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TOP FUEL’S BRITTANY FORCE READY FOR REDEMPTION AT GERBER COLLISION & GLASS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS

By
Official Release
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CHICAGO (May 13, 2025) – In the midst of a strong late-season run a year ago and then a record-breaking run in Charlotte less than a month ago, one race that has been on Brittany Force’s mind is this weekend’s 25th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK at Route 66 Raceway.

Last year’s Chicago race didn’t go as planned for the two-time world champion, as Force failed to qualify for the first time in 187 races (Pomona 2, 2014). It was a discouraging moment for Force and her talented team, but the turnaround to end the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season was encouraging.

Force won in Las Vegas, finished a solid fifth in points and had five No. 1 qualifiers over the final seven races. She’s since followed that up with a historic 341.59-mph record-breaking blast in Charlotte last month, giving her and the team added confidence as they seek redemption at Route 66 Raceway this weekend in their 11,000-horsepower Monster Energy dragster.

“I’m eager to get to Chicago and back with my crew chief David Grubnic and our Monster Energy team,” Force said. “After a DNQ in Chicago last season, this entire team feels the need to redeem ourselves and make up for our mistakes a year ago. Coming off a new (Top Fuel) national speed record in Charlotte, we feel our overall performance has significantly improved since last season and we are in a much better place to qualify well and have a shot at a Chicago win.”

In 2024, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all secured victories. This year’s race, which is the sixth of 20 during the 2025 season, will again be broadcast on FS1, with final elimination coverage on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

It’s a loaded weekend at Route 66 Raceway with four rounds of qualifying (two each on Friday and Saturday), the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday at the special 25th anniversary event. That makes it a perfect time for Force, who is currently sixth in points, to pick up her first victory of the year and also her first career win at Route 66 Raceway.

Doing so will be challenging, as a loaded Top Fuel field awaits. Shawn Langdon currently leads the points on the strength of two wins, while racing legend Tony Stewart is second. Defending event winner and reigning world champ Brown is third, while others to watch include Clay Millican, Josh Hart, Doug Kalitta and Justin Ashley.

Force, though, likes the direction of her team, showcased in Charlotte by the incredible run where she became the first Top Fuel driver to go 340 mph.

“Overall, we need to work on consistency, but I know we’ll get this thing figured out soon,” Force said after the Charlotte race. “(The record) is just something really exciting for every single one of these guys. They work so hard. To be able to accomplish that together and hold on to that, I hope we hold it for a long time. It’s pretty special.”

Matt Hagan, a four-time Funny Car world champion, won three races in 2024, including in Chicago. He’s currently third in points, while John Force Racing’s Austin Prock, the reigning world champ, is the points leader. The star-studded category also includes Paul Lee, Jack Beckman, Bob Tasca III, Ron Capps and Chad Green.

Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Matt Smith took over the points lead following his Charlotte win. Reigning champ Gaige Herrera won the season opener in Gainesville race and others to watch include Chase Van Sant, Angie Smith, Steve Johnson and Jianna Evaristo.

The race will also feature competition in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown division, Holley EFI NHRA Factory X and the Pingel NHRA Top Fuel Motorcycle Series.

Fans will be invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits. The stage hosts Nitro School, meet and greets, autograph sessions and much more. Race fans in Chicago can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce each driver and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. Fans are also invited to congratulate the event winners at the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday.

As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will feature two rounds of qualifying at 1:30 and 4 p.m. CT on Friday, May 16, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 17 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Eliminations will begin at 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, May 18. Television coverage includes qualifying action at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Sunday at 11 a.m. before eliminations coverage at 2 p.m. ET.

To purchase tickets to the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance on May 16-18 at Route 66 Raceway, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, including the full 2024 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

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

Legendary Track Honors Legendary Team; Wood Brothers Racing to Serve as Dignitaries for NASCAR All-Star Race

By
Official Release
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The Wood family — (left to right) Keven Wood, Jordan (Wood) Hicks, Jon Wood, Kim Wood Hall, Len Wood and Eddie Wood — will help kick off the All-Star Race on Sunday, May 18, in celebration of Wood Brothers Racing’s 75th year. (Contributed photo)
  • North Wilkesboro Speedway will honor Wood Brothers Racing during the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race, celebrating the team’s 75th year.
  • Two generations of the Wood family will participate in race-day ceremonies, with Len Wood serving as honorary starter, Eddie Wood as honorary pace car driver and Jon Wood delivering the command to start engines alongside former Wood Brothers Racing driver Michael Waltrip.
  • Josh Berry, current driver of the legendary No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford, will drive a special throwback paint scheme honoring Michael Waltrip’s 1996 All-Star Race win. The 1996 win at Charlotte Motor Speedway is the only Wood Brothers Racing victory in the 40-year history of the All-Star Race.
  • 1995 NASCAR CRAFSTMAN Truck Series Champion Mike Skinner will serve as Grand Marshal for Saturday’s Window World 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, returning to the spotlight nearly 30 years after capturing the inaugural series title

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (May 13, 2025) – As Wood Brothers Racing celebrates their 75th year in 2025, North Wilkesboro Speedway will honor the team with dignitary roles for the NASCAR All-Star Race on May 18. Founded in 1950 by brothers Glenn and Leonard Wood, the oldest active NASCAR team has participated in races at the historic facility since 1957, shortly after the track was paved for the first time.

Wood Brothers Racing remains a family-run organization, with Glenn’s sons Eddie and Len Wood serving as chief executive officer and chief operating officer, respectively. Their sister, Kim Wood, is the team’s chief financial officer. Eddie’s children, Jon and Jordan, work alongside them as team president and chief marketing officer.

Len will serve as the honorary starter for the NASCAR All-Star Race, while Eddie will be the honorary pace car driver in a Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Team President Jon Wood and former All-Star Race winner and NASCAR on FOX analyst Michael Waltrip will give the command to start engines as Grand Marshals for the main event.

“North Wilkesboro holds a special place in the history of our team and the sport, and it’s one of those tracks where NASCAR’s roots run deep,” said Jon Wood, “My family has been fortunate to be part of some incredible moments there over the years. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, it means a great deal to be recognized at a place that helped shape the sport and our team into what it is today.”

During the race, Josh Berry will pilot the No. 21 with a special throwback paint scheme to Michael Waltrip’s 1996 All-Star Race win at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

A Star-Studded Team in NASCAR’s All-Star Event

The Wood Brothers have been part of the NASCAR All-Star event since its second running, making their first appearance with Kyle Petty in 1986. They would later make appearances in the exhibition event with some of NASCAR’s most notable names, including Neil Bonnett, Morgan Shepherd, Michael Waltrip, Elliott Sadler, Ricky Rudd, Trevor Bayne, Ryan Blaney and Matt DiBenedetto.

In 1996, Waltrip picked up an unlikely win in the All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, his first victory at the Cup level. He transferred from the Open after finishing fifth and then led the final nine laps to take the victory over Rusty Wallace and Dale Earnhardt, after executing a three-wide pass to take the lead. He was the first driver to transfer from the Open and win the race.

More recently, in 2017, driving for the historic team, Ryan Blaney won the first segment of the Open and transferred to the All-Star Race. In 2020, DiBenedetto won the Open and transferred to the main event, and in 2021, he won the fan vote in the team’s most recent All-Star Race appearance.

A Historic Team at a Legendary Race Track

Between 1957 and 1996, Wood Brothers Racing recorded 46 starts, two wins, 14 top-five finishes and 23 top-10 finishes at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Team founder Glenn Wood won two poles at the venue in 1958 and 1959. Other legendary drivers competing for the Wood Brothers at North Wilkesboro Speedway included Marvin Panch, who recorded both team wins at the track in 1963 and 1964; Joe Weatherly; Curtis Turner; Tiny Lund; Cale Yarborough; Buddy Baker; Kyle Petty; Bonnett; Dale Jarrett; Shepherd; and Waltrip.

Since the revival of the venerable venue, Harrison Burton competed in the Open for the Wood Brothers in both 2023 and 2024. In 2025, Berry will pilot the famous No. 21 at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star Race, striving to create yet another unforgettable moment for the historic team at the legendary race track.

Legend Mike Skinner Returns as Window World 250 Grand Marshal

1995 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Champion Mike Skinner will serve as Grand Marshal for Saturday’s 200-lap Window World 250 as part of a jam-packed, star-studded weekend of racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Respected veteran and fan-favorite, Skinner is known for helping shape the Truck Series in its early years, racking up 28 wins and 50 poles while making nearly 300 starts across NASCAR’s top three divisions.

Nearly three decades after capturing the inaugural Truck Series championship, Skinner will return to the spotlight to deliver the most iconic words in motorsports.

“I’m proud to serve as the Grand Marshal for the upcoming Window World 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway,” said Skinner. “It’s an honor to be remembered and recognized for a series that I love so dearly, and it’s even more special to do it at a track as iconic as North Wilkesboro. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has always been known for its great racing, and I’m certain they’ll put on another exciting show this weekend.”

The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race will feature more on-track action than ever before. In addition to all the NASCAR Cup Series activity, fans can enjoy zMAX CARS Tour feature races both Thursday, with The Reverend Whiskey 75 (Pro Late Models) and Friday, with the Window World 100 (Late Model Stock Cars), nights, along with the Window World 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race and a Jake Owen concert presented by Raymer Oil on the frontstretch Saturday.

Sunday’s racing action begins with the FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Series race preceding the All-Star Open and All-Star Race.

TICKETS

May 16-18 NASCAR All-Star Race Week ticket packages — including seven races, the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear, Jake Owen concert and all NASCAR qualifying sessions — start at just $150. Race week packages or individual event day tickets and camping can be purchased online at www.NorthWilkesboroSpeedway.com.

MORE INFO:
Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding NASCAR All-Star Week and North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on X and Instagram or by becoming a Facebook fan.

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: North Wilkesboro Speedway

By
Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: NORTH WILKESBORO SPEEDWAY
Event: Window World 250 (250 laps / 156.25 miles)
Round: 10 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: North Wilkesboro Speedway
Location: North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Date & Time: Saturday, May 17 | 1:30 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | NASCAR Racing Network (NRN) | SiriusXM Ch. 90

Team Stats & Notes

  • Niece Motorsports North Wilkesboro Stats: Niece drivers have made a combined total of six starts over the past two years at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. The organization has earned one top-five (fourth with Carson Hocevar in 2023) and two top-10 finishes here. In last year’s race, Ross Chastain was the highest finishing driver for the team in 15th-place.

No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett

  • Mills’ North Wilkesboro Stats: Matt Mills has competed in one prior NCTS race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. In last year’s running of the 250-lap event, Mills finished in 18th-place.
  • Shiplett’s North Wilkesboro Stats: Mike Shiplett called one NCTS race at North Wilkesboro which came last season. Shiplett’s team finished 29th with Bret Holmes as his driver.
  • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra, who will serve as his anchor partners for the entire 25-race season.
  • Recapping Kansas: Mills began the 134-lap race in 18th, but suffered overheating issues which plagued the team throughout the first two stages. Despite being forced to make several unscheduled stops to rectify their issues, Mills and team stayed in the battle to make it into the top-15. Through pit strategy, the No. 42 gained track position late in the going which resulted in Mills earning his best finish of the season in 12th-place.
  • Points Rundown: After securing his season-best finish last week, Mills gained a spot in the points standings. Up to 18th (and currently tied for 17th with Dawson Sutton), Mills is only 13 points behind Jack Wood in 16th. He now has a 13-point cushion above Andres Perez De Lara in 19th-place.
  • Quoting Mills: Do you anticipate the groove to move around the track like last year, or will it be mainly around the bottom?

“Last year, I felt like the track was very temperature-sensitive. On the first day before it rained, we were ripping the top on both ends. But on the second day when we went back, we could only really move the lane up in (turn) one and two. It switched up on us, so it’s hard to really know what to expect going back into it this time. I was happy with the progress that we made on our truck towards the end of the race last year. Hopefully, we can use what we learned there to build off from as a good place to fire off with once we start practice.”

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

About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

No. 44 Niece Equipment Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Conner Jones | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

  • Jones Joins the Team: 19-year-old Conner Jones has been signed on to drive Niece Motorsports’ No. 44 Chevrolet in select NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events beginning this weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Jones, a multi-time CARS Tour Late Model Stock race winner, has made 22 NCTS starts over the course of the past two seasons for ThorSport Racing.

In 2023, the Fredericksburg, Virginia native won the World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model title at New Smyrna Speedway which ranks high among his list of racing accomplishments.

  • Jones’ North Wilkesboro Stats: Conner Jones has competed in two NCTS races at the 0.625-mile short track in North Wilkesboro, but experienced early exits in both starts. Jones finished 29th in 2023 due to electrical issues and finished 35th last year after getting involved in a crash.

Though he’s had tough sledding in both truck races here, Jones has shown speed in the late model ranks. Last year, he impressed by winning the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series finale at the track. In three LMSC races, Jones finished inside the top-five twice. He also finished sixth in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model Series’ season finale here last year.

  • Rogers’ North Wilkesboro Stats: Wally Rogers has called one NCTS race at North Wilkesboro, which was during the series’ return in 2023. Working with Lawless Alan in that race, his team finished in 19th-place.
  • On the Truck: Jones’ No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Niece Equipment. The truck will sport a new, patriotic-themed paint scheme highlighting the team’s appreciation of the U.S. military.
  • Quadruple Duty: Jones has a busy schedule ahead of himself this weekend as he will compete in four different races on the property. Starting off on Thursday, he will drive his family-owned No. 44 car in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model Series. On Friday, he’ll race the No. 44 for Mike Darne Racing in the CARS Tour Late Model Stock division before focusing on Saturday’s NCTS race. Lastly on Sunday, he’ll race the No. 99 car in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series for Jamie Tomaino Racing.
  • Recapping Kansas: Bayley Currey and the No. 44 team ran inside the top-10 near the start of the race in Kansas, but left with a disappointing finish. Currey fought the handling on his truck during the day, but was able to find grip once the crew made adjustments in the race. Late in the going however, Currey lost control of his truck in turn two resulting in a crash. Though the team finished the race, they were mired back a few laps behind the leaders.
  • Owner Points Rundown: The No. 44 team dropped two positions in owner points following last Saturday’s 26th-place finish at Kansas. Heading into North Wilkesboro, the team is 17th in points, nine points behind TRICON Garage’s No. 15 entry in 16th and five ahead of ThorSport Racing’s No. 88 entry in 18th.
  • Quoting Jones: What are some of your thoughts on joining the No. 44 team this weekend?

“I’m very thankful to come on board with Niece Motorsports this year and be a part of everything they’ve got going on. My goals are pretty big here; I hope to run inside the top-10 at these tracks. I’ve struggled in the Truck Series in the past, and I’ve had some struggles, but I’ve worked through them. My main goal is to run well consistently and I think we can accomplish that. Having Wally (Rogers) in my corner to lean on, along with Kaden (Honeycutt) and Matt (Mills) for advice is definitely going to help.”

You’ve had success at North Wilkesboro before in a late model, so how do you transition that into running well in a truck?

“I think first of all, I need to be better on pit road than what I have been in the past. I need to get in and get out of there quicker. Track position is key in these races, so once I get that part nailed down it should help us out a lot. Other than that, I just need to stay focused all race long and keep the hunt going.”

About Niece Equipment: For over 30 years, Niece Equipment has provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Our reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability.

Each of our water and fuel/lube trucks are engineered with quality and durability in mind. Our capability ranges from 2,000 gallon water trucks to 12,000 gallon water towers. The fuel/lube trucks we offer range from 600 to 4,000 gallons.

No. 45 DQS Solutions & Staffing / Masked Owl Technologies Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Kaden Honeycutt | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

  • Honeycutt’s North Wilkesboro Stats: Though he didn’t compete in last year’s race, Kaden Honeycutt has made one NCTS start at North Wilkesboro. Honeycutt finished 17th in his lone series start in 2023, but has made plenty of laps around this track in the short track ranks.

Last year, Honeycutt won the CARS Tour Pro Late Model Series finale and in turn clinched the series championship. In four CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series starts here, Honeycutt earned one top-five and three top-10 finishes.

  • Gould’s North Wilkesboro Stats: Phil Gould has called two NCTS races at North Wilkesboro. In 2023, Gould’s team finished in fourth-place with Carson Hocevar. Last year, his truck finished in 15th with Ross Chastain at the wheel.
  • On the Truck: Honeycutt’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from DQS Solutions & Staffing and Masked Owl Technologies, who will serve as his anchor partners for the majority of the season.
  • Triple Duty: Honeycutt will compete in three of the five races planned for this weekend at North Wilkesboro. In addition to his NCTS duties, Honeycutt looks to defend his CARS Tour Pro Late Model Series victory on Thursday night driving the No. 47 Chevrolet for Bryson Lopez Racing. On Friday, he’ll move onto the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series as he take the reins of the No. 71 Chevrolet for Hettinger Racing.
  • Recapping Kansas: Kaden Honeycutt qualified the highest out of the team in seventh-place. The No. 45 was a contender through the opening two stages, picking up a total of seven points. When a caution came out during the green flag pit cycle, however, the team was trapped one lap down, forced to take the wave-around. Stuck in traffic, Honeycutt struggled to maintain the speed which he had up front. Luckily, the team rebounded nicely for a eighth-place finish.
  • Points Rundown: By virtue of picking up his fifth top-10 finish in nine races last Saturday, Honeycutt gained a spot in the championship points standings. Moving up to eighth-place overall, Honeycutt is scored 19 points behind Jake Garcia in seventh, and now has an eight-point gap over Layne Riggs in ninth.
  • Quoting Honeycutt: How different is it to race here in a truck compared to the late models?

“I think the truck race is more dependent on handling for sure. I think it will be a slower pace too. I know that sounds crazy, but with how light the late models are, you’re getting around there very fast and things happen quickly. Truck racing, things are a little bit slower and you’re able to make more decisions clearly. So because of that, I think that running those races will be helpful because I can make those decisions quicker. I think we’ll have a good truck to bring here this weekend compared to how we were in Martinsville. I think we’ll have another good shot at bringing home a win.”

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 Masked Owl Technologies: Masked Owl Technologies (MOT) is an industrial solutions integrator specializing in developing customized automation and controls processes. They take a consulting-based approach to identify the root cause of system challenges and incorporate tested, emerging technology into industrial solutions that mitigate risk and solve complex problems, the first time.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, the team celebrates its 10th consecutive season competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) where it fields the Nos. 41, 42, 44 and 45. Since its founding in 2016, Niece Motorsports has garnered nine wins, 50+ top-fives, 100+ top-10s, 200+ top-15 finishes and made five playoff appearances. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a trusted build shop for the Chevrolet Silverados of multiple NCTS teams 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).

Schedule and Format for All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro

By
Angie Campbell
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Photo by Andrew Boyd for SpeedwayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race headlines the racing action Sunday night at North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend. Joey Logano dominated the race last year, leading all but one lap, and winning the $1 million prize.

The Whelen Modified Tour will warm up the crowd preceding the All-Star Race in the FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150.

Fans can also look forward to the popular NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear on Friday night. The winning crew chief is awarded a signature jack and air gun pit crew trophy, a $100,000 prize, and earns prime starting positions for both the Open and the heat races in the NASCAR All-Star Race.

Saturday afternoon, the Craftsman Truck Series will be on track for the Window World 250, while the Xfinity Series takes a week off from competition.

Race Format

The All-Star Open is a 100-lap qualifying race for drivers not already eligible for Sunday’s All-Star Race. There will be a competition break at or near Lap 50.

Only three drivers will advance — the top two finishers in the Open and the top driver in the fan vote.

This year’s All-Star Race will include a competition break that will occur at or near the 100-lap mark. There is also an optional promoter’s caution that could come into play. The promoter’s caution has to occur before Lap 220, but it can’t be used if there is a race caution after Lap 200.

Drivers eligible for the NASCAR All-Star Race include:
Drivers who have won a points-paying race in 2024 or 2025
Past NASCAR All-Star Race winners who are competing full-time
Former NASCAR Cup Series champions who are competing full-time

Eligible Drivers

  • Christopher Bell
  • Josh Berry
  • Ryan Blaney
  • Alex Bowman
  • Chase Briscoe
  • Chris Buescher
  • Harrison Burton
  • Kyle Busch
  • William Byron
  • Ross Chastain
  • Austin Cindric
  • Austin Dillon
  • Chase Elliott
  • Denny Hamlin
  • Brad Keselowski
  • Kyle Larson
  • Joey Logano
  • Tyler Reddick
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  • Daniel Suárez

All times are Eastern.

Friday, May 16 Schedule

4 p.m: Pit Road Qualifying Entry/Exit Practice (Open Entries)
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM
4:30 p.m.: Pit Road Qualifying Entry/Exit Practice (All All-Star Entries)
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM

5 p.m.: Practice (Open and All-Star entries) FS2/MRN/SiriusXM
6 p.m.: Qualifying/All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (Open)
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM

7 p.m.: Qualifying/All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (All-Star) FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Qualifying: NASCAR Press Pass

Saturday, May 17 Schedule

9:35 a.m.: Truck Series Practice/2 Groups/25 minutes each/FS2
10:35 a.m.: Truck Series Qualifying/All Entries/Single Vehicle/2 Laps – FS2 1:30 p.m.: Truck Series Window World 250
Stages end on laps 70/140/250 = 156.25 miles
FS1/SiriusXM Purse: $782,900 Post Truck Series Race: NASCAR Press Pass

5:10 p.m.: All-Star Race Heat No. 1
75 Laps/46.875 Miles
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM

6:15 p.m.: All-Star Race Heat No. 2
75 Laps/46.875 Miles
FS2/MRN/SiriusXM
Post Heat Races: NASCAR Press Pass

Sunday, May 18 Schedule

10:15 a.m.: Whelen Modified Tour Practice 1 – 25 minutes
10:55 a.m.: Whelen Modified Tour Practice 2 – 25 minutes
12:45 p.m.: Whelen Modified Tour Qualifying – All Entries
2 p.m.: Whelen FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150
150 Laps/93.75 Miles – FloRacing

5 p.m.: Cup Series All-Star Open
100 Laps/62.5 miles – FS1/MRN/SiriusXM Purse: $581,100

8 p.m.: Cup Series All-Star Race
250 Laps/156.25 Miles – FS1/Max/ MRN/SiriusXM Purse: $2,421,400
Post All-Star Race: NASCAR Press Pass

Coca-Cola 600 Marks Major Milestones For Veterans, Newcomer

By
Official Release
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29 May 2005: Coca-Cola 600 Nextel Cup series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. (HHP/Harold Hinson)
  • The 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 will shine a spotlight on three generations of talent, as Jimmie Johnson celebrates his 700th start, Daniel Suárez hits 300 and 19-year-old Connor Zilisch makes his Cup Series oval debut
  • Coca-Cola 600 weekend tickets can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10

CONCORD, N.C. (May 13, 2025) – The 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 25, will offer more than just thrilling edge-of-your-seat racing and patriotic pageantry. This year’s crown jewel event at Charlotte Motor Speedway will serve as a backdrop for three major milestones that span generations of talent in the NASCAR Cup Series garage.

JIMMIE JOHNSON RETURNS

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is set to make his 700th career start, returning to the site of some of his most iconic moments. A four-time Coca-Cola 600 winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2014), four-time Bank of America 500 champion (2004, 2005, 2009, 2016) and four-time Charlotte NASCAR All-Star race victor (2003, 2006, 2012, 2013), Johnson’s success has firmly established his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

This milestone will also mark Johnson’s first Coca-Cola 600 appearance in five years, adding extra significance to an already historic weekend. After opening his two-race 2025 campaign with a third-place finish in February’s Daytona 500, Johnson will once again pilot the No. 83 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club.

SUAREZ SET FOR START NO. 300

Daniel Suárez, driver of the No. 99 machine for Trackhouse Racing and proud member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, will notch his 300th Cup Series start on Sunday. Since entering the Cup Series scene in 2017, Suárez has become a trailblazer in the sport, becoming the first Mexican-born driver to win a Cup Series race with his 2022 victory at Sonoma Raceway. Continuing to break barriers, Suárez has served as a symbol of perseverance and passion throughout NASCAR. In eight previous Coca-Cola 600 starts, Suárez’s best finish was 11th (2017).

ZILISCH MAKES CUP SERIES OVAL DEBUT

At just 18 years old, Trackhouse Racing driver Connor Zilisch will not only become the youngest driver in history to compete in the Coca-Cola 600, but will also highlight his NASCAR Cup Series oval debut at the Coca-Cola 600. Known for his composure behind the wheel and standout performances on various road courses, Zilisch will strap into the No. 88 machine to take on the demanding 1.5-mile oval. His only previous Cup Series start came earlier this season at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, where he crashed early and finished 37th.

Already generating buzz across the industry, Zilisch’s performance will be one to watch as he vies to make history as the first driver since Matt Kenseth in 2000 to win in his Coca-Cola 600 debut.

With so much on the line and so many remarkable moments in the making, the Coca-Cola 600 will undoubtedly be a race to remember. From rookies to veterans, history will be written as drivers look to etch their name in Coca-Cola 600 lore.

TICKETS:

Fans can purchase Coca-Cola 600 weekend tickets online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram, or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

Ford Going For Consecutive All-Star Victories This Weekend

By
Official Release
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NORTH WILKESBORO

Saturday, May 17 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 1:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, May 18 — NASCAR Cup Series, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)

This will mark the third straight year North Wilkesboro Speedway hosts the NASCAR All-Star Race, along with a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. Ford is the defending winner of the annual non-points race after Joey Logano led all but one lap in last year’s event. The Blue Oval has won the event 14 times overall, including two of the last three seasons after Ryan Blaney won in 2022 at Texas Motor Speedway.

HIGHWAY PATROL ON DUTY

The Mustang Dark Horse will be pacing this weekend’s races at North Wilkesboro Speedway, but on Sunday night it will be joined briefly by a family member. That’s because the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is scheduled to showcase one of its 25 new Mustang GTs during the initial parade lap. This marks the 75th year Ford, which is the top selling vehicle brand in the law enforcement segment, has been serving police customers.

BACK-TO-BACK

Last season, Joey Logano dominated the NASCAR All-Star Race like nobody ever had, leading all but one of the 200 laps and winning the $1 million bonus for the second time in his career. Logano won the pole, thanks in part to his pit crew that put together a solid stop in a modified qualifying format, and never looked back once the green flag fell. He bolted to the lead on the softer tire compound that Goodyear made available, in addition to the regular tires usually used on race weekends, and controlled the race until the checkered flag.

FORD’S ALL-STAR LINEUP

There are seven Ford drivers guaranteed a place in the All-Star field with additional spots available through the preliminary Open qualifying race and fan vote. Currently, defending series champion Joey Logano is joined by Team Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric while the RFK duo of Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher are also included. Josh Berry rounds out the field after winning earlier this year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Wood Brothers while Harrison Burton will drive the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing.

MULTIPLE ALL-STAR WINNERS

Logano’s win a year ago put him in a select group of Ford drivers who have won the NASCAR All-Star Race more than once. The only others are Davey Allison and Mark Martin. Allison was the first to win the non-points exhibition in back-to-back years (1991-92) and then Jimmie Johnson joined him (2012-13). Martin’s victories came in 1998 and 2005 driving the No. 6 Ford for car owner Jack Roush. Logano could become the fifth person to win the event more than two times if he finds Victory Lane on Sunday.

RYAN BLANEY: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ALL-STAR FORMAT? “I like it. I like how you keep pit crews involved by doing the competition there. I think those guys really enjoy it. They compete every weekend multiple times, but being on that stage is really good for them. I was saying that there are gonna be a lot of gifts sent to Marcus (Smith) and his family since they announced that (promoter’s caution). He’s gonna have more friends than he’s ever had, that’s for sure. It is what it is. We race to the format, and I think it’s obviously big for us to go back to Wilkesboro. People in that area really love us being back there. I love being back there.”

CHRIS BUESCHER: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ALL-STAR FORMAT? “I think about the format we have, knowing we’re gonna have a caution in there at some point that we won’t be able to predict isn’t much different than stages. We know we’re gonna have cautions at some point. We know exactly when they are for all of our other races, but I don’t think it’s ultimately going to change a whole lot just given the tires, new asphalt and what the race looked like last year. The groove did move around a lot, which I was pretty stoked about because we don’t typically get that with new asphalt, so that was solid.”

ELLIOTT WINS ALL-STAR RACE IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN FANS

The first time Ford won the All-Star Race was in 1986 when Bill Elliott drove his Thunderbird to Victory Lane, but that race is remembered for another trivial fact as well. That marked the only time, prior to this year, that the event has been run at a track other than Charlotte Motor Speedway. Elliott’s home track of Atlanta Motor Speedway served as host on Mother’s Day that year, a date NASCAR traditionally does not race. With only 10 cars making up the field, Elliott darted to the lead from his outside front row starting position and never gave it up as he led all 83 laps en route to a popular victory with the fans.

WALTRIP-WOOD FIRST-TIME WINNERS

Michael Waltrip’s win in 1996 marked his first victory in NASCAR’s top division and was the first in the event for Wood Brothers Racing. Waltrip almost didn’t get into the big show because he had to battle it out in the preliminary Winston Open, where he grabbed the final transfer spot by holding off Johnny Benson to finish fifth. That meant he started last in the 20-car main event, which was called the Winston Select. After the first two 30-lap segments had been completed, Waltrip found himself fourth for the final 10-lap shootout. He passed Rusty Wallace for third after an aborted restart, and then was riding behind Dale Earnhardt and Terry Labonte, who were battling side-by-side. As the two entered turn one with eight laps to go, they made contact which slowed them down enough to allow Waltrip to dart to the inside and pass both of them for the lead. He held on the rest of the way to post his first win of any kind in NASCAR’s top division.

LOGANO AND KESELOWSKI FINISH 1-2

Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski made All-Star history as they became the first teammates to sweep the top two spots in the All-Star Race when they did it in 2016. Logano came out on top of a side-by-side battle with Kyle Larson in the final two laps, getting clear with just over one lap to go after Larson hit the outside wall coming off turn two. That enabled Keselowski to get the runner-up spot and successfully commemorate the 50th Anniversary of car owner Roger Penske’s career in motorsports. It marked Ford’s 11th All-Star Race win and first in five years since Edwards won in 2011.

GARCIA GOING STRONG

Jake Garcia has captured two of the last three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series poles going into this weekend’s race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. After earning the first pole of his career at Rockingham Speedway three weeks ago, he took the top spot again at Kansas and ended up as the top running Ford in seventh. Garcia, who is seventh in the series point standings, has ended up seventh or better in five of the last six events with his best result being a runner-up finish at Rockingham. A year ago at North Wilkesboro, he led the first laps of his NASCAR career, 40 total, and was in front with under 100 to go before a tire issue developed and forced him to nurse his F-150 home in 21st place.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES

ALL-STAR RACE WINNERS

1986 – Bill Elliott (Atlanta)

1991 – Davey Allison (Charlotte)

1992 – Davey Allison (Charlotte)

1994 – Geoffrey Bodine (Charlotte)

1996 – Michael Waltrip (Charlotte)

1998 – Mark Martin (Charlotte)

2002 – Ryan Newman (Charlotte)

2004 – Matt Kenseth (Charlotte)

2005 – Mark Martin (Charlotte)

2011 – Carl Edwards (Charlotte)

2016 – Joey Logano (Charlotte)

2018 – Kevin Harvick (Charlotte)

2022 – Ryan Blaney (Texas)

2024 – Joey Logano (North Wilkesboro)

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT NORTH WILKESBORO

1955 – Buck Baker (2)

1957 – Fireball Roberts (1)

1958 – Junior Johnson (Sweep)

1963 – Marvin Panch (2)

1964 – Fred Lorenzen and Marvin Panch

1965 – Junior Johnson (Sweep)

1966 – Dick Hutcherson (2)

1967 – Darel Dieringer (1)

1968 – David Pearson (1)

1969 – David Pearson (2)

1979 – Bobby Allison (1)

1980 – Bobby Allison (2)

1990 – Mark Martin (2)

1992 – Davey Allison and Geoffrey Bodine

1994 – Geoffrey Bodine (2)

1995 – Mark Martin (2)

FORD’S NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT NORTH WILKESBORO

1995 – Mike Bliss

1996 – Mark Martin

The Ford Mustang, celebrating its 61st anniversary in 2025, is the world’s best selling sports car. It is also one of the planet’s most popular race cars. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Australian Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 30 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more at FordPerformance.com.

HFT Advance | All-Star Race

By
Official Release
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North Wilkesboro (All-Star Race) Event Info:

Date: Sunday, May 18
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: North Wilkesboro, N.C.
Format: Heat Races Saturday: 75 laps; All-Star Race: 250 Laps Sunday
TV: FS1
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 4 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 6:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying – Pit Crew Challenge (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 5:20 p.m. ET, Cup Heat Races Begin (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 5:30 p.m. ET, Cup Open Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 8 p.m. ET, Cup All-Star Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The annual All-Star Race returns to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for just the third time, as in 2022 NWB hosted NASCAR for the first time since 1996.
  • The pit crew challenge again returns to the format this season, set for Friday night which will determine the starting lineups for Saturday night’s heat races.
  • Each heat race Saturday spans 75 laps, with the results of Heat Race 1 setting the All-Star Race inside row, and the results of Heat Race 2 setting the All-Star Race outside row.

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: HaasTooling.com

Custer in All-Star Race
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

Custer is looking for his third career start in the All-Star race, after previously qualifying for the main event in 2020 (16th) and 2021 (14th).
In 2022, Custer finished seventh in the Open race after starting in the 10th position.

Where They Stand

Cup Points Standings (41: 34th): Custer is 34th in the Cup Series points standings through 12 races this season with 139 points.

RFK Advance | All-Star Race

By
Official Release
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North Wilkesboro (All-Star Race) Event Info:
Date: Sunday, May 18
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: North Wilkesboro, N.C.
Format: Heat Races Saturday: 75 laps; All-Star Race: 250 Laps Sunday
TV: FS1
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 4 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 6:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying – Pit Crew Challenge (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 5:20 p.m. ET, Cup Heat Races Begin (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 5:30 p.m. ET, Cup Open Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 8 p.m. ET, Cup All-Star Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The annual All-Star Race returns to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for just the third time, as in 2022 NWB hosted NASCAR for the first time since 1996.
  • The pit crew challenge again returns to the format this season, set for Friday night which will determine the starting lineups for Saturday night’s heat races.
  • Each heat race Saturday spans 75 laps, with the results of Heat Race 1 setting the All-Star Race inside row, and the results of Heat Race 2 setting the All-Star Race outside row.

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: Solomon Plumbing

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Kroger / Tylenol

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Boston Common Golf

Keselowski in the All-Star Race
Starts: 16
Wins: —
Top-10s: 9
Poles: —

Keselowski makes his 17th start in the All-Star Race this weekend. He has three second-place finishes in the exhibition event, first in 2012, then in 2016 and most recently in 2021.
A season ago he won heat race two, and started on the front row for the first time in his career, despite finishing 16th.
Overall, he has nine top-10s, four inside the top five, in the All-Star event.

Buescher in the All-Star Race
Starts: 4
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

Buescher makes his fifth start in the All-Star Race this weekend, and is automatically locked in via his win at Watkins Glen in 2024.
Last season at North Wilkesboro, Buescher finished third, while the season prior he won his heat race and started on the front row.

Preece in the All-Star Race
Starts: —
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

Preece is looking for his first start in the All-Star race after competing in the Open race the past two seasons.
In his career, he has made four career starts in the Open race, with a best finish of fourth in 2023.

RFK Historically in the All-Star Race
Wins: 4 (Mark Martin, 1998, 2005; Matt Kenseth, 2004; Carl Edwards, 2011)

All-Star Victories: RFK has earned four victories in NASCAR’s All-Star Main Event with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards. Martin, who is a two-time All-Star race winner, first went to Victory Lane in 1998 for RFK before taking the checkered flag again in 2005. Kenseth earned the victory in the 2004 running of the event and Edwards visited the winner’s circle in 2011.

RFK Historically at North Wilkesboro
Cup Wins: 2 (Mark Martin, 1990, 1995)

Tale of the Tape: Back in the early days of racing at North Wilkesboro, Jack Roush entered 30 Cup races at the track with two wins – both from Mark Martin – with 14 overall top-10s as four drivers combined competed in Cup for Roush at the historic track.
Roush Wins One of the Last: Jack Roush shares a couple of pieces of history at the last time NASCAR competed at North Wilkesboro, as Ted Musgrave put the No. 16 on the pole for the last-ever race there in 1996. A day earlier, Martin won the Truck Series race there.

RFK All-Star Wins

1998 Martin
2004 Kenseth
2005 Martin
2011 Edwards

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Kansas: Preece: 7th, Buescher: 8th, Keselowski 37th.

Points Standings (17: 12th, 60: 16th, 6: 33rd): Preece gained a pair of positions in the standings this weekend, while Buescher and Keselowski each dropped a spot.

Eight Former Winners, Five Series Champs Starting ‘500’ Preparation

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 13, 2025) – Practice for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge starts May 13 with a field consisting of eight former winners of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and five NTT INDYCAR SERIES champions.

There are 34 entries set to contest the 33 starting spots for this year’s edition of the “500.” Practice is scheduled to start today, with PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on May 17-18. All track activity on the historic 2.5-mile oval leads into Race Day, Sunday, May 25.

Josef Newgarden earned his second career “500” victory last May after passing Pato O’Ward on the final lap, his second straight Lap 200 pass to earn another spot on the Borg-Warner Trophy.

Newgarden became just the sixth driver to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in consecutive years, joining Wilbur Shaw (1939-40), Mauri Rose (1947-48), Bill Vukovich (1953-54), Al Unser (1970-71) and Helio Castroneves (2001-02). No driver ever has won three in a row, Newgarden’s target this May.

Other former winners aiming for a spot in the race this year include four-time winner Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021) and two-time winner Takuma Sato (2017, 2020), plus single winners Scott Dixon (2008), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Will Power (2018) and Marcus Ericsson (2022). The record for winners in one field is 10, set in 1992.

Castroneves earned a spot with A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears in the most prestigious club in motorsports – four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500 – with his emotional victory in 2021, for Meyer Shank Racing. A record-breaking fifth would put Castroneves alone at the top with most victories. Additionally, Castroneves is 50 years old, and a victory would make him the oldest winner in “500” history, a record held by Unser, who won the 1987 edition just five days shy of his 48th birthday.

The field includes five past INDYCAR SERIES champions: Dixon, Hunter-Reay, Newgarden, two-time reigning champion Alex Palou and Power.

2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will attempt for the second straight year to become the fifth driver to complete the Memorial Day “double” of racing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day, joining John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and Kurt Busch. The last driver to complete the feat was Busch in 2014.

Larson earned “500” Rookie of the Year honors last year after qualifying fifth and finishing 18th. But he never turned a wheel in the NASCAR race at Charlotte due to rain ending the race early just as he arrived at the track.

Four drivers are competing for Rookie of the Year honors in 2025: Jacob Abel, Louis Foster, Nolan Siegel and Robert Shwartzman.

Live Race Day coverage begins on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network at 10 a.m. (ET), with the green flag set for 12:45 p.m.

2025 ENTRY BREAKDOWN:

Winners (8): Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Alexander Rossi, Takuma Sato

Rookies (4): Jacob Abel, Louis Foster, Robert Shwartzman, Nolan Siegel

U.S. drivers (15): Jacob Abel, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, Conor Daly, Santino Ferrucci, Colton Herta, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Kyle Kirkwood, Kyle Larson, David Malukas, Josef Newgarden, Graham Rahal, Sting Ray Robb, Alexander Rossi, Nolan Siegel

International drivers (19, from 13 countries): Marcus Armstrong, Helio Castroneves, Devlin DeFrancesco, Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson, Louis Foster, Jack Harvey, Callum Ilott, Christian Lundgaard, Scott McLaughlin, Pato O’Ward, Alex Palou, Will Power, Christian Rasmussen, Felix Rosenqvist, Takuma Sato, Robert Shwartzman, Kyffin Simpson, Rinus VeeKay

Engines (34): Chevrolet 18, Honda 16 (all cars use Dallara chassis and Firestone tires)

Spire Motorsports, Gainbridge to Promote AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapoli

By
Official Release
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Carson Hocevar to Pilot No. 77 Indy25 Chevrolet ZL1 During NASCAR All-Star Weekend

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 13, 2024) – Spire Motorsports and Gainbridge® will partner with the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee and feature the “Indy25” logo in recognition of AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 taking place in Indianapolis on Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet ZL1 for this weekend’s NASCAR All-Star Race festivities at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Fever, will be the site of the 21st edition of the WNBA All-Star Game, as well as the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest and WNBA Skills Challenge July 18-19.

“Carson (Hocevar) driving a WNBA All-Star paint scheme is an opportunity to cross promote two properties in our sponsorship portfolio,” said Mike Nichols, Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation at Gainbridge®. “The scheme highlights our commitment to investing in women’s sports and we look forward to welcoming the best of the WNBA to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in two months.”

Much like the love of basketball displayed by Hoosiers of all ages, North Carolinians are often recognized as motorsports devotees. After its founding in 1948 in Daytona Beach, Fla., NASCAR’s popularity quickly spread as the sport ventured to tracks throughout the southeast. North Wilkesboro Speedway was built by Enoch Staley in 1946 as a dirt oval for whiskey runners to showcase their skill behind the wheel and their abilities to build cars to outrun revenuers. It became a mainstay on the circuit hosting 93 Cup Series races beginning with the 1949 season. The last points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race to be contested at the venerable Wilkes County oval took place in September 1996 when Jeff Gordon beat Dale Earnhardt by 1.73 seconds before a 25-year hiatus.

While Indianapolis will host the WNBA All-Star game for the first time, North Wilkesboro Speedway is the current site of NASCAR’s All-Star weekend after the division made its lauded return to the .625-mile track in 2023.

Similar to the WNBA All-Star Game, the NASCAR All-Star Race has taken place at several venues since the first event was held in Charlotte on May 25, 1985. Atlanta hosted the 1986 race before activities returned to Charlotte for a 33-year run. In 2020, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway hosted the events marking the first time the race wasn’t held at a 1.5-mile oval. The race returned to a different intermediate track, Texas Motor Speedway, for a two-year stretch, before moving to its current home.

Hocevar’s first NASCAR experience with All-Star activities came just one season ago. The eventual Cup Series Rookie of the Year started and finished 10th in the 100-lap All-Star Open qualifying race, the precursor to the All-Star Race, but came up short in his bid to battle his way into the fabled event.

Following the 2024 All-Star contest, Hocevar closed out the season with a total of one top-five and six top-10 finishes, including a third-place result, last August, at Watkins Glen International. The Portage, Mich., native has collected one top five and two top 10s through the first 12 races of 2025 and earned his first career Cup Series pole award at Texas Motor Speedway May 3.

“It’s really cool to showcase the WNBA All-Star Game on our car for the NASCAR All-Star Weekend,” said Hocevar. “I had the chance to visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse in January and it’s definitely worthy of hosting the game. The Indiana Fever have a really dedicated fanbase and Indianapolis is such a big market for basketball. We see it when we visit Indianapolis every year – the community is so welcoming, and they’re very proud of their sports teams. Gainbridge® has been a great partner for Spire Motorsports and done a lot to promote and expand women’s sports, so it’s exciting to see that support open new doors for those teams and athletes.”

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Spire Motorsports and Gainbridge® to highlight AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 during NASCAR’s All-Star Race,” said WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee Founding Chair and Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines. “We hope to connect with new audiences and fans while continuing to build excitement for the much-anticipated WNBA All-Star weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this summer.”

Hocevar will once again compete in the 100-lap All-Star Open hoping to be one of two drivers to race their way in. One driver will also advance through the NASCAR All Star Fan Vote, totaling three Open drivers who will transfer to the 250-lap feature.

Qualifying for both the NASCAR All-Star Open and NASCAR All-Star Race will take place Friday, May 16, when drivers from both races will take to the track for three timed laps with a mandatory four-tire pit stop.

The total time will set both the field for the All-Star Open and the starting grid for Saturday’s 60-lap heat races that will determine the starting lineup for the All-Star Race.

Live coverage of NASCAR’s annual All-Star Race will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, May 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Both the NASCAR All-Star Open and the NASCAR All-Star Race will broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Heat races will be televised live on FS2 Saturday, May 17 beginning at 5 p.m. EDT.

About Gainbridge® …
Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.io or follow and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 10, 2025, when Carson Hocevar took the checkered flag in the Heart of Health Care 200 at Kansas Speedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fields the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.

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