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Young’s Motorsports Phoenix Raceway Fall Team Preview

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Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series
Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway | Truck Series Championship Race

Fast Facts

No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Nathan Byrd
Primary Partner(s): GMS
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Silverado RST
Crew Chief: Jason Miller
2025 Driver Points Position: 28th
2025 Owner Points Position: 29th
Engine: Ilmor Racing Technologies

Notes of Interest:

● Welcome Back: The 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series season stretch drive will waive the checkered flag this weekend, with Young’s Motorsports proud to welcome back rookie Nathan Byrd to pilot the team’s flagship No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST in Friday night’s Truck Series Championship Race at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

The 25-race campaign began under the lights at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway — where dreams come true at the World Center of Racing — and fittingly concludes under the lights in the desert on Halloween night, where Friday’s finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway will make its own mark by crowning the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series champions.

● About Nathan: Byrd, 24, 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 Xfinity 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.

This season, Byrd has had a very eclectic racing schedule, including 14 Truck Series starts, highlighted by career-best 14th-place finishes twice consecutively at Rockingham (N.C.). Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway, respectively.

● All Board: For the 25th of 25 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races this season, GMS will serve as the primary marketing partner for Friday night’s 150-lap showdown.

GMS is a professional employer organization (PEO) and a Benefits Administrator. We serve companies of all sizes nationwide.

We make employee management simpler, safer, and stronger. We save you time and money. You retain full control over your employees and regain the opportunity to focus on growing your business.

GMS was founded by Mike Kahoe in 1996 and has helped thousands of companies take control of their HR functions.

● Nathan Byrd Truck Series Phoenix Raceway Stats: Friday night’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series Championship Race will mark Byrd’s second career Truck Series start at the iconic 1.0-mile Phoenix Raceway — a venue he proudly calls his home track.

In his track debut last November at Phoenix Raceway, Byrd qualified his No. 02 Sonesta International Hotels Chevrolet Silverado 33rd. Still, throughout the race, he continued to build confidence and acquire precious track time,

delivering a respectable 26th-place finish at the checkered flag.

Friday night at Phoenix Raceway brings the curtain down on a memorable 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series season — a 25-race journey that’s carried teams from coast to coast, through triumphs and challenges alike, now culminating under the desert lights where a champion will be crowned and milestones will be celebrated.

At 1.0 mile in length, Phoenix Raceway blends the feel of a short track with superspeedway speed. Its unique dogleg, varying banking and shifting racing grooves create countless opportunities for bold moves — and costly mistakes.

Track position, pit strategy and execution will be crucial in the battle for the championship.

While the spotlight will shine brightest on the Championship 4 drivers and teams, non-Playoff organizations like Young’s Motorsports are eager to make their own mark — aiming to close out the season with strong performances that demonstrate growth, resilience and momentum heading into 2026.

Following Friday night’s Truck Series finale, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will crown its champion on Saturday, November 1, with the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race, while the NASCAR Cup Series closes the year on Sunday, November 2, with the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race — officially bringing the 2025 NASCAR season to a close at Phoenix Raceway.

● Nathan Byrd Truck Series Career Stats: Entering Phoenix, Nathan Byrd has 17 career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts, carrying a steady average finish of 25.2.

The popular driver made his series debut with his family-owned team at Kansas Speedway in September 2024, earning an impressive 19th-place finish. He returned at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway and capped his rookie campaign by competing in the season finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

So far in 2025, Byrd has competed in 14 Truck Series events, gaining valuable seat time across a diverse mix of tracks — including Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway, Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Rockingham (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, and most recently Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway earlier this month.

Throughout his rookie season, Byrd has done a commendable job honing his craft and adapting to the competitive nature of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series.

He continued to showcase that progress in the most recent event at Talladega, delivering a noteworthy and respectable 18th-place finish after starting 31st — a performance that underscored his patience, race management and ability to capitalize on opportunities in the draft during just his second superspeedway start.

● Calling the Shots: Guiding Byrd as crew chief of the No. 02 GMS Chevrolet Silverado RST is veteran Jason Miller.

On Friday night, Miller will make his 158th NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series start atop the pit box.

In his previous 157 races, he has collected one win, eight top-five finishes and 28 top-10 efforts.

This weekend’s 25th race of the season will mark Miller’s sixth Truck Series appearance as a crew chief at Phoenix Raceway. It also represents his 15th start in that leadership role this year.

In his previous five Truck Series leadership Phoenix Raceway efforts, he led veteran David Starr to back-to-back top-10 finishes in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series at Phoenix Raceway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ 22nd NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series start at Phoenix Raceway.

The organization posted a team-best finish at the track of eighth in the 2023 edition of the CRAFTSMAN® 150 on November 3, 2023, with Truck Series contender Kaden Honeycutt at the wheel.

Since 2014, the Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports team has had an average starting position of 25.7 and an average finish of 24.1 in 21 overall starts at Phoenix Raceway.

The Young’s Motorsports team also brings additional Phoenix Raceway experience, having made three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts — highlighted by an impressive 11th-place finish from rookie driver Leland Honeyman Jr. in March 2024.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series History: Since entering the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series in 2012, the Mooresville, N.C., – based organization has logged 540 starts from 75 drivers, resulting in solid performances that include two victories (Talladega Superspeedway 2019 and 2021), seven top-five finishes and 33 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 23.4 and an average finishing position of 22.3.

● 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 Pre-Race Quotes:

On Phoenix Raceway: “I’m really excited to be back with Young’s Motorsports this weekend at Phoenix Raceway.

“It’s been a big year of learning and growing for me, and to close out the season at a track where I made my first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series start with the team feels special.

Phoenix is a challenging place, but I’m confident in what we’ve built together and ready to finish the year strong for everyone at Young’s Motorsports and our partners.”

On Phoenix Raceway Preparation: “Phoenix is a track that really challenges you as a driver.

“I’ve focused a lot on learning how to manage the different corners, the dogleg and how the track transitions as the race goes on.

“The Young’s Motorsports guys have worked hard preparing a great truck, and I’m looking forward to putting everything I’ve learned this year to use and finishing the season on a strong note.”

On Goals for Phoenix Raceway: “The goal for Friday night is to take everything I’ve learned this season and put together a complete race.

“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but every lap has helped me grow as a driver. I gained valuable experience at Phoenix last year, and I think that understanding how the track changes under the lights will help me make smarter decisions throughout the race.

“If we can stay out of trouble, execute on pit road, and be in position late, I think we can leave the desert and put an exclamation point on the season with a result everyone at Young’s Motorsports can be proud of.”

On the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series Season: “Looking back on the 2025 Truck Series season, it’s been a tremendous year of growth,” said Byrd. “Every race has taught me something new — about the tracks, the trucks, and the competition at this level.

“I’m really proud of how far we’ve come as a team, and I’m thankful for the opportunity Young’s Motorsports has given me to learn and keep improving.

“This season has laid a strong foundation for what’s ahead, and I’m excited to keep building on it.”

Race Information:

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series Championship Race (150 laps | 150 miles) serves as the 25th of 25 races on the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series schedule. A full 50-minute practice will occur on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 4:35 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. Qualifying will follow on race day, Friday, October 31, beginning at 12:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 4:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. ET), with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (MT).

Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR Xfinity Series

Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway | Xfinity Series Championship Race

Fast Facts

No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Anthony Alfredo

Primary Partner(s): Hypersteel™ Buildings

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

2025 Driver Points Position: 24th

2025 Owner Points Position: 25th

Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

● Year Two, Full Throttle: In January, Young’s Motorsports announced that NASCAR Xfinity Series veteran Anthony Alfredo would compete full-time for the team in its second year of Xfinity Series competition.

Alfredo is driving the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro for the entire 33-race schedule, which concludes with Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.

● About Anthony: A popular driver, Alfredo, a native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, joins Young’s Motorsports with an array of Motorsports experience, including starts in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series, respectively.

The 2025 season will mark Alfredo’s fourth full-time Xfinity Series campaign, and he joins the Mooresville, N.C.-based team after spending the 2024 season with Our Motorsports.

The 25-year-old finished 15th in the 2024 Xfinity Series driver standings, highlighted by a Dash 4 Cash victory at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway. He added two more top-five finishes and seven top-10s to his career totals, further strengthening his résumé across 150 Xfinity Series starts.

● All-Aboard!: For the 33rd of 33 Xfinity Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Cornerstone Building Brands, who partner with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team, promoting their product Hypersteel™ Cold-Form Buildings as the primary partners on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 200-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

Hypersteel™ cold-formed buildings are engineered for speed, offering the hyper-fast design and production turnaround that sets them apart from traditional pre-engineered metal buildings.

They deliver all the benefits of steel while minimizing time, complexity, and installation effort.

With a streamlined design and build process, Hypersteel™ structures are easier to install than rigid frame buildings of similar design, often without the need for large crews, heavy equipment or specialized labor.

● Anthony Alfredo Xfinity Series Phoenix Raceway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s second trip to Avondale, Ariz., will mark Alfredo’s eighth career start at the iconic 1.0-mile speedway.

Alfredo earned a track-best 10th after starting 20th in the 2024 edition of the Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 for Our Motorsports.

The Xfinity Series veteran driver will look to improve his average finish at Phoenix Raceway of 26.9.

Additionally, Alfredo has two NASCAR Cup Series starts at Phoenix Raceway with a best effort of 34th after starting 30th in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race, driving for Front Row Motorsports.

The Ridgefield, Connecticut native also has a lone NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series start in 2019, driving for TRICON Garage. He finished 24th after starting 13th in the Lucas Oil 150.

Thirty-two races into the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season — and as the curtain falls on the year — Anthony Alfredo and the Young’s Motorsports No. 42 team remain determined to finish strong and make some noise in the desert at Phoenix Raceway.

While they won’t compete for a championship, they still have the chance to chase a victory and close out the season on a high note in the Xfinity Series finale.

The fast, 1.0-mile tri-oval in Avondale, Arizona, blends short-track intensity with superspeedway-style momentum — a place where patience, precision and strategy are tested from green to checkered.

For Alfredo and the No. 42 Chevrolet team, the mission remains simple: deliver a strong performance, stay out of trouble, and seize every opportunity that comes their way — perhaps even with a late-race charge toward the front.

A breakthrough performance at Phoenix would serve as the ultimate reward for the group’s perseverance and progress this season while helping the team end the campaign with momentum heading into 2026.

Saturday’s season finale at Phoenix Raceway anchors NASCAR Championship Weekend in The Copper State, where all three of NASCAR’s national series will settle their titles beneath the setting Arizona sun.

The weekend kicks off Friday night, October 31, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series finale, followed by Saturday afternoon’s Xfinity Series Championship Race.

Then on Sunday, the spotlight shifts to the NASCAR Cup Series with the Championship Race, where the sport’s biggest prize and highest emotions will close out the 2025 season.

It’s a weekend built for celebration, competition and reflection — and for Alfredo and Young’s Motorsports, Phoenix represents one final chance to make noise before the year comes to a close.

● Anthony Alfredo Xfinity Series Career Stats: Entering Phoenix, Alfredo has 150 NASCAR Xfinity Series races to his credit, earning a career-best third-place finish twice, most recently at Talladega Superspeedway after starting 11th in the 2024 edition of the Ag-Pro 300 for Our Motorsports.

Since 2020, he has earned one pole, five top-five, and 23 top-10 finishes and has an average finish of 20.3.

● Martinsville Speedway | IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250 Race Recap: The NASCAR Xfinity Series returned to one of the sport’s most legendary short tracks this past weekend at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for the penultimate race of the season.

The Young’s Motorsports team returned to the 0.526-mile paperclip oval looking for redemption after a mechanical failure halted a strong top-10

performance for Alfredo and his team in the spring.

Building off their notes from practice, Alfredo qualified his No. 42 The Roth ID Tag™ Chevrolet Camaro in the 29th position.

From the drop of the green flag, Alfredo methodically and smartly maneuvered his Chevrolet through the field and, with some strategy, found himself back inside the top-10 at one of the sport’s oldest venues.

A hard-fought effort for Alfredo, which included avoiding several late race skirmishes, brought the Young’s Motorsports team a respectable 16th place finish in overtime.

With the arrival of the homestretch, Young’s Motorsports will lean on their experience and never-give-up attitude to propel them forward through the remainder of the season.

This closing stretch features the intermediate Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway to close out the year.

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

On Saturday night, he will be crew chief in his 162nd NASCAR Xfinity Series race. In his previous 161 races, he has four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.

The season’s 33rd race will be his 10th tango at Phoenix Raceway as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

In his nine previous leadership efforts at Phoenix, Abbott has earned a track-best 10th-place finish with driver Jeremy Clements in the 2020 fall edition of the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series at Phoenix Raceway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Phoenix Raceway.

In the team’s three previous Xfinity Phoenix Raceway starts, the team earned an Xfinity track-best of 11th after starting 24th with rookie Leland Honeyman Jr. at the wheel in March 2024.

Earlier this year, the team qualified 25th for the GOVX 200. From the drop of the green, the team moved quickly towards a top-10 finish, only to see their hard and impressive work halted by mechanical gremlins, resulting in a 32nd-place finish.

While the family-owned team has limited NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Phoenix, it has posted an average starting position of 25.7 and an average finish of 24.1 in 21 overall Truck Series starts at Phoenix Raceway since 2014.

The organization posted a team-best finish at the track of eighth in the 2023 edition of the CRAFTSMAN® 150 on November 3, 2023, with Truck Series contender Kaden Honeycutt at the wheel.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series History: Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 65 starts and maintains an average starting position of 25.7 and an average finish of 23.8.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Anthony Alfredo, please visit AnthonyAlfredo.com, like him on Facebook (Anthony Alfredo Racing), follow him on Instagram (@anthonyalfredo) and X | Twitter (@anthonyalfredo).

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).

Anthony Alfredo Pre-Race Quotes:

On Returning to Phoenix Raceway: “We had a really solid car at Phoenix earlier this year before an electrical issue took us out of the race.

“Hopefully, we can get redemption for our partners and every employee on the Young’s Motorsports team.”

On Biggest Challenges at Phoenix Raceway: “Phoenix Raceway is a pretty technical track and it’s difficult to get the balance of the car where you need it.

“I’m hoping that with a full practice session on Friday, we are able to get our No. 42 Hypersteel™ Buildings Chevrolet dialed in.

“I think the heat throughout the weekend will allow for more strategy as the tires will wear more and the track will take more rubber.”

On Keys to Success at Phoenix Raceway: “Staying in the hunt all race long and executing throughout the race will be key towards having a good finish, especially if we have a late race caution.”

On Racing Phoenix Raceway in the Fall: “I don’t feel like there is a big difference between the spring and fall race at Phoenix, except for the time of day, which may affect rubber build-up.

“We’ll see.”

On Strategy and Track Position at Phoenix Raceway: “Track position is huge at Phoenix Raceway, but the tires fall off enough that there is an opportunity to be aggressive with when you put a new set on.”

On Goals for Phoenix Raceway: “I would be thrilled to end the season with a top-10 finish. It would be great to head into the off-season with a good result and end the year on a high note.”

On Goals for the Remainder of 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season: “We need to continue performing at a high level and finishing well.

“Our team has fought a lot of adversity this year, but we need to remain focused on running our own race each week and controlling what we can control through the end of the season.

“Our main goal for this weekend is to execute at a high level and control what is in our control. That’s really all we can do and hopefully that allows us to finish the year on a high note.”

On the Most Recent NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Martinsville Speedway: “We had a solid car at Martinsville Speedway and were able to bring home a good finish after racing inside the top-10 for most of the event.

“It felt good to be competitive and compete at the front of the field with the bigger teams.”

Race Information:

The Xfinity Series Championship Race (200 laps | 200 miles) is the 33rd of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2025 schedule. A full 50-minute practice will occur on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 1:35 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. Qualifying will follow on race day, Saturday, November 1, beginning at 12:30 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 4:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. ET), with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (MT).



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Front Row Motorsports announce changes after NASCAR lawsuit – Motorsport – Sports

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Following over a year of back-and-forth negotiations with NASCAR after joining forces with 23XI Racing and filing an antitrust lawsuit against the organization in October 2024, FRM is now back as a chartered team and making its final preparations for the upcoming season.

FRM and 23XI sued NASCAR after opting not to sign its new charter agreement in September 2024, alleging “monopolistic” practices. Despite settlement talks prior to the December court date, the suit ultimately went to court, where, after eight days in session, a settlement was reached.

The settlement granted chartered teams “evergreen” status and reinstated all six of 23XI and FRM’s full-time entries as chartered rides. A potentially major financial settlement was also involved, although the specifics of this were not made public.

Now that the ever-looming shadow cast by the lawsuit has finally cleared, FRM’s full attention has turned to the 2026 season, with Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, and Zane Smith all returning to the Cup Series, while Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith will also be back behind the wheel in the team’s two Craftsman Truck Series rides.

But while FRM’s driver lineup will be unchanged, Gragson will be working with a new crew chief after two seasons with Drew Blickensderfer. In an announcement made on Friday, FRM stated that Blickensderfer will be transitioning into the role of competition director, where he and technical director Seth Barbour “will continue to lead the organization’s technical direction and engineering efforts.”

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Blickensderfer steps away from the pit box after 17 years in the role, during which he oversaw four wins, including both the 2009 and 2021 Daytona 500s with Matt Kenseth and Michael McDowell, respectively.

Assuming his place in the No. 4 pit box will be Grant Hutchens, who has previously served as a crew chief for Brad Keselowski, Austin Cindric, and Harrison Burton, although only for six total races.

Hutchens’ career has also seen him work as Kevin Harvick’s race engineer, a lead engineer for Ryan Blaney, and in 2025, as the crew chief for Team Penske’s test team.

Beyond a change in crew chief, FRM also announced the addition of former IndyCar Aero Car Chief and Hendrick Motorsports body production manager Jonathan DeHart to lead its aerodynamic operations.

“We are very fortunate, and I am extremely excited to add experienced, talented people like Grant and Jonathan to leadership roles in the organization,” FRM owner Bob Jenkins said.

“With the inclusion of our Truck Series teams, we operate (5) full-time teams and I’m equally as excited to have Drew turn his attention to providing direction and guidance to our crew chiefs and competition group as a whole.

“Having Drew in this new role for us and Seth being able to focus on the technical aspects within our team, it puts us in a better position to execute on the track and achieve our goals in 2026.”

FRM will kick off its 2026 season with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1, before heading to Daytona for the first points-scoring events of the season two weeks later. There, it will be looking to secure its fifth-ever Cup Series win in 2026 and its first since 2023.



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Dean Leads Nitro Motorsports Sweep on Opening Day at Daytona – Speedway Digest

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Daytona International Speedway roared back to life as pre-season practice for the ARCA Menards Series kicked off, and Nitro Motorsports made an emphatic statement. The team fielded six cars on Friday, and all six topped the leaderboard during the first day of the two-day session.

Leading the charge was Gus Dean in the No. 25 Nitro Motorsports Toyota, returning to the track for the first time since his victory in last year’s season opener. Dean’s strong performance set the tone for the organization, which showcased speed and depth across its lineup. Gavan Boschele followed in second with the No. 90B entry, while Jake Finch placed third in the No. 15 Phoenix Toyota. Thomas Annunziata, Isabella Robusto, and Jake Bollman rounded out the top six, giving Nitro Motorsports a clean sweep of the fastest positions.

Garrett Mitchell, better known to millions of fans as YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland, broke up the Nitro dominance by placing seventh in the No. 30 Kennetix Ford. Andy Jankowiak was eighth in the No. 71 KLAS Motorsports Chevrolet.

Amber Balcaen overcame early adversity after an incident in Turn 3 left her with significant nose damage. Following evaluation and release from the Infield Care Center, Balcaen returned in a backup car and posted the ninth-fastest time. Taylor Reimer completed the top ten in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, marking three female drivers inside the top ten.

Further down the charts, Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Giovanni Ruggiero and Max Reaves finished 13th and 14th, separated by just 0.012 seconds. Reaves will chase the ARCA Menards Series East title in 2026, while Ruggiero will compete in the Daytona season opener alongside his full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign.

CARS Tour standout Timothy “Mini” Tyrell made his first laps at Daytona, ending the day 20th in the No. 17 Cook Racing Technologies Chevrolet. Incidents also sidelined Bob Martin and Alex Clubb, though both plan to return for Saturday’s session after repairs.

In total, 79 drivers and 49 cars are registered for the pre-race practice, with 65 drivers logging laps on Friday. The second day of testing will set the stage for the highly anticipated season opener next month.



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Tibbetts Lumber Backing Spire, McDowell for Truck Race at Daytona

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Tibbetts Lumber Company is partnering with Spire Motorsports for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

The family-owned and Florida-based business will adorn the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST for the February 13 event in Daytona Beach, Florida. 2021 DAYTONA 500 champion Michael McDowell will pilot the entry.

McDowell will be making his fifth career start in the NASCAR Truck Series, and with a trip to Victory Lane, would join an exclusive list of drivers who have won in each of NASCAR’s top-three divisions.

The Phoenix, Arizona-native competed in two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events last season — Daytona and Atlanta — and recorded a best finish of 12th-place.

“I have a great deal of respect for the Tibbetts Lumber team,” said McDowell, “They’ve helped me on my own property, and their team truly combines outstanding service with a high-quality product. It’s special to have them racing with us at Daytona, and earning a win in all three national series is something I’ve wanted to make happen for a long time. I think we’ll have a real opportunity to do that on Friday night in Daytona in our Tibbetts Lumber Chevy Silverado.”

Founded in 1949 by Linton N. Tibbetts, Tibbetts Lumber Company has grown into the largest independently-owned lumber and building materials supplier in Florida, while building its legacy as one of the largest roof and floor truss companies in the Southeast.

“Tibbetts Lumber Co. is thrilled to be the primary sponsor of the Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Michael McDowell,” said Russ Hallenbeck, CEO of Tibbetts Lumber Company. “Being that we are headquartered in Florida, Daytona International Speedway has become a very special place for us come springtime. We are honored to be teaming up with Spire Motorsports and Michael this February.”

This isn’t the first go-around for Tibbetts Lumber Company when it comes to sponsorship in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, either. Over the last two seasons, the company has backed Spencer Boyd and Freedom Racing Enterprises a total of five times, which resulted in a single top-five result at Daytona in 2024.

With nearly 640 starts across NASCAR’s National Series, McDowell is one of the most seasoned veterans in the sport, right now. The Phoenix, Arizona-native has been to Victory Lane twice at NASCAR’s top-level, and once in NASCAR’s second-level NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season-opener will take place on Friday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.





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Michael McDowell Running Daytona Truck Race for Spire

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Michael McDowell will run the season-opening NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway for Spire Motorsports, the team announced Jan. 9.

McDowell will pilot the No. 7 with sponsorship from Tibbetts Lumber Company.

“I have a great deal of respect for the Tibbetts Lumber team,” McDowell said in a team release. “They’ve helped me on my own property and their team truly combines outstanding service with a high-quality product. It’s special to have them racing with us at Daytona, and earning a win in all three national series is something I’ve wanted to make happen for a long time. I think we’ll have a real opportunity to do that on Friday night in Daytona in our Tibbetts Lumber Chevy Silverado.”

McDowell also drove Daytona for Spire in 2025, steering the No. 07 to a 26th-place finish.

He’s the first driver announced to Spire’s Truck program for 2026. The team previously revealed it plans to field the Nos. 7 and 77 this year.


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Executive Editor at Frontstretch

Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.

At his day job, he’s a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio — you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.



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Ross Chastain’s 2026 paint scheme released (Busch Light)

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View the No. 1 Busch Light paint scheme for Trackhouse Racing

Ross Chastain drives the No. 1 car for Trackhouse Racing. The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series paint scheme was leaked several weeks ago.

View the Ross Chastain Busch Light paint scheme below.

Now, the paint scheme has officially been released. Trackhouse Racing posted the following image to social media on Friday.

Ross Chastain
2026 Busch Light Paint Scheme

Ross Chastain 2026 NASCAR Cup Series carRoss Chastain 2026 NASCAR Cup Series car
Ross Chastain 2026 NASCAR Cup Series car

Ross Chastain will have a new crew chief in 2026

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“It is Different Than Other Sports”: Jeff Gordon Explains How Hendrick Motorsports’ Partnership Is a Perfect Fit

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 post “It is Different Than Other Sports”: Jeff Gordon Explains How Hendrick Motorsports’ Partnership Is a Perfect Fit appeared first on The SportsRush.



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