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CHEVROLET NCS AT PHOENIX RACEWAY: Connor Zilisch Media Availability Quotes

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Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
PHOENIX RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTES
MARCH 7, 2026

Connor Zilisch, driver of the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Phoenix Raceway.

Media Availability Quotes:

You’ve raced a lot of other stuff outside of NASCAR. Is there any realistic possibility or chance we see you one day racing in endurance in Europe?

“Not anytime soon. No, I’m pretty committed to NASCAR and what I’ve got going here. I’ve always dreamed of racing at Le Mans and stuff like that. But yeah, it’s going to have to wait.”

Did you enjoy participating in the latest edition of Full Speed? What was the most satisfying aspect of that for you?

“Yeah, I really enjoyed it. I’m very new to NASCAR, obviously, and although I feel like I’ve made it to the Cup Series quickly, not a lot of people really know me, how I got here or much about me at all. So yeah, it’s cool to share my story a little bit through that docuseries. I haven’t watched it yet, but I saw clips from it before they posted. I thought they did a really good job piecing everything together. I was going to watch it on the flight here, but I ended up playing Mario Kart the whole flight. But I’ll end up watching it sometime here in the next few days.”

With some of the drivers having issues with cool shirts last week, do you relook at what you do, or do you just have confidence in what your team’s doing with it?

“Yeah, I mean, it’s always a risk when you wear that thing is that it could always fail. But you know, you have t to have airflow to it. That’s a big part of it. If you cut off the airflow to the cool shirt box, it gets hot and fails. I’ve always made sure to tell my team that I’ll give up a count or two of downforce to make sure that I’m not going to burn up inside the race car, and if that means flowing a little extra air to it, then so be it.

But you know, I’ve never had one of those fail… knock on wood. But yeah, surely last week if mine failed, it would have been a really tough day. It was already hot and when those things fail, it gets hotter than just being in the car without anything.

Yeah, it’s always a risk. But thankfully, I haven’t had one fail on me yet.”

I don’t know how many times you’ve run for points, but is it startling to see yourself 32nd?

“It’s not what we want, obviously. Although it’s early, you still think about it. But it’s a very long season. We’re three races into 36, so although I’d rather be sitting inside the top-10 and say ‘yeah, it’s good’, a lot of it’s out of our control. I feel like we’ve ran better than 32nd in points so far this year, and the results just haven’t really shown it. So yeah, we just got to keep doing our thing and it’ll turn around.”

I’m curious if you’ve found that people are willing to run with you because you bring such a strong resume into the series? Have you not had that kind of a problem in terms of getting people to run with you? What would you say has been the biggest lesson that you’ve learned as a full-time Cup Series driver?

“Yes and no. I mean, I think if Joey Logano’s lined up behind me and he has the option to push Brad Keselowksi who’s got 25 years of experience, or me, he’s probably going to push Brad.

But I think it definitely helps not having a bad reputation, so I think there’s a lot of guys that are willing to work with me. But, you know, not a lot of people have seen me on track to trust me or whatever it is. But yeah, it’s definitely something that you build over time and it’ll continue to grow.

I would say after each race, you can’t let it get to you. Obviously I’ve had a couple rough weeks so far, but you just have to keep doing the same thing and know that it’s going to turn back your way eventually and that things are going to start to go well. After the first two weeks, I was sitting dead last in points. I went to COTA last week and felt like I had a chance to win the race and finish 14th. It sucks, but you got to know that there’s a lot left in front of you and you can’t stress on the things that are out of your control.”

You said you played a little bit of Mario Kart on the flight down here. Who’s your main character and what’s your favorite track?

“Yeah, a couple of my crew guys on my team, we all have Nintendo Switches and we hop on Mario Kart on the flights to make them a little quicker. When you don’t have Wi-Fi, I guess that’s the stuff you do (laughs). I switch around. I was running Donkey Kong for a little bit. You know, he’s my go-to, but my favorite track would probably be rainbow road. I like rainbow road. But it’s fun. It passes time. The flights out here on the charter planes can get long, so it’s good to have something to keep your mind busy.”

With this being a combination weekend with INDYCAR here today, I know that one of your bucket list races is the Indianapolis 500. Have you had any interaction with those drivers so far, or are you going to have some today?

“No, I haven’t. I’ll probably walk out to the grid before the race. I’ve got a couple of friends out there that I’ll go say hello to and wish luck, but I’ve been pretty focused on what we’ve got at stake this weekend in the Cup Series. I’ll watch their race. I’ll hang out for the race. You know, I’m curious to see what it’s like, but I haven’t been doing anything around the paddock.”

Coming to Phoenix for the first time in a Cup car, you had good runs here in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. What’s your expectation? What have you heard about the shortcut there in these next generation race cars? How do you prepare to get ready for this new challenge you have this weekend?

“Yeah, I’m excited. Phoenix is a really cool racetrack. There’s a lot of ways to go about it. I think the dog leg is rough no matter what race car you’re in. You’ve always got to readjust your helmet after you get done with rolling through there. I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like in a Cup car. I know it’s a little bit quicker. You know, you’re shifting. It’s my first time ever shifting at an oval. I guess I shifted at like St. Louis last year, but in the Cup car, at least, it’s my first time.

So yeah, I’m excited to see what it’s like. It’s going to be cool to figure it out, and hopefully we can have a good weekend.”

You’re three starts into your first full-time Cup season and a handful more before that. Would you say your comfort level is with the Next Gen car compared to all the other cars you’ve driven?

“Yeah. I mean, we’re three races in, but really, the season starts this weekend in a way. Obviously, I can’t say that exactly, but the first three races, we had two speedways and a road course, so this is the first race where you kind of start to figure out where we are as a team and how fast our race cars are going to be. Phoenix is the first test to that. So yeah, it really all starts this weekend. I feel like I’ve done a good job at the speedways and last weekend at the road course, but this will really be the test of how comfortable I am. I think it’s just going to continue to get better as the year goes on.”

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future.

GM Motorsports, including the Cadillac Formula 1® Team develops and proves advanced technologies in the most demanding environments, accelerating innovation in performance, safety, efficiency, and electrification for its production vehicles. Cadillac Racing is one of the leading manufacturers in the IMSA and FIA World Endurance Championships (WEC). Chevrolet competes in single seaters in the US IndyCar series, and in NASCAR with multiple team partners and drivers. Corvette customer teams compete in GT series across the globe including IMSA and WEC. Learn more at GM.com.

NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES POWERED BY FUELTECH TO OPEN 2026 SEASON IN GAINESVILLE

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Official Release
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 7, 2026) – Celebrating 25 years of incredible action in 2026, the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series opens its season this weekend at Gainesville Raceway as part of the prestigious Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

It is the first race of 11 races in the category during the 2026 campaign and this weekend’s must-see race is powered by FuelTech.

J.R. Gray enters the season as the reigning world champion, getting the victory in a winner-take-all final round last season in Las Vegas, finishing off a spectacular season that included four wins, five final-round appearances and his first championship.

Through two rounds of qualifying on Friday, Mike Stavrinos, who won the first two races of 2025, is in the top spot with a run of 5.688-seconds at 252.14 mph. Travis Harvey is right behind with a 5.708 at 245.99 and two-time world champion Stevie “Fast” Jackson is third after a 5.711 at 249.72. Gray is fourth as the standout competitors in the category look to start the season with a victory at one of the biggest events of the year during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season.

For the second straight season in Gainesville, FuelTech is the powered by partner for the race and continues to be a marquee supporter of NHRA Pro Mod racing.

“As NHRA celebrates 75 years of drag racing excellence, FuelTech is proud to continue our sponsorship of the Pro Mod class and support one of the most exciting and technically advanced categories in the sport,” said Luis de Leon, Chief Operating Officer of FuelTech USA. “For 75 years, NHRA has represented innovation, determination, and the relentless pursuit of speed — values that align perfectly with FuelTech’s mission and the racers we serve.”

The Pro Mod field in Gainesville includes a host of star drivers, including champs like Gray, Jackson and Mike Castellana, as well as top talents like Alex Laughlin, Lyle Barnett, Jason Scruggs and more.

The weekend will also include the continuation of the FTI Performance Pro Mod Showdown, which offers an extra incentive for drivers in the category. The FTI Pro Mod Showdown will once again reward the driver who records the best cumulative E.T. average across all four qualifying sessions. The winner will receive a $7,500 bonus from FTI Performance, adding another high-stakes incentive to an already huge weekend.

The NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series continues with the final two qualifying rounds at 10:45 a.m. and 2:25 p.m. ET on Saturday. The first round of eliminations is slated for later on Saturday at 5 p.m., with eliminations continuing on Sunday. Saturday’s first qualifying session and the first round of eliminations will be broadcast for free on NHRA’s YouTube page as well.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. General parking is free and limited preferred parking is available for purchase. For more info on NHRA, including the full weekend schedule in Gainesville, please visit www.NHRA.com.

About FuelTech

Pro Mod showcases the perfect fusion of extreme horsepower and advanced vehicle control technology. At FuelTech, we remain committed to providing racers with the tools they need to compete at the highest level. The FT700 ECU continues to set the standard in engine and powertrain management, delivering unmatched processing power, data acquisition, safety strategies, and control capabilities tailored to the demands of modern drag racing.

Through our partnership with the NHRA Pro Mod Series, we reaffirm our dedication to innovation, peak performance, and the passionate drag racing community. As teams continue to push the limits of speed and engineering, FuelTech stands beside them with complete vehicle management solutions designed to give racers a competitive edge— on every pass. For more information, please go to fueltech.net.

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

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB CHEF DUYEN HA TO COMPETE ON BRAVO’S TOP CHEF: CAROLINAS

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JIMMIE JOHNSON APPEARS AS SURPRISE GUEST JUDGE

STATESVILLE, N.C. (March 7, 2026) — LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team chef Duyen Ha will step into the national spotlight this month as a contestant on Top Chef: Carolinas (Season 23), premiering March 9 on Bravo. The new season, filmed across Charlotte, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina, opens with a high-energy culinary challenge at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Adding to the crossover moment, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner Jimmie Johnson will appear as a surprise guest judge in the premiere episode.

Hosted by Kristen Kish and judged by Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, the season features 15 chefs competing through challenges inspired by the culinary traditions of the Carolinas. Episodes began streaming early on Peacock on March 3.

Ha joined LEGACY MOTOR CLUB as executive chef in 2025 to help build and oversee the organization’s race-weekend culinary program, preparing meals for the organization’s hospitality and guest entertainment arm, developing food experiences for partners and guests at select races throughout the season. A Michelin-trained chef who has worked in several acclaimed European kitchens, Ha also previously won an episode of the Food Network’s Chopped, where chefs must create dishes under intense time and ingredient constraints.

That experience translated well to the fast-moving environment of NASCAR, where Ha has helped develop a culinary program that draws inspiration from each race market while serving large groups during race weekends at an elite level.

“Race weekends move fast, and the kitchen has to keep up,” said Ha. “Being part of this team and helping build the program has been incredibly rewarding, and Top Chef gave me the chance to bring that same energy and creativity next level.”

Johnson said seeing Ha compete on a national stage reflects the culture of excellence the organization strives for across every part of its operation.

“Duyen is an important part of our team,” Johnson said. “The way she approaches her craft mirrors how we approach racing — with preparation, creativity and a commitment to doing things the right way. It was fun to be part of the premiere episode, I completely surprised her, and I’m excited for people to see what she brings to the competition.”

Top Chef: Carolinas premieres Monday, March 9 on Bravo, with early streaming available now on Peacock.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

AM Racing NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Phoenix Raceway March Preview

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AM Racing | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway | GOVX 200

Fast Facts

Driver: Nick Sanchez
Primary Partner(s): Paynuity
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Edward “Dewey” Townsend
Spotter: Adam Fournier
2026 Driver Points Position: 19th
2026 Owner Points Position: 21st
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines
Final Practice Position: Seventh
GOVX 200 Starting Position: 19th

Notes of Interest:

● Season Four, Full Throttle: AM Racing will embark on its fourth full-schedule season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026 with driver Nick Sanchez competing in the full 33-race schedule, continuing with Saturday night’s GOVX 200 at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

● Future Focused: In early February, AM Racing announced the signing of NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series winner Nick Sanchez to pilot the team’s No. 25 Ford Mustang, beginning with the 2026 season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 14, 2026.

Nick Sanchez will make his debut with AM Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, joining the Ford Racing camp after previously competing with Chevrolet.

The Miami, Fla., native arrives at AM Racing following his rookie campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2025, where he continued to develop his resume as one of NASCAR’s rising young drivers.

Sanchez, 25, arrives on the scene at AM Racing after a 33-race stint driving for Big Machine Racing.

● Fueled by Paynuity: Paynuity will continue its new partnership with Nick Sanchez and AM Racing this weekend at Phoenix Raceway, serving as the title partner of the team’s No. 25 Ford Mustang for Saturday night’s 200-lap race.

Paynuity empowers businesses and financial institutions by providing best-in-class financial technology and customer service with a unified, enterprise-grade, global payments ecosystem.

Its innovative digital transaction processing platform enables direct-to-bank settlement for peer-to-peer and/or merchant-to-merchant transactions by providing seamless end-to-end payments and banking services for merchants and banks alike – the nexus of payment processing.

With more than 58 different payment networks and direct card brand associations on its payment switch and routing platform, Paynuity provides plug-and-play solutions for credit/debit card issuers and/or merchant acquirers by enabling direct access to thousands of global banks and card associations to facilitate merchant services, card issuing, and digital banking.

● Nick Sanchez NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Phoenix Raceway Stats: Saturday night’s GOVX 200 will mark Sanchez’s fifth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the iconic 1.0-mile speedway.

In his previous four starts, Sanchez has delivered a NOAPS track-best of 10th after starting seventh in the 2025 edition of the Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 for Big Machine Racing.

Additionally, Sanchez has delivered three top-15 finishes and an average NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series finish of 15.8.

Sanchez, the former ARCA Menards Series champion, has also earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series.

● Nick Sanchez NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Phoenix, Sanchez has 44 career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by one win, eight top-five and 14 top-10 finishes, with a championship-best result of 11th in the standings during the 2025 season.

Sanchez earned his first career NOAPS series victory in his freshman season in a thrilling summer finish at EchoPark (Ga.) Speedway, where he started 11th and hustled to the front, leading 18 laps before edging fellow rookie Carson Kvapil for the checkered flag by .104 seconds.

In addition to the 44 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, he has achieved 47 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts and 60 career starts across the ARCA Menards Series platforms.

● AM Racing NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway: This weekend’s GOVX 200 will mark AM Racing’s seventh and eighth career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series appearance at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway nestled in Avondale.

In the team’s six previous outings in the desert, their best track performance came in their most recent effort when Harrison Burton finished 11th after qualifying his No. 25 Dead On Tools Ford Mustang 12th.

Collectively, AM Racing holds an average finish of 18.5 in its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts at Phoenix Raceway, highlighted by five top-20 results.

Brett Moffitt led the team’s early success at the one-mile oval with finishes of 13th and 15th, while former NASCAR Next driver Dylan Lupton earned a 19th-place result in the 2024 season finale.

In his fourth and final start with the team, Harrison Burton added 20th- and 11th-place finishes to the organization’s Phoenix résumé.

On intermediate tracks measuring between 1.0 and 2.0 miles, the Statesville, N.C.-based organization has amassed 46 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, recording two top-five and nine top-10 finishes, with an average finish of 18.7.

● Circuit of the Americas | Focused Health 250 Race Recap: The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season continued last weekend with the first road course event of the year at the breathtaking Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

The AM Racing team overcame an early practice incident to successfully qualify for the race on speed, posting the 20th-fastest time overall.

With its best starting position of the season, AM Racing and Sanchez turned their focus toward earning the team’s second top-10 finish of the year.

From the drop of the green flag, Sanchez methodically worked his way through the field. Utilizing a strategy to maintain track position in Stage 2, the team made an early pit stop and restarted inside the top-10 to begin the second stage.

Sanchez’s momentum — and his effort to collect additional stage points this season — were halted when he was spun by another competitor, forcing the Miami, Fla., native to regroup and recover the valuable track position he had lost.

In the final stage, the team — still hunting for its first victory in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series — stayed on track during a late caution, hoping track position would pay dividends on older tires.

The strategy ultimately did not work as planned, as Sanchez lacked the grip needed to keep his No. 25 Paynuity Ford Mustang inside the top-10. At the checkered flag, the team settled for a 25th-place finish.

● Thanks For Your Support: With nine percent of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season complete, AM Racing and Nick Sanchez would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AIRBOX Air Purifier, Better Compute Works, Blue Wolf Products, Castle Products, Eagle Rentals, Flying Circle, MAR CARIBE LINE, Mechanix Wear, No Days Off Premium Water, Race to Stop Suicide, Racing Radios, Travel Curious, Volt Batteries and WIX Filters.

● From the Pit Box: Guiding Sanchez as crew chief of the No. 25 AM Racing Ford Mustang is the newly appointed crew chief Edward “Dewey” Townsend.

On Saturday night, he will be crew chief for his fourth career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race and his first at Phoenix Raceway.

In his previous three O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, he has collected one top-five and one top-10 finish (EchoPark Speedway — February 2026).

● Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit their Facebook page (Team AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Nick Sanchez, please visit shopnickracing.com, like his Facebook page (Nick Sanchez), or follow him on Instagram (@nicksanchez080) and X | Twitter (@Nicksanchez080).

Nick Sanchez Quoteboard:

On Phoenix Raceway: “Phoenix Raceway is a really challenging track because of how unique the layout is and how much it changes throughout a run.

“Our AM Racing team has been working hard to keep building momentum early in the season, and I’m looking forward to getting our No. 25 Paynuity Ford Mustang out there and seeing what we can do on Saturday night.”

On Keys to Success at Phoenix Raceway: “Phoenix Raceway is a place where you really have to focus on track position and tire management.

“The track changes a lot throughout a run, so staying disciplined, hitting your marks and keeping up with the adjustments throughout the race are key. If we can execute all night, I think our No. 25 Paynuity Ford Mustang will have a solid shot.”

On Circuit of the Americas Finish: “We had a better car at Circuit of the Americas than the results show. The spin set us back, but the team kept fighting all day.

“I’m proud of the effort from everyone at AM Racing and we’ll take what we learned there and apply it going into Phoenix.”

On 2026 Season Outlook: “I’m really encouraged by the direction our AM Racing team is heading this season. The third-place finish at EchoPark Speedway showed what we’re capable of when everything comes together.

“Our goal now is to keep building on that momentum, stay consistent each week and put ourselves in position to contend for more top finishes as the season progresses.”

No. 52 AM Racing Team:

Driver: Daniel Dye

Primary Partner(s): Champion Container

Crew Chief: Matt Lucas

Spotter: Frank Deiny

2026 Driver Points Position: N/A

2026 Owner Points Position: 40th

Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

Final Practice Position: 28th

GOVX 200 Starting Position: 29th

● Season Four, Full Throttle x2: AM Racing will embark on its fourth full-time season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, with a second entry scheduled to compete on a part-time basis, including Saturday night’s GOVX 200 at Phoenix Raceway.

This weekend will mark the fourth time in the team’s history that AM Racing has fielded a second entry in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

● Future Focused: In early February, AM Racing announced the addition of NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver Daniel Dye to pilot the team’s No. 52 entry throughout the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

The effort began with the season-opening race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 14, 2026, and continues this weekend in the heart of the desert in Avondale, Ariz., for the first of two races this season at Phoenix Raceway.

Dye, 22, a native of DeLand, Fla., joins AM Racing after a full-season stint with Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he earned eight top-10 finishes, including a pair of career-best seventh-place results at EchoPark Speedway and Martinsville Speedway.

The former ARCA Menards Series race winner is also contesting the full 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule, driving the No. 10 truck for Kaulig Racing.

● Trusting in Champion: For the second consecutive race, Champion Container will serve as the primary partner of Dye’s No. 52 machine for Saturday night’s GOVX 200 at Phoenix Raceway.

Champion Container, established in 1968, is a leading distributor of packaging containers in the Northeast, serving industries including chemical, paint, and pharmaceutical.

The company’s extensive product range includes bulk containers, drums, cans, pails, boxes and more.

Through its partnership with Dye, Champion Container has been instrumental in the growth of the Race to Suicide initiative, a program spearheaded by the

driver to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health.

With Champion Container’s commitment to the cause, the initiative has evolved from a regional outreach effort into a nationally recognized platform, leveraging the company’s resources and visibility to amplify its message and broaden its reach nationwide.

● Racing for a Cause: Champion Container and Daniel Dye are using their platform in motorsports to drive meaningful change off the track.

Through its partnership with Dye, Champion Container has been instrumental in the growth of the Race to Suicide initiative, a program spearheaded by the driver to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health.

With Champion Container’s commitment to the cause, the initiative has evolved from a regional outreach effort into a nationally recognized platform, leveraging the company’s resources and visibility to amplify its message and broaden its reach nationwide.

● Daniel Dye NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Phoenix Raceway Stats: Saturday night’s GOVX 200 will mark Dye’s fourth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the iconic 1.0-mile speedway.

In his previous three starts, Dye has delivered a NOAPS track-best of 17th after starting 13th in the 2024 edition of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race in November for Kaulig Racing.

Additionally, Dye has delivered two top-20 finishes and an average NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series finish of 21.3.

Dye, a former winner of the prestigious Comcast Award, has also made two starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series.

● Daniel Dye NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Phoenix, Dye has 46 career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by eight top-10 finishes, with a championship-best result of 20th in the standings during the 2025 season.

In addition to the 46 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, he has achieved 49 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts and 43 career starts across the ARCA Menards Series platforms.

● AM Racing NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Overview at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway: This weekend’s GOVX 200 will mark AM Racing’s seventh and eighth career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series appearance at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway nestled in Avondale.

In the team’s six previous outings in the desert, their best track performance came in their most recent effort when Harrison Burton finished 11th after qualifying his No. 25 Dead On Tools Ford Mustang 12th.

Collectively, AM Racing holds an average finish of 18.5 in its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series efforts at Phoenix Raceway, highlighted by five top-20 results.

Brett Moffitt led the team’s early success at the one-mile oval with finishes of 13th and 15th, while former NASCAR Next driver Dylan Lupton earned a 19th-place result in the 2024 season finale.

In his fourth and final start with the team, Harrison Burton added 20th- and 11th-place finishes to the organization’s Phoenix résumé.

On intermediate tracks measuring between 1.0 and 2.0 miles, the Statesville, N.C.-based organization has amassed 46 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, recording two top-five and nine top-10 finishes, with an average finish of 18.7.

● Thanks For Your Support: With nine percent of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season complete, AM Racing and Daniel Dye would like to thank their associate marketing partners for their support: AIRBOX Air Purifier, Blue Wolf Products, Castle Products, Eagle Rentals, Flying Circle, Kix Country 98.7FM, Mechanix Wear, No Days Off Premium Water, Orlando Longwood Auto Auction, Race to Stop Suicide, Racing Radios, Solar Fit, Volt Batteries and WIX Filters.

● From the Pit Box: Guiding Dye as crew chief of the No. 52 AM Racing vehicle is veteran crew chief Matt Lucas.

On Saturday night, he will be the crew chief for his 117th career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race and his seventh event at Phoenix Raceway.

In his previous 116 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, he has collected two wins, 22 top-five and 40 top-10 finishes.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit their Facebook page (Team AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Daniel Dye, please visit danieldyeracing.com, like his Facebook page (Daniel Dye Racing), or follow him on Instagram (@danieldye43) and X | Twitter (@danieldye43).

Daniel Dye Quoteboard:

On Phoenix Raceway: “Phoenix Raceway is a really unique track and one where track position and execution matter a lot.

Our AM Racing team has been working hard to keep improving each week, and I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing what we can do with our No. 52 team on Saturday night.”

On Goals for Phoenix Raceway: “Our goal this weekend at Phoenix Raceway is to execute a clean race and keep improving as a team.

“Phoenix is a place where track position means a lot, so if we can qualify well, stay disciplined throughout the race and make the right adjustments, I think our AM Racing No. 52 Champion Container team can put together a solid finish.”

Race Information:

The GOVX 200 (200 laps | 200 miles) is the fourth of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. The field will take the green flag on Saturday night, March 7, shortly after 5:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. ET), with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. All times are local (MT).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multifaceted motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, the organization prides itself on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

Entering its 11th year of competition, AM Racing will compete across NASCAR’s national and developmental ranks during the 2026 season.

Brett Sourapas Tops Qualifying for 2026 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 Unlimited Race

By
Official Release
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Brett Sourapas’ return to the BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 Unlimited Race will see him take the green flag first on Saturday. Thanks to a time of 6:06.643 in Friday’s qualifying session, the driver of the #88 Unlimited Truck 4WD has earned the right to start the 2026 edition of the Great American Off-Road Race without opposition.

Two-time defending Unlimited Race winner Adam Householder kicked things off for the 2WD trucks and laid down a 6:14.520 that would withstand challenges from regular top qualifiers like Nic Whetstone and Ryan Arciero, but Justin “Bean” Smith, qualifying for Tracy Graf, would put a 4WD truck on the top spot with a 6:08.881. That advantage would hold until the final few entries in the first group, when Sourapas would best him by just under two seconds.

Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson’s return to the desert got off to a wild start on Friday, as he rolled the truck on the final corner before the finish line. However, he wasn’t the only one whose qualifying run didn’t go as planned; Parker 400 winner Robby Gordon wasn’t able to post a time after one of the engines in his dual-engine 4WD truck needed work, while former Unlimited Race winner Eric Hardin walked away from a spectacular rollover that cut his run short.

For Unlimited Truck SPEC, which qualified on its own after the other Unlimited classes wrapped, Kyle Jergensen’s 6:28.225 set an immediate benchmark that would hold for the entire session. Conner McMullen, last year’s SPEC class winner and top qualifier, came closest, as the only driver to post a time within five seconds of Jergensen.

Joining the Unlimited Race entries in qualifying were the Open Pro Motorcycle racers who will head up tomorrow’s Motorcycle Race. Defending race winner Dalton Shirey topped the field with a 5:53.764, followed closely by Shane Logan and 2024 Motorcycle Race winner Preston Campbell.

Qualifying results for the 2026 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 Unlimited and Motorcycle Races were as follows:

Unlimited Race Group 1

  1. 88 Brett Sourapas, Unlimited Truck 4WD, 6:06.643
  2. 58 Tracy Graf, Unlimited Truck 4WD, 6:08.881
  3. 24 Adam Householder, Unlimited Truck 2WD, 6:14.520
  4. 18 Nic Whetstone, Unlimited Truck 2WD, 6:15.488
  5. 100 Dale Dondel, Unlimited Truck 2WD, 6:23.651
  6. 32 Ryan Arciero, Unlimited Truck 2WD, 6:23.705
  7. 3 Michael Scafuto, Unlimited Truck 4WD, 6:28.836
  8. U125 Vaughn Gittin Jr., Class 1 Unlimited, 6:30.016
  9. 78 Tracy Poole, Unlimited Truck 2WD, 6:31.899
  10. 27T Steve Olliges, Unlimited Truck 2WD, 6:36.069

Unlimited Race Group 2 (Unlimited Truck SPEC)

  1. 222 Kyle Jergensen, 6:28.225
  2. 240 Conner McMullen, 6:32.860
  3. 272 Dustin Grabowski, 6:36.822
  4. 279 Cole Hardin, 6:40.571
  5. 251 Dane Miller, 6:42.668

Open Pro Motorcycle

  1. N46 Dalton Shirey, 5:53.764
  2. N1 Shane Logan, 5:56.920
  3. N3 Preston Campbell, 5:58.700
  4. N2 Ciaran Naran, 6:05.530
  5. N7 Danny Cooper, 6:11.237

Focus now turns to Saturday’s race day. The Motorcycle Race kicks off at 7AM, a pair of Youth Races will go green at 8AM, and the BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 Unlimited Race will begin at 10:45AM. Live streaming will kick off at 10:15AM PT/1:15PM ET, with online coverage at themint400.com/live, RACER+, Speed Sport 1, SPEED on FOX, and on national TV via the RACER Network. The full race schedule can be found at https://themint400.com/schedule/.

The Mint 400 has carried the reputation as the toughest, most spectacular off-road race in North America since 1968, when it first roared to life in the Nevada desert. What began as a clever public relations stunt to promote the Mint Hotel’s annual deer hunt quickly evolved into something far bigger. A legitimate desert race forged in dust, horsepower, and bravado. By the 1970s, the Mint wasn’t just a race. It was a cultural moment. Immortalized by Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, it became a symbol of American excess, grit, and wide-open desert freedom.

After decades of dormancy, the event was revived in 2008 by brothers Matthew and Joshua Martelli, who rebuilt it from the ground up with a singular mission. To restore its mythic status while elevating the professionalism, safety, and prestige of modern desert racing. Since that revival, “The Great American Off-Road Race” has only grown larger, deeper, and more competitive. The fields get stronger every year. The stakes get higher. And winning The Mint 400 remains one of the hardest achievements in off-road racing.

This year’s Mint 400 will take place from March 4th – 8th in Las Vegas. More information on the event for racers and spectators is available at TheMint400.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.

Details regarding racer registration, sponsorship packages, exhibitor vending, spectator tickets, camping, and parking passes for the American Off-Road Racing Championship are live on americanoffroadracingchampionship.com.

About The Mint 400
The Mint 400 is the oldest and most prestigious off-road race in America, and is held each March in the treacherous foothills of Sin City. The multi-day event features a massive vehicle parade down the world famous Las Vegas Strip, a two day festival on historic Fremont Street, and two days of grueling off-road racing on a desolate and punishing 400-mile racecourse. Nearly 65,000 off-road and recreational enthusiasts come to watch 500 race teams in 50+ classes from 25 different states and 15 different countries go door to door, while the Livestream coverage is beamed to over 800,000 viewers worldwide. No other off road race allows fans the thrilling experience of watching the top off-road race teams from around the world battle for fame and glory, in a festival setting – complete with a luxury VIP section. The Mint 400 is “The Great American Off-Road Race”!

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race Overview- Phoenix Raceway

By
Official Release
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Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race Overview-
Phoenix Raceway; March 7, 2026

Track: Phoenix Raceway
Race: GovX 200
Date/Broadcast: Saturday; March 7, 2026 7:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. MT)
TV: CW Network
Radio: MRN Radio- Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, and X

Desert Duel: Burton, Perkins and Caruth Take on Phoenix Raceway

Avondale, Arizona (March 6, 2026) – The desert backdrop and distinctive dogleg of Phoenix Raceway sets the stage for another pivotal weekend of NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition as Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport prepares for Saturday’s GovX 200.

Located just outside Phoenix in Avondale, the one-mile tri-oval features progressive banking and a wide racing surface that encourages bold moves and creative strategy. The track’s combination of heavy braking zones, tire wear, and multiple racing lanes often produces dramatic restarts and intense battles throughout the field.

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport will field three entries for the desert showdown: Jeb Burton behind the wheel of the Dish/Zone Protects Tick Prevention No. 27 Chevrolet, Blaine Perkins in the No. 31 Werner Chevrolet, and Rajah Caruth in the iRacing/NASCAR 25 No. 32 Chevrolet.

With warm desert temperatures expected and tire management playing a crucial role over long green-flag runs, teams will look to balance speed with consistency while navigating the track’s abrasive surface and strategic restarts through the dogleg.

Burton returns to Phoenix with valuable experience on the desert oval. Across 11 starts at the track, Burton owns an average finish of 19.4, highlighted by a sixth-place result in 2021 and a solid 12th-place finish during the 2023 season finale weekend.

The veteran driver understands that rhythm and patience are essential at Phoenix, where tire wear and late-race restarts frequently shake up the running order.

“This place is all about managing your tires and being aggressive at the right times,” Burton said.

“Phoenix gives you options with the dogleg and different lanes, so it’s about staying disciplined and putting our Dish/Zone Protects Tick Prevention Chevy in position late in the race.”

If Burton can qualify inside the top-15 and maintain track position through the stage breaks, the No. 27 team has the potential to contend for another solid top-15 finish with an opportunity to challenge the top 10 if strategy falls their way.

Perkins continues his development on intermediate and short-oval tracks as he returns to Phoenix, where he has steadily gained experience in recent starts. During the 2024 championship weekend event at Phoenix, Perkins finished 25th, demonstrating consistent pace over the long run.

The California native views Phoenix as a driver-focused track where throttle control and braking precision are critical.

“Phoenix is one of those places where every lap counts,” Perkins said.

“You’re constantly working the wheel and managing tires. If we can stay clean, keep improving our balance during the race, and execute on pit road, we can have a really solid day with our No. 31 Werner Chevrolet.”

For Perkins, a clean and precise race will be key. With steady progress throughout the weekend, the No. 31 team could aim for a top-15 finish while building momentum early in the season.

Caruth makes his Phoenix appearance with Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport bringing a combination of simulator-driven preparation and growing experience across NASCAR’s national series.

The partnership with iRacing highlights Caruth’s digital-to-real-world racing journey, and Phoenix’s technical layout rewards drivers who understand braking points, throttle timing, and multiple racing grooves.

“Phoenix is a really technical short track,” Caruth said.

“You’ve got to be aggressive through the dogleg but still take care of the tires. The iRacing and NASCAR 25 Chevy team has been working hard preparing for this race, and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

If Caruth adapts quickly to changing track conditions and executes clean restarts, the No. 32 team has the potential to challenge for a top-15 finish and possibly a top-10.

With desert temperatures expected to climb near 80 degrees Saturday afternoon, tire management and long-run balance will be key factors as the GovX 200 unfolds. Restarts through Phoenix’s famous dogleg frequently create three- and four-wide battles, making track position and driver confidence critical throughout the race.

For Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport, the trip to the desert represents another opportunity to showcase the growth of a team that continues pushing forward with grit, innovation, and belief in its drivers, employees, and partners.

When the green flag waves in the Arizona desert Saturday afternoon, three Chevrolets carrying the Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport banner will charge into Turn 1 ready to take on the challenge of Phoenix Raceway.

The GovX 200 from Phoenix Raceway will be broadcast live on The CW beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. MT) on Saturday. Radio coverage will be provided by the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90, offering flag-to-flag coverage from Avondale, Arizona.

Fans are urged to stay updated thru the weekend via Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Social platforms; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport is a NASCAR team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito. Established in 2017 the organization is fueled by an incredible, close-knit team of employees, fans, and sponsors with a focus on integrity in the pursuit of excellence. Our goal is to embrace the journey we’re on and to never give up – whether on the track, in the pits, or in life. Every single team partner, and fan of ours, is what keeps our race cars running strong and our team performing at the highest level.

HART, CAPPS, C. COUGHLIN & A. SMITH START 75TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH PROVISIONAL NO. 1 SPOTS AT GAINESVILLE

By
Official Release
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 6, 2026) – Ocala’s Josh Hart made the fastest run in Gainesville Dragway history on Friday to open the 2026 NHRA season, taking the Top Fuel provisional No. 1 position at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals.

Ron Capps (Funny Car), Cody Coughlin (Pro Stock) and Angie Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the first of 20 races during the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Selections were also made for the opening round of the big-money Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout bonus race, which takes place on Saturday. Top seed and reigning event winner Doug Kalitta selected Clay Millican in a first-round rematch from last season. Shawn Langdon picked Shawn Reed, while Antron Brown chose Hart with the next pick in a matchup of two former Callout winners. That left Tony Stewart and Justin Ashley as the remaining matchup for the eight-car field.

Hart went 3.658-seconds at a track-record 340.30-mph in his 12,000-horsepower Burnyzz/Speedmaster dragster to close out the first two rounds of qualifying and mark a wildly-successful debut in his first race with John Force Racing.

It also puts Hart in position to claim his first career No. 1 qualifier in what could be another memorable weekend at his home track. Hart won in his first career start to open the 2021 season in Gainesville and then won the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star in 2023.

“I’m really not used to this gig, so you have to bear with me,” Hart said. “I’m super blessed. John Force and the entire team have welcomed me like a member of the family. There is no better way to do this than at your home track with everyone here.

“I can’t really put it into words. When I got in this car and we went 340 in testing right off the trailer, all I can say is it was so smooth. You know, my guys have it figured out. It’s a well-oiled machine. (Crew chief) David Grubnic is a former driver, so just talking to him is like a sounding board. I can ask him questions, and he’ll give me a straight answer, which I love.”

Langdon is second with a run of 3.681 at 338.09 and Leah Pruett, who is making her first appearance since 2023, is third after going 3.690 at 329.10.

Three-time Funny Car world champ Ron Capps was the only car to dip into the 3.80s, delivering a stout 3.890 at 334.07 under the lights in his 12,000-horsepower NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra. Should that stand, Capps would get his 38th career No. 1 spot as he also seeks his fifth victory at Gainesville Raceway.

With a diamond Wally on the line to open NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, Capps would love to pick up the first one of the season. This weekend also marks the first race of Capps’ new teammate, Top Fuel rookie Maddi Gordon.

“It’s been a chaotic week. Well, it’s been a chaotic couple of months,” Capps said. “What we put together, basically from scratch, bringing Maddi [Gordon] on and getting Rod Flynn onboard, then getting her licensed.

“I can’t imagine winning this year and getting one of those (diamond Wally). It’s going to be cool. I can’t imagine Maddi winning and getting one. Someday we’re going to double up. That’s going to be off the hook. It’s a big week. It’s a big, big kickoff to NHRA, and it means a lot. My whole adult life has been in this sport, and I’m looking forward to it.”

J.R. Todd got bumped to the second spot with a 3.912 at 334.15 and Paul Lee took third after going 3.920 at 331.12.

In Pro Stock, Cody Coughlin is off to a stellar start after a solid rookie season in 2025, sitting atop a massive 21-car field on Friday thanks to a run of 6.523 at 210.01 in his Coughlin Construction Chevrolet Camaro.

Coughlin went to one final round and earned a No. 1 qualifier during his debut season last year in Pro Stock for KB Titan Racing, and appears set on improving in 2026.

“We put a bite in the competition this weekend so far,” Coughlin said. “This car is great, the KB Titan guys are the best in the business and just proud to drive for them and that we were able to put a deal together to racewith each other. It’s just great.”

Matt Hartford took second on Friday in the same pair as Coughlin with a run of 6.533 at 210.41, with Matt Latino right behind thanks to a run of 6.533 at 210.37.

A. Smith took over the provisional spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle to close out the day, going 6.740 at 199.58 on her Denso Auto Parts Buell, giving the veteran a strong showing to open the 2026 season. Should that hold, Smith would pick up her third career No. 1 qualifier, which would be a welcome sign after finishing fourth in points a year ago.

But that season didn’t include a victory or a top qualifier, something Smith would love to change this season and especially early in the year.

“This was a great day. Not the beginning of the day, but by the end of the day,” Smith said. “In Q1, we broke a transmission in half and you never like to do that when you start the season. Usually, parts breakage and things like that happen in the middle of the season, but for some reason, it just snapped the shaft in half and I didn’t get a good run.

“We just knew that we had to put our best foot forward and we did. When that 6.74 came up, I didn’t know if it was going to stick or not. There were some pretty heavy hitters behind me. You know, we worked really, really hard in this off-season, so hopefully our hard work pays off this year.”

Reigning world champion Richard Gadson is currently second with a 6.746 at 200.00 and Gaige Herrera is third after going 6.761 at 199.91.

Qualifying continues at 12: 15 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 57th annual AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, first of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Josh Hart, 3.658 seconds, 340.30 mph; 2. Shawn Langdon, 3.681, 338.09; 3. Leah Pruett, 3.690, 329.10; 4. Antron Brown, 3.694, 331.85; 5. Tony Stewart, 3.703, 339.96; 6. Doug Kalitta, 3.703, 334.07; 7. Tony Schumacher, 3.710, 338.60; 8. Tripp Tatum, 3.725, 323.81; 9. Billy Torrence, 3.741, 334.90; 10. Shawn Reed, 3.757, 325.61; 11. Justin Ashley, 3.762, 334.73; 12. Clay Millican, 3.773, 321.35; 13. Gary Pritchett, 3.790, 304.67; 14. Jasmine Salinas, 3.791, 329.67; 15. Maddi Gordon, 3.793, 321.35; 16. Dan Mercier, 3.885, 266.32. Not Qualified: 17. Scott Farley, 5.186, 140.36; 18. Will Smith, 9.393, 77.11.

Funny Car — 1. Ron Capps, Toyota GR Supra, 3.890, 334.07; 2. J.R. Todd, GR Supra, 3.912, 334.15; 3. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 3.920, 331.12; 4. Chad Green, Ford Mustang, 3.926, 326.08; 5. Matt Hagan, Charger, 3.931, 331.36; 6. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.948, 329.91; 7. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 3.961, 323.19; 8. Jordan Vandergriff, Chevy Camaro, 3.990, 318.47; 9. Hunter Green, Charger, 4.048, 318.77; 10. Julie Nataas, GR Supra, 4.082, 261.72; 11. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.095, 305.36; 12. Austin Prock, Mustang, 4.836, 217.74; 13. Dave Richards, Mustang, 5.501, 134.48; 14. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 5.644, 130.49; 15. Alexis DeJoria, Camaro, 6.045, 112.65; 16. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 6.122, 108.77. Not Qualified: 17. Buddy Hull, 6.482, 100.61; 18. Todd Lesenko, 7.139, 92.40; 19. John Smith, 24.017, 59.16.

Pro Stock — 1. Cody Coughlin, Chevy Camaro, 6.523, 210.01; 2. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.533, 210.41; 3. Matt Latino, Camaro, 6.533, 210.37; 4. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 6.535, 209.82; 5. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.538, 208.49; 6. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.540, 209.79; 7. Troy Coughlin, Camaro, 6.541, 208.62; 8. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.545, 209.52; 9. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.547, 209.79; 10. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.548, 209.88; 11. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.549, 208.36; 12. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.556, 209.88; 13. Stephen Bell, Camaro, 6.566, 207.98; 14. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.575, 208.04; 15. Chris McGaha, Camaro, 6.583, 208.52; 16. Shane Tucker, Camaro, 6.593, 208.23. Not Qualified: 17. Greg Anderson, 6.595, 209.56; 18. Mason McGaha, 6.599, 209.26; 19. Brandon Miller, 6.602, 207.62; 20. Derrick Reese, 6.682, 206.48; 21. Rodger Brogdon, 8.065, 127.98.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.740, 199.58; 2. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.746, 200.00; 3. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.761, 199.91; 4. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.764, 200.77; 5. Clayton Howey, Suzuki, 6.800, 197.88; 6. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.803, 198.15; 7. John Hall, Beull, 6.804, 199.97; 8. Ryan Oehler, Buell, 6.811, 197.77; 9. Jianna Evaristo, Buell, 6.834, 200.32; 10. Brayden Davis, Buell, 6.838, 196.33; 11. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.843, 197.68; 12. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.857, 195.48; 13. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.882, 197.94; 14. Marc Ingwersen, Buell, 6.922, 195.73; 15. Chris Bostick, Suzuki, 7.087, 166.70.

What to Look for in a Custom Ford Bronco Build: A Buyer’s Guide

By
SM
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Buying a custom Ford Bronco is not like buying a standard vehicle off a lot. The decisions made during the build, which components were sourced, how the work was done, and whether the customization was designed to last will define your ownership experience for years. This guide walks through the key things to evaluate before committing to any custom Bronco build.

Start With the Base Vehicle

Custom builds begin with a stock Bronco, and the trim you start with matters. The Badlands and Outer Banks trims come with more capable factory underpinnings, which gives a builder more to work with. A Bronco Raptor arrives from the factory with high-performance FOX shocks, a wider track, and a more powerful engine, making it a strong foundation for a performance-oriented build.

Before evaluating any customization, understand which trim the build started with and whether the modifications make sense for that foundation. A lifted, oversized-tire build on a base trim Bronco without upgraded suspension is a red flag.

Evaluate the Suspension Work

Suspension is where a quality custom build either proves itself or falls apart. Look for:

  • A lift kit from a reputable brand such as Rough Country, Fox, or King
  • Correct alignment and geometry correction after the lift
  • Upgraded control arms if the lift exceeds two inches
  • Tire size matched to lift height, with oversized tires without a proportional lift creates clearance and handling problems

If the Bronco includes the Sasquatch Package, note that it already includes 35-inch tires, locking front and rear differentials, and an advanced 4×4 system. Builds starting from Sasquatch require less suspension work to achieve serious off-road capability.

Assess the Wheel and Tire Package

A quality build will match tire compound to intended use. Oversized tires should come with a recalibrated speedometer and, ideally, a differential regear to preserve power delivery and fuel efficiency. Inspect wheels for signs of damage or improper offset, which can stress wheel bearings over time.

Look for Documentation on Aftermarket Components

Reputable builds come with documentation. Ask for receipts, brand names, and installation records for every major component. If the seller cannot tell you who made the lift kit, who installed it, or when the tires were mounted, treat that as a warning sign.

Dealers who specialize in custom Bronco builds  like FL Auto Sales Group maintain full records of component sourcing and installation for every vehicle, which protects buyers after the sale as well as before it.

Check the Exterior and Protection Upgrades

Quality custom builds include practical protection upgrades alongside aesthetic ones. Look for steel front bumpers with winch mounts, structurally mounted rock sliders, skid plates covering the fuel tank and transfer case, and properly wired auxiliary lighting that does not draw excessive current from the factory electrical system.

Factor in Warranty and Post-Sale Support

Factory Ford warranties may be voided or limited by aftermarket modifications, depending on the components involved. Ask specifically which modifications affect warranty coverage and whether the dealer offers any post-sale service or workmanship guarantee on the custom components.

Specialty dealers with dedicated custom Bronco programs, such as FL Auto Sales Group’s custom Ford Bronco inventory, typically have service relationships in place that cover the custom work independently of the factory warranty.

Final Checklist Before You Buy

  • Confirm the base trim and understand what it includes from the factory
  • Get documentation for every major aftermarket component
  • Have an independent inspection done if buying from a private seller
  • Ask about speedometer recalibration and differential gearing if tires were upsized
  • Clarify what warranty coverage remains and what the dealer guarantees on custom work

A well-built custom Bronco is a significant investment, and the quality signals are there if you know what to look for. The builds worth buying are the ones where every decision has a reason behind it.

Taylor Gray wins first O’Reilly pole of 2026 at Phoenix

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Taylor Gray claimed the pole position for the GOVX 200 at Phoenix Raceway on Friday, March 6. 

The event’s starting lineup was determined through a single-car, single-lap qualifying format. In this format, all 40 competitors vying for 38 starting spots cycled around Phoenix Raceway once to post the fastest lap amongst one another. The competitor who posted the fastest single lap was awarded the pole position.

During the qualifying session, Gray, who was the eighth-fastest competitor during Friday’s practice session, clocked in a single qualifying lap at 130.743 mph in 27.535 seconds. The result was enough for the Artesia, New Mexico, native to secure the top-starting spot over the reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, Jesse Love.

With the result, Gray achieved his fourth O’Reilly career pole position and his first since Dover Motor Speedway in July 2025. Gray’s first O’Reilly pole of 2026 was also the first of the year for both Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota. 

Gray will share the front row with Jesse Love, the latter of whom clocked in his best single-lap session at 130.695 mph in 27.545 seconds. For Saturday’s main event, Love will attempt to win at Phoenix for a second consecutive time after his first time occurred in November 2025, an event to which he also achieved his first O’Reilly championship.

Brandon Jones, Anthony Alfredo and rookie Brent Crews will start in the fop five, respectively. William Byron, who is making his first of three O’Reilly starts in the No. 88 HendrickCars.com/JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro entry, qualified in sixth place while Sammy Smith, rookie Corey Day, Jeb Burton (fastest in practice) and Kyle Sieg completed the top-10 starting grid.

With 40 competitors vying for 38 starting spots, Josh Williams and Blake Lothain were the two competitors who failed to qualify for the main event.

Phoenix – Qualifying position, Best speed, Best time:

  1. Taylor Gray, 130.743 mph, 27.535 seconds
  2. Jesse Love, 130.695 mph, 27.545 seconds
  3. Brandon Jones, 130.525 mph, 27.581 seconds
  4. Anthony Alfredo, 130.100 mph, 27.671 seconds
  5. Brent Crews, 130.039 mph, 27.684 seconds
  6. 6 William Byron, 129.776 mph, 27.740 seconds
  7. Sammy Smith, 129.739 mph, 27.748 seconds
  8. Corey Day, 129.692 mph, 27.758 seconds
  9. Jeb Burton, 129.608 mph, 27.776 seconds
  10. Kyle Sieg, 129.413 mph, 27.818 seconds
  11. Harrison Burton, 129.324 mph, 27.837 seconds
  12. Sam Mayer, 129.278 mph, 27.847 seconds
  13. Austin Hill, 129.116 mph, 27.882 seconds
  14. Carson Kvapil, 129.079 mph, 27.890 seconds
  15. William Sawalich, 128.852 mph, 27.939 seconds
  16. Sheldon Creed, 128.834 mph, 27.943 seconds
  17. Justin Allgaier, 128.714 mph, 27.969 seconds
  18. Ryan Sieg, 128.567 mph, 28.001 seconds
  19. Nick Sanchez, 128.507 mph, 28.014 seconds
  20. Brennan Poole, 128.470 mph, 28.022 seconds
  21. Jeremy Clements, 128.461 mph, 28.024 seconds
  22. Garrett Smithley, 128.265 mph, 28.067 seconds
  23. Dean Thompson. 128.187 mph, 28.084 seconds
  24. Chandler Smith, 128.173 mph, 28.087 seconds
  25. Rajah Caruth, 127.982 mph, 28.129 seconds
  26. Blaine Perkins, 127.687 mph, 28.194 seconds
  27. Austin Green, 127.682 mph, 28.195 seconds
  28. Patrick Staropoli, 126.895 mph, 28.370 seconds
  29. Daniel Dye, 126.743 mph, 28.404 seconds
  30. Lavar Scott, 126.484 mph, 28.462 seconds
  31. Parker Retzlaff, 126.436 mph, 28.473 seconds
  32. Nathan Byrd, 125.479 mph, 28.690 seconds
  33. Josh Bilicki, Owner Points
  34. Austin J. Hill, Owner Points
  35. Joey Gase, Owner Points
  36. Dawson Carm, Owner Points
  37. Mason maggio, Owner Points
  38. Ryan Ellis, Owner Points

The 2026 GOVX 200 at Phoenix Raceway is scheduled to occur on Saturday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network, MRN Radio and SiriusXM.

CHEVROLET NCS AT PHOENIX RACEWAY: William Byron Media Availability Quotes

By
Official Release
-

NASCAR CUP SERIES
PHOENIX RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTES
MARCH 6, 2026

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of running double-duty in the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Phoenix Raceway.

Media Availability Quotes:

A lot of talk about cool shirts and everything. I’m curious, how many issues, if any, have you had? And is it time for drivers to ask NASCAR to step in, or do you feel like the teams can figure out what to do?

“Yeah, I’ve definitely had my share of races that it doesn’t work. And, you know, it’s an interesting phenomenon because really thinking about my career, I’ve been wearing that thing since I’ve been Cup racing. It really was coming on board in 2017. Jimmie (Johnson) and Dale (Earnhardt Jr.), I think, were really adamant that it was a good thing. Definitely when it works, it’s great. But I feel like there’s definitely a handful, if not more times, that it doesn’t work. That shirt is very insulated. I was at a Martinsville test one time and was wearing it and didn’t turn it on for most of the day and just started to feel sick because just the way it insulates your body and kind of has the opposite effect when it’s not on. So, yeah, I think I’m open to other options. We used to just have blowers in the car that would just blow air on your back. So finitely, we’ve talked about looking at other options and seeing what’s out there. It’s effective, but at the same time, if it doesn’t work or it doesn’t work as well, like I said, it’s pretty insulated. It’s like wearing a coat. The Nomex that Alpine Stars gives us is pretty effective when you start to sweat, you know, the technology in it. So we’ll see. We’ll see where it goes.”

With the increased horsepower package this year, are you guys coming with similar setups that we have in the past, say for the fall championship race with the same tire that we’re coming with this week, or are you guys maybe getting a little bit aggressive with the setup for practice to kind of see how the car is going to react?

“Yeah, I don’t think there’s anything we can do until we know how it’s going to react on track.

I mean, in the sim, you can simulate going faster down the straightaway, a little bit more tire wear, but you just don’t know how it’s going to really act and react. We’ve been down that road before when you get a new aero package; you try to guess, and a lot of times, you guess wrong. So it’s really just about trying to figure out how different it is with tire wear and all those things.

But I really think the biggest place you’ll notice it is Darlington coming up, especially with the aero change there. Going to the short track package at Darlington I think is going to be a big difference, so that’ll be probably the first race we run that’s like kind of that shock moment of what is the car going to feel like and what do we have to do to adjust.”

We all know about your time on iRacing and coming up with eSports and all that. I know you’re a stock car guy, but as a kid, did you ever fool around with any of the INDYCAR races and what’s it like here to share a weekend with INDYCAR? They might be names that you’ve seen on TV or only heard about, but what’s it like to actually be out there? “Yeah, they’re very quiet going around the racetrack, which is pretty nice. So maybe something to be learned for that (laughs).

But yeah, I mean, I haven’t been to an INDYCAR race, so this is probably the first time. I think maybe early in my career, they raced to Texas with us in the Trucks. But I have quite a few friends over there in that garage, so it’s just cool to have that crossover and be able to be in the same space as them this weekend.

Very excited to watch the race. You know, I think it’s going to be really exciting to see how they navigate this place. It looks like they put some hash marks down in the corner, so I’m interested to see how that kind of plays into our grip and package. But yeah, I think it’ll be interesting to see how they navigate this place and what kind of lines they run. It looks like they kind of are stuck to running just above the yellow line, so they can’t really use the apron like we do. But we’ll see, and we’ll see kind of how the rubber plays out, too.”

Did you have any favorite drivers coming up that you’d watch in the Indianapolis 500 or anything? What do you think of the difference in speed?

“I would say from 12-13 years old, I would watch the Indianapolis 500 and, of course, watch the Coca-Cola 600, as well. I remember Dan Wheldon winning. I remember J.R. Hildebrand running well for a few years. I don’t know, that kind of time period, the National Guard car. I guess that’s what I remember.

Like I said, the cars are really quiet, so I’m curious to kind of see the speed difference. I haven’t really seen him go around the racetrack yet, so I’m curious how that’s going to look.”

How much are you looking at points after three races? I mean, obviously, we don’t really know what the meat of the season is going to look like yet, but you’re 13th. You’re probably trying to get a top-three seed, at least, based on what everybody’s talking about. So is that a concern for you? Do you feel okay about where you are?

“Yeah, it’s funny. (Christopher) Bell and I were talking about this at driver intros last week. It just feels like the longer we do this, the more it takes a few races to kind of get into the meat of the season and what really makes up our season and the tracks. So, for me, it’s felt super long this year just kind of getting into the rhythm of the season. I don’t want to classify it as a ‘real racetrack’, but these places that really make up the finesse and the speed that it takes to win a championship.

So, yeah, I think I’m just kind of eager to get out there this weekend. We’ve done a lot of prep for Phoenix. To answer your question on where we stand, I think what’s frustrating for us is feeling like we’ve given up a few points the last couple weeks. You know, I crashed the week before at Atlanta. We had some damage, and then I crashed, and so that gave away a handful. And then last week, I felt like we gave away a handful at the end there in the last run. I just feel like those sting a little more than they used to probably, but we’ve – like (Kyle) Larson said this week, we’ve always points raced as a top team. Our goal last year was to win the regular season championship, and we got off to a good start and made that a little bit easier. But, yeah, we’ve just been kind of middle of the road right now. We’ve scored 25-26 points on average. We’d like to score, you know, 35 to 40 on average. So definitely below average right now, but I think we’re going to see what we have this weekend, that’s for sure.”

Is it something that you’re concerned with that the two 23XI drivers are so far out there, or do you feel like really you guys need to go to kind of a good sampling of all the different kinds of tracks before you size up?

“Yeah, I mean look — they’ve hit a home run on two drafting tracks. To score the points that they did is phenomenal. If you start the year and you say, man, if we could score 40 to 50 points on drafting tracks, that’s going to be a huge advantage. So they’ve accumulated a big advantage in those drafting tracks. And then COTA, I don’t think was any surprise to me that Tyler (Reddick) ran so well. But they executed really well, and that momentum was big. So I think for us on the 24 team, it’s not really about looking at anyone else. It’s looking at ourselves. If we get to race 26 and that gap is still there, then shoot, you know, wish we could have had a couple things back. But there’s so much circumstance in those first couple weeks that you’ve got 26 weeks to figure it out. I think there’s going to be plenty of ebb and flow in the next, I don’t know, 20-22 weeks.”

Is this a place that you wanted to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series? Did specifically you picked it?

“Yeah, I think I’ve done this in the past and kind of ran the road courses because you think that that’s going to help you and all of that. Sometimes a Cup car and an O’Reilly car are very different. So now, I feel like the O’Reilly car is fun at certain places. This was a place that before the schedule got changed up, I thought, okay, this is an important place with the championship. And it still is because it’s still in the Chase, so I think that factored into it. But it’s just about having fun and trying to go win. You know, I like to be competitive and I like to win. I’ll try to challenge myself this weekend; pressure on myself to win and hopefully we can do that.”

Anthony Alfredo is getting the opportunity to fill in for Alex Bowman. He’s been an instrumental part of the team on the sim aspect. How much input and significance has he been for you during the time when it used to be the finale here at Phoenix and now getting that opportunity under, obviously, odd circumstances with Alex?

“Yeah, I’m happy for Anthony (Alfredo). I feel like he’s worked hard and grinded in the sim. He hasn’t had that many opportunities in NASCAR that are, you know, quality opportunities. I feel like he’s had a lot of races, which is good, but not something in a top car. So I’m looking forward to seeing how he does.

And, yeah, I mean, that work is really tedious on the sim. Those guys go in there at 7 a.m. and they work on tires and they’re staring at a screen for five, six hours at a time. It’s definitely an admirable job that he’s doing there and feel like, even through the iRacing stuff — like he actually helped install my sim at my house a couple years ago (laughs). So, yeah, it’s just fun to see him out here and I hope he does well. I saw him at the shop on Wednesday and he was trying to absorb a lot. He was quizzing me with all types of questions on aero and how these cars handle. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing how he does.”

Given the right opportunity and the right circumstances, would you try racing in INDYCAR one day?

“Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, the Indy 500 obviously is always exciting to watch. I just feel like I need to win a NASCAR championship first. That’s first and foremost on my goals, and then I’ll kind of look outside, maybe.

But, yeah, I’ve always been probably a person that could have run a lot of other stuff. Given my background, I could have diversified a lot more. It just didn’t work out that way. So with kind of the nature of my career, I feel like I just stick to what I’m doing and what I’m good at. But at the same time, it’d be cool to expand outside. I just feel like I’ve got to get comfortable and accomplish what I want to here and then maybe look at that.”

You mentioned earlier about Anthony (Alfredo) working on the tires and with the softer tire and the 750 horsepower, how much have you really had to pay attention to the tire degradation and just getting a balance so you don’t use your equipment up until the time is right?

“Yeah, I mean, I feel like the tire saving part of things is a little overblown because it really still comes down to setup. There is management in that, but it still comes down to kind of the balance of the two.

But, yeah, I think it’s going to play a role, this softer tire. We talked about it this week, hopefully it’s a little bit more durable. The teams have gone to work on camber, air pressure, to figure out that equation for what makes the tire wear out or blow. But, yeah, hopefully it’s a little more predictable this week and we can just try to manage it the best we can.”

Not to compare yourself to Corey Day, but to get into a situation where he’s coming into the second hardest stock car series and acclimating to it, how difficult is that for people on the outside looking in? I mean, how would you explain it to them kind of what he’s experiencing?

“Yeah, I mean, he’s done a lot of racing with a car that’s kind of half the size. I feel like probably the dimensions of the car are the toughest part for him. He didn’t do late model racing. Like when (Christopher) Bell came up, he raced against me in late models, so he got the chance to kind of understand where the wall is and where other cars are.

I feel like that is probably the toughest part. The speed aspect, I feel like he has a pretty good handle on. But, yeah, just the race craft is probably difficult. I don’t know how much iRacing he’s done or sim stuff he’s done to kind of bridge that gap. So, yeah, I can’t imagine. I don’t come from that background, so I don’t know exactly what the factors are there, but probably the dimensions are difficult.”

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