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TRICON and Kaden Honeycutt Team Up with the Safelite Foundation to Support the Foster Care Community

Honeycutt to Pilot Foster Love/Safelite Foundation Tundra for Month of May

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 27, 2026) – TRICON Garage (TRICON) is proud to announce that its collaboration with TRD U.S.A. partner Safelite, the Safelite Foundation and its national partner Foster Love will return to the No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro in 2026. Alongside driver Kaden Honeycutt, the partnership aims to shine a spotlight on National Foster Care Awareness Month.

Foster Love is a nationwide nonprofit organization committed to improving the way children experience the foster care system for the better. From helping one child, to supporting over one million foster youth, Foster Love continues to strive towards the goal of improving the foster care experience for the over 430,000 children currently in the system.

As a special tribute, the No. 11 team will once again swap the Safelite red for a refreshed blue design, representing the official color of National Foster Care Awareness Month, serving as a visual reminder of the kids who often go unseen, while also recognizing foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers and child welfare professionals.

Honeycutt will carry Foster Love branding across all five NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races this May, including Texas Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway, Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway in an effort to raise awareness and inspire action for foster youth nationwide.

In 2025, the Safelite Foundation, Foster Love and TRICON partnership produced two victories, as Corey Heim took the blue livery to victory lane at Texas Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“Our associates have made this partnership truly their own. They’ve shown up in every way possible, from volunteering and donating to openly sharing their own personal connections to the foster care system,” said Wendy Bradshaw, Executive Director of the Safelite Foundation and Community Affairs.

“During every race in May, we will cheer on Kaden, recognizing that he is a powerful advocate for raising awareness about foster care across the country. Throughout Foster Care Awareness Month, he is partnering with us on and off the track to be a driving force for good.”

Through this special collaboration, Safelite will host over 30 guests, including foster children and families at Charlotte Motor Speedway, bringing a unique and meaningful partnership into a space where it had rarely existed before. Limited edition Kaden Honeycutt shirts will be offered in celebration of the collaboration, with a percentage of the proceeds going directly to Foster Love. Fans can find the design for sale on shopTRICON.com.

The partnership is set to debut at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, May 1 in the SpeedyCash.com 250. The 200-lap race will be televised live on FS1 with radio coverage provided by the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Safelite Foundation

Founded in 2005, the Safelite Foundation was established as the company’s charitable arm with one mission: to help those who’ve hit a bump in the road find a clear road ahead. We deliver on this mission through partnership and support of organizations whose focus aligns with our giving priorities: providing safety, stability, and a sense of belonging. Leveraging the size and scale of Safelite’s reach, the Foundation impacts communities on a local, national, and global level with over $40M donated and hundreds of thousands of associate volunteer hours since 2005. For more information, visit safelite.com/foundation.

About Foster Love

Founded in 2008, Foster Love is dedicated to transforming the lives of children in the foster care system. We provide resources, support, and a loving community to foster children, foster parents, and adoptive families. Our mission is to ensure that every child experiences the support and stability they deserve. Join us in creating a brighter future for these amazing children through advocacy, education, and compassionate care. Together, we can make a difference. For more information, visit http://FosterLove.com.

About TRICON Garage

TRICON Garage is a professional racing organization fielding five full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entries. Serving as the flagship Truck Series partner of Toyota Racing Development, the team plays an integral role in the NASCAR development ladder. Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, TRICON has quickly established itself as the premier home for cultivating the next generation of motorsports industry professionals. Actively involved in three different industries – racing, fabrication and transportation, the team operates out of three buildings totaling 60,000 square feet.

Connor Zilisch 26th in Talladega Cup Series Debut

TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili's Ride the 'Dente Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Connor Zilisch, who pilots the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet entry, was looking to have a solid result in his NASCAR Cup Series debut on Sunday.

The 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway has not been kind to Zilisch in the past when racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In his first start at the track, which came in the fall of 2024, for Spire Motorsports. Zilisch started 12th but finished in the 33rd position due to a crash.

Just a few months later, in the O’Reilly Series Spring race, Zilisch qualified in the 13th position and was up front at times while leading nine laps.

With two laps remaining in the spring event, an incident involving Jesse Love sent Zilisch spinning into a wreck. He then hit the backstretch wall, resulting in a DNF and a 27th-place finish.

The same was true of the fall race. Zilisch started seventh but had a disappointing finish of 23rd, three laps down.

Fast forwarding to 2026, when Zilisch was making his first Talladega Cup Series start, the 19-year-old had hopes of a positive result. This was especially true after finishing 29th, two laps down, following handling issues the week before at Kansas Speedway.

“It’s still going to be a lot of fuel saving, but I think the last 45 laps will be better,” Zilisch said in a team release on race week. “Track position is huge with the Next Gen car. You’ve got to do everything you can to put yourself in position at the end.

“Nobody’s down on themselves. We’re hungry. I want to be part of our return to success, and that challenge excites me.”

Rain showers canceled the Cup Series qualifying session this weekend. Zilisch started in the 26th position based on the qualifying metric.

When the race went green for the 188-lap event, Zilisch maintained track position as he was saving fuel and finished 22nd in the first stage, despite getting into the top-10 at one point, but was then shuffled out. In the second stage, the Trackhouse driver was caught up in “The Big One” on Lap 115, going into Turn 3. Zilisch was on the bottom lane and had nowhere to go. After being collected in the accident, he received damage to his No. 88 Red Bull Chevrolet. As Stage 2 concluded, he finished 27th in the running order.

For the remainder of the race, Zilisch stayed out of the way to gain experience on the drafting track. The race leaders took the checkered flag on Lap 188. Zilisch finished 26th in the running order, three laps down in his Cup Series debut.

“Unfortunately for us that’s typical Talladega where you get caught up in the Big One,” Zilisch said. “I had nowhere to go. I really thought the damage was worse, but the Trackhouse guys did a great job to get our Red Bull Chevrolet back in the race. Not the day we wanted for sure, but we’ll bounce back next week at Texas.”

Additionally, Spire Motorsports announced this past week that Zilisch will compete in the Truck Series race at Watkins Glen. This will mark the second consecutive time in two years that he will race at The Glen in a truck. Last year, Zilisch raced in the No. 45 Niece Motorsports entry, starting in 14th and finishing eighth in the Top 10.

Richard Childress Racing Names Andy Street Crew Chief for No. 8 Team

WELCOME, N.C. (April 27, 2026) – Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced today a leadership adjustment within its NASCAR Cup Series program, reinforcing the organization’s continued focus on improving on-track performance and delivering stronger, more consistent results.

Andy Street will assume crew chief responsibilities for the No. 8 Chevrolet, working alongside driver Kyle Busch for the remainder of the 2026 season. Jim Pohlman will transition into a leadership role within RCR’s competition department.

“This move is about putting our people in the best position to succeed,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of RCR. “We have strong talent across this organization, and we’re focused on having each person in the right position to help deliver the results we expect.”

The adjustment reflects RCR’s broader commitment to returning to consistent, front-running form on a weekly basis.

“We strongly believe in the people we have,” said Mike Verlander, President of RCR. “At the same time, we expect better results, and that requires us to continually evaluate and make adjustments. Jim has more than two decades of success in this sport and will remain an important part of our team. We believe Andy and Kyle’s previous working relationship positions us to improve the No. 8 team and compete at a higher level.”

Street, who has served as Performance Director in 2026, brings more than 20 years of experience with RCR across multiple roles, including as a race-winning crew chief. He will begin leading the No. 8 team immediately.

For more information, visit rcrracing.com.

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 17 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2026 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series program with defending series champion Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and 2023 regular season champion Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).

Eclipse Claims Consulting Races into Fourth Season with Ryan Ellis at Texas Motor Speedway for Young’s Motorsports

MOORESVILLE, N.C.: There’s an old saying that everything is bigger in Texas — and for Ryan Ellis, that includes the strength of a long-standing partnership.

As the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway for Saturday afternoon’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 340, Ellis will showcase a familiar name on his No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet — one that has become a cornerstone of his program.

Texas-based Eclipse Claims Consulting returns to support Ellis for the fourth consecutive season, continuing a partnership built on consistency, shared momentum and most of all, friendship.

Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, Eclipse Claims Consulting is a trusted authority in insurance claim advocacy and appraisals.

Known as a national leader in insurance adjustments, the company specializes in property damage, including natural disasters such as flood, hail, tornado, hurricane, wildfire and earthquake damage.

With a mission centered on securing fair and timely settlements, Eclipse Claims Consulting has helped clients nationwide recover millions of dollars after property losses caused by storms, fires, water damage, and other disasters.

The company has built its reputation as a go-to advocate for policyholders facing complex insurance claims.

Whether assisting homeowners after a hurricane or guiding a business through fire damage recovery, Eclipse Claims Consulting remains a trusted partner at every step of the insurance claim process.

For Ellis, the continued support from Eclipse Claims Consulting carries added significance in 2026 as he begins a new chapter with Young’s Motorsports.

In a season defined by change, the presence of a trusted, long-term partner provides valuable continuity and confidence, allowing the veteran driver to remain focused on performance while building chemistry within a new organization.

“We’ve built something really special with Eclipse Claims Consulting over the last four years,” said Ellis. “It’s more than just a partnership at this point — it’s a friendship.

“That kind of loyalty means everything in this sport, and having them by my side as I start a new chapter with Young’s Motorsports gives me a lot of confidence every time we hit the track.”

Ellis, a native of Ashburn, Va., will make his ninth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Texas Motor Speedway on May 2.

The 1.5-mile speedway is one of the few venues where he has competed across all three of NASCAR’s national series.

In his previous eight series starts, Ellis has recorded a track-best finish of 13th in the fall 2023 edition of the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300.

On Saturday, he will make his fifth consecutive start at Texas Motor Speedway — and his third straight appearance carrying the Eclipse Claims Consulting colors.

“It’s always special racing at Texas Motor Speedway, but it means even more when you’re representing a Texas-based partner like Eclipse Claims Consulting,” added Ellis. “It’s their home race, and you want to do everything you can to represent them well and give them something to be proud of.”

It’s also a special race for Young’s Motorsports. Founded in Midland, Texas, the event at Texas Motor Speedway serves as the organization’s hometown race, making it even more meaningful to represent a Texas-based partner in Eclipse Claims Consulting.

Now operating from a well-equipped facility in Mooresville, N.C., Young’s Motorsports team principal Tyler Young welcomes Eclipse Claims Consulting to the organization as a valued partner.

“We’re proud to welcome Eclipse Claims Consulting to Young’s Motorsports as a valued partner,” said Young, who made 12 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway, including a top-10 finish in 2018.

“Their Texas roots align perfectly with this event, and to have them on board for our home race makes this weekend even more meaningful for our team.”

For more on Ryan Ellis, please visit ryanellisracing.com, like him on Facebook

(Ryan Ellis), and follow him on Instagram (@ryanellisracing), TikTok (@ryanellisracing), and X | Twitter (@ryanellisracing).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

The Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 (200 laps | 300 miles) is the 12th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., May 1, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 5:05 p.m. The field will take the green flag the next afternoon, shortly after 2:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. ET), with live coverage on The CW Network, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

About Eclipse Claims Consulting:

Eclipse Claims Consulting is a leading public insurance adjusting firm dedicated to securing fair settlements for policyholders and businesses.

With a proven track record of recovering millions of dollars for their clients, Eclipse Claim Consulting is at the forefront of advocating for those who have been underserved by insurance companies.

For more information, visit eclipseclaims.com.

Wood Brothers Racing – Race Report: Talladega Superspeedway

Event: Jack Link’s 500
Location: Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, Alabama
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Start: 26th
Finish: 33rd

The stage lengths may have changed for Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, but the “Big One” remained as impactful as ever.

That was the case for Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team, who were collected in a Lap 115 incident that resulted in a 33rd-place finish despite showing early speed and executing a solid opening strategy.

Berry rolled off 26th after Saturday’s qualifying session was canceled due to rain, with the starting lineup set by the NASCAR Rule Book. The Wood Brothers Racing team opted for a one-stop strategy in Stage 1, which was extended to 98 laps, and it paid off with a sixth-place finish and five valuable stage points.

Following a pit stop under caution, Berry restarted 12th to begin Stage 2 and was running inside the top 10 when the 26-car “Big One” broke out ahead of him. With nowhere to go, the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse sustained heavy damage, forcing the team to the garage for extensive repairs.

After returning to the track later in the event, Berry was able to pick up several positions, ultimately gaining five spots from his running position prior to the incident to finish 33rd.

Up next, Berry and the Wood Brothers head to Texas Motor Speedway for Sunday’s Würth 400, looking to rebound after a day that showed promise before being cut short.

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Talladega 1

Jack Link’s 500
Talladega, Ala. – April 26, 2026

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 MENARDS/FROGTAPE FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE
START: 13TH STAGE 1: 35TH STAGE 2: 21ST FINISH: 8TH POINTS: 16TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric finished eighth in Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway after a challenging and eventful afternoon for the No. 2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse team. Cindric started 13th after Saturday’s qualifying session was canceled due to weather, with the lineup set per the NASCAR Rule Book. Early in the race, he worked the draft from the bottom lane before moving to the middle lane, reporting the car was “a little darty, a little free” in the opening run. As the field settled into single-file around Lap 30, Cindric was scored 28th but methodically worked his way forward, reaching fourth by Lap 42. A setback came during the first green-flag pit cycle when Cindric missed his pit stall after getting stacked three-wide on entry, forcing him to circle back down pit road for service. The issue cost valuable track position, and he was scored 35th late in Stage 1. After a green-flag stop for fuel on Lap 81, he returned to the track alone without any drafting help and ultimately finished Stage 1 in 35th, one lap down. The race took another turn early in Stage 2 when Cindric was collected in a multi-car incident on Lap 115. The No. 2 team made multiple trips to pit road to assess and repair damage. Cindric returned to the track 24th with just over 65 laps remaining and continued to battle for position. Following a caution on Lap 124, Cindric pitted for fuel and by the end of Stage 2, he was scored 21st and earned the free pass to return to the lead lap, reporting no balance concerns heading into the final stage. Restarting 17th, Cindric navigated the closing laps in the lead draft as the field ran in two lanes. A late caution with seven laps to go set up a final sprint to the finish, with the No. 2 team opting to stay out and maintain track position. Cindric restarted just outside the top 10 with three laps remaining and avoided trouble in a chaotic final lap to secure an eighth-place finish.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “Obviously, I didn’t get a chance to be part of those last two cycles of that first stage. We got trapped with the 34 car to our inside and missed on that execution and it took us about all the way up to the third stage to get back on the lead lap. I’m not sure I’m the best judge of how things went to be honest. The end of the race I would say played out a similar way to what we thought as far as racing in the lanes and the aggression for sure. We can’t run that many laps without wrecking each other on these. I wish we would have had a gauge of our speed or really anything from today, so other than a good points finish, and we need one of those, especially on tracks like this, so we’ll take that and keep going on.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 WURTH FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE
START: 15TH STAGE 1: 5TH STAGE 2: 37TH FINISH: 37TH POINTS: 3RD
RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Wurth Ford Mustang Dark Horse team began the afternoon on a high note with a fifth-place finish in Stage 1 but were collected in a 26-car incident during the opening run of the second stage, resulting in a 37th-place finish at Talladega. After qualifying was rained out Saturday, Blaney took the green flag from 15th as the field formed three-wide to start the 98-lap stage. With varying fuel strategies in play, the pack began to run single-file by lap 25 before Blaney was called to pit road on lap 47 with the third group of cars as the 12 team serviced the Wurth Ford with four tires and fuel. Blaney went back into fuel save mode to begin the following run along with the group of cars he pitted with, allowing them to become the lead pack with 10 laps remaining in Stage 1. The pace started to pick up with under five laps to go as Blaney worked the top lane to enter the top-five as the 12 team was able to pull off a 50-lap run on fuel to pick up a fifth-place finish in the longest stage of the day. Following another four tire stop prior to the start of Stage 2, Blaney restarted from the outside of row three and eventually pushed teammate Joey Logano to the lead on lap 110, vaulting the No. 12 to second in the running order in the process. A three-wide battle for the top spot shuffled the leaders a few laps later before a spin at the front of the field at the entrance of turn three set off a 26-car pileup as Blaney was hit in the right rear and sent sliding into the outside wall. The 12 team attempted to make repairs in the garage area but was unable to return to the track, culminating in a 37th-place finish.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “I feel like we all just got pinballing off each other there. [Ross Chastain] got up in front of me. I was coming, so I’m kind of checking and trying to get on him OK, and it looked like [Bubba Wallace] got up in front of him while we were coming, and then we all just kind of got nose bumper tag there. You’re trying to lift and stabilize it and [Wallace] ended up getting turned in front of everybody and causing a big wreck. It’s not like there’s any blame on anybody. It’s what this thing is. We all just kind of get bumping and banging and one guy eventually gets turned with the car being as unstable as it is. It definitely stinks to be out early.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE
START: 25TH STAGE 1: 3RD STAGE 2: 39TH FINISH: 39TH POINTS: 15TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse team got off to a strong start Sunday at Talladega with a third-place finish in Stage 1, but were involved in a 26-car incident during the opening laps of the second segment that signaled the end of their day in a 39th-place finish. With qualifying rained out Saturday and the lineup set per the rule book, Logano took the green flag from 25th as the field formed three-wide to start the longest stage of the day at 98 laps. Varying fuel strategies began to take shape within the first 30 laps as different packs formed single-file throughout the field, prompting Logano to hit pit road with the third and final group under green on lap 47 for four tires and fuel. Logano and the rest of the group immediately went back saving fuel in an attempt to make it to the end of the stage without pitting a second time, allowing them to become the lead pack with 10 laps remaining in Stage 1. As the pace began to increase in the closing laps of the segment, Logano remained in the bottom lane and forced a three-wide battle in the tri-oval for the stage win, but came up just short in a third-place effort with the 22 team successfully executed a 50-lap run on fuel. After another four tire stop between stages, Logano lined up to restart from the outside of row two and was pushed to the lead by teammate Ryan Blaney on lap 110, marking the 21st-consecutive race he has led on a drafting track and 14th time in the last 15 Talladega races he has led at least one lap. A few laps later, Logano relinqished the lead after getting split into the middle lane out of turn four before the big one unraveled on the following lap – a 26-car pileup that started at the front of the field going into turn three that collected the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang. Logano was unable to make it back to pit road due to the damage sustained, marking an early exit Sunday.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “They just started wrecking above me. You’re kind of seeing it happen and hope they stay up there and you’re able to get by it. The wreck started moving down the hill and there we were. It’s just unfortunate. The team did a good job getting our Ford Mustang able to get some stage points there, which that’s the only positive of today.”

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway for the Wurth 400 on Sunday, May 3. Live coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

RFK Racing – Talladega Race Summary

RFK RACING
TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Date: April 26, 2026
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-mile oval) – Lincoln, AL
Format: 500 miles, broken into three stages (completed at lap 98 / lap 143 / lap 188)
***Note: Qualifying was cancelled due to weather. Starting order was established by the rule book.

RFK Racing RACE SUMMARY:

Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing showcased race winning speed Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, leading a combined 43 laps, with all three cars running up front and remaining a constant presence in the lead pack. Ryan Preece set the tone early with a Stage One victory as RFK Racing ran an impressive 1-2-4 at the first break. Chris Buescher stayed among the leaders all day, making aggressive, timely moves to nearly claim victory. Brad Keselowski showed early strength with a second place Stage One finish, before sustaining damage in an unavoidable Stage Two crash.

DRIVER HIGHLIGHTS

Chris Buescher – No. 17 Kroger / Jack Link’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Finish: 2nd
Start: 10th
Laps Led: 22
Stage Results: S1 – 4th, S2 – 3rd
Headline takeaway: An incredibly strong race, finishing among the leaders in every stage of the event. In a four lap shootout to finish the race he battled to the checkers coming up just short of the victory, with a close runner up finish.

Buescher Quote: “We were pretty good. To have the day like we had today here and be in the hunt every stage and there at the end, I can’t thank everybody enough at Kroger and Jack Link’s and being here for their entitlement sponsor. This was a big race for us and we just couldn’t quite get this Mustang into Victory Lane. We came off turn four and I felt really good about where we were at and the run that we were gonna be able to build. Stenhouse went to make a race winning move and if we would have got clear of the 77, he would have gone for it and it may have been our drag race to the end. I don’t know, but it was a good race. It was good, strong racing all the way there to the end.”

Ryan Preece – No. 60 BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Finish: 18
Start: 11th
Laps Led: 21
Stage Results: S1 – Winner, S2 – 6th
Headline takeaway: Bouyed by a stellar run in Stage One, where he was the winner of the segment, Preece proved to have a winning race car throughout the race. He collected stage points in each of the first two stages and, although he was caught up in a last lap crash coming to the checkers, had one of the best cars in the field Sunday

Preece Quote: “Man, so close. We had a rocket ship of a Ford Mustang. Led a bunch of laps and could move around and draft to the front at will. After winning stage one, we were pumped. Our confidence was sky high. So, with the checkers in sight on the final lap we thought there was a chance at the win. I’m not sure what happened with the crash but I’m leaving with my head high, knowing we had a race winning car.

Brad Keselowski – No. 6 Castrol Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Finish: 31st
Start: 6th
Laps Led: 0
Stage Results: S1-2nd, S2 – 33rd
Headline takeaway: After a runner up Stage One finish, Brad Keselowski appeared poised for another strong Talladega run. However, while he raced inside the top ten, he was collected in a Stage Two crash. The team worked to repair extensive damage, eventually getting him back on the track to finish the race.

Keselowski Quote: “We got caught up in the big one and the team rallied really well to keep us from a DNF and get us as many points as we could.”

Point Standings:

Buescher: 7th
Keselowski: 10th
Preece: 13th

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is Sunday, May 30 at the Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, TX). The race begins at 3:30 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FS1 and the Performance Racing Network.

Why You Should Hire a Sports Marketing Consultant Before Entering Motorsport Sponsorship

Before a US brand commits a single dollar to motorsport sponsorship, the most valuable investment it can make is in the right guidance. To hire a sports marketing consultant for motorsports sponsorship means gaining independent expertise in series selection, property evaluation, deal negotiation, activation planning, and ROI measurement, all simultaneously.

This guide explains exactly what a motorsport sponsorship consultant does, what goes wrong when brands enter motorsport without one, and why independence is the single most important quality to look for in the consultant you choose.

What is a Motorsport Sponsorship Consultant and Why Do They Matter?

A motorsport sponsorship consultant is an intermediary professional or agency that fills the gap between corporate brands and the racing ecosystem. They act as a sieve to the dozens of sponsorship decks that fall upon the desk of a CMO to ensure that each opportunity has a real commercial basis.

In a market where North America holds a 38.89% share of the motorsports sponsorship market (IndustryARC, 2025), a consultant is vital for “translation.” They can translate technical jargon in the team into the business KPIs of a brand. Whether you are looking for F1 sponsorship consultant USA services or a broader global strategy, these experts ensure your brand values align with the series’ demographics.

Key Benefits of Hiring a Sports Marketing Consultant for Brands

When a firm opts to seek the services of a sports marketing consultant regarding sponsorship, it is not just purchasing consultancy, but they are buying a competitive edge. The advantages of a sports marketing consultant go way beyond a first introduction to a team.

  • Lower Rights Fees: Consultants use proprietary data to know what a “fair market price” actually looks like, often saving brands 15–20% on the initial contract.
  • Asset Optimization: They make sure you receive the correct assets such as the appearances of the driver, digital content rights, and VIP hospitality instead of a sticker on the wing.
  • Risk Minimization: A motorsport brand partnership consultant establishes performance clauses in contracts, which safeguard your brand in the event of a significant decline in performance by a team or a star driver quitting.
  • Activation Excellence: They handle the sponsorship consulting needed to transform a livery into a complete social media and B2B lead-generation machine.

DIY vs. Consultant-Led Motorsport Sponsorship: A Direct Comparison

Decision PointDIY (No Consultant)Consultant-Led Approach
Series selectionBased on personal preference or sales pitchData-driven: audience demographics, category availability, market alignment
Property identificationReactive to inbound approachesProactive: pre-market inventory intelligence across teams, drivers, series
Deal negotiationOne-sided: rights holder’s commercial team leadsBalanced: consultant negotiates in brand’s interest with market rate benchmarks
Contract protectionsGeneric terms category exclusivity, exits, and performance clauses often weakSpecific: performance guarantees, strong exclusivity, clear exit provisions
ROI measurementRetrospective, based on rights holder dataIndependent: third-party measurement from pre-season baseline
Multi-series coordinationFragmented: teams communicate independently with brandCentralised: single consultant manages all relationships and reporting
Renewal preparationReliant on rights holder’s performance reportIndependent: objective data, market benchmarks, commercial outcomes evidence
Risk of “Three-Year Cycle” failureHighSignificantly reduced through continuous performance management
Category exclusivity riskFrequently underprotectedFully assessed and contractually secured

Sources: Sport Dimensions Motorsports Marketing Guide; Forrester CMO Survey 2024; rtrsports.com motorsport sponsorship guides; SponsorUnited F1 Report 2024–2025

8 Reasons To Hire As A Sports Marketing Consultant For Motorsport Sponsorship. All of them are functions that a specialist motorsport brand partnership consultancy manages, and team-side commercial staff cannot or will not take on a brand’s behalf.

1. Independent Series Selection Based on Audience Data

When selecting the series F1, MotoGP, Formula E, WEC, WorldSBK, NASCAR, or IndyCar, validated demographics about the audience must be collected along with competitive category mapping, geographic market analysis, and brand objective alignment. 

This decision is far too often made solely based on personal preference or sales pitches from individual series commercial teams, which are not objective, with neither team providing an objective assessment.

2. Optimization of Property types by Team, Driver and Series

As we’ve seen with the motorsport sponsorship landscape, each type of property presents a unique commercial proposition. A team sponsorship, a driver’s personal deal, and a series partnership do not meet the same objectives at different cost points. A consultant looks at all three in a run and suggests the combination that aligns best with the brand’s objectives, rather than the easiest one to sell.

3. Pre-Deal Intelligence on Inventory:

Top-tier series are the highest quality sponsorship positions and are claimed prior to any sort of open market. There is a dedicated consultant who knows all the category exclusivities in place, which teams are actively looking for partners in specific sectors, and which inventory windows are opening thanks to renewals, team transitions, and driver changes. 

So when starting on a motorsport sponsorship project, it’s hard to know instantly which stakeholders are right, what the decision flow is, and what the right timelines are for each process. Consultants remove this ambiguity.

4. Contract Negotiation Without Conflict of Interest

The motorsport sponsorship contract negotiation process is a challenging and extremely complex one. Negotiating the right definitions of assets, definitions of category exclusivity, performance-linked clauses, activation rights, exit provisions, and IP licensing has to be detailed. A consultant negotiates these terms in the interests of the brand not in the interests of the rights holder who sits on the other side of the table.

5. Activation Framework Planning From Day One

Sponsorship programmes that do not spend an activation budget usually go stale within two to three seasons, no matter the quality of the livery position that is offered. A consultant constructs the activation architecture content calendar, hospitality programme, social media strategy, and B2B pipeline integration before the deal is signed, rather than as an afterthought after the rights fee has been paid. The benchmark for the industry is $2 in activation per $1 spent on sponsorship rights. Brands that turn that ratio around underperform consistently. This balance is enforced by a consultant from the beginning.

6. Independent ROI Measurement From Pre-Season Baseline

Teams cannot determine the impact of sponsorship ROI without pre-season baseline data on brand awareness, consideration and purchase intent of the target audience. Without a baseline data set, created before the very first race of the season, the extent to which the measurement of those statistics changes, however, cannot be attributed to the sponsorship investment. When a racing sponsorship strategy consultant introduces this framework into the engagement from day one, in spite of everything that might happen at a retrospective date if it was not made on year-end.

7. Multi-Series Portfolio Management

Brands with sponsorships with more than one series F1 and MotoGP or WEC and Formula E need to have a centralized point of co-ordination to oversee calendar conflicts, rights negotiations, activation and resource allocation, and cross-series measurement consolidation. And so, without dedicated oversight, that multi-series portfolio is likely to be fragmented and underachieving in terms of potential as a result of multi-series combined assets.

8. Renewal and Renegotiation Leverage

A consultant who has handled the sponsorship from the beginning owns the independent performance data, market rate benchmarks and activation outcome evidence, all of which inform the renewal debate from a perspective based on the objective leverage. However, brands without this documentation continue (or drop out) under the conditions of the rights holder’s own performance reports, which may be structurally biased toward continued renewals at existing rates.

Hiring the Right Motorsport Sponsorship Consultant Determines What Your Investment Delivers

The decision to hire a sports marketing consultant for sponsorship in motorsport is not a cost centre; it is the structural factor that determines whether a significant marketing investment performs as intended.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP, Formula E, WEC, and WorldSBK, the complexity of global motorsport’s commercial environment is real. 

Series selection, property type strategy, contract negotiation, activation planning, and independent ROI measurement are all specialist functions that require specific, current, motorsport-focused expertise.

A specialist motorsport sponsorship consultant who operates independently across all major racing series gives US brands the market intelligence, relationship access, and commercial protection that transforms motorsport from an expensive experiment into a durable competitive advantage.

Ready to enter motorsport with the right guidance? Talk to an independent motorsport sponsorship consultant who works on behalf of global brands across Formula 1, MotoGP, Formula E, WEC, IndyCar, and WorldSBK.

How to Modify a Fiat 124 Spider Without Losing What Makes It Special

Photo by depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/

Few modern roadsters carry as much personality as the Fiat 124 Spider. Its turbocharged MultiAir engine, Italian-influenced design, and lighter-than-expected chassis set it apart from the Mazda MX-5 it shares a platform with. That distinct character is the whole reason people fall for this car. The trick with modifications is simple: sharpen what already works. Done right, every upgrade should make the 124 Spider feel more like itself, not less.

Start With a Clear Vision

It sounds obvious, but sitting down with a plan before ordering parts saves a lot of regret. Some owners care most about handling on twisty backroads. Others want a fuller exhaust note or a cabin that feels less budget-conscious. Knowing the direction early keeps everything cohesive. Random upgrades, no matter how good individually, tend to fight each other when there’s no unifying idea behind them. A well-planned build consistently performs better than a haphazard collection of parts.

Protect the Turbo Character

The 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo is what separates the 124 Spider from its naturally aspirated cousin. It delivers a fatter midrange with usable torque that rewards smooth, deliberate inputs rather than high-revving aggression. A well-matched intake and an upgraded intercooler help reduce heat soak during spirited driving, sharpening throttle response without altering the fundamental power curve. Owners browsing Fiat 124 Spider accessories for sale will find bolt-on options built to work with the factory turbo setup rather than against it. Pairing those pieces with a mild ECU calibration pulls out hidden power while keeping the drivetrain reliable for daily use.

Suspension Upgrades That Respect the Ride

Choose Progressive Over Aggressive

Slamming the car on stiff track-oriented coilovers is tempting, but it misses the point. Fiat deliberately tuned the 124 Spider softer than the MX-5, leaning into grand touring comfort over raw feedback. A moderate lowering spring matched with quality dampers tightens body control and sharpens corner entry. Yet it still leaves enough compliance for longer highway cruises without rattling fillings loose. A drop of 15 to 25 millimeters hits that sweet spot nicely.

Sway Bars Add Balance

A thicker rear sway bar is one of the most transformative single upgrades available. It dials out the factory understeer bias and brings genuine rotation into sweeping corners. Pair that with a proper four-corner alignment, and the car starts communicating through the steering wheel in a way the stock setup only hints at. The grip stays approachable on public roads, which matters.

Exhaust and Sound

Stock, the 124 Spider is quiet enough to pass for a regular commuter. A cat-back system with freer-flowing mufflers opens up the turbo’s natural whistle and adds genuine depth to the exhaust tone. Stainless steel construction holds up well against corrosion over the years. Systems with removable silencer inserts offer the most flexibility: louder on open mountain roads and quieter for early-morning starts through the neighborhood.

Exterior Touches That Complement the Design

Subtle Over Flashy

The 124 Spider’s proportions pay homage to the original 1966 car. Bolting on wide-body kits or oversized rear wings runs entirely against that heritage. A modest front lip, matched side skirts, and a low-profile trunk spoiler add visual sharpness without overwhelming the clean silhouette. Carbon fiber mirror caps or a refined mesh grille insert feel like factory options that simply weren’t offered, which is the goal.

Wheel Selection Matters

Lightweight forged wheels in 16 or 17-inch diameters cut unsprung mass and sharpen steering response almost immediately. Keeping the factory offset close maintains the flush stance Fiat engineered from the start. Bronze, gunmetal, or matte black finishes tend to suit most 124 Spider colors without drawing too much attention away from the body lines.

Interior Refinements

Cabin upgrades don’t need to be dramatic to make a real difference. A short-throw shifter tightens each gear change and adds a satisfying mechanical click. Fresh leather or Alcantara shift boots bring the center console back to life at very little cost. Swapping the factory head unit for a modern receiver improves wireless connectivity and sound quality in one move. The key is making each addition feel integrated, like it belongs there rather than something bolted on as an afterthought.

Conclusion

The most impressive modified 124 Spiders share one thing in common: restraint guided by intention. Every part choice reinforces the car’s turbocharged character, balanced dynamics, and Italian design language rather than pulling away from them. Thoughtful upgrades, clean styling decisions, and a clear vision from the start keep the roadster feeling genuine. The best builds end up looking like the version Fiat would have released if the engineering budget had stretched just a little further.

Are Your New Patient Forms Creating Friction Before Treatment Even Begins?

Photo by depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/

Walking into a dental office for the first time already carries a certain weight. There is the unfamiliarity, maybe some nerves, and then someone hands over a clipboard stacked with paperwork. If those forms are disorganized, repetitive, or hard to follow, the experience sours before anyone picks up a dental instrument. That early frustration sticks with people. Reworking intake documents might sound like a small change, but it directly affects how new patients feel about a practice from the very first minute.

Why Paperwork Problems Start Before the Waiting Room

Too many dental offices still hand out cookie-cutter intake packets that run several pages long. The same address field shows up twice. Insurance details get requested on separate sheets. Patients notice that kind of thing, and it reads as carelessness. Beyond the bad impression, it also bogs down the front desk. 

That is where custom dental new patient forms make a real difference. Forms shaped around a specific practice’s actual workflow cut out the unnecessary clutter. They collect the right information without asking patients to repeat themselves, leaving a noticeably sharper first impression.

Common Friction Points in Dental Intake Forms

  1. Excessive Length

A thick packet of paperwork is intimidating. When patients see ten pages waiting for them, many start skimming or leaving sections empty. That creates holes in the clinical record and more work for staff later. Shorter, purposeful documents encourage people to complete everything properly and keep the front desk on schedule.

  1. Confusing Medical History Sections

Standard health questionnaires tend to cram dozens of conditions into tiny print with little organization. Patients rush through or misread the wording, which leads to incomplete or inaccurate responses. Breaking medical history into clearly labeled categories, written in plain language, helps both the patient and the clinical team catch what matters.

  1. Missing or Buried Consent Language

Consent is a legal necessity, but tucking it deep into a packet means most patients barely glance at it. Placing consent sections in a visible spot, paired with brief plain-language explanations, protects the practice legally while showing patients the respect of transparency.

How Streamlined Forms Improve Office Efficiency

Cutting down on paperwork volume has a ripple effect across daily operations. The front desk spends less time correcting errors or re-entering data. Hygienists and dentists walk into appointments with complete, readable records already in hand. That preparation translates into more productive chair time and fewer interruptions during mid-appointment.

Practices that tighten up their intake process often see check-in times drop by several minutes per patient. Across a full day’s schedule, those saved minutes add up. Over the course of a month, that recovered time can open room for additional appointments and boost revenue without stretching office hours.

Designing Forms That Patients Actually Complete

Keep Questions Relevant

Every single field on an intake sheet should serve a clear clinical or administrative purpose. If a question has no bearing on treatment planning or billing, there is little reason to include it. Running periodic audits of form content helps remove outdated items that no longer merit inclusion.

Use Clear Visual Layout

Generous white space, legible fonts, and logical grouping make a form feel far less overwhelming. People respond better to documents that look thoughtfully organized. A clean layout also reduces errors because patients can locate and complete each field without second-guessing where to place it.

Offer Digital Options

A growing number of patients prefer handling paperwork online before they even arrive. Digital intake tools allow individuals to fill out forms at their own pace, using a familiar device, and from the comfort of their own home. For the office, it means shorter wait times and a head start on preparing records before the patient walks through the door.

The Connection Between Intake Experience and Patient Retention

First impressions carry serious weight in healthcare settings. A clunky, frustrating intake process can push a new patient toward a competing practice, even when the clinical care itself is outstanding. Patient satisfaction data consistently shows that the administrative side of a visit influences loyalty nearly as much as the quality of treatment.

Practices that put thought into their onboarding paperwork send a clear message: they value people’s time. That gesture builds trust early and encourages patients to come back. A polished intake experience also tends to generate positive word-of-mouth referrals, which remain one of the most reliable growth channels for any dental office.

Conclusion

Intake forms sit at the very beginning of the patient relationship, and they carry more influence than most practices give them credit for. Paperwork that feels bloated or confusing creates a negative impression that no amount of excellent clinical care can fully offset. 

Simplifying those documents, building them around real practice needs, and giving patients modern ways to complete them removes friction right at the start. A smoother onboarding process strengthens patient trust, supports long-term retention, and helps the practice run more efficiently every single day.