Whether it’s a racecar slicing through air or a boat charting open waters, both must move efficiently through fluid, travel from start to finish and endure extreme conditions. This leads to a surprising number of parallels between marine and motorsport.
In fact, these industries are so similar that technology from racing has been transferred to vessels since 2014 [1]. Famous Formula 1 engineer, Adrian Newey, partnered with Sir Ben Ainslie to leverage the simulation, modelling, fluid dynamics and composite techniques learned in motorsport for the 35th America’s Cup campaign. It’s no coincidence that other top Formula 1 teams including Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren have followed suit and are now all involved in high performance marine projects such as the America’s Cup and the E1 Series.
L-R – Stuart Cooper, Market Head – Motorsport and Peter Trueman, Market Head – Marine
However, this technology crossover has become even more prevalent over the last few years as the maritime industry shifts towards electrification – a strategy motorsport has been tackling since 2009 [2].
The importance of efficiency in marine electric powertrains
Hybrid and electric propulsion systems are gradually being adopted in work boats, leisure craft, ferries and rescue boats. This transition is being driven by the threat of regulations, the need to reduce emissions, the performance potential of new battery technologies and the cost benefits of electricity over fuels.
Discover the role electrification will play in marine
Like all electric powertrains, battery range is a concern, particularly in maritime where regeneration is unavailable and recovering from a depleted battery at sea is far more complex than pulling over at the side of a racetrack.
Consequently, powertrain efficiency is a top priority in marine, an area that aligns closely with motorsport, where maximising every joule of energy can be the difference between winning and losing a race.
‘One of the challenges with electric boats is there is very little regen – there are no hills to coast down, and as soon as you come off throttle, the boat is already slowing down due to the drag of the hull,’ highlights Peter Trueman, Market Head Off-Highway and Marine at Ricardo. ‘This shifts the focus of the key battery requirement from power density to energy density, making the efficiency innovations in series such as Formula E and Le Mans, where the batteries have to last the entire race, most interesting to marine.’
‘This efficiency is not just about managing the conditions of the battery to keep it in its optimum range to maximise energy output,’ adds Trueman. ‘But also ensuring this energy is used in the most efficient way possible. Every component including the electric motors and the transmission, all need to be optimised to minimise losses and contribute to achieving an overall efficient powertrain package.’
Developing a transmission for Formula E
Reducing drag and lightweighting
The hunt for efficiency does not stop with the powertrain, as there are many other areas of a vessel that can be refined to reduce energy consumption. Arguably the most significant is minimising hydrodynamic drag.
‘Water is around 830 times denser than air [3] which means that, at the same speed, the drag force in water is hundreds of times greater than in air,’ explains Stuart Cooper, Market Head at Ricardo. ‘This amplified drag not only requires more power from the batteries to push through, but also creates large turbulent wakes. That’s why, just like in motorsport, boat builders are using CFD tools and wind tunnel equivalent towing tanks to streamline the design of hulls and propellers to be more hydrodynamic.’
‘There’s a lot of research at the minute going into optimising the hydrodynamics of vessels,’ confirms Trueman. ‘We’re starting to see hydro foiling making a comeback, a system where, as the boat picks up speed, submerged foils sitting beneath the vessel generate lift and lift the high drag hull out of the water, significantly improving the efficiency with which the boat moves over the water. This technology shares many of the fundamental principles found in racecar aerodynamics, it’s just a different fluid.’
Another tactic to cut the energy requirements of the battery pack is lightweighting. By utilising lightweight materials such as carbon fibre composites, the overall mass can be reduced which in turn means fewer cells onboard. This is another area where motorsport can transfer knowledge as the industry has been working with carbon fibre composites since the early 1980s [4] and today’s Formula 1 cars are now made up of over 85% composite components [5].
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The crossover of reliability between motorsport and marine
There are few environments that are as extreme as a motorsport race, where every component is pushed to its performance limit, sometimes for up to 24 hours. However, marine is one of them, with relentless cyclic loading, shock impacts and vibrations induced by waves combined with constant exposure to salt water, humidity and UV radiation for days at a time. While the threat of debris can damage propellors, shred drive belts and destroy gearboxes.
Despite these brutal conditions, vessels need to be extremely reliable to avoid being stranded in open water. ‘In racing, it’s great to be fast, but as the saying goes, to finish first, you must first finish,’ says Trueman. ‘It’s the same in marine because when you are out at sea, the last thing you want is a failure.’
‘Even back when electronically controlled engines were first introduced into the boating industry there were a myriad of issues around sufficiently isolating electrical connections due to saltwater and salt spray in the air,’ adds Trueman. ‘These problems need to be overcome by designing electric powertrains that are not only durable under normal operating conditions, but in extreme conditions as well.’
Transmission design requirements
This need for components to be energy efficient and reliable demands a precision engineering approach paired with high-quality manufacturing, which is particularly challenging when it comes to transmission design. Transmissions match the output torque of the motors to the input torque of the propeller in electric and hybrid powertrains, with hybrids often utilising power take in gearboxes to switch between the engine and motor depending on the drive mode.
‘The other difficulty is how the powertrain is mounted,’ says Trueman. ‘Prop shafts are usually low down in the hull, so to transfer the torque from the motor or flywheel to the propellor requires a complex arrangement of Z drive or vertical shafts with bevel gears. As the propellor is constantly turning under load, there is a high amount of torque going through the system, so these gears and shafts need to be robust enough to withstand these high torques, whilst minimising heat losses to improve efficiency.’
The Element range of epicycle gearboxes
Achieving performance and reliability whilst maximising efficiency is embedded within the design of Ricardo’s transmissions. The latest Element epicyclic range, originally developed for automotive and motorsport, are well suited to the extreme conditions of marine. Furthermore, these slim cylindrical units are available in low, medium and high torque capacities as well as a wide range of reduction ratios, allowing boat builders to precisely match the speed of the motors operating at their most efficient rpm and propellers for a variety of load profiles.
Learn more about Element for Marine applications
‘In motorsport over recent years, performance has been redefined to focus more on efficiency rather than outright speed,’ concludes Cooper. ‘This efficiency is something Ricardo has been delivering on track for decades, together with a fail fast and iterate faster culture. Transferring this to other industries who are at the beginning of their electrification journey will help accelerate their ability to quickly solve the engineering challenges of adopting hybrid and electric powertrains.’
References
[1] 2014. Adrian Newey gets to realise America’s Cup dream in tie-up with Sir Ben Ainslie [Online]. Motorsport.com [2] 2022. WATCH: A brief history of the evolution of Formula 1 engines [Online]. Formula 1. [3] Pressure and density of air [Online]. Institute of Physics. [4] 2023. Strap in, recycled carbon fibre is just the start [Online]. McLaren. [5] G.H., 2018. Tech Explained: Carbon Fibre Prepreg [Online]. Racecar Engineering.
The most popular driver in NASCAR is about to carry the colors of the most powerful streamer on the planet in a bold new way. For three races in the 2026 season, Amazon Prime Video will sponsor Chase Elliot, flashing a new color scheme for his car.
Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet will unveil a dramatically revised paint scheme for the 2026 season, a visual declaration of Amazon Prime Video’s deepening and aggressive stake in the sport’s future.
Which Races Will Chase Elliott Run With the Amazon Prime Livery in 2026?
Elliott is about to get a new color scheme for his car as Amazon Prime Video is sponsoring Chase Elliot for three races in the 2026 season. We will see the Amazon Prime Video on Elliott’s car next year at the Talladega, Texas, and the Dover All-Star Race.
The 2026 design shifts away from the brighter blues of the 2025 car, opting for darker, more aggressive tones. Added black accents and stronger contrast to give it a sharper, more authoritative look on track. The update deliberately distances the car from other blue-hued competitors, ensuring the $2.3 trillion tech behemoth’s rolling billboard stands utterly alone.
Amazon joined Hendrick Motorsports as a primary sponsor for Chase Elliott starting in 2025. It also became the sport’s first direct-to-consumer media partner this year. Holding roles as a team sponsor and a broadcaster at the same time raised eyebrows in the NASCAR community.
This time, on-car promotions directly precede Prime Video’s second season of broadcasting five exclusive Cup Series races, which begin with the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24. For 2026, Prime Video will again serve as a primary sponsor for Elliott in three select races, continuing a partnership that runs firmly through 2027.
The No. 9 car will first wear the updated livery at Talladega Superspeedway in late April, then at Texas Motor Speedway, with a final primary appearance at the All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway in mid-May.
MORE: Chase Elliott’s Long-Ignored Warning Forces NASCAR To Reconsider the Next Gen Car
Prime’s broadcast schedule also features the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31, the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 7, and the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on June 14.
Prime Video first sponsored Chase Elliott in 2025 for races at Talladega and Kansas Speedway. Like last year, these races kick off Prime Video’s five-race stretch of NASCAR Cup Series broadcasts.
The Prime broadcast schedule wraps up with the Anduril 250 during NASCAR San Diego Weekend on June 21. The event brings all three of NASCAR’s national series to Naval Base Coronado, where the drivers will tackle a unique 16-turn, 3.4-mile street circuit.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When the Indoor Auto Racing Series returns to the PPL Center on January 9-10 for the ninth annual Ironton Global Allentown Indoor Races, TQ Midget drivers will once again have a chance to capture the $10,000 Ironton Auto Body Challenge by sweeping the weekend and winning both features.
In 2024, young driver Tanner VanDoren and Ryan Flores split the TQ Midget mains on the tenth-mile concrete oval. Flores won the Friday opener in 2025, but finished second Saturday to Andy Jankowiak. Although both enjoyed a successful weekend, the $10,000 sweep slipped away in Allentown.
Three weeks later, Flores got a second chance at the Ironton Auto Body bonus and redeemed himself by winning the series finale NAPA Auto Parts Gambler’s Classic inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
Thanks to renewed support from Ironton Auto Body, the possibility of a $10,000 weekend inside the PPL Center returns for a third straight year. To complete the challenge, Friday’s winner will be offered a guaranteed starting spot in Saturday’s main event — with one caveat: they must start 10th.
As a bonus for accepting the challenge, Friday’s winner will receive $1,000. Should they advance from 10th and win again on Saturday, another $4,000 bonus will be awarded. Combining the $5,000 in bonus money with Saturday’s purse will bring their total to $10,000.
If the weekend sweep isn’t accomplished, Ironton Auto Body will once again roll over a portion of the challenge to the Atlantic City Indoor Race.
With his victory in last year’s NAPA Gambler’s Classic, Flores collected $10,000, including Ironton Auto Body Challenge bonus money as well as support from the AC Sports Commission and Visit Atlantic City.
The headline TQ Midget division will be joined by Slingshots and Champ Karts, with full programs and feature events for all three classes.
NASCAR icon and Legacy Motor Club team owner Jimmie Johnson has all but confirmed that he will be returning behind the wheel for the Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 in February 2026.
While Johnson, 50, retired from full-time driving after the 2020 season, he has gone on to compete in a handful of Cup Series races behind the wheel of the No. 84 for Legacy, since first investing in the team in 2022.
This has included all three Daytona 500s since, including the 2025 edition, which saw him finish a remarkable third, marking the team’s joint-best result of the season, as William Byron took the checkered flag in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for the second consecutive season.
Previously, Johnson’s only confirmed race for 2026 was the inaugural race at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy in his hometown.
However, in a hilarious social media post on Wednesday, Johnson appeared to confirm he will run the 500 again in February, sponsored once again by Carvana.
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In a Bob Ross-inspired video, Johnson painted the No. 84’s paint scheme for the race, commenting, “Let’s make some magic here. The key to a happy paint scheme is happy colors…We can’t forget the Carvana happy halos. Because every cardeserves a happy driver.”
The clip was accompanied by the caption, “The 2026 Daytona paint scheme drops tomorrow! Stay tuned to watch your favorite artist (and driver) design a new look for the iconic Carvana 84 car.”
Fans were thrilled by the announcement and justifiably loved the video, with one commenting, “This is quality content.” A second said, “Oh didnt realize Jimmie was making an attempt again for the 500!!! Oh this made my day hearing so.” While another simply replied, “HAPPY COLORS HAPPY CARS.”
Johnson’s decision to run the 500, a race won in 2006 and 2013, adds to what is currently a relatively quiet Cup Series schedule for the No. 84 in 2026. This isn’t a surprise given that back in August, he told fellow former champion Kevin Harvick that while he “would like” to compete this coming season, “I am finding that I am more impactful for the business side of the house out of the car and in the suite or in our hospitality area with our sponsors.”
Johnson will be racing alongside the returning full-time Legacy start Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, who finished 12th and fifth, respectively, at the 2025 500, going on to finish the season 24th and 25th in the drivers’ standings.
To date, Legacy’s only Cup Series win since 2022 came in its inaugural season courtesy of Jones, taking the checkered flag at Darlington Raceway in the Cook Out Southern 500. Beyond NASCAR, it remains unclear if Johnson plans to race in any further events in 2026.
(WGHP) — Join FOX8 Photojournalist Chris Weaver as we show you the world behind the driver’s seat in Racing Report.
Today on Racing Report with Chris Weaver, we’ve got a full breakdown of the settlement between NASCAR, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in the antitrust lawsuit filed by the two teams against NASCAR.
Matt Weaver, the senior motorsports editor at Motorsport.com, joins us today to give his detailed analysis of the case. He spent nearly every day in the courtroom during the trial and much of the last year following the proceedings as it came to this point.
With the settlement, NASCAR is giving the teams much of what they asked for in their lawsuit. We’ll break it all down on Racing Report.
Tune in using the video player above or watch it on the MyFOX8+ connected TV app on Roku, AppleTV and Fire TV.
Today, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB released a comprehensive behind-the-scenes video documenting a recent trip to Japan. The YouTube video titled “The Climb to Mt. Fuji | Building NASCAR for Japan” highlights global motorsports culture, fan connection, and the cross-cultural exchange between two countries who share a passion for motorsports. The video recaps the journey made by a ten-member delegation from LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, along with drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Jimmie Johnson to participate in a special exhibition event hosted by the Automobile Business & Culture Association of Japan (ABAJ).
While in Japan, Nemechek drove the No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE and Johnson piloted the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Chevrolet, the same vehicle that competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The multi-day visit included time in Tokyo, where the drivers explored iconic districts and neighborhoods, as well as extensive fan-focused activities at Fuji Speedway. Johnson and Nemechek participated in media interviews, autograph sessions, and provided ride-along experiences for guests. Both cars completed exhibition pace laps and celebratory burnouts ahead of the Super Taikyu Series endurance championship finale on November 16.
The event at Fuji Speedway offered Japanese fans a rare opportunity to see NASCAR vehicles on their home soil. Fans waved American flags as Johnson and Nemechek, along with Japanese drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Takuma Koga, took their places on the grid before the exhibition laps.
A Trip Focused on Culture and Connection During their stay, Johnson and Nemechek toured Toyota facilities, visited an active volcanic site, explored Tokyo, immersed themselves in the Japanese culture, and connected with hundreds of fans who have followed their careers for years.
“Japan has always had an incredible passion for motorsports,” said Johnson, owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. “Being able to share our sport with fans halfway around the world – seeing them decked out in our gear and experiencing their racing culture firsthand – was something I’ll never forget.”
Nemechek echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the special connection made with fans abroad. He also posted a behind the scenes video exclusive to his YouTube channel which can be viewed HERE.
“Japan welcomed us with open arms,” said Nemechek. “From the action on track to the energy of the fans, this trip showed how powerful motorsports can be as a universal language. I am very thankful to Toyota and the ABAJ for their hospitality and hope we get to go back.”
Inside the Video: A Closer Look at the Journey LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s behind-the-scenes feature “The Climb to Mt. Fuji | Building NASCAR for Japan” captures the authentic, unfiltered experience of the trip and includes contributions from Johnson, Nemechek, key team members and fans.
Logistics of preparing the NASCAR vehicles and sending them to Japan
Candid moments between Johnson and Nemechek
Build of the two-seater No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
Street-level exploration of Tokyo’s districts
Cultural highlights including temples, cuisine, and traditional craft demonstrations
Conversations with Japanese motorsports fans and longtime NASCAR supporters
The lighter side of international travel – traveling across the world and team camaraderie
The video can be seen across LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s social platforms, in hopes to offer fans an entertaining and immersive look at the international experience. LEGACY MC also released a photo gallery which can be seen HERE.
William Byron’s path to NASCAR’s top tier did not follow the traditional script. But he is pretty much at home alongside the sport’s elite right now. Unlike most drivers who begin in go-karts almost as soon as they can reach the pedals, Byron, 28, did not climb into a race car until his early teens.
Byron’s introduction to motorsports came through iRacing, where he picked up racecraft in a virtual environment before applying those skills to the real world. That unconventional foundation did little to slow his ascent, though.
Once Byron entered NASCAR’s national ranks in 2016, results followed quickly. His early years in the Truck and Xfinity Series progressed impressively. He won seven races during his rookie Truck season in 2017, and followed that with four victories in Xfinity, a performance that saw him win the 2017 championship.
The transition to the Cup Series, however, demanded patience. His first forays at the sport’s highest level proved more challenging. However, during that period, Byron relied heavily on guidance from withinHendrick Motorsports, particularly Chase Elliott.
In 2018, as he continued to learn the Cup Series and its finer details, Byron acknowledged that he was still a work in progress. Despite having legends such as Jeff Gordon available, he frequently turned to Elliott for perspective.
“I think I lean on all of them pretty equally. I think that I lean on Alex [Bowman] the least amount because we’re both new to what’s happening. We have little conversations of what our cars are doing here and there. But it’s not as broad of information as Chase or Jimmie [Johnson],” Byron had said.
The way Byron leaned on some drivers more than others in the team was logical. Elliott and Johnson represented recent success within the organization, and Byron recognized the value of measuring himself against drivers who consistently contended.
“I feel like Chase and Jimmie are the guys I lean on most because those are the guys that have had the most success the last couple [of] years in our organization. I try to gauge myself off of Chase a lot of times because I think we have very similar styles. We’re really close in the shop. It makes a little more sense for me to lean on him,” added Byron.
That willingness to learn has shaped Byron’s growth. Over eight Cup seasons, he has collected 16 wins across 288 starts. The past three seasons have reinforced his growth. Byron finished each year in the top four, securing a spot in the Championship 4.
The #24 driver captured back-to-back Daytona 500 wins in 2024 and 2025, a feat that places him in rare company and reflects his ability to perform on the sport’s biggest stage. Though Byron’s most prolific season came in 2023, when he won six times, his production has remained steady.
Over the last two seasons, Byron added three wins each year, maintaining his presence near the front of the field. And his decision to lean on the stalwarts like Johnson and Elliott seems to have elevated him as one of the top drivers of this generation.
