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Four Takeaways – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Chase Briscoe Makes First Start Since Charlotte Of Spring 2025

Briscoe made his first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start of the season and his first since Charlotte of last spring. However, the Indiana native had a better outing this time around, finishing in the second position after starting 23rd and leading two laps. In the stages, Briscoe finished third in Stage 1 and scored second in Stage 2 before ultimately scoring his 32nd career top-five finish.

Corey Day Nearly Has Banner Day at LVMS

Following qualifying, Day started in the 11th position with his No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports O’Reilly Auto Parts machine. He quickly made his way to the front and battled for the lead a couple of times, including leading nine laps late in the race. The California native was able to stay out of trouble this week and not make any enemies, as he did in recent weeks.

Day even improved a point position by moving up to seventh this week from being in eighth place last week. If Day continues to have strong outings like Saturday, it’ll only be a matter of time before he wins his first career race and that could take place sometime this year.

William Sawalich Rebounds To A Top 10 Finish

Following a disastrous Phoenix outing last weekend, where Sawalich and the No. 18 team were caught up in a crash, Sawalich had a much-needed day. He rallied to a ninth-place finish during the O’Reilly Auto Parts race after starting 14th. The race was quiet for the most part as the Minnesota native didn’t score any stage points in the first two stages. However, sometimes a quiet race is welcomed after having a race weekend like Phoenix the weekend before.

Justin Allgaier Sees Win Slip Away

Like his teammate Larson, Allgaier and the No. 7 JR Motorsports team nearly had a dominant race victory at Las Vegas. He started ninth, but drove right up to the front by sweeping the two stages and leading 48 laps. Allgaier was also in contention in the final few laps, but ultimately had to settle for a fourth-place finish, the 171st top-five finish of his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series career. He’ll have a great chance to redeem himself next weekend at Darlington, where he has one win in the past five races (Spring of 2024), three top fives and five Top 10 finishes with 177 laps led.

Next round of Fan Zone entertainment announced for 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend at Dover Motor Speedway

  • Free, family-friendly entertainment offered all weekend in Dover Motor Speedway’s award-winning Fan Zone
  • Live performances, interactive attractions and roaming entertainers complement on-track action
  • Just 62 days remain until the NASCAR All-Star Race at The Monster Mile

DOVER, Del. (March 16, 2026) — Dover Motor Speedway’s Fan Zone, consistently recognized as NASCAR’s best, will once again be packed with free entertainment, interactive attractions and family-friendly fun during the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend.

Open throughout the weekend, the Fan Zone will be buzzing with live performances, roaming entertainers, hands-on activities and larger-than-life photo opportunities designed to keep the energy high from gates open to the checkered flag on Sunday. From over-the-top attractions to unexpected surprises around every corner, the Fan Zone adds another layer of excitement to an already unforgettable race weekend, with even more entertainment still to be announced.

“Hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race is an honor, and we’re thrilled to welcome the sport’s biggest stars and our loyal fans back to Dover,” said Mike Tatoian, President of Dover Motor Speedway. “With race weekend just 62 days away, the countdown is officially on. We take a lot of pride in delivering the best Fan Zone in all of motorsports, and we can’t wait to surprise and delight fans when they arrive on the property this May.”

The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend at Dover Motor Speedway will feature a full slate of NASCAR competition, including the ECOSAVE 200 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race on Friday, May 15, the BetRivers 200 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday, May 16, and the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race on the high banks of The Monster Mile on Sunday, May 17. Elite stock car racing meets nonstop off-track entertainment, making Dover a must-visit destination for race fans and families alike.

Fans can find the latest Fan Zone attractions and entertainment updates at www.DoverMotorSpeedway.com/fans/fan-zone/

The Fan Zone opens at the following times each day:

Friday, May 15: Noon
Saturday, May 16: 9 a.m.
Sunday, May 17: 8 a.m.

Along with the attractions announced below, Dover Motor Speedway previously revealed the return of MILES BEACH, presented by Visit Delaware, a beach-themed area of the Fan Zone featuring hundreds of tons of sand, a boardwalk-style setup and attractions including live sea lions, a shark exhibit and a stingray experience.

FEATURED FAN ZONE ENTERTAINMENT FOR 2026

Krazy Maze: This giant interactive maze dares fans to find their way through twists, turns and surprises at every step. Designed for all ages, the Krazy Maze delivers a fun mental challenge that keeps fans guessing at every corner. Its sprawling design creates a walk-through adventure that surprises fans with just how big and tricky it really is.

Frick Frack Blackjack: Forget cash and forget the rules. Frick Frack Blackjack is a comedy-driven game show where fans are invited to play a no-cash, no-limit version of blackjack by bartering everyday items, jokes or ridiculous dares. With nonstop banter between players, dealers and the crowd, no two hands are ever the same and the laughs keep coming.

Micro Wrestling: Back by popular request, Micro Wrestling brings big personalities, big energy and fast-paced action straight to the Fan Zone. Featuring live professional wrestling, crowd interaction and plenty of jaw dropping moments, this high-energy experience always draws a crowd and delivers a show fans won’t forget.

World’s Largest Duck: Yes, the largest rubber duck in the world! For the third year in a row, the World’s Largest Rubber Duck, affectionately known as “Mama Duck,” returns to the Dover Motor Speedway Fan Zone. Standing more than six stories tall, this massive inflatable has become one of the most popular and most photographed attractions on property, and it’s impossible to miss.

Dialed Action: High-flying, heart-pounding and impossible to ignore, Dialed Action brings extreme sports excitement to the Fan Zone all weekend long. Featuring BMX bikes, motorcycles and daring freestyle stunts, each performance delivers big air, jaw-dropping tricks and edge-of-your-seat moments that stop fans in their tracks.

Bumper Cars: Before and after America’s best drivers go wheel-to-wheel on the high-speed Monster Mile, fans can jump behind the wheel of some low-speed vehicles themselves. The Fan Zone bumper cars offer classic fun and friendly, yet full-contact competition, making them a must-stop attraction for fans of all ages.

AmirrorCAN Man: Towering at nearly seven feet tall and dressed in red, white and blue mirror armor, the AmirrorCAN Man brings a patriotic presence to the Fan Zone as part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of independence. Complete with a top hat, cane and American flag, this strolling performer creates fun photo opportunities while interacting with fans throughout race weekend.

NASCAR Kids Zone, presented by good2grow: Young race fans can burn off some energy in the NASCAR Kids Zone, a dedicated interactive play area designed for fans 12 and under. With plenty of hands-on activities and NASCAR-themed fun, the Kids Zone gives younger fans a place to play, explore and be part of the excitement throughout race weekend.

Rock-It Robot: Standing nine feet tall and powered by music, Rock-It Robot is a roaming Fan Zone favorite. This towering, dancing gentle giant moves through the crowd interacting with fans, striking poses and creating larger-than-life photo opportunities wherever he goes.

Little Farm: A slice of the barnyard right at The Monster Mile! Little Farm lets fans get up close with ponies, goats, donkeys and other friendly animals. With pony rides and free face painting for kids, it’s a fan-favorite stop that delivers smiles for families and animal lovers alike.

Plant Guy: Is he a plant? Or is he a performer? Fans won’t know until they come across him. Blending seamlessly into the scenery, Plant Guy suddenly comes to life, surprising unsuspecting guests and creating hilarious moments and photo opportunities throughout the Fan Zone.

Additional Fan Zone entertainment, attractions and interactive experiences will be announced in the coming months. Access to the Fan Zone is free for all fans with a ticket to the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race weekend.

For the latest updates, schedules and additional announcements, fans are encouraged to visit DoverMotorSpeedway.com and follow Dover Motor Speedway on social media.

NASCAR TICKETS:
Visit DoverMotorSpeedway.com to purchase tickets for NASCAR All-Star Weekend, explore camping and parking options, or sign up for email updates.

FOLLOW US:
Follow Dover Motor Speedway on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok (@MonsterMile) for the latest news and announcements.

Racing to End Alzheimer’s looks to add to Ford legacy at Sebring

LOS ANGELES (March 16, 2026) – The Racing to End Alzheimer’s with Stephen Cameron Racing team heads to legendary Sebring International Raceway this week for race two of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) season, the Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 – part of the 74th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

After a solid run in the Daytona season opener, the bright red and purple No. 19 Ford Mustang GT4 – carrying the names of 85 loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia – looks to continue the progress that has seen the team move steadily toward the front of the field.

Racing to End Alzheimer’s has competed at Sebring 13 times, earning a victory and five top 10s in nine IMPC races (along with two podiums in four IMSA Carrera Cup events). In last year’s IMPC race, drivers Sean Quinlan and Greg Liefooghe scored the second of six top 10 finishes on the season for the Cameron Racing team.

The team also hopes to add to Ford’s long and storied history at Sebring. In the 1960s, the 12-hour race served as a testing ground for the Ford GT program’s efforts to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, highlighted in the movie Ford vs Ferrari. The Ford brand was carried to the winner’s circle in 1966, 1967 and 1969, driven by some of the sports legends: Ken Miles, Lloyd Ruby, Bruce McLaren, Mario Andretti, Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver. Ford won again in 2014, with a Ford EcoBoost Riley piloted by Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, and Marino Franchitti.

With rapidly changing weather and track conditions making setup decisions difficult for the historic and bumpy circuit, Cameron Racing team owner Stephen Cameron knows how tricky Sebring is.

“Sebring is equally challenging for both the team and for the drivers,” said Cameron. “It sounds counter-intuitive, but car setup is not necessarily focused on what makes the car fastest, but what’s the most comfortable so they can be consistent during the race. The entire track is bumpy, but everyone mainly focuses on the bumps in turns one and 17 – for good reason, as the consequence for a mistake is so high. And you have to factor the unpredictable weather as well, which can see 40 degrees of temperature change in a day. Because of the concrete racing surface, the track changes dramatically, more than any other track. But Greg’s good there and Sean’s good there, so we feel confident.”

As always, the on-track portion of the weekend tells just a part of the Racing to End Alzheimer’s story. Founder Phil Frengs will be on hand all weekend, speaking with fans and helping them share memories of their own loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

“Sebring is one of the best races on the schedule in terms of fans,” said Frengs. “Every year, we talk to hundreds of people, everyone with a story of a member of their family who has dealt with this disease. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, friends, the list goes on and on. We’ll be at our pop-up tent right at the team transporter, handing out stickers and tee shirts, and of course, hugs. It means so much to all of us, to help bring awareness and to raise funds – but most of all, to give all these family members and friends a way to make a difference.”

For Liefooghe, driving the Racing to End Alzheimer’s Ford Mustang remains an honor – knowing that it is one of the most recognizable paint schemes in the paddock.

“There’s definitely a new spotlight on us now, between the cause we support and the very bright livery on the car!” said Liefooghe. “It’s an honor to drive this car, to represent such an important cause, as Alzheimer’s has affected so many people. We know we’ll be talking to massive numbers of fans at Sebring, because it’s always a packed racetrack. IMSA is really having a moment right now, it feels as though every event is a blockbuster, setting records for attendance. That’s great for the sport and for us as a team, to get the Alzheimer’s awareness message in front of all those people.”

The No. 19 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Mustang gives families the chance to honor loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. For a $250 donation, the family member’s name and hometown is placed on the car, and their photo can be posted on the Racing to End Alzheimer’s website’s tribute page. All donations are matchedby Frengs’ company Legistics, with 100% going to the program’s two beneficiaries: the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist, and the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program.

To date, Racing to End Alzheimer’s has donated over $1.2 million to those two programs.

Donate now at this link.

The Alan Jay Automotive Networks 120 for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series will take the green flag Friday at 2:00 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on Peacock TV, and internationally on IMSA.TV and on IMSA’s YouTube channel – ad-free courtesy of Michelin.

About Racing to End Alzheimer’s

In 2013, Phil Frengs’s late wife Mimi was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Their experience with the disease led Frengs to a seminal moment: his company, Legistics, had long sponsored a team in IMSA sports car racing and he realized an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the fight against the disease. In 2017, he formed Racing to End Alzheimer’s, giving fans the opportunity to honor loved ones by putting their names on the race car via donation – with Legistics matching each donation. 100% of those donations go to the two organizations the team supports:

The Nantz National Alzheimer Center at Houston Methodist is exploring cutting edge strategies in therapy, care and research to find a cure for these dementias. NNAC was founded by longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz and his family in honor of his father, Jim, Jr., who passed away after a 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

The UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program is a nationally-recognized grant-funded program designed to help patients and their families with the complex medical, behavioral and social needs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Racing to End Alzheimer’s social media

Facebook: Racing to End Alzheimer’s
Instagram: @racing2endalz

Sweetwater Construction Reunites with Ryan Ellis for Four-Race Campaign with Young’s Motorsports in 2026

MOORESVILLE, N.C.: Continuing its relationship with veteran NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Ryan Ellis, Sweetwater Construction will return for the 2026 season, joining Young’s Motorsports for a four-race campaign beginning March 21 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

In addition to Darlington, the Sweetwater Construction livery will appear at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway on May 16, Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway on June 27, with a fourth race to be announced later this season.

Sweetwater Construction is a Cranbury, N.J.-based construction management and general contracting firm delivering high-quality construction solutions throughout New Jersey.

Founded in 1988 by the late Ronald C. Witt Sr., the company has built a reputation for excellence through its commitment to integrity, craftsmanship, and client-focused service.

Today, under the leadership of President and CEO Ronald C. Witt Jr., Sweetwater continues to expand its footprint across a diverse range of market sectors, including corporate interiors, healthcare, biopharma, life sciences, multi-family, senior living, institutional, and hospitality.

Specializing in out-of-ground construction, additions and renovations, and interior construction projects, Sweetwater Construction remains dedicated to delivering projects safely, efficiently, and with the highest level of quality.

Sweetwater Construction first partnered with Ellis in 2024, using the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series platform to introduce its brand to a broader national audience.

Since then, the partnership has continued to grow, providing the company with valuable exposure and business development opportunities while expanding Sweetwater’s presence within the motorsports industry.

The program has allowed the popular and respected construction firm to connect with new partners, clients and fans, reinforcing the value of its continued investment in the sport.

“Sweetwater Construction has been an incredible partner over the past three seasons,” said Ellis. “They’ve really embraced the motorsports environment and what NASCAR can offer from a marketing and relationship standpoint.

“I’m proud to represent their brand again in 2026, and I’m grateful for their continued belief in what we’re building with Young’s Motorsports starting at Darlington Raceway in a few weeks.”

Company principal Ronald C. Witt Jr. is excited to continue the company’s relationship with Ellis this season, while also aligning with a family-oriented and professional organization like Young’s Motorsports.

“Ryan is a wonderful partner and a tenacious competitor,” offered Witt Jr. “His devotion to family and dedication to his craft were obvious at the onset and struck chords within me.

“Grounded and focused individuals are key characteristics of Sweetwater team members, which is why this partnership is special. When good people surround themselves with other good people, success is sure to follow!”

Ellis, a native of Ashburn, Va., is set to make his 11th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at the track dubbed “Too Tough To Tame.”

Since 2015, Ellis has logged more than 1,050 laps around the historic 1.33-mile egg-shaped oval and earned a track-best finish of 16th during the 2021 season with B.J. McLeod Motorsports.

Last month, Ellis delivered a career-best sixth-place NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series finish with Young’s Motorsports at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and hopes to carry that momentum into another strong performance at the famed South Carolina racetrack.

“Darlington is one of the toughest tracks we visit all season,” said Ellis. “It demands a lot of patience and discipline as a driver, because the track changes so much during a run.

“Our Young’s Motorsports team has been working hard to bring a strong car, and hopefully we can put together a solid day and give Sweetwater Construction something to be proud of.”

For more on Ryan Ellis, please visit ryanellisracing.com, like him on Facebook (Ryan Ellis), and follow him on Instagram (@ryanellisracing), TikTok (@ryanellisracing), and X | Twitter (@ryanellisracing).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

The Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 (147 laps | 200.8 miles) is the sixth of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Sat., March 21, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 1:05 p.m. The field will take the green flag later in the day, shortly after 5:30 p.m., with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Respect for the Bumps

Corvette Z06 GT3.R teams banking on program’s history of success for 12 Hours

DETROIT (March 16, 2026) – Corvette Racing’s four Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R teams are set for the second and final race of their season-opening Florida swing at America’s oldest sports car race. The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring – the second round of this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – is an event with a huge following for Corvettes… buoyed by a lengthy record of success.

Dating back even before the first season of Corvette Racing in 1999, the program has logged thousands of laps and tens of thousands of miles around the 3.74-mile, 17-turn Sebring circuit. It’s one of the most hallowed circuits in all of global motorsport due to the rough and bumpy nature of the track and a race that runs from daylight into darkness.

Five Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs and seven Corvette Racing factory drivers will take on the challenge at Sebring, which has been the site of 14 class victories for the program – a dozen coming in the 12 Hours.

Each came from the two-car Corvette Racing factory team operated by Pratt Miller. How times have changed with this year’s lineup of Corvettes for Sebring:

  • Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – GTD PRO: Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Marvin Kirchhöfer (No. 3 Corvette); Nicky Catsburg, Tommy Milner, Nico Varrone (No. 4 Corvette)
  • 13 Autosport – GTD: Matt Bell, Orey Fidani, Lars Kern (No. 13 Corvette)
  • DXDT Racing – GTD: Charlie Eastwood, Mason Filippi, Salih Yoluc (No. 36 Corvette)
  • DragonSpeed – GTD: Giacomo Altoé, Henrik Hedman, Casper Stevenson (No. 81 Corvette)

(Factory drivers in bold)

The six factory drivers that make up the Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports squad have a phenomenal track record at Sebring with eight combined victories. Antonio Garcia is tied for the most Sebring wins by an active driver (four), and Milner has two of his own. Each will make their 20th starts in the 12 Hours this weekend.

Milestone Sebring Starts for Garcia, Milner
This week’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring will see Antonio Garcia and Tommy Miler make their 20th starts in America’s oldest sports car race.

Garcia in the No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R will make his 20th consecutive 12 Hours start, which will tie him for second all-time in race history and one behind his long-time Corvette teammate Jan Magnussen. Of note, his four wins at Sebring are tied for the most by an active driver.

Milner has been a fixture at Sebring since 2006 with victories coming in 2013 and 2016. The only 12 Hours he missed was in 2022 but with good reason – he was part of Corvette Racing’s FIA WEC entry that finished second in 1000 Miles of Sebring on the same weekend as the 12 Hours!
In GTD, 13 Autosport’s Lars Kern was the class winner in 2021. Both the No. 13 Corvette and DXDT Racing’s No. 36 Z06 GT3.R were in contention for the GTD victory a year ago with late-race leads. DragonSpeed, the newest Corvette team in GTD, was on pole last year in GTD PRO.

The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is set for 10:10 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 21 from Sebring International Raceway. It will stream live on Peacock with television coverage on NBCSN from 5 to 10:30 p.m. IMSA Radio will stream live audio coverage on XM 206, Channel 996 on the SiriusXM app and IMSA.com.

CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R DRIVER QUOTES

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s always great to go back to Sebring, especially during race week. It’s a track we use a lot for testing, maybe not as much now as we did back in the day, but I really discovered what Sebring means during the 12 Hours early on in my career. It’s just the atmosphere that feels great all week. When you arrive there Tuesday or Wednesday, you see people who have been lining up there for days and weeks. It’s always great to see how big of an event it is. I just love it there.

“The Corvette fan base is huge and I discovered that right away in 2009 when I first joined the team. I think every Corvette Racing driver – especially coming from Europe – has a shock with how big the support is. You get to see the consistency of that over the years. You knew you were on the best team out there. The main thing is that out of 10 people you would see about half would be in Corvette t-shirts. So you could feel that and that’s a great thing. You get to know the fans over the years and they get to know you a little bit more. That’s a part of the whole weekend.”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Of course Daytona is the first race of the IMSA season, but for a lot of us Sebring really kicks off the heart of the championship. We feel confident going in after a good test with our Corvette there in February… straight after Bathurst for me. Corvette and Pratt Miller have always been very strong around Sebring for a long time. Our work and results from that test leads me to believe we should be in a good position again. You never can tell at this race, though. A lot of years the track and the bumps are the ones that determine your race. As always we will go into it fully prepared and knowing what we need to do in order to be successful. Hopefully fortune smiles on us this year so we can end up at the front after 12 hours.”

MARVIN KIRCHHÖFER, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “After Bathurst I went straight to Sebring for some testing with the Pratt Miller guys. It was good to get more time in the Corvette. Daytona unfortunately wasn’t the result we were hoping for. The test went well and I was very pleased to get loads of laps under my belt. There were a few test items that we needed to check off, which we did. I’m definitely feeling way more prepared going into Sebring than Daytona. That one is a little bit awkward because you don’t have a lot of tire sets for the Roar and pre-race. You don’t drive that much so the preparation is very limited. The test definitely helped. I’m super excited to go back. It’s been 2024 since I’ve raced at Sebring. This is one of the coolest races on the IMSA calendar. I do like Sebring as well and am excited to hit the bumps in the Corvette. The car seems to be quite good the last couple of years. The performance and pace always looked strong. I’m excited for what I hope is a good 2026 race. Hopefully we can show our potential and pace to make it a great race.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Sebring itself is an exciting race… one of the biggest in the world. That in and of itself is enough of a draw and excitement to want to do well there and be successful. It also obviously is known for its history and a fun atmosphere, so that also adds to the excitement of going back every year.

“I can’t think of a year when I was getting ready for Sebring and not getting excited about racing there. The racing’s fun, no matter what, no matter how you cut it. Sebring is just that much more exciting because of the history and how challenging that race is. It ends up being quite physical because it’s long enough that you are in the car quite a bit and short enough that you feel the urge to be at the pointy end of the field as much as you can. It just makes your life easier as the race goes on.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Sebring is always good fun. Even since I started coming here regularly with Corvette Racing, it has become a race that I really look forward to. It is very unique with a track that isn’t like anywhere in the world plus starting the race in the day and ending it at night. Things definitely get really crazy and chaotic once the sun goes down at Sebring. We have seen the last few years that people tend to take a lot of risks which means a lot of contact. Unfortunately for us that has happened the last few years there but hopefully we can come out better this year. Already we are in a good situation in the championship – P2 of the full-season entries in GTD PRO. Obviously our goal is to win the race but we also want to improve our championship position.”

NICO VARRONE, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Super excited to be back in Sebring. The 12 Hours is one of the most important races of the year. Every driver on every team wants to win it. This also is one of the toughest tracks in the world in terms of both for the car and the driver. I think we have a really good package with the Corvette. We worked a lot last year and this year in order to have a good car here. I think we made really good progress and we are really confident that we’re going to perform well. So I’m really looking forward to it. It’s always great with all the fans that come to support Corvette Racing. It will be good to see all the guys again and be with my teammates. Hopefully we can bring home a good result for Corvette and for the team.”

MATT BELL, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I feel we have unfinished business at the Sebring 12 Hours. We had an amazing car last year capable of fighting for the win but had contact with another competitor that ruined our performance in the last couple of hours. I know the team can give us a Corvette that will be competitive once again, so I’m really looking forward to this year’s event. It’s one of the biggest races in our sport, I’m really motivated to get back there and challenge for the win.”

OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Coming out of Daytona with a fourth-place finish gives us a lot of confidence heading into Sebring. It’s a demanding race both mentally and physically for the drivers and the crew, and the car itself is put through a lot. That’s part of what makes it special and why everyone wants to win here so badly. The team has been working incredibly hard and we know how strong the Corvette package is, so we’re eager to give it another go. Sebring is one of those events where everything has to come together over 12 hours, but we’re feeling confident and I think we have a real shot at fighting for a podium.”

LARS KERN, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “One the most epic races on the calendar. I absolutely love this place but I might hate it moments later. It’s a huge challenge for cars, teams and drivers. Always boiling hot, bumpy and unforgiving. Obviously we all aim for a great result, but it’s not a race decided by pure pace. We have to execute perfectly in every way to be in the mix. Over the course of last year we showed that we are capable of doing that. I hope we can make the 13 Autosport team and all the Corvette fans proud next Saturday.”

CHARLIE EASTWOOD, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Sebring is a race that I think all of us at DXDT have had circled since last year. It’s one that we definitely feel got away. The team and the car were strong. We ran up front and led a lot of laps before we had the late mechanical problem. That’s Sebring, though, as I’ve come to find the more I race there. We’re coming off a similar strong showing at Daytona. We keep putting ourselves in contention to break through with a podium or race win. If we can keep doing that, good things will happen and we’re confident that this can happen this year at the 12 Hours. I hope it does. All the guys and gals at DXDT Racing deserve it.”

MASON FILIPPI, NO. 36 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m extremely excited to be running the 12 Hours of Sebring in our DXDT Corvette. It will be my first 12-hour, and it’s one of those races that I’ve always dreamed of competing in. I’ve had a lot of success in the other ranks of IMSA at Sebring so I’m looking forward to using the track knowledge and apply it to the 12-hour. It’s a difficult race because of the bumps and heat that you usually have at Sebring. There are big challenges with traffic, as I’ve seen rewatching past races. You can see how you have to be smart throughout and just be there at the end. The Corvette typically does really well there so I’m excited to be a part of a program that runs up front as well as in a car that we can fight for that 12-hour win. The competition is stiff but that’s what makes it exciting. I really appreciate my sponsors for the season that have helped me get here and I’m looking forward to a strong 12 Hours.”

GIACOMO ALTOE, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m looking forward to being back in Sebring for the 12-hour race. Daytona was a complicated race for us with several on-track incidents that affected our final result, but the overall pace was definitely there. Despite the challenges, we learned a lot as a team and about our new car, and those lessons will help us moving forward.

“We then had two productive days of testing at Sebring and spent a lot of time working through our setup to make sure we’re as prepared as possible heading into race week.

“Sebring is always one of the toughest races of the season. The track is extremely demanding and you need to stay out of trouble and manage the obstacles that inevitably come your way over 12 hours. Corvette has a strong history and a lot of experience there, and we hope to benefit from that knowledge to put everything together and come away with a solid result.”

HENRIK HEDMAN, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Sebring is one of my favorite tracks. I’ve raced here many times in prototypes, and even though it’s one of the toughest races on the calendar, it’s a place where I always really enjoy. It will be my first time back since 2024, and my first time here with the Corvette. Racing at Sebring with Corvette is always something special because of the strong history the brand has at this track.

“The tests we completed in February should definitely help us, but we also know that Sebring is a place where the track and conditions can evolve very quickly. That means you have to be ready to adapt and make sure everything comes together at the right moment.”

2025 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Points

GTD PRO Drivers Standings

  1. Connor De Phillippi/Max Hasse/Dan Harper/Neil Verhagen – 366
  2. Chaz Mostert/Kenny Habul/Maro Engel/Will Power – 350
  3. Jason Hart/Luca Stoltz/Maxime Martin/Scott Noble – 322
  4. Tommy Milner/Nicky Catsburg/Nico Varrone – 304
  5. Ayhancan Guven/Klaus Bachler/Ricardo Feller/Thomas Preining – 278
  6. Antonio Garcia/Alexander Sims/Marvin Kirchhöfer – 215

GTD PRO Teams Standings

  1. No. 1 Paul Miller Racing – 366
  2. No. 75 75 Express – 350
  3. No. 48 Winward Racing – 322
  4. No. 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 304
  5. No. 911 Manthey – 278
  6. No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 215

GTD PRO Manufacturers Standings

  1. BMW – 372
  2. Mercedes-AMG – 350
  3. Chevrolet – 335
  4. Porsche – 303
  5. Lamborghini – 285

GTD Drivers Standings

  1. Indy Dontje/Lucas Auer/Philip Ellis/Russell Ward – 382
  2. John Potter/Madison Snow/Nicki Thiim/Spencer Pumpelly – 336
  3. Dudu Barichello/Mattia Drudi/Tom Gamble/Zacharie Robichon – 335
  4. Matt Bell/Orey Fidani/Lars Kern/Ben Green – 295
  5. Lilou Wadoux Ducellier/Simon Mann/Tommaso Masca – 285
  6. Charlie Eastwood/Salih Yoluc/Mason Filippi/Scott McLaughlin – 168

GTD Teams Standings

  1. No. 57 Winward Racing – 382
  2. No. 44 Magnus Racing – 336
  3. No. 27 Heart of Racing – 335
  4. No. 13 13 Autosport – 295
  5. No. 21 AF Corse USA – 285
  6. No. 36 DXDT Racing – 168

GTD Manufacturers Standings

  1. Mercedes-AMG – 382
  2. Aston Martin – 355
  3. Chevrolet – 328
  4. Ferrari – 306
  5. Lamborghini – 284

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: By the Numbers

  • 1: As in one manufacturer and one model of car for the 28th year at Sebring: Chevrolet and the Corvette
  • 3: Tracks where Corvette Racing has competed in each of its previous 27 years: Sebring, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
  • 4: Sebring race wins for Antonio Garcia – the most among drivers entered in this year’s 12 Hours
  • 4: GT class pole positions at Sebring for Oliver Gavin and Ron Fellows, tied for most in event history
  • 5: Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs entered for this year’s Sebring 12 Hours – one more than in 2025
  • 8: Sebring victories – a race record – for Johnny O’Connell, a Sebring Hall of Famer who drove for Corvette Racing from 2001-10. It includes one overall and seven class wins
  • 14: Number of Sebring victories for Corvette Racing – the most of any venue in program history. Twelve of those have come in the 12 Hours, including 2022 in GTD PRO
  • 15: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
  • 17: Wins in 2025 for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R across six different series. Three have come via TF Sport across the FIA WEC and ELMS
  • 33: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Chang International Circuit (Thailand), Daytona, Detroit, Fuji, Houston, Imola, Indianapolis, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Lusail International Circuit (Qatar), Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia), Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
  • 38: Number of combined Sebring 12 Hours starts for Tommy Milner and Antonio Garcia. Both will make their 20th starts this weekend. Garcia hasn’t missed the race since 2006, and Milner’s only miss was in 2022 when he contested the 1000 Miles of Sebring for Corvette Racing in the FIA WEC
  • 40: Number of drivers to win races in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. The latest to join the list was Tom Van Rompuy at Fuji in September for TF Sport
  • 73: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
  • 79: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. DXDT Racing’s Mason Filippi plus DragonSpeed’s Giacomo Altoé, Henrik Hedman, Casper Stevenson and Mateo Cairoli made their first starts in a Corvette at Daytona
  • 154: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing starting the 2026 season – 118 in IMSA, nine at Le Mans, five in the FIA WEC, 13 in GT World Challenge America, three in GT World Challenge Asia and GT America and two in the European Le Mans Series
  • 365: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999
  • 63,969.12: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing entries at Sebring since 1999. The program eclipsed the 60,000-mile mark in 2025 and could go over 70,000 miles if the five Corvettes combine to complete 1,613 laps – an average of 323 laps each
  • 480.377.95: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. The program should surpass the half-million mile mark midway through this season

Corvette Racing at Sebring International Raceway (wins in bold)

1999 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 4th in GTS (Fellows pole)

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Scott Sharp/John Heinricy – 7th in GTS (Pilgrim fastest race lap)

2000 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 6th in GTS (Fellows pole)

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 5th in GTS

2001 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Chris Kneifel – 3rd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 2nd in GTS

2002 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GTS (Fellows pole)

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 4th in GTS

2003 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Oliver Gavin/Kelly Collins/Andy Pilgrim – 3rd in GTS (Gavin pole)

2004 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 1st in GTS (Fellows pole)

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 6th in GTS (Gavin fastest race lap)

2005 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 2nd in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 3rd in GT1

2006 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 4th in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1

2007 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 2nd in GT1 (Magnussen pole, fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Max Papis – 1st in GT1

2008 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Max Papis – 2nd in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2009 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell/Antonio Garcia – 1st in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Marcel Fässler – 2nd in GT1 (Gavin pole, fastest race lap)

2010 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell/Antonio Garcia – 8th in GT2

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Emmanuel Collard – 9th in GT2

2011 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Tommy Milner/Antonio Garcia – 3rd in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen/Richard Westbrook – 4th in GT

2012 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GT (Magnussen pole)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Richard Westbrook – 3rd in GT

2013 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 11th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Richard Westbrook – 1st in GT

2014 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 8th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Robin Liddell – 6th in GTLM (Gavin fastest race lap)

2015 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 1st in GTLM (Daytona/Sebring double)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Simon Pagenaud – 9th in GTLM

2016 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 9th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 1st in GTLM (10th Sebring team win; Daytona/Sebring double)

2017 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 1st in GTLM (3rd straight Sebring team win)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 10th in GTLM

2018 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 8th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 6th in GTLM

2019 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 3rd in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLM

No. 63 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 8th in GTE Pro (FIA WEC)

2020* – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GTLM (Taylor pole)

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 1st in GTLM

2020 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 5th in GTLM (Garcia pole, Catsburg fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 6th in GTLM

2021 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 4th in GTLM (Taylor pole, Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 5th in GTLM

2022 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 1st in GTD PRO (IMSA)

No. 64 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 2nd in GTE PRO (FIA WEC)

2023 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Tommy Milner – 5th in GTD PRO (IMSA)

No. 33 Corvette C8.R: Nicky Catsburg/Ben Keating/Nico Varrone – 1st in GTE Am (FIA WEC)

2024 – No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Antonio Garcia/Alexander Sims/Daniel Juncadella – 10th in GTD PRO

No. 4 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Tommy Milner/Nicky Catsburg/Earl Bamber – 11th in GTD PRO

No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Matt Bell/Orey Fidani/Lars Kern – 9th in GTD

No. 17 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Nico Varrone/Anthony Mantella/Thomas Merrill – 22nd in GTD

2025 – No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Antonio Garcia/Alexander Sims/Daniel Juncadella – 7th in GTD PRO

No. 4 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Tommy Milner/Nicky Catsburg/Nico Varrone – 9th in GTD PRO

No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Matt Bell/Orey Fidani/Lars Kern – 10th in GTD

No. 36 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Charlie Eastwood/Alec Udell/Salih Yoluc – 8th in GTD

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

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future.

GM Motorsports, including the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, develops and proves advanced technologies in the most demanding environments, accelerating innovation in performance, safety, efficiency, and electrification for its production vehicles. Cadillac Racing is one of the leading manufacturers in the IMSA and FIA World Endurance Championships (WEC). Chevrolet competes in single-seaters in the US IndyCar series, and in NASCAR with multiple team partners and drivers. Corvette customer teams compete in GT series across the globe including IMSA and WEC. Learn more at GM.com.

Jim Dunn Racing – Phoenix Advance for the NHRA Arizona Nationals

Todd Lesenko

USD Parts Funny Car Driver for Jim Dunn Racing
FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs
March 20-22 | Chandler, Arizona

Event Overview
Friday, March 20 (Nitro Qualifying, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

Nitro qualifying session (Q1): 10 a.m. MST/1 p.m. EDT
Nitro qualifying session (Q2): 12:30 p.m. MST/3:30 p.m. EDT

Saturday, March 21 (Nitro Qualifying & Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

Nitro qualifying session (Q3) / Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge – Semifinals: 10 a.m. MST/1 p.m. EDT
Nitro qualifying session (Q4) / Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge – Finals: 12:30 p.m. MST/3:30 p.m. EDT

Sunday, March 22 (Nitro Eliminations, streamed live on NHRA.TV)

Round 1: 10 a.m. MST/1 p.m. EDT
Round 2: 12 p.m. MST/3 p.m. EDT
Semifinals: 1:35 p.m. MST/4:35 p.m. EDT
Finals: 2:45 p.m. MST/5:45 p.m. EDT

TV coverage on FS1

Friday, March 20: Qualifying show, recapping all of Friday’s action (7 p.m. MST/10 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, March 22: Qualifying show, recapping all of Saturday’s action (9 a.m. MST/12 p.m. EDT)
Sunday, March 22: Finals show (3:30 p.m. MST/6:30 p.m. EDT)

Notes of Interest

The FMP NHRA Arizona Nationals presented by NGK Spark Plugs is the second event on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series’ 20-race calendar in 2026. Jim Dunn Racing brings its one full-time entry in Funny Car for Todd Lesenko. A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Lesenko competed in the NHRA Funny Car class in 2012 for Jim Dunn Racing, so 2026 marks a homecoming for Lesenko and the iconic racing team. Firebird Motorsports Park is located roughly 20 miles southeast of Phoenix.

As the NHRA celebrates its landmark 75th season in 2026, Jim Dunn Racing is celebrating 76 years of success in drag racing. Jim started drag racing when he was 15 years old and at 91 years old, he plans to keep going as long as he can. In 2024, Jim received the NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award. He has won some of the sport’s most significant races and has provided driving opportunities for some of the biggest names in the sport.

Coming into Phoenix, Lesenko is tied with Austin Prock in 17th in the Funny Car standings, 105 points behind leader Chad Green.

USD Parts is the primary partner of Lesenko this weekend in Phoenix. For more than 50 years, their mission has been to fulfill your original equipment auto parts needs. As an authorized distributor of Motorcraft, AC Delco and Mopar parts, they support their customers as they work to provide the best ownership experience possible for those that drive Ford, GM and Chrysler vehicles. Their corporate headquarters and largest warehouse is located in Phoenix, Arizona. They have branch warehouses in Albuquerque, Denver and El Paso.

The Arizona Nationals will mark Lesenko’s 25th career Funny Car appearance, and his second Funny Car appearance at Phoenix.

Lesenko is seeking his first win and No. 1 qualifier at the Arizona Nationals. In 2012, he qualified 13th and defeated Matt Hagan in Round 1 before losing to Courtney Force in Round 2.

The Arizona Nationals is one of five races in which a Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car has started from the No. 1 qualifying position. Kenji Okazaki was the No. 1 qualifier for the 1997 Arizona Nationals (5.008 seconds, 290.88 mph on Feb. 22, 1997), an event in which he was ousted in Round 2 by Del Worsham.

Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competitors will have the chance to win the coveted NHRA 75th anniversary Diamond Wally trophy in 2026.

Taking an abundance of caution for the expected heat in the weekend forecast, racing in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will shift to earlier in the morning on each day, setting up a “Coffee and Nitro” weekend at the “Duel in the Desert.” Gates will open at 7 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
Todd Lesenko, Driver of the Jim Dunn Racing USD Parts Funny Car
The Arizona Nationals will serve as a quasi-home race, with you spending part of the year living in Scottsdale. How special will it be getting to race there in front of friends and family?

“Racing in Arizona is exciting for me. It is my second home. I love this state and the people in it. I am looking forward to signing autographs and shaking hands with all of the NHRA racing fans.”

You’ll be representing USD Parts in Phoenix, which is their headquarters. Talk about what an honor it will be getting to represent them at their home event.

“This weekend, our team will have primary graphics with USD Parts. They will have over 300 guests in attendance. Jim Dunn Racing is anticipating a great weekend at the Arizona Nationals. Since testing and completing our first race in Florida, we feel we are ready to take on the competition and make our sponsors and fans proud. USD and Jim Dunn Racing have a long-standing relationship and I am honored to be a part of it. The car looks amazing and I can’t wait to hit the throttle!”

High Limit Racing LVMS Dirt Track Notebook

Kyle Larson wins High Limits season opener at Las Vegas. Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

The 2026 Interstate Batteries High Limit Sprint Car Series Championship opened up its season this past week on Thursday through Saturday night. The three-night affair served as a companion to the NASCAR weekend at the big track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. There was no shortage of action, as every night delivered a trio of thrilling finishes. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at what else transpired throughout the season opener at the LVMS Dirt Track.

As previously stated, Thursday night was the season opener for the series and the start of a 65-race schedule for the 20’26 season. There were 37 entries, including some of the top NASCAR stars. This list of drivers included Kyle Larson, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Corey Day, and Ty Gibbs, just to name a few.

However, the series also had its full-time stars, including recent defending series champion Rico Abreu, who made his debut driving for Tony Stewart Racing. Abreu spent the last few seasons driving for his family-owned team before announcing last year that he would drive the No. 24 Carquest TSR Sprint Car this season.

Other notables included a new rookie standout, Daison Pursley, who recently moved to Kasey Kahne Racing late last year. Pursley is no stranger to the series as he secured his first career victory last season, picking up a $30,000 check to his credit. The young driver has already made some starts under the KKR banner, recently entering World of Outlaws Sprint Car races at Volusia. He had a decent finish of fifth in the March 1st outing at Volusia.

Another driver to keep an eye on this season is 18-year-old Ryan Timms out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Timms became the youngest winner last summer with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars when he claimed the Knoxville Nationals victory at Knoxville, his first under the WoO banner.

One more notable is “Sunshine” Tyler Courtney. Courtney had a vicious wreck last summer at Eldora Speedway when the car flipped and ended up breaking his back in the process. Shortly thereafter, he had surgery but was out the rest of the year. He did not compete in any races until the 2026 season with the ASCS Series and the Outlaw Sprint Car Series. Courtney has already claimed victories at Volusia with the ASCS Series on January 29th and January 30th. He also won the B-feature Thursday night after starting third and transferred to the A feature.

Moving on to the first night of the race weekend, Thursday saw some thrilling action in not only the heat races, but the main feature as well. One of the notable incidents included a flip from NASCAR star Ty Gibbs. In the very first heat race, Gibbs flipped on Lap 1, Turn 1, destroying his Chad Boat Sprint Car in the process. In doing so, he was slated to race in the B-main later that night, but did not race as his car was destroyed.

Abreu claimed the first heat, Brent Marks in heat two, Timms in heat three, and Spire Motorsports driver Giovanni Scelzi claimed heat four.

In the Dash race, which sets the lineup for the feature race, regular Brent Marks won the seven-lap feature over Scelzi, Timms, Tanner Thorson, and Larson, who completed the top five. By winning the dash, Marks started on the pole.

The 25-lap A feature on Thursday night saw the two NASCAR superstars of Larson and Day battle it out for the win. However, they needed to get by Scelzi, Marks, and Thorson in the process, which they both did. It wasn’t quite the easy runaway for Larson as his mentee Day began closing in on him in the final laps. Day took the high side on the last lap of Turns 3 and 4, and nearly got Larson at the line, but was 0.096 seconds short of the victory over Day. The victory was Larson’s 10th career win in the series.

On Thursday night, Larson, Day, Scelzi, Marks, Thorson, Timms, Abreu, Kerry Madsen, James Mcadden, and Aaron Reutzel rounded out the Top 10 finishers.

Moving to Friday, the event saw 35 entries on the list, two down from 37 on Thursday night. In the heat races, Abreu again took the first heat, Madsen the second heat, Courtney won heat three, and Danny Sams III collected the fourth heat race victory.

During the fourth heat race, Brent Marks made contact with Brenham Crouch on the frontstretch and sent Marks spinning around. Trouble also came calling for Timms, who got over the cushion originally and made slight contact with Reutzel in Turn 1, which then sent him to a slowing stop and avoided any further damage.

In the dash race, Reutzel took the victory over second-place Larson, Courtney in third, Day in fourth, and Abreu in fifth. As a result, Reutzel started on the pole in the 25-lap feature.

Reutzel and Larson led the field to green for the A feature. On the first lap, Larson slid to third and eventually spun in Turns 3 and 4 by himself. No caution was thrown, and he fell back to 18th. With 17 to go, Day made the move on Courtney coming out of Turn 2 and on the backstretch. Race leader Reutzel struggled to get by rookie of the year contender Hank Davis Jr, which allowed Day to get by Reutzel right before entering Turn 3.

However, with 13 laps to go, a caution flew for the first time in the feature for the No. 73 of Hunter Schuerenberg, who was slowly rolling down the frontstretch. At the restart, Courtney lined up on the outside of Day. When the green flag came back out, Courtney moved down and made contact with Reutzel before the start/finish line.

Just a lap later, the 9R of Chase Randall brought out the yellow after his left-rear tire went down. The race went green for a little while and saw a great battle between Reutzel, McFadden, and Courtney until another caution flew with six to go when Justin Sanders had a wrecked racecar in Turn 3. The car was mangled with destroyed tires along with a destroyed wing.

A single-file restart with Day, Reutzel, McFadden, Courtney, and Thorson would be had following the caution flag. Going back green, Day took off and had a hard-charging Reutzel behind him, who gave it all he had. However, Day was able to hang on and win for what was his 12th career victory in the series.

Day, Reutzel, McFadden, Thorson, Courtney, Pursley, Abreu, Austin McCarl, Scelzi, and Larson completed the Top 10 in Friday’s main event.

Note that Carson Hocevar was a special guest in the booth during the Friday broadcast.

Saturday marked the final day of the three-day spectacle.

Before hot laps, Pursley and the No. 9 KKR NAPA Sprint Car needed to make an engine change and did so successfully, especially with the help of Team Owner Kasey Kahne.

Abreu once again took a heat one victory with Sye Lynch claiming heat two, McCarl in heat three, and Reutzel in heat four.

In the fourth and final heat race of the evening, there was a major collision between Schuerenberg and Justin Peck on the front straightaway as the two drivers were battling for the final transfer spot with one lap to go. Schuerenberg briefly came down on Peck and went flipping upside down after touching Peck’s right rear tire. Schuerenberg’s left front tire came off his car and flipped several times before coming to a stop near Turn 1.

As Schuerenberg exited his car, he made his way over to Peck’s car. Immediately, Peck also got out of his car, but by the time Schuerenberg arrived, the High Limit officials stopped the two drivers from further interaction or potential confrontation. Despite the frustration, Schuerenberg was okay after the flip.

During the dash portion of Saturday’s event, Reutzel and Abreu started in the front row. At the end of the seven-lap dash, it was Reutzel who won and would claim the pole position for the A main event.

Once the B main was completed, it wasn’t much longer before the A feature was ready to go. From the drop of the green flag in the 30-lap finale, Reutzel controlled the top spot over Abreu and Day. The first caution flew with 23 laps to go when the 17GP of Hank Davis rolled to a stop in Turns 3 and 4.

Going back to green, Day was in the second position, trying to chase down the race leader, Reutzel. However, he would be passed by Tanner Thorson with 13 laps to go, and Day slipped to third. Unfortunately, not much longer afterward, trouble caught up with Day as his left-rear tire came off his car on the backstretch and he rolled over twice. The cause of the accident was determined to be a broken axle on his No. 14 machine. Day exited the car under his own power.

In the brief stoppage, teams were allowed to refuel the Sprint Cars so they wouldn’t run out of fuel under caution.

It seemed as though the fans would be in store for a great battle for the win between Reutzel, Thorson, and McFadden. Following the late race restart, Thorson threw a big slider on Reutzel in Turns 3 and 4 until another yellow came out with three to go for the No. 88W of McCarl. McCarl came to a stop, with debris everywhere up in the turns.

Even with the late caution, Reutzel held on to win his ninth career High Limit Series victory. Thorson, Abreu, McFadden, Courtney, Larson, Peck, Scelzi, Madsen, and Pursley were the Top 10 following Saturday’s event.

Additional notes include that Christopher Bell was the special guest in the booth during the Saturday broadcast.

At the end of the three-day event at the LVMS Dirt Track, Reutzel is currently leading the Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Championship Standings over Thorson by two points.

The Sprint Car Series will stay out west for its next event at Central Arizona Raceway from Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21, live on Flo Racing.

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Las Vegas 1

Pennzoil 400 Presented By Jiffy Lube
Las Vegas, Nev. – March 15, 2026

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 DISCOUNT TIRE FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE
START: 31ST STAGE 1: 17TH STAGE 2: 10TH FINISH: 19TH POINTS: 30TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric started 31st and finished 19th in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after steadily working his way forward throughout the 267-lap event in the No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse. After taking the green flag from the 31st position, Cindric wasted little time making progress through the field. By Lap 20 he had already advanced to 21st place and told the team over the radio that he was happy with the car. Just a few laps later he cracked the top 20 as the No. 2 team began to settle into a rhythm during the opening run. Cindric made his first pit stop of the afternoon under green on Lap 33 for four tires and fuel. As the opening stage progressed, he reported the car had become a little freer, but he continued to move forward. By the end of Stage 1 he had climbed to 17th place and radioed that the car was still too free. The team responded with four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment during the stage break. Restarting 14th to begin Stage 2, Cindric quickly worked his way into the top 10 and maintained solid pace with the leaders. Twenty-seven laps into the stage he reported the car had shifted to the tight side while running eighth. He returned to pit road on Lap 121 under green for four tires and fuel and cycled back into the top 10 after the round of pit stops. Cindric finished Stage 2 in 10th place and crew chief Brian Wilson opted to free the car up slightly and pull some air out of the right-front tire during the stage break while putting on four fresh tires. The Discount Tire machine restarted 13th for the final segment, but the balance shifted tighter on the next long run. With 79 laps remaining, Cindric was running 15th and reported the car was “just as tight this run if not tighter.” A green-flag pit stop with 57 laps remaining proved costly when a caution came out while Cindric was on pit road, trapping him a lap down. He received the wave-around and was able to return to the lead lap, restarting 19th with 50 laps remaining. Despite the setback, Cindric was able to hold position over the remaining laps and ultimately brought the Discount Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse home with a 19th-place finish.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “Yeah, a lot, lot to digest from the race. We knew we were better than where we were in qualifying, just due to the draw. We made quick work and got ourselves within the top 10 by Stage 2, all under green flags. So our Discount Tire Ford was really strong. The guys made some good adjustments overnight and in the stages. And, yeah, ultimately, the caution coming out during the pit cycle put us behind with not enough laps to recover. It’s nice to not be in a wreck for the first time this year. I’m at least happy with a race finish that helps add to some of the points we need.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE
START: 6TH STAGE 1: 9TH STAGE 2: 11TH FINISH: 16TH POINTS: 3RD
RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Menards/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse team caught an untimely caution late in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400, resulting in a 16th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Blaney displayed top-10 pace from the onset of Sunday’s 400-mile event, posting a ninth-place effort in Stage 1 before working his way up to sixth during the initial run of the second segment. After pitting at the start of the green flag pit cycle in Stage 1, crew chief Jonathan Hassler made the call to run long in Stage 2, allowing Blaney to assume the lead on lap 122 before hitting pit road a few laps later for a four-tire stop. Blaney was scored 12th in the running order by the time the cycle was complete before crossing the line 11th at the conclusion of Stage 2. The Menards/Pennzoil Ford took the ensuing restart from 14th before Blaney picked up five spots during the opening two laps of the run to re-enter the top-10. With the final green flag pit cycle looming, the 12 team opted to come to pit road at the beginning of the cycle on lap 210, but an ill-timed caution just two laps later trapped Blaney a lap down in the process. After taking the wave-around to rejoin the lead lap, Blaney lined up 20th to take the green flag of what turned out to be the final restart of the afternoon and worked his way up to 16th by the time the checkered flag flew.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “Disappointing end, for sure, to what should have been a top-10 day for our 12 group. We were decent on pace most of the day but just didn’t have enough at the end to move through the field after restarting as far back as we did. Just wrong place at the wrong time with how that last caution fell.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 PENNZOIL ULTRA PLATINUM FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE
START: 21ST STAGE 1: 15TH STAGE 2: 15TH FINISH: 15TH POINTS: 11TH
RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano and the No. 22 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Ford Mustang Dark Horse team came away with a 15th-place finish in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After starting 21st, Logano worked his way into the top-15 just 22 laps into the 400-mile event as crew chief Paul Wolfe opted to run long to gain track position during the opening stint, allowing Logano to assume the lead on lap 35. Wolfe eventually called Logano to pit road three laps later to essentially split the first stage in half, resulting in a 15th-place result in Stage 1. Logano took the ensuing restart from 12th and maintained his track position during the run before being called to pit road at the start of the green flag cycle on lap 121, however, a loose-handling condition set in over the closing laps of the second segment, resulting in another 15th-place effort. Logano battled his way through traffic during the initial laps of the final run of the afternoon before a caution in the middle of the green flag pit cycle on lap 212 shuffled the field. Logano and the No. 22 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Ford hit pit road for four tires and a round of adjustments prior to the final restart of the day with 50 laps remaining before ultimately taking the checkered flag 15th to close out the first intermediate track event of the season.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “We fought a lot of things balance-wise all day with having to fight through traffic, and that’s tough to adjust on with the number of green flag stops we had today. We’ll go to work on a few areas of our intermediate package and we have a few weeks to build on something there.”

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the east coast for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, March 22. Live coverage begins at 3:00 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Wood Brothers Racing – Race Report: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Event: Pennzoil 400
Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Start: 32nd
Finish: 31st

Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team showed flashes of the speed they’ve carried in recent races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but the breaks never went their way in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 and they came away with a 31st-place finish.

Berry, the defending winner of the race, started 32nd and worked his way into the top 25 for the first time on Lap 45. He continued to run inside the top 25 through the remainder of the opening Stage, but with no caution flags in the 80-lap segment he fell off the lead lap with six circuits remaining. He finished the Stage in 23rd place, one lap down.

In the second Stage, the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team’s challenges were compounded when Berry was penalized for speeding on pit road. Prior to the penalty he had been battling Kyle Busch for the free pass position, but after serving the penalty he dropped to 31st place, two laps down. He went on to finish Stage Two in 35th place.

When the race’s first caution for an on-track incident flew on Lap 212 of 267, the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team elected to take the wave-around to move into the group just one lap behind the leaders. Berry initially climbed to 26th place, but the strategy ultimately didn’t play out as hoped when the caution needed to complete the cycle never materialized. That forced Berry to pit under green for fuel and tires, dropping him to 33rd place, three laps down. He gained two spots in the closing laps to finish 31st.

Berry and the Wood Brothers now turn their attention to the historic Darlington Raceway for Sunday’s Goodyear 400.

Buescher’s Scores Season Best Finish to Lead RFK Racing in Vegas

Keselowski & Preece Join Buescher Among Sunday’s Top Finishers

LAS VEGAS, NV (March 15, 2026) – Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing had a hot hand in Vegas on Sunday, placing all three cars among the first 11 finishers. Chris Buescher led the charge with a sixth-place finish after running among the leaders throughout the race. Brad Keselowski powered from 28th to secure a determined 10th-place result, while Ryan Preece added another steady run for the organization, finishing 11th and completing a solid day for RFK Racing in the Nevada desert.

Chris Buescher #17 Smith’s / Farm Rich Ford Mustang

Chris Buescher knew Sunday’s race would be a true test of where his team stands. A mile-and-a-half downforce track that demands an intense combination of speed and handling. The type of track that serves as an indicator of things to come. All that being true, Buescher’s strong run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has raised the level of confidence moving forward.

Building upon a strong qualifying effort, the Smith’s/Farm Rich Ford Mustang rolled off 10th. During the opening laps, the speed was there and Buescher maintained position. Managing tires and getting a read on the track, he closed the first stage 11th. It was Stage Two though that marked a clear step forward. Crew chief Scott Graves made adjustments during the stage break

and Buescher quickly showed the benefit. Settling into a fast rhythm Buescher began charging toward the front, briefly climbing as high as sixth. He ended the stage seventh.

The final stage saw Buescher elevate his performance even further. Although he started eighth after the stage break, he quickly worked his way into seventh while closing the gap to the leaders. Ahead was Tyler Reddick, who Buescher reeled in and passed for sixth. A caution at lap 210 provided more opportunity. Buescher capitalized immediately on the restart, climbing to fourth and locking into a fierce late-race chase, which saw him ultimately finish 6th – his best finish of the season.

“The team went to work. Everyone on this 17-group put in work. We had a solid qualifying effort and that gave us a good pit stall and a good direction to head,” said Buescher. “We were able to take this Smith’s/Farm Rich Ford Mustang and just steadily work forward all day long. We had strong pit stops. Good restarts. The car handled well. We needed a little bit more turn to hunt the top five, but that’s a solid first mile-and-half on the year — first true mile-and-half. That gives us a good read going forward for the next handful.”

Brad Keselowski #6 Trimble Ford Mustang

Sporting the Trimble blue and gold for the first time, Brad Keselowski proved that he had confidence in every turn Sunday. Navigating the demanding Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he immediately made gains, climbing steadily from his 28th starting position toward the front. Using the high line, mid-corner, Keselowski flashed by the competition cracking the top 20 by lap 15. Then as the stage wore on, he concentrated his efforts on perfecting his exit of turn 4. By stage’s end he was 19th.

Noticing that the right rear tires were wearing as the first stage unfolded, crew chief Jeremy Bullins made adjustments before the beginning of Stage Two. When pit stops cycled through, Keselowski restarted 15th and it didn’t take long to advance even further. He quickly attacked, passing Carson Hocevar and Ross Chastain to climb into 13th. Tire wear continued to be something the team monitored but Keselowski was content and particularly happy on long runs. When the segment closed, the Trimble Ford Mustang was 14th.

Radioing in, Keselowski said, “I feel like we finished this run a lot better than we finished the runs in the other stages.” Hearing that Bullins sought to fine tune, increasing speed on short runs as well. The final stage set up for one last push to the finish. A caution with 56 laps remaining shuffled strategy, but a strong pit stop put the No. 6 back inside the top 10. In the final laps, Keselowski hunted down Bubba Wallace, completing the pass with just two laps remaining to secure a hard-earned 10th-place finish and cap a determined charge through the field.

“I felt like we were about an eighth to 10th place car most of the race and just dog fought our way up there,” said Keselowski, scoring his second top 10 finish of the season. “(Top 10 finishes) always feel good. That’s a nice marker of success. We didn’t get there until the next-to-last lap, but we fought really hard. I’m really happy with it.”

Ryan Preece #60 Body Guard Ford Mustang

Las Vegas is all about putting it all on the table and RFK Racing driver, Ryan Preece, came to bet on himself. The No. 60 Body Guard Ford Mustang Dark Horse rolled into Las Vegas with confidence and for good reason. After a strong qualifying effort that put him 8th on the grid, Preece carried that momentum straight into race day at the first mile and a half track of the season. The 60 team was determined and dialed all day, even with the battle against tire wear throughout the race. Following the team’s first pit stop Preece shuffled to 21st, but carved his way back through the field, climbing to 7th to finish Stage One. “Overall lacking grip but I am making do, still a really great car,” said Preece over the radio to conclude the first stage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Steady strength was the theme for Stage Two. Restarting 8th, Preece kept the No. 60 Body Guard Ford Mustang Dark Horse planted inside the top 10, even as tire wear continued and dirty air became the story of the afternoon. A stop on lap 121 dropped him back to 14th, but Preece’s speed was undeniable. Within nine laps Preece returned to the top 10. Still the aero challenge persisted, “I’m stuck in dirty air, this tire is not able to overcome dirty air,” Preece said while fighting for every inch of track positioning possible. Preece closed out Stage Two with an 8th place finish, proving the car had the pace to contend if the race would just give him the right opening.

Heading into the final stage in Sin City with persistence, restarting 10th, Preece stayed locked in, hunting for clean air and opportunities to lay his cards on the table. A caution at lap 211 set up a strategic opportunity for a pit stop teeing him up to restart 11th with a tire advantage and just over 50 laps to go. From there, he dug deep, asking for lap times to better chase the competition ahead and squeezing everything he could from the car. Even with the frustration of knowing the car had vast potential but was confined to the circumstance of long green flag runs, Preece kept fighting and brought home an 11th place finish, a strong points day and another step forward for the No. 60 team.

“Good points day, we had a car capable of more, but we kept our heads in it and made the most of what the race gave us,” Preece said post-race.

Up Next:

Darlington Raceway (Darlington, SC)

The NASCAR Cup Series – Sunday, March 22 at 3:00pm EST on FS1

About RFK Racing 

RFK Racing, in its 39th season in 2026, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit https://www.rfkracing.com/ and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.