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Six-Time Pro Stock Champ Erica Enders Eyes Continued Turnaround at Maple Grove

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After a tough regular season, six-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders is ready to face the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, which begin this weekend at the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway.

Two weeks ago, at the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Enders secured her 50th NHRA win, ending a 30-race winless streak dating back to the season-opener in 2024. With momentum on her side and now eighth in points, Enders is looking forward to Reading and hopes to continue to move up the points standings in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Scag Power Equipment car.

“I’m thrilled to have finally gotten the monkey off our back by winning number 50,” said Enders. “Now we can move on and get to work trying to turn this season around. Throughout winning our six championships, we have had seasons where we dominated from the start. We have also had seasons where we really relied on the Countdown and that’s just how this year has played out.”

Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Prock (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all claimed wins in their respective categories at Maple Grove Raceway a year ago, with Brown and Prock finishing the season as world champions. The race will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Enders has seen tremendous success throughout her career in Pro Stock, but before Indy, the 2025 season was not one she was accustomed to throughout her tenure with Elite Motorsports. A rough start included six first-round losses and a DNQ, but the team has worked hard to get back to championship form. Enders advanced to the semifinals in Brainerd, following it with her historic Indy victory, giving the team – and driver – some much-needed momentum.

The Pro Stock season has been dominated by Elite Motorsports’ rival KB Titan Racing with reigning world champion Greg Anderson and 2025 regular season champion Dallas Glenn. Anderson and Glenn have tallied nine wins this season between them, but Enders is ready to take on the KB Titan duo when she arrives in Reading.

“I believe it’s really important to start the final six races out on the right foot,” Enders said. “I absolutely love racing in Reading. The Koretsky family has done a fantastic job with the facility and they most definitely know how to put on a race. We know we have a lot to improve on at this race, but my guys have been working incredibly hard and I’m excited to play with all the heart we have.”

Top Fuel’s Brown aims to get hot at the perfect time in his quest for a repeat title. He’s in a championship-hungry group that includes points leader Tony Stewart, Shawn Langdon, Indy winner Justin Ashley, Doug Kalitta, Brittany Force and Clay Millican.

Funny Car’s Prock has been dominant again in 2025, winning seven races – and the regular-season championship – thus far. He’s back for a repeat win and a repeat championship for John Force Racing, but Prock will be challenged by a host of standouts, including teammate Jack Beckman, four-time champ Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, J.R. Todd, Paul Lee and Daniel Wilkerson.

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In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Gaige Herrera is the current points leader, while other top names include Matt Smith, a three-time Reading winner, Angie Smith, Richard Gadson, Chase Van Sant, Steve Johnson and John Hall.

The event will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock.

Fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage, the entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, interviews, music and more. Reading race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate event winners.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 2:30 and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 12 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 14. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday on FS1, and eliminations at 2 p.m. Sunday on FS1.

To purchase tickets to the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals presented by Nitro Fish at Maple Grove Raceway, fans can visit www.maplegroveraceway.com. All children 12 and under are admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information on the NHRA, please visit www.nhra.com.

This story was originally published on September 11, 2025. Drag IllustratedDrag Illustrated





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Caulder Construction to Sponsor White Mountain Dwarf Car Division in…

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In 2026, the Caulder Construction Dwarf Cars are scaled down, open wheeled coupes resembling the earliest stock car racers of the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s with a 1,000cc motorcycle engine under the hood. One of White Mountain’s most unique divisions, they’ll light up the highbanks in eight scheduled appearances at White Mountain Motorsports Park this season.

“We’re glad the Dwarf Cars will get some more recognition with the help of Caulder Construction,” said Media Director Cale King. “They’re a great group of guys that put on some stellar racing and we, like the Caulders, hope this helps boost them up a bit for next summer.”



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INDYCAR Race Director Re-Elected To Key FIA Judicial Role

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Kyle Novak, longtime race director for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone, has been re-elected to serve on the FIA International Court of Appeal and the FIA International Tribunal.

Novak was initially elected in 2022 and has completed his first four-year term. His re-election marks the beginning of a second four-year term following a Dec. 12 vote at the FIA General Assembly in Uzbekistan.

He was appointed by ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee for the United States). That group was founded in 1957 and serves as the official liaison of the U.S. sanctioning bodies to the FIA.

The appointment places Novak among just 36 judges worldwide, a group composed of motorsports and sports attorneys from across the globe. Typically, each country is limited to no more than two representatives. Novak is one of two appointed from the United States, alongside Gary Crotty, legal counsel for NASCAR.

“My participation on this court provides me the opportunity to interact with some of the finest motorsports legal minds in the world,” Novak said. “Our days are filled with discussions on some of the most intricate topics in motorsports governance.

“These cases provide the backbone for future motorsports governance, both internationally and here in the United States. While FIA statutes are not binding on our championship, INDYCAR must constantly adapt to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving global motorsports landscape.”

The FIA International Tribunal serves as the first-instance judicial body and hears disciplinary matters brought before it by the FIA president. The FIA International Court of Appeal functions as the final appellate authority, reviewing decisions issued by stewards and other FIA sporting and disciplinary bodies, including the International Tribunal.

Serving on the FIA’s International Court of Appeal and International Tribunal is widely regarded as the motorsports equivalent of the United States Supreme Court – the final court of last resort once all internal FIA appeals have been exhausted.

An attorney who passed the bar in Michigan, Novak (photo, above) is the sole representative from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES among the FIA judges.

Novak said it’s an honor to represent the series when hearing cases or attending annual conferences, noting everyone involved is a racing fan. As an example, he recalled having breakfast last fall in Paris with a Spanish colleague who knew everything about the NTT INDYCAR SERIES through following four-time series champion Alex Palou, who also hails from Spain.

“I was initially surprised by the high level of interest in INDYCAR from my colleagues,” Novak said. “That interest demonstrates the global reach INDYCAR has. I hope my involvement on this court continues to raise awareness and further strengthen INDYCAR’s status as a premier motorsports sanctioning body.”

Over the past several years, Novak has heard cases involving competitors and member clubs across multiple disciplines, including sports car racing and karting, as well as a case between a member club and the FIA itself. All proceedings are conducted in person, either in Geneva or at FIA headquarters in Paris.

Novak said the experience has produced a direct impact on his officiating duties in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

“Even in cases where I’m not sitting as a judge, we receive all the correspondence, which allows us to observe how regulations are written and how much litigation can arise from their interpretation and application,” Novak said. “Whenever we hear a case, I’m always thinking about how a similar situation might play out at INDYCAR.

“Some of these matters can be surprisingly small. One karting case involved a competitor making an obscene gesture, which resulted in a full-weekend disqualification. Seeing how other sanctioning bodies handle situations like that immediately makes you ask: ‘What would we do here? If it were appealed, how would it turn out? Are our regulations strong enough to handle it, and if not, how can we improve them?’

“Everything I learn in this role can be applied directly back to INDYCAR.”



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Chandler Smith returns to Front Row Motorsports for 2026 NASCAR season

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Dec. 17, 2025, 9:01 a.m. ET

Chandler Smith is returning to the NASCAR Truck Series in 2026. Smith will return to Front Row Motorsports to drive the No. 38 truck during the 2026 Truck Series season, the team announced. The Front Row Motorsports driver will keep Jon Leonard as his crew chief for the second straight year.

In 2025, Smith earned two wins, five top-5 finishes, 16 top-10 finishes, an 11.8 average finishing position, and an eighth-place finish in the point standings. The driver of the No. 38 truck was eliminated in the Round of 10 finale at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after significant issues in the first two events.

Front Row Motorsports will bring back the same lineup with Smith and Layne Riggs driving their entries. The No. 38 team was a last-second announcement for 2025, so expectations are higher going into 2026. Smith hopes to be on the same level as Riggs with eyes on a Truck Series championship.



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JR Motorsports signs Arby’s as a primary sponsor for 2026 season

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Dec. 17, 2025, 9:40 a.m. ET

JR Motorsports has a brand new sponsor for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Series season. Arby’s is switching NASCAR teams from Rick Ware Racing to JR Motorsports starting in 2026, the team announced. Arby’s sponsored Cody Ware’s No. 51 Cup car throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

In 2026, Arby’s will sponsor Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, and Sammy Smith for a total of eight races. Kvapil will have support from the company at EchoPark Speedway, Rockingham Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and Chicagoland Speedway. Smith will have Arby’s at Talladega Superspeedway, San Diego, and the Charlotte ROVAL. Finally, Allgaier will have one race with Arby’s at Darlington Raceway.

JR Motorsports inked a multi-year deal with Arby’s, so the food company will stick around the O’Reilly Series for several seasons. Arby’s had a great time sponsoring Rick Ware Racing in the Cup Series, but it hopes to find victory lane with JR Motorsports at some of NASCAR’s greatest race tracks in 2026.



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JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Welcome Arby’s in Multi-Year Partnership

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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 16, 2025) – JR Motorsports today announced that Arby’s, the leading destination for a high-quality meat-fueled menu with more than 3,500 restaurants in six global markets, has teamed up with JRM and Dirty Mo Media for a multi-year, multi-faceted partnership. As part of this new agreement, Arby’s will be featured as the primary partner for eight NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events in 2026 with drivers Carson Kvapil, Sammy Smith and Justin Allgaier, as well as serving as a season-long associate onboard Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet. Additionally, Arby’s will have a personal service agreement with JRM owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to have Arby’s partner up with our companies,” said Earnhardt Jr. “Arby’s is very aggressive with their activation and we pride ourselves on being a tremendous asset when it comes to offering a variety of unique marketing platforms, so I’m looking forward to how we can work together to continue to grow their business.”

“We’re thrilled to begin this multi-year partnership with JRM and Dirty Mo Media,” said Jeff Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Arby’s. “Arby’s has always been about delivering high-quality, impactful experiences with speed. Joining forces with such respected organizations in the racing community allows us to connect with NASCAR fans in meaningful new ways – both on and off the track. Plus, Arby’s food makes everything better and can’t wait to deliver with JRM and Dale Jr. all season long.”

Arby’s kicks off their first race as a primary partner for JRM with Kvapil and the No. 1 Chevrolet at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 21. In total, Arby’s will be onboard Kvapil’s Chevrolets for four events during the 2026 season, Smith’s No. 8 Chevrolet for three events and Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet for one event.

Be sure to catch Kvapil and the No. 1 Arby’s Chevrolet hit the track at Atlanta on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 5:00 p.m. ET on CW, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

ABOUT ARBY’S:

Arby’s, founded in 1964, is a leading destination for high-quality meat-crafted sandwiches, with more than 3,500 restaurants in six global markets. Arby’s is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit Arbys.com and InspireBrands.com.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:

JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 25th year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2024. The company also owns seven titles in regional Late Model divisions with consecutive championships in 2022-23 and a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.



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