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ACI Motorsports Earns Five Porsche Carrera Cup North America wins at Road America

By
Official Release
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  • ACI Drivers Lead Two of Three Class Championships in the Single-Make Porsche Series
  • Successful IMSA Carrera Cup Campaign First of Three Race Weekends Across a Trio of Racing Series for ACI Motorsports at Road America in August

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (August 6, 2026) – ACI Motorsports left Road America’s IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America round with five victories and three additional podiums across three classes. Drivers Patrick Mulcahy and Marco Cirone continue to hold the championship lead in the Pro-Am and Masters class, respectively.

The three rounds at Road America – two regularly scheduled and one postponed race from the Miami Grand Prix in May – marked the eighth, ninth and 10th races of the 16-race season for the field full of Type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup cars.

Mulcahy, driving the No. 54 Juice Head Porsche 911 Cup, extended his championship lead and his season-long winning streak, leaving Road America with a perfect 10-for-10 record this season. Mulcahy’s strongest run came in Friday morning’s race where, despite starting in the back of the grid after a qualifying incident, he drove through the 22-car field to finish ninth overall. He backed that up later in the afternoon, driving from 17th to eighth overall.

Mulcahy now leads the Pro-Am class by 111 points with six races remaining in the 14-race championship.

Likewise, Cirone kept his stout championship lead with a pair of wins and a runner-up finish at Road America. The Toronto resident was in the midst of a three-way class battle in both races on Friday, coming out on top each time. Cirone climbed to a season-best ninth overall in Friday afternoon’s race and then held steady in a rainy Saturday morning race to bring home a second-place finish in class with his No. 88 Mark Motors Porsche 911.

Cirone wasn’t the only ACI Motorsports driver to take home trophies in the Masters class. Richard Edge drove his No. 18 Staff Zone Porsche 911 Cup to a third-place finish in the category, 11th overall, on Friday afternoon to stand on the podium alongside his teammate.

ACI Motorsports had success in the Pro Class at Road America as well. Janne Stiak, the 19-year-old German driver making his first North American appearances in 2026, hit the podium for the third time this season with a runner-up finish with his No. 40 Scooters Coffee Porsche 911 on Friday afternoon. He narrowly missed the podium in the other two races at Road America, finishing fourth each time.

John Jodoin and his No. 39 Race Caddy Porsche 911 Cup scored a season-best finish at his home track, following an eighth-place finish in race one with a sixth-place finish in race two for the Chicago native. The 13th-place finish for Alex Pratt and the No. 6 Good Boy Vodka Porsche 911 Cup was a career best for the rookie driver.

Next up for ACI Motorsports is the team’s second appearance at Road America for the USAC Porsche Sprint Challenge and Endurance Challenge race weekend, August 14 – 16.

Curt Swearingin, ACI Motorsports Team Principal: “Overall it was a good weekend for us. We’ll take what we can get every weekend, as long as we can maximize points. We could have had a few things go a little bit better, but it was good as a whole. Our guys work hard to and put in the effort and it shows in the results when everyone does their jobs. Congratulations especially to Marco and Patrick for their wins and Janne scoring P2 on Friday.”

Janne Stiak, Driver, No. 40 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup: “We were struggling a bit, so for the pace we had we got very good points. Two times P4, and one time we were P2. We started with a little bit to do at the beginning of the weekend, but ACI Motorsports has been working very hard to get the best out of it and I have to thank them for that. So, we got very good points, and we’re looking forward to the next one.”

Marco Cirone, Driver, No. 88 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup: “I can’t complain. The car is in one piece and we survived the wet race. It’s incredible. Curt has done a fantastic job to elevate the team status with the engineers and the mechanics. Everything is running like a clock. We all get along, we laugh, we enjoy ourselves and that adds to the weekend. I have to thank Mark Motors, they are just incredible people and have been sponsoring us for a long time. If it wasn’t for them and all of the people back at the dealership in Ottawa, I wouldn’t be here.”

Patrick Mulcahy, Driver, No. 45 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup: “It is a bummer just racing one other guy, but I just try to race the guys ahead of me. We are all on the track at the same time, so it doesn’t matter the color, or number or class. The entire ACI Motorsports team is fully dedicated to giving us the best car, the best program and all of the resources to be successful. So, I don’t think I could ask for more. We are always in a really positive feedback loop between everybody. They’re always trying to be better, and I think that’s what it’s about. A little bit of progress every day.”

About ACI Motorsports: ACI Motorsports is a professional Porsche racing team and motorsports preparation shop headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with additional operations at Road Atlanta in Georgia. The team actively competes in several prestigious racing series, including Porsche Carrera Cup North America, SRO Pirelli GT4, GT America Powered by AWS and more. Additional information can be found at www.acimotorsports.com.

NASCAR Star DANIEL SUÁREZ Connects with Metro St. Louis Hispanic Community Ahead of Sept. 13 Enjoy Illinois 300

By
Official Release
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NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez poses with World Wide Technology Raceway Owner and President Curtis Francois, Fairmont City Mayor Michael Suarez and members of the Fairmont City community during his Aug. 4 visit. Photo credit: World Wide Technology Raceway.
  • Spire Motorsports driver meets with Fairmont City mayor, first responders and residents before joining the grand reopening of Hispanic-focused Save A Lot y Más.
  • NASCAR returns to World Wide Technology Raceway Sept. 12-13 for a Chase doubleheader featuring the Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

MADISON, Ill. (Aug. 6, 2026) – NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez connected with members of the metro St. Louis Hispanic community earlier this week during a daylong visit ahead of his return to World Wide Technology Raceway for the Sept. 12-13 Enjoy Illinois 300 race weekend.

Suárez, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, began his day in the Village of Fairmont City, Ill., home to a tight-knit Hispanic community and just minutes from WWT Raceway in Madison, Ill. Mayor Michael Suarez welcomed residents and first responders to a complimentary lunch featuring food from El Ranchito, a popular local Mexican restaurant.

During the lunch, the Spire Motorsports driver visited with families in Spanish, thanked the city’s first responders and invited residents to attend the fifth annual Enjoy Illinois on Sunday, Sept. 13.

“It’s very important to me to have the opportunity to connect with the Hispanic community, and this time, being so close to a race track where we are going to be competing in a few weeks, makes it even more special,” Suárez said. “I know several of these people are going to be with us at the race in September.”

The community outreach continued at the grand reopening of Save A Lot y Más, located at 3427 S. Jefferson Ave. in St. Louis. The store was recently rebranded as a Hispanic-focused concept featuring Spanish-language signage and an expanded selection of Hispanic products.

During an hour-long meet-and-greet, Suárez visited with shoppers and staff and assisted at the checkout lanes. He also strolled the aisles, pointing out some of his favorite snacks from Mexico.

The highlight of the visit was Suárez and Save A Lot y Más teaming up to provide the first 20 guests in line with complimentary bags of groceries and tickets to the Enjoy Illinois 300.

“It was a lot of fun to visit Save A Lot y Más, see so many Hispanic fans and check out the large selection of Hispanic products,” Suárez said. “It reminded me of growing up in Mexico and many of the products I used to see. I’m really looking forward to coming back Sept. 12-13 for the big race.”

The two stops were part of World Wide Technology Raceway’s ongoing efforts to connect communities throughout the St. Louis region with NASCAR and the track’s major events.

Tickets for the Sept. 12-13 NASCAR Chase doubleheader weekend, featuring the Enjoy Illinois 300, are available at wwtraceway.com or by calling the ticket office at (618) 215-8888 ext. 1.

About World Wide Technology Raceway

World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the home of NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA racing in St. Louis’ Metro East region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering 700 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1.25-mile superspeedway; 1/4-mile drag strip; 2.0-mile road course; the Gateway Kartplex state-of-the-art karting facility; and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and Owner & CEO Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2023 St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame induction; 2023 Innovation in Philanthropy Award by the St. Louis Business Journal; 2022 Explore St. Louis Hospitality Hero Recognition; 2022 Best in Show and Best Event & Festival from the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism; 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association. Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.

RFK Racing – Iowa Advance

By
Official Release
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Iowa Event Info:
Date: Sunday, August 9
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Newton, Iowa
Format: 350 Laps, 306.25 Miles, Stages: 70-210-350
TV: USA
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 2:05 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 3:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3:30 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

RFK RACING STORYLINES IN IOWA:

Brad Keselowski

  • For Brad Keselowski, Iowa Speedway is a significant track. He credits his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win there in 2009, as a catalyst in his racing career. He believes his victory there helped propel him to a Cup series career.
  • Determination has driven Keselowski in 2026 and once again is a factor in his race to the Chase. The 2012 Champion has a 50-point deficit to erase in order to become championship eligible. Four races remain in the regular season, and each offers opportunity. Next up, Iowa. A year ago, Keselowski won each of the first two stages, led 68 laps and finished 3rd. He now heads into this pivotal race carrying the momentum of consecutive top 10 finishes (North Wilkesboro and Indianapolis).

Chris Buescher

  • Sitting ninth in the standings with a 133-point cushion above the playoff cut line, Buescher is in a comfortable position as the regular season heads into the final four races. But make no mistake, he is far from satisfied. Buescher is looking to peak heading into the Chase and is targeting a win at Iowa Speedway. With a history of success at Iowa, including a 2015 O’Reilly Series victory, Buescher aims to convert his season-long consistency into race-winning performance.

Ryan Preece

  • Ryan Preece, currently 17th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, is just outside the top 16 playoff cutoff. With only four regular-season races remaining, the upcoming event at Iowa Speedway on August 9 is pivotal. Known for his short-track prowess, Preece views this race as a prime opportunity to secure essential points and break into the playoff field.
  • “I feel confident going to Iowa and feel like I really came close to some success there last year. Short tracks are my thing, everybody on our team is trying to find some speed and even with the (four) races left to the playoffs I don’t go down until it’s done,” said a confident Ryan Preece during his Media Bullpen session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Pace Laps:

  • Iowa Speedway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series for just the third time in its history this weekend.
  • All three RFK drivers have found victory lane at Iowa Speedway in the Xfinity Series, with Brad Keselowski winning the first-ever NXS race at Iowa back in 2009.
  • Chris Buescher won with Jack Roush in 2015 at the track, with current crew chief Scott Graves atop the box.
  • In 2017, Ryan Preece started from the pole at Iowa and led 141 of the 254 laps en route to his first ever NXS victory while driving the No. 20 for JGR.
  • Chris Buescher ranks currently ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with an average starting position of 12.4 and has recorded 10 top-10 finishes through the opening 20 races of the 2026 season.
  • Buescher owns a 13.3 average finish, ranking among the series’ best, while his 10 top-10 finishes have helped keep the No. 17 team firmly in playoff contention.
  • Brad Keselowski has collected five top 10 finish results this season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at Darlington after leading a race-high 142 laps.
  • Keselowski continues to show front-running speed with 167 laps led this season.
  • Ryan Preece emerged as a consistent contributor for RFK Racing in 2026, joining teammates Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski in helping keep all three RFK entries in the possible playoff conversation entering the second half of the season.

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

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Body Guard

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Kroger/Force Factor

Keselowski at Iowa
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

  • Keselowski was in contention for a victory in last season’s race at Iowa where he started 5th and brought home a 3rd place finish and led 68 laps of the race.
  • In his first career Cup start at Iowa, Keselowski led five laps and finished 10th.
  • Keselowski was the first winner in the Xfinity Series at Iowa, taking home the inaugural trophy back in 2009. He led 121 laps and drove the No. 88 for JR Motorsports to victory lane, his first of three NXS trophies at the track.
  • He went on to win again in back-to-back seasons in 2013-14, and finished top-8 in every race he ran there, the last coming in 2016.

Buescher at Iowa
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Buescher led 16 laps in the 2024 season’s Cup Series debut at Iowa, but went on to finish 18th.
  • He won at Iowa back in 2015 for Jack Roush in the No. 60 in one of his four NXS starts at the track. Buescher also made four starts in ARCA from 2009-12, earning a pair of top fives.

Preece at Iowa
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • In last season’s race at Iowa Preece showed speed starting 31st and finishing 5th, his career best finish at the track to date.
  • Preece finished 27th two seasons ago at Iowa after starting 29th in the No. 41 car for SHR.
  • He won at Iowa back in 2017 for JGR in the No. 20 in one of his three NXS starts at the track.

RFK Historically at Iowa
Wins: 5 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2011 twice, 2012; Trevor Bayne, 2013; Chris Buescher, 2015)

  • Stenhouse Finds First in Iowa: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. picked up his first Xfinity Series win at Iowa back in 2011, sweeping both races as the series at the time competed there in May and August. The next season he won again, as three of his eight career NXS wins all-time came at the 7/8-mile track.
  • Bayne Breaks Through in 2013: Trevor Bayne continued the winning tradition with the No. 6 in victory lane at Iowa, winning the first race of the 2013 campaign at Iowa. It marked his second Xfinity Series win of his career.
  • Buescher Victorius in 2015: Buescher started fourth in the 2015 race, led 94 laps and won in the No. 60 entry for Jack Roush in what was one of his two wins in his Xfinity Championship season.

RFK Iowa Wins

2011 Stenhouse Xfinity
2011 Stenhouse Xfinity
2012 Stenhouse Xfinity
2013 Bayne Xfinity
2015 Buescher Xfinity

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Indianapolis: Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing hit the bricks on 7/26, with each of its three teams showcasing rock solid performances in Indianapolis. Eying his second career Brickyard 400 victory, Brad Keselowski led the way. Patiently, RFK’s Owner/Driver carved his way through the field, scoring a 6th place finish and continuing his late season push toward the post season. Ryan Preece, with the aid of a very timely caution, was the team’s big gainer on the day, advancing 26 positions from the beginning of the race. Preece is now just one position shy of a Chase berth. Chris Buescher, who continues to appear headed to the post season, again turned in a steady run. His hard, determined drive yielded a respectable 11th place finish.

Points Standings: Buescher: 9th, Preece: 17th, Keselowski: 19th

Shipping a Luxury or Exotic Vehicle: What Changes at the High End

By
SM
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Shipping a Luxury or Exotic Vehicle: What Changes at the High End

The logistics of shipping a high-value vehicle are mostly the same as shipping any other car — with a few differences that matter enough to get right before you book.

Here’s what’s different when you’re moving a Porsche 911, an AMG GT, a Ferrari, or any vehicle where arrival condition is non-negotiable.

Enclosed is the starting point, not a premium option

For a vehicle priced above $60,000 to $70,000, enclosed transport is the practical baseline. The cost difference over open carrier — $300 to $700 on most routes — is not a significant line item relative to what it costs to repair even minor cosmetic damage on a high-end vehicle.

Enclosed trailers typically carry 2 to 6 vehicles in a covered, protected environment. Your vehicle is shielded from weather, road debris, highway conditions, and visibility. That last point matters for high-profile vehicles that don’t benefit from being visible on a carrier in traffic.

For genuinely rare or high-production-value vehicles, single-vehicle enclosed transport — where your car ships alone — is also available. It costs more (often $1,500 to $3,000 for a cross-country route) but eliminates the shared-trailer variable entirely.

For side-by-side comparisons of companies specifically ranked on enclosed transport capability, carrier vetting, and experience with high-value vehicles, TopCarShippers.com publishes independent evaluations.

Ground clearance matters at loading and unloading

Exotic and sports vehicles often have very low ground clearance. Loading ramps on standard open carriers are not designed for vehicles that scrape at a few inches of incline. Enclosed carriers built for high-end vehicles typically use lift gates or level loading platforms rather than angled ramps.

Before booking, ask specifically how the carrier loads and unloads vehicles with low clearance. If the company can’t tell you, find one that can.

Carrier vetting at this level means specific questions

Not every enclosed carrier is the same. The best auto transport companies at the high end maintain their own vetted networks and screen drivers specifically for experience with exotic and luxury vehicles. That means claims history, equipment condition, and driver background — not just having an FMCSA license.

Questions worth asking any company you’re considering:

  • How do you vet your enclosed carriers for high-value vehicles?
  • Has the assigned driver transported vehicles like mine before?
  • What is the carrier’s per-vehicle insurance coverage limit?

The last question is important. FMCSA-required cargo insurance covers $750,000 per load — spread across all vehicles on the trailer. For a single vehicle worth $200,000 or more, that may not provide adequate coverage. Ask about supplemental coverage, and check whether your existing insurance (particularly a specialty policy if you have one) extends to vehicles in transit.

Documentation: the inspection record is your protection

Before pickup, photograph the entire vehicle: every panel, the undercarriage, all glass, wheels, and interior. Use timestamped photos. At pickup, review the Bill of Lading with the driver and confirm every pre-existing mark is documented before you sign.

At delivery, compare the car against your pre-shipment photos before signing the delivery report. Note anything new — regardless of how minor it seems — before the driver leaves. Signing a clean report is the legal handshake that says the car arrived in the condition it left.

Timing and access logistics

Exotic and luxury vehicles are sometimes kept in storage facilities, private garages, or locations with limited commercial vehicle access. A standard multi-car hauler is a large commercial truck. If your pickup or delivery location has height restrictions, narrow lanes, or security checkpoints, discuss this with the carrier before booking.

Door-to-door service is standard for most markets. In locations where a large car hauler can’t safely maneuver, the carrier may arrange a nearby transfer point. This should be disclosed at booking, not discovered at pickup.

What to expect on price

Enclosed transport cost ranges for a single vehicle:

  • Under 500 miles: $700 to $1,100
  • 500 to 1,500 miles: $1,100 to $1,600
  • Cross-country: $1,400 to $2,200

Single-vehicle enclosed (your vehicle ships alone): add $500 to $1,200 depending on route.

Companies built for this

RoadRunner Auto Transport has been shipping enclosed vehicles — including exotic, luxury, and collector cars — for 30 years. Their in-house dispatch team works with a vetted network of more than 14,000 carriers, screened for FMCSA compliance and delivery performance. No deposit is required until a carrier is confirmed.

For side-by-side comparisons of companies specifically ranked on enclosed transport capability, carrier vetting, and experience with high-value vehicles, TopCarShippers.com publishes independent evaluations.

William Sawalich returns to Joe Gibbs Racing for 2027 O’Reilly season

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Adam Lovelace for SpeedwayMedia.com.

William Sawalich has signed a one-year contract extension to continue to drive the No. 18 SoundGear Toyota Supra entry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

The news comes as the 19-year-old Sawalich from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is currently campaigning in his second full-time season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with JGR. Through 22-scheduled events, he recorded a victory at Rockingham Speedway in early April, which was also his first ever in the series. Sawalich has also registered a pole at Bristol Motor Speedway in early April, six top-five results, nine top-10 results, 131 laps led and an average-finishing result of 16.6. He is ranked in 13th place in the standings and is seven points below the top-12 cutline to make this year’s Chase with two regular-season events remaining on this year’s schedule.

“I am excited to be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2027,” Sawalich said. “The team has become a family to me since I first started here. We’ve been making great progress this year, so I am excited to continue that into next season.”

Sawalich made his first three career starts in the O’Reilly Series during the final three events of the 2024 season, where he drove JGR’s No. 19 Toyota entry. By then, he was coming off his second consecutive ARCA Menards Series East championship with JGR. During his trio of starts, the Minnesota native recorded his first career pole and finished a season-best 13th place during the season’s final event on the schedule at Phoenix Raceway.

For the 2025 season, Sawalich was named a full-time competitor of JGR’s No. 18 Toyota entry for his first full-time campaign in the O’Reilly Series. During his rookie O’Reilly campaign, he recorded his second career pole at Nashville Superspeedway in late May and notched a pair of runner-up results in back-to-back events at Portland International Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway between mid-August and early September. He also recorded three top-five results, nine top-10 results, 51 laps led and an average-finishing result of 18.9 through 31-scheduled starts.

After being involved in a multi-car accident at Talladega Superspeedway in mid-October that required him to be hospitalized, Sawalich missed the final two events of the 2025 season due to suffering concussion-like symptoms. This resulted in him finishing 18th in the standings before returning for a full-time campaign in 2026.

Through 56 current starts in the O’Reilly Series, Sawalich has accumulated a single victory, three poles, nine top-five results, 18 top-10 results, 182 laps led and an average-finishing result of 18.3 as he continues the pursuit of his first NASCAR national touring series championship.

“William has been part of our racing family at Joe Gibbs Racing for almost four years now, and it’s exciting to watch his continued progress,” Heather Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, said. “He earned his first win in the O’Reilly Series earlier this year at Rockingham, and we expect our 18 team to build off that success for the remainder of this season and into 2027.”

With his plans for next season set, William Sawalich’s 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season continues this upcoming Saturday, August 8, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, for the HyVee Perks 250. The event’s broadcast time is slated to commence at 5 p.m. ET on the CW Network, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM.

Talladega Superspeedway to Once Again Play Crucial Role in The Chase

By
Official Release
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NASCAR returns to the high banks of Alabama in April and October of 2027

TALLADEGA, Ala. (Aug. 6, 2026) – Talladega Superspeedway announced today that once again the famed superspeedway will play a crucial role during The Chase as NASCAR returns to high banks of Alabama in April and October of 2027. Fans will have two opportunities to witness a full slate of high-stakes racing at the biggest and baddest track in NASCAR.

The traditional spring weekend returns with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Cup Series providing an opportunity to gain points in a pivotal superspeedway clash early in the season April 24-25, 2027.

In the fall, The Chase will be in full swing as all three NASCAR national series head back to Talladega Superspeedway Oct. 29-31, 2027. The October race weekend will be pivotal to helping set the field for drivers who will compete for a championship at the end of the 2027 season.

“It’s an honor for Talladega Superspeedway to continue to have two race weekends giving our fans multiple opportunities to experience high-stakes action at this incredible venue,” said Josh Harris, Region President, Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway. “Looking up into the grandstands and seeing the passion the fans have for NASCAR in the heart of Alabama is extremely rewarding and we look forward to seeing action-packed racing return next spring and fall.”

Below are the dates for the 2027 NASCAR races at Talladega Superspeedway:

April 24-25

Saturday, April 24 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series races
Sunday, April 25 – NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500

Oct. 29-31

Friday, Oct. 29 – NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225
Saturday, Oct. 30 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series The Progress Group 250
Sunday, Oct. 31 – NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500

Earlier this year, Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega. The 23-year-old Michigan native edged out Chris Buescher for a thrilling victory, which included a one-of-a-kind celebration post-race in which he sat on the window ledge of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet while taking a victory pass in front of the grandstands.

Fans can still catch plenty of race action this fall as part of The Chase at Talladega Superspeedway kicking off Friday, Oct. 23, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225 followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series The Progress Group 250 on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The excitement continues into Sunday, Oct. 25, with the return of the YellaWood 500 as the NASCAR Cup Series drivers prepare to tackle the iconic 33-degree banking.

For ticketing information and more details about upcoming events, including the YellaWood 500 race weekend, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com. 

Fans are also encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at Talladega Superspeedway by following along on X, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as in the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest speedway news.  

About Talladega Superspeedway      
Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive racetrack on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three-and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.     

About NASCAR    

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 15 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.

ELITE MOTORSPORTS TO DEBUT JERRY HAAS RACE CARS

By
Official Release
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WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (Aug. 06, 2026) – Elite Motorsports has announced they will be switching the Pro Stock entries of six-time world champion Erica Enders, five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., standout Aaron Stanfield and third generation driver Troy Coughlin Jr., from Quarter-Max Racing RJ Race Cars to Jerry Haas Race Cars beginning at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota August 21-23.

“We’ve been poised to make this switch for a while,” said Richard Freeman, owner of Elite Motorsports. “We ordered the cars, me and Joe Janac who owns Aaron and Greg Stanfield’s cars, at the start of 2025 and got the last one delivered a few months ago. I thought we would wait until the hood scoops were back in 2027 to make the full team switch, but we’ve seen the elevated performance.”

The performance the multi-time championship team owner is referring to is Greg Stanfield. Stanfield has been competing in a Jerry Haas chassis all season and has undoubtedly led the Elite Motorsports Pro Stock camp. The veteran racer has had only two first round losses, a No. 1 qualifier, six semifinal finishes, a Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty victory and most recently has had two consecutive final round appearances including a win at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. The success has Stanfield sitting third in the championship hunt with two races left in the regular season before the six-race Countdown to the Championship.

“It’s a big, risky move and we aren’t taking it lightly,” Freeman continued. “The proof is on the track. Greg’s success has changed our mindset. Making the switch now means all our cars will have a chance to compete for the championship.”

Jerry Haas Race Cars have earned an unprecedented 12 Car Craft Magazine All-Star Drag Racing Pro Stock Team Chassis Builder Awards spanning back to 1986. Haas’ state-of-the-art four-link rear suspensions and other major elements of his chassis design have been developed over years of on-the-job training, racing his own cars and learning from clients who are some of the greatest minds in drag racing.

Ahead of the Brainerd Nationals, Elite Motorsports will test the Jerry Haas Race Cars at a closed session at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

“It’s a big step, but the timing couldn’t be better,” Freeman said. “We have the data, we have someplace to start so we’ll test for a couple days and, based on what we know, we should see the difference almost immediately. It’s going to be an exciting end to this season.”

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: IOWA RACE PREVIEW

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Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
IOWA PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol
DATE: August 9, 2026
Race: NASCAR Cup Series 23 of 36
TRACK: Iowa Speedway | .875-Mile Oval

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT IOWA: John Hunter Nemechek has two starts at Iowa Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series, and he earned his highest finish of 15th in last year’s race. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Nemechek has made five starts earning two top-fives and four top-10s, with a highest finish of third in July 2019. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Nemechek five starts at Iowa. During those five starts, he earned a pole in June 2016 and won in June 2017.

TRUCK SERIES WINNER AT IOWA: Nemechek took home the checkered flag in the 2017 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Iowa. He led six of 200 laps and won with a 1.652 second margin of victory over Johnny Sauter.

T-MACK AT IOWA: Sunday’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s third NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa. His first outing was in the inaugural event in June 2024 with A.J. Allmendinger, and his highest finish came last year with Nemechek where the duo finished 15th. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Mack has two starts with Michael Annett in both of the 2019 races, where the pair finished ninth and 10th, respectively.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“I felt like we had a decent car at Iowa last year. I’ve had success in the past here in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Truck Series, so I’m looking forward to building off of that to put together a good run on Sunday. It was nice to have a week off to reset, but I’m ready to get back racing.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“Iowa was one of our better short track races last year. John Hunter was really happy about the car, so we’re trying to look back and study that for our short track package to help us there. I’m looking forward to going back to Iowa with the new package especially after North Wilkesboro to really hone-in and improve our package and be more well-rounded. We need to be more competitive, especially with the next few races coming up.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JONES IOWA STATS: Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 will mark Erik Jones’ third NASCAR Cup Series start at Iowa Speedway. He participated in the inaugural event in June 2024 where he started 32nd and finished in the same position. Last year, Jones started 25th and finished 16th. He has four total NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at the track where he won in July 2016, four in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series where he never finished outside the top-10 with two victories in July 2014 and June 2015, and an additional start in the ARCA Menards Series in July 2012 where he finished 11th after starting sixth.

WINNER AT IOWA: Jones visited Iowa like many of his competitors before the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race two seasons ago in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Truck Series. Not only did he race there, but he’s also a winner at Iowa in both series. In four O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, he earned two poles in May 2015 and June 2016, three top-10 finishes, and one win. In his final O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the track in July 2016, Jones qualified second for the race. He led the opening 42 laps of the race, and another three times throughout the race for a total of 154 laps led. Jones bested his full-time competitor Ty Dillon with a 3.533 second margin of victory.

JONES GOES BACK-TO-BACK AT IOWA: In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Jones went back-to-back on his Iowa wins early in his career. He has also never finished outside the top-10 at Iowa in his Truck Series career. His first victory came in July 2014 when he was only running a part-time schedule in the Truck Series. Jones started second and led 131 laps on the way to a .629 second margin of victory over Ryan Blaney. He followed that up when the series returned in June 2015 during Jones’ championship season. The Michigan-native started from the pole and led 112 laps to find victory lane with a 5.860 seconds ahead of runner-up Brandon Jones.

ALEXANDER AT IOWA: This Sunday’s race at Iowa Speedway will mark Justin Alexander’s second NASCAR Cup Series start on top of the box at the short track. In his one prior start in June 2024, Alexander and his driver Austin Dillon started 36th and finished 19th. He has one additional start in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Joe Graf Jr. where the duo finished 19th.

ERIK JONES QUOTE:
“I think Iowa will go well for the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota team. This package has been better for us in a lot of ways on the short tracks, so I’m excited to get there and see where we stack up with it. Iowa is a tough place with the new pavement and the old pavement. You run a really unique line, and you want a really unique balance out of your racecar. It’s not easy but I feel good about the package and I like the track. I think it’ll go well.”

JUSTIN ALEXANDER QUOTE:
“Iowa is another great opportunity for us to continue building our short track program. We’ve made good strides as a team throughout the season, but we know there’s still room to grow in this area. Iowa is a short track in every definition, but it can race more similar to an intermediate in a lot of ways as well. We’ve put a lot of effort into Iowa and plan to unload solid to give Erik a car we can contend with. We’ve raised our expectations as a team over the last couple of months, and that’s the standard we want to continue carrying into every race, including Iowa.”

CLUB MINUTES:
JJ’S SHORT TRACK SUCCESS: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson knows how to find victory lane at tracks less than a mile in length. In 113 total short-track starts, Johnson won 14 times and earned 63 top-10 finishes while leading 4,307 laps in his career. In total he earned three wins at Richmond Raceway, nine at Martinsville (Va.) Raceway, and two at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. He has an average finish of 12.7 on short tracks in his career.

KENSETH – A SHORT TRACK WINNER: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB competition advisor and 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth has had his own share of success at short tracks in the Cup Series. In 115 starts, Kenseth won six races and earned 53 top-10s. He won four races at Bristol Motor Speedway and two at Richmond Raceway.

THE SHORT TRACK KING: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ambassador and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Richard Petty was “The King” when it came to winning on short tracks. Of his 200 total wins in the Cup Series, 107 of them came at short tracks. In 448 starts, he also earned 259 top-fives and led 30,984 laps on the smaller tracks. He has an average finish of 8.4 on short tracks in his legendary career.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT:

Throughout the 2026 NASCAR season, our team has utilized testing from ‪Nix Biosensors to ensure our athlete’s are always at the top of their game. Through Nix sweat testing technology, our pit crew athletes and drivers like ‪Jimmie Johnson are able to know exactly how they need to replenish and hydrate.

CLUB APPEARANCES:
John Hunter Nemechek will visit the trackside merchandise trailer for an autograph session on Saturday, August 8 at 10:30 a.m. local time.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, August 9 at 3:30 p.m. EDT on USA Sports, HBO MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

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

Wood Brothers Racing – Race Week Briefing: Iowa Speedway

By
Official Release
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Event: Iowa Corn 350
Date/Time: Sunday, August 9, 2026, 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
Layout: 0.875-Mile Oval
TV/Radio: USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Following a season-best, seventh-place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Josh Berry and the No. 21 Menards/Masterforce Tools team return from the off weekend looking to carry that momentum into Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway.

The 0.875-mile oval near Newton, Iowa, opened in 2006 and has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series since 2024.

Berry said he’s encouraged by the success he’s had on similar tracks, including a second-place finish on the relatively flat, one-mile oval at New Hampshire last year.

“I thought we had a really good car at North Wilkesboro,” he said. “We worked our way forward and got caught by that caution then immediately wrecked by the 20. That was tough.”

Still, Berry is optimistic about the stretch of short tracks ahead.

“Iowa, Richmond and New Hampshire are coming up – places that I ran well in the 4 car and the 21 car,” Berry said. “All should be good opportunities to go out and have good races. I think we are positioned to do that, and I’ve got a lot of confidence that going into these next few weeks we’ve got what we need. We just have to go out and do it – unload well and execute these races.”

Berry also hopes the team can finally put the run of bad luck behind them.

“Lot of times this year we’ve had good cars, just had misfortunes come our way,” he said. “Hopefully we can shake that off our backs and piggyback off of what happened at Indy.”

After the off weekend, Berry and his Cup Series competitors return to the track on Saturday with practice beginning at 2:05 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 3:10 p.m. ET. Both sessions will air live on truTV.

Sunday’s 350-lap race is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on USA. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 70 and 201.

Josh Berry

Age: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Miles Stanley

IG: @joshberry88

X: @joshberry

THE BEST OF BRISTOL RETURNS IN 2027

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Official Release
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Tradition-rich Food City 500 returns to familiar date in April; Legendary Bass Pro Shops Night Race comes home to August

  • The 2027 Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race returns to a picturesque April weekend, April 9-11.
  • The Bass Pro Shops Night Race reclaims its historic place on the August calendar, Aug. 12-14.

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Aug. 6, 2026) – Some weekends become dates on a calendar, others become traditions; at Bristol Motor Speedway, fans have cherished two of them for generations.

Bristol’s 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season will be anchored by the beloved Food City 500, April 9-11, as fans return to Thunder Valley when dogwoods bloom across the hills of Northeast Tennessee, and culminate with the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Aug. 12-14, as America’s Night Race returns to its historic August home for the first time in years.

For decades, those two weekends have represented the very best of Bristol—one welcoming fans back each spring for a family tradition unlike any other, the other delivering one of motorsports’ most anticipated nights beneath the lights of The Last Great Colosseum.

The return of America’s Night Race to August marks one of the most significant shifts on NASCAR’s 2027 calendar. For 44 consecutive seasons, Bristol’s signature Saturday night spectacle became synonymous with the final days of summer, producing unforgettable finishes, legendary rivalries and championship-defining moments that helped establish the event as one of NASCAR’s most legendary races. Now, one of the sport’s biggest weekends returns to the date where so much of its history was written.

“The Food City 500 and the Bass Pro Shops Night Race aren’t simply races on our schedule—they’re traditions that generations of fans have built memories around,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “The Food City 500 has found a tremendous home in April, where the beauty of spring in Northeast Tennessee creates an incredible backdrop for one of NASCAR’s favorite weekends.

“And now, to welcome the Bass Pro Shops Night Race back to its longtime August home – there is just something special about Bristol in August. The anticipation, intensity and electricity that builds throughout the weekend. Our fans know they’re about to witness something unforgettable, and our competitors know every lap matters. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate both of these incredible traditions with our fans in 2027.”

The Food City 500 weekend begins Friday, April 9, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Tennessee Army National Guard 250 before Saturday’s Suburban Propane 300 in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Bush’s Beans Qualifying. The weekend culminates Sunday with the Food City 500, one of NASCAR’s longest-running entitlement-sponsored events and one of Bristol’s most cherished annual traditions.

Four months later, the spotlight shifts to one of the most celebrated weekends in all of motorsports. The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series UNOH 250 presented by Ohio Logistics opens festivities Thursday, Aug. 12, followed Friday night by the always-popular Food City 300 and Nobody Trashes Tennessee Qualifying before the Bass Pro Shops Night Race roars to life under the lights on Saturday night.

Whether it’s the vibrant colors of spring or the electric atmosphere of a warm August night, Bristol Motor Speedway’s 2027 NASCAR season promises two unforgettable opportunities to experience the speed, passion and tradition that have made The World’s Fastest Half-Mile one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

“At Bristol, we don’t just host events—we welcome people into our community,” Caldwell said. “Whether it’s families returning for the Food City 500 each spring, race fans filling our campgrounds in August or visitors enjoying one of the many great events our region hosts throughout the year, every one of those weekends leaves an impact. This schedule gives our entire community the opportunity to make each of those moments even more special, and I think that’s something everyone can celebrate.”

Tickets for both NASCAR weekends will be available soon. Fans may visit BristolMotorSpeedway.com or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158 for ticket information.

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY’S 2027 NASCAR SEASON

Food City 500 Weekend

Friday, April 9
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Tennessee Army National Guard 250

Saturday, April 10
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300
Bush’s Beans Qualifying

Sunday, April 11
NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500

Bass Pro Shops Night Race Weekend

Thursday, Aug. 12
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series UNOH 250 presented by Ohio Logistics

Friday, Aug. 13
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Food City 300
Nobody Trashes Tennessee Qualifying

Saturday, Aug. 14
NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race

About Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, known as The Last Great Colosseum, sits in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line. The 0.533-mile concrete oval, with 28-degree banking, hosts two major NASCAR Cup Series weekends each year, the tradition-rich Food City 500 and the crown jewel Bass Pro Shops Night Race. The venue has staged iconic moments such as the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol football game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech (NCAA-record 156,990 fans), the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds (MLB regular-season record crowd of 91,032), the 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race, the rebirth of NASCAR Cup Series racing on dirt from 2021–2023 and sold-out concerts for Morgan Wallen and Kenny Chesney. Fans enjoy Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided screen video board. The adjacent Bristol Dragway is the home to the NHRA Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals, and the dragway can transform into the Thunder Valley Amphitheatre for music concerts. Opened in 1961 and acquired by Speedway Motorsports in 1996, Bristol remains one of America’s most unique and versatile sports and entertainment destinations. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

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