Spire Motorsports announced its crew chief lineup and competition director roles for the 2026 season on Dec. 12 and in doing so confirmed its return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

The team will field a pair of trucks, the Nos. 7 and 77, in the series alongside its previously announced three-car NASCAR Cup Series effort.

Both the Cup crew chief lineup (Ryan Sparks, Travis Peterson and Luke Lambert) and Truck roster (Brian Pattie for the No. 7, Chad Walter for the No. 77) remain unchanged.

2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Awards

Matt McCall, who had been the team’s director of vehicle performance, is now the Cup competition director, while Bono Manion, previously crew chief of the team’s No. 71 entry in the Truck Series, will be its Truck competition director.

Spire has not yet announced who will drive its Truck entries. In 2025, the Nos. 7 and 77 were piloted by a variety of drivers, while the No. 71 was driven by Rajah Caruth, who has since moved to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

Executive Editor at Frontstretch

Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.

At his day job, he’s a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio — you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.

The North Florida Motorsports Park (NFMP), spearheaded by racing legend Bobby Rahal, has been announced as a premier 600-acre automotive destination in Nassau County, FL. The project features a world-class private racetrack designed by Rahal, a celebrated figure in motorsports, and aims to blend high-performance driving with refined community living. Additional offerings include luxury trackside condos, exclusive garages, a members-only club, a public karting track, and on-site villas. Together with operational expertise from Atlanta Motorsports Park, NFMP aims to become a sanctuary for automotive enthusiasts. This venture marks an exciting new chapter for motorsports in Florida.

By the Numbers

• 600-acre site in Nassau County, FL.
• Includes luxury trackside condominiums, exclusive garages, and a public karting track.

State of Play

• The site is strategically located just west of Interstate 95, near the Georgia border.
• Design plans emphasize safety and performance, with input from leading architects.

What’s Next

The NFMP project will continue its development phase, gearing up for construction and eventual opening. Anticipation is growing among automotive enthusiasts and investors for membership opportunities and events. Future plans may include hosting major racing events and automotive-themed gatherings.

Bottom Line

The NFMP promises to redefine the motorsport experience in Florida, catering not only to racers but also to families and enthusiasts alike. This innovative community approach could set a new standard for automotive destinations, blending luxury living with high-octane excitement.

Alexander Dunne (pictured) ended 2025 in fine form, setting the fastest lap of the final day of the Yas Marina post-season test.

The Rodin Motorsport driver’s 1:37.153 led the way in the morning session, before Oliver Goethe continued his strong performances over the three days with 1:38.274 in the afternoon.

MORNING

New medium tyres were used by most teams to start the day, with Van Amersfoort Racing’s Rafael Villagómez leading the way after the first laps with a 1:39.387.

On the next push lap, Kush Maini went to P1 with a 1:39.864, only for Dunne to eclipse that by 0.105s to go to the top.

There was a brief Red Flag period just after, with Sebastián Montoya having stopped on track at Turn 14.

Once the action resumed, VAR switched to the Supersoft tire with Villagómez and Nicolás Varrone, and the former went quickest on a 1:37.715. He then improved to a 1:37.502, putting over half a second between he and Cian Shields in P2, with his teammate in P3.

As the first hour came to a close, Villagómez improved to a 1:37.300, with Maini his closest rival, 0.169s down in P2.

The gap continued to come down to Villagómez, with Nikola Tsolov, Mari Boya and Rafael Câmara all taking turns going up to second.

Maini eventually beat the VAR driver’s time by 0.137s, before Dunne returned to P1 with a 1:37.153, putting him just 0.010s clear out in front.

Race runs, pit stop and race start practices were then the focus for the rest of the session, with Dunne ending up on top ahead of Maini, Villagómez, Dino Beganovic and Câmara.

AFTERNOON

Boya got the afternoon underway with the fastest time of a 1:40.152. But he was later moved down to P2 by Goethe, who went quickest on a 1:38.274.

Long runs then became the focus for most of the afternoon session, as the drivers looked to get their final race simulations in for the year.

However, a few did move up the timesheets with Montoya going to P2 ahead of his PREMA teammate Boya.

Then came Laurens van Hoepen for TRIDENT in third, as well as Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak, who jumped up to P4 with just under an hour to go.

Into the final 20 minutes and Roman Bilinski moved up to fifth for DAMS Lucas Oil.

Heading into the last five minutes, Rodin sent their drivers out for a couple of flying laps. Dunne was just 0.083s shy of Goethe’s time in second, while Stenshorne followed him across the line to go to P3.

The duo went for second push attempts but could not improve, leaving Goethe on top in the afternoon.

That wraps up the 2025 season, but 2026 is just around the corner with Round 1 in Melbourne set for March 6-8.

DAY 3, MORNING SESSION

DAY 3, AFTERNOON SESSION

The path to professional motorsports is rarely linear, but for Vinnie Meskelis, the road to the 2026 NASCAR Euro Series has been paved with exceptional grit. Today, the 19-year-old Dallas resident was officially confirmed for the 2026 PRO championship, securing his place on the grid after an impressive showing at the December NASCAR Recruitment Test in Fontenay-Le-Comte, France.

Meskelis will also assume the role of Official Brand Ambassador for the series in both the United States and Brazil. This dual role is personal for Meskelis, who was born in Brazil and immigrated to the U.S. with his parents in 2014. His ascent from a grassroots dreamer to an international competitor is a testament to the blue-collar work ethic that defines the spirit of NASCAR racing.

Unlike many of his contemporaries who began racing almost before they could walk, Meskelis got a late start. It wasn’t until 2020 that he purchased his first used kart. To fund the operation, he mowed lawns throughout his neighborhood, saving every dollar to buy into the 206 class at his local track.

The timing coincided with the global pandemic. With his father on furlough and later working from home, the duo turned a challenging global situation into an intense training regimen, hitting the track four to five times a week. This condensed timeframe allowed Meskelis to accelerate his development, quickly mastering race craft that usually takes years to refine.

Meskelis brings a unique “garage-first” mentality to the European paddock. Lacking the budget for a full crew during his formative years, he served as both driver and lead mechanic. He taught himself the intricacies of chassis tuning and data analytics to save costs, often competing as a privateer operation against powerhouse teams with deep pockets.

This mechanical aptitude has translated directly to his academic life, where he is currently a second-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Texas at Dallas. His ability to interpret data and understand the physics of the vehicle will be a critical asset as he transitions to the heavy, high-horsepower V8 machinery used in the European circuit.

“I’m incredibly excited to begin this new chapter in my career by stepping into the NASCAR Euro Series PRO division,” Meskelis stated. “After driving the car for the first time during the NASCAR Recruitment Test, I knew immediately that this was the right next step.”

Meskelis views his entry into the series not just as a personal milestone, but as a platform to advocate for diversity in American motorsports. By carrying the flag for both the U.S. and Brazil, he aims to bridge the gap between two passionate racing cultures.

While the specific team and car number for the 2026 season will be announced at a later date, Meskelis’s goal remains the same as it was when he was mowing lawns to buy tires: outwork the competition and park it in Victory Lane.

NASCAR Euro Series PR

In an exciting move for NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, NHRA officials announced today that U.S. 131 Motorsports Park, a standout facility in Martin, Mich., has joined the NHRA Member Track Network as part of NHRA’s North Central Division (Division 3).

Known as “The Fastest Track in Michigan,” the track is one of the Midwest’s premier drag racing facilities and is well established as a favorite for both racers and fans.

U.S. 131 Motorsports Park first opened in 1962 and has an extensive schedule each year, including grassroots, regional and national events. Home to everything from nitro matches and jet cars to a standout bracket racing scene, the facility has continued to be a standout destination under Jason Peterson and his family for more than two decades.

“Our decision to move to NHRA sanctioning comes from listening closely to our racers and looking toward the long-term future of the sport,” said Peterson, VP of Operations at US 131 Motorsports Park. “The NHRA provides an incredible platform for growth, safety, and competitive opportunity. We’re excited to bring our racers expanded programs, national-level support, and a stronger path for advancement. This is a major step forward for our entire racing community.”

By joining the NHRA Member Track Network, U.S. 131 Motorsports Park will be eligible to offer racers in the area a variety of NHRA-sanctioned racing opportunities in the future, including the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA Street Legal, NHRA Jr. Street and more. Additionally, the track will have the chance to host NHRA specialty events like the NHRA Summit King of the Track and more.

Next year, the facility will host an NHRA national open on July 8-9, leading into a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional event on July 10-12.

NHRA is also eager to introduce new programs to engage grassroots racers, as well as expanding opportunities in junior drag racing and helping build events to showcase the standout competitors in the area. The track will also get access to NHRA’s extensive support programs, insurance benefits and national marketing platforms as it enters an exciting stage in its existence.

“The addition of US 131 Motorsports Park to the NHRA North Central Division has been a long-standing goal, and we are thrilled to see it become a reality,” NHRA North Central Division Director William Tharpe said. “Jason Peterson and his family have built a world-class facility that is widely respected throughout the industry, offering competitors an exceptional experience. Their inclusion will play a key role in strengthening NHRA’s presence in Michigan and elevating the overall experience for racers and fans alike.

“The timing couldn’t be better as we celebrate NHRA’s 75th Anniversary. Consistency has always been one of our greatest strengths, and we look forward to extending that same level of support and stability to Jason and the US 131 Motorsports Park team.”

For more information on NHRA, including the 2026 schedule, visit www.nhra.com.

This story was originally published on December 12, 2025.

The 2025 motorsport season has concluded with a stunning FIA Awards show in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent. Gathering the champions and stars from across the FIA’s seven World Championship categories, it was a night to remember not only for the winners but also for the 2,500 motorsport fans who joined their heroes in Tashkent’s Humo Arena for the first time ever.

In the presence of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, the ceremony officially crowned the winning drivers, co-drivers and navigators following an intense season of competition, with the event being hosted by the National Automobile and Karting Federation of Uzbekistan (NAFKU) and supported by partners Rolex, DHL, Hankook and AlphaTauri.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “Here in Tashkent, we have celebrated the members of our motorsport family whose commitment, spirit and dedication sit at the very heart of our sport. We have also looked toward the champions of tomorrow, those at the start of their journeys, taking their first steps and achieving their first successes.

“My sincere congratulations to all our deserving winners; it is an honor to celebrate with you.”

From their earliest days of competition, motorsport athletes dream of one day becoming a World Champion, and the storied trophies handed out on stage at the FIA Awards are the culmination of those dreams becoming a reality. The evening’s theme – Dreams of a Champion – was woven into the spellbinding show which told the story of 2025’s epic seasons that saw multiple World Champions clinch victory on the final day of their respective campaigns.

Max Verstappen Sick, unable to attend, sent this message:

From its earliest days, motor sport has always driven society forward, and to honour those who have not just created better racing but have improved all our lives, the FIA President’s Innovation Award this year went to a truly legendary figure – Enzo Ferrari. The award was received by Enzo’s son and Ferrari Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari, with Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc also making the trip to Uzbekistan in support of the legendary marque and its continued success across the globe.

Among the new features for 2025 was the FIA WRC of the Year Award, which was presented to an organization that has shown outstanding commitment to rally sport – a discipline close to the President’s heart as a former champion rally driver.

The inaugural Rally del Paraguay exceeded all targets and expectations, working hand-in-hand with the FIA administration, the host ASN, the national and regional government authorities, the media and commercial partners in the true collaborative spirit of rallying. Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña received the award on stage from FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

A new champion was crowned in the FIA Formula One World Championship as Lando Norris realized his boyhood dream to reach the very pinnacle of the sport. Norris’ McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri was in the hunt to the final checkered flag, and takes home the third-place trophy from Tashkent. The McLaren team secured the Constructor’s trophy for the second time in style, with Zak Brown and Andrea Stella taking home the silverware having moved out of reach of their rivals at the Singapore Grand Prix.

It was an evening of elation for Ferrari in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The Scuderia secured not only the Manufacturers’ title, but third for the #50 car, second for the #83 AF Corse trio and the World Championship for Drivers with the triumphant crew of car #51 – Alessandro Pier Guidi, Antonio Giovinazzi and James Calado.

In the off-road and rally world it was Japanese manufacturer Toyota flying high once again, with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing teams triumphing in the FIA World Rally and World Rally-Raid Championships in 2025.

An incredible record-equalling ninth FIA World Rally Championship Drivers’ crown was awarded to Sébastien Ogier, with his co-driver Vincent Landais receiving the World Champion trophy for the first time. The pair were pushed all the way to the last stage of the last rally of the season in Saudi Arabia by Toyota stablemates Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin.

There was a new driver at the summit of the driver standings in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship as an emotional Lucas Moraes received his award on-stage at the Humo Arena, while in the battle for Navigator’s Championship glory, Edouard Boulanger took the title for the second consecutive season.

It was familiar ground for World Rallycross star Johan Kristoffersson at the FIA Awards, as the Swedish driver surged to an amazing eighth championship victory at the wheel of his VW Polo RX1e. Tommy Kristoffersoson joined his son to take home the teams’ title for KMS.

Back to circuit racing, and a fairytale campaign for Oliver Rowland that secured the Nissan driver his first ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. It was only an illness-enforced absence from the round in Portland that denied Oliver Rowland a genuine shot at the Season 10 crown, but 12 months on, the Briton was not to be denied, as he swept to title glory in fine style. In the battle for both Teams’ and Manufacturers’ glory it was one of motor sport’s most storied brands with TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team and Porsche securing the respective crowns.

The drivers on the first step of the global ladder, the FIA’s Karting World Championships, were center stage on the night that celebrated the Dreams of a Champion. Britain’s Noah Baglin began his journey up the motor sport pyramid with his title victory in the OK-Junior category, while Belgium’s Thibaut Ramaekers and Dutch driver Senna van Walstijn took the title win in OK and KZ classes respectively.

The FIA Rookie of the Year is always a barometer for future stardom, rewarding those drivers that truly stand out in their first season of a new category – the likes of Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri are all former winners of this award. This year, the honour went to newly-crowned FIA Formula 3 Champion Rafael Câmara.

For the full list of 2025 champions and award winners, view the official FIA Prize Giving brochure here.  For pictures from the gala click here.