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Thomas Annunziata notches second consecutive ARCA victory at Lime Rock Park

By
Andrew Kim
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Credit: ARCA Racing.

Thomas Annunziata doubled down at a road course venue where he achieved his first career ARCA Menards Series victory a year ago. This season, he led all but nine of the 68 scheduled laps to win the Lime Rock Park ARCA 100 on Friday, July 3, for his second consecutive victory in the ARCA Menards Series.

The 21-year-old Annunziata from Colts Neck, New Jersey, started Friday’s main event on the front row and assumed command for the first time on the sixth lap. Despite nearly having his event go sideways during a Lap 18 restart that caused him to lose the lead to title rival Jake Bollman, Annunziata recovered and reassumed the lead by Lap 22. From there, Annunziata never looked back as he proceeded to claim the checkered flag by nearly 10 seconds over Andrew Ranger.

With on-track qualifying determining the starting lineup on Friday, Carson Brown secured pole position with a lap at 97.908 mph in 54.345 seconds. Thomas Annunziata, the reigning ARCA Lime Rock Park winner, qualified in second place with a lap at 97.793 mph in 54.409 seconds.

When the green flag waved and the event commenced, Carson Brown maintained a steady advantage through the main straightaway that led to the first turn. Brown, however, went up the track through the first turn and was overtaken by both Thomas Annunziata and Tristian McKee, with McKee assuming command through the first two turns (Big Bend) and leading to both a third left-hander turn and a fourth right-hander turn. As the field behind jostled for early spots, McKee fended off Annunziata through the remaining three turns and cycled back to the main straightaway to lead the first lap.

Over the next four laps, McKee maintained the lead by as high as four-tenths of a second over Annunziata while Brown, who dropped to fifth place during the opening lap, rallied his way up to third place. Behind, points leader Jake Bollman and Peter Portante were in the top five while Isabella Robusto, Andrew Ranger, Max Reaves, Ryan Gemmell and Stewart Friesen occupied the remaining top-10 spots over Jeff Anton, Dawson Sutton, Alex Quarterley, Andy Jankowiak, Isaac Kitzmiller, Graham Jacobson, Ty Fredrickson, Will Robinson, Jason Kitzmiller and Chase Buscaglia, respectively.

On the seventh lap, Annunziata overtook McKee through the main straight in between Turns 7 and 1 to assume the lead for the first time. As Annunziata proceeded to extend his advantage to more than a second by the 10th lap, Brown reeled in and intimidated teammate McKee for the runner-up spot while Bollman and Portante continued to occupy the remaining top-five spots over Ranger, Robusto, Gemmell, Reaves and Anton, respectively.

Following the event’s first caution that flew on the 12th lap due to debris that came off of Corey Aiken’s entry lying on the course, the event restarted on the 19th lap. At the start, Annunziata got sideways entering the first turn when he wheel-hopped the turn and was hit in the rear by Brown. As a result, Annunziata managed to keep his entry straight when he ran into the side of McKee, but the latter went off the course amid the contact as Brown also slipped and spun through the first turn. Amid the chaos and with no caution flying, Bollman maneuvered his way into the lead, and he led the next lap over Annunziata while Reaves, Gemmell and Anton were in the top five.

On Lap 22, Annunziata overtook Bollman to reassume the lead through the sixth turn. As Annunziata led the next lap over Bollman, Reaves and Gemmell battled closely behind for third place while Ranger was up into fifth place ahead of Anton, Portante, Quarterley, Friesen and McKee, respectively. Sutton, who spun on Lap 20, was in 19th place behind Brown. Robusto, who was pushed by a wrecker during the first caution period due to having no fuel pressure, was mired 10 laps down in 25th place.

At the halfway mark on Lap 34, a competition caution flew, and the event entered a five-minute break period. During this time, all competitors pitted non-competitively with the options to have tires changed along with a fill-up of fuel and adjustments/repairs needed. At the time of caution, Annunziata was leading by more than two seconds over Gemmell while Reaves, Bollman, Ranger, McKee, Portante, Anton, Quarterley and Ian Kitzmiller in top 10, with Brown mired in 15th and 19 of 29 starters scored on the lead lap.

When the event resumed with 30 laps remaining, Annunziata fended off Ryan Gemmell through the first turn to maintain the lead. As the field bumped and jostled for late spots through the course’s turns, Annunziata led the next lap over Gemmell and Bollman while Ranger and Reaves were in the top five ahead of Peter Portante, McKee, Alex Quarterley, Stewart Friesen and JeffAnton. Annunziata, who stretched his lead to more than a second with 29 laps remaining, increased his lead to more than two seconds with 25 to go.

Then with 23 laps remaining, the caution flew due to debris on course, and it evaporated Annunziata’s lead of more than five seconds. During the next restart with 18 laps remaining, Annunzaiata fended off Ranger through the first four turns to maintain the lead while a variety of on-track bumps and jostling of spots, including one that involved McKee running into the side of Portante through the first turn, ensued. Annunziata led the next lap, and he grew his lead over Ranger to eight-tenths of second with 15 laps remaining.

Down to the final 10 laps, Annunziata grew his late lead to more than two seconds over Ranger while Bollman, Brown and Reaves trailed in the top five, respectively. By then, Gemmell dropped to sixth ahead and was racing ahead of McKee as Annunziata extended his lead to more than six seconds with five to go.

When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Annunziata remained in the lead by nine seconds over Ranger. With no challenges reeling in close enough, Annunziata cycled around Like Rock Park smoothly for a final time before he cycled back to the main straightaway and claimed the checkered flag by more than nine seconds over Ranger.

With the victory, Annunziata, driver of the No. 70 Toyota Camry entry for Nitro Motorsports, scored his second ARCA Menards Series career victory in his 18th series start, both of which have occurred at Lime Park. He also notched his sixth top-five result through 12 ARCA events in 2026 and he trails points leader Jake Bollman by eight points with only eight events remaining on the 2026 schedule. Annunziata’s ARCA victory completed half of his double-duty roles this weekend at Lime Rock as he will also drive TRICON Garage’s No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro entry on Saturday, July 10.

“I grew up doing this kind of stuff. A lot of these guys didn’t,” Annunziata said. “I have an advantage when it comes to the road courses. We started getting hot there the last couple of races. We weren’t able to execute a victory there, but I feel like we deserved one for a while. We worked hard for this. It means so much to get the first win for Nitro Motorsports in 2026. Yeah, it’s been a while [since I won], so I’m happy. You got to just keep digging. [I] Just don’t have quite the race craft yet, so we’re getting closer, but I know what I’m doing here.”

Andrew Ranger, a three-time NASCAR Pintys Series champion from Quebec, Canada, finished in the runner-up spot over Carson Brown, Max Reaves and Jake Bollman. Ryan Gemmell, Tristan McKee, Isaac Kitzmiller. Dawson Sutton and Jeff Anton completed the top 10 in the final running order.

This event saw four lead changes among three leaders and three cautions over 15 laps. In addition, 19 of 29 starters finished on the lead lap.

Results:

  1. Thomas Annunziata, 59 laps led
  2. Andrew Ranger
  3. Carson Brown
  4. Max Reaves
  5. Jake Bollman, three laps led
  6. Ryan Gemmell
  7. Tristan McKee
  8. Isaac Kitzmiller
  9. Dawson Sutton
  10. Jeff Anton
  11. Peter Portante
  12. Will Robinson
  13. Stewart Friesen
  14. Andy Jankowiak
  15. Ty Fredrickson
  16. Graham Jacobson
  17. Jason Kitzmiller
  18. Chase Buscaglia
  19. Takuma Koga
  20. Bobby Earnhardt, two laps down
  21. Alex Quarterley, four laps down
  22. Alex Clubb, seven laps down
  23. Michael Maples, eight laps down
  24. Nate Moeller, nine laps down
  25. Isabella Robusto, 18 laps down
  26. Corey Aiken – OUT, Mechanical
  27. Brad Smith – OUT, Mechanical
  28. Ed Pompa – Did Not Start (DNS)
  29. Jef Maconi – Did Not Start (DNS)

Next on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series schedule is the LiUNA! 150 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg, Indiana, an event that will also serve as a shared event that will feature competitors competing in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East divisions. The event is scheduled to occur on July 24 and air at 5 p.m. ET on FS1.

ARCA Menards Series at Lime Rock Park: Lime Rock Park ARCA 100 Post-race Notes

By
Official Release
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  • Thomas Annunziata (No. 70 JBL Audio Toyota) scored his first ARCA Menards Series victory of the season in Friday’s Lime Rock Park ARCA 100 at the 1.47-mile, seven-turn Lime Rock Park road course. Annunziata, from nearby Colts Neck, New Jersey, started second and led 59 of the race’s 68 laps to win at Lime Rock for the second consecutive season.
  • With the victory, Annunziata becomes only the second driver in ARCA Menards Series history to win multiple races on a road course. The other, Andrew Ranger (No. 53 SFW Farm Chevrolet), finished second, 9.932 seconds behind. Ranger has four ARCA Menards Series road course victories, all at New Jersey Motorsports Park, from 2011 through 2014.
  • Annunziata will make his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of the season in tomorrow’s LiUNA 150. Annunziata will drive the No. 1 Toyota for Tricon Garage; Annunziata finished 15th in last year’s NCTS race at Lime Rock driving for Spire Motorsports.
  • Carson Brown (No. 28 Whelen Chevrolet) started from the Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole but was muscled out of the lead on the opening lap by his Pinnacle Racing Group teammate Tristan McKee (No. 77 NEFCO Chevrolet). Both Brown and McKee would endure off course excursions on restarts, with Brown dropping to the tail of the lead lap after spinning on the first restart of the day. Brown would recover to finish third, while McKee, who earned his first ARCA Menards Series win at Watkins Glen International last August, would finish seventh.
  • Two-time ARCA Menards Series winner this season Max Reaves (No. 18 Cook Out Toyota) finished fourth after a spirited battled with championship points leader Jake Bollman (No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Toyota) in the closing laps. Reaves nearly spun numerous times off turn six and down the hill into turn seven as he battled a loose racecar; Bollman notched his eighth top-five finish of the season in fifth.
  • Bollman led three laps, from lap 20 through 22, the first laps led in his ARCA Menards Series career.
  • Ryan Gemmell (No. 29 Ciferno Well Services / TC3 Toyota) ran as high as second just before the race’s mid-race break before crossing the finish line in sixth. Gemmell, who raced with the NASCAR Classics series at LeMans last week, has finished in the top ten in all five of his ARCA Menards Series starts, all of which have been on road courses.
  • Reigning ARCA Menards Series East champion Isaac Kitzmiller (No. 79 A.L.L. Construction / Carter CAT Chevrolet) finished seventh, his sixth career top-ten finish and first since he finished seventh at Phoenix Raceway in March three starts ago.
  • NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Dawson Sutton (No. 42 Rackley Roofing / MMI Services Chevrolet) recovered from a spin in turn five just after the first restart of the day to finish ninth in his second career ARCA Menards Series race.
  • Jeff Anton (No. 44 Deer Park Recycling / Squid Details Chevrolet) finished tenth, his second straight ten top-ten finish at Lime Rock Park; he finished eighth in last year’s race.
  • Bollman continues to lead the ARCA Menards Series championship standings but Annunziata has unofficially closed the gap to eight points heading into the series’ next race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 24.
  • The next race for the ARCA Menards Series is the LiUNA 150, a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series East at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday, July 24. The race, set to begin at 5 pm ET, ill be televised live on FS1 and broadcast on select affiliates of the MRN Radio network nationwide. ARCARacing.com will have live timing & scoring data throughout all on-track activity and live race audio. Follow @ARCA_Racing on X (formerly Twitter) for up-to-the-minute updates.

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

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

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

RCR Race Preview: EchoPark Speedway

By
Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at EchoPark Speedway… In 171 NASCAR Cup Series starts at EchoPark Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has earned nine wins and four pole awards, including Kevin Harvick’s emotional victory in 2001. Dale Earnhardt won eight times at the Hampton, Georgia track under the RCR banner (1984-fall, 1986-fall, 1988-spring, 1989-fall, 1990-spring, 1995-fall, 1996-spring, 2000-spring). The Welcome, N.C. team has 31 top-five and 64 top-10 finishes at EchoPark Speedway and has led a total of 3,045 laps at the 1.54-mile oval.

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at EchoPark Speedway… Richard Childress Racing has recorded eight NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins at EchoPark Speedway, led by Austin Hill’s five victories (2022-fall, 2023-spring 2024-spring and fall, 2025-spring). Harvick (2013) and Jeff Burton (2006, 2007) also secured victories at EchoPark Speedway with RCR. As an organization, RCR has racked up 20 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes across 70 starts at the Peachtree State track.

Did You Know… Since Austin Hill joined RCR in 2022, the team has won 13 of 26 drafting-track races, including nine of the last 15 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (Hill – seven, Jesse Love – two).

Tickets to the 2026 Carolina Cowboys Home Stand Are Available Now… The Carolina Cowboys, a professional team in the PBR Teams League owned by Richard Childress and Jeff Broin with Austin Dillon serving as the team’s general manager, are set to defend their PBR Teams Championship for the 2026 season beginning this weekend in Fort Collins, Colorado on July 11-12. The Cowboys boast a talented roster with new additions including 2018 PBR Rookie of the Year and 2025 Challenger Series Champion Keyshawn Whitehorse, and standout Brazilians Elizmar Jeremias and Thiago Salgado. Don’t miss the Carolina Cowboys 2026 “Cowboy Days” home stand September 18-20 at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tickets are on sale at PBR.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Celebrating America’s 250… As part of RCR’s ongoing commitment to honor and support those who served our country, RCR hosted a special Veterans Lunch event this past Wednesday celebrating America’s 250th birthday. RCR employees and area Veterans joined together to enjoy a full lunch, complete with apple pie, courtesy of Patriot Mobile. All are welcome to join us for Veterans Coffee next month, Wednesday, August 12 beginning at 9 a.m. ET.

Catch Saturday’s Action… The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series’ Focused Health 250 at EchoPark Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m. ET on The CW. The live radio broadcast can be heard on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Saturday’s qualifying session will be shown for free on The CW App beginning at 11 a.m. ET.

Watch Us on TNT Sports… The NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, July 12, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on TNT Sports, the third of five consecutive races this season that will air on TNT Sports. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Saturday’s qualifying session at EchoPark Speedway will be broadcast on truTV beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET. Ride shotgun all season long with live, in-car camera feeds and scanner audio with a paid subscription to Max as part of their NASCAR driver cam experience during the race.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Titan Community Outreach Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… In 19 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at EchoPark Speedway, Austin Dillon earned a best finish of sixth in March 2021. Across four NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and four NASCAR Truck Series starts at the Hampton, Georgia track, Dillon has posted seven top-10 results and never finished worse than 11th.

About Titan Community Outreach… Titan Community Outreach was founded through the deep relationships and opportunities that have been cultivated within Titan Risk Solutions. With the ultimate goal of helping those who are in need, Titan has evolved into a dynamic group of community ambassadors across the country. Titan Community Outreach has a goal to support the communities, families, and individuals who keep our industry and neighborhoods moving. Built on principles of integrity, responsibility, and people-first leadership, Titan Community Outreach strives to be on the forefront of providing opportunities for all people regardless of their current situation. Titan Community Outreach exists to give back in meaningful, hands-on ways. By Partnering with groups such as Pitstops For Hope, Harvesters, Big Brothers / Big Sisters of America, Team Dillon Management, and Richard Childress Racing, Titan has been able to provide resources to schools, families, and children across the country. Through charitable programs, community partnerships, and volunteer engagement, Titan Community Outreach focuses on creating real impact where it matters most. From supporting families in need to investing in youth and community programs, our mission is rooted in service, collaboration, and long-term positive change. For more information, or to support our mission of helping others visit www.titanoutreach.org.

Play Ball… Dillon and his RCR teammate Austin Hill traveled to Tampa, Florida this week to promote the upcoming NASCAR race weekend at Daytona International Speedway, August 28 and 29th, which will mark the last Cup race of the regular season. Dillon threw out the first pitch at Tuesday night’s Tampa Bay Rays baseball game as part of the league’s NASCAR night presented by Daytona International Speedway and Coca-Cola Beverages Florida. In addition to motorsports, Dillon, a former Coke Zero Sugar 400 race winner, also shares a passion for baseball. He played in the 2002 Little League World Series and is active in his son, Ace’s tee-ball league. Dillon is also a proud Atlanta Braves fan.

Meet Dillon… On Sunday, July 12 at 2:45 p.m. Local Time, Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone. Shortly afterwards at 3:30 p.m. Local Time, the six-time Cup Series winner is scheduled to make an appearance at the Chevrolet Display in the Fan Zone for a question-and-answer session. Stop and visit Dillon before the green flag waves.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

What expectations do you have this weekend at EchoPark Speedway?

“I’m looking forward to racing at Echo Park Speedway in Atlanta this weekend. We’ve got Titan Community Outreach on board, and who doesn’t love racing under the lights. The track presents a lot of opportunity with two and three-wide racing. It’s awesome entertainment for fans. We’ll be trying to do our best to be at the front when it matters. It’s an opportunity for RCR, so hopefully Austin Hill and I are 1-2 at the end of the race.”

Austin Hill and the No. 33 BankOZK Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… Austin Hill has made one NASCAR Cup Series start at EchoPark Speedway, piloting the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet in 2023. The 32-year-old has competed in nine career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events, earning five victories. In six NASCAR Truck Series races at the Hampton, Georgia track, Hill has one pole award and three top-10 finishes, including back-to-back second-place results in 2020 and 2021.

Career on Drafting Tracks… Hill has made six career Cup Series starts on drafting tracks, with a best finish of 14th coming at Daytona International Speedway in August 2023.

Georgia Boy Returns Home… Hill is a native of Winston, Georgia, located 60 miles from EchoPark Speedway. The racer started his motorsports career racing bandolero and legends cars on the front stretch quarter-mile oval at the Hampton, Georgia track.

About BankOZK… Bank OZK (Nasdaq: OZK) is a regional bank providing innovative financial solutions delivered by expert bankers with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Established in 1903, Bank OZK conducts banking operations in 268 offices in nine states including Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, New York, California and Mississippi and had $40.8 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2025. For more information, visit ozk.com.

Special Appearance… In partnership with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, Hill made an appearance at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on Friday, July 10. While in the Seacrest Studio, Hill participated in a fun, lighthearted chat, took photos, and signed autographs to brighten the kids’ day.

Meet Hill… On Sunday, July 12 at 3:20 p.m. Local Time, Hill is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Fan Zone at EchoPark Speedway. Stop by to meet Hill prior to the green flag.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

What do you expect from this weekend’s race at EchoPark Speedway?

“Atlanta is a different style of drafting. The technique is different than what you need at Daytona or Talladega. I’ve noticed that over each race on the surface, the track is changing and progressing. It’s losing grip and handling is becoming more of an issue. It’s difficult on drivers to balance the want for the car to drive well and the want for the car to have speed. I come into each drafting track with the hope to just have a shot at the end. If we are running inside the top-five with a handful of laps to go, we have put ourselves in position for a chance at it. Anything can happen and it can happen fast at these types of tracks though, so you have to stay focused throughout.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… Jesse Love will make his sixth career start at Echo Park Speedway in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series this weekend. Across his previous five starts at the 1.54-mile oval, the 21-year-old boasts three pole awards, having swept both poles in 2024 in addition to the Spring 2025 race. He earned his best finish of fifth in his most recent appearance at the track last February. Love has completed 100% of the laps contested at EchoPark Speedway and has led a total of 227 laps.

Last Time at EchoPark… Starting 10th in last February’s race at EchoPark Speedway, Love won Stage 1 and stayed primarily in the top-10 for the majority of the race. He avoided a last lap accident to finish fifth, his career-best result at the track.

Last Week… Starting sixth after qualifying was canceled for last Saturday night’s race at Chicagoland Speedway, Love wasted no time making his presence known. He quickly worked his way into the top five and finished second in both Stage 1 and Stage 2. In the final stage, the young gun took the race lead before ultimately bringing home a strong third-place finish – his third consecutive top-10 result.

Drafting Tracks Success… In 15 career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drafting track races, Love has tallied eight poles, 11 top-10 finishes and an average finish of 8.5. Love has also led a combined total of 494 laps in those races.

Consistency Continues… Love’s average finish of 10.3 is tied second-best among full-time drivers in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Get to the Points… Love remains second in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver championship point standings, 195 points behind leader Justin Allgaier and 29 points ahead of third-place Corey Day.

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

Everyday Champion… You don’t have to wear a cape to be a hero. Sometimes, all it takes is a willingness to step forward, a commitment to others, and the determination to make a difference—day after day, year after year. That’s the spirit behind Whelen Engineering’s Everyday Champion program, which is now accepting nominations for 2026. Created to honor first responders and everyday citizens who rise to the occasion when it matters most, the program celebrates the quiet strength, compassion, and leadership that define true heroism. Each year, the Everyday Champion program recognizes those who go above and beyond – whether through a single act of heroism or a continued commitment to serving others. Past honorees have included law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedicine teams, and civilians whose actions made a life-saving difference.

Nominations are open from May 1 through August 14, 2026. Individuals can nominate a deserving hero by visiting whelen.com/everydaychampion and completing a brief submission form outlining their story. The selected 2026 Everyday Champion will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they will be honored during a special ceremony and inducted into the Whelen Hall of Champions. In addition, a generous donation will be made in their name to the charity of their choice.

Meet Love… On Saturday, July 11 at 1 p.m. Local Time, Love is scheduled to join his fellow competitors for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series autograph session at the Fan Zone Stage at EchoPark Speedway. At 1:55 p.m. Local Time, the 21-year-old is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone. Stop by to meet Love on Saturday.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

How do you feel heading to EchoPark Speedway this weekend?

“I enjoy going to Atlanta because our cars are always fast. You get to make aggressive moves. I haven’t won at EchoPark Speedway yet, but every time we’ve been there we’ve led laps. I need to put myself in the best position possible at the end to win. Hopefully it can be a place where we score a lot of points and try to make up some ground on Justin Allgaier.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… Austin Hill has nine starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at EchoPark Speedway, earning five victories, including winning three consecutive events (swept both races in 2024 and 2025-spring) at the Hampton, Georgia track. Hill has led laps in eight of nine starts, pacing the field for a total of 398 laps. In addition, the 32-year-old has six NASCAR Truck Series starts at the Peachtree State track, posting one pole (2019), two top-five (2020, 2021) and three top-10 results (2019-2021).

Last Week… After rolling off 16th last Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway, Hill and the No. 21 team spent much of the race battling just outside the top-10. After making steady adjustments throughout the night, the Winston, Georgia, native worked his way forward, ultimately bringing home a fifth-place finish.

Record Chasing… This weekend, Hill will look to surpass Kevin Harvick for the most all-time O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins at EchoPark Speedway. Harvick’s five victories came before the track reconfiguration, while Hill’s five checkered flags have all been on the new surface.

Drafting Track Dominance… Hill is the all-time O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drafting track leader in wins (11), stage wins (18) and laps led (925). The veteran racer is the only O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver to win on all three drafting tracks.

Get to the Points… Hill remains fifth in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver championship standings. The 16-time Series winner is 255 points behind leader Justin Allgaier and 30 points behind fourth-place runner Sheldon Creed.

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

Countdown to Daytona… Hill and his RCR teammate Dillon traveled to Tampa, Florida this week to promote the upcoming NASCAR race weekend at Daytona International Speedway, August 28 and 29th. Hill participated in on-field promotions during the Tampa Bay Rays baseball game and helped Daytona announce the entitlement sponsor of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Friday, August 28. The event will be named the Winn-Dixie 250 Powered by Coca-Cola. Hill is the most recent O’Reilly Auto Parts Series winner at the historic superspeedway.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

What do you need from your car to have success at EchoPark Speedway?

“We need to have a balance of raw speed and downforce built into the car. It’s always a 50-50 on what we want to do. How much do we want to look at the raw speed and sitting on the pole, and how much do we want to look at the drivability of the car. For our series and our teams, it’s tough to understand what we need to have when unloading. Sure, you can go trim your car out and sit on the pole, but what is it going to do once you’re in the pack? There are a lot of different ways to look at Atlanta, which I enjoy. We might see a breakaway of five or six cars, or we all might be bunched up. It really depends on what everyone brings to the racetrack and how the race plays out. Temperature always seems to play a role in the equation too.”

11-YEAR-OLD LUCAS STONE WINS 2026 KIDS COLOR PPG CONTEST

By
Official Release
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Winning design selected by Josh Berry to be featured as pit wall banner at Indianapolis

STUART, Va. (July 10, 2026) – Wood Brothers Racing and PPG announced today that 11-year-old Lucas Stone of Bassett, Virginia, has been selected as the winner of the 2026 Kids Color PPG program. Stone’s winning design will be featured on the No. 21 PPG team’s pit wall banner during the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26.

Josh Berry, driver of the No. 21 PPG Ford Mustang Dark Horse, selected the winning artwork from entries submitted by a talented group of young race fans from across the country.

“We saw a lot of creative designs, and it was really fun to go through all of them,” Berry said. “Lucas did an awesome job bringing this year’s ‘America’s Birthday Celebration’ theme to life. It has a lot of great color and creativity, and I’m looking forward to seeing it on pit road in a few weeks at Indianapolis.”

Stone’s winning artwork celebrates America’s 250th birthday through a vibrant patriotic design featuring bold red, white and blue elements that capture the spirit of the historic milestone. His artwork will be transformed into a full-size pit wall banner that will be displayed throughout the 400-mile race before being signed by the No. 21 team and given to Stone following the event.

The 2026 edition marks the second year of the Kids Color PPG program with Wood Brothers Racing, continuing a tradition of celebrating creativity and inspiring the next generation of race fans. Prior to expanding to the No. 21 team in 2025, the program featured fellow PPG-sponsored driver Josef Newgarden, with winning artwork showcased on a variety of items over the years, including a helmet, firesuit and pit wall banner.

“We’re proud to continue the Kids Color PPG program and celebrate the creativity of young race fans through this special initiative,” said Trish Allen, strategic relationships manager, PPG. “Lucas created a wonderful design that perfectly captures this year’s theme, and we’re excited to showcase his artwork at the Racing Capital of the World.”

The Brickyard 400 presented by PPG is scheduled for Sunday, July 26, at 2 p.m. ET with live television coverage on TNT.

About PPG

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty products that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 50 countries and reported net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

About Wood Brothers Racing

Founded in 1950 by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood in Stuart, Virginia, Wood Brothers Racing holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s longest-running team. Over eight decades, the team has earned 101 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with 120 poles, and remains proud of its longstanding relationship with Ford Motor Company, fielding only Ford products since its inception. Glenn’s brother, Leonard Wood, played a key role in shaping modern racing by developing the techniques behind today’s pit stops. With a rich legacy rooted in innovation and tradition, Wood Brothers Racing continues to honor its heritage while adapting for the future as it competes in the NASCAR Cup Series with Josh Berry.

Historic North Wilkesboro Speedway Delivers The Ultimate First NASCAR Experience

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Official Release
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Blending NASCAR history, hometown charm and thrilling short-track racing, North Wilkesboro Speedway offers the perfect first NASCAR race experience for new fans. (HHP photo)
  • NASCAR Cup Series drivers reveal why the inaugural Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway is the perfect place for fans to experience NASCAR for the first time
  • Tickets, parking and camping for the Window World 450 race weekend, July 17-19, can be obtained by visiting www.northwilkesborospeedway.com
  • Find college tickets, flexible payment options and the best kids’ pricing in sports through the Dollar Tree “More Fun. More Value” program

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (July 10, 2026) – In less than a week, thousands of fans will head to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the inaugural Window World 450, marking the first points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race at the historic venue in nearly three decades. From weekend-long camping and live entertainment to short-track racing under the lights, the July 17-19 race weekend blends NASCAR tradition with modern excitement to create an unforgettable experience for both longtime fans and first-time visitors.

Whether discovering NASCAR for the first time or continuing a family tradition, fans will experience the hometown atmosphere, rich history and passionate racing culture that make North Wilkesboro Speedway one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

Here’s what NASCAR Cup Series drivers had to say about what makes North Wilkesboro Speedway an unforgettable first NASCAR experience:

Austin Dillon, No. 3, Richard Childress Racing

“North Wilkesboro has a ton of history behind it, and you feel the nostalgia when you walk into it. It’s really cool how tight the racing is. The track is probably one of the best repaves that I’ve ever been a part of. We’ve already moved up to the top of both ends and then you’re also going to see guys digging around the bottom, so I think you’re going to see two, three-wide racing there. In the long run, we don’t know what to expect when we really get into a long tire run. It’s going to be an impactful race.”

Ty Dillon, No. 10, Kaulig Racing

“North Wilkesboro is one of the original tracks in NASCAR history. I think going there really gives you an appreciation for where it all started. It’s got the small-town feel up in the mountains of North Carolina, and it’s going to be a great race. The action is going to be incredible. We’ve seen how the All-Star Race and the open races there leads us to having probably one of the best fan experiences that you can get.”

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16, Kaulig Racing

“I think it’s the way the track now has widened out. You can kind of run all over the place, and it’s just, I know it’s newly opened again, and we’ve been there for a couple years, but I don’t know, you just kind of drive into it. There’s no bridges or gates into the racetrack. You’re locked in the racetrack once you get in it, and it still just feels like old school NASCAR when you drive into that place, and I think that’s what makes a place special, for sure.”

Josh Berry, No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing

“I think it just has a really cool, nostalgic, old school feel to it – a lot of history there. As for the track, I think it puts on some really good racing, multi-grooves. They’ve done a lot of work making the place super nice to come watch the race. It’s one of the nicest short tracks we go to, and I think it’s just one you want to check off the list.”

Joey Logano, No. 22, Team Penske

“In North Wilkesboro, you’re going to get the classic raw old school NASCAR, that’s what you’re going to get, short track racing, but it also kept the feel of classic rustic look; it’s not all new, but it looks like that throwback feel. It’s really cool.”

Michael McDowell, No. 71, Spire Motorsports

“It’s just got that hometown short track, very authentic feel to it. Even for me, when I came into the sport, we were racing at all big super speedways and even the short tracks were super nice, like Richmond. You just go down the list, and so, North Wilkesboro is a place that, even though I’ve been doing this a long time, I didn’t race on the old track and going back there a couple of years ago, it just felt so different. It just had that small-town, grassroots feel, whether it’s the grandstands, the place is just really unique.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77, Spire Motorsports

“I mean, you kind of step back in time. It’s kind of our Iowa, baseball field, land of dreams. It’s kind of our NASCAR style. You still got the old paint on some buildings and everything. It’s kind of just stepping back in time there, especially when there’s 450 laps around that place.

TICKETS:

Window World 450 tickets, camping and race-day upgrades – including Pre-Race Track Passes – can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com. Fans can also purchase tickets directly at Wilkes County IGA Fairvalue Marketplace or Raymer Oil locations with no online taxes or fees.

MORE INFO:

Race fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding the July 17-19 race weekend by following on X and Instagram or by becoming a Facebook fan.

Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Descends Upon Eldora

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Official Release
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Sprint Car Racing’s Elite Ready to Tackle ‘World’s Greatest Dirt Track’

ROSSBURG, Ohio (July 10, 2026) – It’s where drivers balance commitment with aggression, and precision with adaptability. It is Eldora Speedway, the ultra-fast half-mile clay oval in Rossburg, Ohio, known as the “World’s Greatest Dirt Track.”

From July 15-18, sprint car racing’s elite descend upon the renowned oval for the 43rd Kings Royal Week, with Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing kicking off the action with Wednesday night’s Double Down Duels and Thursday night’s Joker’s Jackpot.

These races feature a who’s who of 410 winged sprint car talent, including those who remain true to their dirt-track roots even as they flourish in NASCAR. Two-time and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson won last year’s Joker’s Jackpot, while two-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race winner Corey Day was a winner in last year’s Double Down Duels.

“Eldora’s events are so competitive and super difficult to win,” said Brad Sweet, who co-founded Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing with Larson. “To win a race there, you have to be willing to run within inches of the wall. It takes lots of bravery and commitment to rise above the competition and go to that next level.”

Next level is what Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing is all about, and it’s why the leading replacement battery brand in the United States is the title partner.

“You look up and down the roster and it’s packed with race winners and championship-caliber teams, and that’s exactly what we hoped this series would become,” Larson said. “We had 18 different winners last year. That shows you how competitive Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing is.”

There have been eight different winners so far this season, with the series’ top-two points protagonists – Rico Abreu and Aaron Reutzel – accounting for 11 wins through the first four months of the season. Abreu currently leads the championship standings with four wins and front-running consistency. Reutzel has a series-high seven wins and has traded the point lead with Abreu multiple times.

“Eldora is not one of those places where you just roll in with a good car and win,” said Reutzel, who won his Double Down Duel during last year’s Kings Royal Week. “Now, you still need to have a good car, but the driver has to be on his A-game. When the line gets up there on the fence and it’s treacherous, you have to really drive the car. You’re on the verge of crashing and you still have to put 30 perfect laps together. Eldora is like that. That’s why it’s so hard to win there. You’ve got to be perfect.”

Reutzel ultimately crashed out of last year’s Kings Royal Week in Friday night’s rough-and-tumble The Knight Before the Kings Royal.

“Leaving in an ambulance is what I most remember,” said Reutzel, who sustained a fractured right foot that sidelined him for seven weeks. “But I also remember that the racing was great.

“My crash was just a freak deal. I think I had a tire going low. When I left turn four, it kind of rolled up on the right rear. I told myself to move down, but I said, ‘No, I’m in second.’ It wasn’t really anything track-related. I’m super excited to get back and redeem ourselves because last year we were really fast.”

Abreu was quick too, finishing third in his Double Down Duel and third in the Joker’s Jackpot.

“I remember the intensity was quite higher than I expected and, knowing that, I felt like I put a lot of pressure on myself to win there,” said Abreu about last year’s event. “It was just a matter of allowing the race to evolve for me.

“That’s the same mindset I’m bringing this year. If I continue to put myself in position every year, I feel that we’re bound to conquer the big races at Eldora. Those are my focuses – just getting my team on the right page, not overthinking things, and just really being myself.”

It’s a philosophy that worked to perfection when Abreu returned to Eldora in September and won the 4-Crown Nationals finale.

“The biggest thing for me is understanding how the track raced and respecting it,” Abreu said. “The high line on the wall is very treacherous, so you need to be flexible to maneuver the racecar and find different lines. I studied a lot of drivers over the years who’ve had a lot of success at Eldora, and that’s really allowed me to develop that same success for myself.”

The enormity of the event extends beyond the grandstands. It is trending toward a record crowd, and for those unable to attend in person, Wednesday night’s Double Down Duels and Thursday night’s Joker’s Jackpot are widely available on television. Wednesday’s action goes live at 6:15 p.m. EDT and can be seen on FloRacing and the FloRacing FAST Channel, available on Prime Video, The Roku Channel and Fubo. Thursday’s lineup also begins at 6:15 p.m. EDT on FloRacing before FS1 begins its broadcast at 7:30 p.m.

To watch FloRacing and gain access to all Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing events and more than 2,000 races annually, subscribe by visiting FloRacing.com.

To learn more about Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing, get to know the series’ drivers, nicknamed “High Rollers,” and purchase tickets to any of its races, visit www.HighLimitRacing.com. Follow @HighLimitRacing on X, Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date race day information and behind-the-scenes content.

About Interstate Batteries:

For more than 70 years, Interstate Batteries® has powered people down roads, trails and waterways and businesses to succeed. Best known for its starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries, this product has been under car hoods since 1952, each one backed by the company’s service, quality and value. Interstate All Battery Center® provides portable power in both retail and commercial markets. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Interstate Batteries is an industry leader in recycling efforts, as well as a global leader in safe lead handling practices. Guided by a set of common values, the company’s purpose is to glorify God and enrich lives while delivering the most trustworthy source of power to the world. For more information, visit www.InterstateBatteries.com.

About High Limit Racing:

Founded by two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson and six-time national sprint car series champion Brad Sweet, High Limit Racing is a premier sprint car series in the United States. High Limit Racing’s mission is to improve the sprint car ecosystem and create growth opportunities for drivers, teams and tracks, all while providing highly entertaining, time-efficient events. High Limit Racing events are streamed live on FloRacing. For more information, visit www.HighLimitRacing.com.

About FloSports:

FloSports is a global sports media company committed to spotlighting the sports and athletes traditional media leaves behind. Founded in 2006, the company has become the digital home for die-hard communities in sports – delivering live and on-demand coverage, award-winning original programming, and advanced data solutions to passionate fans worldwide. Flo’s portfolio spans more than 25 sports and includes the leading destinations for devoted audiences, including motorsports, hockey, wrestling, cycling, Jiu-Jitsu, track & field, cheer, a range of NCAA sports, and more. Through strategic partnerships with NASCAR, USA Wrestling, Varsity Spirit, High Limit Racing, the American Hockey League (AHL), Tour de France, Wanda Diamond League and 18 NCAA conferences, FloSports streams over 50,000 events annually to a global subscriber base. For more information, please visit flosports.tv.

Peter Miles Named Grand Marshal for HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour Presented by Mission Foods

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Official Release
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  • Son of Sports Car Great Ken Miles Returns to Site of Historic 1966 Win
  • Ken Miles Secured Key Endurance Victories for Featured Marque Ford

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (July 10, 2026) – Peter Miles, son of the late sports car racing ace Ken Miles, has been named Grand Marshal for the 12th running of the Historic SportsCar Racing (HSR) Classic Daytona 24 Hour Presented by Mission Foods, set to run November 11 – 15, 2026, at Daytona International Speedway (DIS).

Fittingly, Ford is the featured marque for the five-day Daytona meeting that celebrates multiple generations and levels of sports car racing. Not only is Ford one of the most prevalent manufacturers in motorsports from grassroots to the very top level, Ken Miles was closely associated with the iconic automaker as the key development driver for Carroll Shelby and Shelby American. He is credited with spearheading Ford’s historic overall victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, as portrayed in the award-winning 2019 motion picture Ford vs. Ferrari that starred Christian Bale as Miles.

However, Miles and his co-driver Denis Hulme famously finished second at Le Mans in 1966 to the sister Ford GT40 Mk II driven by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon when Ford attempted and failed to stage a photo finish with its cars crossing the line side-by-side. Two months later, 15-year-old Peter Miles was present at Riverside International Raceway when his father was killed while testing a prototype version of the “J-car,” Ford’s future endurance racing challenger that in modified form as the Ford GT Mk IV would claim a repeat victory at Le Mans in the hands of Dan Gurney and A. J. Foyt in June 1967.

“I’m very proud and excited to be offered the opportunity to be part of the HSR Classic Daytona Classic 24 Hour,” said Peter Miles. “It’s an honor that I very much appreciate, not only for my father and for me, but also for Ford. My father’s name was well-known in the 1960s, but that had progressively faded until the Ford vs. Ferrari movie came out. A lot of things have happened that helped put him back into the spotlight since then, and I’m grateful for all Ford has done in that regard.”

A skilled mechanic, Ken Miles came to prominence by winning a series of west coast sports car races in the 1950s in a car he designed and built himself. He was named Shelby American’s chief test driver in 1963 and, prior to his involvement in the Ford GT program, was instrumental in the development of the Shelby Cobra 289 and 427 racing cars and the Shelby Daytona coupe.

Earlier in 1966 before his heartbreak at Le Mans, Miles and Lloyd Ruby co-drove Shelby-prepared Ford GT Mk II cars to overall victories in the Daytona 24 Hours (pictured below and bottom) and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Ford has claimed four overall wins in the Daytona 24 Hours along with many class wins – most recently in 2025, when Christopher Mies, Frédéric Vervisch and Dennis Olsen took Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) PRO honors in the No. 65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3.

The 60th anniversary of Ford’s successful 1966 sports car racing season that netted overall victories at Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans and the International Manufacturers Championship will be celebrated at the HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour. Another major milestone for Ford in 2026 is the 125th anniversary of Henry Ford driving his homebuilt “Sweepstakes” special to an important victory at Grosse Pointe Raceway in 1901 that led to the foundation of the Ford Motor Company.

Today, the Ford Racing sports car racing pyramid offers a clear ladder for drivers to climb from track-day racers to the world stage. At the base is the Mustang Dark Horse R, which anchors the entry-level, one-make Mustang Challenge and Cup series. The next step up is the customer-focused Mustang GT4, competing in global sports car series. At the pinnacle is the factory-backed Mustang GT3, built to battle the world’s elite at legendary endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona.

While Peter Miles never followed in Ken’s footsteps by becoming a racing driver, he spent much of his professional life in the automotive or motorsports industry, starting with a 15-year stint with Troutman & Barnes, the renowned builder of competition and custom cars. He later joined Cal Wells and his Precision Preparation Inc. for a 15-year tenure where he served as a mechanic, engineer, and crew chief for Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart and Toyota trucks in the SCORE off-road racing championship.

“I love motorsport but must admit I have a special penchant for vintage racing,” said Miles. “I have a great deal of respect for the people who dedicate themselves to the challenge of making cars as reliable as they are fast for 24-hour endurance races. Many of the cars are also simply beautiful, and I have worked for a gentleman taking care of his private car collection for vintage racing. I’m looking forward to taking in the sights and sounds at Daytona in November.”

“We are privileged to have Peter join us as the Grand Marshal for the HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour,” stated HSR President John Doonan. “Ken Miles is a hero to many who grew up as sports car racing enthusiasts, and he has gained a new generation of fans in recent years as awareness has grown about his accomplishments as an engineer and a driver. I’m sure it will be very emotional for Peter to return to Daytona International Speedway, on the 60th anniversary of one of his father’s greatest victories.

“The excitement surrounding Ford vs. Ferrari contributed to the recent growth of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and sports car racing around the world, and Historic SportsCar Racing is enjoying a similar golden period.”

For the HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour presented by Mission Foods provisional event schedule, upcoming competitor entries and additional information, please visit the official HSR Event Page at www.HSRRace.com.

About Ford Racing: Ford Racing, based in Dearborn Michigan, is responsible for all global race programs as well as all Ford Racing road programs such as Mustang GTD and Ford Raptor. Official Ford Racing involvement includes Mustang competition with NASCAR, IMSA, FIA World Endurance Championship, SRO, ADAC Motorsport, Australian Supercars Championship, Formula Drift and NHRA as well as our one-make Mustang Dark Horse R series in the US and Australia. Ford Racing also dominates off-road racing in series such as Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Finke Desert Race in Australia and Rebelle Rally. Ford Racing will return to the top tier of endurance racing with our WEC Hypercar program in 2027 while competing in Formula 1 with Red Bull Ford Powertrains beginning in 2026. Ford Racing maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology with events such as the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and Goodwood Festival of Speed. In addition, the organization oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit FordRacing.com or follow @FordRacing on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

About HSR: An International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the racing cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter X at @HSR_race and Instagram @HistoricSportscarRacing.

RFK Racing – ATL II Advance

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Official Release
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EchoPark Speedway Event Info:
Date: Sunday, July 12
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Hampton, GA

Format: 260 Laps, 400.4 Miles, Stages: 60-160-260
TV: TNT Sports
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. ET, Qualifying (truTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 7 p.m. ET, Race (TNT, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

This weekend EchoPark hosts its second race of the year and the 21st race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Jack Roush has 13 wins all-time at EchoPark Speedway, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series.

All three RFK Racing teams led laps in the most recent EchoPark Speedway race.

Brad Keselowski led 10 laps and finished 17th in February’s EchoPark Speedway race.

Chris Buescher finished 15th in February’s EchoPark Speedway race.

Ryan Preece finished ninth in February’s EchoPark Speedway race – his best-finish of this season’s points races.

6 Team Info:  
Driver: Brad Keselowski  
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins   
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

17 Team Info:  
Driver: Christopher Buescher   
Crew Chief: Scott Graves  
Partner: Kroger/Heinz Ketchup/Artesano Brioche Buns

60 Team Info:  
Driver: Ryan Preece   
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley  
Partner: Solomon Plumbing

Keselowski at EchoPark Speedway
Starts: 23
Wins: 2 (2017, 2019)
Top-10s: 12
Poles: —

Keselowski makes his 24th Cup start at EchoPark Speedway this weekend, where he is a two-time winner with an average finish of 15.7.

Keselowski won the spring race in 2017 after starting fifth and winning again in 2019.

Overall, he’s led laps in 13 different EchoPark Speedway races and finished in the top 10, 12 times.

He carries an average starting position of 14.4 into the weekend with a career-best effort of P2 in 2014. Overall, he has nine top 10 starts, including a P4 starting spot in the spring of 2022.

He also has eight Xfinity Series starts with six top 10s including two P2 finishes. In the Truck series, he’s made four career starts.

STORYLINE: The 2012 champ is poised to make a push for a Chase berth. Although he is currently 4 spots below the cut line, Keselowski is only 19 points out and heading to some tracks where historically he has been strong. He has a combined 8 victories at the tracks remaining on the regular season schedule.

Buescher at EchoPark Speedway
Starts: 16
Wins: —
Top-10s: 5
Poles: —

Buescher makes his 17th Cup start at EchoPark Speedway where he has posted five top-10s and a best finish of seventh (twice – 2021, 2022). He also finished ninth in 2019, 2024 and 2025.

Buescher has an average qualifying position of 16.3 and has qualified in the top 15 in each of the last three EchoPark Speedway races.

STORYLINE: Sitting solidly 7th in the standings, Buescher is eyeing a Chase berth. Still a win, something he has said the 17 team is very close to getting, has eluded him. Returning to a drafting track, the style of racing where RFK Racing has excelled throughout the season, offers a breakthrough opportunity for him.

Preece at EchoPark Speedway
Starts: 11
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

Heading into this race in February Preece was coming off winning the Cook Out Clas and a modified race at New Smyrna Speedway and additionally led 38 laps in his Daytona Dual Race – then went on to record his best finish of 9th of this season’s points races.

Preece makes his 12th Cup start at EchoPark Speedway where he has a best finish of 9th at the start of the season.

He holds an average starting position of 21, including a fifth-place start last season.

STORYLINE: Preece sits on the cusp of a Chase berth. He sits only 1 spot below the cutoff line and a slim 4 points out. This week he heads to a track where he was among the strongest finishers in the spring, with a top-10 performance. As the regular season winds down, expect Preece to ramp up the intensity.

RFK Historically at EchoPark Speedway
Cup Wins: 6 (Mark Martin, 1991, 1994; Kurt Busch, 2002; Carl Edwards, 2005 (Spring), 2005 (Fall) & 2008)

RFK at EchoPark Speedway: RFK has 288 starts at EchoPark Speedway in NASCAR’s three major touring series totaling 13 wins, 61 top fives, 117 top tens, and nine poles while leading more than 3,300 laps and turning over 111,000 miles.

EchoPark Speedway/RFK History: RFK competed in its first NASCAR event at AMS on March 20, 1988, finishing 31st after getting involved in an early crash. Just three years later, the organization claimed its first win in the fall of ‘91 with the No. 6 Ford. RFK won its first of seven NXS races at the track in the spring of ’97. The team’s top outing at AMS came in the fall of 2005, when the organization placed four cars inside the top seven, with three cars finishing in the top five including race winner Carl Edwards. Altogether, in the two races at AMS in 2005, RFK posted six top five finishes and two wins.

Spring Forward: All but one of RFK’s Cup wins at AMS came in the fall, with the only spring win coming in 2005. Three of RFK’s seven NXS wins came in the fall.

RFK EchoPark Speedway Wins

1991-2 Martin Cup

1994-2 Martin Cup

1997-1 Martin NXS

1998-2 Martin NXS

2000-1 Martin NXS

2002-2 Busch Cup

2005-1 Edwards Cup

2005-1 Edwards NXS

2005-2 Edwards Cup

2008-1 Kenseth NXS

2008-2 Edwards Cup

2011 Edwards NXS

2012 Stenhouse NXS

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Chicagoland: After a stellar qualifying effort that placed two of its cars inside the top 5 starting positions, there was optimism in the Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing camp this Fourth of July weekend. Chris Buescher and teammate Brad Keselowski started door to door on row two to begin the night. The speed was there but so were the challenges. Buescher raced among the leaders for a majority of the event until a pitstop error altered the team’s night. Two-time Chicagoland winner Keselowski had strength early but as the track changed, the car’s balance did too, affecting his overall finish. Preece faced the stiffest adversity after being spun on the first lap, resulting in 4 flat tires and a lengthy trip to the garage. He fought to recover throughout the night.

Points Standings: Buescher: 7th, Preece: 17th, Keselowski: 20th

Name, Logo, Launch Plan Unveiled for Standalone INDYCAR Video Game

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Official Release
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Highly Anticipated Title Coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox, Steam in Early 2027

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, July 10, 2026) – iRacing and INDYCAR on July 10 announced that INDYCAR Racing The Game, the highly anticipated official standalone INDYCAR video game developed by world-renowned motorsport simulation company iRacing Studios, is set to launch in early 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox consoles and PC via Steam.

INDYCAR Racing The Game brings the raw speed, precision and drama of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to a new generation of racing fans and gamers. Leveraging iRacing Studios’ industry-leading expertise in authentic motorsport simulation, the title promises to deliver an unmatched open-wheel racing experience – from the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the sport’s most celebrated street circuits, road courses and ovals.

“INDYCAR features the most competitive and action-packed racing on the planet, challenging drivers at every turn with incredible speeds and demanding layouts,” said Alex Damron, INDYCAR chief marketing officer. “Our new video game is going to capture the energy and drama of our sport with hyper-realism, bringing our series to a new generation of gamers. Partnering with iRacing — the gold standard in racing simulation — ensures this will be a truly special new chapter in our gaming history. We can’t wait for fans to get behind the wheel.”

This is the first INDYCAR standalone video game in more than two decades and is expected to launch in the countdown to the 2027 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

“This is a project our team has been passionate about for a long time,” said Tony Gardner, iRacing president. “We’re bringing everything we know about authentic, immersive racing to consoles and PC, and creating an experience worthy of the INDYCAR name. 2027 can’t come soon enough.”

INDYCAR Racing The Game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC via Steam. Additional game details, including features, modes, and pre-order information, will be announced in the coming months.

For more information, visit www.indycargame.com.

Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham welcomes Brandt Tractor Ltd. as a founding partner and the official track build sponsor

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Official Release
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Heavy machinery leader signs multi-year agreement to supply heavy equipment and support construction of the inaugural 2026 street circuit

MARKHAM, Ontario (July 10, 2026) – The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham is proud to announce a partnership with Brandt Tractor Ltd., naming the company a founding partner and the official track build sponsor of the inaugural event in Downtown Markham set for August 14-16. The multi-year agreement creates a long-term association between Brandt and Green Savoree Toronto ULC, the owner and operator of the new race event, both on and off the track.

“The Markham Indy is exactly the kind of event Brandt is proud to support,” says Matt Semple, Brandt’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Our rental fleet is built on premium equipment that customers can count on, and helping power major community events like the Indy with that same reliability is a no-brainer for us. We’re excited to play a role in bringing this world-class event to life while demonstrating the quality and performance that Brandt delivers every day.”

As part of the multi-year deal, Brandt will supply a specialized fleet of heavy machinery and material-handling equipment from premier brands like John Deere, Peterbilt, and Skyjack—including tractors, forklifts, telehandlers, loaders, wheeled excavators, scissor lifts, UTVs, and light towers—to help construct the temporary street circuit and other key infrastructure. This equipment will be essential to the massive logistical undertaking of transforming Markham’s city streets into a world-class motorsport venue, where it will be used to place 1,915 concrete blocks, erect the 4-meter-tall metal fencing for the safety barrier system, and assemble four new grandstands and premium hospitality suites.

“Brandt is a vital, new partner to help us complete the critical process of the track build of this exciting new circuit from the ground up,” said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. “Having strong, local partners on board makes the connection to the region even more special. We are excited to work together on the inaugural event in 2026 and for many years to come as we build a lasting, impactful legacy in Downtown Markham.”

Track construction and repaving of the road surface are already underway, with the installation of the concrete block and fencing around the 12-turn, 3.52-kilometer (2.19-mile) circuit scheduled to begin approximately one month before race weekend.

2-Day and Single Day Reserved Grandstand and General Admission tickets for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham are now available. For additional event information, visit hondaindy.com. Follow Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham on social media using @ontarioindy and #indyON for the latest updates. Joining the E-Club also provides insider access to the latest news and offers.

About the Brandt Group of Companies:

The Brandt Group of Companies—headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada—is a privately owned manufacturing and distribution company that serves a growing international audience in industries such as agriculture, construction, forestry, rail, mining, steel, transportation, material handling, and energy. The company has more than 6000 employees and more than 180 locations in Canada, USA, Australia, and New Zealand.

About Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham:

Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham is a world-class motorsports festival which takes place annually on a new 12-turn, 3.52-kilometre (2.19-mile) temporary circuit in the Greater Toronto Area using the downtown streets of Markham, Ontario. The event features many attractions, food trucks, interactive displays and activities, and supports local charities. Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Free Fan Friday, offers general admission courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association through a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada raising over $1.1 million from the event since 2010. As one of Ontario’s largest annual sporting events, the first Ontario Indy street race was held in 1986 in downtown Toronto. Now located in York Region, the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham is the sole Canadian race for some of the world’s fastest race car drivers from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, like Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden, Pato O’Ward and Kyle Kirkwood and features teams including Chip Ganassi Racing, Team Penske, Arrow McLaren and Andretti Global, respectively. This event has also historically hosted Canadian racing legends like Scott Goodyear, James Hinchcliffe, Greg Moore, Alex Tagliani, Paul Tracy, Jacques Villeneuve, Robert Wickens and more. Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham is owned and operated by Green Savoree Toronto, ULC, whose affiliates also promote three additional INDYCAR SERIES races: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Feb. 27-March 1, 2026), The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid (July 3-5, 2026) and OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland (Aug. 7-9, 2026).

For more information, visit hondaindy.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page at @OntarioIndy or follow the event on X at @Ontario_Indy and Instagram at @OntarioIndy using #indyON.

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