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The Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway Outlook and Picks

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) heads to Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, for the Straight Talk Wireless 500 on Sunday, March 8, at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Heading into Phoenix, after three straight dominating races, Tyler Reddick has a huge 70-point lead over teammate Bubba Wallace in the series standings.

Last season, Alex Bowman captured the pole with a lap at 131.984 mph (27.276 seconds), and Christopher Bell edged Denny Hamlin in a photo finish amid a two-lap shootout to win the NASCAR Cup Series Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

Track & Race Information for the Straight Talk Wireless 500

Season Race #: 4 of 36 (March 8, 2026)
Purse: $11,233, 037
Track Size: 1-mile
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 9 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 11 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 3 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees

Length and Race Stages for the Straight Talk Wireless 500

Race Length: 312 laps / 312 Miles / 500 Kilometers
Stage 1 Length: 60 laps
Stage 2 Length: 125 laps (Ends on Lap 185)
Final Stage Length: 127 laps (Ends on Lap 312)

Who and what should you look out for at the Phoenix Raceway?

The first and third (13.5%) starting positions are the two most proficient, having produced eight winners each, more than any other positions on the starting grid. Chase Elliott (Championship finale 2020; started first due to Metric Qualifying), Kyle Larson (2021 Championship race), and Joey Logano (2022 Championship Race) are three of the active pole and race winners. Elliott leads the NCS in average starting position at Phoenix Raceway with a 6.8 in 19 starts.

StatsWinning %Wins
Winning from the Pole:13.56%8
Winning from the Front Row:20.34%12
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:40.68%24
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:59.32%35
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 10:40.68%24
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:6.78%4

Ten of the 32 NCS Phoenix Raceway winners are active this race: Joey Logano leads all active NCS drivers in wins at Phoenix Raceway with four (2016, 2020, 2022, 2024).

PosActive Phoenix Cup WinnersWinsSeasons
1Joey Logano42024, 2022, 2020, 2016
2Kyle Busch32019, 2018, 2005
3Christopher Bell22025, 2024
4Denny Hamlin22019, 2012
5Ryan Blaney12025
6Ross Chastain12023
7William Byron12023
8Chase Briscoe12022
9Kyle Larson12021
10Chase Elliott12020

Kyle Busch is the only active driver to win consecutive NCS races at Phoenix Raceway (2018 Playoff race, 2019). Busch is also the youngest NCS Phoenix Raceway winner at 20 years, 6 months, 11 days on November 13, 2005. Busch also won the 2005 Phoenix Raceway race from the 15th-place starting position, the furthest back an active NCS race winner has started.

Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney lead all active NCS drivers at Phoenix Raceway with four second-place finishes each.

Denny Hamlin leads all active NCS drivers in top-five finishes at Phoenix with 17 top-five finishes, and Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in top-10 finishes at Phoenix with 28 top-10s.

The Driver Picks For Phoenix

1Tyler ReddickHot off three wins in a row, Tyler Reddick has two top fives, four top 10s, and an average finish of 17.750.
2Kyle LarsonKyle Larson has two poles, one win, 11 top fives, 15 top 10s, and an average finish of 10.348.
3Denny HamlinDenny Hamlin has four poles, two wins, 17 top fives, 24 top 10s, and an average finish of 10.488.
4Ryan BlaneyRyan Blaney has three poles, one win, ten top fives, 14 top 10s, and an average finish of 10.850.
5William ByronWilliam Byron has two poles, one win, three top fives, nine top 10s, and an average finish of 12.188.
6Kyle BuschKyle Busch has four poles, three wins, 13 top fives, 28 top 10s, and an average finish of 11.244.

TEAM CHEVY INDYCAR RACE ADVANCE – Phoenix Raceway

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Good Ranchers 250
1-mile, Phoenix Raceway short oval
Avondale, Arizona
Race Advance
March 6-7, 2026

DETROIT (March 4, 2026) – Chevrolet-powered cars have visited INDYCAR victory lane at Phoenix Raceway ten times, but the sacred place in Chevrolet racing history goes far beyond the wins at the historic one-mile oval.

In 1969, George Follmer drove a Cheetah powered by a Chevrolet Z/28 engine to the brand’s first NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory outside the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

In 1986, Al Unser, while driving for Team Penske, made the first start for a Chevrolet factory-backed INDYCAR engine. The venerable 2.65L turbocharged V8 built by Ilmor would go on to win 86 races over the next eight seasons of Championship Auto Racing Teams competition.

The Detroit brand will add one more piece of lore to the history books in 2026, when Chevrolet is the only brand to compete in all four races at Phoenix Raceway this weekend. A dozen NTT INDYCAR SERIES entries will join 18 NASCAR Cup Series entries, 30 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series entries and 18 ARCA Menards Series entries, for a total of 75 Chevrolet-powered entries across the four races.

“Chevrolet is proud to be the only manufacturer powering the field across all three races this weekend,” said Jim Campbell, Vice President, Performance and Motorsports Commercial Operations, General Motors. “Our heritage has been built on both stock car and open-wheel competition, and Phoenix Raceway is a great example of that legacy. Chevrolet has earned 27 NASCAR Cup Series wins and three championships at Phoenix, along with 10 additional NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victories and two more titles. In INDYCAR competition, Chevrolet-powered drivers have added 10 wins at this track. That shared success reflects the strength of our teams, our technology and our commitment to winning across every discipline in which we compete.”

An unlikely winner

A year-old chassis with a 320-cubic-inch Chevrolet and 35-year-old sports car veteran Follmer at the wheel didn’t garner much attention against brand-new chassis powered by turbocharged Offenhauser and Ford engines driven by names like Andretti, Foyt and Unser.

Follmer, a star in sports cars, and his one-year-old Cheetah, powered by an Al Bartz, of Traco fame, built engine sourced from a Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and costing only $5,500, got their attention after qualifying on the outside of the front row alongside Al Unser.

Folmer’s No. 62 dropped back, but watched Al Unser, A. J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Roger McCluskey and Gordon Johncock drop out with mechanical issues. That left the Chevrolet-powered car fighting Bobby Unser in a new All-American Racers Eagle powered by a turbocharged Offenhauser. Unser’s engine let go with 30 of the 150-mile event remaining, allowing Follmer to win by an impressive three laps.

“I just wanted to keep Bobby in sight,” explained Follmer to the Arizona Republic in 1969 after the race. “Because I just couldn’t pass him on the straights. He’s got over 700 horsepower, and I’ve got 550. That doesn’t multiply right.

“I was just waiting for my fuel load to go down.”

Factory-backed effort makes debut

On April 6, 1986, the 2.65L turbocharged V8 Chevrolet, which terrified Championship Auto Racing Teams competitors in the late 1980s and early 1990s, made a surprise debut at the season opener at Phoenix Raceway with Al Unser behind the wheel of Team Penske’s No. 11.

The PC-15 had just arrived in the Arizona desert from England a few days earlier, and after fitting the new Chevrolet powerplant, had only completed a three-lap shakedown at nearby Firebird Raceway Park. The initial plan was only to have Unser, who legend has it lost a coin flip with Mears over who would drive the new combination, only in practice before switching to the known quantity, a March powered by a Cosworth.

More on the first factory-backed effort by Chevrolet in INDYCAR as we approach the 40th anniversary of its debut.

Short oval success

Over the long haul

Wins

Between George Follmer’s stunning victory by three laps at Phoenix Raceway in 1969, through NTT INDYCAR SERIES wins by Pato O’Ward (Iowa Speedway), Christian Rasmussen (Milwaukee Mile) and Josef Newgarden (Nashville Superspeedway), Chevrolet has had tremendous success on the short ovals,* driving to victory lane 55 times.
Twenty-five drivers have won on short ovals for Team Chevy, but one stands out. Josef Newgarden, the driver of the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet, leads the next closest driver, Team Penske legend Rick Mears, by nine.
Team Penske has 54.5% (30 of 55) of Chevrolet-powered wins and is one of 17 teams with wins on short ovals.
Bowtie adorned engines have won races at nine short ovals, with Iowa Speedway (14), the Milwaukee Mile (12) and Phoenix Raceway (10) all reaching double digits in trips to victory lane.

Poles

Between Jim Hurtubise, at the treacherous Langhorne Speedway in 1963 and Power (World Wide Technology Raceway At Gateway), Newgarden (Iowa Speedway) and O’Ward (Nashville Superspeedway) last year, Chevrolet power has won the pole at short ovals 55 times.
Will Power and Mears lead the 18 drivers that have won the pole on short ovals with 11 a piece
Even more impressive than their win percentage, Team Penske, one of 13 teams to win poles with Chevrolet power, has 74.5% (41 of 55) of those inside front row starts.
Bowtie adorned cars have scored poles at a baker’s dozen tracks, with the 13 at Iowa Speedway leading the way.

Even better recently

Since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012, Chevrolet-powered drivers and teams have dominated on short ovals (Iowa Speedway, the Milwaukee Mile, Nashville Superspeedway, Phoenix Raceway, and World Wide Technology Raceway At Gateway) In those 14 seasons Chevrolet power has:

Won 31 of 40 races
Started on 30 of 40 poles
Stood on 85 of 120 podiums
Led 7973 of 10250 laps
Notable Numbers

6 – the number of different countries represented by Team Chevy drivers – United States (6) – Denmark (2) – Brazil (1) – Mexico (1) – Netherlands (1) – New Zealand (1)
9 – the number of wins by current Team Chevy teams, Arrow McLaren and ECR
12 – the number of drivers representing Team Chevy in the season-opening NTT INDYCAR SERIES race
13 – the number of driver championships won by Chevrolet all-time
26.7 – the average age of the dozen Chevrolet-powered drivers in the 2026 season opener – Josef Newgarden is the elder statesman at 35
32 – the number of wins by Josef Newgarden, the winningest Team Chevy driver all-time
40 – the number of different drivers that have won INDYCAR races while powered by Chevrolet
70.8 – percentage of short oval podiums Team Chevy has stood on since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
75 – percentage of short oval races where Team Chevy won the pole since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
77.5 – percentage of short oval races won by Team Chevy since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 2012
77.8 – percentage of laps led in short oval races since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
124 – the number of Bowtie-backed wins by Team Penske since their first at Pocono Raceway by Rick Mears in 1987
127 – the number of wins by Chevrolet since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
142 – the number of earned poles by Chevrolet-powered teams since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
237 – the number of wins by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time
246 – the number of earned poles by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time
362 – the number of podiums by Chevrolet-powered teams since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012
678 – the number of podiums by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time
3034 -laps led on short ovals by Josef Newgarden while powered by Chevrolet since 2012
5350 – laps led by Team Penske drivers on short ovals since 2012

Pacing the field

The sleek and luxurious 2026 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray will pace the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday afternoon. Electrified all-wheel-drive technology, 655-hp combined, indulgent leather seating, functional and intuitive technology, including 6.6-, 12.7-, and 14-inch screens, and a full suite of modern safety features combine to create an unrivaled blend of performance, creature comforts, and security.

Fan Friendly

Fans can visit Team Chevy Display in Fan Zone near Gate 2 and behind the grandstands to check out the INDYCAR and NASCAR show cars, along with a full line-up of new vehicles, including the Colorado Trailboss, Corvette E-Ray, Equinox Active, Equinox EV RS, Tahoe Z71, Traverse Z71, Silverado 1500 RST, and Silverado EV. Hours are 11:30 am – 7 pm on Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm on Saturday, and 8 am – 1 pm on Sunday.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver appearances

Saturday:

Rinus VeeKay: 10 am – 10:15 am

Ryan Hunter-Reay: 10:15 am – 10:30am

NASCAR O’Rielly Auto Parts and Cup series appearances

Saturday:

Parker Retzlaff: 3:15 pm – 3:30 pm

Sheldon Creed & Sam Mayer: 3:30 pm – 3:45 pm

Jeremy Clements: 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm

Sunday:

Connor Zilisch: 8:30 am – 8:45 am

Ross Chastain: 8:45 am – 9:00 am

Kyle Busch: 9:05 am – 9:20 am

Michael McDowell: 9:20 am – 9:30 am

Ricky Stenhouse Jr: 9:30 am – 9:45 am

Kyle Larson: 9:45 am – 10:00 am

William Byron: 10:00 am – 10:15 am

What They’re Saying

A.J. Foyt Racing

Caio Collet, No. 4 COMBITRANS AMAZONA Chevrolet:

How did the Phoenix test go and what did you learn from it?

“The test at Phoenix Raceway was very productive. It was all about getting comfortable with the rhythm of a short oval and understanding how the car reacts. We focused getting comfortable with the changes and what I need to be confident and quick, also understanding the weight jacker adjustments, and how small balance changes affect tire degradation over a run. It was a valuable step in building confidence on ovals.”

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS Chevrolet:

How did testing go?

“It was up and down. I mean, we unrolled pretty good. We made some small changes. We didn’t really run much. We had a couple of issues with the brake pedal. Then we had rain interrupt the session on the second day. We were continuing to build on the oval car, just making it better to drive, more compliant. Just little things, we didn’t really learn anything massive, I don’t think we needed to.”

Arrow McLaren

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“I’m excited to head back to Phoenix after testing there a few weeks back. We learned a lot at the test, so I’m confident we can take that forward and be competitive this weekend. It’s nice to get a new oval on the calendar. The track is a nice mix of some other ovals that we’ve raced.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“As a group, we really made some good progress at the open test in February. I feel good about our setup, and I think we’ll be as strong as we have been on other short ovals. We built a foundation and had good pace on primary tires in St. Pete. Now we just need to build on that and convert that speed into more points this weekend.”

Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

“We got off to a strong start last weekend with a podium and obviously want to keep the momentum going into Phoenix, but of course, we’re always pushing for more. I’m looking forward to attacking ovals this season, and I think overall we had a good test here recently. With St. Pete, Phoenix and then Arlington, this is an important opening stretch, so let’s keep it going.”

ECR

Alexander Rossi, No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet:

“I love this schedule and being back on track this weekend. It allows us to put the past behind us and focus on an exciting weekend where we are returning to Phoenix for the first time in eight years. We had a great team test there and I look forward to doing it for real when we get back!”

Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet:

“I am looking forward to getting back to short oval racing at Phoenix! The test there went really well for ECR, and ovals were definitely a strength for the No. 21 last year. We showed a lot of potential at times in St. Pete, even if we didn’t come away with the result we wanted. We’re fully focused on bouncing back at Phoenix for Round 2 of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship!”

Tune-In Guide

Friday

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #1 – 10am (ET)/9am (CT)/8am (MT)/7am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 2pm (ET)/1pm (CT)/noon (MT)/11am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Saturday

Good Ranchers 250 (250 laps) – 3pm (ET)/2pm (CT)/1pm (MT)/noon (PT) –
FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Chevrolet history at Phoenix Raceway

General Motors Wins – 15

Chevrolet Wins – 10

2018 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske

2017 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske

2016 – Scott Dixon – Chip Ganassi Racing

2002 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

1992 – Bob Rahal – Rahal Hogan Racing

1991 – Arie Luyendyk – Doug Shierson Racing

1990 – Rick Mears – Team Penske

1989 – Rick Mears – Team Penske

1988 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing

1969 – George Follmer – George Follmer

Oldsmobile Wins – 5

2001 – Sam Hornish – Panther Racing

2000 – Buddy Lazier – Hemelgarn Racing

1999 – Scott Goodyear – Panther Racing

1998 – Scott Sharp – Kelley Racing

1997 – Jim Guthrie – Blueprint Racing

General Motors Poles – 13

Chevrolet Poles – 8

2017 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

2016 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

2002 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

1991 – Rick Mears – Team Penske

1990 – Rick Mears – Team Penske

1989 – Rick Mears – Team Penske

1988 – Rick Mears – Team Penske

1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing

Oldsmobile Wins – 5

2001 – Greg Ray – Team Menard

2000 – Greg Ray – Team Menard

1999 – Greg Ray – Team Menard

1998 – Jeff Ward – ISM Racing

1997 – Tony Stewart – Team Menard

General Motors Podiums – 39

Chevrolet Podiums: 25

Driver Podiums: Bob Rahal (3), Emerson Fittipaldi (2), Rick Mears (2), Simon Pagenaud (2), Will Power (2), Al Unser Jr. (2), Mario Andretti (1), Helio Castroneves (1), Gil de Ferran (1), George Follmer (1), Scott Dixon (1), Roberto Guerrero (1), JR Hildebrand (1), Sam Hornish (1), Arie Luyendyk (1), Josef Newgarden (1), Danny Sullivan (1), Jimmy Vasser (1)

Team Podiums: Team Penske (12), Galles Racing (4), Chip Ganassi Racing (1), Doug Shierson Racing (1), ECR (1), George Follmer (1), Granatelli Racing (1), Hayhoe Racing (1), Newman Haas Racing (1), Panther Racing (1), Rahal Hogan Racing (1)

Oldsmobile Podiums: 14

Driver Podiums: Scott Goodyear (2), Buddy Lazier (2), Tony Stewart (2), Billy Boat (1), Jim Guthrie (1), Davey Hamilton (1), Donnie Beechler (1), Sam Hornish (1), Eliseo Salazar (1), Scott Sharp (1) Jeff Ward (1)

Team Podiums: A.J. Foyt Racing (3), Panther Racing (3), Hemelgarn Racing (2), Team Menard (2), Blueprint Racing (1), Cahill Racing (1), Kelley Racing (1), Pagan Racing (1)

General Motors Laps Led: 2977

Chevrolet Laps Led: 1990

Driver Laps Led: Rick Mears (247), Bob Rahal (242), Mario Andretti (198), Helio Castroneves (174), Scott Dixon (155), Paul Tracy (151), Will Power (139), Arie Luyendyk (129), Simon Pagenaud (119), Michael Andretti (88), Sam Hornish (67), Al Unser Jr. (65), Juan Montoya (56), Danny Sullivan (53), Josef Newgarden (32), George Follmer (29), Gil de Ferran (15), Kevin Cogan (13), Emerson Fittipaldi (10), Eliseo Salazar (7), Tomas Scheckter (1)

Team Laps Led: Team Penske (996), Newman Haas Racing (286), Rahal Hogan Racing (200), Chip Ganassi Racing (155), Doug Shierson Racing (129), Panther Racing(68), Galles Racing (68), Kelley Racing (39), George Follmer (29), Patrick Racing (13), A.J. Foyt Racing (7)

Oldsmobile Laps Led: 987

Driver Laps Led: Tony Stewart (212), Sam Hornish (140), Scott Goodyear (134), Scott Sharp (94), Jim Guthrie (74), Greg Ray (61), Buddy Lazier (45), Billy Boat (41), Stephan Gregoire (36), Eddie Cheever (28), Jeff Ward (25), Kenny Brack (24), Al Unser Jr. (22), Mark Dismore (14), Affonso Giaffone (13), Robbie McGehee (11), Robbie Buhl (5), Helio Castroneves (4), Gil de Ferran (3), Donnie Beechler (1)

Team Laps Led: Panther Racing (274), Team Menard (273), Kelley Racing (104), Blueprint Racing (74), Galles Racing (46), A.J. Foyt Racing (45), Hemelgarn Racing (45), Dick Simon Racing (36), Team Cheever (28), ISM Racing (25), Chitwood Motorsports (13), Treadway Racing (11), Team Penske (7), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (5), Cahil Racing (1)

Manufacturer History at Phoenix International Raceway

Wins

17 – Cosworth (1987, 1986 #2, 1986 #2, 1985, 1984 #2, 1984 #1, 1983, 1982 #2, 1982 #1, 1981 #2, 1981 #1, 1980, 1979 #2, 1979 #1, 1978 #2, 1977 #1, 1976 #2)

15 – General Motors (Chevrolet & Oldsmobile)

13 – Offenhauser – (1976 #1, 1975 #1, 1974 #2, 1974 #1, 1973, 1972 #2, 1972 #1, 1968 #2, 1968 #1, 1967#1, 1965 #1, 1964 #2, 1964 #1)

12 – Ford (1996, 1995, 1993, 1971 #2, 1971 #1, 1970 #2, 1970 #1, 1969 #2, 1967 #2, 1966 #2, 1966 #1, 1965 #2)

10 – Chevrolet (2018, 2017, 2016, 2002, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1969 #1)

5 – Oldsmobile (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)

2- DGS (1978 #1, 1977 #2)

2 – Honda (2004, 2003)

1 – Toyota (2005)

1 – Ilmor (1994)

1- Foyt (1975 #2)

Poles

18 – Cosworth (1986 #2, 1986 #1, 1985, 1984 #2, 1984 #1, 1983, 1982 #2, 1982 #1, 1981 #2, 1981#1, 1980, 1979 #2, 1979 #1, 1978 #2, 1978 #1, 1977 #2, 1977 #1, 1976 #1)

14 – Offenhauser (1976 #2, 1975 #1, 1974 #2, 1974 #1, 1973, 1972 #2, 1972 #1, 1971 #2, 1971 #1, 1968 #2, 1968 #2, 1967 #1, 1965 #2, 1964 #1)

13 – General Motors (Chevrolet and Oldsmobile)

13 – Ford (1996, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1970 #2, 1970 #1, 1969 #2, 1969 #1, 1967 #2, 1966 #2, 1966 #1, 1965 #1, 1964 #2)

8 – Chevrolet (2017, 2016, 2002, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)

5 – Oldsmobile (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)

4 – Honda (2018, 2005, 2004, 2003)

1 – DGS (1975 #2)

1 – Ilmor (1994)

Historical Chevrolet in the INDYCAR SERIES information

INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturer Championships (since 1979)
Chevrolet-Powered Wins in the Twin-Turbo 2.2L V6 Era (2012-present)
Chevrolet-Powered Wins – All-Time
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.

TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Phoenix Raceway

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Phoenix Raceway
March 5-8, 2026

A two-race west coast swing kicks off this weekend for the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with the pair traveling to the desert for their first of two appearances at Phoenix Raceway this season.

The Bowtie brand’s return to the one-mile oval sparks some pristine memories from its most recent visit to the venue with Phoenix Raceway serving as the site that delivered the manufacturer its 34th Cup Series Driver Championship and 23rd O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver Championship.


A Special Weekend for Chevrolet:

The weekend will feature a rare crossover between two of motorsport’s most competitive series – NASCAR and the NTT INDYCAR Series. For Chevrolet, the weekend is an opportunity to display its diverse profile in both stock car and open-wheel racing with the Bowtie brand boasting as the only manufacturer that will compete in all four events. A combined total of 75 Team Chevy drivers are entered for this weekend’s competition including 18 in the NASCAR Cup Series, 30 in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, 15 in the ARCA Menards Series and 12 in the NTT INDYCAR Series.

Chevrolet has had a long history of success at the one-mile desert oval, including three championship-clinching performances and 27 wins in the Cup Series and two championships and 10 wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. In INDYCAR, the Bowtie brigade earned its first win on an oval in 1969 at Phoenix Raceway, also marking its first of 10 all-time wins at the track.


MAKING MOVES

With the first road course event in the books, the NASCAR Cup Series points standings sees three fresh faces in the top-10 – all of which come from the Chevrolet camp. Capitalizing on their road racing prowess, Shane van Gisbergen, AJ Allmendinger and Michael McDowell all earned top-10 results at Circuit of The Americas to propel each of them to a double-digit jump in the standings heading into the west coast swing. Leading the charge was the 36-year-old Auckland, New Zealand, native that drove his No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet to his season-best runner-up finish in the Lone Star State – marking back-to-back top-five results to kick-off the season. The finish, along with a 45-point day, was enough to push Van Gisbergen up 11 spots to fifth in the standings. Allmendinger and McDowell each earned their best finish of the season at COTA and will head to Phoenix ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, in the points standings.

DOUBLING-UP

Sharing the seat of the organization’s third NASCAR Cup Series entry, Austin Hill will take his turn behind the wheel of the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet this weekend for his first of five starts in the division this season. Currently competing in his fifth full-time campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with the Chevrolet organization, Hill enters the weekend with 15 Cup Series starts under his belt, including a career-best finish of ninth that came in the entry at the Chicago Street Race last season.

The 31-year-old Winston, Georgia, native has already earned one trip to victory lane this season – driving his No. 21 Chevrolet to the win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Since then, Hill has managed to maintain the points lead through the first-three weekends – holding a 28-point lead over his teammate and reigning champion, Jesse Love. Hill’s experience at the one-mile desert oval includes eight career starts in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series – producing six top-10s, including a best-finish of fourth in the March 2024 event.

BYRON’S BACK

With a rotation of Team Chevy drivers behind the wheel of the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet this season, it’s the 2017 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion, William Byron, that will be behind the reigns for a double-duty weekend in the desert. The 28-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina, native has a short but successful resume in the second-tier series. Byron competed in just one full-time campaign in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series before his venture to the Cup Series – a stint that ended with four wins, ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors and a championship title.

The Team Chevy driver made two appearances in the series last season – finishing no worse than second, including the win in front of a hometown crowd at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Byron is on an elite list of drivers that have earned victories in both of NASCAR’s top-two divisions at Phoenix Raceway – earning one win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with JR Motorsports in 2017 and one win in the Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports in 2023.

LOVE BEAMS IN CONFIDENCE AND CONSISTENCY

Phoenix Raceway with forever hold a special place in Jesse Love’s NASCAR career. Just a few months ago at the one-mile desert oval, the Menlo Park, California, native turned his sophomore campaign into a championship-earning season – driving his No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet to the race win and his first career championship title in the NASCAR national ranks. The only driver in the series to finish inside the top-10 in all three races this season, Love’s early consistency has paid dividends with the Team Chevy driver sitting just behind his teammate and points leader, Austin Hill, in the standings. Hungry for his first win of the season, there’s no better place for Love to check that box than at Phoenix Raceway. In his four career starts at the track, Love has yet to qualify and finish outside of the top-10, with his most notable result coming last November when he took the win and the championship title.


BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Chevrolet will serve as the official pace vehicle for the NASCAR, NTT INDYCAR and ARCA Menards Series race weekend at Phoenix Raceway, with the Corvette Stingray leading each series to the green flag in their respective events.

· As the only manufacturer that will compete in all four events at Phoenix Raceway, a combined total of 75 Team Chevy drivers are entered for this weekend’s competition including 18 in the NASCAR Cup Series, 30 in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, 15 in the ARCA Menards Series and 12 in the NTT INDYCAR Series.

· Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Phoenix Raceway:

Kyle Busch – three wins (2019, 2018, 2005)

Ross Chastain – one win (2023)

William Byron – one win (2023)

Kyle Larson – one win (2021)

Chase Elliott – one win (2020)

· In 59 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Phoenix Raceway, Chevrolet has recorded 27 victories, including a record-setting streak of 10 straight – earned by six different drivers between 2005-2010.

· In 147 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 67 victories – a winning percentage of 45.6%.

· Chevrolet is coming off its 29th all-time sweep of the NASCAR Cup Series championship titles – capturing its 34th driver championship and 44th, and fifth consecutive, manufacturer championship in 2025.

· With its 44 NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer championships, 34 NASCAR Cup Series driver championships, and 881 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.


FOR THE FANS:

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Phoenix Raceway, which will feature a variety of vehicles including: Tahoe Z71, Silverado 1500 RST, Silverado EV, Colorado Trail Boss, Traverse Z71, Equinox EV RS, Corvette E-Ray, Equinox ACTIV, and NASCAR and INDYCAR show cars.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Saturday, March 7

Rinus VeeKay: 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Ryan Hunter-Reay: 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Parker Retzlaff: 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sheldon Creed & Sam Mayer: 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Jeremy Clements: 3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 8

Connor Zilisch: 8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Ross Chastain: 8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Kyle Busch: 9:05 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.

Michael McDowell: 9:20 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr: 9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Kyle Larson: 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

William Byron: 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

Friday, March 6: 11:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 7: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 8: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.


TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

Straight Talk Wireless 500

Sunday, Mar. 8, at 3:30 p.m. ET

FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

GOVX 200

Saturday, Mar. 7, at 7:30 p.m. ET

CW, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

NTT INDYCAR Series

Good Ranchers 250

Saturday, Mar. 7, at 3 p.m. ET

FOX

ARCA Menards Series

General Tire 150

Thursday, Mar. 5, at 6 p.m. ET

FS1 and FOX One


QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

What are your thoughts on Phoenix Raceway?

“Phoenix Raceway is a tough place. We’ve tried. We’ve worked hard, really hard, to try and get our cars better there. I’m looking forward to the challenge of it. You try and turn it into a short track, but the aero platform in the car really matters. One end of the track is flat, one end is banked, and you’re just trying to get the car neutral in both. So, you’re constantly working on it, but we’re always optimistic every time we go to Phoenix Raceway. We are committed to getting better.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Three races into the season with Spire Motorsports, how are you feeling about the team’s performance, and how has your experience behind the wheel been so far?

“My experience has been very good. I feel like we started off strong in Daytona and Atlanta. We have good speed and momentum. I am very pleased with Spire Motorsports. We are pushing ourselves to get better and better each week. You never know, you can work very hard, have all these meetings, communications, and chemistry, but you just never know exactly where you are going to stack up. I am impressed with the structure and speed at Spire. I was expecting to be fast, but this is faster than what I was expecting. In Daytona, I probably had the fastest superspeedway car I’ve ever been in. I still am learning the team and car, but so far to this point I am very impressed with what we are bringing to the racetrack.”

Who will you be rooting for in INDYCAR, and what do you think about crossover races with NASCAR?”

“I have a couple of friends in the IndyCar series — my amigo Paisano Pato, who I’ve known for over 20 years and also Scott McLaughlin. I’ll definitely be rooting for them. I think the INDYCAR Series is amazing. I really love watching those guys race. INDYCAR has a different fan base than NASCAR, which makes it great to bring families together to enjoy both series. I really enjoyed crossing over between the two at Indianapolis – it was a lot of fun – and I’m looking forward to doing it again.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

What makes racing at Phoenix unique compared to other tracks? tomorrow

“Phoenix Raceway is a really cool racetrack because it’s only a mile in length, but it still races like a big track. Some of the most exciting opportunities at Phoenix to set up passes and make moves are on restarts. Everybody is so close together at the dogleg, which is really unique because it lends itself to ten wide racing where you can be ten lanes wide with grooves to operate in. You’re going to venture to get away from everybody that’s around you, but it all funnels down to about two to three lanes wide when you get to the corners, so it gets pretty tight when you get into the turns. You want to make your passes right after the restarts.”

How does the flat layout of the track affect the way you drive the track?

“Phoenix being a flat racetrack, has ten degrees of banking at one end and four degrees of banking on the other, so it’s pretty flat. You basically feel like you’re on ice and drifting around the track keeping as much speed possible and making sure you got a good handling racecar, one that grips the track better than everyone else so you can go out there, pass them and win.”

Do you think teams will be more conservative on tires this weekend compared to last November’s race?

“I think you’ll see a more conservative approach with tires this weekend, just because it’s the beginning of the season, and people wanting to take care of their equipment and try to get through the West Coast swing. So, you definitely don’t want to be tearing up too much equipment.”

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

What is your mindset going into Phoenix after having a tough race the last time there?

“Phoenix is a racetrack that for whatever reason, whether racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly NASCAR Xfinity Series) or the NASCAR Cup Series, it’s just a racetrack that as a company we have struggled at in the past. You know, I think it’s about going there and trying to have realistic expectations. We are just trying to be better and have speed. We do want to have a solid improvement from where we have typically been there and put on a good showing for Campers Inn RV.”

What is the best approach?

“We know we are going to face some challenges, but it’s how we handle them and stay positive that matters most. Over the next few weeks, we’ll really get to see where we stand as a race team with our cars. Our focus is making the most of every weekend and that’s unloading with speed, improving through practice/qualifying and getting better when it counts in the race.”

How are you feeling after receiving medical attention from the heat upon exiting your race car at COTA last Sunday?

“I feel okay. I was just a little sore earlier in the week, but otherwise, really, I feel pretty good now. All things considered, we got a solid top-10 finish out of the day at COTA, some stage points, and gained spots in the points standings.”

Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

What are your overall thoughts of driving a Cup Series car for the first time at Phoenix Raceway?

“I’m looking forward to being back in the United Rentals Chevrolet this weekend. Based on my time in the simulator, I’m not sure how much the O’Reilly car is going to help me on the Cup side with the shifting differences and techniques of how you drive the Cup car. My approach will certainly be different from the O’Reilly race on Saturday to the Cup race on Sunday. Practice will be key to stay ahead of the racetrack. The track changes a lot in temperature and the way rubber is laid down, so we need to make sure we are not fighting the track and focusing only on the drivability of our car. You have to know where the track is going to go which we have gotten better with on the O’Reilly side. In that car, you want to be a couple numbers free in practice, because the track is going to tighten up as the race goes on. I’m not sure if that will translate to the Cup car, but that will be something to pay attention to. If we can get a decent qualifying effort, stay out of trouble, and play strategy at the end of the race, we should end up with a good finish.”

What is the expectation for the No. 33 team this weekend at Phoenix Raceway?

“We’ve been able to finish inside the top-10 before, although it was on a road course. A top-15 would be a great day, a top-20 would be a good day. In my opinion, we are past having the goal of just completing all of the laps. With the amount of times I’ve run on the Cup side now, we need to perform and have good results. If we can do that and finish around our teammates, the No. 3 and the No. 8, it would be a good day for us.”

Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet

“I think everyone is looking forward to going to Phoenix, as it’s going to be the first true test of the year from an oval standpoint. So we are looking forward to see how our HaasTooling.com Chevrolet Camaro will truly start the year off.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

“We’re really excited to welcome Pylon Aviation to the team this weekend in Phoenix. Bringing a new partner on board is always a big deal for everyone at Hyak Motorsports — it gives us extra motivation to go out and perform. We take a lot of pride in representing our partners the right way, both on and off the track. Hopefully we can put together a strong run and give Pylon Aviation something to celebrate in their first race with us.”

Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet

“Phoenix has always been a difficult racetrack. It’s not really a short track because it’s so wide and so fast. It kind of blends the lines of an intermediate, downforce-style track into a short track. Like a short track, we’re doing a lot of shifting at Phoenix, and there are different ways to approach the corners in regard to how many times you’re shifting and where you’re shifting. Loose is fast at Phoenix, and the setups there are very aggressive. You’ve got to run the car mechanically free, so you never feel good around Phoenix. Even though it’s only a 312-lap race, it feels like a very long 312 laps. You’re out of breath at the end of it.”

Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Phoenix and Las Vegas will be your first traditional ovals of the year, what are you expecting?

“I feel like with Phoenix and Vegas you start to see and feel where you are as a team, because you go back-to-back on superspeedways and then a road course with Circuit of the Americas. They are all important. They all count points, but you don’t know really where you stack up on your overall program until you get through all those different types of tracks. So, building off last year, our Phoenix package was good. We finished in the top 10 last fall and we were fast. We have good notes and a good baseline going into Phoenix this weekend.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

What is your outlook heading into the next few weeks?

“We are right where we want to be heading into this part of the schedule. Anything can happen at Daytona and Atlanta, and road courses aren’t my favorite, but we are still 10th in points with some really good tracks coming up for us. We qualified really well with MINER at Phoenix last year, but got caught up in someone else’s mess. We excel at the 1.5-mile tracks like Vegas, and we ran in the top 10 at the Southern 500 last year. I’m excited to get into the heart of the schedule.”

Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

What is your assessment of the first three Cup races this season? How different is the racing in Cup versus the O’Reilly Series?

“I feel like it’s aggressive in Cup, but when I was coming through the field at COTA there were a lot more guys who were generous than I remember on Saturdays. Even when you get to the top-10, guys aren’t racing you when they know that you’re faster. On Saturdays I feel like every guy races you hard for every spot, even if you’re a second faster. I can’t say the restarts are any less aggressive in Cup because I got taken out twice last Sunday. The Cup guys are all really smart. I feel like they make a lot more intelligent move to put you in bad spots. It’s a lot harder to make up positions in those moments than it is on Saturday.”

What are your thoughts entering Phoenix this weekend?

“I’m excited to go back to Phoenix and I love racing there. That track is awesome and the restarts are crazy. It’s wide and there’s a lot of room to make moves and move around to change the balance on your car. I’m looking forward to getting out there and sharing the track with IndyCar this weekend. We’ll get to see them in person for the first time in a few years, probably since the Indy road course. I’m looking forward to seeing the friends that I have in the IndyCar paddock.”

Can you describe what the restarts are like at Phoenix going from the flat surface back up on the banking?

“Even in the O’Reilly Series there were times you had to pull your helmet back down because pulling back onto the track is so aggressive. It’s a big bump coming back up on the racetrack after getting down on the dogleg. The restarts at Phoenix are just crazy. I feel bad for the spotters having to call however many wide you are, how many are outside of you and how many are inside. It’s always chaotic there. I’m looking forward to seeing how it is with the Cup guys.”

Is running at the very bottom on Turn 1 an option at Phoenix?

“It’s an option but you have to have a tire advantage on the cars ahead of you to make it work. If you are on similar tires to the people around you and you go down there, you’re going to come off Turn 2 going what feels like 20 miles an hour slower and everybody is going to be blowing by you on the outside. It’s risky. You’ve got to get clear and be able to take other people’s momentum. If you exit Turn 2 all the way down by the wall, that’s where you’re going to get yourself into trouble.”

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

You’ve only started your NASCAR career a little over two years ago. Now you have 11 road course wins across the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. How cool is that?

“It’s been pretty awesome! I’ve had a whole lot of fun racing here. Every year I’ve enjoyed it so much and it doesn’t seem like a grind. I got to the end of last year and I was tired, but I had a week off and I was ready to get going again (laughs). There is such a great group of guys and girls at Trackhouse, and it makes racing every weekend so enjoyable.”

You are starting to head to some tracks for the second and third time. What do you want to do better as you approach these tracks in the 2026 season?

“There are a couple of tracks I really struggle at for some reason, Phoenix is one of them. It’s a type of track I need to improve myself. I know my car can do it, but that racing is so much more tough with not a lot of practice. It’s hard, but that is where I need to get better personally. Then, just continue to keep growing at the bigger tracks. I felt like we’ve made some real progress there, so we need to keep it going.”

You talk about set-up and different stuff like that, how different is it when you have that year in the Cup Series under your belt?

“You just learn what you want and need from a car. My driving style was very different to most, I guess. The way I make the car work or want it to work is very different to others. We noticed a lot of trends which took a while to get everyone to adjust to. I adjusted a bit but now we’re sort of coming my way a bit, which has kind of helped me. It’s interesting. The cars are set up so different to what I’m used to, and I’m still trying to understand what I need or want from the car.”


Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturer Championships:

Total (1949-2025): 44

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Most recent: 2025

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Driver Championships:

Total (1949-2025): 34

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most recent: Kyle Larson (2025)

Driver and Manufacturer Championship Sweeps: 29

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2025

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2026 STATISTICS:

Wins: 0

Poles: 1

Laps Led: 142

Top-Fives: 7

Top-10s: 11

Stage Wins: 1

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 881 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 767

Laps led to date: 256,876

Top-fives to date: 4,443

Top-10s to date: 9,162

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,215

       Chevrolet: 881

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 847                                                                               

       Ford: 747

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 206


Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

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.

Front Row Motorsports: Phoenix Raceway NCS Race Advance (Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith)

Noah Gragson | Todd Gilliland | Zane Smith
Phoenix Raceway NASCAR Cup Series Race Advance
Straight Talk Wireless 500

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
Event: Race 5 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Phoenix Raceway (1.0-mile)
#of Laps: 312
Time/TV/Radio: 3:30 PM ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

FRM Points Standings:

Zane Smith (14th)
Noah Gragson (18th)
Todd Gilliland (30th)

Noah Gragson Notes

Noah Gragson will make his sixth Phoenix Raceway NASCAR Cup Series this weekend. In five previous Cup starts at the one-mile track, Gragson has two top-15 finishes, finishing 12th in both 2024 races with Stewart Haas Racing. In eight Xfinity Series starts, Gragson has one win, three top-five, and five top-10 finishes.

Featured as the primary sponsor on Noah Gragson’s No. 4 Front Row Motorsports entry, Straight Talk Wireless will also serve as the entitlement for the NASCAR Cup Series event at Phoenix Raceway – the Straight Talk Wireless 500. Fans attending the Straight Talk Wireless 500 weekend can look forward to driver appearances, airbrush giveaways, blast from the past gaming, including a Nintendo Wii, photo opportunities and other throwback elements designed to bring the “good old days” back to the track. To bring customers closer to the NASCAR action, Straight Talk also launched its “Win to Wave” sweepstakes earlier in the year, which provided a winner with a trip for two to the Straight Talk Wireless 500, including VIP access and the opportunity to wave the green flag to start the race. The brand will also make a $10,000 donation to the NASCAR Foundation in support of youth-focused programming, which will include the Speediatrics Fun Day activities benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley during the Phoenix race weekend.

Beyond the excitement-filled weekend at Phoenix Raceway, Straight Talk’s NASCAR presence will extend nationwide throughout the entirety of the season with its NASCAR on Tour program, bringing the fan experience to life at over 200 Walmart locations across key race markets during the 2026 season. Kicking off in Phoenix, fans can visit participating Walmart stores to meet drivers, take photos, experience race simulators, score exclusive co-branded #4 Straight Talk swag and enter for a chance to win race tickets and other prizes, including a 2026 Ford Mustang. Together, the activation and sweepstakes underscore Straight Talk’s unwavering commitment to affordability. By delivering straightforward value for customers, a standard the brand has maintained for 17 years, and supporting meaningful community impact through NASCAR initiatives.

“I love being out in Phoenix,” said Gragson. “It’s a great area and the fans are awesome, the campgrounds are always packed and it’s just a fun track to be at. I’m excited to get the opportunity to fly the Straight Talk banner, in the Straight Talk Wireless 500. It’s a sharp looking car and we’ve got a lot planned with the Straight Talk team. Phoenix is a track that I’ve always enjoyed going to and have had some success at in the past, winning in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. It will be a fun weekend for everyone that comes out to the track and I’m looking forward to getting out there.”
Road Crew

Driver: Noah Gragson

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Crew Chief: Grant Hutchens

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Car Chief: Joey Forgette

Hometown: Iron Mountain, Michigan

Engineer: Dillon Silverman

Hometown: Chico, California

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Tony Infinger

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

Tire Specialist: Chris Aunspaw

Hometown: Zelienople, Pennsylvania

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Spotter: Nick Del Campo

Hometown: Blauvelt, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Ron Miske

Hometown: Fairfield, Connecticut

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Tafton Hensley

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Justin Fox

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Drew Baum

Hometown: Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Jackman: Graham Stoddard

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska

Fueler: Blake Baker

Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Todd Gilliland Notes

Todd Gilliland will get his first look at the Phoenix Raceway for the 2026 season this weekend. Long John Silver’s will serve as the primary partner for Gilliland and the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend in Phoenix. Long John Silver’s will bring their fan-favorite blue and yellow scheme to the No. 34 for the first time this season.

Frontline Enterprises joins Gilliland and the No. 34 team this weekend in Phoenix. The Canadian automotive dealer will support Gilliland in the NASCAR Cup Series for the fifth consecutive year. Frontline Enterprises has been a key figure in Gilliland’s NASCAR career, partnering with the driver during his time in the ARCA Menards Series before following Gilliland to FRM and the No. 38 Ford F-150 in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

“Frontline Enterprises is excited to be on board with Todd again this season, kicking off in Phoenix this weekend,” said Brett Stevens, Owner, Frontline Enterprises. “Todd is not only a great driver but also a great person and has become a longtime friend. We at Frontline look forward to many more years of partnership, and I look forward to many more years of beating him at golf.”

“COTA felt like a missed opportunity, but it was good to at least finish the race and bring the car home in one piece,” said Gilliland. “This weekend in Phoenix and next weekend in Las Vegas will be important for us, as they’ll give us a better look at where we stack up against the field and how we’ll race as these ‘normal’ tracks. It’s great to have Frontline Enterprises this weekend. Brett (Stevens) has been a longtime supporter of mine and it’s always nice having him at the track cheering me on.”
Road Crew

Driver: Todd Gilliland

Hometown: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Chris Lawson

Hometown: Medway, Ohio

Car Chief: Joe Marra

Hometown: Somers, New York

Engineer: Marc Rullo

Hometown: Ringwood, New Jersey

Engineer: Kevyn Rebolledo

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Spotter: Brit Andersen

Hometown: Branford, Connecticut

Mechanic: Michael Brookes

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Interior Specialist: Ethan Deguevara

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Tire Specialist: Billy John

Hometown: Pitman, New Jersey

Mechanic / Engine Tuner: Kyle Moon

Hometown: Troy, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Randy Bernier

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Rick Grissom

Hometown: Bakersfield, California

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Danny Olszowy

Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Paul Steele

Hometown: Wichita, Kansas

Jackman: Ryan Selig

Hometown: Lindenhurst, Illinois

Fueler: Zeke Nance

Hometown: Calhoun, Georgia

Zane Smith Notes

The “West Coast Swing” begins this weekend with the NASCAR Cup Series taking on the Phoenix Raceway. In four CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at the track, Zane Smith has recorded three top-five finishes, including a victory in 2022 that capped off his championship season. In the Cup Series, Smith earned a career-best ninth-place finish at the one-mile track in March 2025.

As part of its 2026 activation, Aaron’s is running the Fastlane 5000 Sweepstakes, now through March 31. Fans can enter for a chance to win a $5,000 home upgrade from Aaron’s, along with weekly prizes, by visiting Aarons.com/Fastlane5000. The sweepstakes connects the excitement of race weekend with Aaron’s nationwide footprint, driving engagement both in-store and online across nearly 1,200 Company-operated and franchised locations. To find an Aaron’s store location near you, visit Aarons.com.

“COTA didn’t pan out the way we wanted it to, but I’m happy with the speed we’re bringing to the track,” said Smith. “We had a solid run at Phoenix last Spring, so that gives the team and I confidence that we can leave Arizona with a decent result to regain momentum.”
Road Crew

Driver: Zane Smith

Hometown: Huntington Beach, California

Crew Chief: Ryan Bergenty

Hometown: Plainville, Connecticut

Car Chief: Will Norris

Hometown: Bells, Tennessee

Engineer: Jacob Clamme

Hometown: Hartford City, Indiana

Engineer: Chris Yerges

Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Mechanic / Engine Tuner: Steve Godfrey

Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut

Interior Specialist: Matt Fowler

Hometown: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Mechanic: Austin Bloom

Hometown: Lowell, Oregon

Spotter: Ryan Blanchard

Hometown: Bethlehem, Connecticut

Transport Co-Driver: Bryan Whitman

Hometown: Newton, North Carolina

Transport Co-Driver: Shawn Sellew

Hometown: Stafford Springs, Connecticut

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Michael Louria

Hometown: Gibraltar, Michigan

Rear Tire Changer: Adam Riley

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Tire Carrier: Jarren Davis

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Jackman: Nate McBride

Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia

Fueler: Ray Hernandez

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

ABOUT STRAIGHT TALK WIRELESS

Straight Talk Wireless provides quality no-contract wireless solutions to value-conscious consumers and is available exclusively at Walmart, Walmart.com, and StraightTalk.com. Straight Talk offers flexible options for every need—from affordable family phone plans to high-speed single unlimited 5G data plans, and more. The $45 Silver Unlimited plan includes unlimited data, talk, and text, 10GB of hotspot data and international calling and texting to Canada and Mexico. Find a plan that fits you at StraightTalk.com.

ABOUT LONG JOHN SILVER’S

Long John Silver’s was founded in 1969 and is on a mission to create treasured moments through high-quality food and bell-ringing service. With restaurants from sea to mouth-watering sea, Long John Silver’s continues building on a belief that the unique seafood experience from the coasts should be accessible to all. Learn more at ljsilvers.com or join the conversation via social media on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

ABOUT AARON’S

Headquartered in Atlanta, The Aaron’s Company, Inc. is a leading, technology-enabled, omnichannel provider of lease-to-own and retail purchase solutions of appliances, electronics, furniture, and other home goods. Aaron’s offers a direct-to-consumer lease-to-own solution through its approximately 1,200 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization competing in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, FRM has earned top honors including a 2021 Daytona 500 victory and the 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship. Based in Mooresville, N.C., FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and No. 38 entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with the No. 34 and No. 38 teams in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. For more information, visit teamfrm.com and follow Front Row Motorsports on social media — X: @Team_FRM, Instagram: @teamfrm, Tik Tok: @Team_FRM, YouTube: @FrontRowNASCAR, and Facebook: facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Ryan Preece Set To Take On Phoenix Raceway

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Ford Racing Media Zoom Call
Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse, kicked off his season with a victory in The Clash at Bowman Gray last month. As the series heads to Phoenix Raceway, where he finished ninth in last year’s final race of the season, Preece finds himself 16th in the point standings. He answered questions earlier today as part of a Ford Racing media call.

RYAN PREECE, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse – DID YOU NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE HORSEPOWER PACKAGE AT COTA, AND DO YOU THINK ANYTHING WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS WEEKEND AT PHOENIX? “I definitely think there were some takeaways. The way COTA is, it’s more of a flowy type of racetrack, not necessarily like COTA where we saw a substantial amount of fall off. COTA had some fall off. I want to say it was probably around two seconds or so. The horsepower thing, 750 horsepower versus 670 last year didn’t notice a ton. I felt like this tire did fall off more than last year’s, but, at the same time, when guys pitted there at the end it seemed like their cars, or at least guys that didn’t necessarily have new tires compared to the ones that did, they seemed to hold on better on restarts than I would have expected, so that was a little different. But, yeah, we’ll keep grinding away at this and see what Watkins Glen brings and Martinsville and Darlington and a lot of these other racetracks. It’s still really early. There are definitely some things to note, but it’s early in the season.”

DO YOU FEEL LIKE WHEN YOUR TEAM GETS THAT NEXT WIN THAT YOU MIGHT REEL OFF A BUNCH IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME? “As a racer and a part of RFK, we want to win every race as Tyler Reddick has been doing here as of late. I think it’s just little details. Last year, we kept putting things together and getting better and better, and that transitioned into this year. We didn’t have the finish that we wanted at Daytona. I felt like Atlanta was definitely some progress from year’s prior and Circuit of The Americas, I felt like there was a few things that I definitely could have probably done different throughout that race to give us a little bit better of a result, so there’s some work to be done there, but as far as team chemistry and the processes that it takes to put fast race cars on the track, we have all the pieces here. It’s early in the season and we’re moving into Phoenix, Las Vegas, Darlington, Martinsvilles – all places that I felt like we ran pretty respectable or really well last year, so I have really high expectations and it would be nice to keep working on the qualifying piece for our group to where we can get stage points and be in contention early as opposed to kind of working our way up through stage one and entering the conversation in stage two, and then try to put ourselves in position in stage three. So, a lot of hard work has been going on during the offseason and trying to figure out ways that we can keep trying to find success and win races.”

WHY DO YOU LIKE THE MARTINSVILLE TRACK, AND YOU HAVE AN O’REILLY WIN AT BRISTOL. WHAT MAKES YOU SO GOOD AT THOSE TWO PLACES? “To be honest with you, every driver in the Cup Series comes from assorted disciplines. Those disciplines suit certain styles. When you look at some of these drivers that run dirt, the mile-and-a-halves where in the past going to the outside, rolling the center, those are where those guys really shine. And then you see guys like William Byron, for example, or myself or a few others when you go to Martinsville or Bristol, that style kind of shows up. I don’t necessarily know why. Martinsville has always been a really good track to me, whether I was in the Cup car or a modified. It’s been a place I like racing at and kind of have that feel for what I need as a race car driver to try to make passes, move forward, have long run speed, which is gonna be important moving forward. I think, for us, it’s trying to find that little bit, which I’m lucky because Chris and Brad, but Chris is really fast at the mile-and-a-halves and there’s something to be studied there when it comes to driving style. Like I said, a lot of time and effort and trying to understand the processes to make sure that when we go to mile-and-a-halves this year that we’re a contender.”

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN POINT TO IN THESE FIRST THREE RACES AS TO HOW YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THAT JUMP INTO CONTENTION WITH THE SO-CALLED BIG THREE? “I feel like Daytona, Atlanta, COTA are completely different racetracks from what we’re gonna be seeing moving forward. I think we have a lot of great things going on and we’ve had a lot of speed. Racing is such a funny sport because you experience the highs of highs and the lows of lows and the biggest challenge is continuing to build and continuing to find speed because every single week this sport is constantly evolving. You could be on top of the world in 2025 and come 2026 if everybody kept working and you decided to go on vacation for two months and you come back into the game room, you’re gonna be behind. I can only talk on the experience that I see here at RFK and that’s a group of men and women that are incredibly focused in whatever aspect and whatever their job requires here at RFK. They’re doing it to the best of their ability and, for me as a race car driver, that’s what I want because when I go on the racetrack, I want to make sure that my car is really, really fast. That way I can put it in positions that no one else can and capitalize on it, so I’m excited about this year because of many different reasons, but one of them being is we have an owner that drives these race cars and when we have conversations about whatever it may be, he can really streamline it or he can literally talk to you as a driver/owner and say, ‘Well, maybe you should think about going about it this way.’ What can you do to help this situation? It’s nice to be a part of because you feel like everybody is working on the same thing and that’s to win races.”

HOW DO YOU LIKE THE NEW POINT SYSTEM AFTER THREE RACES? “To me, it’s nice because somebody who wins the Daytona 500 can literally probably go on vacation until September in the old system. I’m not saying that’s the case, but this one Tyler Reddick has had a great start of the season, but if he goes out and wrecks eight races in a row, you’re having a completely different conversation. It’s no different than any sport where if you come out on fire, but then you all of a sudden tank and you’re not focused, you’re gonna fall behind. So, I’m a fan of the long game as most of you know. We’re 16th in points right now, but there’s a lot of game left.”

YOUR COOL SUIT WASN’T WORKING LAST WEEK THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT YOUR TOUGHNESS. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT BEING DEFINED LIKE THAT – BEING TOUGH, GRIT, UNDAUNTED. YOU HAD TO FIGHT FOR EVERY BIT OF IT ON SUNDAY. “Yeah, we definitely did and with some of that stuff that happened, COTA always seems to be that track that gets a lot of us. Somebody has something go wrong, but I believe BJ McLeod said it where, I’d rather be a bigger turkey than a little turkey. It takes a little bit longer to cook. There’s some truth to that because it does. On days that can be challenging like that, it’s a lot nicer where I felt like, ‘Yeah, I was pretty beat up or feeling it a little bit, but I was plenty fine to drive that race car to its ability. Those are the races that define you and your race team and, like I said, 18th was the end result, but between yesterday and today I’ve been going back and watching some on cars from other cars around us and probably some things that I could have done a little bit better to feel like I could have got us a 16th or a 15th maybe, but that’s the name of the game. You’re gonna have days where you wish you would have done things a little different or reacted to situations a little different, but the deal is you have to move forward to the next week. There was an old saying where I’m from, and I’m sure many people heard this, but the clock resets at midnight and you move on. That’s what our focus is and that’s moving onto Phoenix this week.”

HOW TOUGH WAS THE COOL SUIT NOT WORKING AN ISSUE? “I think it really tests you mentally. It takes a lot. I’m gonna be honest with you, I’ll do whatever it takes to finish a race or move on to the next race, so there’s nothing that’s gonna get me out of that race car. But, it’s really difficult to explain to race fans or people that have never experienced it – how difficult it can be to be basically wrestling a 3600-pound race car around a racetrack while doing it against 35 other race car drivers trying to stay ahead of whoever you are at that moment in time and then dealing with a hot cockpit that is just another distraction. It’s challenging. It’s almost like putting somebody on a treadmill and telling them to run 12 miles an hour and they’re not stopping until you say. Even though they’re gassed and their heartrate might be at 200 and they can’t go anymore, you are not stopping, so that’s the only way I can kind of explain it to somebody that would be able to relate to it. That’s it.”

HOW DO YOU LOOK AT PHOENIX? “For us, last year Phoenix was a little tricky for us for whatever reason. Derrick (Finley) called great races and put us with an opportunity to get good finishes, so we ended up ninth in the fall. It’s a process, so I feel good about it and I’m excited about going there and hopefully running really well and being in contention. I think short tracks are definitely places, even though Phoenix is a little bit different type of short track, it’s a place I’d like to really figure out and be fast at.”

THIS WEEKEND IS NASCAR AND INDYCAR. YOU WERE PART OF THIS KIND OF WEEKEND WHEN WE WENT UP TO INDY FOR THE ROAD COURSE WEEKEND IN 2023. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT THIS WEEKEND AND WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT THIS CROSSOVER? “For me, it’s neat to see the different sorts of disciplines. I can appreciate everything, whether it’s sprint cars, modifieds, late models, Cup cars, Xfinity car, Trucks or IndyCars or whatever it may be. I love racing, so being around the track and when I get done with my obligations, I’m probably gonna go up on top of the spotter’s stand and go watch just because it’s really interesting to watch how they get around the racetracks, how they approach passing or restarts or pitting. There’s a lot of things you can take, I don’t necessarily want to say learn for yourself, but you can appreciate how they’re going about doing it. If you’re an IndyCar fan and you want to come to a NASCAR race, or you’re a NASCAR fan and want to see and IndyCar race, the first time I ever saw one was actually at Nazareth way back in the day, and I want to say the USAC Silver Crown cars were paired up with them, so it’s been a minute other than Indianapolis, but it’ll be neat sharing the track with those guys and we’ll see how the different rubber will affect our cars.”

YOU WERE 15TH IN THE SPRING AND 9TH IN THE FALL. HOW DID THAT IMPROVEMENT HAPPEN LAST YEAR AT PHOENIX? “The spring race at Phoenix was really just an entirely different race because we had two different compound of tires, which created different strategy and how Derrick calls the strategy is different from most, so the first race, actually, we were leading with less than 50 or 40 laps to go and the caution left us in a situation where everybody else had softs, where we had used ours in that moment, so that’s how we ended up 15th. And then in the fall race that ninth-place finish we were really struggling for the majority of the day, and I think we finally got our handling a lot better and the late-race caution put us in the situation where Brad and myself stayed out and we were able to hold on to some track position for two laps. You can look at those 15th and ninth-place finishes as good executing days, but Derrick, myself and our team want more and we want to perform the entire day – stage one, stage two and stage three really well. There’s been a lot of emphasis going into this race and what we can do better on all sides, whether it be restarts, practice, qualifying, race, so there’s a lot of questions that are gonna get answered this weekend for us and a lot to look forward to.”

WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT BRAD IS DOING RIGHT NOW WITH HIS INJURY, LEADING BY EXAMPLE, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR HIM AS THE LEADER OF THE TEAM TO SHOW EVERYONE HOW YOU DO IT EVEN WHEN YOU’RE BEAT UP? “I’ve lived it and many of us have. What I can do is I can appreciate it because the things that I’m gonna put myself through to race, so is Brad. I’ve learned pretty quickly that he and I are very similar in the aspects of what we’re gonna put ourselves through to compete and show others that we will do whatever it takes to race, to competitively attempt to win and put our teams in position. I know there was a lot of conversation last week at COTA around, ‘Man, is Brad gonna race?’ But as a race car driver, what I see him doing every day and then as a race car driver, you weren’t taking him out of that race car because he wouldn’t take me out of that race car. So, I think as a racer and the family that he came from and the family that I come from, we’re taught at a very young age that that’s what makes us different. We’re willing to do whatever it takes to compete.”

WIX® Filters Roars Into 2026 NASCAR Seasonas Official Filter of Joe Gibbs Racing

Includes Sponsorship of JGR’s No. 19 Race Teams and Featured Role at Three 2026 Races

GASTONIA, N.C. – WIX Filters is building on almost 60 years of support for professional racing by announcing a multi-tier partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) teams for the 2026 season.

As the official filter for JGR, WIX Filters will be featured as the primary sponsor of Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE at the first Cup Series points race in 30 years at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19.

WIX Filters will also be featured on the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14 with Chase Briscoe behind the wheel and at Watkins Glen International on May 9 with rising NASCAR star Brent Crews.

Additionally, WIX Filters will serve as an associate sponsor for Briscoe’s No. 19 NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Camry XSE and JGR’s No. 19 Toyota GR Supra throughout the season.

WIX Filters will unveil primary paint schemes, as well as designs for driver and pit crew fire suits, prior to the Las Vegas and North Wilkesboro weekends.

“WIX Filters has dominated the racing industry with leading-edge filtration products that have propelled NASCAR drivers to victory lane for more than half a century,” said Eric Schaffer, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Joe Gibbs Racing. “This partnership will further demonstrate our shared commitment to superior performance under pressure.”

“For decades, Joe Gibbs Racing has relied on WIX Filters’ proven reliability to keep their high-performing, championship-winning cars operating at peak levels,” said Carmina Lopez, Brand Manager for WIX Filters. “Our partnership with JGR will help us show vehicle owners how WIX Filters can help them achieve the same exceptional results.

“We also welcome the opportunity to lead JGR’s No. 19 team for the return of competitive NASCAR racing to North Wilkesboro Speedway, located 75 miles from our headquarters in Gastonia,” Lopez added.

The JGR partnership is the centerpiece of an omnichannel “Engineered for Experts” promotional campaign that positions WIX Filters as the clear choice for professionals and skilled do-it-yourselfers. The campaign illustrates how WIX Filters advanced engineering and quality assurance improve the reliability and durability of automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment and manufacturing applications.

Briscoe had the best season of his five-year Cup Series career in 2025 with three wins, 15 top-five finishes, 19 top 10s, seven pole awards, and 884 laps led. He earned his way into the Championship 4 with his victory at Talladega Superspeedway and finished third in the final standings. Briscoe won back-to-back Southern 500 races at Darlington in 2024 and 2025 and earned poles at three of the four 2025 crown jewel races: the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard 400.

Crews raced for JGR in the ARCA Menards Series (AMS) competition during the 2025 season. After winning his AMS debut at Phoenix in February, the North Carolina native has racked up five victories and six poles in nine starts for JGR across ARCA’s three platforms. He also drove a part-time schedule in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last year, earning two top-five finishes and three top-10s while leading more than 100 laps across 10 starts.

WIX Filters provides technical support to nearly every NASCAR team, custom-engineering patented racing cartridge oil filters and racing panel air filters. In 2025, teams that leveraged WIX Filters’ specialized expertise took the checkered flag at every Cup Series race, all 33 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competitions, 21 of 25 Craftsman Truck Series events and 17 of 20 ARCA races.

In addition to racing filters, JGR and many other NASCAR teams rely on WIX oil, air, cabin air, and fuel filters to protect their haulers, generators, support vehicles and other equipment critical to race day success.

For more information, visit joegibbsracing.com or WixFilters.com.

About Joe Gibbs Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR with four NASCAR Cup Series teams, four NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series teams, an ARCA Menards Series team, and a driver development program. JGR is based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Joe Gibbs, who also earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was named as one of the NFL’s top 10 coaches of all-time with a winning career that included three Super Bowl Championships as head coach of the Washington franchise.

JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, capturing more than 400 wins over that span. No team has more combined wins across the sport’s three national series in the history of NASCAR. In addition, JGR has won five Cup Series championships along with four O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver championships and seven O’Reilly Auto Parts Series owner’s championships. The organization also has captured four Daytona 500 titles, considered to be NASCAR’s premier event each season.

About WIX Filters

Since 1939, WIX Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment, and manufacturing applications.

For more information, visit www.wixfilters.com.

“Cleetus McFarland” to Make NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Debut with Richard Childress Racing in 2026

YouTube Star-Turned Racer to Drive the No. 33 Tommy’s Express Chevrolet at Rockingham Speedway

WELCOME, NC (March 4, 2026) – Garrett Mitchell, commonly known as “Cleetus McFarland” to his millions of YouTube subscribers, is scheduled to make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) debut in 2026 for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) with support from Tommy’s Express, a rapidly growing national car wash chain with more than 270 locations across the United States, Canada and France. Mitchell is scheduled to race the No. 33 Tommy’s Express Chevrolet as a third entry in RCR’s championship-winning NOAPS program.

“To have the opportunity to make my NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut with a legendary race team like Richard Childress Racing is a dream come true,” said Mitchell. “It’s a huge honor, and I am incredibly grateful to learn under the leadership of Richard Childress, Mike Verlander, Danny Lawrence and everyone in Welcome, North Carolina. Having Tommy’s Express on board for my debut makes it even more special. They’re a fast-forward brand that understands speed, performance, and connecting with people, which lines up perfectly with everything we are trying to accomplish.”

With more than 4.6M YouTube subscribers, “Cleetus McFarland” has quickly built a passionate fan base enthusiastic to learn more about motorsports as they watch the Bradenton, Florida native and Freedom Factory race track owner build his racing resume. He made his first ARCA Menards Series start in 2025 driving for Rette Jones Racing, earning top-10 finishes at Talladega Superspeedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. He most recently made his NASCAR Truck Series debut for Rette-Jones Racing at Daytona International Speedway in February 2026.

Tommy’s Express Car Wash is redefining the car wash experience with more than 270 locations across 37 states and a reputation for innovation spanning over 50 years. Combining cutting-edge wash technology, industry-leading quality, and sleek, state-of-the-art facilities, Tommy’s Express delivers a fast, convenient, and consistently exceptional clean for every vehicle. Guests can download the Tommy’s Express app today to receive a free wash or enjoy their first month of unlimited membership at no cost and experience the difference for themselves.

“We could not be more excited about hitting the track with Richard Childress Racing and Cleetus McFarland,” said Alex Lemmen, Chief Executive Officer of Tommy’s Express. “We are humbled to partner with an iconic brand, company, and story such as RCR – our organizations share many of the same mission and purpose. Family-owned, multi-generational, vertically integrated, and on the cutting edge of speed, technology, and execution. We could not think of a better fit. When you add Cleetus McFarland as our driver, you truly have a dream team. Cleetus is not only a skilled driver and motorsports enthusiast, but also a genius marketer with an authentic connection to millions of his fans. We can’t wait to bring our shared energy, purpose, and execution to the racing world. Let’s Go!”

Mitchell is currently scheduled to make his NOAPS debut with RCR at Rockingham Speedway in April.

For more information, please visit rcrracing.com.

Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie education continues for PT Autosport’s Stallone

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 4, 2026) – PT Autosport and Wheels America Racing’s Max Stallone powered through a second character-building event in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin this weekend, earning solid finishes in the highly competitive 40-car field.

After an engine issue sidelined him during qualifying, Stallone started at the back of the field in both 45-minute races. But the 19-year-old Austin, Texas native battled back, gaining valuable insight as his rookie season progresses.

Early in Friday’s lone practice, Stallone was laying down lap times close to the leaders. But midway through the session, he came into pit lane with an issue that turned out to be a snapped belt, which had caused the engine to overheat, necessitating a complete engine change – meaning Stallone would miss qualifying entirely.

“Based on who I was running with and where they finished in qualifying, I know that I have the pace to be right at the front,” said Stallone. “I’ll have to fight from the back in both races, but the expected rain for race one might be a little curveball for everyone.”

Stallone proved to be prophetic, as significant overnight rain and cool, cloudy skies brought very damp conditions for the 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning start and sent the field into race one on Michelin rain tires. Starting at the back of the field, Stallone passed seven cars on lap one, but a caution came out at the end of the lap with a car in the wall in turn one.

The front straight remained quite slick, with Stallone feeling that the combination of years of plane rubber and the dampness meant “the car wanted to do a 360 if you get on the paint under braking” (referring to the painted lines on the converted runway). The race returned to green but only briefly, as Stallone’s teammate Logan Stretch slid over a wet curb and ended up in the wall.

Two more yellows late in the race further reduced the green flag running time, but Stallone kept pushing – with “tempered aggression” – and came home P17. But for Stallone and the team, finishing in the top 20 with an undamaged car in his and the team’s first St. Pete outing felt like a win.

“It was weird mixed conditions,” said Stallone. “The track was starting to dry but was still very damp and had some puddles in spots. As it dried a bit, it was all about managing the tires, especially towards the end of the race as they started to get hot. But honestly, the paint might have been the hardest thing to manage – because there are all kinds of painted areas, like crosswalks and lane lines, it was so slick. Combine that with the nature of the street course where any mistake puts you in a wall and potentially totals the car, there were definitely some sketch moments. I managed to keep my nose clean and keep everything under control, taking advantage of other drivers going off and making good passes. In the end, it really was a ton of fun. “

Sunday’s race two took place after the INDYCAR race, with the track exposed to different race tires across the event weekend, including the NASCAR Truck Series.

Stallone took the green flag in 39th position and immediately went in a charge, making smart passes to reach P22 by turn five – until an incident behind him brought out the yellow flag. Restarting with 30 minutes remaining, Stallone began experiencing overheating issues that required he pull out of line on the front straight to cool the engine, and with a resulting power drop that put him into conservation mode. Short shifting and finding clean air, he held his position until a pair of late cautions ended the race under yellow, with Stallone P20.

“I had a really good first lap, the lane just opened really well for me,” said Stallone. “I probably passed 10 or 15 cars. But then halfway through lap two, the temperature gauge started flashing red and the power went down. It really was a shame because the car felt good. The team worked really, really hard last night to put together a good setup that was going to be able to do something like that. But we know the pace is there, we just need a race where it all comes together – and a little bit of luck wouldn’t hurt.”

PT Autosport team principal Jason Myers was once again impressed with Stallone’s ability to bounce back from adversity – though it will be a few months before he’ll be able to display his talents in the MX-5 car.

“Max showed some great strengths and driving talent in both races this weekend, making a strong drive through the fields on both occasions,” said Myers.” His ability to navigate through traffic and put some really nice laps down is definitely there. We’re feeling confident as we head into this long break until our next race at Mid-Ohio in June, though we do have some testing opportunities between now and then. I think the coming races will really show the performance of the car and Max’s capabilities.”

Next up for the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin series will be the doubleheader at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course June 5 to 7. Both races will be streamed live on the IMSA and Racer magazine YouTube channels.

PT Autosport would like to thank our Partners for their continued support:

Mazda Motorsports has been winning races around the world for 50 years. From Le Mans, France to Daytona International Speedway in Florida, Mazdas have been a constant presence at racetracks around the globe, garnering wins and championships in races too numerous to list – and the list keeps growing.

Mazda Motorsports is responsible for all auto racing initiatives within the North American market, from promoting and servicing grassroots racers to developing sports car professionals of the future.

Instagram: MazdaMotorsports
X: Mazda Motorsports
Facebook: MazdaMotorsports

Stallone supports Hope Farm, founded in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in 1997 as a long-term leadership development program that guides at-risk boys, without the benefit of a positive male role model in their homes, from the time they are 5-7 years old until high school graduation and beyond. Staff and volunteers are dedicated to meeting the spiritual, nutritional, academic, emotional, and recreational needs of each young man to break the cycle of fatherlessness.

Instagram: @hope.farm
X: @HopeFarmInc
Facebook: Hope Farm, Inc.

About PT Autosport — Discover Unique Talent. Develop Champions.

PT Autosport is dedicated to providing merit-based motorsport industry opportunities for diverse individuals with high integrity, grit, and coach-ability, achieved through a development program for young aspiring drivers, engineers, mechanics, and other professionals. The first step of this process is applying for the annual Aspiring Driver Shootout, in which aspiring drivers aged 18-23 can compete for a team racing partnership with the team.

A rigorous evaluation process of applicants determines the final competitors for the driver shootout. The winner earns financial support of up to $250,000 ($50,000 guaranteed) to pursue their racing career. The review process also provides the team the chance to identify unique talent for other roles in motorsport, including race engineers, mechanics, and professionals.

PT Autosport is building a community that fosters the development of young talent to find a place where they can make an impact in the motorsport community as a career.

Instagram: @pt_autosport
X: @PtAutosport
Facebook: PT Autosport
YouTube: PT Autosport
TikTok: @ptautosport

How a Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help Maximize Compensation

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

A bicycle accident can change everything in seconds. One moment you are riding through Fort Worth on a training ride or commuting home, and the next you are dealing with injuries, medical bills, a damaged bike, and an insurance company that may not understand cycling.

Recovering compensation after a bicycle accident involves more than simply filing a claim. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, especially when they do not fully understand the physical, financial, and emotional impact a cycling crash can cause.

Working with a Fort Worth bicycle accident lawyer who understands both the law and the cycling community could make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim. An experienced attorney can help you gather evidence, handle negotiations with insurers, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Understanding all of the Unique Challenges of Bicycle Accident Claims

Bicycle accidents often involve legal and financial issues that differ from typical car accident cases. Cyclists face greater physical vulnerability, and the damages from a collision can extend beyond medical bills.

Some most common challenges will include:

  • Serious injuries due to a lack of physical protection
  • Expensive bicycle equipment damage
  • Insurance companies are disputing liability
  • Long-term recovery and rehabilitation
  • Psychological effects such as post-collision anxiety

Many attorneys handle general personal injury cases, but few truly understand the cycling world. That knowledge can play a major role in presenting a strong claim.

At Cyclist at Law, the attorney is both a board-certified personal injury lawyer and an accomplished cyclist, with more than 35 years of trial experience and over 100,000 miles of cycling experience. This combination allows your case to be presented with a deeper understanding of what cyclists face on the road.

Investigating the Bicycle Accident

One of the first steps in maximizing compensation is conducting a detailed investigation of the accident. Strong evidence helps prove who was at fault and how the crash occurred.

A bicycle accident lawyer may handle tasks such as:

  • Obtaining the official police accident report
  • Collecting witness statements
  • Reviewing photos or video from the scene
  • Investigating road conditions and traffic laws
  • Examining vehicle and bicycle damage

This investigation helps establish liability and creates a strong foundation for your injury claim.

Documenting Medical Treatment and Injuries

Medical documentation is one of the most important factors in determining compensation after a bicycle accident. Injuries may include fractures, head trauma, spinal injuries, or soft tissue damage that require ongoing treatment.

A lawyer can assist with:

  • Collecting medical records and bills
  • Communicating with medical providers
  • Ensuring treatment documentation is complete
  • Coordinating with health insurance providers

Proper documentation ensures the full impact of the injury is reflected in your claim.

Recovering Compensation for Bicycle Damage

Many insurance adjusters underestimate the value of high-end bicycles and cycling equipment. A quality road bike or triathlon bike can cost $10,000 or more, and carbon frames often require replacement after a crash.

Cyclists also invest in components such as:

  • High-performance wheels
  • Electronic shifting groupsets
  • Power meters and cycling computers
  • Custom bike fittings

Without proper representation, insurance companies may offer compensation based on inaccurate assumptions about bike value.

An attorney who understands cycling equipment can help present a clear and persuasive property damage claim that reflects the true value of the bicycle and its components.

Addressing Loss of Cycling and Quality of Life

For many cyclists, riding is more than exercise. It provides mental health benefits, stress relief, social connection, and a sense of accomplishment.

When injuries prevent a rider from cycling, the loss can be significant. Some cyclists experience anxiety about returning to the road or lose the ability to participate in races, group rides, or endurance training.

A knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer can help ensure these impacts are considered when pursuing compensation. This may include damages related to:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of enjoyment of activities
  • Emotional distress

Recognizing these losses can significantly affect the value of a claim.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often attempt to settle claims quickly and for less than their true value. Without legal representation, cyclists may feel pressured to accept an offer before understanding the full extent of their injuries or financial losses.

A Fort Worth bicycle accident lawyer can manage communication with insurers and negotiate on your behalf. This includes:

  • Setting up claims with all applicable insurance companies
  • Handling communications with adjusters
  • Preparing settlement demands
  • Evaluating settlement offers
  • Negotiating for fair compensation

If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the attorney may pursue litigation to protect your interests.

Recovering after a bicycle accident should be your primary focus. A lawyer can handle the legal and administrative aspects of the claim so you can concentrate on healing.

This may include:

  • Coordinating insurance claims
  • Obtaining medical records and bills
  • Negotiating medical liens or subrogation claims
  • Collecting Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits
  • Preparing settlement documentation
  • Filing a lawsuit if necessary

At Cyclist at Law, the attorney personally handles each case rather than delegating the work to staff. This direct involvement allows for consistent communication and personalized representation.

Experience Does Matters in Bicycle Accident Cases

Choosing the right lawyer can have a significant impact on the outcome of your claim. Experience in both personal injury law and competitive cycling provides valuable insight into the challenges cyclists face after a crash.

Cyclist at Law brings together:

  • Board certification in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • 35+ years of trial law experience
  • Hundreds of cases were tried in court
  • AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell (highest peer review rating)
  • Extensive cycling experience, including over 100 triathlons and international competition with Team USA

This unique background helps ensure that bicycle accident claims are presented clearly and effectively.

Contingency Fees and No Upfront Costs

Many cyclists hesitate to contact a lawyer because they worry about legal fees. Bicycle accident cases are typically handled on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if compensation is recovered.

With Cyclist at Law:

  • No upfront legal fees
  • Never write a check for legal services
  • Fees only apply only if a recovery is obtained
  • No legal fee is charged for property damage claims involving your bicycle

This structure allows injured cyclists to pursue justice without financial risk.

Speak With a Fort Worth Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Fort Worth or the surrounding areas, understanding your legal options is an important step toward recovery.

An experienced attorney who understands both cycling and personal injury law can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Cyclist at Law is dedicated exclusively to representing cyclists and understands the unique challenges riders face after a crash.

NHRA ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF 75TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE TICKETS FOR FIRST FIVE RACES

INDIANAPOLIS (March 4, 2026) – As part of NHRA”s 75th anniversary during the 2026 season, a special commemorative ticket will be available for fans to purchase online, highlighting some of the biggest moments and legends in NHRA history.

NHRA announced today the commemorative tickets for the first five races have been released, honoring legends Kenny Bernstein (Gainesville and Pomona), Don Prudhomme (Phoenix), current Funny Car star Matt Hagan (Charlotte) and Don Garlits (Valdosta, Ga). The collector’s item offers another opportunity to celebrate 75 years of NHRA Drag Racing and the special moments – and incredible drivers – that have filled the past seven-plus decades.

To purchase a special 75th anniversary ticket featuring many of the iconic NHRA stars, fans can CLICK HERE.

The next group of tickets will be released for events in Chicago, Maryland, Epping, Bristol and Norwalk in the coming weeks, featuring a new group of legends and current standouts. At the event, fans can scan the onsite signs to purchase the commemorative ticket, including at this weekend’s season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.

Each commemorative ticket will be available for purchase online all season and will be distinctive to each race during NHRA’s milestone 2026 campaign.

The special ticket for the first five races will include these NHRA legends:

  • Gainesville: Kenny Bernstein will be the featured driver and moment, as the legendary multi-time champ had one of the sport’s most memorable runs with his 300-mph pass in 1992 at the famed facility. The commemorative ticket will honor Bernstein and that history-making moment.
  • Phoenix: Don “The Snake” Prudhomme will be on the collector’s ticket in Phoenix at the FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs, as NHRA will honor the career and legacy of Prudhomme, one of the greatest and most influential drivers in NHRA history.
  • Pomona 1: At the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, Bernstein will be the featured ticket. The Top Fuel and Funny Car standout broke the 310-mph barrier at the 1994 event at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, another celebrated moment in his spectacular career.
  • Charlotte: Funny Car’s Matt Hagan will be the featured commemorative ticket for the 4-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway thanks to his historic run in 2011 when he made the first 3-second pass in Funny Car history. The four-time champ continues to have success and is a title contender again in 2026.
  • Valdosta: The legendary Don Garlits will be the honored driver as NHRA makes its debut at South Georgia Motorsports Park with the return of the NHRA Southern Nationals. Garlits’ remarkable career and unmatched legacy will be highlighted throughout the weekend as he is the focus of the special ticket.

The one-of-a-kind souvenir and collector’s items will also be available for purchase with a clear display holder. Each commemorative ticket will only be offered this season during NHRA’s 75th anniversary celebration.

This weekend in Gainesville, NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 1:30 and 4 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, and the final two qualifying rounds on Saturday, March 7 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 8.

The first round of the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout takes place at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, with the semifinals slated for 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 3:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, 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, including the full 2026 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.


About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the 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.