With a new NASCAR season so close and sweeping changes already in motion, from horsepower adjustments to an updated playoff format, Hendrick Motorsports has moved to strengthen its foundation away from the racetrack as well. After publicly backing the new Chevrolet body unveiled in December, the organization has turned its focus inward, emphasizing the physical demands on its people as speed increases and the calendar tightens.

To that end, Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) has partnered with Atrium Health, one of the largest hospital networks in the southern United States, to provide integrated medical, wellness, and sports performance services for more than 50 pit crew athletes. The collaboration will also extend care and resources to HMS employees based in the Charlotte area, a move that Jeff Gordon believes could play a significant role in the team’s long-term development.

The partnership includes the construction of a 35,000-square-foot facility, the Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center, which is scheduled to open later this month. Sports facility design firm Forty Nine Degrees played a key role in designing the space. As part of the agreement, Atrium Health branding will be featured across HMS assets, including driver fire suits, team apparel, and track equipment.

Explaining why the collaboration struck the right chord, Gordon, vice chairman of HMS, emphasized that progress in the sport constantly circles back to people. He said, “We’re always looking at how can we make our race teams stronger and better, and it always falls back to people… I love that Atrium is interested in how our athletes train.”

Gordon noted that NASCAR places a unique strain on the body, unlike traditional stick-and-ball sports. “It is different than other sports. It’s a different discipline on your body. Performance, execution, and recovery after an event, you need the experts in those fields to be able to do that properly,” he added.

He further stressed that NASCAR’s grind leaves little room for error. The schedule offers no real pauses, margins remain extremely thin, and success depends as much on preparation as on what happens in the car or over the wall. By housing coaches, performance staff, and Atrium Health clinicians under one roof, the new center would allow training, recovery, and readiness to move in lockstep.

The layout places athletes and team members at the center, reinforcing the belief that sustained performance is built on consistent, comprehensive care. From HMS’s perspective, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting its people the right way, every day.

Inside the new facility, HMS athletes will have access to state-of-the-art training equipment, modern locker rooms, a race-day operations center, nutrition and recovery spaces, film rooms, therapy and treatment areas, and dedicated sports research zones. The center also features a closed-loop pit stop practice circuit designed to accommodate two teams simultaneously, further enhancing preparation and efficiency.

In fact, support for the partnership arrived quickly from the HMS driver lineup as well. Kyle Larson publicly endorsed the move, resharing Gordon’s post that offered an early look at the facility, including the gym and swimming areas. Larson punctuated his approval with a short message: “Canceling my gym membership now .”

Atrium Health’s ties to NASCAR extend well beyond this agreement. The organization has supported the sport for years through efforts such as the NASCAR Day Giveathon and by providing sports medicine coverage at marquee events, including the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Team owner Rick Hendrick and his wife Linda have also maintained a long history of philanthropic involvement with the health system.

HMS President Marshall Carlson serves on Atrium’s governing board executive committee, further strengthening the relationship. Atrium Health operates as part of Advocate Health, a nonprofit system ranked third-largest in the United States, serving nearly 6 million patients.

The GR Yaris MORIZO RR is a special-edition model created with Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyoda, aka Morizo, by applying insights gained through the challenge of competing as TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing (TGRR) in the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race.

TGR, with its core mission of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, and ROOKIE Racing, which hones GR vehicles, transcended organizational boundaries and came together based on roles rather than titles under Morizo’s leadership to form TGRR, aiming to further accelerate the making of ever-better cars.

In the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Morizo, as a team driver, took the wheel of the GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission-equipped No. 109 GR Yaris fielded by TGRR, logging more laps than scheduled despite the course’s grueling conditions. Upon the team’s successful completion of the race, Morizo was quick to convey how good he found the GR Yaris to be, and he credited its 8-speed automatic transmission with enabling him to conquer 15 laps.

The GR Yaris MORIZO RR is exceptional for its Nürburgring-cultivated delivery of car-driver unity for a high level of driver-vehicle interaction, its reliability and security, and its ability to make car-lovers smile and want to keep on driving it.

The GR Yaris MORIZO RR for the Japanese market is to be available in a total of 100 units from spring 2026, with purchasing lottery applications now being accepted via the TGR official smartphone application “GR app”. The model is also to be released in certain European markets in a limited run of 100 units.

Mando Deodorant will expand its relationship with NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Josh Bilicki in 2026, serving as an anchor partner of the No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro for SS-GreenLight Racing.

The company will serve as the primary sponsor of Bilicki’s Chevrolet in multiple events in NASCAR’s second-tier division in 2026, including the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 14.

“Josh [Bilicki] is the kind of racer you want to root for,” said a representative from Mando. “He’s talented, humble, and puts in the work – just like the guys who count on Mando every day. We’re proud to expand our partnership with him in 2026 and to be part of what he’s building with SS-GreenLight Racing. He’s the kind of competitor who keeps fighting when others fade, and that grit is why he’s such a natural fit for Mando.”

Bilicki and Mando first partnered for a one-off last Summer in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the Wisconsin-native picked up a top-20 finish in the No. 91 for DGM Racing.

The 30-year-old driver moved away from his role as the anchor driver for DGM Racing at season’s end, to instead pursue a full-season effort in the No. 07 for SS-GreenLight Racing. Bilicki has worked with the organization previously, but 2026 will mark the first time the two parties have united for a full-season effort.

“I’m extremely excited to welcome Mando as an anchor partner for the 2026 season,” said Bilicki. “Their focus on confidence and performance aligns perfectly with what it takes to compete at this level, and having them on board for seven races, starting at Daytona, is huge for our team.”

Mando Deodorant will also expand its relationship with Bilicki beyond just the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with the company serving as a partner for the Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-native in the Chili Bowl Nationals next week in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Bilicki is a veteran of more than 250 starts across NASCAR’s National Series, having competed in NASCAR since 2016. The lion’s share of those starts, though, have come in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he’s collected four top-10 results — three for DGM Racing and one for Joe Gibbs Racing. Over the last decade, Bilicki has made starts for several organizations, including BJ McLeod Motorsports, RSS Racing, DGM Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and SS-GreenLight Racing.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign will begin at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 14 at 5:30 PM ET on The CW, Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

What looked like a perfect NASCAR startup, a rising driver, massive funding, and veteran leadership, collapsed almost instantly. The Tabasco-backed Todd Bodine program promised the world, but became one of the fastest implosions of the modern era, leaving chaos in its wake and unexpectedly changing one career forever.

• How did an $8 million per year Tabasco sponsorship unravel before the season even started?
• Why did elite promises like exclusive chassis and top-tier equipment never materialize?
• What red flags during testing exposed deeper problems inside the operation?
• How did missing the Daytona 500 trigger a life-changing opportunity for Jeffrey Baker?

On paper, the team had everything: manufacturer support, high-level personnel, and direct backing from one of the biggest sponsors in the garage. In reality, key deals quietly collapsed, used equipment replaced what was promised, and decision-making behind the scenes raised serious concerns. When the team failed to qualify for the Daytona 500, the entire project effectively imploded under the weight of its own hype. For Jeffrey Baker, the fallout became a turning point. A last-minute move to Penske Racing during Speedweeks led to a career spanning decades, championships, Indy 500 victories, and a permanent place inside one of motorsports’ most successful organizations. One of NASCAR’s biggest sponsor disasters accidentally launched a Hall of Fame-caliber career.

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When we created CarBravo, our goal was straightforward: make used car buying and owning more transparent, accessible and predictable.

Now, we’re giving customers more confidence with every vehicle purchased with CarBravo’s standard certification by increasing the warranty coverage from 6-month/6,000-miles* to 12-month/12,000 miles,* whichever comes first. This Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty – with no deductible or added cost – sets a new standard in the used car market. That level of protection helps customers manage the total cost of ownership at a time when affordable vehicle options are at the forefront. Even older, higher-mileage vehicles that fall outside of CarBravo’s standard certification criteria can still qualify for a 30-day/1,000-mile BravoBudget Powertrain Limited Warranty.**

We’ve also included 24-hour roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, because peace of mind and convenience doesn’t stop at the purchase — it’s about keeping customers moving. Even better, unlike many other used car platforms, CarBravo’s warranty repairs are available through GM’s network of over 4,000 dealerships nationwide.

CarBravo is a General Motors program, and that shows up in how we think about quality, transparency and choice. Customers can shop online, in-store or through a seamless combination of both, with access to thousands of vehicles across a wide range of brands and budgets. Every vehicle is inspected, and customers have the information they need to make confident decisions.

In a crowded used-car market, we believe transparency, convenience and protection all go hand-in-hand. CarBravo is designed to deliver on those tenets — and to raise expectations for the customer experience around buying and owning a used vehicle.

*Coverage and terms are different in the State of California. See participating dealer and warranty booklet for limited warranty eligibility and coverage details, including limitations and exclusions. For non-GM vehicles, covered components vary from GM vehicles; please see a participating CarBravo dealer for component coverage details and full terms and conditions.

**CarBravo vehicles that are greater than 10 and less than 15 years old and/or have greater than 100,000 and less than 150,000 miles, are eligible to receive Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for 30 days or 1,000 miles (whichever comes first).

When we created CarBravo, our goal was straightforward: make used car buying and owning more transparent, accessible and predictable.

Now, we’re giving customers more confidence with every vehicle purchased with CarBravo’s standard certification by increasing the warranty coverage from 6-month/6,000-miles* to 12-month/12,000 miles,* whichever comes first. This Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty – with no deductible or added cost – sets a new standard in the used car market. That level of protection helps customers manage the total cost of ownership at a time when affordable vehicle options are at the forefront. Even older, higher-mileage vehicles that fall outside of CarBravo’s standard certification criteria can still qualify for a 30-day/1,000-mile BravoBudget Powertrain Limited Warranty.**

We’ve also included 24-hour roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, because peace of mind and convenience doesn’t stop at the purchase — it’s about keeping customers moving. Even better, unlike many other used car platforms, CarBravo’s warranty repairs are available through GM’s network of over 4,000 dealerships nationwide.

CarBravo is a General Motors program, and that shows up in how we think about quality, transparency and choice. Customers can shop online, in-store or through a seamless combination of both, with access to thousands of vehicles across a wide range of brands and budgets. Every vehicle is inspected, and customers have the information they need to make confident decisions.

In a crowded used-car market, we believe transparency, convenience and protection all go hand-in-hand. CarBravo is designed to deliver on those tenets — and to raise expectations for the customer experience around buying and owning a used vehicle.

*Coverage and terms are different in the State of California. See participating dealer and warranty booklet for limited warranty eligibility and coverage details, including limitations and exclusions. For non-GM vehicles, covered components vary from GM vehicles; please see a participating CarBravo dealer for component coverage details and full terms and conditions.
**CarBravo vehicles that are greater than 10 and less than 15 years old and/or have greater than 100,000 and less than 150,000 miles, are eligible to receive Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for 30 days or 1,000 miles (whichever comes first).

 

Toni Breidinger has built a growing presence in NASCAR, but behind the highlight reels and rising profile is a reality she says few fans fully understand. 

The 26-year-old NASCAR driver recently opened up about the constant uncertainty that comes with trying to survive in a sponsorship-driven sport, admitting that setbacks have been a defining part of her journey.

“I feel like I’ve had so many failures,” Breidinger, who also explained her concerns about working with Victoria’s Secret, said on The Burnouts podcast. “There’s been times where I’ve lost a sponsor right before a race, and I haven’t been able to race, and I was devastated. And then I got like a whole new opportunity after that.”

Breidinger, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, said those moments often arrive with little warning. Losing funding can mean missing a race altogether, turning months of preparation into a scramble just to stay on track.

“There’s been times even the past few years where I’m like, I don’t have a partner for this race. How am I going to do?” she said. 

“And it’s just like a scramble to make it work. I actually have my hands in everything still. I’m very much kind of a control freak. So I’m very involved in all the pitches and everything.”

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Breidinger became the first Arab American woman to debut in a NASCAR national series race in 2021, and her visibility has grown rapidly. Across Instagram and TikTok, she has a combined following of roughly five million, with additional reach on Facebook and X that rivals, and in some cases exceeds, established Cup Series drivers.

Even with that audience, Breidinger said sponsorship remains fragile. Early in her career, she relied on cold emails and persistence after moving to North Carolina, long before social media traction became a selling point.

“When I first moved to North Carolina, it was a lot of just cold emails, not much success,” she said. “With my social media at the time, I don’t even think I had 10,000 followers. To me, I was like, I just want 10,000 followers, baby steps.”

Her growth eventually caught the attention of Toyota Motor North America, which signed her through its marketing department rather than its traditional driver development ladder. That partnership gives her access to Toyota’s performance resources, including training, nutrition support and simulator time, but it doesn’t remove the pressure to constantly secure race-by-race backing.

On track, Breidinger has delivered results. In 65 ARCA Menards Series starts, she posted 27 top-10 finishes, the most by a female driver in series history, along with four top fives and a fourth-place finish in the 2024 standings. 

“I feel like it’s hard because I’m just being in a male-dominated space, you want to be respected,” Breidinger said. “I’ve always been cautious about how I present myself.”