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Acura & Katherine Legge Return to Pikes Peak with Hopes of a Record-Setting Run; HRC Prototype Integra to Pace the 103rd Hill Climb Running

Following her rookie debut in 2024, Katherine Legge returns with goal of setting a new front-wheel-drive record U.S. Olympic speed skater Rusty Smith will pilot the official pace vehicle – an Integra Type S HRC Prototype Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) developed performance parts featured on both vehicles, leveraging the technical […]

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  • Following her rookie debut in 2024, Katherine Legge returns with goal of setting a new front-wheel-drive record
  • U.S. Olympic speed skater Rusty Smith will pilot the official pace vehicle – an Integra Type S HRC Prototype
  • Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) developed performance parts featured on both vehicles, leveraging the technical knowledge and expertise of HRC race engineers worldwide

Acura and Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) today announced a return to “America’s Mountain” for the 103rd running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, presented by Gran Turismo, on June 22. Acura and HRC US will enter the highly competitive Time Attack 1 (TA1) division with the Integra Type S DE5 race car. Driving the #93 Integra is INDYCAR and IMSA veteran Katherine Legge who also returns to the ”Race to the Clouds” following a top-five finish in the TA1 category in 2024. Her rookie outing resulted in a time of 10:51.359, just a few seconds shy of the current front-wheel-drive record of 10:48.094 – set by Acura engineer and Pikes Peak veteran Nick Robinson with a 500-horsepower TLX in 2018.

“It was an honor to compete in Pikes Peak for the first time in 2024, as I had always dreamt of being among the famous drivers who have tackled the mountain,” said Katherine Legge, driver of the #93 Acura Integra Type S DE5. “At Pikes Peak, you’re always competing against yourself, the mountain and the other drivers. It’s my goal to leave my own legacy, setting the front-wheel drive record in the Integra Type S DE5.”

Additionally, Acura will supply the official pace car for the 103rd running of America’s longest running hill climb. The custom-wrapped Indy Yellow Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype will pace the field on the challenging 156-turn, 12.42-mile mountain course, demonstrating a new line of HRC Performance Parts being developed by championship-winning HRC race engineers. Behind the wheel will be U.S. Olympic bronze-medalist speed skater, Rusty Smith.

Rusty Smith has made Team USA three times, competing in short track at the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998, Salt Lake City 2002, and Turin 2006. On the podium, Smith captured a 500-meter bronze medal in 2002 and a relay bronze medal alongside his teammates in 2006. Smith also shares a passion for high-performance Honda and Acura vehicles; he owns several enthusiast models from each brand, including a rare first-generation Acura NSX-T finished in Spa Yellow with a Vivid Yellow interior.

Smith’s stint in the Integra Type S HRC Prototype follows Honda’s announcement as a Founding Partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Honda will also serve as the Official Automotive Partner of Team USA, supporting the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams during the LA28 Games and upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. LA28 plans for Honda and Acura vehicles to act as the official pace vehicles for all LA28 endurance events.

Motorsports, including the premium performance brand’s Pikes Peak efforts, is a critical component of Acura Precision Crafted Performance. This is the 15th consecutive year Acura is competing at Pikes Peak, with the Acura team amassing an impressive 12 first place in-division finishes, over 30 podiums and multiple course records.

Known as the Race to the Clouds, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado is one of America’s longest running motorsports competitions. Since 1916, drivers from all over the world race against the clock, in a wide variety of vehicles and from multiple motorsports disciplines, as they take on the grueling mountain course, starting at 9,390 feet and climbing to the 14,115-foot summit.

HRC Performance Parts
Based on strong interest generated by the Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype, which was revealed at Monterey Car Week in August 2024, HRC announced that it will create a new business to produce authentic performance parts for customer use for street, track and off-road applications at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Southern California-based HRC US has been winning races and championships on and off-road for three decades and is applying this extensive know-how to a new line of authentic performance parts focused on enhancing all elements of the driving experience—
engine, suspension and braking performance—along with significant weight savings. As a successful racing brand for decades, HRC US is uniquely positioned to offer parts to retail customers in North America to enhance the performance of their own Honda and Acura vehicles.

Acura Integra Type S DE5
Eligible for competition in multiple racing series and sold directly to racers, HRC’s Integra Type S DE5 is designed, developed, and assembled inside Honda’s state-of-the-art North American facilities employing groundbreaking technologies in weld, body construction, painting, final assembly and quality confirmation to ensure the highest levels of precision and craftsmanship.

HRC developed the DE5 from the production Acura Integra Type S premium sports compact, and it is the latest in a line of highly successful, championship-winning, HRC-developed touring cars, including versions of the 10th generation Honda Civic Si and Type R and the 11th generation Civic Si FE1.

The competition version of the Integra Type S, which participates in the top class of SRO TC America racing where it won six races in its debut season, is powered by a modified version of the factory 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder K20C8 engine. The racing version of the engine, co-developed by HRC US and HRC Japan, produces in excess of 360hp. That power is then directed to the wheels via a 6-speed sequential, paddle-shift transmission to HRC US developed suspension and brakes.

The purpose-built body shell removes all unneeded street vehicle components – such as soundproofing, underbody coating and seam sealers – and is fitted with a safety roll cage, aerodynamic components and cooling upgrades.

About Acura
Acura is a leading premium auto brand committed to delivering expressive styling, innovative engineering and engaging dynamics, all built on the brand’s Precision Crafted Performance DNA. The Acura lineup consists of two sport sedans, the Integra and TLX, and four sport-utility vehicles, the first-ever ADX, RDX, MDX and all-electric ZDX. High-performance Type S variants further demonstrate the virtues of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.

More information about Acura is available here: https://acuranews.com/en-US. 

About Acura Motorsports
Acura motorsports programs in North America have been integral to the brand since its launch in 1986. The rich legacy of Acura sports car racing includes multiple GT and prototype wins and championships across Camel Lights, the American Le Mans series, SRO, and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition. In current IMSA competition, Acura swept the 2019, 2020 and 2022 IMSA manufacturer, driver and teams championships.

In 2023, Acura made its successful racing debut with the electrified ARX-06 prototype sports car in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and claimed Acura’s third consecutive Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona victory at the Daytona International Speedway. In 2025, the electrified Acura ARX-06 returns with Acura Meyer Shank Racing running the #60 and #93 cars. Honda Racing USA will be strategizing and race engineering the #93 for the first time in the company’s history, while Acura MSR will continue to do the same for the #60 as Acura seeks its first championship title in the electrified era of sports car racing.

About Honda Racing Corporation USA
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US), has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers since its founding in 1993 as Honda Performance Development (HPD). In January 2024, HPD became HRC US, combining with HRC Japan to strengthen the company’s overall motorsports capabilities. From pinnacle racing in INDYCAR and IMSA sports cars to commercial racing programs, HRC US leads all Honda and Acura high-performance racing programs in North America and will be involved in Formula One power unit development and race support related to the next phase of Honda starting in 2026.

HRC US specializes in the design and development of powertrain, chassis, electronics, and performance parts, as well as technical and race support. The company also offers parts and race support to Honda and Acura amateur and professional motorsports racers; and is continually expanding its palette of racing programs that make Honda racing products available to all racing styles, from karting and quarter midgets to the highest levels of professional racing.

https://hondaracing-us.honda.com

About LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time hosting the Olympic Games, previously hosting in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, nonprofit organization, with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs, and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.

About Team USA
Team USA is the world’s largest and most diverse team of athletes from across the United States who compete at the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, founded in 1894, serves as the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States and is responsible for protecting, supporting and empowering Team USA athletes. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.

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AUTO RACING: Van Gisbergen gets the sweep in Chicago and NASCAR heads to Sonoma

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Challenge Round 3 – Toyota / Save Mart 350 Site: Sonoma, California. Track: Sonoma… All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Challenge Round 3 – Toyota / Save Mart 350 Site: Sonoma, California. Track: Sonoma Raceway. Race distance: 110 laps, 218.9 miles. Schedule: Saturday, practice, 1:30 p.m., qualifying, 2:35 p.m.; […]

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All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Challenge Round 3 – Toyota / Save Mart 350 Site: Sonoma, California. Track: Sonoma…

All Times Eastern

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Challenge Round 3 – Toyota / Save Mart 350

Site: Sonoma, California.

Track: Sonoma Raceway.

Race distance: 110 laps, 218.9 miles.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 1:30 p.m., qualifying, 2:35 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3:30 p.m. (TNT and MAX).

Last year: Kyle Larson took his second win at Sonoma and third of the season while taking the lead after a three-car battle with eight laps to go.

Last race: Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen earned his second victory of the weekend and marked a first series sweep from the pole since Kyle Busch’s performance in 2016.

Next race: July 20, Dover, Delaware.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250

Site: Sonoma, California.

Track: Sonoma Raceway.

Race distance: 79 laps, 156.95 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 4 p.m., qualifying, 5:10 p.m.; Saturday, race, 4:30 p.m. (CW).

Last year: Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen secured the win, leading a race-high 32 laps while taking the lead late after contact with Austin Hill.

Last race: Van Gisbergen held off teammate Connor Zilisch after a late-race restart, giving him his first Xfinity victory with JR Motorsports.

Next race: July 19, Dover, Delaware.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

Last race: Pole sitter Corey Heim locked in his fifth win of the season while dominating 99 out of 100 laps at Lime Rock Park.

Next race: July 25, Indianapolis.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Last race: Lando Norris scored his first victory at his home race after capitalizing on teammate Piastri’s 10-second penalty amidst a safety-car restart.

Next race: July 26, Stavelot, Belgium.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR

SYNK 275

Site: Newton, Iowa.

Track: Iowa Speedway.

Race distance: 275 laps, 245.85 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, practice, noon, race 1, 5 p.m. (FOX); Sunday, race 2, 1 p.m. (FOX).

Last year: Will Power earned his 43rd career win after overtaking leader Alex Palou during the final pit stops.

Last race: Relying on a fuel-saving strategy, Scott Dixon capitalized on a mistake made by Palou with five laps to go giving him his first win of the season.

Next race: July 20, Toronto.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING

Next race: July 20, Kent, Washington.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

Deer Creek Clash

Battle at the Border – Night 1

Memorial Badger 40 – Night 1

Battle at the Border – Night 2

Memorial Badger 40 – Night 2

Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by Dac Vitamins and Minerals

Next events: July 18 – 19, Rossburg, Ohio.

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com

_____

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing

Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.



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Mayor Brandon Johnson open to future Chicago NASCAR race

Mayor Brandon Johnson is open to NASCAR returning to Chicago, but hinted Tuesday the city may need a better deal before stock car drivers again race through its streets. NASCAR has 90 days to request a contract extension with the Chicago Park District. If the racing authority wants to win city leaders over, it could […]

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Mayor Brandon Johnson is open to NASCAR returning to Chicago, but hinted Tuesday the city may need a better deal before stock car drivers again race through its streets.

NASCAR has 90 days to request a contract extension with the Chicago Park District. If the racing authority wants to win city leaders over, it could need to change race dates, the mayor said Tuesday.

“The Fourth of July is already, quite frankly, it is a heavier burden for our law enforcement because of so much activity,” Johnson said at a City Hall news conference. “It’s something that will be part of the larger discussion if, in fact, NASCAR returns, what is the optimal time.”

Pressed on what else the city might need to approve another race, Johnson stayed tight-lipped, promising only that “there will be a lot of things that we will discuss.”

Whether the city and NASCAR can find dates that fit into both schedules is a key question. A NASCAR spokesperson declined comment Tuesday.

The 2026 and 2027 races, the prior contract negotiated by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, would be held on mutually agreeable dates. But the park district did confirm in the original contract that the 2023 event and staging window — July 4th weekend — “is acceptable for potential 2026 or 2027 events.”

NASCAR is reportedly in separate negotiations with officials in San Diego to host a street race there in 2026. The potential San Diego race may be in addition to Chicago, or supplant it. A negotiation window with Chicago officials could be narrow: NASCAR announced last year’s cup schedule last August. It featured 38 races between February and November, breaking briefly in May and June.

Considered the city’s front lawn, Grant Park already has a packed schedule in the warmer months, including Lollapalooza, Suenos, Blues and Jazz fests, Taste of Chicago, the half marathon, and various other festivals.

Downtown aldermen say moving the race is critical to winning their approval. The Fourth of July is a “family-oriented” weekend when Chicagoans should have free access to Grant Park, Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, said.

“If you’re going to have it again, please don’t have it on July 4th weekend,” Conway said. “We should choose to do it a different weekend if we choose to do it at all.”

Conway also said the city should recoup costs tied to the event “at a minimum” and added that he hopes construction and tear-down times continue to improve. The racing authority has become more efficient in its set-up and communicated well with residents to resolve initial concerns, he added.

“If we can get those things ironed out, I think it would be good to have NASCAR back. Chicago shines on the world stage, and it’s clear Chicago gives NASCAR that platform,” he said.

Fans watch as racers come around Turn 1 during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on July 6, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Fans watch as racers come around Turn 1 during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on July 6, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Fans cheer as competitors make begin their final 10 laps during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on July 6, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)
Fans cheer as competitors make begin their final 10 laps during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on July 6, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Conway said Johnson previously told him a city decision on the event’s future would come after this year’s race. The mayor on Tuesday promised “far more people are going to be involved” as future races are considered.

“We should have input, we should be involved in this process,” Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, said.

Hopkins argued Lightfoot failed to bring in others when she landed the deal to bring the race to Chicago. He declined to cast judgement on whether the race should continue. It seems the city comes out slightly ahead financially, but weeks-long street closures still make the race hard to justify, he said.

The city’s cut has long been a point of contention with NASCAR skeptics. The 2025 payment includes a $605,000 base permit fee, plus $2 per ticket sold and 25% of net commissions on food, drinks and merchandise sold at the event. NASCAR must pay the non-permit cut within a 90-day window after the event.

In the fall of 2023, Johnson and NASCAR also memorialized an additional $2 million payment for 2024 and 2025. That payment was supposed to help compensate the city for public safety and other costs. NASCAR also agreed to continually slim down its setup and takedown window to reduce inconvenience to drivers and downtown residents.

The city came out slightly ahead last year, thanks in large part to that $2 million payment and fewer roadwork improvement costs.

NASCAR officials point to the broader economic impact as a point in their favor — plus added amusement taxes that flow to the city and county.

Leslie Recht, who leads the Grant Park Advisory Council, said she’s urged Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez Rosa, a close Johnson ally, to push for more money from the company and an even quicker set-up and takedown.

“For me, it’s still too long,” Recht said, stipulating that other advisory council members don’t mind it. “All the disruption in Grant Park, if you compare it to Lollapalooza or Suenos or some of the other events, they come, they go. They’re a much less impactful situation in Grant Park than NASCAR and they don’t pay enough… Lolla and Suenos together pay $12 million. It’s ridiculous.”

The city must be careful with how it uses Grant Park, because “it is for everyone,” Ald. Lamont Robinson, 4th, said. But NASCAR has so far been a “good neighbor,” he added.

“I think we need as much revenue as we can get in the city of Chicago,” Robinson said.

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Big Game Motorsports and Gravel Heading to Deer Creek Speedway and Wilmot Raceway This Weekend – Speedway Digest

Big Game Motorsports enjoyed a rare weekend off during a busy World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series calendar. Focus now shifts back to action, which resumes this Thursday at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., during the Deer Creek Clash followed by races on Friday and Saturday at Wilmot Raceway in […]

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Big Game Motorsports enjoyed a rare weekend off during a busy World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series calendar.

Focus now shifts back to action, which resumes this Thursday at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., during the Deer Creek Clash followed by races on Friday and Saturday at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis., during the Larry Hillerud Memorial Badger 40.

“Once we get back we’re absolutely wide open so I don’t mind it,” David Gravel said of the weekend off. “Just a little bit of a reset. Once we get back Thursday it’s like 8 races in 10 days so it’ll be good to be fresh and ready to go for the big stretch. It’ll be Knoxville Nationals before you know it.”

Gravel set the track record at Deer Creek Speedway in 2014, when he produced his best outing at the track with a runner-up result.

“Deer Creek is a track that is really cool with a lot of banking,” he said. “We haven’t been there in several years so it’s a track I’m excited to get back to.”

Gravel has won a series-best four of the 13 World of Outlaws races at Wilmot Raceway with trips to Victory Lane in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2020.

“Wilmot is a track I’ve had a lot of success at,” he said. “We’ve been good there lately so I’d love to get a win in the No. 2 car.”

Gravel enters the weekend leading the World of Outlaws championship standings by 184 points.

SEASON STATS –

39 races, 10 wins, 33 top fives, 38 top 10s, 38 top 15s, 38 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Thursday at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., for the Deer Creek Clash and Friday and Saturday at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wis., for the Larry Hillerud Memorial Badger 40 with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series

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NASCAR’s first in-season tournament adds some drama to the Cup Series finish in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) — NASCAR’s first in-season tournament hasn’t made much of an impression on its drivers so far. Ty Gibbs said Sunday he didn’t know who his second-round opponent was until after the Cup Series race. That might be about to change. Gibbs is one of eight drivers still in the mix for the $1 […]

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CHICAGO (AP) — NASCAR’s first in-season tournament hasn’t made much of an impression on its drivers so far. Ty Gibbs said Sunday he didn’t know who his second-round opponent was until after the Cup Series race.

That might be about to change.

Gibbs is one of eight drivers still in the mix for the $1 million prize that goes to the winner of the five-race, bracket-style competition. While Shane van Gisbergen was closing out his Cup victory in Chicago this weekend, some of the most compelling action on the downtown street course was at least connected to the inaugural In-Season Challenge.

Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace raced each other hard in the final laps after they tangled in Chicago last year. Bowman got the better of the head-to-head matchup, finishing eighth and eliminating Wallace from the tournament.

John Hunter Nemechek was 15th, one spot better than his opponent, Chase Elliott. Gibbs had a strong day and finished second, good enough to beat AJ Allmendinger in sixth. Ty Dillon, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Preece, Zane Smith and Erik Jones also moved on.

The 14th-seeded Smith upset No. 3 seed Chris Buescher by finishing 14th. He is matched up with Gibbs for Sunday’s road race at Sonoma.

“I hate we had to knock another Ford out, but it’s super cool to advance,” Smith said.

With the in-season tournament — part of a new media rights deal that includes TNT — NASCAR is following in the footsteps of the NBA and soccer leagues around the world. After Sonoma this weekend, it concludes with races at Dover and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Bowman said the tournament wasn’t on his mind as he battled with Wallace at the end in Chicago. Whatever the reason for the contact, their head-to-head matchup certainly added a bit of intrigue to the racing behind van Gisbergen’s victory.

With the money involved and the field trimmed to eight drivers, there could be more moments like the duel between Bowman and Wallace in the final weeks of the challenge.

“I wasn’t expecting that to happen or to get raced like that, but we did,” Bowman said. “We just have to move on from it and keep digging.”

It sure sounds as if Dillon is enjoying the competition. Dillon, the No. 32 seed, eliminated Brad Keselowski on Sunday after he upset top-seeded Denny Hamlin at Atlanta on June 28.

There was absolutely no drama in Dillon’s win after Keselowski was collected in an early crash that began with Carson Hocevar hitting the wall and spinning out between Turns 10 and 11. Hocevar was eliminated by Reddick.

“I’m just so proud of Kaulig Racing and our No. 10 team,” Dillon said. “I knew in a basketball city, going up against Brad in a game of knockout, I was going to have a good chance.”

Dillon takes on Bowman and Preece faces Reddick in the next round. But the most interesting contest just might be Nemechek versus Jones in a matchup of Legacy Motor Club teammates.

“I felt like if we could have gotten through the first round, these next two rounds are really good for us,” Preece said. “Our road course program is pretty strong, and we keep making it better. So going into Sonoma, I think we’re up against Tyler Reddick, so he’s really good at road courses as well, but I like being the underdog.”



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Hertz to Sponsor John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota at Dover

STATESVILLE, N.C. (July 8, 2025)  –  LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced today that Hertz, one of the world’s largest mobility solutions providers, will serve as the primary sponsor of John Hunter Nemechek’s No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20. The announcement marks another chapter in the evolving partnership between LEGACY […]

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STATESVILLE, N.C. (July 8, 2025)  –  LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced today that Hertz, one of the world’s largest mobility solutions providers, will serve as the primary sponsor of John Hunter Nemechek’s No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20. The announcement marks another chapter in the evolving partnership between LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and team co-owner Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, on behalf of its investors, which also co-owns Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA racing team in the FIA World Endurance Championship (“WEC”). 

The iconic black-and-gold Hertz livery will make its NASCAR return on the high-banked concrete mile at Dover—known as the “Monster Mile”— bringing international motorsports synergy under the Knighthead umbrella. Hertz Car Sales – which offers thousands of well-maintained, high-quality used vehicles online and in person at more than 40 locations nationwide – also will be featured prominently on the racecar.   

“We’re excited to see Hertz and Hertz Car Sales on the No. 42 this summer at Dover,” said John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota. “It’s awesome to represent such a recognizable global brand, and even more special knowing it ties into the broader Knighthead motorsport vision that spans NASCAR and endurance racing.” 

Hertz’s entry into the NASCAR Cup Series complements its sponsorship of Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA’s No. 12 and No. 38 Cadillacs in the WEC. This cross-series sponsorship strategy, backed by Knighthead, exemplifies a global approach to brand visibility and performance alignment across premier racing platforms. 

“Hertz has a proud legacy in motorsports and we’re excited to expand our presence by partnering with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and John Hunter Nemechek for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover,” said Gil West, Hertz Chief Executive Officer. “This collaboration not only highlights our iconic brand on one of racing’s biggest stages, but also showcases Hertz Car Sales as a trusted source of high-quality used vehicles. It’s an exciting opportunity to connect with fans and customers through the thrill of racing.” 

Fans will get their first look at the Hertz-branded No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE during practice and qualifying at Dover on July 19, with race coverage airing nationally on TNT Sports.

About Hertz 
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. is one of the world’s leading car rental and mobility solutions providers. Its subsidiaries, including The Hertz Corporation, and licensees operate the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly vehicle rental brands, with more than 11,000 rental locations in 160 countries around the globe. The Company also operates the Hertz Car Sales brand, which offers a range of quality, competitively priced used cars for sale online and at locations across the United States, and the Hertz 24/7 car-sharing business in Europe. For more information about Hertz, visit www.hertz.com. 

About Knighthead Capital Management LLC 
Knighthead Capital Management, LLC was co-founded in 2008 by Tom Wagner  and  Ara Cohen and has grown to become a diversified asset management platform with an experienced team of investment professionals, specializing in fundamental analysis, operational and financial turnarounds and risk management. Knighthead’s long-term objective is to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for its clients while emphasizing the preservation of capital. Knighthead manages assets across a variety of investment vehicles including insurance asset management, real estate lending, and closed and open-ended vehicles. 

About LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MC is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

Source: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB



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This Bronco Raptor 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 Swap Is Factory Fresh

Ever since the new Ford Bronco debuted, the number one question from enthusiasts has been, “Where’s the V8?” While it seems Ford has no plans to build one, Juicy Motorsports has delivered an answer with a fully integrated 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 conversion for the Bronco Raptor. Bubba Bryan from Exodus 4×4 recently got a close […]

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Ever since the new Ford Bronco debuted, the number one question from enthusiasts has been, “Where’s the V8?” While it seems Ford has no plans to build one, Juicy Motorsports has delivered an answer with a fully integrated 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 conversion for the Bronco Raptor. Bubba Bryan from Exodus 4×4 recently got a close look at the impressive build by Juicy Motorsports.

Bubba Bryan of Exodus 4x4

A True OEM-Level Conversion

Bubba Bryan is quick to point out that this is more than just a simple engine swap. “I’m calling a conversion,” he said, “because we’re not just putting a different engine in there and firing it up and driving it and having a bunch of lights on the dash.”

He was impressed that the finished truck retains all of its factory functionality. As he explained, “The best part is everything works! The GOAT modes work, the sway bar works, no lights on the dash.” When he got behind the wheel, he noted that the truck “just fires right up, no stall, no sputtering.”

Why the Godzilla V8?

The choice to use the 7.3-liter Godzilla pushrod V8 over the more complex 5.0-liter Coyote was a deliberate one. Justin Stamper, the builder from Juicy Motorsports, explained that the Godzilla is a simple, reliable workhorse engine with great low-end torque perfect for a heavy off-road truck.

Ford Bronco Raptor V8 Engine Swap

The pushrod design also makes it physically smaller than the DOHC Coyote. Bubba agreed, noting that the big V8 “fits in here better than the V6 does. In my opinion, you don’t have all the charge pipes and all that stuff floating around in here.”

How It’s Done

The key to the conversion’s success is its deep integration with Ford’s own electronics. The system uses a Ford PCM and a modified Ford wiring harness with “no intermediator modules or anything between the PCM and the rest of the wiring harness,” Bubba explained.

The stock 10R60 transmission is swapped for a stronger 10R80, and a small adapter plate is used to mate it to the Bronco’s stock transfer case. Aside from that, only a handful of custom parts like engine mounts and AC hoses are needed.

All About the V8

At the end of the day, this build answers the question that so many Bronco fans have been asking. It proves that a V8 not only fits, but can work with all of the vehicle’s advanced technology.

Hearing that big pushrod V8 rumble where a twin-turbo V6 used to be is what makes this conversion so special for anyone who believes a truck like the Bronco deserves V8 power.





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