With around two months to go until the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series goes green, Big Machine Racing made the announcement of the exit of Nick Sanchez in early December, after recording the team’s first win since 2022 this past season. Regardless, the team has since moved on, announcing his replacement on Tuesday.

Sanchez’s exit came as a surprise, given that not only did he win at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Focused Health 250, but he recorded a further six top-five finishes as well as another five top 10s, coming home 12th in the driver’s standings.

News of the 24-year-old’s exit did not go down well with Hall of Fame driver and JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., who labeled the decision “surprising” because of both his performances in 2025 and the late timing of it all.

Speaking on the ‘Dale Jr. Download’ podcast, the 51-year-old added, “It’s late. It’s a tough part of the year to find out that you don’t have a job for next season.”

He noted how the “talented” Sanchez could already have a new spot lined up, however, given that as of December 23 he has yet to make any announcements regarding a new home for 2026, this seems increasingly unlikely.

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“He’s decent, and he’s got some talent,” Earnhardt later added. “The other thing too I like is that he pisses some people off, right? I mean, I don’t love that cause sometimes he pisses me off or he pisses one of my guys off…But as a fan or as a broadcaster and as somebody who’s like wanting to fall in love with the sport. We need guys like that.”

With Sanchez no longer behind the wheel of the No. 48 BMR Chevrolet, it now falls upon Dr. Patrick Staropoli, who also happens to be a retina surgeon, to fill his shoes for the 2026 season. 

The 36-year-old made his series debut in 2025, making four appearances for Sam Hunt Racing, finishing a season best of 16th at Martinsville Speedway in the US Marine Corps 250.

This will mark Staropoli’s first full-time season in any of NASCAR’s national series, while he also has yet to complete a full-time slate in the ARCA Menards feeder series.

“From the moment I buckled into a pure stock at Hialeah Speedway in 2003, my life’s goal has been to compete at the top levels of this sport. The path has taken many unexpected turns but after working every day for 23 years in pursuit of this dream, I now have the opportunity of a lifetime thanks to Scott Borchetta, Patrick Donahue, and Chevrolet. I am ready to do whatever it takes to put this SYFOVRE Chevy up front and raise awareness for Geographic Atrophy secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration by combining my passion for motorsports and medicine.”

BMR crew chief and team manager, Patrick Donahue, said the team was “pleased to welcome Dr. Patrick Staropoli to the #48 Big Machine Racing team for the 2026 season.

“He brings a rare blend of professionalism, focus, and drive that will continue to strengthen our organization. This partnership reflects our commitment to surrounding the team with individuals who share our values and vision for building long-term success.”

A familiar name is set to return to NASCAR’s biggest stage after MBM Motorsports confirmed that veteran driver Casey Mears will look to qualify for the Daytona 500 for the first time since 2019. Mears has competed in ‘The Great American Race’ fifteen times with his best finish of second in 2006.

Team owner Carl Long confirmed that MBM Motorsports and Garage 66 will field the No. 66 entry for Mears on NASCAR radio on Tuesday. The 47-year-old driver’s return places him among the notable non-chartered NASCAR entries attempting to race their way into the field.

Mears has not started the Daytona 500 since 2019, when he finished 40th after crashing in Stage 2. He made several starts for the MBM and Garage 66 last season. Alongside Mears in the No. 66, confirmed open entries include Justin Allgaier in the No. 40 for JR Motorsports, B.J. McLeod in the No. 78 for Live Fast Motorsports, and Jimmie Johnson in the No. 84 for Legacy Motor Club.

Several additional teams, including RCR, NY Racing, Team AmeriVet, Tricon, Beard Motorsports, and 23XI, have also been mentioned as potential entrants, creating a tight qualifying environment.

During his 16-year Cup career, Mears has started 494 races, with one win, 51 top-10 finishes, and three poles. His only Cup win occurred at the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, which established him as a fan favorite during his prime.

His first Cup race came in the 2003 Daytona 500, making this return a full-circle moment more than two decades later. Carl Long’s own Daytona 500 history adds another layer to the storyline.

As a team owner, Long has endured a series of DNQs at Daytona, with failed qualifying attempts stretching from 2000 through 2009 across multiple teams and manufacturers. The entry with Mears represents another chance to finally break through at a race that has repeatedly slipped just out of reach.

MBM Motorsports will also field an ARCA Menards Series entry at Daytona for Derek White. The Canadian stock car driver’s only registered Cup Series race was the 5-hour Energy 301 in New Hampshire, where he finished 33rd.

Mears also made his Truck Series debut with the team last season at Martinsville Speedway and drove the No. 69 Pit Stop Diecasts Ford F-150 for his 600th NASCAR start. He raced to a 24th-place finish during the Slim Jim 200 and said how special it was for the team to give him such an opportunity.

“It’s pretty special to come back to Martinsville for my 600th NASCAR start,” said Mears. “This sport has given me so many incredible experiences, and to make my Truck Series debut with MBM Motorsports and The Pit Stop Diecasts at such an iconic track is exciting.”

“The Truck Series has always been on my list. It’s tough, exciting racing, and Martinsville is the perfect place to make it happen.”

“We are not a NASCAR team that is going dirt racing. We are dirt racers who happen to have a NASCAR team.”

Spire Motorsports is going dirt track racing on a much larger scale in 2026. In addition to their NASCAR efforts, they’ll also field a 410 winged sprint car entry. The new team will race full time in the Kubota High Limit Racing series.

In the middle of the 2025 season, Scelzi parted from KCP Racing. He finished the season with Clauson Marshall Racing, filling the seat for the injured Tyler Courtney. Now, he has a new ride…

Giovanni “Gio” Scelzi has been signed as the driver. He was previously awarded the 2023 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year. Scelzi has 12 race wins in national competition.

Eric Prutzman will join the team as the crew chief after taking Brad Sweet to six national championships.

He’ll also race in the 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa. The car is a Spire Motorsports’ Chili’s-sponsored entry fielded by Keith Kunz.

Spire Motorsports has acquired a High Roller Club membership (charter) ahead of the 2026 season. It was purchased from Jason Myers Racing.

High Limit Sprint Cars introducing charter system to dirt racing

Spire Motorsports Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson comments

“Going on the road with High Limit is like a dream come true and to do this with people I have deep respect and appreciation for makes it even better,” said Spire Motorsports Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson in the team release.

“We’ve worked with and for Kyle (Larson), Brad (Sweet), Kendra (Jacobs) and JP (Josh Peterman) for years and I have an immense amount of gratitude to them for not only building a great series but for making a series that offers long-term growth to all of us in a sport we all love.”

“I’m thankful to Tim Clauson and the Marshalls for providing us a launch pad to make this jump and look forward to working closely this season.”

He added, “We are not a NASCAR team that is going dirt racing. We are dirt racers who happen to have a NASCAR team. This is in our blood and we can’t wait to get to Vegas in March.”

Gio Scelzi comments

“To see the enthusiasm from the employees at Spire Motorsports, that’s really something that made an impact on me,” said Scelzi.

“The NASCAR stuff is their job but it’s pretty obvious they enjoy sprint car racing. We’ll likely run 80 to 90 times a year at probably 50 different race tracks, but when you have an owner like Jeff (Dickerson) who truly loves sprint car racing and comes from that background, it really makes this an exciting opportunity.”

“I’ve known Eric (Prutzman) for a long time. When I was probably 10- or 12-years-old, when Donny Schatz was driving for Tony Stewart Racing, those guys would work out of my dad’s shop during that three-week West Coast swing and Eric was the tire guy at the time, so we became friends and stayed in touch.”

“I’ve watched Eric’s career and he’s had amazing success. The guys who run up front all have really good equipment so, now more than ever, it’s the people. Having someone as accomplished as Eric is just as important as the equipment.”

“I’m thrilled to race the Chili Bowl, again. I’ve run it three times in the past. I ran for Clauson Marshall Racing my first time and made the show.”

“The two years after that, I was there with Chad Boat Racing. To race a car prepared by Keith Kunz at the Chili Bowl is a dream come true. They’ve won prelim after prelim and Saturday after Saturday. The Chili Bowl is an event where being lucky is just as important as having a fast race car and putting yourself in position to win a race.”

“I’m really looking forward to getting back there. I’m really grateful to Jeff, Keith and the whole team at Chili’s for the opportunity.”

NASCAR charter sold for $40M to Spire Motorsports; New record

Links

Gio Scelzi | Spire Motorsports | High Limit Racing | NASCAR

Ten Tenths Motor Club has named longtime automotive executive Andy Thomas as its new Vice President of Manufacturer Relations, bringing more than three decades of global experience in luxury automotive sales, marketing and brand management to the newly opened motorsports and lifestyle destination.

In his new role, Thomas will develop and maintain relationships with OEM partners to understand their needs, perspectives and objectives, while working to identify opportunities for growth by leveraging new and existing partnerships to increase facility usage.

Thomas joins Ten Tenths Motor Club after serving as Vice President of Marketing and Communications for McLaren Automotive North America since 2015, where he led strategic marketing, communications and global strategy that helped drive record sales growth. During his decade with McLaren, Thomas oversaw experiential events in over 30 major metro markets and developed retail programs that significantly increased sales conversions and owner engagement.

“Andy’s reputation and relationships within the global automotive community are unmatched,” said Rick Hendrick, who founded Ten Tenths Motor Club in partnership with Speedway Motorsports. “His leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our partnerships with manufacturers and luxury brands as we continue to establish Ten Tenths as a world-class venue for automotive experiences.”

Prior to McLaren, Thomas served in leadership roles with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in both Goodwood, U.K. and North America, where he guided global brand alignment and oversaw international marketing strategy across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Earlier in his career, he held key marketing and sales roles with BMW of North America, Ferrari North America and Land Rover North America, gaining experience in dealer relations, product marketing and luxury customer engagement.

“Our vision for Ten Tenths Motor Club is to establish the facility as not only a premier experience for passionate automotive enthusiasts, but also to create a destination for corporate events that is unmatched in the automotive industry,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “We look forward to Andy joining our efforts to invite manufacturers from around the world to Ten Tenths Motor Club and the greater Charlotte region.”

A Clemson University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Thomas also serves on the Board of the Erwin Center for Brand Communication at his alma mater. In that role, he mentors students, sponsors real-world marketing projects and connects students with opportunities across the automotive and luxury brand landscape.

A native of Salisbury, Maryland, Thomas began his career in dealer operations at Fox Chevrolet in Baltimore before joining the OEM side of the industry. His work has taken him across the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, building a broad network and a deep understanding of international brand collaboration.

“I’m thrilled to join Ten Tenths at such an exciting time,” Thomas said. “The club’s vision represents the next evolution of automotive lifestyle and performance culture. I look forward to connecting global manufacturers with this extraordinary facility and to becoming part of the Charlotte community.”

Located adjacent to the iconic Charlotte Motor Speedway, Ten Tenths Motor Club combines exclusive track access, curated events and premium hospitality to create an unparalleled environment for members and partners. The facility has quickly become a premier destination in the Charlotte metropolitan area for automotive launches, luxury brand activations, enthusiast experiences and special events. Tickets are now on sale for Ten Tenths Motor Club signature public event, Heritage Invitational, April 9-11, 2026.

CMS PR

Short-track racing is set for a significant commercial and visibility boost, one that points to growing confidence from corporate players in the grassroots motorsport ecosystem.

As the Chili Bowl Nationals approaches next January, developments off the track suggest the event is entering a new commercial phase. The move will inject major corporate backing into one of grassroots motorsport’s most prestigious events.

Chili Bowl Nationals Gain Momentum As Major Brands Look Beyond Top-Tier Series

In a new announcement, it has emerged that Chili’s will sponsor FloRacing’s streaming coverage of the Chili Bowl Nationals in January 2026.

A motorsports journalist first reported the development on X, revealing, “@Chilis will sponsor @FloRacing’s streaming coverage of the Chili Bowl Nationals in January as part of a new deal, with assets including ad integration during pre- and post-race and shoulder programming, along with on-site signage, jumbotron commercials and a hospitality area.”

The deal includes extensive ad integration across FloRacing’s Chili Bowl coverage. The partnership will also feature branded elements during pre- and post-race shows, shoulder programming, on-site signage, jumbotron commercials, and a dedicated hospitality area at the venue.

Chili’s is owned by Brinker International, a publicly listed restaurant company valued at approximately $6.6 billion, underlining the scale of investment now flowing into short track and dirt racing.

While the Chili Bowl has long been a fan favorite on the racing calendar, the association of a corporate company of this size with the Chili Bowl further elevates the event’s commercial credibility and fan appeal.

The Chili Bowl Nationals, held annually in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is widely regarded as the crown jewel of midget racing, drawing elite drivers from dirt racing, IndyCar, and even NASCAR disciplines. While the event has long enjoyed strong grassroots support, this sponsorship shows how close the gap between short-track racing and central corporate America is getting.

For FloRacing, the deal reinforces its strategy of pairing grassroots motorsport with blue-chip advertisers. As streaming continues to transform how fans consume motorsport, securing a nationally recognized brand like Chili’s adds credibility to FloRacing’s model and demonstrates the platform’s ability to deliver measurable value to sponsors.

At a broader level, the partnership reflects a shifting landscape within American motorsport. Short track racing, once viewed primarily as a regional niche, is increasingly attracting major corporate interest due to its authenticity and strong fan engagement.

The move could also have a ripple effect across the short track ecosystem, encouraging other major sponsors to explore similar partnerships. This will further narrow the gap between grassroots racing and top-tier motorsport in terms of commercial and media appeal.

Every new F1 season reshapes the grid, and the 2025 cars push aerodynamic complexity even further with intricate sidepods, sculpted floors, and finely tuned wings. While these features exist to win races under strict regulations, the principles behind them are already transforming how high-performance road cars cut through the air and stay planted at speed.

Just as enthusiasts compare online casinos that pay out the most to maximize return on risk, performance drivers now compare brands that deliver the greatest transfer of F1 aerodynamic knowledge into cars that occupy real garages. The models that benefit from this pipeline feel calmer at 250 km/h, corner harder on track days, and waste less fuel or battery charge at highway speeds.

From Wind Tunnels to Showrooms

F1 teams and manufacturers now work inside shared technical ecosystems, where aerodynamic research rarely remains confined to the race shop. Computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel data feed common databases that road-car engineers interrogate when they design a new supercar or performance sedan.

Key channels that transfer F1 aero learning into road cars include:

• Shared CFD platforms that simulate similar flow conditions for race and road projects.
• Common wind tunnel facilities with interchangeable models and measuring systems.
• Track data that validates how cars behave in crosswinds and turbulent air.
• Joint technical groups that translate race concepts into street-legal solutions.

Through these mechanisms, investment in F1 development produces measurable benefits in the road division instead of existing as a pure marketing exercise.

Ground Effects and Venturi Floors in Road Cars

The 2025 F1 floors generate huge downforce through Venturi tunnels and powerful diffusers, and road-car departments have revived the same philosophy in a moderated form. Underbody tunnels, extended diffusers, and subtle vortex generators create suction without resorting to oversized wings that would look out of place in city traffic.

Examples of ground-effect DNA in current road cars include:

• Mid-engine supercars with flat floors and deep rear diffusers
• Hypercars that channel air through underbody tunnels to generate downforce
• Performance sedans that reduce high-speed lift with tuned diffusers
• Track-focused editions with removable front splitters and underbody strakes.

These solutions respect everyday ride-height constraints while retaining the stability advantages that F1 teams exploit.

Active Aero and Smart Surfaces

While F1 cars use limited movable devices, the control logic behind ride height, temperatures, and hybrid deployment inspires sophisticated active systems on road cars. High-performance models now coordinate adjustable rear wings, deployable spoilers, and intelligent grille shutters through central controllers that read speed, steering angle, and thermal load.

Common active aerodynamic components in modern performance cars include:

• Multi-position rear wings that alter angle during braking and acceleration
• Front lips that extend at higher speeds to increase front axle grip
• Adaptive grille shutters that open for cooling and close to cut drag
• Underbody flaps that direct airflow toward diffusers or brake ducts.

In practice, the car behaves as a dynamic object that reshapes itself for each phase of a drive, echoing the adaptive philosophy of race setup work.

Aero Efficiency for Everyday Driving

Although F1 teams chase maximum downforce within tight drag limits, road cars often prioritize efficiency because emissions regulations and electric range targets are strict. Designers therefore apply F1-style flow management around mirrors, wheels, and rooflines to preserve stability while minimizing wake turbulence.

Typical efficiency tricks derived from F1 thinking include:

• Air curtains that guide flow cleanly around the front wheels.
• Sculpted side sills that feed air toward the rear diffuser.
• Tapered roof and tail profiles that shrink the turbulent wake.
• Subtle rear lips that reduce lift without large wings.

Each detail may seem minor when viewed alone, yet in combination they deliver measurable improvements in drag coefficient and high-speed composure.

What This Means for Drivers and Engineers

For drivers, the influence of 2025 F1 aerodynamics appears as calmer behavior at velocities that once felt nervous. Steering remains more precise under heavy braking, crosswinds disturb the car less, and lap times on track days improve as tires operate within more consistent load windows.

For engineers, the convergence of race and road programs enforces disciplined development processes. Shared wind tunnel hours, CFD runs, and correlation tests reduce the temptation to add ineffective vents or decorative wings, because every visible feature must justify itself through quantifiable aerodynamic benefit.

The Next Aero Generation

The trajectory from 2025 indicates that future performance cars will deepen the integration between sensors, software, and active surfaces. Vehicles may adapt their aero profiles in response to real-time traffic, weather, and road-surface data, rather than relying solely on speed-based maps.

For enthusiasts who watch F1 qualifying and then drive home in high-performance coupes or sedans, the connection between what happens on Saturday and what they feel on Monday morning will continue to tighten. Each new F1 regulation cycle forces teams to reinvent the language of airflow, and that vocabulary keeps migrating into cars parked in ordinary driveways, quietly transforming everyday journeys with technology proven at racing speed.