Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman has signed an agreement to acquire Josh Hart’s Top Fuel operation at the end of the 2025 season, marking a major step for Elite Motorsports to expand into the nitro categories.

“We’ve talked about this for a long time, even bought a Top Fuel car in the past with the hopes of getting into nitro, but it didn’t play out,” Freeman said. “Now it feels like the right time. We are actively pursuing sponsorships and partners but also looking for the right people and team to run the program once we are fully funded. It’s going to happen, and I’m excited about the possibilities.”

While Hart has confirmed his desire to sell his current operation, the two-time U.S. Nationals-winning driver continues to consider his driving options for 2026.

“I think the sport is strong and there is serious upside,” Hart said in a statement. “This is just the beginning of an exciting future, and as I have always said: ‘Anything’s Possible.’ ”

Elite Motorsports already helps to field up to nine Pro Stock entries in the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series, an entry in the JHG Mountain Motor Pro Stock class, a Congruity Pro Mod entry, and a Competition Eliminator program. Elite also supports an array of Lucas Oil NHRA Sportsman entries.

“This is all made possible thanks to the people and partners we already have,” Freeman continued. “This team is successful because we are a family, that family is just looking to expand, but we aren’t leaving anything behind, and we aren’t going to move forward if we don’t have the right assets in place, but by the end of 2025, I think we will.”
 

Byron, along with Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon, will join patients and their families at the Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina for the official unveiling of the car design. The design was created by four pediatric blood cancer survivors asked to symbolize their happiness.

The No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet show car will appear at Valvoline Global’s Lexington, Kentucky headquarters to celebrate the company’s support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s new name, Blood Cancer United. The September event will give Valvoline employees an opportunity to celebrate the cause and their efforts for children with blood cancer.

“At Valvoline Global, we are driven by our enduring purpose to inspire and enable what – and who – moves the world forward,” said Jamal Muashsher, President and CEO at Valvoline Global. “Our work with Blood Cancer United is a testament to this commitment, and we are honored to continue supporting this worthy cause to create a better tomorrow for these children and their families.”

Porsche factory driver Nico Müller will be back in JDC-Miller MotorSports’ No. 85 ‘Banana Boat’ Porsche 963 for the final two rounds of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Müller will rejoin Tijmen van der Helm at the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and van der Helm and Gianmaria Bruni the Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

The Swiss driver made his first start for JDC-Miller back at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, where the No. 85 Porsche finished eighth in GTP. Müller has since added more seat time in the 963, competing with Porsche Penske Motorsport in the WEC 6 Hours of Spa, and serving as Porsche’s Le Mans 24 Hours reserve driver.

Müller said: “I am very excited to be back with JDC-Miller MotorSports after our race together earlier this season at Sebring. We demonstrated good pace and great potential during the 12-Hour event. I’m looking forward to building on that performance straight away.”

Managing Partner John Church said “I’m really pleased to have Nico back with us to wrap up the season. He was a great fit with the team when he was with us at Sebring. Got up to speed with the 963 very quickly, which is not an easy thing to do. We think he will give us that little bit of extra pace we are looking for. We finished this race third last year, so our goal is to move up a step or two.”

JDC-Miller MotorSports is coming off the team’s de facto home race at Road America in August, where the No. 85 Porsche was joined by the No. 79 ORECA 07-Gibson LMP2 driven by Gerry Kraut and Scott Andrews.

The Minnesota-based team also has a second Porsche 963, and has been exploring the possibilities of expanding to two GTP entries for some time.

At Road America, Church gave a status update on the second Porsche, saying that he hopes for the car to be racing in 2026 if the right package can be found, likely to include a paying driver as part of the line-up, and hopefully a second driver with top-level prototype experience.

“The number one thing is the business side of it and getting that sorted out first,” Church told RACER.com. “Beyond that, we’ll be looking for some drivers with, hopefully, previous 963 experience and whatnot, it just helps with the transition and learning.

“This is a little different car to drive than others, so that would be a big consideration right there.”

After 40 starts at Newcastle Motorsports Park in the Kart Racers of America (KRA) series, Bellefontaine student Jerome Wickham has taken home his first win in the Cadet class.

Wickham has been a strong competitor all season, posting four pole positions and seven top-five finishes in the first 12 races.

On Sunday, starting from third on the grid, he moved into second by lap 5 and bided his time, carefully sizing up the leader on the 0.8-mile track.

Knowing he had the advantage in three corners but limited opportunities to pass, Jerome made his decisive move in the final, high-speed turn at 57 mph.

With a well-timed push from the third-place kart, he slipped past the leader on the outside and crossed the finish line just 0.2 seconds ahead.

The top three karts recorded fastest laps separated by only 0.01 seconds.

Jerome now prepares for the biggest challenge of his young racing career: the CKNA Grand National race on September 28 at his home track in Indiana.

The event is the largest 4-stroke kart race in the world, with over 600 entries expected.

Recently, News Director April King caught up with Wickham for a quick interview:

Now here’s a residential project that’s unconcerned with traffic noise. 

Atlanta Motorsports Park announced this week construction has started on a housing venture called “Motor Club Circuit Villas” that aims to set “a new standard for trackside real estate in the Southeast,” while doubling as vacation rentals at a gateway to the North Georgia Mountains. 

The Dawsonville racetrack, opened an hour north of Atlanta in 2013, has become a unique mishmash of enthusiast motorsports, resort-style amenities, and residential development in recent years; an earlier project of 45 trackside condos that asked buyers to swap “oceanfront for asphalt” quickly sold out, priced as shell units from $225,000 for 640 square feet and up. 

Now, the villas are bringing larger for-sale dwellings to a main turn at what’s billed as “one of North America’s most celebrated driving destinations.” The two-mile track—designed by renowned Formula One racecourse architect Hermann Tilke—is carved into rolling hills outside downtown Dawsonville, tucked a few miles off Ga. Highway 400.

Exactly how many AMP villas will rise isn’t specified in promotional materials, but we count about two dozen in renderings. Prices start at $650,000. 

That buys a three-story floorplan with a two-car garage at the base (lifts can be added to fit four racing machines), fronted by all-glass garage doors. Above that are two levels with two bedrooms and one and ½ bathrooms, a kitchen with Bosch appliances, a laundry, and storage. 

The top floor at each villa will have two cantilevered balconies with sliding glass doors that open the space to two racetracks (the main circuit and a karting track) and North Georgia Mountain views. 

According to AMP reps, villas interiors can be customized to owner tastes, from the wine storage and wallpaper to fingerprint-resistant cabinetry. 

Added draws of the location are nearby hiking options and wineries, along with a Dawson County economy AMP officials describe as booming with new development. Leading industry publication Road & Track magazine named AMP one of North America’s top 10 tracks. 

Zoom up to the gallery for a closer look at this unique, OTP residential venture that recently broke ground. 

…

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• Photos: Priciest house on Georgia’s most expensive lake just sold in days (Urbanize Atlanta) 

For David Miller, principal of USNEPower, sponsoring Stafford Speedway’s First Responders Night on September 12 is more than a sponsorship. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the bravery of first responders and a family commitment to honor those who risk it all for the safety and well-being of others.

Miller has long been known as the steady force behind more than 26 local and Northeast regional racing teams, and his support now stretches nationally, including backing Michael Christopher Jr. in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on September 20 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Justin Bonsignore in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. But this Friday’s event is especially close to his heart.

Miller’s brother-in-law, Andy Alexander, is a volunteer firefighter in Fremont, Iowa, embodying the selfless spirit the evening is designed to recognize. His mother, Paulette, is flying up from Daytona Beach, Fla., to personally greet USNEPower guests and customers at will-call. His sister Kim and her granddaughter Leila will help organize activities, while his wife, Angela, will ensure every detail reflects the family’s gratitude for first responders.

“This night isn’t about just putting our name on a race car, race night or a banner,” Miller said. “It’s about making real connections — supporting racers, celebrating first responders, and giving fans racing they can cheer for. Just like our employees are always there for operations and maintenance professionals who rely on USNEPower, we’re here for the people who put themselves on the line for us. The drivers we sponsor aren’t just fast — they’re USNEPower fast. That’s the same service and support you can expect from us.”

Founded in 2003, USNEPower backs its unequalled field service response with an in-shop service center and impressive component inventory. Their prompt response at their 1-call – does – it – all hotline of 413-485-7177 is the cornerstone of USNE Power’s operations. USNEPower features a full array of field services available from its Westfield, Mass. and new Midwest operations location in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Stafford Speedway’s First Responders Night will also feature the special TC 13 Shootout, honoring the late Ted Christopher. For Miller, blending racing tradition with heartfelt family involvement ensures this night will resonate long after the checkered flag. Qualifying starts at 6 pm on Friday, September 12, with features at approximately 7 pm. Tickets are available at staffordmotorspeedway.com

Stafford Speedway PR