What’s Happening?

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is here, and with that comes a flurry of new paint schemes for fan favorite NASCAR teams like Hendrick Motorsports. Here are all the new looks HMS will have during the 2026 season.

Kyle Larson No. 5

Sponsors:

While more paint schemes will roll off the floor for Larson as the season draws near, to the surprise of a few, Larson will once again pilot the Ricky Hendrick-inspired Hendrickcars.com No. 5 in 2026.

Hendrickcars.com

The Daytona 500 twin qualifying races, which were commonly known as the Daytona Duels, have received a massive title change ahead of the beginning of the 2026 season. The iconic race kept its name for multiple decades and was a highly revered destination for drivers to win. However, now, following a fallout with the common sponsors such as Gatorade, Budweiser, and Can-Am, the sport has decided to change the name completely.

NASCAR is currently going through a difficult phase financially and losing the trust of many people in the sport. The 23XI-FRM charter lawsuit was definitely one of the more challenging moments for the sport in recent times. Since the case revealed many shocking things about the leadership of NASCAR, some sponsors feel obliged to take a step back and rethink their sponsorship options.

In a shocking turn of events, the common sponsors of the Daytona Duels have refused to pay the asking fee to include their name in the titles as the sport looked for other options. NASCAR did not publicly announce the news; rather, they slyly changed the name and revealed it on the 2026 Daytona 500 flyer. The new name is now set to be America 250 Florida Duels at Daytona.

It will certainly be a bit mouthful for the people who are used to the old and short name of the Daytona Duels. Amid the sport losing core audiences because of its money-hungry business model, this name change will definitely upset many old fans. The 2026 season might also reportedly witness changes to the playoff format. This change is being seen as a positive change by many people, and it will be very exciting to witness what the sport has in store next.

NASCAR NEWS: WITHOUT A SPONSOR FOR THE DAYTONA DUELS, NASCAR FORCED TO CHANGE NAME https://t.co/Qz6NcAsOAL For decades, Daytona 500 twin qualifying races, also known as the Daytona Duels, have been sponsored by brands like Gatorade, Budweiser, and Can-Am. Now, without a sponsor…

— AutoRacing1.com (@AutoRacing1) December 28, 2025

Daytona Speedway President opens up on the shocking name change

The President of Daytona International Speedway, Frank Kelleher, is in favor of the change despite many old fans seemingly against the renaming of the iconic race. Kelleher pointed out how historic Daytona actually is and the depth it holds in the hearts and minds of many people in NASCAR. He boldly claimed that winning the Daytona 500 was the pinnacle of NASCAR, something that every driver wants to achieve.

Bubba Wallace recently won at the Daytona 500 and was extremely overjoyed at winning such an iconic race. Frank Kelleher continued that winning a NASCAR championship was certainly a milestone, but winning at Daytona was a completely different level of achievement for many. Kelleher highlighted that opening and closing races at Daytona make the racing destination all the more exciting.

Winning the DAYTONA 500 is the pinnacle of our sport – the race every driver wants most, A championship is a career milestone, but the DAYTONA 500 stands alone. Opening the season with the DAYTONA 500 and closing the regular season with one last shot to race into the NASCAR Playoffs keeps The World Center of Racing at the heart of sport’s biggest moments.

Frank Kelleher said, as reported by autoracing1.

The 2026 season will witness many changes to NASCAR, as 23XI and FRM will also regain their charter status. The coming season seems action-packed with exciting changes as many drivers hope to remain competitive from the get-go. Despite the uncertainty behind the name change right now, the love for Daytona will remain the same, and fans will show up in the same numbers as before and root for their favorite drivers to win.

Read More: Denny Hamlin’s Parents’ North Carolina House Consumed by Fire

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BMW has been racing motorcycles longer than cars, and started winning championships on two wheels in the mid-Twenties. Now, 100 years later, BMW Motorrad Motorsport is still winning titles and had a very successful 2025. Overall, BMW Motorrad teams and riders had 411 podium finishes with 169 wins in 2025. BMW won the FIM World Superbike championship and wrapped up 12 additional titles with customer teams and riders.

In the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), factory rider Toprak Ratzgatlioglu won the World Championship for a second consecutive year with a BMW M 1000 RR and the RoKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team.

“Toprak’s successful title defense in WorldSBK will remain unforgettable, with no fewer than 21 wins in 36 races,” said Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Sven Blusch. “In the FIM Endurance World Championship, we were also on course for the title in a dramatic finale until just minutes before the finish, before a technical issue prevented this potentially historic success for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. But next year we will have another chance to become world champions in endurance racing as well.”

Toprak Ratzgatlioglu won his second consecutive FIM Superbike World Championship.

BMW Motorrad customer teams had great success around the world with the M 1000 RR, winning 12 titles, including two here in the U.S. Cameron Beaubier won the MotoAmerica Superbike championship with Tytlers Cycle Racing, and Andrew Lee won the MotoAmerica Superstock championship with the Orange Cat Racing team. “The BMW M 1000 RR is one of the best bikes in international racing—and this season once again showed that our customers can rely on it in championships around the globe,” said Uwe Geyer, Head of BMW Motorrad Customer Racing. “We are proud to be able to provide private teams and riders with such a strong package.”

Davey Todd on his way to a win on the streets of Macau.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport was also victorious in some of the most prestigious standalone road races in 2025. Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop finished one-two in the Isle of Mann Tourist Trophy, and Todd also won three of the five races that make up the North West 200, while Dunlop won the other two. Todd also won the Macau Motorcyle Grand Prix, with BMW riders Peter Hickman and Erno Kostamo finishing second and third to make it a BMW podium sweep. “All these successes fill us with great pride,” said Sven Blusch. “They prove that the BMW M 1000 RR is a true winning motorcycle and that our global BMW Motorrad Motorsport family is stronger than ever.”

—David Haueter
[Photos courtesy BMW]

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has acquired the historic motorsports facility in Millington, Tennessee, previously known as Memphis International Raceway, as of December 23, 2025. Opened in the late 1980s, it has a storied history in American motorsports, having hosted major drag racing events and was once sanctioned by IHRA itself. The acquisition aims to revitalize the facility as a multi-use destination for drag racing, stock car events, and community engagement, reflecting IHRA’s commitment to the region and its economic potential. Local officials praise the acquisition, highlighting its positive impact on tourism and local businesses.

By the Numbers

• Facility opened in the late 1980s.
• Acquisition finalized on December 23, 2025.
• Previously hosted major drag racing events.

State of Play

• Facility under IHRA ownership will support diverse racing events.
• IHRA plans to begin facility improvements and operational preparations soon.

What’s Next

IHRA will announce updates and improvements as revitalization efforts commence, with a focus on reestablishing the facility as a premier racing destination. Future schedules and programming details will be shared shortly.

Bottom Line

This acquisition not only honors the legacy of Memphis Motorsports Park but also positions it for renewed success within the motorsports community, fostering economic growth and community engagement for years to come.

Kohr Motorsports will have a special paint scheme on its No. 60 Ford Mustang GT4 in the 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season-opener at the Daytona Road Course.

Biffle, who was named one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers and a winner of 56 races across all three national divisions of the sport, was tragically killed in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina, earlier this month. He was among seven killed in the tragic accident, including his wife Cristina, son Ryder, and daughter Emma.

The Kohr Motorsports entry will resemble the car Biffle drove to the 2002 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (then known as Grand National) Series championship. Evan Slater and Ray Mason will share driving duties

53 of of Biffle’s 56 wins, including all 19 of his Cup victories came with Ford.

“In light of last week’s tragedy involving one of Nascar’s 75 Greatest Drivers and off track Humanitarian, Greg Biffle [including his family & friends],” said the team in a social media statement.

“KOHR Motorsports will be running a tribute 2002 NASCAR Busch Championship No.60 Ford livery on our IMPC No.60 Ford Mustang GT4 during the upcoming IMSA Roar Before The 24 and 4 Hour BMW M Endurance Michelin Pilot Challenge.”

The event takes place on Friday, January 23rd, with the green flag flying around 1:45pm EST.

We want your opinion!

– The Motorsport.com Team

BMW has been racing motorcycles longer than cars, and started winning championships on two wheels in the mid-Twenties. Now, 100 years later, BMW Motorrad Motorsport is still winning titles and had a very successful 2025. Overall, BMW Motorrad teams and riders had 411 podium finishes with 169 wins in 2025. BMW won the FIM World Superbike championship and wrapped up 12 additional titles with customer teams and riders.

In the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), factory rider Toprak Ratzgatlioglu won the World Championship for a second consecutive year with a BMW M 1000 RR and the RoKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team.

“Toprak’s successful title defense in WorldSBK will remain unforgettable, with no fewer than 21 wins in 36 races,” said Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Sven Blusch. “In the FIM Endurance World Championship, we were also on course for the title in a dramatic finale until just minutes before the finish, before a technical issue prevented this potentially historic success for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. But next year we will have another chance to become world champions in endurance racing as well.”

Toprak Ratzgatlioglu won his second consecutive FIM Superbike World Championship.

BMW Motorrad customer teams had great success around the world with the M 1000 RR, winning 12 titles, including two here in the U.S. Cameron Beaubier won the MotoAmerica Superbike championship with Tytlers Cycle Racing, and Andrew Lee won the MotoAmerica Superstock championship with the Orange Cat Racing team. “The BMW M 1000 RR is one of the best bikes in international racing—and this season once again showed that our customers can rely on it in championships around the globe,” said Uwe Geyer, Head of BMW Motorrad Customer Racing. “We are proud to be able to provide private teams and riders with such a strong package.”

Davey Todd on his way to a win on the streets of Macau.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport was also victorious in some of the most prestigious standalone road races in 2025. Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop finished one-two in the Isle of Mann Tourist Trophy, and Todd also won three of the five races that make up the North West 200, while Dunlop won the other two. Todd also won the Macau Motorcyle Grand Prix, with BMW riders Peter Hickman and Erno Kostamo finishing second and third to make it a BMW podium sweep. “All these successes fill us with great pride,” said Sven Blusch. “They prove that the BMW M 1000 RR is a true winning motorcycle and that our global BMW Motorrad Motorsport family is stronger than ever.”

—David Haueter
[Photos courtesy BMW]