Andretti Global, a racing team under the TWG Motorsports umbrella, announced today that longtime partner Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS), a global leader in 3D printing hardware, materials, software and services, has extended its multi-year partnership with the team as the Official 3D Printing Partner of Andretti INDYCAR.  

Since 2018, Andretti INDYCAR’s technical partnership with Stratasys has supported its engineering and production efforts through in-house industrial 3D printing systems and services, including the Stratasys F370 and Fortus 450MC machines. Advanced materials and capabilities from Stratasys have helped the team accelerate prototyping, tooling, and part production, including an RVB cooling shroud that cools the pneumatic shifting valve block, a steering wheel setup beam that holds the steering system during setup, helmet cooling adapters and a damper spring perch tool, among many others. 

In addition to the printers, materials, software and services that Stratasys provides, the 3D printing solutions leader will also play a key role in designing an optimized state-of-the-art 3D printing lab inside the team’s new headquarters. As part of the extended agreement, Stratasys branding will remain visible on the sides of the tire ramps on each of the Andretti INDYCAR Honda entries.  

RICH GARRITY, CHIEF COMMERCIAL BUSINESS OFFICER, STRATASYS

“Our continued partnership with Andretti Global highlights the critical role of additive manufacturing in advancing motorsports innovation. We’re proud to support the Andretti team with cutting-edge 3D printing technologies that help drive performance, speed up development, and give them a competitive edge on and off the track.” 

SCOTT GRAVES, ENGINEERING MANAGER, ANDRETTI GLOBAL

“The expansion of our partnership with Stratasys will significantly enhance our additive capacity and capabilities at Andretti Global. Armed with their latest industry-leading technologies, we can push the limits of what’s possible in additive manufacturing. Faster turnaround times, more complex geometries and higher-quality parts will be essential in meeting the extreme demands of INDYCAR racing.” 

Austin Hill has been suspended by NASCAR for one week and will be forced to miss the Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway. This comes after he appeared to intentionally right-hook Aric Almirola into the outside wall at Indianapolis, causing a violent crash.

Almirola moved Hill out of the way in the battle for fourth, and despite pulling off an impressive save, Hill then appeared to swerve to the left and turn Almirola head-on into the outside wall at the high-speed oval. Thankfully, no one was injured in the accident. Hill was held for five laps during the race for reckless driving, and at one point, he started throwing expletives at NASCAR over the radio.

This suspension will also severely hinder Hill’s chances of winning a championship later this year. Per NASCAR’s new waiver policy for 2025 (which RCR will surely request, or Hill will become ineligible for the playoffs), missing a race due to a suspension will result in the loss of all playoff points — both present and future. Hill had 21 bonus points but they will all be lost now and he will start the postseason with zero points.

Watch: Hill makes contact with Almirola, sending Almirola hard into the outside wall

Hill, who drives for Richard Childress Racing, denied that the contact was intentional, but the team has chosen not to appeal. Austin Dillon, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for RCR, will pilot the No. 21 car at Iowa.

“Richard Childress Racing will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to the No. 21 team following the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” an official statement read. “We remain focused on winning a championship with Austin Hill in 2025.”

NASCAR described this as a behavioral penalty, citing Sections 4.3.A; 4.4.B & D of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct.

In a country where saunas and hockey are religion, the state-owned gambling monopoly Veikkaus has always enjoyed a sacred kind of visibility. But in recent months, the company has gone on an aggressive sponsorship spree — slapping its name on arenas, jerseys, and TV rights — just as Finland prepares to open its sports betting market to international competition for the first time in history.

Industry watchers aren’t surprised. With Veikkaus set to lose its monopoly in 2027, the company is taking no chances. It’s locking in decade-long deals with some of Finland’s most beloved sports institutions, effectively future-proofing its presence in a market that’s about to explode.

The Alternatives Are Coming

With the 2027 reform approaching, many Finnish bettors are already preparing for change. New licensed sportsbooks are expected to bring competitive odds, wager-free bonuses, VIP programs, and fewer restrictions on things like live betting and payment methods.

And while Veikkaus may have the legacy, fresh operators will have the tools to attract curious players looking for better value.

That’s where betting comparison portals, like Vedonlyöntisivut come into play. By aggregating the best licensed offers and promotions for the Finnish market, they provide a transparent alternative to the default option Veikkaus has long been.

Jokerit and Veikkaus Join Forces Until 2031

In May, Veikkaus announced a multi-year partnership with Helsinki-based ice hockey club Jokerit, one of the country’s most iconic teams. The agreement extends through 2031 and includes exclusive ticket offers, fan events, and co-branded promotions — making Veikkaus more than just a sponsor; it’s part of the team’s DNA.

“I’m truly happy about the partnership we’ve signed. Both Veikkaus and Jokerit have a proud history, which gives us a strong foundation to build new and meaningful things together. The near future presents major opportunities for both of us — to promote better gaming and to become even more relevant to our key audiences” said Reija Laaksonen, Veikkaus’ Director of Communications and HR.

The announcement came just as Jokerit eyes a return to Finland’s top hockey league after years of turbulence and exile from the KHL. Veikkaus, in essence, is betting big on the comeback story — and making sure it’s written in their font.

Helsinki’s Biggest Arena Becomes Veikkaus Arena

Just weeks after the Jokerit deal, Veikkaus unveiled its most symbolic sponsorship yet: naming rights to Helsinki’s flagship indoor venue, formerly known as Hartwall Arena. From September 2025 onward, it will be known simply as Veikkaus Arena.

The arena is expected to host concerts, esports events, and international tournaments, but its real power lies in optics. For many Finns, it’s the most visible sports stage in the country. Now, it’s a 15,000-seat billboard for Veikkaus.

Critics have pointed out that the move feels defensive — a fortress built before the siege begins. But supporters see it as smart brand positioning. With offshore betting giants eyeing Finnish players, Veikkaus is anchoring its name in places no competitor can easily reach.

Betting on Team Finland

Hockey isn’t just a sport in Finland — it’s the heart of national identity. That’s why Veikkaus’s recent extension of its partnership with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association is perhaps its most calculated move yet.

The deal, which runs until 2030, covers not only the men’s and women’s national teams but also the under-20 program and the Aurora women’s league. It includes financial support, co-branded campaigns, and exclusive betting content during international tournaments.

For players, the funding ensures continuity. For Veikkaus, it’s brand embedding at a national level — aligning itself with every gold medal moment, every Olympic dream, every “Suomi!” chant echoing in living rooms and sports bars.

NHL Rights on Lock via VeikkausTV

And if that wasn’t enough hockey, Veikkaus is also the official NHL betting partner in Finland. Through VeikkausTV, the company holds streaming rights to over 700 NHL games per season until 2026.

For customers, this means access to live games tied directly to in-play betting opportunities — a seamless funnel from viewership to wagering. For Veikkaus, it’s one more exclusive asset that no new operator will be able to match in the short term.

It’s not just about betting — it’s about total immersion. You watch, you bet, you win (or lose), and you do it all inside the Veikkaus ecosystem.

A Defensive Masterclass?

On paper, Veikkaus’s pre-emptive strike looks like a PR masterclass. While international operators scramble to apply for Finnish licenses and localize their offerings, Veikkaus is doubling down on its strongest advantage: being everywhere.

From arena signage and national teams to NHL coverage and fan perks, the company is creating deep emotional and experiential bonds that are notoriously hard to break — even with better odds or juicier bonuses elsewhere.

The strategy is clear: own the story, not just the sportsbook.

Final Whistle

Veikkaus knows exactly what’s coming — and it’s not waiting around. With an arena, a hockey team, a TV channel, and the national squad under its wing, the monopoly is building a moat of loyalty and visibility that could outlast regulation itself.

But 2027 will bring new rules, new players, and new expectations. And for Finnish bettors, that might finally mean a real choice.

Weedsport Speedway hosted one of their biggest weekends of the year, welcoming the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars Sunday for the Empire State Challenge, held the day after the annual Hall of Fame 100.

Stewart Friesen, who has been dominant at Weedsport, delivered yet another win in Saturday night’s 100-lap Hall of Fame feature, his 52nd career Super DIRTcar Series win.

“The 52 was the track champion here in 1972 with my (grandfather),” Friesen said in a DIRTcar release. “So that’s pretty cool.”

In the past year, no one has been able to beat Stewart Friesen in a Super DIRTcar Series feature at Weedsport Speedway.

Friesen charged past defending series champion Mat Williamson on lap 57 to take the lead, forging the decisive pass en route to his second straight Hall of Fame 100 win.

Williamson started on the pole and left Darren Smith to battle with Jack Lehner. Matt Sheppard, Tim Sears Jr. and Friesen were charging.

The pace quickly found the first breaking point on lap 5. Friesen was attempting to pass Todd Root and swapped to the high groove. That real estate was also trying to be claimed by Tim Sears Jr. Contact sent Sears into the concrete, and ended his night. Friesen’s car was unharmed.

Lehner moved to second on the restart, with Friesen and Sheppard working on Smith for third. With Sheppard following Smith low, Friesen found clear sailing on the top, passing both on lap 29 to secure third. While navigating slower traffic, Williamson and Lehner gave up ground to Friesen. While passing Matt Stangle’s machine, Lehner left the bottom open and Friesen pounced to second. Stangle then slowed, and drew the second caution.

Williamson pulled away on the restart. Quickly catching slower cars again, he was mired in traffic on lap 55. With the leader trying to pass a lapped car high, Friesen found the bottom open again and struck. Mirroring his pass on Lehner, Friesen dispatched Williamson for the lead on lap 57.

From there, he went to the checkers without challenge, taking his third straight win in Super DIRTcar Series action at Weedsport. The race paid $10,000 to win.

Friesen locked into Super DIRT Week 53 after winning at Selinsgrove. Thus, Williamson pocketed the trickle down starting spot in the Whittaker Cars 200. Williamson also cut Alex Yankowski’s overall point lead to just two points; Yankowski was fourth. Sheppard finished fifth.

Sheppard raced to third ahead of Yankowski and Outlaw Speedway winner Alex Payne rounded out the top five.

Mike Welch took the $1,000 prize in Saturday’s 30-lap Empire Street Stock Series feature. Marc Minutolo positioned himself to challenge Welch — he had won the last Empire Street Stock Series event at Weedsport last fall — but the Welch machine improved in the late going and raced away to the win. Luke Boom rallied to second in the final circuits, leaving Minutolo third ahead of Brandon Sherwood and CJ Guererri.

The CRSA Sprints were rained out at the end of the program, and a make up date is being explored.

Sunday, David Gravel won the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Empire State Challenge, leading the field to the green straight through to checkers, winning from the pole. Racing a feature that was under 13 minutes in duration, Gravel scored the win over Michael Kofoid and Sheldon Haudenschild. Carson Macedo was fourth ahead of Cole Macedo. It marks Gravel’s 11th win of the year, and adds to his points lead over Kofoid; the duo each have 43 starts thus far. Gravel has owned Weedsport, with this standing as his third straight win, and fifth in six starts. In 2022, Gravel won on July 30 and Donny Schatz won on July 31 when the Empire State Challenge was contested as a two-day event. Weedsport Speedway and the World of Outlaws announced the 2026 edition will be back to the two-day format. Zach Sobotka raced to ninth in his World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series debut.

In Modified action, Erick Rudolph won the 40-lap feature, starting outside the front row. The win was worth $3,000. Larry Wight drove his machine to second, backing up his win from earlier in the weekend at Brewerton. Mike Mahaney took third overall, with Matt Sheppard and Jimmy Phelps rounding out the top five.

The Hall of Fame 100 weekend festivities included the 33rd annual inductions to the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame, honoring drivers Duane Howard, Dale Planck and Billy Van Pelt, car owner Vinny Salerno, mechanic Tommy Conroy, promoters Charlie and Joyce Cathell, historian Fred Voorhees, and Woman in Racing honoree Jane Cella.

Next, the Super DIRTcar Series will visit Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, QC, on July 28-29, racing in the two-day King of the North program. Both nights will highlight a 75-lap feature paying $10,000-to-win and offering a guaranteed spot in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 at Super DIRT Week. Then, on July 30, the series heads to Brockville Ontario Speedway for the Canadian Classic

Touring series

Davie Franek scored the Empire Super Sprints’ victory at Outlaw Speedway during Friday’s Summer Nationals program. Franek has consistently been a contender at Outlaw Speedway, and leveraged that experience to win the 25-lap main from the outside pole. Franek was chased by Dalton Rombough, Dylan Swiernik, Jordan Poirier and Shawn Donath. The feature was contested without interruption for on-track an incident.

In the co-headline, Alex Payne tallied a modified victory after 30-laps of racing. Will Shields was second, leading Pat Ward at the line while Tommy Collins and Bobby Varin filled the top five. Justice Mayo won the Sportsman feature. Rodney Morgan scored the IMCA NY Penn Modified Series win over Keith Lamphere and Tyler Belcher. In full-fendered action, Glenn Whritenour scored a win in the Street Stock feature, taking the checkers by 2.7-seconds over Gene Sharpsteen after 20 laps of work. Willy Easling was third ahead of Brett Crawford and Jimmy Grant. Craig DeCamp won the Four-Cylinder feature, taking the 20-lap race over Zach Daugherty and Mike Stone. Derrick Puryear was fourth ahead of Connor Erick.

Wednesday, Josh Pangrazio won his fourth Les Whyte Top Gun Shootout in Street Stock action held at Land of Legends Raceway during the Ontario County Fair. Pangrazio ties a record with his fourth, having previously won in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The win is his second of the year at Land of Legends Raceway. He has won 16 times this season, pairing additional victories at Genesee and Ransomville. The Top Gun Shootout was contested as part of the Empire Street Stock Series.

Pangrazio took the win ahead of Marc Minutolo and Rick Crego. Damian Long was fourth and Mike Welch posted a fifth-place finish. Nathan Peckham recorded a popular Hobby Stock win, holding off Blane Smith in the 20-lap feature. Tyler Burnell, Craig Dingy and Kevin Schrader filled the top five. Tom Fletcher wheeled a Mike McLaughlin replica to the win in the Modified Vintage Classic 12-lap feature, topping Johnny Hill and Todd Burley. Jipp Ortiz drove a 1984 Troyer decked out in Merv Triechler’s No. 58 livery to the win in the Sportsman Classic Feature. Loren Lincoln worked through a damaged clutch to take the true vintage division win after finishing seventh overall in a Sammy Reakes’ No. 111 machine.

Land of Legends Raceway was scheduled to be off Saturday in lieu of the Ontario County Fair. The half-mile oval will roar back to life this Saturday, featuring a full card of Big-Block Modified, Sportsman, 305 Sprint, Street Stock, Hobby Stock and New Legends Sportsman action. Kids Power Wheels races will also be on the card.

Area results SATURDAY

Alan Fink pocketed a Modified feature win at Fulton Speedway Saturday night. Fink won from third, taking the 35-lap modified feature over Amy Holland and Billy Dunn. Marshall Hurd was fourth and Corey Barker was fifth. Emmett Waldron started on the pole for the DIRTcar Sportsman Series Central Region feature, and delivered a winning performance in the 30-lap main. It is Waldron’s first series win; Jason Parkhurst was second ahead of Tony Finch II, Tyler Corcoran and Kyle Perry. Belle Hogan won the Novice Sportsman feature, with Chris Darling and Kingston Sprague giving chase. Jerry Lobdell scored the 15-lap Hobby Stock feature win over Ron Hawker and John Pietrowicz.

Oswego Speedway was scheduled to be off, hosting the Jeffrey Earnhardt Driving Experience Saturday. The 5/8-mile oval will reopen for a Fast Friday test session on August 1, and then host their annual Retro Night on August 2. The Retro card features Twin 40s for the Supermodifieds, Twin 20s for the GTR Super Stocks and the 350 Supers. For more details, visit www.oswegospeedway.com

FRIDAY

At Brewerton, Larry Wight delivered a win in the 35-lap Modified feature. Tim Sears Jr. was next after 35-laps. Matt Caprara, Darren Smith and Jeff Taylor filled the top five. Ryan Barrett won the 25-lap Sportsman feature from the pole, holding off Michael Button and Brett Sears. Owen Bird and Cody Manitta were next. Mike Mullen tallied another Mod Lite win, collecting the checkers after 20 laps. He was followed by Roger Olchewske, Joe Isabell, Thomas Mackey and Jacob Dupra. Nathan Powers won the Four Cylinder Super Stock feature over Chris Bonoffski and Jack Taskey.

Billy Dunn won the 25-lap 358-Modified feature at Can-Am Speedway, topping Tim Fuller. Fuller started outside the front row, and Dunn charged from sixth to wrestle the top spot away and hold on for the win. Lance Willix was third ahead of Shaun Shaw and Ryan Bartlett. Taylor Doxtater charged from ninth to win the 20-lap Sportsman feature. Paul DeRuyter was next, followed by Eir Nier, Owen Nier and Jessica Power. Andrew Hennessey and Josh Verne Jr. finished in the same order they started the 25-lap 602 Sprint feature, taking the win and second after sharing the front row. Bruno Richard settled for third. Jared Gilson won the 15-lap Thundercar feature and Caleb Howard scored a win in the 12-lap limited Sportsman main.

At Utica-Rome Speedway, Matt Sheppard picked up a popular Modified win over Alex Yankowski and Willy Decker; Rocky Warner was fourth ahead of Matt Janczuk. George Cushman won the Pro Stock feature, topping Decon Camenga and Luke Horning. Chris Darling scored a Limited Sportsman win. Jeff Connolly (DOHC) and Wayne Russell (SOHC) were triumphant in their respective four-cylinder features. Brody Janczuk (Juniors) and Brayden Ketchum (All Star) earned Slingshot wins.

Entering the Cup race at Indianapolis, Bubba Wallace was on the hot seat, holding the 16th and final spot inside the playoffs. He had just 16 points over the cut-line and the pressure was on, but he stepped up to the challenge in a big way. Wallace proceeded to take a wrecking ball to the playoff points battle, earning a surprise win in the Brickyard 400.

In doing so, Wallace became the 13th different driver to lock themselves into the playoffs. Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, and Chris Buescher are now the only drivers currently in the playoffs on points alone, but that could still change.

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RFK vs. RFK

Chris Rice, President of Kaulig Racing, Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford, Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford

So, what did that victory do to the playoff bubble? It’s now a fight between RFK Racing teammates, but it’s not a particularly close battle. Buescher holds the final spot, and he currently sits 42 points clear of teammate Ryan Preece with four races left in the regular season.

Both Buescher and Preece have lost valuable points due to penalties this year, as well. Preece was disqualified after a second-place finish at Talladega, while Buescher lost 60 points when NASCAR found a front bumper cover violation on the No. 17 Ford earlier this year.

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The only other drivers currently in the playoffs on points alone are Reddick at +138pts and Bowman at +63pts. While Reddick can feel fairly secure, Bowman is uncomfortable close to the bubble. There’s just 11 points between himself and Buescher, and should a new driver below the cut-line win one of the upcoming races, Bowman will be in real danger of missing the playoffs.

It’s win or nothing for most now

Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet, Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford

Below Preece, there’s really no one who is really close enough to realistically gain that many points over the next month. Kyle Busch is the closest driver to Preece, but he is over 80 points below the cut-line. Busch, and everyone below him, should be focused on one thing over the next four races – winning.

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There are several notable names in this uncomfortable situation, including Ty Gibbs, A.J. Allmendinger, Brad Keselowski, Daniel Suarez, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Cole Custer, the Dillon brothers, both Legacy Motor Club cars, all three drivers from Spire Motorsports and Front Row Motorsports, 23XI’s Riley Herbst, and Cody Ware in last place.

Read Also:

Stewart Friesen suffers fractured pelvis and broken leg in terrifying crash

When NASCAR drivers go too far: Why Austin Hill will likely face more penalties

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Winners and losers from a drama-filled NASCAR weekend at Indianapolis

How clever strategy and good fortune vaulted Bubba Wallace to a Brickyard 400 win

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

• In three NASCAR Cup Series starts at Iowa Speedway, Spire Motorsports has logged one top-15 finish. Carson Hocevar earned a team-best 14th-place finish in last season’s inaugural Iowa Corn 350. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet ZL1s in the Cup Series for Justin Haley, Michael McDowell and Hocevar, respectively.
• The Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol will be televised live on USA Sunday, Aug. 3 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 22nd of 36 points-paying races on the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series calendar will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

Justin Haley – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

• Justin Haley will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Gainbridge Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway.
• In last season’s inaugural Cup Series visit to Iowa, Haley started 19th and raced his way to a respectable 13th-place finish.
• Last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), the Winamac, Ind., native finished 11th, a venue best. He led 15 laps and survived multiple attempts at NASCAR Overtime to collect the result. He crossed the line behind teammate Carson Hocevar, who secured a team-best 10th-place finish at IMS.
• In the first 16 events of the 2025 Cup Series campaign, Haley tallied an average finishing position of 22.5. The No. 7 team has improved to a 17.83 average finish in the last six races, dating back to Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.
• Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.com or follow and connect with Gainbridge on X and LinkedIn.
• In three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Iowa, Haley recorded a venue best eight-place effort in July 2019. He finished 10th in his best of two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts at the 0.875-mile facility.
• Haley is one of just 41 drivers to have won races in all three of NASCAR’s National Touring Series. The driver of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevy has collected one win in the NASCAR Cup Series, four in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and three in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
• Haley is a veteran of 166 Cup Series starts and has notched one win, five top fives, 16 top 10s and led 118 laps in NASCAR’s premier division.

Justin Haley Quote
Coming off your best career result at Indianapolis, your home track, what are your thoughts heading into Iowa?
“Iowa was one of my favorites last season and I’ve always enjoyed racing there. I have raced at Iowa in all three NASCAR series and have good seat time there. We’ve had a good stretch lately with the No. 7 team and we’re building momentum each week. I feel like we are in position for a good result this weekend.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Ryan Sparks

• Ryan Sparks serves in a dual role as both Spire Motorsports Competition Director and crew chief for the No. 7 team. He and driver Justin Haley were first paired up at Kansas Speedway in September 2024.
• Sparks has called one Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway and is credited a top 25 in last season’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol.
• The Winston Salem, N.C., native has called 189 NASCAR Cup Series races where he’s earned three top-five and nine top-10 finishes.

Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

• Michael McDowell will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Delaware Life Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway.
• In last season’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event at “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet,” McDowell started 22nd and finished 23rd.
• The Glendale, Ariz., native tallied eight Xfinity Series starts at the 0.875-mile oval, collecting two top fives and seven top 10s, highlighted by a runner-up finish in August 2014.
• While transitioning from open-wheel racing to stock cars, McDowell made a pair of ARCA Menards Series appearances at Iowa in 2006 and 2007, finishing seventh and second, respectively.
• Bell Salvage will be featured as an associate sponsor for this weekend. The Ames, Iowa company, located just under an hour from Iowa Speedway, will be present on the rear quarter panels of the No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1.
• The No. 71 team earned a $100,000 payday and a trip to Victory Lane after winning the Mechanix Wear Pit Crew Challenge during May’s NASCAR All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. The crew’s blazing 12.587-second stop topped all entries for both the NASCAR All-Star Open and NASCAR All-Star Race, earning the title of the fastest team on pit road.
• The 40-year-old has claimed three Xfinity Fastest Lap awards this season, clocking the fastest lap in the Daytona 500, Phoenix Raceway and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. The team is one of three in the series to tally three or more bonus points via the program.
• The No. 71 team secured Spire Motorsports’ first Busch Light Pole Award at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. The 28.833-second lap marks the fastest lap in NASCAR’s seventh-generation Cup Series car (2022-present) at the 1.5-mile Nevada oval. Three weekends ago, the team also earned the first stage win in team history during the Grant Park 165 on the streets of downtown Chicago.

Michael McDowell Quote
What did you learn at Iowa last year and what are you expecting to see this Sunday?
“Iowa was great. It was a fun weekend. I’ve raced there a bunch in Xfinity and ARCA. Even in years when I wasn’t running full-time in Xfinity, I’d still do the standalone races for (Joe) Gibbs (Racing) or whoever.

It was honestly my best track in Xfinity from a results standpoint, but going back there last year—it was so different. The track had aged in some areas, but then there was new asphalt and patches. It was a very different racetrack.

It was still fun. Big crowd, big event. Going back this time, I think everyone is looking forward to having their cars drive a little better, getting over that bump in Turn 1 a little smoother, and not being so caught off guard by how challenging the track is. It’s another big opportunity for us.”

Atop the No. 71 Box – Crew Chief Travis Peterson

• Crew chief Travis Peterson calls the shots for Michael McDowell and the No. 71 team, and will stand atop the “war wagon” for the second time at the Newton-oval.
• During his time as an Xfinity Series race engineer at JR Motorsports, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte engineering graduate collected one top five and three top 10s, highlighted by a fourth-place result with Chase Elliott in May 2014.

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

• Carson Hocevar will pilot the No. 77 MINER Chevrolet ZL1 for Spire Motorsports in Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway. The event will mark Hocevar’s second NASCAR Cup Series start at the 0.875-mile track following a 14th-place effort in his first outing last year.
• Hocevar has made 11 Cup Series starts on tracks measuring less than one-mile in distance. His lone top-10 finish on short tracks came in August 2024 when he piloted his Spire Chevy to eighth at the 0.75-mile Richmond Raceway, a track that served as 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Rusty Wallace’s inspiration for the layout of Iowa.
• In the ARCA Menards Series, Hocevar started seventh and finished fourth in the 2019 Fans with Benefits 150.
• The Portage, Mich., native earned a 10th-place finish in last Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was the best finish for both Hocevar and Spire Motorsports at the 2.5-mile oval and marked the driver’s fifth top-10 finish of the 2025 season.
• MINER makes their third primary appearance of the season in Sunday’s race and second within the last three races. Miner Ltd. is the leading self-perform, national service partner for smarter, safer loading docks and a division of OnPoint Group. As the premier expert in loading docks, commercial doors and more, Miner’s team of best-in-class service professionals help large-scale facilities and Fortune 500-class companies mitigate risk and improve efficiency. With over 400 service professionals in more than 40 markets, Miner is the only company of its kind with a coast to coast footprint, offering the largest self-perform network in the country for supporting all doors, loading dock products, vehicle restraints and safety products, HVLS fans, service, aftermarket and more. Miner also supports end users, general contractors, architects, and developers, from ground-up developments to tenant improvement or extensive remodels. Learn more about how Miner delivers speed, consistency and results at https://www.minercorp.com.
• Carson Hocevar Quote
• How do you feel about the Cup Series’ second visit to Iowa Speedway?
• “I feel pretty good about it. We finished well there last year, and for the most part, we’ve been able to improve on those good finishes when we go back places. Iowa is a really fun track and the fans are always so excited when we come to town. It’s a great atmosphere that matches the racing on track.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Luke Lambert

• Like his driver, crew chief Luke Lambert will call just his second NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa this weekend.
• The Mount Airy, N.C., native has called 68 short track races over his 13-year career in the Cup Series, resulting in four top-five and 18 top-10 finishes.
• The 44-year-old has been atop the box for two previous NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Iowa, both coming in 2012. On May 20, 2012, Lambert led Elliott Sadler to the pole position and a runner-up finish. When the series returned to Iowa later that August, Sadler started from the pole and led 60 laps en route to the win.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fields the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and an ARCA Menards Series Chevrolet in select events.