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2026 Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Preview: Bristol Motor Speedway I

By
Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE PREVIEW: BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Event: Tennessee Army National Guard 250 (250 laps / 133.25 miles)
Round: 6 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: Bristol Motor Speedway
Location: Bristol, TN
Date & Time: Friday, April 10 | 7:30 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | NASCAR Racing Network (NRN) | SiriusXM Ch. 90

Team Stats & Notes

  • Niece Motorsports Bristol Stats:

NCTS Starts: 34; Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 6; Best Finish: 3rd (Ross Chastain, 2019).

  • Cup Ringers: Friday’s Tennessee Army National Guard 250 will mark the first time that Niece Motorsports has entered two Cup Series regulars in the same race. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. takes the wheel of the team’s No. 4 Chevrolet, along with Ross Chastain who steps back into the No. 45.

No. 4 Comprehensive Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett

  • Welcome Back, Ricky: NASCAR Cup Series veteran Ricky Stenhouse Jr. returns to Niece Motorsports to drive the No. 4 Comprehensive Logistics Chevrolet Silverado this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Stenhouse Jr. drove the No. 45 Chevrolet in the first two NCTS races of his career at the start of the season, nabbing two top-10 finishes with a best result of sixth-place at Daytona International Speedway.
  • Stenhouse Jr.’s Bristol Stats:

NCS Starts: 23; Top-Fives: 4; Top-10s: 7; Best Finish: 2nd (twice – 2014 & 2016).

NOAPS Starts: 6; Poles: 1 (2011); Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 2; Best Finish: 2nd (2012).

  • Shiplett’s Bristol Stats:

NCS Starts: 9; Top-10s: 1; Best Finish: 8th (2022).

NOAPS Starts: 13; Poles: 2 (Kyle Larson, 2017 & Cole Custer, 2019); Wins: 2 (Kasey Kahne, 2007 & Kyle Larson, 2018); Top-Fives: 7; Top-10s: 8.

NCTS Starts: 5; Best Finish: 13th (2024).

  • On the Truck: Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 4 Chevrolet is supported by Comprehensive Logistics. The company is an industry leader in warehouse logistics and I2M solutions.
  • Recapping Rockingham: Connor Hall and the Comprehensive Logistics team pressed on and learned a lot together at Rockingham. Hall, who made his second-career NCTS start, qualified 27th for the 200-lap event. In the beginning of the race, he noted that the balance was very free, which prompted the No. 4 crew to make heavy adjustments. As the race continued, Hall began to slowly chip away at it and pick up speed. Towards the end of the event, Hall ran lap times similar to those of the leaders, despite being a couple of laps down. He brought the truck home cleanly in 20th-place.
  • Quoting Stenhouse Jr.: You had two good runs to start the year, but why did you want to add more Truck Series races on your schedule?

“I’m really just looking forward to making more laps at Bristol. It’s my favorite racetrack that we go to, period, so any time I can make more laps around there is really enjoyable. I normally go into the grandstands to watch the truck race, so it’ll be nice to actually be able to be in one of the trucks this weekend. I’ve had two good results so far with Niece Motorsports at Daytona and Atlanta, but Bristol is a totally different animal than either of those racetracks.

Watching the team’s speed over the last handful of races since I’ve been in the truck has me encouraged to go there and have a good showing. It’ll be my first time working with Mike Shiplett, and I got to spend some time with him and the No. 4 guys when I went to the shop. I’m looking forward to getting in our Comprehensive Logistics Chevy and seeing where we shake out. I’ve had a lot of second place finishes at Bristol, but have never gotten a win, so that’s on my bucket list. I hope we get a chance to do that on Friday night.”

About Comprehensive Logistics: Comprehensive Logistics (CLI) is a full-service inbound-to-manufacturing logistics partner specializing in high-volume, high-velocity, and highly complex operations, including warehouse management, value-added services, sequencing, transportation, and sub-assembly manufacturing. By integrating advanced technology, data-driven insights, and process engineering with experienced teams, CLI delivers high-precision, reliable logistics solutions tailored to evolving customer needs. For more information, please visit complog.com.

No. 42 Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Tyler Reif | Crew Chief: Landon Polinski

  • Reif Returns: Henderson, Nevada’s Tyler Reif returns to the seat of Niece Motorsports’ No. 42 Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado for his third start of the year at Bristol Motor Speedway. In his most recent outing at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, Reif earned his best finish of the year in 16th-place.
  • Reif’s Bristol Stats:

ARCA & ARCA East Starts: 2; Top-10s: 2; Best Finish: 6th (twice – 2024 & 2025).

  • Polinski’s Bristol Stats:

NCTS Starts: 1; Best Finish: 16th (2025).

  • On the Truck: Reif’s No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from AutoVentive and Precision Vehicle Logistics.
  • Recapping Rockingham: Parker Eatmon and the Vetted Ventures team gave it their all in their first race together at Rockingham. Eatmon was impressive in his first time in qualifying trim, and started eighth in his debut. The rookie held his own in the first stage, and nabbed three bonus points in the process. As the run continued, however, he slowly began to lose track position. After getting caught with an untimely caution after a green flag pit stop, Eatmon lost a couple of laps towards the end of the race. His No. 42 Chevrolet crossed the line in 26th-place.
  • Owner Points Outlook: Niece Motorsports’ No. 42 team dropped four positions in the points standings following Parker Eatmon’s 26th-place finish at Rockingham. Now situated in 21st, the team is eight points behind TRICON Garage’s No. 15 team in 20th and three points ahead of Niece Motorsports’ No. 44 team in 22nd. They are currently 44 points below the Chase cutline heading into the sixth race of the year.
  • Quoting Reif: You’ve had some success here in the ARCA races that you’ve ran, so what do you expect for your first Truck Series start here on Friday?

“Obviously, I think my expectations are pretty high, and I want to have our AutoVentive / Precision Chevy run up front all race. But at the same time, with this just being my third race of the year, I want to finish all the laps and hopefully come home with a top-10 and a clean truck. We are looking to have a good day and make something to build on for the fall race. I think we should have some speed this weekend; Bristol is a track that I love, and it’s a track where our Niece Motorsports team has had success at before.”

About AutoVentive: AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.

About Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

No. 44 Telcel Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Andres Perez de Lara | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

  • Pérez de Lara’s Bristol Stats:

NCTS Starts: 2; Top-10s: 1; Best Finish: 8th (2025).

ARCA & ARCA East Starts: 3; Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 3; Best Finish: 3rd (2023).

  • Rogers’ Bristol Stats:

NOAPS Starts: 6; Top-Fives: 3; Top-10s: 3; Best Finish: 3rd (twice in 2002).

NCTS Starts: 1; Best Finish: 20th (2025).

  • On the Truck: Pérez de Lara’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Telcel, a Mexican telecommunications giant, along with associate partners, Claro and Infinitum.
  • Recapping Rockingham: Andrés Pérez de Lara and the Precision Vehicle Logistics De Mexico team fought an uphill battle in Rockingham. After starting in 12th-place, Pérez de Lara was just getting settled in at the start when he broke loose and made contact with the outside wall. The No. 44 was forced to pit under green on multiple occasions and lost several laps in the process. Though the team was able to finish the race, they did not secure the result they had hoped for. The sophomore driver was credited with a 32nd-place finish.
  • Sitting Sideways: Before heading to Bristol, Pérez de Lara will step out of his comfort zone and compete in a micro sprint car race Wednesday night at the Millbridge Speedway.
  • Driver Points Outlook: Pérez de Lara’s misfortunes in Rockingham plummeted his position by six places in the points standings, now down to 15th. Heading into Bristol, Pérez de Lara is now 11 points behind Tanner Gray in 14th, and is tied with Cole Butcher in 16th. Pérez de Lara is 19 points below current Chase cutline driver, Justin Haley.
  • Quoting Pérez de Lara: It’s been a tough past couple of races, but do you feel like you could turn things around this weekend in Bristol?

“Of course, I feel like our circumstances haven’t been good this past couple of weeks, but we’re ready to rebound in Bristol. I feel like it’s a good track to do it, but there’s a strong field this weekend, so we have to be on it. Bristol is a track that I feel confident at, and the team usually brings really good speed at, so it’s a good combination for us. We are ready to go and just have to have a mistake-free day with our Telcel Chevy.”

About Telcel: Telcel is Mexico’s leading telecommunications company, providing nationwide coverage, cutting-edge mobile connectivity, and high-speed internet services to millions of users. With over 30 years of experience, Telcel continues to innovate in digital communication, offering solutions that keep people connected anytime, anywhere.

No. 45 J.F. Electric Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ross Chastain | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

  • Welcome Back, Ross: NASCAR Cup Series veteran Ross Chastain returns to Niece Motorsports’ No. 45 J.F. Electric Chevrolet Silverado for his second start of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway. In his first start of the year at Darlington Raceway, Chastain narrowly missed out on a trip to victory lane in a thrilling finish.
  • Chastain’s Bristol Stats:

NCS Starts: 11; Top-10s: 3; Best Finish: 6th (2022).

NOAPS Starts: 11; Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 2; Best Finish: 2nd (2020).

NCTS Starts: 5; Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 3; Best Finish: 2nd (2012 & 2019).

  • Gould’s Bristol Stats:

NOAPS Starts: 12; Top-10s: 3; Best Finish: 9th (2013).

NCTS Starts: 9; Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 5; Best Finish: 3rd (2019).

  • On the Truck: Chastain’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from J.F. Electric and Utilitra.
  • Recapping Rockingham: Landen Lewis and the J.F. Electric team ran consistently throughout the race in Rockingham despite a handful of setbacks. Lewis qualified inside the top-10 to start the day, and gained an extra point in stage one. After a slight mistake on pit road, the No. 45 slid back a tad in the second run. Mired back in the field with a blistering pace, Lewis lost a lap in the final stage. Just after becoming eligible to take the wave around, however, the right-front tire went flat and forced him to pit. The rookie had to settle for a hard-earned 14th-place finish.
  • Owner Points Outlook: Niece Motorsports’ No. 45 team lost one position in the points standings following Landen Lewis’ 14th-place finish, but they made ground on the leader. Now sitting third overall, the team is only four points behind TRICON Garage’s No. 11 team in second and five points behind their No. 1 team in first. They have a one-point gap over Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet in fourth, and a 44-point lead over TRICON’s No. 5 team at the cutline.
  • Quoting Chastain: With the rule changes that NASCAR made to the Truck Series bodies over the offseason, how much different is your truck going to drive on a short track?

“It shouldn’t be as big of a difference for us here. You’re going slower in general, but I really don’t know. I haven’t been in a truck on a short track in so many months, and the last track I raced it on was IRP, which is drastically different than Bristol. With all the banking that we have here, we are carrying so much speed and air matters. I think we learned some helpful stuff at Darlington which might carry over to this weekend, so I’m looking forward to seeing what we’ve got on Friday with our J.F. Electric Chevy.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team that has competed in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2016. The team is owned by Josh Morris of DQS Solutions and Staffing and the Fowler Family of J.F. Electric and Utilitra, and was founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a full-service race vehicle build shop as well as a customizable fabrication shop for any manufacturing needs.

Follow the Team: To keep up to date with the latest team news, visit niecemotorsports.com or connect on Facebook and Instagram (@NieceMotorsports) as well as X (@NieceMotorsport).

Young’s Motorsports Bristol Motor Speedway Spring NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Team Preview

By
Official Release
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Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway | Suburban Propane 300

Fast Facts

No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Ryan Ellis
Primary Partner(s): Demco Products
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Eddie Troconis
2026 Driver Points Position: 28th
2026 Owner Points Position: 33rd
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

● Year Three, Driven Forward: In November 2025, Ryan Ellis was announced as Young’s Motorsports’ full-time driver in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series as the organization enters its third season of competition.

In a significant step for 2026, Young’s Motorsports will transition its flagship No. 02 — long synonymous with the organization’s success in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series — to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series full-time, underscoring the team’s continued growth at the national level.

Ellis will pilot the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro across the full 33-race schedule, continuing with Saturday night’s Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and culminating with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway in November.

● About Ryan: A respected veteran in the NASCAR garage, Ellis joins Young’s Motorsports with more than a decade of experience across NASCAR’s national ranks, including competition in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

The 2026 season will mark Ellis’ fourth full-time campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

The 35-year-old Virginia native is coming off his first career NASCAR top-10 finish in 2025 and looks to build on that momentum while continuing to expand his résumé, which includes 172 career starts in series competition.

Known for his consistency, professionalism, and versatility both behind the wheel and in the garage, Ellis aims to apply his experience to elevate Young’s Motorsports’ competitive presence in its third season of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

● All-Aboard!: For the ninth of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Demco Products as the primary partner on the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday night’s 300-lap event.

Demco’s history begins with Robert Dethmers, who started as a blacksmith and later ran an Allis Chalmers dealership with his father. In 1958, he sold the business and shifted to building agricultural equipment.

By 1964, he founded Dethmers Manufacturing Company (Demco). After his passing in 1974, Jim Koerselman and Ken Mulder took over ownership.

In the 1980s, during the Farm Crisis, Demco diversified by creating the Kar Kaddy, which saved the company.

Over the years, Demco expanded further by acquiring companies like Maurer Manufacturing and adding new products, including 5th-wheel hitches and braking systems.

Today, Demco remains family-owned and is led by Bob Koerselman, Kevin Ten Haken and James Koerselman.

They continue to uphold the company’s values, focusing on innovation, relationships, and community. Demco recently renovated its original location in Boyden to include a Heritage Center that showcases its 60-year history and a training facility called DEPOT.

● Ryan Ellis O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Bristol Motor Speedway Stats: Saturday night’s thrill ride under the lights marks Ellis’s eighth O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at The Last Great Colosseum.

In his previous seven outings in Thunder Valley, Ellis finished a track-best 18th after starting 22nd in the fall 2023 edition of the Food City 300, driving for Alpha Prime Racing.

Overall, he holds an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series average finish of 27.0 at the famed World’s Fastest Half Mile concrete short track.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, April 12, for the next race of the 2026 season at Bristol Motor Speedway.

As part of a tripleheader weekend at the iconic Tennessee venue, the action begins Friday night with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Bristol before continuing Saturday with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The weekend concludes on Sunday with the Food City 500 on April 12.

The 0.533-mile high-banked concrete oval of Bristol Motor Speedway presents one of the most intense challenges on the schedule, demanding precision, patience and aggression as drivers navigate tight quarters and heavy traffic on the lightning-fast half-mile.

With its steep banking, close-quarters racing and reputation for high tempers and thrilling finishes, Bristol Motor Speedway offers no shortage of intensity as teams fight for track position while managing tire wear and avoiding trouble.

Ryan Ellis and Young’s Motorsports look to capitalize at Bristol as the No. 02 team continues its push through the 2026 campaign.

With one of NASCAR’s most electrifying venues on deck, the weekend provides another opportunity for Ellis to strengthen his position in the championship standings and showcase the organization’s continued growth at the national level.

● Ryan Ellis NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Bristol, Ellis has 172 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races to his credit, earning a career-best sixth-place finish after starting 32nd in the 2026 edition of the United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for Young’s Motorsports.

Since his 2012 debut, Ellis has averaged a 26.5 finish in series competition, including the past three seasons running full-time.

● Rockingham (N.C.) Motor Speedway | North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Race Recap: The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series made its traditional Easter weekend stop in the heart of North Carolina at the famed Rockingham Speedway for last Saturday afternoon’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250.

After qualifying for the previous race on speed in the 32nd position, Ryan Ellis made steady gains throughout the event despite battling the handling of his No. 02 Tablo TV Chevrolet.

At the end of Stage 1, Young’s Motorsports went to work to combat a loose-handling race car, hoping the adjustment would allow Ellis to surge forward.

Steady progress throughout Stage 2 and Stage 3 allowed the popular driver to methodically work his way through the field and survive a long green-flag run to earn a hard-fought 22nd-place finish — his best result since the second

race of the season at EchoPark Speedway, where he also finished 22nd.

Now, the team looks to carry that momentum into Bristol, where the tight confines and high banking present a vastly different challenge from the

abrasive surface at Rockingham.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Ellis as crew chief of the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief, engineer and industry veteran Eddie Troconis.

On Saturday night, he will be the crew chief in his 30th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 29 races, he has two top-10 finishes, most recently in the 2026 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

The season’s ninth race will serve as his first event atop the pit box at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, although he has six starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Bristol, which have produced one top-five and two top-10 finishes.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Bristol Motor Speedway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ fourth and fifth starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Bristol Motor Speedway.

In the organization’s previous races, the team earned a track-best 15th-place finish during last spring’s edition of the SciAps 300, with series veteran Anthony Alfredo behind the wheel.

In Bristol, the organization’s previous starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series have produced an average starting position of 29.0 and an average finish of 22.7.

Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts, the team has also made 27 starts at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2012, with an average finish of 25.4

That stretch is highlighted by the organization’s best track Truck Series finish of 14th, earned by Tanner Thorson in the series’ 16th race of the 2018 Truck Series season.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 82 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.1 and an average finish of 24.2.

● Follow on Social Media: 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).

Ryan Ellis Quoteboard:

On Bristol Motor Speedway: “Bristol is one of those places every driver looks forward to. It’s intense, it’s fast and there’s really no room for error, so you have to stay focused every lap.

“It’s all about putting yourself in the right spot at the right time — being aggressive but smart — because things happen quickly there.

“We’re building some momentum right now, and if we can keep our No. 02 Demco Products Chevrolet clean, stay on the lead lap and be there at the end, I feel like we can put together a strong run this weekend.”

On Keys to Success at Bristol Motor Speedway: “The biggest thing at Bristol is just staying out of trouble and keeping your track position.

“Everything happens so fast there, and you’re in traffic almost the entire race, so you have to be really disciplined and hit your marks every lap.

“It’s about being aggressive when you need to be, but also patient enough to take care of your equipment.

“If we can keep our No. 02 Demco Products Chevrolet clean, stay on the lead lap and execute on pit road, I think we’ll put ourselves in a good spot at the end.”

On Night Racing at Bristol Motor Speedway: “Night racing at Bristol is just on another level. The track takes on a whole different feel once the sun goes down — it gets faster, the grip changes and everything seems to happen even quicker.

“The atmosphere is incredible with the fans, and it really amps up the intensity inside the car.

“You’ve got to be locked in from start to finish, because one small mistake under the lights can cost you a lot. It’s one of the coolest experiences we get all year.”

On Rockingham Speedway Finish: “Rockingham is just a tough place all around, and we fought a loose condition for a good part of the race, but I’m really proud of the effort from everyone at Young’s Motorsports.

“We kept working on it, made adjustments and were able to make steady gains throughout the race.

“To come away with a 22nd-place finish after where we started and how the car felt early on says a lot about this team. It may not look like much on paper, but it’s something we can build on moving forward.”

On 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Goals: “Our goal for 2026 and beyond is still the same — continue to improve every weekend and build something sustainable together.

“We know the start of the season hasn’t gone exactly how we’ve wanted, but Rockingham was a good step in the right direction. There’s been a lot of effort behind the scenes and more speed in the car than the results have shown, and I think we’re starting to see that come together.

“Young’s Motorsports is putting in the work to take that next step, and I want to be a part of that. If we stay focused, clean up the little things and execute, the results will come.

“It’s about progress, chemistry and continuing to move forward.”

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Logan Bearden

Primary Partner(s): T3 Vodka

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

2026 Driver Points Position: N/A

2026 Owner Points Position: 29th

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

● Year Three, Driven Forward: Young’s Motorsports continues its campaign in the newly rebranded NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, aiming to make an immediate impact with its second full-time entry, continuing this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Super Late Model veteran Logan Bearden returns to the organization, but this time for his first stint in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and will pilot the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the ninth of 33 races on the 2026 schedule.

● About Logan: Logan Bearden, 30, began racing go-karts at the age of nine before quickly progressing through Bandoleros and Legends Cars on short tracks across his home state of Texas.

A native of Leander, Texas, Bearden has built a strong reputation in Late Model competition nationwide, earning wins and top finishes along the way.

Over the past decade, Bearden has competed against some of the top names in short-track racing, developing a résumé that includes Super Late Model and Pro Late Model starts across the Southeast and Midwest, as well as select appearances in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In 2022, Bearden made his Truck Series debut at Circuit of The Americas, delivering a respectable top-25 finish on his home turf. Since then, he has continued to balance his Late Model commitments while pursuing opportunities in NASCAR’s national ranks.

This weekend, Bearden looks to make the most of his return to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Young’s Motorsports, bringing his veteran Late Model experience and patient, disciplined driving style to the team’s No. 42 Chevrolet for the Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

When not behind the wheel of a race car, Bearden works as a general mechanic for SS-GreenLight Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

● All-Aboard! For the ninth of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes new team partner T3 Vodka as the primary partner on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 300-lap race on Saturday night.

Founded in 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee, T3 Vodka is a premium spirits brand rooted in local pride and community connection.

The company is expanding distribution through its agreement with Empire Distributors, beginning in Knoxville and Chattanooga before continuing into Nashville and Memphis throughout 2026.

As the Official Vodka of Bristol Motor Speedway, T3 Vodka maintains a year-round presence at one of NASCAR’s most iconic venues, while continuing to grow its retail footprint across Tennessee.

● He’ll Be Back for More: Earlier this week, Young’s Motorsports announced that Logan Bearden will compete in a minimum of three NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races with the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization this season.

T3 Vodka will be featured prominently on Bearden’s Chevrolet in the April 11 Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, the May 30 Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway and the Sept. 18 Food City 300 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The partnership builds on the relationship formed during the 2025 season, with T3 Vodka increasing its commitment in 2026 as both the brand and Bearden continue to gain momentum.

● Stateside to Spain Across the Atlantic: Following the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday night, Logan Bearden will return to Mooresville, North Carolina, where he will spend less than 48 hours at home before heading to the airport to fly to Spain, as the Texan is competing full-time in the NASCAR Euro Series this season in the V8 GP division, driving the No. 30 O2 daisy Ford Mustang for Rette Jones Racing by Hendriks Motorsport.

Carrying momentum from Bristol, Bearden will quickly shift focus to his international campaign as the first race of the season kicks off at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, from April 18 to April 19, 2026.

● Logan Bearden O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Bristol Motor Speedway Stats: Saturday night’s thrill ride under the lights marks Logan Bearden’s third NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Bristol Motor Speedway, also known as “The Last Great Colosseum.”

In his previous two outings in Thunder Valley, Bearden earned a track-best finish of 27th after starting 35th in the fall 2024 edition of the Food City 300, driving for AM Racing.

Overall, he holds a NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series average finish of 28.5 at the famed “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” concrete short track.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action Saturday, April 12, for the next race of the 2026 season at Bristol Motor Speedway.

As part of a tripleheader weekend at the iconic Tennessee venue, the action begins Friday night with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Bristol before continuing Saturday with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The weekend concludes on Sunday with the Food City 500 on April 12.

The 0.533-mile high-banked concrete oval of Bristol Motor Speedway presents one of the most intense challenges on the schedule, demanding precision, patience and aggression as drivers navigate tight quarters and heavy traffic on the lightning-fast half-mile.

With its steep banking, close-quarters racing and reputation for high tempers and thrilling finishes, Bristol Motor Speedway offers no shortage of intensity as teams fight for track position while managing tire wear and avoiding trouble.

Bearden and Young’s Motorsports look to capitalize at Bristol as the organization builds on recent momentum from Rockingham Speedway. The Super Late Model standout brings a strong short-track background to the high banks, giving the No. 42 team a confident foundation heading into the weekend.

With one of NASCAR’s most electrifying venues on deck, the weekend provides an opportunity for Bearden to showcase his versatility, continue his development in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and contribute to the team’s continued progress during the 2026 campaign.

● Logan Bearden NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Bristol, Bearden has 12 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by a career-best 22nd place finish in his series debut after starting 32nd in the 2024 ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway for SS-GreenLight Racing.

Since his 2024 debut, Bearden has recorded an average finish of 29.2 in series competition, adding starts at Bristol, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, Richmond Raceway, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and Portland International Raceway, for AM Racing, Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen, Mike Harmon Racing and SS-GreenLight Racing, respectively.

Further bolstering his NASCAR résumé, Bearden has made four starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2022.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Bearden as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

On Saturday night, he will be the crew chief in his 171st NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 170 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

The season’s ninth race will be his ninth tango at Bristol Motor Speedway as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In his previous leadership effort at Bristol, Abbott has earned a track-best fourth-place finish, with driver Jeremy Clements in the 2019 August edition of the Food City 300.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Bristol Motor Speedway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ fourth and fifth starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Bristol Motor Speedway.

In the organization’s previous races, the team earned a track-best 15th-place finish during last spring’s edition of the SciAps 300, with series veteran Anthony Alfredo behind the wheel.

In Bristol, the organization’s previous starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series have produced an average starting position of 29.0 and an average finish of 22.7.

Beyond its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts, the team has also made 27 starts at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2012, with an average finish of 25.4

That stretch is highlighted by the organization’s best track Truck Series finish of 14th, earned by Tanner Thorson in the series’ 16th race of the 2018 Truck Series season.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 82 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.1 and an average finish of 24.2.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Logan Bearden, please visit LoganBearden.com, like his Facebook page (Logan Bearden Racing), or follow him on Instagram (logan_bearden) and Twitter | X (@LoganBearden66).

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).

Logan Bearden Quoteboard:

On Bristol Motor Speedway: “I’m really excited to get back to Bristol Motor Speedway. It’s one of the most unique tracks we go to — everything happens so fast, and you’ve got to be on your game every single lap.

“I’ve learned a lot from my previous starts there, and I feel like that experience will help heading into Saturday night. We’ve got a great group with Young’s Motorsports, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do under the lights.”

On Bristol Motor Speedway Goals: “My goal every time I get in the car is to make the most of the opportunity. I’m not running full-time, so every race matters that much more for me. It’s about going out there, doing my job, taking care of the equipment and showing that I belong at this level.

“I have a lot of respect for the guys I’m racing against, and I know nothing is given — you have to earn it. If I can keep learning, stay consistent and put together solid runs, I think the rest will take care of itself.

“I’m just focused on continuing to prove myself and make the most of every lap.”

On T3 Vodka Partnership: “It means a lot to continue my partnership with T3 Vodka and have their support again this season. To be able to bring them into a limited schedule with Young’s Motorsports is a great opportunity for all of us.

“They’ve believed in me and what we’re building, and I take a lot of pride in representing them on and off the track.

“Every race we run together is a chance to showcase what we can do and continue growing that relationship. I’m really thankful for their support and excited about what we can accomplish this year.”

On O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Opportunity with Young’s Motorsports: “I’m really grateful for the opportunity with Young’s Motorsports to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. It’s a competitive field, and getting seat time at this level means a lot to me.

“Even though it’s a limited schedule, every race is important. It’s about continuing to learn, build chemistry with the team and make the most of every opportunity I get behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet. I feel like this is a great environment to grow and prove what I’m capable of.”

On Upcoming NASCAR Euro Series Season: “I’m really looking forward to getting my season started in the NASCAR Euro Series after Bristol. It’s a big opportunity to go compete full-time overseas and challenge myself in a different environment.

“Racing in Europe is something I’ve been excited about, and to be able to do it with Rette Jones Racing by Hendriks makes it even more special. The goal is to learn as much as I can, stay consistent and represent everyone involved the right way. It’s going to be a busy stretch, but I’m ready for it.”

Race Information:

The Suburban Propane 300 (300 laps | 159.9 miles) is the ninth of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Sat., April 11, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 3:05 p.m. The field will take the green flag later that night, shortly after 7:30 p.m., with live coverage on The CW Network, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

Wood Brothers Racing – Race Week Briefing: Bristol Motor Speedway

By
Official Release
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Event: Food City 500
Date/Time: Sunday, April 12, 2026, 3 p.m. ET
Location: Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tennessee
Layout: 0.533-Mile Oval
TV/Radio: FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

After the Easter break, Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team return to action this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, aiming to carry forward the momentum built over the last two NASCAR Cup Series races.

Following a challenging stretch after a ninth-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500, Berry and the Wood Brothers Racing team have shown encouraging progress with their Ford Mustang Dark Horse, recording a 17th-place result at Darlington Raceway and a 10th-place finish at Martinsville Speedway.

“I feel pretty good about where we’re at,” Berry said on a teleconference Wednesday. “I think there are a lot of strong tracks for us coming up. We had a solid day at Darlington, a day that we needed, and then had a really good car at Martinsville.

“Unfortunately, we just kind of lost some track position here or there to take us out of a top five, but I certainly thought we had top-five pace and ended up 10th there, so I think there are a lot of positives.

“We had a nice off weekend and we’re ready to get back to Bristol. We had good cars there last year and hopefully we can keep the train rolling.”

Berry enters Sunday’s Food City 500 with a solid baseline at the high-banked, half-mile concrete oval. In last year’s spring race, he finished 12th, while a fire cut short his effort in the September night race.

He noted that short tracks continue to be a key area of strength for the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team.

“I feel like it’s been good,” he said. “It was a strength of ours last year. It seems like we struggled a little bit more at Phoenix than we expected, but obviously had a really good car at Martinsville.”

Despite updates to the rules package since last season, Berry is confident in the team’s preparation as he returns to race in his home state. A native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Berry will compete roughly 300 miles from home this weekend.

“I feel good about everything we’ve been doing this week to prepare for Bristol,” he said. “It’s obviously a little different aero package and horsepower, so there’s going to be some adapting for everybody to that package. Hopefully we can keep the momentum going and have another solid day.”

Practice for the Food City 500 is scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 5:40 p.m. ET, with coverage on Prime Video. Sunday’s 500-lap race is set to take the green flag shortly after 3 p.m. ET on FS1, with Stage 1 concluding at Lap 125 and Stage 2 at Lap 250.

Sunday, April 12

Josh Berry will sign autographs at the Team Penske/Wood Brothers merchandise hauler beginning at 11:10 a.m. local time in the Bristol Motor Speedway fan zone. 100 wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first-served basis.

Josh Berry

Age: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Miles Stanley

IG: @joshberry88

X: @joshberry

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes – Josh Berry Heading Home to Bristol Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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Ford Racing Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Ford Racing Media Zoom Call
Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Tennessee native Josh Berry, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Wood Brothers Racing, heads to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend looking to continue the positive momentum gained from a 10th-place finish in Martinsville two weeks ago. Berry answered questions about Sunday’s annual Food City 500 as part of Ford Racing’s weekly media call.

JOSH BERRY, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WHAT IS YOUR CONFIDENCE LEVEL HEADING TO BRISTOL? “I feel pretty good about where we’re at. I think there are a lot of strong tracks for us coming up. We had a solid day at Darlington, a day that we needed, and then had a really good car at Martinsville. Unfortunately, we just kind of lost some track position here or there to take us out of a top five, but I certainly thought we had top-five pace and ended up 10th there, so I think there are a lot of positives. We had a nice off weekend and ready to get back to Bristol. We had good cars there last year and hopefully we can keep the train rolling.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE STATE OF YOUR SHORT TRACK PROGRAM? “I feel like it’s been good. It was a strength of ours last year. It seems like we struggled a little bit more at Phoenix than we expected, but obviously had a really good car at Martinsville. I feel good about everything we’ve been doing this week to prepare for Bristol. It’s obviously a little different aero package and horsepower, so there’s gonna be some adapting for everybody to that package the best we can, but, ultimately, I think we finished 12th in the spring. We had a good car there and had a good car in the fall before we caught on fire, so hopefully we can keep the momentum going and have another solid day.”

NASCAR ANNOUNCED THAT THEY’RE GOING TO SHORTEN THE FINAL TWO STAGES AT TALLADEGA. HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WILL AFFECT THE FUEL SAVING WE’VE SEEN AT PLACES LIKE THAT? “I definitely feel like it’s the right direction to go. I haven’t looked at it too specifically to see exactly how it all lays out, but you’re still gonna have to save fuel – long story, short. Briefly looking at it, the first stage is gonna be longer, so obviously there will still be some fuel saving early in the run to try to shorten your pit stop under green flag, if it goes to green flag. The question of where it goes from there is if you have two shorter stages – your second stage and your final stage – then as much fuel as you can save in the second stage will significantly shorten your pit stop for your final stage, which is when track position matters the most. I have a hard time believing that a majority of the field is gonna intentionally burn a lot of fuel that second stage just to try to get stage points and then come out last to start the final stage. We see how difficult it can be to maneuver through the pack, especially at Talladega. I think Daytona is a different story, but at Talladega is it seems to get locked down with two lanes and maybe three. It will definitely look different. Truthfully, I don’t think it’s gonna fix it, but it’ll be interesting to follow and, like I said, it’ll shake things up a bit and hopefully will make a better race for the fans.”

DO YOU THINK THE RACING WILL BE ANY DIFFERENT AT BRISTOL THIS WEEKEND THAT WHAT WE’VE NORMALLY SEEN? “No. I think you look back at the tire fall off races and I feel like they were popular and entertaining to watch. We had specific conditions for all of that to work out and it looks like it’s gonna be much warmer this weekend, which I feel like the track is gonna lay a lot of rubber. I know we’ve got a little different tire, but it seems like the biggest sensitivity to it is definitely the track temperature and with the warmer temperatures this weekend I feel like the track is gonna take rubber and it’s gonna look normal. I don’t know that it will be a big change.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR MILE-AND-HALF PROGRAM AND WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT TEXAS IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS? “For our mile-and-a-half program I feel like that’s an area that we’ve been working hard at. We struggled at Vegas, unfortunately – the last two times we’ve gone back there ever since we won. I did stay and do the tire test that Monday after Vegas and felt like that went really well and we learned a lot. We got some answers to some of the questions that we had, so now it’s about applying that these next few weeks and taking what we learned at that test and hopefully making it better for all of us. I’m excited for both of those races. Texas itself is definitely very unique. Both ends of the track are so much different. One and two is a good bit less banking and kind of a more disciplined-based corner in a way. It’s easy to get high, easy to get out of line, and then three and four is just hammer down, but obviously you have that bump to navigate through off of four, so it’s definitely a very interesting place going there. It’s a unique mile-and-a-half for sure.”

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE CARS TOUR AT THE NASHVILLE FAIRGROUNDS THIS WEEK? “Yeah, I’m heavily in support of it. I think it’s awesome to see them racing there. I briefly looked at the entry list and it looks like they have a great field of cars. Obviously, Dale being there is gonna bring a lot of attention to it as well, but I think the biggest thing is just hopefully people come out and watch the race and pack the stands. I feel like the tour races have been exciting enough that the product on track will be really good. Hopefully, they can see the potential of what’s out there and when you put a bunch of really good race cars on the racetrack. The biggest thing you need is you’ve got to have people in the stands and a good race. That’s really it. At this point, I really feel like that’s all they can strive to do.”

WE’VE SEEN A BIG CROWD THERE WHEN SRX WAS THERE, BUT SINCE THEN IT SEEMS THERE HAS BEEN SOME POLITICAL GRIDLOCK IN TRYING TO REVITALIZE THE FACILITY. WITH DALE SPEARHEADING THIS, DO YOU FEEL HE HAS THE POWER TO ALMOST BRING THINGS OVER THE EDGE IN TERMS OF CHANGING THE LOCAL PERCEPTION OF THE FAIRGROUNDS AND RACING? “I don’t know. I don’t know the ins and outs of the politics locally. I know that since I was a kid it’s always been a thing there. It’s just really valuable land. We’ve seen that with the apartments that they built around the place and the soccer stadium. It’s valuable land in that area and that’s what they’re up against. That would be the difference to North Wilkesboro that sat dormant for over 20 years before they decided to go in there and revitalize it. It’s easy to look at that as an apples to apples comparison, but the reality of Nashville is that it’s probably more of a comparison to Fontana. The value of the land is so high that that’s what makes the constant bickering back and forth about what it’s best used for. I love the place and grew up racing there and going there and want to see it be there forever. Like I said, hopefully putting on big shows like they should have Saturday night could only help it. As far as how it comes to Dale, I don’t know what more he can do. Obviously, bringing the tour there, racing in it himself and promoting it and doing all the work that he has, I don’t know what else he can do unless he wants to run for mayor or something.”

WHAT WERE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY BEFORE YOU CAME TO NASCAR AND HOW HAS IT CHANGED SINCE JOINING THE SERIES? “Obviously, as a kid growing up it was one of the favorites for sure. There are just so many iconic races there and iconic moments growing up. I remember how hard it was to get tickets there for a long time and I remember when we were finally able to get some tickets and go in 2005 or 2006 – somewhere in there. It’s such a great racetrack and great racing. Going there and experiencing it has been so cool. I remember the first time I went there I was actually with the CARS Tour. We raced there for a couple years and got to make a bunch of laps there and you realize just how tough Bristol is and how intimidating it is, how fast it is, especially in those late model cars with as sketchy as they were there. That’s probably the best way to put it. It’s been a lot of fun racing there. It’s one that I love. There’s nothing like walking down across the racetrack to go in there to go race. It’s certainly one I look forward to each and every year.”

WHEN YOUR CAR GETS UNLOADED, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO FEEL OUT OF IT? WHAT’S THE KEY ELEMENT TO RUNNING WELL AT BRISTOL? “I feel like just having the stability to carry speed into the corners. Corner speeds are obviously really fast there and you have to be secure and stable to be able to roll the speed in the corner to make the lap time. That’s the biggest thing. It’s hard to drive the car there if it’s really on edge. You just have to go slower, so I think that’s the biggest thing we’re working on and looking forward to. I think we did a pretty good job of that last year and hopefully we can do it again on Sunday.”

YOU HAD THE ISSUE WITH FIRE FROM THE RUBBER LAST YEAR. ANY CONCERNS FOR THAT THIS YEAR? “Ultimately, I don’t think I have the concern. I’m not sure they’ve changed anything to prevent the fires, truthfully. I might not be correct on that, but it was caused by the rubber buildup from the tires wearing, so I’m sure if we see another race like we saw last fall with all the marbles and the tire wear stacking up everywhere, there’s a good chance there could be some issues with the inner wheel well fires, but if that’s not the case, then I’m sure it will be fine. Outside of any changes that they’ve made to try and mitigate that, I’m not really sure there has been any.”

WILL YOU BE TRYING STUFF FROM THINGS YOU‘VE LEARNED THE FIRST SEVEN RACES AND DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO MAKE SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO RUN BETTER? “I feel like Darlington was an interesting one with the new aero package. We obviously learned a lot throughout that weekend. I thought Martinsville we did a really good job. I think the big test for us, obviously, this weekend is gonna be a big deal again and this different aero package, but I felt like we did run fairly well there last year. Hopefully, we can continue that. I think the big test for us is just gonna be Kansas – probably Kansas and Texas and trying to get back to where we were this time last year on the intermediates because we certainly had a lot of speed in each one of those races. So I think that’s the biggest thing we’re trying to look for, and hopefully that tire test at Vegas, like I said, I felt like we learned a lot through that. We got significantly faster, which was important. I was much happier with how the car drove by the end, so there were a lot of positives there and now it’s up to us to apply that to the different racetracks in a race weekend scenario and make the most of it.”

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE RACING. IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE WITH THIS CHASE FORMAT COMPARED TO LAST YEAR? ARE YOU RACING ANY DIFFERENTLY? “Truthfully, you could say that from the outside there have been less cautions, but I don’t know that I feel like the racing has been much different. Really, once we kind of survive the restart usually it gets single-filed out for a while and you can kind of get stuck. If you don’t have the wreck on the restart, it usually takes a while for something to happen just until the field gets bunched together again. I don’t know that the mindset is that much different. There may have been a few less cautions here or there. You take Darlington, the cars were a pretty big handful. Martinsville, it obviously got strung out a lot. I thought it was gonna be really interesting at the end of that race with how it played out with all the different strategies, but, unfortunately, we had the caution that kind of ended that. I don’t know. I don’t know that we all are racing too much different, but there’s a higher penalty for wrecking out. Ultimately, that’s what everybody wanted and wanted the consistency and those things to matter. Subconsciously, there probably is more give-and-take because there should be. Your finishes each and every week in each stage are what’s gonna determine whether you make the Chase or not and have a chance to win the championship. The low risk moves, I would think, would have to be less in this format than what they’ve been in the years before.”

IS YOUR MINDSET ANY DIFFERENT KNOWING THE FORMAT HAS CHANGED OR IS IT THE SAME? “It’s definitely a little bit different. You take last year like when we won early in the season or even in the Xfinity Series when I was there. I mean, I won and it makes the bad days feel a lot less painful than it does now because ultimately you know that at some point the points are gonna get reset and it’s gonna change the game. Points don’t matter in years before. Obviously, we’ve seen so much emphasis put on stage points and the regular season championship and everything that comes with that. The points still matter, but without a doubt they matter more now. It’s just the nature of the format. I think if you see some more give-and-take at times, that’s probably why because ultimately we’re all just trying to maximize our days the best that we can. Sometimes that’s finishing 10th. Sometimes that’s finishing 20th, but, ultimately, that’s our job each and every week is to try and get as many points and get the best finish we can.”

FUNNY CAR’S RON CAPPS HAS SIGHTS ON WIN AT 1,000TH FUNNY CAR RACE AT LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS

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Official Release
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POMONA, Calif. (April 8, 2026) – Ron Capps got his hands on his first special diamond Wally for NHRA’s 75th anniversary season at the most recent race in Phoenix. As sweet as that was, there’s a chance for even more at this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

Of course, there’s another diamond Wally on the line at one of NHRA’s most legendary races, but the weekend also marks the 1,000th Funny Car race in NHRA history. There’s another special trophy for that, as well as the opportunity to capture a remarkable milestone win during NHRA’s special anniversary season.

Capps’ win in Phoenix gave the three-time Funny Car world champ 78 victories in his spectacular career – the most among active Funny Car drivers – but he never won one of the 100th race milestones. That could change this weekend in his 12,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra and the magnitude of the weekend isn’t lost on Capps.

“We’ve talked about celebrating 75 years of NHRA in 2026 for quite some time now, and I can’t think of a track with more legacy or that better signifies the history of our sport than Pomona, the birthplace of NHRA Drag Racing,” Capps said.

“How cool that it lines up where this weekend is the 1,000th Funny Car race. I’ve been lucky enough to not only be a part of some of the big ones, but also to have had a front row seat to some incredible matchups over the years with some of the biggest names, including my former boss, Don “The Snake” Prudhomme. The Winternationals is one of the most historic events, so you really couldn’t have drawn it up better.”

In 2025, Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Clay Millican (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) claimed Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals wins. This year’s race will be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage on Sunday, April 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. It is the third of 20 races and the loaded weekend that includes two rounds of qualifying on Friday and Saturday, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty bonus race on Saturday and 75th anniversary celebrations like:

  • An appearance from NHRA legend and six-time champion Kenny Bernstein, in honor of his historic 310-mph pass at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in 1994.
  • Other legends scheduled to appear include milestone Funny Car winners Larson, Gray, Wilkerson and Force, as well as legends like Prudhomme, Richard Tharp, Gary Beck, Jim Dunn and more.
  • On Friday, the first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a special NHRA 75th anniversary Winternationals event poster.

If Capps does nab the 1,000th Funny Car race win, he’d prefer to do it with far less drama than it took in Phoenix. Capps’ car suffered a massive explosion during his second-round win and the team had a furious thrash to return in time for the semifinals.

It all ended well, as Capps got past reigning Rookie of the Year Spencer Hyde in the final round, but back-to-back wins won’t be easy in the loaded category. Hyde moved up to second in points – one spot ahead of Capps – with Chad Green still in the points lead after his Gainesville win.

Other standouts include four-time champ Matt Hagan, defending event winner Beckman, J.R. Todd, Cruz Pedregon, Alexis DeJoria and class newcomer Jordan Vandergriff. That level of competition makes the wins that much sweeter, especially during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.

“This is the coveted one right here,” Capps said of the special diamond Wally after winning in Phoenix. “You just think of the legacy and what’s gone into this. It’s unbelievable and thanks to Wally Parks, first of all. NHRA being around 75 years, it’s so awesome and at Ron Capps Motorsports, we’re just having a lot of fun right now.”

Top Fuel’s Clay Millican is after his first win of the year – and a Pomona repeat – against points leader and reigning world champ Doug Kalitta, Phoenix winner Shawn Langdon, Tony Stewart, Leah Pruett, Antron Brown and Gainesville winner Josh Hart.

Reigning world champ Dallas Glenn is coming off a win in Phoenix, taking on the likes of Anderson, Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield and Gainesville winner Matt Hartford.

All weekend, fans also get to see racing action in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

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

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

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

To purchase tickets to the 2026 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

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

Top 5 Alternative Sports for a Hobby Racer

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

Discover new adrenaline, skill, and competition beyond the track

If you’re a hobby racer—whether from karting, motorsport, cycling, or even triathlon—you already crave speed, precision, and the constant push to improve. But what happens when you want to diversify your experience or challenge yourself in a completely new way?

Here are five alternative sports that deliver adrenaline, technical mastery, and competitive depth—starting with one of the most unique transitions you can make.

1. Horse Polo — Speed Meets Strategy on Horseback

For racers seeking a true multidimensional challenge, horse polo is arguably the most exciting transition. It combines speed, timing, spatial awareness, and tactical decision-making—much like racing—but adds an entirely new layer: partnership with a horse.

At the Argentina Polo School in Mar del Plata, beginners and experienced athletes alike can enter the sport through a structured, professional environment. What makes it especially appealing for racers is the constant need to read the “track” (the field), anticipate opponents, and execute under pressure—while controlling a 500 kg athlete beneath you.

Unlike many elite sports, polo is surprisingly accessible at the entry level. With the right coaching, you can go from zero to playing chukkers (practice matches) within weeks.

Why it works for racers:

  • High-speed decision-making under pressure
  • Strong focus on lines, positioning, and timing
  • Continuous skill progression and competition
  • Year-round play in Mar del Plata, even during winter

2. Kitesurfing — Control, Wind, and Pure Freedom

Kitesurfing offers a different kind of speed—one powered by wind and water. It’s dynamic, unpredictable, and deeply technical. Like racing, it requires constant micro-adjustments and the ability to react instantly to changing conditions.

For hobby racers, it provides a strong adrenaline hit with a relatively quick learning curve, especially in coastal areas.

Why it works for racers:

  • Real-time reaction to environmental variables
  • Balance of risk and control
  • High-speed gliding with bursts of acceleration

3. Track Cycling — Precision at Maximum Velocity

If you come from a racing background, track cycling is a natural extension. It’s one of the purest forms of speed competition: no brakes, no distractions—just you, the bike, and the track.

Velodrome racing emphasizes aerodynamics, pacing, and tactical positioning, making it incredibly appealing to those who love marginal gains and technical refinement.

Why it works for racers:

  • Data-driven performance optimization
  • Tactical racing and drafting strategies
  • High-intensity, short-format competition

4. Rock Climbing — Mental Racing in Vertical Form

At first glance, rock climbing may seem far removed from racing—but the mental aspect is strikingly similar. Route reading, problem-solving, and execution under pressure make it an addictive challenge.

It’s less about speed (unless you pursue speed climbing) and more about precision, control, and mental endurance.

Why it works for racers:

  • Strategic thinking and route planning
  • Focus and composure under pressure
  • Incremental improvement and skill mastery

5. Ski Touring — Endurance, Exploration, and Descent

For those who enjoy endurance racing or long-distance cycling, ski touring offers a powerful combination of physical challenge and reward. You climb mountains under your own power—and then descend at speed.

It blends endurance, risk management, and technical skill in a constantly changing natural environment.

Why it works for racers:

  • Long-duration physical output
  • Strategic pacing and energy management
  • High-speed descents with technical control

Final Thoughts

Being a hobby racer isn’t just about one discipline—it’s about a mindset. The drive to improve, the love of speed, and the ability to perform under pressure translate across many sports.

If you’re looking for the most unique and rewarding transition, horse polo stands out. With institutions like the Argentina Polo School in Mar del Plata making the sport accessible, it’s no longer reserved for a select few—it’s a real, tangible next step for athletes ready to try something extraordinary.

Formula DRIFT Welcomes Pennzoil as the Official Motor Oil of the PRO Championship Series

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Official Release
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  • Pennzoil further elevates its presence in professional drifting.
  • Pennzoil continues to protect engines across one of motorsport’s most demanding environments.
  • Pennzoil-sponsored drivers James Deane, Vaughn Gittin Jr., Ben Hobson, and Federico Sceriffo remain central to the brand’s program heading into the 2026 season.

SIGNAL HILL, Calif. (April 8, 2026) – Formula DRIFT today announced a multi-year agreement with Pennzoil, naming the iconic brand the Official Motor Oil of the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Series. Its commitment represents a significant development in the relationship between the storied brand and the world’s leading professional drifting series.

Pennzoil Expands Role In Formula DRIFT

Pennzoil will showcase its technology across the Formula DRIFT PRO Championship Series, supporting performance and engine longevity in one of motorsport’s most punishing disciplines.

“Drifting pushes engines to extremes, which is exactly why it’s such a compelling environment for Pennzoil,” said Angela Edgar, Vice President of Lubricants Marketing at Pennzoil. “As the Official Motor Oil of the PRO Championship Series, we’re able to showcase how our technology helps protect engines over time in conditions where consistency and durability matter just as much as power. It’s a real-world expression of our focus on engine longevity, both on the track and beyond it.”

Pennzoil-sponsored drivers include five-time and defending Formula DRIFT PRO Champion James Deane (Ireland), two-time PRO Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr (USA), 2023 PROSPEC Champion Ben Hobson (USA), and Federico Sceriffo (Italy). All four drivers continue to play a central role in the brand’s Formula DRIFT presence.

Activation, Fan Engagement, and Global Reach

Pennzoil will also receive prominent on-track branding and global exposure through Formula DRIFT’s free-to-view livestream, which broadcasts all practice, qualifying, and competition heats throughout the season.

“We’re looking forward to elevating our relationship with Pennzoil this year,” said Bryan Olfert, Sales Director for Formula DRIFT. “The brand has been involved in the series for many years, supporting multiple PRO Champions. Between synergies with teams and partners like O’Reilly Auto Parts, we’re excited to help share their history of excellence with our fans at the track and at home.”

Pennzoil will also activate on-site at Atlanta and both Long Beach Formula DRIFT PRO Championship rounds in 2026, bringing high-performance vehicles, premium products, branded giveaways, and driver autograph sessions to fans. These activations are designed to connect Pennzoil’s track-proven technology with enthusiasts who demand long-lasting performance from their own vehicles.

Next Round

The 2026 Formula DRIFT season will open April 10-11 on The Streets of Long Beach. For tickets, driver profiles, event schedules, and livestream access, please visit formulad.com.

About Pennzoil

Innovating since 1913, Pennzoil is passionate about driving the future and relentlessly works to help transform the motor oil category. Pennzoil Ultra Platinum® protects engines for the lifetime of their vehicle.*

For more information about the full line of Pennzoil lubricating products, motor oils and filters, please visit www.pennzoil.com.

*Protection for the lifetime of your vehicle if you switch to and exclusively use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ Full Synthetic motor oil. Follow all oil change recommendations in your owner’s manual. Other conditions apply, including enrollment and receipt requirements. See full details and enroll at pennzoil.com/warranty.

About Formula DRIFT

Formula DRIFT is recognized as the leading international drifting championship. Established on the streets of Japan, drifting has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges the driver’s skill while demanding a great deal from their vehicle in terms of power and strength. Formula DRIFT provides a series for the best professional drifters from around the globe to compete for the coveted title of Formula DRIFT Champion. As the first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting drift fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life, and established itself as the global leader for the sport. For a competition schedule, ticket information, special content and livestream, please visit formulad.com

Watch Formula DRIFT

Fans can find the free-to-view event livestream at youtube.com/Formuladrift. Formula DRIFT is also available on Racer Network (please check with your local provider) and available in Spanish via PX Sports on numerous outlets across Latin America. To find out where it’s broadcast in your country, visit pxsports.com/outlets.

Follow Formula DRIFT Online 

formulad.com
instagram.com/formulad
facebook.com/formuladrift
twitter.com/FormulaDrift
youtube.com/Formuladrift

TOYOTA RACING Weekly Preview 04.08.26

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: April 6 – April 12, 2026

NCS/NOAPS/NCTS: Bristol Motor Speedway – April 10-12
ARCA WEST: Tucson Speedway – April 10-11

PLANO, Texas (April 8, 2026) – It’s a busy weekend ahead for Team Toyota in stock car competition. NASCAR’s three national series head to Bristol Motor Speedway for three days of short track racing, culminating with a 500-lap Cup Series race on Sunday afternoon. The ARCA Menards Series West heads to Tucson Speedway in Tucson, Arizona, for their third race of the 2026 season.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NOAPS/NCTS

Toyota leads the way in Cup Series … Through seven races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Toyota has captured five victories but has also dominated the series in terms of laps led. In total, Toyota Camry XSEs have led 1,051 laps, which is 57% of the laps run in the Cup Series so far this season. Toyota’s lap leaders this season include: Denny Hamlin (444), Christopher Bell (225), Tyler Reddick (189), Bubba Wallace (86), Chase Briscoe(62), John Hunter Nemechek (19), Ty Gibbs (18) and Corey Heim (8).

Hamlin reaches 650 starts with Toyota … Sunday’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway will be the 650th start for Hamlin in a Toyota Camry. The 45-year-old made his first start with Toyota in the 2008 Daytona 500 and has since become Toyota’s all-time Cup Series leader in wins (58) and pole positions (44). Hamlin also captured Toyota’s 200th Cup Series win last season at World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway). This weekend, he looks for his fifth win at Bristol to join his 2012, 2019, 2023 and 2024 victories.

Bell seeks Bristol back-to-back … In last fall’s Bristol night race, Bell captured his fourth win of the 2025 season and the 13th of his Cup Series career. The driver of the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) returns to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend in hopes of a second consecutive victory on the 0.533-mile concrete oval, and to get his first win of 2026. Bell has been consistently strong at Bristol, scoring seven top-10s in his nine career starts on the Bristol concrete surface. He also has a victory in the former Bristol dirt race during the 2023 event. Bell will also pilot the No. 62 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for Halmar-Friesen Racing in Friday’s Truck Series race, marking his second start of the season after finishing sixth at Darlington Raceway last month.

Gibbs looks to continue strong 2026 start … After a fourth-place result last time out at Martinsville Speedway, Ty Gibbs has recorded five consecutive top-10 finishes entering this weekend. Gibbs has earned three fourth-place finishes (Circuit of the Americas, Phoenix Raceway and Martinsville Speedway), a fifth (Las Vegas Motor Speedway) and a sixth-place finish (Darlington Raceway) in that span. Gibbs has also traditionally run well at Bristol, with four top-10s in six career starts.

Sawalich comes off first win … JGR’s William Sawalich captured his first career victory in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Rockingham Speedway in his 42nd series start. The Minnesota native led 80 laps on his way to taking the checkered flag last Saturday. Sawalich and the No. 18 GR Supra team look to keep up the momentum this weekend at Bristol. Sawalich is a former winner around the 0.533-mile short oval, with two victories in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023 and 2024.

No. 19 looks for second straight Bristol win … Brent Crews and the JGR No. 19 Toyota GR Supra team head to Bristol seeking their second straight victory on the concrete short oval after Aric Almirola captured victory there last fall. Crews will make his fifth career O’Reilly Series start this weekend. He’s also a former winner at Bristol, as he was victorious in the ARCA Menards Series race last fall, leading all 204 laps from the pole position.

Burton returns to favorable Bristol … Harrison Burton has routinely found success around Bristol Motor Speedway during his O’Reilly Series career. The Sam Hunt Racing driver has finished inside the top-10 in five of his six career starts there, coming off a seventh-place result in last year’s fall race.

Honeycutt leads full-time points … With a runner-up result in last weekend’s Truck Series race at Rockingham Speedway, TRICON Garage’s Kaden Honeycutt is now the points leader of full time series drivers heading into Bristol. Honeycutt is technically tied with Heim atop the Truck Series points, with Heim running a part-time schedule in the series this season. At Bristol Motor Speedway, Honeycutt has made eight career Truck starts, with a best finish of eighth last spring.

Heim looks for three in a row … Heim is once again behind the wheel of the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage this weekend at Bristol, looking for his third straight victory in the series after triumphs at Darlington Raceway and Rockingham Speedway. Last weekend’s victory for Heim was his 25th career Trucks victory, placing him fifth all-time, and was the 250th Truck Series win for Toyota. Heim also took over the all-time record with consecutive Truck Series races with a lap led at 29 and became the third driver in series history to win at 21st different tracks, breaking a tie for that mark. Additionally, should he win again this weekend, Heim and the No. 1 team will take home $500,000 as part of the series’ Triple Truck Challenge.

Briscoe takes on the Truck Series … Along with his full-time duties in the Cup Series with JGR this weekend in Bristol, Briscoe will also run Friday’s Truck Series race in the No. 5 Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage. This will be Briscoe’s first Truck Series start since 2023 and the 30th of his career. He’s made one Truck Series start at Bristol Motor Speedway, finishing 12th in 2017.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series West

Avedisian, Lovell, DaCosta and Robinson take on Tucson … In Saturday’s ARCA Menards Series West race at Tucson Speedway, Jade Avedisian, Mia Lovell, Julian DaCosta and Will Robinson will be driving Toyota Camrys. Avedisian will take the wheel of the No. 13 Camry for Central Coast Racing, making her fifth career start in the West Series. Earlier this season at the West Series season opener at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Speedway, she started on pole and finished eighth. Lovell, DaCosta and Robinson, meanwhile, will pilot the No. 15, No. 25 and No. 70 Toyota Camrys for Nitro Motorsports this weekend. All four drivers will look to capture Toyota’s first West Series win of the 2026 season.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

ARCA Menards West Returns to Tucson; Massey and Deegan Look to Continue Impressive Starts to 2026

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Official Release
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TEMPERANCE, Mich. – (April 8, 2026) – The ARCA Menards West returns for the second consecutive year to Tucson Speedway for the Tucson ARCA West 150, and two of the series’ top drivers will look to continue their 2026 seasons with another impressive performance.

Mason Massey (No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet) launched his run for the 2026 season championship with a dramatic victory in the opener at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in February. For Massey, a veteran of over 100 NASCAR national series starts, it was his first career series victory in his first career series start.

Massey battled with former two-time West champion Sean Hingorani over the final 40 laps, snatching the lead with 31 laps to go and holding off a furious charge on two overtime restarts.

Combined with a fifth-place run in the next race at Phoenix Raceway, Massey holds a six-point lead over reigning series champion Trevor Huddleston (No. 50 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford).

“I feel like we’ve gotten off to about as good of a start as you could hope for, so far,” Massey said. “It was big for our team to start the year off with a lot of momentum getting a win and then following that up with a top-five in Phoenix. Going into Tucson, our goal is to have another solid night and extend the points lead. It looks like a fun track that presents a lot of challenges, but I think those will play into my driving style. I know Ty Joiner and all of my guys will give me a great NAPA Auto Care Chevy like they have in the first two races. I’ll have to do my part and adapt to the track as quick as possible. It’d be nice to get win number two this weekend. That’d be pretty special.”

Massey’s Bill McAnally Racing teammate Hailie Deegan (No. 16 Columbia Bank / Monster Energy Chevrolet) has also had an impressive start to the season in her return to the ARCA Menards West. Deegan, the first-ever female winner in series history, won three times in 2018 and 2019 before moving to the ARCA Menards Series national tour and then eventually the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Deegan finished sixth in the opener at Kern and was one spot short of starting the season with two top-ten finishes, coming home eleventh at Phoenix. She’s currently fourth in the standings, 15 points out of the lead.

“I’m really excited to go back to Tucson,” Deegan said. “It’s been so many years since I’ve been to that track. Bill [McAnally] and the No. 19 team nearly won there last year, so that’s gives us even more confidence that we can race for a win this weekend. The West Series has been a lot of fun for me so far this year, and I’m really looking forward to getting some good finishes as the season goes on. If we can run well and get a good finish at Tucson, hopefully a win, that’d be huge for our season.”

An entry list of 18 teams is expected, including Huddleston and his teammate Andrew Chapman (No. 55 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford), the Jan’s Racing teammates, reigning ARCA Menards West Bounty Rookie of the Year Robbie Kennealy (No. 1 Jan’s Towing Ford) and 15-year old Cole Denton (No. 71 Jan’s Towing Ford), and an additional trio of highly-touted female drivers, Jade Avedisian (No. 13 Central Coast Cabinets Toyota) and Mia Lovell (No. 15 Pine Health Toyota), and Tucson native Quinn Davis (No. 77 King Taco/RED MD/Wallace Signs/EMAGAS Toyota).

Practice for the Tucson ARCA West 150 is slated for 2 pm MT on Saturday, April 11, with Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole Qualifying to follow at 5 pm. An on-track autograph session is scheduled from 5:45 to 6:15 pm, with the Tucson ARCA West 150 to follow at 7 pm PT. The race will be streamed live on FloRacing and live timing & scoring data will be available on ARCARacing.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly Twitter).

Ticket information for the Tucson ARCA West 150 at Tucson Speedway is available at TucsonSpeedwayAZ.com.

About ARCA

The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing). 

About Menards

A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states.  Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building.  You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more.  To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!

Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture.  Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries.  And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. 

Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too!  For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

JR Motorsports — NOAPS Bristol Motor Speedway Preview

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Official Release
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JR Motorsports O’Reilly Auto Parts Team Preview
TRACK – Bristol Motor Speedway (0.533-mile short track)
NOAPS RACE – Suburban Propane 300 (300 laps / 159.9 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 7:30 p.m. (ET)

Connor Zilisch

No. 1 – Roto-Rooter Chevrolet

Zilisch 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 2

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 13

Avg. Finish: 14

Points: N/A

Connor Zilisch will make his third NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start of the 2026 season for JR Motorsports Saturday evening at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The Bristol event will be Zilisch’s third NOAPS start at the Tennessee short track. His best finish in two previous Bristol starts is fifth-place in the September 2025 event. The driver of the Roto-Rooter Chevrolet led the most laps (98) in that race and had the best average running position (2.24) of any driver.

Zilisch competed in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series races at Bristol in 2024, winning the pole position in both races.

In his two previous NOAPS starts this season for JRM, Zilisch has earned one pole and a best finish of seventh coming at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March.

Connor Zilisch

“I’m looking forward to going back to Bristol. We ran well there last year, but we didn’t quite get the finishes we wanted in both races. We led a lot of laps in the fall race so I’m confident that we’re going to have a good Roto-Rooter Chevrolet when we get there this weekend and be able to move forward. The track is really cool. It widens out a lot in the race and both lanes get rolling. Lapped traffic is a big thing that you have to deal with when you’re up front. Bristol is always an entertaining race and is a lot of fun.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 Carolina Carports Chevrolet

Allgaier 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 8

Wins: 3

Top 5s: 6

Top 10s: 7

Laps Led: 207

Avg. Finish: 6.6

Points: 1st

Justin Allgaier is a two-time NOAPS winner in “Thunder Valley,” taking the checkered flag in this event in 2010 and in the fall of 2023.

Overall, in 26 career NOAPS starts at Bristol, Allgaier has earned 12 top-fives and 17 top-10s to accompany the two victories.

Additionally, Allgaier’s 1,278 laps led at the high-banked short track are the most the veteran driver has led across all tracks he has competed on in the NOAPS.

By virtue of last weekend’s podium finish at Rockingham Speedway, Allgaier enters Saturday with a 126-point lead in the championship standings.

Justin Allgaier

“I love racing at Bristol. It has always been my favorite track on the schedule and a place where I have always felt very comfortable at. We’ve been really strong here for a long time and I know that Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and everyone on this Carolina Carports team will give me another great car again on Saturday. If we can keep our nose clean and all the fenders on it, I see no reason why we won’t be right up front in contention when it counts Saturday night.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet

Smith 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 8

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 4

Top 10s: 6

Laps Led: 11

Avg. Finish: 9.1

Points: 7th

Sammy Smith will make his sixth career NOAPS start at Bristol this Saturday evening.

In Smith’s five previous starts, he recorded one top-five and two top-10s, with his best finish of fourth coming the spring of 2025 after starting eighth.

The Iowa native has two additional starts on the short track with the ARCA Menards Series East. In 2021 Smith finished second and in 2022, he qualified on the pole and led 189 of 200 laps to secure the victory.

Fraley and Schilling, an employee-owned, employee-driven company will brand the TV panel of the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet at Bristol. Fraley and Schilling is a transportation company focused on efficiency and sustainability.

Sammy Smith

“I’m ready to get to Bristol this Saturday and go after another sword with this No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet team. Last week in Rockingham didn’t go as expected but we’ve had speed all season, along with the rest of the JR Motorsports cars, so I know we’ll be back up there this weekend.”

Carson Kvapil

No. 9 High Rock Vodka Chevrolet

Kvapil 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 8

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 3

Top 10s: 4

Laps Led: 29

Avg. Finish: 13.8

Points: 6th

In two career NOAPS starts at “The Last Great Colosseum,” Kvapil has an average finish of third, with a best finish of second coming in this race last year.

On short tracks in his NOAPS career, Kvapil has made seven starts with three top-five and four top-10 finishes.

Accompanying Kvapil, crew chief Phillip Bell has made 11 NOAPS starts atop the box on tracks measuring under 1 mile in length. In those starts, Bell has amassed four top-fives and five top-10s.

High Rock Vodka returns as the primary partner on the No. 9 Chevrolet for a second consecutive year at Bristol.

Carson Kvapil

“Bristol is one of my favorite tracks. We’ve always had really strong Chevrolets here, and I know this High Rock Vodka team will bring another one to the track this Saturday night. It’s great to have High Rock Vodka back on the car this weekend, and hopefully we can put them in Victory Lane.”

Kyle Larson

No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

Larson 2026 NOAPS Stats

Starts: 2

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 2

Top 10s: 2

Laps Led: 154

Avg. Finish: 2.5

Points: N/A

Kyle Larson returns to JRM competition this weekend at Bristol behind the wheel of the No. 88 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet.

Larson is the defending winner of the spring race at Bristol in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series.

In two NASCAR O’Reilly Series starts this season for JRM, Larson has earned one win and two top-five finishes.

Overall, in 10 NASCAR O’Reilly Series starts at Bristol, Larson has recorded two wins, eight top-fives, nine top-10s and three poles while leading 1,022 laps.

Kyle Larson

“Bristol is one of the most fun tracks we go to because you can really move around and search for grip. I love being able to run up by the wall and carry speed, especially in traffic. It’s intense, things happen quick, but that’s what makes it so exciting. Hopefully we can put together a strong run with this No. 88 group and be there at the end.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Bristol Motor Speedway: JR Motorsports has competed at Bristol Motor Speedway a combined 106 times in the NOAPS. In those starts at the 0.533-mile short track, the organization has recorded four wins, 30 top-fives and 65 top-10s. The average finish is 12.5.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Rajah Caruth will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / HMS WB + AB souvenir rig on Saturday, April 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET.

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