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Corey LaJoie to pilot fourth RFK Racing entry for 2026 Daytona Speedweeks

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Corey LaJoie has joined forces with Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing for this year’s Daytona Speedweeks festivities.

LaJoie, a 34-year-old native of Concord, North Carolina, will be piloting RFK Racing’s fourth entry, the No. 99 Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry, sponsored by Trimble. He will attempt to enter the 2026 Daytona Speedweeks festivities at Daytona International Speedway as an open entry and earn a starting spot for this year’s 68th running of the Great American Race, the Daytona 500.

To qualify for this year’s Daytona 500, LaJoie would have to be the highest-finishing open competitor at the conclusion of the Daytona 500 Qualifying session on February 11 or through one of two America 250 Florida Duel events on February 12.

The announcement comes as LaJoie, who last competed as a full-time competitor during the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, is coming off part-time campaigns between the Cup and Craftsman Truck Series divisions. Between the campaigns, LaJoie made nine Truck starts with Spire Motorsports and four Cup starts with Rick Ware Racing. The latter series included LaJoie competing in the 67th running of the Daytona 500, where he finished 22nd after he was collected in a final-lap multi-car wreck while battling for the victory.

Should LaJoie qualify for this year’s Daytona 500 event, it would mark his 10th consecutive appearance in the Great American Race. It would also mark the first time that RFK Racing would field four entries in an event since the team’s rebranding in 2022.

LaJoie’s best result during his previous nine starts in the Daytona 500 is fourth, which occurred in 2024. LaJoie would also become the 10th competitor overall to notch a first Cup Series career victory in the Great American Race, should he achieve the feat in 2026.

“This is a dream come true to get an opportunity with RFK Racing at the Daytona 500,” Lajoie said in a released statement. “This is, without a doubt, the best car and opportunity I’ve had at Daytona. I’m grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me.”

The decision to field the No. 99 entry for LaJoie during the Daytona Speedweeks will mark a reunion for RFK Racing and the No. 99. It has competed with Roush Racing and Roush Fenway Racing from 1996 to 2014. During 19 years, the No. 99 achieved 39 victories (17 with Jeff Burton and 23 with Carl Edwards). The No. 99 had been sported by Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez over the previous five Cup seasons, capturing two wins in 2022 and 2024.

Before this year’s Daytona Speedweeks, LaJoie will compete in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1. He will field the entry as an interim competitor for his teammate and co-owner of RFK Racing, Brad Keselowski. Keselowski, the 2012 Cup Series champion from Rochester Hills, Michigan, is recovering from a broken leg he sustained during a skiing accident in mid-December. He is expected to recover in time to compete in this year’s Daytona 500. It will mark his 17th bid to win the event for the first time.

“From a competition standpoint, having a fourth car gives us and Ford Racing a better chance to win the Daytona 500,” Keselowski said. “It’s not just about adding another entry. Superspeedway racing is about cooperation and having an additional car allows us to be more effective in forming drafting alliances, controlling lanes, and putting ourselves in position when it matters most.”

The 2026 Daytona 500 Qualifying session will occur on February 11. The America 250 Florida Duel events are scheduled for February 12 and begin at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM and HBO MAX.

The 68th running of the Daytona 500 is scheduled for February 15 and will air at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM and HBO MAX.

Rajah Caruth splitting No. 88 entry with Hendrick Cup drivers for 2026 O’Reilly season

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Patrick Sue-Chan for SpeedwayMedia.com.

JR Motorsports (JRM) revealed the full driver lineup of the organization’s No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro entry for the upcoming NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (OAP) Series season.

Rajah Caruth, an incoming OAP Series’ Rookie-of-the-Year candidate from Washington, D.C., will be piloting the No. 88 entry in 23 of the 33-race schedule. Hendrick Motorsports’ competitors Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson will split driving responsibilities of the No. 88 entry in the remaining 10 events that Caruth does not drive. HendrickCars.com will serve as a primary sponsor for the entry, led by crew chief Mardy Lindley.

Caruth’s OAP campaign with JRM commences with the first of three-scheduled events of the 2026 season that include the season opener at Daytona International Speedway (February 14), EchoPark Speedway (February 21), and Circuit of the Americas (February 28). He will then return for back-to-back events at Martinsville Speedway (March 28) and Rockingham Speedway (April 4) before he competes at Talladega Superspeedway (April 25), Watkins Glen International (May 9), Dover Motor Speedway (May 16), Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 23), Naval Base Coronado (June 20) and Sonoma Raceway (June 27). 

Beginning at Iowa Speedway (August 8), Caruth will assume the No. 88 entry for the remainder of the 2026 OAP Series season. This stretch includes the nine-race Chase schedule that commences at Darlington Raceway (September 5).

Byron, the 2017 OAP Series champion and the reigning two-time Daytona 500 champion from Charlotte, North Carolina, will make his first OAP Series start of the 2026 season in the No. 88 entry at Phoenix Raceway (March 7) before he returns to compete at Kansas Speedway (April 18) and Pocono Raceway (June 13). Larson, the reigning two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion from Elk Grove, California, will drive the No. 88 entry at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 14), Bristol Motor Speedway (April 11), and Texas Motor Speedway (May 2).

Meanwhile, Bowman, a three-time Daytona 500 pole winner from Tucson, Arizona, will compete in the No. 88 entry at Darlington Raceway (March 21) and Nashville Superspeedway (May 30). Elliott, the 2014 OAP Series champion and the 2020 Cup Series champion from Dawsonville, Georgia, will then cap off Hendrick Motorsports’ four-driver splitting duties of the No. 88 entry by competing at Chicagoland Speedway (July 4) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 25).

During the 10-race stretch where all four Hendrick Motorsports’ competitors will be driving the No. 88 JRM entry, Caruth will be piloting the No. 32 Chevrolet Camaro entry for Jordan Anderson Racing. 

The announcement comes as Caruth is coming off three consecutive seasons of competition in the Craftsman Truck Series division, with his latest two seasons occurring at Spire Motorsports while sponsored by HendrickCars.com. Over the previous two seasons, Caruth scored his first two Truck career victories (Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March 2024 and Nashville Superspeedway in May), thus joining the late Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace as the only African-American competitors to win across NASCAR’s top three national touring series divisions. He also made the Playoffs during both seasons before finishing seventh and sixth, respectively, in the final driver’s standings.

In addition to his success from the Truck Series division, Caruth has made a total of 22 starts in the OAP Series between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, along with the 2025 season. His current average-finishing result is 23.1 as he pursues his first victory and first opportunity to compete for the series’ championship on a full-time basis in 2026.

“We couldn’t be happier to welcome back all four of Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers into the JRM family to join Rajah (Caruth) behind the wheel of our No. 88 Chevrolet,” Kelley Earnhardt Miller, CEO of JR Motorsports, said in a released statement. “Chase, William, Alex, and Kyle all have such a unique history with us, and it’s just a testament to the relationship that we have built with Mr. Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports, and HendrickCars.com that we can bring them all together with Rajah to race for an owner’s championship in 2026.”

This past season, Bowman, Byron, Elliott, and Larson accumulated a combined 10 top-10 results while splitting driving duties for Hendrick Motorsports in the OAP Series. During this stretch, Larson won at Bristol in April and Byron won at Charlotte in May. Now, the duo, along with Bowman and Elliott, will strive to achieve more on-track success in the No. 88 JRM entry that is technically affiliated with Hendrick Motorsports and was piloted to Victory Lane by Connor Zilisch 10 times in 2025.

“We’re looking forward to our program with JR Motorsports, both on and off the track,” Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, added. “Having our four Cup Series drivers join Rajah in the No. 88 provides HendrickCars.com a powerful platform with a championship organization. This team is capable of competing for race wins throughout the 2026 season, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.”

The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season is scheduled to commence at Daytona International Speedway for the United Rentals 300 on February 14. The event’s coverage time is slated to start at 5 p.m. ET on the CW Network, MRN, and SiriusXM.

Motul Joins Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup as Official Oil Parnter

By
Official Release
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January 20, 2026 – Motul, producer of high-quality performance motor oils and lubricants, is partnering with the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin to provide participants with the best products in the industry.

As the official oil partner of Mazda Motorsports and the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup, Motul will present the “Motul Pole Award” to each of the season’s 14 fastest qualifiers. At the end of the season, the driver who earned the most pole positions of the season will receive a year-end award and prize.

“Motul is honored to be a sponsor and technical partner of the Mazda MX-5 Cup and to be alongside this passionate community of automotive enthusiasts,” General Manager of Motul North America Amber Bates said. “Motul prides itself on its storied racing heritage and a partnership with Mazda perfectly aligns with our motorsports DNA. Motul offers a wide range of high performing lubricants and care products, and we look forward to showcasing these products via the Mazda MX-5 Cup and to the loyal community of Mazda racers, owners and fans across North America.”

Additionally, all cars entered in MX-5 Cup are now required to use Motul motor and gearbox oil. These Motul products will be provided through Mazda Motorsports and available from Flis Performance at the Customer Experience Center at all MX-5 Cup race events.

“We are extremely pleased to have Motul as a partner,” Mazda Motorsports Senior Manager Jonathan Applegate said. “Motul is a company recognized around the world for innovative products and a lot of their research and development comes from racing. We know our teams will be receiving the best product possible, from a brand that recognizes the importance of motorsports.”

The first Motul Pole Award of the 2026 Mazda MX-5 Cup season will be presented at Daytona International Speedway on January 22, following qualifying from 11:55am ET to 12:15pm ET.

About Motul
Motul specializes in the formulation, production, and distribution of high-quality lubricants that elevate performance in multiple usages from powersport to passenger cars, heavy duty, and industrial applications. Motul has pioneered synthetic oils with its flagship 300V, the first 100% synthetic multigrade lubricant. Building on this long-term know-how, Motul is now extending its expertise to care products for cars, motorbikes and bicycles, as well as advanced fluids for the thermal management of electric vehicle batteries and digital infrastructures such as data centers, addressing the performance and sustainability challenges of tomorrow.

Founded in 1853, Motul is a global company present in 160 countries. Over the years, the brand has built a solid reputation as a trusted partner to support the performance of leading manufacturers, top motorsport teams and major championships, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the WEC, MotoGP, Dakar, Goodwood, or the UCI Mountain Bike World Series.

www.motul.com/corporate

About: The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

SportScore will tell you everything about sports match results

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

If you are interested in sports, prefer active recreation, and want to stay up to date with the latest sporting events, know the results of games and team statistics, and surprise your friends with your knowledge of what is happening in the sports industry in real time, then sportscore.com is for you. Using this convenient online service, you will know everything about what is happening in the world of sports and even more.

Football is the key focus of SportScore!

The main task of this online information platform is to quickly and clearly display the results of sporting events around the world. The official SportScore site has earned the trust of soccer fans. This is because it is here that they can quickly find comprehensive, structured, and reliable information on tournaments of various levels.

You can easily use the SportScore football page to:

  • Find out the scores of completed matches;
  • Follow the progress of one or several games in real time;
  • Check the schedule of upcoming football battles;
  • See statistics on teams, tournaments, and the best players.

Football takes center stage on the SportScore website. It provides reliable information on a wide variety of categories. Thanks to the platform’s user-friendly interface, you will have an amazing opportunity to learn a lot of interesting facts about:

  • National championships in different countries and continents;
  • International tournaments;
  • National team games;
  • Secondary league matches.

Thanks to this coverage, SportScore match info is attracting more and more regular fans and more demanding sports enthusiasts who follow football on a regular basis.

Why choose the SportScore scores page?

Because even a beginner can easily find the right match or tournament here. In addition to real-time results, the official website sportscore.com can show:

  • Tournament tables;
  • History of previous matches between teams;
  • Season statistics;
  • Overall standings of teams in championships.

Thanks to this online platform, you can easily navigate sporting events and clearly understand the situation in the tournament in real time. 

Visit the SportScore main page and stay up to date with all the latest news in modern football and other areas of the sports industry. Use only a reliable source of sports information, here you can get information about sport events as quickly as possible, stay up to date with the world of sporting events, the whole world of sport on one website!

CUBE 3 Architecture Renews TA2 Title Sponsorship for 2026 Season

By
Official Release
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CHARLOTTE (January 20, 2026) — The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is thrilled to announce that CUBE 3 Architecture, the title sponsor of the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, has renewed its partnership for the 2026 season. The Official Architectural Firm of the Trans Am Series will continue to serve as the title sponsor of Trans Am’s TA2 class, which has produced motorsports stars like Connor Zilisch, Brent Crews, Tristan McKee and Thomas Annunziata.

Founded by visionaries Nik Middleton and Brian O’Connor, CUBE 3 Architecture has earned national acclaim as a leading design firm with a rich portfolio of master planning, architectural, interiors and design projects spanning over two decades. Headquartered in North Andover, Mass., with four additional offices strategically located in Boston, Miami, Princeton, and San Diego, CUBE 3 Architecture brings a wealth of creative expertise to the table.

CUBE 3 joined the Trans Am Series’ TA2 class five years ago as a team and driver sponsor, then came on as the title sponsor of the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series in 2024. Since joining the series, CUBE 3 has actively sponsored emerging TA2 talents, including young drivers Noah Harmon, Jake Drew, Evan Slater and Australian TA2 champion Nathan Herne.

“The last two seasons as title sponsor of the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series has been a rewarding experience, and we’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Trans Am Series,” said CUBE 3 Architecture Senior & Founding Partner and CEO Nik Middleton. “We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved and the relationships we’ve built with drivers, teams and series management, and we can’t wait to see our partnership grow in new ways going forward.”

“We could not be happier to have Nik Middleton and the entire CUBE 3 Architecture team back with us for the 2026 season,” said Scott Duncan, Chief Partnership Officer for Racing America. “We are very excited about the continued partnership, which will drive our companies in the direction to be established as the most competitive road racing series in North America.”

“We are so pleased to be welcoming back CUBE 3 Architecture,” said Trans Am President Andy Lally. “The CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series has become such an important proving ground for young drivers beginning their motorsports careers, and a destination for world-class talent, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of CUBE 3. They are one of the best sponsors in the business, and we are thrilled to continue working with them.”

The Trans Am Series kicks off its 60th-anniversary season at Sebring International Raceway, February 26-March 1, 2026.

About CUBE 3 Architecture: Established in 2003, CUBE 3 has earned a nationwide reputation as an industry leader in design and innovation. The firm is renowned for its tailored solutions to a diverse array of architectural, interior design, and planning challenges. With expertise spanning across sectors such as residential, hospitality, student housing, commercial, and mixed-use projects, CUBE 3 consistently delivers visionary design. For more information, please visit www.cube3.com.

About the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli: The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is the longest-running professional road racing series in North America. Founded in 1966, the Trans Am Series and has excited audiences for 60 years with its combination of powerful American muscle cars and elite GT cars from around the world. With several diverse and competitive classes of racecars and both National and Western Championships, Trans Am offers something for every fan and every competitor. The series will host 11 events nationwide in 2026. For more information, visit GoTransAm.com.

Twin City Thunderbirds Host NASCAR Night

By
Logan Allen
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Twin City Thunderbirds looking to draw in the Nascar Audience

The Twin City Thunderbirds are located in the heart of Winston-Salem, NC. A location soon to be familiar with many NASCAR fans. The arena is located within the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds will be the starting location for the trailer parade for the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on January 30th, 2026. For those wishing to attend, it will be free, with the prominent area for fans being right outside Bowman Gray Stadium on Research Parkway and MLK Jr. Drive.

With the NASCAR Clash coming back to Bowman Gray Stadium, the Thunderbirds are right in the heart of all Clash fans. The Clash, back in 2025, gave us all a race to remember. Chase Elliott came home with the race victory, though that wasn’t the thing that fans remember the most.

There were two drivers who stepped onto that track for their NASCAR Cup Series debut, but had more races started and won at Bowman Gray than anyone else. Tim Brown and Burt Myers took the track and found a way to push their way into the Clash. Brown and Myers both have over 100 wins at Bowman Gray Stadium in the Modified Series. Both came short of the win, and neither finished the race, but something that Winston-Salem fans will remember for a long time.

Thunderbirds bring in NASCAR drivers in front of the Clash

The Twin City Thunderbirds are currently in the midst of a strong season series against the Blue Ridge Bobcats (Wytheville, VA). This weekend is a home-and-home matchup against the Bobcats. Friday night will be in Wytheville, VA, while Saturday night will be NASCAR night at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena.

Currently, there are two committed NASCAR Cup series drivers and two weekly drivers from the Modified Series that runs at Bowman Gray Stadium. Those drivers are Ty Dillon, Cole Custer, “the real deal” Riley Neal, and Mike Speeney. There will be more to announce as this week continues.

Halfway through the Thunderbirds season, they are looking to turn around their troubles and find a way to reach back to a .500 winning percentage. NASCAR night is looking to boost their season attendance and bring the atmosphere needed to push them into a playoff spot. Currently tied with the last playoff spot in the Continental Division with 36 points.

Tickets are starting to dissipate quickly. The Fairground arena holds a maximum capacity of just over 3,000. The season average currently sits at 2,402. Doors will be opening at 4 pm for a 6:05 puck drop. This will allow time for fans of not just hockey, but also NASCAR, to get their signatures and pictures with their favorite drivers.

The NASCAR Clash will be on Sunday, February 1st, 2026. Saturday, January 31st, will be the qualifying and practice runs for the Clash. Saturday will also be the day of the weekly track racing for the Modified and Sportsman Divisions. Friday, January 30th, will be driver introductions and autograph sessions. There will be sessions for both the Cup Series and the Weekly racing series.

RAFA Racing Team partners with Omniscope to unlock immune performance at Daytona

By
Official Release
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  • Immune intelligence enters endurance racing at the Daytona
  • Real-time biomarker insights support drivers and performance teams
  • Science-driven approach targets recovery, resilience, and race-week health

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (January 20, 2026) – RAFA Racing Team and Omniscope, a leading techbio company pioneering high-resolution immune intelligence, today announced a strategic partnership to profile driver and pit crew immune dynamics.

As part of this collaboration, Omniscope will conduct deep immune profiling on RAFA Racing Team drivers competing at the Daytona International Speedway.

The project aims to capture how the extreme physiological and psychological demands of motorsport impact the immune system – a critical yet often overlooked driver of performance, recovery, and long-term health.

This study will integrate Omniscope’s immune system analysis with additional physiological data, including blood biomarkers, heart rate, G-force exposure, and recovery metrics.

By combining immune intelligence with real-time performance and stress data, the partnership seeks to build a multidimensional understanding of how elite motorsport stressors shape human biology.

RAFA Racing Team opened its 2026 season last weekend in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar challenge with Westin Workman taking a pair of victories and Rafael Martinez scoring two podiums aboard their Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 entries, while Kiko Porto and Varun Choksey joined forces aboard the team’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge entry, which opens its season with a four hour endurance race on January 23 as part of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Racing as a living laboratory for human performance

Endurance motorsport represents one of the most extreme stress environments in professional sport: sustained cognitive load, high G-forces, sleep deprivation, inflammation, and metabolic strain, all compressed into a single race weekend.

Through its proprietary immune profiling platform, Omniscope will track dynamic changes into immune repertoire, enabling detection of subtle shifts associated with fatigue, inflammation, immune suppression, and recovery capacity – signals that often precede performance decline or illness.

“Racing is a discipline where victory is determined by milliseconds and human and machine become one,” said Vijay Vaswani, Omniscope Co-founder & CEO (pictured above right).

“By mapping the immune system under these extreme conditions, Omniscope confers a competitive advantage at the cellular level — unlocking the ultimate data set for human performance and recovery.”

By comparing drivers to non-driving team members exposed to the same race environment, Omniscope and RAFA Racing Team aim to isolate the unique biological cost of driving at the limit and identify opportunities to more precisely optimize training, nutrition, sleep, and recovery strategies.

“We are always looking for ways to improve the performance of the car and spend so much time analyzing data to extract that last 10th of a second,” RAFA Racing Team founder, Rafael Martinez said.

“Now in partnership with Omniscope, we’ll be able to take that same philosophy to analyze data from the drivers – looking for ways we can continue to make improvements from race to race.”

Driving performance, recovery, and longevity — From the immune system up
Professor Holger Heyn, Omniscope Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer (pictured above center), highlights: “We are treating Daytona as a living laboratory to map how the immune system responds to the absolute limits of human endurance.

“This partnership with RAFA Racing Team allows us to translate elite performance data into the personalized insights that power our osLifetime platform. As we open our early access waiting list, we are excited to offer this same clinical-grade immune intelligence to athletes and high-performers worldwide who want to optimize their own recovery and longevity.”

Insights generated from this project will inform how immune health correlates with sustained focus, reaction time, resilience, and recovery; all decisive factors in elite motorsport success.

Omniscope’s work with RAFA Racing Team builds on its clinical heritage, where its immune technologies have been validated in diagnostics, therapeutic development, and response prediction. The application of this scientific rigor to sports represents a growing frontier where elite athletes serve as powerful models for peak human health.

From the track to the public: Early access now open
Insights derived from elite performance environments like Daytona are foundational to Omniscope’s broader mission: democratizing access to immune intelligence.

Individuals interested in understanding their own immune system dynamics (whether for performance, recovery, or longevity) can now sign up for early access to Omniscope´s technologies

Early Access Sign-Up: https://www.omniscope.ai/lifetime

About Omniscope

Omniscope is a techbio company building the world’s most advanced immune intelligence platform. Originating from clinical immunology, Omniscope combines patented laboratory technologies, deep T- and B-cell receptor sequencing, and AI-driven models to generate high-resolution, dynamic insights into the immune system.
Omniscope’s mission is to empower clinicians, researchers, and athletes with predictive, personalized immune data — improving diagnostics, therapeutic development, performance, and healthspan.

Learn more: https://www.omniscope.ai/about-us

About RAFA Racing Team

RAFA Racing Team and the RAFA Racing Club is a global motorsport and lifestyle brand founded by Rafael Martinez on the principle of “Race As Family Always.”

The team manages professional racing programs across IMSA, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, and GT4 series with the club providing a world-class community for automotive enthusiasts.

By integrating cutting-edge techbio and performance science, RAFA Racing Club offers its members and clients exclusive access to the future of human performance and elite driver development.

Stanton Barrett Motorsports Signs Rafa Matos for 2026 TA2 Championship Campaign, Beginning at Sebring

By
Official Release
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SEBRING, Fla. — Stanton Barrett Motorsports (SBM) proudly announces a new partnership with three-time Trans-Am Series champion Raphael “Rafa” Matos for the 2026 CUBE3 Architecture TA2 season.

Backed by strong technical alliances, experienced leadership, and championship-proven talent, Stanton Barrett Motorsports and Matos head into the 2026 campaign as immediate title contenders, opening their championship bid at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway next month.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to be driving for SBM Motorsports in the T2 class for the 2026 season,” said Matos.

“Stanton’s energy and the way he thinks — strategically, logically, and quickly — stood out immediately.”

Matos will compete in the No. 12 Ford Mustang, showcased in the striking Concord American Flagpole livery, with international support led by Memo Corse and principal Marcelo Occhionero of Argentina, alongside primary partner CNA Fiber Optic.

Stanton Barrett Family Wines — an award-winning winery — has also committed key resources to finalize Matos’ addition to the SBM lineup as he pursues a fourth career Trans-Am championship in 2026.

The program unites two of the most accomplished competitors in American motorsports: Matos, a proven champion across multiple disciplines, and Stanton Barrett, a former IndyCar and NASCAR driver and the owner of Stanton Barrett Motorsports.

The partnership is focused on contending for the 2026 championship alongside SBM drivers Graham Jacobson, Barrett and Matos.

The organization is built on Cope Racing Chassis and powered by PME engines.

The principals are long-time friends, customers and competitors of team owner and driver Stanton Barrett, forming a foundation built on trust, experience and shared success.

“This is a very strong program,” added Matos. “The car is proven, the partners are aligned, and the team is motivated.

“With SBM running the operation and this Cope-PME package, we know we have everything we need to fight for wins and the championship.

“I’m extremely proud to represent this No. 12 race car with CNA Fiber Optic and Concord American Flagpole, who have provided valuable sponsorship and B2B partnerships. Seeing the stars align once again reinforces my belief that talent, preparation and hard work belong at the front of the T2 series.”

Barrett believes the addition of Matos immediately elevates Stanton Barrett Motorsports’ championship outlook for the 2026 CUBE3 Architecture TA2 season, strengthening an already formidable driver lineup and technical program.

“Rafa is the kind of driver who can contribute to SBM building a championship-caliber program,” said Barrett.

“His experience, discipline, and work ethic align perfectly with what we’re building at SBM. This partnership strengthens our ability to contend for podiums in TA2 at Sebring and throughout the 2026 season.”

The 2026 Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli season opener is scheduled for Feb. 26 – March 1 at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway.

For more information on Stanton Barrett Motorsports, please visit stantonbarrettmotorsports.com, or like them on Facebook (Stanton Barrett) or Instagram at @stantonbarrettmotorsports.

Visit Rafa Matos on Instagram at @rafamatos2.

Tohatsu Returns as an Anchor Partner with Spencer Boyd in 2026

By
Official Release
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This marks the outboard boat motor company’s third season of partnership with Boyd

Mooresville, NC (January 20. 2026) – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series mainstay, Spencer Boyd announced that Tohatsu will return as an anchor partner for the 2026 season. The award-winning outboard motor company is celebrating 70 years of outboard engine production in 2026 and is entering their third season of partnership with Boyd.

A beaming Spencer Boyd commented on the news, “Tohatsu is a great brand and an even better partner. Their return as an anchor partner means a lot to me personally and even more to our team as our trajectory continues to point upward. The Tohatsu diecast just landed and I’ve been playing NASCAR 25, as myself driving the Tohatsu truck of course, so their blue and white paint seems to be everywhere!”

Since the first mass-produced “OB” model debuted in 1956, Tohatsu Corporation has delivered more than 5 million reliable outboard engines to boaters across the world, supporting countless adventures along the way. They have unveiled a special commemorative logo to celebrate this milestone.

“For generations we have we have had a commitment to progress and innovation,” said Vice President of Tohatsu American Corporation, Kuniharu Maki. “We see the same drive in Spencer. His ability to broadcast our brand to millions of NASCAR fans is unmatched and his interactions with our customers and clients goes beyond what we ever expected. We are proud to continue this partnership through 2026 and look forward to celebrating milestones together.”

Tohatsu America Corporation, headquartered in Coppell, Texas has been a reliable partner for many in the public safety realm, powering many swift-water rescue boats in emergency situations across the country.

Last summer, Tohatsu powered Robert Younes in his record-setting run of The Great Loop. He set a solo, single engine record by completing the 6000-mile circuit in 19 days, 13 hours, and 1 minute with his 16’ Jon boat and 60HP Tohatsu hand tiller motor.

Tohatsu will have the primary paint scheme at a number of races in 2026 including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series return to Dover Motor Speedway.

About Tohatsu

Tohatsu is Japan’s oldest outboard manufacturer, producing reliable outboard motors since 1956. Recently celebrating 100 years of history, Tohatsu innovations have made waves that change the world. We are uncompromising in our pursuit of high-quality outboard motors and the promise to deliver an inspirational engine experience. See it. Hear it. Feel the Wind.

Xfinity and 23XI Racing Announce Partnership Expansion

By
Official Release
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Xfinity to Debut First-Ever Branded Car in the Daytona 500 and Serve as the Majority Primary Partner with Bubba Wallace for the 2026 Season

Philadelphia, Pa. (January 20, 2026) – Xfinity and 23XI Racing today announced an expansion of their partnership, reinforcing Xfinity’s long-term commitment to the team, the sport, and NASCAR fans. The renewed agreement marks the next chapter in a relationship built on innovation, performance, and creating unforgettable fan experiences.

As part of the expanded partnership, Xfinity will debut its first-ever branded car in the season-opening Daytona 500, serving as the primary paint scheme on Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE for NASCAR’s most iconic race. Xfinity will also serve as Wallace’s majority primary partner for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, with multiple races featuring the Xfinity-branded No. 23 car, delivering season-long visibility and deeper integration with the team. Xfinity will continue as a primary partner with Tyler Reddick and the No. 45 team for select races this season.

The extension builds on Xfinity’s continued investment in 23XI Racing, including the previously announced Xfinity Speed Center, which provides the organization with advanced technology and performance resources. Together, these initiatives underscore Xfinity’s commitment to helping 23XI compete at the highest level while bringing fans closer to the action on and off the track.

“From day one, our partnership with 23XI Racing has been about imagining what’s possible in the sport and creating experiences that connects fans to the moments that mean the most to them,” said Jessica Muir, Senior Director of Brand Partnerships & Amplification, Comcast. “This extension reflects our long-term belief in this team, in Bubba and Tyler, and in our fans. We’ll be celebrating a historic milestone with our first-ever branded car in the Daytona 500 and showing fans what’s possible when imagination meets momentum as we continue to invest in the future of NASCAR.”

“Xfinity has been an incredible partner in helping 23XI Racing grow both on and off the track,” said Steve Lauletta, President at 23XI Racing. “Their continued support gives us the resources to jointly create unforgettable experiences for our fans while also competing at the highest level. With Xfinity, we’re not just building an elite team, we’re building a partnership that puts fans first and helps the sport grow for everyone who loves racing.”

For Bubba Wallace, the expanded partnership represents an exciting new phase of the relationship with Xfinity and an opportunity to further connect with fans throughout the season.

“Having Xfinity on the car for the Daytona 500 and doing more with our team for the 2026 season is an incredible honor,” Wallace said. “What really excites me is how this partnership gives fans a front-row seat to everything we do. They’re right there for every mile of the season, celebrating the milestones, and feeling like part of the team. Xfinity’s support gives us the resources to compete at the sport’s biggest stages while keeping fans at the heart of every race.”

The partnership extension further strengthens Xfinity’s presence in NASCAR and reinforces its commitment to a long-term partnership that combines innovation, competition, and fan-driven storytelling.

About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About 23XI Racing
23XI Racing – pronounced twenty-three eleven – was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in 2020. With rising NASCAR star Bubba Wallace selected to drive the No. 23 Toyota Camry, the team made its NASCAR Cup Series debut in the 2021 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Wallace made history on October 4, 2021, when he captured his first career Cup Series win, becoming just the second African American to win in the Cup Series, and earning 23XI its first-ever victory. 23XI expanded to a two-car organization in 2022 with Cup Series Champion and Hall of Famer Kurt Busch driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry. With a win at Kansas Speedway in May of 2022, Busch earned 23XI the team’s first-ever playoff berth. Tyler Reddick joined the team in 2023 to drive the No. 45 car. In 2024, Reddick won the Regular Season Championship and raced to a spot in the Championship 4, a first for both the team and Reddick. 23XI currently features the lineup of Bubba Wallace in the No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE, Tyler Reddick in the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE and Riley Herbst in the No. 35 Toyota Camry XSE. Corey Heim currently serves as the team’s development driver and races occasionally in the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE. The team operates out of Airspeed, a state-of-the-art facility in Huntersville, N.C.

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