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Racing fans: avoid unlicensed betting and keep your car maintenance budget on track

Race weekends make people bold. The lights go out, odds flash across a phone, and a fan who skipped an oil change suddenly thinks a long-shot podium will pay for brake pads. That thinking gets expensive. Unlicensed betting sites can freeze withdrawals, bury fees, or vanish after a chargeback fight, while a worn timing belt still needs cash on Monday. The safest habit is dull: set a race-day stake, then leave repair cash in a separate account. A quick pause separates racing excitement from the boring bill that keeps the car legal. One review from an Italian racing forum may mention Migliori siti scommesse non AAMS in Italia as a shortcut for better returns, but smart fans check licensing, payout rules, and complaint history before risking petrol money.

The paddock rule for risky odds

A proper budget has walls. For a track-day driver in a used Mazda MX-5, tires can cost £420 a set, pads £90, oil £55, and alignment £80 before lunch is counted. If that money sits beside betting funds, it disappears fast. Bookmakers know this. That is the old trap. A promotion tied to qualifying or a fastest-lap market feels harmless because the race is already on. Fans should treat any online gambling offer from kazinoazerbaijan.net with care around any high-jackpot casino pitch that gives little detail about owners, payment limits, or dispute contacts. One clean rule works: if the operator cannot show a regulator name and a license number in two clicks, the stake stays in the wallet.

Maintenance money deserves its own lane

Cars punish wishful math. A fan can delay a hoodie purchase without damage, but delaying coolant, brake fluid, or a cracked tire turns a small bill into a tow truck story. Even a modest hatchback needs a reserve. £600 is a sensible floor for many older cars, because it covers a battery, two tyres, a basic service, or an emergency sensor swap. The number should live away from betting apps, food delivery apps, and weekend spending. A second current account works. So does a prepaid card stored at home. The point is friction. If moving money takes five minutes, impulse loses some of its bite.

Red flags before the starting lights

Licensing checks sound boring until a payout stalls. Then boring becomes useful. Racing fans already read steward notes, tyre strategies, and sector times, so reading a betting site’s footer is hardly hard labour. The missing details matter. A site that hides its company address, lists no regulator, changes bonus terms after signup, or pushes crypto-only deposits is waving a large red flag. Fans should also search the operator name with words such as “withdrawal delay” and “account closed.” Ten complaints from the last month say more than a glossy bonus banner. Small print wins disputes. Save screenshots of terms before any deposit, especially around rollover rules.

Bets should fit the garage calendar

Good racing budgets follow dates. Insurance renewal in March, MOT in June, track-day inspection in August, winter tyres in November. A betting limit that ignores those dates is fake discipline. Simple beats clever here. Some fans use a 50-30-20 split after tax: needs first, flexible spending next, savings last. For a petrolhead, needs include tyres, fuel for work, insurance, repairs, and parking permits. Betting belongs in flexible spending, beside takeaways and race merch. Once that slice is gone, it is gone. No borrowing from the clutch fund. A spreadsheet helps, but a notes app with four lines works fine.

Keep records like a race engineer

Memory lies after a dramatic finish. A driver who writes down every wager, oil change, tyre purchase, and repair quote sees patterns in black and white. The record does not need fancy software. Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, or a paper notebook in the glovebox is enough. Use five columns: date, item, category, amount, and reason. The reason column stings. “Angry after safety car” explains more than “bet.” At month-end, the fan can total betting losses against maintenance costs. If losses equal a service, the next step is obvious: reduce stakes, skip one race weekend market, or pause betting for a month.

Talk about limits before race day

Limits work better before adrenaline arrives. Friends can agree on a cap in the pub before qualifying, then put phones away once the formation lap starts. Couples should be even clearer. If a shared car pays for school runs or commuting, betting money should never touch the account used for tax, repairs, insurance, or loan payments. Shame makes poor decisions quieter. A plain sentence helps: the brake fund is closed. Some fans also set deposit limits inside licensed apps and ask a bank to block gambling merchant codes. That is not dramatic. It is normal risk control, like torquing wheel nuts after a tyre change.

One check before the next Grand Prix

Before the race, a fan can do a 10-minute audit. Open the banking app. List the car costs due in the next eight weeks: fuel, insurance, service parts, tyres, parking, tolls. Move that money first, then set an entertainment limit. If a betting site looks vague or noisy, skip it. Today.

Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen return for select O’Reilly starts for JR Motorsports in 2027

Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen will both be competing in select NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events for JR Motorsports (JRM) for a third consecutive year in 2027.

The duo of Chastain and van Gisbergen, both of whom compete as full-time competitors in the NASCAR Cup Series division for Trackhouse Racing, will split driving responsibilities of JRM’s No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro entry next season, with both drivers’ O’Reilly schedules yet to be determined. The news comes as the latter two have made a combined eight O’Reilly starts for JRM this season.

Between eight starts with Chastain and van Gisbergen, JRM’s No. 9 entry was driven into Victory Lane three times: twice by van Gisbergen (Circuit of the Americas in March and Sonoma Raceway in June) and once by Chastain (Charlotte Motor Speedway in May). Chastain and van Gisbergen also notched a combined six of the entry’s current nine top-10 results this season. 

JRM’s No. 9 entry, dubbed the organization’s all-star entry, has been piloted by five different competitors throughout the 2026 O’Reilly season, with Carson Kvapil, Jake Finch and Lee Pulliam having made at least a single start in the entry along with Chastain and van Gisbergen. Finch was the latest competitor to drive the entry this past weekend at Phoenix Raceway and is scheduled to compete in it this upcoming Saturday, October 24, at Talladega Superspeedway. The entry, which has competed in 19 of 30-scheduled events, is currently ranked in 17th place in the 2026 O’Reilly owner’s standings.

This past season, JRM’s No. 9 entry achieved two victories: one by Daniel Suarez at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and one by van Gisbergen at the Chicago Street Course. The entry also finished in the top-eight mark eight times in 10 starts while piloted by four competitors, including Chastain and Connor Mosack. Previously, the entry was fielded as a full-time operation from 2014-15 and 2017-24. During the 10-year span, the entry notched 23 victories and three of JRM’s four O’Reilly championships (Chase Elliott in 2014, William Byron in 2017 and Tyler Reddick in 2018).

For the 2027 season, Chastain and van Gisbergen will be splitting the No. 9 JRM entry with Tristan McKee, the latter of whom is this year’s ARCA Menards Series East champion and will compete with the organization for select O’Reilly events in 2027 and 2028 before graduating to a full-time racing role in 2029.

With JRM’s full driver lineup of the 2027 season yet to be determined, the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season for JR Motorsports resumes this upcoming Saturday, October 24, at Talladega Superspeedway for The Progress Group 250 that will air at 3:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network, MRN Radio and SiriusXM.

MHR Phoenix, AZ Activation Recap

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing
Phoenix, AZ Activation Notes

Race Venues: Phoenix Raceway
Race Date: October 16-17

MHR was within grasp of victory at Phoenix Raceway as Christian Eckes (No. 91 Columbia Bank Chevy) drove to his third-straight runner-up result and climbed to third in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series Chase standings. Daniel Hemric (No. 19 CRC Brakleen Chevy) pocketed his fourth top-10 in the last five races with a seventh-place finish. Tyler Ankrum (No. 18 LiUNA! Chevy) rebounded to finish 13th while Kris Wright (No. 81 iHeart Radio Chevy) finished 26th and Toni Breidinger (No. 20 Celsius Chevy) in 31st.

-MHR hosted one of the largest VIP groups of the season at Phoenix Raceway, 106 total guests across all partnerships.

-Columbia Bank marked their final primary scheme of the season by hosting 28 VIP’s, including guests from Pelican Bay Forest Products, Chrisman Development Inc., Nosler, Keystone Pacific, Techbros, ASA, CFO Systems, LLC, and Pet Ortho Braces.

-NAPA and CRC customers from the Phoenix and Portland markets attended Friday’s race, including customers from NAPA Auto Parts Tolleson, AZ, City of Chandler, the City of Phoenix, Goodworks Auto Repair (Tempe, AZ), Comcast (Portland, OR), Tyler’s Automotive (Tigard, OR) and NAPA Echlin.

-VIP’s gathered at the MHR transporter before the race to meet Bill McAnally, Eckes, Hemric, and Breidinger. Columbia Bank gifted swag bags to their guest group while guests from NAPA and CRC were treated to NAPA Racing hats and Eckes/Hemric t-shirts from Gates Hydraulics.

-Keith Mojica and Elisa Abarca from the City of Arizona were our Guest Crew Members for the race. Both received crew shirts and backpacks from NGK Spark Plugs and watched the race from the NAPA pit box with the No. 19 CRC Brakleen team.

-The MHR teams were present at a great event hosted by Columbia Bank at Popstroke in Glendale, AZ. McAnally, Eckes, Hemric, Deegan, Massey, and MHR crew members joined the event and was attended by Columbia Bank clients and employees. MHR presented commemorative San Diego race event posters to Columbia Bank’s team.

-On Friday morning, McAnally, Hemric, and Eckes visited three local customer shops and the new NAPA Auto Parts location in Goodyear, AZ. The MHR trio visited owners, technicians, and customers at Ark Fabrication (Avondale, AZ), Big O Tires (Goodyear, AZ), and Firestone Pebble Creek (Goodyear, AZ) to give out NAPA Racing team hats and autograph cards.

-Earlier in the week, the No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Silverado RST was on display at Roy Foster’s NAPA Auto Care grand opening in Sparks, Nevada along with the Carlyle Renegade Tool truck.

Ford Racing NASCAR – Talladega 2 Advance

TALLADEGA 2

Friday, August 23 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 4 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, August 25 — NASCAR Cup Series, 2 p.m. ET (NBC)

The Chase is heating up with only three races remaining and Ford drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano are in hot pursuit as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Talladega Superspeedway. Blaney is 40 points out of first place after gaining 45 points last weekend while Logano is 44 out following a 48-point gain. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Layne Riggs looks to cut into a 39-point deficit on Friday afternoon.

PROUD TO HONOR

Ford, in collaboration with NASCAR, Blue Star Families, IMSA and HSR, is bringing together motorsports, music and a shared mission of military support all in honor of service members, veterans and their families. It’s a first-of-its kind military tribute race with all six branches of the armed forces being represented. The inaugural Ford Proud To Honor Veterans Day Classic is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Daytona International Speedway. The event will feature 12 Ford Racing drivers representing a variety of disciplines competing in a race on the road course with the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R that is used to compete in the IMSA-sanctioned Mustang Challenge and Mustang Cup series. Another highlight will be a musical performance by Zac Brown Band. Donations and proceeds from ticket sales will go to benefit military families through a variety of non-profit organizations. Tickets can be purchased through the official website at fordveteransdayclassic.com.

FORD DRIVERS IN THE CHASE

5th – Ryan Blaney (-40 behind leader Kyle Larson)
6th – Joey Logano (-44)
8th – Austin Cindric (-130)
15th – Chris Buescher (-204)
16th – Ryan Preece (-211)

TALLADEGA PLAYOFF SUCCESS

No track has provided more playoff success for Ford than Talladega Superspeedway, which has seen 10 Blue Oval wins in the postseason. Team Penske has been at the forefront of that success with Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney each winning twice.

FORD PLAYOFF WINS AT TALLADEGA

2005 – Dale Jarrett, Robert Yates Racing

2009 – Jamie McMurray, Roush Fenway Racing

2012 – Matt Kenseth, Roush Fenway Racing

2014 – Brad Keselowski, Team Penske

2015 – Joey Logano, Team Penske

2016 – Joey Logano, Team Penske

2017 – Brad Keselowski, Team Penske

2018 – Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing

2019 – Ryan Blaney, Team Penske

2023 – Ryan Blaney, Team Penske

KESELOWSKI CLIMBING ALL-TIME TALLADEGA WIN LIST

Brad Keselowski, who will be making his 34th career start at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, is the winningest active driver at the track with six NASCAR Cup Series victories. That ties him for second on the all-time list with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon and puts him four behind all-time winner Dale Earnhardt Sr., who won 10 times during his NASCAR Hall of Fame career. In 35 races, Keselowski has registered 12 top-5 and 17 top-10 finishes while completing almost 95 percent of the laps (6251-of-6599).

AFTER SUNDAY’S RACE IN PHOENIX

RYAN BLANEY: – “We’ll just keep chipping away at it. We did a good job today of getting some good points and finishing well and being in contention to win the race. We’ll just try to do the same thing next week of trying to run well through the stages and find ourselves in a spot to capitalize at the end. It’s better than where we came in, so we just have to keep chipping away at it.”

JOEY LOGANO: “We’re more optimistic than we were coming in, so I kind of thought if we can be 60 out, we’ll probably be in decent shape, and I think we’re 40-something out (44), so, overall, it was a solid day.”

BLANEY’S TALLADEGA SUCCESS

Ryan Blaney heads into this weekend 40 points behind leader Kyle Larson with three races remaining in the season and if he’s looking to cut into that further, Talladega Superspeedway might be as good of a place as any. That’s because the 2023 series champion has three career wins at the track (2019, 2020 and 2023) with all of them having their share of drama. In 2019, it was a photo finish victory over Ryan Newman in a race that had to be completed on Monday due to rain. Like many Talladega events, it came down to a final inch as Newman got past Blaney for the lead coming off turn three, only to see the Team Penske driver battle back on the inside and nip him by a bumper at the stripe. The script was much the same in 2020 as rain forced the race to Monday with Blaney this time beating Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by inches in an overtime finish. In 2023, Blaney outdueled Kevin Harvick in a door-to-door battle for the entire final lap to win in another photo finish.

FORD DRIVERS IN THE CHASE

2nd – Layne Riggs (-39 behind leader Kaden Honeycutt)

4th – Chandler Smith (-117)

5th – Ty Majeski (-135)

9th – Ben Rhodes (-188)

MANUFACTURERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

Ford holds a 25-point lead over Toyota in the race for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series manufacturers’ championship with three races remaining. Ford has won that title twice when it posted back-to-back 12-win seasons in 1999 and 2000. Greg Biffle was the driving force behind both of those titles as he won nine times in ‘99 and then provided owner Jack Roush with his first NASCAR championship in 2000.

WHO’S FIRST?

The current Ford driver lineup has combined for 35 wins in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, but none of them have come at Talladega Superspeedway. Ben Rhodes has a pair of runner-up finishes, but to this point the only Blue Oval victories have been by Mark Martin (2006) and Brett Moffitt (2023).

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT TALLADEGA

1975 – Buddy Baker (Sweep)

1976 – Buddy Baker (1)

1979 – Bobby Allison (1)

1983 – Dale Earnhardt (2)

1985 – Bill Elliott and Cale Yarborough

1987 – Dave Allison and Bill Elliott

1989 – Davey Allison and Terry Labonte

1992 – Davey Allison (1)

1994 – Jimmy Spencer (2)

1995 – Mark Martin (1)

1997 – Mark Martin (1)

1998 – Dale Jarrett (2)

2005 – Dale Jarrett (2)

2009 – Jamie McMurray (2)

2012 – Matt Kenseth (2)

2013 – David Ragan (1)

2014 – Brad Keselowski (2)

2015 – Joey Logano (2)

2016 – Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano

2017 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Brad Keselowski

2018 – Joey Logano and Aric Almirola

2019 – Ryan Blaney (2)

2020 – Ryan Blaney (1)

2021 – Brad Keselowski (1)

2023 – Ryan Blaney (2)

2025 – Austin Cindric (1)

FORD’S NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT TALLADEGA

2006 – Mark Martin

2023 – Brett Moffitt

The Ford Mustang® coupe is America’s best-selling sports car and has a global racing presence. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke regional one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 23 Mustang race cars are scheduled to compete across all active disciplines. Learn more about Mustang at www.FordRacing.com.

United Rentals to Serve as Multi-Race Primary Partner for Austin Hill and the No. 33 Chevrolet in 2027 NASCAR Cup Series

Longstanding Driver-Partner-Team Relationship Continues to Grow as Hill Embarks on the Next Step in his Motorsports Career

WELCOME, NC (October 20, 2026) – Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced today that United Rentals, the world’s largest equipment rental company, will serve as a multi-race primary partner of Austin Hill and the No. 33 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2027.

The partnership marks the next chapter in a relationship between United Rentals and Hill that began in 2017 and has spanned nearly a decade of his racing career. From his early days competing in the NASCAR Truck Series to his success in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and his progression into the NASCAR Cup Series, United Rentals has been a consistent partner and supporter of Hill’s development as a driver.

“We’re proud of the longstanding relationship we’ve built with Austin and Richard Childress Racing over the years,” said Craig Schmidt, senior vice president, national accounts for United Rentals. “Since 2017, we’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside Austin and support him through some of the biggest milestones of his career. His move to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2027 is an exciting next step, and we’re proud to continue our partnership as he takes on this new challenge. We look forward to building on our shared success and working with RCR to create meaningful experiences for our customers, employees and race fans.”

United Rentals has supported Hill through numerous milestones during his career progression, including his first NASCAR Cup Series start with RCR at Michigan International Speedway in 2022, 24 victories across the NASCAR Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series regular season championship in 2023. United Rentals has also had a presence throughout Hill’s Cup Series career, including limited starts in NASCAR’s premier series each of the last five years, further strengthening a relationship that has grown alongside his career.

“United Rentals has been with Austin throughout so many important moments in his career, and we’re proud to see that partnership continue as he takes on a full-time role in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Mike Verlander, president of Richard Childress Racing. “Their commitment to Austin and our organization reflects the strength of a relationship built on trust, hard work and shared goals. Beyond the driver’s seat, it’s impressive to see the dedication that United Rentals has to their motorsports program and the customer engagement it creates through their partnership with RCR. We’re grateful for their continued support and look forward to building on that success together in 2027.”

United Rentals, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, is the world’s largest equipment rental company, with an extensive network of locations serving construction, industrial, utility, municipal and residential customers. United Rentals’ longstanding partnership with Richard Childress Racing extends beyond the racetrack, providing a platform to strengthen customer relationships, engage key business partners and drive brand awareness. Through its collaboration with RCR and Austin Hill, United Rentals leverages NASCAR’s national reach, RCR’s established industry relationships and exclusive at-track experiences to connect with customers and showcase its commitment to performance, teamwork and operational excellence. The partnership also creates opportunities to integrate United Rentals’ equipment and services into motorsports activations, reinforcing the company’s role in supporting major sporting events while delivering meaningful business-to-business engagement.

The 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season will mark Hill’s first full season competing in NASCAR’s premier division. Hill’s move to the Cup Series continues RCR’s long-standing tradition of developing drivers and preparing them for the sport’s highest level.

For more information, please visit rcrracing.com.

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 17 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018).

Jim Dunn Racing – Dallas Event Recap for the Texas NHRA FallNationals

Jeff Arend

Solid Start/True Brand Funny Car Driver for Jim Dunn Racing
Texas NHRA FallNationals
Oct. 16-18 | Ennis, Texas

Event Recap

Jeff Arend, driver of the Jim Dunn Racing Solid Start/True Brand Funny Car:

  • Earned No. 14 provisional qualifying position in Q1 on Friday (6.838 ET at 96.99 mph)
  • Fell to No. 15 provisional qualifying position in Q2 on Friday (4.050 ET at 315.99 mph)
  • Fell to No. 17 provisional qualifying position based off of Friday’s Q2 run. In Q3 on Saturday, Arend ran a 4.179 ET at 293.24 mph.
  • Dropped to the No. 18 qualifying position based off of Friday’s Q2 run. In Q4 on Saturday, Arend ran a 4.099 ET at 307.17 mph, which failed to qualify for the event.

Notes of Interest

  • Arend represented Solid Start/True Brand this weekend in Dallas. They are a women-owned, family-operated automotive additives manufacturer based in Lakeland, Florida. Founded in 2010 and built upon an automotive additives legacy dating back to 1976, the company produces a full line of performance-driven products designed to enhance engine performance and extend equipment life. Known for innovation, quality, and purpose-driven partnerships, Solid Start/True Brand proudly supports initiatives that strengthen families and communities nationwide.
  • True Brand is honored to partner with National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to raise awareness and drive impact in the fight against breast cancer. NBCF is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women now through early detection, education, and support services. Founded in 1991 by breast cancer survivor Janelle Hail, NBCF provides free, life-saving breast cancer screenings and educational resources to women in need, empowering individuals and families with hope, knowledge, and access to care year-round.
  • October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.
  • The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series heads west for the final two events of the 2026 season, starting with the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada, followed by the In-N-Out NHRA Finals in Pomona, California.

Jeff Arend, Driver of the Jim Dunn Racing Solid Start/True Brand Funny Car

“It was an honor to represent True Brand and the National Breast Cancer Foundation at the Texas FallNationals! Racing for a cause made this weekend even more meaningful and rewarding. True Brand hosted trackside hospitality all weekend, making it a full event filled with great people, connections, and memories. We had the opportunity to meet True Brand customers, spend time with their incredible team, and enjoy a great team dinner. We appreciate all the fans who came out, showed their support, and made this weekend so special. Next stop: Las Vegas! The Jim Dunn Racing team is finishing out the season in style with two special-edition race cars, and we can’t wait to see you all at the next event!”

Next Up

The next event on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule is the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals October 29-November 1 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada.

AARON STANFIELD EARNS TOP FUEL LICENSE AT TEXAS MOTORPLEX

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 19, 2026) — Elite Motorsports’ Aaron Stanfield added another accomplishment to his racing résumé Monday, completing his Top Fuel licensing requirements at Texas Motorplex following the Texas NHRA FallNationals.

As part of the alliance between Elite Motorsports and Tony Stewart Racing (TSR), Stanfield drove Leah Pruett’s TSR Top Fuel dragster to a 3.760-second pass at 281.83 mph, completing his licensing requirements with guidance from Pruett and Tony Stewart and crew chiefs Neal Strausbaugh and Mike Domagala.

Stanfield began the licensing process during a private, two-day test at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in August. He worked with crew chiefs Mike Green and Joe Barlam, with guidance from Stewart and Pruett, gaining his first experience in Elite Motorsports’ R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster.

“Coming off the first Indy session I needed to make one more run to get my license. Coming here to Dallas, I was really only expecting to get seat time while Leah’s team tested some parts and pieces. We had zero expectations, and I was really just hoping we could get my license done in the process. Main goal was not to tear anything up and we definitely accomplished that,” Stanfield said. “I’m starting to feel a lot more comfortable in the car, starting to understand the little nuances about it. So right out of the box, we made a killer lap. Neal and Mike asked me to shut off between 7 and 800 feet, and I clicked it around 750 feet, and we went 3.76-seconds. Just like that, we met the last piece of the requirements.”

During the Indianapolis test on Aug. 18, Stanfield recorded a 4.043-second run at 230.41 mph, followed later that afternoon by a 3.794-second pass at 318.92 mph. His 3.760-second run Monday at Texas Motorplex completed the requirements for his Top Fuel license.

“I got to feel a couple new things today. I smoked the tires pretty early at the Indy test on the fourth run but today I got to get out a little bit further on the racetrack and it smoked the tires. Then on the last run we made, we put a hole out around half track,” Stanfield said. “As a driver, it’s really important to know and feel those things. A lot of different sensations, new feelings but I’m happy I got to feel that.”

The testing program reflects the collaboration between Elite Motorsports and TSR, bringing together experienced drivers and crews to support Stanfield as he takes on a new challenge.

“I’m just looking forward to learning some more. Just the possibility of having an opportunity to compete in the Top Fuel car is pretty special, and we’ll just see where it goes,” Stanfield said. “But a big thank you to Tony and Leah, they are very much responsible for my preparation. It’s a huge ask for someone to put a rookie driver in their racing operation especially when there are still races left to win this season. So a big thank you for them allowing that to happen. And a big thank you to Richard, all these R+L guys. They made this process pretty special for me.”

Elite Motorsports has documented Stanfield’s journey from his first Top Fuel tests and will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation, teamwork and on-track experience involved. The footage will be shared on the team’s forthcoming YouTube channel, with launch details to be announced.

From race-day excitement to online casinos: how fans are embracing digital competition

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

Motorsport has always mixed speed, uncertainty and competition. However, the way you follow a race has changed dramatically.

The circuit still provides the spectacle, but your experience can now continue through live timing, mobile coverage, social discussion and other forms of digital entertainment.

That shift connects race-day excitement with a much wider culture of online participation.

NASCAR provides a useful example of this change, with its 2025 digital advertising figures reporting an 80% online racing audience and an 85% mobile audience.

The figures also show that 45% of households with children use a second device to follow NASCAR on race day, so modern fandom often involves several screens, sources and activities at once.

West Virginia shows how digital gaming fits established habits

The connection becomes clearer when you look at regulated online gaming in the United States.

In West Virginia, people can access authorized interactive casino gaming through licensed operators, and the West Virginia Lottery oversees regulation.

If you are researching online casinos in West Virginia, that legal framework provides useful context for understanding how digital gaming has developed within a defined market.

The figures also show this is more than a niche digital pastime, with West Virginia recording approximately $42 million in online casino revenue during March 2026.

The state then generated about $40.9 million in August, taking 2026 online casino revenue above $314 million through that month, according to figures based on West Virginia Lottery reports.

Why motorsport fits the digital model

Motorsport works particularly well across digital channels because so much of its appeal can be measured.

Lap times, qualifying positions, pit-stop decisions and championship points give you a constant flow of information.

Once those details reach your phone, you can follow the competitive story closely even when you are away from the circuit or television.

That habit also creates a natural bridge to other digital activities, so you might watch a race, check live statistics and discuss a strategic decision with other supporters.

You can then move to another form of online entertainment afterward, with the attraction coming from familiar ingredients such as competition, uncertainty, quick results and the feeling that something is happening now.

From spectatorship to participation

Traditional sports viewing asks you to watch an outcome unfold, but digital entertainment can make your involvement more active.

You can compare statistics, make predictions, follow fantasy competitions or explore games connected to familiar sporting themes.

Each option offers a different level of participation, so you can choose how closely you want to engage with the action.

Online casino gaming belongs to a separate regulated category, but it reflects the same broader movement towards interactive entertainment.

Your phone gives you immediate access to different activities, so entertainment can fit around your schedule without being tied to a particular broadcast or venue.

Overall, that flexibility helps explain the growing appeal of digital competition.

Mobile devices are changing the fan journey

The smartphone has become an important link between live sport and digital entertainment.

NASCAR’s published figures show that 85% of its online audience is mobile, with 45% of households with children using a second device on race day.

You can follow the main event on one screen while checking information or conversations on another, giving you more control over how you experience the action.

NASCAR has also continued expanding its digital distribution, with its official channel launching on Xumo Play in 2025.

The service provides round-the-clock programing that includes classic races, replays, original series, documentaries and video podcasts, so fans can continue engaging with the sport beyond the scheduled race.

Regulation gives digital gaming a clearer framework

The growth of online gaming also highlights why regulation matters.

West Virginia permits authorized interactive gaming under state law, with operators required to work within licensing requirements and players required to meet the applicable age requirement.

That framework gives consumers a defined legal structure for digital casino activity, differing from simply finding entertainment on an unrestricted website.

The financial figures also show why states are paying attention to this sector: West Virginia Lottery data records $49.8 million in transfers from interactive wagering during fiscal year 2025, as total Lottery sales approached $1.3 billion.

Interactive gaming also sits within a wider state-regulated system that already includes several forms of gaming.

Where digital competition goes next

The connection between motorsport and online gaming does not mean every fan wants the same experience.

You might care most about engineering, drivers and championship battles, whereas another supporter prefers statistics, fantasy competitions or gaming alongside the race.

Digital platforms give both audiences more ways to follow their interests without changing what first attracted them to motorsport.

The bigger trend is the expansion of race-day culture across different forms of participation.

You can watch the cars compete, follow the numbers, exchange opinions and explore other digital entertainment before the weekend is over.

As sports organizations develop their digital offerings and regulated gaming markets continue to mature, competition is becoming something you can experience across more parts of everyday life.

Common Online Notary Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

A notary session might take ten minutes, but the document behind it could be a home purchase or a power of attorney. Real estate forms, financial authorizations, affidavits, and family permissions all depend on accurate names, complete pages, and the right participants. One small slip, and you’ll need to reschedule or deal with a rejected file.

Working with an Online Notary removes the trip to a physical office for eligible documents, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for careful review. The signer, document owner, recipient, and notary each have a different role. Here are the mistakes that cause the most delays and how to avoid them.

Mistake One: Using the Wrong Version

It happens more than you might think: three drafts land in your inbox, and you upload the wrong one. The pages can look nearly identical, but a date, address, or clause may have changed. Once you notarize the wrong version, you may need to complete the process again.

Choose one document owner. That person should label the final file clearly, confirm the page count, and remove old copies from the working folder. The signer should compare the title and date with the instructions before uploading.

Mistake Two: Signing Too Early

Signing before the session can stop the process. On BlueNotary, the signer completes the signature during the live session while following the commissioned notary’s directions. Leave the signature line blank before joining, even when the document uses an acknowledgment.

Leave the signature blank before joining the BlueNotary session. During the meeting, follow the notary’s procedure. If the document already contains a signature, explain the situation before continuing rather than trying to hide or replace it.

Mistake Three: Using the Wrong Document Instructions

A valid notarial act does not guarantee that every organization will accept the document in every format. The recipient may require a particular form, witness arrangement, original paper, or delivery method.

Ask about acceptance before the appointment. This is especially important for court filings, government submissions, school permissions, and transactions with strict closing instructions. Keep the recipient’s response with the project record.

Mistake Four: Bringing Unusable Identification

An expired card, damaged credential, or name mismatch can stop identity verification. Photographs or photocopies of identification may not meet current platform requirements. No one else can answer the ID questions for you, not even a spouse sitting next to you.

Review instructions in advance and prepare the original accepted identification. If the document uses a different name, ask how to address it before the session.

Mistake Five: Forgetting Other Participants

A document may require another signer or one or more witnesses. Discovering that need after the session begins creates delay and can affect everyone’s schedule. Don’t assume the notary can double as your witness.

List all required people and confirm how each will participate. Check witness eligibility and identification requirements. If participants are in different locations, agree on timing and make sure each person receives the correct joining instructions.

A notary confirms who you are and that you’re signing willingly. That’s the job. The notary verifies identity and completes the requested notarial act but does not advise a signer about contract terms, tax effects, or whether signing is wise.

Send legal questions to an attorney and document questions to the recipient or preparer. Resolve them before the appointment when possible. This keeps the live session focused on identity, willingness, signature, and completing the certificate.

Mistake Seven: Losing the Completed File

The session ends, you hit download, and the file disappears into your Downloads folder next to the unsigned draft. Others accidentally send the unsigned draft because both files have similar names.

Open the completed file immediately. Confirm the page count and certificate, then save it with a clear name and date. Move drafts to a separate folder. Send the completed version through the recipient’s requested channel and retain confirmation.

Mistake Eight: Assuming Every Process Is Identical

Requirements can vary by document, recipient, notarial act, and the state connected to the notary’s commission. Instructions remembered from a previous transaction may not apply to the next one.

Use current platform guidance each time. BlueNotary publishes identity and process information, provides access to certified commissioned notaries, and makes completed documents available to download. The signer should still confirm the specific document’s acceptance and requirements.

Handle Corrections Transparently

If an error appears before the meeting, obtain a corrected final document and remove the earlier version from circulation. If an error is discovered during the meeting, tell the notary and pause. Do not cover text, replace pages, or ask the notary to ignore an inconsistency.

If the issue appears after completion, contact the recipient and the notary for the appropriate next step. The solution may require a new document and another notarial act. Never edit a notarized file. That creates a bigger problem than the original mistake.

Keep a short record of what changed and which version was delivered. Transparent correction protects trust among the signer, notary, document owner, and recipient.

What to Do When You Find a Mistake

If the problem is discovered after notarization, do not edit the completed file. Contact the recipient and the notary for the proper next step. Keep the original completed record, document what you corrected, and clearly identify any replacement version delivered later.

If the mistake appears during the session, tell the commissioned notary immediately. The right response may be to pause, upload a corrected document, or arrange another session. Continuing with information everyone knows is wrong only makes correction harder later.

If you find a mistake before the session, stop using the file and ask the document owner for a corrected version. Confirm the new page count and date so the old draft does not return to the workflow. Do not try to repair an official form by covering text or replacing a page without approval.

Common Error and Prevention

CheckpointWhat to Confirm
Wrong fileAssign an owner and verify title, date, and page count
Early signatureWait for instructions on the required act
Missing personConfirm all signers and witnesses
Identity issueReview accepted identification before joining
Lost outputRename, store, and deliver the completed file

Correct the Problem Before the Session

A smooth appointment usually results from solid preparation. Use the final document, confirm acceptance, bring valid identification, arrange every participant, and store the result carefully. BlueNotary can connect eligible signers with an Online Notary when a remote session suits the document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What should I review before uploading?

Check the title, date, names, page order, signature fields, attachments, and recipient instructions.

Q2. Why should I wait to sign?

The required act may call for signing in the notary’s presence. Waiting preserves the available procedural options.

Q3. Can the notary explain the contract?

The notary can explain the notarial procedure but should not provide legal advice about the agreement.

Q4. What if my name differs from my identification?

Ask the platform and recipient how to proceed before the session. Don’t assume it’ll be fine. A name mismatch can stop your session.

Q5. Do all witnesses follow the same rules?

No. Witness needs and eligibility depend on the document and applicable requirements. Confirm them in advance.

Q6. How do I avoid sending the wrong file?

Rename the completed file clearly, separate drafts, verify the certificate, and send only the downloaded completed version.

Two races that hadn’t started yet, and the sponsor was already sold

Some time ago, Front Row Motorsports announced that GoldenNuggetCasino.com would serve as the primary sponsor of the Ford Mustang No. 38 driven by Anthony Alfredo for two NASCAR Cup Series races. The first start was scheduled for August 22 at Michigan, and the second was set for September 11 at Richmond. Through the end of the season, the Golden Nugget brand was to remain on the car and team channels as an associate sponsor.

But just five days after the announcement, DraftKings announced it had agreed to acquire Golden Nugget Online Gaming. The livery had not yet completed a single competitive lap, and the corporate reality surrounding it had already begun to shift.

This is a well-known company in several countries. Authors of the list of no deposit bonuses in Australia noted that the brand had frequently appeared in their rankings. Experts from several European countries said the same. However, DraftKings is most popular in its home market — the United States. Active advertising in racing competitions is among the steps that helped the brand achieve such success.

One in eight viewers and the paradox of gambling sponsorship

This case highlights a non-obvious question that the industry rarely discusses publicly. A national NASCAR broadcast carries a sponsor’s logo into every state, yet a real-money online casino can only accept deposits in states where the product is licensed. The app checks the phone’s geolocation and blocks users outside the “permitted” territory.

The arithmetic is stark. A licensed real-money online casino product is available in only seven states. According to Census Bureau data from mid-2024, that represents 40.3 million people out of a national population of 340.1 million. Fewer than one in eight Americans lives where a legal casino app can accept a deposit. Meanwhile, Fox recorded 7,489,000 viewers for the Daytona 500 (February 15, 2026, up 11% year over year), and Sports Media Watch estimated the average Cup 2025 season audience at approximately 2.48 million per race, down from the previous 2.87 million. For an auto parts manufacturer, all that reach converts into potential customers. For a casino brand, only one-eighth of it is useful, and the rest becomes an image investment that is difficult to quantify.

Short packages instead of a full season

This gap between reach and legal accessibility shapes the typical strategy. Gambling companies in NASCAR prefer one-off starts and short race series, concentrating on tracks inside or near markets where their product is actually available. A full calendar would mean paying for vast territory that the app physically cannot serve.

Integrity rules came before the bookmakers’ money

On January 28, 2019, NASCAR prohibited drivers and team personnel from placing bets on their own races. The policy was developed in partnership with Sportradar Integrity Services, and fantasy prize winnings for “covered persons” were capped at $250. A year earlier, a betting kiosk had already appeared at Dover, and the sanctioning body understood that without proper safeguards, commercial partnerships with bookmakers would have become toxic.

The money followed. Among the series’ official partners, Penn National came first, then BetMGM (2020), WynnBET, Fubo Sportsbook (2021), FanDuel (2023), and DraftKings (2024). At the team level, Richard Childress Racing placed BetMGM on Austin Dillon’s No. 3 and Tyler Reddick’s No. 8 in 2021, extending the partnership in 2024 with Dillon and Kyle Busch. Kaulig Racing named DraftKings its exclusive betting sponsor in 2025, with primary placement on Ty Dillon’s No. 10 for two races. The controls operate mechanically, not symbolically. Data on covered persons is transmitted to Sportradar in encrypted form, and any attempt to bet on NASCAR hits a ‘max wager: zero dollars’ restriction. In 2023, the relationship expanded to include betting data rights, and the series now sells both trackside space and the feed on which betting odds are based.

A lesson from Formula 1 and why NASCAR has it easier

In Formula 1, liveries must be adapted to the advertising regulations of two dozen countries. Alfa Romeo in 2023 used Kick branding instead of Stake at races in Australia, Spain, Belgium, and Qatar. Team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi stated the principle plainly: where gambling advertising is prohibited, a different name is used. In NASCAR, this problem is less acute, as races take place within a single country, though regulations vary by state.

A race’s naming rights outlast the paint on the car

For a casino, title sponsorship of an event proves more durable. South Point has held the naming rights to the fall race in Las Vegas since 2018 and renewed the contract in October 2022. Hollywood Casino has carried its name on the Kansas Cup race since 2011. BetMGM put its name on the Charlotte Xfinity race in 2025.

The logic is transparent. A casino is tied to a location, and a track is tied to a location as well. In 2023, South Point became the primary sponsor on Daniel Hemric’s No. 11 and an associate sponsor on the No. 16 and No. 31 cars during the Las Vegas race weekend, just minutes from its own hotel. One race weekend, one market, one audience capable of becoming customers. Golden Nugget’s two starts at Michigan and Richmond were an attempt at the same strategy, but the corporate clock was ticking too fast.