Home Blog Page 54

NASCAR Announces NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027, Landmark Award

By
Official Release
-

Harvick, Burton, Phillips Comprise Hall’s 17th Class

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 19, 2026) – NASCAR announced today the inductees who will comprise the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027. The three-person group – the 17th since the inception of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010 – consists of Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Larry Phillips. In addition, Lesa France Kennedy was named the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

Members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in an in-person closed session at the Charlotte Convention Center to debate and vote upon the 15 nominees for the induction class of 2027 and the five nominees for the Landmark Award.

The Class of 2027 was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, including representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders, a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com and the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion (Kyle Larson). In all, 50 votes were cast. The accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) presided over the tabulation of the votes.

Harvick received 92% of the Modern Era ballot votes and Burton received 32%. Neil Bonnett finished third, followed by Randy Dorton and Greg Biffle. Larry Phillips received 38% of the Pioneer ballot votes.

Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote were Harry Hyde (Pioneer), Greg Biffle and Kevin Harvick (Modern Era).

The two Modern Era inductees came from a group of 10 nominees that included: Greg Biffle, Neil Bonnett, Tim Brewer, Jeff Burton, Randy Dorton, Ray Elder, Ernie Elliott, Kevin Harvick, Randy LaJoie and Jack Sprague.

Nominees for the Pioneer Ballot included: Ray Fox, Harry Hyde, Banjo Matthews, Herb Nab and Larry Phillips.

Nominees for the Landmark Award included Alvin Hawkins, Lesa France Kennedy, Dr. Joseph Mattioli, Les Richter and T. Wayne Robertson.

Ten nominees appeared on the Modern Era ballot, which was selected by the traditional Nominating Committee. The same committee selected the five Landmark Award nominees. The Pioneer ballot, which included five nominees whose careers began in 1966 or earlier, was selected by the Honors Committee.

The Class of 2027 Induction Ceremony is set for Friday, Jan. 22, 2027, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony will be available June 10 on nascarhall.com.

Class of 2027 Inductees:

Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick’s rise to NASCAR stardom came under extraordinary circumstances in 2001, when he was called upon to replace Dale Earnhardt following his tragic passing. Just three races into his rookie season, Harvick delivered an emotional victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and went on to earn the 2001 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors, signaling the arrival of a new force in the sport. Known as “The Closer,” he proved capable of winning anywhere, including his 2007 Daytona 500 triumph. In 2014, Harvick mastered NASCAR’s brand-new elimination-style playoff, answering every must-win moment to claim the Cup Series championship and cement his place among the sport’s elite. Over 826 starts, Harvick amassed 60 victories, ranking 11th all-time among Cup Series winners. After retiring from full-time competition, he transitioned to broadcasting, joining FOX Sports as a NASCAR analyst for Cup Series races.

Jeff Burton

“The Mayor” of NASCAR. Jeff Burton earned that nickname for his insightful perspectives on issues affecting the well-being and safety of the sport. But it was his on-track performance that fueled his 22-year Cup Series career. The 1994 Cup Series Rookie of the Year spent the first half of his career at Roush Fenway Racing, where he experienced his most success. His first Cup win came at Texas Motor Speedway in 1997, the track’s first race. Over the next five years, Burton would win 17 times and finish in the top five in the standings four times. In 1999, he won a career high six races, including two of the sport’s crown jewel events – the Coca Cola 600 and Southern 500. Burton finished his career with 21 Cup wins and 27 O’Reilly Series wins, one of 10 drivers to have at least 20 wins in each series. Since 2015, Burton has served as an analyst for NBC Sports’ NASCAR coverage.

Larry Phillips

The legend of Missouri’s Larry Phillips cannot be measured in wins alone. That’s because nobody can say for sure how many victories there were. He raced here, there and everywhere on dirt and asphalt and in places where record keeping wasn’t always a priority. Phillips was just happy to vanquish the competition and go on to the next track. One crew chief, James Ince, estimated Phillips won 1,000 times; maybe 2,000. Rivals expressed frustration upon seeing Phillips’ No. 75 car come through the pit gate, admitting they were racing each other for second place. What is fact is that Phillips was the first of two drivers to win five NASCAR Weekly Series national championships. During an 11-year span – from his first title in 1989 through 1996 – the Springfield, Missouri competitor won 220 of 289 NASCAR-sanctioned starts. Phillips also won 13 track championships in three states.

Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR:

Lesa France Kennedy

Lesa France Kennedy is the Executive Vice Chair of NASCAR and one of the most influential women in sports. In her more than 30-year career with ISC (International Speedway Corporation), Kennedy advanced through several key executive positions with increasing responsibility including Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Vice President and CEO. Kennedy spearheaded the revitalization of Phoenix Raceway, and the state-of-the-art Daytona Rising project at Daytona International Speedway. She also helped cement NASCAR’s presence in the Midwest with the building of Kansas Speedway. Kennedy has been honored by Forbes, Adweek, Sports Business Journal, the National Women’s History Museum and is enshrined in the Cynopsis Sports Hall of Fame.

The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Outlook and Picks

By
SM Staff
-
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedayMedia.com

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24, at 6 p.m. ET on Prime Video, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Last season, Chase Briscoe captured the pole with a lap of 182.852 mph (29.532 secs.), and Ross Chastain executed an improbable comeback from starting at the rear of the field to outduel William Byron in the closing laps to win the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Track & Race Information for the Coca-Cola 600

Season Race No. 13 of 36 (May 24, 2026)
Race Purse: $13,855,363
Track Length: 1.5 Mile Asphalt Paved Oval
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 24 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 24 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,980 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,500 feet

Length and Race Stages for the Coca-Cola 600

Race Length: 400 laps / 600 miles
Stage Lengths (all 4): 100 laps each

Who and what should you look out for at Charlotte Motor Speedway?

Brad Keselowski leads all active NCS drivers in wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway with two victories (2013, 2020), and 10 of the 57 NCS winners are active this weekend. In seven starts, Tyler Reddick leads all active drivers in the NCS in average finishing position. Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in the NCS in laps led with 1,487 laps led in 37 starts.

Active Charlotte Race Winners (10)WinsSeasons
Brad Keselowski22020, 2013
Ross Chastain12025
Christopher Bell12024
Ryan Blaney12023
Denny Hamlin12022
Kyle Larson12021
Chase Elliott12020
Kyle Busch12018
Austin Dillon12017
Joey Logano12015

The first starting position is the most proficient. It has produced 19 wins, more winners than any other starting position, with a winning percentage of 14.9%. The most recent was Denny Hamlin in 2022.

StatsWinning %Wins
Winning from the First Starting Position:14.96%19
Winning from the Front Row:28.35%36
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:55.12%70
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:74.02%94
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 10:25.98%33
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:8.66%11

The Driver Picks for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

  • Tyler Reddick has two top fives, five top 10s, and a series-best average finish of 10.429.
  • William Byron has one pole, four top fives, five top 10s, and an average finish of 13.778.
  • Ryan Blaney has one win, three top fives, four top 10s, and an average finish of 21.000.
  • Ty Gibbs has one pole, one top 10, and an average finish of 18.667.
  • Denny Hamlin has three poles, one win, 12 top fives, 21 top 10s, and an average finish of 12.559

Spire Motorsports Coca-Cola 600 Race Advance

By
Official Release
-
  • In 15 previous NASCAR Cup Series starts at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Spire Motorsports has one top-10 and three top-20 finishes, with a best result of seventh earned by Michael McDowell in May 2025. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet ZL1s in the Cup Series for Daniel Suárez, McDowell and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
  • The Coca-Cola 600 will be televised live on Prime Sunday, May 24 beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 13th of 36 points-paying races on the Cup Series schedule will also be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Daniel Suárez – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Daniel Suárez will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Freeway Insurance will showcase a special patriotic Memorial Day-themed livery featuring red, white, and blue branding elements to honor the holiday and recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. military members.
  • Suárez and the No. 7 team will honor Sergeant Martin Anthony Lugo Jr. (April 22, 1986 – August 19, 2010). The Tucson, Ariz., native served in the United States Army as a Squad Leader with Company C, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment during Operation Enduring Freedom. A highly-decorated Ranger who completed six combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, Sgt. Lugo was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry after saving the lives of five fellow soldiers under heavy enemy fire. His honors also include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, and numerous additional awards recognizing his courage, leadership, and dedication to his fellow soldiers and his country.
  • The Monterrey, Mexico native has made 11 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Charlotte, earning one top-10 and five top-20 finishes while leading 36 laps at the 1.5-mile quad-oval. He holds an average starting position of 18.1 and an average finish of 20.8, with his best result at “America’s Home for Racing” coming in 2017 when he finished sixth. In the 2022 Coca-Cola 600, he led 36 laps and won a stage before being involved in an incident.
  • Freeway Insurance was established in 1987, Freeway Insurance is one of the largest and fastest-growing personal lines insurance brokers in the United States, offering coverage through a “click, call, or come in” approach that connects customers nationwide. The company continually researches, grows, and diversifies its product offerings to stay responsive to the evolving insurance market. Freeway provides a wide range of options—from basic to premium coverage—in auto, truck, commercial vehicle, homeowners, renters, small business, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, fire, and flood insurance. In 2008, Freeway Insurance became part of Confie, the nation’s leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Customers can access Freeway Insurance through neighborhood offices, online at www.freeway.com, or by calling (800) 300-0227.
  • The 34-year-old racer is a veteran of 335 Cup Series starts and has notched two wins, 25 top fives and 78 top-10s in NASCAR’s premier division. Suarez has led 908 laps and earned three poles since 2017.
  • After 12 races, Suárez sits 14th in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings. The two-time Cup Series race winner has one top five, three top 10s and is averaging a 15.0 finish – five positions better than this time last season.
  • Out of Suárez’s 335 Cup Series starts, 161 have come on intermediate tracks. Over those races, he earned one win at Atlanta Motor Speedway (2024), 11 top-five and 39 top-10 finishes while leading 388 laps. This season, at venues generally considered intermediate-style tracks, Suárez finished fifth at Atlanta, 30th at Phoenix Raceway, 18th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, seventh at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, and sixth at Texas Motor Speedway.

Daniel Suárez Quote
What does the Coca-Cola 600 mean to you?
“When it comes to traditions, my favorite is the Coca-Cola 600. It’s more than just a race because it happens on Memorial Day weekend, honoring the sacrifice of the men and women who served our country. The moment of silence in the middle of the race and hearing the crowd afterward gives me chills every time. This race is really exciting, fun, and something I truly enjoy. The Coca-Cola 600 is more than just a race to me — it’s a test of focus, endurance, and mentality. Fans see the speed and excitement, but they don’t always see the pressure that comes with competing for 600 miles under the lights. Racing is just as mental as it is physical, and every decision matters. Once my helmet goes on, fear disappears. It becomes all about staying locked.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Ryan Sparks

  • Ryan Sparks has called 214 NASCAR Cup Series races, earning five top-five and 13 top-10 finishes since making his Cup Series debut atop the pit box in 2020.
  • In total, Sparks has called seven races at Charlotte since 2020, with his best result coming in 2023 when he finished 17th. Across 102 starts on intermediate-style tracks, he has recorded two top-five finishes and five top-10 finishes.
  • Sparks joined Spire Motorsports in 2021, where he served as both Crew Chief and Competition Director, leading the organization’s competitive and technical efforts. In 2026, Sparks serves in a singular role as crew chief for Daniel Suárez.
  • Sparks brings more than a decade of experience across all three national series, highlighted by 13 seasons at Richard Childress Racing and contributions to title-winning campaigns in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (2011) and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2013).

Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Michael McDowell will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Modo Casino Chevrolet ZL1 in this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • The No. 71 Chevrolet will carry a homegrown Modo Casino Chevrolet livery as the All-American online social gaming platform honors and remembers those who have served during Memorial Day weekend.
  • As part of the 600 Miles of Remembrance, McDowell will carry the name of Corporal Eddie Wade Forrest II, a proud second-generation U.S. Marine, who served his country with honor during two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. Over his four years of service, Corporal Forrest II exemplified dedication, courage, and an unwavering commitment to those beside him. He was deeply proud of his country and his family name. He was a devoted son, husband to his wife, Megan, and a loving father to their son, Bodhi.
  • Last weekend at Dover Motor Speedway, the Glendale, Ariz., native raced his way into the All-Star Race 200-lap feature with a finish of 12th and eighth in the first two segments of Sunday’s event, to mark his first All-Star nod as a Spire Motorsports driver.
  • In 26 attempts at the 1.5-mile track, the second-year Spire Motorsports driver has a pair of top-10 finishes and 13 laps led, earning a venue-best finish of seventh after 600 miles in 2025.
  • In four O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Charlotte, McDowell claimed two top-20 finishes at the 1.5-mile track in NASCAR’s backyard.
  • Through the first 12 points-paying races of his 2026 campaign, McDowell owns two top-five and three top-10 finishes, in addition to last weekend’s eighth-place result at the “Monster Mile”.
  • In his last two races at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International and Dover Motor Speedway, the two-time Cup Series winner has earned career/venue-best finishes at each track resulting in an average finish of fifth.
  • Modo Casino is the premier free-to-play social+ gaming platform, designed for thrill-seekers who crave gaming action anywhere, anytime. Play for free today to earn loyalty rewards and participate in sweepstakes wins. 21+. Available only in select jurisdictions during limited periods.

Michael McDowell Quote
With four stages this weekend, there is an opportunity for some extra stage points. How do you look at Charlotte when it comes to points?
“With four stages this weekend you look at the extra stage points for sure. You have to have the speed to do that and run up front. So I think qualifying well, being up front, and getting stage points is a really important thing for us, especially coming off of a rough stretch last month. We had some good speed during the (Coca-Cola) 600 last year and made a top-10 day out of it. I am hoping we can unload well and pick up some stage points in all three stages, but more than anything it is important to have a shot at it at the end. Stage points are important every weekend. It’s not just Charlotte, but if we can pick up some extra points this weekend with one more stage this weekend, it can be the difference to making “The Chase” this year.”

Atop the No. 71 Box – Crew Chief Travis Peterson

  • Crew chief Travis Peterson will return to the No. 71 team after the Peterson family welcomed their second daughter, Sophie, last Friday.
  • The pairing of McDowell and Peterson collected a top-10 finish with a result of seventh, their best finish on an oval, during last season during the Coca-Cola 600.
  • As a race engineer at JR Motorsports, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduate helped Chase Elliott to a top 10 in the 2014 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event. Elliott started from the pole position and led 66 laps on the day.

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Carson Hocevar will race Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Chili’s Ride the ‘DenteTM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, his third start on the 1.5-mile Concord oval in NASCAR’s premier division.
  • It’s time to Ride the ‘DenteTM … Again’te! The black, white and red Chili’s® Grill & Bar design returns this weekend, a livery featuring pepper vines crawling across the top and sides, a homage to Chili’s founder Larry Lavine and the fashion sense he displayed in the early days of the 50-year-old restaurant brand.
  • Special Operations Command Chief Petty Officer Mark Cardillo will ride along with Hocevar Sunday night. SOC CPO Cardillo was a 1993 graduate from Hudson High School in Hudson, Mass., where he was a member of the football team. Shortly after high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a Seabee, serving overseas. Two years into his Seabee enlistment, SOC CPO Cardillo set his sights on becoming a Navy Seal. As a Seal, he was deployed multiple times to the Persian Gulf where SOC CPO Cardillo received 3 Bronze Stars with Valor and a multitude of other medals for his selfless acts during combat. SOC CPO Cardillo battled Leukemia in 2010 and again in 2013, finally beating it. He maintained a high level of combat readiness and continued his full duties as a Navy Seal before officially retiring in October 2019.
  • Through 12 races, Hocevar sits seventh in points, 30 markers out of sixth. His one win, three top fives, five top 10s, 342 points scored, average starting position of 10.2 and 14.6 average finish are all career highs through the first 12 points-paying races of the 2026 season. The team’s average starting position is a staggering 12 positions better than last season, and its average finishing position has improved by nearly seven spots compared to this point in 2025.
  • The 2024 Cup Series Rookie of the Year notched a venue-best 21st-place finish at Charlotte in 2024, his first of two starts at the venue in NASCAR’s premier division.
  • In last season’s Coca-Cola 600, Hocevar was knocking on the door of his first Cup Series victory before an engine failure sent the No. 77 Chevy to the garage in the Final Stage. He lined up on the front row for a Lap-307 restart and battled for the lead entering Turn 1 before quickly dropping through the field. The team was ultimately credited with a 34th-place finish.
  • During the series’ most recent trip to a 1.5-mile oval, Hocevar registered his fifth top-10 result of the 2026 campaign with a seventh-place finish at Texas while racking up 41 points on the day, the fourth-most accumulated in the field. He earned the pole position for the second time in his career, and first since last season’s trip to Texas, with a lap time of 28.222 seconds (191.340 mph).
  • In three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at “America’s Home for Racing”, Hocevar owns two top fives and two top 10s, including a venue-best runner-up finish in 2021, while pacing the field for 105 laps.
  • Hocevar registered his first-career NASCAR Cup Series victory last month at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. He survived a late-race restart with three laps remaining with help from his Chevrolet teammates and took the checkered flag aboard the Chili’s Chevrolet. The newly minted Cup Series race winner became the 13th driver to earn their inaugural series victory at Talladega, and registered Spire Motorsports’ first win since the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with driver Justin Haley.
  • In last Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover, the Portage, Mich., native recovered from suspension damage stemming from a right-front tire issue to compete within the top five in the third and final segment. An untimely caution just laps following the No. 77 team’s green-flag pit stop trapped the crew two laps down. They were ultimately credited with a 14th-place finish.
  • Tecovas, the iconic American western-wear brand founded in 2015, will saddle up and make its debut as an associate sponsor aboard Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet this weekend. The two-race associate program will culminate June 21 during the NASCAR Cup Series’ inaugural race through the streets of San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado.
  • Hi, welcome to Chili’s! A proud leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), Chili’s was named Ad Age’s 2025 Brand of the Year. Founded in 1975, Chili’s is known for serving Big Mouth Burgers®, Crispy Chicken Crispers®, and sizzling fajitas, while hand-shaking more margaritas than any other restaurant brand in the United States.
  • Chili’s operates 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories with over 70,000 team members. With a purpose to make everyone feel special, Chiliheads take food, drink and service seriously – but not themselves. Chili’s was a proud winner at the 2025 MenuMasters Awards for Best New Menu Item for Nashville Hot Mozz, the breakout addition to the social media-famous Triple Dipper. For more than 20 years, Chili’s has been a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and has raised more than $120 million for the organization through generous guest and team member donations. Find more information at  chilis.com, follow on  X or  Instagram, like on  Facebook, or join Chili’s on  TikTok.

Carson Hocevar Quotes
You’ve shown speed on the 1.5-mile tracks and were knocking on the door in last year’s Coca-Cola 600. What are your thoughts heading into the weekend?
“Our team has been looking forward to this one. Last year we had to start in the back, but worked forward pretty quickly. When we lined up on the front row I was ready to go for it and race it out, but a mechanical issue ended our night right after we took the green. I am just excited to have another shot at it. We have been really fast on the mile-and-a-halves, especially when you look at what we did at Texas a couple weeks back – winning the pole and running up front all day. I think we are in for a really good weekend.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Luke Lambert

  • Crew chief Luke Lambert is in his third season at Spire Motorsports and fourth with driver Carson Hocevar. The duo has logged one win, two pole awards, six top-five and 20 top-10 finishes in 92 races together.
  • The 16-year veteran crew chief has called 18 NASCAR Cup Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, notching one top five and six top 10s highlighted by Ryan Newman’s fourth-place result in October 2016.
  • During his time as a race engineer at Richard Childress Racing, Lambert helped Jeff Burton to victory in the 2008 Cup Series event at the venue then known as Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Burton made the race-winning move on leader Greg Biffle with 57 laps remaining and fended off late-race challenges from Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne to secure his 21st and final Cup Series victory.
  • The Mount Airy, N.C., native has been atop the war wagon for three NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races at Charlotte, earning three top fives and logging a venue-best third-place finish in October 2012 with driver Elliott Sadler.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing.
The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, 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 July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado its first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent victory came May 15, 2026, when Kyle Busch won the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ ECOSAVE 200 at Dover Motor Speedway.

In 2026, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization also fields the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.

JEGS NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR NHRA DEBUT AT MARYLAND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

By
Official Release
-

MECHANICSVILLE, Md. (May 19, 2026) – NHRA officials announced today that JEGS, a DTC, e-commerce retailer and distributor of high-performance automotive aftermarket parts and accessories, has been named the presenting sponsor for the first-ever event at Maryland International Raceway in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

The inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS takes place May 29-31 at the standout facility just outside of Washington, D.C. during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, coming just after Memorial Day Weekend and on the eve of America’s 250th celebration.

The debut at Maryland International Raceway marks one of four new tracks during NHRA’s milestone campaign, as fans will get to see all the incredible action of 12,000-horsepower, 340-mph nitro cars, plus all the stars in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle.

With a NHRA 75th anniversary Diamond Wally on the line and a chance to win the first-ever race at Maryland International Raceway, the NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS should be spectacular from start to finish.

“JEGS has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with NHRA, and we were proud to support its expansion into the Greater Washington, D.C., market,” said Rob Fisher, Director of Marketing. “Bringing our JEGS Experience trailer to Maryland International Raceway gives us an exciting opportunity to connect with fans and racers alike to showcase the products, service and value that has defined the JEGS legacy.”

The action starts with two rounds of qualifying on Friday, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge bonus race on Saturday – as well as two more rounds of qualifying – and eliminations on Sunday, plus a host of 75th anniversary events, including:

  • An appearance from NHRA legend and three-time Top Fuel world champion Shirley Muldowney and a tribute to Muldowney’s trailblazing history in the sport.
  • On Sunday, a free, limited-edition NHRA pennant will be given to the first 4,000 fans in attendance.
  • A new-look Nitro Mall, special displays and much more.

The 2026 NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS includes action in all four Mission Foods Drag Racing Series classes and coverage of the event will be broadcast on FOX, with elimination coverage beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 31.

“JEGS has been a tremendous NHRA partner for many years and we’re excited to have them as the presenting sponsor of the NHRA Potomac Nationals, which marks a historic weekend for NHRA and the facility,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “Our first-ever national event at Maryland International Raceway is a major moment during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season and we’re thrilled to work together with JEGS to make this an amazing event for the local community, our fans, race teams and partners.”

Former Top Fuel world champion Shawn Langdon powered to a new speed record of 345.00-mph at the NHRA Southern Nationals before going on to win the event. He took over the points lead and will look to impress in Maryland against the likes of Josh Hart of John Force Racing, reigning world champion Doug Kalitta, motorsports legend Tony Stewart, Leah Pruett, Clay Millican and Tony Schumacher.

The Funny Car class continues to be ultra-competitive, with Ron Capps earning two wins in 2026. J.R. Todd is the current points leader and will look for his first win of the season in Maryland. Matt Hagan has a win as well, while others to watch in Maryland include Gainesville winner Chad Green, Funny Car newcomer Jordan Vandergriff, who won in Georgia, and reigning world champion Austin Prock.

Reigning Pro Stock champ Dallas Glenn currently leads the points with two wins in 2026. Matt Hartford also has two victories this year, while six-time world champ Greg Anderson picked up the win in Pomona. Fans at MIR will also see the Elite Motorsports team, led by six-time champion Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Jeg Coughlin Jr. and T.J. Coughlin.

Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Richard Gadson won his first title last season over two-time champ Gaige Herrera. Six-time champ Matt Smith and his teammates Angie Smith, John Hall and Jianna Evaristo will look to win in Maryland, as will Kelly Clontz, Steve Johnson and Chase Van Sant in an area loaded with motorcycle fans.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 1:30 and 4 p.m. ET on Friday, May 29 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, May 30 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 31. Television coverage includes qualifying on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, with eliminations action on Sunday at 3 p.m on FOX.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 NHRA Potomac Nationals presented by JEGS, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information about the NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

About JEGS High Performance

Founded in 1960 by drag racing champion Jeg Coughlin Sr., JEGS Performance has grown into one of the most recognized and trusted names in the automotive aftermarket industry. JEGS serves racers, builders, restorers, and automotive enthusiasts across the country through an extensive catalog and e-commerce platform featuring more than 2 million products from over 900 trusted brands. From drag racing and street performance to off-road, truck, restoration, and garage equipment, JEGS provides solutions for nearly every type of automotive project and passion. The company’s long-standing commitment to performance, innovation, and automotive culture has helped make JEGS a go-to destination for generations of car enthusiasts and racers. For more information visit www.jegs.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 JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports 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.

ARCA Menards West at Colorado National Speedway: The Legendary Billy Green 150 Presented by NAPA Auto Parts Pre-Race Notes

By
Official Release
-

THE RACE:       The Legendary Billy Green 150 Presented by NAPA Auto Parts
THE PLACE:     Colorado National Speedway
THE DATE:       Saturday, May 23, 2026
THE TIME:       10 pm ET / 8 pm MT
TV:             FloRacing, Live

  • Reigning ARCA Menards West champion Trevor Huddleston (No. 50 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford) will be on the hunt for his second win of the 2026 and his fifth straight top-five finish to open the season in Saturday’s The Legendary Billy Green 150 Presented by NAPA Auto Parts at Colorado National Speedway. Huddleston won the most recent race on May 2 at Shasta Speedway and leads the ARCA Menards West championship standings by 12 points over Mason Massey (No. 19 Mongoose Power Solutions Chevrolet).
  • Huddleston has yet to find victory lane at Colorado National Speedway; in five previous starts Huddleston has two top-five finishes – a pair of third-place finishes in 2018 and 2025 – and has finished among the top ten in each of his five previous appearances. Massey will be making his first start at Colorado National Speedway but will be driving for the Bill McAnally Racing organization that won the 2025 race – the team’s 100th series victory – last year with Jake Bollman at the wheel.
  • Bill McAnally Racing has seven previous victories at Colorado National Speedway: 2008 and 2010 with Eric Holmes; 2014, 2016, and 2017 with Chris Eggleston; 2019 with Hailie Deegan; and 2025 with Bollman.
  • Deegan will make her first start at Colorado National Speedway since her 2019 victory. While she is still looking for her first top-five finish of the season, she has been incredibly consistent to start 2026 with three top-ten finishes – sixth at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, and a pair of seventh-place finishes at Tucson Speedway and Shasta Speedway.
  • Cole Denton (No. 71 Jan’s Towing Ford) will be attempting to continue his recent hot streak; he earned his first ARCA Menards West victory at Tucson Speedway and followed it up with a runner-up finish at Shasta Speedway in the series’ most recent two races.
  • Robbie Kennealy (No. 1 Jan’s Towing Ford) continues to recover from a tough start to the season at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway where he was sidelined by a transmission issue. Since then, he’s finished tenth at Phoenix Raceway, fourth at Tucson, and fifth at Shasta. Kennealy finished sixth last year at Colorado National Speedway.
  • Colorado National Speedway modified racers Cade Fox (No. 66 Champ Transportation / Grease Monkey Chevrolet) will make his ARCA Menards West debut driving for his CNS championship rival Eric Rhead.
  • Last year’s runner-up Kyle Keller (No. 4 Nascimento Motorsports / Battle Born Chevrolet) will make his first ARCA Menards West start of the season at Colorado National Speedway driving for Nascimento Motorsports. The No. 4 team finished second in the season opener at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway with Eric Nascimento driving.
  • Mia Lovell (No. 15 Pine Health Toyota) and Will Robinson (No. 25 Nitro Motorsports Toyota) will both be making their first appearance at Colorado National Speedway. Lovell has started all four ARCA Menards West races so far in 2026 with a best finish of eighth at Tucson. Robinson was 16th at Tucson in his only previous series start.
  • Kody Vanderwaal holds the ARCA Menards West track qualifying record at Colorado National Speedway, set in 2019, at 16.151 seconds/83.586 miles per hour.
  • Derek Thorn holds the ARCA Menards West track race record at Colorado National Speedway, set in 2018, at 76.678 miles per hour.
  • The Legendary Billy Green 150 Presented by NAPA Auto Parts is set for 10 pm ET / 8 pm MT on Saturday, May 23. The race will be streamed live on FloRacing. Live timing & scoring data and live race audio will be available on ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates please follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Indy 500 Grandstand Sellout Crowd Encouraged To Arrive Early, ‘Plan Ahead’ with IMS.com

By
Official Release
-

Public Gates Open at 6 a.m. ET on Race Day, Sunday, May 24

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 19, 2026) – With the massive and historic grandstand sellout crowd announced for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, fans should plan ahead and arrive early.

To ensure a smooth entry into the facility, fans are encouraged to arrive earlier than usual, even as early as 6 a.m. ET, when gates open. This is the best way to ensure a smooth and quicker entry into the facility with time to visit activations and be in seats for the green flag.

Race fans are encouraged to “Plan Ahead” through IMS.com/PlanAhead, an interactive web page that serves as a home base for fans headed to the track this weekend.

The “Plan Ahead” page features detailed information about the entire fan experience at IMS, including directions, parking, schedule, gate regulations, digital ticket guide, ADA accessibility and much more.

Race fans are encouraged to download the IMS App and use technology from NTT INDYCAR SERIES title sponsor NTT and its Smart Solutions platform, which will update the IMS App every 30 seconds with wait time information at each gate to allow race fans smoother entry into the facility.

IMS is offering a whole morning of thrills and entertainment for ticketholders looking to beat traffic and avoid longer lines by coming to the track early. Gates open at 6 a.m. following the traditional infield blast.

Many enjoyable opportunities are available to fans right as the gates open or shortly after, including:

Sam’s Club Fan Midway Experience Open at 6 a.m.

This year’s Sam’s Club Fan Midway features several exciting, fan-friendly activities. The Midway will open at 6 a.m. and be available for enjoyment until the green flag flies to start “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Shopping and Food

Exclusive and commemorative 110th Running attire will go fast, so don’t miss out! Grab breakfast at one of the many concession stands open throughout the facility, and then shop for family and friends while supplies last. Retail and food options are available at 6 a.m.

Epic Pre-Race, Be in Your Seat for It!

This year’s pre-race festivities for the Indianapolis 500 are a carefully organized and choreographed show that will entertain race fans at any moment they are in their seats. It will feature moving military tributes, former Indy 500 winner and historic race car laps around the famed 2.5-mile oval, the heartfelt singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” by Jim Cornelison, “America the Beautiful” performed by Indianapolis-native Ephraim Owens, the return of Jordin Sparks to sing the national anthem and so much more.

Additionally, all Speedway patrons should be aware of the following facility information and regulations to ensure a successful day at the track:

Cashless Operations

IMS is a cashless facility. Please be prepared to complete ticket, credential, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease via debit or credit card.

Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. A Cash-to-Card machine, which converts paper money to a temporary debit card, is located in Pagoda Plaza. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.

Cooling/Water Stations

IMS will have cooling buses located in the infield on the corner of Fifth Street and Hulman Boulevard, Seventh Street and Hulman Boulevard, B Stand near Gate 1 and Northwest Vista in Turn 4. Misting stations will be located in the Midway, Pagoda Plaza, concert area inside Turn 3, west of the IU Health Emergency Medical Center in the infield, outside Turn 1 and outside Turn 4 between the Northwest Vista and J Stand. There will also be six water bottle filling stations located throughout the facility on Race Day in each of the four turns, as well as behind Tower Terrace and in the Garage Area.

Public Parking

Parking for the Indianapolis 500 is sold out, including ADA and motorcycle parking. All IMS exterior parking lots open at 5 a.m. on Race Morning, while interior lots open at 6 a.m.

BODYARMOR Flash I.V. Bike to the 500 and Bike Parking

IMS and Central Indiana Cycling have collaborated to offer race fans a safe and healthy way to commute to the track on Race Day. The commute starts at the AMP at 16 Tech and follows a police escort to the racetrack, where cyclists will then park outside the famed Gate 1. Race fans can register for Bike to the 500 here.

Bike parking is available for all cyclists at Gates 1, 6 and 9.

Rideshare Location

Race fans who are not planning to park at the racetrack should consider using a rideshare program, such as Uber or Lyft, when traveling to or from the facility on Indianapolis 500 Race Day. Guests using rideshare services like Uber, Lyft or taxis will be dropped off at the corner of 10th and Polco streets. Guests also will be picked up at this location after the race.

The Race Day IMS shuttle program is sold out. Shuttle services pick up and drop off from Indianapolis International Airport (1904 S. High School Road) or at the Downtown Location (402 Kentucky Ave.). Guests who already purchased shuttle passes will be dropped off and picked up from the Main Gate parking lot on Race Day.

Pedestrian Gate Entry

Public pedestrian gates open are: Gate 1, Gate 1B.1, Gate 1C, Gate 2, Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 5, Gate 5B, Gate 6N, Gate 6S, Gate 6B, Gate 7S, Gate 7 Vehicle, Gate 7N Gate 9, Gate 10, Gate 10A, Gate 11A, Gate 11B, Gate 11C, Gate 12.

Security screening detection devices are installed at all pedestrian gates.

As fans pass through one of the pedestrian entrances, they will walk through a CEIA OPENGATE® security device. Fans won’t need to empty their pockets or remove items of clothing, simply walk through the gate and enter the facility.

Digital Tickets

Race fans who order tickets in advance may select their delivery method at checkout. Digital tickets can be accessed on their smartphone’s web browser or by saving the digital ticket to their mobile device’s wallet. Fans are encouraged to ensure the brightness on their smart phone is turned up before approaching the gate for a seamless scanning of their digital ticket. Race fans are also encouraged to visit the IMS Digital Ticket guide to manage their digital tickets and enhance their at-track experience.

Weekend Street Parking

Race Weekend event parking restrictions in the Town of Speedway will be enforced during the Indianapolis 500. No parking will be allowed on the south and east sides of any street bound by 25th Street on the north, Georgetown Road on the east, Lynhurst Drive on the west and Crawfordsville Road on the south from 6 p.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, race fans will not be able to park on Main Street in Speedway between 10th Street and 16th Street on Race Day starting at midnight.

Parking will also be restricted in other areas of the Town of Speedway on Indianapolis 500 Race Weekend from 6 p.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Sunday along several neighborhood streets. Local streets impacted by street parking can be found here.

Road Closures

Race fans should be aware of multiple road closures before making their way to IMS on Race Day. Those include:

Speedway Police Department will close Georgetown Road south of 25th Street at 5 a.m. on Race Day to all vehicular traffic. Guests accustomed to driving a vehicle through Gate 7 should enter through Gate 2 or Gate 10. Local residents are encouraged to make provisions for the temporary traffic restriction. Georgetown Road will remain closed until approximately one hour after conclusion of the race.
Speedway Police Department will also close 16th Street between Olin Avenue and the roundabout from approximately noon until the end of the race. Additionally, 16th Street will not be accessible from Polco Street, as it will be blocked at 10th Street.
Traffic traveling east on Crawfordsville Road from the west will be turned around at the 16th Street roundabout. Traffic traveling west on 16th Street from downtown will be diverted south on Olin Avenue.
Post Race

Fans should continue to plan ahead as they prepare to leave IMS after the Indy 500.

To keep everyone safe, vehicles will not be released from IMS parking lots until pedestrian traffic allows for clear roadways. This can take up to an hour following the end of the race.
The Speedway and surrounding area are divided into four quadrants. As fans leave the Speedway, they will be directed to the nearest interstate access based on the quadrant in which they are parked – not their intended destination.
Additional Resources and Information

Drivers can learn the locations of work zones and highway restrictions by calling INDOT’s TrafficWise at 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or viewing an online map here or visiting @TrafficWise on X.

No coolers larger than 18 inches by 15 inches by 15 inches can be brought into the facility, which will be strictly enforced. Fans will be allowed to bring one cooler and one standard backpack or book bag per person. Coolers are allowed inside the Snake Pit gates.

For more information regarding access to IMS, visit IMS.com. For additional information, follow on Twitter the Indiana State Police @IndStatePolice, the Speedway Police Department @SpeedwayPD or listen to radio stations WFNI-FM 107.5/WFNI-AM 1070 or WIBC-FM 93.1.

The Speedway Police Department can be reached for non-emergency services by dialing 311 on a cell phone. The goal of 311 is to provide an easy-to-remember number for non-emergency services while freeing up 911 lines for timely emergency response.

RealCar Premium Car Rental Celebrates 12 Years of Market Leadership with Launch of Groundbreaking Mobile App

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

The premier door-to-door luxury rental service cements its 30% year-to-date growth by unveiling a high-touch digital ecosystem four years in the making.

NEW YORK, NY — RealCar, the premier door-to-door luxury car rental service, today announced the official launch of its highly anticipated mobile application. This milestone release follows a rigorous, uncompromising four-year development process during which the company scrapped two entirely fully-coded versions of the app. The decision underscores RealCar’s refusal to compromise on the digital user experience, ensuring the final product meets the exact standards of its demanding, high-profile clientele.

While the broader “on-demand” car rental sector has faced significant economic turbulence and shifting market dynamics over recent years, RealCar continues to defy industry trends. Celebrating 12 years of operational excellence, the company has achieved a remarkable 30% year-to-date growth rate. This milestone proves the sheer resilience and enduring demand for its high-touch, premium business model.

Operating a meticulous fleet of over 150 high-end vehicles—including curated models from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Land Rover, Cadillac, GMC, and Tesla—RealCar has become an indispensable staple for luxury travelers, corporate executives, and residents in New York City and South Florida.

Redefining the Luxury Aviation Pipeline

Beyond urban city centers, RealCar has solidified its reputation by specializing in seamless, stress-free transitions for both private and commercial aviation. The company’s signature service eliminates the traditional rental counter altogether, providing:

  • Direct-to-Tarmac Deliveries: Vehicles are waiting immediately upon deplaning for private aviation clients.
  • Curbside Terminal Deliveries: Seamless handoffs at all major commercial airports across its service regions (including JFK, LGA, EWR, MIA, and FLL).
  • True Door-to-Door Convenience: Vehicles are delivered directly to hotels, residences, or offices, and retrieved from any location the client specifies.

A Uniquely Uncompromising Philosophy on Tech

“Our clients value precision and time above all else,” said Gleb Tryapitsyn, CEO of RealCar. “We spent four years and three complete design iterations to get this right. We chose to delay the launch and rebuild from scratch twice because a ‘good enough’ app simply wasn’t an option for a brand that delivers the world’s finest automobiles. In a high-stakes market like NYC and Miami, the digital experience must perfectly match the quality of the vehicle waiting for you at the airport. This app is the final piece of that puzzle.”

The newly launched app functions as a frictionless convenience layer for clients. Rather than just a standard booking tool, the app translates RealCar’s legendary physical “white-glove” service into a flawless digital ecosystem. Users can browse the exact real-time fleet available, customize delivery locations down to the specific airport terminal or private hangar, manage active rentals, and contact dedicated concierges with a single tap.

By prioritizing ultimate user experience over a rapid, rushed deployment, RealCar has successfully bridged the gap between premium automotive utility and luxury digital hospitality.

Availability

The RealCar mobile app is available starting today and can be downloaded via the Apple App Store.

About RealCar

Founded in 2014, RealCar has spent over a decade redefining the premium vehicle rental experience in the New York City metropolitan area and Miami, Florida. With a strictly managed fleet of 150+ ultra-luxury vehicles and specialized white-glove service catering to major commercial airports and private aviation hubs, RealCar provides a seamless, door-to-door transportation solution tailored exclusively for individuals who demand the absolute best in professional service.

Media Contact

  • Contact Person: Arthur S
  • Email: hello@realcar.miami

Websites:www.realcar.nyc | www.realcar.miami

Ford Racing NASCAR – Charlotte 1 Advance

By
Official Release
-

CHARLOTTE 1

Friday, May 22 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, May 24– NASCAR Cup Series, 6 p.m. ET (PRIME)

The annual Memorial Day Weekend tradition continues this year as NASCAR’s longest race, the Coca-Cola 600, headlines the stock car calendar at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series kicks off the action on Friday night in a race that Ben Rhodes won in 2023 and concludes with the Cup Series on Sunday night in an event that has seen Ford drivers Brad Keselowski (2020) and Ryan Blaney (2023) go to Victory Lane in recent years.

MULTIPLE FORD 600 WINNERS

Only two drivers have won the Coca-Cola 600 more than once with Ford, but two current drivers have an opportunity to add their name to that list. NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen was the first driver to win multiple 600 events, doing in 1963 and 1965 while Jeff Burton joined him after victories in 1999 and 2001. Ryan Blaney (2023) and Brad Keselowski (2020) are the two eligible drivers who can join them on Sunday.

RFK TRIO IN CHASE POSITIONS

When Sunday’s scheduled Coca-Cola 600 ends, it will mark the halfway point of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series regular season. The RFK Racing trio of Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece all find themselves in Chase positions at the moment. Buescher, on the strength of six top-10 finishes, is fifth in the overall standings while Keselowski is ninth and Preece, winner of the Clash at Bowman Gray, is 13th. That makes them the only multi-car organization to have all of its drivers currently in the field.

CINDRIC RUNNING TOP 10

Austin Cindric goes into Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 with a great deal of momentum that included being Ford Racing’s top finisher in each of the last two races. Cindric finished sixth in last weekend’s All-Star Race after running ninth the previous week at Watkins Glen International. Overall, Cindric has two top-10 finishes in the last three series points races, which has allowed him to go from 17th to 15th in the standings.

SITTING ON 749

The next Ford win will be its 750th all-time in NASCAR’s top series. Ned Jarrett is Ford’s win leader with 43 while Bill Elliott is second with 40. Shirtless Jimmy Florian scored the Blue Oval’s first series victory when he upset the likes of Lee Petty, Curtis Turner and Joe Weatherly at Dayton Speedway on June 25, 1950. Florian earned his nickname after getting out of his 1950 flathead Ford without a shirt. Overall, 91 drivers have won at least one series race with Ford, including notable drivers Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, A.J. Foyt, Richard Petty, and Dale Earnhardt.

NOAH GRAGSON: “The race doesn’t seem too long when your car is fast and it’s good and the effort level is down. It’s those days when the thing drives terrible and you’re just fighting demons in that thing. When it just drives evil, that’s when you’ve got your hands full and the effort level is through the roof and that’s when you definitely burn a lot more calories. It’s a long race. Hydration is key. We also got pretty lucky last year with weather. It was maybe only 70 degrees for that race, so I’m hoping we can maybe have another year like that, but it could be one of those races where it’s really hot, too. We’ll see.”

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS GOOD FOR BLANEY

Ryan Blaney needed an extra day, but he took full advantage in winning the Coca-Cola 600 in 2023. Blaney took the checkered flag first in an event that was delayed due to rain and snapped a 59-race winless streak in the process. He led a race-high 163 laps, including the final 26 after passing WIlliam Byron on lap 375, and scored top-five points in all four stages. Overall, Ford had a strong night as five drivers combined to lead 201-of-400 laps.

KESELOWSKI ADDS ANOTHER JEWEL

Brad Keselowski became the first Ford driver since Mark Martin in 2002 to win the Coca-Cola 600 when he held off Jimmie Johnson in an overtime finish to take the checkered flag in 2020. The race went five laps past the advertised distance and ended with Keselowski adding another crown jewel victory with Ford to go with his wins in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis (2018) and Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (2018).

THREE IN THE TOP FIVE

The top five of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings has a distinct Ford Racing flair with three F-150 drivers currently holding down spots. The Front Row Motorsports tandem of Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith lead the way in second and third, respectively, while ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski is fifth. Majeski moved up two spots in the standings after a second-place finish last weekend in Dover while Riggs flip-flopped positions with Smith thanks to a third-place result. Ben Rhodes (seventh) and Jake Garcia (eighth) are also in the overall top 10, giving Ford Racing five drivers in playoff positions.

RHODES POSTS A FORD FIRST

Ben Rhodes provided Ford with its first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2023 when he passed Carson Hocevar and led the final 25 laps. For Rhodes, it marked the only win during his championship-winning season and seventh of his career. The race was a three-way battle between Rhodes, Hocevar and Corey Heim, who combined to lead all but five of the 134 circuits.

FORD’S COCA-COLA 600 WINNERS

1962 – Nelson Stacy

1963 – Fred Lorenzen

1965 – Fred Lorenzeon

1970 – Donnie Allison

1982 – Neil Bonnett

1987 – Kyle Petty

1991 – Davey Allison

1996 – Dale Jarrett

1999 – Jeff Burton

2000 – Matt Kenseth

2001 – Jeff Burton

2002 – Mark Martin

2020 – Brad Keselowski

2023 – Ryan Blaney

FORD NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES WINNERS AT CHARLOTTE OVAL

2023 – Ben Rhodes

The Ford Mustang is the world’s best selling sports car and one of its most popular race cars. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke regional one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 26 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more about Mustang at www.FordRacing.com .

REXEL RENEWS AND EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH LEGACY MOTOR CLUB FOR 2027 NASCAR CUP SERIES SEASON

By
Official Release
-

Rexel becomes Official Partner of LEGACY and will be featured on the No. 42 of John Hunter Nemechek for multiple races during the 2027 season

STATESVILLE, N.C. (May 19, 2026) – LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced today the renewal and expansion of its partnership with Rexel USA, a leading distributor of electrical supplies, services, and solutions, for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season. Building on a successful 2026 debut, Rexel becomes an Official Partner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, expanding a commitment that began ahead of the current race season.

Rexel will serve as the primary on the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE — driven by John Hunter Nemechek — for multiple races in the 2027 season. Additionally, Rexel will activate within LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s premium hospitality program throughout the season, hosting employees, vendors, and guests at the track.

“Rexel has been an incredible partner and we appreciate their belief in what we’re building here at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. Their willingness to grow this relationship before our first season together is even complete speaks for itself,” said Jimmie Johnson, owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.

Rexel first joined the CLUB ahead of the 2026 season and is slated to serve as the primary on the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE for the August 15 race at Richmond Raceway, as well as an associate partner at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October. The decision to expand before that first season ended speaks to the alignment both organizations found early in the partnership.

“LEGACY’s values and our values align really well,” said Roger Little, CEO, Rexel USA. “This relationship goes beyond a sticker on the side of a car — this is a partnership.”

Kevin Gustin, VP of Marketing, Rexel USA, added, “LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has been an outstanding partner, and we’re excited to deepen our commitment in 2027 as we continue creating memorable experiences for our customers and industry partners.”

The partnership will continue to come to life across paint schemes, exclusive hospitality opportunities, and branded content across LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s platforms.

“It’s great to have Rexel back and even bigger on the No. 42 in 2027,” said John Hunter Nemechek. “That kind of commitment pushes you to go out and perform, and I’m looking forward to representing them on and off the track as this partnership continues to grow.”

Fans can catch the No. 42 Rexel Toyota Camry XSE on track Saturday, August 15 at Richmond Raceway at 7 p.m. EST. Coverage provided by USA Network, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

ABOUT 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 MC 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.

ABOUT REXEL USA: Rexel USA, the parent corporation for Rexel Group business activities in the United States, is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and is one of the largest distributors of electrical products, data communication, and related supplies in the United States. Rexel USA operates its electrical distribution business in the United States through eight Regions that go to market under various banner and trade names, including Rexel, Rexel Automation, Gexpro, Mayer, Talley, and Platt Electric Supply. In addition to an online store, Rexel USA has a distribution network of over 450 warehouse storefront locations throughout the U.S.

WNBA Superstar Caitlin Clark Named Indy 500 Grand Marshal

By
Official Release
-

Gainbridge℠ Brand Ambassador Ready for Epic Race Day Experience

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 19, 2026) – Gainbridge℠ brand ambassador and Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark will serve as grand marshal of the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

As grand marshal, Clark will give the traditional command for drivers to report to their cars during the official pre-race ceremonies. The command will be shown live on FOX’s Race Day broadcast, which kicks off at 10 a.m. (ET) and runs all the way through the Indy 500 checkered flag.

“I’m honored to represent Gainbridge as grand marshal of the Indy 500,” Clark said. “I’m looking forward to experiencing an iconic piece of what makes Indiana so special and being part of the time-honored tradition of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’”

Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, finished her rookie season by breaking multiple records, including the all-time WNBA assists record. She earned WNBA Rookie of the Year and was named All-WNBA First Team.

“Since being drafted by the Fever, fans have been clamoring to share the epic celebration and thrilling excitement of Indy 500 Race Day with Caitlin,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Through our incredible partnership with Gainbridge, everyone joining us for the world’s largest single-day spectator sporting event will get to do just that. Caitlin will bring unique energy and presence to a quintessentially Hoosier experience and an absolutely bucket list global sporting spectacle.”

“Indianapolis is at the center of what we do at Gainbridge,” said President Derek Towriss. “We’ve been the presenting partner of the Indy 500 since 2019, and Caitlin has been part of the Gainbridge family since before she was playing home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Having her as grand marshal pulls it all together. We invest in people and places we believe in for the long run. We do the same for our customers, helping people who work hard for their money put it to work for them. This is going to be a Race Day moment we’ll all remember.”

In March 2026, Clark was MVP of the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament. Prior to turning pro, she had a historic career at the University of Iowa, graduating after the 2023-24 season as the leading scorer in the history of college basketball, male or female.

A Gainbridge brand ambassador since her senior year at Iowa, Clark recently appeared in her second marketing campaign with Gainbridge, which celebrates every person who grinds, plans, saves and works hard for their money. Gainbridge also has a longstanding relationship with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and IMS, serving as presenting partner of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” since 2019.

Previous Indy 500 grand marshals include Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Dylan Sprouse, Stephanie Beatriz and Blake Shelton.

FOX Sports is the exclusive home of all INDYCAR action, with all 18 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races set to broadcast on network television via FOX in 2026. This includes the world-famous Indianapolis 500, annually the largest single-day spectator sporting event on the globe. Coverage of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will be extensive for fans across the country, with a six-hour Race Day window on FOX for the second consecutive year.

Visit IMS.com to purchase tickets for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24 and for more information on the complete Month of May schedule at IMS.

1...535455...6,731Page 54 of 6,731