Throughout Big Game Motorsports’ history, there’s been a quiet, reliable presence working hard to help ensure Tod Quiring’s cars remain some of the fastest in the country.

While a handful of drivers have come and gone, crew member Pete Stephens has almost always been there. He may have had some stints with other teams, but Big Game has remained a priority for 15 years.

That commitment led to him being tapped as the new car chief for David Gravel and the defending World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champions. He stepped into the role after Stephen Hamm-Reilly vacated the position at the end of the 2024 season.

Stephens’ path to becoming a car chief began in his home state of Washington. He’s from the town of Mount Vernon, which is just a 15-minute drive down I-5 from Skagit Speedway. Attending races with his family evolved into helping a local team to get his foot in the door.

“I started out at Skagit with Chad Hillier when he was young,” Stephens recalled. “He started in the Sportsman class out there. I just knew him through friends and everything and started working with him in the mid to late 90s, probably. I just kind of raced at Skagit with him for a long time.”

Eventually, Hillier got the opportunity to expand his operation nationally, which also allowed Stephens to hit the road for the first time.

“Chad got a chance to go out and run World of Outlaws stuff in 2007,” Stephens said. “I had a business back there at that time, and I always thought working on a World of Outlaws Sprint Car team was one of those things like, ‘Oh man, if I could do anything, that’s what I would do.’ So, he got a break to go run that stuff, and I just kind of called him one time and asked if he knew anybody looking for help because I’d maybe like to go try it, and he said they were. It was basically him and Tyler Swank at the time, so I went out with those guys for a bit and liked it.”

The business Stephens mentioned is part of what instilled his work ethic. He started a hoof trimming operation for cattle, which makes Sprint Car maintenance feel easy by comparison.

“You’re usually up by five-thirty or six in the morning,” Stephens said of a regular day in the hoof trimming business. “You usually got half an hour to an hour drive to your job site. You set up, and you’re usually there for eight to 10 hours, and you’re physically moving non-stop because in the hoof trimming world, if you’re not moving, you’re not making money. You’re physically working most of the day. We did dairy cows, and with the farms getting the size they are, it’s a very labor-intensive job.”

The time on the tour allowed Stephens to make some connections and led to working with one of the sport’s legends in 2009. Sammy Swindell was driving for Tom Rolfe, and Stephens joined the crew. The next domino to fall was heading to Lonnie Parsons’ team with Danny Lasoski in late 2009. Oddly enough, that’s where Stephens first met current Big Game crew chief Cody Jacobs as they both worked with Barry Jackson on the No. 6. The following year, Swindell joined forces with Big Game, and Stephens reunited with “Slammin’ Sammy” in Quiring’s camp for what became a hugely successful stretch.

“That was a lot of fun when Sammy got into that deal,” Stephens said. “We had a good time. We finished 2010 and started 2011 with a pretty light crew. There was only two of us, me and Scott Green was the kid’s name who did tires and stuff like that. That was a lot of fun, 2010, ’11, ’12. We won a lot of races and had a good time.”

Stephens worked for a different team following the run with Swindell but was quickly back in the Big Game shop, this time on Craig Dollansky’s car. But he wasn’t done with Swindell as Stephens returned to the No. 1 team in 2014.

In the late 2010s, Stephens made the decision to head home and focus on business as well as raising his child, but it wasn’t long until involvement with Big Game was back on his calendar. When Cody Jacobs went to the team in 2020, the two talked, and Stephens returned part-time, a period that birthed a nickname.

“Once Cody got here, the joke was kind of that I would only go to the big events,” Stephens said with a laugh. “My one friend Nate, he nicknamed me “Big Money Pete.” So, yeah, I’d go to the larger events and help out and stuff like that.”

Fast forward to the off-season heading into 2025, and Big Game was looking for a full-time car chief. Originally, Stephens had no plans of being on the road this season, but the team’s first candidate backed out. So, Stephens agreed to help get them ready for the season opener and navigate the opening portion of the season. But one thing led to another, and he agreed to come aboard for the entire season of their title defense.

It’s been the right move so far as the No. 2 team has been all but unstoppable in 2025. They’ve already piled up eight wins, 17 podiums, and 23 top fives through 27 races. Their average finish is third, and their worst result is seventh. Gravel owns a healthy 188-point advantage atop the standings.

There’s no doubt Big Game Motorsports is at the height of their powers. The team’s history features many successful chapters, but none quite as impactful as the last four-plus years since Gravel came aboard. Stephens has been around for nearly every step of the way, and he remains a key contributor – a rewarding journey for a Washington kid who wanted more than anything to work with a World of Outlaws team.

“It’s been pretty cool to see it built,” Stephens said. “So many people don’t realize how hard it is. These things are built over time. I don’t care how much money you’ve got; spending money is not going to win a race. It’s people. It’s engines. It’s all the small things that have to come together and work. It’s been really neat to kind of watch Tod and Cody. I mean, I knew Cody when he was in his mid-20s and have watched him grow into this and do what he’s done with Tod. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Stephens, Gravel, and the entire Big Game Motorsports team continue their quest for back-to-back World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car titles this week with four races in five nights. First up is Minnesota’s Jackson Motorplex on Wednesday, June 4, for the FENDT Showdown. Then, the Badger State Triple takes teams to three Wisconsin tracks in three nights with visits to Plymouth Dirt Track (June 6), Beaver Dam Raceway (June 7), and Angell Park Speedway (June 8) on the calendar. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

DIRTcar Series PR

Trackhouse Racing announced today that 18-year-old Connor Zilisch will drive the No. 87 Red Bull Chevrolet in NASCAR Cup Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 28 and the road course at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on Aug. 10.

“It’s awesome to have the opportunity to race two more times in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Zilisch. “Nothing beats experience in this sport especially at the Cup level. Thanks to everyone at Red Bull and Trackhouse for this opportunity.”

Zilisch made his Cup debut on March 2 on the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) road course in Austin, Texas. He ran well but finished 37th after an accident sidelined him midway through the race. Most recently, Zilisch made his second Cup start on May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, scoring a respectable 23rd-place finish in the 600-mile race. Darian Grubb, who served as crew chief for the Zilisch at COTA and Charlotte, will lead the team at Atlanta and Watkins Glen.

Zilisch, a Trackhouse Racing development driver, is racing full-time in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports. He scored his first Xfinity victory of the season at COTA on March 1, and one day later, he made his Cup Series debut. Zilisch ranks fifth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver standings and leads all drivers with three pole positions: COTA, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, and Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway.

Zilisch stormed onto the NASCAR racing scene in 2024. He compiled an impressive resume that included winning his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen International, two Craftsman Truck Series poles, victories at the Rolex 24 in Daytona, the Twelve Hours of Sebring, four ARCA races and a CARS Tour event.

Red Bull is Trackhouse Racing’s official energy drink and a primary partner on Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 88 Chevrolet.

Trackhouse Racing PR

For the first time after a Cup points race, NASCAR will honor the top three finishers with a podium celebration next weekend in Mexico.

While podium celebrations are common in other forms of racing, including Formula One and IndyCar, NASCAR celebrates only the winner in its U.S.-based series.

The only time NASCAR has had a podium celebration in Cup was for the Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum exhibition races from 2022-24. That was done in a nod to the historic venue having hosted the Olympics. The top three drivers received medals — gold for the winner, silver for second place and bronze for third place.

NASCAR will have podium celebrations for the top three finishers for its Xfinity Series and Cup Series races June 14-15 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. That weekend will represent the first international Cup points race since 1958.

“For this historic weekend, it felt appropriate to recognize the heritage of Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and give a nod to the traditional international motorsports celebrations,” NASCAR stated to NBC Sports. “There are currently no plans for podium-style celebrations following the Mexico City event.”

The NASCAR Mexico Series also will have podium finishes after its races June 13-14 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as it does for all its races.

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to one of its fastest tracks this weekend with a trip to Michigan International Speedway.

While podium finishes are not an official statistic for NASCAR, Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson each have had the most top-three finishes this season. Both have six in the first 14 Cup points races of the year.

Bell has three wins, two runner-ups and a third-place finish. Larson has three wins, one runner-up and two third-place results.

Denny Hamlin and William Byron are next with five podium results each. Hamlin has two wins, two runner-ups and a third-place finish. Byron has one win, three runner-ups and a third-place result.

Ryan Blaney, who won last weekend’s race at Nashville Superspeedway. completes the top five. He has three podiums, scoring one win, no runner-up results and two third-place finishes.

DGM Racing and driver Ryan Ellis are expanding their partnership with Tablo TV as NASCAR returns to Mexico City. The sponsorship now includes an in-car camera at primary races, enhancing viewer engagement and excitement. This initiative will launch at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Kansas Speedway, and Talladega Superspeedway. Tablo TV aims to provide fans a behind-the-scenes look during broadcasts, ensuring a thrilling experience. Ellis expressed enthusiasm for contributing to this historic NASCAR event and connecting with passionate fans in Mexico.

By the Numbers

• Race scheduled on June 14 at 4:30 p.m. ET at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
• Tablo TV provides access to 125+ local broadcast and streaming channels subscription-free.

State of Play

• NASCAR’s return to Mexico City has generated significant international buzz.
• Tablo TV has revamped its car design with brighter colors inspired by Mexican communities.

What’s Next

As the event approaches, heightened anticipation is expected among fans and teams alike. The success of the in-car camera initiative could pave the way for similar sponsorships in future races across diverse locations. Additionally, this could enhance the overall viewing experience and attract more fans to the Xfinity Series.

Bottom Line

Tablo TV’s innovative sponsorship breaks new ground in fan engagement, making their partnership with DGM Racing and Ryan Ellis a significant leap forward for NASCAR broadcasting. Aiming to connect more closely with viewers, this collaboration could redefine how fans experience live racing events.

Carson Hocevar was the talk of the NASCAR Cup Series following his dust-up with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at Nashville Superspeedway this past weekend. Dale Earnhardt Jr. made sure to have a couple of words with the young wheelman following the race.

On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download, the NASCAR Hall of Famer shared what his advice to Hocevar was. It was a poignant statement, and we’ll see over the next couple of weeks if the message sunk in for the Spire Motorsports wheelman.

“I told him after the race, I said, ‘You’re going to win a shit-ton of races.’ I was like, ‘I think the world of you and your talent, but there’ll be times in that booth when I’m just gonna have to say — you know, call it like I think I see it,’ and some drivers do not like that,” Earnhardt Jr. stated. “My buddy, Martin Truex Jr. just gets so annoyed with me. I couldn’t really tell though, because he hardly communicated either way. But we would have some conversations. He’s like, ‘Man, why do you say that?’ I’m like, ‘Well, I got to. You know, it’s kind of what’s happening right now with you.’ But some guys don’t mind it and some guys do.

“Carson’s response to all of that was, ‘I’m just glad you’re talking about me.’ I kind of wanted to use that reference that dad said many years ago, they need to either be cheering you or booing you. When they don’t — when you get up there and they don’t do anything, you’re in big trouble. So, you’ve got to be a driver that’s making or getting a reaction, for fans to have real connection, real value to the sport and the industry and your partners.”

Alas, Hocevar has shown immense speed in 2025, but many within the motorsports world aren’t too keen on his aggressiveness week-in and week-out. Whether he dials it back or not remains to be seen, but he’s continuing to make enemies throughout the season.

It’s led to some solid finishes though. Just look at his runner-up run this past weekend in Nashville. He’s fast, and the wins will come, but he’s not making any friends in the process.

Time will tell when Carson Hocevar gets to Victory Lane, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. recognizes the young man won’t have much help from the field if he continues racing this way. If the past is any indicator though, he might not care very much about that.

The red, white and blue will be traveling 400 miles this weekend in Michigan, all thanks to Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

The Hyak Motorsports racer will be representing Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer on his No. 47 Chevrolet this Sunday at Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400, and his car will be American flag-themed.

“We didn’t get the result we were after in Nashville, and that’s frustrating for sure. But this team’s got heart. We’ve put in the work this week, and we’re heading to Michigan with a clean state and a fast Real American Beer Chevy,” Stenhouse said in a release.

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Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will drive an American flag-themed car this weekend, thanks to Real American Beer. (Real American Beer / Fox News)

“Brother, Michigan knows how to go full throttle, and so does Real American Beer,” Hogan said in a statement of his own. “We’re back on the track, back in the fight and there’s no better time to crack one open and let it rip.”

Real American Beer CEO Terri Francis added, “The partnership with Hyak Motorsports underscores Real American Beer’s commitment to the NASCAR community, especially in markets where beer drinkers are seeking alternatives with real identity and American-made values.”

Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer hit the shelves at Walmart less than a year after launching. (Real American Beer / Fox News)

2025 NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS: KYLE LARSON, CHRISTOPHER BELL FAVORED

Jimmy Hart, aka “The Mouth of the South,” will be trackside bringing the heat and handing out the cold ones. He’ll be repping Real American Beer all weekend with a megaphone in hand. If you’re in the infield, you’ll hear him before you see him.

Hogan’s brand was founded in June 2024 and is available in 27 states, quickly becoming a fan favorite among beer drinkers who live for race days, tailgates and flag-flying weekends.

Stenhouse, a two-time Xfinity Series champ, was unable to finish the Cracker Barrel 400 in Nashville Sunday, and he continues to struggle. He has just two top 10 finishes and ranks 18th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings this year.

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan is hoping to unite the country with the launch of Real American Beer, a premium American-made light lager. (Real American Beer)

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He’s hoping he can drink some Real American Beer in victory lane, a spot he landed after the 2023 Daytona 500.

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