Though still one of the leading factory GT drivers for McLaren in various championships around the world, Marvin Kirchhöfer took his first IMSA victory last year at the wheel of a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.

Kirchhöfer was the ’secret weapon’ for AWA (now 13 Autosport) when the Canadian team won last year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona in GTD, giving the Z06 GT3.R its first Daytona and GTD class win.

The German driver will be back in a Corvette this year in IMSA, running the three biggest endurance races of the season for the flagship Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports team. He recently completed his first test for the team, where he’ll team up with reigning IMSA GTD PRO champions Antonio García and Alexander Sims in the No. 3 Corvette.

“It was really nice being back behind the wheel of the Corvette, so I really enjoyed the test,” said Kirchhöfer. “I was generally quite impressed by the whole setup of the team. I got a nice welcome from my teammates as well. I already knew Nicky (Catsburg) from previous racing before, too. That was very nice and I really, really enjoyed working with them. Everyone has been very supportive and very helpful getting me up to speed within the team and getting reacquainted with the Corvette.”

His first real-world test was preceded by some driver-in-the-loop (DIL) simulator work with the team.

“I also had the DIL test a couple of weeks ago in Charlotte, which also was quite interesting,” Kirchhöfer said. “I haven’t been in a sim for quite some time. It’s not something that I’m used to. When I was younger, I used to do quite some development back in the day for DTM, but that was more than 10 years ago so it’s been a bit of a break for me being in a sim. But I really enjoyed it. 

“It was quite impressive, with how dedicated everyone was working during those three days. The first day was about getting me into a groove, and the second day Tommy (Milner) joined. There were quite a few nice bits of information that took from him. 

“The feedback from the DIL model was very impressive. It’s always a bit more difficult to get a feeling for adjustments in a simulator than in the actual real car because you are limited to only a few feedbacks that you can take. Most of them will be like visual feedbacks – you don’t really have the tire sound or the feeling of the tire scrubbing and all that. It’s not easy to really get it right every time, but I must say overall that it has been very good and very positive. Good preparation for the Rolex coming up in a couple of weeks.”

Outside of IMSA, where he’ll run at Daytona, Sebring, and Petit Le Mans (Road Atlanta), Kirchhöfer will continue with McLaren, heading up one of Garage 59’s new entries in the WEC LMGT3 class, and running in the Bathurst 12 Hour for Optimum Motorsport.

But with RLL Team McLaren surfacing as a late addition to the 2026 IMSA GTD PRO grid – one day after Kirchhöfer was revealed at Corvette Racing/Pratt Miller for 2026 – he’ll have to go through the unique circumstance of fighting against McLaren in America’s three biggest endurance races of the season.

“Hopefully we’ve done our parts and our work well and can make it a good 2026 Daytona 24 race,” he said of what’s to come with Corvette.

Share:

Makita U.S.A., Inc. and Pipes Motorsports Group (PMG) Suzuki are proud to announce a new technical partnership ahead of the 2026 SuperMotocross Championship. This collaboration reunites two iconic names in American motocross and supercross, bringing together Makita’s engineering excellence and Suzuki’s racing heritage through the PMG Suzuki program.

Under the agreement, Makita U.S.A. will serve as a technical partner to PMG Suzuki, supporting the team throughout the 2026 SuperMotocross season. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to performance, reliability, and innovation at the highest level of professional motorcycle racing.

Makita’s return to Suzuki racing represents a renewed alignment rooted in decades of motorsports success. The partnership reflects the continued growth and credibility of the Pipes Motorsports Group program, as well as Suzuki’s strong and competitive racing platform heading into the 2026 championship

“Makita has been a cornerstone partner in Suzuki racing for many years, and their return is meaningful. Having a trusted brand with such deep roots in our motorsport’s history rejoin the Suzuki family through the PMG program speaks to the credibility of the team and the strength of our racing platform,” said Chris Wheeler, Suzuki Motor USA Motorsports Manager.

For Pipes Motorsports Group, the partnership carries both professional and personal significance.

“Growing up as an aspiring racer, I always marveled at the accomplishments of the Makita Suzuki teams’ of the past. Our technical partnership for the 2026 season is a welcomed addition and the young kid in me is excited to see the red Makita logo back on a Suzuki motorcycle,” said Dustin Pipes, Team Principal of Pipes Motorsports Group.

“Makita’s return to Suzuki racing is more than a reunion—it’s a statement about innovation and a continuation of a winning legacy. We first teamed up 21 years ago to capture championships, and today it feels like we never left. Partnering again was an easy choice with a team that shares our relentless drive. Together with PMG Suzuki, we’re blending decades of engineering excellence with cutting-edge technology to push the limits of performance.” -Brent Withey, Vice President, Marketing.

As the 2026 SuperMotocross Championship approaches, Makita U.S.A. and PMG Suzuki look forward to building on a legacy of success while pushing the limits of performance and technology on the track.

There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel (please subscribe here) and like the Cycledrag Facebook page (Please like here) and more will be coming soon. Also subscribe to our NEW Youtube channel “Racing Jack” and Check back daily.

Share:

Chris Knight

Chris Knight has served as a senior staff writer and news editor for CATCHFENCE.com since 2001.

In his 20-plus years with CATCHFENCE.com, he has covered NASCAR’s top three national series, often breaking news and providing exclusive at-track content, including in-depth race weekend coverage.

He also offers insider coverage of the entire Motorsports platform, including the ARCA Menards Series.

In 2022, Knight became co-owner of CATCHFENCE.com.

In addition to his active duties at CATCHFENCE.com and other Motorsports-related endeavors, he is also a frequent contributor to SiriusXM Satellite Radio NASCAR Channel 90.

You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Knighter01 or on Instagram, Snapchat, or Threads at @TheKnighter01.

He can be reached by email at [email protected].

Tuesday mornings are a Dale Earnhardt Jr. cheat day.

It happens inside JR Motorsports. Earnhardt sits at a large rectangular wooden table to the right when you’re coming in the door. The room is outfitted with racing memorabilia and other trinkets. In addition to the table where Earnhardt takes up residence, there is another corner outfitted to look more informal, like a mini living room with different coloring, a side table between a lawn chair and a comfortable-looking armchair, a third corner with a smaller but taller wooden table and then a glassed-in engineering room.

For those unfamiliar, it’s the Dirty Mo studio and Earnhardt, alongside co-host TJ Majors, are recording The Dale Jr. Download podcast. And, as he describes it, cheating while doing so.

“We’re not the first voice you could hear,” Earnhardt tells RACER. “There are a bunch of different people creating content and we know that. So, I like that we get a couple of days to hear what everybody’s opinions are. It’s a little bit like cheating, because we can come in and already have an idea of what the temperature of the fan base is, or the reaction to whatever happened Sunday.”

Earnhardt admits the recording schedule leaves his opinion open to being swayed. Or if not swayed, at least opened up to perspectives and additional information he had not considered. The Dale Jr. Download or The Download, is recorded and released Tuesday.

The show drops after the release of The Teardown, another Dirty Mo show, featuring reporters Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi. There is also Door Bumper Clear, yes, of Dirty Mo that features spotter Freddie Kraft, Rick Ware Racing competitor director Tommy Baldwin, Earnhardt’s niece Karsyn Elledge and a guest. Denny Hamlin’s show, Actions Detrimental, usually comes out Monday, if not Sunday night, after a race. But in addition to the shows close to home, there is other NASCAR-related content dropping that Earnhardt might hear.

“We get an advantage going Tuesday and on the backside of a lot of stuff,” Earnhardt says.

The group tries not to take itself too seriously, as heard in the audio that makes it into an episode, where they rag on each other, with Earnhardt sometimes leading the way. On this day in late October, when RACER sat in as Earnhardt and Majors recorded the episode leading into championship weekend at Phoenix Raceway, that dynamic was on full display – including seeing what doesn’t make it into an episode.

The current version of The Download is arguably the strongest it has ever been, thanks to Earnhardt’s voice and presence. When the show started in the 2010s, back when Earnhardt was still a driver, he was nothing more than a voice memo used in an episode. Mike Davis, a longtime right-hand man of Earnhardt through various roles and now the president and executive producer of Dirty Mo Media, was the primary host alongside Taylor Zarzour, breaking down that weekend’s race from a Team Earnhardt perspective.

But the shift in Earnhardt taking more ownership of the show began when he retired and became an NBC Sports broadcaster. Earnhardt joined the show full-time alongside Davis and it expanded to a broader discussion on the sport, JR Motorsports, and weekend events. It’s now Earnhardt and Majors running things, as Davis has shifted to solely overseeing the company.

“I think it’s more important than we can even articulate that Dale Jr.’s opinions and voice are heard, even if Dale doesn’t think they are,” Davis tells RACER. “Is he comfortable? Has he embraced it? I’m not so sure he has. But to his immense credit, he has given that to us, and he brings it every single week.”

Earnhardt, of course, is one of the sport’s most prominent figures. People listen when he talks, and they want to know what he thinks as both a former driver and current team owner, and because of his history and passion for the sport.

There are times, though, when Earnhardt doesn’t feel the need to share his thoughts. The antitrust lawsuit is one example. Earnhardt battled his loyalty to the France family and what the sport has given him with trying to have sympathy toward Hamlin, Michael Jordan and Bob Jenkins. It created a few times when Earnhardt wanted to stay out of it.

“People were going on and on about either something I had said or the lawsuit or the show, and how I was in a bad (expletive) mood,” Earnhardt says. “Sometimes I’ve been in there, and I’ve said, ‘I don’t want to talk about this (expletive) today.’ So, I went on Reddit and said, ‘Y’all, sometimes I don’t want to do this.’ I don’t want always to go in there and sit down and go, ‘Here is what I think, everybody!’

“So, I don’t know that I’m comfortable, or have gotten more comfortable. I really don’t. Some days it’s easier to be there than others.”

Earnhardt is not naturally attracted to the spotlight, but has learned to lean into his role as interviewer and pundit.

Earnhardt does agree that he has a responsibility to use his voice.

“I care enough about the sport that when I’m really adamant or very passionate about something or a direction or change, I’m going to absolutely give my opinion,” Earnhardt says. “I don’t ever want to be a problem, but sometimes you just don’t agree with stuff, or you don’t like the direction we’re headed in, and you think it could and should be better. The show lets me say that, and my delivery sometimes isn’t the best, but I think I’m getting better at it.

“And I think I’m in a good spot now with NASCAR, where they are comfortable with my show being part of the ecosystem, and they know I’m always going to tell my opinion and not shy away from maybe saying some things they don’t love. But they feel like I’m an asset, or I’m a value, for the most part.”

A well-received segment of The Download is the guests Earnhardt talks to. Those individuals have come from across the garage, both current and former – some with ties to the Earnhardt family. If one were to track from early episodes onward, the evolution of Earnhardt’s style as an interviewer and a listener is clear.

“It’s a borderline miracle, because you think about the introvert, the shy guy,” Davis says. “He’s never been comfortable in big public settings or expressing his opinion.”

Earnhardt will receive notes from their resident historian and depending on the guest, Earnhardt will either take those notes and dive in or, when he sits down, he starts a free-flowing conversation. He credits his experience with NBC Sports for lessons he learned as an interviewer, including through seminars. Dan Patrick, a longtime sports broadcasting great, is another person Earnhardt follows.

The fundamentals are essential to Earnhardt, and he tries to focus on them rather than on how nervous he gets when asking questions. Nerves would lead to not having the next question ready, and Earnhardt would be in own his head, and he felt that usually led to a stale or unemotional conversation.

“What I try to do is listen to everything they are saying and find the next question in their answer,” he says. “That tends to produce the best reaction from the fans when they listen and are like, ‘This is a great show.’ Those are the ones where I was listening to the person and going, ‘Oh, wow. Why’d you do it that way?’ Or I’m listening to the answer, it brings curiosity and I lean into it.”

Admittedly, there are still people who come into the room that make Earnhardt nervous or anxious. Those are mostly non-racing-related individuals.

The segment serves in two ways. While the fans get to hear more about the sport or those from its history, Earnhardt is also learning. Sometimes, even about his own family or his father’s career.

“I think that’s probably the reward for me is the discovery,” says Earnhardt. “It’s like music. I love music and I love discovering a new song. … Discovery in music is so fun and motivating and that’s the way the podcasts are. It’s like, I’m going to go in here today, and I don’t know what I’m going to learn, but it’s going to be fun. We’re going to ask all the questions and try to drill down and get some good stuff out of them. And I don’t know what it is about the table or the room, but people just feel so comfortable, and we get to talking, and they open up.”

And at the heart of the show, or what Earnhardt hopes the content coming out of Dirty Mo is accomplishing, is just being a part of the conversation.

“I love what a lot of people are doing out there and I watch it,” Earnhardt says. “I ebb and flow with what I’m creating based on what I’m seeing outside of our business. But I try to find competition in everything, and that is what will motivate me.

“How do we win? How can we be better? How do we keep taking over market share and being the best?”

Steve Phelps, whose derogatory remarks about veteran team owner Richard Childress became public during the federal antitrust suit against NASCAR, has decided to relinquish his position as NASCAR Commissioner and step away from the sport, NASCAR announced.

In a statement released Tuesday morning, NASCAR said Phelps “made the personal decision to step away from the company and his role as Commissioner.” Phelps, who joined NASCAR in 2005, will “transition out of the company by the end of the month.” NASCAR said no successor would be named. His duties will be delegated internally through NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell and the executive leadership team. No other leadership changes were announced.

During the antitrust suit filed against NASCAR by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, an email Phelps sent during the more than two years of Charter negotiations said, “Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to nascar.”

Phelps testified for more than four hours on day seven of the antitrust trial that ended in a settlement on the ninth day of the legal proceedings. Phelps wasn’t in attendance the day the settlement was announced.

Richard Childress (left) and Steve Phelps at Darlington in April.

“Words cannot fully convey the deep appreciation I have for this life-changing experience, for the trust of the France family, and for having a place in NASCAR’s amazing history,” Phelps said in a prepared statement. “As I embark on new pursuits in sports and other industries, I want to thank the many colleagues, friends, and especially the fans that have played such an important and motivational role in my career.”

In Phelps’ 20 years at NASCAR, the sport transformed its annual schedule, reshaped its strategic vision, expanded its international footprint, secured long-term media rights and Charter agreements, and assembled a leadership team focused on building stock car racing’s future with the fan experience at its core.

“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France said in a prepared statement.

NASCAR Executive Vice Chair Lesa France Kennedy said in a prepared statement that in Phelps’ two decades at NASCAR, he had “balanced strong leadership and a consistent pursuit of excellence with a sincere commitment to our fans.”

“He has helped to bring fans some of the best, most unforgettable moments in our history, and most importantly, he’s laid an incredible foundation for continued growth and success for the entire sport,” Kennedy stated.

A North Carolina native, Deb Williams is an award-winning motorsports journalist who is in her fourth decade covering auto racing. In addition to covering the sport for United Press International, she has written motorsports articles for several newspapers, magazines and websites including espnW.com, USA Today, and The Charlotte Observer. Her awards include the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence, two-time National Motorsports Press Association writer of the year, and two-time recipient of the Russ Catlin award. She also has won an award in the North Carolina Press Association’s sports feature category.  During her career, Deb has been managing editor of GT Motorsports magazine and was with Winston Cup Scene and NASCAR Winston Cup Scene for 18 years, serving as the publication’s editor for 10 years. In 2024 she was inducted into the NMPA Hall of Fame. 

Steve Phelps resigned as NASCAR commissioner on Tuesday, bringing an end to his tenure with the league after 21 years. With Phelps out, NASCAR will officially move into a new era beginning with the 2026 season.

Reactions from across the sport have come in the aftermath of the news. Hendrick Motorsports, one of the longest-tenured teams in NASCAR, released a statement on social media.

“We thank Steve Phelps for his leadership and dedication to NASCAR over the past two decades,” the statement read. “He helped our sport navigate opportunities, challenges and periods of significant change while positioning it for the future. We appreciate his service and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

Phelps’ departure comes one month after NASCAR went to trial against Cup Series teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. The teams filed an antitrust lawsuit against the sanctioning body and its CEO Jim France, alleging monopolistic practices. The discovery process revealed several text messages and emails which raised concerns about Phelps’ leadership.

In an August 2023 text exchange with Brian Herbst, NASCAR chief media and revenue officer, Phelps said that longtime team owner Richard Childress should be “taken out back and flogged.” Phelps called him a “stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.” Phelps’ comments came after Childress publicly criticized the Next Gen car and the media rights deal that was still being negotiated. During his trial testimony, Phelps expressed regret over the text messages. He said he apologized to Childress even before the messages became public.

During the trial, Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris called for Phelps to step down or be fired. Bass Pro Shops is a major sponsor for the league. One day after Morris’ open letter, the two teams settled after eight days in court.

Steve Phelps out at NASCAR ahead of 2026 season

Phelps joined the league in 2005 as vice president of corporate marketing. He was promoted in 2018 to chief operating officer before being named the fifth NASCAR president later that year. Phelps became the league’s first commissioner in the spring of 2025.

Among his accomplishments, leading NASCAR to become one of the first leagues to return to action during the COVID-19 pandemic and finish its 38-race season. Phelps helped negotiate the 2025-2031 media rights deal, worth $7.7 billion.

“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders,” France said. “For decades he has worked tirelessly to thrill fans, support teams and execute a vision for the sport that has treated us all to some of the greatest moments in our nearly 80-year history. 

“It’s been an honor to work alongside him in achieving the impossible, like being the first sport to return during COVID, or in delivering the unimaginable by launching new races in the L.A. Memorial Coliseum and NASCAR’s first-ever street race in downtown Chicago. Steve leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and collaboration with an unrelenting growth mindset.”