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McLaughlin Jubilant With Time, Track After Leading Arlington Debut

By
Official Release
-

ARLINGTON, Texas (Friday, March 13, 2026) – Scott McLaughlin had a great time in the first practice Friday for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, and his pleasure didn’t come just from the fast digits next to his name on the results sheet.

McLaughlin led the 80-minute first session for the third NTT INDYCAR SERIES race of the season, producing a best lap of 1 minute, 34.8926 seconds in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet. But McLaughlin was just as happy with the layout of the 14-turn, 2.73-mile temporary street circuit that winds around AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of MLB’s Texas Rangers.

“That is instantly my most favorite street circuit ever,” McLaughlin said. “That is such a blast. The DEX Chevy feels great. It’s just an absolute ball to drive. I’m like a little kid again. This is great.”

McLaughlin will aim for his second NTT P1 Award of this young season in qualifying at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday (FS2, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). He won the pole for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg two weekends ago. Another 80-minute practice will precede qualifying at 9:35 a.m. ET Saturday (FS1, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

Live coverage of the 70-lap race, a joint venture between INDYCAR, the Cowboys and the Rangers, starts at 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

Reigning and four-time series champion Alex Palou started his rebound from a 24th-place finish at the last race, the Good Ranchers 250 on March 7 at Phoenix Raceway, by ending up second in practice today at 1:34.9513 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Will Power, also looking for a bounce-back after sitting 22nd in points after two races, was third at 1:35.3051 in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda fielded by Andretti Global. Pato O’Ward ended up fourth at 1:35.3641 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top five at 1:35.3775 in the No. 60 SiriusXM/Texas A&M Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian. That time came despite Rosenqvist brushing the concrete barriers lining the challenging, fast, flowing circuit after his car snapped suddenly near the final turn late in the session.

“The track (surface) is a little rougher than we expected,” Rosenqvist said. “Good fun, though. They did a great job on the layout.”

Series leader Josef Newgarden, winner last Saturday at Phoenix, was 16th out of 25 drivers at 1:36.3108 in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Dennis Hauger was the quickest rookie, 10th overall at 1:36.0528 in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda of Dale Coyne Racing.

Less than one second separated the top eight drivers as the entire field learned the new circuit. The drivers filling the top 10 spots represented seven different teams, as Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren each ended up with two drivers in that group.

There were two red flags stopping action during the session, including one for contact. Sting Ray Robb hit the wall in Turn 1 in the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet 15 minutes into the practice. He was unhurt.

That was the start of a fraught session for Juncos Hollinger Racing. Robb’s teammate, Rinus VeeKay, triggered the second red flag 23 minutes later when he drove into the runoff area in Turn 10 at the end of the long backstraight, smoke pouring from the rear wheels of his No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet.

TEAM CHEVY INDYCAR FRIDSAY PRACTICE REPORT – Java House Grand Prix of Arlington

By
Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Java House Grand Prix of Arlington
2.73-mile, 14-turn Arlington street circuit
Arlington, Texas
Friday Practice Report
March 13, 2026

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (March 13, 2026) – Scott McLaughlin, in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, was the quickest of the drivers sporting a Bowtie during the first practice of the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. The drivers and teams are still learning the new track, but the pole-winner on the Streets of St. Petersburg at the first race of the 2026 season clearly enjoys the 2.73-mile, 14-turn Arlington street circuit.

“That is instantly my most favorite street circuit ever,” said a beaming McLaughlin after getting out of the car. “It’s such a blast. The DEX Chevy feels great. It’s just an absolute ball to drive. I’m like a little kid again. It’s great, I’m having a blast and so lucky that we’re able to do it. I’m feeling pretty good about everything, and we’ll see how we go.”

The first and second practices this season are split into three sessions: 40 minutes, during which all 25 cars run on the Primary Firestone Firehawk racing tires (black), and a pair of 12-minute sessions, during which half the field runs the Alternate Firestone Firehawk racing tires (red).

Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet led the first 40 minutes of practice, during which all 25 cars were eligible, and drivers only used the Black tires. His best lap was 95.6861 seconds (101.582mph), which was quickest of the six Chevrolet-powered cars in the top eight, with Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet) second, David Malukas (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet) third, Alexander Rossi (No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet) fifth, Christian Lundgaard (No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet) seventh, and Christian Rasmussen (No. 21 ECR Java House Chevrolet) eighth.

A lap timed at 94.8926 seconds (102.432mph) by McLaughlin, led the first 12-minute session, where all drivers were on Reds. The Kiwi’s lap was more than four-tenths of a second better than the next quickest driver. O’Ward, the quickest driver on the blacks, made it two of the top three for Team Chevy during the session.

Two of the top three in the second 12-minute session on the Reds were Chevrolet-powered drivers, with Rossi and Lundgaard setting the second and third-best times.

Combined Friday Practice Times at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington

NTT INDYCAR SERIES News Conference
Friday, March 13, 2026
Scott McLaughin
Alex Palou
Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the brand new Streets of Arlington circuit. I think Scott McLaughlin has already become a big fan. Alex Palou will join us here momentarily. Scott joins us, driver of the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, sitting third in the overall NTT INDYCAR SERIES points standings, the podium at St. Pete, second fastest in the all-car session, and then fastest in the group session that just wrapped up.

First of all, your general thoughts about the Streets of Arlington circuit, Scott?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I’m not just saying this because you probably think I’m getting paid to say it, but it’s hands down the best street circuit personally that I’ve driven on. So far it’s got a huge straight, bumpy straight, very hard to test your brake point into turn 10 there. Then there are so many corners that are technical, but then also daring.

It’s an absolute blast, and it was honestly a pleasure to learn it and get better and better. Obviously I’m a bit happier because my car is handling really good right now, but a really good start to our weekend. Just wanted a solid session and build on it from here and have a lot of confidence to the point I feel like just polishing the car and just put it in the truck. It feels really good.

THE MODERATOR: I was going to ask you, obviously engineering session coming up. What do you think you want to work on, what needs to be worked on to be even faster tomorrow?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: There are a couple of things I need to look at, and you’ll look at data tonight. There will be guys doing a corner a little bit different to you, and is it good or bad, and just trying to dissect that a little bit.

I felt like a strength of mine has been learning new tracks, even since I was a kid. I really enjoy this side of it. I’ll do a deep dive into the data tonight and be ready for tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Good start to the weekend. We’ll take questions.

Q. It seems like all of Team Penske is on an upbeat after the sweep at Phoenix, both NASCAR and INDYCAR. Did you kind of feel that boost coming here at Arlington?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, I think just a huge weekend for the Captain, and obviously pretty cool to do it with our NASCAR friends. Obviously I wanted to be the guy that won, but at the end of the day, it was great for the team to get some momentum and then have the NASCAR guys win on Sunday and be there for that and then them being there on Saturday.

It wasn’t my ideal weekend personally, but from a team perspective, it was great.

Q. You called it your favorite street course ever.

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah.

Q. How excited are you? What is it you love about it?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I just think there’s so much — it’s so technical in spots, and then there’s spots where it’s really tough to brake into. You’ve got to maximize high-speed corners, high-speed entries. Yeah, it’s a blast to drive. I don’t know what you think, but —

ALEX PALOU: I love it.

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, it’s sick. It really is. There’s no other word. Gen Zs will get that.

THE MODERATOR: Obviously Alex Palou joins us. Driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. He was ninth in the all-car session and then second overall in the group session through on the alternates. Currently fifth in points after a win at St. Pete two weeks ago, four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion as well, including the last three.

Alex, your thoughts about this place?

ALEX PALOU: Love it. Yeah, it’s insane. It’s super fun to drive. It’s just a lot more fun than I thought just how the car feels. There’s so many different corners. Like, there’s corners that you can attack so much, and you feel like a superhero. There’s other corners where you need to back off because the grip is very different.

Very bumpy. A lot more bumpy than I thought, which makes it super challenging, but super fun. Super fun.

THE MODERATOR: More questions.

Q. Obviously both of you planned well, because you’re quick right off the bat. Are there any corners that surprised you once you actually got out there?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: The how bumpy it was down the back straight surprised me and the team a little bit. We definitely had to raise the right height a little bit. I think everyone had the same issue.

Then I think it was just more like the corners where you didn’t think it was going to be difficult or it was going to be a little bit simple. To be honest, turn 10, for instance, across the bricks and stuff is super slippery. I don’t know what you thought of that. It made it so much more of a corner, especially if you are committing.

So it’s just got so much character. It’s a lot of fun. I feel like it’s a big Nashville. Just a bit more open, you know?

Q. Were you guys scraping the track at all as far as like —

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Scraping? Like bottoming?

Q. Yes.

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, you did I think, and I did. Straight away first lap I was, like, Oh, we got to raise this thing. Yeah, I felt like we nailed it.

Q. Then there’s various types of racing surfaces, right? There’s old asphalt and new asphalt, concrete, painted concrete. Is that a challenge? If so, how do you manage that challenge?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, I think as we both know, it’s going to just keep gripping up. You’ve got to build up with the track. That’s why it’s so important to do as many laps as you possibly can and be happy with your race car.

I’m lucky. I feel very comfortable and confident, so that’s a good feeling. Like going into tomorrow where the car is just going to get faster and faster naturally with the track grip as well, and everyone else will as well. You’re going to have to take another step again.

Q. 34.8, 34.9, how much more lap time do you think is in this track once you go back to debrief and make your setup changes for tomorrow morning’s practice?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I thought my lap was pretty good, but the track is just going to keep getting better, and you’ll find time by the track just getting better, and you’ll carry speed differently, and it might change corner profiles a little bit for you and stuff. So, yeah, like I said before, you’ve just got to go with the track, because it’s just going to take a lot of rubber.

Q. Scott, you talked about the bumpiness of the track. How do you get used to that and make sure it’s not giving you any issues?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Oh, like I said, you just got to communicate to the team how bad it is and then explain how much do I think I need to go up or down or whatever. Yeah, I thought Raul, my engineer, did a really good job at toning that in, but it’s the same for everyone. I look at it that way. You’ve just got to try and maximize better than most.

Q. Tomorrow for the Fast Six it will be the single lap, single car qualifying. What are your guys’ thoughts on that?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Got to get there first.

Q. A little bit of a follow-up on that. Some of the drivers today think that the first guy out in the Fast Six single lap, when the car is heated up, will have an advantage. By the time you get to the fastest driver entering, the cars cool off enough, it might take time to get the heat up. How do you feel about it?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I mean, yeah, I could see that. That’s kind of why Supercars went away from doing a qualifying shoot-out directly after the qualifying itself to get into the shoot-out. We would qualify two, three hours later. It may not be applicable here, but it’s just whatever.

Like Alex said, I think if you get to the Fast Six, it’s a great spot regardless, and you will just choose what you can do. Obviously pole would be nice, but I still think if you have a quick car, it’s not going to take too long to get up to temp and make it happen.

Q. For both of you, some tracks, they reward smoothness, finesse. What does this track reward?

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, a new track, regardless, I think you’ve just got to be flexible. You’ve got to be able to able to — I think this track, long back straight, big braking zones, and then you have some real tight, twisty, technical stuff like Nashville. You’ve just got to be very open to a unique car setup, I imagine.

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Good luck tomorrow.

Fan Friendly

Fans can visit Team Chevy Display in Fan Zone in the Fan Zone on the east side of AT&T Stadium, near the NTT INDYCAR SERIES paddock to check out an INDYCAR show car, along with a full line-up of new vehicles, including the Corvette ZR1X, Corvette Stingray (Stars and Steel edition), Equinox, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500 (Stars and Steel edition), Silverado EV (Stars and Stel Edition),Tahoe, and Traverse, Hours are 8 am – 7 pm on Saturday, and 7:30 am – 3 pm on Sunday.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver appearances

Saturday:

· noon – 12:15 pm – Arrow McLaren (Tony Kanaan)

· 4:15 pm – 4:30 pm – Juncos Hollinger Racing (Sting Ray Robb & Rinus VeeKay)

Tune-In Guide

Saturday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 9:30am (ET)/8:30am (CT)/7:30am (MT)/6:30am (PT) – FS2/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 2:30pm (ET)/1:30pm (CT)/12:30pm (MT)/11:30am (PT) – FS2/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Sunday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 10am (ET)/9am (CT)/8am (MT)/7am (PT) –FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
Java House Grand Prix of Arlington (70 laps) – 12:30pm (ET)/11:30am (CT)/10:30am (MT)/9:30am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Historical Chevrolet in the INDYCAR SERIES information

INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturer Championships (since 1979)
Chevrolet-Powered Wins in the Twin-Turbo 2.2L V6 Era (2012-present)
Chevrolet-Powered Wins – All-Time

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future.

GM Motorsports, including the Cadillac Formula 1® Team develops and proves advanced technologies in the most demanding environments, accelerating innovation in performance, safety, efficiency, and electrification for its production vehicles. Cadillac Racing is one of the leading manufacturers in the IMSA and FIA World Endurance Championships (WEC). Chevrolet competes in single seaters in the US INDYCAR series, and in NASCAR with multiple team partners and drivers. Corvette customer teams compete in GT series across the globe including IMSA and WEC. Learn more at GM.com.

Taylor Learns Quickly To Dominate First Arlington Practice

By
Official Release
-

ARLINGTON, Texas (Friday, March 13, 2026) – Max Taylor was the star student in the opening practice for the Grand Prix of Arlington, leading the field by more than a second Friday as 24 drivers in the INDYCAR development series learned the new circuit at this inaugural event.

Taylor set a high bar for his rivals to match with his top lap of 1 minute, 39.8262 seconds in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen car fielded by Andretti Global on the 14-turn, 2.7-mile temporary circuit that winds around AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of MLB’s Texas Rangers.

That lap, Taylor’s last in the 45-minute session, was 1.1205 seconds clear of his closest pursuer, rookie Tymek Kucharczyk, who stopped the clocks at 1:40.9467 in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports car.

“The track is bumpy; it’s got a lot of different pavement changes and undulations, elevation changes,” Taylor said. “So, it’s a really intense track. But it’s also really a blast once you get into the rhythm of it. Definitely one of my favorite street courses.”

Taylor, 18, from Greenwich, Connecticut, will be one of the favorites to win the pole during qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday (FS2, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). He won the pole for the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Feb. 28 and finished second to Nikita Johnson in the race March 1.

A 45-minute practice at 11:15 a.m. ET Saturday will precede qualifying. The 27-lap race is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET Sunday. FS2 will televise the practice, with the race on FS1. Coverage of both sessions also will be available on FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.

Rookie Jack Beeton rebounded from an 11th-place finish at St. Petersburg to end up third in this session at 1:40.9504 in the No. 45 HMD Motorsports car. Myles Rowe was fourth at 1:40.9981 in the No. 99 ABEL Motorsports with Force Indy entry.

Lochie Hughes rounded out the top five at 1:41.0420 in the No. 26 Andretti Global car, as Andretti Global and HMD Motorsports each put two drivers into the top five.

St. Petersburg race winner Johnson was 14th at 1:41.8598 in the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR car.

Kyle Larson Wins High Limit Race Night 1 at LVMS Dirt Track

By
Briar Starr
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https://www.floracing.com/

In the dawn of a new era for the High Limit Racing Sprint Car Series, which is co-owned by NASCAR star Kyle Larson and dirt superstar Brad Sweet, the series opened up its first start of the season with night 1 at the LVMS Dirt Track and provided thrilling action not only in the A-main but also in the heat races. At the end of the night, it was NASCAR Cup Series champion Larson who fended off a young racer in the making and Hendrick Motorsports developmental Corey Day in the waning laps of the 25-lap feature by 0.096 seconds.

37 entries were seen Thursday night, including defending High Limit Sprint Car champion Rico Abreu. Abreu, who recently competed for his own team in the past few years, made the transition over to Tony Stewart Racing during the off-season.

In the A-main feature, the No. 19 Brent Marks started on the pole, taking the inside row, and Spire Motorsports, Giovanni Scelzi, who piloted the No. 77 Chilis machine, took the outside row, lining up in the second position, led the field to green. Larson started in the fifth position.

Quickly, Thorson made the move on Marks to take second in the early going on Lap 1. However, both Thorson and Marks battled it out multiple times for the second spot, allowing Day to close in. With 19 to go, Day got past Thorson for third. Afterward, Day got stuck with Marks, who then saw eventual race winner Larson to insert himself in the picture, making it a three-race battle for the third position. At 14 to go, Larson made easy work of both Day and Marks, passing them and then set his eyes on race leader Scelzi. As he was doing so, Day eventually passed Marks for third and attempted to chase Larson down as well.

Shortly after the leaders passed the start/finish line with eight laps to go, Larson made the dive bomb move into Turn 1 and took the lead from Scelzi. The next lap later, Day got by Scelzi for second and tried battling with Larson for the lead. There were a few times that saw lap traffic get in Larson’s way, which then had Day right there in the picture. On the last lap of the race, Day went to the top side of Turns 3 and 4 and nearly got by Larson for the win, but ultimately came up 0.096 seconds short of the victory. Larson piloted the No. 57 Silva Motorsports entry for his 10th career High Limit Racing victory in a caution-free main event.

“It felt like we were going longer than 25 (laps) there,” Larson said in victory lane on the fronstretch. “I kept looking at the flagstand because I could feel some pressure from behind. The lapper in front of me, he was kind of changing his mind a couple of different times and I followed him. I knew I choked up my momentum. Like, I said, I was just counting the laps down.

Thankfully, it worked out. I saw a nose coming with two to go and the white flag. So I figured if it was Gio or Corey, they were building a run up top or something behind me through (Turns) 3 and 4. I also didn’t want to give up that distance into three because they could’ve split me. I thought the safest thing was to stay committed to what I was doing. Great car and cool to get back to victory lane with High Limit. Thanks to the fans for coming out, I look forward to the crowd getting bigger and bigger throughout the weekend.”

Despite coming up short, Day provided the fans with a thriller in the final few laps.

“No, I didn’t think I got him (Larson),” Day said in his post-race interview. “I didn’t think it was that close. I thought we had already crossed the line and dipped below him there. Yeah, that’s cool, but wished we would have been on the other side of it. Thanks to my guys. It’s always cool to come to the first race of the year and have a fast car and have a good run. Thanks to all my sponsors and partners. It’s going to be a fun year for me doing some full-time NASCAR stuff and still get to comeback to race with High Limit, and the team that I’ve done (Sprint Car) with for many years. A lot of fun.”

Larson, Day, Scelzi, Marks, Thorson, Timms, Abreu, Madsen, Kyle McFadden, and Reutzel rounded out the Top 10 finishers.

Heat race winners include Abreu, Marks, Timms, and Scelzi. The B-feature winner went to Tyler Courtney. Brent Marks won the dash race, which allowed him to start on the pole in the A-feature.

At the conclusion of night 1, Scelzi leads the Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing championship standings over Marks by three points.

Official Results Following Night 1 of High Limit Racing at the LVMS Dirt Track

  1. Kyle Larson
  2. Corey Day
  3. Giovanni Scelzi
  4. Brent Marks
  5. Tanner Thorson
  6. Ryan Timms
  7. Rico Abreu
  8. Kerry Madsen
  9. James McFadden
  10. Aaron Reutzel
  11. Justin Sanders
  12. Daison Pursley
  13. Justin Peck
  14. Austin McCarl
  15. Sye Lynch
  16. Tanner Holmes
  17. Tyler Courtney
  18. Hank Davis
  19. Chase Randall
  20. Danny Sams III
  21. Hunter Schuerenberg
  22. Brenham Crouch
  23. Kaleb Montgomery
  24. Tanner Carrick

GMG Racing Confirms Trio of 2026 IMSA Carrera Cup North America Entries Across All Three Competing Classes

By
Official Release
-
  • Full-Season Campaigns for John Capestro-Dubets in Pro and GMG Racing Founder and Team Driver James Sofronas in Pro-Am
  • Longtime GMG Racing Driver Kyle Washington Returns for Select Schedule of Carrera Cup Masters Class Races
  • GMG Racing Looks to Extend Winning Legacy as it Opens 25th Year of Competition Next Weekend at Sebring International Raceway in Season-Opening Carrera Cup Doubleheader

THERMAL, California (March 13, 2026) – GMG Racing, one of North America’s most successful sports car road racing operations, today announced a three-car entry in IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America for the team’s milestone 25th Anniversary racing season in 2026. The Southern California-based team headquartered at the Thermal Club near Palm Springs, fields a full-season campaign for drivers John Capestro-Dubets in the No. 7 GMG Racing Porsche 911 Cup and team founder James Sofronas in the No. 14 Mobil 1/GMG Racing Porsche 911 Cup. Longtime GMG driver Kyle Washington is also set to contest a select schedule of events this year in his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 Cup.

The announcement comes as the team prepares for the season-opening Carrera Cup doubleheader next week, March 18 – 20, at Sebring International Raceway. The 2026 schedule features eight rounds across legendary American venues, including support races for Formula 1 at Miami and Circuit of The Americas (COTA), a one-off appearance with IndyCar at the Grand Prix of Long Beach and IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship race weekends at Sebring, Watkins Glen, Road America, Indianapolis and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

While GMG Racing celebrates its 25th season of competition this year, the team surprisingly never raced in IMSA Carrera Cup before the 2023 finale at COTA. Sofronas swept that weekend’s Pro-Am races in his and the team’s series debut, a breakout performance that has seen him continue to win at least two races a season through last year. Sofronas has secured eight of the nine career Carrera Cup victories GMG Racing has captured the past three years, but he is confident Capestro-Dubets – best known as “JCD” – and Washington have what it takes to join him in adding to the tally in 2026.

“With their respective experience and non-stop commitment to improving their driving, I am super confident both JCD and Kyle will join me in contending for Carrera Cup class victories and podiums this year,” Sofronas said. “As Porsche’s top single-make racing series, the level of competition in Carrera Cup is immense and pushes us to be better as a team. We’ve had a taste of victory at several of the tracks on the calendar, and with the new Type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup car debuting this season, there is new opportunity and challenge ahead. I’m looking forward to sharing that challenge with JCD and Kyle. Having JCD with us for the full season adds consistency and winning history to our program, and whenever Kyle is in the car, we know he’s a threat for the podium in the Masters class.”

Taking on the Carrera Cup Challenge in the top-tier Pro class, JCD has won races and championships in practically every sports car racing series he has ever contested. He has driven and coached for GMG Racing in recent seasons.

“Carrera Cup is undoubtedly one of the toughest series in the States,” Capestro-Dubets said. “With so many drivers moving on to IMSA WeatherTech and WEC, my goal this season is to clearly prove my value. The dream has always been a shot at a Rolex 24. At 37, I’m lining up against a grid of hungry juniors, so the challenge isn’t just about raw pace. I’m excited for this new chapter, and every lesson I learn on track this year is something I can eventually pass down to the drivers I mentor. The bumps there are no joke at Sebring, but it is always a dream come true to race at a track with so much heritage.”

Washington is on the brink of winning in Carrera Cup as a frequent visitor to the Masters class victory lane. A string of career third-place finishes, including at the Formula 1 support races in Miami and Montreal, are highlighted by a career-best second at COTA in 2024. He makes his 2026 debut in next month’s Carrera Cup doubleheader at Long Beach.

Next week’s season-opening races are available for viewing live on NBC’s streaming service Peacock as well as on IMSA.TV and IMSA’s YouTube Channel. The first 40-minute race starts at 3 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 19, while the second and final round is slated to go green at 5:45 p.m. EST on Friday, March 20.

About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility relocated last year to The Thermal Club and a 28,000 sq. ft. trackside motorsports facility. The staff, attention to detail and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped the company support its customers to the highest level possible. We have since won several Championships, not only with Porsche, but with Audi, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and McLaren. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona, Spa, Montreal, COTA and The Thermal Club, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.

NHRA’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONTINUES AT LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS IN POMONA

By
Official Release
-

POMONA, Calif. (March 13, 2026) – As part of its 75th anniversary season, NHRA is celebrating at tracks across the country, including one of its most historic venues and races during the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at the famed In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on April 9-12.

Along with the milestone celebration in 2026, this year’s legendary event will be part of another monumental moment in NHRA history as the organization hosts its 1,000th Funny Car race.

From the first Funny Car win in 1966 to the 900th in 2021, the rich history of the Funny Car class will be celebrated at the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals as current drivers look to put their name in the NHRA history books. Legends from landmark races will all be represented in Pomona to add to the celebration, while the winner of the 1,000th Funny Car race will receive a special trophy to go along with the diamond 75th anniversary Wally.

Add in two rounds of qualifying on both Friday and Saturday – as well as the Mission #2Fast2Tasty bonus race on Saturday – and this year’s first visit to the historic track will be one of the biggest yet during NHRA’s milestone year. As part of NHRA’s yearlong 75th anniversary celebration, fans can expect multiple highlights at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, including:

An appearance from NHRA legend and six-time NHRA world champion Kenny Bernstein, in honor of his historic 310-mph pass at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in 1994.

On Friday, the first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a special NHRA 75th anniversary Winternationals event poster.
Fans can check out the new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and 75th anniversary stage in Nitro Alley as all drivers try to claim a diamond 75rh anniversary Wally that will only be awarded in 2026.

In 2025, Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Clay Millican (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) claimed Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals wins. This year’s race will be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage on Sunday, April 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Hailing from southern California, past Funny Car world champ Beckman earned his fourth win from his home track last season when he took out Daniel Wilkerson. Beckman leads the charge for powerhouse team John Force Racing, which welcomed Alexis DeJoria and Funny Car rookie Jordan Vandergriff to the JFR stable. Two-time reigning world champ Austin Prock shocked NHRA fans this offseason when he moved to Tasca Racing, while past world champs Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon and J.R. Todd will also be eyeing the 1000th Funny Car win.

Clay Millican, a Top Fuel fan-favorite, claimed his eighth career victory last season when he took out motorsports legend Tony Stewart in the final round to win for the first time in Pomona. Veteran Doug Kalitta secured his second world title at the end of the year, while other past Pomona winners include Antron Brown, Shawn Langdon, Justin Ashley and eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher. Josh Hart won in Gainesville to open 2026 in his first race with John Force Racing.

Greg Anderson, the winningest active NHRA driver, won his 16th race from the famed In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip last season over his KB Titan Racing teammate Dallas Glenn. The duo battled on the race track all season for the world championship, but it was Glenn who earned his first world title to finish the season. Anderson advanced to the final round in Gainesville, but Matt Hartford opened the year with the victory. Others to watch include Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield and Cody Coughlin.

Along with racing in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, fans will also be treated to racing action from the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

The Nitro Alley Stage is a huge attraction all weekend and is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, and much more. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun.

Race fans at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features qualifying at 1:30 and 4 p.m. PT on Friday, April 10, and the final two rounds on Saturday, April 11 at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 12. Television coverage includes eliminations on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. Fans can get closer to the action with a Top Eliminator Club experience, offering the best seats in the house and a premium experience, as well as a members-only hospitality center, complimentary food and beverage, driver appearances, a premium view and more.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

JDX Racing Brings New Zealand’s Callum Hedge to Porsche Carrera Cup North America for 2026

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Official Release
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Hedge joins multi-car program with a shift from open-wheel to sports car racing

LOVELAND, Colorado (March 13, 2026) – JDX Racing has added New Zealand’s Callum Hedge to its 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup North America driver line-up, where he’ll join recently announced returnee Sabré Cook in Pro class competition. The 22-year-old from Auckland makes a highly anticipated return to Porsche competition, bringing with him a champion’s pedigree and a wealth of international and North American experience.

Hedge arrives at JDX Racing following a successful foray into American open-wheel racing. After claiming the 2023 Formula Regional Americas Championship, he progressed to the Indy NXT series for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, securing multiple podium finishes and showcasing his adaptability on the demanding North American circuits. His move to JDX Racing marks a return to his sports car roots and Porsche one-make racing, where he also has found success.

Hedge delivered a standout performance in Australia, capturing the 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship title at the same time he was earning his US open-wheel championship. Hedge scored four wins and 14 podium finishes over the season to claim the Pro class crown.

“I’m really looking forward to joining JDX Racing in 2026,” Hedge said. “I met Jeremy Dale many months back at Road America, and we kept in contact over the off season and managed to put together a program for this year. I’m really grateful for the belief Jeremy and Harrison Brix have for me with this opportunity. It’s been a while since I raced a GT car but I’m super excited to have a roof back over my head. We’ve had two very productive tests together with the 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup car and I’m looking forward to starting the season in just a few days at Sebring with the support of Byers Imports, Race Brew, Tony Quinn Foundation, Giltrap Group, Tasman Motorsports Group and so many others that are making this possible.”

The all-new Porsche 911 Cup (Type 992.2) represents a significant leap forward in the car’s evolution. Lighter and more powerful than its predecessor, the car features a revised 4.0-liter flat-six engine producing approximately 520 horsepower and updated aerodynamics. This technical package is complemented by the championship’s new Pirelli P Zero tires, which made their series debut at the official test at Sebring International Raceway earlier this month.

“We are excited to have Callum join us for the 2026 season,” Jeremy Dale, JDX Racing Team Principal said. “He is not only quick in the car, but he’s a proven race winner and championship winner. Those are special skills to bring to this fight. We have already had Callum in a car, and he has done an exceptional job with feedback and car development on the new Porsche 911 Cup. He’s also been a great teammate, and you can’t ask for more. We are all looking forward to starting the season at Sebring.”

Hedge will make his debut with JDX Racing with a doubleheader at the historic Sebring International Raceway, running in support of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring from March 18-20. Round One at Sebring is the opening round of the eight-round, 16-race championship that concludes at Circuit of the Americas in October.

JDX Racing has been a stalwart of Porsche Carrera Cup North America since its inception in 2021, and in the Porsche GT3 Cup championship prior to that. The team claimed the driver’s championship with Parker Thompson in 2022 and has been a multi-time winner in each season of the championship. Partners Byers Imports and Byers Porsche return to support JDX Racing during the 2026 season.

Each round of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America season is available live, through the subscription streaming service Peacock as well as IMSA.tv, and IMSA’s YouTube Channel, as well as Porsche Motorsport North America’s official YouTube, Facebook, X and Linkedin pages.

2026 Porsche Carrera Cup North America Season Schedule

March 18 – 20, Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, FL
April 17 – 19, streets of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
May 1 – 3, Miami International Autodrome, Miami, FL
June 25 – 27, Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY
July 30 – August 1, Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
September 17 – 19, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN
September 30 – October 2, Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA
October 23 – 25, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, TX

About JDX Racing:

Founded in 2008 and based outside of Denver, CO, JDX Racing represents the very best in professional motorsports. Competing in the IMSA sports car series, JDX Racing campaigns cars in events throughout North America. JDX Racing features world-class drivers, outstanding crew members and dynamic marketers from Champ Car, IndyCar, NASCAR, ALMS and the Champ Car Atlantic Championship series. For more information, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/jdxracing, on Twitter @JDXRACING and on Instagram @jdxracing.

TPC Racing Celebrates Solid USAC Mustang Cup Debut with Father-and-Son Podium Results Last Weekend at Sebring International Raceway

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Official Release
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  • Mike Levitas Records Dark Horse Legends Third-Place Finish Saturday and His Son Harris Levitas Drives the Same No. 36 TPC Racing/DSC Sport Ford Mustang Dark Horse R to the Dark Horse Division P3 on Sunday
  • Debuting Road Racing Driver Cliff Elliott Has Solid Start in His First Race with TPC Racing in the No. 65 TPC Racing/DSC Sport Ford Mustang Dark Horse R
  • Tom Kerr Matches Career-Best Cayman Class Finish in His No. 74 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport while Shaun McKaigue Perseveres Through Saturday Rain for a Solid Finish in His No. 234 TPC Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

SEBRING, Florida (March 13, 2026) – Alongside its established and championship-winning USAC Porsche Challenge program, TPC Racing launched its highly anticipated USAC Mustang Cup campaign in fine fashion last weekend at Sebring International Raceway, securing two podium finishes in the season-opening doubleheader. The multi-generational team effort saw Michael Levitas claim third in the Dark Horse Legends (DHL) class in Saturday’s Miles Cup race, followed by his son Harris Levitas matching the result with a third-place finish in the competitive Dark Horse (DH) class on Sunday. The father-and-son duo share the No. 36 TPC Racing/DSC Sport Ford Mustang Dark Horse R in the respective Saturday and Sunday sprints.

The weekend marked a significant milestone for TPC Racing as it launched its entry into Mustang competition with a three driver and two car Mustang Dark Horse R effort at Sebring. Team Founder Mike Levitas made the most of Saturday’s shortened race, which was checkered early due to a lightning storm in the area, by securing third-place honors in the DHL class. Levitas and his competitors had little more than two laps of green flag racing, but that was enough for the No. 36 Mustang driver to seal the P3 and finish sixth overall

The family affair continued on Sunday when Harris Levitas, who primarily serves as TPC Racing Director of Race Operations, climbed behind the wheel of the No. 36 machine for the Parnelli Cup race. Despite it being his first race start of any kind in several years, the younger Levitas demonstrated both his and the team’s depth of talent by bringing the car home in P3 in the top-tier Dark Horse class. He also finished fifth overall in the outright running order.

Debuting team driver Cliff Elliott also enjoyed a productive weekend in the No. 65 TPC Racing Mustang Dark Horse R. Competing in his first multi-car sports car race after a successful career in single-car competitions like the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge, Elliott used the two races to gain valuable experience and learn the nuances of side-by-side racing.

On the USAC Porsche Sprint Challenge front, TPC Racing’s Tom Kerr delivered a top performance for the second consecutive year on the 3.74-mile Sebring circuit, matching his career-best finish in the Masters Class with a hard-fought sixth-place result behind the wheel of the No. 74 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. Kerr secured the first P6 result in last year’s season opener at Sebring.

Also making his Porsche Sprint Challenge 2026 season debut was another longtime TPC Racing driver, Shaun McKaigue, in his No. 234 TPC Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Returning to action in the Masters Class, McKaigue rebounded from a cut tire in Friday’s opening GT3 Cup sprint to record a lead-lap finish just shy of the top-10 in a competitive 26-car Masters division field. The solid race two results also included a 19th overall showing in the combined class field of 37 entries. McKaigue closed out the weekend by joining coach and co-driver Louis-Philippe Dumoulin for a top-10 Pro-Am class showing in Sunday’s season-opening USAC Porsche Endurance Challenge race in the No. 234.

Next up for TPC Racing is the team’s 2026 debut in the IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship’s season-opening weekend of competition at Sebring, March 19 – 20, during the 74th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring race weekend.

Harris Levitas, TPC Racing Director of Race Operations; Driver – No. 36 TPC Racing/DSC Sport Mustang Dark Horse R: “It is just amazing to be here with Ford and the Mustang Dark Horse R, which is an incredible machine. To step on the podium in our debut with this program – and my first race in several years – not once but twice is a testament to the preparation and dedication of the entire TPC Racing team. Ford is absolutely in the right place with the right product. It is incredible to be back racing, and to do it at Sebring with TPC Racing and our partners at DSC Sport is special. To come away with podiums in our debut weekend shows the potential of this program. Cliff Elliott also opened some eyes with his big jump from single-car track challenge events to multi-car road racing in Mustang Challenge. Door-to-door and side-by-side competition is clearly coming to him very quickly. We’re just getting started with the Ford Racing campaign, but our decades of dedication and development with our Porsche program absolutely continues as strong as ever. We had two entries in USAC Porsche Sprint Challenge at Sebring, and Tom Kerr came out swinging for the second-straight year at the opener with a career-best result. Tom matched his previous career-high result of sixth last year at Sebring in Friday’s first Sprint Challenge Cayman GT4 race, which is a testament to the hard work and testing he has put in over the off-season. It’s also great to have Shaun McKaigue back with us and he shined in Saturday’s wet final sprint with a near top-10 showing in the packed Masters Class in the Porsche GT3 Cup race. With both the Goldcrest and the Blue Oval, and our fantastic lineup of drivers, we are looking at a banner year in 2026.”

Michael Levitas, Driver – No. 36 TPC Racing/DSC Sport Mustang Dark Horse R: “We learned more about this car in a shortened race Saturday due to a little bit of lightning. We lapped mostly under caution before the red flag ended the race, so we kind of kept our Dark Horses on a trot, not a full thoroughbred pace! We really only had two laps of racing but you can tell based on just that this is going to be a competitive championship this year. It was too short but really good! I think the potential of the Mustang program is just unlimited. For what was really just a two-lap lap shootout, it was a lot of fun. I was hoping we would stay green or go back green, but at the end of the day we are so happy and so satisfied to come home on the podium in our very first race in the series. I wish nothing but good success for the series, and we’re so excited to be a part. I think the growth potential is just unlimited. It’s a great platform, great people, great sanctioning body, and I just can’t say enough. And huge thanks to TPC Racing for everybody, from the engineering team even to the great chef that joined us this weekend, to everybody involved. It was an absolutely successful start and we couldn’t ask for more. I have to put out a shout to Cliff. Here’s a guy that’s never been involved in professional racing, a semi pro racer, and really with no experience competing with a road racing sanctioning body in an organized, multi-car race. To be invited and welcomed the Mustang Cup series in the Dark Horse is just fabulous. He had a great debut and made huge progress this weekend. I knew my son and co-driver Harris Levitas would be one to watch out for in the Mustang. It was his first race in several years but he put on a bit of stampede straight to the podium. I’m so happy and so proud of him, honored to be with him and proud of him for everything he does with the race team. Look, he does all of this in running the team and can drive too! It doesn’t get a lot better than being able to share this experience with my son.”

Cliff Elliott, Driver – No. 65 TPC Racing Mustang Dark Horse R: “It’s definitely exciting. It’s a whole new atmosphere for me, and I think I’m picking it up, but wheel-to-wheel competition is a little different. I love it and the car is just phenomenal. It’s set up very well. And it sticks! It sticks so much better than what I’m used to. So, that’s the big adjustment, but Mike has done a hell of a job with it and setting it up. I’m happy with the car overall. It’s new for me, but I don’t think I’m going to have any problem picking it up when I get some more time in. The stopping power is incredible, and the suspension holds everything. It’s just solid.”

Tom Kerr, Driver, No. 74 TPC Racing Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport: “I think the season started out well because we had a lot of testing. I don’t got much seat time, so we came down two days before the actual test days, and between me and Mike Skeen, who’s an amazing coach, I had the chance to really dial in before the whole season started. It was everything because I really hadn’t been in the car in like forever, but it was really dialed in. The brakes are good, the car is balanced, and my coach Mike has helped me a huge amount. We had fun and no crashes! This is my emotional and physical release from my medical profession as a vascular surgeon all week.”

Shaun McKaigue, Driver, No. 234 TPC Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “It’s always a lot of fun getting back together with the TPC Racing guys. The crew has been fantastic. They gave me a great car, we had a lot of fun and even did the Porsche Endurance Challenge race on Sunday. Friday’s first race was a little disappointing with the tire going down, but that happens. Saturday in the wet was a little bit tricky, but we finished up and kept it on the island, which I suppose is the best way to put it after the run of yellow flag laps. It was really wet, just a lot of rain, and it started out where it was raining in a portion of the track and then dry in another. And then it turned into really wet, and the yellow flag laps basically wrapped it up.”

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

About DSC Sport: Founded in 2011, DSC Sport quickly established itself as an industry leader in dynamic suspension control, developing and offering best in class suspension solutions for a wide range of luxury and performance vehicles. The company designs and manufactures advanced controller units that enhance the performance and handling of sports cars, luxury sedans and lightweight trucks for both track and road use. The company frequently works with the affiliated TPC Racing, a race-winning and multiple championship-winning sports car racing team, to gather data and learnings from a race weekend environment that directly are used in the company’s ongoing development of performance hardware and software solutions for track and street vehicle applications. Learn more at www.DSCsport.com.

From the Track to the Street: How Motorsports Technology Revolutionized Automotive Paint Protection

By
SM
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​At speeds exceeding 200 mph, a racetrack transforms into an exceptionally hostile environment for automotive exteriors. High-performance vehicles competing in premier motorsport series, such as NASCAR or IndyCar, endure constant, aggressive bombardment. These hazards include high-velocity rubber marbling from degrading racing slicks, fragmented asphalt, and granular track debris kicked up by leading vehicles.

When a vehicle is traveling at terminal velocity, these micro-impacts deliver massive kinetic energy capable of compromising traditional automotive paint within milliseconds. Beyond the obvious aesthetic degradation, surface imperfections have profound engineering implications for motorsports.

They disrupt laminar airflow across the vehicle’s body, subtly increasing aerodynamic drag and reducing overall fuel efficiency—factors that can dictate the outcome of a race. Furthermore, preserving the pristine condition of complex sponsor liveries is a critical commercial necessity for racing teams.

Brand visibility is directly tied to the clarity of the vehicle’s exterior throughout a grueling event. The pursuit of aerodynamic perfection and structural integrity under extreme thermal and physical stress necessitated a significant leap in surface protection technology.

The Engineering Behind Modern Paint Protection Film (PPF)

The transition from rudimentary clear bras of the late 20th century to advanced polyurethane coatings represents a triumph of modern materials engineering. Modern advancements in polymer science have drastically improved the durability of vehicle exteriors against extreme environmental elements.

Data from industry-leading flexippf indicates that high-grade polyurethane layers can withstand up to 5,000 hours of direct UV radiation while maintaining 98% UV blockage without yellowing. This level of material endurance ensures that both track vehicles and daily drivers remain shielded from high-speed debris and chemical degradation.

At the core of this industrial-grade standard is Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). Unlike standard vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is prone to brittleness and rapid thermal degradation, TPU is engineered for high-tensile flexibility.

The elastomeric nature of this material provides exceptional tensile strength, effectively absorbing and dispersing point-load impacts from gravel or track debris. Modern high-grade films undergo rigorous engineering evaluations before reaching the consumer market, focusing on specific performance metrics:

  • Tensile Elongation: The ability of the film to stretch without tearing during installation on complex geometric curves.
  • Puncture Resistance: Measured physical resistance against high-velocity kinetic projectiles.
  • Optical Clarity: Ensuring zero light distortion or “orange peel” texture over high-gloss finishes.
  • Hydrophobicity: The integration of low surface energy topcoats to actively repel water, oil, and track rubber.

Self-Healing Properties and Micro-Abrasions

One of the most defining and technologically advanced characteristics of high-tier PPF is its self-healing capability. This is a direct function of advanced polymer chain mobility engineered into the top layer.

When subjected to micro-abrasions, swirl marks, or superficial scratching, the elastomeric polymers within the film’s topcoat are temporarily displaced rather than permanently severed. The application of moderate heat stimulates the molecular memory of the TPU.

This thermal activation can be introduced through direct ambient sunlight, a commercial heat gun, or even the radiant energy generated by a high-performance engine. Upon thermal activation, the polymer chains undergo a phase of rapid realignment, reverting to their original, baseline configuration.

This self-leveling process effectively erases superficial scratches and maintains a microscopically smooth aerodynamic surface.

Translating Track Durability to Daily Drivers

The environmental hazards faced during a standard highway commute closely mimic the abrasive conditions of a professional racing circuit, albeit over a prolonged timeline. Over a standard five-year lifecycle, bare automotive paint is subjected to relentless degradation.

Vehicles must withstand constant oxidation, highway rock chips, and severe chemical etching from acid rain, road salts, or biological contaminants. Upgrading to track-proven protection strategies shifts the paradigm of routine vehicle maintenance from reactive correction to proactive preservation.

For insights into how track-level dynamics influence vehicle performance, reviewing recent NASCAR cup series technical advancements highlights the universal importance of an unblemished aerodynamic profile. When comparing surface protection methods, the differences in engineering become starkly apparent.

Standard car wax offers a temporary, sacrificial organic layer, while modern TPU-based films provide a semi-permanent, physical barrier.

UV Resistance and Thermal Control

Beyond physical impact deflection, advanced polyurethane films act as a critical shield against ultraviolet (UV) degradation. Prolonged exposure to solar radiation catalyzes the breakdown of factory paint binders.

This inevitably leads to structural oxidation, clear coat peeling, and severe color fading. High-grade surface protections are rigorously engineered to block harmful UVA and UVB spectra, preserving the chemical integrity of the paint.

Furthermore, when these protective technologies are combined with advanced window films, the IR rejection (Infrared) properties significantly lower interior cabin temperatures. This comprehensive thermal control mitigates the risk of dashboard cracking and protects sensitive electronic components from extreme heat cycling.

Key Takeaways

AreaKey TakeawayImpact/Data
MaterialTransition to TPU from PVCAbsorbs high-velocity kinetic impacts
DurabilityImplement high-grade UV shieldsEndures 5,000 hours; 98% UV blockage
MaintenanceLeverage heat-activated polymer topcoatsErases micro-abrasions automatically
Future R&DIntegrate core matrix nanotechnologyObsoletes secondary ceramic topcoats

The Future of Automotive Surface Preservation

The next frontier in high-performance vehicle protection is intrinsically tied to rapid advancements in material science at the nanoscopic level. Emerging manufacturing technologies are increasingly integrating nanotechnology and inherent hydrophobicity directly into the core matrix of the polyurethane film.

This structural evolution is designed to eliminate the need for secondary, aftermarket ceramic topcoats, creating a unified protective layer. As environmental regulations push the automotive sector toward sustainable manufacturing, the chemical composition of surface coatings is rapidly adapting.

According toreports from Forbes on automotive industry trends, the shift towards eco-friendly materials and advanced nanotechnology will redefine how protective layers are synthesized, reducing environmental impact without compromising aerodynamic efficiency on or off the track.

The ongoing evolution of these materials, much like the meticulous maintenance of elite racing sponsor liveries, ensures the bridge between motorsports engineering and consumer vehicle preservation will continue to strengthen. The street vehicles of tomorrow will inherently benefit from the rigorous crucible of today’s professional racetracks.

Why Companies like Freedom Holding Invest in Strategic Sports

By
SM
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Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels

Recently, financial institutions have expanded their influence beyond banking and traditional markets by investing in intellectual and cultural initiatives. One good example is the growing support for chess and other strategic sports, such as esports, from companies such as Freedom Holding, founded by Timur Turlov. Investing in these analytical sports demonstrates how effective company leadership can drive the growth and expansion of both sports and education.

The Clear Connection

Based on initial thoughts, one might think that finance and strategic sports exist entirely in different worlds. However, both require similar trains of thought. This includes developing strategies, planning, and anticipating outcomes several steps ahead. Successful investors must be able to evaluate information, manage risk, and think in the long term, skills that are also required in such sports.

Because of the clear similarities, many investors consider it a worthwhile investment to support the growth of programs such as youth chess, world tournaments, and esports events, helping more people become exposed to the skills required in finance.

The Everlasting Appeal of Chess

Chess is easily in the top five most recognized strategy competition games. For centuries, chess has been grouped with critical thinking, strategic planning, and discipline. The worldwide popularity of chess continues to grow and expand thanks to international tournaments, online platforms and events, and educational programs.

Corporate support, like that from Freedom Holding, helps sustain the aforementioned initiatives by funding tournaments and providing visibility. Oftentimes, organizations that sponsor chess events focus on the connections between strategic thinking during play and how it correlates to professional environments, leading to potential internships down the road.

The Rise of Esports

Alongside chess, competitive gaming has emerged as another magnificent arena where strategy and discipline are necessary. Esports not only teaches many of the same skills needed in finance as chess does, but can also focus on working flawlessly as part of a team under stressful conditions.

Competitive games require players to process information quickly and implement complex strategies to gain an edge over their opponents. The unknown factor has helped esports evolve, attract millions of viewers, and secure significant corporate investment.

It’s no secret that the youth are drawn to screens and games. Esports allows companies to pursue innovation and provide kids and adults with activities that reward skill and strategic thinking.

Encouraging the Next Generation

Both chess and esports share many characteristics and attract young participants. It would be foolish to ignore the cognitive benefits of both sports, and many schools have already begun implementing strategy games as extracurricular programs.

When companies support these activities, like Freedom Holding, they not only enhance their reputations but also contribute to education and skill development. Youth who are afforded the opportunity to learn and grow professionally often succeed and become successful members of society.

What Lies Ahead for Strategic Competition

As intellectual sports continue to grow, the connection between them and professional success is clear. Companies like Freedom Holding are often motivated to participate and invest because they have a broad vision to encourage innovation, boost strategic thinking, and endorse lifelong learning.

Leader Timur Turlov represents one of many businessmen and businesses that are part of a growing trend of recognizing the value of intellectual competition. Investments create opportunities for talented individuals and promote lifelong skills. In our new tech-centric world, good analytical thinking is one of the core components of success. For both the participants and sponsors of these sports events, they offer much more than entertainment. Intellectual sports build the foundations for the strategic thinkers of tomorrow.

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