, 5.714, 251.53 def. Banaka, 5.716, 252.33.
NORWALK, Ohio — Point standings (top 10) following the 20th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, the seventh of 11 events in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports.
Pro Modified
Derek Menholt, 854; 2. Mike Stavrinos, 841; 3. Billy Banaka, 839; 4. Justin Bond, 822; 5. (tie) Lyle Barnett, 793; Jason Collins, 793; 7. Stan Shelton, 782; 8. Mike Thielen, 781; 9. Kevin Rivenbark, 771; 10. JR Gray, 765.