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RFK Racing, Fifth Third Team Up to Fight Hunger in Charlotte

By
Official Release
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NASCAR Team and Bank Employees Volunteer at Second Harvest of Metrolina for Fifth Third Day

CONCORD, NC (May 5, 2026) — Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing’s No. 17 Fifth Third-sponsored NASCAR Cup Series pit crew teamed up with Fifth Third Bank employees in Charlotte Tuesday to volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. The collaboration continued a shared tradition of giving back and helping address food insecurity in the communities they call home.

During the event, Fifth Third presented a $25,000 donation to Second Harvest of Metrolina, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to keeping the customer and community at the center of everything it does. The volunteer effort and contribution align with Fifth Third Day, the bank’s annual day of service and giving recognized each year around May 3 or better known as 5/3 on the calendar.

The RFK Racing team and Fifth Third employees worked side by side to support Second Harvest’s mission, helping prepare and pack meals that will be distributed to families across the Charlotte region. Hunger relief has been a focus of Fifth Third Day since 2012, when the Bank formally aligned its enterprise-wide volunteer efforts around fighting food insecurity.

“Fifth Third Day is about showing up for our communities in meaningful ways,” said Lee Fite, president of Fifth Third Bank’s Carolinas Region. “By working together with our employees, RFK Racing and Second Harvest of Metrolina, we are going above and beyond to support families who need it most and strengthen the places we call home.”

The collaboration between Fifth Third Bank and RFK Racing has become a familiar sight in Charlotte, with the No. 17 team and Bank employees volunteering together at local food banks for several consecutive years around Fifth Third Day. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to service, teamwork and making a positive impact beyond the track.

Since 1991, Fifth Third has recognized May 3 as Fifth Third Day, using the occasion as a rallying point for volunteerism and giving across its footprint. Through longstanding partnerships with Feeding America and local food banks, Fifth Third employees have helped deliver millions of meals to neighbors in need through volunteering and financial support.

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 rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

About Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Fifth Third operates 15 lines of business including consumer banking, commercial banking, wealth and asset management, data and analytics, and investment banking. Fifth Third is focused on improving lives and communities through responsible banking and a commitment to being One Bank—A Fifth Third Better.

ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen International: General Tire 100 at The Glen Entry List, Pre-Race Notes, Stats Update

By
Official Release
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  • The ARCA Menards Series will take on the twisting turns at Watkins Glen International in Friday’s General Tire 100 at The Glen, the fifth race of the series’ 2026 season and first of two road course races. It will be the seventh race for the ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen International and the series’ 34th race on a road course in its history.
  • Jake Bollman (No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Toyota) leads the ARCA Menards Series championship standings heading into the General Tire 100 at The Glen; he has an eight-point lead over Ryan Vargas (No. 34 Maples Motorsports Chevrolet) heading into Friday’s race. Neither driver has made a road course start previously in the ARCA Menards Series.
  • In the 33 previous ARCA Menards Series road course races, there have been 30 different winners. Only one driver has won more than once: Andrew Ranger (No. 53 Van Dyk Recycling Solutions Chevrolet). Ranger will make his first ARCA Menards Series start since he won at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2014. Ranger won his first career start at the track in 2011, and again in 2012, 2013, and 2014. His worst ARCA Menards Series road course start was second at Road America in 2013, and he has never finished outside the top-five with fifth-place finishes at both Chicagoland Speedway and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in his only two oval track starts in 2011. Ranger also has an ARCA Menards East road course victory at Lime Rock Park in 2010.
  • Home state favorite Andy Jankowiak (No. 71 Whelen / DAK’s Markets Chevrolet) heads into his home race fresh off his first career ARCA Menards Series victory in the series’ most recent race at Talladega Superspeedway. Jankowiak hails from Buffalo, New York, about two hours to the northwest of the Watkins Glen area and races tour-type Modifieds at various short tracks across the state.
  • NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship contender Kaden Honeycutt (No. 17 Mohawk Northeast Inc/MMI Toyota) will make his first ARCA Menards Series appearance since 2023 in the General Tire 100 at The Glen. Honeycutt will be teaming up with the Cook Racing Technologies team that he won two ARCA Menards Series West races with in 2023 which helped propel the organization to the West owner’s championship. Honeycutt will do double duty on Friday; he will also race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series nightcap.
  • Max Reaves (No. 18 Cook Out Toyota) will make his ARCA Menards Series road course debut in the General Tire 100 at The Glen. Reaves scored his fourth career ARCA Menards East victory last Saturday night at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and he enters Friday with three career ARCA Menards Series victories, the most recent in the 2025 season finale at Toledo Speedway. Reaves’ Joe Gibbs Racing team has had previous success on road courses, with wins at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with Ty Gibbs in 2021 and again in 2024 with William Sawalich and Brandon Jones at Watkins Glen in 2022. Sawalich also has three ARCA Menards West wins at road courses, at Portland International Raceway in 2024 and again at Portland and Sonoma Raceway in 2025.
  • Dystany Spurlock (No. 66 Foxxtecca Ford) will also do double duty; she will make her second career ARCA Menards Series start and then make her NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut both driving for Carl Long’s MBM Motorsports organization. Spurlock became the first ever Black female driver to start an ARCA Menards Series race at Kansas Speedway where she finished tenth; when she takes the green flag in Friday’s event she will be the first Black female to start a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.
  • ARCA Menards East championship point standings leader Tristan McKee (No. 77 Go Bowling Chevrolet) became the 38th driver to win in his ARCA Menards Series debut at Watkins Glen in 2025 and the series’ second-youngest winner in history at 15 years, 4 days of age, behind only Todd Gilliland who won at Toledo Speedway in 2015 at 15 years, 1 day of age. McKee won the first two East races in 2026 at Hickory Motor Speedway and Rockingham Speedway.
  • The 33 teams entered represent the largest ARCA Menards Series entry list at Watkins Glen International since the series’ first appearance at the track in 2001.
  • Previous ARCA Menards Series winners at Watkins Glen International include John Finger (2001), Corey Heim (2021), Brandon Jones (2022), Jesse Love (2023), Connor Zilisch (2024), and Tristan McKee (2025).
  • The race will be run under the Break pit stop format with a five-minute break scheduled at or around lap 21. Teams can change tires, add fuel, and make adjustments. The break is the only time teams can change tires of a similar tread pattern (dry to dry, wet to wet) without penalty. Should weather conditions dictate, teams can change dry to wet or wet to dry without penalty under either green flag or yellow flag.
  • Should the race need to be extended to overtime, there will be one attempt at a one-lap green-and-white-together restart. Should the caution come out in overtime, the field will be frozen at the time of the caution.
  • The General Tire 100 at The Glen is set for 1:30 pm ET on Friday, May 8. The race will be televised live on FS2. The race will also be broadcast on select affiliates of the MRN Radio network nationwide and on MRN.com. Live timing & scoring data and live race audio will be available on ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates please follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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 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 www.arcaracing.com, 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.

Desnuda Named Official Partner, Premium Tequila of IMS

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 5, 2026) – Desnuda Organic Tequila, an Indiana-based premium spirits brand, announces a partnership with Indianapolis Motor Speedway to become the “Official Premium Tequila” of IMS.

Crafted with intention, tradition and ritual, Desnuda embodies honesty and authenticity. An award-winning spirit, grown in the sacred ground of Jalisco, Mexico, Desnuda is certified organic, gluten-free and GMO-free tequila made with 100% Blue Weber agave.

Two beverage barns at IMS will be dedicated to Desnuda products, serving three specialty cocktails, including a margarita, pineapple sour and paloma. These barns will be located at the north end of Tower Terrace and outside of Turn 2. In addition, the “American Jubilee” cocktail served throughout IMS during the Month of May will use Desnuda Tequila.

“Desnuda is known for its commitment to tradition and one-of-a-kind experiences,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “IMS and the Indy 500 also are one-of-a-kind and steeped in tradition, and Desnuda provides our fans with another way they can celebrate together at the Racing Capital of the World.”

In a world of industrial spirits and celebrity tequila, Desnuda stays small by choice. They roast the agave in stone ovens and ferment in closed tanks for purity.

Desnuda Tequila is presented in hand-forged bottles that make every release one of a kind.

The next event for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the Sonsio Grand Prix on the road course at IMS. Live coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, May 9 on FOX. Live coverage of the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will begin at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 24 on FOX.

The Business Side of Vehicle Transport

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

That paperwork is simple to dismiss from the outside. The truck is the visible part. The chain of documentation behind the move is the hidden aspect.

Why Is There So Much Paperwork in Automotive Transportation?

Paperwork is a feature of automotive shipping because a car shipment typically involves more than one business and more than one handoff.

A single vehicle relocation may include vehicle owner, broker, transporter, pickup location, delivery location, insurance requirements, inspection notes, billing department. In motorsports, the chain might encompass race teams, stores, sponsors, event sites, parts suppliers and last-minute logistics. In the retail automotive world, this can include dealers, auctions, recon centers, lenders and third party carriers.

Each side needs a distinct section of the record. Pickup crew must release paperwork. Delivery workers require condition confirmation. The carrier shall have proof of delivery of the vehicle. The billing contact needs to see an invoice that reflects the details of the job.

If a document is lost or a reference number is incorrect, payment is slow.

Which Documents Are Important After Vehicle Delivery?

After the delivery, the important documents are those showing the job was authorized, finished and priced right.

This can involve for vehicle travel and transfer of goods:

  1. details of dispatch or loading
  2. written price agreement or rate confirmation;
  3. inspection records of pickup and delivery;
  4. acknowledged delivery;
  5. BOL (Bill of Lading) or transport receipt;
  6. accessorial approvals for waiting time, storage, special handling or extra stops;
  7. latest invoice

The specific document names are dependent on the type of shipment. A race car out to an event can have different paperwork than a used vehicle out of an auction to a dealership. And the billing question is the same: Can the carrier verify the job was done on the terms agreed to?

If the answer is yes, it’s easier to pay. If the answer involves phone calls, misdirected emails or missing attachments, the invoice becomes delayed.

Why Is the Reference Number Important?

Reference numbers will be used by billing teams to connect the invoice to the original transport order.

The driver may conceive of the work by: route, vehicle, customer name or delivery date. The billing department might only care about the load number, purchase order, shipment ID, or internal reference. If the invoice number is somewhat different from the original agreement, the system or clerk reviewing it may not know where to apply it.

That’s why little differences are important. A dash, prefix, missing digit or copied number from the wrong document can throw an otherwise valid invoice into manual review.

Carriers should copy the billing reference directly from the agreement/rate confirmation and maintain the original document connected to the work file. It’s the safest way to do it. 

Why Is Manual Billing Still Used in Transport?

Manual invoicing is still popular since many small carriers still interact with a variety of brokers, shippers, clients and formats on a weekly basis.

Big fleets could employ a Transportation Management System (TMS) that brings together dispatch, accounting, tracking, driver payments and billing. Small operators don’t generally need that whole system. They can book work over the phone, email, load board or broker portal. But their immediate concern is more narrow: get the job documents turned into a correct invoice and transmit it swiftly.

That gap is why many carriers are looking at specific freight billing software for carriers instead of broad solutions designed primarily for brokers, shippers, or huge fleets. The useful software in this category starts with the documents carriers already use: rate confirmations, Bills of Lading, delivery records, and invoice templates.

Sometimes the best tool isn’t the one with the most features. For a small transport firm, often the greatest tool is the one that cuts off the largest amount of repeated typing.

How Can Automation Help Without Changing the Entire Workflow?

The best value of automation is when it can fix the one pain point without having to re-engineer all the other processes in the organization.

In transport billing the repetitive phase is the data transfer. The agreed price, pickup details, delivery details, client name and reference number are already on the original paper. The carrier shouldn’t have to read one document and then re-key the same information line by line into another document.

A practical automated workflow is as follows:

1. Keep the shipping agreement or pricing confirmation.
2. Take a photo of the delivery document signed.
3. Fill in the invoice with the same reference numbers and prices.
4. Prepare one billing packet with the invoice and proof documentation.
5. Send the packet to the billing contact on the agreement.

The carrier still checks the invoice before mailing it. Automation doesn’t relieve accountability. This decreases both the repetition of entry and its associated errors.

What Should Automotive Businesses Expect from Carriers?

Carriers should be expected to offer the automotive industry with comprehensive, uniform billing packets.

That means the invoice must clearly show the vehicle or load reference, negotiated charge, delivery details, carrier information and evidence of completion for a dealership, auction, racing operation or service business that uses third-party transport. If there are to be any further charges these should be in writing.

Clean billing is also good for the client. It cuts down on chasing missing paperwork, connecting bills to jobs and checking out past deliveries.

Strong carrier connections are about more than price. They also rely on dependability following delivery when paperwork needs to be concluded and payment needs to proceed.

Complete the Paperwork Loop After Delivery

Transporting vehicles is an operational job but the remuneration is dependent on administrative accuracy. The carrier can accomplish everything perfectly on the road, but if the invoice package is incomplete or not matching, they will wait on payment.

As automotive logistics become more linked, the biggest wins won’t just be tracking vehicles in transit. And there will be savings from clearing up the papers after delivery. The more quickly a completed project becomes a complete invoice packet, the more quickly everyone can close the loop.

Why Camping Is the Ultimate Way to Experience The Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend

By
Official Release
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From early arrivals to race-day celebrations, camping at the Coca-Cola 600 turns Charlotte Motor Speedway into a full weekend destination. (CMS photo)
  • NASCAR Cup Series drivers tell fans why camping delivers the ultimate, all-access Coca-Cola 600 weekend experience
  • Fans can purchase Coca-Cola 600 weekend tickets online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. With college ticket deals, flexible payment options and the best kids’ pricing in sports through the Dollar Tree “More Fun. More Value.” program, it’s easier than ever to be part of the action.

CONCORD, N.C. (May 4, 2026) – Camping at the Coca-Cola 600 is one of the best ways to take in Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and spots are filling fast for this year’s 600-mile showdown. With a limited number of campsites remaining, fans can still secure a full weekend of on-site access, nonstop entertainment and a front-row seat to all the action.

As one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, the Coca-Cola 600 delivers 600 miles of racing, fan zone experiences, family-friendly activities and a must-see pre-race concert from Brad Paisley. From early arrivals to late-night celebrations, the speedway campgrounds transform the venue into a nonstop destination all weekend long.

Here’s what NASCAR Cup Series drivers say about why camping is the ultimate way to experience race weekend:

Ryan Blaney, No. 12, 2023 Coca-Cola 600 Winner

“I think camping in general, especially for race weekends, have always been special. Whether you bring your family or load up with your friends, you’re just there together. It bonds you even more. When you’re in this RV for a weekend, you become closer, as family or friends…. I just think camping at a racetrack is one of the coolest things, no matter who you bring.”

Chris Buescher, No. 17, RFK Racing

“I mean, you’re bringing your own home with you, right? You get to set up, stay for an entire weekend and never have to leave the racetrack. It’s just the way to sit down and park next to thousands of your closest friends, pulling for, hopefully, the (Number) 17, but, if that’s not your thing, then others. It’s just the way to sit down and enjoy the entire weekend. It’s like boujee tailgating, right?”

William Byron, No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports

“I would say just Memorial Day weekend. It’s probably a great weekend to grill out, have some hot dogs, hamburgers and a cup of cold beer, so that’s probably why people need to do it.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47, Hyak Motorsports

“Campers at the Coca-Cola 600, man they start early and they make a whole week out of it. Touring the campgrounds, seeing people come in on a Monday or Tuesday and enjoying a full weekend of racing. It means a lot to us racers when you come to the racetrack and you see campers all throughout, camping whether it be the infield or outside around the racetrack, it’s cool to see that y’all take the time to come out and support a race and support an event, like the Coca-Cola 600. Nobody does it like Charlotte. It’s one of my favorite races of the year.”

Michael McDowell, No. 71, Spire Motorsports

“Camping is just fun. Hanging out with your friends, your family, grilling out, enjoying a good time and fellowship, and then having something exciting to do. Whether it’s pre-race concerts, whether it’s entertainment that’s happening at the racetrack before the race starts. So it’s definitely a full weekend at the racetrack.”

TICKETS
Fans can purchase Coca-Cola 600 weekend tickets online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Deals from college tickets, flexible payment options and the best kids pricing in sports through the Dollar Tree “More Fun. More Value.” program, it’s easier than ever to be part of the action.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram, or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

INDYCAR Officiating Announces Long Beach Push to Pass Review Findings, Action

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 5, 2026) – INDYCAR Officiating has announced its findings and updates following a thorough review of the Push to Pass software failure during the Sunday, April 19 INDYCAR SERIES race on the Streets of Long Beach.

Following the race, INDYCAR Officiating followed the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Push to Pass rule (Rule 14.19.16.), which placed the burden of the Push to Pass system on the series to assure that the software performed properly. As such, all cars that competed on the Streets of Long Beach were deemed legal and using Push to Pass software that was compliant to the rules.

INDYCAR Officiating’s review of the Push to Pass software failure also included the detailed use of by all 12 cars that used it on Lap 62 and revealed the following:

Car No.UsesTotal Time
313.0
638.0
8212.1
10315.1
1216.0
1427.0
151~0.0
1824.5
4522.5
60318.5
6616.3
7626.0

Analysis of the restart again showed that no cars received a position change as a result of the software error with the exception of car No. 66, which passed car No. 14 despite the fact both cars used it in near-equal amounts. Based on the findings and the fact INDYCAR Officiating did not view this as a team or driver infraction, no changes were made to the official results.

Push to Pass Responsibility Update

Moving forward, beginning with the event this weekend on the IMS road course and for all subsequent road and street circuit races, INDYCAR has rewritten the rules around Push to Pass to place the burden on competitors to ensure Push to Pass is not used at restricted times. In further analysis and discussion with teams and drivers, INDYCAR Officiating believes the rule update better serves the point of the rule while also simplifying the interpretation for all competitors.

The update comes as INDYCAR, in a separate announcement, established expanded availability of Push to Pass on race restarts to provide teams and drivers additional tools and overtake possibilities.

Push to Pass rules for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone are effective immediately.

Root Cause of the Software Failure

An intense examination of the system revealed that in the moments before the full-course yellow and following the Lap 61 restart, simultaneous CAN (Controller Area Network) messages were mistakenly sent from the INDYCAR software to the receivers on the cars on track. The system is designed to only send individual signals to the cars. These signals provide telemetry such as ranking, lap count, gaps, differential to the leader, and Push to Pass information and availability.

The simultaneous nature of the signals – instead of an individual signal – led to the Push to Pass system shutdown, resulting in the cars never receiving the signal to disable Push to Pass. Instead, the system remained available during the full-course yellow and subsequent restart.

Corrective Code and Measures

Beginning with the event May 8-9 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, an updated and corrected code will be used for the CAN messages, which includes a “lock” around the sequence of events that writes the message to the server to send to the cars. The new code provides for only one-at-a-time messaging and avoids simultaneous signals. The “lock” is a common industry practice and does not pose any risk to the functionality of the code.

Internal testing of the updated code signal, including testing during the Indy 500 Open Test on Tuesday-Wednesday April 28-29, validated the system and resulted in zero errors.

Subsequent to the code, INDYCAR Officiating will utilize an additional software engineer and measures to monitor the outgoing CAN messaging to the cars to confirm and validate its operation and to monitor Push to Pass.

“The Independent Officiating Board would like to thank INDYCAR’s software and powertrain engineers who have helped us work through this review,” board chair Raj Nair said. “We believe the protective measures that have been established will ensure there are no more system issues moving forward. Additionally, the board fully endorses the rule change involving the burden of responsibility and also supports the Push to Pass rule update made by INDYCAR to allow overtake on race restarts. This has been a comprehensive and thorough process, which has led to a favorable result.”

The next race for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the Sonsio Grand Prix, round six of the 2026 championship, Saturday, May 9. Coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX One and the FOX Sports app. INDY NXT has its second doubleheader of 2026 with Race 1 on the IMS road course scheduled for 4 p.m. ET Friday, May 8 on FOX Sports’ FS2 and Race 2 scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9 on FS1.

Audio coverage is available via INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls on SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

Spire Motorsports Strengthens Partnership with Go Bowling for Weekend “Double” at Watkins Glen

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 5, 2026) – Spire Motorsports and Go Bowling will renew its partnership in 2026 and expand the relationship by including both Michael McDowell and young phenom Tristan McKee during the NASCAR Cup and ARCA Menards Series’ race weekend at Watkins Glen International (WGI).

McDowell will pilot the No. 71 Go Bowling Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in NASCAR’s premier division for the May 10 Go Bowling at the Glen while McKee will race the No. 77 Chevy when the ARCA Menards Series mixes it up on Friday, May 8 at the famed 2.45-mile road course, situated at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, in the picturesque Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York.

Bowling continues to be the No. 1 participatory sport in the United States, with more than 60 million people taking to the lanes and bowling centers all over America each year.

“Bowling is one of the most exciting, inclusive sports out there – bringing people together for competition, connection, and pure fun in a way few activities can,” said John Harbuck, President of Strike Ten Entertainment. “It’s time to break out of the ordinary, don’t go boring, Go Bowling, and experience the energy, community, and thrill that make this sport so special.”

Both drivers will sport identical bowling-lane themed liveries when each division returns to the seven-turn venue known for its high speeds and challenging layout. Last season’s annual visit to The Glen saw McDowell qualify sixth and, after being shuffled as deep as 33rd in the running order, rally to bring home a 19th-place finish.

The McDowell/McKee pairing will run a combined 345 miles between the two races, displaying the Go Bowling colors and supporting various bowling-themed activations at the track. Last year, the 19-year Cup Series’ veteran participated in bowling the World’s Highest Strike, an added highlight for both the driver and Go Bowling.

McDowell, a Glendale, Ariz., native and accomplished road racer, has competed in multiple series at WGI including the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car series where he earned multiple top-five finishes prior to his time in the NASCAR ranks. In Cup Series competition, the 41-year-old racer has earned two top-10 finishes and led laps in three of his last four starts.

“Go Bowling has been such a fun partnership,” said McDowell, “From the World’s Highest Strike with Norm Duke and Malia Briggs, to the way they have embraced my family and the team. It has been nothing short of special. I am thankful for the opportunity to take our partnership to the next level. Tristan (McKee) is a special talent, and he clearly has what it takes to win. Watkins Glen has been one of my favorite tracks for years and our road course program has been constantly improving. So, I’m excited to get up to The Glen a little earlier this year and hopefully give the Go Bowling team a good run.”

In his ARCA Menards Series debut last season, McKee qualified fourth for the venue’s 100-mile contest, taking the lead with three laps to go, en route to his first career ARCA victory, just five days after turning the minimum age requirement of 15-years-old.

“I’m eager to have Go Bowling on our car at Watkins Glen,” said McKee, “Bowling is always a lot of fun and one of the most traditional family activities everywhere in the country, so I’m looking forward to a fun trip to Watkins Glen. I won in my ARCA debut last year, so I’m looking forward to getting it done again and having Go Bowling support our team.”

Go Bowling partnered with Spire Motorsports for three races in 2025, including McDowell’s effort in both the Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, including its traditional activations at WGI.

“Go Bowling has been a terrific partner for Michael McDowell and our entire organization,” said Spire Motorsports President, Bill Anthony, “This is a great opportunity to extend that relationship in a way that supports one of our emerging young drivers. Tristan (McKee) continues to show maturity and speed beyond his years and returning to Watkins Glen after earning his first ARCA win there last season makes this a particularly meaningful weekend for him. We’re thrilled to bring together a driver with a bright future and a brand that represents fun, family-friendly entertainment and has quickly become a valued part of our NASCAR program.”

The Go Bowling at The Glen will be televised live on FS1, Sunday, May 10, beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 12th of 36 races on the 2026 Cup Series schedule will be broadcast live on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

The General Tire 100 ARCA Menards Series race will be televised live on FS2, Friday, May 8 beginning at 1:30 p.m. EDT and streamed on FOX Sports Live. The fifth of 20 races on the 2026 ARCA national tour schedule will be broadcast live on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About Go Bowling…
GoBowling.com is the destination for bowling fans and enthusiasts seeking news and information about one of America’s favorite pastimes and the nation’s number one participatory sport. With more than 67 million people taking to the lanes every year, GoBowling.com is a one-stop location where people of all ages can go to satisfy their love of bowling. Consumers turn to GoBowling.com every day to find bowling fun – discovering new bowling centers, tips and techniques to use on the lanes, entertaining bowling news and great deals at more than 1,700+ family-friendly bowling centers across the country.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing.

The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado its first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent victory came May 1, 2026, when Carson Hocevar won the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

In 2026, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization also fields the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.

Chalmers Ventures invests in Detecht – aims to become one of the world’s leading motorcycle apps

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Together with existing owners, Chalmers Ventures is investing €400,000 in Detecht, a mobile platform for motorcycle safety. The investment is a testament to continued strong confidence in the company, which has established itself as one of the world’s largest apps in its niche.

Gothenburg (May 5, 2026). In a short period, Detecht has evolved into a technically mature platform that combines crash detection with route planning and social features. By utilizing the phone’s built-in sensors, the app can detect if you fall off your bike or are involved in a collision.

It also functions as a GPS. However, unlike Google Maps, which often seeks the fastest route, Detecht focuses on the experience. For example, you can set the app to prioritize curvy and scenic roads. Simultaneously, the platform is a social network for riders, where users can share both riding statistics and experiences with like-minded individuals along the way.

By focusing on measurability and clear KPIs, the company has demonstrated a high demand for digital services that increase road safety. With over 25,000 subscribers globally and an already strong presence in the USA, the goal now is to further accelerate expansion.

Detecht’s core technology, the “crash algorithm,” originates from research at Chalmers University of Technology. The team behind Detecht comes from the Chalmers School of Entrepreneurship, making the company a clear example of how academia and entrepreneurship can successfully collaborate.

“This company impresses by consistently delivering results. They are very skilled at measuring and managing operations based on their KPIs. Detecht is a great example of our model where we build companies by matching research results with entrepreneurship students,” says Louise Brudö, Investor Director at Chalmers Ventures.

With an international position and a scalable business model, Chalmers Ventures sees great potential in the company’s continued journey.

“Detecht operates in a global niche with clear demand. With a technically mature platform and a driven team, the company has established a strong international position and good conditions for continued growth,” continues Louise Brudö.

For Detecht, the capital injection of €400,000 represents an opportunity to consolidate its position and increase the pace in markets across both North America and Europe, while continuing to invest in product development.

“Having our existing owners and Chalmers Ventures with us underscores the confidence in our growth journey. Today, we are one of the world’s largest motorcycle apps where safety, navigation, and community are integrated into a single platform. Now we are focusing on honoring that trust and scaling operations further,” says Niklas Ohlsson, CEO and co-founder of Detecht.

About Chalmers Ventures 

Chalmers Ventures is a leading Tech Investor and Venture Builder in the Nordics, dedicated to creating global growth companies and taking new technology from lab to market. The focus is on university spin-outs and deep tech. We employ a unique dual approach that integrates venture creation with tech investments, harnessing the potential of new research and deep tech within Chalmers. Our expertise lies in initiating and nurturing companies from groundbreaking research, ensuring a robust pipeline of high-quality ventures in which we invest and act as active owners. Our involvement extends through the entire company lifecycle until exit, with the aim to generate substantial business success and make a positive global impact.

Victory in Miami as GMG Racing Remains Podium Perfect in McLaren Trophy America

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  • Deniz Teoman and Jeff Cook Co-Drive to Am Class Win Saturday in No. 5 GMG Racing McLaren Artura Trophy
  • Randy Highland and New Co-Driver Michael O’Brien Third in Pro-Am Saturday in the No. 7 GMG Racing McLaren Artura Trophy
  • Competitive GMG Racing McLaren Trophy America Weekend at the Grand Prix of Miami Formula 1 Race Includes Overall Position and Top-Two Friday Practice Sweep

MIAMI, Florida (May 4, 2026) – Reigning McLaren Trophy America Champions GMG Racing scored its first race win of the 2026 season Saturday with the Am-class duo of Deniz Teoman and Jeff Cook in the No. 5 GMG Racing McLaren Artura Trophy in a Miami Grand Prix Formula 1 support race at the Miami International Autodrome.

The Am winners, who also finished second outright after leading the first half of the race overall from the pole position, were joined in victory lane by teammates Randy Highland and debuting team driver Michael O’Brien, who finished third in Pro-Am in the No. 7 GMG Racing McLaren Artura Trophy. The race win and P3 showing added to GMG Racing’s haul of four victory lane visits in March’s season-opening race weekend at Sonoma Raceway to give the GMG Racing duo a six-for-six “podium perfect” run in the year’s first three races.

A second and final 40-minute McLaren Trophy race was scheduled for Sunday morning but was cancelled due to heavy rain in the Miami area. A makeup race on one of this year’s remaining scheduled race weekends will be announced in the near future.

“The entire GMG Racing team, from our drivers to the engineers to the crew, did an amazing job all weekend in Miami,” said GMG Racing Team Principal and Founder James Sofronas. “It was apparent early on as we were fast out of the gate in practice one, and despite the team having several back to back weekends, they were as ready as ever and it showed. Looking ahead, we knew the weather could impact our races, and that we might have only one or a limited shot at putting up some good results, so everybody on the team was ready for it. From going one-two overall in Friday practice, winning the overall pole and then leading Saturday overall and scoring the first win of the season was just fantastic. Deniz, Jeff, Randy and our new teammate Michael, who is super quick and experienced, all quickly gelled and we left Miami with some hardware, even more momentum and remain podium perfect on the season. We are already looking forward to the next race at Road Atlanta.”

O’Brien (center above) joins GMG Racing as the reigning McLaren Trophy Europe Pro Champion. He won six races as part of eight total podium showings in last year’s title-winning season in McLaren Trophy Europe. He also made some early McLaren Trophy history by sweeping all eight possible pole positions last year in Europe.

“It was a truly fantastic debut weekend with GMG Racing and my teammates Randy, Deniz and Jeff,” O’Brien said. “We were right where we needed to be from the off, and Randy really drove superbly throughout. The first race was really about points on the board for us, so to pick up another podium was awesome. We put all of our eggs into the race two basket, for which the weather had other ideas about, but we’re preparing already to fight for the top step in Road Atlanta!”

O’Brien joined Cook in the GMG Racing top-two sweep in Friday’s practice. Cook topped the time sheets with a lap time of 1:57.595 to just edge O’Brien by a close 0.274 seconds.

Cook continued the strong pace straight into qualifying when he captured not only the Am pole but secured the overall quickest lap of the session with an even better time of 1:57.328. He led from the start in Saturday’s race and the No. 5 only lost the lead when they were just edged out of the pits by the all-Pro entry that went on to take the overall victory.

Teoman was tasked with bringing the No. 5 to the finish line, delivering one of his best performances to date as he held off a late challenge to secure second overall and the Am-class victory. Teoman and Cook reached the top step of the podium in just their second event weekend and third race with GMG Racing.

Rounds 5 and 6 of this year’s McLaren Trophy America season will take the second-year series to and through the halfway point of the 10 race and five weekend championship at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, June 12 – 14.

About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility relocated last year to The Thermal Club and a 28,000 sq. ft. trackside motorsports facility. The staff, attention to detail and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped the company support its customers to the highest level possible. We have since won several Championships, not only with Porsche, but with Audi, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and McLaren. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona, Spa, Montreal, COTA and The Thermal Club, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Team Winward Racing Secures a Pair of Top Five Finishes at the IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship Weekend

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Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Team Winward Racing Secured Top Five Finishes Across a Pair of IMSA Racing Series Saturday and Sunday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to Remain in the Championship Battles in both IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GT Daytona (GTD) and IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport (GS). Two-Time and Reigning IMSA GTD Champions Russell Ward, Philip Ellis and the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Team Finished Fifth in Sunday’s WeatherTech Championship Race a Day after Bryce Ward and Daan Arrow Co-Drove to Fourth in Pilot Challenge GS in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4.

MONTEREY, California – Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing team Winward Racing stayed tight in the fight for one championship and moved back into contention for another season title with a pair of top five finishes in the IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship race weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Bryce Ward and Daan Arrow rebounded for a hard-earned fourth place finish in Saturday’s two-hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race to remain close to the top of the top-tier Grand Sport (GS) class point standings. On Sunday, two-time and reigning IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GT Daytona (GTD) champions Russell Ward and Philip Ellis secured their best finish since a season-opening victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona to move up to fourth in the GTD team and driver championship standings.

Meanwhile, the No. 24 Murillo Racing with P1 Motor Club Mercedes-AMG GT4 team of first-year co-drivers Aurora Straus and Kenny Murillo turned in a solid performance in what was essentially the pairing’s second race together in the team’s return to GS competition. Although a fuel strategy gamble ultimately came up just short, starting driver Straus improved several positions in her race-opening stint while Murillo ran in the top 10 early in his driving shift to the checkered flag.

Russell Ward and Ellis battled in or near the GTD top five for the entire two-hour and 40-minute WeatherTech race on Sunday. January’s Rolex 24 win for the 2024 and 2025 GTD team and driver champions moved this season off to a great start only to see the team knocked out of the following race at the 12 Hours of Sebring early after getting caught up in a contact incident between other competitors.

Despite another disappointing finish in April’s Grand Prix of Long Beach, Ward, Ellis and the No. 57 squad have moved to fourth in the GTD team and driver standings after Sunday’s fifth place finish. With 1,080 points in both championships, the No. 57 drivers and teams are just 23 points shy of the third-place competitors.

After third and second place finishes in the Daytona and Sebring season-opening races, Bryce Ward and Arrow have been in the Pilot Challenge GS championship conversation all season. Another podium, if not a victory, looked promising in the opening hour of Saturday’s race. Ward advanced from his 10th place starting spot into top five contention only to be spun out by another competitor in the fast downhill run exiting the famous Laguna Seca Corkscrew turn section.

Ward lost additional time waiting to safely rejoin the field but then began the No. 57’s recovery with a fast run of final laps before pitting to hand off to Arrow. From there, Arrow staged his third-straight closing-stint charge to the front in as many races to salvage a solid fourth-place finish and the valuable points that go with it.

With three of the season’s 10 races completed, Ward, Arrow and the No. 57 Mercedes-AMG GT4 team have 900 points, only a scant 30 points shy of the current GS team and driver championship leaders.

The Murillo P1 team took just its second checkered flag of the three races run to date after being eliminated from the year’s second race at Sebring in a multi-car accident as the green flag dropped. Undaunted, the No. 24 team and drivers continued their return to the competitive GS ranks at Laguna Seca with a strong run. Straus gained half a dozen positions to start the race while Murillo ran inside the top 10 before being forced to pit for a splash of fuel in the race’s closing minutes. Despite the near miss on the fuel calculations, Murillo still crossed the finish line on the lead lap just over 50 seconds behind the race winner.

Next up for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing in IMSA competition is the second and final four-hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race of the year at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, June 5 – 7. The IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship resumes with the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International, June 25 – 28.

“It was a pretty tough day. We didn’t seem to have the pace that we normally have. We will look and see what we are missing, even in the strategy. I think there’s some improvements we could have made all around in qualifying, strategy and the pace of the car. A fifth is a good result, and it is good points, but I think that was the maximum for the day. Tire degradation was a little more challenging than previous years, but I don’t know if that is with the track kind of wearing in or from the new tires. That is usually a place where we are not afraid to be, but it was a fun drive and a good race. I am really looking forward to Watkins Glen, it is one of my favorite places and back in the endurance rounds. We are going to welcome back our buddy Indy (Dontje) and go have some fun.”

Russell Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3

“I had a great race but it’s just a shame that I got turned around out of the corkscrew. There was an incident in front of us, which checked me up, and the guy behind just ran up into our backend and turned me around. Then I was just too scared to get back onto the track because I was looking right at a train of TCR cars heading downhill and right for me. I just waited and waited and waited because it felt like it was completely blind and really, I was. I just couldn’t do anything, but finally everything was clear and I got back out there. I had a great, great time catching the TCR cars and passing them and only had two between me and the back of the GS field when I pit. Once again, the pit crew really, really stepped it up. I think we picked up five positions in the pits, which was incredible, and hats off to them. They’ve saved us so many times this year, and Daan had a fantastic recovery drive. If the crew can continue to do that, and we can continue to drive the car safely and get it home, I think the championship is well within our grasp.”

Bryce Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4

“I think generally I’m very happy despite this being a bit of a bad day for us. We had a fantastic start from Bryce, who was moving up, but then he got spun and dropped all the way to the back. He recovered, which was fantastic, and we finished fourth from where we were. I’m still learning, and I think I could have done a better job on Saturday, but I think we can be very happy and proud of what we can do when we put it all together. I think that is going to be the next step. Other than the races I have been to last year in Virginia, Indianapolis and Road Atlanta, everything is new for me this season. We’re looking at the bigger picture, the goal is clear, and we’ve had a fourth, a third, and a second, so we know what’s next! We need to drive smart, and we’re going for more than just wins, we’re playing the long-run championship game too.”

Daan Arrow, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4

“This was really only our second race in the big scheme of things for Murillo Racing and the P1 Motor Club as a team after getting knocked out of Sebring before we even had a chance to take the green flag. So, even though we have, I guess, about eight years of history with the Mercedes-AMG GT4 it has been a while. We’re still knocking off the rust, so I think today, up until the last two laps, it went really well. Our Mercedes-AMG GT4 itself was totally on rails. I couldn’t have asked for a better car here at Laguna Seca, and the team was awesome. We made up a couple of positions in pitlane, which is really all you can ask for. Kenny was great, and everything worked out really well, but at the of the day, the strategy cards didn’t play out in our favor. We took a gamble there would be another yellow at some point in the last hour of the race, but we ended up ultimately losing. That’s just how it goes sometimes, but all’s well that ends well, and at the end of the day our car is competitive. We’re going to make the most of that at the next race.”

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