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RCR Race Preview: Michigan International Speedway

By
Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway… In 190 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan International Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has recorded three victories courtesy of two by Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990) and one by Kevin Harvick (2010). The Welcome, North Carolina organization has also captured one pole award by Jeff Burton (2006). RCR has 26 top-five and 61 top-10 finishes in Cup Series competition at Michigan International Speedway. Harvick’s victory in August 2010 came after the No. 29 team’s late-race strategy gamble paid off, giving the Bakersfield, California native his first win at the Irish Hills racetrack. Dale Earnhardt previously delivered RCR’s first Michigan win in dominant fashion in June 1987, leading 152 of 200 laps, before returning to Victory Lane in June 1990 with a narrow 0.22-second victory over Ernie Irvan.

Did You Know… Richard Childress made 17 starts at Michigan International Speedway during his NASCAR Cup Series driving career between 1972 and 1981. Childress earned four top-10 finishes at Michigan, with a career-best finish of sixth in June 1974.

Watch Us on Amazon Prime… The NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, June 7, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime, the third of five consecutive races this season that will air on the streaming service. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR Cup Series practice & qualifying at Michigan International Speedway will also be broadcast on Amazon Prime live Saturday, June 6 beginning at 5 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 Dow MobilityScience™ Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway… Austin Dillon has 22 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan International Speedway, posting his best finish of fourth in August 2018. The 36-year-old owns two top-five, five top-10 finishes and has led 39 laps in Cup Series competition at the two-mile oval.

Beyond the Cup Series… Dillon has one NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win at Michigan International Speedway, capturing the victory as part of a 1-2 finish for RCR in a rain-shortened event in August 2018. In four career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at the two-mile oval, he has also earned two pole awards (2012, 2013). The six-time Cup Series winner has four starts in the NASCAR Truck Series at the Brooklyn, Michigan racetrack, earning two top-five finishes and one pole (2010) with 38 laps led. In his lone ARCA Menards Series start, Dillon finished second (2009).

Dow brings a science and engineering crew who is driven by limitless curiosity to the RCR Team… Dillon and the RCR team are again supported by Dow’s materials science expertise and technologies this season. Backed by the power of data analysis and virtual modeling, Dow develops and manufactures high-performance components and materials custom-made for the No. 3 car. Dow and RCR’s partnership has expedited innovation and shortened testing time in the automotive industry by using one of the most extreme environments – the racetrack – as a real-time testbed. After 12 years of collaboration, Dow scientists and RCR engineers are continuing to work together to make the No. 3 car faster, safer, and more precise. The partnership also serves as a platform to amplify Dow and RCR’s shared values, such as their support of Veterans and Active-Duty Military, which will come to life next week as Dillon and Dow unveil the 2026 Dow Salutes Veterans Car. Stay up to date with Dow’s exciting developments at www.dow.com/sports, and follow them on X (@DowSports) and LinkedIn (Dow Sports Marketing Solutions).

Dow MobilityScience™… Dow MobilityScience™ is designed to enhance the customer experience by tailoring technologies, products, and services from across Dow businesses to the transportation industry. It‘s pursuing accelerated growth by addressing mobility mega-trends – where lighter weight, longer range, greater comfort, enhanced safety, and lower carbon footprint are the ultimate objectives. That is where Dow science, innovation, and people step in – working closely with customers to create the materials that bring the possibilities to life.

Meet Dillon… On Sunday, June 7 at 11:50 a.m. Local Time, Dillon is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Fan Zone at Michigan International Speedway. Stop by to meet Dillon and purchase new No. 3 gear.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on this weekend’s race at Michigan International Speedway?

“Can’t wait to get on track with our Dow MobilityScience™ Chevrolet. Hopefully we get to qualify, because I think starting position always matters at these races. Michigan is a big, fast place, and we’re going to be drafting a little bit. You need to have a car that can make a big arch to carry speed. Our ECR Engines are going to be ripping this weekend. Tune in.”

Austin Hill and the No. 33 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway… Austin Hill has competed in two NASCAR Cup Series races at Michigan International Speedway. The Winston, Georgia native made his Cup Series debut at the Irish Hills facility in 2022, driving the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet to a respectable 18th-place finish. The following season in 2023, Hill drove the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet at the Midwest paved oval.

Beyond the Cup Series… Hill has three career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Michigan International Speedway, earning a best finish of fifth in 2022. In addition, the 32-year-old has three NASCAR Truck Series starts at the two-mile speedway, capturing one victory in 2019 by leading 26 laps en route to the checkered flag.

Career Cup Series Starts… Hill has driven in a total of 19 Cup Series races, making at least one start in each season since 2022. The veteran racer posted a career-best finish of ninth at the Chicago Street Race in July 2025.

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

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

AUSTIN HILL QUOTES: 
Your first career NASCAR Cup Series start came at Michigan International Speedway in 2022. What do you remember about that day?

“I thought it was a pretty good day for my first Cup start. We stayed out of trouble. I remember there being a lot of carnage that day and we salvaged what we could before finishing 18th. Which I thought was a good day for us with it being a part-time team. I learned a lot during that race but definitely was not comfortable with the car overall. I left there with a lot more questions than answers back in 2022.”

With the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series not competing at Michigan International Speedway last season, your last start at the track came in 2024. Is there anything that you have to relearn after not competing there recently?

“The biggest adjustment will be determining where the grip level is in the track. If it’s lost grip, which naturally it should have lost a little bit, there will be a small adjustment to figure that out. But as far as the racetrack itself, how it runs, the lines you run, and how you drive the car, all should remain straightforward. There shouldn’t be a huge learning curve, but we will see.”

You won a NASCAR Truck Series race at Michigan International Speedway in 2019. What does it take to be successful there?

“No matter the series, you have a little confidence going back to a track where you have won at previously. The main thing I can take away from the Truck Series and apply to the Cup Series is that in order to be successful at Michigan, you have to keep your momentum up. It’s a very momentum-based racetrack. Restarts are crucial to gain spots, and they can make or break your day. The guys have to be solid on pit road. If you end up losing track position throughout the day, it’s going to be hard to move forward. With the speeds, the drafting effect on the straightaways, and momentum, you need to be in the right lane at the right time. To have a good finish there, the whole thing has to come together.”

INDYCAR Officiating Announces Next Phase in Transparency, Event Reporting

By
Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, June 4, 2026) – INDYCAR Officiating has announced its next phase in governance separation and process transparency with the launch of official post-event reports, which will include the use of technical penalty guidelines to provide a framework toward consistency across events. As necessary, post-event reports also will include summaries of technical and procedural distinction to increase clarity.

The reporting update is scheduled to begin with this weekend’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES event at World Wide Technology Raceway.

This next step comes after the establishment of INDYCAR Officiating in December 2025. The not-for-profit organization is governed by the three-person Independent Officiating Board (IOB) of chairman Raj Nair, secretary/treasurer Ray Evernham and FIA appointee Ronan Morgan. In April 2026, veteran motorsports officiating and competition executive Scot Elkins was named managing director of officiating to oversee race control, race stewards and technical inspection. Elkins reports directly to the IOB – with no oversight from INDYCAR or Penske Entertainment officials – to provide officiating governance and management.

“One of the takeaways from the initial months of INDYCAR Officiating was a need for thorough infraction communication and, in some cases, comparison to prior rulings to continue our goal of transparency and consistency in rule implementation,” Nair said. “This post-event report will be clear in structure, process, and findings.

“The board would like to thank the entire INDYCAR Officiating team for implementing this important step as we continue our mission. Working across the paddock with key stakeholders, we believe this structure will lead to a very positive result for the sport.”

Post-Event Reports

INDYCAR Officiating post-event reports will summarize the officiating activity from each race event and will include penalties imposed under the NTT INDYCAR SERIES rulebook and findings from technical inspections before and after qualifying and races. Post-event reports will be posted and made public during the week following an event at https://noticeboard.indycarofficiating.org.

Examples of content that will be summarized in the post-event report:

Race Recaps
In-race penalties imposed – for example, passing under yellow, emergency service in a closed pit or pit lane speed violations
Incident reviews referred to the stewards and concluded with no further action

Practice Recaps
In-practice penalties imposed – for example, pit lane speed violations, causing a yellow or red flag or entering the wrong pit box

Technical inspection findings from qualifying and races
What was inspected and the extent and subject matter
Explanation of any infraction and its resulting penalty-level classification
Summary of technical or procedural distinction, where relevant

Technical Penalty Guidelines

To ensure consistency across events, post-event reports will include the classification of technical penalties based on the nature of the infraction via three levels:

Infraction Level 1
A single-dimensional non-compliance, such as a height or size measurement outside tolerance, typically arising from wear, damage or assembly failure with no finding of altered component location or improper conduct.

Infraction Level 2
A more significant compliance failure, such as an out-of-tolerance aerodynamic angle, driver or car weight, fuel-system or safety equipment matter, where the configuration is outside specification but does not involve modification of a spec part.

Infraction Level 3
Modification of a spec part, regardless of which assembly or subsystem it belongs to, or the installation of unapproved or altered components – a departure from the car’s approved specification.
Associated penalties begin with point assessments and fines at Level 1 and rise to disqualification and suspensions at Level 3. Specific monetary fines, point assessments and other consequences imposed within a given infraction level remain at the sole discretion of INDYCAR Officiating.

“We have moved quickly but meticulously in applying this next step in greater officiating transparency,” Elkins said. “Our goals include increased consistency and clarity as these reports look to provide an additional resource toward structure and process. We look forward to implementing this next phase beginning at WWT Raceway.”

Post-event reports for INDY NXT by Firestone events will begin later this summer.

The next race for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the 10th Annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline, round nine of the 2026 championship, Sunday, June 7. Coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One. INDY NXT competes on its first oval track of the 2026 season earlier in the day with coverage of the 75-lap race beginning at 5:30 p.m. on FOX Sports’ FS1.

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

Wood Brothers Racing – Race Week Briefing: Michigan International Speedway

By
Official Release
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Event: FireKeepers Casino 400
Date/Time: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 3 p.m. ET
Location: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, Michigan
Layout: 2-Mile Oval
TV/Radio: Prime Video, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team head to Michigan International Speedway this weekend looking to rebound from a string of tough breaks and capitalize on a track that has historically been one of the Wood Brothers’ strongest venues.

In 107 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan, the team has recorded 11 victories, 28 top-five finishes, 41 top-10s and nine poles. The Wood Brothers also earned the distinction of winning the first Cup Series race ever held at Michigan when Cale Yarborough took the checkered flag in the track’s inaugural event in 1969.

Berry has made four Cup Series starts at Michigan, highlighted by a 12th-place finish one year ago. After showing solid speed in recent weeks despite results that haven’t reflected their performance, Berry believes the No. 21 team is capable of putting together a strong weekend.

“Michigan is a place where I felt like we had a solid run going last year, so I’m looking forward to getting back there,” he said. “The last couple of weeks haven’t gone the way we wanted, but I think we’ve shown more speed than the results indicate.

“Hopefully we can put together a clean race, execute all day and get the No. 21 team back where we belong.”

He also said he’d like to deliver a strong result for both the Wood Brothers and Ford Motor Company at the manufacturer’s home track.

“It’s also a special track for the Wood Brothers with everything they’ve accomplished there over the years,” he said. “And being Ford’s backyard, it would be great to have a strong showing for them this weekend.”

Practice for the FireKeepers Casino 400 is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. ET, with qualifying set to follow at 6:10 p.m. ET.

Sunday’s 400-mile race is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, with stage breaks planned for Laps 45 and 120. Prime Video will provide television coverage throughout the weekend.

Josh Berry

Age: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Miles Stanley

IG: @joshberry88

X: @joshberry

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Michigan

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Official Release
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Michigan International Speedway
Sunday, June 7
2-Mile D-Shaped Oval
3 p.m. ET
Location: Brooklyn, Michigan
TV: Fox
Event: NASCAR Cup Series (Race 15 of 36)
RADIO: SiriusXM

5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 33 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Race: 23rd (Nashville)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 6th

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet

  • Kyle Larson has spent nearly half of all laps run in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season in the top five (47.8%), ranking second.
  • The 33-year-old is tied for the second-most stage points earned in 2026 with 122, just one point shy of the series lead.
  • Larson’s three wins at Michigan International Speedway are tied for his most victories at any track and are also tied for the most among active drivers.
  • The Elk Grove, California, native has recorded a top-seven finish in five of his last six starts at the 2-mile track, including four top-five results.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 30 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last Race: 7th (Nashville)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 4th

No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet

  • With his seventh-place run at Nashville Superspeedway last weekend, Chase Elliott moved up to fourth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings.
  • This season, the 30-year-old has the third-best average finish (11.86), has spent the eighth-most laps in the top five (813) and led the sixth-most laps (199).
  • Michigan International Speedway is one of Elliott’s best tracks where he has yet to win. He has three runner-up finishes and only two finishes outside the top 15 in 15 starts at the 2-mile facility.
  • Elliott’s 10.8 average finish at Michigan ranks second among active drivers with at least three starts and is sixth all time.

24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 28 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Race: 30th (Nashville)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 11th

No. 24 Axalta Solar Boost Chevrolet

  • So far in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, William Byron has an average finish of 16.5, second best among Hendrick Motorsports drivers. He also has run 46.61% of laps this season in the top 10 (1,792).
  • In 11 starts at Michigan International Speedway, Byron has two top-five finishes and three top 10s. He has finished runner up twice (2021 and 2024) with both coming in the last five races.
  • The 28-year-old has led 118 laps at Michigan in the Next Gen era, most of any driver in the Cup Series.
  • Byron is hoping to turn his luck around at the 2-mile oval. He was leading in 2024 but ultimately finished in the runner-up position with an overtime restart. Last year, he led 98 laps and was running second in the closing laps before running out of fuel.
  • For the second time this season, Byron will have Axalta Solar Boost on his No. 24 Chevrolet.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 33 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Race: 33rd (Nashville)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 32nd

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet

  • Alex Bowman made his 300th Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series start last weekend at Nashville Superspeedway, seventh most among those who have driven for the team.
  • In the last two races, Bowman has advanced two positions in NASCAR Cup Series driver standings, ranking him 32nd after missing four races earlier this season.
  • This weekend at Michigan International Speedway, the Ally 48 team will debut a fresh paint scheme on Bowman’s Chevrolet. This scheme adapts Ally’s recent rebrand, featuring new colors and modifications to the logo.
  • In his Cup Series career at Michigan, Bowman has earned three top 10s, including his best finish of ninth at the track in 2022. He also earned a pole in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series at the 2-mile oval.

17 COREY DAY
Age: 20 (November 28, 2005)
Hometown: Clovis, California
Last Race: 6th (Nashville)
Crew Chief: Adam Wall
Standings: 3rd

  • Qualifying for last week’s NASCAR O’Reilly Series event at Nashville Superspeedway was canceled for the second consecutive weekend. Per NASCAR’s metric, Corey Day was awarded the third starting position and he went on to finish sixth.
  • The Clovis, California, native currently ranks third in the NOAPS points standings.
  • Through 16 starts this season, the 20-year-old has recorded two wins, one pole, six top-five finishes and 12 top-10 finishes.
  • Day’s next NOAPS race will be Saturday, June 13, at Pocono Raceway.

Hendrick Motorsports
 

2026All-TimeMichigan
Races141,43179
Wins2322*8
Poles0259*11*
Top 5131,335*57
Top 10242,284*113*
Laps Led80286,169*2,886*
Stage Wins61432

*Most
**Tied for most

  • Hendrick Motorsports enters this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway with the most poles (11), top-10 finishes (113) and laps led (2,886) in the venue’s history.
  • The organization has registered at least one top-10 finish in each of the last 20 races at Michigan, the fourth-longest active streak for the company at any track.
  • The Hendrick Motorsports engine department enters the weekend with 572 victories across all three national NASCAR touring series including 13 of 16 events in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series this season.
  • Hendrick Motorsports remains the Cup Series’ all-time standard bearer in wins (322), poles (259), top-five finishes (1,335), top 10s (2,284), laps led (86,169) and championships (15).

QUOTABLE
 
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on Michigan International Speedway: “I am motivated everywhere but it’s going on several years since I have won at Michigan, so I would love to find victory lane again. I feel like every time I’ve gone to Michigan, we’ve been really good. I’ve been close to winning a couple different times, just haven’t done it. So hopefully we can go back and get into victory lane.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on the importance of winning for Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway: “I would love to [win], for sure. It’s not that they are pressuring you more. In my experience, at least for me, Chevy has been a great partner of mine and I’ve had the opportunity to work with them for the past 10 plus years of my career. It’s the only OEM I’ve been a part of in the NASCAR side of things. And anytime you have a good relationship with a partner, if they’re good to you, you want to go and do good for them, and that’s kind of been the relationship there. So, I just want to go do well for those guys because they’ve been good to me throughout the course of my career. I don’t need extra motivation past that.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on trying to break through at Michigan International Speedway: “This season has just been tough so far. We’ve had a lot of races where we’re running well and something happens out of our control. That happened in Nashville. Hopefully though we can get the momentum back at Michigan (International Speedway). We’ve been so close to getting a win there and it’s not for lack of effort. Maybe this is the time we get it done.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on heading to Michigan with a new paint scheme: “New look to our Ally Chevrolet this weekend in Michigan; excited to get Ally’s new colors on the track and on our No. 48 for the rest of the season. This year has been tough for our team. My guys work so hard and deserve better results than we’ve been getting. Showing up every week, controlling what we can control and executing to the best of our ability, that’s our focus.”

Corey Day, driver of the No. 17 Chevrolet, on last week’s race at Nashville Superspeedway: “Overall Nashville was a good day. I didn’t get to qualify but started off third in my No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet. First stage went really well until we had a slow pit stop, lost a couple positions there and noticed some weaknesses in our car dealing with traffic afterwards. It’s a pretty good thing to be mad at finishing sixth, it’s a good problem to have. Definitely looking at the glass half-full instead of half-empty. Grateful for my guys and we’ll keep it going into Pocono.”

Sébastien Bourdais Q&A

By
Official Release
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June 4th, 2026 – Ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans next week, we caught up with hometown hero and Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA driver Sébastien Bourdais.

How old were you when you first attended the Le Mans 24 Hours? What are your memories of it?

My first was when I was maybe five or something like that. We always used to go at least to night practice or something to watch the cars. We used to live very close to the Mulsanne corner and Indianapolis and it was always quite interesting to watch from the outside of the track. You had the big braking zones and the brake discs glowing and I remember that well. I was watching this not with the eye of an insider because my dad had not done Le Mans yet at that point, but I pretty much grew up on race tracks and, although the cars were different, it was a familiar environment to me so I was watching it with the eyes of a kid that grew up on the race track.

Your parents attend a lot of your WEC races. How important is having your family around at the races for you?

I’m an only child so we’ve always been quite close, and racing is definitely something we share. I don’t necessarily always have the time to spend with them during the race weekends but I always enjoy having them around and to share that passion that has always kind of put us together. You lose more than you win in racing, even if you have an amazing career, but we’ve had a lot of very good memories to celebrate and share and that’s always you know made us a pretty close group.

Your father was a racer himself and the two of you even raced at Le Mans one year, albeit in different cars. How much of an influence did he have on your career?

My dad raced before I was born and up until 2007. I don’t know how much he influenced me, but he sure made it possible for me because we were not a very wealthy family and thankfully back then it was a lot cheaper than it is now, otherwise I would never have been a race car driver. Through his work, he had a network of friends who had the possibility to help us through my early days, so I wouldn’t be here if my dad had not done everything he’s done for me and my career. He has been instrumental. He’s never raced go-karting or open-wheel so he wasn’t trying to tell me what to do, but he always made sure I was getting what I needed to perform and the people who were capable of helping me achieve that.

You’ve raced in arguably the three greatest races in the world (Le Mans, Monaco F1 and the Indy 500). What is it about these races that you think makes them so iconic – the races that everybody wants to win?

All of the massive racing events like Le Mans, Monaco, Indy, and to some degree Daytona, Sebring and Nürburgring, have history; that’s the biggest thing. A history of the greatest drivers, teams and cars and that’s what builds legacies and legends. Then it gets to completely different level of magnitude and engagement so when you’re part of these events, it’s not like anything else. Everybody wants to win because you want to be part of that history of the sport that you love so much. There’s a very big pride if you manage to join those legends. For me, Le Mans represents more than any other because I grew up there and raced there many times. I’ve come quite close a few times and it’s one of those races that is extremely difficult to win and, maybe this is the year!

What is your greatest sporting achievement to date?

It has to be Champ Cars and winning the four championships in a row. I think it was 31 wins and poles in 73 races. The whole experience, the gelling with the team and how much of a family it was and what a group effort it was to sustain that level of domination and how in control in that particular car I was from pretty much the first time I got in it. It was just a perfect formula for my driving style and that will definitely remain the greatest time of my career. I’m quite proud of quite a few things that I’ve done since, but it will definitely remain the one thing in my career that properly stands out.

Do you approach preparing for Le Mans differently to other WEC races, if so, how?

I don’t think we prep for Le Mans particularly differently to any other race. There is always a lot of work that goes into every WEC event. All the drivers and the entire team is very focused at being competitive at every single one of them. Of course, everybody wants to win Le Mans that extra bit more, but the process essentially is the same. The difference is that the runtime is significantly more at Le Mans so you have a lot more prep with the test day, the test sessions and the multiple qualifying sessions, so by the time you get to a race day you usually feel quite a bit more prepared and ready than sometimes you can be when you’ve done 15 laps.

How have you spent your time between Spa and Le Mans?

We had a test session, so went to Silverstone for that two day test. Then I went straight to the sim in Indy, which is a fairly normal process to optimise things. Then we work to come up with the best potential set up. The work never really stops and whether it’s Le Mans or another WEC race, the prep is the same, it’s just preparing for a 24 hour race is always a little bit more, particularly for the team because you need more spares and a few more people as it’s a long week. For the drivers it’s not an easy one, but it’s much harder for the technical team. For my own physical preparation, you carry on through the entire year, you can’t push at the last minute for Le Mans. That race is more about fatigue management more than the physicality itself. If it gets really hot that’s more demanding on the body, so hydration through the week is always critical but I don’t really do anything different.

RFK Racing – Michigan Advance

By
Official Release
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Michigan Event Info:
Date: Sunday, June 7
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Brooklyn, Michigan
Format: 200 Laps, 400 Miles, Stages: 45-120-200
TV: Prime
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 5:00 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 6:1 0 a.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3:00 p.m. ET, Cup Race (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Michigan International Speedway for the 16th points race on the schedule.
  • Michigan International Speedway serves as ‘home’ for team owners Jack Roush and Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing, located just an hour from Roush Industries in Livonia, Michigan.
  • Chris Buescher’s victory three years ago marked Jack Roush’s 14th all-time in the Cup Series in the backyard of Ford Motor Company, and the first for RFK at Michigan since 2013 (Greg Biffle).

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: Solomon Plumbing

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Kroger / Oscar Mayer / Rustik Oven

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

Keselowski at Michigan
Starts: 28
Wins: —
Top-10s: 16
Poles: 2 (2017, 2019)

  • Keselowski makes his 29th Cup start in Michigan this weekend where he has an average finish of 12.0 and 16 top-10s.
  • Despite no wins at his home track, Keselowski has nine results inside the top five with three runner-up finishes (2012, 2018, 2020).
  • The Rochester Hills, Michigan native has seven top-10s in his last 10 starts, and ran fifth a season ago after leading two laps.
  • He has two career Cup poles at MIS (2017, 2019) and 10 overall starts inside the top-10.
  • Keselowski has an additional nine combined starts at MIS in the Xfinity and Truck Series with two NXS wins (2009, 2010).

Buescher at Michigan
Starts: 15
Wins: 1 (2023)
Top-10s: 4
Poles: 1 (2020)

  • Buescher makes his 16th start at Michigan, where he finished sixth a season ago. In 2023, he found victory lane after starting fourth, including 66 laps led.
  • He carries an average starting position of 17.7 with a pole back in 2020, and the P6 starting position last season.
  • Buescher has 6 Top 10 finishes this season – 5 Top 10 finishes last 10 races
  • Buescher has led 68 Laps this season – 47 Laps led all last season
  • Best finish last season: 2nd – Michigan
  • Finished 6th or better last 3 Michigan races – 2 Top 2 finishes
  • 4 Michigan top 10 finishes – Finished 6th or better last 3 Michigan races

Preece at Michigan
Starts: 8
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

  • Preece is set for his ninth Cup start at Michigan this weekend, where he posted a career-best finish of seventh at the track in 2019. He is coming off a 9th-place finish just a season ago.
  • Preece holds a 28.3 average starting position at Michigan, with a best career start of 23rd in 2025.
  • Preece also made one NXS start at Michigan in 2016.

RFK Historically at Michigan
Cup Wins: 13 (Mark Martin, 1990, 1993, 1997, 1998; Matt Kenseth, 2002, 2006; Kurt Busch, 2003; Greg Biffle, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013; Carl Edwards, 2007, 2008; Chris Buescher, 2023)

  • Home Sweet Home: Michigan International Speedway serves as ‘home’ for Jack Roush and RFK Racing, located just an hour from Roush Industries in Livonia, Michigan. MIS has naturally been one of the organization’s most successful tracks on the circuit, with the team earning a total of 24 wins across NASCAR’s three major touring series.
  • I Said Welcome to Detroit City: In 225 NCS starts at Michigan, RFK has recorded 14 wins, 59 top-fives and 106 top-10 finishes with 2,572 laps led. Greg Biffle’s win back in 2013 was the 1,000th NASCAR victory for Ford Performance.
  • Roush vs. Everyone Else: RFK’s 14 wins in the NCS at Michigan are the most of any track on the NCS schedule. Six different drivers have earned victories for RFK at the two-mile oval with former drivers Mark Martin and Biffle both taking the checkered flag on four separate occasions. RFK drivers Matt Kenseth (two), Carl Edwards (two), Kurt Busch (one) and Chris Buescher (one) have also gone to victory lane for the organization in Michigan.
  • Consistency in the Motor City: Michigan ranks first overall among all tracks that RFK has competed on in the NCS in top-five finishes, top-10 finishes and in average finish among tracks that they have run two or more races. RFK has recorded 59 top-fives, 106 top-10s and has an average finish of 14.3 at the two-mile oval.

RFK Michigan Wins

1990-2 Martin Cup

1993-2 Martin Cup

1993 Martin NXS

1995 Martin NXS

1997-2 Martin Cup

1998 Burton NXS

1998-1 Martin Cup

1999 Biffle Truck

2000 Biffle Truck

2002-1 Kenseth Cup

2003-1 Busch Cup

2004-2 Biffle Cup

2005-1 Biffle Cup

2006-2 Kenseth Cup

2007-1 Edwards Cup

2007 Kvapil Truck

2008-2 Edwards Cup

2008 Edwards NXS

2008 Darnell Truck

2009 Braun Truck

2011 Edwards NXS

2012-2 Biffle Cup

2013-1 Biffle Cup

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Nashville: RFK Racing faced a challenging night at Nashville Superspeedway, with each team battling through setbacks along the way. Brad Keselowski overcame handling issues and used strategy to earn a Stage Two top 10 finish before contact from behind ended his race in the final stage. Chris Buescher steadily improved throughout the event, climbing into the top 15 and putting himself in position for a stronger finish before a brake issue led to a crash, cutting his night short. Ryan Preece’s race was hampered by radiator damage that required lengthy garage repairs and ultimately ended his evening early.

Points Standings: Buescher: 8th, Keselowski: 13th, Preece: 17th

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: MICHIGAN RACE PREVIEW

By
Official Release
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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY PRE-RACE ADVANCE
EVENT: FireKeepers Casino 400
DATE: June 7, 2026
Race: NASCAR Cup Series 15 of 36
TRACK: Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn | 2-Mile Oval

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
NO. 42 PYE-BARKER FIRE & SAFETY TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
JHN AT MICHIGAN: John Hunter Nemechek has four NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan, with a best finish of 23rd in August 2020. In his five starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Nemechek has earned three top-10 finishes, including a race win in August 2023 and a third-place finish in August 2024. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he has five starts and earned a pole award and a third place finish in August 2018.

RACE WINNER AT MICHIGAN: In August 2023, Nemechek took home the checkered flag in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race after starting 10th. He led 65 out of 125 laps and won with a 1.495 second margin of victory over Josh Berry. Nemechek was running a fulltime season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2023, and Michigan marked his fifth of seven wins that season.

T-MACK AT MICHIGAN: Sunday’s race will be crew chief Travis Mack’s seventh NASCAR Cup Series race at the 2-mile oval at Michigan. His first outing came in May 2018 with Kasey Kahne. Mack returned to Michigan with Daniel Suárez in the 2021 season. The duo competed in three races together through the end of 2023 and earned a highest finish of sixth in August 2023. In 2024, Mack returned with A.J. Allmendinger. In June 2025, Mack called his first race at Michigan with Nemechek. In the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Mack has one start with Michael Annett in August 2019, where the pair earned a third-place finish after starting seventh.

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK QUOTE:
“Michigan is one that we’ve had circled. We unfortunately got caught up in it and ended our day early last year, but we brought a lot of speed. I feel like this week is our chance to turn our luck around and show the speed we’re capable of at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, and I’m confident in our hard work heading into the weekend.”

TRAVIS MACK QUOTE:
“Michigan was probably our best race last year. I know we didn’t get to show it, but the car was very good. We had a lot of speed, and we got caught up in an early wreck and we didn’t really get to race that one out. I’m really looking forward to Michigan, that one has been on our radar since last year after that wreck.”

ERIK JONES
NO. 43 DOLLAR TREE TOYOTA CAMRY XSE
HOMETOWN HERO: Jones is returning to his home track of Michigan for Sunday’s Firekeepers Casino 400. The Michigan native grew up just 73 miles north of the track in the small town of Byron, where he started his racing career at a young age before transitioning to stock cars at age 13. He quickly moved up the ranks in NASCAR but never forgot his Michigan roots along the way. He is one of only three Michigan natives racing in the Cup Series fulltime along with Brad Keselowski and Carson Hocevar.

JONES MICHIGAN STATS: Sunday’s Firekeepers Casino 400 will mark Jones’ 14th NASCAR Cup Series start at Michigan. In his prior 13 starts, Jones earned a best finish of third in August 2017 after starting eighth. He owns another two top-10 finishes with his finishes of eighth in August 2022 and 10th in August 2023. He has an additional two starts outside of the Cup Series at Michigan – one in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He earned a finish of fourth in his one and only O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start in June 2016 after starting second and leading 18 laps. In the Craftsman Truck Series, Jones finished third in August 2015 after starting seventh and leading 16 laps.

CLAYS FOR CAUSES: On Friday, June 5, Jones will host his fourth annual “Clays for Causes” fundraiser in Dryden, Michigan at the Huntsman Hunt Club starting at 8 a.m. local time. As a proud Michigan native with a deep appreciation for the outdoors, Jones uses this event to reflect both his roots and his passion for giving back. Clays for Causes raises funds to support the foundation and their efforts to change lives by igniting children’s passion for reading, encouraging early cancer detection and care, and promoting animal welfare. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit ErikJonesFoundation.org.

ALEXANDER AT MICHIGAN: Crew chief Justin Alexander has a total of 12 races on top of the box at Michigan in the NASCAR Cup Series. He earned a best finish of fourth with Austin Dillon in August 2018 after the duo started fifth. In total, he’s earned one top-five and four top-10s in the Cup Series at Michigan.

ERIK JONES QUOTE
“I always look forward to Michigan. It’s my home race. It’s a lot of fun to get up there and be with family and friends. My family and I got earlier in the week to go spend more time with them and get to see them before the busy weekend. The race itself – I just really enjoy the track. It has come into its own here as the track has aged and widened out. Racing there with this NextGen car has been fun too. I’m looking forward to going back this weekend after a solid run last year. Michigan is high on my bucket list of tracks to win at one day. I just look forward for the chance to be out there every year.”

JUSTIN ALEXANDER QUOTE
“Michigan is a challenging track from a setup perspective. It’s one of the fastest tracks we go to all year, which means we are trying to balance speed and grip in the race car. This being a home track for Erik is important for us to perform well and make the most of a race that means a lot to him. Our growth this year on the No. 43 team has been steadily getting better each week. The past month or so we’ve started putting it all together and show the potential we have. We still have a lot to work on, but the direction of our program has been encouraging. Our goals are to continue to build each week and put ourselves in contention to win. We’re hoping to do just that this weekend in Michigan and bring one home for Erik.“

CLUB MINUTES:
JJ AT MICHIGAN: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB owner and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson owns 38 starts in NASCAR’s elite series at the 2-mile oval in Brooklyn, Michigan. He has one win at Michigan from June 2014, where he started seventh and led 39 laps en route to a 1.214-second margin of victory over runner-up Kevin Harvick. Overall, Johnson has scored five top-fives, 12 top-10s and led 700 laps at Michigan in his career.

KENSETH – BIG WINNER AT MICHIGAN: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB competition advisor and 2003 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Matt Kenseth has also found success at the 2-mile oval of Michigan. With 40 Cup Series starts at the track, Kenseth owns three victories from June 2002, August 2006, and August 2015. He’s earned a total of 14 top-fives, 10 top-10s, and led 443 laps at Michigan in his career.

THE KING WINS AT MICHIGAN: Richard Petty has a total of 47 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan in his career. The LEGACY MC ambassador earned a total of four victories, 19 top-fives, and 25 top-10s during his legendary career. His victories at the track came in June 1974, August 1975, August 1979, and August 1981.

SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT:

Taking NASCAR halfway around the world doesn’t happen overnight. This mini documentary follows Legacy Motor Club as the team brings a NASCAR Cup car to Japan for a historic demonstration at Fuji Speedway.

This video was nominated for the Hashtag Sports Awards for the Best Original Film or Series: Long Form category.

CLUB APPEARANCES:
John Hunter Nemechek will be at the NASCAR Fan Experience Stage on Saturday, June 6 to play Family Feud with fans at 11:15 a.m. local time. On Sunday, June 7 he will visit the trackside merchandise trailer for an autograph session at 12 p.m. local time.

Erik Jones will make a pit stop at the trackside merchandise hauler in the fan zone on Saturday, June 6 at 2:45 p.m. local time to sign autographs for the fans.

TUNE IN:
Fans can tune in to watch the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m. EDT on Amazon Prime, MAX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

Kyle Larson Claims Redemption at Red Cedar Speedway with High Limit Victory

By
Briar Starr
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Photo Courtsey of High Limit Racing

After starting on the outside pole, Kyle Larson put on a clinic after taking the lead at Red Cedar Speedway and won for the second consecutive time in the past two days. At one point, the 33-year-old had a 10-second lead over second place late in the race. Even with the caution coming late, Larson kept his composure and held on to get the victory.

“No, no, especially with the line I was running, you couldn’t take a breath,” Larson said to Flo Racing on the frontstretch. “Yes, it was crazy up there when you’re running the curb, while it is sticky and tall, it makes it way easier. The time I did get tight is when I entered on the cushion, and it just kind of swallows you up. It was cool.

“I had a lot of lines working with me and being able to open my entry like that. People on top, I could drive around them. He added, “If they were on top, I could enter above it, and diamond through the middle and split the bottom/top cars. That was a lot of fun.

“My heart rate was pegged, but that was cool,” he continued. Just a sick track for me where I was running. Happy to put on a show.”

32 Sprint Cars were checked in for the fifth race of the Roto Rooter Midweek Series.

This event was another nationally televised event on FS1.

The track hosted its first Interstate Batteries High Limit Series event last year in 2025, where Sprint Car superstar Rico Abreu fended off another superstar, Kyle Larson, for the previous at-track victory by 0.133 seconds.

To note, Wednesday’s event kicked off four consecutive nights of racing for the series. Abreu closed the championship points standings back down to seven points to championship leader, Aaron Reutzel, following Monday’s race.

After his Monday night victory, Kyle Larson is looking to go back-to-back. Four drivers have not competed at this track prior to tonight’s event. Those were Giovanni Scelzi, Kerry Madsen, Tanner Holmes, and Hank Davis

As usual, there were three heat races with each one having eight laps. Reutzel took the first heat victory with Tanner Thorson, Joel Myers Jr, Justin Peck, and Brooke Tatnell the top five.

For the second heat race, it was won by Brent Marks. He was followed by Scelzi, Sye Lynch, Davis, and Scott Neitzel, transferring to the main event.

Monday night race winner, Larson, won the third heat race. Abreu secured second, Holmes third, Brenham Crouch fourth, and Madsen fifth.

In the fourth and final heat race, Tyler Courtney and his Spire Motorsports machine grabbed the victory. Christopher Thram was second, Ayrton Gennetten third, Darin Naida fourth, and Chase Randall fifth. Randall got by Daison Pursley in the remaining laps to get the last transfer spot.

Taking the checkers for the seven-lap dash was Marks, who would end up on the pole position in the A-main. Larson was second, Abreu third, Peck fourth, Courtney fifth, Gennetten sixth, Reutzel seventh, and Lynch eighth.

The green flag flew for the 30-lap feature with Marks and Larson sending it off into Turn 1. Larson shot to the lead off Turn 2 on the first lap from Marks. Abreu then made the pass on Marks as well, which saw him slide into the second spot. At 26 laps to go, Larson began catching lap traffic. However, a caution came out on the same lap for a flat left-rear on Reutzel’s Sprint Car.

Following the brief caution period, Larson and Abreu were on the front row. Larson, again, pulled away from Abreu. At 20 laps to go, Larson was slowed up by the back of the field, which allowed Abreu to close the gap significantly. Meanwhile, Peck had momentum and threw a couple of sliders on Abreu. Unfortunately, Peck could not complete the pass for the second position.

Peck did make the pass work on Abreu with 14 laps to go off Turn 4. Abreu continued to slip back as Marks passed him for third. At 10 laps to go, Larson continued to show his Sprint Car dominance as he lapped up to the Top 10.

Despite Larson putting on a great show, it was all erased due to a caution with seven laps to go for Gennetten, who went spinning around in Turn 1 and made contact with Brenham Crouch. As the two cars made contact, Larson nearly avoided the incident by going a bit higher in the turn.

Even with the near miss, Larson was not phased at all, and would go on to win the $12,000 feature over Marks and Peck, rounding out the top three in the No. 57 Paul Silva entry.

The victory was Larson’s 13th of his High Limit career and his second consecutive for the week. This was also his fourth win of the season.

Following the Red Cedar Speedway event, Abreu has retaken the season long championship points standings over Reutzel by one point. Additionally, Scelzi took over Reutzel in the Roto Rooter Midweek Series standings by one point as well.

Official Race Results Following Red Cedar Speedway

  1. Kyle Larson
  2. Brent Marks
  3. Justin Peck
  4. Tyler Courtney
  5. Giovanni Scelzi
  6. Tanner Thorson
  7. Rico Abreu
  8. Brenham Crouch
  9. Ayrton Gennetten
  10. Kerry Madsen
  11. Aaron Reutzel
  12. Sye Lynch
  13. Danny Sams III
  14. Darin Naida
  15. Tanner Holmes
  16. Chase Randall
  17. Joel Myers Jr
  18. Hank Davis
  19. Brooke Tatnell
  20. Zach Daum
  21. Daison Pursley
  22. Scott Neitzel
  23. Christopher Thram
  24. Scotty Broty

Up Next – The Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Series continues its week-long stretch of racing by heading to Gondik Law Speedway. The action can be seen live on Flo Racing.

Garrett Mitchell, a.k.a. Cleetus McFarland, Readies Double Duty Michigan Weekend

By
Official Release
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BROOKLYN, Mich: Garrett Mitchell — better known throughout the motorsports and online communities as Cleetus McFarland — arrives at Michigan International Speedway this weekend still carrying the momentum from a career-best ARCA Menards Series finish in April at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

In just his third ARCA superspeedway appearance, Mitchell not only led laps in the Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 but also positioned himself in the middle of a thrilling three-wide dash to the checkered flag with Gus Dean and Andy Jankowiak, ultimately settling for a runner-up photo finish in his third start of the season

Nearly six weeks later, McFarland returns to the ARCA Menards Series spotlight, arriving in the Great Lakes State determined to capitalize on his recent success and challenge for his first career victory in Friday evening’s Henry Ford Health 200.

It will be another busy weekend for McFarland on the heels of his second career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start last weekend at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway with Richard Childress Racing, as he’ll also compete in Saturday afternoon’s DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race with Niece Motorsports.

With laps available in both the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, plus another opportunity to gain valuable experience on a fast, wide racing surface, McFarland is eager to make the most of his Michigan International Speedway debut and create new memories in the Irish Hills.

“We’ve been counting down the days to get back in an ARCA car,” said McFarland. “Talladega was a blast and gave us a lot of confidence. To be able to race up front, lead laps and come that close to a win showed what this team is capable of.

“Michigan is going to be a new challenge, but that’s part of the fun. Getting to race both the ARCA car and the Truck this weekend means a lot more seat time, a lot more learning and hopefully a chance to be competitive in both races.

“It’s a big weekend, and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”

With additional ARCA Menards Series starts anticipated later this season with the Mooresville, N.C.-based Rette Jones Racing team, the Bradenton, Fla., native remains committed to building on his on-track success while using his massive platform to help bring new fans into the sport.

“I’m having a blast being a part of the Rette Jones Racing team,” said McFarland. “Every race weekend is another opportunity to learn, improve and compete against some really talented drivers and teams. The goal is always to go out there, be competitive and continue building on what we’ve started.

“At the same time, one of the coolest parts of this journey has been introducing so many people from our community to stock car racing. We have fans tuning in and following along who may have never watched an ARCA race before, and that’s something I’m really proud of.

“We want to keep getting better, keep putting ourselves in position to contend and hopefully help grow the sport by bringing some new eyes and energy to it along the way.”

While a strong weekend at Michigan remains the primary objective, McFarland views the opportunity to compete in multiple series as an investment in his long-term growth as a driver.

The additional laps and race-day experience provide valuable lessons that can be applied not only at Michigan International Speedway, but at every track still remaining on his 2026 schedule.

“Seat time is everything right now,” said McFarland. “The more laps I can turn, the more comfortable I get and the more I understand what it takes to be competitive at this level.

“Being able to race both the ARCA car and the Truck this weekend is a huge opportunity. Not only does it give us a better shot at having a successful weekend at Michigan, but it also helps build the foundation for everything we want to accomplish moving forward.

“We’re having a lot of fun, but we’re also taking this seriously. Every race is another chance to learn, improve and get closer to where we want to be.”

McFarland will bring back a familiar livery on his No. 30 Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang this weekend at Michigan International Speedway, highlighted by returning partner Kenetik, a ketone-based performance drink designed to support energy, focus and mental clarity.

The No. 30 Ford Mustang will also feature BaldEagle.com, McFarland’s official merchandise and content platform.

BaldEagle.com serves as the central hub for McFarland’s fanbase, offering exclusive merchandise, behind-the-scenes content and unique opportunities for supporters to connect with the social media superstar.

“It’s great to have Kenetik and BaldEagle.com on board again this weekend,” said McFarland. “Both partners have believed in this program from the beginning, and we’re proud to continue representing them as we expand our racing efforts.

“BaldEagle.com is especially meaningful because it represents the community that has supported me through every step of this journey. Seeing so many of our fans embrace motorsports and follow along with what we’re doing has been incredibly rewarding.

“We’re continuing to learn, grow and create opportunities, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together at Michigan and beyond.”

Rette Jones Racing co-owner and crew chief Mark Rette believes McFarland is poised to continue his development and build on the momentum generated by his career-best ARCA Menards Series finish earlier this season.

“Cleetus has put in the work,” Rette said. “You can see the progression every time he straps in. He’s becoming more comfortable behind the wheel, communicating better with the team and doing a great job processing everything he’s learning each weekend.

“What excites me about Michigan is that it presents a completely different challenge,” Rette added. “This place is all about speed, momentum and being able to adapt as the track changes throughout a run. The experience he’s gained this season, combined with the extra laps he’ll get running both the ARCA and Truck races, should only accelerate that learning process.

“We’ve seen what he’s capable of when everything comes together. If we execute, stay focused and continue building on the progress we’ve made, there’s no reason we can’t have another strong weekend and put ourselves in position to contend.”

Rette Jones Racing and McFarland will continue to honor the memory of former NASCAR icon Greg Biffle this weekend following his tragic passing in a plane crash in December 2025 alongside his wife, two children and three others in Statesville, N.C.

In the months since the heartbreaking loss, the NASCAR community has rallied around the phrase “Be Like Biff” as a tribute to Biffle’s competitive spirit, generosity, selflessness and love of life — a message McFarland and the team will proudly carry into Michigan International Speedway as they continue celebrating his legacy while chasing success on the track.

Just like Kansas Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, McFarland will have a Rette Jones Racing-affiliated teammate for Saturday’s Henry Ford Health 200 at Michigan International Speedway. Fellow automotive content creator and close friend George Siciliano will pilot the No. 0 Heat Wave Ford Mustang in association with Wayne Peterson Motorsports.

Since 2025, McFarland has made seven ARCA Menards Series starts, achieving one top-five and three top-10 finishes, including a career-best second-place finish at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April 2026.

For more on Cleetus McFarland, like him on Facebook (Cleetus McFarland) and follow him on Instagram (@garrett_1320video), TikTok (@cleetusmcfarland) and YouTube.

For more on Rette Jones Racing, please visit RetteJonesRacing.com, like them on Facebook (Rette Jones Racing), or follow them on Instagram (@RetteJones30) and X | Twitter (@RetteJones30).

The Henry Ford Health 200 (100 laps | 200 miles) is the seventh of 20 races on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Friday, June 5, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., while Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole Qualifying is slated to begin shortly thereafter at 3:15 p.m. The race is scheduled to take the green flag shortly after 5:00 p.m. ET. The continuation of the 74th season of ARCA competition will be televised live on FOX Sports 2 (FS2). ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire day’s festivities. All times are local (ET).

About Rette Jones Racing:

Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, Rette Jones Racing (RJR) was founded in 2015 with the vision of building a competitive racing organization grounded in hard work, preparation and a relentless, never-give-up attitude.

Owned by veteran racers Terry Jones and Mark Rette, RJR continues to expand its footprint across multiple platforms.

In 2026, the team plans to field a full-time entry in the ASA STARS National Tour, while also competing in the ARCA Menards Series and other motorsports disciplines as part of its continued growth and competitive expansion.

Beyond its on-track efforts, Rette Jones Racing provides technical and setup expertise through its technical alliance partnership program, supplying teams with engineering support, chassis consultation, and race-day insight designed to elevate performance and foster long-term success.

Top 7 Online CNC Milling Services Shorten Lead Times for Racing Components by 70% and Avoid Cost Overruns

By
SM
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Comparative infographic showing 7 leading online CNC milling services (RapidDirect, Xometry, Protolabs, Fictiv, Hubs, 3ERP, and LS Manufacturing) evaluated on key metrics like lead time, precision, and certifications for racing part manufacturing, with LS Manufacturing’s advantages highlighted.

Introduction

In the high-stakes world of motorsports, the pace of component development and iteration is a critical determinant of on-track success. The current pain point is stark: traditional manufacturing modes, with their protracted lead times and unpredictable cost structures, severely hinder innovation, often causing precious wind tunnel and track testing windows to be lost to delays. This inefficiency stems from the siloed, manual nature of design, quotation, scheduling, and machining processes, which injects significant uncertainty into the journey from blueprint to physical part.

This analysis evaluates seven leading online CNC milling services, focusing on how they leverage automation and distributed manufacturing networks to provide rapid, precise, and cost-effective end-to-end solutions for racing components. The answers to the following five core questions will reveal how these platforms are redefining the speed and cost-control paradigm for racing part manufacturing.

What Special Requirements Do Racing Components Place on CNC Milling Services?

Racing components subject manufacturing services to extreme demands. Whether it’s suspension links enduring high-frequency impacts, brake caliper brackets ensuring rigid clamping, or transmission housings securing gears, they all converge on a set of uncompromising standards. Materials are typically high-strength aluminum alloys like 7075-T6 or titanium alloys like Ti-6Al-4V for superior strength-to-weight ratios. Structures are heavily optimized for lightweighting, resulting in complex, thin-walled geometries. Tolerances are critical, often requiring better than ±0.05mm for proper assembly and dynamic performance. Excellent surface finish is vital for reducing stress concentrations, and dynamic fatigue strength is non-negotiable for safety.

Meeting this combination of high-performance thresholds necessitates specialized custom CNC milling services. Advanced capabilities like 5-axis machining are required to accurately produce complex contoured surfaces and delicate features. Precision online CNC machining platforms, by aggregating specialized manufacturer resources and standardizing processes, deliver this customization capability in a predictable, digitalized manner, making them an efficient pathway to meet the unique demands of racing parts.

How Do Leading Online CNC Services Support Racing Part Development in Speed and Precision?

For racing R&D, speed and precision are parallel lifelines. Top platforms like RapidDirect, Xometry, Protolabs, Fictiv, Hubs, 3ERP, and LS Manufacturing build their core advantages precisely here.

The Digital Advantage for Speed

Rapid CNC milling services excel in compressing lead times to 1-5 days. This speed is achieved through fully digital workflows and distributed manufacturing networks. The moment a 3D model is uploaded, automated systems handle manufacturability analysis, toolpath generation, and order routing to the optimal facility, eliminating the communication delays inherent in traditional sourcing models.

Engineering for Precision and Efficiency

  • Standardized Processes for Accuracy

Through rigorous machine shop vetting and strict process controls, leading platforms can consistently achieve tight tolerances of ±0.025mm and reliably produce complex geometries like airfoils, meeting the exacting standards required for high-performance parts.

  • Proactive Design Optimization

A core value lies in CNC production streamlining via instant DFM feedback. The system automatically flags potential machining issues during quoting, allowing engineers to optimize designs for manufacture before an order is placed. This proactive step prevents costly rework and is key to achieving first-time-right success.

How to Obtain the Best Value and Transparent Quotes for Racing Part Projects?

With typically tight budgets, securing transparent and competitive quotes is paramount for racing projects. Leading online CNC platforms have revolutionized this step.

The core is an intelligent pricing engine. After uploading a 3D model, the system uses geometric feature recognition, combined with selected material, finish, and quantity, to generate an instant CNC quote within minutes or even seconds. The transparency of this CNC milling online quote lies in its breakdown: material cost, machine time, finishing fees, and administration are usually itemized clearly.

When analyzing CNC milling quotes, pay attention to low-volume pricing strategies. The distributed model often gives online platforms a significant advantage in cost and speed for small batches (1-50 pieces). Achieving the best value hinges on utilizing DFM suggestions for design adjustments. Standardizing internal corner radii, avoiding excessively deep or narrow pockets, and designing practical clamping features can significantly lower costs without impacting function. This is the art of analyzing and obtaining optimal CNC milling quotes.

How Does Online CNC Milling Bridge the Prototype and Production Stages for Racing Parts?

The development of racing components is a flow from prototype validation to track testing, and finally to low-volume production. Online CNC milling platforms are the ideal hub for seamlessly connecting these phases.

Accelerating Development with Rapid Prototyping

Prototype CNC milling services are fundamental to modern racing R&D. They enable engineers to transition from digital models to functional, test-ready parts within days. This speed allows for multiple design iterations—such as different aerodynamic profiles or structural geometries—to be physically validated within a single wind tunnel or track test cycle. The result is a dramatically compressed development timeline, where learnings are rapidly incorporated into successive designs.

Seamless Transition to Reliable Production

  • The Advantage of a Unified Digital Workflow

Once a design is finalized, the same digital thread used for prototyping eliminates the traditional friction of switching suppliers. The approved 3D model, toolpaths, and setup data can be directly leveraged for production. This continuity, often with the same vetted manufacturing partner within the platform’s network, streamlines the launch of low-volume runs.

  • Ensuring Consistency from Track to Parts Bin

This seamless process truly enables efficient CNC milling from concept to part. It guarantees that production components are materially, dimensionally, and performatively identical to the validated final prototype. This consistency is critical for performance reliability and simplifies the logistics of securing spare and upgrade parts throughout a demanding race season.

What Credentials and Capabilities Should Be Evaluated When Choosing a CNC Partner for Racing Parts?

Selecting a CNC machining partner for racing components goes far beyond comparing price and lead time; the underlying quality system and hard capabilities are the bedrock of reliability.

The primary evaluation should focus on quality certifications. ISO 9001 is a basic threshold. For the extreme demands of motorsports, certifications like IATF 16949 (automotive) or AS9100D (aerospace) are highly relevant. These industry-specific standards represent the pinnacle of requirements for traceability, process control, and a “zero-defect” culture, aligning perfectly with racing engineering philosophy.

Secondly, assess the technical capability range. Racing parts may include large monolithic components. Therefore, it is crucial that a partner can handle large workpieces, possesses multi-axis (5-axis) machining centers, and corresponding metrology equipment. The ability to provide comprehensive large CNC milling services indicates a capacity for integrated solutions, from small complex inserts to large structural members, a key point when evaluating capabilities for large CNC milling services. Finally, evaluate the partner’s machining experience and process database for materials common in racing, as this directly impacts the final part’s performance.

Conclusion

In summary, online CNC milling platforms optimized for high-performance applications are fundamentally transforming the development paradigm for racing components through their core advantages of digitization, automation, and networking. They not only compress the “design-to-part” cycle from weeks to days but also provide dual assurance for a team’s R&D budget and performance goals through transparent instant quoting and rigorous quality systems. This allows engineers to focus their energy on innovative design rather than manufacturing uncertainties.

For any racing engineering team aiming to gain millisecond advantages and enhance R&D efficiency, deeply evaluating and integrating these top-tier online manufacturing resources has transitioned from an option to a strategic necessity. It is recommended to immediately begin exploring these platforms for your next critical component project by uploading your design to 2-3 services, personally testing their DFM feedback, quote transparency, and delivery reliability to find the manufacturing solution that best matches your racing program’s needs.

Author Bio

The author is a manufacturing engineer specializing in advanced production technologies, with over fifteen years of practical experience in the R&D, materials application, and supply chain management of automotive and high-performance racing components, dedicated to exploring how digital manufacturing empowers the rapid realization of ultimate performance products.

FAQs

Q: What tolerance levels can typically be achieved for racing parts manufactured by online CNC services?

A: Leading platforms typically guarantee machining tolerances of ±0.025mm to ±0.05mm, which is sufficient for most racing components. Through special processes and calibration, even tighter tolerances can be achieved, depending on the part geometry and material.

Q: I only have a conceptual sketch; can I use these online services?

A: Most platforms require a ready-to-machine 3D CAD model file. It is recommended to first convert the sketch into a 3D model. Some service providers offer paid design consulting services that can assist with this step, but this involves additional cost and time.

Q: Do these platforms support special materials used in racing, such as high-strength aluminum alloys or composites?

A: Yes, mainstream platforms commonly support high-strength aluminum alloys (e.g., 7075-T6), titanium alloys, and some composite plates. The material libraries are usually extensive, but it is best to confirm the specific grade and stock availability before placing an order.

Q: What are the main advantages of online CNC machining compared to traditional local machine shops?

A: The core advantages are speed, transparency, scalability, and consistency. Online platforms provide instant quotes and standardized lead times, with transparent, digitalized processes. Their distributed manufacturing network can quickly mobilize global capacity, avoiding the bottlenecks of a single shop. Furthermore, strict quality vetting ensures consistent quality across batches and orders, unlike the dependency on a single shop’s capabilities and schedule in the traditional model.

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