JDC-Miller Motorsports has confirmed its driver roster for the 2026 edition of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. Tijmen van der Helm, Nico Pino, and Kaylen Frederick will partner to co-drive the No. 85 5 Porsche 963 later this month.

Van der Helm returns to JDC-Miller for his fourth consecutive season competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar championship. They have two podiums together, including a third-place finish in the 2023 Sebring 12 Hours. 

“I am excited to continue my journey with JDC-Miller MotorSports,” said Van der Helm. We’ve made massive strides in understanding this car over the past three years, and starting the 2026 season with such a talented team around us gives us a real chance at the podium.”

Joining the Dutchman is Pino, who comes from Chile and is a proven winner in the European Le Mans Series.

Joining a team with the history and passion of JDC-Miller MotorSports is a major milestone,” said Pino. “It’s incredible to be back in the 963 for 2026, especially with a team like JDCMiller MotorSports. I’m ready to push for a watch at Daytona.”

Frederick completes the lineup, and the American comes over from single-seaters where he is a winner in Super Formula, and the only US-born champion of the BRDC British Formula 3 crown.

“It is a bit humbling to begin my sports car career driving for a top team like JDC-Miller MotorSports, in a car like the Porsche 963, and at one of the biggest races of the year, the Rolex 24 at Daytona,” said Frederick. “I started my national karting career at the kart track in the Daytona infield, so it seems fitting that I am now starting my endurance racing career at the same prestigious venue. I am very much up to the challenge and know the team will get me up to speed quickly. I’m looking forward to a good result.”

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23XI Racing was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in 2020.

Chumba will sponsor Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota in the season-opening Daytona 500 and multiple races throughout the year. The February 15 start at Daytona International Speedway will mark the first time a Chumba-branded car runs in The Great American Race.

Chumba plans fan giveaways throughout the season, including VIP race experiences and meet-and-greets with Reddick and Bubba Wallace, who won the Brickyard 400 in the Chumba-sponsored No. 23 Toyota.

Wallace will drive the No. 23 Chumba Casino Toyota for select races this season, including the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, where he returns to defend his title. The Chumba Casino emblem will continue to be displayed on the drivers’ firesuits and team equipment throughout the season.

VGW owns the Chumba brand.

“Our partnership with 23XI Racing had an incredible first year, highlighted by a historic Brickyard 400 win, and we’re excited to build on that momentum in 2026,” VGW chief marketing officer Ben Whitford said in a press release. “Expanding our presence with Tyler and continuing our support of Bubba allows us to connect with NASCAR fans in bigger and more engaging ways.”

Sweep Casinos’ Legal Reckoning

Class-action litigation against sweepstakes casinos accelerated in 2025, with more than 100 lawsuits filed nationwide. VGW faces more than 20 suits, while Sweepsteaks Limited, the operator of Stake.us, is named in at least five complaints.

The lawsuits allege that dual-currency casinos constitute illegal gambling and engage in deceptive practices. States including Utah and Alabama have emerged as litigation hotspots due to strict anti-gambling statutes.

Sweepstakes casinos claim to operate free-to-play social games. However, the secondary digital currency they allow people to play with, often called sweeps coins, can be redeemed for real money.

A growing number of states have already outlawed online sweepstakes casinos, including California, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, and Washington, among others. Additional states are now weighing similar restrictions, with legislation targeting dual-currency models expected to surface in several Midwestern and Northeast jurisdictions this year.

Separately, gaming regulators and state attorneys general have ordered sweepstakes operators to cease operations in states ranging from Arizona to West Virginia.

Celebrity Promoters Face Legal Action

Rapper Drake faces three lawsuits over his promotion of Stake.us, a RICO class action filed on December 31 in Virginia federal court. The suit alleges Drake and online influencer Adin Ross promoted an illegal gambling platform operating as a “social casino.”

The Virginia complaint claims Drake used Stake.us as a “money transfer conduit” to route funds to Australian personality George Nguyen to purchase streams of his music, artificially inflating its performance on platforms such as Spotify. The filing says Stake pays Drake roughly 100 million dollars per year under a promotional agreement signed in 2022.

Television host Ryan Seacrest was also sued in California in August 2025 over his association with Chumba Casino. The lawsuit alleged he promoted illegal gambling and contributed to rising gambling addiction. The case was later dismissed.

Slots influencer Brian Christopher, who has more than 750,000 YouTube subscribers, was sued separately in August for promoting products operated by VGW, which owns Chumba Casino.

The lawsuits come as sweepstakes operators continue to invest in high-visibility sports partnerships to maintain brand reach.

Sweeps’ Sports and Celebrity Sponsorships

Sweepstakes casino sports sponsorships and celebrity endorsements have become commonplace.

Modo Casino, owned by ARB Interactive, sponsored Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 car for four NASCAR Cup Series races last year. ARB Interactive acquired Publishers Clearing House in 2025 and named Modo the “Official Social Casino of PCH.”

Other endorsement deals include Michael Phelps with Global Poker, Paris Hilton with WOW Vegas, and John Daly alongside Bruce Buffer with Modo Casino.

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Rhea is a journalist with five years of experience covering finance, technology, and digital platforms. Her work focuses on breaking news and explanatory reporting at the intersection of markets and finance, with an emphasis on clarity and accuracy.

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Stroud Safety, the Oklahoma City-based motorsports safety manufacturer trusted by racers across every major discipline, announced today that John Gentry has been named Chief Revenue Officer (CRO).

Gentry has served as Stroud Safety’s National Sales Manager since February 2019 and has been an integral part of the company’s continued growth and success. In his new role, he will oversee Stroud Safety’s global revenue strategy, including sales, partnerships, and long-term business development, while continuing to strengthen relationships throughout the motorsports community.

“This new role comes with some real responsibility,” Gentry said. “I work closely with racers, teams, and several OEM brands across the sport, and I see this role as a responsibility to serve – not just to sell. That perspective guides how we grow Stroud intentionally into more corners of the sport.”

Gentry remains deeply connected to the sport and recently debuted his twin-turbocharged Chevrolet Camaro Pro Mod, with plans to compete during the 2026 season. His firsthand experience within the motorsports industry has helped him foster new relationships while maintaining the level of care and concern longtime Stroud Safety customers have come to expect.

Stroud Safety owner Tommy Cunningham said Gentry’s promotion reflects both his leadership within the company and the trust he has earned throughout the motorsports industry.

“John has built a strong foundation of trust with racers and teams by consistently putting their needs first and following through on his commitments,” Cunningham said. “That racer-first approach is central to who we are at Stroud Safety. With a lifetime spent around the sport, I understand how important trust is in this industry, and John has earned that trust through integrity, strong relationships, and a deep understanding of our customers. His leadership and experience make him a natural fit for the CRO role as we continue to grow the business.”

Under Gentry’s leadership in sales, Stroud Safety has continued to expand its presence across drag racing and motorsports as a whole, working with teams, series, and sanctioning bodies while reinforcing the company’s reputation as one of the most trusted names in racer safety.

With Gentry stepping into the CRO role, Stroud Safety remains focused on sustainable growth, product excellence, and its mission to protect racers at every level – from grassroots competitors to championship-winning professionals.

For more information about Stroud Safety and its full line of motorsports safety products, visit www.stroudsafety.com.

This story was originally published on January 8, 2026.

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has been named entitlement partner for the upcoming NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts race as part of the spring race weekend at Martinsville Speedway.

The NFPA 250 will take place on Saturday, March 28, as part of the tripleheader race weekend at the famed short track.

“Collaborating with an organization like NFPA is more than just any partnership, it’s a shared commitment to the importance of safety in our community and in racing,” said Clay Campbell, President of Martinsville Speedway. “Fire safety has always played a critical role in protecting our fans in the grandstands and our drivers and teams out on the track, and we’re honored to have NFPA there with us to ensure everyone can enjoy all the racing action in the safest environment possible.”

For 130 years, the NFPA has been helping to solve some of the planet’s toughest safety problems. As a self-funded nonprofit, the association strives to help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge, and passion. Today, NFPA publishes more than 300 codes and standards, spanning every area of fire, life, and electrical safety.

“NASCAR has a long-standing commitment to safety, both on and off the track,” said NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with NFPA’s mission to protect people and property from fire and other hazards. We’re excited to serve as the entitlement sponsor of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series NFPA 250 at Martinsville Speedway, bringing national attention to the importance of fire safety for individuals, families, businesses, and communities.”

The spring NASCAR race weekend at Martinsville Speedway kicks off on Friday, March 27, with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour racing under the lights at Martinsville Speedway. The action continues on Saturday, March 28 with the NFPA 250 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race.

The weekend concludes on Sunday, March 29, with the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series competing for the coveted Grandfather Clock trophy in the Cook Out 400.

Fans can purchase tickets to the upcoming race weekend via phone at 877-RACE-TIX or online at martinsvillespeedway.com.

Martinsville Speedway PR

NITRO Motorsports Park has joined the NHRA Member Track Network in NHRA’s Northwest Division (Division 6). Located in Prince George, B.C., NITRO Motorsports Park adds another Canadian track to NHRA’s Member Track Network, joining Western Canadian tracks in Edmonton, Medicine Hat and Mission.

NITRO Motorsports Park is a club-owned and operated, non-profit society facility, offering a standout facility and serving as Northern British Columbia’s largest motorsports park.

“After careful consideration of what is best for the long-term future of NITRO Motorsports Park and our goal of attracting all racers to our facility, we have made the decision to join the NHRA in its 75th year of operation,” NITRO Motorsports Park President Foji Dhansaw said. “As an organization that has operated continuously for 75 years, the NHRA represents the stability and leadership that both Nitro Motorsports Park and the sport of drag racing require.

“In recent years, NHRA has made significant strides in strengthening its focus on Sportsman racing. From my very first meeting with Glen (Cromwell, NHRA President) and the entire NHRA executive team, it was clear that they are genuinely committed to enhancing and growing sportsman racing across their network. Throughout our decision-making process, we consulted with tracks in Edmonton, Medicine Hat, and Mission. Joining these elite facilities and established programs was a key factor in determining that NHRA affiliation represents the best possible direction for Nitro Motorsports Park.”

By joining the NHRA Member Track Network, NITRO Motorsports Park will be eligible to offer racers in the area a variety of NHRA-sanctioned racing opportunities in the future, including the NHRA Summit Racing Series, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA Street Legal, NHRA Jr. Street, and more. Additionally, the track will have the chance to host NHRA specialty events like the NHRA Summit King of the Track and more.

NITRO Motorsports Park will also get access to NHRA’s extensive support programs as part of the member track network, insurance benefit,s and national marketing platforms as they excitedly move into a new era for the facility.

“I am beyond thrilled to have Nitro Motorsports Park join our Northwest Division family,” Northwest Division Director Mike Eames said. “Adding another multi-faceted venue for our Canadian racers and fans is huge. I look forward to working with everyone associated with their operation during our 75th anniversary season in 2026 and for many years to come.”