Motorsports

Alexandra Hainer crowned McLaren Trophy America Pro-Am champion

Published

2 months ago

October 19, 2025

Emily Cotty, F4 Middle East, 2025 Abu Dhabi, R-Ace GP — Photo credits: Brian Cleary/SRO

Alexandra Hainer wrapped up the McLaren Trophy America Pro-Am championship title following an excellent performance in the final round of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Racing alongside Jesse Lazare for Motorsports In Action, Hainer twice stood on the Pro-Am class podium in the season finale. Despite overcoming challenges throughout the weekend, particular from their main championship rivals, Hainer and Lazare drove smartly to seal the title following a superb debut campaign in the series.

Hainer arrived at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with her eyes firmly set on securing the McLaren Trophy America Pro-Am championship title. Hainer and Motorsports In Action teammate Jesse Lazare held a 3.5-point advantage over John Dempsey and Andrew Davis and therefore it was set to be a winner-takes-all showcase at the Brickyard. Hainer and Lazare had scored three victories and four additional podium finishes prior to the season finale across a superb maiden campaign.

In preparation for the final two races of their McLaren Trophy America season, Hainer and Lazare teamed up for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last month. Driving a McLaren Artura GT4, Hainer and Lazare made a sensational debut appearance in the series as they finished second overall. The experienced gained by the duo over the two-hour race was crucial as they adapted superbly to the competitive multi-class series.

On-track action at the Brickyard began on Wednesday with two free practice sessions for the drivers to dial in on a setup. It was a perfect start for the Motorsports In Action duo who topped the times in the first session with Lazare’s fastest lap of a 1:25.836 over three tenths of a second clear of second place driver Patrick Liddy.

In session two, Hainer took a significant step forward in performance in what was a superb day for the championship-contending team. Improving by over a second from her quickest time from the morning session, Hainer’s benchmark time of a 1:27.796 was crucially faster than John Dempsey. Lazare once again topped the times overall as the #43 machine was the early pacesetter.

Thursday’s action began with the pair of qualifying sessions which were held back-to-back. In the first session, Hainer was behind the wheel of the Motorsports In Action machine and she was quickly inside the overall top-5, before a red flag halted proceedings. The session resumed for a little under five minutes with Hainer’s quickest time of a 1:27.222 coming on the final lap of the session. This placed Hainer in fifth position overall, second in the Pro-Am class, while she was less than half a second away from overall pole position.

The second session followed directly after with Hainer remaining behind the wheel of the McLaren Artura Trophy Evo. It was another positive session as Hainer found an extra tenth of a second to set a fastest lap of a 1:27.151. This time placed her in sixth position overall, while she was again the second fastest driver in the Pro-Am class.

Race one of the weekend took place on Thursday afternoon with Hainer lining up from fifth on the overall grid, second in the Pro-Am class. Hainer got an excellent initial launch and held fifth position as the drivers approached turn one. After a late-braking manoeuvre, John Dempsey made a move to the inside and Hainer did a nice job to avoid contact, while Stephen Sorbaro followed Dempsey through.

Hainer looked to fight back through turns three and four and as she challenged Dempsey into turn five, contact was made between the drivers. Hainer was spun around and although there was light damage to the car, she was able to continue without a significant loss of time. At the conclusion of lap one, the Motorsports In Action driver was in tenth position overall, fourth within the Pro-Am class.

Hainer started her comeback on lap two as she overtook fellow Pro-Am competitor Brandon Kreutz for third position. A drive-through penalty was then assessed to Dempsey for the earlier contact and with the pit lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway the longest on the calendar, the RWE Motorsport machine fellow almost one minute off the lead.

After Dempsey served his penalty, Hainer was into second position in the Pro-Am class before she overtook Sorbaro for seventh overall. A nice move on Deniz Teoman followed as Hainer moved into sixth position. Overall race leader Cooper Broll was then issued a drive-through penalty of his own which elevated Hainer inside the top-5.

Now with a sizeable gap ahead of her, Hainer could focus on setting fast and consistent lap times in pursuit of class leader Tanner Harvey. On lap six, Hainer was faster than the race leader and this enabled her to pull clear of the group of drivers behind. After settling into an excellent pace of 1:28, Hainer was the quickest driver in the entire field on lap 11 as she lapped faster than the Pro class runners.

As the pit window opened for the Pro and Am class teams, Hainer and her fellow Pro-Am class rivals remained on the circuit. This enabled her to move into third position overall, before assuming the runner-up spot after James Sofronas pitted from the Am class lead. On lap 19, Hainer brought her Motorsports In Action machine to the attention of the crew with Jesse Lazare getting behind the wheel.

Following the pit cycle Lazare ran in fifth position overall, second in the Pro-Am class, while the Canadian racer was among the fastest on the track. On lap 23, Lazare moved into fourth overall after Am class driver Colin Harrison ran wide at turn 12. Lazare’s pace remained strong as he chased down Sofronas for a spot on the overall podium. After Lazare set the quickest middle sector of the entire race on lap 29, he closed the margin further before completing the overtake two laps later.

A strong run to the finish saw Hainer and Lazare finish in third position overall, second in the Pro-Am class. With the Pro-Am winners Tanner Harvey and Patrick Liddy a guest entry, this enabled the Motorsports In Action duo score maximum championship points and extend their advantage over the RWE Motorsport team.

The season finale took place on Friday afternoon with Lazare behind the wheel of the Motorsports In Action machine from sixth position on the overall grid, second in the Pro-Am class. If the duo secured third-place points in the Pro-Am class, they would seal the title and therefore a clean race was crucial to achieve their season-long goal. As the lights went out, the Canadian racer got an excellent start as he made a confident move to the outside of turn one, passing three cars in the process. Overtaking class rival Patrick Liddy as part of this manoeuvre, Lazare also claimed the Pro-Am class lead at the end of lap one.

Lazare was keen to gain further ground and after a great run onto the main straight to start lap two, he looked to the inside of Jeff Cook before completing the move on the apex of the corner. Now in second position overall, Lazare set the overall fastest lap of the race on the second tour despite overtaking Cook in the process. Cook was determined to fight back and the Am class leader remained just half a second behind Lazare with the Motorsports In Action driver unable to escape from the Dark Horse Racing machine.

On lap four, Lazare set another new fastest lap of the race as the Canadian racer was showing particularly strong speed in the final sector. Following another quick time on lap five, he extended the margin to Cook behind to over a second. As Lazare’s stint progressed, the margins remained consistent as Jesse ran one second behind Pro class driver Tommy Pintos, while Cook held third position.

On lap 11, Pintos made a mistake at turn one and this allowed Lazare to close to within a car length. This also brought Cook into contention before Pintos was able to settle into a rhythm and once again stretch his legs at the head of the field. Two laps later, the maximum drive time had elapsed for the Pro drivers within the Pro-Am teams and therefore Lazare brought the car to pit road to the attention of the Motorsports In Action crew.

Another good stop from the team saw Hainer get behind the wheel while she initially emerged as the leader of the Pro-Am class. As Hainer exited the pits and got up to speed, Tanner Harvey was able to move his Forte Racing machine ahead. However, with this guest entry not scoring championship points, it was not a priority for Hainer to race Harvey for position.

The Motorsports In Action team were then issued a 4.14 second post-race penalty for a short pit stop, however with Hainer requiring to score third-place points in the Pro-Am class to secure the title, this penalty was currently not significant enough to impact the championship battle. In the early stages of her stint, Hainer’s pace was strong as she was holding with Harvey while maintaining a good gap to title rival John Dempsey behind.

On lap 20, Hainer lost some momentum after the Pro class machine of Casey Dennis made his way through and this brought Dempsey into contention. Even if the RWE Motorsport machine passed Hainer, they would still be in position to secure the championship as things currently stood. After Dempsey closed the gap to within one second, a battle between Harvey and Dennis emerged ahead.

This resulted in all four cars fighting for position and after Dempsey made an opportunistic move at turn 10, Hainer was spun around. There was significant damage to both machines, however Hainer was able to continue while Dempsey pulled into the pits. The damage to the Motorsports In Action car was impacting Hainer’s performance by around three seconds per lap but by remaining on track, she would score the required championship points to claim the title.

After emerging from the pits, Dempsey was awarded a drive-through for incident responsibility and after serving this penalty, he retired the car. Therefore, the championship was now secure and Hainer settled into a consistent, yet reduced pace as she continued to manage the damage to the car. On lap 27, Colin Harrison moved ahead with Hainer now in sixth position overall, second in the Pro-Am class.

A clean run to the chequered flag saw Hainer and Lazare hold this position to the line in order to claim the McLaren Trophy America Pro-Am championship title. Despite some aggressive driving from title rival Dempsey across the weekend, Hainer and Lazare held firm to score maximum points across the weekend with the car of Liddy and Harvey ineligible for the championship.

It was an excellent season for Hainer and Lazare who enjoyed a successful first season together as they established themselves as the team to beat across their debut campaign.

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Motorsports

Nissan and NISMO Announce Plans for Expansion

Published

3 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Nissan has a long, proud history in motorsport, which began with a victory in 1958 at the 10,000-mile Round Australia Trial with a Datsun 210. Peter Brock’s BRE Datsun program brought success to America with SCCA dominance throughout the late 1960s and early ’70s. The 1984 founding of Nissan Motorsports International, or NISMO, sharpened Nissan’s efforts to a fine point, and over the next several decades we saw Nissans competing at the sharp end of the grid in motorsports as diverse as Group C endurance racing, GT and touring cars, rallying, and Baja-style off-road events. And with the company’s on-track successes, NISMO performance parts trickled down to the company’s production cars.

Performance enthusiasts take note, then, because in an effort to add more verve to its current lineup, Nissan announced yesterday that is launching new initiatives aimed at enhancing the brand through new motorsport activities and by growing the NISMO lineup.

According to a press release shared on the company’s global newsroom, this will include the introduction of new prototype performance cars for racing as well as to “accelerate technological advancements in both hardware and software development for racing purpose and car lineup expansion.” This initiative is set to begin in 2026.

2025 Nissan Z Nismo nose closeup — Cameron Neveu

Further, for 2026, the company aims to increase the number of NISMO-branded offerings, which currently includes vehicles such as the Z NISMO, Armada NISMO in the U.S. And by 2028, Nissan plans to increase the volume of NISMO vehicles from approximately 100,000 to 150,000. “In pursuit of added customer value,” the statement says, “Nissan will actively consider collaborations with external partners to expand its NISMO car lineup business.” No further information is provided, so we’ll have to see how that shakes out.

With more than just a focus on new performance cars, Nissan is also doubling down on its restoration and heritage efforts. To that end, Nissan Motorsports & Customization Co. (NMC) “will grow its restoration, restomod, and parts sales businesses, with an initial focus on expanding around the Skyline GT‑R R32, R33, and R34, with more vehicles and regional offerings to follow.” As more and more of these hot JDM machines hit the market, increased factory renovation efforts can only help from a brand identity standpoint, as well as from the perspectives of preservation and values.

We’ve commented recently that these are turbulent times for Nissan, but the tone of yesterday’s release carries a lot of excitement. A bigger selection of high-performance Nissans, more actively engaged in global motorsport, with an eye on heritage preservation, to boot, bodes well for the company and its loyal fans.

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Mason Maggio to Run Partial Schedule in DGM Racing No. 91

Published

13 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

DGM Racing has tapped Mason Maggio to join its driver lineup for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign, the team confirmed on Wednesday.

Maggio will get behind the wheel of the No. 91 Chevrolet in select events throughout the upcoming season, beginning with the February 14 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

From Florida roots to the Florida team ?We’re excited to have @MasonMaggio1 join the #DGMFamily for the 2026 season.

Fittingly, his first race will be the season-opener at @DAYTONA just two hours from Mason’s hometown and DGM’s HQ!

Read more: https://t.co/WXgLw58P8n#NASCAR |… pic.twitter.com/Hl7IPU2o65

— DGM Racing (@DGMRacingFL) December 17, 2025

Sponsorship details and Maggio’s full schedule of events behind the wheel of an entry for DGM Racing will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I’m super excited and thankful for the opportunity to be driving for DGM Racing in 2026. It is really cool to be able to have the Florida driver work with the Florida team on a regular basis next year,” said Maggio. “A huge thanks to the entire team, my family, partners, and fans for their support and for making this possible. I’m really looking forward to a great season in the inaugural NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.”

The 21-year-old driver has made 47 starts across the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, competing for a number of different organizations. In 2025, Maggio had his biggest season yet, running 12 events in the second-tier series — including one for DGM Racing at Talladega Superspeedway, where he finished 22nd-place.

“We’re excited to welcome another driver from The Sunshine State to our racing family,” said Mario Gosselin, owner of DGM Racing. “Mason is a young, eager driver who isn’t afraid to put in the work to grow on and off track. His demeanor and professionalism at such a young age are refreshing, and I am impressed with his work ethic and willingness to learn.”

Maggio will be partnered with Josh Williams, another Florida-native, for the season-opener at Daytona. Williams was announced earlier in the off-season as the full-time driver of the No. 92 Chevrolet for DGM Racing.

In 20 career starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Maggio has managed to put up a pair of top-20 results, both with Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen, at Daytona in the Summer (15th) and Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Fall of 2024.

Maggio also has a total of 27 starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series over the last three seasons, including three top-20 results — a 15th in the season-opener at Daytona for Hettinger Racing, an 18th at Talladega in the Fall of 2024, and a 20th-place finish at Nashville Superspeedway in 2023.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts season opener at Daytona International Speedway will take place on Saturday, February 14, at 5:30 PM ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

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Liberty University Set for Return As A Byron Primary Sponsor

Published

30 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

As William Byron continues to chase his elusive first NASCAR Cup Series championship, he’ll officially have a longtime partner returning for another year of sponsorship. Liberty University will return to the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team as a three-race primary sponsor during the 2026 season.

Hey LibertyU and @TeamHendrick fans! 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season champion and two-time DAYTONA 500 winner @WilliamByron will be racing the LU24 Chevrolet for three races in 2026 – check out the schedule now! https://t.co/yIn7qcr2hQ pic.twitter.com/iSW6QMGa7V

— Liberty University (@LibertyU) December 17, 2025

The red, white, and blue Liberty University colors will first adorn Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, May 10. Liberty University will return as the primary in the crown jewel Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, and the company will round out its three-race schedule on Sunday, November 1 at Martinsville Speedway.

While the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet paint scheme features slight tweaks from last year, the basis of the paint scheme remains the same with white flames down the blue sides of the race car, and the No. 24 is easy to spot in red on the doors.

Of Byron’s 16 career NASCAR Cup Series wins, three have come with Liberty University serving as the primary sponsorship partner. Byron’s most-recent victory with LU’s colors on his car came at Texas Motor Speedway in the Fall of 2023.

Although Liberty University, which has partnered with Byron since his NASCAR K&N Pro East Series season in 2015, is returning for the 2026 season, the three-race slate marks a decrease in overall primary sponsorship races for Liberty University, and it’s the second consecutive season the university has shed some races aboard the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

In 2024, Liberty University was a 12-race primary sponsorship partner. However, in 2025, the university cut that commitment in half to a six-race primary sponsorship schedule. The Liberty University schedule would be cut in half again heading into the 2026 campaign.

Despite the decrease in Liberty University-backed races, don’t expect Byron, who has blossomed into one of the best drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, to be short on sponsorship in 2026. Byron, 28, comes into the 2026 season seeking his third consecutive win in the Daytona 500, a mark that would put him in a category of his own in the history of the iconic race, which stretches back to 1959.

Additionally, Byron will look to work his way into the Championship 4 for a fourth straight season in 2026. And who knows, with a change in scenery for the season finale (Homestead-Miami Speedway takes over the final race from Phoenix Raceway this year), perhaps it’s time for Byron’s breakthrough to hoist a Bill France Cup.

Motorsports

Hamlin Blasts Larry McReynolds, SiriusXM Over Trial Coverage; Prime Video Reveals 2026 Chase Elliott Paint Scheme

Published

1 hour ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Denny Hamlin publicly unleashed on Larry McReynolds and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on X for the station's coverage of the antitrust lawsuit, which Hamlin felt was very one-sided. — Nigel Kinrade | LAT Images for Toyota GAZOO Racing

The antitrust lawsuit between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR may be over, but that hasn’t resolved all of the hard feelings and animosity within the sport. On Tuesday, Denny Hamlin blasted Larry McReynolds and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for what he perceived to be unfair coverage in the lead-up to the antitrust trial.

Responding to McReynolds’ post on X, where he was giving his followers a preview of what was on tap for his SXM show “On Track” for the day, Hamlin unloaded.

“Good morning,” Hamlin replied to McReynolds. “Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?”

Hamlin continued, “I believe it was ‘how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough and FRM wasn’t good enough’. Also how about ‘I don’t know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it’. Just to name a few examples.”

My, oh, my.

Chase Elliott 2026 Prime Video paint scheme Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series — Hendrick Motorsports

Prime Video will return as a three-race primary sponsor for Chase Elliott in 2026, and on Tuesday, a refreshed paint scheme was revealed by Prime Video and Hendrick Motorsports.

In 2026, the Prime Video scheme takes a much darker look than a year ago. Elliott will pilot the car at Talladega (April 26), Texas (May 3), and the All-Star Race at Dover (May 17).

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Ross Brawn to receive Autosport Gold Medal Award at 2026 Autosport Awards, Honouring a Lifetime Shaping Modern F1

Published

1 hour ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

London, UK – 17 December, 2025 – Multi-Formula 1 championship-winning team boss Ross Brawn will receive the prestigious Autosport Gold Medal at the 2026 Autosport Awards this January, recognising a lifetime of achievement that has shaped the competitive and cultural fabric of modern grand prix racing.

The accolade, introduced in 2021 and previously awarded to Jean Todt, Roger Penske, and Sir Jackie Stewart, celebrates individuals whose service, leadership and innovation leave an enduring legacy for generations of fans and competitors.

Brawn’s influence on Formula 1 spans more than four decades. He engineered Michael Schumacher’s championship success at Benetton and went on to mastermind Ferrari’s dominant era in the early 2000s, forging one of the most successful partnerships the sport has ever seen.

In 2009, his own team, Brawn GP, stunned the world by winning both the F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in its only season, with Jenson Button’s title run becoming one of the most remarkable stories in the sport’s history. Widely regarded as one of the true architects of modern Formula 1, Brawn later played a defining role in shaping the sport’s current regulatory landscape and competitive future.

The Autosport Gold Medal incorporates the Gregor Grant Award, honouring Autosport’s founder and the values that continue to define the sport today. In 2025, the Awards marked a milestone moment by recognising Bernie Ecclestone with a special 75th Anniversary Trophy, underscoring the legacy awards among motorsport’s most significant distinctions. 

Werner Brell, CEO at Motorsport Network, added: “The Autosport Awards are about celebrating the very highest achievers in motorsport. After recognising so many legends over the years, we’re delighted to be able to honour Ross Brawn in January. Ross has been one of the iconic figures of Formula 1 in the last 40 years. Starting out as an engineer he went on to lead the technical department at Benetton and won multiple world titles. His partnership with Michael Schumacher continued at Ferrari, where they dominated the sport in the 2000s. He then won the world championship with a team in his own name. I can’t think of a more worthy recipient for the Gold Medal. It should be a great night when he receives his medal honoured by his peers.”

BUSINESS OF RACING NOMINEES REVEALED 

Alongside honouring icons of the sport, Autosport Awards also recognise the broader ecosystem driving motorsport forward – across innovation, commercial leadership, promotion, and fan engagement.

Brand Partnership of the Year

Brand partnerships continue to play a central role in how motorsport teams and series connect with audiences, deliver value, and build long-term brand equity. This year’s nominees reflect partnerships that have gone beyond visibility to drive meaningful engagement and storytelling across the sport.

Nominees: Elemis (Aston Martin), Marriott Bonvoy (Mercedes), Santander (F1), Shell, IBM (Ferrari), Ford (Red Bull Racing)

Promoter of the Year

From global destination races to heritage events with decades of history, promoters are increasingly responsible for shaping the live motorsport experience. According to the Motorsport Network x Formula 1 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, intent to attend in-person events is rising: 41% of surveyed fans who haven’t attended an F1 fan experience plan to do so in the future. 

The 2026 nominees recognise events that delivered strong attendance, commercial success, and continued investment in the fan experience.

Nominees: Miami Grand Prix, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Silverstone, Singapore Grand Prix, Las Vegas Grand Prix

Pioneering & Innovation

As motorsport enters a period of rapid change, innovation is increasingly shaping how the sport is raced, regulated, and experienced. This year’s nominees reflect the ideas and initiatives actively redefining motorsport’s next chapter.

Nominees: More than Equal, A2RL, Le Mans Ultimate, Formula E Pit Boost

Ends

About Autosport Awards 

A Motorsport Network event, the prestigious Autosport Awards are an annual celebration of excellence in motorsport, uniting champions and innovators from across the sport, from Formula 1 to MotoGP, Formula E, IndyCar, NASCAR, World Rally Championship and more. At the heart of the Autosport Awards are the fans, who vote on eight major categories, from Driver of the Year, to Rookie of the Year and Moment of the Year. This year, a new category, Creator of the Year reflects the rise of creator-led storytelling and the expanding influence of fan-driven voices in the sport. Since 2024, the Autosport Awards have been held at the iconic Roundhouse in London, with the 38th edition taking place on 21 January, 2026.

About Motorsport Network 

Motorsport Network is the world’s largest independent motorsport and automotive media platform, reaching more than 40 million unique users each month and engaging over 15 million followers across its social media channels. Its portfolio includes leading global brands such as Motorsport.com, Autosport, InsideEVs, RideApart, Motor1, and GPOne. Motorsport Network connects fans, brands, and the wider motorsport community, partnering with companies worldwide on sponsorship, advertising, and event collaborations that shape the future of the industry.

About Autosport Business Exchange 

Launched in 2025, Autosport Business Exchange (ABX) is a global event series that serves as the premier platform for strategic dialogue and networking in the motorsport industry. Following successful editions in London, New York and Monaco, ABX has brought together senior leaders from across the world of racing, featuring headline speakers such as Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, and Apple’s Eddy Cue. The U.S. debut of ABX in New York centred on the theme of The Rise of Racing in America, marking a major milestone for the series. The next edition will take place in London on the morning of 21 January, 2026, ahead of the Autosport Awards.

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Jade Avedisian signs ARCA Menards Series deal with Nitro Motorsports

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Another day and another Nitro Motorsports signing. Toyota development driver Jade Avedisian is the latest to sign on. Avedisian is a rising star in motorsports. She has done things on dirt that no other woman has ever done. Now, she’s running part-time in ARCA.

In 2023, she became the youngest female to make the Chili Bowl Nationals A-Main and the first female to ever make the podium in the prestigious event. She claimed the Xtreme Outlaw Series Midget championship in the same year. Avedisian also has a win in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model division from earlier this year.

Jade Avedisian made a few ARCA starts this year with varying success. Now, she is back for another part-time schedule as she continues to develop her skills as a driver. Nitro Motorsports has a deep and diverse group of drivers already signed on for next year.

There are many in NASCAR who believe Jade Avedisian is going to pan out as a legitimate talent. She is one of a handful of women who have come up through the ranks in recent years with aspirations of making a real career out of the sport. Isabella Robusto is running full-time with Nitro and is another young woman who is going to be competitive in 2026.

As Nitro Motorsports fills out its roster of drivers, we get a clearer picture of who will be on track next year. Taking over the Venturini Motorsports operation is going to be tough. It appears that they are going to field a healthy number of cars. Will one of their drivers win the ARCA Menards Series championship in 2026, and keep the Venturini winning tradition alive?

Jade Avedisian has already impressed so many

You will find that Jade Avedisian has earned herself plenty of fans already. She wins races, is a great role model for girls younger than her in racing, and is someone who is pretty easy to root for. With Toyota and Nitro Motorsports, she should be able to develop and take her time adapting to stock cars.

She’s already won and been competitive in Pro Late Models. The CARS Tour is as good a series as any to develop racecraft and talent in a stock car. It is interesting that Avedisian is going to a part-time schedule. With her dirt background, I’m surprised she isn’t racing more in stock cars for 2026. Still, it is a new challenge, and that’s exciting for the young driver.

“I’m really excited to take the next step in my career with Nitro Motorsports,” Avedisian said in a press release. “Nitro Motorsports has been a huge part of my growth and transition into asphalt competition. Each level has taught me something new, and now getting the opportunity to move into ARCA is something I’ve worked hard for. I know there’s a lot to learn with these cars and these tracks, but I’m ready for the challenge and grateful to have Mobil 1, Yahoo, and Toyota supporting this next chapter.”

Nitro Motorsports is positioning itself as the Toyota development ladder team. That is their purpose now that they have taken over the Venturini organization. Joe Gibbs Racing will have the 18 car with a young and talented driver, or multiple drivers. But Nitro has a full operation.

Nitro has karts, Toyota GR Cup, Trans AM A2, and now ARCA. From the ground up, essentially. Jade Avedisian is taking her next step in 2026 with Nitro. It could be an audition for a full-time ride in 2027.

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