Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) is entering a new chapter guided by the vision of owner Kristi Copham, whose commitment to long-term facility growth has been central to the raceway’s evolution since the Copham family purchased the track in 2006.

BIR has announced a strengthened leadership team and a refreshed brand identity, two foundational steps in positioning the facility for its next decade of growth.

Copham’s approach has remained consistent: build on the loyalty and strength of BIR’s long-standing team while bringing in new talent capable of elevating programming, improving operations, and expanding BIR’s reach across multiple motorsports disciplines. Many of BIR’s staff members have been with the raceway for years — some for decades — forming the core group often described internally as “the BIR family.” The recent additions reflect her belief that BIR’s future rests on pairing this deeply rooted foundation with strategic new expertise.

Sara Walker has been promoted into an expanded general manager role, advancing from her position as director of business development. Walker joined BIR one year ago after 17 seasons with the NHRA, beginning in 2007, the year after the Copham family assumed ownership. Her long-standing working relationship with Kristi is rooted in years of shared commitment to strengthening grassroots motorsports and supporting the Sportsman-racing community.

Walker’s experience with NHRA gives her a deep understanding of how grassroots and Sportsman programs are built, sustained, and evolved, knowledge she pairs with a personal background shaped by her family’s involvement in Outlaw Pro Mod racing. That combination gives her a unique perspective on the families BIR serves and the culture that drives the facility forward. She has often said BIR has always felt like home, and this expanded role reflects her alignment with the raceway’s long-term direction.

Michael Morgan has joined BIR as road course & drifting manager, bringing a blend of operational experience and genuine passion for motorsports. Morgan most recently served as operations manager at US Air Motorsports Raceway, where he led drifting, autocross, and road-course programming with a strong emphasis on safety, communication, and participant experience.

His background as a lifelong driver and enthusiast gives him a grounded understanding of what modern road-course and drifting communities are seeking. Morgan’s role at BIR is designed to strengthen these disciplines, complementing Phil Abramson’s leadership on the dragstrip and aligning with the facility’s long-term vision to develop balanced, high-quality programming across all motorsports. As a St. Cloud native, he brings both regional connection and a commitment to the culture that drives BIR forward.

Glenn Van Zee has been promoted to facility & grounds manager, building on his long-standing commitment to BIR’s operations and community. His background combines hands-on facility management with practical motorsports experience, shaped in part by years of managing guest services, property maintenance, and day-to-day operations within the hospitality and powersports industries. That range gives him the steady operational perspective needed as BIR continues modernizing its infrastructure.

A lifelong racer, Van Zee has competed across multiple disciplines and has been immersed in motorsports since childhood, making him deeply connected to the culture that defines the BIR racing family. In this role, he will oversee the care and development of the raceway’s 580-acre facility, strengthening BIR’s ability to maintain and elevate its operations as the venue moves into its next phase of growth.

To complement its leadership growth, BIR is launching a refreshed visual identity that reflects both the facility’s heritage and its trajectory.

BIR has officially retired the long-used stoplight logo. In its place, the raceway is reintroducing a modernized version of its retro “B” logo, a mark rooted in the early 1970s and inspired by the outline of the original Donnybrooke road course. The updated design unifies the raceway’s visual presence across digital platforms, signage, apparel, and upcoming campaigns, bridging BIR’s past with a clear, modern direction for the future.

The brand refresh represents Kristi’s long-held vision to modernize BIR while preserving its soul. It is a continuation of her stewardship: honoring what racers and fans love about the facility and investing responsibly in the improvements needed to support the next generation.

The leadership updates and brand modernization mark the first phase of BIR’s broader long-term strategy led by Copham. Future announcements will detail the rollout of BIR’s new multi-agency marketing structure, expanded drifting initiatives, and program development designed to grow participation across all ages and skill levels.

Brainerd International Raceway moves into the upcoming season with a strengthened team, a unified identity, and a clear vision, anchored by the same family-driven values that have defined the raceway for nearly two decades.
 

On paper, NASCAR’s recent antitrust settlement with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports appears to be a significant win for the owners. After more than a year of legal battles, the deal finally delivered exactly what teams wanted: long-term security.

However, the new “evergreen” charters might have done more than stabilize the business. They may have quietly built a wall around the Cup Series that no one else can climb.

How Did the Settlement Change NASCAR’s Economics?

When charters arrived in 2016, they provided teams with guaranteed race entry and a share of the TV money. NASCAR initially handed them out for free, and they were never supposed to be permanent franchises. Instead, they existed only as long as NASCAR said so, leaving teams stuck with short-term contracts and long-term worry.

That uncertainty fueled the lawsuit, with 23XI and Front Row Motorsports fighting against the system’s lack of permanence and the heavy-handed leverage held by the sanctioning body.

The concept of permanent charters dominated the trial discussions. NASCAR executives admitted that making charters permanent would bring stability, but they also warned that it would skyrocket their value. That prediction is already coming true. Early estimates suggest that valuations could exceed $50 million, with some projections reaching even higher.

The price history tells the whole story. Less than a decade ago, you could pick up a charter for barely more than $1 million. By 2019, that price tag climbed past $5 million. Then things got crazy. Recent seasons have seen deals reach $28 million, $40 million, and, most recently, around $45 million. If permanence doubles those numbers as expected, even mid-tier charters could soon approach $100 million.

For the big teams, this is a jackpot. Powerhouse organizations with multiple charters now hold assets worth hundreds of millions, transforming race teams into serious investment vehicles. From a business perspective, the sport finally gave its most committed owners absolute security.

MORE: Why NASCAR’s Take-It-Or-Leave-It Gamble Collapsed Against Michael Jordan

But that win creates a serious problem. As prices explode, the door to the Cup Series slams shut for almost everyone else. Entering the sport isn’t just hard anymore; it’s nearly impossible. New owners or top-tier Xfinity squads face a financial barrier that makes moving up a pipe dream.

Even well-funded groups with great cars might stay on the sidelines simply because the upfront cash is too high. While the lower series still lets new blood rise through the ranks, the Cup Series is looking more and more like a closed club.

Ultimately, the evergreen charter fixed one issue but triggered another. Now, NASCAR must answer a tricky question: Can they maintain stability in the sport without excluding everyone else?

After over a year of fighting in and out of the court, NASCAR and 23XI Racing/FRM have finally settled their differences. With the teams getting what they sought, both parties are now moving past recent events and looking forward to a brighter future for the sport.

Although just because things were wrapped up on paper, not everyone involved in the legal drama forgot about all that was said and done. And among them was Denny Hamlin, who recently demanded an apology from the media for their remarks on the teams during the legal proceedings.

Denny Hamlin Demanding An Apology From The NASCAR Media

With his father’s fickle health condition, the title slipping from his fingers at Phoenix, and standing firm in the legal battle against Hamlin, he has perhaps emerged through one of the most challenging phases of his life.

The 45-year-old has once again expressed his desire to race following his team’s legal victory. However, Hamlin was not quick to forgive or forget all that the NASCAR media said about him and his team during the course of the legal battle. The No. 11 driver, in his recent tweets, demanded an apology from the showrunners of NASCAR’s SiriusXM Radio for the comments.

When Larry McReynolds, one of the show’s hosts, posted a tweet about an upcoming segment, it caught Hamlin’s attention. The No. 11 driver wrote: “Good morning. 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?”

Good morning. 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?

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) December 16, 2025

Hamlin, who is infamous for being one of the boldest and outspoken personalities in NASCAR, did not stop there. The 44-year-old justified his reputation by referencing the exact comments made about the team.

What Did The Showrunners At SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Say About Hamlin And Co.?

The hosts of the show had questioned the audacity of 23XI Racing and FRM for attempting to change the fundamentals of NASCAR. The table also implied that Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s team was relatively new to the sport and not yet established enough to have a say, and even called FRM not good enough to raise its voice.

The conversation even questioned the motives of the suing parties and highlighted that 13 other teams in NASCAR had no problem signing the charter agreement.

Good morning. 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?

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) December 16, 2025

In his second tweet, Hamlin wrote, “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 dont know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it.’ Just to name a few examples.”

After reading the tweets, several fans backed Hamlin for his bold move and were pleased to see the bold No. 11 driver return after a hiatus.

While Hamlin expected an apology, he acknowledged McReynolds’ contributions to the sport when replying to a fan in the thread. He hoped that the analyst would revise his opinions with all the facts out in the open.

Front Row Motorsports will run it back in 2026 with the exact same two-driver lineup in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. On Tuesday, the team officially announced that Chandler Smith will return to the No. 38 Ford F-150 next season to continue as the teammate to Layne Riggs, the driver of the No. 34 Ford F-150.

Smith, who claimed two victories in his first campaign with the Front Row Motorsports program in 2025, feels like what he and his team were able to pull off in 2025 was remarkable, given the short turnaround to form their program.

“It’s incredible what this group accomplished in just one season,” said Smith in a press release. “When I came to Front Row on such short notice, no one expected us to make a playoff run — but this team never backed down. The work, the belief, and the effort they put in made all the difference. I’m excited for what’s ahead and confident in what we can achieve together.”

Jon Leonard, who was paired with Smith a season ago, will also return as the crew chief for the No. 38 driver and team. Leonard, who enters his sixth season as a crew chief in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, is excited to rejoin Smith in 2026.

“I’m looking forward to working with Chandler (Smith) again,” said Leonard. “We have a mutual trust for each other; we just click. He knows what he needs out of the truck to be better, and he communicates that well. That level of clarity makes my job easier, and together I think we can build something strong right out of the gate.”

Front Row Motorsports will announce the sponsorship partners for Smith and the No. 38 team at a later date.

Early in the 2025 season, it looked like the 23-year-old Smith was going to be a formidable threat for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series title. The native of Talking Rock, GA, captured two wins in the opening six races of the season, including a win at Bristol, where he outdueled Kyle Larson. But down the stretch, Smith and the No. 38 team ran out of steam and ran into some bad luck in the Playoffs, which ultimately ended their bid for a championship.

Still, Smith ended the season eighth in the championship standings in his first year with Front Row Motorsports. They’ll look to build upon that in 2026.

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Arby’s and JR Motorsports announced a multi-year partnership, which will kick off during the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season. The iconic fast food chain will serve as the primary sponsor in eight races this season, and the sponsorship will be spread across multiple JR Motorsports drivers.

If you think MPH stands for Meats per Hour, you’re gonna LOVE this! pic.twitter.com/UnkVIqNWMf

— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) December 16, 2025

In 2026, Arby’s will adorn the cars of Carson Kvapil, Sammy Smith, and Justin Allgaier in select races, and the brand will become a full-season associate sponsor for Allgaier and the No. 7 JR Motorsports team. As part of the agreement, Arby’s has also entered into a personal service agreement with Dale Earnhardt Jr., the team’s co-owner, who is also a NASCAR Hall of Famer, and Arby’s will be partnered with Dirty Mo Media as well.

The chance to land a brand as recognizable as Arby’s was a big deal for Earnhardt Jr.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to have Arby’s partner up with our companies,” said Earnhardt Jr. “Arby’s is very aggressive with their activation and we pride ourselves on being a tremendous asset when it comes to offering a variety of unique marketing platforms, so I’m looking forward to how we can work together to continue to grow their business.”

Arby’s is elated to connect with the NASCAR fanbase through the multi-faceted partnership with JR Motorsports.

“We’re thrilled to begin this multi-year partnership with JRM and Dirty Mo Media,” said Jeff Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Arby’s. “Arby’s has always been about delivering high-quality, impactful experiences with speed. Joining forces with such respected organizations in the racing community allows us to connect with NASCAR fans in meaningful new ways – both on and off the track. Plus, Arby’s food makes everything better and can’t wait to deliver with JRM and Dale Jr. all season long.”

The first appearance of Arby’s on a JR Motorsports vehicle in 2026 will be on Carson Kvapil’s No. 1 Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) on Saturday, February 21. Kvapil will carry the colors in four races, while Smith will have three races of Arby’s sponsorship, and Allgaier will carry the brand in one event in 2026.