Full marks to John Scotti for launching the John Scotti Canadian Championship Series. Canada has been promised many wonderful things by the NHRA over the past sixty-plus years, but few of those promises have ever materialized. This new eight-event series is great news for Eastern Canadian drag racers. Several promoters have previously attempted “traveling series” similar to stock car series in Canada, but unfortunately, most didn’t last.
I think of Arnie Malcolm and the cool races he put on over the years, along with Bruce Mehlenbacher and Neale Armstrong and with their PMRA events. I had hoped to attend their first race at TMP on the Victoria Day weekend, but both days in St. Thomas were rainy and overcast. At age 82, it’s a bit harder to jump in the car and drive to races, especially when the weather looks questionable. I’m sorry I missed it.
There was plenty of online chatter about the last-lap bump-and-run by Marc-Antoine Camirand on Gary Klutt at Mosport, and about Christopher Bell trading paint with Joey Logano at North Wilkesboro. Folks, this is NASCAR we’re talking about—and about five years ago, they “retired” their black flags. Remember, they’re selling entertainment as much as racing—and doing a great job of it!
CASC-OR is back in action May 31 – June 1 at Shannonville Motorsport Park for its second Road Race Series event of the season, the SMP Cup. Click HERE for results and several galleries from their season-opening BEMC Spring Trophy Races event a few weeks ago.
Wasaga Beach Cruisers: They are holding their Cruise Fest on Saturday, June 21 in Klondike Park in Wasaga Beach, ON. Their weekly Monday night cruise events started May 12 at the Stonebridge Gazebo across from the Walmart parking lot. The cruise nights start between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. and run until dusk. Click HERE for more information.
What’s a car owner supposed to do when he feels he’s being treated unfairly by a sanctioning body? Buy the series? Buy the biggest track the series runs on? That’s exactly what Roger Penske did a few years ago. However, that didn’t eliminate tech inspection controversies. Last year, Team Penske was found to have “modified” the hokey “push-to-pass” button outside of the allowable time frames. Suspensions and fines followed.
For the second time in as many years, a cheating scandal has hit the team owned by the man who owns the series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Roger Penske acted quickly to fire the offenders in his organization, but is damage being done? Photo by Joe Skibinski | IMS Photo.
This year, the team once again ran afoul of the dreaded tech lane—not due to eagle-eyed inspectors, but reportedly because another team owner (can you say Chip Ganassi?) “mentioned” to officials that at least one Penske car had an altered rear attenuator, which is part of the rear shock-absorbing safety system. Years ago, when that component was too rigid, several drivers were injured. I remember seeing that part—it looked like a battering ram right behind the driver. As it turned out, two of the three Penske cars were in violation, resulting in Josef Newgarden starting 32nd and Will Power relegated to 33rd. One name jumps out in both cases—Tim Cindric, who earlier had his responsibilities reduced to just the IndyCar program. Hmmm.
The “jungle tom-toms” suggest that Honda is not happy competing in a series plagued by tech rule violations and may be eyeing a move to NASCAR. There’s also growing support for IndyCar tech officials to be hired independently of the sanctioning body. I agree—accountability matters.
Speaking of online chatter, nothing matched the rumors about F1 possibly ending its run at Imola. That’s a big deal for all the wrong reasons. The race was canceled two years ago due to flooding from the nearby Santerno River. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is not only Ferrari’s home track but also a favorite of the tifosi. Could this historic venue really be replaced by another cookie-cutter circuit? Sadly, money talks. Stay tuned.
From Jayski.com: Ford Performance has launched “Driving 4 a Difference” presented by the Gene Haas Foundation. Five Ford Xfinity Series drivers will compete at four races—Charlotte, Nashville, Mexico, and Pocono—with prize money going to their chosen charities. First place earns $20,000, second gets $15,000, and the remaining three charities receive $5,000 each. A very cool idea!
From pitpass.com: F1 has partnered with Disney’s Mickey Mouse and Friends beginning in 2026. The move aims to “bring two powerhouse entertainment properties together to create products that fans will love.” How fitting—Mickey Mouse joins the already Mickey Mouse-style stewards program. LOL.
It was a bad weekend weather-wise for local circle tracks. Announcements of cancellations kept popping up on “Stock Car Racing in Ontario.”
Barrie Automotive Flea Market: The 41st annual Spring Barrie Automotive Flea Market (BAFM) takes place June 5-8 at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds just off Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte. BAFM offers everything from collectibles and classic cars to those hard-to-find car parts. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you likely can’t find it anywhere. BAFM is a car lover’s dream! Visit www.thebafm.com or call (705) 487-3663 for info.
Wally Nesbitt Collectible Sale: If you’re heading to the VARAC Vintage GP (June 14/15 at CTMP), longtime Inside Track contributor and Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame inductee J. Wally Nesbitt will have a booth in the CTMP Marketplace selling some of his incredible racing collectibles. Wally has been a collector for decades and has amassed some incredible items (including a helmet used by a Canadian F1 legend with the initials GV) … and now it’s your turn to own them. Just bring cash. In the meantime, Wally is also selling some things via his Facebook page HERE.
NASCAR Cup: Chase Briscoe (Toyota) won the pole for the sold-out Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, ahead of Kyle Larson (attempting the 1,100-mile double) and Saturday’s Xfinity winner William Byron (both in Chevys). All 40 cars qualified: 17 Chevys, 13 Fords, and 10 Toyotas. Loved the pipe band playing Amazing Grace—very well done!
On lap 42, Larson did a slow spin off Turn 4, bringing out the first caution. Before the restart, Josh Bilicki lost a right rear wheel. It took 48 minutes to complete the first 75 laps—this was going to be a long night. On lap 98, Alex Bowman hit the wall and crossed the grass, causing another caution. Byron won Stage 1.
On lap 112, Connor Zilisch, Cole Custer, and Jimmie Johnson tangled. A few laps later, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. spun Shane van Gisbergen, though SVG saved it. Kyle Busch spun near the end of Stage 2 but kept going, so no caution. Byron also won Stage 2. At halfway, Byron led Hamlin and Reddick. Byron won Stage 3 as well.
William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, and Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 The Beast Toyota, lead the field during the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Carson Hocevar, running near the front, blew up and was hit by Chris Buescher and Bubba Wallace. At the flag, Ross Chastain took the win over Byron—who led 283 of the 400 laps—and pole-sitter Briscoe. Byron had won all stages and the Xfinity race but fell one spot short of a weekend sweep. Larson’s double attempt ended with DNFs at both tracks—he finished 37th at Charlotte.
Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey x Folds of Honor Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
In the standings, Larson leads Byron by 35 points, and Christopher Bell by 85. Next race: Nashville, Sunday, 7 P.M. on TSN 3.
NASCAR Xfinity Series: Taylor Gray (Toyota) earned the pole at Charlotte, ahead of teen sensation Connor Zilisch and Austin Hill (both in Chevys). 40 cars vied for 38 spots: 28 Chevys, 5 Fords, 5 Toyotas. Zilisch spun the tires at the start and dropped to third. Kris Wright spun on lap 19; Brad Perez stopped on pit road eight laps later. Byron won Stages 1 and 2.
On lap 145, Gray lost a tire; later, Dean Thompson ran Zilisch up into the fence. Zilisch made his feelings clear under caution! More cautions followed. NASCAR overtime was triggered after a late pileup involving Legge, Jones, Sieg, and Honeyman. On the final restart, Zilisch’s car was smoking but still quick. At the flag, it was Byron over Zilisch and Sanchez—with the usual last-lap wrecking! 22 cars finished on the lead lap.
William Byron, driver of the #17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
In points, Justin Allgaier leads Austin Hill by 72 and Sam Mayer by 93. Next race: Nashville, Saturday, 7:30 P.M. on CW.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Giovanni Ruggiero (Toyota) took the pole at Charlotte over Tanner Gray and Corey Heim. Canadian Stewart Friesen (Toyota) started 32nd on owner’s points. 34 trucks: 16 Chevys, 10 Fords, 8 Toyotas. Heim won both Stage 1 and 2, which ran caution-free. At halfway, Kaden Honeycutt led over Heim and Layne Riggs. Ruggiero and Chandler Smith tangled, collecting Ty Majeski. That was the race’s only caution. Heim won over Chastain and Honeycutt. Friesen climbed to 13th.
Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite/Foster Love Toyota, leads Ross Chastain, driver of the #44 NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program Chevrolet, and Giovanni Ruggiero, driver of the #17 First Auto Group Toyota, during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 23, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
In points, Heim leads by 100 over Chandler Smith and 110 over Daniel Hemric. Friesen is 10th. Next race: Nashville, Friday, 8 P.M. on CTV Speed.
Formula One: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) topped all three practice sessions at Monaco, but Lando Norris (McLaren) took pole over Leclerc and Oscar Piastri (McLaren). Lance Stroll qualified 19th. Multiple cars hit the guardrails during qualifying. F1 mandated two pit stops and use of three tire compounds—smart move!
Lando Norris at the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco. (Photo by Malcolm Griffiths – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Early action: Kimi Antonelli (Red Bull) punted Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) on lap 1—Virtual Safety Car. Lap 9: Pierre Gasly (Alpine) hit Tsunoda (Red Bull), damaging his suspension. At halfway, it was still Norris, Leclerc, and Piastri. After Norris pitted on lap 51, Verstappen briefly took the lead but still owed a stop.
At the flag: Norris won over Leclerc and Piastri. Verstappen finished 4th; Hamilton, penalized for impeding Max in qualifying, started 7th and finished 5th.
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – MAY 25: Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren, Third placed Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren and Zak Brown, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Drivers’ standings: Piastri leads Norris by 3 and Verstappen by 25. Constructors: McLaren leads Mercedes by 172, and Red Bull by 176. Next race: Spain, Sunday at 8:55 A.M. on TSN 1 & 5.
IndyCar: In the “easy to explain” Indy 500 qualifying, Robert Shwartzman (Israel) took pole over Takuma Sato and Pato O’Ward. Newgarden and Power were sent to the back due to tech violations. Kyle Larson, attempting the double, started 19th.
How cool were the attack helicopters pacing the field? Wow! Or was that ICE checking the crowd? LOL. The pace car hit 105 MPH—awesome! But bad luck continued for Team Penske. Scott McLaughlin crashed warming his tires. Before the green, Scott Dixon’s car appeared to catch fire. The green flag was messy. Marco Andretti and Marcus Armstrong got tangled early. Sprinkles brought out a caution on lap 20. On lap 73, Alexander Rossi’s car caught fire on pit road, burning his fueler. Lap 81: Veekay crashed on pit road. Lap 89: Shwartzman overshot his pit and pinned his crew—race over. Lap 92: Larson downshifted in Turn 2, spun, and took out two others—also out.
At halfway, Ryan Hunter-Reay led. After more yellows and light rain, Palou eventually won over Marcus Ericsson and David Malukas. Larson finished 27th. Penske’s cars? Power 19th, Newgarden 25th, McLaughlin 33rd. Almost as bad as 1995, when Penske failed to qualify for Indy altogether. But they’ve had a lot of wins since.
Indy 500 winner Alex Palou is the first Spaniard to win the race. Photo by IMS.
In points, Palou (5 wins in 6 races!) leads O’Ward by 115 and Kyle Kirkwood by 126. Next race: Detroit, Sunday, 12:30 P.M. on TSN 5 and FOX.
IMSA: Next race – Detroit Street Course, Saturday, 3:30 P.M. on REV TV. 24 Hours of Le Mans: Saturday, June 14 – Sunday, June 15.
NHRA: Next race – New England, Sunday.
Brockville Ontario Speedway: The BOS is back in action Saturday, May 31 with a full slate of racing action sponsored by SUPERIOR CELLULAR & SOUND. On track will be the Modifieds, Sportsman, Novice Sportsman, Surprenant Truck Shop Crate Sprints and Street Stocks. Click HERE for more info.
NASCAR Canada Series: Next race – Chaudière, Sunday on REV TV.
APC Series: Next race – Flamboro, June 7.
Ontario Sportsman Series: Next race – Full Throttle, Friday.
Delaware Speedway: Next race – L/M, V8 Stock, and Bone Stock, Friday.
Ohsweken Speedway: Next race – Empire Super Sprints, Friday.
Flamboro Speedway: Next race – Bill Zardo Memorial, Saturday.
Buxton Speedway: Next race – Regular racing, Saturday.
Full Throttle Motor Speedway: Next race – Ontario Sportsman Series, Saturday.
Sunset Speedway: Next race – “The Showdown in Simcoe County,” Saturday.
Grand Bend Speedway: Next race – NASCAR Weekly Series, Saturday.
Grand Bend Dragway: Next race – Can-Am Stock/Super Stock, this weekend.
St. Thomas Dragway: Next race – Points Series, next weekend.
Toronto Motorsports Park: Next race – Outlaw Fast 16 + RCSS, this weekend.
Speed Promotions Racing (No Prep): TMP, weekend of July 12.
Can-Am Stock/Super Stock: Next race – Grand Bend, this weekend.
Quick 32 Sportsman Series, Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS), 5.50 Super Series: June 21, Empire Dragway.
660 Sportsman Nationals: October 5, Grand Bend.
John Scotti NHRA Canadian Championship Series: Next race – June 15, Luskville.
Shannonville Drags: First race – June 7–8.
Comments? Contact Dave Mathers via email at motionman@rogers.com or on Facebook Messenger.
DAVENTRY, England, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fortec Motorsport has announced that American drivers Cash and Roman Felber will join its lineup for the 2026 Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by the FIA. The identical twin brothers moved to the UK following a season in the Ligier Junior Formula Championship in the United States, where both achieved race wins and multiple podium finishes. Cash Felber concluded the 2025 campaign third overall, while Roman placed seventh, with the pair also securing second and fourth in the Rookie standings, respectively.
American Twins Cash & Roman Felber Target British F4 Success with Fortec Motorsport
Cash & Roman Felber American Twins It was a season defined by momentum on both sides of the garage. Cash displayed front-running consistency through opening-lap assertiveness and composed late-race judgement, collecting six podiums and two wins. Roman recovered strongly from early-season mechanical setbacks to deliver five podiums, a victory, and two pole positions, showcasing equally powerful pace and progression.
Racing has been a shared journey from the start. The brothers first drove at age eight on Segway karts around their driveway, but a visit to the 2022 United States Formula 1 Grand Prix ignited a commitment to pursue a career in motorsport. Since then, they have competed as rivals on track and made history in the LJFC as the first twin brothers in the series’ history to finish on the podium in the same race.
The 2026 Wera Tools British F4 season begins at Donington Park on April 18–19, featuring 30 races across 10 meetings, including a return to Zandvoort in the Netherlands. Cash and Roman will compete with the support of BioLongevity Labs, iMerchant Solutions, Conversio Pay, Town Hall, and Rebol.
Quotes Oliver Dutton, Team Principal, Fortec Motorsport: “Cash and Roman have shown us clean fundamentals, intelligent race craft, and the humility in debriefs that separates good drivers from championship contenders. We’ve seen what they did in the States. Now we’ll develop what they can become at the circuits that matter.” Cash Felber: “The goal for 2026 is simple: arrive prepared, extract everything the car has, and leave no doubt. Fortec Motorsport’s attention to detail is exactly what I need in my career right now, and their engineering depth and coaching structure will help on the path to Formula 1.” Roman Felber: “Wera Tools British F4 is the next test, and I’m bringing the same process from this season: learn fast, adapt faster, go quicker. The series rewards discipline and race intelligence—qualities I grew in abundance this year.” Enzo Mucci, Performance and Mindset Coach: “I am delighted to see Roman and Cash come over to the UK to race. Having watched them on track, I am pleased to see how quickly they are adpating to the British F4 car. They are both looking very promising. I can’t wait to see them compete in 2026.”
Partners for the Journey BioLongevity Labs — A leading longevity science company creating advanced solutions that help people look, feel, and perform younger. Through cutting-edge research and premium formulations, BioLongevity Labs delivers innovative wellness products designed to boost energy, improve vitality, and support a longer, healthier life.
iMerchant Solutions — A global payment service provider supporting enterprises across the world, iMerchant powers businesses with speed, precision, and reliability. “We are honored to support the Felber brothers in their Formula 4 journey—celebrating their passion, discipline, and drive to reach the top. Just as they race toward victory, we continue to innovate and accelerate the future of global payments,” stated Martin Khemmoro.
Additional committed partners back for 2026: TownHall and Rebol.
“Their belief underwrites everything from testing mileage to engineering depth,” noted Josh Felber. “They don’t just put logos on a car—they help build careers.”
About British FIA Formula 4
The British FIA Formula 4 Championship is an FIA-certified entry point to international single-seater racing, recognized globally for competitive grids and professional team structures. The series has a proven record of developing drivers for the next steps on the Formula 1 pathway.
About Fortec Motorsport Fortec Motorsport is one of the United Kingdom’s leading junior single-seater teams, competing across multiple categories with a track record of winning races and developing drivers for higher levels of the sport. The team is renowned for engineering depth, data-driven coaching, and a high-performance culture.
About FLBR Motorsport FLBR Motorsport supports twin drivers Cash and Roman Felber with a program built on disciplined driver development, engineering rigor, and a people-first culture. From U.S. podiums to the European ladder, FLBR’s mission is simple: build champions the right way—technically, mentally, and ethically.
Contact
FLBR Motorsport press@flbr.com
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American Twins Cash & Roman Felber Target British F4 Success with Fortec Motorsport
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The racing world descended upon downtown Indianapolis Dec. 10-13, transforming the Indiana Convention Center into the global epicenter of motorsports technology and culture.
The 2025 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show delivered high-octane energy and record-breaking engagement as more than 40,000 attendees filled the convention center halls and Lucas Oil Stadium.
The crowd browsed offerings from more than 1,060 exhibitors representing every facet of the racing industry. As the largest gathering of motorsports professionals in the world, the trade show serves as the primary arena where racing business gets done before the new season begins. Team owners, drivers and engineers scouted the latest parts to gain a competitive edge while the aisles buzzed with activity.
Four-time NHRA Champion Antron Brown (left) during the PRI Show on Dec. 12, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center. (Photo/Noral Parham)
“The PRI Show reflects the strength and passion of the motorsports industry,” PRI President Michael Good said.
Among the thousands of industry leaders, four-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown stood out as a fan favorite and frequent presence at the annual Indianapolis showcase. Brown spent the weekend engaging with fans, media and fellow racers at the NHRA stage. During an interview on the show floor, he talked about the potential of securing championship No. 5 for the NHRA 75th Anniversary.
“That’s not silver, that’s chrome,” Brown said as he pointed to the trophy on display. “And you know brothers love chrome.”
The comment drew laughs and highlighted the unique blend of style and speed that defines the event.
From left: Drag racing pioneer and Senior Sports Photographer Walt Thomas and Senior Editor at HOTROD Kaje “KJ” Jones” during the PRI Show on Dec. 12, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center. (Photo/Noral Parham)
This year’s show featured significant expansions in emerging technology sectors, most notably the “Sim Racing Arena.” The exhibit attracted massive crowds of younger racers and tech enthusiasts, highlighting how digital competition is becoming a legitimate gateway to real-world professional racing.
The PRI Show serves as a significant economic driver, extending beyond the convention center walls. According to a June 2025 study coneduted by John Durham & Associated titled Motorsports Economic Impact Study, motorsports generates $69.2 billion in annual economic activity in the United States, with Indiana alone accounting for $2.75 billion of that total.
Based on previous years here in Indianapolis, the three-day event injects tens of millions of dollars into the local Indianapolis economy, keeping hotels, restaurants and bars packed throughout the week as the industry celebrated in the Circle City.
The 2025 show concluded Dec. 13 with a “final push” of sales and networking as exhibitors scrambled to finalize orders and attendees snapped final photos of the world-class machinery.
Organizers locked in dates for next year’s gathering, confirming the racing world will return to Indianapolis from Dec. 10-12, 2026.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Parham is the owner of @HorsemenSportsMedia.For more, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver. He is also the owner and founder of Horsemen Sports Media.
NHRA Announces Great Lakes Nationals At U.S. 131 Motorsports Park!
Dec 15, 2025Darr Hawthorne1320 Drag News, 1320 NHRA News, 1320 Vile Rumors And Gossip, BangShift 1320
(Words by Darr Hawthorne) • The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced today that U.S. 131 Motorsports Park will host a Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event in 2026, with the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals opening the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
The new event, scheduled for Sept. 18–20 in Martin, Michigan, will serve as the 15th of 20 races during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season and the first of six playoff rounds. Tickets go on sale February 1, 2026. U.S. 131 Motorsports Park will also host an NHRA national open on July 8-9, leading into a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional event on July 10-12.
While NHRA framed this announcement as continued growth, the move effectively ends the Keystone Nationals following the IHRA’s acquisition of Maple Grove Raceway, removing one of the sport’s most historic venues from the NHRA national event schedule. 2025 celebrated the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals at Maple Grove.
It should be noted that the seating capacity of Maple Grove is upwards of 30,000 while U.S. 131 Motorsports Park reportedly accommodates some 12,000 plus spectators.
The Great Lakes Nationals will mark NHRA’s first national event at U.S. 131 and brings the total to four “new” National Event facilities for 2026. A majority of those tracks were formerly AHRA or IHRA or Outlaw Street sanctions. This shift underscores a changing landscape for NHRA, as expansion into new markets comes at the expense of long-established tracks with large capacity grandstands, raising questions about tradition, territory, and the long-term direction of the national event calendar during NHRA’s milestone 75th Anniversary Season.
Very Cool Onboard Video: The Mercedes C11 Did Not Disappoint! Check Out These Racing Highlights on Spa – HQ V8 sound
With the antitrust lawsuit now settled, NASCAR’s attention has shifted toward delivering on the changes it pledged as part of the resolution. Although officials had already floated the idea of format adjustments last year, the sanctioning body later clarified that any structural revisions would not take effect until the 2026 season. That timeline, however, does little to unsettle Joey Logano.
The debate around NASCAR’s championship structure has intensified in recent months. A big portion of the fan base continues to push for a return to a traditional season-long points system, while analysts also have suggested a hybrid approach, with both the regular season and postseason decided strictly on points.
At the same time, fans are also speculating that NASCAR may opt for a finale round rather than dismantling the playoff model entirely. Logano, despite having defended the current chase-style format more than most, remains unbothered by the uncertainty.
Rather than lobbying for one outcome or another, the Team Penske driver has said that his focus lies in his intention to adapt, regardless of the direction NASCAR ultimately chooses, and prepare to win under whatever framework emerges.
“I guess I liked where it was. But I’m going to like where we go to. Like, I’m okay with whatever they do is that’s still going to be the rules. And then we got to go figure out how to win,” said Logano.
That mindset has long defined Logano’s approach to competition. He sees little value in debating the merits of a system once the rules are set. For him, the responsibility begins only after the framework becomes official.
“Like it’s not my job to complain about what we have or what we’re going to have. Like my job is to say, ‘Okay, this is the rules. Okay, let’s figure out the strategy to win this thing.’ Like, how do we do that? I don’t really care what it is. Just tell me what it is. So then we can focus on doing that. But the bottom line is it’ll be the same for everybody, no matter what they come up with.”
Logano understands that parity remains constant regardless of format. Every driver will face the same conditions, the same constraints, and the same opportunities to contend for a championship. Once the rules are finalized, the task becomes execution, not evaluation. He also recognizes that clarity has yet to arrive and that uncertainty fuels much of the current discourse.
“It seems like a lot of people don’t like the format we have. I’m the minority in saying that I love it because I love the pressure part, right? Kind of fits,”he said.
Preferring the chase format, Logano explained that it mirrors his personality, as pressure sharpens his edge. He thrives when the stakes rise and the margins shrink, and that outlook extends beyond NASCAR. In his own words, playoff competition is what draws his attention across sports.
He rarely follows other leagues during their regular seasons, choosing instead to tune in when elimination looms and consequences escalate. He gravitates toward moments when competitors operate with their backs against the wall, forced to take risks and make decisive moves.
For Logano, that intensity defines sport at its most compelling. Whether NASCAR preserves elements of the current playoff system or pivots toward something new, he remains confident that the challenge will endure. As of now, NASCAR has yet to issue an official announcement outlining its next steps. Until then, Logano waits, prepared to adjust once the direction becomes clear.
A major piece of the primary sponsorship puzzle for Harrison Burton and the No. 24 Sam Hunt Racing team during the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season has been put into place. Dead On Tools, a longtime partner of Burton, will join the driver for 12 races during the upcoming season.
The team revealed a rendering of the Dead On Tools paint scheme on Monday morning via a post on X.
The partnership will kick off with the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 14. Dead On Tools will book-end the season for the No. 24 Sam Hunt Racing team as it will also serve as the sponsor for Burton in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, November 7.
The complete 2026 sponsorship schedule for Dead On Tools:
February 14: Daytona International Speedway
March 28: Martinsville Speedway
April 11: Bristol Motor Speedway
May 23: Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 27: Sonoma Raceway
July 11: EchoPark Speedway
July 25: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
September 5: Darlington Raceway
September 12: World Wide Technology Raceway
October 3: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
October 24: Talladega Superspeedway
November 7: Homestead-Miami Speedway
As Sam Hunt Racing embarks on expansion to a second full-time car in 2026, team owner Sam Hunt is optimistic about the partnership that is being forged with Dead On Tools.
“I am beyond proud to have Dead On Tools join Sam Hunt Racing in 2026,” said Sam Hunt, Owner of Sam Hunt Racing. “From my first conversation with their leadership, I knew there was a ton of symmetry with what our respective teams are trying to accomplish, and how we go about doing so. They do things the right way and work extremely hard to put out their fantastic line of products. I have no doubts that we will successfully grow together, while creating great memories along the way.”
Partnered with Burton, Dead On Tools made the Playoffs in 2025 with AM Racing. They feel confident in what Burton can achieve with his new team, Sam Hunt Racing, in 2026.
“Everyone at Dead On Tools is thrilled to be able to continue to grow our partnership with Harrison. To be with a team like Sam Hunt Racing, we know the No. 24 will be in great hands and are excited for a terrific 2026 season,” said Joseph Ardell, Marketing Manager for Dead On Tools.”
While Sam Hunt Racing, which was established in 2019, hasn’t captured a victory in 230 starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series ranks, the team has made incredible strides over the past few seasons and seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough.
Heading into the 2026 season, SHR has recorded 13 top-five finishes and 36 top-10s. A season ago, Dean Thompson snagged one top-five finish and eight top-10s during his rookie campaign behind the wheel of the team’s No. 26 Toyota Supra. Thompson is set to return in 2026 as the teammate to Burton.
Hendrick Motorsports is adding another Concord property to its growing portfolio.
For around $14.2 million, a limited liability company associated with Hendrick purchased about 20 acres from Charlotte Motor Speedway in November, according to Cabarrus County records.
The site at 7001 Bruton Smith Blvd. sits squarely in Concord’s racing center. It’s wedged between the Camping World Racing Resort, zMAX Dragway and The Charlotte Fair. The site is also near the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Hendrick’s campus.
Hendrick has no plans for the site yet, according to a company spokesman. But the acquisition is another notch in Hendrick’s property belt.
Charlotte Business Journal first reported the purchase.
Hendrick’s NASCAR and automotive growth
On the auto side, Hendrick Automotive recently purchased a 2.6-acre plot at the Capitol Towers complex in SouthPark for $13 million. Hendrick also said there’s no immediate plan for that vacant land at 5954 Carnegie Blvd. in Charlotte.
Back to the NASCAR side, Hendrick Motorsports is planning to build a 204,000-square-foot, two-story manufacturing facility for a future tenant, investing $65 million to $70 million in Concord. Hendrick Motorsports previously declined to comment on the investment.
And Hendrick companies owner Rick Hendrick has also collaborated with Speedway Motorsports. Last year, he and Speedway teamed up for Ten Tenths Motor Club, a car fanatic club, with a lighted road course, a special event facility, garage and off-road driving trails near the speedway.
But a recent contract by Hendrick Motorsports Technical Solutions — a manufacturing company distinct from the Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR team — has been surrounded by controversy
That company entered into a $2.2 million with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for 25 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs. A Hendrick spokesperson said the deal was routine and not political, but some have called for boycotting the company.
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Desiree Mathurin
The Charlotte Observer
Desiree Mathurin covers growth and development for The Charlotte Observer. The native New Yorker returned to the East Coast after covering neighborhood news in Denver at Denverite and Colorado Public Radio. She’s also reported on high school sports at Newsday and southern-regional news for AP. Desiree is exploring Charlotte and the Carolinas, and is looking forward to taking readers along for the ride. Send tips and coffee shop recommendations.
Wally Nesbitt Collectible Sale: If you’re heading to the VARAC Vintage GP (June 14/15 at CTMP), longtime Inside Track contributor and Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame inductee J. Wally Nesbitt will have a booth in the CTMP Marketplace selling some of his incredible racing collectibles. Wally has been a collector for decades and has amassed some incredible items (including a helmet used by a Canadian F1 legend with the initials GV) … and now it’s your turn to own them. Just bring cash. In the meantime, Wally is also selling some things via his Facebook page HERE.
Brockville Ontario Speedway: The BOS is back in action Saturday, May 31 with a full slate of racing action sponsored by SUPERIOR CELLULAR & SOUND. On track will be the Modifieds, Sportsman, Novice Sportsman, Surprenant Truck Shop Crate Sprints and Street Stocks. Click HERE for more info.
