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Former Spire Motorsports owner purchasing Rick Ware Racing with hopes to expand

A shocking turn of events in NASCAR Cup Series team ownership. T.J. Puchyr is purchasing Rick Ware Racing for the 2026 season. It seems the Rick Ware era in NASCAR is coming to an end after this season, as the former Spire Motorsports owner wants back in. According to Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press, […]

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A shocking turn of events in NASCAR Cup Series team ownership. T.J. Puchyr is purchasing Rick Ware Racing for the 2026 season. It seems the Rick Ware era in NASCAR is coming to an end after this season, as the former Spire Motorsports owner wants back in.

According to Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press, Puchyr and Rick Ware have entered an agreement that will put the former Spire founder at the head of Ware’s organization. RWR currently operates one chartered team with a couple of part-time, open entries as well. Ware owns a second charter that is being leased to RFK Racing for 2025.

Last year, Puchyr sold his stake in Spire Motorsports to Dan Towriss, setting off the dominoes that would eventually have Spire in the position it is in today. It seems that Puchyr has missed racing since he left and is eager to get back in.

Fyrer reports that Puchyr wants to build up to a three-car operation. That could prove difficult in the current charter situation. Then again, what if 23XI Racing and Front Row end up losing the third charters they each bought from Stewart-Haas last year as a result of the NASCAR lawsuit? It’s an interesting situation.

“I am bullish on wanting to build a three-car team. I believe in the France family and the direction of the sport and I want the rest of the shareholders and industry to know that I believe the charters are worth $75 million or more,” Puchyr told the Associated Press.

There is also the Legacy Motor Club and Rick Ware lawsuit. Those two organizations have a dispute over the sale of a charter. Legacy expects to have it in 2026, RWR says the deal is for 2027.

Rick Ware is expected to stay on as a partner in the team. Cody Ware is also expected to stay as the driver of the 51 car. Puchyr is retaining the RWR workforce as well.

Turning Rick Ware Racing into a three-car organization

NASCAR Cup Series charters are not easy to come by. While many believe the value of the charters will only increase with time, it doesn’t mean they are exactly cheap right now. According to Fryer’s reporting, Puchyr and Ware expect the second charter to be returned to what is now Rick Ware Racing in 2027.

The second charter is still to be leased to RFK Racing for 2026. However, Puchyr believes he will have both back in his possession by 2027. That is also the year that he expects to expand to a three-car Cup organization. So, he will have to find a third charter for sale, somewhere.

Could it be from 23XI and/or Front Row? What about Haas Factory Team? How long is that project going to last? Would Kaulig Racing ever move down to a one-car Cup team? I’m not so sure. But that third charter is going to have to come from somewhere in 2027 if the plan is to expand that quickly.

Then there is the question, which manufacturer will Puchyr join? Rick Ware Racing has been a Ford operation for quite some time, and they now have an alliance with RFK Racing. 2027 could be the first season that Stellantis reintroduces Dodge to the Cup Series.

Would Puchyr be willing to join the newest OEM to make a big splash? Perhaps the manufacturer could help purchase he third charter. For now, that is all speculation, but this is a story worth keeping up with.



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Motorsports

Jimmie Johnson addresses likelihood of Daniel Suárez driving for Legacy after Trackhouse split

Daniel Suárez needs a new home for the 2026 NASCAR season after his split from Trackhouse Racing. Jimmie Johnson said Wednesday that Legacy Motor Club is looking for a third Cup Series charter next season. While Johnson called Suárez a “great friend” and a “great talent,” he said the timing likely won’t work out for […]

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Daniel Suárez needs a new home for the 2026 NASCAR season after his split from Trackhouse Racing. Jimmie Johnson said Wednesday that Legacy Motor Club is looking for a third Cup Series charter next season.

While Johnson called Suárez a “great friend” and a “great talent,” he said the timing likely won’t work out for Legacy to give him a serious look, per Joseph Srigley of TobyChristie.com. Johnson, the seven-time champion, added he is confident Suárez will land a Cup ride in 2026.

Right now, a third Legacy charter is up in the air. Rick Ware Racing agreed to sell a charter to the two-car race team co-owned by Johnson. Legacy, however, filed a lawsuit against RWR on April 1, claiming that RWR was attempting to back out of the contract agreed to on March 3. Legacy says the deal is for the 2026 season. RWR claims the sale goes into effect for 2027.

As for Suárez, it’s hard to predict where he could land for next season. Nothing is expected to change with the big three of Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske. The same goes for Richard Childress Racing, RFK Racing, Spire Motorsports and Kaulig Racing. The drivers at Haas Factory Team (Cole Custer) and RWR (Cody Ware) have family ties to team management. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are currently competing as open teams.

Daniel Suárez struggling to stand out amid uncertain future

Still, Suárez is a veteran of the series and has proven to be capable of making the playoffs. This season, however, hasn’t gone to plan. Suárez is 29th in the points standings, with just three top 10s and one top five in 21 starts.

The expectation is that Xfinity Series star and 19-year-old sensation Connor Zilisch will replace Suárez at Trackhouse next season. Suárez opened up candidly about what led to his departure from Trackhouse.

“Since my new crew chief [Matt Swiderski] came to Trackhouse, he told me a lot of things that he didn’t think were right within the organization and a lot of things that needed to be changed,” Suárez said earlier this month. “I’ve been very vocal with the team on we need to address this, we need to address that, and I’m not the only one seeing it. There are more people seeing it.

“I don’t think that’s the only reason. I think there are more things. Just think that lately, there have been things that have made me feel that I’m not as important.”



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San Diego fills one spot on 2026 NASCAR Cup schedule but questions remain

NASCAR’s announcement Wednesday that it will race on a military base in 2026 filled one spot on next year’s Cup schedule. But many questions remain. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive vice president, chief venue & racing innovation officer, said Wednesday that the 2026 Cup schedule should be out in “the next few weeks or so.” The […]

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NASCAR’s announcement Wednesday that it will race on a military base in 2026 filled one spot on next year’s Cup schedule.

But many questions remain.

Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive vice president, chief venue & racing innovation officer, said Wednesday that the 2026 Cup schedule should be out in “the next few weeks or so.”

San Diego logo.jpg

The NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series will race on a military base in 2026.

Here is what has been announced or revealed about the 2026 NASCAR Cup schedule:

Feb. 1 — Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium

Feb. 15 — Daytona 500

May 24 — Coca-Cola 600

June 21 — San Diego/Naval Base Coronado

Nov. 8 — Homestead-Miami Speedway (championship race)

NASCAR recently announced that it will “pause” the Chicago Street Race and not hold it next year. NASCAR hopes to run that event again in 2027 but its absence next year leaves the July 4 weekend spot open on the NASCAR calendar.

“We’ve looked at a handful of options for the July 4 weekend,” Kennedy said in response to a question from NBC Sports. “ … Not sure exactly where it’s going to land yet, but it is an important part of our schedule.”

NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400

NASCAR will begin rotating sites for the championship race in 2026.

The summer Daytona race had been the traditional home for the event on or near July 4 until that race was moved to the regular season finale in 2020. Since then, the July 4 weekend race for Cup has been at Indianapolis (2020), Road America (2021-22) and the Chicago Street Race (2023-25).

Another key element with the schedule is how many street and road course races there will be.

There are six this year: Circuit of the Americas, Mexico City, Chicago Street Race, Sonoma, Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval.

NASCAR Mexico race.jpeg

NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps told drivers before the race: “Together, we are doing something that will be remembered in the history of our great sport.”

Since 2021, there have been at least five road course events on the Cup schedule. In 2021, there were seven such races. The Cup Series had two road course events (Watkins Glen and Sonoma) before the Charlotte Roval was added to the schedule in 2018.

Brad Keselowski has been vocal in the sport having too many road course races, stating on social media earlier this month: “We went from 2 to 6 Road course races, Possibly 7 next year.

“NASCAR was successfully built as a primarily oval racing series. IMSA was built as the primary road course series in North America. IMSA will always do road racing better than NASCAR and that’s ok.

“Yes, TOO Many Road courses in NASCAR.”

Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium

This will mark the second year in a row that the exhibition event will be held at the historic track.

He’s not alone in that feeling.

“I would love to do a couple a year,” Erik Jones said this month on the optimal number of road course races in a season. “I was totally happy running (Sonoma) and Watkins Glen. I don’t know. I’m probably not the right guy to ask. I grew up as an oval racer. I didn’t race a road course until 10 years ago for the first time.

“My opinion is –- this car is not, just hasn’t put on as good of a show on road courses that the old car did, to be frank. I think it is fun to go to different places, but I could see us doing (Sonoma), Watkins Glen and one street course. I think you would be hard pressed to find many that wouldn’t agree with that.

“We know where this car puts on good races -– the mile-and-a-half stuff is great –- there is plenty of those tracks that we can go back to that are sitting there and primed to race, so I would love to go back to some of those.”

NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165

NASCAR leaves open the option of the event returning in 2027.

Kennedy said NASCAR is “keeping a pulse” on the topic.

“We get a lot of feedback, certainly from our partners, from our fans, from the industry, teams and drivers on it,” he said in response to a question from NBC Sports. “I would say it’s bit of a mixed bag. You have some fans that absolutely love the road course racing and would like to see more of it, and then you have others that, conversely, would like to see less of it.

“For us, it’s really just finding a good blend. We feel like we’re at a good number or around a good number right where you can still have the diversity of being able to go to a number of road courses, some historic ones that we go to, a street course or two, and then still keeping a majority of our events — and especially the ones during the playoffs — as to what fans would typically expect of traditional NASCAR racing and that’s oval racing. We’re proud of the product we put on from that perspective.

“So that said, we’re constantly thinking about it. We’re evaluating it, something we’re considering for the ’26 schedule.”





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Jeff Diehl Racing, SpeedTech Motorsports to unveil bold new look in Sonoma

Jeff Diehl Racing and SpeedTech Motorsports will debut an all-new livery and refreshed branding for the upcoming Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals and the remainder of the 2025 season.  This new visual identity marks a bold step forward in the ongoing collaboration between two powerhouse teams committed to performance, innovation, and fan engagement. The updated look […]

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Jeff Diehl Racing and SpeedTech Motorsports will debut an all-new livery and refreshed branding for the upcoming Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals and the remainder of the 2025 season. 

This new visual identity marks a bold step forward in the ongoing collaboration between two powerhouse teams committed to performance, innovation, and fan engagement. The updated look reflects the synergy between SpeedTech’s precision engineering and JDR’s legacy in NHRA competition. Featuring a dynamic color scheme, modern graphics, and enhanced sponsor visibility, the redesign embodies the next chapter of excellence on and off the track.

“We’re excited to roll into Sonoma with a fresh look that represents the evolution of our program,” said Kevin Moore, owner of SpeedTech Motorsports. “This is more than just paint — this is about momentum, partnership, and a shared vision for success.”

Jeff Diehl added, “The new design brings serious energy. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make sure we come out swinging in Sonoma and beyond. This is just the beginning.”

In addition to the team’s new visual identity, Moore has officially begun the process of earning his Top Fuel competition license and will continue licensing efforts throughout the season, signaling SpeedTech Motorsports’ long-term commitment to top-tier drag racing.
 



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NASCAR will hold street race at Naval Base Coronado in 2026

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR will hold a street race on Naval Base Coronado in Southern California next June as a replacement for its downtown Chicago event that ran the last three years. The move to the San Diego area does not eliminate a return to Chicago, where NASCAR will still maintain an office and effort […]

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR will hold a street race on Naval Base Coronado in Southern California next June as a replacement for its downtown Chicago event that ran the last three years.

The move to the San Diego area does not eliminate a return to Chicago, where NASCAR will still maintain an office and effort an eventual return, perhaps as early as 2027.

But the shift next year will allow NASCAR to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy by hosting all three of its national series over a three-day weekend on June 19-21.

“As part of our nation’s 250th anniversary, we are honored for NASCAR to join the celebration as we host our first street race at a military base, Naval Base Coronado,” Ben Kennedy, executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer, said Wednesday. “NASCAR San Diego Weekend will honor the Navy’s history and the men and women who serve as we take the best motorsports in the world to the streets of Naval Base Coronado.”

It will be NASCAR’s second street race in the sport’s history, following the three-year run in Chicago, and first on an active military base. The course layout is not complete but is expected to be around 3 miles.

NASCAR has seen Auto Club Speedway close after the 2023 race. It built a temporary short track inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from 2002 through 2024 but moved that event to North Carolina.

Kennedy, who has been bullish on new endeavors for his family business, was the brains of the races at the Coliseum, Chicago, this year’s visit to Mexico City and now next year in San Diego, a venture the Navy is excited about.

“NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit through speed, precision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence,” Navy Secretary John C. Phelan said. “Hosting a race aboard Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of naval aviation, it’s not just a historic first, it’s a powerful tribute to the values we share: grit, teamwork and love of country.

“From the flight deck to the finish line, this collaboration reflects the operational intensity and unity of purpose that define both the United States Navy and NASCAR.”

The base is known as the “West Coast Quarterdeck” and is a consortium of nine Navy installations that stretch from San Clemente Island 50 miles off the coast of Long Beach to the Mountain Warfare Training Facility 50 miles east of San Diego.

NASCAR named Amy Lupo, who has been with the series since 2021 and helped launch the Coliseum, as president of the race. She spent more than 20 years at ESPN expanding the X Games when she lived in San Diego early in her career. She still lives in Southern California.



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Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports: Layne Riggs & Chandler Smith Gear Up for NCTS Race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park

Front Row Motorsports is gearing up for the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 25, as Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith prepare to compete. Riggs, currently third in the Truck Series Driver Championship points, boasts a strong track record at this 0.6-mile circuit with two top-five finishes in three prior starts. […]

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Front Row Motorsports is gearing up for the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 25, as Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith prepare to compete. Riggs, currently third in the Truck Series Driver Championship points, boasts a strong track record at this 0.6-mile circuit with two top-five finishes in three prior starts. Smith, second in the standings, aims to capitalize on his two wins this season, accompanied by new sponsor Rural King. Both drivers are eager to showcase their skills following a break in the schedule.

By the Numbers

  • Layne Riggs has three top-10 finishes and two top-fives at IRP.
  • Chandler Smith has two wins and 11 top-10 finishes in the first 15 races of the season.

State of Play

  • Riggs ranks third in the Truck Series points standings following his latest race.
  • Smith’s recent performance includes 11 top-10 finishes, enhancing his championship run.

What’s Next

Fans can expect an exciting race as both Riggs and Smith look to consolidate their standings in the Truck Series. The pairing of Riggs with CLEW Nicotine Pouches and Smith with Rural King signals strong sponsorship commitments as the season progresses. Anticipations are high for competitive performances at this historical track.

Bottom Line

The upcoming TSport 200 highlights the critical moment for both Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith as they seek to solidify their positions in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. With strong past performances and new sponsorships, both drivers are poised for impactful runs at IRP, making this race crucial for their championship aspirations.





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Wes Buck Dishes on Elite Motorsports Million at DI Winter Series

“We’re not just putting up a prize – we’re planting a flag.” I’ve spent the last 18 months working on this – planning, building, revisiting history, gathering data, talking to legends, pulling quotes, and trying to piece together what could be the biggest move of my career in drag racing. I didn’t do it because […]

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“We’re not just putting up a prize – we’re planting a flag.”

I’ve spent the last 18 months working on this – planning, building, revisiting history, gathering data, talking to legends, pulling quotes, and trying to piece together what could be the biggest move of my career in drag racing. I didn’t do it because I thought it would be easy. I didn’t do it because I thought it would be universally loved. I did it because I believe, deep in my soul, that bold moves are what this sport needs right now.

The result is the Elite Motorsports Million – a $1,000,000 bonus for any Pro Mod driver who can sweep all three races in the 2025-2026 Drag Illustrated Winter Series. Three races. Fifteen rounds. One life-changing opportunity.

This is the largest performance-based payout in drag racing history. It’s not a season-long championship fund or a points payout. It’s not loaded with contingencies. It’s not theoretical. It’s real. And it’s right there for the taking.

In the spring of 2024, Jon Asher wrote something in CompetitionPlus.com that’s stuck with me ever since. He said, “The cash purse offered by NHRA is not only an insult to the competitors who fill the seats with paying customers, it’s demeaning to the very organization that stages those events.” He wasn’t wrong. For too long, we’ve been afraid to talk about money in drag racing. We’ve whispered about payouts while other forms of motorsport – and frankly, other sports entirely – have shouted theirs from the rooftops. The purse structure in drag racing has long been a sore subject, but if we want Fortune 500 companies to take this sport seriously, we have to start talking like we’re worth it. We have to show that we believe it ourselves.

This isn’t a new problem. In 1971, drag racing legend Don Garlits was invited on a USO tour with Richard Petty, A.J. Foyt, and Mario Andretti. The racers got to talking about prize money, and when Garlits mentioned that his richest payday was $7,400 – including contingencies – they laughed at him. Not out of disrespect, but out of disbelief. That moment embarrassed Garlits so much that he helped form the Professional Racers Association and put on an event at Tulsa International Raceway that offered $25,000 to win – a sum that forced NHRA to raise their own purses and re-evaluate their structure. That one moment of laughter became a catalyst for change.

That’s what the Elite Motorsports Million is for me. It’s not just about ego or attention – it’s about turning the tide. Because I believe in something I think too many people have forgotten: a rising tide lifts all boats.

The phrase is most often credited to John F. Kennedy, but the sentiment predates him by generations. In the context of drag racing, I believe it applies now more than ever. I’ve heard the critiques – that this money could’ve gone to sportsman racing, or bracket racers, or been spread around more evenly. I get it. I’ve lived in that world. But I also believe we need to make investments in the parts of our sport that can shine the brightest, the loudest, and the farthest. And in my eyes, that’s Pro Mod.

Pro Mod has long been the universal language of drag racing. It’s contested around the world. It’s accessible. It’s relatable. It’s diverse in every way imaginable – in power adder, in chassis, in engine combination, in car body, in competitor. In 2024 alone, more than 150 drivers competed in national and regional Pro Mod series in North America, and nearly 100 different drivers made runs in the Drag Illustrated Winter Series. That’s not just participation – that’s movement. That’s momentum.

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Pro Mod is the tip of the spear, and if we can drive attention, energy, and investment into it, the impact ripples across the entire sport. More media. More marketing. More people in the stands. More sponsors entering the ecosystem. More opportunity – not less – for everyone involved. It’s not about who gets what piece of the pie. It’s about making a bigger pie.

And speaking of big, let’s talk money. You want to know why we don’t have more big brands in drag racing? Why we’re not seeing Fortune 500 logos on the side of trailers or activation zones filled with tech companies and beverage brands? It’s because the numbers – in many cases – just don’t add up.

In 2024, the American Cornhole League handed out nearly $8 million in total prize money. World Chase Tag paid out $50,000 in a single event. Competitive eating offered $100,000 to the winner of a hot dog eating contest on Netflix. There are rock-paper-scissors tournaments paying five figures to winners. It’s crazy – but it’s also proof of something: the money follows visibility, and visibility follows bold moves. Someone had to be the first to say, “Hey, we’re playing tag for 50 grand.” Or “We’re going to crown a world champion in cornhole and pay them six figures.” That’s what this is. That’s what we’re doing.

Will winning the Elite Motorsports Million be easy? Hell no. You’re talking about fifteen straight round wins in one of the most competitive classes in the world. The baddest door cars on earth. The best tuners. The deepest fields. And that’s what makes it so damn exciting.

If someone can pull it off, they won’t just win a million dollars – they’ll become an icon. A legend. Just like when Bill Elliott became “Million Dollar Bill” after winning three of NASCAR’s four crown jewel races in 1985. That move – the Winston Million – helped elevate NASCAR into the national conversation. It was one of the sport’s most ambitious promotional efforts, and it worked. It wasn’t easy. But it made people care. It got them talking. And that’s exactly what we’re doing here.

I know this sport has history. I know there’s tradition. But I also know that too often, we let tradition become a prison. Too many decisions are made based on what was done before – not what could be done next. We’ve spent decades chasing the ghosts of drag racing past, but growth doesn’t happen by looking backward. It happens when we go outward.

The Elite Motorsports Million is a challenge. It’s a spark. It’s a rallying cry for what this sport can be if we dare to think bigger. We’re not asking for permission. We’re just doing it.

Not everyone will love it. Some will doubt it. That’s okay.

But someone – maybe even someone reading this right now – is going to win it. And when they do, they won’t just change their life…

They’ll change the sport.

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And that, to me, is worth every single dollar.

This story was originally published on July 23, 2025. Drag IllustratedDrag Illustrated





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