Top Fuel driver Josh Hart, a life-long Mopar fan and collector, will be selling his prized Mopar car and truck collection at the Kissimmee Mecum Auction, January 6-18. Hart was recently named Top Fuel driver for John Force Racing and in a show of support for the longstanding Chevrolet sponsorship of the 24-time NHRA world championship winning team Hart is going all in to support his new team.

“I am going all in with John Force Racing in my pursuit of a Top Fuel world championship and I wanted to show that I am also all in when it comes to representing our sponsors like Chevrolet,” said Hart, a multi-time Top Fuel national event winner. “Chevrolet is an iconic manufacturer, and I will be very proud to wear the Chevy bowtie on my Burnyzz Speed Shop Top Fuel dragster and my uniform. I can’t wait for the 2026 season to start.”

Hart’s collection that is up for grabs during the Mecum auction includes multiple Dodge Vipers, several Dodge Drag Pak Challengers and a beautiful Dodge Power Wagon. All the cars in Hart’s collection are in mint condition, many with low mileage and amazing detailing. Hart has spent years building his collection and hopes that all the cars go to appreciative collectors.

“All of the cars in my collection have been prized possessions, but I saw this as an opportunity to find them a new home with collectors that will appreciate them as much as I did,” said Hart. “Some of the cars are some of the earliest cars to roll of the assembly line. The Drag Paks are amazing cars that I have had since they first were released. This is a great mix of cars that could be museum pieces or the perfect daily driver.”

Hart’s collection includes:

• 2018 Demon with 80 miles and 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 with 3 miles, matching VINs specially built for Hart with crate, sold as a pair
• 2017 Dodge Hellcat last built manual with 700 miles
• 2017 Viper GTC 1 of 1 program twin turbo, 1200hp with 300 miles
• 2021 Drag Pak race-ready driven by Top Fuel driver Josh Hart during the 2025 NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series
• 1967 Power Wagon fully built with real Hellephant power plant on a Rubicon frame with 37’s
• All high production number and some of the last models to roll off the assembly line with every option carbon fiber and loaded personalized build sheets to Hart and triple black along with four other Drag Paks and another Viper ACR

Hart will be on track racing for John Force Racing at the season opening NHRA Gatornationals, March 5-8, 2026. The Kissimmee Mecum Auction will be live from January 6-18. 2026.

This story was originally published on December 30, 2025.

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The International Hot Rod Association announced it has acquired Heartland Motorsports Park in the Capital City.

IHRA made the announcement on its website, citing its commitment to preserving motorsports history and reimaging legendary venues.

Over the years, the Heartland Motorsports Park hosted concerts and races, bringing millions in revenue to the county.

The property was put into the hands of Topeka 77 in 2024 after its previous owners, Shelby Developments tax dispute with the county.

IHRA’s vision is to honor the facility’s past while “positioning the property as a modern destination entertainment complex.”

IHRA’s owner made the following statement on their website:

IHRA hopes to extend Heartland Motorsports Park beyond competition weekends and plans to create a year-round destination, blending motorsports with entertainment and community engagement, such as:

• Revitalized drag racing operations with improved racer and fan amenities
• Expanded motorsports and special event programming
• Live music, concerts, and festival experiences
• Enhanced hospitality, vendor, and fan-experience areas
• Community-focused events designed to drive tourism and economic impact

IHRA said they plan to begin renovations immediately.

WIBW has reached out to GO Topeka for further details.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2025 WIBW. All rights reserved.

Heartland Motorsports Park has been part of drag racing’s history for more than six decades, and now the Topeka, Kansas, facility is entering a new era. The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced it has acquired Heartland Motorsports Park, a move that signals both a deep respect for the track’s legacy and a forward-looking plan to expand what the property can be in today’s motorsports landscape.

Originally opened in 1963 as Topeka Dragway, the facility grew into what became known as Heartland Motorsports Park, one of the most versatile racing complexes in the country. Over the years, it’s hosted everything from drag racing to road racing, karting, motocross, and countless grassroots events.

With IHRA now at the helm, the goal is not to erase that history, but to build on it.

“Heartland Motorsports Park is one of those places that simply matters to racing,” said IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell. “It has history, soul, and a footprint that allows us to think bigger than just a racetrack. Our goal is to restore this facility with respect for its legacy while building something that serves racers, fans, and the community for generations.”

That “thinking bigger” is a key part of IHRA’s vision. Rather than focusing solely on race weekends, the association plans to transform Heartland into a year-round destination that blends motorsports with live entertainment and community-driven events. While drag racing remains at the core, IHRA is looking to expand the overall experience for racers, fans, and the surrounding region.

Planned improvements include revitalized drag racing operations with upgraded racer and fan amenities, expanded motorsports programming, and the addition of concerts, festivals, and special events. Enhanced hospitality areas, vendor space, and fan experience zones are also part of the long-term plan, along with community-focused events designed to boost tourism and economic impact in the Topeka area.

“Motorsports has to evolve to stay strong,” Cuttell said. “The future is about creating places where racing, music, entertainment, and community come together. Heartland has all the pieces to become one of the premier motorsports and entertainment destinations in the country.”

Renovation planning is already underway, with IHRA expected to release more details on redevelopment phases, event schedules, and community partnerships in the coming months.

Paramount among the opportunities is the newest of dates, the return of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour slated for Saturday, May 2, 2026. Additionally, August 28-30 have been set as the dates for the 53rd annual Oxford 250, while Wednesday and Thursday, July 1 and 2 will see the running of the third annual Celebration of America 300.

The traditional season-ending PASS 400 weekend will leap up the calendar a few weeks and be run in late September. Another visit for the PASS North Super Late Models has been set for August 9, as have multiple dates for the New England Supermodified Series (NESS) and Kennebec Equipment Rental PASS Mod Touring Series.

“Since the NASCAR Modified Tour announcement, I have received a ton of interest in how to get involved,” said OPS marketing director Kevin Varney. “We also wanted to make sure these events were not exclusive to just big partners. We tried to put together something for any budget to get involved with the NASCAR Modifieds, the COA, the Oxford 250, or really any event we run at OPS or on one of the PASS tours.”

Note: The Penske Entertainment editorial staff is looking back at the five biggest moments of 2025 in INDY NXT by Firestone in this year-end series, with one installment appearing on the site per day in countdown fashion from Dec. 27-31.

Myles Rowe ended the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season in style, scoring a commanding victory in the season finale Aug. 31 at Nashville Superspeedway.

Rowe led 20 of 65 laps to earn his second career win in the INDYCAR development series – both coming during a breakout 2025 season.

That feat marked a satisfying conclusion to a year defined by growth and resilience. ABEL Motorsports originally signed Rowe following a difficult rookie INDY NXT campaign with HMD Motorsports/Force Indy in 2024, when he went winless in 14 starts despite entering the series as the reigning USF Pro 2000 champion.

In 2025, he rewarded ABEL’s confidence by delivering two wins in his final six races, providing a timely boost to his upward trajectory.

Winning once – his breakthrough July 12 triumph at Iowa Speedway – would have been meaningful on its own. Winning twice made a stronger statement.

“It’s nice when the results start to match what you believe in your heart,” Rowe said.

Rowe’s rise has been anything but typical. After beginning in karting, he advanced to the Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series in 2017 and 2018, but financial limitations forced him to step away in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated sponsorship prospects, and Rowe shifted his focus to photography while attending Pace University, unsure if he would ever return to racing.

That changed with the launch of Penske Entertainment’s Race for Equality & Change initiative in 2020, which created new pathways for minorities and women in motorsports. From that effort, Force Indy was established. In 2021, Rod Reid – founder of NXG Youth Motorsports – offered Rowe a lifeline with a USF2000 opportunity.

Rowe seized it, becoming the first Black driver to win a race in the series with a breakthrough victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park. He remained in USF2000 in 2022 with Pabst Racing, while Force Indy moved up to INDY NXT. Rowe delivered five wins that season and finished just six points short of the championship, placing second to Michael d’Orlando.

His ascent continued in 2023 with Pabst and continued Force Indy support in USF Pro 2000. Five more wins secured the title and made Rowe the first Black driver to win a North American open-wheel championship.

That achievement earned him a career enhancement scholarship to step up to INDY NXT in 2024. But his rookie year proved challenging, as he finished 11th in the standings. In 2025, he rebounded convincingly with six podium finishes, including an impressive 2.5 average finish across four oval starts. He added three podiums on road and street circuits, underscoring his versatility.

Rowe returns to ABEL Motorsports in 2026, aiming for the championship.