Motorsports
How NASCAR’s Ownership Charter System Works
The 2025 season marks a decade in which the NASCAR Cup Series has functionally operated under the ‘charter agreement,’ but it’s also the first year of the second document and first extension to an agreement first crafted in advance of the 2016 season.
It’s also the first season that began with a lawsuit with two teams alleging federal antitrust violations against the sanctioning body stemming from the results of the negotiations process over the charter system extension.
So what exactly is the charter system?
Simply stated, ownership charters represent status that allow entries included in the system entry into every single race while also providing guaranteed revenue based on the negotiated terms prior to the start of a charter period. The first agreement ran the length of a television rights agreement from 2016-to-2024 and the second agreement runs the length of the second rights agreement from 2025-to-2031. The agreement also requires teams to participate in agreed upon marketing exercises and allows NASCAR to use the teams intellectual properties to promote the sport.
That is overly simplified but gives you the general idea.
The teams have started to treat these charters as if they were the NASCAR equivalent to stick and ball franchises like the New England Patriots or Los Angeles Dodgers. The idea is that every car number exists like a professional sports team. Unlike stick-and-ball teams, the NASCAR Cup Series is not an equal partnership and that is also part and parcel to the 2024 lawsuit.
Anyway, there are 36 of these ownership tokens in NASCAR and they earn shared perks of competing under the NASCAR Cup Series umbrella. Most importantly, the cars that are paired with an ownership charter have guaranteed starting positions into every Cup Series race, regardless of the size of an entry list on any given weekend.
Similar to how stick and ball franchises receive shared revenue from TV contracts or licensing agreements, NASCAR Cup Series teams also receive similar benefits granted to them under the charter agreement.
First, understand that the value of all 36 charters are not equal.
The value of a charter is based on the performance of its car over the past two seasons. How much a team makes at the end of the year is determined by a formula that takes into account the value of the charter and where the team finished in the championship standings.
There is also a ‘seat at the decision making table’ element to the charter system.
It works very similar to the Concorde Agreement in Formula 1, in which the sanctioning body has a certain degree of dialogue, in principle with the teams over competition related decisions.
A majority of the teams are also aligned under a union-like entity called the Race Team Alliance. The RTA has its own media entity, Racing America, and also has a negotiating committee that communicates with NASCAR on business related matters.
The maximum field size for a NASCAR Cup Series race is 40 cars, meaning that up to four teams without a charter can still take the green flag but they receive considerably less purse money than those who possess an ownership charter.
The creation of the system created a demand for charters — resulting in an economic ecosystem.
From the very beginning, NASCAR and the RTA set out to create a model that created long-term value for owning a team, while also creating competition to acquire a charter. The idea being, if there was value in possessing an ownership charter, there would be value upon needing to sell it.
In previous eras, when a Cup Series team went out of business for whatever reason, it had nothing of value to sell beyond its race shops. The cars became quickly outdated and equipment was sold for pennies on the dollar.
The escalating value of owning an ownership charter has created supply and demand on the open market.
Then there is the NextGen car, now in its fourth season, that aims to provide long-term cost containment even if it isn’t remotely there yet. The car is a de facto spec car meaning that every component, except the engines and bodies, are identical. The working theory is that teams will eventually save money as inventory builds and the parts and pieces become standard.
If the Next-Gen car (eventually) reduces the cost of competition, and if the next broadcast rights agreement provides greater revenue opportunities, teams will be less reliant on sponsorship money to remain in business. That’s the concept, at least.
Each ownership charter can be leased once within an agreement period to another organization, but it must be returned to its original owner after the end of one season.
The first charter agreement ran from 2016 to 2020. The current charter agreement runs from 2021 to 2024 through the current television broadcast agreement with FOX and NBC. The next broadcast rights agreement runs from 2025 to 2031 and includes FOX, NBC, TNT and Amazon Prime.
The current version of the document can be viewed in its entirety below.
There are currently 36 charters but that number can change at NASCAR’s discretion with payouts to change accordingly.
From the very start of the charter agreement, many charters have been sold or leased over the years. The following details the history of each ownership charter entering the 2025 season.
Trackhouse Racing No. 1
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Trackhouse Racing and is associated with the No. 1 car driven by Ross Chastain. It was first awarded to Chip Ganassi in 2016 when the No. 1 was piloted by Jamie McMurray and remained there when Kurt Busch signed with the team. Trackhouse acquired the No. 1 charter when it purchased the NASCAR assets of Ganassi after the 2021 season. Ross Chastain was moved from the Ganassi No. 42 to the No. 1 car.
Awarded: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1
2016: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 (Jamie McMurray)
2017: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 (Jamie McMurray)
2018: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 (Jamie McMurray)
2019: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 (Kurt Busch)
2020: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 (Kurt Busch)
2021: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1 (Kurt Busch)
2022: Trackhouse Racing No. 1 (Ross Chastain)
2023: Trackhouse Racing No. 1 (Ross Chastain)
2024: Trackhouse Racing No. 1 (Ross Chastain)
2025: Trackhouse Racing No. 1 (Ross Chastain)
Team Penske No. 2
Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Team Penske and is associated with the No. 2 car driven by Austin Cindric. It has always been aligned with this car. It was driven by Brad Keselowski when the charter was awarded and remained with the No. 2 when Cindric signed with the team.
Awarded: Team Penske No. 2
2016: Team Penske No. 2 (Brad Keselowski)
2017: Team Penske No. 2 (Brad Keselowski)
2018: Team Penske No. 2 (Brad Keselowski)
2019: Team Penske No. 2 (Brad Keselowski)
2020: Team Penske No. 2 (Brad Keselowski)
2021: Team Penske No. 2 (Brad Keselowski)
2022: Team Penske No. 2 (Austin Cindric)
2023: Team Penske No. 2 (Austin Cindric)
2024: Team Penske No. 2 (Austin Cindric)
2025: Team Penske No. 2 (Austin Cindric)
Richard Childress Racing No. 3
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Photo by: Samuel Corum / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Richard Childress Racing and associated with the No. 3 car driven by Austin Dillon. It has always been aligned with this combination.
Awarded: Richard Childress Racing No. 3
2016: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
2017: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
2018: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
2019: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
2020: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
2021: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
2022: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
2023: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
2024: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
2025: Richard Childress Racing No. 3 (Austin Dillon)
Front Row Motorsports No. 4
Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports Ford
Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images
This charter was most recently associated with the No. 4 car driven by Noah Gragson. From its inception to the 2024 season, it was attached to the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 car driven by Kevin Harvick and then Josh Berry. It was sold to Front Row Motorsports in 2024 but approval for the transaction had to be forced by a federal judge as part of a preliminary injunction decision as the organization had sued NASCAR late in the summer. NASCAR appealed the injunction decision and won, which left the charter in a state of limbo until the legal process plays itself out.
Awarded: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4
2016: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 (Kevin Harvick)
2017: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 (Kevin Harvick)
2018: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 (Kevin Harvick)
2019: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 (Kevin Harvick)
2020: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 (Kevin Harvick)
2021: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 (Kevin Harvick)
2022: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 (Kevin Harvick)
2023: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 (Kevin Harvick)
2024: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 (Josh Berry)
2025: Front Row Motorsports No. 4 (Noah Gragson)
Hendrick Motorsports No. 24
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Hendrick Motorsports and associated with the No. 24 car driven by William Byron. It was first awarded to Hendrick in 2016 when it was the No. 5 piloted by Kasey Kahne and became the No. 24 when William Byron graduated to the Cup Series in 2018.
Awarded: Hendrick Motorsports No. 5
2016: Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 (Kasey Kahne)
2017: Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 (Kasey Kahne)
2018: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (William Byron)
2019: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (William Byron)
2020: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (William Byron)
2021: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (William Byron)
2022: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (William Byron)
2023: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (William Byron)
2024: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (William Byron)
2025: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (William Byron)
Team Penske No. 12
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Team Penske and associated with the No. 12 car driven by Ryan Blaney.
It was first awarded to Roush Fenway Racing in 2016 when it was the No. 6 piloted by Trevor Bayne and became the No. 37 when Chris Buescher was leased to JTG Daughery Racing by Roush-Fenway alongside the charter in 2017. It was returned to Roush Fenway after the 2017 season and sold to Team Penske where it was used to create the third car for Blaney.
Awarded: Roush Fenway Racing No. 6
2016: Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 (Trevor Bayne)
2017: Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 (Trevor Bayne)
2018: JTG Daugherty Racing No. 37 (Chris Buescher)
2019: Team Penske No. 12 (Ryan Blaney)
2020: Team Penske No. 12 (Ryan Blaney)
2021: Team Penske No. 12 (Ryan Blaney)
2022: Team Penske No. 12 (Ryan Blaney)
2023: Team Penske No. 12 (Ryan Blaney)
2024: Team Penske No. 12 (Ryan Blaney)
2025: Team Penske No. 12 (Ryan Blaney)
Kaulig Racing No. 16
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Photo by: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Kaulig Racing and linked to the No. 16 car. It was first awarded to Tommy Baldwin Racing in 2016 when it was the No. 7 piloted by Reed Sorenson and became the No. 95 in 2017 when it was sold to Leavine Family Racing. It was sold again before the 2020 season to Spire Motorsports and sold once more to Kaulig before the 2022 season.
Awarded: Tommy Baldwin Racing No. 7
2016: Tommy Baldwin Racing No. 7 (Regan Smith)
2017: Leavine Family Racing No. 95 (Michael McDowell)
2018: Leavine Family Racing No. 95 (Kasey Kahne)
2019: Leavine Family Racing No. 95 (Matt DiBenedetto)
2020: Leavine Family Racing No. 95 (Christopher Bell)
2021: Spire Motorsports No. 77 (Various)
2022: Kaulig Racing No. 16 (Various)
2023: Kaulig Racing No. 16 (AJ Allmendinger)
2024: Kaulig Racing No. 16 (Various)
2025: Kaulig Racing No. 16 (AJ Allmendinger)
Legacy Motor Club No. 42
John Hunter Nemechek, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Legacy Motor Club and associated with the No. 42 car driven by John Hunter Nemechek. It was first awarded to Richard Petty Motorsports in 2016 when it was the No. 9. It became the No. 44 when it was piloted by Brian Scott.
It became the No. 32 in 2017 when it was leased to GoFas Racing. It was returned to Richard Petty Motorsports in 2018 and became the No. 43 for Bubba Wallace. It became the Petty Ware Motorsports No. 51 when Petty and Rick Ware Racing entered into a joint agreement to field the No. 51.
It became the No. 42 when Richard Petty Motorsports sold to GMS Racing to become Petty GMS and remained the No. 42 when Jimmie Johnson bought into the team and renamed it Legacy Motor Club. Nemechek has driven the car since 2024.
Awarded: Richard Petty Motorsports No. 9
2016: Richard Petty Motorsports No. 44 (Brian Scott)
2017: GoFas Racing No. 32 (Matt DiBenedetto)
2018: Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 (Bubba Wallace)
2019: Petty Ware Racing No. 51 (Various)
2020: Petty Ware Racing No. 51 (Various)
2021: Petty Ware Racing No. 51 (Cody Shane Ware)
2022: Petty GMS Racing No. 42 (Ty Dillon)
2023: Legacy Motor Club No. 42 (Noah Gragson)
2024: Legacy Motor Club No. 42 (John Hunter Nemechek)
2025: Legacy Motor Club No. 42 (John Hunter Nemechek)
23XI Racing No. 35
Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
This charter was most recently owned by 23XI Racing and is associated with the No. 35 car driven by Riley Herbst. From its inception to the 2024 season, it was attached to the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 car driven by Danica Patrick, Aric Almirola and then Noah Gragson. It was sold to 23XI Racing in 2024 but approval for the transaction had to be forced by a federal judge as part of a preliminary injunction decision as the organization had sued NASCAR late in the summer. NASCAR appealed the injunction decision and won, which left the charter in a state of limbo until the legal process plays itself out.
Awarded: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10
2016: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 (Danica Patrick)
2017: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 (Danica Patrick)
2018: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 (Aric Almirola)
2019: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 (Aric Almirola)
2020: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 (Aric Almirola)
2021: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 (Aric Almirola)
2022: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 (Aric Almirola)
2023: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 (Aric Almirola)
2024: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 (Noah Gragson)
2025: 23XI Racing No. 35 (Riley Herbst)
Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Joe Gibbs Racing and associated with the No. 11 car driven by Denny Hamlin. It has always been aligned with this combination.
Awarded: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11
2016: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
2017: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
2018: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
2019: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
2020: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
2021: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
2022: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
2023: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
2024: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
2025: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 (Denny Hamlin)
23XI Racing No. 23
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota
Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images
This charter was most recently owned by 23XI Racing and associated with the No. 23 car driven by Bubba Wallace. This charter had been owned by Germain Racing for its No. 13 car every year until 2021 when it was sold to Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan. In 2025, as part of a 23XI antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, an appeals court ruled that the team could not maintain its chartered status while also suing the Sanctioning Body over language contained within the document, which left the charter in a state of limbo until the legal process plays itself out.
Awarded: Germain Racing No. 13
2016: Germain Racing No. 13 (Casey Mears)
2017: Germain Racing No. 13 (Ty Dillon)
2018: Germain Racing No. 13 (Ty Dillon)
2019: Germain Racing No. 13 (Ty Dillon)
2020: Germain Racing No. 13 (Ty Dillon)
2021: 23XI Racing No. 23 (Bubba Wallace)
2022: 23XI Racing No. 23 (Bubba Wallace)
2023: 23XI Racing No. 23 (Bubba Wallace)
2024: 23XI Racing No. 23 (Bubba Wallace)
2025: 23XI Racing No. 23 (Bubba Wallace)
Trackhouse Racing No. 88
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Trackhouse Racing for its No. 88 car and driver Shane Van Gisbergen. From its inception to the 2024 season, it was attached to the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 car driven by Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer and then Chase Briscoe. It was then sold to Trackhouse Racing ahead of Stewart-Haas Racing closing after the 2024 season.
Awarded: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14
2016: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 (Tony Stewart)
2017: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 (Clint Bowyer)
2018: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 (Clint Bowyer)
2019: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 (Clint Bowyer)
2020: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 (Clint Bowyer)
2021: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 (Chase Briscoe)
2022: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 (Chase Briscoe)
2023: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 (Chase Briscoe)
2024: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 (Chase Briscoe)
2025: Trackhouse Racing No. 88 (Shane Van Gisbergen)
Haas Factory Team No. 41
Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team Ford
Photo by: Samuel Corum / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Haas Factory Team and has been associated with the No. 41 car for almost the entirety of its existence. It was originally awarded to Michael Waltrip Racing and was immediately sold to Stewart Haas Racing. The car was driven by Kurt Busch from 2016-2018, Daniel Suarez in 2019, Cole Custer from 2020-2022. When Stewart-Haas Racing closed and downsized into Haas Factory Team, it retained this charter and the No. 41 branding.
Awarded: Michael Waltrip Racing No. 15
2016: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 (Kurt Busch)
2017: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 (Kurt Busch)
2018: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 (Kurt Busch)
2019: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 (Daniel Suarez)
2020: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 (Cole Custer)
2021: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 (Cole Custer)
2022: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 (Cole Custer)
2023: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 (Ryan Preece)
2024: Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 (Ryan Preece)
2025: Haas Factory Team No. 41 (Cole Custer)
RFK Racing No. 6
Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
What is currently the Roush Fenway Keselowski No. 6 was awarded to Roush Fenway Racing as the No. 16 and was renumbered when that car was shut down and its charter leased to JTG Daugherty Racing. Roush Fenway made what was the No. 16 car the No. 6 car for charter purposes and it has remained that way even through the addition of Brad Keselowski as an owner-driver before the start of the 2022 season.
Awarded: Roush Fenway Racing No. 16
2016: Roush Fenway Racing No. 16 (Greg Biffle)
2017: Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 (Trevor Bayne)
2018: Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 (Trevor Bayne, Matt Kenseth)
2019: Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 (Ryan Newman)
2020: Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 (Ryan Newman)
2021: Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 (Ryan Newman)
2022: RFK Racing No. 6 (Brad Keselowski)
2023: RFK Racing No. 6 (Brad Keselowski)
2024: RFK Racing No. 6 (Brad Keselowski)
2025: RFK Racing No. 6 (Brad Keselowski)
RFK Racing No. 17
Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Photo by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Roush Fenway Racing and associated with the No. 17 car driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. from 2016-2019 and Chris Buescher ever since. It has always been attached to team co-owner Jack Roush from its inception.
Awarded: Roush Fenway Racing No. 17
2016: Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.)
2017: Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.)
2018: Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.)
2019: Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 (Ricky Stenhouse Jr.)
2020: Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 (Chris Buescher)
2021: Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 (Chris Buescher)
2022: RFK Racing No. 17 (Chris Buescher)
2023: RFK Racing No. 17 (Chris Buescher)
2024: RFK Racing No. 17 (Chris Buescher)
2025: RFK Racing No. 17 (Chris Buescher)
Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Joe Gibbs Racing and associated with the No. 54 car driven by Ty Gibbs. It began its life as the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 with Kyle Busch from 2016 until the 2023 season when Ty Gibbs joined the team and the car renumbered as 54.
Awarded: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18
2016: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 (Kyle Busch)
2017: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 (Kyle Busch)
2018: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 (Kyle Busch)
2019: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 (Kyle Busch)
2020: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 (Kyle Busch)
2021: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 (Kyle Busch)
2022: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 (Kyle Busch)
2023: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 (Ty Gibbs)
2024: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 (Ty Gibbs)
2025: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 (Ty Gibbs)
Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Joe Gibbs Racing and associated with the No. 20 car driven by Christopher Bell. This entry was previously piloted by Matt Kenseth and Erik Jones.
Awarded: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20
2016: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Matt Kenseth)
2017: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Matt Kenseth)
2018: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Erik Jones)
2019: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Erik Jones)
2020: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Erik Jones)
2021: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Christopher Bell)
2022: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Christopher Bell)
2023: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Christopher Bell)
2024: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Christopher Bell)
2025: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 (Christopher Bell)
Team Penske No. 22
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Team Penske and associated with the No. 22 car with Joey Logano. It has always been aligned with this combination.
Awarded: Team Penske No. 22
2016: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
2017: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
2018: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
2019: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
2020: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
2021: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
2022: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
2023: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
2024: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
2025: Team Penske No. 22 (Joey Logano)
Spire Racing No. 7
Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Spire Motorsports and associated with the No. 7 car. It was first awarded to BK Racing in 2016 when it was the No. 23 piloted by David and became the No. 38 when it was sold to Front Row Motorsports in 2019. It became the No. 53 when Front Row leased it to Rick Ware Racing in 2020. Front Row then sold the charter to Rick Ware Racing and it remained the No. 53. It was then sold to Spire Motorsports before the 2022 season to become the No. 7 driven by Corey Lajoie. Justin Haley took over the car in September of 2024 and will continue piloting it in 2025.
Awarded: BK Racing No. 23
2016: BK Racing No. 23 (David Ragan)
2017: BK Racing No. 23 (Various)
2018: BK Racing No. 23 (Various)
2019: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (David Ragan)
2020: Rick Ware Racing No. 53 (Various)
2021: Rick Ware Racing No. 53 (Various)
2022: Spire Motorsports No. 7 (Corey Lajoie)
2023: Spire Motorsports No. 7 (Corey Lajoie)
2024: Spire Motorsports No. 7 (Corey Lajoie)
2025: Spire Motorsports No. 7 (Justin Haley)
Hendrick Motosports No. 9
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Hendrick Motorsports and associated with the No. 9 car driven by Chase Elliott. It was first awarded to Hendrick in 2016 when it was the No. 24. It became the No. 9 when William Byron was assigned the No. 24 in 2018.
Awarded: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24
2016: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (Chase Elliott)
2017: Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 (Chase Elliott)
2018: Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 (Chase Elliott)
2019: Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 (Chase Elliott)
2020: Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 (Chase Elliott)
2021: Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 (Chase Elliott)
2022: Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 (Chase Elliott)
2023: Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 (Chase Elliott)
2024: Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 (Chase Elliott)
2025: Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 (Chase Elliott)
23XI Racing No. 45
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images
What began its existence as the Richard Childress Racing No. 27 was leased to upstart StarCom Racing in 2018 and sold to the team a year later. StarCom Racing sold the No. 00 charter to 23XI Racing’s No. 45 team for 2022 for driver Kurt Busch. The car is now piloted by Tyler Reddick. In 2025, as part of a 23XI antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, an appeals court ruled that the team could not maintain its chartered status while also suing the Sanctioning Body over language contained within the document, which left the charter in a state of limbo until the legal process plays itself out.
Awarded: Richard Childress Racing No. 27
2016: Richard Childress Racing No. 27 (Paul Menard)
2017: Richard Childress Racing No. 27 (Paul Menard)
2018: StarCom Racing No. 00 (Landon Cassill)
2019: StarCom Racing No. 00 (Various)
2020: StarCom Racing No. 00 (Quin Houff)
2021: StarCom Racing No. 00 (Quin Houff)
2022: 23XI Racing No. 45 (Kurt Busch)
2023: 23XI Racing No. 45 (Tyler Reddick)
2024: 23XI Racing No. 45 (Tyler Reddick)
2025: 23XI Racing No. 45 (Tyler Reddick)
Richard Childress Racing No. 8
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Richard Childress Racing and associated with the No. 8 car with Kyle Busch. It was first awarded to Childress in 2016 when it was the No. 31. It became the No. 8 when Daniel Hemric was assigned the car in 2019. Tyler Reddick drove it from 2020-2022. Kyle Busch started driving the car with the 2023 season.
Awarded: Richard Childress Racing No. 31
2016: Richard Childress Racing No. 31 (Ryan Newman)
2017: Richard Childress Racing No. 31 (Ryan Newman)
2018: Richard Childress Racing No. 31 (Ryan Newman)
2019: Richard Childress Racing No. 8 (Daniel Hemric)
2020: Richard Childress Racing No. 8 (Tyler Reddick)
2021: Richard Childress Racing No. 8 (Tyler Reddick)
2022: Richard Childress Racing No. 8 (Tyler Reddick)
2023: Richard Childress Racing No. 8 (Kyle Busch)
2024: Richard Childress Racing No. 8 (Kyle Busch)
2025: Richard Childress Racing No. 8 (Kyle Busch)
Wood Brothers Racing No. 21
Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
What began its existence as the GoFas Racing No. 32 was first leased to Wood Brothers Racing in 2017. That charter was then sold to the Wood Brothers in 2018 albeit with GoFas owner Archie St. Hilaire maintaining a partial ownership of the franchise. The Wood Brothers purchased complete control of their charter prior to the 2021 season. Matt DiBenedetto drove it the car in 2020 and 2021 and Harrison Burton piloted the car from 2022 to 2024. Josh Berry was hired to drive the car in 2025.
Awarded: GoFas Racing No. 32
2016: GoFas Racing No. 32 (Matt DiBenedetto)
2017: Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 (Ryan Blaney)
2018: Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 (Paul Menard)
2019: Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 (Paul Menard)
2020: Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 (Matt DiBenedetto)
2021: Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 (Matt DiBenedetto)
2022: Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 (Harrison Burton)
2023: Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 (Harrison Burton)
2024: Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 (Harrison Burton)
2025: Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 (Josh Berry)
Spire Motorsports No. 71
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
This is the charter with the most convoluted ownership history. What will soon be the Spire Motorsports No. 71 was first awarded to Joe Falk of Circle Sport Racing in 2016. Falk immediately entered into a partnership with Leavine Family Racing to operate the No. 95 for the 2016 season. In 2017, Falk entered into a new agreement with The Motorsports Group with Curtis Key’s No. 33 team. From 2018-2020, Joe Falk was a partner with Archie St. Hilaire of GoFas Motorsports’ No. 32 team. Falk then joined Live Fast Motorsports in 2021 when that team was launched by Matt Tifft and BJ McLeod. McLeod, Tifft and Falk then sold the charter to Spire Motorsports for its No. 71 and driver Zane Smith, who was on loan from Trackhouse Racing that season. Michael McDowell was hired to drive the car starting in 2025, returning to a charter he raced under in 2016 with LFR.
Awarded: Circle Sport No. 33
2016: Leavine Family Racing No. 95 (Michael McDowell, Ty Dillon)
2017: The Motorsports Group No. 33 (Various)
2018: GoFas Racing No. 32 (Matt DiBenedetto)
2019: GoFas Racing No. 32 (Corey Lajoie)
2020: GoFas Racing No. 32 (Corey Lajoie)
2021: Live Fast Motorsports No. 78 (Various)
2022: Live Fast Motorsports No. 78 (Various)
2023: Live Fast Motorsports No. 78 (Various)
2024: Spire Motorsports No. 71 (Zane Smith)
2025: Spire Motorsports No. 71 (Michael McDowell)
Front Row Motorsports No. 34
Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford
Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images
This charter has always been owned by Front Row Motorsports and associated with the No. 34 car driven by Chris Buescher, Landon Cassill, Michael McDowell and now Todd Gilliland during their respective stints. In 2025, as part of a Front Row antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, an appeals court ruled that the team could not maintain its chartered status while also suing the Sanctioning Body over language contained within the document, which left the charter in a state of limbo until the legal process plays itself out.
Awarded: Front Row Motorsports No. 35
2016: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Chris Buscher)
2017: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Landon Cassill)
2018: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Michael McDowell)
2019: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Michael McDowell)
2020: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Michael McDowell)
2021: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Michael McDowell)
2022: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Michael McDowell)
2023: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Michael McDowell)
2024: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Michael McDowell)
2025: Front Row Motorsports No. 34 (Todd Gilliland)
Rick Ware Racing No. 51
Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing Ford
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
What is now the Rick Ware Racing No. 51 was originally awarded to Front Row Motorsports as the No. 38. Front Row leased the charter to Tri-Star Motorsports in 2018 and sold it to Rick Ware Racing prior to the 2019 season where it has remained ever since. The No. 52 became the No. 27 for 2020. The No. 27 team became the No. 52 for 2021. The No. 52 became the No. 51 for 20220. The team constantly shuffled numbers to avoid the charter becoming at risk of being repossed for performance. Justin Haley drove the car in 2024 and Ware returned to the ride in 2025.
Awarded: Front Row Motorsports No. 38
2016: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (Landon Cassill)
2017: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (David Ragan)
2018: TriStar Motorsports No. 34 (Corey Lajoie, Cole Whitt)
2019: Rick Ware Racing No. 52 (Various)
2020: Rick Ware Racing No. 27 (Various)
2021: Rick Ware Racing No. 51 (Cody Ware)
2022: Rick Ware Racing No. 51 (Cody Ware)
2023: Rick Ware Racing No. 51 (Various)
2024: Rick Ware Racing No. 51 (Justin Haley)
2025: Rick Ware Racing No. 51 (Cody Ware)
Trackhouse Racing No. 99
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Trackhouse Racing and is associated with the No. 99 car driven by Daniel Suarez. It was first awarded to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2016 when it was piloted by Kyle Larson who drove the car until April 2020. Matt Kenseth drove it for the remainder of that season. Ross Chastain drive the No. 42 in 2021 when the team was sold to Trackhouse Racing. Trackhouse retained Chastain and moved him to the No. 1 chartered entry. It signed Daniel Suarez to take over the renumbered No. 99.
Awarded: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42
2016: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 (Kyle Larson)
2017: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 (Kyle Larson)
2018: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 (Kyle Larson)
2019: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 (Kyle Larson)
2020: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 (Kyle Larson, Matt Kenseth)
2021: Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 (Ross Chastain)
2022: Trackhouse Racing No. 99 (Daniel Suarez)
2023: Trackhouse Racing No. 99 (Daniel Suarez)
2024: Trackhouse Racing No. 99 (Daniel Suarez)
2025: Trackhouse Racing No. 99 (Daniel Suarez)
Legacy Motor Club No. 43
Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
What is now the No. 43 Legacy Motor Club charter began its life as the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 and was once leased to Rick Ware Racing in 2018 but returned to RPM the following season. Richard Petty Motorsports was purchased by GMS Racing to make the No. 43 charter belong to Petty GMS Racing for the 2022 season and then became the Legacy Motor Club No. 43 when Jimmie Johnson purchased a stake in Petty GMS before the 2023 season. Erik Jones has driven the car across its various ownership structures since the 2021 season.
Awarded: Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43
2016: Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 (Aric Almirola)
2017: Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 (Aric Almirola)
2018: Rick Ware Racing No. 52 (Various)
2019: Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 (Bubba Wallace)
2020: Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 (Bubba Wallace)
2021: Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 (Erik Jones)
2022: Petty GMS Racing No. 43 (Erik Jones)
2023: Legacy Motor Club No. 43 (Erik Jones)
2024: Legacy Motor Club No. 43 (Erik Jones)
2025: Legacy Motor Club No. 43 (Erik Jones)
HYAK Racing No. 47
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by HYAK Racing and has always been associated with the No. 47 car under its various ownership combinations. It was first awarded to JTG-Daugherty Racing in 2016 when it was driven by AJ Allmendinger who drove the car until 2018. Ryan Preece drove it in 2019. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has driven it since 2020. Gordon Smith rebranded the team has HYAK Racing ahead of the 2025 season with the formal departure of team co-founders Tad and Jodi Geschickter.
Awarded: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47
2016: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 (AJ Allmendinger)
2017: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 (AJ Allmendinger)
2018: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 (AJ Allmendinger)
2019: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 (Ryan Preece)
2020: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 (Ricky Stenhouse)
2021: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 (Ricky Stenhouse)
2022: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 (Ricky Stenhouse)
2023: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 (Ricky Stenhouse)
2024: JTG-Daugherty Racing No. 47 (Ricky Stenhouse)
2025: HYAK Racing No. 47 (Ricky Stenhouse)
Hendrick Motorsports No. 5
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Hendrick Motorsports and associated with the No. 5 car driven by Kyle Larson. It was first awarded to Hendrick in 2016 when it was the No. 48 driven by Jimmie Johnson. It became the No. 5 when Jimmie Johnson retired and his No. 48 was assigned to Alex Bowman. The No. 5 has the lineage of the No. 48 and the final crew that worked with Johnson at Hendrick. Alex Bowman is driving the No. 48 in number only as it is just a rebranded No. 88.
Awarded: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48
2016: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Jimmie Johnson)
2017: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Jimmie Johnson)
2018: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Jimmie Johnson)
2019: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Jimmie Johnson)
2020: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Jimmie Johnson)
2021: Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 (Kyle Larson)
2022: Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 (Kyle Larson)
2023: Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 (Kyle Larson)
2024: Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 (Kyle Larson)
2025: Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 (Kyle Larson)
RFK Racing No. 60
Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
This charter was originally assigned to HScott Motorsports in 2016. Clint Bowyer drove the No. 15 that season. It was sold to Jay Robinson’s Premium Motorsports outfit in 2017 and remained with that team until it was purchased by Rick Ware Racing in advance of the 2021 season. The charter was leased to RFK Racing ahead of the 2025 season for driver Ryan Preece. It will be returned to Ware after the season.
Awarded: HScott Motorsports No. 15
2016: HScott Motorsports No. 15 (Clint Bowyer)
2017: Premium Motorsports No. 15 (Various)
2018: Premium Motorsports No. 15 (Ross Chastain, Justin Marks)
2019: Premium Motorsports No. 15 (Ross Chastain)
2020: Premium Motorsports No. 15 (Brennan Poole)
2021: Rick Ware Racing No. 15 (Various)
2022: Rick Ware Racing No. 15 (Various)
2023: Rick Ware Racing No. 15 (Various)
2024: Rick Ware Racing No. 15 (Various)
2025: RFK Racing No. 60 (Ryan Preece)
Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Samuel Corum / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Joe Gibbs Racing and has been associated with the No. 19 car for almost the entirety of its existence. It was originally awarded to Michael Waltrip Racing and Immediately sold to Joe Gibbs Racing. The car was driven by Carl Edwards from 2016, Daniel Suarez in 2017 and 2018 and Martin Truex Jr. since 2019. Chase Briscoe has been signed to drive the car starting in 2025.
Awarded: Michael Waltrip Racing No. 55
2016: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Carl Edwards)
2017: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Daniel Suarez)
2018: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Daniel Suarez)
2019: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Martin Truex Jr.)
2020: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Martin Truex Jr.)
2021: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Martin Truex Jr.)
2022: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Martin Truex Jr.)
2023: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Martin Truex Jr.)
2024: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Martin Truex Jr.)
2025: Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 (Chase Briscoe)
Spire Motorsports No. 77
Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
What is now the Spire Motorsports No. 77 charter began its life as the Jay Robinson owned No. 62. It was immediately leased to HScott Motorsports in 2016. It was sold to Furniture Row Racing so that organization could field a second car for Erik Jones in 2017. It was sold again in 2018 to former Xfinty Series team owner Todd Braun who immediately entered into an agreement with JTG Daugherty Racing to continue fielding the No. 37. That relationship expired after three years and Braun took the charter to Spire Motorsports in advance of the 2021 season. Braun is no longer part of the ownership group and Spire owns the 77 charter entirely. Carson Hocevar has driven the entry since 2024.
Awarded: Premium Motorsports No. 62
2016: HScott Motorsports No. 46 (Michael Annett)
2017: Furniture Row Racing (Erik Jones)
2018: JTG Daugherty No. 37 (Ryan Preece)
2019: JTG Daugherty No. 37 (Ryan Preece)
2020: JTG Daugherty No. 37 (Ryan Preece)
2021: Spire Motorsports No. 7 (Corey Lajoie)
2022: Spire Motorspsorts No. 77 (Landon Cassill and Josh Bilicki)
2023: Spire Motorsports No. 77 (Ty Dillon)
2024: Spire Motorsports No. 77 (Carson Hocevar)
2025: Spire Motorsports No. 77 (Carson Hocevar)
Kaulig Racing No. 10
Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images
What is now the Kaulig Racing No. 10 began its life as the Furniture Row Racing No. 78 charter. It was sold to Spire Motorsports in 2019 when Furniture Row Racing went out of business and leased to Trackhouse Racing in advance of the 2021 season. Spire then sold the charter to Kaulig Racing for the 2022 season where it has been associated with the No. 31 from 2022 to 2024 with drivers Justin Haley and Daniel Hemric. Rebranded as the No. 10, Ty Dillon will drive the car in 2025.
Awarded: Furniture Row Racing No. 78
2016: Furniture Row Racing No. 78 (Martin Truex Jr)
2017: Furnitire Row Racing No. 78 (Martin Truex Jr)
2018: Furniture Row Racing No. 78 (Martin Truex Jr)
2019: Spire Motorsports No. 77 (Various)
2020: Spire Motorsports No. 77 (Various)
2021: Trackhouse Racing No. 99 (Daniel Suarez)
2022: Kaulig Racing No. 31 (Justin Haley)
2023: Kaulig Racing No. 31 (Justin Haley)
2024: Kaulig Racing No. 31 (Daniel Hemric)
2025: Kaulig Racing No. 10 (Ty Dillon)
Front Row Motorsports No. 38
Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford
Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images
What is currently the Front Row Motorsports No. 38 charter was first awarded to BK Racing. BK Racing leased it to TriStar Racing in 2017 to run the No. 72. It was sold to Front Row in 2018 after BK Racing filed for Bankruptcy where the charter has remained ever since. Todd Gilliland drove the car from the 2022 season until 2024. Zane Smith will drive the car starting with the 2025 season. In 2025, as part of a Front Row antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, an appeals court ruled that the team could not maintain its chartered status while also suing the Sanctioning Body over language contained within the document, which left the charter in a state of limbo until the legal process plays itself out.
Awarded: BK Racing No. 83
2016: BK Racing No. 83 (Matt DiBenedetto)
2017: TriStar No. 72 (Cole Whitt)
2018: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (David Ragan)
2019: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (Matt Tifft)
2020: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (John Hunter Nemechek)
2021: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (Anthony Alfredo)
2022: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (Todd Gilliland)
2023: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (Todd Gilliland)
2024: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (Todd Gilliland)
2025: Front Row Motorsports No. 38 (Zane Smith)
Hendrick Motorsports No. 48
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
This charter is currently owned by Hendrick Motorsports and associated with the No. 48 car driven by Alex Bowman. It was first awarded to Hendrick in 2016 when it was the No. 88 driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. It became the No. 48 when Jimmie Johnson retired and Bowman’s team, then racing under the No. 88 banner, was reassigned No. 48.
Awarded: Hendrick Motorsports No. 88
2016: Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.)
2017: Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.)
2018: Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 (Alex Bowman)
2019: Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 (Alex Bowman)
2020: Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 (Alex Bowman)
2021: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Alex Bowman)
2022: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Alex Bowman)
2023: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Alex Bowman)
2024: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Alex Bowman)
2025: Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 (Alex Bowman)
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Motorsport.com Team
Motorsports
BangShift.com IHRA Acquires Heartland Motorsports Park In A Move To Resurrect Yet Another Abandoned Race Track!
The International Hot Rod Association has been making huge waves in the drag racing community with some pretty unbelievable announcements and purchases over the past year and there is no sign of them slowing down. After announcing last week that the long abandoned Memphis Motorsports Park had been purchased, and would return to racing glory in 2025, they could have easily cruised through the end of 2025 with no trouble. But that’s not their style, so here we go with one last big announcement for 2025!
Yep, they have just announced the purchase of another abandoned track, Heartland Park Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas. This track has been plagued with poor management, bad deals, lack of support, and more for the past several years. Can IHRA finally turn this cool facility around? I think there are some fundamental changes that need to be made here, but those changes can definitely make a huge impact. Check out their plans below. 
We can’t wait to see what they do with it all!
IHRA Acquires Heartland Motorsports Park, Announces Vision to Restore Iconic Facility as a Destination Entertainment and Racing Complex
FAIRFIELD, Ohio — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) today announced the acquisition of Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas, reinforcing IHRA’s long-term commitment to preserving motorsports history while reimagining legendary venues for the future.
Originally opened in 1963 as Topeka Dragway, the facility later evolved into Heartland Motorsports Park and became one of the most versatile motorsports complexes in the country. Over the decades, Heartland has hosted major national drag racing events, road racing, karting, motocross, and countless grassroots competitions, earning its reputation as a cornerstone of Midwest motorsports.
With this acquisition, Heartland Motorsports Park enters a new chapter — one that honors its storied past while positioning the property as a modern destination entertainment complex.
“Heartland Motorsports Park is one of those places that simply matters to racing,” said Darryl Cuttell, Owner of the International Hot Rod Association. “It has history, soul, and a footprint that allows us to think bigger than just a racetrack. Our goal is to restore this facility with respect for its legacy while building something that serves racers, fans, and the community for generations.”
A Destination for Racing, Music, and Community
IHRA’s long-term vision for Heartland Motorsports Park extends well beyond competition weekends. Planned restoration and redevelopment efforts will focus on creating a year-round destination that blends motorsports with live entertainment and community engagement, including:
· Revitalized drag racing operations with improved racer and fan amenities
· Expanded motorsports and special event programming
· Live music, concerts, and festival experiences
· Enhanced hospitality, vendor, and fan-experience areas
· Community-focused events designed to drive tourism and economic impact
“Motorsports has to evolve to stay strong,” Cuttell added. “The future is about creating places where racing, music, entertainment, and community come together. Heartland has all the pieces to become one of the premier motorsports and entertainment destinations in the country.”
The acquisition aligns with IHRA’s broader racer-first philosophy, which includes direct investment in facilities and infrastructure that strengthen grassroots racing, elevate national competition, and create sustainable motorsports ecosystems.
Renovation planning will begin immediately, with additional announcements regarding redevelopment phases, event schedules, and community partnerships expected in the coming months.
About the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA)
Founded in 1970, the International Hot Rod Association is one of the world’s premier motorsports sanctioning bodies, overseeing drag racing and a growing portfolio of motorsports disciplines. IHRA is committed to racer advocacy, innovation, safety, and creating dynamic racing and entertainment destinations that benefit competitors, fans, and host communities.
NASCAR likely paid out millions of dollars in damages to get 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to end their antitrust trial, according to two experts in the space, but the move gave the sanctioning body certainty instead of leaving its future up to a judge and jury.
Meegan Hollywood, an antitrust litigator of the Shinder, Cantor & Lerner law firm, told Sports Business Journal that she expects NASCAR paid out 10% to 25% of the $365 million in damages requested by 23XI and Front Row. A second antitrust lawyer who requested anonymity to speak freely said it was unlikely the teams settled for less than 50%.
A 10% settlement would have been $36.5 million, while 50% would have been $182.5 million.
NASCAR and the teams are believed to have spent millions on lawyers. 23XI and Front Row hired Winston & Strawn, while NASCAR used Latham & Watkins. Hollywood estimated both sides might have combined for as much as $50 million in lawyer fees, while the second attorney thought the figure could be closer to double that amount.
…
Heading into the trial, one element seemingly put NASCAR at a disadvantage: U.S. District Court judge Kenneth Bell’s ruling that NASCAR was a monopsony because of language it used in a now-dismissed countersuit he said effectively admitted that status. It left the jury to determine only whether NASCAR had used its powers illegally and if it hurt the teams.
…
Hollywood said NASCAR will likely receive advice from lawyers on how to adjust its contracts and rules to avoid future anti-trust litigation, such as altering the non-compete clauses it currently has with race tracks (such as Rockingham that was just bought by the IHRA). Sports Business Journal
Motorsports
Jeff Gordon reflects on 2025 NASCAR championship, looks to 2026: ‘I’m incredibly optimistic’
CONCORD, N.C. – Weeks removed from Kyle Larson claiming the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship and all the media and buzz that followed, Jeff Gordon sat in his office at Hendrick Motorsports and pondered the meaning of this latest title.
Having won four as a driver (1995, ’97, ’98, 2001) and also having been a part of Jimmie Johnson’s seven as a team co-owner, championships are hardly new for Gordon. But Larson’s second crown, won at Phoenix Raceway in early November, added yet another distinction – his title as vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports.
“It’s incredibly rewarding,” Gordon concluded. “There’s no doubt every year that goes by that I’m in this role I get more connected with the people and the teams on this level to really enjoy the success and the championship almost as much as when I was driving.”
Even in Gordon’s driving days, there was never quite a title-winning scenario like Larson’s this year. The No. 5 team took advantage of a late caution and utilized a two-tire call from crew chief Cliff Daniels, putting Larson out ahead for a green-white-checkered finish. Larson made it stick, coming home in third place, which was good enough to win the championship after much of the day – including a blown tire – looked bleak at best.
RELATED: Check out Hendrick Motorsports’ 2026 paint schemes here!
The sudden change of fortunes certainly added to the experience, as evidenced by a now-viral video of team owner, Rick Hendrick, rooting Larson to the finish line in the closing laps.
As for Gordon, he said he made an effort to be more subdued, standing atop the No. 9 pit box.
“I always try to be respectful of the box I’m on,” Gordon said. “That’s what’s a unique dynamic of that day – you’re following the championship and pulling for the two teams that are in it but you’re sitting on the pit box of one of the other teams and you’re hoping they have a great day. The ultimate is one of those other two cars wins the race and the two cars finish 1-2 in the championship.
“I was still in so much shock. I was excited and then I got down off the box and I think it started to sink in as I was walking to victory lane.”
RELATED: Check out some rarely seen, recently uncovered “Days of Thunder” photos
And yet, nearly two months later, Gordon admits that process is still ongoing.
“Being around the shop in meetings and interacting with the crew chiefs, teams and drivers you realize how bad they want it, how hard they’re working just to get to Phoenix,” Gordon said. “Then, when you see them pull that off, that’s what pulls me in – the trust and belief and excitement and nervousness you have for them. I definitely felt that throughout the whole weekend … Then it was more, ‘Holy cow, that just happened.’ And I’d say I’m still a little bit in that mode. The record books years from now won’t talk about any of that, it’ll be that we won our 15th championship.
“I think right now, where I am is just incredibly proud of knowing we put ourselves in that position. Our folks worked extremely hard and they did it.”
Now, to do it again.
RELATED: Chase Elliott’s 2025 season in review
Like everyone else at Hendrick Motorsports, as the holidays come and go Gordon’s attention will turn to 2026 along with the calendar. Gordon said it’s a mentality the entire organization has long since embraced.
“I think what our folks are so good at, no matter how good you did last year, they’re working equally or even harder at raising the bar the next year,” Gordon said.
Aiding in that effort, and at the top of Gordon’s list, is a new Chevrolet body that will be used, as testing already took place this past November.
“When you’ve done what we’ve done with our car and our teams and one of those things is winning a lot of races and winning a championship, I get really excited when I think we’ve got something that’s an upgrade,” Gordon said. “I don’t want to get too caught up in that because sometimes, it takes time to fine tune that change.
RELATED: Alex Bowman’s 2025 season in review
“I do think we’ve been a bit behind when you look at aerodynamics – our car versus some of our competitors. I feel like we’ve gotten ourselves on a level playing field with them, so I’m very excited about that.”
New car, new schedule, a new road race on a Naval base and perhaps a new playoff format, change is coming in 2026, but such is life in racing. Adapting has been a requirement since Hendrick fielded his first Cup Series entry in 1984 and for Gordon, it’s been the same story no matter what role he’s filled since running his first race for Hendrick Motorsports at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1992.
And yet, now 15 championships and counting, the organization has evolved with time and rolled with punches and Gordon doesn’t see that – or the success – stopping anytime soon, especially not in 2026.
“I think our campus and our organization is in a really good place,” Gordon said. “The things we’ve been able to accomplish and celebrate – our 40th anniversary (in 2024), a really good year this year and take out the championship, three of our four teams winning multiple times, new partnerships, adding Corey Day full time (in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series) – to me, a lot of things feel good. Just the energy here.”
As the checkered flag waves goodbye to ’25,
Rev your engines high, feel the adrenaline thrive.
May 2026 bring lightning-fast laps and tight turns,
Podium finishes where your passion burns.
Overtake every challenge with grip and with grace,
Full throttle ahead in life’s thrilling race.
Smooth straights of joy, no red flags in sight—
Happy New Year, racer: conquer with might!
Motorsports
Flores Or The Field, Who Has The Edge At 10th Allentown Indoor Series Opener – Speedway Digest
When the Indoor Auto Racing Series returns to the PPL Center in Allentown, PA for a tenth time on January 9 and 10 for the Ironton Global race weekend, Huntersville, N.C. driver Ryan Flores will once again be the odds-on favorite to win at least one of the two TQ Midget features contested on Friday and Saturday night.
Flores’ record on the PPL Center’s concrete floor speaks for itself. In 17 TQ Midget events held to date, the New Jersey native has captured an incredible seven victories. Remarkably, all seven wins have come in the same white No. 15 TQ Midget that Flores will return with for his tenth year of Allentown competition.
Only Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, N.Y. – the inaugural winner in 2016 – has more than one Allentown victory, with two. Seven other drivers have each won once, including last year’s champion Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, N.Y. Jankowiak scored his first Allentown victory on Saturday night in 2025, snapping an 0-for-14 drought at the venue, after Flores won Friday’s series opener.
Jankowiak, who will be testing in Daytona Beach, Fla. in the days leading up to the Allentown event, may miss Friday night’s program but is expected to return Saturday to chase a second PPL Center win. Other one-time winners looking to repeat include Pennsylvania drivers Matt Janisch and Tanner VanDoren, along with New York’s Scott Kreutter.
More than 40 additional TQ Midget drivers from eight different states will be on hand, all seeking their first-ever Allentown victory. The entry list includes Allentown native Briggs Danner, who finished third in the series standings last year behind Jankowiak and Flores.
Mathematically, the Catalano family of Ontario, N.Y. may have the best odds of success, with four brothers entered. Oldest brother Tommy, a perennial Allentown contender, finished fourth in the standings last season. Tyler placed 10th, Trevor – who competes against Tommy on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour – was 11th, and Timmy finished outside the top 20. All four qualified for the 24-car feature field in Allentown last year.
Another asphalt Modified standout, Matt Swanson of Harvard, Mass., is expected to contend for an indoor win driving Ken Sebring’s No. 89. Swanson finished a career-best second to Flores in the 2025 Indoor Series finale in Atlantic City, ending the season sixth in points. Joining Swanson as a teammate is Asphalt Late Model star D.J. Shaw of Conway, N.H., who will pilot the No. 21.
Midget car racer Joey Bailey of Gardnerville, N.Y. returns to Lenny and Donna Boyd’s iconic yellow No. 1B following a fifth-place finish in the Atlantic City finale and ninth in the standings. Tyler Ferris of Wall, N.J. enters with momentum after winning the ATQMRA season-ending Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium Speedway for the second consecutive year in the Brien Hamer-owned No. 7.
Ryan Tidman of Southampton, Pa., a multi-time ATQMRA winner, rejoins the series driving Tyler Bartlett’s No. 93 from Watertown, N.Y. Another New York–New Jersey pairing features Billy Pauch Jr. returning with Fulton, N.Y. car owner Jason Simmons as they search for a second Allentown victory. Pauch’s teammate will be rising Supermodified standout Josh Sokolic, who will make his TQ Midget debut driving for his hometown owner.
New Jersey car owner Mike Corigliano enters his second Indoor TQ Midget season with Tyler Wagner and his uncle Don Wagner driving the team’s No. 19 entries. With a year of experience under their belts, both PA drivers will be seeking their first indoor win.
Paulie Hartwig III, last year’s series Slingshot champion, will make his Indoor TQ Midget debut driving the Tolerico Motorsports No. 83. The 14-year-old from Galloway, N.J. finished an impressive third in the standings on the southern SMART Asphalt Modified Tour last season.
Another 14-year-old, Mason Hanel of Clarence Center, N.Y., has landed a TQ Midget ride with car owner Bill Pippard, who previously enjoyed series success with Tim Buckwalter. Buckwalter has since moved to a Lou Cicconi-owned TQ, which will make its debut in Allentown.
The TQ Midgets will contest a 30-lap feature on Friday night and a 40-lap main event on Saturday. Drivers will again have the opportunity to claim the Ironton Auto Body Challenge by winning both features.
Friday’s winner will be offered a guaranteed starting position in Saturday’s main event—provided they start tenth. Accepting the challenge earns a $1,000 bonus, with an additional $4,000 awarded if they charge from tenth to win Saturday’s feature. Combined with Saturday’s purse, a weekend sweep would total $10,000. Flores won Friday night’s event last year, accepted the challenger, but came up just short finishing in second place to Jankowiak.
If the challenge is not completed, Ironton Auto Body will roll over a portion of the bonus to the Atlantic City Indoor Race. Flores accomplished the feat last season at the NAPA Gambler’s Classic, earning $10,000 including challenge bonus money and support from the Atlantic City Sports Commission and Visit Atlantic City.
Friday night will also feature the Will Cagle Shootout, sponsored by Ricky Harring, pitting the top 10 qualifiers in a 15-lap dash where drivers choose their starting positions. The pole position pays $240 to win, increasing by $120 per position. A driver winning from tenth would earn $1,320.
The headline TQ Midget division will be joined by Slingshots and Champ Karts, with full programs and main events for all three classes. Champ Kart teams will tow in from 12 states and Ontario, Canada, while Slingshot competitors will represent PA, NY, NJ, and Quebec.
Lower-level reserved ticket holders for Saturday night receive access to a special pre-race FanFest, allowing fans to walk the track and meet drivers and teams prior to the 7 p.m. green flag.
Ticket information and special hotel rates are available through links at IndoorAutoRacing.com.
Lower-level reserved ticket holders for Saturday night receive access to a special pre-race FanFest, allowing fans to walk the track and meet drivers and teams prior to the 7 p.m. green flag.
Tickets are available through a ticketmaster link at IndoorAutoRacing.com or at the box office the day of the events. Check the website for more information.
Indoor Auto Racing PR
The following words are from Dan Jones, Managing Director of DIVEBOMB Motorsport Magazine.
It’s been 12 months since I posted an open letter on DIVEBOMB Motorsport Magazine’s new website as I previewed what we had in-store for 2025. I had some bold ambitions and some bold statements in that letter, none more than: We enter DIVEBOMB’s most exciting era as we continue to go strength-to-strength as an organisation, and 2025 will see that trend continue as we aim to reach new heights on the content of quality, for you, the fans, to enjoy.
As I reflect on these last 12 months, I could not be more proud of what we have collectively achieved against those ambitions.
We launched new podcasts for Endurance, Formula One and NASCAR, had continued representation at global motorsports events including the Indianapolis 500, Monaco E-Prix and Petit Le Mans and had a record-breaking number of articles released on the DIVEBOMB website.
That is in addition to numerous blockbuster interviews throughout the year, including the likes of Will Buxton, Christian Lundgaard, Jack Aitken, Jake Dennis, Zak O’Sullivan, Mike Conway, Taylor Barnard and the 2025 IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Álex Palou, just to name a few.
Most significantly of all, we continued to create a pathway for those seeking paid roles in the industry. There is nothing more gratifying then seeing our contributors achieve life-long goals and we cannot wait to see their continued successes into 2026 and beyond.
2025 marked more people than ever reading our published articles, more people than ever interacting with our social media content and more people than ever listening to our podcasts. A huge thank you to all that engaged with DIVEBOMB’s content throughout the year, we hope you enjoy our content as much as we enjoy creating motorsport content by motorsport fans, for motorsport fans.
In just five years, the extraordinary collective work of our writers and contributors has accelerated DIVEBOMB into one of the leading volunteer-led, non-profit motorsport publications as we continue to reach those new heights year-on-year.
I feel so immensely privileged to lead such a talented and hard-working team with the continual effort and dedication of our contributors never failing to amaze me each time I reflect on the previous year, with the DIVEBOMB platform you see today serving as an inspirational reminder what the efforts of like-minded volunteers can do.
Looking forward to the year ahead, our coverage is only going to continue to grow further. With a new era of Formula One approaching, a continued golden age in endurance racing upon us and further storylines across the motorsport landscape that captivate us all, we cannot wait to tell the stories that will make up 2026.
Whether it is 22 Formula One cars around the narrow streets of Monaco, 27 Supercars roaring down the Conrod Straight at Bathurst, 33 Indy cars crossing the bricks at Indianapolis or 40 NASCARs duelling it out on the high banks of Daytona, DIVEBOMB will be there to cover it. The best news? That action starts next week with Formula E at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with our live coverage of major endurance races starting in just three weeks in the ever-enthralling 24 Hours of Daytona.
Alongside giving a level of coverage that will supersede what we have achieved in 2025, we will continue to develop a pathway for contributors looking for their first venture in the motorsport journalism and media space and continue our dedication in supporting our contributors land dream full-time roles in the industry, continuing what we have so proudly achieved over the last five years.
It is incredible to think that later this month will mark our half-decade anniversary and the work over the last five years has been quite unbelievable. A heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to DIVEBOMB past or present, who’s dedication has led DIVEBOMB to the position we found ourselves today.
But, a final thanks to all of you. None of this would have ever been possible without those who read the stories, who engage with the posts, who listen to the podcasts and who provide the opportunities. You all make up a part of what DIVEBOMB is today. We appreciate all the kind words, the feedback you provide and the sharing of our passion.
I am so starstruck by what we achieved in 2025, but I can only promise for 2026 to be even better. We have a very exciting 12 months ahead and I only hope you will continue to enjoy our content by motorsport fans, for motorsport fans.
BangShift.com IHRA Acquires Heartland Motorsports Park In A Move To Resurrect Yet Another Abandoned Race Track!
Philippine Star – WELCOME TO UBE NATION! 💜 Professional…
Experts say NASCAR likely settled lawsuit for millions
Blum outside hitter takes top honor on Texas 1A all-state volleyball team | Sports
Jeff Gordon reflects on 2025 NASCAR championship, looks to 2026: ‘I’m incredibly optimistic’
Belmont Student-Athletes Have Another Impressive Semester in the Classroom
College Football GMs Became Must-Have in 2025
Rev Your Engines for 2026
Great season for Italian women’s volleyball crowned with the world title – FIVB
Flores Or The Field, Who Has The Edge At 10th Allentown Indoor Series Opener – Speedway Digest
OBITUARY: Judith Lee (Goodwin) O’Leary
Boys Track Small but Mighty at Recent Meet
Blue Bell/TSWA Class 2A All-State Volleyball Team
An open letter to fans of DIVEBOMB Motorsport Magazine
LA Tech Athletics’ Highlight Reel, So Far
SoundGear Named Entitlement Sponsor of Spears CARS Tour Southwest Opener
Donny Schatz finds new home for 2026, inks full-time deal with CJB Motorsports – InForum
Black Bear Revises Recording Policies After Rulebook Language Surfaces via Lever
David Blitzer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
How Donald Trump became FIFA’s ‘soccer president’ long before World Cup draw
DeSantis Talks College Football, Calls for Reforms to NIL and Transfer Portal · The Floridian
Elliot and Thuotte Highlight Men’s Indoor Track and Field Season Opener
JR Motorsports Confirms Death Of NASCAR Veteran Michael Annett At Age 39
Rick Ware Racing switching to Chevrolet for 2026
#11 Volleyball Practices, Then Meets Media Prior to #2 Kentucky Match
Colleges ponying up in support of football coaches, programs
23 عاما من الفضائح السياسية والجنسية منذ انقلاب حمد بن خليفة.. استغلال الفتيات الصغيرات في الدعارة.. ضبط ابنة رئيس وزراء قطر خلال ممارستها لجنس الجماعي.. ملامح الحكم تتخبط بين المنفي وتدخلات النساء
Nascar legal saga ends as 23XI, Front Row secure settlement
West Fargo volleyball coach Kelsey Titus resigns after four seasons – InForum
23 عاما من الفضائح السياسية والجنسية منذ انقلاب حمد بن خليفة.. استغلال الفتيات الصغيرات في الدعارة.. ضبط ابنة رئيس وزراء قطر خلال ممارستها لجنس الجماعي.. ملامح الحكم تتخبط بين المنفي وتدخلات النساء
-
Sports3 weeks ago#11 Volleyball Practices, Then Meets Media Prior to #2 Kentucky Match
-
Motorsports3 weeks agoNascar legal saga ends as 23XI, Front Row secure settlement
-
Motorsports3 weeks agoSunoco to sponsor No. 8 Ganassi Honda IndyCar in multi-year deal
-
Sports3 weeks agoMaine wraps up Fall Semester with a win in Black Bear Invitational
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoRoss Brawn to receive Autosport Gold Medal Award at 2026 Autosport Awards, Honouring a Lifetime Shaping Modern F1
-
Rec Sports3 weeks agoWNBA’s Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers in NC, making debut for national team at USA camp at Duke
-
Motorsports3 weeks agoRick Hendrick comments after the NASCAR lawsuit settlement
-
NIL3 weeks agoNike Signs 10 LSU Athletes to NIL deals
-
Rec Sports2 weeks agoStempien to seek opening for Branch County Circuit Court Judge | WTVB | 1590 AM · 95.5 FM
-
Rec Sports3 weeks agoEast Bay woman who embezzled $1.6 million from youth charity sentenced to prison