Seven-Time Super Bowl Champion, Seven-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Pair Up for ‘G.O.A.T.’ Drive

Tom Brady, the winningest quarterback in NFL history with seven Super Bowl championships and the lead FOX NFL analyst, will ride in the Fastest Seat in Sports at the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, live on FOX. In fitting fashion, the Fastest Seat will be driven by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2022 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Jimmie Johnson.

In addition to his record seven Super Bowl championships, Brady is a five-time Super Bowl MVP (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI, LV), three-time Associated Press Most Valuable Player (2007, 2010, 2017), 15-time Pro Bowler (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009-2018, 2021), two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010), Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year (2009), three-time Associated Press First-Team All-Pro Selection (2007, 2010, 2017), three-time Second-Team All-Pro (2005, 2016, 2021) and Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year (2007).

He was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Brady was a two-time Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2005, 2021) and winner of the Bert Bell Award (2007), presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the player of the year in the NFL.

Brady joins a long list of celebrated INDYCAR Fastest Seat in Sports passengers as he leads the field to green in a custom INDYCAR SERIES car with a special back passenger seat. This high-speed, high-octane, super-charged thrill ride was taken by FOX MLB analyst and World Series champion Alex Rodriguez to open the season in St. Petersburg and has been taken by music superstars Lady Gaga, Diplo and Jon Bon Jovi, actors Mark Wahlberg and Simu Liu, and more.

Johnson, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, drove for Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 48 for 19 seasons of his NASCAR career. After he gives Brady the ride of a lifetime, Johnson will fly to Charlotte and make his 700th career series start in the 600-mile event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Johnson is the co-owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, which fields two entries in the NASCAR Cup Series and one part-time entry for Johnson in the No. 84.

Johnson co-holds the record with Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty for most premier series championships and is the only driver in NASCAR history to win five consecutive titles (2006-10). For two seasons, Johnson competed in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for Chip Ganassi Racing and qualified in the fourth row at the 2022 Indianapolis 500. Johnson is the only race car driver to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year (2009), an accomplishment that also ties him to Brady.

“I love the Indy 500,” Johnson said. “There is an energy and excitement around the ‘500’ that is unlike anything I have experienced before. Certainly, pre-race ceremonies are the ultimate racing experience that I’ve had outside of the car. I’m thrilled to be a part of the program and to see the stands full one more time. I’m extremely honored to come back and do it and to be able to also share this experience with another seven-time champion.”

Coverage of the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge begins at 10 a.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes and the FOX Sports app.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel racing series with drivers competing at speeds of 200+ mph across a thrilling and demanding set of ovals and road and street circuits. The full schedule is available here.

UNC Charlotte To Ride with Layne Riggs in Two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Events

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 14, 2025)- Front Row Motorsports and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte join forces in a partnership that will bring a new, bold look to Layne Riggs’ No. 34 Ford F-150 in two races for the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

UNC Charlotte’s branding will be featured at the North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, May 17th and then again at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, May 23rd.

For Riggs, the relationship with the University extends beyond the partnership. In 2024, Riggs earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University while also making his rookie debut in the Truck Series with Front Row Motorsports and earning NASCAR’s Truck Series Rookie of the Year.

“My education is something I take a lot of pride in,” said Riggs. “When I started my journey at Charlotte, I put a big emphasis on taking what I learned in the classroom and applying it to my racing career, something I still do today driving for Front Row Motorsports. Both my crew chief and my engineers have an engineering background, so when I joined the team, I was able to apply my degree in not only SIM sessions but also at the track to help them make the proper adjustments. I owe a lot of my success to my Alma Mater and my former professors, so it’s special to me that I get to represent them on track. Hopefully, I can make current students and professors proud with a trip to Victory Lane.”

“At UNC Charlotte, we don’t just teach motorsports, we’re crafting the future of racing,” said William States Lee College of Engineering’s Harish Cherukuri, Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering. “Layne Riggs is a shining example of what happens when you combine engineering expertise with passion and grit. His success, both in class and on the track, reflects the strength of our hands-on approach and our deep ties to the heart of the motorsports industry right here in Charlotte.”

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte will make their Truck Series debut at the North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday May 17th at 1:30 PM ET. Fans can watch the action live on FS1 or listen in from SiriusXM channel 90.

ABOUT UNC CHARLOTTE

More than 31,000 students choose to call North Carolina’s urban research university home. As Charlotte’s only R1 institution, UNC Charlotte drives innovation and discovery in one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. The University has an award-winning focus on student success, internationally recognized research and creative activity, and a deep commitment to community engagement and cultural vibrancy that makes it one of U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 Public Universities. Learn more about what’s great—only at Charlotte.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Legends are made at Indianapolis and a pair of sports legends will take to the track on the morning of the 109th Indianapolis 500. 

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Champion, former IndyCar driver and current co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, Jimmie Johnson will be driving the IndyCar two-seater, with Tom Brady as his passenger. The experience, dubbed ‘G.O.A.T. Ride’ will take place during the pace laps as the two legends will be in front of the pace car, leading the field to the green flag. 

Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl Champion, is currently the lead FOX NFL analyst and will join FOX colleagues such as Michael Strahan and Rob Gronkowski at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. 

Brady and Johnson share a similar accolade, even though they are in two different sports and disciplines. Both have been named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year with Johnson being the only race car driver to claim the award in 2009. Brady was awarded the honor in 2007.

Johnson is not a stranger to IndyCar as he made 29 starts over the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The 2022 season was Johnson’s best year, and only full time season. Johnson finished 21st in the points that year, adding three Top 10s and one Top Five finish, including a start in the 2022 “500”. Johnson relishes coming back to Indianapolis and share the experience with Brady. 

“I love the Indy 500,” Johnson said. “There is an energy and excitement around the ‘500’ that is unlike anything I have experienced before. Certainly, pre-race ceremonies are the ultimate racing experience that I’ve had outside of the car. I’m thrilled to be a part of the program and to see the stands full one more time. I’m extremely honored to come back and do it and to be able to also share this experience with another seven-time champion.” 

Johnson will be making his 700th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte later that night, with his team, Legacy Motor Club in the No.84 Carvana Toyota Camry.

Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) proudly announces the return of its prestigious SHEro Award program for the third consecutive year. Joining AdventHealth and Jostens in 2025, Mazda becomes the newest presenting sponsor, reinforcing WIMNA’s mission to highlight and celebrate the exceptional contributions of women within the motorsports industry.

Since its inception in 2023, the SHEro Award has recognized 36 outstanding women whose remarkable achievements inspire future generations. Each year, an esteemed panel selects one National SHEro Award recipient from among all nominees. The honoree is celebrated at WIMNA’s Women with Drive Summit presented by Mobil 1, scheduled for December 8–10, 2025, in Indianapolis.

Jostens, renowned as the official award provider for NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, and numerous other motorsports organizations, returns for the third consecutive year to create the distinctive SHEro Award trophies. “We have had the pleasure of honoring these women since the program’s inception and look forward to meeting the 2025 nominees and learning their inspiring stories,” said Curt Bruns of Jostens.

AdventHealth, which has supported the initiative since 2024, continues its presenting sponsorship this year. AdventHealth nominated three women in 2024, including Audrey Gregory, Ph.D., RN, Senior Executive Vice President and CEO of AdventHealth’s Multi-Division Delivery Network. Gregory was recognized for her trailblazing leadership, notably championing NASCAR driver Hailie Deegan and introducing Mothers Nursing Rooms at Daytona International Speedway.

“Motorsports demand resilience, precision, and teamwork—values we embrace at AdventHealth,” Gregory stated. “The SHEro Award isn’t just a trophy; it’s a tribute to those who break barriers and inspire the next generation.”

Mazda, joining the SHEro Award as a new presenting sponsor, has long supported women in motorsports through initiatives like the Mazda MX-5 Cup and Spec MX-5 Shootout. Mazda has generously donated $25,000 to support the program, announcing this significant contribution during a special Good Morning America segment highlighting their Prime Video docuseries, “First to the Finish.”

“We are proud to support WIMNA’s vital work and thrilled this donation will directly benefit the 2025 SHEro Award,” said Jonathan Applegate, Senior Manager, Mazda Motorsports North America. “We share WIMNA’s commitment to empowering women in motorsports and nurturing future female leaders.”

The first SHEro Award winner of 2025 is Sarah Smith, Chief Nursing Officer at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Kansas City and a member of the AdventHealth Care Center team at Kansas Speedway.

To nominate an extraordinary woman for the SHEro Award—whether a team member, track official, industry professional, or volunteer—visit womeninmotorsportsna.com/shero-2025. Each nomination includes the purchase of a customized, engraved SHEro trophy for $200 from Jostens, with proceeds supporting WIMNA programs. Nominations submitted by October 31, 2025, will be considered for the National SHEro Award. The selected national winner will receive complimentary registration for the Women with Drive Summit, paid travel and hotel accommodations, and an opportunity to speak at the summit.

Past national winners include Abigail Hempy, Powertrain Engineer at NASCAR’s Research & Development Center (2023), and Vicky Martinez Muella, founder of “Path to the Pits” (2024).

“It’s an incredible honor to recognize the extraordinary women of motorsports through the SHEro Award,” said Cindy Sisson, Executive Director of WIMNA. “The continued support from Jostens, AdventHealth, and now Mazda reflects the growing recognition and appreciation of women’s vital contributions in our industry. Celebrating these women is at the core of WIMNA’s mission.”

This story was originally published on May 14, 2025.

Students at Newton’s Thomas Jefferson Elementary School will get to interact with a NASCAR Cup Series driver this afternoon. Cole Custer drives the No. 41 Ford Mustang for the Haas Factory Team. He’s stopping by Thomas Jefferson Elementary this afternoon, before participating in the 2025 NASCAR Day Giveathon fundraiser at Iowa Speedway. The event raises money for the NASCAR Foundation. Newton School Superintendent Tom Messenger says Thomas Jefferson Elementary was chosen for Custer’s visit, because those students have been attending classes while construction of a building addition has taken place.

“The extra efforts that have had to go into the Thomas Jefferson families and kids. He’s actually going to ride one of the buses with the kids from the school to the administration building. Kind of a neat event for our kids and exciting, as well as a way to show our TJ building that we understand they have gone above and beyond this year.”

Due to the addition’s construction, Thomas Jefferson Elementary students are bused over to the district’s administration building at the end of the school day, and their parents pick them up there. 

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Overplay has partnered with Front Row Motorsports (FRM) for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, featuring Todd Gilliland’s No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. This collaboration marks Overplay’s first appearance on a NASCAR Cup Series car during the Coca-Cola 600, allowing fans to engage with the platform by creating games from videos. Founded by Dan Projansky and Caroline Strzalka, Overplay gained traction with its appearance on Shark Tank, securing a deal with Mark Cuban. The app boasts hundreds of thousands of downloads, enabling users to gamify their experiences easily.

By the Numbers

• Overplay app has hundreds of thousands of downloads.
• Millions of games have been played on the platform.

State of Play

• Overplay will debut on the No. 34 car at the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25th.
• Fans can play Todd Gilliland’s games for free at Overplay’s dedicated NASCAR site.

What’s Next

The partnership between Overplay and FRM is expected to enhance fan engagement during the NASCAR season, particularly with innovative game-making experiences for race fans. They aim to increase their brand visibility at major racing events, potentially leading to further collaborations in sports entertainment.

Bottom Line

This partnership revolutionizes fan interaction in NASCAR, combining gaming with motorsports to create unique experiences that empower fans and widen the appeal of both brands. Overplay’s approach positions them as a forward-thinking player in the interactive gaming landscape.