By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The International Hot Rod Association announced on Christmas Eve that it has purchased the former Memphis International Raceway and Memphis Motorsports Park. The closing occurred Dec. 23.

The facility had sat idle before the IHRA bought it. During the recent Performance Racing Industry event in Indianapolis, hints emerged that the Millington, Tennessee, track was being sold to the IHRA.

“This investment honors the legacy of Memphis Motorsports Park while positioning it for a strong future,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said. “IHRA’s acquisition reflects confidence in our region and creates new opportunities for tourism, local businesses, and fan experiences.”

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DraftKings Sportsbook’s betting odds to win this coming February’s season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway have shifted a number of times since the NASCAR Cup Series offseason began just over a month and a half ago.

From the get-go, Team Penske teammates Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano were listed as co-favorites to win the 68th running of the “Great American Race”, and they were later joined by teammate Austin Cindric, even ahead of two-time reigning race winner William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports.

However, things have changed again over the weekend, and with just over seven weeks to go until qualifying, Cindric is no longer listed as one of the favorites. In fact, his odds haven’t just shifted; he has dropped a bit down the order, as he is no longer even listed third behind Blaney and Logano.

Austin Cindric no longer a Daytona 500 favorite

Blaney and Logano are still listed at +1000, but the 2022 race winner, who nearly won it again in 2025 to break one of Richard Petty’s long-standing Daytona records, is now listed at +1200.

Byron, who had been listed at +1200, has moved up slightly and now finds himself at +1100. No driver has ever won the Daytona 500 three years in a row.

Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott are listed closely behind at +1400, followed by RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski, who is expected to be back in time for the race after breaking his right leg, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, the only active three-time winner, at +1600.

Rounding out the top 10 at +1800 are Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell.

Full Daytona 500 betting odds can be found here and are always subject to change.

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WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 01: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet looks on prior to practice for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has again raised interest in a possible return to the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, one of motorsports’ toughest endurance races.

Kyle Larson spoke about the topic during a recent appearance on the Dinner with Racers podcast, where he looked back on his experience at Daytona and explained why the event still matters to him. Larson last raced the Rolex 24 in 2016, but his comments confirmed that the door is not closed on another start if the right situation comes together.

Kyle Larson’s Past Success at Daytona

Kyle Larson’s history with the Rolex 24 began in 2014 and peaked in 2015. That year, he competed with Chip Ganassi Racing alongside Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, and Jamie McMurray. Driving a Riley-Ford prototype, the team dominated the race and completed 740 laps to earn the overall victory.

According to Joey Barnes of Motorsport.com, Larson explained that his interest in the race remains strong. “I think at this stage in my career, yeah, I’d do it again, said Kyle.” “I had fun those three years I did it. I didn’t want to keep doing it every year.”

Larson made three total Rolex 24 starts between 2014 and 2016. His overall win in 2015 remains one of the most notable crossover victories by a NASCAR driver in the modern IMSA era.

A Growing List of Commitments

Since his last Rolex 24 appearance, Kyle Larson’s schedule has become much fuller. He currently drives the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports and has won NASCAR Cup Series championships in 2021 and 2025. He also competes regularly in dirt racing and co-owns the High Limit Sprint Car series.

Larson acknowledged that managing those responsibilities is harder now than it was earlier in his career. “The offseasons have only gotten busier, Larson said, according to Barnes.” “There are more races and stuff. I go to Australia now, Chili Bowl, and West Coast Midget races. It’s just a lot, and I kind of want time off. But it’s been so long since I ran it that you almost get to the point where you forget a little bit about it, right? And I just remember having a blast doing that race, so I just want to go there and relive it.”

Even with that workload, Larson said being away from the Rolex 24 for so long has made him think about it more. He noted that memories from his earlier starts, especially the enjoyment of the event, still stand out.

What a Return Would Require

While Larson remains open to returning, he made it clear that any entry would need to be competitive. In the same Motorsport.com report, Larson said, “I want to be in the best car.”

Family considerations also play a role. Larson noted that his oldest child was a newborn when he won the race in 2015, and he said being able to share the experience with his kids now would add to the appeal.

The 2026 Rolex 24 is scheduled for January 24–25 at Daytona International Speedway. IMSA is expected to once again feature strong fields across its top classes. For now, no plans have been announced, but Larson’s comments confirm that a return remains a realistic possibility under the right conditions.

Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce

As the Formula 1 world gears up for the revolutionary 2026 regulations, a storm has brewed over Mercedes’ (and reportedly Red Bull’s) approach to the new power unit rules. Headlines scream “loophole” and “cheating,” with fans on social media branding Mercedes as repeat offenders.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

But strip away the hyperbole, and what’s left is a classic tale of F1 at its best: innovative engineering pushing the boundaries of the regulations—exactly within them.

The crux of the issue lies in the 2026 engine rules, which cap the geometric compression ratio at 16:1, down from 18:1 in previous years. This change was intended to simplify designs and attract new manufacturers like Audi. The regulations explicitly state that this ratio is measured under static conditions at ambient temperature—a procedure unchanged from prior rules and approved by the FIA in each manufacturer’s homologation dossier.

Related Article: Formula 1 News: Engine row erupts over ‘alleged’ 2026 compression loophole

Mercedes engineered their power unit to comply precisely with this measurement when cold and stationary. However, like any engine, thermal expansion occurs when it reaches operating temperatures on track. This natural phenomenon can effectively increase the compression ratio during actual running, potentially unlocking extra performance—estimates suggest around 10-13 horsepower, worth 0.3-0.4 seconds per lap on certain circuits.

Rivals Ferrari, Honda, and Audi cried foul, arguing the rule should apply “at all times,” including under hot conditions. They sought clarification from the FIA, fearing an unfair edge for Mercedes-powered teams (Mercedes, McLaren, Williams, Alpine) and Red Bull’s outfits.

Yet the FIA has stood firm: the rules are clear, measurements are at ambient temperature, and no hot-condition checks are mandated. Mercedes developed this in open dialogue with the governing body, receiving reassurance that their interpretation aligns with the wording. Changing the rules now—mere months before homologation—would punish innovation while rewarding those who didn’t spot the opportunity.

This isn’t cheating; it’s brilliance. Formula 1 has always rewarded the sharpest minds who exploit every gray area the regulations allow. Think of Mercedes’ dominant 2014 hybrid era, born from superior interpretation of complex turbo-hybrid rules. Or Brawn GP’s double diffuser in 2009, Red Bull’s flexed wings, or Ferrari’s infamous engine tricks in 2019. The sport thrives on this cat-and-mouse game between engineers and rule-makers.

Calling Mercedes “cheaters” ignores the essence of F1: design genius usually wins. Their engineers outsmarted the field by optimizing for real-world performance while ticking every regulatory box. If rivals missed this thermal dynamic, that’s on them—not Mercedes bending rules, but mastering them.

As engines homologate in early 2026, the grid may face a Mercedes advantage out of the gate. But that’s the thrill of a new era. Protests could fly, rules might tighten for 2027, but for now, this “loophole” highlights what makes Formula 1 unparalleled: the relentless pursuit of advantage through intellect and innovation.

In a sport where milliseconds matter, smarter engineering isn’t controversy—it’s victory.

🎄 Merry Christmas from AutoRacing1.com 🎅

As the holiday season races in, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our journey this year. Your passion for motorsports fuels everything we do, and we’re incredibly grateful for your continued support.

From all of us at AutoRacing1.com, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and high-octane Christmas. May your holidays be filled with warmth, laughter, and plenty of horsepower!

Here’s to a thrilling new year ahead — we can’t wait to cross the finish line with you in 2026.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

🏁
The AutoRacing1.com Team.

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (WMC) – The dilapidated Memphis International Raceway will see tires on the track again.

This week, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) closed on the property at 5500 Victory Lane, which is also known as the Memphis Motorsports Park.

It’s been closed since 2022 and currently sits empty.

Located in the neighboring City of Millington, the Memphis International Raceway has played a significant role in the national motorsports scene since its opening in the late 1980s.

“This is a special place in American motorsports,” said Darryl Cuttell, CEO of IHRA. “This facility has a deep history in drag racing and stock car competition, and our goal is to honor that legacy while building a strong, sustainable future. We are committed to bringing meaningful racing back to this property while expanding its role as a destination for a wide range of events that serve racers, fans, and the surrounding community.”

Under its new ownership, the track will operate as a multi-use destination for drag racing, car competitions, and more.

“Memphis Motorsports Park has long contributed to tourism and economic activity in Millington and Shelby County, and IHRA’s acquisition represents a positive step forward for the facility and the community. This investment supports the continued use of the track as a regional destination while creating opportunities for local businesses and future growth. The Millington Area Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with IHRA as this next chapter takes shape,” said Chris Thomas, executive director of the Millington Area Chamber of Commerce.

IHRA officials say facility improvements and operational preparations will begin in the coming days.

An event schedule has yet to be released.

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