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McDowell earns pole for crucial NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega

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TALLADEGA, Ala. — Michael McDowell might be competing for a new team this year, but the Spire Motorsports driver still proved himself one of the fastest at a superspeedway. He earned pole position for Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

McDowell turned in a lap of 182.466 mph in the No. 71 Chevrolet on Saturday afternoon to take the lead position in Sunday’s pivotal NASCAR Cup Series playoff race. It is the second of the three-race round that determines which four drivers will be championship-eligible in the Nov. 2 finale.

McDowell bettered playoff driver Chase Briscoe by a slight .019-second on his lap around the 2.66-mile track. It’s the eighth pole position of McDowell’s career and the second of the season, matching his work at the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March.

“You know Talladega for qualifying there’s not a whole lot the driver does but try not to make any mistakes,” said McDowell, the 40-year-old Arizona native who won the 2021 Daytona 500.

“We were looking forward to seeing where our car was at and if we made any gains from the first two superspeedway races. We didn’t know where we were at today just because we didn’t have the baseline (at the rained-out qualifying session) at Daytona (this summer). We’ve worked really hard to find some speed, everybody at Hendrick engine shop as well, just trying to catch up at these superspeedways.

“Having a fast car is important and being able to lead lanes and control lanes, you have to have speed to do that. The pole is awesome, but more important (is) just knowing you have a fast car going into the race tomorrow.”

Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch was third fastest in the No. 8 Chevrolet, followed by the Fords of Team Penske’s Austin Cindric, Roush Fenway Keselowski’s Ryan Preece and Wood Brothers Racing’s Josh Berry, all nonplayoff competitors.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell and Penske’s Ryan Blaney — both among the eight-driver playoff field — will start seventh and eighth followed by 23XI Racing teammates Riley Herbst and Bubba Wallace.

Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron, the regular-season champion, will roll off 13th in the No. 24 Chevrolet with Penske’s Joey Logano and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin starting 16th and 17th, respectively. Hendrick teammates Kyle Larson (19th) and Chase Elliott (25th) round out the playoff field on the grid.

HYAK Motorsports’ driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is the defending race winner and will roll off 37th in the 40-car field.





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Mason Maggio to Run Partial Schedule in DGM Racing No. 91

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DGM Racing has tapped Mason Maggio to join its driver lineup for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign, the team confirmed on Wednesday.

Maggio will get behind the wheel of the No. 91 Chevrolet in select events throughout the upcoming season, beginning with the February 14 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Sponsorship details and Maggio’s full schedule of events behind the wheel of an entry for DGM Racing will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I’m super excited and thankful for the opportunity to be driving for DGM Racing in 2026. It is really cool to be able to have the Florida driver work with the Florida team on a regular basis next year,” said Maggio. “A huge thanks to the entire team, my family, partners, and fans for their support and for making this possible. I’m really looking forward to a great season in the inaugural NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.”

The 21-year-old driver has made 47 starts across the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, competing for a number of different organizations. In 2025, Maggio had his biggest season yet, running 12 events in the second-tier series — including one for DGM Racing at Talladega Superspeedway, where he finished 22nd-place.

“We’re excited to welcome another driver from The Sunshine State to our racing family,” said Mario Gosselin, owner of DGM Racing. “Mason is a young, eager driver who isn’t afraid to put in the work to grow on and off track. His demeanor and professionalism at such a young age are refreshing, and I am impressed with his work ethic and willingness to learn.”

Maggio will be partnered with Josh Williams, another Florida-native, for the season-opener at Daytona. Williams was announced earlier in the off-season as the full-time driver of the No. 92 Chevrolet for DGM Racing. 

In 20 career starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Maggio has managed to put up a pair of top-20 results, both with Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen, at Daytona in the Summer (15th) and Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Fall of 2024.

Maggio also has a total of 27 starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series over the last three seasons, including three top-20 results — a 15th in the season-opener at Daytona for Hettinger Racing, an 18th at Talladega in the Fall of 2024, and a 20th-place finish at Nashville Superspeedway in 2023.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts season opener at Daytona International Speedway will take place on Saturday, February 14, at 5:30 PM ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.





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Liberty University Set for Return As A Byron Primary Sponsor

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As William Byron continues to chase his elusive first NASCAR Cup Series championship, he’ll officially have a longtime partner returning for another year of sponsorship. Liberty University will return to the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team as a three-race primary sponsor during the 2026 season.

The red, white, and blue Liberty University colors will first adorn Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, May 10. Liberty University will return as the primary in the crown jewel Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, and the company will round out its three-race schedule on Sunday, November 1 at Martinsville Speedway.

While the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet paint scheme features slight tweaks from last year, the basis of the paint scheme remains the same with white flames down the blue sides of the race car, and the No. 24 is easy to spot in red on the doors.

Of Byron’s 16 career NASCAR Cup Series wins, three have come with Liberty University serving as the primary sponsorship partner. Byron’s most-recent victory with LU’s colors on his car came at Texas Motor Speedway in the Fall of 2023.

Although Liberty University, which has partnered with Byron since his NASCAR K&N Pro East Series season in 2015, is returning for the 2026 season, the three-race slate marks a decrease in overall primary sponsorship races for Liberty University, and it’s the second consecutive season the university has shed some races aboard the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

In 2024, Liberty University was a 12-race primary sponsorship partner. However, in 2025, the university cut that commitment in half to a six-race primary sponsorship schedule. The Liberty University schedule would be cut in half again heading into the 2026 campaign.

Despite the decrease in Liberty University-backed races, don’t expect Byron, who has blossomed into one of the best drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, to be short on sponsorship in 2026. Byron, 28, comes into the 2026 season seeking his third consecutive win in the Daytona 500, a mark that would put him in a category of his own in the history of the iconic race, which stretches back to 1959.

Additionally, Byron will look to work his way into the Championship 4 for a fourth straight season in 2026. And who knows, with a change in scenery for the season finale (Homestead-Miami Speedway takes over the final race from Phoenix Raceway this year), perhaps it’s time for Byron’s breakthrough to hoist a Bill France Cup.

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Hamlin Blasts Larry McReynolds, SiriusXM Over Trial Coverage; Prime Video Reveals 2026 Chase Elliott Paint Scheme

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Denny Hamlin publicly unleashed on Larry McReynolds and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on X for the station's coverage of the antitrust lawsuit, which Hamlin felt was very one-sided.
Nigel Kinrade | LAT Images for Toyota GAZOO Racing

The antitrust lawsuit between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR may be over, but that hasn’t resolved all of the hard feelings and animosity within the sport. On Tuesday, Denny Hamlin blasted Larry McReynolds and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for what he perceived to be unfair coverage in the lead-up to the antitrust trial.

Responding to McReynolds’ post on X, where he was giving his followers a preview of what was on tap for his SXM show “On Track” for the day, Hamlin unloaded.

“Good morning,” Hamlin replied to McReynolds. “Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?”

Hamlin continued, “I believe it was ‘how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough and FRM wasn’t good enough’. Also how about ‘I don’t know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it’. Just to name a few examples.”

My, oh, my.

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Chase Elliott 2026 Prime Video paint scheme Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series
Hendrick Motorsports

Prime Video will return as a three-race primary sponsor for Chase Elliott in 2026, and on Tuesday, a refreshed paint scheme was revealed by Prime Video and Hendrick Motorsports.

In 2026, the Prime Video scheme takes a much darker look than a year ago. Elliott will pilot the car at Talladega (April 26), Texas (May 3), and the All-Star Race at Dover (May 17).

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Ross Brawn to receive Autosport Gold Medal Award at 2026 Autosport Awards, Honouring a Lifetime Shaping Modern F1

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London, UK – 17 December, 2025 – Multi-Formula 1 championship-winning team boss Ross Brawn will receive the prestigious Autosport Gold Medal at the 2026 Autosport Awards this January, recognising a lifetime of achievement that has shaped the competitive and cultural fabric of modern grand prix racing. 

The accolade, introduced in 2021 and previously awarded to Jean Todt, Roger Penske, and Sir Jackie Stewart, celebrates individuals whose service, leadership and innovation leave an enduring legacy for generations of fans and competitors. 

Brawn’s influence on Formula 1 spans more than four decades. He engineered Michael Schumacher’s championship success at Benetton and went on to mastermind Ferrari’s dominant era in the early 2000s, forging one of the most successful partnerships the sport has ever seen. 

In 2009, his own team, Brawn GP, stunned the world by winning both the F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in its only season, with Jenson Button’s title run becoming one of the most remarkable stories in the sport’s history. Widely regarded as one of the true architects of modern Formula 1, Brawn later played a defining role in shaping the sport’s current regulatory landscape and competitive future. 

The Autosport Gold Medal incorporates the Gregor Grant Award, honouring Autosport’s founder and the values that continue to define the sport today. In 2025, the Awards marked a milestone moment by recognising Bernie Ecclestone with a special 75th Anniversary Trophy, underscoring the legacy awards among motorsport’s most significant distinctions.  

Werner Brell, CEO at Motorsport Network, added: “The Autosport Awards are about celebrating the very highest achievers in motorsport. After recognising so many legends over the years, we’re delighted to be able to honour Ross Brawn in January. Ross has been one of the iconic figures of Formula 1 in the last 40 years. Starting out as an engineer he went on to lead the technical department at Benetton and won multiple world titles. His partnership with Michael Schumacher continued at Ferrari, where they dominated the sport in the 2000s. He then won the world championship with a team in his own name. I can’t think of a more worthy recipient for the Gold Medal. It should be a great night when he receives his medal honoured by his peers.” 

BUSINESS OF RACING NOMINEES REVEALED  

Alongside honouring icons of the sport, Autosport Awards also recognise the broader ecosystem driving motorsport forward – across innovation, commercial leadership, promotion, and fan engagement. 

Brand Partnership of the Year 

Brand partnerships continue to play a central role in how motorsport teams and series connect with audiences, deliver value, and build long-term brand equity. This year’s nominees reflect partnerships that have gone beyond visibility to drive meaningful engagement and storytelling across the sport. 

Nominees: Elemis (Aston Martin), Marriott Bonvoy (Mercedes), Santander (F1), Shell, IBM (Ferrari), Ford (Red Bull Racing) 

Promoter of the Year

From global destination races to heritage events with decades of history, promoters are increasingly responsible for shaping the live motorsport experience. According to the Motorsport Network x Formula 1 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, intent to attend in-person events is rising: 41% of surveyed fans who haven’t attended an F1 fan experience plan to do so in the future.  

The 2026 nominees recognise events that delivered strong attendance, commercial success, and continued investment in the fan experience. 

Nominees: Miami Grand Prix, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Silverstone, Singapore Grand Prix, Las Vegas Grand Prix 

Pioneering & Innovation 

As motorsport enters a period of rapid change, innovation is increasingly shaping how the sport is raced, regulated, and experienced. This year’s nominees reflect the ideas and initiatives actively redefining motorsport’s next chapter. 

Nominees: More than Equal, A2RL, Le Mans Ultimate, Formula E Pit Boost 

Ends 

About Autosport Awards  

A Motorsport Network event, the prestigious Autosport Awards are an annual celebration of excellence in motorsport, uniting champions and innovators from across the sport, from Formula 1 to MotoGP, Formula E, IndyCar, NASCAR, World Rally Championship and more. At the heart of the Autosport Awards are the fans, who vote on eight major categories, from Driver of the Year, to Rookie of the Year and Moment of the Year. This year, a new category, Creator of the Year reflects the rise of creator-led storytelling and the expanding influence of fan-driven voices in the sport. Since 2024, the Autosport Awards have been held at the iconic Roundhouse in London, with the 38th edition taking place on 21 January, 2026. 

About Motorsport Network  

Motorsport Network is the world’s largest independent motorsport and automotive media platform, reaching more than 40 million unique users each month and engaging over 15 million followers across its social media channels. Its portfolio includes leading global brands such as Motorsport.com, Autosport, InsideEVs, RideApart, Motor1, and GPOne. Motorsport Network connects fans, brands, and the wider motorsport community, partnering with companies worldwide on sponsorship, advertising, and event collaborations that shape the future of the industry. 

About Autosport Business Exchange  

Launched in 2025, Autosport Business Exchange (ABX) is a global event series that serves as the premier platform for strategic dialogue and networking in the motorsport industry. Following successful editions in London, New York and Monaco, ABX has brought together senior leaders from across the world of racing, featuring headline speakers such as Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, and Apple’s Eddy Cue. The U.S. debut of ABX in New York centred on the theme of The Rise of Racing in America, marking a major milestone for the series. The next edition will take place in London on the morning of 21 January, 2026, ahead of the Autosport Awards.

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Jade Avedisian signs ARCA Menards Series deal with Nitro Motorsports

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Another day and another Nitro Motorsports signing. Toyota development driver Jade Avedisian is the latest to sign on. Avedisian is a rising star in motorsports. She has done things on dirt that no other woman has ever done. Now, she’s running part-time in ARCA.

In 2023, she became the youngest female to make the Chili Bowl Nationals A-Main and the first female to ever make the podium in the prestigious event. She claimed the Xtreme Outlaw Series Midget championship in the same year. Avedisian also has a win in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model division from earlier this year.

Jade Avedisian made a few ARCA starts this year with varying success. Now, she is back for another part-time schedule as she continues to develop her skills as a driver. Nitro Motorsports has a deep and diverse group of drivers already signed on for next year.

There are many in NASCAR who believe Jade Avedisian is going to pan out as a legitimate talent. She is one of a handful of women who have come up through the ranks in recent years with aspirations of making a real career out of the sport. Isabella Robusto is running full-time with Nitro and is another young woman who is going to be competitive in 2026.

As Nitro Motorsports fills out its roster of drivers, we get a clearer picture of who will be on track next year. Taking over the Venturini Motorsports operation is going to be tough. It appears that they are going to field a healthy number of cars. Will one of their drivers win the ARCA Menards Series championship in 2026, and keep the Venturini winning tradition alive?

Jade Avedisian has already impressed so many

You will find that Jade Avedisian has earned herself plenty of fans already. She wins races, is a great role model for girls younger than her in racing, and is someone who is pretty easy to root for. With Toyota and Nitro Motorsports, she should be able to develop and take her time adapting to stock cars.

She’s already won and been competitive in Pro Late Models. The CARS Tour is as good a series as any to develop racecraft and talent in a stock car. It is interesting that Avedisian is going to a part-time schedule. With her dirt background, I’m surprised she isn’t racing more in stock cars for 2026. Still, it is a new challenge, and that’s exciting for the young driver.

“I’m really excited to take the next step in my career with Nitro Motorsports,” Avedisian said in a press release. “Nitro Motorsports has been a huge part of my growth and transition into asphalt competition. Each level has taught me something new, and now getting the opportunity to move into ARCA is something I’ve worked hard for. I know there’s a lot to learn with these cars and these tracks, but I’m ready for the challenge and grateful to have Mobil 1, Yahoo, and Toyota supporting this next chapter.”

Nitro Motorsports is positioning itself as the Toyota development ladder team. That is their purpose now that they have taken over the Venturini organization. Joe Gibbs Racing will have the 18 car with a young and talented driver, or multiple drivers. But Nitro has a full operation.

Nitro has karts, Toyota GR Cup, Trans AM A2, and now ARCA. From the ground up, essentially. Jade Avedisian is taking her next step in 2026 with Nitro. It could be an audition for a full-time ride in 2027.



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2025 DragChamp TD/TS Racer of the Year

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Darian Boesch wins 6 times in 10 finals to lead the DragChamp TD/TS Top 10 List, presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance

12/17/25 – Welcome to the 2025 DragChamp Top Dragster / Top Sportsman Racer of the Year Top 10 List presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance. We ranked the best racers of the year from the fastest sportsman classes. Read below to see which racers made the biggest impact over the 2025 season.

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Want to check out previous Top 10 Lists, click here.

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DragChamp Top 10 List

1 – Darian Boesch

Darian Boesch wins six times in ten final round appearances to earn the 2025 DragChamp TD/TS Racer of the Year title. Boesch went to five finals in both his Top Sportsman Camaro and his Top Dragster winning three times in each category. His 2025 Top Sportsman campaign ended with him earning his second Top Sportsman world championship.

2 – Casey Plaizier

Casey Plaizier captured the 2025 Top Dragster championship in dramatic fashion by winning the NHRA World Finals to claim the championship. Casey was a perfect three for three in final rounds in his championship run which also earned him the Division 6 championship.

3 – Michael Chitty

Michael Chitty drove to six final rounds on the season winning four times to earn the #3 spot. Chitty finished #6 nationally and won the Division 5 championship.

4 – Dan Lafferty

dan lafferty

Dan Lafferty made a run at the Top Sportsman championship but ended up 2nd in the world. Lafferty won four times in four finals on his way to the Division 6 championship.

5 – Jessica Eastburn

jessica eastburn

Jessica Eastburn led the Top Dragster standings on the last day of the season but ultimately finished in second place when Casey Plaizier won the final round at the World Finals. Eastburn had a great season winning four times in four finals on her way to the Division 1 championship.

6 – David Cook

David Cook made a run at the Top Sportsman title but finished third nationally after winning three times in four finals. Cook also won the Division 7 championship.

7 – Doug Crumlich

Doug Crumlich won three times in four finals on the season to finish 4th nationally and 5th in the Division 2 standings.

8 – Jeff Brooks

Jeff Brooks won the Division 1 championship and finished 5th nationally after winning three times in four final round appearances.

9 – Jeff Strickland

Jeff Strickland earned the Division 1 title after winning twice in 2025. He also finished 5th in the national standings to earn a Top 10 List spot.

10 – Jim Prevo

Jim Prevo closes out the TD/TS Top 10 List. Prevo won two of his three finals which helped him finish 4th in the national standings and third in the Division 3.

Let us know what you think about the DragChamp Top 10 List. We want to hear from you. Check us out on Facebook and share it with your friends.

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And remember, look for our DragChamp Top 10 List nominations Facebook post every Monday evening. You can nominate your favorites in the comments of the post for consideration on the list.

DragChamp is your online source for sportsman drag race results, news, and updates.





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