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Can Electric Vehicles Deliver the Performance NASCAR Fans Expect?

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

For generations of NASCAR fans, performance has been measured by horsepower, engine note, throttle response, and the ability to push a car to its limits over hundreds of miles. The sport has built its identity around powerful V8 engines, close racing, and engineering innovation that continually raises the bar.

As the automotive industry shifts towards electrification, a common question continues to surface among racing enthusiasts: can electric vehicles really deliver the kind of performance that appeals to NASCAR fans?

The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. While electric vehicles offer a very different driving experience, many of the qualities that motorsport fans appreciate remain just as important.

Performance Is More Than Engine Noise

One of the biggest misconceptions about electric vehicles is that they sacrifice excitement in favor of efficiency. In reality, electric motors produce maximum torque almost instantly, allowing many EVs to accelerate from a standstill remarkably quickly. That immediate response creates a driving experience that feels very different from a traditional petrol-powered performance car but is no less impressive.

Although the soundtrack is quieter, rapid acceleration, precise handling, and confident cornering remain key ingredients of an enjoyable drive.

Motorsport Has Always Driven Innovation

NASCAR has long been a proving ground for engineering, with manufacturers constantly searching for ways to improve reliability, aerodynamics, safety, and efficiency. While today’s NASCAR Cup Series features Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, the wider automotive industry continues exploring new technologies beyond the racetrack. Honda, for example, remains heavily involved in global motorsport through Formula One, IndyCar, MotoGP, and other racing programs, viewing competition as a way to develop engineers and advance future technologies.

That same commitment to innovation influences the company’s road cars, even as its electrification strategy continues to evolve alongside changing market conditions.

What NASCAR Fans May Appreciate About EVs

While electric vehicles are unlikely to replace the excitement of a NASCAR race any time soon, they do offer several characteristics that performance enthusiasts can appreciate.

These include:

  • Instant acceleration from low speeds.
  • A low center of gravity that improves handling.
  • Smooth and predictable power delivery.
  • Advanced traction and stability systems.
  • Sophisticated onboard technology.

Many drivers are surprised by how engaging a well-engineered EV can feel once they spend time behind the wheel.

Everyday Performance Matters Too

Unlike race cars, production vehicles spend most of their lives on public roads. For everyday driving, refinement, comfort, efficiency, and technology often matter just as much as outright speed. Modern electric vehicles combine quick acceleration with quiet cabins and advanced driver assistance features, creating a different kind of performance that’s well suited to commuting and longer journeys alike.

Drivers researching Honda EVs near me can also explore the latest models here. Comparing Honda EVs near me provides a useful opportunity to experience how modern electrified powertrains deliver responsive everyday performance.

Could NASCAR Embrace Electrification?

NASCAR has consistently evolved throughout its history. Improvements in safety, fuel injection, composite bodies, and the introduction of the Next Gen car have all demonstrated the sport’s willingness to embrace technological progress while preserving close competition.

Although fully electric NASCAR competition is not currently part of the Cup Series, the organization has explored electrified technology through demonstration vehicles and continues evaluating how emerging technologies may fit into the sport’s long-term future. At the same time, manufacturers across global motorsport are using racing to accelerate innovation in both hybrid and electric technologies.

Final Thoughts

For lifelong NASCAR fans, nothing may ever replace the atmosphere created by a pack of V8 stock cars charging into Turn One. That tradition remains one of the defining features of the sport. However, judging electric vehicles solely by what they lack overlooks what they offer. Instant torque, sophisticated engineering, refined handling, and rapidly advancing technology have made modern EVs genuine performance machines in their own right.

The future of high-performance driving is unlikely to be defined by a single type of powertrain. Instead, it will be shaped by continual innovation, something that has always been at the heart of motorsport and remains just as relevant today as the automotive world continues to evolve.

NASCAR STAR CHANDLER SMITH THROWS CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH AT CHATTANOONGA LOOKOUTS GAME AS PART OF BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY MEDIA TOUR

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NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series star Chandler Smith (right) threw out the ceremonial first pitch to catcher Pablo Aliendo Thursday at the Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Knoxville Smokies game as part of a media tour to preview America's Night Race coming to Bristol Motor Speedway, Sept. 17-19.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Aug. 6, 2026) – NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series star Chandler Smith threw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday, Aug. 6 at Erlanger Stadium prior to the game with the Chattanooga Lookouts vs. the Knoxville Smokies. Smith, who drives the No. 38 Ford for Front Row Motorsports, was in town as part of a media tour to preview the UNOH 250 presented by Ohio Logistics NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Chase race during America’s Night Race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, September 17-19.

Earlier in the afternoon Smith met with media members at the new downtown Food City location to talk about the upcoming event, which is a part of the highly-anticipated America’s Night Race weekend that also features the Bass Pro Shops Night Race Cup Series Chase race on Saturday Sept. 19 and the Food City 300 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase race on Friday, Sept. 18.

Smith, from Talking Rock, Georgia, says he grew up racing from an early age and never had much time for stick and ball sports. He says this was his first time throwing out a first pitch.

“No, I’ve never done it,” said Smith, who delivered a strike to catcher Pablo Aliendo. “I’m not nervous either, though. Quite frankly, it’s exciting. I’m stoked that the Lord’s blessed me with an opportunity to be able to go out, network with people that I know nothing about. It’s going to be really cool to kind of step into their space. A lot of times, I’m at the racetrack, and we’re doing cross content, and people are stepping into my space, so it’s cool for me to kind of step into their space and get to see into their world a little bit.”

Smith is a two-time winner this season and also a two-time Bristol winner, including victories at the 2021 UNOH 250 and last year’s spring truck race. He’s always ready to put on the helmet and gloves and go racing at The World’s Fastest Half-Mile. This September 17th it will be the kick-off to the seven-race NASCAR Chase for the trucks, which will amplify the situation.

“Looking forward to Bristol, it’s such a good track,” Smith said. “I’m super stoked, especially since we just came up a few laps short earlier in the spring this year, finishing second to Christopher Bell, and then last year for the fall race we had a mechanical issue. Bristol’s always been a really good, statistically speaking, racetrack for me. Got a few victories there, and even for Front Row Motorsports, has been extremely well for Front Row Motorsports in the last few years. So, really looking forward to getting back there here in the fall.”

Front Row Motorsports team owner Bob Jenkins lives just down the road from Bristol Motor Speedway in Dandridge, and loves to attend all the NASCAR races at the action-packed, high-banked short track.

“That’s one of the ones Bob circles,” Smith said about Bristol. “This is our home track. He always has a suite over in turn one on the front stretch there, and we always go up there and do an appearance. He’s got all his buddies, all of his friends, family. It’s like when I go to Atlanta, have all my friends, my family there. I want to win there so bad.”

Smith is currently third in the series standings, trailing his teammate and series leader Lane Riggs. Both of them will be top contenders at Bristol in September. Riggs has won the last two UNOH 250s at Bristol.

“We’ve got a really good group of men and women back at the race shop that works their tails off endlessly, even on the off weeks like we’ve had here in the past two weeks, so just talking to my crew chief yesterday,” Smith said. “Sounds like we’re ahead on a month of trucks on our inventory, which is unheard of, and that’s just the fruit of the labor. They’ve been working really, really hard to be getting ahead, but not only getting ahead, doing it the right way, making sure we’re not you know shortcutting any areas, you know dotting our eyes, crossing our t’s, doing the detail work that matters, and on the off-season, really want to work on making our short track program, mile and a half program even better.”

Smith says there’s nothing like Bristol Motor Speedway, it’s one of his favorite race tracks on the circuit.

“I remember the first time I ever went to Bristol was in a super late model race,” Smith said. “I remember the first time I ever practiced there, they said, you’re gonna be wore out. I felt like there was 200-pound dumbbells on both of my shoulders. I literally couldn’t hold my shoulders up. It was just the G-force was so immense, and yeah, and just the atmosphere. The last great Colosseum, you can’t beat it. Bristol is one of my favorite racetracks, specifically because of the atmosphere. You just can’t beat it. Being in such a valley where the racetrack is and how the noise echoes through that valley, then you put on top of that. Let’s double down and build it in kind of an arena type deal, right? It’s just so loud and electric. I love it.”

He says it’s the perfect location to get the Chase underway for the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. He says he will be ready.

“Starting off at Bristol, what a better racetrack to start off at,” Smith said. “It’s going to be electric. I mean, we think back to the spring race there. It kind of had a little bit of carnage. Fortunately, we were able to stay out of it. Like I said, finished second there. We were just a few laps short of running Christopher Bell down there for the win, and so yeah, I’m really looking forward to what better place can to start the Chase.”

The race weekend also will feature the crown jewel Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Saturday night, Sept. 19, a 500-lap post-season race in the NASCAR Cup Series and also the Food City 300 on Friday night, Sept. 18, a Chase race in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The trucks will share the stage in what promises to be a thrilling Thursday night double-header with the ARCA Menards Series, which will open the racing that afternoon with the Bush’s Beans 200 as the future stars of the sport take to the track. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the Bristol Motor Speedway website or call the BMS Tickets Sales Center at (866) 415-4158.

About Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, known as The Last Great Colosseum, sits in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line. The 0.533-mile concrete oval, with 28-degree banking, hosts two major NASCAR Cup Series weekends each year, the tradition-rich Food City 500 and the crown jewel Bass Pro Shops Night Race. The venue has staged iconic moments such as the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol football game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech (NCAA-record 156,990 fans), the 2025 MLB Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds (MLB regular-season record crowd of 91,032), the 2020 NASCAR All-Star Race, the rebirth of NASCAR Cup Series racing on dirt from 2021–2023 and sold-out concerts for Morgan Wallen and Kenny Chesney. Fans enjoy Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided screen video board. The adjacent Bristol Dragway is the home to the NHRA Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals, and the dragway can transform into the Thunder Valley Amphitheatre for music concerts. Opened in 1961 and acquired by Speedway Motorsports in 1996, Bristol remains one of America’s most unique and versatile sports and entertainment destinations. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

Young’s Motorsports Iowa Speedway August NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Team Preview

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Official Release
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Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Iowa Speedway | HyVee Perks 250

Fast Facts

No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Ryan Ellis

Primary Partner(s): Demco Products — Farm Rescue

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Eddie Troconis

2026 Driver Points Position: 28th

2026 Owner Points Position: 34th

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

● Year Three, Driven Forward: In November 2025, Ryan Ellis was announced as Young’s Motorsports’ full-time driver in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series as the organization enters its third season of competition.

In a significant step for 2026, Young’s Motorsports will transition its flagship No. 02 — long synonymous with the organization’s success in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series — to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series full-time, underscoring the team’s continued growth at the national level.

Ellis will pilot the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro across the full 33-race schedule, continuing with Saturday afternoon’s HyVee Perks 250 at Iowa Speedway and culminating with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway in November.

● About Ryan: A respected veteran in the NASCAR garage, Ellis joins Young’s Motorsports with more than a decade of experience across NASCAR’s national ranks, including competition in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

The 2026 season will mark Ellis’ fourth full-time campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

The 35-year-old Virginia native is coming off his first career NASCAR top-10 finish in 2025 and looks to build on that momentum while continuing to expand his résumé, which includes 186 career starts in series competition.

Known for his consistency, professionalism, and versatility both behind the wheel and in the garage, Ellis aims to apply his experience to elevate Young’s Motorsports’ competitive presence in its third season of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition.

● All-Aboard!: For the 23rd of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Demco Products as the primary partner on the No. 02 Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday afternoon’s 250-lap event.

Demco’s history begins with Robert Dethmers, who started as a blacksmith and later ran an Allis Chalmers dealership with his father. In 1958, he sold the business and shifted to building agricultural equipment.

By 1964, he founded Dethmers Manufacturing Company (Demco). After his passing in 1974, Jim Koerselman and Ken Mulder took over ownership.

In the 1980s, during the Farm Crisis, Demco diversified by creating the Kar Kaddy, which saved the company.

Over the years, Demco expanded further by acquiring companies like Maurer Manufacturing and adding new products, including 5th-wheel hitches and braking systems.

Today, Demco remains family-owned and is led by Bob Koerselman, Kevin Ten Haken and James Koerselman.

They continue to uphold the company’s values, focusing on innovation, relationships, and community. Demco recently renovated its original location in Boyden to include a Heritage Center that showcases its 60-year history and a training facility called DEPOT.

● To The Rescue: Demco Products has partnered with Farm Rescue at Iowa Speedway for the “Built to Move, Driven to Rescue” campaign, a joint initiative by Demco and the nonprofit Farm Rescue to support farm and ranch families facing unexpected crises.

Through the initiative, Demco is helping raise awareness for Farm Rescue’s mission of providing critical planting, harvesting, haying, commodity hauling and livestock feeding assistance, while encouraging customers to join the effort in supporting rural farm and ranch families when unexpected hardships arise.

● Tablo TV and GOVX Celebrate Those Who Serve: Season-long partners Tablo TV and GOVX will once again support Ellis and Young’s Motorsports this weekend at Iowa Speedway, continuing their presence as associate partners on the No. 02 Chevrolet.

GOVX, the members-only platform serving U.S. military personnel, veterans, first responders, emergency medical professionals and government employees, provides exclusive access to premium brands and special pricing for those who serve.

Tablo TV and GOVX will continue to build on their new partnership this weekend, celebrating military members, veterans and their families through an exclusive offer for the military community.

Following the successful launch during the United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 on June 20, eligible GOVX members can receive $30 off the Tablo Total System, making it even easier to enjoy free over-the-air television at home.

● Tablo Gives Fans More Ways to Watch NASCAR: As a valued partner of Ellis and Young’s Motorsports, NASCAR fans have even more ways to watch and record racing action with Tablo.

Fourth-generation Tablo DVR owners can now access and record The NASCAR Channel, featuring 24/7 free programming, including classic races, delayed broadcasts of the current season, select live events, NASCAR Studios original content, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s The Morning Drive.

The addition brings Tablo’s lineup to 106 free streaming channels, complementing its ability to watch and record free local broadcast television with a TV antenna through its whole-home DVR platform.

● Ryan Ellis O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Iowa Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s stop in the Hawkeye State will mark Ellis’ sixth career start at the 0.875-mile short track.

In his previous four Iowa Speedway starts, Ellis’s best result occurred during the 2024 edition of the HyVee Perks 250, where he earned a track-best 14th, driving for Alpha Prime Racing.

Overall, he holds an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series average finish of 27.4 at the famed Midwest facility.

In addition to his four NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts, Ellis has one NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at Iowa Speedway in the 2015 running of the American Ethanol 200 Presented by Enogen, driving for MAKE Motorsports.

Following a brief summer break, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action this weekend at Iowa Speedway for the Hy-Vee Perks 250.

With just two races remaining before the regular-season finale at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, teams will look to maximize every opportunity, continue building momentum and finish the 2026 campaign on a strong note.

The race weekend also features the ARCA Menards Series on Friday night with the JR&CO 150 and the NASCAR Cup Series’ Iowa Corn 350 on Sunday, Aug. 9, making it another action-packed weekend for race fans at the fast 0.875-mile oval.

Following Saturday’s event, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will take a two-week break before returning for the regular-season finale at the World Center of Racing on Friday, Aug. 28.

Since opening in 2006, Iowa Speedway has earned a reputation as one of the premier short tracks in the country. The 0.875-mile oval combines the speed of an intermediate track with the close-quarters competition of a short track, rewarding drivers who can balance aggression with patience while managing tire wear over long green-flag runs.

With progressive banking, multiple racing grooves and notoriously challenging restarts, Iowa often produces intense side-by-side racing throughout the field.

Track position remains important, but drivers who can adapt to changing track conditions, preserve their equipment and capitalize on late-race opportunities frequently find themselves contending when the checkered flag waves.

With another nationally televised opportunity awaiting, Ellis and Young’s Motorsports will look to carry the momentum built throughout the 2026 season into the final two regular-season races, continuing to build on the progress the No. 02 team has shown week after week.

For Ellis and Young’s Motorsports, Iowa Speedway presents another opportunity to execute a complete race, remain in contention throughout the afternoon and position the No. 02 Chevrolet for another strong finish before the series heads to the famed 2.5-mile superspeedway for the regular-season finale later this month.

● Ryan Ellis NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Iowa, Ellis has 186 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races to his credit, earning a career-best sixth-place finish after starting 32nd in the 2026 edition of the United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for Young’s Motorsports.

Since his 2012 debut, Ellis has averaged a 26.6 finish in series competition, including the past three seasons running full-time.

● Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Pennzoil 250 Presented by Take 5 Oil Change Race Recap: Before the sport’s one-week summer break, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series closed out the month of July with its annual stop at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In an event where passing proved difficult and track position was paramount, Ellis spent much of the afternoon mired in traffic aboard the No. 02 Chevrolet.

A lack of caution periods limited the team’s ability to make significant adjustments or employ alternate pit strategy, and despite persevering through the 100-lap contest, Young’s Motorsports ultimately came away with a 32nd-place finish.

As the 2026 season enters its final stretch, Ellis and Young’s Motorsports return from the summer break focused on closing out the regular season on a high note.

While the finishing result at Indianapolis Motor Speedway wasn’t indicative of the No. 02 team’s effort, encouraging performances at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway, Chicagoland (Ill.) Speedway and EchoPark (Ga.) Speedway have Ellis and the Young’s Motorsports team eager to build on the speed and momentum they’ve shown in recent weeks.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Ryan Ellis as crew chief of the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief, engineer and industry veteran Eddie Troconis.

On Saturday, Troconis will call his 44th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race from atop the pit box. In his previous 43 starts, he has recorded two top-10 finishes, most recently in the 2026 season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

The season’s 23rd race will mark his first tango at Iowa Speedway as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He does, however, have four starts as the leader in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, with a track-best third-place effort with driver Cameron Hayley in the 2016 edition of the Speediatrics 200.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Iowa Speedway: This weekend’s Hy-Vee Perks 250 will mark Young’s Motorsports’ third and fourth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Iowa Speedway, with Ryan Ellis and Nathan Byrd representing the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization.

In the team’s previous two appearances at the 0.875-mile oval, Young’s Motorsports has recorded a track-best finish of 13th, earned by rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Hy-Vee Perks 250 event at Iowa Speedway in 2024.

Last season, the organization again showed competitive speed at the Iowa short track, but Anthony Alfredo was unable to capitalize on the team’s performance, ultimately finishing 26th after battling throughout the afternoon.

Through its first two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Iowa Speedway, Young’s Motorsports owns an average starting position of 22.0 and an average finishing position of 19.5.

Beyond its growing NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series résumé, Young’s Motorsports also brings valuable experience from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Since 2013, the organization has made 13 Truck Series starts at Iowa, highlighted by a pair of 13th-place finishes, most recently by dirt standout Tanner Thorson in the 2018 M&M’s 200.

Across those 13 Truck Series appearances, Young’s Motorsports has compiled an average starting position of 21.2 and an identical average finishing position of 21.2, providing additional experience as the organization returns to one of the Midwest’s premier short tracks.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 110 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.6 and an average finish of 25.1.

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

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

Ryan Ellis Quoteboard:

On Iowa Speedway: “I’m excited to get back to Iowa Speedway and get the second half of the season rolling again. “It’s one of those tracks that races like a short track, but you’re carrying a lot of speed, so you have to be aggressive without overdriving the car.

“Managing your tires, getting through traffic and adapting to changing track conditions all become important over the course of a race.

“We’ve shown some encouraging speed over the last several weeks, and I’m looking forward to seeing what our No. 02 Young’s Motorsports team can accomplish this weekend.”

On Keys to Success at Iowa Speedway: “I think the biggest key at Iowa is executing from start to finish. Track position is important, but you also have to have a car that can maintain speed over a long run while taking care of your tires.

“Communication with the team, making the right adjustments and avoiding mistakes all play a big role. If we can do the little things right and put ourselves in position late in the race, I think we’ll have an opportunity to come away with a solid finish.”

On Goals for Iowa Speedway: “Our goal this weekend is to continue building on the progress we’ve made over the last several races and put together a complete race from start to finish.

“We’ve shown that our No. 02 team has the speed to compete, but now it’s about executing every part of the weekend. If we can qualify well, stay out of trouble, make the right adjustments and maximize every opportunity, I think we’ll have a finish that reflects the effort everyone at Young’s Motorsports has been putting in.”

On Summer Break: “The summer break was a good opportunity for everyone to recharge and spend some quality time away from the racetrack.

“The NASCAR schedule is demanding, so it’s important to come back refreshed and ready for the final stretch. I think everyone on our No. 02 Young’s Motorsports team is excited to get back to work, continue building on the progress we’ve made and finish the regular season on a strong note.”

On Partnership with Demco Products and Farm Rescue: “I’m incredibly proud to represent Demco Products and help promote the ‘Built to Move, Driven to Rescue’ campaign this weekend.

“Agriculture is the backbone of so many communities, and Farm Rescue provides an incredible service to farm and ranch families when they need it most.

“It’s rewarding to be part of an effort that helps shine a spotlight on their mission, and I’m thankful to Demco for using our NASCAR platform to help raise awareness for such a meaningful cause.”

On Goals for Remainder of 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Season: “Our goal for the remainder of the season is to continue building on the progress we’ve made and finish the year on a high note.

“We’ve shown more speed and consistency over the last several races, and now it’s about putting together complete weekends and getting the finishes that reflect the effort everyone at Young’s Motorsports has been putting in.

“Every race is another opportunity to learn, improve and represent our partners well, and we’d love to carry that momentum into the offseason.”

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Nathan Byrd

Primary Partner(s): Byrd Insurance Group

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

2026 Driver Points Position: 37th (Eight Races)

2026 Owner Points Position: 33rd

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

● Year Three, Driven Forward: Young’s Motorsports continues its campaign in the newly rebranded NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, looking to build momentum with its expanding two-car effort as the season rolls on at Iowa Speedway this weekend.

Fan-favorite and open-wheel standout Nathan Byrd returns to the organization and will pilot the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the 23rd race of the 33-race 2026 schedule.

● About Nathan: Byrd, 26, began racing go-karts in 2018, just after graduating High School, and he entered his first car race in February 2020.

Since then, the Goodyear, Ariz. native has raced over 30 types of cars in 348 total races at 67 different race tracks, effectively becoming one of the most diverse and interesting race car drivers in the world.

Completing more than 300 races in the first four years of his career, Byrd is no stranger to piloting race cars.

In 2024, the Indianapolis, Ind. resident turned his attention to NASCAR. He successfully made his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Portland International Raceway and delivered a respectable 21st-place finish for DGM Racing.

In September 2024, Byrd made his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series debut at Kansas Speedway, earning a respectable 19th-place finish after starting 32nd.

Last year, Byrd continued his foray into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, making 15 starts for Young’s Motorsports. His campaign was highlighted by three top-15 finishes, including a career-best 14th-place result in back-to-back races at Rockingham Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway, respectively.

Byrd’s most recent NASCAR national series start came during his 11th career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He has made additional NOAPS starts this season at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway, Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, Rockingham (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Pocono (Pa.) Raceway respectively.

● All-Aboard! For the 23rd of 33 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes Byrd Insurance Group, who partner with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as the primary partner on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 100-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

Byrd Insurance Group is a family-owned and operated insurance agency focused primarily on healthcare benefits, tax savings and employee coverage for small to mid-sized businesses.

Founded by brothers Nathan and Noah Byrd, the firm utilizes their Your Big Plans platform and Champion Health plans to help employers’ lower healthcare costs.

● Nathan Byrd O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Iowa Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Hy-Vee Perks 250 will mark Byrd’s first career start at Iowa Speedway, the fan-favorite 0.875-mile oval that combines short-track intensity with many of the characteristics drivers have long associated with Richmond (Va.) Raceway.

Following a brief summer break, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action this weekend at Iowa Speedway for the Hy-Vee Perks 250.

With just two races remaining before the regular-season finale at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, teams will look to maximize every opportunity, continue building momentum and finish the 2026 campaign on a strong note.

The race weekend also features the ARCA Menards Series on Friday night with the JR&CO 150 and the NASCAR Cup Series’ Iowa Corn 350 on Sunday, Aug. 9, making it another action-packed weekend for race fans at the fast 0.875-mile oval.

Following Saturday’s event, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will take a two-week break before returning for the regular-season finale at the World Center of Racing on Friday, Aug. 28.

Since opening in 2006, Iowa Speedway has earned a reputation as one of the premier short tracks in the country. The 0.875-mile oval combines the speed of an intermediate track with the close-quarters competition of a short track, rewarding drivers who can balance aggression with patience while managing tire wear over long green-flag runs.

With progressive banking, multiple racing grooves and notoriously challenging restarts, Iowa often produces intense side-by-side racing throughout the field.

Track position remains important, but drivers who can adapt to changing track conditions, preserve their equipment and capitalize on late-race opportunities frequently find themselves contending when the checkered flag waves.

With another nationally televised opportunity awaiting, Nathan Byrd and Young’s Motorsports will look to make the most of their return to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Iowa Speedway.

Building on the progress shown throughout the 2026 season, Young’s Motorsports aims for a strong performance with the No. 42 Chevrolet while continuing to gather valuable information as the regular season winds down.

● Nathan Byrd NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Career Stats: Entering Iowa, Byrd has 11 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts to his credit, highlighted by a career-best 16th-place finish in his series debut at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway after starting 26th in the 2026 edition of the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire for Young’s Motorsports.

Since his 2024 debut, Byrd has recorded an average finish of 28.3 in series competition, adding starts at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Darlington (N.C.) Raceway, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway and Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway for DGM Racing, SS-GreenLight Racing and Young’s Motorsports, respectively.

Further bolstering his NASCAR résumé, Byrd has made 18 starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2024.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Byrd as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

On Saturday, he will be the crew chief in his 184th NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. In his previous 183 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

The season’s 23rd race will be his fourth tango at Iowa Speedway as crew chief in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

In 2019, Abbott guided veteran driver Jeremy Clements to a strong 12th-place finish in the CircuitCity.com 250.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Iowa Speedway: This weekend’s Hy-Vee Perks 250 will mark Young’s Motorsports’ third and fourth NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Iowa Speedway, with Ryan Ellis and Nathan Byrd representing the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization.

In the team’s previous two appearances at the 0.875-mile oval, Young’s Motorsports has recorded a track-best finish of 13th, earned by rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Hy-Vee Perks 250 event at Iowa Speedway in 2024.

Last season, the organization again showed competitive speed at the Iowa short track, but Anthony Alfredo was unable to capitalize on the team’s performance, ultimately finishing 26th after battling throughout the afternoon.

Through its first two NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series starts at Iowa Speedway, Young’s Motorsports owns an average starting position of 22.0 and an average finishing position of 19.5.

Beyond its growing NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series résumé, Young’s Motorsports also brings valuable experience from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Since 2013, the organization has made 13 Truck Series starts at Iowa, highlighted by a pair of 13th-place finishes, most recently by dirt standout Tanner Thorson in the 2018 M&M’s 200.

Across those 13 Truck Series appearances, Young’s Motorsports has compiled an average starting position of 21.2 and an identical average finishing position of 21.2, providing additional experience as the organization returns to one of the Midwest’s premier short tracks.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series History: Since entering the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 110 starts and earned one top-five and four top-10 finishes while maintaining an average starting position of 27.6 and an average finish of 25.1.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Nathan Byrd, please visit byrdracing.com, like him on Facebook (Nathan Byrd), and follow him on Instagram (@nathanjbyrd) and X |Twitter (@nathanjbyrd).

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

Nathan Byrd Quoteboard:

On Iowa Speedway: “I’m really looking forward to making my first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start at Iowa Speedway.

“I’ve heard a lot of great things about the track and the racing there, so it’s exciting to finally have the opportunity to experience it for myself.

“It’s a place that rewards patience, consistency and working closely with your team, so my focus will be on learning as much as I can, improving every time we’re on the track and making the most of the weekend.”

On Keys to Success at Iowa Speedway: “I think the biggest key this weekend is making the most of every opportunity.

“Since it’s my first time racing at Iowa Speedway, every lap is a chance to learn something new. We’ll focus on communicating with the team, making the right adjustments and continuing to improve every time we’re on the track.

“If we can execute the little things and put together a complete race, I think we’ll give ourselves a solid opportunity by the end of the day.”

On Goals for Iowa Speedway: “The goal this weekend is to make the most of another opportunity with Young’s Motorsports and continue growing as a driver.

“Every race is another chance to gain experience, and I’m excited to take on Iowa Speedway for the first time. If we can keep improving throughout the weekend, execute from start to finish and bring home a solid finish for everyone on the No. 42 team, I’ll consider it a successful weekend.”

On Another NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Opportunity with Young’s Motorsports: “I’m incredibly grateful to Tyler Young and everyone at Young’s Motorsports for giving me another opportunity to compete in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

“Every time I get behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet, I gain valuable experience and confidence, and that’s so important at this stage of my career. I don’t take these opportunities for granted, and my goal is to continue learning, represent the team and our partners well, and reward everyone at Young’s Motorsports with a strong performance this weekend.”

Race Information:

The Hy-Vee Perks 250 (250 laps | 218.75 miles) is the 23rd of thirty-three (33) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice will occur on Sat., Aug. 8, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Qualifying will follow, launching at 11:35 a.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag shortly after 4:00 p.m., with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (CT).

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race Preview – Iowa

By
Official Release
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Track: Iowa Speedway
Race: HyVee Perks 250
Date/Broadcast: Saturday; August 8, 2026 5:00 P.M. ET
TV: CW Network, ESPN Unlimited
Radio: Motor Racing Network – Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, and X

Racing in the Hawkeye State – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Ready to Race at Iowa Speedway

Newton, IA. (August 6, 2026) – Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport travels to Newton, Iowa this weekend to race at Iowa Speedway.

The .875 mile track features progressive banking around sharp corners, that will make handling and car balance essential for the 250-lap race.

The team will field three Chevrolets this weekend: Jeb Burton in the No. 27 Celsius Chevrolet, Blaine Perkins in the No. 31 The Gentleman Thief Chevrolet, and Carson Brown in the No. 32 Distributor Wire & Cable Chevrolet.

Jeb Burton travels to Newton, Iowa currently sitting 20th in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) standings. The Halifax, Virginia native comes off a 20th place finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and is looking to keep the momentum going.

“I’m excited to get back to Iowa. We had a really good car there in 2024,” said Burton. “Last year we weren’t very good, but I feel like we know why. It’s always been a really fun track to race. We’ve got Celsius back on the car, so hopefully we can do a good job for them, and keep trying to gain some points to keep us in the top-20, so we can get back to where we need to be.”

Blaine Perkins heads to Newton, Iowa, a track he is familiar with dating back to his days in the NASCAR K&N West Series. Perkins currently sits 22nd in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings, and is looking to put together a strong performance in effort to make it in the top-20 in points. Perkins will have “The Gentleman Thief” on his Chevrolet, the latest movie starring renown Hollywood actor, John Travolta.

“I’m really excited to get Iowa Speedway this weekend,” said Perkins. “Iowa is one of the first big race tracks that I went to, being from the west coast. Being in the K&N West Series back in the day, Iowa was always a big race for us. I’m excited to the have The Gentleman Thief on the car. It’s extremely cool to have them on the car, and we’re looking forward to giving them a good run on Saturday night.”

Carson Brown prepares to make his debut in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Iowa Speedway. The talented prospect from New London, North Carolina, at 18 years old, will become the youngest driver to start in the series in 2026 when the field takes the green flag on Saturday night.

“I’ve been fortunate to race with great teams, filled with really smart and driven people, who have prepared me for this moment.” “The O’Reilly Series is a big step, but it’s the right step and I’m definitely ready for it. It’s an awesome opportunity and I’m proud to be doing it with Chevrolet, Jordan Anderson Racing and Distributor Wire & Cable. Every race I’ve run has been about learning, getting better and preparing myself for the next opportunity,” Brown said. “No matter the series, you’re going up against some really talented drivers and equally talented teams. Everyone is there to win, so you have to bring your A-game every time. That’s the way it should be, and the O’Reilly Series is a continuation of that, but on a bigger stage.”

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport was built from the ground up, fueled by passion, persistence, and a bold vision for what an independent NASCAR team could become. Founded by driver and owner Jordan Anderson, the organization has grown from a grassroots operation hauling a single truck across the country into a competitive multi-car NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series team through a pivotal partnership with St. Louis automotive dealer John Bommarito. Along the way, the team has earned wins, poles, and a reputation for grit, growth, and opportunity within the NASCAR garage. Today, Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is investing in talent, innovation, and culture to challenge the status quo and build a new kind of racing legacy.

Jordan Anderson recently appeared on the Dale Jr. Download’s special series: The Business of Motorsports with Kelley Earnhardt Miller. The two team owners talked on Anderson’s journey from striving to make it in NASCAR as a driver, to finding his path to becoming a team owner in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport president and co-owner shared the lessons he has learned along the road, and the story of meeting renown St. Louis area car dealer, John Bommarito, and how the two formed a long partnership that is still in effect today.

To listen to the episode, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@DirtyMoMedia, or any of your major podcast platforms.

Get your Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport merchandise at the all new official team store! Visit jordanandersonracing.com to place your order today!

ACI Motorsports Earns Five Porsche Carrera Cup North America wins at Road America

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Official Release
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  • ACI Drivers Lead Two of Three Class Championships in the Single-Make Porsche Series
  • Successful IMSA Carrera Cup Campaign First of Three Race Weekends Across a Trio of Racing Series for ACI Motorsports at Road America in August

ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin (August 6, 2026) – ACI Motorsports left Road America’s IMSA Porsche Carrera Cup North America round with five victories and three additional podiums across three classes. Drivers Patrick Mulcahy and Marco Cirone continue to hold the championship lead in the Pro-Am and Masters class, respectively.

The three rounds at Road America – two regularly scheduled and one postponed race from the Miami Grand Prix in May – marked the eighth, ninth and 10th races of the 16-race season for the field full of Type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup cars.

Mulcahy, driving the No. 54 Juice Head Porsche 911 Cup, extended his championship lead and his season-long winning streak, leaving Road America with a perfect 10-for-10 record this season. Mulcahy’s strongest run came in Friday morning’s race where, despite starting in the back of the grid after a qualifying incident, he drove through the 22-car field to finish ninth overall. He backed that up later in the afternoon, driving from 17th to eighth overall.

Mulcahy now leads the Pro-Am class by 111 points with six races remaining in the 14-race championship.

Likewise, Cirone kept his stout championship lead with a pair of wins and a runner-up finish at Road America. The Toronto resident was in the midst of a three-way class battle in both races on Friday, coming out on top each time. Cirone climbed to a season-best ninth overall in Friday afternoon’s race and then held steady in a rainy Saturday morning race to bring home a second-place finish in class with his No. 88 Mark Motors Porsche 911.

Cirone wasn’t the only ACI Motorsports driver to take home trophies in the Masters class. Richard Edge drove his No. 18 Staff Zone Porsche 911 Cup to a third-place finish in the category, 11th overall, on Friday afternoon to stand on the podium alongside his teammate.

ACI Motorsports had success in the Pro Class at Road America as well. Janne Stiak, the 19-year-old German driver making his first North American appearances in 2026, hit the podium for the third time this season with a runner-up finish with his No. 40 Scooters Coffee Porsche 911 on Friday afternoon. He narrowly missed the podium in the other two races at Road America, finishing fourth each time.

John Jodoin and his No. 39 Race Caddy Porsche 911 Cup scored a season-best finish at his home track, following an eighth-place finish in race one with a sixth-place finish in race two for the Chicago native. The 13th-place finish for Alex Pratt and the No. 6 Good Boy Vodka Porsche 911 Cup was a career best for the rookie driver.

Next up for ACI Motorsports is the team’s second appearance at Road America for the USAC Porsche Sprint Challenge and Endurance Challenge race weekend, August 14 – 16.

Curt Swearingin, ACI Motorsports Team Principal: “Overall it was a good weekend for us. We’ll take what we can get every weekend, as long as we can maximize points. We could have had a few things go a little bit better, but it was good as a whole. Our guys work hard to and put in the effort and it shows in the results when everyone does their jobs. Congratulations especially to Marco and Patrick for their wins and Janne scoring P2 on Friday.”

Janne Stiak, Driver, No. 40 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup: “We were struggling a bit, so for the pace we had we got very good points. Two times P4, and one time we were P2. We started with a little bit to do at the beginning of the weekend, but ACI Motorsports has been working very hard to get the best out of it and I have to thank them for that. So, we got very good points, and we’re looking forward to the next one.”

Marco Cirone, Driver, No. 88 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup: “I can’t complain. The car is in one piece and we survived the wet race. It’s incredible. Curt has done a fantastic job to elevate the team status with the engineers and the mechanics. Everything is running like a clock. We all get along, we laugh, we enjoy ourselves and that adds to the weekend. I have to thank Mark Motors, they are just incredible people and have been sponsoring us for a long time. If it wasn’t for them and all of the people back at the dealership in Ottawa, I wouldn’t be here.”

Patrick Mulcahy, Driver, No. 45 ACI Motorsports Porsche 911 Cup: “It is a bummer just racing one other guy, but I just try to race the guys ahead of me. We are all on the track at the same time, so it doesn’t matter the color, or number or class. The entire ACI Motorsports team is fully dedicated to giving us the best car, the best program and all of the resources to be successful. So, I don’t think I could ask for more. We are always in a really positive feedback loop between everybody. They’re always trying to be better, and I think that’s what it’s about. A little bit of progress every day.”

About ACI Motorsports: ACI Motorsports is a professional Porsche racing team and motorsports preparation shop headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with additional operations at Road Atlanta in Georgia. The team actively competes in several prestigious racing series, including Porsche Carrera Cup North America, SRO Pirelli GT4, GT America Powered by AWS and more. Additional information can be found at www.acimotorsports.com.

NASCAR Star DANIEL SUÁREZ Connects with Metro St. Louis Hispanic Community Ahead of Sept. 13 Enjoy Illinois 300

By
Official Release
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NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez poses with World Wide Technology Raceway Owner and President Curtis Francois, Fairmont City Mayor Michael Suarez and members of the Fairmont City community during his Aug. 4 visit. Photo credit: World Wide Technology Raceway.
  • Spire Motorsports driver meets with Fairmont City mayor, first responders and residents before joining the grand reopening of Hispanic-focused Save A Lot y Más.
  • NASCAR returns to World Wide Technology Raceway Sept. 12-13 for a Chase doubleheader featuring the Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

MADISON, Ill. (Aug. 6, 2026) – NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suárez connected with members of the metro St. Louis Hispanic community earlier this week during a daylong visit ahead of his return to World Wide Technology Raceway for the Sept. 12-13 Enjoy Illinois 300 race weekend.

Suárez, a native of Monterrey, Mexico, began his day in the Village of Fairmont City, Ill., home to a tight-knit Hispanic community and just minutes from WWT Raceway in Madison, Ill. Mayor Michael Suarez welcomed residents and first responders to a complimentary lunch featuring food from El Ranchito, a popular local Mexican restaurant.

During the lunch, the Spire Motorsports driver visited with families in Spanish, thanked the city’s first responders and invited residents to attend the fifth annual Enjoy Illinois on Sunday, Sept. 13.

“It’s very important to me to have the opportunity to connect with the Hispanic community, and this time, being so close to a race track where we are going to be competing in a few weeks, makes it even more special,” Suárez said. “I know several of these people are going to be with us at the race in September.”

The community outreach continued at the grand reopening of Save A Lot y Más, located at 3427 S. Jefferson Ave. in St. Louis. The store was recently rebranded as a Hispanic-focused concept featuring Spanish-language signage and an expanded selection of Hispanic products.

During an hour-long meet-and-greet, Suárez visited with shoppers and staff and assisted at the checkout lanes. He also strolled the aisles, pointing out some of his favorite snacks from Mexico.

The highlight of the visit was Suárez and Save A Lot y Más teaming up to provide the first 20 guests in line with complimentary bags of groceries and tickets to the Enjoy Illinois 300.

“It was a lot of fun to visit Save A Lot y Más, see so many Hispanic fans and check out the large selection of Hispanic products,” Suárez said. “It reminded me of growing up in Mexico and many of the products I used to see. I’m really looking forward to coming back Sept. 12-13 for the big race.”

The two stops were part of World Wide Technology Raceway’s ongoing efforts to connect communities throughout the St. Louis region with NASCAR and the track’s major events.

Tickets for the Sept. 12-13 NASCAR Chase doubleheader weekend, featuring the Enjoy Illinois 300, are available at wwtraceway.com or by calling the ticket office at (618) 215-8888 ext. 1.

About World Wide Technology Raceway

World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the home of NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA racing in St. Louis’ Metro East region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering 700 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1.25-mile superspeedway; 1/4-mile drag strip; 2.0-mile road course; the Gateway Kartplex state-of-the-art karting facility; and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and Owner & CEO Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2023 St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame induction; 2023 Innovation in Philanthropy Award by the St. Louis Business Journal; 2022 Explore St. Louis Hospitality Hero Recognition; 2022 Best in Show and Best Event & Festival from the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism; 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association. Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.

RFK Racing – Iowa Advance

By
Official Release
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Iowa Event Info:
Date: Sunday, August 9
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Newton, Iowa
Format: 350 Laps, 306.25 Miles, Stages: 70-210-350
TV: USA
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 2:05 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 3:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3:30 p.m. ET, Cup Race (USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

RFK RACING STORYLINES IN IOWA:

Brad Keselowski

  • For Brad Keselowski, Iowa Speedway is a significant track. He credits his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series win there in 2009, as a catalyst in his racing career. He believes his victory there helped propel him to a Cup series career.
  • Determination has driven Keselowski in 2026 and once again is a factor in his race to the Chase. The 2012 Champion has a 50-point deficit to erase in order to become championship eligible. Four races remain in the regular season, and each offers opportunity. Next up, Iowa. A year ago, Keselowski won each of the first two stages, led 68 laps and finished 3rd. He now heads into this pivotal race carrying the momentum of consecutive top 10 finishes (North Wilkesboro and Indianapolis).

Chris Buescher

  • Sitting ninth in the standings with a 133-point cushion above the playoff cut line, Buescher is in a comfortable position as the regular season heads into the final four races. But make no mistake, he is far from satisfied. Buescher is looking to peak heading into the Chase and is targeting a win at Iowa Speedway. With a history of success at Iowa, including a 2015 O’Reilly Series victory, Buescher aims to convert his season-long consistency into race-winning performance.

Ryan Preece

  • Ryan Preece, currently 17th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, is just outside the top 16 playoff cutoff. With only four regular-season races remaining, the upcoming event at Iowa Speedway on August 9 is pivotal. Known for his short-track prowess, Preece views this race as a prime opportunity to secure essential points and break into the playoff field.
  • “I feel confident going to Iowa and feel like I really came close to some success there last year. Short tracks are my thing, everybody on our team is trying to find some speed and even with the (four) races left to the playoffs I don’t go down until it’s done,” said a confident Ryan Preece during his Media Bullpen session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Pace Laps:

  • Iowa Speedway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series for just the third time in its history this weekend.
  • All three RFK drivers have found victory lane at Iowa Speedway in the Xfinity Series, with Brad Keselowski winning the first-ever NXS race at Iowa back in 2009.
  • Chris Buescher won with Jack Roush in 2015 at the track, with current crew chief Scott Graves atop the box.
  • In 2017, Ryan Preece started from the pole at Iowa and led 141 of the 254 laps en route to his first ever NXS victory while driving the No. 20 for JGR.
  • Chris Buescher ranks currently ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with an average starting position of 12.4 and has recorded 10 top-10 finishes through the opening 20 races of the 2026 season.
  • Buescher owns a 13.3 average finish, ranking among the series’ best, while his 10 top-10 finishes have helped keep the No. 17 team firmly in playoff contention.
  • Brad Keselowski has collected five top 10 finish results this season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at Darlington after leading a race-high 142 laps.
  • Keselowski continues to show front-running speed with 167 laps led this season.
  • Ryan Preece emerged as a consistent contributor for RFK Racing in 2026, joining teammates Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski in helping keep all three RFK entries in the possible playoff conversation entering the second half of the season.

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

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Body Guard

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Kroger/Force Factor

Keselowski at Iowa
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

  • Keselowski was in contention for a victory in last season’s race at Iowa where he started 5th and brought home a 3rd place finish and led 68 laps of the race.
  • In his first career Cup start at Iowa, Keselowski led five laps and finished 10th.
  • Keselowski was the first winner in the Xfinity Series at Iowa, taking home the inaugural trophy back in 2009. He led 121 laps and drove the No. 88 for JR Motorsports to victory lane, his first of three NXS trophies at the track.
  • He went on to win again in back-to-back seasons in 2013-14, and finished top-8 in every race he ran there, the last coming in 2016.

Buescher at Iowa
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Buescher led 16 laps in the 2024 season’s Cup Series debut at Iowa, but went on to finish 18th.
  • He won at Iowa back in 2015 for Jack Roush in the No. 60 in one of his four NXS starts at the track. Buescher also made four starts in ARCA from 2009-12, earning a pair of top fives.

Preece at Iowa
Starts: 2
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • In last season’s race at Iowa Preece showed speed starting 31st and finishing 5th, his career best finish at the track to date.
  • Preece finished 27th two seasons ago at Iowa after starting 29th in the No. 41 car for SHR.
  • He won at Iowa back in 2017 for JGR in the No. 20 in one of his three NXS starts at the track.

RFK Historically at Iowa
Wins: 5 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 2011 twice, 2012; Trevor Bayne, 2013; Chris Buescher, 2015)

  • Stenhouse Finds First in Iowa: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. picked up his first Xfinity Series win at Iowa back in 2011, sweeping both races as the series at the time competed there in May and August. The next season he won again, as three of his eight career NXS wins all-time came at the 7/8-mile track.
  • Bayne Breaks Through in 2013: Trevor Bayne continued the winning tradition with the No. 6 in victory lane at Iowa, winning the first race of the 2013 campaign at Iowa. It marked his second Xfinity Series win of his career.
  • Buescher Victorius in 2015: Buescher started fourth in the 2015 race, led 94 laps and won in the No. 60 entry for Jack Roush in what was one of his two wins in his Xfinity Championship season.

RFK Iowa Wins

2011 Stenhouse Xfinity
2011 Stenhouse Xfinity
2012 Stenhouse Xfinity
2013 Bayne Xfinity
2015 Buescher Xfinity

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Indianapolis: Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing hit the bricks on 7/26, with each of its three teams showcasing rock solid performances in Indianapolis. Eying his second career Brickyard 400 victory, Brad Keselowski led the way. Patiently, RFK’s Owner/Driver carved his way through the field, scoring a 6th place finish and continuing his late season push toward the post season. Ryan Preece, with the aid of a very timely caution, was the team’s big gainer on the day, advancing 26 positions from the beginning of the race. Preece is now just one position shy of a Chase berth. Chris Buescher, who continues to appear headed to the post season, again turned in a steady run. His hard, determined drive yielded a respectable 11th place finish.

Points Standings: Buescher: 9th, Preece: 17th, Keselowski: 19th

Shipping a Luxury or Exotic Vehicle: What Changes at the High End

By
SM
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Shipping a Luxury or Exotic Vehicle: What Changes at the High End

The logistics of shipping a high-value vehicle are mostly the same as shipping any other car — with a few differences that matter enough to get right before you book.

Here’s what’s different when you’re moving a Porsche 911, an AMG GT, a Ferrari, or any vehicle where arrival condition is non-negotiable.

Enclosed is the starting point, not a premium option

For a vehicle priced above $60,000 to $70,000, enclosed transport is the practical baseline. The cost difference over open carrier — $300 to $700 on most routes — is not a significant line item relative to what it costs to repair even minor cosmetic damage on a high-end vehicle.

Enclosed trailers typically carry 2 to 6 vehicles in a covered, protected environment. Your vehicle is shielded from weather, road debris, highway conditions, and visibility. That last point matters for high-profile vehicles that don’t benefit from being visible on a carrier in traffic.

For genuinely rare or high-production-value vehicles, single-vehicle enclosed transport — where your car ships alone — is also available. It costs more (often $1,500 to $3,000 for a cross-country route) but eliminates the shared-trailer variable entirely.

For side-by-side comparisons of companies specifically ranked on enclosed transport capability, carrier vetting, and experience with high-value vehicles, TopCarShippers.com publishes independent evaluations.

Ground clearance matters at loading and unloading

Exotic and sports vehicles often have very low ground clearance. Loading ramps on standard open carriers are not designed for vehicles that scrape at a few inches of incline. Enclosed carriers built for high-end vehicles typically use lift gates or level loading platforms rather than angled ramps.

Before booking, ask specifically how the carrier loads and unloads vehicles with low clearance. If the company can’t tell you, find one that can.

Carrier vetting at this level means specific questions

Not every enclosed carrier is the same. The best auto transport companies at the high end maintain their own vetted networks and screen drivers specifically for experience with exotic and luxury vehicles. That means claims history, equipment condition, and driver background — not just having an FMCSA license.

Questions worth asking any company you’re considering:

  • How do you vet your enclosed carriers for high-value vehicles?
  • Has the assigned driver transported vehicles like mine before?
  • What is the carrier’s per-vehicle insurance coverage limit?

The last question is important. FMCSA-required cargo insurance covers $750,000 per load — spread across all vehicles on the trailer. For a single vehicle worth $200,000 or more, that may not provide adequate coverage. Ask about supplemental coverage, and check whether your existing insurance (particularly a specialty policy if you have one) extends to vehicles in transit.

Documentation: the inspection record is your protection

Before pickup, photograph the entire vehicle: every panel, the undercarriage, all glass, wheels, and interior. Use timestamped photos. At pickup, review the Bill of Lading with the driver and confirm every pre-existing mark is documented before you sign.

At delivery, compare the car against your pre-shipment photos before signing the delivery report. Note anything new — regardless of how minor it seems — before the driver leaves. Signing a clean report is the legal handshake that says the car arrived in the condition it left.

Timing and access logistics

Exotic and luxury vehicles are sometimes kept in storage facilities, private garages, or locations with limited commercial vehicle access. A standard multi-car hauler is a large commercial truck. If your pickup or delivery location has height restrictions, narrow lanes, or security checkpoints, discuss this with the carrier before booking.

Door-to-door service is standard for most markets. In locations where a large car hauler can’t safely maneuver, the carrier may arrange a nearby transfer point. This should be disclosed at booking, not discovered at pickup.

What to expect on price

Enclosed transport cost ranges for a single vehicle:

  • Under 500 miles: $700 to $1,100
  • 500 to 1,500 miles: $1,100 to $1,600
  • Cross-country: $1,400 to $2,200

Single-vehicle enclosed (your vehicle ships alone): add $500 to $1,200 depending on route.

Companies built for this

RoadRunner Auto Transport has been shipping enclosed vehicles — including exotic, luxury, and collector cars — for 30 years. Their in-house dispatch team works with a vetted network of more than 14,000 carriers, screened for FMCSA compliance and delivery performance. No deposit is required until a carrier is confirmed.

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William Sawalich returns to Joe Gibbs Racing for 2027 O’Reilly season

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Adam Lovelace for SpeedwayMedia.com.

William Sawalich has signed a one-year contract extension to continue to drive the No. 18 SoundGear Toyota Supra entry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

The news comes as the 19-year-old Sawalich from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is currently campaigning in his second full-time season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with JGR. Through 22-scheduled events, he recorded a victory at Rockingham Speedway in early April, which was also his first ever in the series. Sawalich has also registered a pole at Bristol Motor Speedway in early April, six top-five results, nine top-10 results, 131 laps led and an average-finishing result of 16.6. He is ranked in 13th place in the standings and is seven points below the top-12 cutline to make this year’s Chase with two regular-season events remaining on this year’s schedule.

“I am excited to be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2027,” Sawalich said. “The team has become a family to me since I first started here. We’ve been making great progress this year, so I am excited to continue that into next season.”

Sawalich made his first three career starts in the O’Reilly Series during the final three events of the 2024 season, where he drove JGR’s No. 19 Toyota entry. By then, he was coming off his second consecutive ARCA Menards Series East championship with JGR. During his trio of starts, the Minnesota native recorded his first career pole and finished a season-best 13th place during the season’s final event on the schedule at Phoenix Raceway.

For the 2025 season, Sawalich was named a full-time competitor of JGR’s No. 18 Toyota entry for his first full-time campaign in the O’Reilly Series. During his rookie O’Reilly campaign, he recorded his second career pole at Nashville Superspeedway in late May and notched a pair of runner-up results in back-to-back events at Portland International Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway between mid-August and early September. He also recorded three top-five results, nine top-10 results, 51 laps led and an average-finishing result of 18.9 through 31-scheduled starts.

After being involved in a multi-car accident at Talladega Superspeedway in mid-October that required him to be hospitalized, Sawalich missed the final two events of the 2025 season due to suffering concussion-like symptoms. This resulted in him finishing 18th in the standings before returning for a full-time campaign in 2026.

Through 56 current starts in the O’Reilly Series, Sawalich has accumulated a single victory, three poles, nine top-five results, 18 top-10 results, 182 laps led and an average-finishing result of 18.3 as he continues the pursuit of his first NASCAR national touring series championship.

“William has been part of our racing family at Joe Gibbs Racing for almost four years now, and it’s exciting to watch his continued progress,” Heather Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, said. “He earned his first win in the O’Reilly Series earlier this year at Rockingham, and we expect our 18 team to build off that success for the remainder of this season and into 2027.”

With his plans for next season set, William Sawalich’s 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season continues this upcoming Saturday, August 8, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, for the HyVee Perks 250. The event’s broadcast time is slated to commence at 5 p.m. ET on the CW Network, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM.

Talladega Superspeedway to Once Again Play Crucial Role in The Chase

By
Official Release
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NASCAR returns to the high banks of Alabama in April and October of 2027

TALLADEGA, Ala. (Aug. 6, 2026) – Talladega Superspeedway announced today that once again the famed superspeedway will play a crucial role during The Chase as NASCAR returns to high banks of Alabama in April and October of 2027. Fans will have two opportunities to witness a full slate of high-stakes racing at the biggest and baddest track in NASCAR.

The traditional spring weekend returns with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Cup Series providing an opportunity to gain points in a pivotal superspeedway clash early in the season April 24-25, 2027.

In the fall, The Chase will be in full swing as all three NASCAR national series head back to Talladega Superspeedway Oct. 29-31, 2027. The October race weekend will be pivotal to helping set the field for drivers who will compete for a championship at the end of the 2027 season.

“It’s an honor for Talladega Superspeedway to continue to have two race weekends giving our fans multiple opportunities to experience high-stakes action at this incredible venue,” said Josh Harris, Region President, Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway. “Looking up into the grandstands and seeing the passion the fans have for NASCAR in the heart of Alabama is extremely rewarding and we look forward to seeing action-packed racing return next spring and fall.”

Below are the dates for the 2027 NASCAR races at Talladega Superspeedway:

April 24-25

Saturday, April 24 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series races
Sunday, April 25 – NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500

Oct. 29-31

Friday, Oct. 29 – NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225
Saturday, Oct. 30 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series The Progress Group 250
Sunday, Oct. 31 – NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500

Earlier this year, Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega. The 23-year-old Michigan native edged out Chris Buescher for a thrilling victory, which included a one-of-a-kind celebration post-race in which he sat on the window ledge of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet while taking a victory pass in front of the grandstands.

Fans can still catch plenty of race action this fall as part of The Chase at Talladega Superspeedway kicking off Friday, Oct. 23, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225 followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series The Progress Group 250 on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The excitement continues into Sunday, Oct. 25, with the return of the YellaWood 500 as the NASCAR Cup Series drivers prepare to tackle the iconic 33-degree banking.

For ticketing information and more details about upcoming events, including the YellaWood 500 race weekend, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com. 

Fans are also encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at Talladega Superspeedway by following along on X, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as in the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest speedway news.  

About Talladega Superspeedway      
Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive racetrack on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three-and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.     

About NASCAR    

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 15 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.

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