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Ross Brawn to receive Autosport Gold Medal Award at 2026 Autosport Awards, Honoring a Lifetime Shaping Modern Formula 1

  • Ross Brawn to receive the Autosport Gold Medal, honoring a lifetime shaping modern Formula 1 and its competitive and regulatory foundations
  • Business of Racing nominees revealed, spotlighting innovation, brand partnerships, and world-class promoters driving motorsport’s global growth

London, UK — December 17, 2025 – Multi-Formula 1 championship-winning team boss Ross Brawn will receive the prestigious Autosport Gold Medal at the 2026 Autosport Awards this January, recognizing a lifetime of achievement that has shaped the competitive and cultural fabric of modern Grand Prix racing.

The accolade, introduced in 2021 and previously awarded to Jean Todt, Roger Penske, and Sir Jackie Stewart, celebrates individuals whose service, leadership and innovation leave an enduring legacy for generations of fans and competitors.

Brawn’s influence on Formula 1 spans more than four decades. He engineered Michael Schumacher’s championship success at Benetton and went on to mastermind Ferrari’s dominant era in the early 2000s, forging one of the most successful partnerships the sport has ever seen.

In 2009, his own team, Brawn GP, stunned the world by winning both the F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in its only season, with Jenson Button’s title run becoming one of the most remarkable stories in the sport’s history. Widely regarded as one of the true architects of modern Formula 1, Brawn later played a defining role in shaping the sport’s current regulatory landscape and competitive future.

The Autosport Gold Medal incorporates the Gregor Grant Award, honoring Autosport’s founder and the values that continue to define the sport today. In 2025, the Awards marked a milestone moment by recognizing Bernie Ecclestone with a special 75th Anniversary Trophy, underscoring the legacy awards among motorsport’s most significant distinctions.

Werner Brell, CEO at Motorsport Network, added: “The Autosport Awards are about celebrating the very highest achievers in motorsport. After recognising so many legends over the years, we’re delighted to be able to honor Ross Brawn in January. Ross has been one of the iconic figures of Formula 1 in the last 40 years. Starting out as an engineer he went on to lead the technical department at Benetton and won multiple world titles. His partnership with Michael Schumacher continued at Ferrari, where they dominated the sport in the 2000s. He then won the World Championship with a team in his own name. I can’t think of a more worthy recipient for the Gold Medal. It should be a great night when he receives his medal honored by his peers.”

BUSINESS OF RACING NOMINEES REVEALED

Alongside honoring icons of the sport, Autosport Awards also recognize the broader ecosystem driving motorsport forward — across innovation, commercial leadership, promotion, and fan engagement.

Brand Partnership of the Year

Brand partnerships continue to play a central role in how motorsport teams and series connect with audiences, deliver value, and build long-term brand equity. This year’s nominees reflect partnerships that have gone beyond visibility to drive meaningful engagement and storytelling across the sport.

Nominees: Elemis (Aston Martin), Marriott Bonvoy (Mercedes), Santander (Williams), Shell, IBM (Ferrari), Ford (Red Bull Racing)

Promoter of the Year

From global destination races to heritage events with decades of history, promoters are increasingly responsible for shaping the live motorsport experience. According to the Motorsport Network x Formula 1 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, intent to attend in-person events is rising: 41% of surveyed fans who haven’t attended an F1 fan experience plan to do so in the future.

The 2026 nominees recognize events that delivered strong attendance, commercial success, and continued investment in the fan experience.

Nominees: Miami Grand Prix, Goodwood Festival of Speed, British Grand Prix, Singapore Grand Prix, Las Vegas Grand Prix

Pioneering & Innovation

As motorsport enters a period of rapid change, innovation is increasingly shaping how the sport is raced, regulated, and experienced. This year’s nominees reflect the ideas and initiatives actively redefining motorsport’s next chapter.

Nominees: More than Equal, A2RL, Le Mans Ultimate, Formula E Pit Boost

About Autosport Awards

A Motorsport Network event, the prestigious Autosport Awards are an annual celebration of excellence in motorsport, uniting champions and innovators from across the sport, from Formula 1 to MotoGP, Formula E, IndyCar, NASCAR, World Rally Championship and more. At the heart of the Autosport Awards are the fans, who vote on eight major categories, from Driver of the Year, to Rookie of the Year and Moment of the Year. This year, a new category, Creator of the Year reflects the rise of creator-led storytelling and the expanding influence of fan-driven voices in the sport. Since 2024, the Autosport Awards have been held at the iconic Roundhouse in London, with the 38th edition taking place on January 21, 2026.

About Motorsport Network

Motorsport Network is the world’s largest independent motorsport and automotive media platform, reaching more than 40 million unique users each month and engaging over 15 million followers across its social media channels. Its portfolio includes leading global brands such as Motorsport.com, Autosport, InsideEVs, RideApart, Motor1, and GPOne. Motorsport Network connects fans, brands, and the wider motorsport community, partnering with companies worldwide on sponsorship, advertising, and event collaborations that shape the future of the industry.

LinkedIn – Motorsport Network and Autosport Business
Instagram – Motorsport.com and Autosport
X – Motorsport.com and Autosport
Facebook – Motorsport.com

About Autosport Business Exchange

Launched in 2025, Autosport Business Exchange (ABX) is a global event series that serves as the premier platform for strategic dialogue and networking in the motorsport industry. Following successful editions in London, New York and Monaco, ABX has brought together senior leaders from across the world of racing, featuring headline speakers such as Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, and Apple’s Eddy Cue. The U.S. debut of ABX in New York centred on the theme of The Rise of Racing in America, marking a major milestone for the series. The next edition will take place in London on the morning of January 21, 2026, ahead of the Autosport Awards.

NASCAR’s In Game Economy vs the Largest One: The CS2 Skin Market

Photo by Frank Albrecht on Unsplash

Digital​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ economies might be considered the most influential part of gaming in the modern world. Players don’t just play games; they invest their time, money, and sometimes even their emotions in the virtual world, which in their view represents their identity, skill, and social status. The fact, however, is that not all the in game economies are equal. The difference between the digital ecosystem of NASCAR and the Counter-Strike 2 skin market is so enormous that it is almost like comparing two completely different things if you put them side by side.

While CS2 has created one of the most complex player driven economies in the history of games, NASCAR titles remain heavily reliant on old style monetization methods that offer very little real value beyond a short lived thrill. This contrast is the reason a community/ecosystem becomes great, while another gets stuck in the struggle of evolution.

Ownership​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ vs Access: What Are You Really Buying?

The primary distinction between NACSAR games and CS2 is ownership. In the case of NACSAR games like NASCAR Heat 5 or NASCAR 21 Ignition, normally, players are inclined to purchase downloadable content. These can be car paint schemes, drivers, or expansion packs. You make a single payment, unlock the content, and that is the end of your interaction. There is no resale value, no trading, and no long term ownership. If the game is closed or you leave, the value is gone.

In CS2, skins are more similar to digital assets than just in game cosmetics. The moment you buy a weapon skin, knife, or glove, you have the sole ownership of that item in the Steam ecosystem. The item can be traded, sold, or kept as a long term collectible. Costs change with demand, rarity, and condition; thus, there is a real market in which the value of the item may go up or down over time.

Just this difference alone is the reason why CS2 is leading digital economies while NASCAR is still in a consumption only ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌model.

Market​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Size and Liquidity

CS2 does not just have an economy; it has a global marketplace. In fact, according to Tradeit, daily skin trades on the CS2 market amount to millions of dollars. Several times, rare items are sold for prices close to those of cars, watches, and even real estate deposits. Liquidity is always available, allowing players to buy and sell items in minutes rather than waiting weeks if there is no demand.

On the other hand, NASCAR games have no open market. There is no liquidity because there is nothing to trade. After purchasing content, it becomes a permanent feature of the account. This situation is less than ideal for incentivizing spending; thus, the likes of younger players who have now made it a habit to expect digital purchases to be flexible and retain their value are the most affected.

​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Rarity and Emotional Value

The entire concept of CS2 skins revolves around their scarcity. Some skins drop very infrequently, others are only obtainable from discontinued cases, while others are simply tied to iconic tournaments or player signatures. That is what brings the emotional value to the forefront. Having a rare knife or a vintage skin is a way to show off that you are experienced and have a high status within the community.

The NASCAR digital items do not have that kind of complexity. The majority of paint schemes and cars are simply familiar with no significant rarity levels. Even the limited editions usually come back later in bundled packs, so there is no sense of exclusivity left.

Scarcity is what gives rise to emotional attachment. Emotional attachment is what creates long term ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌value.

Community​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Driven vs Developer Controlled

The CS2 economy is sustainable primarily because it is player driven. Valve only provides the framework, while the community sets the prices. Streamers, pro players, collectors, and casual users are all the faces that drive the demand. A whole content ecosystem has arisen around skin investing, trading strategies, and market analysis.

The NASCAR economy is a single developer controlled system. Prices are fixed, content cycles are predictable, and players have no influence on the value. This top down approach may give a sense of greater safety, but it completely takes away engagement and creativity from the player community. Modern gamers still participate in the process, but they are not willing to be ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌restricted.

Longevity​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ and Trust

Trust is one of the main reasons why players are willing to spend money in CS2 without hesitation. Skins that were bought a decade ago in Counter Strike Global Offensive are still valid in CS2. Such consistency is what makes players sure that their purchases are not fleeting. They dare to invest because the past is a strong indicator that the value will be maintained and carried forward into future versions of the game.

Frequent resets are a staple of NASCAR video games. Each new title typically discards the previous content, forcing players to start from scratch. As a result, there is a sense of uncertainty, and thus the desire to spend money is significantly reduced. What a waste of money to buy digital items that may become outdated in a year’s ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌time?

Monetization​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ vs Investment

NASCAR games are primarily about monetization, while CS2 is mainly about investment. In NASCAR, a player’s outcome remains the same if he buys the visuals twice, once for 1 hour and once for 2 hours maximum. In CS2, however, an expenditure may even be a strategic move. Some players simply enjoy the skins, some trade them actively, and others consider skins as rare digital collectibles for the future.

Such a freedom of choice is a significant factor that attracts a wide range of users, and thus, the money keeps flowing within the ecosystem instead of being spent on one time ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌purchases.

What NASCAR Can Learn

NASCAR does not need to copy CS2 in its entirety, but it can learn important lessons. Introducing tradable cosmetics, limited edition liveries, or community driven marketplaces would instantly modernize its digital economy. Even small steps toward ownership and rarity would dramatically increase engagement.

The audience already understands value driven digital items. CS2 proved that players are willing to spend more when they feel their purchases matter.

Benefits of Efficient Vehicle Emission and Inspection Services

Photo by Daniel Andraski on Pexels

It is necessary to ensure that your car meets your state’s inspection and emissions regulations. To meet these standards, an inspection by a service provider is required, which will take time out of your week. A good provider, such as Bountiful Emissions, will be prompt, professional, and compliant, ensuring that your car’s required testing is done quickly and offers on the spot renewal. This article aims to explain why spending the extra time finding a good service provider is a fantastic idea and what benefits you can expect.

Why Vehicle Emissions Tests Matter

As with many regulations, emission and inspection standards are required for a multitude of reasons, including environmental conservation and safety. Emission inspections ensure that your car isn’t contributing excessive pollutants to the air, whilst also ensuring it operates safely. In many states, these inspections are required before you can renew your car registration and drive on public roadways.

Because inspections are mandatory, finding a service provider that can handle the necessary paperwork quickly and efficiently is invaluable. Any inspection services provider, like Bountiful Emissions, will pride itself on its hassle-free emissions testing, ensuring you get what you need as quickly as possible.

Key Factors of Reliable Vehicle Inspection Services

When choosing a car inspection service provider, keep an eye out for the following:

  1. Speed and Efficiency: Time is extremely valuable. Check the reviews and estimated wait times. Inspections and emissions tests typically take only a few minutes if the reviews indicate you have a good candidate.
  2. Certified Technicians with Accurate Results: Proper certification means that local authorities and your state recognize the results. This ensures that your emissions test and inspection are done correctly the first time.
  3. Additional Services: Oftentimes, leading providers offer DMV registration renewal and sticker services on-site. Meaning you do not need to visit the DMV after your inspection.
  4. Specialized Vehicle Support: Not all roadway cars are the same. Motorcycles and oversized vehicles, such as SUVs, Trucks, and other specialized vehicles, have different state requirements that must be accounted for.

Spotlight on Bountiful Emissions

One provider that stands out is Bountiful Emissions. They’re known for delivering fast, hands-off certified emissions testing. Here is some of what makes them stand out compared to the competition:

  • Oversized Vehicle Emission Testing: Perfect if you own a specialized car that requires a bit more attention.
  • DMV Registration and Sticker Renewal: Making only a SINGLE trip to get your car compliant saves so much time.
  • Certified Testing: They meet state standards and requirements, ensuring your car leaves fully compliant.
  • Rock Chip Repair: They offer additional cosmetic services, such as this, to keep your car looking good and repair minor windshield damage.

By offering the above and more, it’s clear why Bountiful Emissions makes it an easy choice for drivers. Convenience and reliability are invaluable when it comes to car inspection services.

Choosing the Right Emissions and Inspection Provider

There are many other reputable inspection service providers. When choosing where to go, consider the combination of price, speed, and services offered. Whether you’re just renewing a registration or making sure your car remains compliant in the long term, selecting a good provider can make all the difference.

 Ultimately, opting for a service that strikes the perfect balance of speed and reliability will resolve any renewal or compliance issues with your vehicle and get you back on the road as quickly as possible. Shop around, or check out our recommendation, Bountiful Emissions, and get the professional care you deserve.

What Separates Trailers That Last From Ones That Fall Apart

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

Some trailers are still on the road 20 years later. Some are rusted heaps within five years. It’s not luck. It’s not even how much a trailer is used. Instead, it comes down to specific decisions made in the design and construction stages to set trailers up for longevity or potential failure from the get go. By knowing what actually makes trailers durable, it’s easier to build and buy, or determine if that used one is worth the asking price.

Factors that determine longevity aren’t always apparent, and there are many a trailer that looks like a solid piece upon construction but develops major issues shockingly soon after.

Material Quality Shows Over Time

Cheap steel certainly looks the same as quality steel on Day 1. But only after a few years does the difference become apparent. Cheap steel rusts faster, has different load capabilities, fatigues from repeated loading, and stresses weld points with cracks. Additionally, the thinner wall tubing that saves money initially only flexes under load—a lot more—which fatigues frames into failure.

Quality trailers use quality-grade steel at proper thicknesses for proper loads. They may be more expensive upfront, but they maintain rigidity without developing micro-cracks that become catastrophic structural issues. This is one area where you truly get what you pay for; skimp on material choice to save a buck, and it will guarantee problems down the road.

Design Engineering Matters More than Aesthetics

A trailer frame needs design and engineering. It’s not just a bunch of metal welded together in a strong-looking position. Load paths, points of stress, and triangulation for rigid connection—these are all planned for a reason. Trailers constructed without forethought experience frame twist, joint cracking, and downward sag from loads they’re equipped to handle.

Good designs put reinforcement into proper spots versus putting reinforcement everywhere equally. They understand dynamic loading from road use instead of static positioning. When designs come from proven trailer plans, it’s based on field tested and practical application instead of guess work. The difference shows between those that remain straight versus those that rack and twist over time.

Welding Quality Determines Structural Stability

Every trailer is only as good as its weakest weld. This is where a lot of DIY or home shops fail. Structural welds require full penetration through the material with proper fillers, cleansed base metals and acceptable methodology. Tack welds, cold welds, insufficient penetration may hold up while trailers sit still but break apart when they’re subjected to twenty thousand cycles of load/unload vibration.

The issue is that bad welds look fine to the naked eye on the outside; however, they fail under the surface over time. Good welding throughout the trailer makes the difference between those that stay together and those that literally break apart with extensive use.

Corrosion Protection Is Critical

Rust kills more trailers than accidents/wear and tear. Without protection, steel frames rust from the inside out, failing the structure from within long before the outside shows visual signs of wear. By the time rust blossoms on the outisde, catastrophic damage has often set in.

Galvanization presents the best form of protection as it protects it even when the covering is chipped or gouged. Paint looks pretty but when it chips or scratches, there’s nothing but steel underneath to start rusting right away. Quality trailers either use galvanized steel or preventative coating systems that cover vulnerable areas (especially inside boxed areas) where moisture can collect.

Bearing and Axle Quality Affects Everything

Cheap bearings are cheap. Cheap bearings fail catastrophically more often than reliable ones do. Reliable sealed bearing protect wheels from locking into place or coming off at speed. Undersized axles fail under loads they’re rated for, creating alignment issues and busted tires and bent bearings.

This is one thing that you can’t skimp on components, either. Bearings and axles need to be quality condition and properly rated; brakes for safety component reliability need to be respected as well. They may cost more upfront but they help trailers avoid roadside catastrophes or accidents from failed components.

Fastener and Hardware Choices

The bolts, nuts, pins, clips that hold everything together need proper grade and correct installation. Using fasteners from a hardware store for structural applications means loosened bolts, snapped connections, corroded pieces in time. Spring pins holding hitch mechanisms need to be properly sized—not sized because that’s all that fits.

Quality trailers use grade 8 bolts as necessary, nyloc nuts that maintain resilience against vibrations, marine-grade stainless fasteners for non-corrosive properties and proper safety clips for all hitch pins. It’s the little nuances that add up to ensure nothing falls off in transit or becomes loose over time.

Proper Load Distribution Design

Trailers distribute their weight throughout their structure and down to the ground into wheels; therefore, it’s important that trailer designs do not concentrate loads at limited parts, which create stress fractures and failures from excessive pressure at those points. Instead, a proper frame disperses shock absorption along with axles and deck construction.

This goes for tongue weight balance as well; a design that puts proper tongue weight or creates too much or too little tongue weight makes towing dangerous and exerts excessive force or not enough on trailer integrity. Proper distribution matters not just from a towing perspective but how long the structural integrity lasts under repeated use as well.

Maintenance Access and Design

A big signal of weakness is trailers designed without maintenance access. Trailer components left sealed trap water; complicated bearings can’t be serviced without taking everything apart; lights are wired into inaccessible areas for replacements.

Long-lasting trailers have drain holes in boxed areas, accessible bearing hubs, replaceable light assemblies (both color and bulbs), and power lines run in such a way to allow re-evaluation without having to take out any insulated wire pathways. Maintenance-friendly designs allow for longevity over decades instead of areas falling apart because they can’t be adequately maintained.

Real-World Use Consideration

Trailers designed on paper don’t consider real-world use; steep ramps are used; winds push sides; uneven ground exerts side load all the time; overloading occurs with no thought to capacity ratings given based on design.

Durability comes from an awareness that real-world use is tough—impacts, overloads, corrosive environments, poor road conditions abound, never mind abuse by either the trailer owner or other drivers needing to share the road with them. They’re not just built strong enough to handle rated loads in perfect conditions; they’re robust enough to handle what’s actually thrown at them over many years.

Building For Longevity

The difference between why some last and some fall apart comes down to specific decisions made at every step—from material choice to construction process to protection and maintenance considerations—if there’s anywhere along this chain where corners are cut, it’s an automatic fail point for guaranteed failure down the road somewhere. Only by recognizing these tips can builders/buyers understand what goes into a trailer that actually lasts versus one that’s destined to be subpar.

Why Your Old Car is Worth More Than You Think in Cash Deals?

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

An old car is often thought to be worthless, but there is a greater chance than you think that a cash buyer can see its value. Even some non-working vehicles could provide valuable components, recyclable materials, or restoration potential. It’s this hidden value that, at times, makes cash deals unexpectedly lucrative. In this article, we will explore why old cars are worth more than most of us realise and explain why this knowledge can help you when trying to sell one.

Age is Not the Only Factor

Although age is often a factor of worth, it is not the whole of it. Details such as condition, mileage, and maintenance history have the most significant impact on a car’s cash value. Buyers want cars they can drive, not automobiles they feel they have to park in a museum; hence, age is not a deterrent, provided they are still in good shape. An extensive service history makes potential buyers aware that the car has been well-maintained and can be relied upon. Many car owners also turn to cash for cars in Melbourne services to sell their vehicles quickly and conveniently.

Demand for Used Car Parts

Classic cars often retain value based on their original parts. Buyers want certain parts that the manufacturers have stopped making for newer vehicles. Working components are worth a solid amount, and scrap yards and individual mechanics regularly pay top price for those in good working condition. The parts of a vehicle can still be in high demand even if the car no longer runs.

Increasing Scrap Metal Prices

The value of cars going into recycling changes based on metal prices. An old vehicle consists of components such as precious metals like steel, copper, and aluminium. Every recycling centre buys these materials at market rates. In some cases, you can get even more money for an old car if you sell it for scrap than if you resell it to a private buyer.

Classic Appeal and Collectors’ Interest

Some vintage cars are appealing to enthusiasts and collectors. Collectible Pricing: For rare models or those with limited production runs, higher price tags may be warranted. The car may look old, but it may also have historical significance or heritage. Restoration projects are usually sought after by collectors, which can boost your cash offer for your car.

Environmental Incentives

Certain centres provide money for owners to get rid of older, less fuel-efficient Autos off the road. The goal of these programs is to reduce emissions and promote more environmentally friendly forms of transportation. Such initiatives can offer additional financial rewards for those who participate, making the disposal of an old car even more rewarding.

Convenience of Cash Sales

Selling your old car is so simple with cash transactions. Most Buyers pay on the spot, so sellers do not have to wait for checks to clear. These quick exchanges also minimise paperwork and eliminate protracted negotiations. That is doubly useful for those who want to clear space or money quickly.

Avoiding High Repair Costs

Most bridge cars require numerous costly repairs. Sudden expenses are best avoided, especially by owners who sell before major issues arise. One reason is that cash deals offer an alternative to investing in upkeep. It’s a pragmatic decision that enables sellers to move on without worrying about a mechanical failure down the road.

Online Marketplaces Expand Opportunities

Thanks to the growing popularity of online sales platforms, access to potentially interested buyers becomes relatively easy. These platforms connect sellers with buyers seeking specific models or components. As the vehicle ages, increased exposure can drive its cash value higher. The electronic nature of online transactions enables more direct communication and accelerates the selling process.

Environmental Responsibility

Getting rid of an old auto for the metal or parts helps the recycling drive. Properly disposing of hazardous materials prevents them from entering the environment. Sell responsibly so that reusable materials reenter the marketplace safely. In doing so, this solution ties financial incentive to ecological conservation.

Documentation Adds Value

Maintaining clear records enhances a vehicle’s appeal. Receipts, registration, and service history confirm the car’s background and condition. Buyers are willing to pay more for vehicles with transparent histories. Keeping paperwork in order can make a significant difference in cash offers.

Conclusion

An old car often holds more worth than many realise. Factors such as condition, part value, and collector interest can increase its market price. Cash deals present an efficient and rewarding way to part with an aging vehicle. By considering all aspects, sellers can turn an old automobile into a valuable financial opportunity.

Hyett, Delétraz, and Cameron Return as AO by TF Targets Third Straight ELMS Title

ST CHARLES, Ill., (December 16, 2026) – AO by TF will return to the European Le Mans Series in 2026, continuing a highly successful partnership for a third consecutive season. The reigning back-to-back champions will once again contest the full LMP2 Pro-Am campaign with the same driver lineup of PJ Hyett, Louis Delétraz, and Dane Cameron, as the team looks to defend both its Team and Driver Championships with Spike the dragon.

The continuity of the driver lineup will be a key factor in the program’s sustained success. Returning unchanged for 2026, Hyett, Delétraz, and Cameron bring proven chemistry and championship experience as they set their sights on a third consecutive ELMS title for AO by TF.

Across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, AO by TF delivered four race victories and amassed nine podium finishes, showcasing a blend of consistency, execution, and outright pace across Europe’s most demanding endurance circuits.

Their success has carried over to the sport’s biggest stage. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the driver lineup earned an LMP2 Pro-Am podium in 2024, followed by a class victory and an overall LMP2 third-place finish in 2025, underlining the strength of the driver group in both championship and marquee endurance events.

The 2026 European Le Mans Series marks the 23rd season of the championship and will feature a six-race calendar. The campaign begins on April 12 with the 4 Hours of Barcelona and concludes on October 10 with the 4 Hours of Portimão. As in previous seasons, the LMP2 championship winners will earn an automatic entry to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, raising the stakes for another fiercely competitive title fight.

DRIVER QUOTES

PJ Hyett

We’ve had two very successful years with our partnership with TF in the ELMS and we are excited to continue together in 2026. The competition in the LMP2 Pro/Am class is very strong across the field and we are looking forward to PJ, Louis, and Dane racing for a repeat Championship Win.

Dane Cameron

I am very excited to be back with PJ, Louis, and AO by TF for ELMS in 2026. I had a lot of fun working with everyone last year and learning the details of ELMS. I believe we can be even stronger this time around as we try to defend our title.

Louis Deletraz

It’s awesome. I’m super happy to continue with the AO by TF family. We started this journey together two years ago and it made complete sense to continue. This year was so much fun with PJ and Dane. We won the championship, won Le Mans, which was a dream of mine, and now we’re going to try doing it again! 2026 will be a busy season alongside my IMSA commitment with Cadillac Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing, very glad that I’m able to do a double program and keep sharp racing prototypes. I can’t wait to get started!

Todd Treffert – HSR Classic Endurance Championship Presented by Mission Foods 2025 Champion

Todd Treffert and the 901 Shop 1974 No. 41 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR “Baby” Turbo Capture Historic GT Championship

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (December 16, 2025) – It took top HSR driver Todd Treffert nearly a decade to win his first HSR Classic race, but in March’s season-opening HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour presented by Mission Foods, he finally broke through. Then he kept going.

Driving his sharp looking 901 Shop 1974 No. 41 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR “Baby” Turbo, Treffert built on the Sebring win with two more Run Group overall victories to secure a series-leading three outright wins in the year’s four HSR Classic Endurance Championship presented by Mission Foods races.

Securing the Historic GT class title, Treffert also won September’s inaugural HSR Classic Road Atlanta 10 Hour presented by Mission Foods and sealed the deal at the series-ending HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour presented by Mission Foods in November.

“The Mission Classic Endurance series is unique in vintage racing, and I am proud to be one of the inaugural season winners,” Treffert said. “I am happy to have been able to participate in all four Mission Classic Endurance events this year. There was some stiff competition initially at Sebring with Charles Espanlaub in a Porsche and a Toj and some Chevrons. Then at Atlanta we were about to get smoked by the Jim Farley and Jan Magnussen in the Lola, and brothers Theo Bean and Patrick Bean in their Monza, but we made it through for the win.”

The only race Treffert didn’t win overall? That was a close second-place finish in June’s HSR Classic Watkins Glen 6 Hour presented by Mission Foods that still garnered first place points in the Historic GT division.

“At The Glen and up against the more modern machinery was the only race I did not win overall, but it was a lot of fun there and all season to run with such a diverse and unique field of cars and competitors,” Treffert said.

It wasn’t always as easy as it was this season for Treffert. Although he has an endless career streak of HSR race wins and series championships, finally cracking the HSR Classic win column called for an entirely different path.

Treffert, along with Brady Refenning and his 901 Shop team, built a special small displacement 911 Turbo inspired by a short run of three 2.1-liter Turbo RSRs Porsches produced in 1974. The build also continued the legacy of the first Porsche Treffert used to truly dominate in HSR in the previous decade. Treffert and his “Darth Vader” black SpeedConcepts 1974 No. 14 Porsche 911 IROC RSR won just about everything in sight before the car was nearly written off in a heavy incident in 2019’s season-ending race.

“After crashing the black 3-liter car at Sebring in 2019, we pretty much wrote off the tub, but the more Brady and I talked about it, and when I remembered I had an original injection pump that would work with a 2.1 turbo motor, we decided to try and make it work. While I want to recognize the whole 901 shop crew for all they do for me with all of my cars, Chris Prince and Brady deserve special recognition for their effort with the turbo car.”

After a season of development and a few expected new car teething issues, Treffert and the reincarnated Porsche returned to their days of domination in this year’s HSR Classic Endurance Championship presented by Mission Foods.

The 2026 HSR racing season starts right back at Sebring International Raceway this February 12- 15 with the HSR Sebring Pistons and Props presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network. The popular Pistons & Props event makes a race date swap next year with the HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour presented by Mission Foods, which returns to its traditional December date after one year running this past March the weekend before the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race.

About HSR: An International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the racing cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.c

BY THE NUMBERS: FOOD CITY SPEEDWAY IN LIGHTS AT BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Dec. 16, 2025) – One of the most magical family traditions in the Appalachian Highlands illuminates in its 29th season tonight, as the spectacular Food City Speedway In Lights powered by TVA continues to spread holiday cheer to children in need throughout the 18-county region in both Southwestern Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, surrounding the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway.

Long hailed as a premier holiday destination, the Food City Speedway in Lights powered by TVA is comprised of a dazzling holiday light show that sparkles with a wide variety of joyful displays that winds throughout the Speedway’s sprawling campus. The light show is open from 6-10 p.m. nightly.

Here’s a look at this year’s Food City Speedway In Lights, by the numbers:

22,000,000 – Since starting the Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities in 1996 and the start of the Food City Speedway In Lights in 1997, the SCC-Bristol chapter has raised over $22 million through its variety of annual charity events, with the biggest continuing to be the Food City Speedway In Lights. The money has been distributed annually to more than 90 child-based agencies throughout the 18 counties and communities in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia that surround the Bristol Motor Speedway.

4,000,000 – Add them all up and this is the total number of holiday lights spread across the sprawling Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway campus that illuminates the route for the Food City Speedway In Lights.

300,000 – The popular Hardee’s Restaurants Symphony in Lights, is located in the Darrell Waltrip Grandstand on the south end of the track. All the lights flicker and flash to the sounds and beats of your holiday favorite music.

35,000 – The average number of marshmallows roasted over the open fire in the popular Christmas Village per season during the Food City Speedway In Lights. The record number of marshmallows for a single year was 52,555 in 2001, and the most roasted and consumed in a single night was 2,805, also in 2001.

2,341 – The record for a single night of Food City Speedway In Lights guests, set in 2014, two nights before Christmas Eve.

1,225 – Record for a single night of Santa visits in the Barter Theatre Santa Hut during Food City Speedway In Lights, set in 2015.

300 – The tradition-rich Food City Speedway In Lights showcases an abundance of festive displays throughout the five-plus mile route. Some of the favorites include: The Twelve Days of Christmas, Ripley’s Sea of Illumination, TruShine CarWash, NASCAR Pit Stop, Dinosaur Land, the beautiful Candelabra, Drag Cars, Victorian Village, Snowman Maker, the Nativity Scene presented by Visit My Smokies and Toy Land.

150 – The Food City Speedway in Lights utilizes energy-efficient LED lighting for its roadway lighting and massive displays. The total amount of wiring used to connect all of those lights is approximately 150 miles of wiring, which would stretch from Bristol Motor Speedway well past Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

60 – The total number of BMS employees who participated in two “Bulb Days” to assist with hanging the lights all around the Bristol Motor Speedway/Dragway property. During the two days all BMS employees spend the full day helping hang Christmas lights and get the facility ready for the spectacular showcase of lights. The hard-working BMS Operations Team gets the credit for hanging the majority of the lights and is a project that they begin working on in early September.

44 – From opening night on Friday, Nov. 21 until the final day, Saturday, Jan. 3, the Food City Speedway In Lights is open for a grand total of 44 nights in parts of three months, from 6-10 p.m. each night.

29 – What SCC-Bristol Executive Director Claudia Byrd called a “little light show” way back during the inaugural year in 1997, has blossomed into an amazing tradition for many families who continue to make a visit to Food City Speedway In Lights a part of their annual holiday plans year after year. This season the brilliantly illuminated wonderland of lights celebrates its 29th anniversary.

22 – Five years into the Food City Speedway In Lights the team at SCC-Bristol decided to add an ice-skating rink in 2002 that continues today to be a popular highlight of the winter events program. Located at BMS Entrance 1 by the It’s Bristol Baby monument, the Tri-Cities Airport Ice Rink at Bristol Motor Speedway presented by Stateline Services is open thru Jan. 11. The rink provides a ton of fun for the entire family and certainly brings plenty of joy to many local ice-skating enthusiasts. Hours of operation vary from day to day, and the rink is closed on a few Mondays, so please review the schedule on the BMS website in advance.

14 – There are 14 vendors set up in the Appalachian-themed Christmas Village presented by HSN that offer a wide range of arts and crafts, souvenirs and yummy goodies. Some of the top items include handmade signs, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, candles, funnel cakes, fried desserts, hamburgers, pizza, kettle corn and homemade hot chocolate.

12 – There are a dozen corporate partners of Food City Speedway In Lights that have custom displays including ETSU, Ballad Health, Hardee’s Restaurants, HSN, King University, Southeast Industrial Construction, Barter Theatre, Beech Mountain Resort, Tri Cities Airport, Trushine Car Wash, Wendy’s and the Bristol Herald-Courier.

7 – Some special upcoming dates for the Food City Speedway In Lights to circle on your calendar is when the Fast Lane presented by Tele-Optics will be available. The speedy option costs $75 per car and provides a much shorter wait time for guests on the busiest nights. Reservations are recommended for this option via the online system. Dates for the Fast Lane presented by Tele-Optics are Dec. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26 and 27. Guests are encouraged to book their Fast Lane tickets in advance on the BMS website.

6 – In addition to visiting with Santa inside the Christmas Village in the Barter Theatre Santa Hut, kids will also have the chance to enjoy some thrills on some great amusement rides. This year there are six rides available, including the Giant Carousel, Renegade Pirate Ship, Scooters Bumper Cars, Pepper Patch, Eastman Credit Union Mega Slide, and the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. Individual ride tickets are sold separately inside the Village.

5.35 – Distance in miles, the total route for the Food City Speedway In Lights around the Bristol Motor Speedway/Dragway property.

3 – There are several fun photo stations for guests to take advantage of as they visit the Christmas Village presented by HSN; A beautiful Christmas Sleigh in front of a trio of Christmas Trees is one of the centerpiece shots; the waiting room for the Barter Theatre Santa hut was designed by HSN and looks like a warmly decorated living room in a house in the countryside; and finally, the huge Giant green Christmas Tree that sits in the middle of the village is another of the preferred shots. Guests are encouraged to share their images through their social media pages and please tags #SpeedwayInLights and #ItsBristolBaby.

2 – A tour of the Food City Speedway In Lights grants you the opportunity to take your personal vehicle on two of the most storied motorsports venues in the United States, the iconic all-concrete high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway, where so much NASCAR history has been made, and on both return roads of the historic Bristol Dragway, better known as Thunder Valley, where the stars of NHRA Championship Drag Racing have made some of their most memorable performances.

The Food City Speedway in Lights will once again feature dynamic pricing for 2025-26, where depending on the night of the week and time of the visit, prices for cars will range between $25-35. Guests are encouraged to check the Food City Speedway In Lights webpage for specific pricing for each night. Visitors should also be on the lookout for several coupons and discounts available Sunday-Thursdays. For larger groups, vans are $60 and buses are $150. For more information about the Food City Speedway In Lights powered by TVA, please visit the BMS website. For information about the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, visit speedwaycharities.org/bristol.

Chandler Smith Returns to Front Row Motorsports for 2026 Season

Smith to Continue Driving the No. 38 Ford F-150 in NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (December 16, 2025) – Following a strong season in his first year at Front Row Motorsports driving the No. 38 Ford F-150, Chandler Smith is now set to return to the organization for the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season.

Expanding to a two-truck team operation at the end of the 2024 season, Front Row Motorsports tapped Smith to take the reins of the No. 38 Ford F-150 for the 2025 Truck Series season. Smith went on to win two races, dominating at Bristol in the Spring and capturing a statement victory at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. Over the course of the season, he earned five top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.

“It’s incredible what this group accomplished in just one season,” said Smith. “When I came to Front Row on such short notice, no one expected us to make a playoff run — but this team never backed down. The work, the belief, and the effort they put in made all the difference. I’m excited for what’s ahead and confident in what we can achieve together.”

Jon Leonard will return to Front Row Motorsports to call the shots for Smith and the No. 38 team. This will be Leonard’s sixth year in the Truck Series and sixth year as a Truck Series crew chief.

“I’m looking forward to working with Chandler (Smith) again,” said Leonard. “We have a mutual trust for each other; we just click. He knows what he needs out of the truck to be better and he communicates that well. That level of clarity makes my job easier, and together I think we can build something strong right out of the gate.”

Smith and the No. 38 team will now shift their focus to the Fresh From Florida 250 at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, an event that FRM has won two times in 2022 and 2023.

Announcements regarding the partner lineup for the No. 38 Ford F-150 will come at a later date.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Three-Day Schedule Announced for 2026 Brickyard Weekend

Friday Tickets On Sale Now

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025) – Fans once again can enjoy three days of on-track action when the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Brickyard Weekend on July 24-26, 2026.

The Brickyard Weekend race lineup will include the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250 on Saturday, July 25 and the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 presented by PPG on Sunday, July 26. The full practice and qualifying schedule, including for Friday, July 24, will be shared at a later date.

“Tickets for all 2025 marquee events at IMS went on sale a few weeks ago, and fans can now add Friday of Brickyard Weekend to their plans,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “If you’re looking for a last-minute holiday gift or stocking stuffer, these tickets are a great way to celebrate with friends and family at the Racing Capital of the World.”

Tickets for Friday’s practice sessions are $15. Tickets for Saturday start at $35, with Sunday tickets for the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG starting at $40. Kids 15 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a General Admission or Flex Admission adult ticketholder.

Fans who already renewed their tickets to Saturday’s Pennzoil 250 or Sunday’s Brickyard 400 presented by PPG will have complimentary Friday General Admission Tickets added to their IMS accounts.

If fans purchased three-day camping for the weekend, those purchases will be extended to four-day camping. IMS accounts will reflect these changes.

Visit IMS.com for ticket information for Brickyard Weekend on July 24-26.