Motorsports

It’s Time to Get Loud for BJ McLeod

Published

8 months ago

May 22, 2025

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is gearing up for its hometown race at Charlotte Motor Speedway this Friday (May 23).

While Corey Heim is expected to be the favorite yet again (who’s surprised at this point?), there’s one driver who has everybody talking.

Fan favorite BJ McLeod will join the field for his first Truck Series start since 2021, and he does so in what is by far the best equipment of his 16-year NASCAR career.

In a surprising announcement, Spire Motorsports signed McLeod to drive its No. 07 truck at Charlotte, with sponsorship from Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster. McLeod is the owner of Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, which is set to open sometime in 2025.

The attraction, located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has been featured on McLeod’s Cup Series car this season.

He will have three teammates he probably never imagined he’d have: Andres Perez, the 2024 ARCA Menards Series champion; Rajah Caruth, a proven Truck Series winner; and Kyle Busch, a three-time champion (two Cup, one Xfinity) with over 200 race wins across all three of NASCAR’s national Series.

McLeod has spent most of his career, especially recently, as a team owner. He owned BJ McLeod Motorsports in the Xfinity Series up until early 2024, when McLeod ran four races of the 2024 season before focusing on his Cup team, Live Fast Motorsports. McLeod co-owned LFM with Matt Tifft until the team sold its charter at the end of 2023. At that point, Tifft exited ownership in favor of focusing on returning to the racetrack.

McLeod and Joe Falk (former owner of Circle Sport Racing) now run part-time in the Cup Series, competing mostly on the superspeedways in an unsponsored, jet black No. 78 Chevrolet. Though if sponsorship comes along, McLeod has been open to running the car more — such is the case with Katherine Legge, who will run a total of six races with LFM thanks to sponsorship. McLeod will continue to run his normal six superspeedway races.

The sale of LFM’s charter is important to the story, because McLeod and Tifft made $40 million off of the sale of its charter. Who bought the charter from the team?

Spire Motorsports.

The same team giving McLeod undoubtedly his best shot to win a race in NASCAR.

McLeod and Spire have worked together before — he made two starts for the team back in 2020. But Spire was nowhere near the competitive team in 2020 that it is now. That third charter, plus the purchase of Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series, elevated the team to a weekly contender in the Truck Series and knocking on the door of wins in the Cup Series (aside from Justin Haley’s massive upset at Daytona International Speedway in 2019).

McLeod has become a fan favorite because of his laid-back demeanor and his commitment to being an owner-driver. The phrase “Get Loud for McLeod” has become popular on social media whenever McLeod makes news.

Fans will certainly be loud for McLeod on Friday night. But the big question is: What can McLeod do with the opportunity?

It’s easy to say he ought to be able to go out and win, but it’s not as simple as that. Yes, McLeod has race-winning equipment, but given this is the first time we’ve seen him in competitive equipment, we don’t exactly know how well he’ll be able to wheel it.

Lest we forget the tale of Corey LaJoie, who filled in for Chase Elliott in the Cup Series in 2023 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Elliott was suspended for the race and LaJoie got the opportunity to drive Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 9 in a one-off. LaJoie finished a dismal 21st, not really making many moves throughout the day. The replacement in his own ride, Carson Hocevar, worked his way up from the back into the top 15 before a brake failure ended his day.

Sometimes, drivers get their shot in good equipment and don’t do anything in it. And rarely do they get second chances.

That being said, McLeod will certainly take care of his equipment — being an owner-driver himself with a limited budget, McLeod knows that tearing up equipment is the last thing he wants for himself or his team.

Spire’s No. 07 is currently sixth in the owners’ standings, with a win courtesy of Kyle Larson at Homestead-Miami Speedway. But in 10 races this season, it only has three top fives and four top 10s — not exactly mind-blowing stats for the team. However, the No. 07 is leading the Spire fleet in the point standings — the No. 7 is 10th, Caruth’s No. 71 is 15th and Perez’s No. 77 is 24th.

Realistically, a top 15 will be a solid night out for McLeod — a top 10 would feel like a victory. McLeod only has two career top 10s (both in the Cup Series). Adding a third with the equipment he’s in would be amazing — especially when you consider he hasn’t set foot in a truck since 2021.

While McLeod will certainly be more focused on savoring the moment and making the most of what is currently his only scheduled start with Spire, one has to wonder what the future could hold for him. Does a good finish net him more starts with Spire? Does another top team give him a call to run its truck or Xfinity car?

Spire still has 12 races available in its No. 07 truck, and nine in the No. 7 truck, that haven’t been announced (as both trucks are all-star trucks for the team) — a good finish could certainly give McLeod another opportunity with Spire, and with the funding he brings from Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster, he could potentially find his way into another race regardless of the result.

They say winning fixes everything, though. If McLeod were to pull off a stunner in Charlotte? It would be a party in Concord, N.C., as well as Wauchula, Fla., McLeod’s hometown, and everywhere else fans “get loud for McLeod.”

We’ll find out on Friday night if McLeod has a career-changing night at 41 years old.

McLeod and 33 other Truck Series competitors take to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, May 23. Coverage begins at approximately 8:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (for those who watch television) and the all-new NASCAR Racing Network on SiriusXM Channel 90.

Truckin’ Tidbits

The Truck race at Darlington Raceway has a new title sponsor. The Aug. 30 race will now be known as the Sober or Slammer 200.
Spencer Boyd heads to Charlotte with a brand-new sponsor, this time teaming up with Canal Coffee Co., who will sponsor Boyd’s No. 76 in the series’ home race.

Anthony Damcott joined Frontstretch in March 2022. Currently, he is an editor and co-authors Fire on Fridays (Fridays); he is also the primary Truck Series reporter/writer and serves as an at-track reporter. He has also assisted with short track content and social media, among other duties he takes/has taken on for the site. In 2025, he became an official member of the National Motorsports Press Association. A proud West Virginia Wesleyan College alum from Akron, Ohio, Anthony is now a grad student. He is a theatre actor and fight coordinator in his free time.

You can keep up with Anthony by following @AnthonyDamcott on X.

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Published

13 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

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Motorsports

Jimmie Johnson Returns to NASCAR Trucks for First Time Since 2008 in Emotional San Diego Homecoming

Published

21 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Ever since retiring from the sport, Jimmie Johnson has shifted to several other ventures, including team ownership. The owner of Legacy Motor Club has recently invested a significant amount of time in growing the team and taking it to new heights. Along with that, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion has also been behind the wheel from time to time.

However, there is one format where Johnson has not appeared for almost two decades now – the Craftsman Truck Series. After a long hiatus from the format, Johnson has finally announced his return to trucks, and this time, it will be quite emotional for him.

Jimmie Johnson’s Return to the NASCAR Truck Series

When NASCAR announced its schedule for the upcoming season, one of the biggest highlights was the inaugural race in San Diego. The Naval Base setup for the contest only made it that much interesting.

Now, Johnson, who is a California native, was thrilled by the announcement and had hinted at his return behind the wheel for the contest. However, the seven-time champion had not given an official word until recently.

Johnson will participate in multiple contests in the San Diego weekend, starting Friday, where he will pilot the No. 1 Toyota Tundra Pro for Tricon Garage. Following which, he will drive the No. 84 Toyota for his own team, Legacy Motor Club.

WELCOME SEVEN-TIME!@JimmieJohnson returns to the @NASCAR_Trucks for the first time since ‘08 to take on San Diego in the No. 1 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6blyQhnHQ6

— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) January 8, 2026

As for the 50-year-old’s sponsorship, Carvana, an e-commerce platform for buying and selling cars that has been a partner of Johnson and his team, will once again support the NASCAR icon in both his ventures over the weekend.

Johnson Shares His Thoughts on Running in San Diego

The California native, who was quite excited to run on the 3.4-mile track, shared his thoughts in his statement after the announcement. Johnson began, “Racing in San Diego means everything to me – it’s home. Getting behind the wheel of a Truck Series entry has been on my mind for a while.”

Following this, he described what it meant to race in his hometown and added, “The competition is incredible, and doing it at a historic street race on a Navy base in my hometown? That’s special.”

ALSO READ: Jimmie Johnson Bypasses Daytona 500 Qualifying With Guaranteed Entry Under NASCAR Rule

The NASCAR legend even thanked his sponsor and Tricon garage for making the venture possible. He said, “I’m grateful to TRICON and Carvana for making this happen, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to honor our military and celebrate where I’m from.”

Johnson’s return to the track will undoubtedly be an iconic moment, especially since it is in California, and given that the seven-time champion has been away from the Truck Series for a while.

The contest in San Diego, California, is scheduled for Juneteenth and will kick off with the Truck Series race on June 19, broadcast live on FS1 and NASCAR’s SiriusXM Radio.

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Motorsports

Viking Motorsports Adds Primary Sponsors

Published

29 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Viking Motorsports announced two major partnerships that will anchor the team’s expansion to a two-car operation in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

DUDE Wipes will continue its long-standing relationship with Anthony Alfredo on the No. 96 Chevrolet, while FUNKAWAY extends its partnership with Parker Retzlaff on the No. 99 Chevrolet.

Both partners will serve as the primary sponsors for their respective drivers to kick off the season at Daytona International Speedway for the United Rentals 300 on February 14.

For the 2026 campaign, DUDE Wipes will serve as the primary partner on the No. 96 Chevrolet for over 10 races.

“We have built something truly special with Anthony over the last seven years, and it’s been incredible to watch him grow as a driver while our brand has grown alongside him,” said Ryan Meegan, Co-Founder and CMO of DUDE Wipes. “Viking Motorsports is building a serious program, and we are thrilled to be part of this next chapter with Anthony and the No. 96 team. We can’t wait to get down to Daytona and keep the momentum rolling.”

FUNKAWAY, the extreme odor eliminator brand, returns for its fifth year partnering with Parker Retzlaff.

“Parker has been a fantastic ambassador for FUNKAWAY since day one, and it is exciting to see him take this next step with Viking Motorsports,” said Kyle Bolke, President of FUNKAWAY. “Our partnership has always been about performance and reliability—values that Parker demonstrates every time he gets behind the wheel. We are proud to be on the No. 99 car at Daytona to start our fifth season together.”

The announcement solidifies Viking Motorsports’ commercial foundation as it fields two full-time entries in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome DUDE Wipes and FUNKAWAY to the Viking Motorsports family,” said Jeremy Lange, General Manager of Viking Motorsports. “To have two partners with such deep roots in NASCAR and long-standing loyalty to Anthony and Parker speaks volumes about the character of our drivers and the potential of our program. We are honored to carry these brands on track and look forward to a successful season ahead.”

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Motorsports

NASCAR sets the date for the new playoff format announcement

Published

37 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

On Monday, NASCAR is set to announce the 2026 championship format

The 2026 NASCAR season is set to begin in just a few weeks. Yet, we still don’t know the playoff format.

Throughout 2025, NASCAR had a committee put in place to discuss possible changes to the format. The committee then gave suggestions to NASCAR itself.

The NASCAR playoff format will be changing for the 2026 season.

At first, just one person on the committee was open to a full-season championship. However, more people became open to the discussion as time went on.

However, at the end of the day, it’s still NASCAR’s decision. And, we’ll find out on Monday what the plan is for 2026.

Details

The following is from a NASCAR press announcement

When:
Monday, January 12
3:30 p.m. ET

Post-Announcement Show:

A special ‘Inside the Race’ studio show will be streamed following the formal press conference.

Watch Live:

Press conference and ‘Inside the Race’ show will be live streamed on NASCAR.com, NASCAR YouTube and The NASCAR Channel.

Dale Earnhardt Jr confirms change to 2026 NASCAR playoff format

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Motorsports

IMSA to rule with an iron fist in 2026

Published

46 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

IMSA has introduced a stringent new rule for the 2026 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season that effectively prohibits teams, drivers, manufacturers, and associated personnel from publicly criticizing or commenting on the Balance of Performance (BoP) process.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The clause, buried in the updated sporting regulations released in early January 2026, mirrors a similar policy implemented by the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2023 and has been dubbed a “gag order” by observers.

Article 2.2.3.a of the 2026 regulations states: “Manufacturers, Competitors, Drivers, Constructors, and any persons or entities associated with their entries must not attempt to influence the establishment of the Balance of Performance (BoP) or make any public comments regarding the BoP process, methodology, data, or outcomes, including but not limited to statements made through traditional media, digital media, or social media platforms.”

The rule goes further by granting IMSA sole discretion to determine violations “regardless of intent,” with penalties possible at any time—before, during, or after events. This broad authority underscores the sanctioning body’s firm control over discussions surrounding BoP, a tool used to equalize performance among diverse manufacturers in classes like GTP and GTD.

The policy aligns IMSA closely with the WEC, where a comparable rule has largely silenced direct public complaints, though teams have resorted to euphemisms—such as referring to BoP as “she who shall not be named.” In the WEC, the only notable enforcement came in 2024, when Toyota Gazoo Racing received a suspended €10,000 fine for comments deemed critical of the process’s transparency.

IMSA’s move comes despite the series historically facing fewer high-profile BoP controversies than the WEC, where longer race formats amplify performance discrepancies. In 2025, IMSA adjusted its BoP methodology mid-season in response to Porsche Penske Motorsport’s early dominance in GTP, aiming for faster convergence through data-driven changes. President John Doonan described the process as “transparent” and focused on “enlivening the field.”

The timing of the rule’s announcement—just weeks before the Roar Before the Rolex 24 and the season-opening Daytona 24 Hours—has raised questions in the paddock. While no official team statements have emerged criticizing the clause (perhaps tellingly), social media reactions from insiders highlight concerns over restricted speech, with some comparing it unfavorably to expectations of IMSA’s more open culture compared to the FIA.

Critics argue the rule shields BoP decisions from scrutiny, even as ongoing collaborations between IMSA, the ACO, and FIA aim for a “simpler” performance management system in 2026. Proponents see it as preventing undue influence and maintaining focus on racing.

As the 2026 season approaches, teams will navigate this new landscape cautiously, knowing that even indirect remarks could invite penalties under IMSA’s iron-fisted oversight of BoP discourse.

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Motorsports

Spire, McDowell Land Daytona Truck Sponsor

Published

52 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Spire Motorsports and Michael McDowell will partner with Tibbetts Lumber Company for the season-opening Fresh From Florida 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

McDowell will represent the family-owned organization when he makes just his fifth Craftsman Truck Series start and second at the “World Center of Racing.”

McDowell, a veteran of over 500 NASCAR Cup Series starts, is looking to capture his first series’ win at the controls of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST and add his name to the exclusive register of drivers who have earned victories across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series.

Florida-based Tibbetts Lumber Company has grown into the largest independently-owned lumber and building materials supplier in the Sunshine State, while building its legacy as one of the largest roof and floor truss companies in the Southeast. Founded in 1949 by Linton N. Tibbetts, the Tibbetts team members live by the core values of faith, family, employee growth and development, integrity, and stewardship.

“Tibbetts Lumber Co. is thrilled to be the primary sponsor of the Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Michael McDowell,” said Russ Hallenbeck, CEO of Tibbetts Lumber Company. “Being that we are headquartered in Florida, Daytona International Speedway has become a very special place for us come springtime. We are honored to be teaming up with Spire Motorsports and Michael this February.”

“I have a great deal of respect for the Tibbetts Lumber team,” said McDowell, “They’ve helped me on my own property and their team truly combines outstanding service with a high-quality product. It’s special to have them racing with us at Daytona, and earning a win in all three national series is something I’ve wanted to make happen for a long time. I think we’ll have a real opportunity to do that on Friday night in Daytona in our Tibbetts Lumber Chevy Silverado.”

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