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Electric Dirt Bike Protective Gear: What to Wear and How to Choose It

A new rider usually focuses most of their attention on the bike. Protective equipment is often chosen afterward, with whatever remains in the budget. That order can leave someone with a capable machine and boots, gloves, or a helmet that make riding uncomfortable. A better approach is to treat the rider’s equipment as part of the riding setup from the beginning.

Electric dirt bike gear should match motorcycle-style off-road riding, the conditions, and the rider’s fit. Electric power does not reduce the consequences of a fall. The most useful equipment fits properly, stays in place, and lets the rider operate the controls without distraction.

Begin with a suitable helmet

A bicycle helmet is not the default choice for motorcycle-style off-road riding. Choose a motorcycle helmet appropriate to the activity and compliant with your jurisdiction’s or riding venue’s requirements. An off-road full-face design commonly provides chin coverage and works with goggles, while other motorcycle designs may suit particular conditions.

Try the helmet on rather than choosing it based on head circumference alone. Different models have different internal shapes. It should feel snug without painful pressure points and stay secure when you move your head. Fasten the retention system exactly as instructed.

Spend several minutes wearing it before deciding. A helmet that becomes uncomfortable while standing in a shop is unlikely to improve during a ride. Follow the manufacturer’s replacement guidance, including what to do after an impact. A used helmet with an uncertain history can be a poor place to save money.

Choose eye protection for dust and changing light

Dust, grit, insects, and wind can affect vision even on a short session. Off-road goggles should fit the helmet opening, seal comfortably around the face, and not interfere with the helmet’s position. Check the combination together, not as separate purchases.

Lens choice matters. A dark lens may be comfortable in open sunlight but harder to read in shaded woodland. Select a lens appropriate to the conditions, and consider carrying a suitable alternative if the product supports swapping it.

Keep the lens clean using the maker’s recommended method. Scratches, smeared mud, or a fogged surface can make obstacles difficult to identify. Good visibility is a reason to stop and clean equipment, rather than continuing because the rest of the ride feels manageable.

Boots need more than a rugged appearance

Off-road motorcycle boots provide coverage and support that casual trainers or ordinary hiking footwear do not offer in the same way. Compare protection, fit, fastening, and compatibility with the bike’s controls. The boot should secure the heel and foot without painful compression.

Try boots with the socks you expect to wear. Check whether you can stand comfortably and move as required. Purpose-built boots may feel less flexible than everyday shoes, but discomfort and a poor fit are not signs of extra protection.

Before riding, learn how the boots feel around the foot controls of the actual bike. Some electric dirt bikes have different control arrangements from conventional motorcycles. Familiarity with one layout does not eliminate the need to check another.

Protect your hands and the rest of your body

Gloves should provide grip and protection without making it difficult to feel the controls. Check finger length, seams, and wrist closure. Overly bulky gloves can compromise dexterity, while an excessively tight pair can become uncomfortable as a session continues.

Body protection may include a chest and back protector, knee protection, and elbow protection, depending on the riding and venue requirements. Read the product’s intended use and relevant certification information rather than judging protection by thickness or appearance. Wear compatible layers so protective pieces stay where they belong.

When researching bikes through Heybike Sports, include protective equipment in the overall budget. The V1 gives riders a specific model to plan fit and control familiarity around. Buying the machine and equipping its rider are connected decisions, even when the items come from different suppliers.

Balance coverage with comfort

Heat, restricted movement, and badly positioned equipment can become distractions. Choose riding clothing that works with your protective pieces and the likely weather. Ventilation is useful, but it should not be obtained by removing equipment required for the activity.

Someone choosing an electric dirt bike should try their intended riding kit during a fit assessment whenever practical. Boots change how feet reach the ground and controls. Gloves affect lever feel. Body protection can influence movement around the seat and handlebars. These checks are more useful than assuming everything will work together later.

Keep a small bag for easy-to-forget pieces: goggles, gloves, spare suitable lenses, and any closures or accessories specified for the equipment. A complete kit makes preparation more consistent and reduces last-minute compromises.

Buy the kit you will actually wear

Prioritize appropriate protection and fit before matching colors. A coordinated outfit is optional. A helmet that does not fit, boots that cannot be fastened comfortably, or protection that slides out of position creates a practical problem every time you ride.

Review equipment as it wears. Check closures, damaged seams, helmet condition, and the cleaning and storage instructions. Ask an experienced retailer or qualified instructor if you’re unsure about suitability. Protective gear cannot eliminate every riding risk, but choosing it carefully gives the rider a more comfortable, consistent foundation for enjoying the bike.

Kris Wright NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 | Phoenix Raceway

Race Results

Venue: Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 powered by POET

FINISH: 26th

Start: 24th

NCTS Point Standings Position: 24th

Wright Finds Encouraging Long Run Pace at Phoenix

Kris Wright and the No. 81 iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado RST finished 26th in Friday’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race at Phoenix Raceway, showing strong long-run speed but struggling to make up ground while caught in traffic. Wright qualified 24th with a lap of 27.772 seconds after posting the 12th-fastest time in practice.

Wright battled a loose truck throughout stage one, reporting reduced confidence in the right-rear tire approximately 20 laps into the run. He fell a lap down by lap 35 and finished the stage 25th. During the stage break, the team made tire pressure and track bar adjustments to improve the truck, but a jack issue during the pit stop cost the team additional track position.

The Pittsburgh, Pa. native restarted stage two in 31st and steadily worked through traffic, reaching 25th by lap 81. The iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado RST for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) showed promising long-run pace, recording the third-fastest lap on track on lap 84 and the fifth-fastest on lap 85. Wright continued making passes using both the high and low lines, but despite the speed, he fell two laps down at the stage finish in 25th.

The No. 81 iHeartRadio Chevrolet Silverado RST restarted the final stage in 32nd and climbed to 27th by lap 106, continuing to work through traffic. However, the No. 81 fell three laps down by lap 132 and ultimately finished 26th. Wright leaves Phoenix ranked 24th in the NCTS driver standings.

Kris Wright Quote:

“The truck was really loose all day long. This 81 team for MHR worked hard all day to get me comfortable in the truck and we started to find our groove in stage two. We’re definitely moving in the right direction, but we need the results to start falling our way. Huge thank you to iHeartRadio for coming on board again and we’ll go get them in Talladega.”

Christian Eckes NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 – Race Results

Venue: Phoenix Raceway

FINISH: 2nd

Start: 13th

Stage 1: 6th

Stage 2: 3rd

Laps Led: 2

NCTS Point Standings Position: 3rd

Eckes Records Third-Straight Runner-Up at Phoenix

Christian Eckes’ near brush with victory continued in the desert on Friday night at Phoenix Raceway. The driver of the No. 91 Columbia Bank Chevrolet Silverado RST recorded his third-consecutive runner-up finish. The former Phoenix winner came one spot shy but gained one position in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series standings and now sits third on the Chase grid. The result gives Eckes nine top-five finishes on the season and his fourth podium result over the last six races.

Eckes’ road to contention began from outside the top-10 on Friday evening, taking the green flag from 13th. In standard fashion, he cracked the top-10 in just two laps and had climbed to seventh by lap eight. The opening 45 lap segment ran clean under green flag conditions as Eckes’ Chevrolet trended too tight on Phoenix’s flat corners. He managed to advance to sixth by the end of Stage 1 on lap 45 and earned five points.

The No. 91 team delivered a stellar four-tire pit stop under the stage caution and gained Eckes two positions. He restarted fourth on lap 55 and immediately inserted himself as a contender. He claimed the third position on lap 60 and reported the Columbia Bank machine was free on entry but liked the balance. That characteristic equated to speed during the second stage and yielded eight points when the green checkered flag waved on lap 90.

The final stop of the evening came under the second stage caution as the No. 91 crew held serve versus the competitors that took four tires. Eckes restarted third on lap 98 and made an immediate bid for the lead in Turn 1. His effort came up short yet grabbed control of the second spot. He paced the No. 11 truck over the final 53 laps, closing to within six truck lengths. Eckes took the checkered flag 1.55 seconds behind the lead to score his third-straight podium result at the desert mile.

Christian Eckes Quote:

“Even though I’ve won here, I felt like our Columbia Bank Chevrolet was probably the best truck I’ve had here at Phoenix but just not quite enough. They were just a little better than us all day. I felt like we were a third or fourth-place racecar but track position was so important that if I could get our ahead of them I’d be okay. Kind of corded a right front at the end, I believe, and got too tight. Proud of the effort regardless.”

Daniel Hemric NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 – Race Results

Venue: Phoenix Raceway

FINISH: 7th

Start: 18th

Stage 1: 13th

Stage 2: 10th

Laps Led: 0

Points Position: 6th

Hemric Extends Consistent Streak with Phoenix Top-10

Daniel Hemric extended his recent streak of consistency on Friday evening with a seventh-place finish at Phoenix Raceway. The driver of the No. 19 CRC Brakleen Chevrolet Silverado RST drove from the 18th starting position to tally his third straight top-10 result and fifth over the past six races. Three races remain on the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks Series docket with Hemric sixth on the Chase rundown.

Hemric took the green flag from mid pack but began a methodical drive from the outset. He quickly cracked the top-15 but began to endure a tight condition with the front tires. His progress continued despite the handling characteristic and ran in 13th position at the end of Stage 1 on lap 45.

Crew chief Kevin Bellicourt and the NAPA Auto Care team bolted on fresh tires, fuel, and adjustments to improve the turn in Hemric’s Chevrolet during the first stage caution. An outstanding stop advanced Hemric to ninth for the lap 55 restart. His climb continued once the green flag recoiled, as Hemric pounced on the outside groove to claim seventh position. As the second stage progressed, the balance on the CRC Brakleen Chevy had improved, yet still developed tighter. Nevertheless, Hemric was able to earn one point on lap 90 at the end of Stage 2 by running in 10th.

The evening’s final pit stop for the No. 19 team came under the second stage caution when the CRC Brakleen squad gave Hemric a wedge adjustment along with four tires and fuel. He lined up 10th for the final restart of the night on lap 99. After blitzing the outside to run as high as sixth, Hemric briefly slipped to eighth before regaining ground in the waning laps to record a seventh-place finish.

Daniel Hemric Quote:

”We needed just a little bit of everything – a little more front grip. Qualifying really put us at a deficit trying to get stage points. Still we were able to rally from starting 18th and get to seventh by the end of the night. We lacked a little bit with our CRC Brakleen, NAPA Auto Care Silverado RST. Proud of the fight and gradual gains to contend for a top-five. Good to see [Christian] Eckes have a good day. That’s great for the company. We’ll keep working on it and go to Talladega next week.”

Giovanni Scelzi Claims Night 1 of Interstate Batteries High Limit Race at Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track

Photo Courtesy of High Limit Racing

The second-to-last race of the 2026 Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Series took place Friday night at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track, which is just right outside of the Texas Motor Speedway. Championship points leader Rico Abreu entered tonight’s race with a slim margin of 45 points ahead of second place and last week’s Saturday night winner at Lakeside Speedway, Giovanni Scelzi. Abreu is seeking his second High Limit championship since last year, while Scelzi would be looking for his first in the series for Spire Motorsports.

Additionally, Abreu’s Tony Stewart Racing team was looking to rebound since last Saturday after he was disqualified due to his team refueling the car during red flag conditions. Finally, there was a chance for Abreu to clinch the championship tonight as well. The scenarios were if Rico won, Scelzi would need to finish third or worse. If Rico placed second, Scelzi would need to finish fourth or worse. If Rico finished third, he would need Scelzi to finish sixth or worse. In a simpler scenario, Abreu just needs to beat Scelzi by four positions on the track. 

However, the championship-clinching scenarios for tonight were quietly put to rest, as it was Scelzi who fired the first shot by winning the 25-lap feature following a competitive battle with Abreu to cut into the championship points by gaining nine points and is now only 36 points behind heading into the finale on Saturday night.

“I can’t even put into words how proud of Eric, Cole, and Kinser I am,” Scelzi told Flo Racing in victory lane. “I had really high expectations hiring Eric Prutzman (Scelzi’s crew chief) with as much as he’s done and he’s succeeded in every single one of them. So just an amazing job. It was just an emotional night, I don’t know why.

“Just the way I felt, I like this place. This place is awesome, and it’s such a gorgeous facility. I always played here on the video games and never got to come here, and finally got to come here last year for the first time. Incredible job at the racetrack. I don’t know who is doing it (track prep), but to have two lanes like that and let us slice and dice and show what this place can show for racing. I really hope we stay here for our finale. This is a great event. I think it’s only growing every year, but yeah, Cole leaned in the car and said, you know, we’re not out of it. Don’t give up and take no prisoners. So, I’m just proud of the performance tonight.”

There were 34 Sprint Cars on the property at the dirt track for tonight’s race.

Feature Race Recap – 25-Laps – $10,000 To Win

Starting on the pole thanks to his dash victory was Tanner Holmes. Abreu started third and Scelzi seventh.

Holmes had the early race lead, with Abreu passing Daison Pursley for second to complete Lap 1. On Lap 2, Scelzi moved to the fifth position and then took over the fourth position one lap later. However, the first caution of the main came with 21 laps to go for Landon Crawley, who came to a stop in the middle of Turns 1 and 2 after he blew a motor off Turn 4. The race resumed, and the battle was on with Abreu and Holmes. Scelzi, however, continued his momentum by going into the third position following the restart.

With 16 laps to go, Pursley battled side-by-side with Scelzi for the third spot. Abreu took the lead from Holmes off Turn 4 with 12 laps to go. A top five battle then took place with Holmes, Scelzi, Pursley, and Courtney. After Abreu grabbed the lead, he began getting into the lap traffic, which allowed Scelzi to close in and take the lead from Abreu off Turn 2 with eight laps to go. Abreu would retake the top spot a lap later in Turn 3 for a brief period, but Sceliz grabbed it again shortly thereafter at the start/finish line. From there, Scelzi went on to lead the final six laps and take the checkered flag in order to stay alive in the championship battle. The victory was his third of the season and fourth of his High Limit career.

After winning tonight’s race, Scelzi would have to win Saturday night’s finale in order to win the championship and have Abreu finish 16th or worse.

Heat Race Recaps – Top Five Transfer – 8 Laps A Piece

Justin Peck paced the hot lap session with a lap time of 13.316 seconds. Following the hot lap session, Courtney’s No. 7 Spire Motorsports Sprint Car had to make an engine change prior to the qualifying session.

There was a Flight A and Flight B Qualifying Session. Abreu paced Flight A with a lap time of 13.151 seconds, while Scelzi was the fastest in Flight B with a quick time of 13.124 seconds. Scelzi time was quick enough to be the overall fastest time of the groups combined.

It is important to note that Aaron Reutzel was involved in a violent crash last weekend at Lakeside Speedway, and his team (Ridge and Sons Racing) decided to use a medical provisional to withdraw from the event.

Heat 1 – Holmes was on the pole for the first heat with Roger Crockett alongside him on the outside. Holmes went on to win the heat with no yellows. Moving on were Crockett, Kerry Madsen, Abreu, and Sye Lynch.

Heat 2 – USAC standout Brady Bacon was the top spot for this heat. A caution occurred with four laps to go in the heat for a flat right-rear tire for Kasey Jedrzejek. Jedrzejek came to a stop off the exit of Turn 4.

Bacon went on to secure the heat victory with Courtney, Pursley, Brian Brown, and Austin McCarl in the top five transferring.

Heat 3 – Peck was No. 1 for the third heat. A caution came out with four laps to go for race leader Peck. A big puff of smoke came out the back of Peck’s car, and he would exit the racing surface to go back to the pit area. It was later determined that the engine expired on Peck’s car. Fortunately, for Peck, he went on to win the B-Main to get back in the A-main.

Kasey Kahne would go on to win the heat race, followed by Scelzi, Chase Randall, Danny Sams III, and Crawley moving on to the A-main.

Heat 4 – Brenham Crouch had the pole for the fourth and final heat. A caution came out immediately as the field had a bad start, which caused a complete restart. The rest of the heat was clean and green, with Crouch winning his heat race. Brent Marks, Tanner Thorson, Ryan Timms, and Chris Martin rounded out the transfers.

Moving on to the seven-lap dash were Holmes, Kahne, Bacon, Crouch, Abreu, Pursley, Scelzi, and Thorson. Holmes led every lap to win the dash and be on the pole for the 25-lap feature event.

For those who missed the feature, you can watch the highlights below.

Official Race Results Following Night 1 At Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track

  1. Giovanni Scelzi
  2. Tyler Courtney
  3. Rico Abreu
  4. Tanner Thorson
  5. Daison Pursley
  6. Brent Marks
  7. Chase Randall
  8. Tanner Holmes
  9. Brady Bacon
  10. Ryan Timms
  11. Kerry Madsen
  12. Brenham Crouch
  13. Austin McCarl
  14. Justin Peck
  15. Kasey Kahne
  16. Brian Brown
  17. Roger Crockett
  18. Rees Moran
  19. Sye Lynch
  20. Danny Sams III
  21. Ayrton Gennetten
  22. Ashton Torgerson
  23. Chris Martin
  24. Landon Crawley

Up Next – With night 1 complete, the series now turns its attention to the championship season finale Saturday night to wrap up their 2026 season, live on Flo Racing.

Toni Breidinger’s NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 – Race Results

Venue: Phoenix Raceway

FINISH: 31st

Start: 26th

Breidinger Closes Out MHR Schedule at Phoenix

Toni Breidinger, driver of the No. 20 Celsius Chevrolet Silverado RST closed out her NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) schedule with McAnally Hilgemann Racing Friday evening at Phoenix Raceway where she settled for an unfortunate 31st-place finish. The San Francisco, Calif. native set the No. 20 Chevrolet up to start the 150-lap event from the 26th position. The field bunched up and Breidinger fell back to 30th as she settled in and remained focus forward. An uneventful first segment saw the young driver a 33rd-place Stage One finish and she reported to the team that she was loose but overall balance was not bad. A quick stop for four fresh goodyear tires, fuel to lead her off for Stage Two.

The laps started to wind down as the field started to spread out. The young driver had reported to crew chief Dewey Townsend with 14 laps to go in the stage that she was now feeling tight handling conditions on her race truck and needed better fire off. Stage Two came to a close and Breidinger came down pit road for four tires, fuel and a slight air pressure adjustment to help the handling on the No. 20 Chevrolet. With no luck in dirty air and battling at the tail end of the field, Breidinger was relegated to a 31st-place finish at the checkered flag.

Toni Breidinger Quote:

“We had a really fast Celsius Chevrolet tonight it was just so difficult to pass in dirty air and get the grip we needed but overall the truck felt really good. Huge thanks to Bill (McAnally, team owner), Dewey (Townsend, crew chief) and everyone on the No. 20 team for letting me hop in the seat a few times this season. It has been a ton of fun and I am just super grateful for the opportunity.”

Tyler Ankrum’s NCTS Phoenix Raceway Recap

Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 – Race Results

Venue: Phoenix Raceway

FINISH: 13th

Start: 21st

Stage One: 18th

Stage Two: 18th

NCTS Playoff Point Standings Position: 10th

Ankrum Rallies Back in Phoenix

Tyler Ankrum, driver of the No.18 LIUNA Chevrolet Silverado RST had high sights going into the 150-lap event at Phoenix Raceway Friday evening until a Stage Two incident on pit road set him back and gained the young driver more adversity to overcome. Starting near the back of the pack in 21st, Ankrum had his work cut out for him on his chase to the front. On the opening lap, the driver of the No. 18 Chevrolet made up six spots to 16th. By lap 12 he had reported to the team that he was lacking rear grip as he started to fall back a few positions to 18th where he ended Stage One.

Crew chief Mark Hillman called the young driver down pit road for four fresh tires, fuel and a round of adjustments to help with the rear. A quiet second stage fell upon the pack and with just 15 laps to go, Ankrum settled into the 20th position, now struggling with tight conditions on his race truck. A caution in the closing laps of the stage forced the stage end and Ankrum was relegated to a 18th-place Stage Two finish. The San Bernardino, Calif. native came down for what seemed to be a routine stage-break stop for four tires and fuel until the team noticed a massive tire rub on the left-rear. Still under yellow, Ankrum came back down pit road for the crew to tug on the fender and make sure the rub did not continue.

This unfortunate event set Ankrum back to battle in the hornets nest and fight his way back to the top in the closing laps. The young driver set focus forward and powered his way through the field to ultimately settle for a 13th-place effort at Phoenix for the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150.

Tyler Ankrum Quote:

“Tough night for this No. 18 LIUNA team, man. We really lacked a ton of rear grip there in the beginning of the run and it just continued on throughout the night. We can’t escape the bad luck this year and I hate it for this team. Once we got it dialed in at the end we were able to make up some spots but we will hold our heads high and head into Talladega next week where anything can happen.”

2026 Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Recap: Phoenix Raceway

NCTS RACE RECAP: PHOENIX RACEWAY
Event: Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 (150 laps / 150 miles)
Round: 22 of 25 (The Chase)
Track: Phoenix Raceway
Location: Avondale, AZ
Date & Time: Friday, October 16 | 7:30 PM ET

No. 44 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Andrés Perez de Lara | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

Start: 27th | Stage 1: 19th | Stage 2: 12th
Finish: 12th | Driver Points: 14th | Owner Points: 20th

Read Andrés’ Bio

  • Key Takeaway: Andrés Pérez de Lara and the Freeway Insurance team overcame early setbacks to come home with a solid finish in Phoenix. Pérez de Lara started deep in the field, but the No. 44 team made positive changes to find speed throughout the race. The Mexico City native drove through the field in the opening two stages and contended for a top-10 finish at the end of the race. As the checkered flag flew, Pérez de Lara came home as the highest finisher from the organization in 12th-place.
  • Andrés Pérez de Lara’s Post-Race Thoughts: “I think we have to be happy with the result we had tonight after a very challenging start to our day. We struggled in practice and qualifying, but we got it better in the race. We fought hard all night long. Of course, we were looking for a top-10, but just fell a little too short. I’m just happy to rebound after a day that was looking like it was going to be tough for us. The No. 44 team never quits, and I was very thankful to have Freeway Insurance supporting our efforts on their big weekend in Phoenix.”

About Freeway Insurance: Built for drivers who like to do things their way, Freeway Insurance makes it easy to compare options, choose coverage that fits your ride and your budget, and save. With a simple click, call, or come in approach, we help drivers stay in control and keep moving forward. From auto and truck to motorcycle, homeowners, renters, and more, Freeway offers coverage designed for every journey. Compare. Choose. Save Freeway, Your Way.

No. 45 Sparco Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Landen Lewis | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

Start: 4th | Stage 1: 3rd | Stage 2: 9th
Finish: 16th | Driver Points: 22nd | Owner Points: 10th

Read Landen’s Bio

  • Key Takeaway: Landen Lewis and the Sparco team brought a fast truck to Phoenix, but an electrical issue put a damper on their finishing result. Lewis rocketed to his best-career qualifying effort in fourth-place and drove up to second on the opening lap. Completing stage one in third, the No. 45 team showcased promising speed early on. Towards the end of the second stage, Lewis experienced low battery voltage causing him to sputter to ninth. The team looked under the hood on pit road to rectify the issue, but was ultimately unable to climb back into the top-10. After having to restart from the tail, Lewis made a valiant effort to gain track position and crossed the line in 16th-place.
  • Landen Lewis’ Post-Race Thoughts: “We started off great at the beginning of the day and I felt like Phil (Gould) made really good adjustments in practice. Our Sparco Chevy was really close right off the hauler and I was really happy with how it drove. When we ended up fourth in qualifying, it felt like everything was going great. There was a lot of promise and happiness throughout the team and I felt like we were hitting our stride and getting everything headed in the right direction.

Starting the race off, we ran second for the majority of stage one and fell back to third. In stage two, we fired off with a vibration from a loose wheel on the left-front, and then had an issue with a wiring harness, or something like that. The motor started cutting in and out and we lost all of our track position after coming down pit road. Once that issue happened, the motor just never felt right for the rest of the race.

We still fought back to 16th, but it was a shame. We were coming off of a good run in Charlotte and I was hopeful to make it two in a row tonight. On the bright side, we are starting to build our momentum up as a group and things are starting to click really well. We’ll take this one and put it to the side and move onto Talladega next week.”

About Sparco: Sparco designs, manufactures, and sells racing safety apparel, karting safety apparel, vehicle racing seats / accessories, and gaming products. Headquartered in Volpiano, Italy, and founded in 1977, Sparco is a well-known provider in the racing industry.

No. 4 Nightclubs Suck Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Donovan Strauss | Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett

Start: 22nd | Stage 1: 23rd | Stage 2: 28th
Finish: 24th | Driver Points: 69th | Owner Points: 31st

Read Donovan’s Bio

  • Key Takeaway: Donovan Strauss and the Nightclubs Suck team had a clean evening in Phoenix, gaining valuable experience. In just his second-career NCTS start, Strauss qualified 22nd for the 150-lap race. On the first pit stop of the night, the rookie slid through his pit stall and had to make up for lost ground in stage two. The No. 4 team held serve for the final run to the checkered flag, and Strauss brought his truck home to his best-career finish in 24th-place.
  • Donovan Strauss’ Post-Race Thoughts: “I don’t think the finishing result is too bad considering I made a lot of rookie mistakes tonight. I slid through my box on the first stop, lost my track position, and had to restart at the tail of the field. But overall, I feel like I learned a lot tonight and finished all the laps. I have to learn how to keep up with the balance on how the track changes and be a little better on the initial start. Tonight was a building night for sure, and I thought it went well. Huge thanks to everyone at Nightclubs Suck, Niece Motorsports, and Team Chevy for this opportunity. I have had a lot of fun in my first two times racing in the Truck Series and hope to be back soon.”

About Nightclubs Suck: Nightclubs Suck (NC❌) is a performance apparel brand built for endurance athletes who live differently. Founded in 2025 by two triathletes, Ty and Clayton, NC❌ was born out of a simple but powerful idea: that serious athletes shouldn’t have to choose between technical performance and great design. From faster splits to longer distances, we make gear that matches the 24/7 commitment of the endurance lifestyle. For those who earn their Saturday morning PRs on Friday night, this is for you. For those who endure.

No. 42 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Tyler Reif | Crew Chief: Landon Polinski

Start: 30th | Stage 1: 29th | Stage 2: 30th
Finish: 27th | Driver Points: 28th | Owner Points: 24th

Read Tyler’s Bio

  • Key Takeaway: Tyler Reif and the DQS Solutions & Staffing team faced a challenging night in Phoenix. Reif, who returned to the site of his NCTS debut, rolled off the starting grid in 30th-place. The No. 42 struggled to make headway as Reif wrestled the balance on his truck in the first two runs of the night and made slight contact with the outside wall. After making several adjustments on pit road, the team was able to pick up a handful of positions in the final stage. Reif finished the race in 27th-place.
  • Tyler Reif’s Post-Race Thoughts: “That was a tough race for us tonight. I’m not really sure what our biggest issue was – maybe it was downforce or drag, but really I don’t know. I told Landon (Polinski) after the race that I was kind of lost a little bit because this was the first time I’ve raced here and didn’t know what to tell my crew chief. I had really high hopes coming back here because we qualified and finished inside the top-10 in my debut last year and I feel like Phoenix has always been a good track for me. We will debrief when we get home and go from there, but I know my No. 42 guys will work hard to make sure our next race together goes better for us.”

About DQS Solutions & Staffing: Guided by a mission to achieve excellence and adaptability, DQS partners with clients to create custom solutions that address unique business challenges. Recognized as Michigan’s fastest-growing company and #22 in the nation on the Inc. 5000 list, DQS drives industry growth while giving back through its nonprofit, Foundation for Pops, and partnerships like the River Rouge School District.

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).

LANGDON, BECKMAN, G. STANFIELD & HERRERA WRANGLE PROVISIONAL NO. 1 SPOTS IN DALLAS

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 16, 2026) – Top Fuel points leader Shawn Langdon made the quickest run of his career during “JEGS Friday Night Live” at Texas Motorplex, rolling to the provisional No. 1 qualifier to win the “Battle for the Saddle” to kick off this weekend’s NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex.

Jack Beckman (Funny Car), Greg Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 18th of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Due to changing weather conditions, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle made one qualifying session on Friday and will have three qualifying sessions on Saturday, including their “Battle for the Saddle” bonus money session.

For Top Fuel and Funny Car, that came during “JEGS Friday Night Live,” as Langdon claimed the $15,000 bonus check after a spectacular run of 3.648-seconds at 340.39 mph in his 12,000-horsepower Kalitta Air dragster. It is also the quickest Top Fuel run of the year during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.

Langdon’s latest standout run puts the points leader in position to clinch his eighth No. 1 qualifier of the season for Kalitta Motorsports and 30th in his career. The past champion also stayed red-hot as he looks to win his fifth straight race this weekend and fourth in a row during the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

“We were actually trying to run a little bit better than that, but in these conditions, you have to have everything perfect to do it — too much you’ll smoke, and not enough you’ll shake,” Langdon said. “So it’s a fine line. You have to hit it right, and, fortunately, we were able to.

“I’ve been a big advocate for night runs. I love racing at night and being able to make qualifying runs is awesome. Obviously, the track’s good here. You have good conditions. You know, with a little bit of incentivized money, those things are going to happen.”

Tony Stewart took second with a 3.668 at 343.70, setting the track speed record, and defending event winner Doug Kalitta is third after going 3.668 at 338.80.

Funny Car’s Jack Beckman won the $15,000 bonus check and the “Battle for the Saddle” during “JEGS Friday Night Live” at Texas Motorplex, delivering an epic pass of 3.852 at 330.13 in his 12,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet SS for John Force Racing to move closer to his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the season.

Beckman, who entered the weekend fourth in points, needs a big weekend to stay in the championship conversation, but he was thrilled with the way things started. He’ll need more of that on Saturday and Sunday in the loaded Funny Car ranks, especially with the epic conditions expected. Beckman, though, has a head start on everyone after Friday’s fantastic start.

“We were sixth pair, and there’s 10 pairs here with a huge Funny Car turnout here. So we ran well, but then we’ve got to watch eight quality cars behind us, any one of which could have exceeded our run, and [Matt] Hagan came closest, but nobody exceeded us,” Beckman said. “So, it’s 15 grand from the Texas Motorplex, and then JEGS sweetened the pot with another 1,000 bucks. I just thought that was fantastic.

“We were pushing hard. I could feel it, but I had my hands full. The car started going right, and when you’re pushing that hard, any steering input is detrimental to performance, and too much steering input is going to upset the rear tires. So I moved it back into the groove. I thought I did a reasonable job, straightened it out and started going to the right again.”

Points leader Matt Hagan went 3.855 at 334.80 to take second and Cruz Pedregon sits third after his run of 3.855 at 323.83.

Pro Stock’s Greg Stanfield opened the weekend’s pivotal playoff race with a strong statement on Friday in his Janac Brothers Racing car for Elite Motorsports, going 6.460 at 212.80 to take the No. 1 spot with three sessions left on Saturday at Texas Motorplex.

The points leader is after his second top qualifier of the year and continues to approach his success and the Countdown to the Championship in workmanlike fashion. The team has been consistent all year, made strong strides in the playoffs and Stanfield is poised to have a big finish to the year. As for this weekend, he knows big runs are possible as he looks to make the most of the opportunity in Dallas.

“This says a lot for our team. Things are going well for us, and we’re just trying to keep that momentum going,” Stanfield said. “We haven’t made any mistakes, and we’re just trying to build off of that. We did a little testing last week, and we’re working hard to try to keep this thing up front.

“We felt like we needed to go a .45 to be what I call a ‘perfect pass,’ so there was a little bit left there. We were just trying to pick it apart as best as we can and trying to get those little points.”

Troy Coughlin Jr. is right behind in second with a 6.464 at 212.74 and Greg Anderson is third after going 6.468 at 210.51.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera kept the quick times running during the lone session for the category on Friday, ripping off a stout 6.676 at 202.22 on his RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Suzuki to take the top spot.

Should that hold through Saturday’s three sessions, Herrera, a two-time world champion, would pick up his fourth No. 1 qualifier of the year. Herrera threw down in a major way in St. Louis to get back in the championship conversation, winning that race and pulling to within 32 points of teammate and reigning world champion Richard Gadson. That continued at Texas Motorplex, as Herrera put together a huge run and he’s expecting plenty of opportunities to replicate that over the course of the weekend.

“My bike’s been phenomenal lately. I don’t think Andrew [Hines] touched it since St. Louis. He said it was good. He put the cover on it and headed to Dallas,” Herrera said.

“Today we were battling with the weather and the wind. For me to go up there and go a nice straight run, I was very happy with that. I didn’t feel the wind much at all. So we’re off to a good start here in Dallas. This track has been good to me and I hope to keep it going throughout the weekend.”

Matt Smith is currently qualified second with a 6.709 at 201.86 and Angie Smith went 6.725 at 202.28 to sit third.

Qualifying continues at 10:30 a.m. CT on Saturday at the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex.


ENNIS, Texas — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 41st annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, 18th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Shawn Langdon, 3.648 seconds, 340.39 mph; 2. Tony Stewart, 3.668, 343.70; 3. Doug Kalitta, 3.668, 338.80; 4. Antron Brown, 3.677, 335.32; 5. Leah Pruett, 3.697, 334.20; 6. Maddi Gordon, 3.701, 333.43; 7. Justin Ashley, 3.713, 335.80; 8. Josh Hart, 3.714, 337.64; 9. Will Smith, 3.714, 335.80; 10. Clay Millican, 3.716, 332.45; 11. Billy Torrence, 3.746, 333.95; 12. Shawn Reed, 3.761, 334.70; 13. Dan Mercier, 3.785, 311.55; 14. Tony Schumacher, 3.809, 283.30; 15. Jake Sanders, 3.900, 304.47; 16. Lee Callaway, 4.026, 225.28.

Not Qualified: 17. Charles Loftin, 4.400, 195.58; 18. Cameron Ferre, 4.589, 169.57; 19. Spencer Massey, 6.986, 86.97.

Funny Car — 1. Jack Beckman, Chevy Camaro, 3.852, 330.13; 2. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.855, 334.80; 3. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.855, 323.83; 4. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 3.873, 333.09; 5. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.874, 337.13; 6. Jordan Vandergriff, Camaro, 3.881, 333.83; 7. Chad Green, Ford Mustang, 3.910, 330.32; 8. Blake Alexander, Toyota Supra, 3.914, 327.92; 9. Paul Lee, Charger, 3.921, 326.80; 10. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.922, 323.93; 11. Dave Richards, Mustang, 3.925, 333.68;

  1. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.937, 330.35; 13. Ron Capps, GR Supra, 3.960, 319.83; 14. Hunter Green, Charger, 3.985, 321.31; 15. Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.050, 315.99; 16. Chris King, Charger, 4.077, 268.02.

Not Qualified: 17. Jim Campbell, 4.113, 291.58; 18. Austin Prock, 4.201, 218.63; 19. Jeff Diehl, 4.331, 214.65; 20. Terry Haddock, 4.954, 157.63.

Pro Stock — 1. Greg Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, 6.460, 212.80; 2. Troy Coughlin Jr., Camaro, 6.464, 212.74; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.468, 210.51; 4. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.469, 211.56; 5. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.470, 211.63; 6. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.473, 213.03; 7. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.478, 212.42; 8. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.481, 212.41; 9. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.481, 212.10; 10. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.484, 211.83; 11. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.502, 213.44; 12. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.511, 210.24; 13. Chris Vang, Camaro, 6.516, 210.54; 14. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.521, 212.30; 15. Stephen Bell, Camaro, 6.527, 210.74; 16. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.539, 211.80.

Not Qualified: 17. Cody Anderson, 6.570, 197.34; 18. Cliff Mayes, 6.753, 206.77; 19. Jerry Tucker, 12.371, 91.34.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.676, 202.22; 2. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.709, 201.86; 3. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.725, 202.28; 4. Joey Gladstone, Buell, 6.768, 198.50; 5. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.790, 198.47; 6. Clayton Howey, Buell, 6.880, 170.62; 7. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.997, 195.09; 8. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.009, 186.39; 9. Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 7.033, 170.07; 10. GT Tonglet, Buell, 7.050, 190.52; 11. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.252, 154.34; 12. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 7.794, 124.56; 13. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 8.156, 110.72; 14. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 8.182, 111.79; 15. Hector

Arana, EBR, 8.667, 174.53; 16. Blaine Hale, Suzuki, 17.450, 40.42.

Not Qualified: 17. Hector Arana Jr, 64.999, no speed.

TOYOTA RACING – NCTS Phoenix Post-Race Report – 10.16.26

HONEYCUTT EXTENDS CHASE LEAD WITH PHOENIX WIN
The Driver of the No. 11 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Extended his Lead to 39 Points with Three Races to Go

AVONDALE, Ariz. (October 16, 2026) – Kaden Honeycutt took advantage of a strong pit stop by his TRICON Garage team after Stage 2 to restart on the front row for the final stage. He took the lead from there and led the final 53 laps to earn his fourth win of the season in the NASCAR Truck Series race Friday night at Phoenix Raceway.

The Toyota development driver extended his lead in the point standings to 39 points over Layne Riggs with three races remaining.

Honeycutt led four Toyota Tundra TRD Pros inside the top 10. William Sawalich finished sixth, Gio Ruggiero seventh and Brent Crews 10th.

TOYOTA RACING Post-Race Recap
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS)
Phoenix Raceway
Race 22 of 25 – 150 Miles, 150 Laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, KADEN HONEYCUTT

2nd, Christian Eckes*

3rd, Layne Riggs*

4th, Ty Majeski*

5th, Jake Garcia*

6th, WILLIAM SAWALICH

7th, GIO RUGGIERO

10th, BRENT CREWS

19th, STEWART FRIESEN

28th, TANNER GRAY

34th, LELAND HONEYMAN

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

KADEN HONEYCUTT, No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 1st

How did you control the final laps of this race?

“My pit crew, they did a great job. I give so much credit to them because they are so damn good. Thank you Safelite, thank you Scott Zipadelli (crew chief), thank you Mobil 1, TRICON Garage, Toyota Racing. This is so amazing. Phoenix, we finally got one. I can’t say enough about Scott (Zipadelli), my crew, David, Tim, Chuck, Adam, Cube, everyone that works so dang hard on these race trucks and I’m just fortunate to be able to drive these things. They spend all of their hours in a day just for me to drive them. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity at Toyota Racing and TRICON. Kevin Ray and everyone at TRICON Garage, just so awesome.”

When you execute flawless like you did today, what does that tell you about being able to truly contend for this championship?

“The Stage 1, I just struggled. I don’t know, I just didn’t have good rear grip when we started that first stage and Scott went to work for me. He was never concerned and he just kept me locked in the whole time. I just can’t thank him enough. Had such great adjustments, pit crew did their job and I can’t thank them enough. I’m going to do something new, I’m going to have a actual Safelite wrapped helmet and every time I win in NASCAR I’m going to go up and give it to one of those kids because their parents drove from God knows where to come watch us race and they deserve something like this. Thank you to everyone in Phoenix for coming to support us.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of over 50 million cars and trucks at our 14 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.