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FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan

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Welcome to the Racing America On SI Live Race Updates page for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

Be sure to refresh this post throughout Sunday’s event as the Live Race Updates story will be updated regularly with the biggest moments from the 400-mile race around the 2-mile oval, including lead changes, crash replays, the winner of the race, finishing results, and more.

Lap 68: Caution No. 3

Alex Bowman was sent hard into the outside wall in Turn 2. The driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet went head-on into the outside wall. Bowman’s rear tires lifted off the ground completely in the extremely hard crash.

Bowman’s crash was triggered by a mess that was started by contact from Austin Cindric onto Cole Custer.

Cindric, and Custer were in a four-wide battle ahead of Bowman with Riley Herbst and Daniel Suarez. Suarez went spinning and Chase Briscoe was also involved. The crash caused the race to be red flagged for cleanup.

Lap 66: Back to Green!

Chase Elliott maintains the lead on the restart, and Blaney has lost second spot to William Byron off of Turn 2, and now Kyle Larson is working on Blaney for the third spot. It looks like Blaney was able to hold Larson at bay.

Lap 60: Caution No. 2

We’re under caution for the second time in the FireKeepers Casino 400, the first time for an on-track incident. On Lap 60, John Hunter Nemechek lost control of his No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota on the exit of Turn 2, and got into the outside wall. Noah Gragson would also spin out trying to avoid the incident from the low line.

Lap 58: Denny Hamlin Nearly Crashes!

In a side-by-side battle with Kyle Larson in Turns 1 and 2 on Lap 58, Denny Hamlin washed up the track, into Larson, and he nearly lost control of his No. 11 Toyota. Somehow, Hamlin held onto his car, but he has now fallen to 11th.

Lap 57: Chase Elliott Takes the Lead

Chase Elliott made a move to get by Ryan Blaney for the race lead on Lap 57. Elliott now begins to pull away as he leads his first lap of the race.

Lap 55: Buescher Drops to 10th

After restarting fourth, Chris Buescher, who won Stage 1, has dropped to the 10th position on Lap 55. However, Buescher had really good long-run speed, which he showed in the opening Stage.

Lap 53: Back to Green!

Ryan Blaney will lead the field into Turn 1 with a solid push from Carson Hocevar on the restart. Hocevar is now locked in a side-by-side battle with Denny Hamlin for the runner-up spot.

Blaney will lead Lap 53, and Chris Buescher nearly crashes into Chase Elliott in Turns 3 and 4.

Lap 49: Ryan Blaney Wins Race Off Pit Road

Ryan Blaney, who took control of last week’s race at Nashville Superspeedway due to pit road, won the race off pit road on Lap 49. Blaney and the No. 12 Team Penske team gained five spots on pit road.

Top-10 drivers off of pit road:

1. 12-Ryan Blaney (+5 spots)
2. 11-Denny Hamlin (+1)
3. 77-Carson Hocevar (+7)
4. 17-Chris Buescher (-3)
5. 9-Chase Elliott (+9)
6. 8-Kyle Busch (+3)
7. 24-William Byron (-5)
8. 23-Bubba Wallace (=)
9. 5-Kyle Larson (-2)
10. 1-Ross Chastain (+10)

Lap 45: Buescher Wins Stage 1

Chris Buescher took the Stage 1 win in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 over William Byron. Buescher took the lead with a pass on Byron on Lap 35, and didn’t look back.

Denny Hamlin was closing in on Byron for the runner-up spot, but was unable to pull off a pass before the Stage concluded at the end of Lap 45.

FireKeepers Casino 400 Stage 1 Results

Fin

Car

Driver

Stage Points

Playoff Points

1

17

Chris Buescher

10

1

2

24

William Byron

9

3

11

Denny Hamlin

8

4

19

Chase Briscoe

7

5

21

Josh Berry

6

6

12

Ryan Blaney

5

7

5

Kyle Larson

4

8

23

Bubba Wallace

3

9

8

Kyle Busch

2

10

77

Carson Hocevar

1

Lap 35: Buescher Takes Lead From Byron

Chris Buescher finally was able to make it all work and he took the race lead from William Byron on Lap 35. Buescher is now starting to gap Byron. With the Stage drawing to a close, Denny Hamlin is now reeling in Byron for the runner-up spot.

Lap 34: Daniel Suarez (Vibration) Pits

Daniel Suarez, who had been running around 26th, has come to pit road for an unscheduled pit stop due to a vibration he felt behind the wheel of the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. The team didn’t want to chance a possible tire failure.

Suarez now runs last (36th), and is one lap off the pace.

Lap 30: Gibbs Dropping Like a Rock as Buescher Pressures Byron for Lead

Chris Buescher definitely has a better car than race leader William Byron right now, but he hasn’t been able to find a way around for the race lead yet. But it looks like just a matter of time. As Buescher and Byron battle it out, Denny Hamlin has gotten around Chase Briscoe for the third spot.

As this is going on, Ty Gibbs, who was up inside the top-10 not long ago, has dropped like a rock to 21st.

Lap 19: Cars With Long-Run Speed Starting to Creep Forward

Kyle Larson was able to get around Ty Gibbs for the seventh position, and a lap later, Ryan Blaney, who passed Carson Hocevar for ninth on Lap 19, also got by Gibbs for eighth. It looks like Larson, Blaney, and some of the cars that are really good on the long run, are starting to move up the running order.

Lap 18: Buescher Continues to Move Forward

Chris Buescher is now up to the runner-up spot, and he is setting sail on race leader William Byron. Buescher was able to get around polesitter Chase Briscoe for the second spot on Lap 18.

Lap 13: Buescher Moves to Third

After pressuring Denny Hamlin for several laps, Chris Buescher, the 2023 winner of the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, was able to get by the driver of the No. 11 Toyota for the third position.

Lap 12: Lead Change No. 1

William Byron was able to get around Chase Briscoe for the race lead on Lap 12 with some side-drafting down the backstretch. Byron leads in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, and he put an end to Briscoe’s 11 laps led to start Sunday’s race.

Lap 10 Running Order

Here is the running order at Lap 10 of the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan:

1. 19-Chase Briscoe
2. 24-William Byron
3. 11-Denny Hamlin
4. 17-Chris Buescher
5. 18-Kyle Busch
6. 21-Josh Berry
7. 54-Ty Gibbs
8. 5-Kyle Larson
9. 77-Carson Hocevar
10. 12-Ryan Blaney

Lap 3: Tyler Reddick is FLYING!

Tyler Reddick, the defending winner of this event, has worked his way inside of the top-20 by the end of Lap 3. Reddick, who initially qualified 12th, had to start the race from the rear of the field after unapproved adjustments were made to his car after Saturday’s qualifying session.

Reddick has gone from 36th to 19th already.

Lap 2: William Byron Up to P2, Busch Slides to Fourth

William Byron has climbed up to the runner-up spot on Lap 2, and he has his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet tucked in very tightly behind Briscoe’s No. 19 Toyota. Kyle Busch, who started from the second position, and challenged Briscoe for the lead on Lap 1, has fallen to fourth.

2:23 PM ET: Green Flag!

The green flag is flying for the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Chase Briscoe, who chose to start the race in the outside lane, is leading the field into Turn 1. Kyle Busch is attempting to mount a challenge, and he pulls alongside Briscoe at the end of the straightaway.

They’re still side-by-side for the lead down the backstretch. Busch poked slightly ahead in Turn 3, but Briscoe got a massive run off of Turn 4, and he will lead the opening lap from the pole.

Tyler Reddick (Unapproved Adjustments) to Start at Rear of the Field

Tyler Reddick will drop to the rear of the field on the pace laps of Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway after his No. 45 23XI Racing team made unapproved adjustments to his Toyota Camry XSE after Saturday’s practice and qualifying sessions.

The No. 45 team changed a diffuser skirt following qualifying after Reddick suffered a flat tire in Saturday’s practice session, which caused damage to the original diffuser skirt on his race car.

Reddick, the defnding winner of the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan, was set to roll from the 12th starting position prior to the detemination that he would have to drop to the rear of the field.

2:11 PM ET: Detoit Lions’ Kerby Joseph Delivers Thunderous Command

The 36 cars in the field for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway have roared to life after a very impassioned command to start engines from Kerby Joseph. Joseph is a Safety for the Detroit Lions National Football League organization.

All that is left before the green flag flies to signify the start of Sunday’s race are the pace laps.

2:03 PM ET: Invocation, National Anthems, and Flyover Complete!

The pre-race invocation, Canadian National Anthem, American National Anthem, and the flyover prior to the start of Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway have been completed.

Michigan International Speedway’s Lisa Boscom performed the Canadian National Anthem, while the American National Anthem was performed by Staff Sergeant Melan Smartt of the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America.

The flyover was conducted by The Hooligans Flight Team, a formation flight team for hire out of Michigan.

Ram Trucks to Return to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026

Ram Trucks will join the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as a fourth manufacturer for the 2026 season.

Ram Trucks/Stallantis

In an announcement on the pre-race stage at Michigan International Speedway prior to the start of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400, Ram Trucks announced that it will return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026, ending a 13-year hiatus for the brand in the series.

Ram Trucks will join Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota as the fourth manufacturer in the series next year.

The brand did not announce any driver or team pairings for its new NASCAR program for next season on Sunday, but Tim Kuniskis, CEO of Ram Brand says those details will all be announced later this year.

Click here for all of the details on the return of Ram Trucks to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

NASCAR Reveals Official Timeline of FireKeepers Casino 400 Pre-Race Festivities

Seeding for $1 Million NASCAR In-Season Tournament Begins at Michigan

While the first-ever NASCAR In-Season Tournament isn’t set to begin until the June 28 Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway), the next three races will be a pivotal component of who will walk away with the $1 million bonus.

The seeding for the five-race 32-driver tournament will be set based on the best overall finishes for drivers at Michigan International Speedway, Mexico City, and Pocono Raceway.

A win at Michigan International Speedway would ensure that a driver will not be seeded any lower than third for the in-season tournament, which will see pairings of drivers face off head-to-head with the highest finisher in the tournament races advancing to the next round of the tournament.

After the opening four races of the tournament, the 32-driver field will be whittled down to just two drivers, who will battle it out head-to-head in the Brickyard 400, the final race of the tournament.

Click here for an in-depth breakdown of the five-race in-season tournament schedule, as well as the list of the 32 drivers eligible.

FireKeepers Casino 400 Pre-Race Info

The FireKeepers Casino 400 will be televised on Prime Video, the third of five NASCAR Cup Series races to be covered by the streaming service this season. The Prime Video pre-race show will begin at 1:30 PM ET, and the official race broadcast will kick off on Prime Video at 2:00 PM ET.

The Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will provide the radio broadcast of Sunday’s race. For subscribers of the Max streaming service, NASCAR Driver Cam, which streams live in-car camera footage from every car in the field, will be available for today’s race.

The overall race purse, which teams will fight for their portion of in Sunday’s race is a total of $11,055,250.

The race distance is 200 laps around the 2-mile oval, which equates to a 400-mile race distance.

The FireKeepers Casino 400 will be broken up into three Stages. Stage 1 will end at the conclusion of Lap 45. Stage 2 will end at the conclusion of Lap 120. And the race is scheduled to finish at the end of Lap 200, barring an Overtime finish.

The winner of Stages 1 and 2 will be awarded one Playoff Point, and the overall race winner will be awarded five Playoff Points. The Playoff Points will be added to the reseeded point totals if the drivers make it into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, and will be carried through each round of the Playoffs.

The top-10 finishers in Stages 1, 2, and 3 will also receive regular-season championship points. The Stage Winners will receive 10 points for the Stage Win, and the point total will decrease by one point for the top-10 finishers in each Stage.

Tyler Reddick is the defending winner of the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan.

Chase Briscoe Continues Recent Run of Qualifying Dominance; Scores Third Consecutive Pole

Chase Briscoe had just two NASCAR Cup Series poles through his first 144 starts. After securing his third-consecutive pole position on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, Briscoe has now racked up four poles in his last 15 attempts.

Briscoe’s latest pole-winning run came with a 36.826-second (195.514 mph) lap time in qualifying for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400. Briscoe topped Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch by 0.027 seconds to score the pole.

FireKeepers Casino 400 Starting Lineup

Pos

Car

Driver

Lap time

Speed

1

19

Chase Briscoe

36.826

195.514

2

8

Kyle Busch

36.853

195.371

3

11

Denny Hamlin

36.861

195.328

4

24

William Byron

36.878

195.238

5

5

Kyle Larson

36.889

195.180

6

17

Chris Buescher

36.908

195.090

7

21

Josh Berry

36.920

195.016

8

54

Ty Gibbs

36.927

194.979

9

23

Bubba Wallace

36.937

194.926

10

38

Zane Smith

36.937

194.926

Click here for the full official starting lineup.

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$2.3 Trillion Giant Makes Stunning NASCAR Power Play With Chase Elliott for 2026

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The most popular driver in NASCAR is about to carry the colors of the most powerful streamer on the planet in a bold new way. For three races in the 2026 season, Amazon Prime Video will sponsor Chase Elliot, flashing a new color scheme for his car.

Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet will unveil a dramatically revised paint scheme for the 2026 season, a visual declaration of Amazon Prime Video’s deepening and aggressive stake in the sport’s future.

Which Races Will Chase Elliott Run With the Amazon Prime Livery in 2026?

Elliott is about to get a new color scheme for his car as Amazon Prime Video is sponsoring Chase Elliot for three races in the 2026 season. We will see the Amazon Prime Video on Elliott’s car next year at the Talladega, Texas, and the Dover All-Star Race.

The 2026 design shifts away from the brighter blues of the 2025 car, opting for darker, more aggressive tones. Added black accents and stronger contrast to give it a sharper, more authoritative look on track. The update deliberately distances the car from other blue-hued competitors, ensuring the $2.3 trillion tech behemoth’s rolling billboard stands utterly alone.

Amazon joined Hendrick Motorsports as a primary sponsor for Chase Elliott starting in 2025. It also became the sport’s first direct-to-consumer media partner this year. Holding roles as a team sponsor and a broadcaster at the same time raised eyebrows in the NASCAR community.

This time, on-car promotions directly precede Prime Video’s second season of broadcasting five exclusive Cup Series races, which begin with the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24. For 2026, Prime Video will again serve as a primary sponsor for Elliott in three select races, continuing a partnership that runs firmly through 2027.

The No. 9 car will first wear the updated livery at Talladega Superspeedway in late April, then at Texas Motor Speedway, with a final primary appearance at the All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway in mid-May.

MORE: Chase Elliott’s Long-Ignored Warning Forces NASCAR To Reconsider the Next Gen Car

Prime’s broadcast schedule also features the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31, the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 7, and the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on June 14.

Prime Video first sponsored Chase Elliott in 2025 for races at Talladega and Kansas Speedway. Like last year, these races kick off Prime Video’s five-race stretch of NASCAR Cup Series broadcasts.

The Prime broadcast schedule wraps up with the Anduril 250 during NASCAR San Diego Weekend on June 21. The event brings all three of NASCAR’s national series to Naval Base Coronado, where the drivers will tackle a unique 16-turn, 3.4-mile street circuit.





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Ironton Auto Body Challenge Set For Indoor Auto Racing

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ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When the Indoor Auto Racing Series returns to the PPL Center on January 9-10 for the ninth annual Ironton Global Allentown Indoor Races, TQ Midget drivers will once again have a chance to capture the $10,000 Ironton Auto Body Challenge by sweeping the weekend and winning both features.

In 2024, young driver Tanner VanDoren and Ryan Flores split the TQ Midget mains on the tenth-mile concrete oval. Flores won the Friday opener in 2025, but finished second Saturday to Andy Jankowiak. Although both enjoyed a successful weekend, the $10,000 sweep slipped away in Allentown.

Three weeks later, Flores got a second chance at the Ironton Auto Body bonus and redeemed himself by winning the series finale NAPA Auto Parts Gambler’s Classic inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

Thanks to renewed support from Ironton Auto Body, the possibility of a $10,000 weekend inside the PPL Center returns for a third straight year. To complete the challenge, Friday’s winner will be offered a guaranteed starting spot in Saturday’s main event — with one caveat: they must start 10th.

As a bonus for accepting the challenge, Friday’s winner will receive $1,000. Should they advance from 10th and win again on Saturday, another $4,000 bonus will be awarded. Combining the $5,000 in bonus money with Saturday’s purse will bring their total to $10,000.

If the weekend sweep isn’t accomplished, Ironton Auto Body will once again roll over a portion of the challenge to the Atlantic City Indoor Race.

With his victory in last year’s NAPA Gambler’s Classic, Flores collected $10,000, including Ironton Auto Body Challenge bonus money as well as support from the AC Sports Commission and Visit Atlantic City.

The headline TQ Midget division will be joined by Slingshots and Champ Karts, with full programs and feature events for all three classes.

 



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Jimmie Johnson confirms Daytona 500 decision as schedule takes shape – Motorsport – Sports

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NASCAR icon and Legacy Motor Club team owner Jimmie Johnson has all but confirmed that he will be returning behind the wheel for the Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 in February 2026.

While Johnson, 50, retired from full-time driving after the 2020 season, he has gone on to compete in a handful of Cup Series races behind the wheel of the No. 84 for Legacy, since first investing in the team in 2022.

This has included all three Daytona 500s since, including the 2025 edition, which saw him finish a remarkable third, marking the team’s joint-best result of the season, as William Byron took the checkered flag in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for the second consecutive season.

Previously, Johnson’s only confirmed race for 2026 was the inaugural race at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy in his hometown.

However, in a hilarious social media post on Wednesday, Johnson appeared to confirm he will run the 500 again in February, sponsored once again by Carvana.

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In a Bob Ross-inspired video, Johnson painted the No. 84’s paint scheme for the race, commenting, “Let’s make some magic here. The key to a happy paint scheme is happy colors…We can’t forget the Carvana happy halos. Because every cardeserves a happy driver.”

The clip was accompanied by the caption, “The 2026 Daytona paint scheme drops tomorrow! Stay tuned to watch your favorite artist (and driver) design a new look for the iconic Carvana 84 car.”

Fans were thrilled by the announcement and justifiably loved the video, with one commenting, “This is quality content.” A second said, “Oh didnt realize Jimmie was making an attempt again for the 500!!! Oh this made my day hearing so.” While another simply replied, “HAPPY COLORS HAPPY CARS.”

Johnson’s decision to run the 500, a race won in 2006 and 2013, adds to what is currently a relatively quiet Cup Series schedule for the No. 84 in 2026. This isn’t a surprise given that back in August, he told fellow former champion Kevin Harvick that while he “would like” to compete this coming season, “I am finding that I am more impactful for the business side of the house out of the car and in the suite or in our hospitality area with our sponsors.”

Johnson will be racing alongside the returning full-time Legacy start Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, who finished 12th and fifth, respectively, at the 2025 500, going on to finish the season 24th and 25th in the drivers’ standings.

To date, Legacy’s only Cup Series win since 2022 came in its inaugural season courtesy of Jones, taking the checkered flag at Darlington Raceway in the Cook Out Southern 500. Beyond NASCAR, it remains unclear if Johnson plans to race in any further events in 2026.



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Motorsports journalist Matt Weaver talks NASCAR lawsuit | Racing Report | Ep. 042

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(WGHP) — Join FOX8 Photojournalist Chris Weaver as we show you the world behind the driver’s seat in Racing Report.

Today on Racing Report with Chris Weaver, we’ve got a full breakdown of the settlement between NASCAR, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in the antitrust lawsuit filed by the two teams against NASCAR.

Matt Weaver, the senior motorsports editor at Motorsport.com, joins us today to give his detailed analysis of the case. He spent nearly every day in the courtroom during the trial and much of the last year following the proceedings as it came to this point.

With the settlement, NASCAR is giving the teams much of what they asked for in their lawsuit. We’ll break it all down on Racing Report.

Tune in using the video player above or watch it on the MyFOX8+ connected TV app on Roku, AppleTV and Fire TV.



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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Takes NASCAR Spirit to Japan with Toyota, Jimmie Johnson, and John Hunter Nemechek – Speedway Digest

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Today, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB released a comprehensive behind-the-scenes video documenting a recent trip to Japan. The YouTube video titled “The Climb to Mt. Fuji | Building NASCAR for Japan” highlights global motorsports culture, fan connection, and the cross-cultural exchange between two countries who share a passion for motorsports. The video recaps the journey made by a ten-member delegation from LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, along with drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Jimmie Johnson to participate in a special exhibition event hosted by the Automobile Business & Culture Association of Japan (ABAJ). 

While in Japan, Nemechek drove the No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE and Johnson piloted the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Chevrolet, the same vehicle that competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The multi-day visit included time in Tokyo, where the drivers explored iconic districts and neighborhoods, as well as extensive fan-focused activities at Fuji Speedway. Johnson and Nemechek participated in media interviews, autograph sessions, and provided ride-along experiences for guests. Both cars completed exhibition pace laps and celebratory burnouts ahead of the Super Taikyu Series endurance championship finale on November 16.

The event at Fuji Speedway offered Japanese fans a rare opportunity to see NASCAR vehicles on their home soil. Fans waved American flags as Johnson and Nemechek, along with Japanese drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Takuma Koga, took their places on the grid before the exhibition laps.

A Trip Focused on Culture and Connection 
During their stay, Johnson and Nemechek toured Toyota facilities, visited an active volcanic site, explored Tokyo, immersed themselves in the Japanese culture, and connected with hundreds of fans who have followed their careers for years.

“Japan has always had an incredible passion for motorsports,” said Johnson, owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. “Being able to share our sport with fans halfway around the world – seeing them decked out in our gear and experiencing their racing culture firsthand – was something I’ll never forget.”

Nemechek echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the special connection made with fans abroad. He also posted a behind the scenes video exclusive to his YouTube channel which can be viewed HERE.

“Japan welcomed us with open arms,” said Nemechek. “From the action on track to the energy of the fans, this trip showed how powerful motorsports can be as a universal language. I am very thankful to Toyota and the ABAJ for their hospitality and hope we get to go back.”

Inside the Video: A Closer Look at the Journey 
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s behind-the-scenes feature “The Climb to Mt. Fuji | Building NASCAR for Japan” captures the authentic, unfiltered experience of the trip and includes contributions from Johnson, Nemechek, key team members and fans.

  • Logistics of preparing the NASCAR vehicles and sending them to Japan
  • Candid moments between Johnson and Nemechek
  • Build of the two-seater No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
  • Street-level exploration of Tokyo’s districts
  • Cultural highlights including temples, cuisine, and traditional craft demonstrations
  • Conversations with Japanese motorsports fans and longtime NASCAR supporters
  • The lighter side of international travel – traveling across the world and team camaraderie

The video can be seen across LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s social platforms, in hopes to offer fans an entertaining and immersive look at the international experience. LEGACY MC also released a photo gallery which can be seen HERE.

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Why William Byron Leaned on Chase Elliott When He Was Starting At Hendrick Motorsports

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William Byron’s path to NASCAR’s top tier did not follow the traditional script. But he is pretty much at home alongside the sport’s elite right now. Unlike most drivers who begin in go-karts almost as soon as they can reach the pedals, Byron, 28, did not climb into a race car until his early teens.

Byron’s introduction to motorsports came through iRacing, where he picked up racecraft in a virtual environment before applying those skills to the real world. That unconventional foundation did little to slow his ascent, though.

Once Byron entered NASCAR’s national ranks in 2016, results followed quickly. His early years in the Truck and Xfinity Series progressed impressively. He won seven races during his rookie Truck season in 2017, and followed that with four victories in Xfinity, a performance that saw him win the 2017 championship.

The transition to the Cup Series, however, demanded patience. His first forays at the sport’s highest level proved more challenging. However, during that period, Byron relied heavily on guidance from within Hendrick Motorsports, particularly Chase Elliott.

In 2018, as he continued to learn the Cup Series and its finer details, Byron acknowledged that he was still a work in progress. Despite having legends such as Jeff Gordon available, he frequently turned to Elliott for perspective.

“I think I lean on all of them pretty equally. I think that I lean on Alex [Bowman] the least amount because we’re both new to what’s happening. We have little conversations of what our cars are doing here and there. But it’s not as broad of information as Chase or Jimmie [Johnson],” Byron had said.

The way Byron leaned on some drivers more than others in the team was logical. Elliott and Johnson represented recent success within the organization, and Byron recognized the value of measuring himself against drivers who consistently contended.

“I feel like Chase and Jimmie are the guys I lean on most because those are the guys that have had the most success the last couple [of] years in our organization. I try to gauge myself off of Chase a lot of times because I think we have very similar styles. We’re really close in the shop. It makes a little more sense for me to lean on him,” added Byron.

That willingness to learn has shaped Byron’s growth. Over eight Cup seasons, he has collected 16 wins across 288 starts. The past three seasons have reinforced his growth. Byron finished each year in the top four, securing a spot in the Championship 4.

The #24 driver captured back-to-back Daytona 500 wins in 2024 and 2025, a feat that places him in rare company and reflects his ability to perform on the sport’s biggest stage. Though Byron’s most prolific season came in 2023, when he won six times, his production has remained steady.

Over the last two seasons, Byron added three wins each year, maintaining his presence near the front of the field. And his decision to lean on the stalwarts like Johnson and Elliott seems to have elevated him as one of the top drivers of this generation.



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