Motorsports
Indianapolis Brickyard 400 Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Rankings / Post Practice Predictions

On Sunday, NASCAR will be racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. Indy is a big 2.5-mile flat track where track position and horsepower are king. This race is often run “backwards”, where teams try to pit as few times as possible. I view Pocono to have the most correlation, so make sure you look back to that race from just a few weeks ago (Pocono 2025 Total Speed Rankings).
On Saturday, NASCAR held a combined 25-minute practice session, so teams had time to make adjustments and tune. Make sure you check out our Indy Practice Notes, Indy 5, 10 and 15 Lap average Speed Cheat Sheet and Indy Practice Speeds and 10-Lap Averages.
Here’s the Indy Qualifying Results/ Starting Lineup.
Indianapolis Full Field Fantasy NASCAR Rankings
1) Kyle Larson
Start 13th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Indy Outlook – Defending Indianapolis Brickyard 400 winner, Kyle Larson will be tough to beat in this crown jewel race. Dover might be a sign the #5 team is getting back to form, and that will be big trouble for the field if that’s the case. In last year’s Brickyard 400, Larson got a late assist in overtime and raced his way to victory lane. In the race, Larson earned the 3rd best Driver Rating, had the 5th best Total Speed Ranking and led 8 laps. During overtime, leader Brad Keselowski ducked down pit road after the “choose cones” and that immediately bumped Larson up to the front row in the inside lane and from there, Larson hit the afterburners. Back in 2019 in Larson’s next most recent race, he finished 2nd in Stage #1, finished 2nd in Stage #2, led 5 laps but then crashed in the last Stage which led to his 33rd. On lap 126 which was shortly before his demise, Larson was running in 7th. At Pocono a few weeks ago, Larson finished 7th and had the 12th best Total Speed Ranking. In practice, Larson said his car was pretty good and his 5-lap average was the 3rd best.
DraftKings $10,500/ FanDuel $13,500
Further Recommended Reading = Indy Projected Finish Ranges, DraftKings Indy Scoring Projections, FanDuel Indy Scoring Projections, Indy Quick Rankings
2) William Byron
Start 6th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Indy Outlook – Look for William Byron to be fast and be a factor at Indy. Indy is a track where the best of the best shine, and I have no doubt Byron is poised to have a great performance, if he can avoid trouble which often hasn’t been far at Indy considering he’s finished 19th or worse in 3 of the last 4. “Performance Wise” over the last three, Byron’s easily been top ten good. Last year, Byron was top ten good but finished an asterisk mark 38th. In the race, Byron finished 4th in Stage #1, was running in 9th on lap 60 (pit strategy during the Stage #1 caution shuffled him back a little) but then on lap 74 while running around 20th, Byron crashed in a multi-car wreck during a restart. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Byron ranked 8th. Back in 2020, Byron led 15 laps, won Stage #1 but then on lap 83 which is a lap he was battling for the very lead, Byron had a flat tire and got into the wall which doomed him to a 27th. In 2019, Byron finished 4th. In practice, Byron had the 2nd best 10-lap average.
DraftKings $10,200/ FanDuel $13,000
3) Chase Briscoe
Start 1st / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Indy Outlook – Pocono winner and polesitter, Chase Briscoe should be high on your radar. Pocono is the best comp track and Briscoe was impressive there en route to victory lane. At “The Tricky Triangle”, Briscoe finished 1st, led 72 laps and had the 3rd best Total Speed Ranking, having ranked #1 in both the 3rd and 4th segments of the race. That very car he won with, the #19 team is bringing it back to the track this weekend. Last year at Indy in his old ride, Chase Briscoe had an afternoon to forget. In the race, Briscoe finished 24th, had the 24th best Total Speed Ranking and had a 17.3 average running position. I’ll note, Briscoe was running in 13th on lap 156 (four laps to go) but then he pitted or something which dropped him back and then in overtime he was collected in a wreck.
DraftKings $9,300/ FanDuel $10,500
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Motorsports
Chef Boyardee Joins HYAK for Three-Race Sponsorship
HYAK Motorsports and driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. are bringing the iconic Chef Boyardee brand to the racetrack in three NASCAR Cup Series events this season, the organization announced on Monday.
Excited to welcome @ChefBoyardee to the team for the 2026 season!
Chef Boyardee will sponsor the No. 47 team for multiple races this season starting with The Clash and Daytona 500 ???? pic.twitter.com/0wphwIiM3z
— Hyak Motorsports (@HYAKMotorsports) January 12, 2026
Stenhouse, a veteran of the NASCAR Cup Series, will carry the brand’s colors in the pre-season exhibition event at Bowman Gray Stadium, as well as the DAYTONA 500 (February 15) and the Spring event at Talladega Superspeedway (April 26).
The collaboration aligns two brands built on consistency, reliability, and connecting with fans across generations. Chef Boyardee, a household name, will be showcased through on-track branding, team assets, and integrated fan-engagement activations designed to reach audiences both at the track and at home.
“We’re excited to welcome Chef Boyardee to the HYAK Motorsports family. They’re a brand everyone knows, and bringing them into NASCAR is something the entire team is looking forward to,” said Ricky Stenhouse Jr, driver of the No. 47 Chevrolet. “We’re ready to start the season off strong and represent Chef Boyardee throughout the year.”
A native of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Stenhouse is a four-time race-winner in the NASCAR Cup Series — all four of which have come at Daytona or Talladega. The 38-year-old driver has become somewhat of a pro at the superspeedways, as highlighted by the biggest victory of his career in the 2023 DAYTONA 500.
“Ricky has been an incredible ambassador for our brand in the 12 years that we have been sponsoring his car in the Cup Series,” said Henk Hartong, CEO of Brynwood Partners. “We are excited to bring Chef Boyardee back to the track at Daytona and Talladega this season, both places where Ricky has taken the checkered flag previously. We look forward to bringing the Chef Boyardee No. 47 to Victory Lane at Daytona in February.”
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign marked the first year for the newly-rebranded HYAK Motorsports. Stenhouse, driving the No. 47, managed to secure one top-five (Atlanta) and three top-10s en route to a 30th-place finish in final point standings.
Stenhouse has been competing at NASCAR’s top-level with HYAK Motorsports (formerly known as JTG-Daugherty Racing) since the 2020 season, one of only two organizations he’s competed full-time for during his 13-year stint in the Cup Series.
In addition to race-day visibility, the sponsorship will include digital and social media content, behind-the-scenes features, and fan-focused activations highlighting the connection between Chef Boyardee, HYAK Motorsports, and NASCAR’s passionate fan base.
The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will take place on Sunday, February 1 at 8:00 PM ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Motorsports
Tyler Reddick Adds SupplyHouse Sponsorship
SupplyHouse will sponsor Tyler Reddick in several NASCAR Cup Series races this season, 23XI Racing announced Jan. 12.
It’ll first be aboard the No. 45 at Kansas Speedway on April 19.
“As anticipation heats up for the 2026 season, I’m excited to welcome SupplyHouse to the 23XI team,” Reddick said in a team release. “SupplyHouse supports some of the most vital workers in our economy and I’m honored to represent all those tradespeople and the work they do.”

Chumba Expands 23XI Sponsorship
The exact number of races was not revealed.
Reddick enters his fourth season with 23XI. Last year he earned seven top fives and 14 top 10s, finishing ninth in the standings.


Joy joined Frontstretch in 2019 as a NASCAR DraftKings writer, expanding to news and iRacing coverage in 2020. She’s currently an assistant editor and involved with photos, social media and news editing. A California native, Joy was raised watching motorsports and started watching NASCAR extensively in 2001. She earned her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies at California State University Bakersfield in 2010.
Motorsports
NASCAR Truck: Ross Chastain remains with Niece


By AMANDA VINCENT
NASCAR Cup Series regular Ross Chastain will run a partial NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule for Niece Motorsports.
“It’s great to be back with Niece Motorsports in a larger capacity this year,” Chastain said. “When I heard about the rule change, I knew we had to run more races together. We’ve got a great core group of people here in Salisbury and I want to bring them all back to victory lane. I’m thankful to have the opportunity and appreciate the ownership group and our partners for making it happen, along with everyone at Trackhouse for allowing me to run in the Truck Series.”
NASCAR recently modified a rule to increase the number of Truck Series races a Cup Series driver is allowed to enter to eight. Chastain’s specific schedule with Niece has not been released. He will share the No. 45 Chevrolet with Landen Lewis. Phil Gould will be crew chief.
“We’re thrilled to have Ross in our trucks for more races this year,” Niece Motorsports CEO Cody Efaw said. “Ross has been a huge part of our team since he first joined us, and his input is invaluable. Considering the young group of drivers we have in the fold this year, Ross will be a tremendous asset for those guys to learn from. We look forward to having him contend for wins each time he straps into the No. 45 truck this year.”
Chastain has been with Niece since 2018 and has five wins with the team, including Niece’s first win at Kansas Speedway in 2019. He raced full-time in the Truck Series in 2019 and finished that season second in the championship standings.
Motorsports
23XI Racing, Reddick Announce Multi-Race Partnership with SupplyHouse
Tyler Reddick and the No. 45 23XI Racing team will have a new multi-race primary sponsorship partner for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, as SupplyHouse, an e-commerce provider of plumbing, HVAC, and electrical supplies, has signed on as an Official Partner of the organization.
“We are excited to welcome SupplyHouse to the 23XI family and proud to bring another new brand into the sport,” said Steve Lauletta, 23XI team president, in a press release. “We know that many of the professionals who rely on SupplyHouse are also NASCAR fans, and we look forward to representing them throughout the season and giving them a team to cheer for each weekend.”
According to a press release from 23XI, SupplyHouse will serve as a primary sponsorship partner for Reddick and the No. 45 team beginning with the April 19 event at Kansas Speedway, and will return for “several” races in 2026. A full sponsorship schedule and the total number of races that SupplyHouse will adorn the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE were not revealed in Monday’s announcement.
In addition to the primary sponsorship agreement, SupplyHouse will also serve as a full-season associate sponsorship partner for Reddick and the No. 45 team, and will be featured on the team’s equipment and Reddick’s driver uniform this season.
SupplyHouse feels the partnership with Reddick and 23XI Racing gives the company a chance to further connect with its customer-base in a platform that they already enjoy — NASCAR racing.
“This partnership gives us a meaningful way to connect with the pros who drive our industry forward,” said Kaylin Staub, Chief Marketing Officer of SupplyHouse. “Our customers value hard work, smart problem-solving, and high performance – the same qualities that define 23XI. Partnering with them allows SupplyHouse to show up in a space our customers already enjoy, while giving us a unique platform to highlight the importance of the trades. From a marketing standpoint, it’s an opportunity to deepen relationships, build visibility, and engage with current and future customers in an environment that reflects our shared energy for rolling up our sleeves, doing great work, and celebrating a job well done.”
SupplyHouse, which was founded in 2004, plans to host tradespeople at various races during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season in an effort to show appreciation for those who are involved in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. Representing the tradespeople in the field is a great honor for Reddick.
“As anticipation heats up for the 2026 season, I’m excited to welcome SupplyHouse to the 23XI team,” said Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE. “SupplyHouse supports some of the most vital workers in our economy, and I’m honored to represent all those tradespeople and the work they do.”
Reddick, 30, is an eight-time race winner in the NASCAR Cup Series ranks, and has made the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in each of the last five seasons. Last year, Reddick saw his three-season streak of capturing a win in the series come to an end, but he finished the year ninth in the championship standings despite the lack of a win.
In addition to his Playoff run, Reddick had to navigate the personal struggles of the health of his infant son, Rookie Reddick, who was hospitalized during the Playoffs last season with signs of heart failure, but has since returned home.
Reddick and the No. 45 23XI Racing team will look to return to victory lane in 2026.
Motorsports
Razgatlıoğlu’s MotoGP leap begins in Siena with new bike unveiling
Three-time World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu will take his first official step into MotoGP on Tuesday, when his 2026 machine is unveiled in Siena, Italy, marking the start of a new era for both the Turkish star and Yamaha.
Razgatlıoğlu, a Red Bull athlete and one of the most dominant figures in WorldSBK history, will make his MotoGP debut with factory-supported Prima Pramac Yamaha.
The unveiling will present the Pramac Yamaha bike he will race in 2026, his rookie season in the premier class, as anticipation builds around one of the most talked-about transitions in modern motorcycle racing.
After winning WorldSBK titles in 2021, 2024 and 2025, Razgatlıoğlu opted to chase his long-held MotoGP ambition rather than extend his reign in superbikes.
The move also brings him full circle to Yamaha, the manufacturer with which he claimed his first world championship and established his reputation as an elite talent.
In 2026, Razgatlıoğlu will race with the No. 7 and benefit from full access to Yamaha’s factory data, technical support and development resources, an uncommon level of backing for a MotoGP rookie.
That support is designed to ease his adaptation from production-based machines to MotoGP prototypes, where margins are razor-thin and development is relentless.
Prima Pramac Racing, one of the paddock’s most respected independent teams, enters a fresh chapter alongside Razgatlıoğlu.
The Italian outfit made history in 2024 by winning the MotoGP riders’ title, underlining its ability to compete at the highest level.
Now aligned with Yamaha, Pramac aims to play a key role in the manufacturer’s push to return to the front of the grid.
Razgatlıoğlu’s WorldSBK resume speaks for itself.
He ended Jonathan Rea’s long-standing dominance in 2021, then delivered back-to-back titles with BMW, combining fearless braking, aggressive race craft and adaptability across different machinery.
Those traits have fueled belief that, while the MotoGP learning curve will be steep, his ceiling is exceptionally high.
Motorsports
Chef Boyardee Returns to Nascar at the Daytona 500 with Record Fan Giveaway and New NASCAR Cup Series Motorsports Partnership
CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hometown Food Company acquired the Chef Boyardee business from Conagra in June 2025 and is now significantly increasing the marketing investment behind the famous Chef Boyardee brand. Chef Boyardee is heading to the Daytona 500 in a big way—fueling race fans with food, fun, and nostalgia through a new NASCAR Cup Series motorsports partnership with KHI Management and Hyak Motorsports.
Through this partnership, Chef Boyardee will activate alongside Hyak Motorsports’ No. 47 Chevrolet, driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., delivering the brand’s largest-ever race-week fan experience and celebrating the next chapter of growth following the brand’s recent acquisition by Hometown Food Company, a portfolio company of Brynwood Partners.
Ricky has been an incredible ambassador for our brands in the 12 years that we have been sponsoring his car in the Cup Series,” said Henk Hartong, Chairman and CEO of Brynwood Partners. “We are excited to bring Chef Boyardee back to the track at Daytona and Talladega this season, both places where Ricky has taken the checkered flag previously. We look forward to bringing the Chef Boyardee 47 to Victory Lane at Daytona in February.”
Fueling Fans with a Record-Setting Giveaway
Throughout race week, Chef Boyardee will seek to distribute more than 100,000 meals directly to fans, marking one of the largest single-event food giveaways in the brand’s history. The effort comes at a time when grocery prices remain top of mind for households nationwide, reinforcing the brand’s role as a familiar, affordable staple for generations of families.
Meet the Ravioli Roamer
At the center of the activation is the Ravioli Roamer, a custom Chef Boyardee vehicle that will travel across the infield, midway, and campgrounds delivering surprise-and-delight meal giveaways during peak moments—from campground check-ins to post-race snack runs and late-night munchies.
Additional fan experiences include:
- A Chef Boyardee Fan Hub with interactive games and photo moments
- Surprise appearances by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., joining fans in select zones for meet-and-greets and giveaways
- High-energy sampling moments designed to keep fans fueled all weekend long
A Look Ahead Under New Ownership
The Daytona 500 activation offers a preview of what’s next for Chef Boyardee under Brynwood’s ownership, with plans for brand refreshes, product innovation, and new product launches beginning in 2026, while staying true to the flavors and formats that have made the brand a household name.
By pairing one of motorsports’ most iconic races with one of America’s most iconic food brands, Chef Boyardee’s Daytona 500 presence celebrates comfort, culture, and connection—one plate at a time.
A Motorsports Partnership Built for Fans
The Daytona 500 activation brings together legacy brands and high-performance racing at one of the most culturally significant sporting events in the country. KHI Management, a full-service sports and entertainment marketing agency founded by NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, played a critical role in connecting Chef Boyardee and Hyak.
Chef Boyardee will activate through Hyak Motorsports, the NASCAR Cup Series team formerly known as JTG Daugherty Racing. Rebranded in late 2024, Hyak Motorsports is led by principal owner Gordon Smith alongside co-owners Brad Daugherty, Mark Hughes, and Ernie Cope, and fields the No. 47 Chevrolet for Stenhouse Jr. The team maintains a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports. The name “Hyak,” meaning “fast,” reflects the organization’s renewed focus on performance on and off the track.
About Chef Boyardee
Chef Boyardee® is a classic American food brand rooted in Italian culinary tradition. Founded in 1928 by Chef Hector Boiardi, the brand has become a household staple, bringing convenient, comforting pasta meals to families for nearly a century. The Chef Boyardee® plant in Milton, PA, remains the heart of its production and heritage.
About Hometown Food Company
Hometown Food Company, based in Chicago, IL, was formed by Brynwood Partners in August 2018. The portfolio includes the exclusive U.S. rights to the iconic Pillsbury™ brand’s shelf-stable baking products, including Funfetti®, along with Hungry Jack®, Birch Benders®, Arrowhead Mills®, White Lily®, Jim Dandy®, De Wafelbakkers®, Martha White® and Chef Boyardee brands.
About Brynwood Partners
Based in Greenwich, CT, Brynwood Partners, is an operationally-focused private equity firm that has been making control investments in North American-based lower middle market companies since 1984. The firm targets non-core brands and companies operating in the consumer sector. Brynwood Partners currently manages more than $2.3 billion in assets for its limited partners, which include U.S. and international pension funds, fund-of-funds, endowments, foundations, high net worth family investment offices and financial institutions. For more information, please visit www.brynwoodpartners.com.
SOURCE Hometown Food Company

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