Home Blog Page 69

TOYOTA RACING – NOAPS COTA Quotes – Brent Crews – 02.27.26

By
Official Release
-

TOYOTA RACING – Brent Crews
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Quotes

AUSTIN (February 27, 2026) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Brent Crews was made available to the media on Friday prior to his NASCAR O’Reilly Parts Series debut this weekend at Circuit of Americas in Austin, Texas.

BRENT CREWS, No. 19 Young Life TOYOTA GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

How are you feeling heading into this weekend here at COTA?

“Thank you guys for having me. It’s exciting, it’s something I’ve dreamed about my whole life ever since I’ve started racing. I’m just grateful and blessed to be here. God has worked in so many amazing ways in my life to be in this position. I’m excited to represent Young Life and tell that story further down the road this weekend. Excited to be racing with Joe Gibbs Racing. I got to race with them last year in the ARCA races and we had a lot of success there. Just kind of feeling full circle and real now. Just starting to sink in today honestly, because we had a lot of preparation with SIM. I think we had close to seven hours of SIM this week, which is amazing to be able to work with my team and having them right there. If felt as close to real life as you can get. Finally feeling surreal today, and I’m just ready to get going.”

Can you talk about all the steps it took to make it to the O’Reilly Series and with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing?

“I grew up playing soccer and football just as a regular normal kid, and I just hated losing, and would get so upset when my teammates didn’t care about winning or anything along those lines. And my stepdad Matt, who I call Dad still to this day, he was like, do you want to go play a sport where it’s just you versus everyone else? At the time, I was a four or five year old kid and he was like, sure. So, he took me to the go kart track and I actually hated it. The first time I was at the track I was going to the Motorplex, I ran 22 laps. I didn’t know how to pull off the track and I stopped on the front stretch and got out and I quit for six months. And that was kind of where it all started. It started snowing in North Carolina one winter and he asked if I wanted to go do some donuts, and I said sure. I fell in love with it ever since. He asked if I wanted to go to the go kart track again and I went and I didn’t know how to pull in the pits, but it was so much fun. So we started racing. I started racing more go kart races and I think a year goes by and we found ourselves at the go kart track three to four days a week during the week and after school. And we met Coach (Gibbs) at the go kart track. Ty (Gibbs) was always out there with Coach Gibbs and I was always out there turning laps and my Dad was just watching right by the bleachers and Coach was watching there too. Coach said to my Dad, ‘I see you are out here every week, do you guys know anything about dirt racing, have you been to Millbridge Speedway?’ My Dad was like, ‘I have no idea, I’ve never hear of that. And Coach was like, you should come out tomorrow night, Ty’s racing’. So my Dad took me out there and I thought dirt racing was super exciting and a lot of fun. He got me a little box stock, I would have been seven or eight years old at the time. We started running practice laps there and started racing it and I fell in love with dirt racing too. I don’t like one more than I like the other, they have pros and cons. They’re both super exciting, but that was the first time we ever met Coach. And a little rewind to that too, was kind of how I fell in love with racing, I was a big Julio Jones fan. I love the number 11. The first go kart race I ever went to, Denny Hamlin was on the pole and he was number 11 and I was like, that’s my guy. And I always rooted for Denny growing up. Still do, just because of the number 11. It was just a full circle moment, getting to meet Coach and rooting for Denny, having no idea the race team had anything to do with it and now I’m here racing for Joe Gibbs Racing.”

How did you start following and rooting for Julio Jones?

“That’s a great question. I was an Atlanta Falcons fan for no reason. I grew up in Hickory, North Carolina and I was just a huge football fan in general, I didn’t have a specific team. I just cared about the players, and Julio was always the most exciting to watch as a kid. He was big, tall, fast and explosive. I just rooted for him. And then he was number 11, so I loved the number 11 because of him. I had a big poster of him in my room, and I just fell in love with the Falcons and that number and everything about that.”

How difficult was it to prepare for another different vehicle for the O’Reilly Series?

“So our SIM is really, really close at GT-12 in Salisbury. Working with the ARCA team with that, I felt like we got it to where I would go run four or five hours of SIM during the week and I would get to the racetrack and it was really, really close. My respect for the all the people that work on the SIM stuff, on that side of things is at a very high level and I trust it completely. I feel like when I go in there and I slide around in the SIM, I feel like it’s really close to real life. We did a lot of SIM for Rockingham too, preparing for my first test. We had that test a couple of weeks ago, and I felt like the SIM correlated really close. That’s kind of my thought process there. The O’Reilly car slides a lot more than we see on Sunday’s with the new Cup cars. But I feel like it’s similar to ARCA on that side of the spectrum.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Tiger Tari Preps for VP Racing Challenge Start at Circuit of the Americas

By
Official Release
-

AUSTIN, Texas (February 27, 2026) – Tiger Tari and Star Spangled Racing’s second IMSA VP Racing Challenge GSX class start comes this weekend at Circuit of the Americas, where the championship runs in conjunction with the NASCAR Cup Series race at the track.

The NASCAR weekend makes for a unique weekend for Tari and his PSA by Canam Systems/AutoTechnic Racing BMW M4. Unlike the sports car or Formula 1 races that utilize the 3.41 mile full circuit, the NASCAR weekend uses a 20-turn, 2.4-mile “National Course” configuration. In addition, the VP Racing Challenge weekend is condensed to two days, with a pair of practices on Friday followed by qualifying in the evening, and both 45-minute races on Saturday.

“This weekend will be a challenge for a variety of reasons,” Tari said. “Of course, the car is still relatively new to me. But I’ve never run this configuration at COTA, and with two aggressive classes it provides some opportunities. Two races in one day is different for drivers, but it’s harder on our crew. I appreciate the work that my AutoTechnic Racing crew members will put in this weekend to keep me on track.”

VP Racing Challenge features two classes this week in Austin, the Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) and the GSX class that features GT4-spec machinery like Tari’s BMW M4. Both classes are on track at the same time, creating a 17-car race. Both classes will race together on Saturday, at 11:30 a.m. (CT) and again at 5:30 p.m. (CT). Races can be seen live to subscribers of the Peacock streaming platform.

Tari has raced at Circuit of the Americas with his World Racing League team, but will experience the track in is short configuration for the first time. Partner PSA by Canam Systems, providing services restoration contractors with Proven Software Applications for medium to large sized businesses adorns the livery of his BMW M4 GT4 EVO.

In addition, he’s working closely with his alma mater, Jacksonville University, on a motorsport program. Tari has been involved with the school’s formation of a Formula SAE program, including hosting the students at the season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

“Business partnerships often get the headlines in motorsports, and I certainly am grateful and proud of the support we get from my partners like PSA by Canam Systems,” Tari said. “But motorsports also provides an opportunity to give back to non-profits. Formula SAE is so much more than engineering — it’s about building a complete organization. From design and prototyping to manufacturing, testing, marketing, sales, and data analysis, these JU students gain hands-on experience in every aspect of a professional business operation. Those are the lessons that motorsports can help provide.”

Tari enters the weekend 12th in the GSX class in the driver standings, ready to crack the top 10. He’s currently 7th among Bronze-rated drivers in the field.

Tari’s Star Spangled Racing team is supported in the VP Racing Challenge by partner AutoTechnic Racing, a leader among BMW customer racing teams. Star Spangled Racing partner Canam Systems services a range of contractors, including a number of franchise groups, across North America. Proven Software Applications (PSA), Canam’s ERP solution, is unlike any other product on the market, providing à la carte web based options for single operations to franchise businesses with everything needed to scale and grow.

About Star Spangled Racing:

Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Star Spangled Racing was established in 2020 by first-generation American Tiger Tari. Star Spangled Racing accelerated quickly, moving from club and endurance events into professional racing just two years later in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship GT Daytona (GTD) class. Tari’s career as a driver counts races domestically and around the world, including an appearance at Le Mans with Porsche Sprint Challenge and a class win during the 2025 24 Hours of Dubai. More information can be found at www.starspangledracing.com.

Paynuity Expands Relationship with AM Racing for 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Season

By
Official Release
-

AUSTIN, Texas (February 27, 2026): On the strength of a podium finish in their NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut last weekend with AM Racing and driver Nick Sanchez at EchoPark (Ga.) Speedway, Paynuity will expand its relationship with the organization and serve as a team partner throughout the 2026 season, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

In the opening two races of the 2026 campaign, the Statesville, N.C.-based team has picked up where it left off after making a Playoff appearance last year by putting fast No. 25 Ford Mustangs on the racetrack, earning stage points in both races at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and Atlanta.

The team was in contention for its first series victory in the closing laps of the Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 before delivering an organizational-best third-place finish in just its second start with Sanchez at the helm.

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

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

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

After experiencing firsthand the exposure and engagement generated through its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut, Paynuity recognized the value of aligning with a competitive, Playoff-caliber organization competing on the sport’s national stage.

“We’re incredibly proud to continue building our relationship with Paynuity,” said AM Racing team president Wade Moore.

“They saw the speed and execution from our No. 25 team right away, but just as important, they recognized the value NASCAR provides as a national marketing platform. Their commitment allows us to keep investing in performance and positioning both our organization and their brand for a strong 2026 season.”

For Sanchez, a former ARCA Menards Series champion, joining a new team and finding immediate success provides the confidence not only to keep Paynuity in the spotlight, but also to contend for a trip to Victory Lane before the season finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway in November.

“I’ve felt comfortable with this team from the moment we unloaded at Daytona,” offered Sanchez. “The speed in our No. 25 AM Racing Ford Mustang has been there right away, and that builds confidence for everyone. To have Paynuity believe in what we’re doing and continue to grow with us means a lot.

“Our focus now is on executing each week, keeping them front and center, and putting ourselves in position to contend for wins as the season moves forward.”

AM Racing, now in its fourth season of competition in the NASCAR O’Reilly

Auto Parts Series, returns to COTA, focused on earning its second top-five finish of the season and building off a stage win in 2025 at the 2.4-mile, 17-turn layout.

AM Racing will field a single entry this weekend at Circuit of the Americas after entering a second car for just the third time in the organization’s history in the series’ season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway earlier this month.

The team’s No. 52 Ford Mustang is scheduled to return to competition at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway on March 7, 2026, for the GOVX 200.

For more information on Paynuity and its services, visit paynuity.com.

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

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

The Focused Health 250 (65 laps | 156 miles) is the third of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., February 27, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 5:05 p.m. The field will take the green flag the next afternoon, Sat., February 28, shortly after 2:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. ET), with live coverage on The CW Network, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

About AM Racing:

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

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

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

Max Taylor Sets Pace To Lead Andretti 1-2-3 in Opening St. Pete Practice

By
Official Release
-

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Friday, Feb. 27, 2026) – Max Taylor backed up his preseason performance in the first practice session of the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season Friday at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, leading a 1-2-3 sweep for Andretti Global.

Connecticut native Taylor, entering his first full season in the INDYCAR development series, topped the 45-minute session with a best lap of 1 minute, 5.0852 seconds in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen entry fielded by Andretti Global. That’s the same machine that Dennis Hauger drove to the INDY NXT championship last season before a promotion to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season this year.

Taylor, who made six INDY NXT starts in 2025 amid a full-time effort in USF Pro 2000, led the INDY NXT Group Test last November at Barber Motorsports Park, was second fastest at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test in October on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and ranked in the top two in all four sessions at a group test last month at Sebring International Raceway.

“A good first session,” Taylor said. “Always loved driving around this place. Missed it. It was a really good session working with team, developing the setup, fixing my driving, as well. A really good start to the weekend, and I’m excited to keep on attacking it.”

Series veteran and Andretti newcomer Josh Pierson was a distant second behind Taylor with a best lap of 1:05.5358 in the No. 29 Starchive Andretti entry. Second-year INDY NXT driver Seb Murray completed Andretti Global’s sweep of the top three spots with his best time of 1:05.5368 in the No. 27 Prosperity entry.

Myles Rowe was fourth at 1:05.5845 in the No. 99 Abel Motorsports with Force Indy car. Series rookie Enzo Fittipaldi, the grandson of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, rounded out the top five at 1:05.7017 in the No. 67 HMD Motorsports entry.

The session was slowed by two red flags.

Rookie Jack Beeton backed into the wall in Turn 10 in the No. 45 HMD Motorsports about 15 minutes into the session. The rear of the car was damaged, but Beeton was able to drive to the pits for repairs.

About 20 minutes later, Lochie Hughes nosed into the barrier in Turn 7 in the No. 26 Andretti Global entry. Hughes, the top returning driver this season in the series, drove to the pits without a front wing for a replacement.

Up next is another practice at 8:35 a.m. ET Saturday, followed by qualifying at 3:45 p.m. ET. FS1 will televise practice live, with qualifying on FS2. FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls also will provide live coverage of both sessions.

The 45-lap race starts at 10 a.m. ET Sunday.

SETH WADLEY AUTO GROUP JOINS ELITE MOTORSPORTS

By
Official Release
-

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (Feb. 27, 2026) – Elite Motorsports is proud to announce Seth Wadley Auto Family, Oklahoma’s premier stop for a diverse selection of new and used vehicles, as a new partner heading into the 2026 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season.

As part of this relationship, Seth Wadley Auto Family, which operates 9 dealership locations across Oklahoma, has outfitted Elite Motorsports with the Ford Super Duty F-350 Dually that will haul The Official Line – the Tony Stewart Racing / Elite Motorsports merchandise trailer, to all 20 NHRA national events. The team is also equipped with a Dodge Durango GT Blacktop AWD HEMI V8 supported through Seth Wadley Auto Family, to serve as the tow vehicle for the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster driven by Tony Stewart.

Adding to the partnership’s strength, Royce Lee Freeman, brother of Elite Motorsports President Richard Freeman, will serve as the on‑site liaison for Seth Wadley Auto Family at NHRA events, supporting partner relations, customer engagement, and trackside coordination throughout the season.

“I’ve been a customer at Seth Wadley Auto Group for a lot of years now. I won’t shop for a vehicle anywhere else. Their customer service is top-of-the-line and I know it’s not just for me but for anyone who steps into one of their dealerships or searches online. Anytime I have someone, my family, an employee, a partner, and they come to me asking where they should car shop, the answer is always Seth Wadley Auto Family,” said Richard Freeman, President of Elite Motorsports. “I’m excited to show Seth and his company the opportunities that NHRA presents for them to make connections and ultimately make sales. My brother, Royce, he’ll be a big part of helping to make that happen. He’s a sales guy through and through and he’s been around Seth as long as I have. We know their business and we know we can help to keep it growing.”

“We’re excited to have an official partnership with Richard and the Elite Motorsports team. We’ve been friends of Richard’s and done business with him for a lot of years. Jumping on board as they expand into yet another class of drag racing just feels natural. Their needs are growing, their contacts are growing and if we can be part of helping fulfill Elite and the rest of the team’s partners transportation needs, we’re going to do it,” said Seth Wadley. “Having Royce Lee, someone who knows sales, knows our business and knows Elite inside and out, as our point person at the track every weekend is going to be a game changer. Having him answer questions for potential customers, entertain guests in hospitality and help bridge the gap between the track and the showroom is going to be key. We’re excited to see what this year brings.”

The 2026 Mission Food NHRA Drag Racing Series season, the 75th Anniversary for the NHRA, begins March 6-8 with the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Florida.

The Seth Wadley Auto Family services central Oklahoma and the greater Oklahoma City metro, with dealerships in Pauls Valley, Ada, Perry and Purcell. For more information, go to SethWadley.com.

HOOSIER RACING TIRE NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF NHRA SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT SERIES AS PROGRAM EXPANDS IN 2026

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 27, 2026) – NHRA announced today that Hoosier Racing Tire has been named the presenting sponsor of the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Series, the world’s largest motorsports program when it comes to racer participation, as part of an impressive expansion for the 2026 season.

The popular program, which has been expanded by 50 percent, will now include 12 E.T. Finals in 2026 across the United States and Canada, as well as an increase to 16 racers in each category and doubling the number of racers who will be competing at the world championship in Las Vegas.

It shows the notable growth in the NHRA Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier over the past several seasons. In 2024, an Eastern Canada E.T. Finals took place for the first time, while last year, winners in the Eastern Canada Division advanced to compete for a world championship in Las Vegas. Now, four additional E.T. Finals have been added, including new events in Northern Mississippi (Holly Springs), Western Kansas (SRCA Dragstrip), Northern California (Redding Motorsports Park) and Western Canada (RAD Torque Raceway).

NHRA will also create a $30,000 Hoosier Prize Pool, which will be shared among the E.T. Finals winners and national champions who use Hoosier Tire.

“Becoming the presenting partner of the NHRA Summit E.T. Series is a natural fit for Hoosier,” said Paul Menting, VP of Sales, Hoosier Racing Tire. “The series represents the passion, dedication, and competitive spirit that define grassroots drag racing. We’re excited to deepen our partnership with the NHRA and continue supporting the racers and tracks that drive the future of our sport.”

The expansion gives racers a better opportunity to compete close to home and advance to the NHRA Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier World Championship, which takes place Oct. 29-Nov. 1 as part of the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Drivers in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle will compete at NHRA member tracks across North America during the 2026 season. The four class champions from the 12 E.T. Finals events, along with wild card entries from Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4, will earn their spot to compete for a world championship in Las Vegas.

Summit Racing Equipment, an industry leader in the distribution of auto racing parts and equipment through catalogs and the Internet, remains a massive supporter of the program with a partnership that spans nearly 25 years.

“With the expansion of the NHRA Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier to 12 E.T. finals, it’s super exciting to see thriving series continue to grow,” said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports & Events Manager. “There are so many great opportunities for racers to compete across North America and Summit Racing Equipment is thrilled to continue this partnership.

“These competitors are so talented and this series provides such a deserved spotlight for them. We look forward to working with Hoosier Racing Tire on this program and we can’t wait for an incredible year in 2026.”

On the “Road to Vegas,” tens of thousands of drivers will compete for event wins. The 12 E.T. Finals winners receive an impressive prize package, including a Wally trophy, jacket, and purse, along with bonus travel money for all 64 qualifiers to attend the world championship in Las Vegas.

At the national event, each championship contender can enjoy a memorable experience that includes a welcome dinner, an introduction during pre-race ceremonies at the NHRA national event and a huge spotlight all weekend as they compete for a world championship in front of a huge Las Vegas crowd.

“This is a landmark moment for bracket racers in the NHRA,” NHRA Sportsman Manager Jason Galvin said. “Thank you to Jim Greenleaf and everyone at Summit Racing Equipment for being open to expansion and pushing for new opportunities, and to the entire Hoosier team for jumping at the opportunity to provide more racing across the country for the true heartbeat of this sport, bracket racers. The NHRA cannot wait to show off this expanded program and to celebrate the 64 racers who will qualify for the finals in Las Vegas. They are in for the experience of a lifetime on the grandest stage.”

National champions in 2025 included Matt Witkowski (Division 1) in Super Pro, Michael Fornwalt (Division 1) in Pro, Gage Wilson (Division 4) in Sportsman and Michael Schamlle (Division 3) in Motorcycle.

For more information on the NHRA Summit Racing Series, visit www.nhra.com/sportsman. For more information on NHRA, including the 2026 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.

2026 NHRA Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier E.T. Finals Schedule

Division 1 Canada – Toronto Motorsports Park, Cayuga, ON, Aug. 28-30
Division 1 – Lebanon Valley Dragway, West Lebanon, N.Y., Aug. 28-30
Division 2 – Carolina Dragway, Aiken, S.C., Oct. 2-4
Division 3 – Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio, Sept. 11-13
Division 4 East – Holly Springs, Holly Springs, Miss., Sept. 25-27
Division 4 West – Texas Motorplex, Dallas, Sept. 11-13
Division 5 East – Tri-State Raceway, Earlville, Iowa, Sept. 17-20
Division 5 West – SRCA Dragstrip, Great Bend, Kan., Sept. 24-27
Division 6 Canada – RAD Torque Raceway, Edmonton, AB, Aug. 29-Aug. 30
Division 6 – Qlispé Raceway Park, Airway Heights, Wash., Sept. 4-6
Division 7 South – The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Oct. 9-11
Division 7 North – Redding Motorsports Park, Redding, Calif., Oct. 2-4

NHRA Summit Racing Series presented by Hoosier World Championship

The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Oct. 29-Nov. 1
(as part of the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals)

About Hoosier Racing Tire

Hoosier Racing Tire, the largest race tire manufacturer in the world, has continually promoted passion, pride, and success in the racing industry since 1957. Based in Plymouth, Ind. its state-of-the-art facility, including a fully integrated technology and R&D center, is solely dedicated to engineering, designing, supporting, and manufacturing the over 1,000 different types of racing and high-performance tires currently produced. Instilled with the heritage of champions, Hoosier utilizes a model sales and distribution network to deliver winning results globally. Hoosier Racing Tire is a 100% subsidiary of Continental AG.

About Summit Racing Equipment

Summit Racing Equipment has been the World’s Speed Shop® for over 50 years! Summit Racing is the world’s largest e-commerce, mail order, and retailer of performance automotive parts and accessories. Summit Racing offers a huge selection of parts in stock from over 1,500 manufacturers for all forms of racing, street performance, off-roading, restoration, tools, and yes, diesel. It also offers fast ground service shipping to most areas of the country and same-day shipping on in-stock items. Summit Racing has the industry’s top-rated customer service and a full-time technical department to answer your questions. With headquarters in Tallmadge, Ohio, Summit operates distribution and retail stores in Tallmadge, Sparks, NV, McDonough, GA, and Arlington, TX.

Summit Racing Equipment
www.summitracing.com
1-800-230-3030

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.

Shell Starship Returns to NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2026 Season

By
Official Release
-

Energy-Efficient Class 8 Natural Gas Truck To Transport INDYCAR Administrative Trailer

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Feb. 27, 2026) – Shell and INDYCAR announced Feb. 27 that Shell Starship will return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES transportation fleet for the 2026 season, continuing its role as a visible demonstration of advanced, lower-emissions freight technology operating in a motorsports series.

Shell Starship, powered by a Cummins X15NTM natural gas engine and lubricated with Shell Rotella® natural gas engine oil, will be the transport vehicle for the INDYCAR Administrative Trailer, traveling to nearly every race on the 2026 calendar.

“Shell Starship is more than a concept; it’s a working demonstration of what’s possible when advanced vehicle design, efficient powertrains and renewable fuels come together,” said Thomas Mueller, general manager of Commercial Road Transport at Shell. “Returning to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2026 allows us to continue learning in real-world conditions while supporting a partner that shares our ambition to advance more sustainable mobility solutions.”

The return builds on a successful debut season in 2025, when Shell Starship joined the series following the Indianapolis 500 and became the first natural gas-powered Class 8 truck to operate within a national racing series fleet in North America. For the 2026 season, the anticipated plans for Starship are to increase the use of renewable natural gas (RNG) compared to the 2025 season.

“INDYCAR is continuously evaluating ways to grow on and off the track – including how we move people and equipment,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “The Shell Starship program helps us assess advanced vehicle technologies and renewable fuel solutions in a meaningful way and support our sustainability goals, demonstrating solutions that can scale beyond racing. Judging by how many times Shell Starship is photographed in the paddock, it is clear our fans enjoy the program, as well.”

In addition to its logistics role, Shell Starship will have multiple marquee moments throughout the 2026 season, including:

  • Leading the truck parade at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington
  • Participating in the 500 Festival Parade ahead of the Indianapolis 500
  • A feature in INDYCAR video game titles for console and PC, produced by iRacing Studios

Shell Starship’s return builds on the broader collaboration between Shell and INDYCAR, including Shell’s role as Official Fuel of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the introduction of 100% renewable race fuel in 2023. By returning to INDYCAR in 2026, Shell Starship continues to demonstrate how advanced vehicle design, efficient powertrains and renewable fuels can support lower-carbon, real-world logistics, on race weekends and beyond.

For more information about Shell Starship and Shell’s work in transport decarbonization, visit shell.com/starship.

FOX Sports’ Clint Bowyer To Take Ride of Lifetime in Fastest Seat at Phoenix

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Feb. 27, 2026) – NASCAR champion and FOX NASCAR analyst Clint Bowyer will climb back into a race car for a thrill ride in the Fastest Seat in Sports at the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7 at Phoenix Raceway.

Bowyer will ride in the custom INDYCAR SERIES car with a special back passenger seat, leading the field to green for the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at the 1-mile desert oval since 2018. The 250-lap race is part of a special NASCAR-INDYCAR doubleheader that weekend at Phoenix Raceway, as the Straight Talk Wireless 500 for the NASCAR Cup Series takes place Sunday, March 8 at the track. Bowyer will serve as an analyst for FOX Sports’ coverage of that NASCAR race.

Kansas native Bowyer joined FOX’s NASCAR coverage full time in 2021 as an analyst after a driving career that saw him win 10 Cup Series races and the 2008 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship. He drove for such prominent NASCAR teams as Richard Childress Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing.

Bowyer joins a long list of celebrated INDYCAR Fastest Seat in Sports passengers as he leads the field to green in a custom INDYCAR SERIES car with a special back passenger seat. This high-speed, high-octane, super-charged thrill ride has been taken by the likes of Tom Brady, Simu Liu, Jon Bon Jovi, Lady Gaga, Channing Tatum and Alex Rodriguez.

Coverage of the Good Ranchers 250 begins at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX One and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, with drivers competing at speeds of 200+ mph across a thrilling and demanding set of ovals and road and street circuits. More information is available on INDYCAR.com.

RCR Race Preview: Circuit of The Americas

By
Official Release
-

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of The Americas… Richard Childress Racing has ten NASCAR Cup Series starts at Circuit of The Americas, earning three top-five and six-top 10 finishes. Kyle Busch holds the organization’s best result of second (2023). Additionally, Tyler Reddick holds RCR’s only pole position at the Austin, Texas road course during the track’s inaugural Cup Series race in 2021. This is the second time that NASCAR will utilize the “National Course” layout, which features a 2.3-mile course and 20 turns.

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Circuit of The Americas… Richard Childress Racing has nine starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, owning a pair of second-place finishes by Austin Hill (2022, 2024). The Welcome, N.C., team has collected three top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

Catch Saturday’s Action… The Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas will be televised live on Saturday, February 28 at 3 p.m. ET on The CW. The live radio broadcast can be heard on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Friday afternoon’s practice and qualifying sessions will be shown for free on The CW App beginning at 5 p.m. ET.

Catch Us on FOX… The DuraMAX Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas will be televised on Sunday, March 1 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX. The live radio broadcast can be heard on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Saturday morning’s practice and qualifying sessions will be shown live on Prime Video beginning at 10 a.m. ET. Ride shotgun all season long with live, in-car camera feeds and scanner audio with a paid subscription to Max as part of their NASCAR driver cam experience during the race.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Chevrolet at Circuit of The Americas… Austin Dillon has made five NASCAR Cup Series starts at Circuit of The Americas, posting a best finish of 10th in 2022.

Turning Left, and Right… Although Dillon did not grow up competing on road courses, the North Carolina native has gained experience at the discipline as the number of road courses on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule have steadily increased over his career. Dillon heads into this weekend with 42 road course starts to his credit and countless laps made on the simulator. The veteran driver had a strong race going at Circuit of The Americas last year when the No. 11 car slid into him near the end of the race, causing Dillon to get stuck in the gravel and ending the No. 3 team’s race early.

Pickle Baller… Dillon picked up the sport of pickleball as a hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic and has developed into a serious pickleball player over the past several years. He relies on the sport as a low-impact way to keep in shape and work on hand-eye coordination, an important skill for a professional racecar driver. With Austin, Texas being a hotbed for professional pickleball players, Dillon plans to spend a significant portion of his time in ATX playing pickleball when he’s not at the track.

Surprise and Delight… Dillon has several surprises planned for race fans at COTA this weekend. Hint: You never know who you will find scanning your ticket into the race on Saturday afternoon or riding the tram around the outskirts of the track on Sunday morning. Follow @austindillon3 on Instagram to see where the driver will pop up this weekend.

BREZTRI AEROSPHERE® (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) Teams Up with Dillon… Dillon and the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team will be supported by BREZTRI AEROSPHERE®, an AstraZeneca product, at Circuit of The Americas. This partnership is about more than just racing. You can learn more about Dillon and his family’s personal connection to the brand at Breztri.com. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and Biopharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

Meet Dillon… On Sunday, March 1 at 10:20 a.m. Local Time, Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Grand Plaza at Circuit of The Americas. Stop by to meet Dillon and purchase new No. 3 gear.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

What are your thoughts on racing at Circuit of The Americas?

“Racing in Austin, Texas is fun. It’s an exciting and technically challenging road course with lot of havoc created in Turn One. I feel like the key to having a good race will be having solid pit stops and keeping our Breztri Chevrolet clean.”

How tough is it to gain momentum at the start of the season?

“To get going in the first part of the season is tough. You want a fast start for your team and partners, and we didn’t get that the last two weeks with the wrecks. We need to come out of this weekend with a good finish, just to feel confident that we can get back into the swing of things with points. With two drafting tracks and a road course, the meat of the schedule starts in Phoenix. That’s where you feel like more is in your control. There is a lot in your control at road courses as well, and we have put a lot of effort into COTA. I feel like our Breztri Chevrolet should be able to go out there and compete.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Root Beer Whiskey Chevrolet at Circuit of The Americas… Sunday’s 95-lap race at Circuit of The Americas will mark Kyle Busch’s sixth career NASCAR Cup Series start at the Austin, Texas road course. Busch has two top-five and four top-10’s in his previous starts in the Cup Series. Last year’s race saw the Las Vegas native finish top-five in both stages, led a race-high 42 laps and remain in contention for the win before ultimately finishing in fifth place. In his three starts at Circuit of The Americas under the RCR banner, Busch has two top-fives and three top-10 finishes with an average finish of 5.3.

Road Course Prowess… Busch has 61 career road course starts at NASCAR’s highest level and has racked up four wins (two at Sonoma Raceway and two at Watkins Glen International), 20 top-five and 31 top-10 finishes. The veteran racer has additionally earned two poles and led a total of 472 laps.

Previous Winner… In his lone NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Circuit of The Americas, Busch started from the pole and led 35 of 46 laps, en route to securing the victory.

Did You Know? Last weekend at EchoPark Speedway, Kyle Busch etched his name in the record books, surpassing Kevin Harvick for the most starts by a driver across NASCAR’s top three national series with 1,300 starts.

Shoot The Root… Rebel Bourbon has announced the return of fan-favorite Rebel Root Beer Whiskey to its award-winning Rebel Bourbon lineup, set to prominently be featured on the No. 8 Chevrolet this weekend at Circuit of The Americas. An unconventional twist on Rebel’s time-honored wheated recipe, Rebel Root Beer features Rebel Straight Bourbon Whiskey infused with the bold and creamy flavor of root beer. The Rebel team went through 25 samples of root beer extract to capture the spicy, sharp taste of the root beer barrel candies enjoyed by many. Rebel Root Beer is bottled at 70 proof (35% ABV) and available nationwide this month. Rebel Root Beer features aromas of classic sassafras and vanilla coupled with aged bourbon whiskey. Its taste profile includes classic sharp root beer flavors of sassafras, vanilla, licorice and molasses plus bourbon whiskey and caramel and honey notes, and a lingering sweetness and spicy sassafras finish.

KB108 Gets A New Release… Rebel Bourbon fans have a new reason to get rowdy this season. Earlier this month the official bourbon of Richard Childress Racing announced the release of Rebel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Selected By Kyle Busch. With guidance from Rebel Bourbon Master Distiller John Rempe, Busch hand-picked every barrel for this limited-edition release, which is bottled at 108 proof (54% ABV) in honor of Rebel’s RCR sponsorship.

Getting Rowdy with Rebel… Fans will have several chances to get up-close and personal with the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet and Busch prior to the green flag waving at Circuit of The Americas. The No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet will make several stops throughout the greater Austin area from February 25-February 28. Busch is scheduled to sign bottles of Rebel Bourbon at Specs 224 (1500 W 35th St, Austin, Texas 78703) at 5 p.m. CT on Friday, February 27.

About Rebel Bourbon… Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, by Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe, Rebel Bourbon features a wheated mash bill true to its original recipe dating back to 1849, when it was invented at the Stitzel-Weller distillery. Our defiantly smooth premium wheated bourbon celebrates those who embrace bold originality and a rebellious spirit. Our products have earned top spirits industry honors including Single Barrel American Whiskey of the Year for Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards. Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel also won a double platinum medal at the 2025 ASCOT Awards, a double gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a double gold medal and Consumer’s Choice Award at the 2025 SIP Awards. To learn more, visit RebelBourbon.com and follow @rebelbourbon on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

About Luxco… Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products with a mission to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Luxco operates as MGP Ingredients Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) Branded Spirits division since its acquisition in 2021. The company’s extensive and award-winning premium portfolio includes brands from four distilleries: Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Penelope and Remus bourbon are produced; Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Rebel, Ezra Brooks, and Blood Oath bourbons; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Bourbon; and Arandas, Mexico-based Destiladora Gonzalez Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas including Cortada, El Mayor, Escasa and Exotico. For more information, visit Luxco.com.

Meet Busch… On Sunday, March 1 at 11:35 a.m. Local Time, Busch is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Grand Plaza at Circuit of The Americas. Stop by to meet Busch and purchase new No. 8 gear.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

How excited are you coming back to Circuit of The Americas after last season’s performance?

“Looking forward to COTA, I always love going there. We really had a good car last year at COTA. We were on the right side of strategy and coming to pit road when we did. We had a four second gap to the next guy behind us for the last couple laps of the race, and I don’t think they would have caught us. Unfortunately, a yellow came out and I had to try to race it out through a couple of restarts. Our two lap older tires were just enough that Christopher Bell was able to get us, so we gracefully faded to fifth.”

How big of a factor do you expect tire falloff and strategy to be this weekend?

“I think there will be a good amount of tire falloff and more than what we’ve seen in years past. Last year, we saw a good bit of tire falloff. I just mentioned how we only had two lap older tires than Christopher Bell, and he was able to outrace me at the end of the race. Tires are going to be more paramount this weekend. You might see guys, if there’s a late caution with 10 to go, that got three or four lap old tires might come, pit, and try to drive back through the field and hope that the front guys burn their stuff up. Fresher tires more times than not, especially with more horsepower you’re going to want them.”

Jesse Love and the No. 33 C4 Ultimate Energy Chevrolet at Circuit of The Americas… This weekend marks Love’s first NASCAR Cup Series start this season, and his first in a Cup car at the Austin, Texas road course. The 21-year-old has made two prior starts at Circuit of The Americas in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he finished sixth on both occasions.

Love in the Cup Series… Last season, Love made his debut in the Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he qualified a career-best 19th. Love also ran Texas Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Richmond Raceway. Love’s career-best finish came at Indianapolis Motor Speedway piloting the No. 62 Beard Motorsports entry to a 24th place finish.

Mango Fuego… Love will represent C4 Energy and its newest flavor, Mango Fuego, on his No. 33 car this weekend as part of his partnership with the brand. Mango Fuego is a bold tropical-meets-heat addition to C4’s Performance Energy line, delivering energy, focus and endurance with 200mg of caffeine.

About Nutrabolt… Nutrabolt is a fast-growing, global active health and wellness company with a portfolio of market-leading, performance-driven brands that fuel active lifestyles. Its disruptive products compete in the Functional Beverage and Active Nutrition categories under four consumer-loved brands: C4® (one of the fastest-growing energy drink brands in the U.S. and the #1 global pre-workout brand), XTEND® (America’s #1 BCAA brand), Cellucor® (an award-winning sports nutrition brand founded in 2002), and Bloom® (a leading wellness brand offering approachable, high-quality supplements and functional beverages).

For more than 20 years, Nutrabolt has been committed to serving performance athletes and fitness enthusiasts while empowering a broader global community to live active, healthy lives. Nutrabolt products are distributed in more than 125 countries and available through company-owned DTC platforms, Amazon, leading online marketplaces, and top U.S. retailers including Walmart, Target, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, Kroger, H-E-B, Publix, GNC, and The Vitamin Shoppe. For more information, please visit nutrabolt.com and follow @C4Energy, @Cellucor, @Xtend, and @Bloomsupps on social media.

Meet Love… On Sunday, March 1 at 11 a.m. Local Time, Love is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Grand Plaza at Circuit of The Americas. Stop by to meet Love and purchase new gear before the green flag waves.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

What are you looking forward to on the Cup side this weekend, and what will be key for you to have a successful race?

“On the Cup side, I’m looking forward to the challenge of it and continue to learn from racing these Cup races. I’ve learned a lot from the ones I ran last year and I’m just excited for a new challenge and learning new things and aggressively trying to adapt to the things that I learn throughout the weekend. Obviously, it’s going to be really important to do the little things right this weekend as always with the Cup stuff. For me, I just want to control the things I can control, and it would be very cool to be in position to capitalize on some crazy restarts at the end and see what kind of finish we can get out of it.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at Circuit of The Americas… Jesse Love has two career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Circuit of The Americas with the 2025 Champion finishing sixth on both occasions. Love also competed in three endurance racing events at the Austin, Texas road course in 2023.

Did You Know? Love is one of only two drivers who have finished inside the top-10 in both O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season. The 21-year-old earned a seventh-place result in the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway and a fifth-place effort last week at EchoPark Speedway, totaling a 7.0 average finish.

Still Streaking… Love currently holds the longest active streak of running at the finish of races, as the Menlo Park, California native has 16 straight events without a DNF. The young gun also has the longest active top-10 streak with three, dating back to his winning performance in the final race of the 2025 campaign.

Points Check… Through two events, Love currently sits in the fourth position in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver championship point standings. The No. 2 driver is 24 points behind leader Austin Hill.

About Whelen Engineering… Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, and we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

JESSE LOVE QUOTES:

How excited are you to be back competing against some of the top road course racers this weekend?

“I’m looking forward to racing this weekend. I’ve learned a lot from Connor (Zilisch) and Shane (van Gisbergen) over the last couple years that I hope to implement. Just to get back racing against them two is going to be a lot of fun. They’re always really good at these races, so trying to come out on top this time would be amazing and I always look forward to having the opportunity to race against those guys.”

Talk about how important these next few weeks in terms of the NOAPS points battle and what’s your mindset heading into this stretch?

“I think if we can have a good solid weekend, especially these next few weeks, we should be in a good spot to be the points leader pretty soon, so that’s one thing I’m thinking about as well. I just want to have a good solid weekend and execute and do all those things right and put ourselves in a position to win and not overthink it too much.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at Circuit of The Americas… Austin Hill has four career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Circuit of The Americas, posting a best finish of second twice (2022, 2024). Last season, Hill started 12th and drove his way into contention, led laps, and finished fourth. The Winston, Georgia native also has one NASCAR Truck Series start at the Austin, Texas facility, earning a ninth-place finish in 2021.

Best Average Finish… With a win in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway and a 12th-place recovery after last lap contact at EchoPark Speedway, Hill currently holds the best average finish (6.5) in the series.

Did You Know? In O’Reilly Auto Parts Series history, Hill is third all-time for the most top-five finishes (15) and fourth all-time for the most top-10 results (19) on road courses.

Chasing a Road Course W… Hill continues the search to securing his first O’Reilly Auto Parts Series road course victory – the only style of track that the veteran racer has not won at thus far into his series career. In seven road course events in 2025, Hill earned five top-five finishes. With scheduling changes, the 2026 campaign will only have four road course races – the fewest since 2020.

Top of the Standings… Through two races, Hill remains the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver championship points leader. The 31-year-old holds a 24-point lead over second-place Rajah Caruth.

About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough, Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies is a woman-owned, Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified, diversified transportation and logistics company. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies delivers integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Bennett has 4,625 drivers/owner-operators, over 1,000 employees and 600 agents located across the United States. For more information, visit bennettig.com.

Meet Hill… On Saturday, February 28 at 11:30 a.m. Local Time, Hill is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Grand Plaza at Circuit of The Americas. Stop by to meet Hill and purchase new No. 21 gear.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTES:

Circuit of The Americas is the first road course on the schedule this season. What is unique about the track?

“Since the configuration has changed, it’s definitely a unique racetrack. It always has been but it’s even more so now. The way that you go up the steep banking, the hill into Turn 1 is unlike any other track we go to throughout the season. You can drive it in so much deeper than anywhere else on the course. You almost have to trick your mind a little to go an extra two or three car lengths deeper because you have the banking to slow you down. There are a ton of elevation changes throughout the entire course as well, with a lot of off-camber areas where the car is falling away from the track. The esses are tough to get through. Overall, there are places to gain a lot of time and places where you can lose a lot of time if you don’t hit your marks perfectly. It’s an extremely technical racetrack.”

How important is it to you to get your first road course win in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series?

“Being able to get my first road course win would be huge and take a lot of stress off my back. If I had to pick one thing to do this year, outside of winning the championship, it would be to win on a road course. We have been so close so many times. We have been runner up, third, fourth, or fifth more times than I can count, but coming up first has eluded us for a long time now.”

Five of the finest games for motorsport fans to play in 2026

By
SM
-
Photo by Nino Souza at pexels.com

When the NASCAR Cup Series is over, many motorsport fanatics indulge in the various motorsport games out there. From IndyCar to Formula 1, there are some entertaining titles to consider playing right now. 

Be it through a smartphone device or a mobile phone, motorsport fans are immersing themselves in top releases. These titles can be played alongside other favorites, with many players also dabbling in popular puzzle games like Candy Crush Saga and online casino slot games like Bigger Piggy Bank. Motorsport titles are also fairly diverse. For example, some games offer a realistic simulation package, while others focus on team management. 

Overall, motorsport enthusiasts certainly aren’t short of options. So, with all that in mind, below we highlight five of the finest games for the motorsport community to play in 2026. From PC products to console masterpieces, there are some truly brilliant games out there.

Forza Horizon 5

Although Forza Horizon 6 arrives in May, many players are still enjoying Forza Horizon 5. Additionally, with the new version of the game coming out soon, you can get your hands on this one for a reduced price. A great way to see if the game’s for you before investing in the latest version of it, Forza Horizon 5 is a stunning game to look at, all while players explore the beauty of Mexico while driving around in supercars. Along the way, you’ll be able to customize your vehicle, take part in epic races on a variety of surfaces, and smash through challenges to win new cars. Also offering even more to get your teeth into, Forza Horizon 5 is a great game. 

F1 Manager 2024

As we briefly mentioned, some games in this arena come with a team management aspect. That’s exactly what’s on offer in F1 Manager 2024, with players being in charge of their very own F1 team. A detailed management simulation where you have to build your own legacy and triumph on the track on a consistent basis, F1 Manager 2024 is fantastic. 

Gran Turismo 7

A long-running series of games, the latest instalment from the Gran Turismo franchise is worth looking at. Called Gran Turismo 7, it’s particularly impressive to play on a PS5 console, given the glorious visuals and truly authentic experience on offer due to the PlayStation 5’s unrivalled power. Also boasting over 500 vehicles to drive and new inclusions like dynamic weather features to mirror the testing conditions drivers contend with in the real world, Gran Turismo 7 is packed full of good stuff that all racing lovers will adore. 

MotoGP 25

If you prefer to race on two wheels, then MotoGP 25 is a title you simply have to try. Featuring an entire roster of riders, plus the bikes they own and the famous tracks they race on, this immaculate product is hard to fault. It also contains smooth graphics which provide an unrivalled bike racing package, realistic physics that the sport’s purists will admire, and so much more. If you have access to a PC, a PS5, or a Nintendo Switch, then you simply have to experience MotoGP 25. 

iRacing

iRacing

If you’re serious about your racing-related gaming marathons, then iRacing is a title you have to bring into your life. With a huge and highly competitive community behind it, this subscription-based offering is for the biggest of racing fans. Once you’ve signed up to it, this top-notch racing title provides the ultimate experience for racing purists. From the testing matchups you’ll encounter to the structured, license-based system you’ll be hoping to smash your way through, iRacing is perfect. 

1...686970...6,611Page 69 of 6,611