STATESVILLE, N.C. — Federal investigators are trying to figure out why a business jet carrying retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others tried to return to a North Carolina airport just after takeoff but plowed into light poles and a tree line short of the runway, killing everyone on board.

The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground Thursday morning, about one-third of a mile from the airport’s runway. They also don’t know who the was the lead pilot. Biffle was one of three people on board with a pilot’s license.

The jet had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, 10 minutes earlier, but crashed while trying to return and land, authorities said.

Flight records indicate the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board began examining the wreckage Friday to help determine the cause of the crash and why the plane had returned to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.

Investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder, which could provide important clues about what happened. They were not aware of any emergency calls from the jet, NTSB member Michael Graham said at a Friday news conference.

There were three pilots on board. Federal Aviation Administration records show Biffle was rated to fly helicopters, and single- and multi-engine planes. Also on board was pilot Dennis Dutton, Dutton’s son, Jack — who had a private pilot’s license for single-engine planes — and Biffle’s friend Craig Wadsworth.

NASCAR’s Greg Biffle remembered for humanitarian efforts: ‘His tireless work saved lives’

Biffle’s wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, were also killed in the crash, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

Cristina Biffle’s mother told People magazine that her daughter sent her a text message saying, “We’re in trouble,” before she didn’t hear from her again.

Federal investigators on Friday didn’t have answers yet about the crew.

Dennis Dutton was licensed and rated to fly this model of plane, but even then, he was supposed to fly with a co-pilot. Even though Biffle was rated to fly a multi-engine plane, he wasn’t listed as qualified to fly this particular jet or be a second officer. Dutton’s son, Jack, also had a pilot’s license but was only rated for single-engine planes.

“There is nobody else that has a second-in-command type rating in the airplane. So there’s a question on the crew,” aviation safety expert John Cox said.

The plane’s speed and altitude fluctuated significantly during the brief flight, and its path was consistent with a flight crew that experienced an issue and needed to return quickly, former NTSB and FAA crash investigator Jeff Guzzetti said.

At one point, the plane quickly soared from 1,800 feet up to 4,000 feet before descending again. Just before the crash, it was only a couple of hundred feet off the ground.

“One thing is certain: They were low. They were too low to make a safe landing on that runway,” Guzzetti said.

It’s unclear why the pilots didn’t make an emergency call, but their top priorities are flying the plane and figuring out where to land — not radioing for help. It’s possible they were too busy trying to control the plane and dealing with the problem. But Cox said it’s also possible that the problem they encountered wasn’t considered an emergency. And the pilots may not have made it a priority to make a radio call with no tower or firefighters at the airport.

Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.

In 2024, Biffle was honored for his humanitarian efforts after Hurricane Helene struck the U.S., even using his personal helicopter to deliver aid to flooded, remote western North Carolina.

A memorial with flowers sprouted up Friday by Biffle’s marble star in his hometown of Mooresville, honoring him as a member of the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

Steve Miller dropped by to pay his respects. He met Biffle at a huge party after he was inducted in October. He told Biffle he hoped the racecar driver could help knock an item off his bucket list — taking a flight in a helicopter.

“Come knock on my door, I’ll take you up,” Miller recalled Biffle telling him. “Never happened.”

Cessna Citations like the one that crashed Thursday are known as reliable, easy-to-fly jets. While the plane is in flight, one pilot is at the controls while the other pilot is the monitoring pilot, Cox said.

Roughly 1,000 of these 550 series jets have been made, and they have a very good safety record. “What accidents have occurred in this type were mostly due to very poor pilot decisions,” Guzzetti said.

The Statesville airport will remain closed at least through Saturday as the NTSB performs its investigation, officials said.

Funk reported from Omaha, Neb. Associated Press writers Allen G. Breed; Jenna Fryer in Charlotte, N.C.; and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, S.C., contributed.

• Dover Motor Speedway Vice President of Safety & Security Jim Hosfelt won the O. Bruton Smith Award
• Bristol Motor Speedway President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell received the H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler Promoter of the Year award
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway earned Speedway of the Year honors
• Sonoma Raceway won the Acceleration Award for the second consecutive year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Dec. 19, 2025) – Speedway Motorsports officials, in recognition of exemplary performance and exceptional service on behalf of and its world-class facilities, recognized the 2025 recipients for the company’s O. Bruton Smith Award, Promoter of the Year, Speedway of the Year and the Acceleration Award. Announcements were made during a company-wide town hall meeting this week as the industry-leading company wraps up a successful year hosting entertainment and motorsports events across the country.

Dover Motor Speedway’s Jim Hosfelt earned the 2025 O. Bruton Smith Award, while Bristol Motor Speedway President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell received Promoter of the Year honors. Las Vegas Motor Speedway was named Speedway of the Year award and Sonoma Raceway earned the fourth annual Acceleration Award.

“At Speedway Motorsports, our goal is to exceed expectations in sports and entertainment by delivering unforgettable moments at every touchpoint,” said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports. “That mission is only possible because of the passion, dedication and effort our teams across the country bring to their work each day. It’s a privilege to celebrate the leaders and teammates across our footprint whose commitment fuels our momentum and helps transform every event into a truly remarkable experience for our fans.”

Bruton Smith Award

Dover Motor Speedway Vice President of Safety and Security, Jim Hosfelt, received the 2025 O. Bruton Smith Award.

Established 13 years ago to recognize one employee annually across all of Speedway Motorsports and its subsidiaries, the recipient of this prestigious award is someone who exhibits Speedway Motorsports’ founder O. Bruton Smith’s traits: character, enthusiasm, drive, a heart for helping others, respect and appreciation for team members, vision and determination. It is the company’s highest honor.

Hosfelt joined Dover Motor Speedway in 2014 to oversee the day-to-day security and event-time public safety at the facility. Shortly after Speedway Motorsports acquired Dover in 2021, Hosfelt added the title of Director of Safety and Security for Speedway Motorsports, working as a liaison for NASCAR and federal agencies at events across the company’s portfolio of properties.

Prior to his speedway tenure, the Cumberland, Md. native spent 25 years in law enforcement with the Dover Police Department, where he retired as Chief of Police.

Away from the track, Hosfelt serves as a coordinator for food distribution events conducted by the speedway with the Food Bank of Delaware. An Air Force veteran and graduate of the FBI National Academy, he was elected to seats on Dover City Council (2015-2017) and Kent County Levy Court (2017-2019).

“The contributions Jim makes, the relationships he has across the sport, thankfully it’s a low profile thing, but (public safety) is one of the most important things we do,” said Speedway Motorsports Chief Operating Officer Mike Burch. “We talk about ‘safe, clean and comfortable.’ He’s invaluable to making sure our fans from across the nation are safe when they come to our race tracks.”

“When we finished the transaction to acquire Dover Motorsports, we had no idea what an amazing fit our teams would be,” Smith added. “Jim, specifically, is just remarkable – how he is able to be everywhere and always deliver so professionally. It’s really impressive and he’s made a tremendous impact on our company.”

H.A. Humpy Wheeler Promoter of the Year

Recognized for his team’s effort around the Speedway Classic partnership with Major League Baseball and continued success in NASCAR and other secondary events, Bristol Motor Speedway President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell was named H.A. Humpy Wheeler Promoter of the Year for 2025. The annual award, named in honor of the legendary promoter who passed away in August, is chosen by the selection committee and given to the Speedway Motorsports general manager who best displayed the creativity, innovation, leadership and execution that are fundamental to Speedway Motorsports’ way of doing business.

A first-of-its-kind event in baseball, the Speedway Classic saw the highest ticket sales for a single event in the history of Major League Baseball with over 91,000 tickets sold.

“Humpy was known as the PT Barnum of motorsports,” Smith said. “He inspired a lot of people to think outside the box. To name Jerry as this year’s promoter is very fitting as he’s done a great job in leading the team to phenomenal success this year. Bristol has a reputation where people aren’t going to question if something like building a baseball stadium inside a race track can happen – they know it can.”

Speedway of the Year

Las Vegas Motor Speedway received Speedway of the Year recognition, edging out 10 state-of-the-art Speedway Motorsports entertainment complexes to earn top honors 11 of the last 14 years. The award was presented to LVMS President Patrick Lindsay, who replaced the facility’s longtime head Chris Powell upon his retirement earlier this year. The award recognizes the Speedway Motorsports facility with the best overall performance during 2025 in such aspects as fan friendliness, attendance, financial performance, sponsor relations and creativity.

“It’s not easy to grow on an already fantastic performance,” Smith said. “Patrick has carried the torch well and it’s great to have his leadership. It’s a huge effort because everything that happens — from corporate sales to operations and logistics — this team has done a great job and delivered every time.”

Acceleration Award

For the second year in a row, Sonoma Raceway was honored with the Acceleration Award, which recognizes a Speedway Motorsports subsidiary for significant year-over-year gains across multiple performance measures. The award was accepted by Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn.

Sonoma Raceway delivered a strong performance in 2025, driven by growing track rental activity in the raceway’s premium Turn 11 facility, along with strategic cost-efficiency initiatives that enhanced operations across the property while maintaining a high-quality fan experience.

“We had multiple speedways that made significant improvements, but we had one that really outdid themselves year-over-year,” Burch said. “They continue to bolster the fan experience, drive down expenses and find new ways to use the speedway to serve their clients.”

About Speedway Motorsports:

Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. Speedway Motorsports provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its U.S. Legend Cars International subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary.

Source: Speedway Motorsports

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The recent plane crash on December 18, 2025, involving retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has once again highlighted the risks associated with private aviation in the motorsports community.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Biffle, 55, his wife Cristina Grossu Biffle, their children Emma (14) and Ryder (5), and three others — Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton — were killed when their Cessna C550 crashed shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. The incident occurred amid adverse weather conditions, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating. The plane crashed just short of the runway. It is not known who was flying at this time.

Aviation tragedies have unfortunately claimed numerous lives across various motorsports series, from NASCAR to open-wheel racing like IndyCar/USAC and Formula 1. Private aircraft are commonly used for travel between events, contributing to these risks. Below is a factual list of notable motorsports personnel (drivers, officials, team members, family, and others) killed in plane crashes:

– Greg Biffle (retired NASCAR driver), Cristina Grossu Biffle (wife), Emma Biffle (daughter), Ryder Biffle (son), Craig Wadsworth (NASCAR community member), Dennis Dutton, and Jack Dutton — December 18, 2025, Statesville, North Carolina (7 fatalities).

– Alan Kulwicki (1992 NASCAR Cup Series champion) — April 1, 1993, near Bristol, Tennessee (plane crash attributed to pilot inexperience; 4 fatalities total).

– Davey Allison (NASCAR driver, son of Bobby Allison) — July 12, 1993, near Birmingham, Alabama (helicopter crash during landing; Allison died at age 32).

– Ricky Hendrick (NASCAR driver and son of team owner Rick Hendrick), John Hendrick (Hendrick Motorsports president), Kimberly and Jennifer Hendrick (nieces), Randy Dorton (engine builder), Jeff Turner (team executive), Joe Jackson (DuPont executive), Elizabeth Morrison and Richard Tracey (pilots), and Scott Latham (pilot for Tony Stewart) — October 24, 2004, near Martinsville, Virginia (Hendrick Motorsports plane crash in fog; 10 fatalities).

– Mike Stefanik (9-time NASCAR Modified champion) — September 16, 2017, Sterling, Connecticut (ultralight plane crash; Stefanik and pilot killed).

– Ted Christopher (NASCAR Whelen Modified champion) — September 16, 2017, near Riverhead Raceway, New York (plane crash en route to a race; Christopher and pilot killed).

– USAC officials and pilot — April 23, 1978, near Arlington, Indiana (Piper Navajo Chieftain crash in thunderstorm after Gabriel 200 race at Trenton Speedway, New Jersey; 9 fatalities): Frank DelRoy (USAC Technical Director), Ray Marquette (USAC VP of Public Affairs), Stan Worley (USAC Registrar), Shim Malone (Midget Supervisor and Flagman), Don Peabody (Sprint Car Supervisor), Judy Phillips (USAC Public Relations), Ross Teeguarden (USAC Deputy Technical Director), Dr. Bruce White (USAC Physician), and pilot Don Mullendore.

– Graham Hill (1962 and 1968 Formula 1 World Champion, Embassy Hill team owner) — November 29, 1975, near Arkley, England (Piper Aztec crash during approach to Elstree Airfield; 6 fatalities including driver Tony Brise and team members).

– David Purley (Formula 1 driver) — July 2, 1985, off Bognor Regis, England (aerobatic plane crash; Purley killed).

Near Misses

While these incidents represent the tragic losses, motorsports has also seen several high-profile near misses and survivable crashes:

– David Coulthard (Formula 1 driver) — May 2, 2000, near Lyon, France (Learjet 35 crash during emergency landing after engine failure; both pilots killed, but Coulthard and two passengers survived with minor injuries; he raced and finished second at the Spanish Grand Prix days later).

– Jack Roush (NASCAR team owner) — April 19, 2002, near Troy, Alabama (small plane hit power lines and crashed into a lake; Roush was rescued from underwater wreckage by a bystander and survived serious injuries; he was involved in another survivable crash in 2010).

– Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NASCAR driver) — August 15, 2019, near Elizabeth City, North Carolina (private plane crash-landed after engine failure; Earnhardt Jr., his wife, daughter, and two others escaped safely before the plane caught fire).

– Greg Biffle (NASCAR driver) — March 2011, Blue Grass Airport, Kentucky (plane incident; Biffle survived).

Other incidents include the 2008 crash that killed the husband of NASCAR executive Lesa France Kennedy (along with NASCAR pilot Michael Klemm and others) and various non-fatal close calls. In Formula 1, David Coulthard survived a 2000 plane crash that killed both pilots, and in IMSA, some figures have been involved in aviation incidents, though fewer high-profile fatalities are recorded compared to NASCAR and USAC.

These events underscore the dangers of private air travel, often used for quick trips between race venues. While investigations into causes vary — from weather and pilot error to mechanical issues — they have prompted ongoing safety discussions in the industry. The motorsports community continues to mourn these losses and honors those affected.

The NASCAR community is remembering Greg Biffle after he was among the seven people killed in a plane crash Thursday in Statesville, North Carolina.

Biffle, his wife and two kids, along with Craig Wadsworth and Jack and Dennis Dutton, died in the crash.

A former driver in the NASCAR Cup Series with 19 wins in 515 starts and seven playoff appearances in 14 seasons, including a runner-up points finish in 2005, Biffle not only went up against the best but beat the best

Biffle’s 19 Cup wins often relegated champions to finish second — most commonly Jimmie Johnson (5 second-place finishes to Biffle), Tony Stewart (2) and Jeff Gordon (2)

Johnson, Stewart and Gordon who combined for 14 championships in 22 season, from 1995 to 2016. They each paid tribute to Biffle after his passing:

Biffle’s spotter for his wins, Joel Edmonds, expressed his condolences and reflected on living life with Biffle and his family:

Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.

A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.

Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick’s final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers’ stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.

Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) announced its motorsport program for the 2026 season on Friday, December 19. It covers all racing activity in non-top tier categories like F1, IndyCar, NASCAR, WEC or IMSA.

2026 Motorsport Activities

• TGR will continue to strengthen industry collaboration in the top categories in Japan, SUPER GT and the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship, to build further excitement for motorsports in Japan. In the SUPER GT GT500 class, TGR will aim for fourth consecutive Drivers’ and Team Championship titles, while in Super Formula, it has set the goal of reclaiming the Drivers’ Championship.
• In the Japanese Rally Championship, TGR will once again build a team consisting of its employees and conduct human resource development as it has in the past. Through the MORIZO Challenge Cup within the JN3 class, the team will support the development of young drivers who are aiming for the WRC and promote the active participation of female drivers.
• In the Super Taikyu Series and Nürburgring races, TGR will practice its philosophy of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars and fostering talent. In the Super Taikyu Series, the team will also continue to take on the challenge of expanding new options toward achieving carbon neutrality through purposeful passion and action. At the Nürburgring, the starting point of making ever-better cars, the team will compete in the 24-hour race with the goal of completing the race.
• TGR will enter the American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship for the first time with a rally car based on the GR Corolla, taking on the challenge of making ever-better motorsports-bred cars on American roads.
• In the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), driver Akira Miura, supported by TGR, will compete in the T1 class from the second round onward following the Dakar Rally.
• In the KYOJO CUP, TGR will continue to support the series in 2026 to promote diversity and expand the motorsports fan base and participant community with the aim of making motorsports more sustainable. The team will also support female drivers and help create an environment where they can thrive in motorsports.
• In driver development, TGR will continue to develop talent capable of competing in top categories both in Japan and overseas by building an environment where they can demonstrate their potential and maximize their abilities. The TGR Driver Challenge Program (TGR-DC) and TGR-DC Racing School will support a total of 16 drivers. The WRC Challenge Program will welcome its fifth-generation drivers and new global participants, bringing a total of nine drivers and co-driver to the program.
• In participatory motorsports, TGR will continue to expand participation through entry-level events such as the GR86/BRZ Cup, Yaris Cup, and Rally Challenge. The team will also work with circuits and local governments across Japan to ensure safe and well-organized races and rallies.

Through these motorsport activities, TGR is committed to developing human resources and fostering talent capable of thriving both in Japan and overseas. At the same time, TGR will continue to engage in the making of ever-better motorsports-bred cars and in initiatives that make motorsport more attractive and sustainable.

■Highlights from the 2025 Season

Championships In Japan	SUPER GT	TGR TEAM au TOM’S won the season championship -Team Champion -Drivers’ Champion (Sho Tsuboi / Kenta Yamashita)

SUPER GT

GT500 Class

• The team will compete again in 2026 with the GR Supra GT500.
• Through TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Development (TGR-D), support will be provided to six teams with six vehicles.
• Rikuto Kobayashi will join the lineup as a new driver.

Team	Vehicle	No.	Driver	Tires
TGR TEAM ENEOS ROOKIE	ENEOS X PRIME GR Supra	14	Kazuya Oshima (Japan)	BS
			Nirei Fukuzumi (Japan)
TGR TEAM WedsSport BANDOH	TBD (Base: GR Supra GT500)	19	Yuji Kunimoto (Japan)	YH
			Sena Sakaguchi (Japan)
TGR TEAM au TOM’S	au TOM’S GR Supra	36	Sho Tsuboi (Japan)	BS
			Kenta Yamashita (Japan)
TGR TEAM Deloitte TOM’S	Deloitte TOM’S GR Supra	37	Ukyo Sasahara (Japan)	BS
			Giuliano Alesi (France)
TGR TEAM KeePer CERUMO	KeePer CERUMO GR Supra	38	Toshiki Oyu (Japan)	BS
			Rikuto Kobayashi (Japan)
TGR TEAM SARD	DENSO KOBELCO SARD GR Supra	39	Yuhi Sekiguchi (Japan)	BS
			Sacha Fenestraz (Argentina)

Tires: BS = Bridgestone, YH = Yokohama

GT300 Class

• TGR will continue to support customer motorsports activities for teams competing with GR and LEXUS brand vehicles.

Team	Vehicle	No.	Driver	Tires
HYPER WATER Racing INGING	HYPER WATER INGING GR86 GT	2	Yuui Tsutsumi (Japan)	BS
			Kazuhisa Urabe (Japan)
SHADE RACING	TBD	20	Katsuyuki Hiranaka (Japan)	MI
			Eijiro Shimizu (Japan)
HOPPY team TSUCHIYA	TBD (Base: GR Supra)	25	TBD	YH
			TBD
apr	apr GR86 GT	30	Hiroaki Nagai (Japan)	YH
			Hibiki Taira (Japan)
			Manabu Orido (Japan)
	apr LC500h GT	31	Kazuto Kotaka (Japan)	BS
			Miki Koyama (Japan)
			Charlie Wurz (Austria)
Saitama Green Brave	Green Brave GR Supra GT	52	Hiroki Yoshida (Japan)	BS
			Seita Nonaka (Japan)
LM corsa	Syntium LMcorsa LC500 GT	60	Hiroki Yoshimoto (Japan)	DL
			Shunsuke Kohno (Japan)
K-tunes Racing	K-tunes RC F GT3	96	Morio Nitta (Japan)	TBD
			Shinichi Takagi (Japan)

Tires: BS = Bridgestone, MI = Michelin, DL = Dunlop, YH = Yokohama
Only teams with confirmed third drivers are listed.

Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship

• Toyota GAZOO Racing Development (TGR-D) will supply the teams with 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder direct-injection gasoline turbo engines (TRD 01F).
• Kalle Rovanperä, Rikuto Kobayashi, and Charlie Wurz will participate in the races for the first time.
• TGR will supply engines to TEAM GOH, a team committed to developing drivers who can compete globally.
• TGR will review the structure of KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC, a team for driver/engineer/mechanic development.

Team	No.	Driver
REALIZE KONDO RACING	3	TBA
	4	TBA
KCMG*	8	Kenta Yamashita (Japan)
	69	Kalle Rovanperä (Finland)
NTT docomo Business ROOKIE	14	Nirei Fukuzumi (Japan)
WECARS IMPUL with SDG	19	Zak O’Sullivan (U.K)
VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S	36	Sho Tsuboi (Japan)
	37	Sacha Fenestraz (Argentina)
SANKI VERTEX PARTNERS CERUMO・INGING	38	Sena Sakaguchi (Japan)
	39	Toshiki Oyu (Japan)
KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC	7	Kamui Kobayashi (Japan)
	28	Rikuto Kobayashi (Japan)
TEAM GOH	53	Charlie Wurz (Austria)

*Provisional

Japanese Rally Championship

• TGR will enter the MORIZO Challenge Cup (young-driver development category held within the JN3 class) with the GR Yaris.
• As in previous years, under team director Tomoyuki Shinkai (former TGR-WRJ driver through 2024), TGR will practice human resource development with its engineers and mechanics.

Team	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing – WRJ
Vehicle / Class	GR YARIS / JN3 (MORIZO Challenge Cup)
Main specifications	Engine	1.6-liter in-line 3-cylinder intercooler turbo
	Drive System	GR-FOUR sport 4WD system
Driver / Co-driver	Mako Hirakawa / Ryo Tomimoto

Nürburgring 24 Hours

• TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing (TGRR) will compete with the aim of finishing the world’s toughest course with a GR Yaris that has been further refined through the 2025 entry.

Team	Vehicle	Drivers
TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing	GR YARIS	MORIZO
		Daisuke Toyoda
		Hiroaki Ishiura
		Kazuya Oshima

Super Taikyu Series

• TGR will enter the series with three mixed teams of professional drivers, its employees, and gentleman drivers to strengthen the cars.
• TGRR will accelerate the making of ever-better cars by fielding the same driver lineup as at the Nürburgring.

Team	Car	Drivers
TOYOTA GAZOO ROOKIE Racing	GR Corolla H2 concept	MORIZO
		Daisuke Toyoda
		Hiroaki Ishiura
		Kazuya Oshima
GR Team ORC Field	GR Yaris M-concept	Yasuhiro Ogura
		Masahiro Sasaki
		Takamitsu Matsui
GR Team SPIRIT	GR Yaris DAT Racing Concept	Shunsuke Kohno
		Kenta Yamashita
		Tokiya Suzuki

ARA National Championship

• TGR will newly enter the ARA National Championship from Round 2 in 2026, with the aim of developing cars on North American roads and making ever-better motorsports-bred cars.
• The rally car based on GR Corolla will compete in the RC2 class (roughly equivalent to Rally2 level).
• The driver will be young American Seth Quintero, who will compete in ARA in parallel with W2RC.
• TGR’s employees will also participate as engineers and mechanics to conduct hands-on develoment of pit human resources.

Team	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT)
Vehicle / Class	GR Corolla Rally RC2 / RC2
Main specifications	Engine	1.6-liter in-line 3-cylinder turbocharged
	Drive System	4WD
Driver / Co-driver	Seth Quintero / Topi Luhtinen

W2RC

• Akira Miura, who has competed in Dakar Rally’s T2 class with Toyota Auto Body, will conclude his entry with Toyota Auto Body at Dakar 2026. From Round 2 onward, he will compete in the T1 class with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC, with support from TGR. After Miura moves to the T1 class, Toyota Auto Body will continue to compete in the T2 classs, which is designated for vehicles that are based on production models.

Team	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing – W2RC
Vehicle / Class	DKR GR Hilux / T1
Main specifications	Engine	V35A production-spec
	Drive System	4WD
Driver / Co-driver	Akira Miura / Armand Monleón

KYOJO CUP

• TGR will support the team entries and activities of female drivers with the aim of building an environment where female drivers can thrive in motorsports.

Team	Driver
NTT docomo Business ROOKIE	Mako Hirakawa (Japan)
TOM’S*	Aimi Saito (Japan)
	Hana Burton (U.S.)
ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL with Dr.DRY*	Rio Shimono (Japan)*
KCMG*	Miki Onaga (Japan)
	Rami Sasaki (Japan)
OPTIMUS CERUMO・INGING	Riona Tomishita (Japan)
	Kokoro Sato (Japan)
AIWIN Re-Kobe*	Itsumo Shiraishi (Japan)

*Provisional

Driver Development

１）TGR Driver Challenge Program (TGR-DC)

• TGR will continue its program to develop drivers capable of excelling in top categories worldwide.
• Across diverse challenges, TGR will create an environment that expand opportunities for drivers to maximize their abilities.
• TGR will support the following drivers in 2026.
  -Kalle Rovanperä will race in the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship and Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy.
  -Ritomo Miyata will compete in the FIA Formula 2 Championship.
  -Jin Nakamura will enter the FIA Formula 3 Championship, and the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (FRO) .
  -Yuki Sano will compete in the Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) and Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC).
  -Rikuto Kobayashi, and Charlie Wurz will race in the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship and SUPER GT.
  -Kiyoshi Umegaki and Tokiya Suzuki will race in the Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship and SUPER GT.
  -Oscar Wurz will race in the Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship.

Driver	Category	Team (provisional)
Kalle Rovanperä (Finland)	Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship	KCMG
	Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy	Hitech
Ritomo Miyata (Japan)	FIA Formula 2 Championship	Hitech
Rikuto Kobayashi (Japan)	Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship	KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC
	SUPER GT (GT500)	TGR TEAM KeePer CERUMO
Charlie Wurz (Austria)	Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship	TEAM GOH
	SUPER GT (GT300)	apr
Miki Koyama (Japan)	SUPER GT (GT300)	apr
Jin Nakamura (Japan)	FIA Formula 3 Championship	Hitech
	Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy	Hitech
Yuki Sano (Japan)	Formula Regional European Championship	R-ace GP
	Formula Regional Middle East Championship	R-ace GP
Kiyoshi Umegaki (Japan)	Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship	TOM‘S
	SUPER GT (GT300)	CARGUY MKS RACING
Tokiya Suzuki (Japan)	Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship	TOM‘S
	SUPER GT (GT300)	TBD
Oscar Wurz (Austria)	Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship	TOM‘S
Yuzuki Miura (Japan)	Formula Regional Japanese Championship	TOM’S FORMULA
Masana Muto (Japan)	Formula Regional Japanese Championship	TOM’S FORMULA

２）TGR-DC Racing School

• TGR will conduct training to develop professional drivers through the FIA-F4 Championship series in Japan.
• Details of the 2026 selection trials will be announced later. From the trial participants, outstanding and promising drivers will receive support for race entries in subsequent seasons.

［2026 TGR-DC Racing School Drivers］

(All drivers are Japanese)

Driver	Category	Team
Yuzuki Miura	Japanese FIA-F4 Championship	TGR-DC Racing School
Masana Muto
Masaki Hamabe
Tomoki Terashima
Buntaro Igarashi
Ryo Sakai

３）WRC Challenge Program

• Based in Finland, TGR will conduct training in Europe to develop drivers and co-drivers who can excel in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)
• 2nd-generation driver Yuki Yamamoto will tackle a full WRC season with a Rally2 car.
• 3rd-generation drivers Shotaro Goto and Takumi Matsushita will step up to Rally2 class; 4th-generation drivers Rio Ogata and Kanta Yanaguida and co-driver Tomiya Maekawa will step up to Rally3 class.
• Hiroya Minowa and Zeal Jones from the 5th generation will newly participate in the program in 2026.
• Jasper Vaher (Estonia, 18) who will join the program and compete with a Rally2 car. TGR expands the program by welcoming a driver from outside Japan for the first time.

Driver	Category	Team
Yuki Yamamoto (Japan)	Rally2	TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team
Shotaro Goto (Japan)	Rally2
Takumi Matsushita (Japan)	Rally2
Rio Ogata (Japan)	Rally3
Kanta Yanaguida (Japan)	Rally3
Tomiya Maekawa (Japan)*Co-driver	Rally3
Hiroya Minowa (Japan)	Rally4
Zeal Jones (Japan)	Rally4
Jasper Vaher (Estonia)	Rally2

Grass-root Motorsports

TGR will collaborate with circuits and local governments nationwide to provide opportunities to enjoy the true appeal of cars—controlling them and enjoying driving. The team will also implement support for those who aim to take on the challenge of participatory motorsports, prioritizing the safety of all participants.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GR86/BRZ Cup

• A one-make series using GR86 / SUBARU BRZ (ZN8/ZD8), delivering exciting, close races thanks to minimal performance differences.
• Competing cars are the GR86 Cup Car Basic and SUBARU BRZ Cup Car Basic, available for purchase at Toyota and Subaru dealerships nationwide.
• Two series: Professional Series (for professional drivers) and Clubman Series (for ambitious drivers aiming for the top). The 2026 season plans seven rounds at seven major circuits nationwide.

Details: https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/86brz/

Event	Date	Location
Rd.1	Sun, Apr 5	Autopolis
Rd.2	Sat–Sun, May 16–17	Sportsland SUGO
Rd.3	Sat–Sun, Jun 27–28	Okayama International Circuit
Rd.4	Sat–Sun, Aug 8–9	Tokachi Speedway
Rd.5	Sat–Sun, Sep 5–6	Fuji Speedway
Rd.6	Sat–Sun, Oct 3–4	Suzuka Circuit
Rd.7	Sat–Sun, Nov 21–22	Mobility Resort Motegi

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Yaris Cup

• Competing cars are Yaris Cup Cars based on the Yaris with a 1.5-liter engine, and the series accept both MT vehicle and CVT vehicle entries. In 2026, the series will again be held nationwide, divided into five regional series to allow entrants to choose based on their place of residence, with enhanced support so first-time challengers can participate confidently.
• Some 2026 rounds will introduce a Novice Class for beginners, broadening entry options.

Details: https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/yariscup/

Series	Round	Date	Venue
Hokkaido	Rd.1,2	May 24 (Sun)	Tokachi Speedway
	Rd.3	Aug 9 (Sun)	Tokachi Speedway
	Rd.4	Sep 27 (Sun)	Tokachi Speedway
Tohoku	Rd.1	May 16 (Sat)	Sportsland SUGO
	Rd.2	Sep 13 (Sun)	Mobility Resort Motegi
	Rd.3	Oct 24–25 (Sat–Sun)	Sportsland SUGO
Kanto	Rd.1	Apr 25 (Sat)	Mobility Resort Motegi
	Rd.2	Jun 20 (Sat)	Fuji Speedway
	Rd.3	Nov 28 (Sat)	Fuji Speedway
Kansai	Rd.1	Apr 18–19 (Sat–Sun)	Suzuka Circuit
	Rd.2	Jun 28 (Sun)	Okayama International Circuit
	Rd.3	Nov 21–22 (Sat–Sun)	Suzuka Circuit
Kyushu	Rd.1,2	Apr 5 (Sun)	Autopolis
	Rd.3	Jul 25 (Sat)	Autopolis
	Rd.4	Nov 1 (Sun)	Autopolis
Special Round		Dec 12 (Sat)	Fuji Speedway

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge

• An introductory rally with beginner-friendly courses, allowing first-time entrants to easily enter with peace of mind.
• JAF NATIONAL B license holders can enter not only with a GR Yaris or GR86, but also with HEVs and AT vehicles such as Yaris and Aqua—welcoming rally beginners and female participants.
• In 2026, TGR plans 12 rounds nationwide, including a special round, enhancing support to build an environment where first-time challengers can participate with confidence.

Details: https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/rallychallenge/

2026 Series Event Schedule

Round	Date	Event Name	Area	Format
Rd.1	Mar 14–15	Okinawa	Okinawa Prefecture	Standalone
Rd.2	Apr 18–19	Yatsugatake Chino	Nagano Prefecture	Standalone
Rd.3	May 16–17	Mt. Fuji Susono	Shizuoka Prefecture	Standalone
Rd.4	Jun 13–14	Kanzaki & Yoshinogari	Saga Prefecture	Cup Event (Regional)
Rd.5	Jun 27–28	Shibukawa Ikaho	Gunma Prefecture	Standalone
Rd.6	Jul 11–12	Dinosaur Katsuyama	Fukui Prefecture	Standalone
Rd.7	Aug 22–23	Akitakata	Hiroshima Prefecture	Standalone
Rd.8	Sep 12–13	Rankoshi	Hokkaido	Standalone
Rd.9	Sep 26–27	Lake Biwa Takashima	Shiga Prefecture	Standalone
Rd.10	Oct 10–11	Rifu	Miyagi Prefecture	Cup Event (Regional)
Rd.11	Oct 24–25	Takaoka Manyo	Toyama Prefecture	Standalone
Special Round	Nov 28–29	Toyota	Aichi Prefecture	Standalone

2026 – Other Event Schedule

Pre-event

Feb 7–8

Iwate

Iwate Prefecture

Standalone

e-Motorsports

• TGR will continue engaging in e-Motorsports activities to help create an environment where anyone can aspire to become a race car driver. Details will be announced once preparations are complete.