After a stupendous career that spanned nearly two decades from the early 2000s, the seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time racing in 2020. He finished 18th in his final season, ending it with a top-5 finish at the Phoenix Raceway.
Johnson’s life was defined by motorsport. He, reportedly, started racing motorbikes in 1980, when he was just four years old. Understandably, calling it quits was hard for him.
After his final race as a full-time Cup Series competitor in 2020, Johnson spoke to the press about how difficult it had been to arrive at this decision.
“For me, the hardest point was about this time last year [2019] when thoughts were heavy on my mind. And I was going to make the decision and made the decision to myself and my family, then had to go to Rick’s house and talk that through with Mr. Hendrick. So that point in time was probably the most emotional and most difficult,” Johnson had told the press.
Once the decision was made and his final season had begun, Johnson was all about reflecting on his career with pride and savoring every moment. All those memories rolled into one on that final day in Phoenix, leaving him both excited and euphoric.
“It was nice to be competitive out there and run the top 5, finish in the top 5, but my bucket is full. NASCAR has been so wonderful for me. This journey has been more than I could have ever dreamed of, expected, or hoped for,”added Johnson, who was 45 at the time.
Johnson’s final seasons in the sport weren’t as dominant as his earlier ones, and he was aware of it. But he was still happy racing because he had the opportunity to work with some highly capable individuals.
His final championship victory was in 2016. In 2017, Johnson finished 10th in the driver standings, and in 2018, he was 14th. In 2019 and 2020, he finished in 18th place. The iconic Chad Knaus had been his crew chief through all those seasons.
Johnson concluded the 2020 post-race interview with a heartwarming statement. “All those emotions and all that pride rolled up into just a huge smile today walking out on the grid,” he said.
The NASCAR icon went on to become a co-owner of Legacy Motor Club in 2023, and still makes occasional appearances on the grid. Notably, he finished in third place in the 2025 Daytona 500, driving the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE.
Leaving the Cup Series field must have been one of the most heart-wrenching decisions he had to make in his life. But he has found a way to stay associated with the sport in a massive way.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) announced its motorsport program for the 2026 season on Friday, December 19. It covers all racing activity in non-top tier categories like F1, IndyCar, NASCAR, WEC or IMSA.
2026 Motorsport Activities
TGR will continue to strengthen industry collaboration in the top categories in Japan, SUPER GT and the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship, to build further excitement for motorsports in Japan. In the SUPER GT GT500 class, TGR will aim for fourth consecutive Drivers’ and Team Championship titles, while in Super Formula, it has set the goal of reclaiming the Drivers’ Championship.
In the Japanese Rally Championship, TGR will once again build a team consisting of its employees and conduct human resource development as it has in the past. Through the MORIZO Challenge Cup within the JN3 class, the team will support the development of young drivers who are aiming for the WRC and promote the active participation of female drivers.
In the Super Taikyu Series and Nürburgring races, TGR will practice its philosophy of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars and fostering talent. In the Super Taikyu Series, the team will also continue to take on the challenge of expanding new options toward achieving carbon neutrality through purposeful passion and action. At the Nürburgring, the starting point of making ever-better cars, the team will compete in the 24-hour race with the goal of completing the race.
TGR will enter the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship for the first time with a rally car based on the GR Corolla, taking on the challenge of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars on American roads.
In the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), driver Akira Miura, supported by TGR, will compete in the T1 class from the second round onward following the Dakar Rally.
In the KYOJO CUP, TGR will continue to support the series in 2026 to promote diversity and expand the motorsports fan base and participant community with the aim of making motorsports more sustainable. The team will also support female drivers and help create an environment where they can thrive in motorsports.
In driver development, TGR will continue to develop talent capable of competing in top categories both in Japan and overseas by building an environment where they can demonstrate their potential and maximize their abilities. The TGR Driver Challenge Program (TGR-DC) and TGR-DC Racing School will support a total of 16 drivers. The WRC Challenge Program will welcome its fifth-generation drivers and new global participants, bringing a total of nine drivers and co-driver to the program.
In participatory motorsports, TGR will continue to expand participation through entry-level events such as the GR86/BRZ Cup, Yaris Cup, and Rally Challenge. The team will also work with circuits and local governments across Japan to ensure safe and well-organized races and rallies.
Through these motorsport activities, TGR is committed to developing human resources and fostering talent capable of thriving both in Japan and overseas. At the same time, TGR will continue to engage in the making of ever-better motorsports-bred cars and in initiatives that make motorsport more attractive and sustainable.
■Highlights from the 2025 Season
Championships In Japan
SUPER GT
TGR TEAM au TOM’S won the season championship -Team Champion -Drivers’ Champion (Sho Tsuboi / Kenta Yamashita)
SUPER GT
GT500 Class
The team will compete again in 2026 with the GR Supra GT500.
Through TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Development (TGR-D), support will be provided to six teams with six vehicles.
Rikuto Kobayashi will join the lineup as a new driver.
Team
Vehicle
No.
Driver
Tires
TGR TEAM ENEOS ROOKIE
ENEOS X PRIME GR Supra
14
Kazuya Oshima (Japan)
BS
Nirei Fukuzumi (Japan)
TGR TEAM WedsSport BANDOH
TBD (Base: GR Supra GT500)
19
Yuji Kunimoto (Japan)
YH
Sena Sakaguchi (Japan)
TGR TEAM au TOM’S
au TOM’S GR Supra
36
Sho Tsuboi (Japan)
BS
Kenta Yamashita (Japan)
TGR TEAM Deloitte TOM’S
Deloitte TOM’S GR Supra
37
Ukyo Sasahara (Japan)
BS
Giuliano Alesi (France)
TGR TEAM KeePer CERUMO
KeePer CERUMO GR Supra
38
Toshiki Oyu (Japan)
BS
Rikuto Kobayashi (Japan)
TGR TEAM SARD
DENSO KOBELCO SARD GR Supra
39
Yuhi Sekiguchi (Japan)
BS
Sacha Fenestraz (Argentina)
Tires: BS = Bridgestone, YH = Yokohama
GT300 Class
TGR will continue to support customer motorsports activities for teams competing with GR and LEXUS brand vehicles.
Team
Vehicle
No.
Driver
Tires
HYPER WATER Racing INGING
HYPER WATER INGING GR86 GT
2
Yuui Tsutsumi (Japan)
BS
Kazuhisa Urabe (Japan)
SHADE RACING
TBD
20
Katsuyuki Hiranaka (Japan)
MI
Eijiro Shimizu (Japan)
HOPPY team TSUCHIYA
TBD (Base: GR Supra)
25
TBD
YH
TBD
apr
apr GR86 GT
30
Hiroaki Nagai (Japan)
YH
Hibiki Taira (Japan)
Manabu Orido (Japan)
apr LC500h GT
31
Kazuto Kotaka (Japan)
BS
Miki Koyama (Japan)
Charlie Wurz (Austria)
Saitama Green Brave
Green Brave GR Supra GT
52
Hiroki Yoshida (Japan)
BS
Seita Nonaka (Japan)
LM corsa
Syntium LMcorsa LC500 GT
60
Hiroki Yoshimoto (Japan)
DL
Shunsuke Kohno (Japan)
K-tunes Racing
K-tunes RC F GT3
96
Morio Nitta (Japan)
TBD
Shinichi Takagi (Japan)
Tires: BS = Bridgestone, MI = Michelin, DL = Dunlop, YH = Yokohama Only teams with confirmed third drivers are listed.
Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship
#14 Toyota Gazoo SuperFormula car
Toyota GAZOO Racing Development (TGR-D) will supply the teams with 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder direct-injection gasoline turbo engines (TRD 01F).
Kalle Rovanperä, Rikuto Kobayashi, and Charlie Wurz will participate in the races for the first time.
TGR will supply engines to TEAM GOH, a team committed to developing drivers who can compete globally.
TGR will review the structure of KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC, a team for driver/engineer/mechanic development.
Team
No.
Driver
REALIZE KONDO RACING
3
TBA
4
TBA
KCMG*
8
Kenta Yamashita (Japan)
69
Kalle Rovanperä (Finland)
NTT docomo Business ROOKIE
14
Nirei Fukuzumi (Japan)
WECARS IMPUL with SDG
19
Zak O’Sullivan (U.K)
VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S
36
Sho Tsuboi (Japan)
37
Sacha Fenestraz (Argentina)
SANKI VERTEX PARTNERS CERUMO・INGING
38
Sena Sakaguchi (Japan)
39
Toshiki Oyu (Japan)
KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC
7
Kamui Kobayashi (Japan)
28
Rikuto Kobayashi (Japan)
TEAM GOH
53
Charlie Wurz (Austria)
*Provisional
Japanese Rally Championship
TGR will enter the MORIZO Challenge Cup (young-driver development category held within the JN3 class) with the GR Yaris.
As in previous years, under team director Tomoyuki Shinkai (former TGR-WRJ driver through 2024), TGR will practice human resource development with its engineers and mechanics.
Team
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing – WRJ
Vehicle / Class
GR YARIS / JN3 (MORIZO Challenge Cup)
Main specifications
Engine
1.6-liter in-line 3-cylinder intercooler turbo
Drive System
GR-FOUR sport 4WD system
Driver / Co-driver
Mako Hirakawa / Ryo Tomimoto
Nürburgring 24 Hours
TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing (TGRR) will compete with the aim of finishing the world’s toughest course with a GR Yaris that has been further refined through the 2025 entry.
Team
Vehicle
Drivers
TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing
GR YARIS
MORIZO
Daisuke Toyoda
Hiroaki Ishiura
Kazuya Oshima
Super Taikyu Series
TGR will enter the series with three mixed teams of professional drivers, its employees, and gentleman drivers to strengthen the cars.
TGRR will accelerate the making of ever-better cars by fielding the same driver lineup as at the Nürburgring.
Team
Car
Drivers
TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing
GR Corolla H2 concept
MORIZO
Daisuke Toyoda
Hiroaki Ishiura
Kazuya Oshima
GR Team ORC Field
GR Yaris M-concept
Yasuhiro Ogura
Masahiro Sasaki
Takamitsu Matsui
GR Team SPIRIT
GR Yaris DAT Racing Concept
Shunsuke Kohno
Kenta Yamashita
Tokiya Suzuki
ARA National Championship
TGR will newly enter the ARA National Championship from Round 2 in 2026, with the aim of developing cars on North American roads and making ever-better motorsports-bred cars.
The rally car based on GR Corolla will compete in the RC2 class (roughly equivalent to Rally2 level).
The driver will be young American Seth Quintero, who will compete in ARA in parallel with W2RC.
TGR’s employees will also participate as engineers and mechanics to conduct hands-on develoment of pit human resources.
Team
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT)
Vehicle / Class
GR Corolla Rally RC2 / RC2
Main specifications
Engine
1.6-liter in-line 3-cylinder turbocharged
Drive System
4WD
Driver / Co-driver
Seth Quintero / Topi Luhtinen
W2RC
Akira Miura, who has competed in Dakar Rally’s T2 class with Toyota Auto Body, will conclude his entry with Toyota Auto Body at Dakar 2026. From Round 2 onward, he will compete in the T1 class with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC, with support from TGR. After Miura moves to the T1 class, Toyota Auto Body will continue to compete in the T2 classs, which is designated for vehicles that are based on production models.
Team
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing – W2RC
Vehicle / Class
DKR GR Hilux / T1
Main specifications
Engine
V35A production-spec
Drive System
4WD
Driver / Co-driver
Akira Miura / Armand Monleón
KYOJO CUP
TGR will support the team entries and activities of female drivers with the aim of building an environment where female drivers can thrive in motorsports.
Team
Driver
NTT docomo Business ROOKIE
Mako Hirakawa (Japan)
TOM’S*
Aimi Saito (Japan)
Hana Burton (U.S.)
ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL with Dr.DRY*
Rio Shimono (Japan)*
KCMG*
Miki Onaga (Japan)
Rami Sasaki (Japan)
OPTIMUS CERUMO・INGING
Riona Tomishita (Japan)
Kokoro Sato (Japan)
AIWIN Re-Kobe*
Itsumo Shiraishi (Japan)
*Provisional
Driver Development
１）TGR Driver Challenge Program (TGR-DC)
TGR will continue its program to develop drivers capable of excelling in top categories worldwide.
Across diverse challenges, TGR will create an environment that expand opportunities for drivers to maximize their abilities.
TGR will support the following drivers in 2026. -Kalle Rovanperä will race in the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship and Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy. -Ritomo Miyata will compete in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. -Jin Nakamura will enter the FIA Formula 3 Championship, and the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (FRO) . -Yuki Sano will compete in the Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) and Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC). -Rikuto Kobayashi, and Charlie Wurz will race in the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship and SUPER GT. -Kiyoshi Umegaki and Tokiya Suzuki will race in the Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship and SUPER GT. -Oscar Wurz will race in the Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship.
Driver
Category
Team (provisional)
Kalle Rovanperä (Finland)
Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship
KCMG
Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
Hitech
Ritomo Miyata (Japan)
FIA Formula 2 Championship
Hitech
Rikuto Kobayashi (Japan)
Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship
KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC
SUPER GT (GT500)
TGR TEAM KeePer CERUMO
Charlie Wurz (Austria)
Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship
TEAM GOH
SUPER GT (GT300)
apr
Miki Koyama (Japan)
SUPER GT (GT300)
apr
Jin Nakamura (Japan)
FIA Formula 3 Championship
Hitech
Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy
Hitech
Yuki Sano (Japan)
Formula Regional European Championship
R-ace GP
Formula Regional Middle East Championship
R-ace GP
Kiyoshi Umegaki (Japan)
Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship
TOM‘S
SUPER GT (GT300)
CARGUY MKS RACING
Tokiya Suzuki (Japan)
Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship
TOM‘S
SUPER GT (GT300)
TBD
Oscar Wurz (Austria)
Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship
TOM‘S
Yuzuki Miura (Japan)
Formula Regional Japanese Championship
TOM’S FORMULA
Masana Muto (Japan)
Formula Regional Japanese Championship
TOM’S FORMULA
２）TGR-DC Racing School
TGR will conduct training to develop professional drivers through the FIA-F4 Championship series in Japan.
Details of the 2026 selection trials will be announced later. From the trial participants, outstanding and promising drivers will receive support for race entries in subsequent seasons.
［2026 TGR-DC Racing School Drivers］
(All drivers are Japanese)
Driver
Category
Team
Yuzuki Miura
Japanese FIA-F4 Championship
TGR-DC Racing School
Masana Muto
Masaki Hamabe
Tomoki Terashima
Buntaro Igarashi
Ryo Sakai
３）WRC Challenge Program
Based in Finland, TGR will conduct training in Europe to develop drivers and co-drivers who can excel in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)
2nd-generation driver Yuki Yamamoto will tackle a full WRC season with a Rally2 car.
3rd-generation drivers Shotaro Goto and Takumi Matsushita will step up to Rally2 class; 4th-generation drivers Rio Ogata and Kanta Yanaguida and co-driver Tomiya Maekawa will step up to Rally3 class.
Hiroya Minowa and Zeal Jones from the 5th generation will newly participate in the program in 2026.
Jasper Vaher (Estonia, 18) who will join the program and compete with a Rally2 car. TGR expands the program by welcoming a driver from outside Japan for the first time.
Driver
Category
Team
Yuki Yamamoto (Japan)
Rally2
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team
Shotaro Goto (Japan)
Rally2
Takumi Matsushita (Japan)
Rally2
Rio Ogata (Japan)
Rally3
Kanta Yanaguida (Japan)
Rally3
Tomiya Maekawa (Japan)*Co-driver
Rally3
Hiroya Minowa (Japan)
Rally4
Zeal Jones (Japan)
Rally4
Jasper Vaher (Estonia)
Rally2
Grass-root Motorsports
TGR will collaborate with circuits and local governments nationwide to provide opportunities to enjoy the true appeal of cars—controlling them and enjoying driving. The team will also implement support for those who aim to take on the challenge of participatory motorsports, prioritizing the safety of all participants.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GR86/BRZ Cup
A one-make series using GR86 / SUBARU BRZ (ZN8/ZD8), delivering exciting, close races thanks to minimal performance differences.
Competing cars are the GR86 Cup Car Basic and SUBARU BRZ Cup Car Basic, available for purchase at Toyota and Subaru dealerships nationwide.
Two series: Professional Series (for professional drivers) and Clubman Series (for ambitious drivers aiming for the top). The 2026 season plans seven rounds at seven major circuits nationwide.
Details: https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/86brz/
Event
Date
Location
Rd.1
Sun, Apr 5
Autopolis
Rd.2
Sat–Sun, May 16–17
Sportsland SUGO
Rd.3
Sat–Sun, Jun 27–28
Okayama International Circuit
Rd.4
Sat–Sun, Aug 8–9
Tokachi Speedway
Rd.5
Sat–Sun, Sep 5–6
Fuji Speedway
Rd.6
Sat–Sun, Oct 3–4
Suzuka Circuit
Rd.7
Sat–Sun, Nov 21–22
Mobility Resort Motegi
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Yaris Cup
Competing cars are Yaris Cup Cars based on the Yaris with a 1.5-liter engine, and the series accept both MT vehicle and CVT vehicle entries. In 2026, the series will again be held nationwide, divided into five regional series to allow entrants to choose based on their place of residence, with enhanced support so first-time challengers can participate confidently.
Some 2026 rounds will introduce a Novice Class for beginners, broadening entry options.
An introductory rally with beginner-friendly courses, allowing first-time entrants to easily enter with peace of mind.
JAF NATIONAL B license holders can enter not only with a GR Yaris or GR86, but also with HEVs and AT vehicles such as Yaris and Aqua—welcoming rally beginners and female participants.
In 2026, TGR plans 12 rounds nationwide, including a special round, enhancing support to build an environment where first-time challengers can participate with confidence.
TGR will continue engaging in e-Motorsports activities to help create an environment where anyone can aspire to become a race car driver. Details will be announced once preparations are complete.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Every day, Gene Overcash walks around NASCAR history.
“Oh, man, this is the best job in the world,” said Overcash, Curb Records and Motorsports manager.
He describes it as an honor to see and touch cars with significant and unique history.
“We’ve got just like a Todd Gilliland’s car that won the championship in 2016. We got Dale Earnhardt’s first championship car. We got the Richard Pettis 199 win car,” Overcash said.
Another special car is Greg Biffle’s Red Man-sponsored ride.
“They brought this car, and I cannot remember the day they brought it in here, but the way I understood it was that they took the backup products off of race cars. And this was one of the last cars on the track with tobacco products,” he said.
Biffle and six others were killed in a plane crash Thursday morning.
Overcash and Biffle were also neighbors on Lake Norman. He spent three years working in the sport and says Biffle was one of the nicest people to him. Losing him is a blow for racing.
“It’s just not the sport. It’s all the contributions that he did,” Overcash said.
Biffle was known for using his own helicopter to get supplies to western North Carolina residents after Hurricane Helene. He flew in supplies like water, food, and even medication for storm victims.
“He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet,” he said.
What began as a casual moment on a golf course ultimately reshaped Denny Hamlin’s career beyond the driver’s seat. During a rare round of golf, Hamlin decided to text Michael Jordan after coming across a speculative news article suggesting that the two might be interested in buying into a NASCAR team. At the time, the idea felt exploratory rather than inevitable. Ironically, golf, once central to those early conversations, now barely fits into Hamlin’s schedule.
Hamlin confirmed the details during an appearance on Sean Kelly’s Digital Social Hour podcast. He explained that golf once anchored his weekly routine, especially during the early days of the pandemic when NASCAR sat idle. He spent countless hours on the course then, using the time to reset. As the ownership project gained traction, those free days disappeared.
Hamlin said, “I like to (play golf). I certainly don’t have as much time to play golf as I used to. Um, I used to, you know, before I started the race team with Michael, um, you know, my weeks, you know, in in between the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, I could do whatever I wanted. Now those days are designated to… I’m the owner of the team.”
Hamlin explained how ownership reshaped his weekly responsibilities. He said, “So I do all the meetings you know whether it be from sponsorship from the social digital side of things everything competition. I have my hand in everything there.
“So, I have to do that Tuesday through Thursday, and then kind of the Monday and the weekend is all designated to being a driver itself.”
When Hamlin traveled to Florida to meet Jordan in person, the conversation again happened on a golf course. That setting became the backdrop where Hamlin formally pitched the concept of forcing open a new door in NASCAR ownership. Backed by Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin laid out the vision.
Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, listened, engaged, and ultimately bought in. It soon turned into a partnership that would alter the Cup Series landscape.
Hamlin’s motivation extended beyond the downtime created by the COVID-19 shutdown, though that pause did play a role. The sport’s eight-week break removed racing from the calendar and left him with long, unstructured days. Still, the opportunity only truly crystallized when Germain Racing stepped away.
Their exit created an opening that rarely presents itself, and Hamlin recognized the moment. Owning a team had never been part of his post-retirement blueprint, but the timing aligned too perfectly to ignore. That opening gave birth to what would become 23XI Racing.
Germain Racing shut its doors in September 2020, and 23XI Racing acquired its guaranteed starting position, known as a charter, clearing the path for the new organization to enter the Cup Series in 2021. With that move, Hamlin transitioned into one of the sport’s most unique roles.
Hamlin now competes weekly for Joe Gibbs Racing while simultaneously owning a team that lines up across the garage. The last comparable situation of the #11 JGR driver’s dates back three decades, when Dale Earnhardt raced for Richard Childress while owning Dale Earnhardt Inc.
It would be hard to remember a NASCAR Cup Series silly season with less action that this past year’s had. Two of the highlights, quite frankly, were backmarker teams Haas Factory Team and Rick Ware Racing switching from Ford to Chevrolet following finishes outside the top 30 in the owner standings.
All things considered, 35 of the 36 drivers who ran full-time in 2025 are set to be back with the same team in 2026. While the Cup Series can’t quite claim what Formula 1 could between 2023 and 2024, that there were no offseason driver changes whatsoever for the first time in series history, it was about as close as it gets.
Here’s a look at who is in, who has switched teams, and who is out.
Who’s in?
Congratulations to Connor Zilisch on being crowned NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year for 2026, provided he, at the very least, shows up to the season-opening Daytona 500.
The lone rookie in the 2026 driver lineup, who is coming off of a 10-win Xfinity Series rookie season with JR Motorsports, is set to join Trackhouse Racing behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet. But he won’t be replacing Shane van Gisbergen, who is simply set to run the No. 97 car after using the No. 88 in 2025.
Who’s switching teams?
It’s Daniel Suarez, not van Gisbergen, who has been replaced by Zilisch, and the No. 99 he used during his five-year run with the Justin Marks-owned team will simply not be used by anybody in the Cup Series in 2026.
But Suarez isn’t out of the Cup Series entirely, as he is set to move to Spire Motorsports to pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet. Spire Motorsports is set to be his fifth different team in 10 full seasons at the sport’s top level.
Who’s out?
The one and only driver who competed full-time during the 2025 Cup Series season but has no plans to do so in 2026 is Justin Haley, whom Suarez is set to replace.
Haley is set to move back down to the Truck Series, and he is set to reunite with Kaulig Racing, the team for which he competed in the Xfinity Series from 2019 to 2021 and then in the Cup Series in 2022 and 2023, as they embark upon their new partnership with Ram Trucks with a five-truck team after shuttering their Xfinity Series (O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) program.
The 68th annual Daytona 500 is scheduled to get the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season underway on Sunday, February 15. Fox’s live coverage is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET. Aside from Zilisch, don’t expect to see any new faces, and aside from Suarez, don’t expect to see any old faces in new places.
The 37th Annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show concluded last week in Indianapolis after three days of dynamic engagement, collaboration, and innovation. Held at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, the PRI Show reaffirmed its role as the premier global gathering for motorsports by convening manufacturers, retailers, race teams, tracks, sanctioning bodies, promoters, and media under one roof.
“The PRI Show is where the global motorsports community comes together to shape the future of racing,” said PRI President Michael Good. “This year’s Show delivered on every front — innovation, education, and strategic collaboration — while reinforcing PRI’s commitment to growing the sport and connecting the next generation of professionals.”
Industry Support Stronger Than Ever
The 2025 PRI Show was one of the largest in nearly two decades, with more than 1,060 exhibitors, including 161 first-time participants. Thousands of attendees filled every corner of the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, and the connector, creating an unmatched environment for collaboration and innovation. This convergence of industry leaders and innovators underscores PRI’s role as the global hub for motorsports — strengthening relationships with sanctioning bodies, expanding educational programs, and driving initiatives that connect the next generation of professionals to the sport.
T.O.P.S. HQ: Driving Collaboration and Growth for Tracks and Sanctioning Bodies
A key highlight of this year’s PRI Show was the expanded T.O.P.S. HQ presented by MyRacePass.com area, which served as the central hub for track promoters, operators, and sanctioning bodies. Designed to foster collaboration and strengthen industry relationships, T.O.P.S. provided a dedicated space for networking, conducting business, and participating in 42 targeted seminars aimed at improving track operations and event promotion. The activation featured sessions and educational programs that empowered attendees with actionable insights to enhance their facilities and grow grassroots racing. This initiative underscores PRI’s commitment to supporting the backbone of motorsports and building a stronger, more connected racing ecosystem.
Attracting the Next Generation of Motorsports Professionals
Education and workforce development were a major focus throughout the Show, highlighted by the Next-Gen Engagement Panel moderated by PRI President Michael Good. The panel featured top leaders from across motorsports, including Michael Cobb, SCCA President and CEO; Joey Denewitz, NASCAR Managing Director, Weekly & Touring Series; John Doonan, IMSA President; Evan Jonat, NHRA Senior Vice President of National Events; and Jason Smith, USAC President.
The discussion centered on strategies to connect with future talent, create career pathways, and ensure a strong pipeline of professionals for the racing industry. This year’s efforts included participation from leaders representing 118 educational institutions and more than 500 students, highlighting PRI’s commitment to workforce development. Additional programs such as the Next-Gen Education Track, Student Networking Breakfast, and the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow National Championship provided hands-on learning and networking opportunities for students and educators.
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Exhibitor Innovation Recognized
Innovation was front and center on the Show floor, highlighted by the Featured Products Showcase awards. More than 400 cutting-edge products competed for recognition from a panel of 12 motorsports industry judges, with 22 manufacturers earning top honors. The winning entries represented the forefront of motorsports technology, spanning performance components, advanced simulation tools, safety innovations, and data-driven solutions.
Attendees also enjoyed an impressive lineup of feature vehicles throughout the Show and showcased in the new PRI Paddock, a dynamic addition to this year’s Show. Highlights included a BMW M4 GT3 EVO from SRO GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, a Honda Civic from SCCA Time Attack, a TRAD PRO4 custom off-road truck from Amsoil Champ Off Road, a Schnee-Lawson Sprint Car from the High Limit Racing Series, and a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano from Formula Drift. Also on display was the “miRAGE” Mitsubishi Mirage R4 owned by Vivian Campbell, guitarist for Def Leppard, which drew crowds throughout the event. A centerpiece of the experience was the Show’s iconic hanging car, represented by the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster driven by four-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Antron Brown, continuing a long-standing PRI tradition.
Celebrity Appearances
The PRI Show welcomed some of the biggest names in motorsports, including Mario Andretti, Antron Brown, John Force, Tony Kanaan, Richard Petty, Ivan “Ironman” Stewart, and Tony Stewart, among others, who engaged with fans and industry professionals, adding excitement and star power to the event.
PRI also honored three industry icons with induction into the PRI Hall of Fame: Paul “Scooter” Brothers, John Kilroy, and Chris Raschke. These honorees exemplify the ingenuity and craftsmanship that define modern racing and the value of PRI as the platform to launch new products to a global audience.
Motorsports Advocacy and Education
PRI continues to champion the interests of the racing community through legislative and regulatory advocacy. Show attendees had the opportunity to participate in education sessions focused on PRI’s efforts to protect racetracks and grow the sport, including updates on federal legislation such as the Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act and state-level initiatives that safeguard tracks from nuisance complaints. These programs reflect PRI’s commitment to ensuring a strong and sustainable future for motorsports.
The PRI Show returns to Indianapolis Dec. 10-12, 2026. For more information, visit PerformanceRacing.com.
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This story was originally published on December 19, 2025.
