This year’s Christmas proved to be a difficult one for NASCAR, owing to the events that transpired last week. With all the legal proceedings settled, it looked like Christmas would be a major celebration this year, but the tragic passing of Greg Biffle and his family proved otherwise. Grief has remained the primary theme ever since, with the Hendrick Motorsports team being among the first ones to react to the news.

While many came forward to share their message of grief, one of the most respected voices in the HMS camp remained mum. Ray Evernham, the Championship-winning crew chief for Jeff Gordon, had opted for the silent path when Biffle passed. But with Christmas festivities in full flow, the HMS icon couldn’t help but lay forth a sobering truth.

HMS Icon Delivers a Gut-Wrenching Truth to NASCAR

Tragedy struck NASCAR last Thursday as news surfaced of the Biffle family passing away in a plane crash alongside three others. The family of four was on its way to Florida to meet up with Garrett Mitchell, aka Cleetus McFarland, but 10 minutes into their flight, the Cessna 550 ran into trouble and couldn’t make it back to the runway safely.

Ever since, the NASCAR world has been struggling to come to terms with reality, with Mark Martin spending considerable time researching the potential reasons behind the plane’s failure.

While all that goes on, Gordon’s former crew chief decided to take to X and leave a few people teary-eyed with what he had to say.

“It’s been a rough week or so, but today is a special day. It’s Christmas, and it’s about family, it’s about being together, it’s about great memories,” said Evernham. He added, “And we don’t know how many Christmases we’re going to get. Some of the Christmases, people who start the year with us won’t be here.”

Speaking further, the iconic crew chief expressed his gratitude for the gift that life is while also being thankful for all of his friends and family, hoping to carry great memories into the new year.

Evernham’s words come just in time for “Biffmas,” an annual initiative started by Biffle that centers around spreading holiday cheer through daily cash giveaways and prizes for fans.

To make this year’s Christmas even more chilling, those close to the Biffle family ended up receiving their Christmas mail from the departed souls during the holidays.

One such incident happened with Ron Herbert of North Carolina, who received the festive season’s greetings from the Biffles in his mailbox. The mail proved to be a harsh reminder of the reality that cannot be escaped, with Evernham’s message further highlighting just how precious life is.

In the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge next month at Daytona, KohR Motorsports is going to run a Greg Biffle tribute car. The No. 60 Ford Mustang GT4 will have the Biffle family on the hood of the car, along with the names of all of the passengers who died in last week’s tragic plane crash.

This car is special, and a wonderful tribute to the late Greg Biffle, his family, and the three others who died on the plane. Greg, Cristina, Emma, Ryder, Dennis Dutton, Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth will all be honored with their names on this car.

With the racing season around the corner, this is likely the first of many Biffle tributes that we will see in 2026. SportsCar365 showed the livery on social media earlier today.

The NASCAR and racing world have been in mourning in the last week. Such a horrific and tragic accident. Not only a great driver, but a family and three others, all taken too early. There has been an outpouring of memories and stories shared on social media. More will surely come as the new season approaches.

Yesterday, December 23rd, would have been Greg Biffle’s 56th birthday. RFK Racing honored their former driver with a touching tribute video in honor of the somber occasion.

Greg Biffle remembered by many in week since death

Everywhere you look on NASCAR social media, there are tributes and more to Greg Biffle and the victims of the plane crash. Drivers and just regular fans on iRacing have made tribute paint schemes. There have been many touching stories shared.

It is clear that Biffle was more than a driver in NASCAR. He was a friend, a father, and a person who risked his own safety to help those in need countless times. One of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, and a hero off the track as well. It doesn’t get much better than that.

From his former team to other drivers, fans, and more, the memories of Greg Biffle will help him and his family live on. It has been such a strange week leading into the Christmas holiday. With thoughts and minds still heavy on Biffle, there will surely be a few conversations about the late driver around the tree and table.

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The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has officially completed the acquisition of the historic motorsports facility in Millington, Tennessee, formerly known as Memphis International Raceway and Memphis Motorsports Park, closing on the property on December 23, 2025.

Originally opened in the late 1980s, the facility has played a significant role in American motorsports history. It has hosted major drag racing events and national touring series and was, at one point, sanctioned by IHRA, hosting IHRA-sanctioned drag racing events during that time. With the property now under IHRA ownership, the acquisition represents a full-circle moment that reconnects the track’s past with a renewed vision for its future.

The facility has long contributed to tourism and economic activity in Millington and Shelby County. Under IHRA ownership, it will operate as a multi-use destination supporting drag racing, stock car competition, grassroots motorsports, and other large-scale events that engage the broader community and region.

“This investment honors the legacy of Memphis Motorsports Park while positioning it for a strong future. IHRA’s acquisition reflects confidence in our region and creates new opportunities for tourism, local businesses, and fan experiences.” said Mayor Paul Young, City of Memphis.

“As the Commissioner for District 1, I am thrilled about IHRA’s acquisition of Memphis Motorsports Park. This investment strengthens our local economy, puts world-class racing back on solid ground, and gives our families and young people a safe, exciting place to create memories for years to come. Having a national organization like IHRA committed to the long-term success of this historic facility is exactly the kind of partnership Shelby County needs.” said Amber Mills, Shelby County Commissioner, District 1, Shelby County Government.

“Memphis Motorsports Park has long contributed to tourism and economic activity in Millington and Shelby County, and IHRA’s acquisition represents a positive step forward for the facility and the community. This investment supports the continued use of the track as a regional destination while creating opportunities for local businesses and future growth. The Millington Area Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with IHRA as this next chapter takes shape.” said Chris Thomas, Executive Director, Millington Area Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a special place in American motorsports,” said Darryl Cuttell, CEO of IHRA. “This facility has a deep history in drag racing and stock car competition, and our goal is to honor that legacy while building a strong, sustainable future. We are committed to bringing meaningful racing back to this property while expanding its role as a destination for a wide range of events that serve racers, fans, and the surrounding community.”

“This acquisition represents more than reopening a racetrack,” said Leah Martin, President of IHRA. “It is about restoring opportunity for racers, families, and the community. This facility aligns with IHRA’s racer-first vision and our commitment to grassroots motorsports, while also allowing the property to support diverse uses that strengthen its year-round impact.”

“Memphis Motorsports Park holds a special place in our hearts,” said Daniel Horton, Assistant Director of the IHRA Stock Car Series. “Bobby Hamilton won the 2004 Craftsman Truck Series race here in a truck built by Tim and with Danny as the crew chief. With the facility now under the IHRA umbrella, we can give grassroots racers a chance to compete where legendary drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Randy LaJoie, and the late Greg Biffle have won. We are extremely excited to bring stock car racing back to Memphis and continue the legacy of this iconic track.”

In the coming days, IHRA will begin facility improvements and operational preparations. Fans and community members are encouraged to follow IHRA across its social media platforms for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage as revitalization efforts get underway. Further announcements regarding schedules and programming will be released in the near future.

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TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) announced plans today to release “WILD ROAD”, its new GR brand video, on the TGR YouTube channel on January 1, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. JST.

The starting point of the GR sports car series that debuted in 2017 traces back to Team GAZOO, which was launched in 2007 by Toyota Master Driver Hiromu Naruse and then-Executive Vice President Akio Toyoda (currently chairman of the Board of Directors). With the philosophy of honing people and vehicles through motorsports to make ever-better cars, the team took on and completed the Nürburgring 24 Hours, which is said to be the toughest of all endurance races. Ever since, TGR, which was established in 2015, has continued to pursue the making of ever-better motorsports-bred cars by applying to production vehicle development the knowledge gained and driver feedback from participating in various motorsports, including the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), and Dakar Rally.

In addition to embodying the strong desire of Chairman Toyoda, aka Master Driver Morizo, to further accelerate and pass on the GR brand’s core mission of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars, TGR’s latest brand video takes on the challenge of expressing the “roads make cars” lesson that Master Driver Morizo learned at the Nürburgring. Four race cars—the GR YARIS Rally1 that competed in the WRC^*1, the GR010 HYBRID that competed in the WEC^*2, the DKR GR Hilux that is to compete in the Dakar Rally^*3, and the new FIA GT3-targeted GR GT3^*4—highlight the video’s fast action together with the new GR flagship GR GT^*5. Production centered on capturing and presenting immersive, actual-speed footage of mesmerizing behind-the-wheel performances by professional drivers in motorsports settings around the world, by driving alongside them as close as possible at high speeds.

Driving duties for the video’s multiple shoots were fulfilled by professional drivers, with Takamoto Katsuta putting the GR YARIS Rally1 through its paces, Kamui Kobayashi handling the GR010 HYBRID, and Akira Miura in charge of the DKR GR Hilux. Professional drivers who also serve as development drivers played a role as well, with Tatsuya Kataoka driving the GR GT3 and Hiroaki Ishiura driving the GR GT. The additional video “WILD ROAD—BEHIND THE SCENES”, which spotlights driving heroics not shown in the new brand video, is also available on the TGR YouTube channel.

^{*1, *2} Competed in the 2025 season

^*3 Scheduled to compete in the 2026 season

^{*4, *5} Vehicles featured in the video are prototypes. For more details on the models concerned, please see the press release: “TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Premieres GR GT & GR GT3” at https://toyotagazooracing.com/pressrelease/2025/1205-03/.

For the first time in five years, Vineland will be raising its trash and recycling collection fee from $24.00 per month to $28.00 per month. This decision comes after careful consideration of steadily increasing operational costs, including rising labor, insurance, and maintenance costs, along with three consecutive years of landfill tipping fee increases.

While the city has worked diligently to absorb these expenses and avoid passing them on to residents, the persistent impact of inflation on operating costs makes it no longer possible to do so without jeopardizing service quality.

Kenny Brightbill, a member of six different Motorsports Hall of Fames, will be a special guest at the 39th Annual Pioneer Pole Buildings (PPB) Motorsports Race Car & Trade Show presented by Can-Am, returning to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, on Friday, January 23 (2 PM – 9 PM), and Saturday, January 24 (10 AM – 7 PM), 2026.

A special tribute honoring the 77-year-old Brightbill will be featured at the show and will include the iconic Pinto No. 19 Modified that the Sinking Springs, PA, native built and drove to many of his 426 career victories — including 135 at his home track, the Reading Fairgrounds. The original car has been fully restored to its racing-day condition and is part of John Mason’s extensive collection.

The tribute area will also feature a 30-foot backdrop wall showcasing photos from Brightbill’s remarkable 57-year racing career, highlighting his success in Modifieds, Late Models, Sprint Cars, SpeedSTRs, and appearances in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Brightbill will join Steve Post on stage both days of the show, along with several special guests, to share memorable stories from his career. He will also be available for autographs and photos, including signing a commemorative poster being produced for the event.

Career accomplishments include winning $50,000-to-win races on the mile tracks at Syracuse, NY, and Nazareth, PA, as well as capturing the Mr. DIRT Track USA title race at New York’s Lebanon Valley Speedway. His dirt Modified career also included 200-lap victories at Reading; New York’s Orange County, Fonda, Fulton, and Weedsport; and New Jersey’s Flemington and Bridgeport Speedways.

Over the past three years, the PPB Motorsports Show has honored legendary figures including Billy “The Kid” Pauch, famed sprint car owner Bob Weikert, and NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief Ray Evernham. For the first time in show history, two tribute displays will be featured in 2026. 

It was previously announced that NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Geoff Bodine will also be honored for his accomplishments in asphalt Modifieds and at NASCAR’s highest level, including his victory in the 1986 Daytona 500.

Friday evening will be highlighted by the Aqua Duck Water Transport–sponsored Ms. Motorsports Competition at 8 PM, with $2,500 awarded to the winner. Applications are available now on the show’s website.

Saturday afternoon will spotlight the younger generation with the Little Miss Motorsports Competition and the annual RAACE Foundation Big Wheel Races, both long-standing family favorites.

Pioneer Pole Buildings, based in Schuylkill Haven, PA, will serve as the title sponsor for the 15th consecutive year. Their expansive exhibit will once again welcome attendees at the show entrance, featuring company displays, PPB-sponsored race cars, and autograph sessions with many of their drivers.

The 2026 edition of the show will again offer a wide variety of attractions for racers and fans, including the Hard Core Racer Section with dozens of race cars on display; exhibits from speedways and racing series; collectibles and memorabilia vendors; and a schedule of free racer seminars. 

For information on exhibit space, visit motorsportstradeshow.com, email [email protected] or call Danny Sammons at 609-888-3618 before the event space sells out.

Special host hotel rates are available at the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn of Valley Forge/Oaks, both located on the Expo Center property. On Friday night, following the close of the show, the Hilton Garden Inn bar and banquet room will host the official Motorsports After Party, open to racers, fans, and exhibitors.

AARN PR