If you’ve been following the meteoric rise of Shane van Gisbergen the Kiwi road course ringer who turned the Cup Series upside down in Chicago you know sponsorships have been flooding in. But now, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a glaring omission on the Trackhouse official partner list: WeatherTech is gone.

It’s the kind of subtle detail that sends the garage rumor mill into overdrive. You’re scrolling through a team website, checking out the fresh paint schemes or driver lineups for the new season, and you notice something missing. That seems to be exactly what’s happening right now with Trackhouse Racing and one of their major partners.

This has left a lot of us scratching our heads. The Illinois-based automotive accessory giant isn’t just a sticker on a quarter panel. they are a massive player in American motorsports, serving as the title sponsor for the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Their relationship with Trackhouse was supposed to be a cornerstone of the 2025 and 2026 campaigns, covering a huge chunk of the schedule for both Shane van Gisbergen and the young phenom, Connor Zilisch.

A Quiet Exit or a Glitch in the System?

Here is what we know. Late in 2024, the ink seemed dry on a deal that would see WeatherTech branding across 36 races split between Van Gisbergen and Zilisch. It felt like a perfect match a premium automotive brand backing two of the most exciting international and developmental talents in the garage.

Yet, as we gear up for the 2026 season, that familiar logo is nowhere to be found on the team’s digital roster. Instead, Shane van Gisbergen’s partner list reads like a who’s who of his previous backers: Moose, Chevrolet, Tootsie, Quad Lock, Siemens, Busch Light, SafetyCulture, Wendy’s, Jockey, and Kubota.

It’s worth noting that neither Trackhouse nor WeatherTech has released an official “break-up” statement. In this sport, silence is often louder than a press conference. Is the deal dead? Did something happen behind closed doors? Or is this just a massive website oversight?Considering Shane van Gisbergen’s performance, it’s hard to imagine a sponsor wanting to walk away.

The guy didn’t just show up. he kicked the door down. After that stunned-the-world victory at the Chicago Street Race in his debut, he ran a full Xfinity slate and is now hunting trophies full-time in the Cup Series behind the wheel of the No. 97 Chevy switching from the No. 88 designation previously discussed.

The Red Bull Revival and New Numbers

While the WeatherTech situation is murky, there is some undeniably good news for the No. 97 team. The energy drink giant that gave so many of us wings is back in a big way.Red Bull has expanded their footprint significantly.

After testing the waters, the Austrian powerhouse is locked in as a primary partner for 25 races in 2026.This is a massive vote of confidence in Van Gisbergen. Seeing that iconic silver and blue livery back on track at places like Daytona, Las Vegas, and Kansas just feels right. The team dynamics are shifting, too.

Ross Chastain is holding down the fort in the No. 1, but the rest of the stable is shuffling. Shane van Gisbergen takes the No. 97, a number he’s made famous globally, while the young gun Zilisch steps into the No. 88.It is a time of transition for Trackhouse. They lost freeway and Coca-Cola when Daniel Suarez exited after 2025, so maintaining solid corporate backing is critical.

Losing a heavyweight like WeatherTech would be a blow, but gaining ground with Red Bull softens the impact. For now, we wait. Maybe the website gets updated tomorrow, and this was all a false alarm. Or maybe, just maybe, the business of racing has taken another ruthless turn.

Chumba Casino is extending its sponsorship with 23XI Racing, deepening collaboration with Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR team across marketing.

Chumba Casino, the online social casino platform operated by the Play Studios portfolio, is expanding its relationship with 23XI Racing in a strengthened, multi-year commercial partnership that will continue across NASCAR’s premier circuit beginning with the 2026 season.

The enhanced deal builds on an initial sponsorship that saw Chumba’s branding on the No. 23 Toyota Camry driven by Erik Jones, adding broader marketing activations, fan engagement elements, and an elevated race-weekend presence for the Las Vegas-based casino brand.

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Putting Chumba Casino Front and Center With 23XI Racing

Under the expanded agreement, Chumba Casino’s logo will continue to appear prominently on the No. 23 car, a key asset for brand visibility in NASCAR’s top tier, while Play Studios and 23XI Racing will collaborate on a range of fan-facing initiatives.

These enhancements include:

• Race weekend activations aimed at bringing Chumba’s products and experiences closer to motorsports fans.
• Digital and social content series designed to engage audiences across platforms and tie into 23XI Racing’s growing fanbase.
• Cross-promotional opportunities that leverage both teams’ audiences, tying casino promotions to on-track performance and storytelling.

The extended partnership demonstrates Chumba’s commitment to NASCAR’s promotional ecosystem and reflects the sport’s continued attractiveness as an engagement vehicle for entertainment and gaming brands.

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We’re proud to continue and grow our partnership with Chumba Casino in 2026! This season, Chumba Casino will have an expanded schedule with Tyler Reddick and the No. 45 team, starting with The Clash and the Daytona 500, and will also return with Bubba Wallace and the No. 23… pic.twitter.com/P6cxRLpIkn

— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) January 6, 2026

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Why the Partnership Matters to Both Sides

For Chumba Casino, the expanded deal provides:

• Increased visibility among NASCAR’s passionate, affluent fan base.
• A platform to reach potential customers in key demographic segments aligned with its social casino offerings.
• High-impact brand placement at marquee events throughout the season.

For 23XI Racing, the extended sponsorship underscores continued investor confidence and commercial growth in the team’s brand.

Co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR star Denny Hamlin, 23XI has quickly become one of the sport’s most recognizable outfits, making it an appealing partner for lifestyle and entertainment sponsors.

The collaboration also reflects broader trends in NASCAR, where digital-first and lifestyle brands increasingly seek integrated partnerships that go beyond simple logo placement and into creative content, events and fan experiences.

Chumba Casino will expand its partnership with 23XI Racing in 2026. The company will sponsor Tyler Reddick in The Clash and Daytona 500 and will return as a sponsor for Bubba Wallace, 2025 Brickyard 400 champion, as well. pic.twitter.com/VCm0BEPkDf

— NASCAR Fans UK (@NASCARFansUK) January 6, 2026

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A Growing Trend: Gaming Brands in Motorsports

Chumba Casino’s expanded deal follows a wave of gaming and entertainment companies investing in motorsports sponsorships that combine brand marketing with experiential activations.

Social casino platforms, which allow users to play casino-style games for fun, not real money, are increasingly embracing live events and sports partnerships to broaden their audience reach.

The NASCAR platform, with its broad demographic appeal and emotionally engaged fan community, offers sponsors opportunities beyond traditional advertising, including branded activations on-site, interactive content and sweepstakes tied to performance outcomes throughout the season.

This evolution demonstrates how brands outside classic consumer packaged goods and automotive categories are leveraging the visibility and excitement of motorsports to diversify their consumer touchpoints.

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A Win-Win Expansion on Track and Off

Chumba Casino’s expanded partnership with 23XI Racing, anchored by increased branding on the No. 23 Toyota and a suite of fan engagement initiatives, represents a strategic deepening of ties between entertainment-oriented gaming brands and professional motorsports.

As both entities gear up for the 2026 NASCAR season, fans can expect to see even more collaboration and shared experiences that connect the excitement of the race track with interactive digital entertainment.

With motorsports sponsorships evolving into multifaceted partnerships, Chumba’s move signals that casino and gaming brands see continued value in NASCAR’s platform, both on and off the track.

Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.

Jimmie Johnson has a guaranteed spot next month in the 2026 Daytona 500. Legacy Motor Club applied for and has been granted an open exemption provisional, Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported Wednesday.

Johnson will officially be in the field Sunday, Feb. 15. The field will be 41 cars deep, and Johnson won’t get purse money. His starting position will likely be determined on where he finishes in the duels.

With Johnson guaranteed a spot, that means seven cars will be vying for four open spots in the Daytona 500. Among those attempting to qualify are Justin Allgaier (JR Motorsports), Corey Heim (23XI Racing), Casey Mears (Garage 66), B.J. McLeod (Live Fast Motorsports), and J.J. Yeley (NY Racing Team). Beard Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing are expected to field extra entrants.

The open exemption provisional was introduced ahead of last year’s Daytona 500. It created a guaranteed “promoter’s choice” provisional spot in the field for accomplished, world-class drivers, including those with compelling credentials from other forms of motorsports, per NASCAR.com. Trackhouse Racing used it to allow IndyCar Series legend Helio Castroneves to compete in the Daytona 500 after he crashed in his duel.

This past March, NASCAR revised the rules to mandate a 41-car field when the open exemption provisional is granted. “The Open Exemption Provisional will be applied only if more than 40 vehicles are qualifying for the Event. In that case, it will be applied regardless of the vehicle’s Qualifying position, and the starting field will be 41,” the rule states.

Jimmie Johnson is chasing win No. 84

Johnson, 50, has kept up a limited schedule since retiring from full-time competition after the 2020 season. Since 2023, the seven-time Cup champion has competed in 14 races for his team, Legacy Motor Club. Johnson struggled to race inside the top 30 in 2023 and 2024 before finishing third in last year’s Daytona 500. 

As far as his 2026 schedule beyond Daytona, Johnson announced in November he will race at Coronado Naval Base in NASCAR’s inaugural event in San Diego. Whether in San Diego or somewhere else, Johnson doesn’t just want to run some laps; he wants to win. He’s got 83 Cup wins to his name, and he would like to make it 84, driving the No. 84 car for Legacy.

“That was a very nice day [Daytona]. I hope to have more shots [at that]. We don’t really speak of the podiums in our industry but to finish third and essentially be on the podium was an incredible opportunity,” Johnson said. “Man, the 84th win, I wanna believe that opportunity is there one way shape or another. To be in the 84 car chasing that 84th win, I really would like to tick that box.”

• Multi-year agreement launches newly titled DuraMAX Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
• Tickets available now at www.NASCARatCOTA.com. for Feb. 27-March 1 NASCAR doubleheader weekend.

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DuraMAX, a national brand line of high-quality maintenance products, has been named the primary entitlement sponsor for the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race scheduled for Sunday, March 1, at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

The multi-year agreement between RelaDyne, owner and distributor of DuraMAX products, and race promoter Speedway Motorsports will brand the event as the DuraMAX Grand Prix. This season will mark the sixth running of NASCAR’s annual visit to COTA and will serve as the third race on the Cup Series calendar. The 95-lap, 228-mile DuraMAX Grand Prix will be contested on COTA’s internationally acclaimed permanent road course in Austin, Texas and follows the season-opening Daytona 500 (Feb. 15) and a visit to EchoPark Speedway (Feb. 22).

Click HERE to download various formats of the DuraMAX Grand Prix race logo.

The DuraMAX Grand Prix will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast nationally on FOX, reaching a global audience across 195 countries and territories in more than 29 languages through NASCAR’s international partners. Radio coverage will be provided nationally by PRN and SiriusXM Radio.

“RelaDyne is proud to partner with Speedway Motorsports as the entitlement sponsor of NASCAR at COTA,” said Eric Royse, Chief Executive Officer of RelaDyne. “This is a special opportunity to showcase our DuraMAX brand – now the fastest-growing engine oil brand in the installed segment – on a premier stage in front of customers, partners, and fans. With RelaDyne headquartered in Texas, this event also gives us a meaningful way to connect our brand, our customers, our people, and our partners in a market that’s central to our growth.”

“Our entitlement of the DuraMAX Grand Prix allows us to highlight what our brand stands for: performance, reliability, and excellence,” said Mike Cooper, Chief Commercial Officer of RelaDyne. “From daily drivers to race-day machines, our products are built to perform under pressure and are proudly poured by trusted installers across the United States. The DuraMAX Grand Prix is a natural fit for our continued growth in motorsports, and we’re excited to support the event with on-track activations and experiences alongside our partners and customers.”

DuraMAX offers a full line of vehicle maintenance products, including full synthetic, high-mileage, and synthetic blend motor oils, antifreeze, filters, wiper blades, and more. The brand continues to grow nationwide, serving the full installed market – from independent installers to large automotive service groups.

Since 2017, DuraMAX has utilized motorsports as a platform for brand growth through partnerships in NASCAR, INDYCAR and Sprint Car racing. DuraMAX entered NASCAR in 2022 with a NCS race entitlement at Dover Motor Speedway and on the Spire Motorsports car of Corey LaJoie for that same event. DuraMAX returned to NASCAR for last year’s running of the Daytona 500 as the Rick Ware Racing car sponsor for LaJoie.

“DuraMAX is a tremendous addition to our Speedway Motorsports family,” NASCAR at COTA General Manager Mark Faber said. “Their commitment to performance and dependability aligns perfectly with the intensity of road-course racing and we’re excited to welcome them as the entitlement sponsor for one of the marquee events on the NASCAR calendar. The DuraMAX Grand Prix will deliver a high-energy race weekend for fans, teams and DuraMAX employees alike – everything turned up to the MAX.”

The NASCAR doubleheader weekend opens Friday, Feb. 27, and also includes the Focused Health 250 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race Saturday, Feb. 28, beginning at 2 p.m. Both series will compete on the 17-turn, 2.4-mile National Course, which debuted last year after the first four seasons being contested on the 20-turn, 3.41-mile Full Course.

Individual race tickets and weekend packages, along with camping options, are available by visiting NASCARatCOTA.com. The race weekend provides family affordability, including tickets for children ages 12 and under at $10 for the NCS race and free for the Focused Health 250 (with a ticketed adult required for either race).

About DuraMAX
DuraMAX, Powered by RelaDyne, offers high-quality personal vehicle maintenance solutions, including full synthetic, high mileage, and synthetic blend motor oils, as well as antifreeze, filters, wiper blades, and more. DuraMAX provides a 10-year, up to 500,000-mile engine protection warranty and has been recognized as the best-selling oil brand in the industry by fast lube operators since 2018. For more information, visit DuraMAX.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

About RelaDyne
RelaDyne is the nation’s largest seller of lubricants and a market leader in fuel, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) and industrial reliability services, serving industrial, commercial and automotive businesses across North America. Founded in 2010 through the merger of four industry leaders, RelaDyne has grown to more than 190 locations through a strategic track record of acquiring top-performing companies. Our mission is simple: deliver lubrication excellence that drives reliability, efficiency, and profitability for our customers. By understanding the unique needs of every partner, our dedicated Associates act as an extension of their operations, providing unmatched products, services, and expertise. Learn more at RelaDyne.com or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

About Speedway Motorsports
Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. Speedway Motorsports provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its U.S. Legend Cars International subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary.

Follow Us:
Keep track of all things NASCAR at COTA by following on Facebook, X and Instagram (@NASCARatCOTA). Keep up with all the latest information on the NASCAR at COTA website and mobile app.

SOURCE Speedway Motorsports

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is returning to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition for the first time in nearly 18 years.

Johnson will race the June 19 NCTS race at Naval Base Coronado San Diego. He will race for TRICON Garage in a No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro with sponsorship from Carvana. 

“Racing in San Diego means everything to me – it’s home,” Johnson said. “Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while. The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special. I’m grateful to TRICON and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”

A native of El Cajon, California, about 20 minutes away from Naval Base Coronado, Johnson is also set to race in the NASCAR Cup Series race that weekend. He will race the No. 84 Carvana Toyota for his team, Legacy Motor Club. 

Johnson made two Cup Series starts in 2025 – the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 – but hasn’t made an NCTS start since 2008. 

In August 2008, Johnson raced in the NCTS at Bristol Motor Speedway for Randy Moss Motorsports. He started ninth and took the lead on lap 42. He led for 29 laps before his day came to an end with a crash after completing 101 laps.

Johnson ultimately finished 34th and never made another NCTS start after that. 

Johnson has 794 NASCAR starts but only one win on a road course or a street course. He won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway in June 2010 after Marcos Ambrose dominated the race but lost when he couldn’t maintain pace as the leader while trying to save fuel under caution.

Johnson also raced all of the road course events during the 2021 NTT INDYCAR Series season. A year later, he raced the full INDYCAR season before returning to NASCAR competition. 

Johnson and the rest of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will take to the 16-turn, 3.4-mile San Diego street circuit June 19 on FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.

A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.

Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick’s final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers’ stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.

Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com