Steve Newmark talks about racing quite a bit. He joked that NASCAR has probably been discussed in UNC’s athletic offices “more than it ever has before,” since he started working alongside athletic director Bubba Cunningham last week.
The former president of NASCAR’s Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing for 15 years, may seem, at first glance, like an unconventional choice to succeed Cunningham. But once you talk to the duo, it all makes sense.
Newmark said Wasserman executive Dean Jordan made the initial contact, reaching out about a year ago. Jordan had been in discussions with Cunningham about forming an informal advisory group to help UNC prepare for the future of college athletics — from revenue generation to digital strategy and sponsorships. Last summer, Cunningham and other athletic department representatives visited Newmark at RFK Racing. They discussed the racing group’s model, which Newmark described as “fundamentally different from collegiate sports,” yet containing “a lot of the characteristics of where college sports is going.”
Soon, Newmark joined UNC’s search committee that hired Bill Belichick, taking numerous late night phone calls in the process. But the twists along the way didn’t turn him off from college athletics. So when Cunningham visited Newmark in Charlotte last spring, he floated an idea: “Hey, we work well together.”
Nothing formulaic. No search committee. Just an ongoing dialogue. And Cunningham wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
“I think we identified the right person and we thought it was going to be a great fit,” Cunningham said. “I was comfortable with it. Lee [Roberts] was comfortable with it.”
By July 1, the informal conversations became reality: Newmark officially joined UNC as executive associate athletic director, tasked with bringing his professional-sports expertise to Chapel Hill and preparing to take over as athletic director in 2026.
“I think [Cunningham] saw where collegiate athletics were going, and having folks who have had some experience in that type of landscape would be beneficial going forward,” Newmark said. “I envisioned myself always being in Charlotte. I mean, I really enjoyed being part of the Fenway group… but this was an opportunity, just because of my passion for UNC and because of the changes in the landscape, it appeared that, hopefully, my skill set might be able to bring some value.”
‘Sponsorship became the upside’
During this transition, Newmark is primarily concerned with two items: generating revenue and “following Bubba around” to learn the ropes. There’s a lot Newmark can glean from UNC’s athletic director of nearly 14 years. Cunningham is learning from Newmark’s approach, too.
NASCAR practically gorges itself on a steady diet of sponsorships to supply revenue. As Cunningham pointed out, UNC doesn’t have “a handful” of revenue drivers. The Tar Heels can sell tickets. Television deals are already set.
“So sponsorship became the upside,” Cunningham said.
New opportunities to monetize assets are more important now than ever. Newmark, fittingly, was hired on the very day colleges were permitted to share revenue with their athletes, per the $2.8 billion House v. NCAA antitrust settlement.
“I think, where we are in intercollegiate athletics, we really value broad-based programs… and we’re getting more comfortable saying we have to find new ways to support,” Cunningham said.
North Carolina Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham listens during a conversation during a break in the “Carolina Football Live” radio show at Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown/The News & Observer
There are limits, of course, to monetizing assets in the college space — both due to aesthetics and regulations. Newmark joked he won’t go full-out NASCAR driver fire suit with the advertising placements. Not to worry. Jersey patches, as Cunningham pointed out, are not currently allowed by the NCAA.
But patches, and facility naming rights, are two of the biggest opportunities for UNC athletics to grow revenue in the next five years, per Cunningham.
The current AD and soon-to-be AD both believe there’s a way to be tasteful in athletics sponsorships. Cunningham pointed to Disney as an example. Rather than slapping logos everywhere, the company has been able to tie brands directly to experiences. Take Epcot’s Test Track, sponsored by Chevrolet, as an example.
“If you put Modelo on the [coaches’] headsets, probably not a good idea,” Cunningham said, offering a hypothetical. “Modelo sponsoring the beer garden makes sense. So it just becomes part and parcel of what you’re doing. But I think that’s where the sponsorship experience that [Newmark] brings to us is going to be really valuable.”
‘Decisions will be made’
The timeline for Cunningham’s exit, and Newmark’s ascent, overlap with several important agenda items in the next five years: assessing the tenure of Belichick and Hubert Davis, Smith Center renovations or a relocation and, of course, the ever-lingering potential of conference realignment.
For Newmark, that’s one of the most appealing things about this transition — Cunningham will continue on as an advisor to him and Chancellor Roberts.
“The basketball facility is a key thing with his experience,” Newmark said. “That’ll be critical… when the Smith Center came out, I remember it. I remember when we transitioned from Carmichael, and it was state of the art. It was incredible. Time has passed, and it’s not where it needs to be to support an elite collegiate athletic basketball team.”
“Whether it’s here or somewhere else, those decisions will be made,” Newmark later added, “but I’m pretty comfortable that we’ll continue to work hand in hand on that.”
Cunningham’s advisory role, as Newmark explained, is tied to special projects. That includes the development of the Carolina North property — a potential location for an off-campus arena that could much more easily accommodate a more professional, mixed-use style model.
That sort of project may feel like a sharp break from tradition — but then again, so does the current state of college athletics. Just as Newmark is adjusting to the nuances of his new role, he believes fans, too, are adjusting.
“The entire country and the sports fan base is getting acclimated to seeing more marketing and promotion integrated into games,” Newmark said. “I think it may have been something that would have been a shock to the system 20 years ago. But I think everybody has seen the evolution of sports, and collegiate athletics is clearly not on the leading edge of doing that. They look at professional sports, and they’ve been much more aggressive in integrating brands and properties. And so I think it’s just a natural evolution.”
We head to Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson where we find a Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle that has been given a total custom Mexican makeover. In this video we meet the owner of this custom sport bike and we show off all the amazing Mexican artwork on the side of his bike, as well as his lights, the C&S Swingarm, the multiple motorcycle speakers, the big 300 back tire and many other cool features! Enjoy this close look at one of the most amazing custom Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycles we have ever seen “La Mamalona”
Seven people from northeast Indiana have been called for statewide service.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun on Friday announced his appointments to 30 state boards and commissions, including the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, the Indiana Motorsports Commissioner and the State Board of Dentistry.
The Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities is meant to advance social and policy changes that lead to meaningful inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in all aspects of life, the state’s website said.
Baun has appointed Fort Wayne City Clerk Lana Keesling and Corinna Wyss, The League’s financial controller, to that council. Their terms expire in September 2028.
The Indiana Motorsports Commission was created in 2013. It finances construction of and lease of real estate and personal property improvements for the benefit of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, according to the state’s website.
Tom Kelley, president of Kelley Automotive Group in Fort Wayne, was reappointed to that commission. His term ends at the end of 2029.
The state’s website said the State Board of Dentistry grants licenses related to dentistry to individuals and facilities in the dental field.
Matthew Kolkman, a dentist with Grabill Family Dentistry, was reappointed to the board. His term expires at the end of November 2029.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission regulates electric, natural gas, steam, water and wastewater utilities.
Braun appointed former state Sen. Andy Zay of Huntington to a four-year term on the commission that expires at the end of March 2030. Zay announced his resignation from his Senate seat last month because of his appointment to the commission.
The Behavior Analyst Committee establishes rules, sets standards and oversees licensing for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts, according to the state’s website.
Jill Forte, CEO of the Children’s Autism Center, from Huntington County, was named to the committee. Her term expires at the end of 2029.
Indiana code says the Statewide Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee supports local domestic violence review teams by collecting and analyzing data, providing needed expertise and establishing and sponsoring training programs for members of local domestic violence review teams.
Leslie Dowden of the Adams County Coroner’s Office will serve on the statewide committee. Dowden’s term expires at the end of 2027.
Braun announced 66 appointments to state boards and commissions Friday from different parts of the state. Each had varying term lengths with the shortest term running until Aug. 31 and the longest term being Zay’s on the utility regulatory commission.
Jamey Price is one of the world’s top motorsports photographers. You’ll see his work from Formula 1 and IMSA tracks in dozens of publications during the year, but you’ll have to buy a book to get his coolest shots.
Price has been carrying around a $10 NASCAR novelty film camera and taking shots at many of the events he covers. He’s now collected them in a new book, “Racing Unfiltered: A Year in Motorsports Captured on Film.”
He joined Gary Gastelu and Alex Nunez on the latest edition of The GAS podcast to talk about the project and what the life on the road and track is like as he shoots thousands of photos each day trying to capture perfect shots of cars flying by at up to 200 mph, while also looking for the intimate images behind the scenes.
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Logan Sargeant (pictured), the American racing driver born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 31, 2000, competed in Formula 1 with Williams from 2023 to 2024. Over 36 Grand Prix starts, he scored a single point, finishing 21st in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship. His tenure ended mid-2024 after a heavy crash in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix, with Williams replacing him with Franco Colapinto for the remainder of the season.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
Following his F1 exit, Sargeant took time away from full-time competition in early 2025 before returning to racing later that year. He made his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut in the LMP2 class, contesting the final two rounds with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports in an Oreca 07 Gibson, achieving a best result of fourth in class at the Motul Petit Le Mans.
#52: PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports, ORECA LMP2 07, LMP2: Benjamin Pedersen, Naveen Rao, Logan Sargeant. Image by LAT for IMSA
As of early 2026, Sargeant has shifted his focus to sports car racing in the IMSA series. On January 2, 2026, Era Motorsport announced his participation in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, marking his debut in the iconic endurance race. He will drive the No. 18 Oreca 07 Gibson in the LMP2 class, sharing duties with Ferdinand Habsburg (a multiple LMP2 champion in WEC, ELMS, and Asian Le Mans Series), Naveen Rao (full-season driver), and a yet-to-be-confirmed fourth driver (provisionally listed as James Roe in earlier entries). Era Motorsport, a team with two prior Rolex 24 LMP2 victories, fields a strong lineup for the event, which kicks off the 2026 IMSA season on January 22-25.
Sargeant, a Florida native from the same town as IndyCar driver Ryan Hunter-Reay, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity: “I’m super excited to be tackling my first-ever Daytona 24 with Era to kick off 2026. It’s a race I’ve always wanted to be part of, with how close it is to home. It’ll be great to get acquainted with my teammates at the Roar and push hard to come away with a Rolex at the end of the race.”
This move aligns with a broader pivot to endurance racing for the 25-year-old, who comes from a prominent family—his uncle is billionaire businessman Harry Sargeant III, involved in shipping and oil. Despite this background, Sargeant has pursued a professional racing career, progressing from a 2015 CIK-FIA Karting World Championship win (the first by an American since 1978) through junior formulas to F1 and now sports cars.
While many former F1 drivers transition to IndyCar or other series, Sargeant has chosen IMSA’s endurance format. Speculation about a potential World Endurance Championship (WEC) program persists, including past links to programs like Genesis Magma Racing (which he withdrew from) and a 2025 Bahrain rookie test in a Proton Competition Ford Mustang GT3, but no confirmed full-season WEC entry has been announced as of January 2026. His current commitment is the Daytona one-off, with potential for further IMSA races.
Sargeant, known for his competitive junior record and clean-cut appearance that has drawn fan attention, aims to rebuild his reputation in the team-oriented world of sports car racing.
Racing America is devastated to confirm the sudden passing of Chief Operating Officer Michael Printup at 60 years of age. Michael was an icon in motorsports, a great partner and a friend. His passion for racing and commitment to the industry made a lasting impact on the sport. He will be deeply missed. Racing America sends our thoughts and condolences to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues.
Michael first joined Racing America in July 2023 as the President of Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA). In January 2024, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, where he oversaw the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, as well as all racing operations. A native of Hamburg, N.Y., Michael spent nearly three decades working for NASCAR, most notably in the role of president of Watkins Glen International. He was also president of Americrown and oversaw the Levy food service contract for 12 NASCAR-owned racetracks.
Michael leaves behind his wife, Stephanie, two boys Brendan (and wife Caitlin) and Matthew, and two granddaughters, Sophia and Vivienne.
A memorial service for Michael will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 2-4 p.m. at James A. Dyal Funeral Home (303 S. Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483)
CONCORD, NC, UNITED STATES, January 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Wheelhouse Motorsports today announced a new strategic partnership with Robert Noaker Racing (RNR), uniting two leading organizations known for their development of competitive Mustang racing programs. The collaboration brings together RNR’s championship-winning expertise with Wheelhouse’s operational strength, deep technical resources, and nationally recognized driver development capabilities.
Robert Noaker Racing enters the partnership following back-to-back Team and Driver Championships in 2024 and 2025, including a flawless 2025 Mustang Challenge season in which the Noaker-prepared car led every lap of every race. Wheelhouse Motorsports will integrate this proven technical knowledge with its own established infrastructure, including its GT4 Mustang program competing in the World Racing League (WRL).
Operations will be based at the Wheelhouse Motorsports facility located on the campus of Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Wheelhouse team, including the manager, engineering staff, and technical crew, brings over 100 years of combined motorsports experience to the program. At the track, competitors will also recognize familiar faces, as the RNR crew, led by Bob Noaker, will collaborate with Wheelhouse personnel to support all Mustang Challenge efforts. “As we continue to expand Wheelhouse Motorsports, this partnership represents a significant step forward,” said Dan McKeever, owner of Wheelhouse Motorsports. “Robert Noaker Racing has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in the Mustang Dark Horse R platform, and by combining that expertise with our operational systems and our long-standing commitment to driver development, we are well-positioned to deliver a next-level experience for our customers and competitors.”
The alliance leverages Wheelhouse’s roots in operating the Ford Performance Racing School, the nation’s premier performance driving school since 2006. The organization operates owner-experience programs for Ford and offers 1-day, 2-day, and Advanced high-performance driving courses, giving clients access to top-tier coaching and continuous development. Integrating this expertise with RNR’s race-winning preparation provides a comprehensive solution for drivers seeking a pathway into professional competition.
“This partnership allows both of our organizations to do what we do best,” said Robert Noaker, owner of Robert Noaker Racing. “Wheelhouse brings unmatched operational depth, driver training, and a world-class facility. When we combine that with the experience our team has developed running and winning with the Dark Horse R, we create a program built to elevate any driver who wants to compete at a higher level.”
Through this partnership, drivers have the following opportunities: – Lease a Mustang Dark Horse R for the entire 2026 Mustang Challenge season. – Contract Wheelhouse/RNR to maintain and operate their own cars. – Compete with Wheelhouse Motorsports in the WRL series, piloting a GTO-class Mustang GT4.
Wheelhouse Motorsports and Robert Noaker Racing look forward to delivering a comprehensive, competitive, and professionally supported environment for drivers seeking championship-caliber performance in 2026 and beyond.
Bill Johnson Wheelhouse +1 910-658-1447 email us here
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