CHEVROLET NCS AT LAS VEGAS 2: Kyle Larson Media Availability Quotes

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October 3, 2026

NASCAR Cup Series
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Team Chevy Driver Quotes
October 3, 2026

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The current points leader and three-time Cup Series winner at the 1.5-mile Nevada circuit will be sporting a special paint scheme this weekend to honor Kyle Busch.

Media Availability Quotes:

Kyle, you are running a special paint scheme this weekend. Do you want to talk about that, how that came together and what that’s all about?

“Yeah, it’s a tribute and a throwback to when Kyle (Busch) ran at Hendrick Motorsports. He got a few wins in that paint scheme. Yeah, it was just important to at least mention it, to try and convince them if we could do it. And thankfully, everybody at HendrickCars.com and Hendrick Motorsports were all on board. It’s a beautiful paint scheme, and definitely I think for everybody, it brings back some cool memories. Excited to get it on track at his home track and hopefully have a good weekend.”

In the process of having the scheme designed and unveiled at the shop, did anyone within company leadership talk about their favorite stories of that time or them working with Kyle? Is there any kind of standout story that was shared amongst the group?

“I mean, I haven’t been around it enough or around the shop this week to get the intimate stories, but I’m sure throughout the weekend, we’ll all hear a lot of that as we get back to the shop. And hopefully, after a good weekend, we’ll hear more. I wasn’t around this whole week to be in the shop, to see it on the shop floor and dressed up. But, yeah, like I said, I’m sure when we get back, we’ll all hear more and reminisce.”

As the Next Gen car has evolved on intermediate tracks, whether it’s just the teams learning how to optimize the car or the various changes they’ve made to the aero and things like that to keep the car rounded, has that changed the fundamental way that you guys race on intermediate tracks, or has it still been pretty similar over the course of four or five years?

“Sure, I’m sure there’s been differences along the way as those small changes have been added. I think the biggest thing for me has been the tires have changed, I think, quite a bit since we first came to intermediates. I remember when we first would come to these style of tracks, you would just build so loose throughout a run. And now, you have that half as bad. I feel like the cars are easier to drive on the tire side of things throughout a duration of a run. And then, just teams getting the cars more optimized probably helps that, as well. So, yeah, it’s definitely more track position dependent than it was when we first debuted this racecar. As you would imagine, things would progress to being this way. Teams have just learned a lot, and it makes executing a solid weekend from start to finish that much more important than it even was before, which it was very important back then.”

It says Tiny Kyle, is that right, on the door? Is that the name you gave yourself, or the name that Kyle and Brexton (Busch) gave you?

“Yeah, that’s what Kyle and Brexton (Busch) always would call me. We put it on the car for the Charlotte weekend, and when we decided to do this paint scheme, I mean, we had to put ‘Tiny Kyle’ on there. That’s what Kyle always called me. And then, Brexton calls me that, as well.”

Did you like that?

“Yeah, I don’t mind it. I never minded it. I always thought it was funny. You know, it’s kind of cool that it’s more of like a joke, I think, on their behalf to me because Brexton’s about my size already, and Kyle was much bigger than me. But yeah, I like it, for sure.”

I know it’s not a two-driver race, at least not yet, but competing against Denny (Hamlin), a good friend of yours, what do you have to do to beat him?

“Well, you have to run good all race, every race. I think he’s got the best average finish in the Next Gen era, probably the best average finish that we’ve seen in a very, very long time. So, with that, you’ve got to be ultra-consistent. He’s just not going to have DNFs, and his bad days would be around 10th. So, with that, you can’t have DNFs. I mean, obviously, you have Talladega out there where anything can happen, but he still seems to find a way to finish those even. So, yeah, you’ve just got to be consistent.”

Obviously the goal is to maximize the points you’re getting, but how critical is it as we’re getting to the halfway point of the Chase now? Is it to build a gap to other Chase contenders and really separate yourself from the rest of the contenders?

“Yeah, I mean, obviously, I would love to. I would love to continue to put together weekends like we have, where we’ve gained a lot of points, just to stretch it out. That way, if you do have a blowup race, you won’t fall down the order a lot. But I mean, that’s not guaranteed.

I mean, that’s really not on my mind when I’m out there. I’m just kind of treating it as just trying to get a good practice, qualify well, get a good first stage, get a good second stage, and a good third stage. And then, you look at the points afterwards. It’s been a good start to the Chase, obviously, at this point, and would just love to keep it going.”

You have talked a lot about the love you discovered of working through struggles throughout the early part of the season. Where would you say your confidence is now compared to where it was during the spring?

“I would say I always had confidence that we would get back to a solid state of performance. I just didn’t know how long that would take, if it would take weeks or months or years. So, yeah, I mean, it’s definitely turned around quicker than I thought it could. So yeah, the confidence is high, but I still wouldn’t say that I’m as confident as I was in 2021 when everything was just so easy and we were putting together weekends like we did last week every week. I still don’t think we’re to that level yet. I don’t know if anybody will ever get to that sort of level again, at least in this Next Gen era. I feel like we’re just in a better place than we were in the summer. I just think when you’re in a team like Hendrick Motorsports, it gives you natural confidence, just being surrounded by great, smart people, that you’re going to dig out of the hole eventually. You just got to stay patient.”

On the Dale Jr. download this week, you mentioned that stage points feel like they have like sort of outsized points right now in the chase. Is there anything that you see that could be a tweak made?

“I don’t know. I mean, I haven’t put like a whole lot of thought into that. I’ve just recognized throughout the Chase, especially, that it just seems very, very important. I think I mentioned it on there, and correct me if I’m wrong, I could be off, but I think Ryan Preece has finished in the top-10 every race in the Chase; four top-10s probably or he’s been right around 10th every time. But he’s probably got five-ish stage points in the Chase, and he’s not made any ground up, it seems. He’s probably got one of the better average finishes out of all of us, yet he’s stuck because others get good stage points, a rotor failure, a crash or whatever, and they earn almost as many points as he does.

So, yeah, I see the upside of stages because people want to argue that you should be rewarded for running up front all race long. But then, there’s also the side of it that you should be rewarded for just good, consistent finishes, even more than what it is right now. A team like his might not qualify in the top-15; you’ve got to just grind your way through the race, and you just run 11th in every stage. And then, you squeak into the top-10 and it’s like you’ve not really gained much on the guys that got a DNF.

So, I don’t know. And I’ve scored the most stage points by a lot, I think, but I don’t know. I just think we’re the only series that gives out those little participation awards in competition.”

I wanted to ask you a little bit, your friendship with Denny (Hamlin). What is that like when it’s the two of you vying for a championship? I mean, you had that last year. You’ve got it this year. Do you guys speak as often as you would normally? Do you play as much golf? What is that dynamic like between the two of you?

“Yeah, I mean, we’re friends, but we’re not like BFFs like I think everybody makes us out to be (laughs). I don’t golf, really, anymore, so with that, I haven’t played in the Golf Guys Tour in the last, I don’t know, three or four years. I couldn’t tell you the last time I played golf with Denny (Hamlin), but that’s not because I dislike him or anything like that. Our lives are kind of separate a little bit in that side of things. But, yeah, I mean, I still talk to him when I see him on the track. I’m still in some group texts with him, so we chit-chat and all that now and then.

But, ultimately, I just have a lot of respect for him as a competitor, and I think the same would go for him for me. He’s been the best in the series, I feel like, for the last couple years. Competing with him as he’s trying to chase his first championship is fun. It’s fun to try to keep him from doing that, and I think it’s fun for him to try to work really hard to beat not only me but others to gain that first championship, too. So, yeah, the competition is a lot of fun. There’s nobody more competitive than Denny Hamlin in all facets of anything. So, yeah, it makes it rewarding when you beat him. It makes you try harder to beat him.”

Your average finish is 2.5 coming into this race. Looking forward, and knowing where Denny (Hamlin) is good and where Denny is bad, where do you expect that he might have trouble in these final Chase races? Where do you expect to or worry about having trouble and how do you approach those tracks?

“Well, I don’t think he’s bad anywhere, truthfully. I mean, you look at all these racetracks. Vegas, he’s extremely good. Charlotte, he should have won the 600. Phoenix, he’s super good. Talladega could go any which way. Martinsville, there’s nobody better. Am I missing any tracks? Homestead, yeah, I would feel like that’s probably the one track ahead that I’m confident that I’m better than him at. So, yeah, I mean, that just makes you have to execute because you know he’s going to be up front all race long at all these races, maybe outside of Talladega. But again, that’s just fun to compete with somebody that makes you have to level up like that.”

Are you worried about any of the tracks for you?

“Well, I mean, all of them. But yeah, Talladega can go either way. And then, Phoenix is, on paper, we’ve finished well there, but it’s probably our worst track on the circuit. So, yeah, hopefully we can get better there.”

I’d like to circle back to something you said earlier about Hendrick Motorsports. There’s a lot of smart people in the room and Cliff Daniels is one of those smart people. Last week, he got a little bit of a spotlight shine on him after the race. But I wanted to know just a little bit more about Cliff Daniels outside of the racetrack. What’s your favorite off-track memory you have of him as you guys have worked together over the years?

“Well, I mean, I can just speak on his leadership. I just think there’s nobody better on that side of things. He just takes his role extremely serious, and he’s so good at it. He’s just pushing people and pushing himself to be better. He works every bit as hard on that side of things as he does on making the racecar fast, so yeah, again, I think that’s what makes him special. I’ll never forget our first championship and spending it with him afterwards, so hopefully we have more of those celebrations.”

A lot of comparisons can be drawn to Cliff Daniels and Chad Knaus. How do you see that relationship as you’re in the walls of Hendrick Motorsports, and what’s that dynamic like between the two of them?

“Yeah, I mean, I think they’re two very similar people in how they approach success, work ethic and all of that. I’m sure Cliff (Daniels) learned a lot from Chad (Knaus) working underneath him as an engineer for those years that he did with Jimmie (Johnson). I’m sure a lot of his foundation was set then in on how he is. I’ve always heard of Cliff being an ultra-competitive leader even back to his kickball days, so I think it’s just been in him. I think he enjoys the fact of being compared to Chad. I also enjoy the fact that we’re both compared in the same sort of categories as Jimmie and Chad because they’re the greatest of this modern generation. When you can be in the same sentence as them, you feel like you’re doing something good.”

Under the previous playoff format, there would be 12 drivers, essentially, in contention at this point, whereas right now, you have about half of that. As a competitor, do you like having that condensed crop of title contenders, or would you rather have that 10-plus that you’re trying to fend off for the title at this point?

“I don’t know. I mean, it doesn’t really matter, I guess, at this point because it’s not that way. And who’s to say it’s always going to be like this? I mean, next year, there could be 12 guys in contention if races go a different way, or there could be less. So, I don’t know. I just think at the end of the day and at the end of the season, whoever wins a championship, there’s going to be no argument, or there shouldn’t be. But where the previous format, in the Next Gen cars, I feel like there was always a bit of an argument on if that champion was deserving. So, yeah, I think it’s fine how it is.”

As the leader with the points cushion you have right now, are you looking down at the standings towards like sixth or seventh to see who could make a run, or are you just minding your own race?

“Yeah, I mean, I think for me, I don’t view my gap as anything, where I think a lot of media members, it sounds like, views it that way. And then, I also don’t consider as many people out of it as it seems like everybody else does. There’s just a lot of racing left. There’s a lot of points on the table. There’s a lot of things that can happen. There’s a lot of restarts left. There’s all sorts of things. So, yeah, I think with that, you just stay focused on yourself; stay focused on your team and what you’re doing during the week to improve and prepare for the upcoming race. I think that’s kind of where we’re at as a team, and that’s where we’ve been at all year. So, yeah, just have to kind of keep it going.”

Last night was a big night here for the facility with the Kyle Busch Classic. We saw Owen (Larson) hanging out with Brexton (Busch). How cool is it to see the relationship they carry, learning together and racing together on other tracks, and how nice would it be to continue to see them climb up the ranks together?

“Yeah, Owen (Larson) had a great time here yesterday. He was here all day. I was waiting for him to text us, like, ‘hey, come pick me up, I’m bored now. I’ve been here all day’. But Katelyn (Larson) checked in with him, and he said he was having a blast, so that was really cool. And then, I ultimately ended up coming out here because it was getting late, so I watched the Legends race and then picked him up and stayed here at the track.

But yeah, just to see the enjoyment that he was having there and getting to see the little bits of videos — I think Bob (Pockrass) maybe posted something before the Legends race of them, like, looking at Flo together on Brexton’s phone. Just memories like that, I think, we’ll all remember for a long time. I hope that they’ll remember nights like that together. And yeah, hopefully, they’re racing across the street someday together on this big track. But yeah, it’s fun to obviously follow their careers, but even the others that you might not know about right now that are working really hard to try to make it someday. Grassroots racing is in a great spot right now.”

For you, obviously we’ve seen you in victory lane many times throughout your career, in different series, running different schemes. But if all goes well, what would a Kyle Busch throwback scheme look like in victory lane rank amongst all the cars you’ve taken there? “Yeah, it’s definitely going to add some level of importance and memory to winning in a scheme like that. But you don’t ever want to get ahead of yourself, and I don’t ever like to think about what a celebration might be like. I just try to, again, do a good job. If you end up in Victory Lane, that’s when those emotions happen, and you can never predict what it’s going to be like.”

I want to circle back to how you said you guys kind of had some struggles earlier in the season. One track where you didn’t struggle was here in Las Vegas. You and the entire Hendrick Motorsports organization were actually really well, but you were slightly off of JGR. How do you think the change in the splitter affected you guys last week at Kansas? And although Kansas and Las Vegas are two different tracks, can you take anything away from last week and put it forth towards this weekend?

“Honestly, I had no idea there was anything different with splitters. I don’t get involved in any of that.

And then, yeah, I mean, for Vegas earlier this year, we actually weren’t that good for our standards here. I felt like we were like a, I don’t know, 6th to 8th, 9th-place car. I just remember my balance was just different every run. It was hard to get a good, consistent race because I was always just fighting something different. But, yeah, I mean, Chase (Elliott) was really good. I watched some of his onboard this morning from that, and what his car was able to do is what I feel like I’m typically able to do here. He was really strong at the end of that race. I think our package has come a long way since March or whenever we were here, so excited to get on track. I mean, it’s going to be a lot different. It’s so much hotter, and the surface is going to be slipperier and it usually feels bumpier because of that. So, yeah, we’ll see. I don’t know. I still believe that Toyota’s and Denny (Hamlin) will be the best, but hopefully we’ve narrowed that gap even more here.”

We saw the other night that you were at the Aces-Fever game. What was your experience like there, and how important is it to support the teams in the cities that you’re racing in? “Yeah, that kind of came together last minute, but it was a lot of fun to go there. I’ve honestly been to more WNBA games than NBA games here in the last couple years, and I enjoy it. You know, the atmosphere at those games are way better than watching the men play. It’s loud the whole time. People are screaming, cheering and booing, and the girls are fiery on the court. I enjoy it. It’s a good time. Anytime you get to see Caitlin Clark play, it’s going to be exciting. And, you know, Sophie Cunningham, being a fan of NASCAR, you have somebody to cheer for. So, yeah, I enjoyed watching it, and I’m sure I’ll go again. It was a good time.”

About General Motors

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TOYOTA RACING – NOAPS Las Vegas Quotes – Sam Hunt Racing – 10.03.26

By

Official Release

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October 3, 2026

TOYOTA RACING – Sam Hunt Racing
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Quotes

LAS VEGAS (October 3, 2026) – Sam Hunt Racing owner and president Sam Hunt and 2027 driver Sheldon Creed were made available to the media on Saturday after unveiling their 2027 plans to the media.

SHELDON CREED, No. 26 Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

SAM HUNT, owner and president, Sam Hunt Racing

Can you tell us why you are here today?

SAM HUNT: “I don’t get to be in here very often, so it’s good to see everyone’s face. I am here today to announce that I have signed Sheldon Creed to be the future of our 26 Toyota Supra, on a multi-year deal, super exciting. I’ve known Sheldon for a long time. He’s like a brother to me, so to be able to do this, do it here, is just really fun.”

What does it mean to sign Sheldon Creed to a multi-year deal?

SAM HUNT: “It’s huge. Sam Hunt Racing’s kind of been built a little bit different than a lot of teams. It’s been progress every single year. I felt like for us to take the next big step that we wanted to take, having a guy, like Sheldon (Creed), make a home with us, with us and the Toyota family, was the move I needed to make, and I think I strive to be better in my role as an owner every year, and the opportunity presented itself, and I was able to work on this for a little bit and be able to go to Sheldon with the deal that not only helps him on track, but off track. Yeah, it’s the logical next step for our race team. I’m just thankful for all the partners that kind of help with this together.”

How does affect your focus for the remainder of the year?

SHELDON CREED: “Yeah, just obviously announcing this morning, and then we’re right back to work, and just trying to run as good as we can every week, and I think Sam’s (Hunt, owner, Sam Hunt Racing) a big supporter of our 00 team, and trying to finish strong.”

What makes this the right fit to continue that progression?

SHELDON CREED: “I’ve had the privilege to race, obviously, for RCR (Richard Childress Racing), JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing), now Haas, run good with all of them, but finally found Victory Lane this year, and numerous times now, being the points leader, is massive for us. I think, for the 00 group, for my team, but yeah, looking down the road, obviously, haven’t gotten a Cup opportunity, and obviously, that’s still my end goal. But if I don’t ever get that call, I felt like Sam’s (Hunt Racing) is somewhere I can race for the next 15 years and make a good living and be able to raise my family and, yeah, just try to build a good life.”

What was your pitch to Sheldon Creed and how did this deal come together and help you make the next step?

SAM HUNT: “I think Sheldon (Creed) and I; we’ve known each other well for years, so we’ve kind of been able to follow each other’s careers. We’re in a similar stage of life too, which is which is fun. I think the timing and the opportunity just presented itself this year. I think for us to take the next step, having a guy like Sheldon, that’s now won races has been a lot of places and can be a really big part of helping us take the next step as a race team. It was just what I knew I had to do as a team owner, and I had to figure out how to make that work. It takes a village. There’s a lot of good people that were involved in helping put this all together, but I know the caliber of race car drivers Sheldon is, but I also know the caliber of human he is, and that’s something that’s very important to our organization. Sheldon’s a rock star husband and father. I think we just have the opportunity to kind of keep building a race team together, and it’d be a family. We’ve got a family atmosphere at SHR (Sam Hunt Racing), and I know he’s excited to kind of jump into that, like you said, he’s been with a lot of championship level organizations, and I’ve told him, like, hey, it’s a little different over here and you really got to get your hands dirty and dive into the everyday process. I trust Sheldon at a very high level, and I think it’s just going to be a fun ride for all of us.”

No change from an OEM perspective?

SAM HUNT: “No, not at all. We are committed to Toyota long term, and the Toyota family is a huge reason why I’m even sitting up here and I’m able to continue to progress as a race team. I’m just excited to progress on that front and, I want nothing more than to continue bringing results for our OE.”

What has your team at Haas meant to you and why is this the right time to make the move?

SHELDON CREED: “I think it starts with Jonathan Toney, our crew chief, just a great leader, great human, and does a really good job with all of our guys. I feel like our team just gets along great. The shop atmosphere is amazing. I have zero complaints, and I wouldn’t say it was my first choice to move on, but, unfortunately, business has to make sense, and that overrules results and performance on track sometimes. Me and Sam (Hunt, owner, Sam Hunt Racing) have joked about it for years. We hang out away from the racetrack, our wives are friends, and yeah, we would just laugh about it and, like, oh, we’ll get together one day, and, and yeah, just, it finally kind of came true.”

SAM HUNT: “I’d like to just add to add on the 00 side, JT (Jonathan Toney, crew chief) and those guys are phenomenal, and that’s a really good bunch over at HFT (Haas Factory Team). They are a championship caliber organization, and I’ve told JT and all those guys, I’m their biggest cheerleader, and I not only want to see Sheldon (Creed) be champion this year, but that whole group deserves it. We’ve got a lot of good people around us right now on both sides.”

How much did the resources at Toyota help you make your decision?

SHELDON CREED: “I believe that Toyota resources are arguably the best in our sport. I’ve gotten to race for every manufacturer now, so I’ve gotten to see it all and see the way different manufacturers work and different teams work. I think just getting to learn all that will help me, you know, with the 26 team and Kris Bowen (crew chief), and being able just to share some knowledge. Also, just maturing as a human over the last five years, we’ll go a long way, but, yeah, I would say it had a lot to do with my decision, and obviously, you don’t want to be someone that’s jumping around and made different manufacturers, but I have. I think it’s all positive, and I think I can bring a lot to the table for Sam (Hunt, owner, Sam Hunt Racing), and I think we’re going to have the most fun on the team in the garage.”

How will you bring your championship approach to Sam Hunt Racing?
SHELDON CREED: “Yeah, I was a whole lot younger. It feels like it was yesterday still, but truck racing came a lot easier to me, and I had a ton of confidence, and then kind of got beat down over the next three years on the O’Reilly series, and I feel like I’ve finally kind of found myself, and I owe a lot of that to the 00 team, I think, just bringing me great race cars, and be able to have good results, confidence and momentum, I think, is massive in our sport. So, the last few years has been a grind, not fun at times, fun at other times, but I’m having the most fun I’ve had in the last five right now.”

Do you feel like you can challenge for a title next year?

SHELDON CREED: “I think, yeah, we’ll have to see, right? See what the first few races have to offer for us. I think we’ll have good runs, and I think we’ll have grinded out days where we struggle. I think making the Chase is a main goal, and we’ll start there, and as we get through the season, try to, like, get closer to the front and get wins. I don’t want to count us out. I think if we can get things right, I think certainly we could be in the hunt.”

Do you feel like you can bring things that you have learned from other organizations to Sam Hunt Racing?

SHELDON CREED: “Yeah, absolutely. I don’t think it’s healthy just to come in and say, this is how we did it, this is how we need to do it. Every team works a little differently, right? I’m going to try to share as much knowledge as I have, and just, you know, try to put pieces together and help Kris Bowen (crew chief) and all the guys there, everyone that’s on the team now, and just try to keep building and making it better. I think that’ll be our whole year. I think we’ll just keep trying to strive to be a little bit better every week.”

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Sheldon Creed joins Sam Hunt Racing for 2027 O’Reilly season

By

Andrew Kim

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October 3, 2026

20260801123644-04a96cf0-me — Photo by Adam Lovelace for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Sheldon Creed will be transitioning from Haas Factory Team (HFT) to Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

Creed, the 2020 Craftsman Truck Series champion from Alpine, California, will be piloting the No. 26 Toyota Supra entry for what will be his sixth consecutive season as a full-time O’Reilly competitor next season, an announcement that was made at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 3. The news, which is a multi-year basis, comes as Creed is currently leading this year’s Chase standings and has won two of the series’ three Chase events, including the series’ recent-scheduled event at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 18.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join Sam Hunt Racing in 2027 and to chase trophies alongside Kris Bowen as my crew chief,” Creed said. “I’ve known Sam for several years and have watched SHR grow first-hand, so it’s special to put my name above the door and to be able to also call it home. Each year SHR continues to make strides, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue to help grow the organization. Currently, I’m focused on winning a championship with Haas Factory Team and closing the season out strong but am thrilled to have my plans locked in for next year and into the future with a quality group of people.”

Creed, a former Stadium Super Trucks champion and ARCA Menards Series champion, made his first pair of O’Reilly career starts in 2017 as he drove for JD Motorsports at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Road America, respectively. Two years later, he made a one-race O’Reily appearance driving for JR Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway. After competing for B.J. McLeod Motorsports during the 2021 finale at Phoenix Raceway, Creed graduated to a full-time O’Reilly campaign for the first time ever in 2022, where he drove for Richard Childress Racing (RCR).

Throughout Creed’s two-year campaign at RCR, he notched a combined seven runner-up results, 11 top-five results, 28 top-10 results, his first career pole at Portland International Raceway and 345 laps led. After missing the Playoffs and finishing in 14th place in the final standings in 2022, he made it for the following season and settled in seventh place. Creed then joined Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in 2024, where he notched six runner-up results, 16 top-five results, 23 top-10 results, two poles, 153 laps led and an average-finishing result of 13.5. He also made the 2024 Playoffs and settled in sixth place in the standings.

Beginning in 2025, Creed joined Haas Factory Team as the driver of the No. 00 Chevrolet Camaro entry. This past season, he accumulated two additional runner-up results along with eight top-five results, 16 top-10 results, a pole, 92 laps led, an average-finishing result of 16.1 and his third consecutive Playoff berth before settling in ninth place. This season, Creed achieved his first elusive victory at EchoPark Speedway in mid-February following a dramatic final-lap pass and after notching 15 runner-up results throughout his career. Throughout the month of September, he obtained an average-finishing result of 1.33 through the first three Chase events as he has notched victories at Darlington Raceway and Bristol, respectively. To go along with a runner-up result at World Wide Technology Raceway, the Californian leads the Chase standings by 11 points and has six Chase events remaining to maintain the points lead for his first series’ championship.

Through 163 career starts in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series division, Creed has achieved three victories (all occurring in 2026), 47 top-five results (12 in 2026), 87 top-10 results (19 in 2026), five poles (one in 2026), 828 laps led (238 in 2026) and an average-finishing result of 14.2 (9.5 in 2026) as he continues his pursuit for additional victories and his first title.

Sam Hunt Racing, which debuted in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series division during the 2019 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway before being elevated as a full-time team in 2020, welcomes Creed as the third ever competitor to pilot the organization’s No. 26 Toyota entry on a full-time basis in 2027. The entry is currently being piloted by Dean Thompson, who is set to join Haas Factory Team next season. SHR’s full driver lineup of its current two-car operation along with partnerships and team details will be revealed at a later date.

In it for the long haul.

Welcome home, @sheldoncreed! #LetsHunt | #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/dxJRLwLOT6
— Sam Hunt Racing (@SamHuntRacing) October 3, 2026

“Today marks one of the most fulfilling announcements I’ve had the pleasure of making since founding SHR,” Sam Hunt, Owner and President of Sam Hunt Racing, said. “Sheldon fits every category I look for in a driver that can build a scrappy race team into its future; talent, experience, personality, and most importantly – who he is as a human. He’s a racer in the purest form, a winner, and a rockstar husband, father, and friend.”

With Creed set to depart Haas Factory Team at the conclusion of this season, the organization released a statement to commend Creed’s contributions and focus towards contending for the championship before determining its driver lineup for 2027.

An official statement from HFT regarding Sheldon Creed's departure. pic.twitter.com/5J73L3CppY
— Haas Factory Team (@HaasFactoryTeam) October 3, 2026

With his plans for next season set, Sheldon Creed’s 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season resumes on Saturday, October 3, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Focused Health 302. The event’s broadcast time is slated to commence at 7:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network, PRN Radio and SiriusXM.

Thienes Finishes Third Overall in 2026 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Championship

By

Official Release

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October 3, 2026

Forte Racing Closes Competitive LMP3 Season at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

Monrovia, California (Saturday, October 3, 2026) – Forte Racing brought its 2026 IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge season to a close Friday at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, capping a competitive year that saw Brian Thienes finish third in the overall LMP3 drivers’ championship following a season-long battle among one of the series’ strongest fields of Bronze-rated drivers.

Driving the No. 77 Thienes Engineering Ligier JS P325, Thienes entered the season finale tied for the Bronze Cup championship, setting up a winner-take-all battle across the final two sprint races at Road Atlanta. The fight ultimately came down to the closing minutes of Friday’s finale, with Thienes running ahead of his championship rival for much of the race before a late Full Course Yellow erased the gap and set up one final restart. The championship was decided following the restart, bringing a closely contested season-long battle to an end.

Despite narrowly missing the Bronze Cup title, Thienes completed another successful season with Forte Racing, finishing third in the overall drivers’ championship while demonstrating consistency across both the sprint and endurance portions of the schedule.

Brian Thienes: “Not one of my better years, but I’m still happy to be third in the overall drivers’ championship. This year had the best group of Bronze drivers. We were all very competitive, usually running within tenths of a second of each other, and the Bronze championship came down to the last 10 minutes of the last race. I’m very proud of the team this year for providing a very reliable car and honored to be working with Pete Jacobs, one of the greatest race car engineers in the world.”

Thienes was joined at Road Atlanta by Jon Hirshberg in the No. 86 Revenge Dakine Ligier JS P325. Competing in five events during the 2026 season, Hirshberg continued to build experience with the new-generation Ligier while showing steady progress throughout the year. He closed his partial-season campaign ninth in the overall championship standings.

Jon Hirshberg: “I want to thank everyone at Forte for a great 2026 season. It took some time for us to adjust to the new car, but we got up to speed quickly and enjoyed a few podiums this season. I’m looking forward to getting more testing in this winter and going for gold next year.”

Road Atlanta provided a demanding final test for both Forte Racing Ligiers. The 2.54-mile circuit combines high-speed corners, significant elevation changes and rapid directional transitions, requiring the team to find a balance between aerodynamic stability and mechanical grip.

Technical Director Peter Jacobs saw encouraging signs from both cars from the beginning of the weekend, with Thienes immediately competitive and Hirshberg continuing to make gains as the event progressed.

Peter Jacobs: “Road Atlanta is an exercise in extreme vehicle balance, managing high aerodynamic load against steep elevation changes and high-speed directional transitions.

“Turn 1 High-Speed Uphill Compression. Coming off the main straight, drivers enter Turn 1 at high speed. As the suspension compresses up the hill, the aero load spikes, heavily loading the front left and rear tires. Mechanically, the dampers must manage this extreme vertical compression to prevent bottoming out the front splitter without making the ride rate so stiff that it destabilizes the car over the curbs.

“The Esses require lightning-fast direction changes. Engineers must dial in mechanical roll stiffness carefully.

“High roll stiffness, stiffer anti-roll bars, improves initial turn-in response and transient stability through Turns 3, 4 and 5. However, making it too stiff reduces compliance over the aggressive curbs, risking upset of the aerodynamic platform, which relies on consistent ground clearance to generate underbody ground effect.

“Turn 12 Downhill Compression onto the Front Straight. Turn 12 drops dramatically downhill into a sweeping right-hander. Because the car unweights over the crest before compressing at the bottom, mechanical grip drops temporarily, making the rear aero balance critical. If the rear wing isn’t producing stable downforce here, the rear end will easily step out at over 130 mph.

“Straight out of the box, both cars were outpacing competitors that had just recently been testing.

“Jon Hirshberg made huge strides, improving throughout the weekend.

“Brian Thienes never disappoints as he battles it out with drivers more than half his age.

“I have to thank my little brother from another mother for giving me all the tools that make our cars competitive.”

Team Manager David Cozart echoed Jacobs’ assessment of the weekend while pointing to the progress made throughout the 2026 campaign and the foundation the team has established heading into next season.

David Cozart: “Atlanta was a solid finish to our 2026 season. Both Brian and Jon drove exceptionally well at this last event. It was really fun to watch Brian handle the car with such authority. Jon was equally impressive. He has truly grown this season and is putting all the pieces together.

“With that momentum, we look forward to testing and a competitive 2027 season. Lastly, I want to thank my crew and drivers for a great and memorable season.”

For Team Owner Shane Seneviratne, the season-ending weekend was an opportunity to recognize both the results and the work behind them as Forte Racing continued developing its LMP3 program throughout 2026.

Shane Seneviratne: “I’m very proud of what Brian, Jon and the entire Forte Racing team accomplished this season. Brian fought for the Bronze championship all the way to the final minutes of the final race, and that says a lot about the level of competition this year and the consistency he showed throughout the season. Jon made tremendous progress every time he got in the car, and it was great to see that development over the course of the year.

“Pete, David and the entire crew put a tremendous amount of work into this program, especially as we continued learning and developing the new Ligier. We have a strong foundation to build on, and I’m excited about what we can accomplish together in 2027.”

Forte Racing now turns its attention to offseason testing and preparation for the 2027 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge season. The new season will begin February 26-28 at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida.

Additional details regarding Forte Racing’s 2027 program will be announced at a later date.

For updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and live action from the paddock, follow @ForteRacing on Instagram.

ABOUT FORTE RACING (Formerly US RaceTronics)

Founded in 2023, Forte Racing is a motorsports team based in Los Angeles and Charlotte. Under the watchful eye of Shane Seneviratne, the team competed in various racing series, including the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship, the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo and, in 2025, expanded by adding a single-car entry in the inaugural McLaren Trophy America Championship.

Building on the foundation of US RaceTronics, the team has quickly built a strong reputation with multiple podium finishes, race wins, and several North American and World Championships. The team expands to a four-car McLaren Trophy America program for 2026 in addition to continuing their presence in the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge.

For more information on driving opportunities, series details, or event attendance, visit www.forteracing.com.

About O’Gara Motorsport

O’Gara Motorsport was founded in 2014 by owner Tom O’Gara and celebrated winning the 2015 North American Lamborghini Super Trofeo driver and team Championships. The team goal is to achieve victories in the Series as well as showcasing the brands of their sponsors both on and off the track. With a vertically integrated platform that starts at the dealership and accelerates to the top levels of professional sports car racing, everyone at O’Gara is dedicated to providing a comprehensive program for anyone, from the casually curious to the dedicated racer.

ARCA Menards Series West at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Kyle Busch Classic 151 Post-race Notes

By

Official Release

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October 3, 2026

It took two overtime attempts to get there, but Taylor Mayhew (No. 17 MMI Services Toyota) pulled off an improbable victory in the ARCA Menards Series West Kyle Busch Classic 151 at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mayhew started at the tail of the field after a clutch issue after practice necessitated an engine change that preventing him from making a qualifying attempt. He worked his way through the field and lined up third for the second, one-lap overtime attempt. He nudged his way past Robbie Kennealy (No. 1 Jan’s Towing / Jan’s Racing Ford) to win by inches at the stripe.
Mayhew’s victory came in his fourth series start. He led only the final lap, which is the first, and so far only, lap he’s led in his ARCA Menards Series West career.
Mayhew’s victory marks the fourth consecutive ARCA Menards Series West race decided by a last-lap pass.
Kennealy held on for second in a three-wide finish, just behind Mayhew and just ahead of his Jan’s Racing teammate Cole Denton (No. 71 Jan’s Towing / Jan’s Racing Ford). Kennealy was racing in memory of his father Gary, who passed away two years ago this week. Denton finished third, rebounding from a 21st-place result at Madera Speedway last week. It was Kennealy’s seventh top-five finish of the season and his tenth top-ten in eleven starts.
Vito Cancilla (No. 20 Home Smiles / Impact Transportation Chevrolet) finished fourth in his ARCA Menards West debut, a day after he turned 15 and became eligible to compete within the ARCA Menards Series platform. Cancilla’s great-grandfather Cos Cancilla was the championship winning car owner in the Pacific Coast Late Model division, the series that is now known as the ARCA Menards Series West.
ARCA Menards West championship points leader Trevor Huddleston (No. 50 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford) led coming to the white flag, but instead of seeing the signal he was about to begin his final lap the caution was displayed for an incident in turn two involving Madera winner Hailie Deegan (No. 16 Monster Chevrolet). Huddleston led when the white flag was displayed the first time, but he was taken three wide into turn three coming to the checkered with Kennealy on the bottom and Mason Massey (No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet) in the middle. Contact was made between Massey and Kennealy, which sent Massey up the track and into Huddleston, with both drivers spinning to bring out the caution. Huddleston recovered to finish fifth, with Massey one spot back in sixth.
Tyler Tomassi (No. 72 Mad Rbt Energy Patch / Third Gen Racecars / Phils Toyota) scored a career-best seventh-place finish. It was Tomassi’s third top-ten finish of the season and first since he finished ninth at Tri-City Raceway in June.
Eric Johnson, Jr. (No. 5 Pacific Office Automation / Sherwin-Williams Toyota) rebounded from involvement in the Huddleston / Massey spin to finish eighth, his sixth top-ten finish of the season.
Eric Rhead (No. 66 Champ Transport / Turnkey Leasing Ford) had a stellar run, avoiding at least two incidents, including a narrow miss when Gavin Ray (No. 7 Southwest Specialty Contractors Toyota) and Andrew Champman (No. 55 High Point Racing / Racecar Factory Ford) came together on turn four on lap 120. Rhead finished ninth, Chapman was tenth, and Ray came home eleventh. It was Rhead’s third top-ten finish in four starts in 2026.
Helio Meza (No. 28 Allesandros / Heraldo Media Chevrolet) earned the Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole Award in his ARCA Menards Series West debut, but made an unscheduled pit stop for a flat left rear tire early in the race that left him at one point as many as ten laps behind the leader. Meza recovered three of those lost laps and finished 18th.
There were 6 caution flags for a total of 52 laps. The race was extended by 16 laps by two overtime attempts.
Mayhew’s margin of victory was 0.045 seconds. His winning average speed was 56.788 miles per hour.
Huddleston led 153 laps, Kennealy led nine, Meza led four, and Mayhew led only the final lap. There were six lead changes among four drivers.
The next race for the ARCA Menards Series West is Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, October 17. The race, set to begin at 10 pm ET / 8 pm MT, will be streamed live on FloRacing. ARCARacing.com will have live timing & scoring data throughout all on-track activity and live race audio. Follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly Twitter) for up-to-the-minute updates.

About ARCA 
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization to sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit , or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing). 

About Menards
A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states.  Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building.  You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more.  To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!
 
Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture.  Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries.  And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. 

Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too!  For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

DEJORIA RACES TO PROVISIONAL NO. 1 TO OPEN NAPA AUTO PARTS NHRA MIDWEST NATIONAL

By

Official Release

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October 3, 2026

ST. LOUIS – John Force Racing Funny Car standout Alexis DeJoria took the provisional No. 1 qualifier spot at World Wide Technology Raceway, kicking off the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals.

DeJoria, driver of the Bandero Café Chevrolet SS, clocked a 3.882-second pass at 334.65 mph to land in the provisional No. 1 qualifying position on Friday. With only seven qualifying days left in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, DeJoria and her team know the importance of performing well during qualifying leading into race day.

“Our car is set up exactly the way it should be, and this is the right time to get hot in the season,” DeJoria said. “We have the consistency, but we needed to step it up. We needed to run those faster numbers, those quicker numbers, especially on where we stand. So, we’re off to a good start.”

Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), Troy Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) are also the provisional No. 1 qualifiers at the 17th of 20 races of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and the third of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

Langdon, Matt Hagan, Coughlin and Herrera each won the inaugural “Top Dog” competition, presented by USEDHOTDOGS.com, during Friday’s second qualifying session, running best in their respective categories. The winners will receive a custom Hot Dog Trophy, exclusive USEDHOTDOGS.com swag, a ceremonial winner’s check and bonus cash awards totaling $7,500.

Prize payouts include:

Top Fuel: $2,500
Funny Car: $2,500
Pro Stock: $1,500
Pro Stock Motorcycle: $1,000

DeJoria has two No. 2 qualifier positions this season, and if her qualifying effort stays atop the field at World Wide Technology Raceway, it will give her first No. 1 of the year and seventh of her career.

“Friday night qualifying sessions are key,” said DeJoria. “You want to throw down Friday night, and we’re grateful we did that.”

DeJoria edged out No. 2 qualifier and Funny Car points leader Hagan. Hagan also ran a 3.882 at 331.85, while her John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman is third with a 3.888 at 332.10.

Top Fuel points leader Langdon ran a 3.679 at 339.87 to land in the No. 1 spot. With back-to-back playoff wins in Martin and Rockingham, he is on course for his seventh low qualifier of the season.

“I just try to do the task at hand, take each run for what it is and address each run in that moment,” said Langdon, who has set two new national speed records this season. “The records and the speeds and all that are cool to see, but more importantly, you just want the points.”

Langdon has seven wins on the year and currently leads his Kalitta Motorsports teammate and reigning world champion Doug Kalitta by 25 points. Langdon has one Funny Car win at World Wide Technology Raceway and will be looking for his first Top Fuel win at the facility.

Four-time world champion and five-time St. Louis winner Antron Brown is currently second with his 3.704 at 334.90, with Top Fuel rookie standout Maddi Gordon in third with her 3.708 at 335.90.

Coughlin powered to a 6.473 at 211.69 in his JEGS Pro Stock car. If it stays best of the field, it will give him his first No. 1 of the season and first since 2023.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been low qualifier,” said Coughlin. “It feels good. Now the focus is on tomorrow, making two more solid passes that really help our race day setup. We’re gaining momentum and consistency, that’s important. I just want to make sure I can be the best for these guys. They’ve given me the race car to get the job done, I just want to be the driver that can get the job done for this team.”

Coughlin kicked off the playoffs with a win at Martin, giving him his first win since 2024. He currently sits fifth in the overall points standings.

Last weekend’s winner Greg Stanfield is provisionally second with his 6.474 at 210.93, while six-time world champion Greg Anderson is third with a 6.479 at 210.50.

Two-time Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Herrera is currently No. 1 after going 6.666 at 202.03 on his Suzuki. Herrera enters World Wide Technology Raceway as the three-time consecutive NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals winner. If his qualifying effort holds, it will be his third No. 1 of the 2026 season.

“My bike’s been on rails,” Herrera said. “It’s just coming down to me doing my job and running a 6.66 here in St. Louis is very cool, especially at night under the lights. Tonight was the premium track conditions where we could lay it all out. Tomorrow is going to get us ready for Sunday.”

Maryland winner Angie Smith is currently second with her 6.696 at 199.88, while Joey Gladstone is third with a 6.697 at 202.15.

In JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports, Justin Bond broke the national elapsed time record with his impressive 5.619 at 256.06. Bond is currently second in the overall Pro Mod champion points, with only St. Louis and Las Vegas to go on the 2026 season.

Qualifying continues at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway.

MADISON, Ill. — Friday’s results after the first two of four rounds of qualifying for the 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway, 17th of 20 events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Top Fuel — 1. Shawn Langdon, 3.679 seconds, 339.87 mph; 2. Antron Brown, 3.704, 335.90; 3. Maddi Gordon, 3.708, 335.90; 4. Spencer Massey, 3.715, 332.67; 5. Billy Torrence, 3.716, 334.82; 6. Josh Hart, 3.717, 333.41; 7. Shawn Reed, 3.721, 331.69; 8. Kyle Wurtzel, 3.723, 332.59; 9. Doug Kalitta, 3.728, 333.66; 10. Leah Pruett, 3.730, 331.69; 11. Justin Ashley, 3.737, 331.36; 12. Jasmine Salinas, 3.741, 327.11; 13. Will Smith, 3.742, 332.75; 14. Tony Stewart, 3.742, 332.59; 15. Clay Millican, 3.760, 323.19; 16. Tony Schumacher, 3.842, 320.20. Not Qualified: 17. Keith Murt, 3.862, 307.09; 18. Brian Inouye, 4.159, 247.47; 19. Cameron Ferre, 4.169, 228.34; 20. Scott Palmer, 7.366, 95.71; 21. Charles Loftin, 10.778, 64.65.

Funny Car — 1. Alexis DeJoria, Chevy Camaro, 3.882, 334.65; 2. Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.882, 335.07; 3. Jack Beckman, Camaro, 3.888, 332.10; 4. J.R. Todd, Toyota GR Supra, 3.898, 336.07; 5. Chad Green, Ford Mustang, 3.906, 329.99; 6. Jordan Vandergriff, Camaro, 3.906, 328.94; 7. Dave Richards, Mustang, 3.923, 333.74; 8. Cruz Pedregon, Charger, 3.933, 320.89; 9. Spencer Hyde, Mustang, 3.945, 327.35; 10. Terry Haddock, Mustang, 4.028, 315.19; 11. Blake Alexander, Toyota Supra, 4.115, 266.85; 12. Dale Creasy Jr., Charger, 4.234, 238.17; 13. Chris King, Charger, 4.265, 244.34; 14. Daniel Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.547, 180.91; 15. Austin Prock, Mustang, 4.923, 225.15; 16. Jack Wyatt, Charger, 7.299, 94.35. Not Qualified: 17. Bobby Bode, 7.900, 89.26; 18. Ron Capps, 8.006, 86.85.

Pro Stock — 1. Troy Coughlin Jr., Chevy Camaro, 6.473, 211.69; 2. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.474, 210.93; 3. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.479, 210.50; 4. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, 6.483, 210.24; 5. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.486, 210.54; 6. Eric Latino, Camaro, 6.488, 211.46; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.488, 210.08; 8. Erica Enders, Camaro, 6.491, 211.63; 9. Cody Anderson, Camaro, 6.525, 209.46; 10. Kenny Delco, Camaro, 6.531, 209.95; 11. Stephen Bell, Camaro, 6.531, 209.36; 12. Mason McGaha, Camaro, 6.550, 210.87; 13. Dallas Glenn, Camaro, 6.555, 193.05; 14. Matt Latino, Camaro, 8.988, 104.03; 15. Deric Kramer, Camaro, 9.166, 129.50; 16. Chris Vang, Camaro, 10.279, 87.51.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — 1. Gaige Herrera, Suzuki, 6.666, 202.03; 2. Angie Smith, Buell, 6.696, 199.88; 3. Joey Gladstone, Buell, 6.697, 202.15; 4. John Hall, Buell, 6.707, 200.50; 5. Matt Smith, Buell, 6.710, 200.86; 6. Ryan Oehler, EBR, 6.712, 201.19; 7. Richard Gadson, Suzuki, 6.739, 200.20; 8. Chase Van Sant, Suzuki, 6.762, 199.76; 9. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 6.788, 196.10; 10. Clayton Howey, Buell, 6.803, 197.71; 11. Marc Ingwersen, EBR, 6.830, 197.10; 12. Kelly Clontz, Suzuki, 6.841, 198.23; 13. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 6.865, 194.32; 14. Malcolm Phillips Jr., Suzuki, 6.895, 191.29.

What Are the Penalties for Distracted Driving?

By

SM

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October 3, 2026

Distracted driving penalties usually start with a fine and points on your driving record, and they climb with each repeat offense. If the distraction causes a crash, the case can move from a traffic ticket to a criminal charge.

Each state writes its own distracted driving law, so fine amounts, point values, and license consequences differ. Federal rules add a separate layer of penalties for commercial drivers.

Lawmakers raised these penalties to reduce the accidents caused by distracted driving, and enforcement grew along with them. Knowing how the penalty ladder works helps you understand what a citation actually means.

What Behavior Gets Punished?

Penalties depend on the conduct the officer records. Most laws target handheld phone use, texting, and other activity that pulls your eyes, hands, or attention away from driving.

Some states treat the violation as a primary offense, meaning an officer can stop you for that alone. Others allow a ticket only after a separate violation.

What a First Offense Usually Costs

Most first citations are civil infractions rather than crimes, and they are resolved by paying or contesting the ticket.

Base fines that commonly range from fifty to several hundred dollars
Court costs and surcharges added on top of the fine
Points or demerits recorded on your driving record
A required safe driving or distracted driving course
Increased penalties in school zones and work zones

Some courts dismiss a first offense if you finish a course and stay violation-free.

How Repeat Offenses Change the Outcome

Repeat violations follow a ladder that gets steeper at each step.

A second ticket inside a fixed window, often one to three years, frequently doubles or triples the fine. A third can bring a mandatory court appearance, license suspension, or misdemeanor treatment.

Points stack the same way. Enough points on your record can suspend your license even when no crash happened.

Do Younger Drivers Face Harsher Penalties?

Teen and provisional license holders are usually held to a stricter standard than fully licensed adults.

A single violation can delay a full license, extend the probationary period, or trigger suspension at a lower point total. Some programs also require a retest before full driving privileges return.

When Distracted Driving Becomes a Criminal Charge

A citation turns into a criminal case when the distraction causes harm.

Prosecutors may file reckless driving, vehicular assault, or vehicular homicide charges depending on the injuries involved. Penalties at that level include jail time, probation, long suspensions, and a felony record in the most serious cases.

Phone records are routine evidence in these cases, because carriers can show the exact minute of a call or text.

Federal Penalties for Commercial Drivers

Commercial drivers face federal consequences on top of state fines, no matter where they are stopped.

Under 49 C.F.R. § 392.82, holding a mobile phone to talk or dial while operating a commercial vehicle is prohibited, and civil penalties can reach into the thousands for the driver and the carrier that allows it.

Under 49 C.F.R. § 383.51, texting and handheld use count as serious traffic violations. A second conviction within three years can disqualify a driver for 60 days.

Costs That Arrive After the Ticket

The fine is often the smallest expense in the file.

Insurers treat distracted driving as a moving violation, so premiums frequently rise for three to five years. Employers that review driving records may limit or end jobs that require driving.

A conviction can also support a civil claim, since proof of the violation helps an injured person show negligence.

Key Takeaways

First offenses usually mean fines, points, and court costs.
Repeat violations within a set period raise penalties sharply.
Crashes causing injury can bring criminal charges and jail.
Commercial drivers face federal penalties and disqualification.
Accumulated points can suspend a license without any crash.
Insurance increases often cost more than the original fine.
A conviction can strengthen an injured person’s civil claim.

Racing Liveries vs National Football Kits: How Colours Build Identity

By

SM

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October 3, 2026

depositphotos_722818638-stock-photo-football-world-championship-soccer-player — Photo by depositphotos at https://depositphotos.com/

Racing liveries and national football kits both use colour to create instant recognition, but they’ve followed very different paths. Motorsport began with national racing colours, such as British racing green, Italian red and French blue, before sponsorship transformed cars into moving advertisements from the late 1960s onwards. National football kits, by contrast, have largely stayed loyal to colours rooted in flags, royal houses and historic moments, like the Netherlands’ orange, Italy’s blue and Brazil’s yellow and green. The result is that football colours act as enduring symbols of national identity, while racing liveries often represent eras, sponsors and teams.

Both worlds show how powerful colour can be. A flash of red on a track or a sea of orange in a stadium tells fans exactly who they’re supporting before they see a name or a badge.

When Motorsport Raced in National Colours

In the early years of international motor racing, cars were painted in colours that represented their country. This tradition grew from events such as the Gordon Bennett Cup in the early 1900s, where national teams competed against each other. Britain adopted green, which became known as British racing green, Italy chose red, France used blue and Germany was initially associated with white.

The German colour later changed into one of motorsport’s most famous legends. In the 1930s, German cars became known as the Silver Arrows, racing in bare, polished metal. A popular story claims the white paint was scraped off to meet weight limits, although historians still debate how much of that tale is true. Either way, silver became closely linked to German racing and remains so today.

These colours created strong national pride. Spectators could recognise a country’s cars instantly, and success on the track was celebrated as a national achievement, much like football victories at major tournaments.

How Sponsorship Rewrote Racing Liveries

Everything changed in the late 1960s, when motorsport rules began allowing commercial sponsorship on cars. Teams quickly realised that sponsors could fund their increasingly expensive racing programmes, and national colours were replaced by company branding. In 1968, Lotus became one of the first Formula 1 teams to race in sponsor colours, marking the start of a new era.

Over the following decades, many liveries became iconic in their own right. The powder blue and orange of Gulf, the red, blue and white stripes associated with Martini and the black and gold of John Player Special became famous among fans, often more recognisable than the teams’ original national colours. These designs are now celebrated as part of motorsport history.

One team kept its link to national identity. Ferrari has remained closely tied to Italian red, known as rosso corsa, and its red cars are one of the strongest symbols in motorsport. That continuity has helped Ferrari build a deep emotional connection with fans around the world, similar to that between national football teams and their supporters.

Why National Football Kits Stayed Loyal to Their Colours

National football teams have been far more consistent. Kit designs change regularly, but core colours rarely do, because they’re tied to national symbols. The Netherlands wears orange in honour of the royal House of Orange-Nassau, while Italy’s blue, the famous azzurro, comes from the colour associated with the House of Savoy, the country’s former royal family.

Some colours come from dramatic moments. Brazil originally played in white, but after the shock defeat to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final at the Maracanã, the white kit was seen as unlucky. A design competition in the early 1950s led to the famous yellow shirt with green trim, which has since become one of the most recognisable kits in world sport.

National kits carry deep emotional meaning because they represent entire countries, not just teams. If you want to compare how different nations use their colours across home and away designs, take a look at the range of international shirts, from Argentina’s sky blue and white stripes to Germany’s classic white with black details and Japan’s distinctive blue.

Commercial pressures still exist in football, with kit suppliers producing new designs every couple of years and adding bold patterns or alternative colours for away and third kits. Yet the core colours remain untouched, because changing them would be seen as a break with national identity.

What Both Worlds Understand About Fans

Motorsport and football both show that fans become attached to colour. In racing, supporters often feel nostalgic about liveries from particular eras, and retro-inspired designs frequently appear at special events, delighting fans who remember the originals. Teams sometimes create one-off liveries for anniversaries or special races, which quickly become collectors’ items.

Football works in similar ways. Retro kits from famous tournaments are hugely popular, and supporters often associate shirts with specific memories, such as a first World Cup or a famous victory. Special edition kits for anniversaries or tributes often sell out quickly.

Both worlds also understand that colour connects fans across generations. A grandparent who watched a green British car in the 1950s and a grandchild cheering Ferrari red today are both part of the same story about colour and identity, just as generations of football fans share the same national shirt colours.

Where Colour Identity Goes Next

Motorsport has shown renewed interest in heritage colours. Some teams have introduced designs that nod to their history or national roots, and fans often respond positively to liveries that feel connected to tradition. As sponsorship continues to shape the sport, balancing commercial needs with heritage will remain an important challenge.

Football faces similar pressures. Kit designers want to create fresh, marketable designs, while supporters expect respect for tradition. National teams will likely continue to experiment with patterns, collars and away colours while keeping their core identity intact.

Sustainability and technology are also changing how both industries approach design, from recycled materials in football shirts to new paint and wrap technologies for racing cars. These changes may influence how colours are applied, but not necessarily what they mean.

Next time you watch a race or a national team match, notice how quickly colour tells you who’s who. Whether it’s Ferrari red flashing past or orange shirts filling a stadium, those colours carry decades of history, pride and emotion, and they’re a big part of why fans feel so connected to the teams they support.

MIKE STAVRINOS LOOKS TO STAY ON TOP IN JBS EQUIPMENT NHRA PRO MOD SERIES TITLE HUNT IN ST. LOUIS

By

Official Release

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October 2, 2026

MADISON, Ill. (Oct. 1, 2026) – Mike Stavrinos has enjoyed an impressive year in the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports, but the standout has turned it on at a key time, leading the points race with only two events remaining heading into this weekend’s NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway.

It is the 10th of 11 races in the category and this weekend’s event is powered by M&M Transmission and Jerry Bickel Race Cars. It’s also the fourth of five races in Pro Mod’s Road to the Championship as the category closes in on the finale.

Stavrinos jumped into the lead with his victory on Sunday in Rockingham in his Al-Anabi Performance Camaro, giving him two wins this season and two final-round appearances over his last four races.

While the points lead is the ideal spot with two races remaining, Stavrinos knows not to get comfortable in the loaded NHRA Pro Mod field. Justin Bond is just nine points behind in second and Derek Menholt is 43 points back in third.

It will make for a thrilling final two races and Stavrinos is well aware of what he needs to do this weekend in St. Louis.

“Coming into St. Louis in this position is exactly where we want to be,” Stavrinos said. “The AAP team has really found its stride and the momentum we’ve built over the last few races gives us a lot of confidence. But the points are incredibly tight, so there’s no room to take anything for granted.

“We’re going to St. Louis focused on doing what we’ve been doing – qualifying well, making good runs and going rounds. At this stage of the championship, every point matters and we’re ready for the fight.”

The annual Pro Mod stop in St. Louis always comes at a key time and this year is no different with the championship hunt in full effect. It’s another loaded field that includes the likes of Billy Banaka, reigning world champion J.R. Gray, Stan Shelton, Stevie Jackson, Mike Castellana, Lyle Barnett and Jason Collins, with everyone looking to get the win at the penultimate race of the season.

“St. Louis is our home track, and after four consecutive years of supporting NHRA Pro Mod, this event has become an important part of our commitment to the racers and customers in this class,” said Mark Micke, owner and CEO of M&M Transmission.

“Our trackside maintenance and support are an extension of what we stand for every day — delivering the reliability, performance and technology these teams need to compete at the highest level. We’re proud to play a part in helping the quickest and fastest doorslammers in the world win races and set records.”

NHRA Pro Mod qualifying at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals will also feature an added battle this weekend with the $7,500 Aeromotive Showdown. The special qualifying award will go to the driver with the quickest average elapsed time across all four qualifying rounds, rewarding consistency throughout qualifying.

The JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports features two qualifying rounds at 3:15 and 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday and the final two rounds of qualifying at 11 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. The first round of eliminations is slated for 4:15 p.m. CT on Saturday, with eliminations continuing on Sunday.

A qualifying session from both Friday and Saturday, and a round of eliminations will be broadcast for free on NHRA’s YouTube page. Fans can subscribe to the channel to be notified when the class goes live on NHRA’s YouTube page.

Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. All children 12 and under are free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more info on NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

About M&M Transmission

When horsepower gets serious, racers turn to M&M Transmission. Founded by racer Mark Micke, M&M builds race-winning transmissions, torque converters and shifters trusted throughout drag racing. Designed, manufactured and tested in Jefferson City, Missouri — it’s proven performance, built by racers, for racers. Visit MandMTransmission.comand put M&M performance in your race program.

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the JBS Equipment NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Elite Motorsports and NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Gosset Builds Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship Lead with Victory at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

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Official Release

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October 2, 2026

BRASELTON, Ga. (Oct. 1, 2026) – After 45 minutes of elbows-out racing, seven lead changes, and multiple intense restarts, it was Bobby Gossett (No. 44 BSI Racing) who raced to the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin Race 1 win on Thursday. His Road Atlanta victory helped to grow his lead in the championship fight.

The top three drivers in the championship battle, all fighting to secure the $250,000 prize from Mazda with just one race to go in the 2026 season, monopolized the podium as Justin Adakonis (No. 23 McCumbee McAleer Racing) finished in second and Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) came home third.

Gossett, who entered the race weekend leading the championship, grew his advantage over both Adakonis and Thomas in the standings after a remarkable run that started from 22nd on the grid to earn him the Penske “Shocking Performance” award for his huge push forward to victory.

Pole-sitting Frankie Barroso (No. 48 Spark Performance) led the field to green, but it was Ethan Goulart (No. 29 Saito Motorsports Group) into the lead on lap one. At the close of the opening lap, the first of two full-course cautions came out to remove Charlotte Traynor’s (No. 43 Parker DeLong Racing) stranded machine in Turn 10.

The restart saw Nathan Nicholson (No. 56 Advanced Autosports) move to the point, before Barroso retook the lead. Race officials were not too happy with the interaction the two drivers had in that lead change and issued Barroso a 10-second post-race penalty. Luckily for Barroso, the penalty and subsequent 18th-place finish did not harm his campaign for Rookie of the Year, which he mathematically clinched.

Goulart was back in the lead before the second full-course caution, but the real story was Gossett who was up to eighth and directly ahead of Adakonis for the restart.

Adakonis picked his way to the front quicker than Gossett and briefly took the lead, but it might have been too soon. Barroso and Goulart were determined to get back to the race lead and fought the MMR driver for it. This was exactly what Gossett needed to get around Adakonis and into the lead.

On the final lap, Adakonis was back in fourth, but made his way back to Gossett’s bumper with a brave move into Turn 10. It wasn’t enough though and Gossett held the advantage to the checkered flag, taking victory by 0.320-second.

“I think we got lucky there,” Gossett said.” I made quite a few mistakes, but there were some good passes in there too. I was just picking them off and I had a lot of friends out there,” said Gossett. “I think a lot of people know we are in the championship battle and they respect that. I’m glad to have a lot of friends out there-I can’t say that enough.”

After losing his championship advantage when a mechanical issue in Indianapolis cost him significant points, Adakonis is putting that out of his mind and looking to return to the points lead when it matters—after Friday’s final race. He’ll need to overcome a 120-point gap to Gossett.

“You know, it’s just another race in the schedule, and that was kind of our approach going into it is ‘whatever happens, happens,’ said Adakonis about his approach for the penultimate race. “You know, if I think about where Bobby’s [Gossett] at, thinking about where Jared’s at, but it’s not going to make any difference to me. I’m going 100 percent anyway and can only control what I can control, and I think we had a really great race.

“Overall, it’s really solid race, it’s obviously unfortunate that Bobby won as far as the points because I think we ran a really good race. But congrats to Bobby, man. He’s done great this year. So we’ll get him tomorrow. I think it’s going to be a close one for sure. I know the points say otherwise, but I think it’s going to be a tight race.”

Looking at potentially taking a break from racing in the Championship next year, the two-time champion Thomas put himself in the mix midway through the race, holding the lead and running in podium contention through the final stages to add yet another podium to his remarkable Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup career. Despite losing ground to both, he keeps his hat in the ring for the title with a 190-point deficit to Gossett.

“That’s really been the way it has been all year,” Thomas said of the hard-fought race all the way through the field. “That’s pretty standard operating for these guys. So, it was just about trying to keep your equipment under you and not get it wrecked too bad. I am not thinking about the points, but you have to just focus to do the best you can. That’s the goal, and the points come out, how they come out.”

Matt Novak (No. 11 Advanced Autosports) finished fourth ahead of Goulart who ended up fifth.

Gossett’s twin sister Ellie (No. 77 BSI Racing) joined him in the victory circle celebrations to collect her award for Highest Finishing Female.

Back in the series for the first time since St. Petersburg, Jameson Riley (No. 66 JTR Motorsports Engineering) took home the Takumi Award for the highest finishing driver over the age of 40.

Everything comes down to Friday at 9:35am ET when the green flag will fly on the final Mazda MX-5 Cup race of 2026. Watch live on the IMSA and RACER YouTube channels to see who the newest champion will be.

About: The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

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Key Takeaways

Racing Liveries vs National Football Kits: How Colours Build Identity

When Motorsport Raced in National Colours

How Sponsorship Rewrote Racing Liveries

Why National Football Kits Stayed Loyal to Their Colours

What Both Worlds Understand About Fans

Where Colour Identity Goes Next

MIKE STAVRINOS LOOKS TO STAY ON TOP IN JBS EQUIPMENT NHRA PRO MOD SERIES TITLE HUNT IN ST. LOUIS

Gosset Builds Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship Lead with Victory at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

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