Cusick Motorsports continues the tradition of the “Indy Only” operations that have competed in the Indianapolis 500. These are team owners that field teams for one race a year, instead of the full season, and that one race is the biggest race of the year.

Don Cusick is back at the Indianapolis 500 in 2025 and once again will partner with another Indy 500-only operation, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

Cusick Motorsports was founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Don Cusick. Its mission was to make the racing industry more accessible to all. Cusick Motorsports creates bespoke programs for its partners and creates experiences that help drive meaningful relationships and business in a true business-to-business model.

The threshold for getting into the industry has not been easy for most individuals and companies. As an entrepreneur in the Healthcare Industry for over 40 years, Cusick saw the opportunity to make the motorsports industry more accessible for all, and Cusick Motorsports was founded.

Key to this operation, as with any full-time IndyCar team, is sponsorship and partners.

On Tuesday, April 29, Cusick Motorsports announced Mach10 Automotive, MannKind Corporation, and Branded Bills as official partners for the team’s entries in the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500, in partnership with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

Mach10 Automotive, a new partner of Cusick Motorsports, brings its deep-rooted expertise in automotive mergers, acquisitions, and performance optimization to the team.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mach 10 as a partner of Cusick Motorsports for the 2025 Indy 500,” Cusick said. “Their drive for growth and development in the auto industry perfectly aligns with the goals of our program. We are looking forward to working with George Pero and his team for the long term.”

Dreyer & Reinbold Cusick Motorsports has a two-car team in the 109th Indianapolis 500 featuring 2014 Indy 500 winner and 2012 NTT IndyCar Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay and veteran driver Jack Harvey.

MannKind Corporation returns for a second year, continuing its support of Cusick Motorsports following a successful debut partnership in 2024.

Known for its innovative inhaled therapeutic products and commitment to improving quality of life for patients with serious health conditions.

“Having Mannkind join our team for a second year is a true testament to the value in partnership,” Cusick said. “Mannkind is a proven leader and innovator in the Healthcare space, and we continue to build a strong relationship with them and their partners.”

Branded Bills joins as the Cusick team’s exclusive headwear partner. It will provide premium custom gear to outfit the team throughout May.

With a focus on versatile, high-quality design, Branded Bills adds a stylish edge to the team’s look for race month.

“Branded Bills is a new partnership for Cusick Motorsports this year, and their dedication to quality is exactly what we need as a partner as we grow,” Cusick said. “We look forward to the start of a long-standing partnership supporting each brand’s growth.”

The Value Of The B2B Model

Billy Morgan is the Director of Cusick Motorsports and emphasized the importance of giving brands such as these an opportunity to compete in the world’s most famous at historic race – the Indianapolis 500.

“Our partners are truly what drives Cusick Motorsports, and they are the reason why we continue our growth each year,” Morgan said. “We do not view them as sponsors, but as partners, because without their support we cannot advance.

“Cusick Motorsports will always be centralized around accessibility to motorsports and B2B growth for our partners. We cannot wait for the Month of May to host them and support the goals of our team and partners.”

Mach10 Automotive

Mach10 is considered an industry-leader in Mergers & Acquisitions. Mach10 Automotive provides unprecedented, industry-exclusive buy-sell and advisory services customized for automotive dealership principals.

Mach10 is the only M&A firm in the industry that offers a comprehensive suite of performance optimization services designed to increase dealerships’ operational excellence and profitability. Its services are anchored in making a store or group as efficient and profitable as possible across the business, benefiting the seller pre-sale, or the buyer post-acquisition.

Applying experience and expertise, Mach10 helps unlock a dealership’s full potential through solutions that exceed industry standards.

MannKind

MannKind focuses on the development and commercialization of innovative inhaled therapeutic products and devices to address serious unmet medical needs for those living with endocrine and orphan lung diseases. The company is committed to using its formulation capabilities and device engineering prowess to lessen the burden of diseases such as diabetes and pulmonary fibrotic diseases.

Its signature technologies–dry-powder formulations and inhalation devices–offer rapid and convenient delivery of medicines to the deep lung where they can exert an effect locally or enter the systemic circulation, depending on the target indication.

Branded Bills

Branded Bills business is rooted in versatility – offering premium headwear and apparel, each with immense customization, direct to consumer, and business to business capabilities.

Practice for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge begins May 13, with live coverage of all sessions on FS1 and FS2, followed by Qualifying Weekend on May 17–18.

The green flag for The Greatest Spectacle in Racing drops at 12:30 PM ET on Sunday, May 25 on FOX.

Two NASCAR Xfinity Series teams were issued L1-level penalties for parts modifications found in inspection before the race at Talladega Superspeedway.

Austin Green’s No. 87 Jordan Anderson Racing team and Matt DiBenedetto‘s No. 99 Viking Motorsports group were penalized for violating Sections 14.4.A: Body; 14.4.11.C&D in the NASCAR Rule Book. These sections pertain to the rear bumper covers.

Both teams were fined $25,000 and lose 20 driver and owner points as well as five playoff points.

Green didn’t qualify for the race. DiBenedetto finished fifth in Saturday’s (April 26) event at Talladega.

DiBenedetto sits 24th in the points standings, while Green is last after previously sitting in 48th.

Joy joined Frontstretch in 2019 as a NASCAR DraftKings writer, expanding to news and iRacing coverage in 2020. She’s currently an assistant editor and involved with photos, social media and news editing. A California native, Joy was raised watching motorsports and started watching NASCAR extensively in 2001. She earned her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies at California State University Bakersfield in 2010.

All Times Eastern

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY

Site: Fort Worth, Texas.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 11:05 a.m., qualifying, 12:10 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3:30 p.m. (FS1).

Track: Texas Motor Speedway.

Race distance: 267 laps, 400.5 miles.

Last year: Denny Hamlin survived a late surge from Kyle Larson to take the checkered flag, earning him his 54th career Cup victory.

Last race: Austin Cindric’s last-lap overtake of Ryan Preece secured him a photo-finish win in Talladega.

Next race: May 11, Kansas City, Kansas.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

Andy’s Frozen Custard 300

Site: Fort Worth, Texas.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 5:05 p.m., qualifying, 6:10 p.m.; Saturday, race, 2 p.m. (CW).

Track: Texas Motor Speedway.

Race distance: 200 laps, 300 miles.

Last year: Sam Meyer inched ahead of Ryan Sieg a mere .002 seconds for a neck and neck win that was confirmed by photo review.

Last race: Connor Zilisch spun out and hit the wall on the last lap giving the lead to Austin Hill who crossed the line in three-way sprint to a photo finish.

Next race: May 24, Concord, North Carolina.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

SpeedyCash.com 250

Site: Fort Worth, Texas.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 2:35 p.m., qualifying, 3:40 p.m., race, 8 p.m. (FS1).

Track: Texas Motor Speedway.

Race distance: 167 laps, 250.5 miles.

Last year: Kyle Busch took the lead with 8 to go holding off a challenging Corey Heim for his record-tying sixth win at the Motor Speedway.

Last race: Tyler Ankrum broke his 130-race winless streak at Rockingham in a fuel-saving push to the finish line.

Next race: May 10, Kansas City, Kansas.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix

Site: Miami.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 12:25 p.m. sprint qualifying, 4:25 p.m.; Saturday, sprint race, 11:55 a.m., qualifying, 3:55 p.m.; Sunday, race, 4 p.m. (ABC).

Track: Miami International Autodrome.

Race distance: 57 laps, 191.5 miles.

Last year: Lando Norris earned his first-ever F1 win after capturing the lead from Verstappen and successfully defending his position.

Last race: Oscar Piastri takes his second win in a row and first ever lead in the standings after capitalizing on Verstappen’s five-second penalty in Jeddah.

Next race: May 18, Imola, Italy.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR

Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix

Site: Birmingham, Alabama.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, practice, 11:30 a.m., qualifying, 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, warmup, 10 a.m., race, 1:30 p.m. (FOX).

Track: Barber Motorsports Park.

Race distance: 90 laps, 207 miles.

Last year: Scott McLaughlin managed to hold off teammate Will Power, giving him his second consecutive win in Birmingham.

Last race: Kyle Kirkwood led a race-high 46 laps, ending Alex Palou’s hot streak in a dominant performance at Long Beach.

Next race: May 10, Indianapolis.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING

Next race: May 18, Elwood, Illinois.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

Dairyland Showdown

Site: Fountain City, Wisconsin.

Track: Mississippi Thunder Speedway.

#LETSRACETWO

Site: Rossburg, Ohio.

Track: Eldora Speedway.

Next events: May 6, May 9, Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com

_____

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joey Logano wondered Tuesday if Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones had ever driven a race car at Talladega after the former Atlanta Braves slugger criticized the NASCAR champion in a series of social media posts.

Jones was defending Austin Cindric, winner of Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway, after Team Penske teammate Logano unleashed an expletive-laden rant about Cindric around the halfway mark of the race. Logano was furious that he did not receive the help he needed from Cindric, which allowed rival Toyota driver Bubba Wallace to win the second stage and earn valuable bonus points.

“Way to go Austin. Way to go. You dumb (expletive). Way to (expletive) go,” Logano said on his team radio. “What a stupid (expletive). He just gave it to him. Gave Toyota a stage win. Nice job. Way to go. What the (expletive).”

Jones was angered by Logano’s rant and in six social media posts congratulated Cindric, called Logano selfish and celebrated Logano being disqualified for failing postrace inspection.

“Good teammates are hard to come by, Boss! Remember that one of urs MFed u on national tv, when in all actuality, u did everything possible to keep from wrecking him,” Jones wrote. “Some people are ‘hooray for our team as long as I’m the star’ as every team has them. Hendrick, RCR, JGR, Penske, etc. Sometimes karma is glorious.”

When told of Jones’ comments on a Tuesday appearance of SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s “The Morning Drive,” Logano said he was unaware of them. Once he was told, Logano asked: “Has Chipper Jones ever driven a race car at Talladega? That would be my first question. I’m pretty certain he hasn’t.

“That’s like me saying something about baseball. I know nothing about baseball. That’s like me saying something that he did something in baseball that was wrong. That doesn’t matter.”

Logano continued by saying that as a former professional athlete, Jones should understand there was more to the situation than what he saw on television. Jones grew up outside Daytona International Speedway and was once the grand marshal for the Daytona 500.

“Chipper Jones, he seems like a cool dude, he’s done a lot, right? He’s a pretty popular, good baseball player, but he’s not a race car driver, and I know he wasn’t in the room with us when we set in place the way things are supposed to go,” Logano said. “You would think somebody that has been in professional sports and has been in meetings like that would probably take a step back and say, ‘Man, there’s probably more to the story here than what there is.’ I’m surprised it went that way. Maybe he was just bored. I don’t know what his situation is. I tell you I don’t care.”

Logano said he and Cindric cleared the air in Penske’s Monday meeting.

“Austin and I talked about it. We’ve got to move forward. That’s what it is,” he said. “I explained my side. He understood. We move on. There’s no sense in airing our dirty laundry and airing out what the actual rules are because that’s private information that doesn’t need to be out to everybody. But the facts are that what we set in place wasn’t happening and that’s why I got frustrated. Like I said, we talked about it and we moved on.”

Logano did acknowledge that he probably should not have hit the radio button and “spouted off so much.”

“Probably blew up into a little bigger situation than it needed to, but the conversation, either way, needed to happen. Just more people are talking about it now,” he added.

The stars are set to shine once again at historic North Wilkesboro Speedway as the 2025 NASCAR All-Star race returns May 15-18. With a newly condensed four-day schedule featuring zMAX CARS Tour racing, the Window World 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, live concerts, NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge and the fan-favorite NASCAR All-Star Race, the excitement is building for the biggest weeks in short-track racing.

Among those eager to take on North Wilkesboro’s unique 0.625-mile challenge is 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and defending All-Star Race winner Joey Logano. Ahead of race week, Logano reflected on his triumphant run last year and shared his excitement for the historic venue’s next chapter, while providing track rides to media members.

“To see what you guys have done to tastefully improve the facility for the modern day, while keeping the nostalgia of what North Wilkesboro Speedway is, is really neat. This track has a lot of character, and it’s just been fun, even down to the special trophy,” said Logano. “It was fun to give rides to some of the media members. I thought that the main thing everyone said was that they couldn’t believe how much grip the track has when we’re going through the corners. I mean, you put me in a Mustang, what do you think is going to happen, we’re going to go fast.”

New for this year’s NASCAR All-Star Race, several key format changes—including 50 additional laps and a Promoter’s Caution—are set to elevate the intensity and excitement for fans. As the defending winner, Logano weighed in on the revamped format and how it could shape the battle for the $1 million prize.

“It’s definitely different with some change there, but that’s the thing about the All-Star Race, everyone is racing for a million bucks, and that’s it, nobody cares about finishing second or third or getting a top-5 in the All-Star Race. Nobody cares, it’s about winning the race,” said Logano. He also emphasized the unique challenge posed by qualifying: “The Pit Crew Challenge makes this one of the most enjoyable and challenging qualifying sessions of the year—probably the most, so you have a lot more crew chiefs and teams saying ‘Let’s go for it.’”

Rising NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series star, Jake Garcia, is heading back to North Wilkesboro with redemption on his mind after leading 40 laps at the historic short track last year. Set to compete in Saturday’s Window World 250, Garcia shared his enthusiasm about returning to the high-speed surface.

“I’m really excited to be back, especially after last year (where Garcia led a total of 40 laps). It’s an awesome facility, one I’ve heard about for a long time, so finally getting to see it up here the past couple of years in the (NASCAR CRAFTSMAN) Truck Series has been cool,” said Garcia. “It’ll be awesome to see this place with a packed crowd on Saturday for our race. This place is super fast for the size of the race track, with the new asphalt, it’s got a lot of grip, so track position is really big here, so we’ll have to go into it with a good strategy and have a truck fast enough to pass people to be able to win.”

Adding even more horsepower to All-Star Week, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Ford Motor Company announced an official new partnership, naming Ford the Official Car and Truck of North Wilkesboro Speedway. As part of the partnership, the powerful Ford Mustang Dark Horse will serve as the official pace car during All-Star Week.

In addition, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, which recently added 25 Ford Mustang GTs to its fleet, will have a specially marked patrol Mustang GT on-site throughout race week that will also help pace the field for the All-Star Race. Both vehicles were unveiled Tuesday, taking laps around the famed track and giving fans a first look at what will lead the pack this May.

“We have Mustangs dating back to 1983, and we’re really proud of that partnership and what that means,” said Public Information Officer, Sgt. Chris Knox. “We just want to say thank you to NASCAR, which is a longstanding partner of the Highway Patrol. We’ve worked with NASCAR for years and since the race has returned, that partnership has only gotten stronger, along with our partnership with North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Beyond the racing, North Wilkesboro continues to prioritize fan accessibility and safety. As part of those efforts, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has played a key role in infrastructure improvements, including a new 200-foot-long, 16-foot-wide pedestrian bridge over Highway 421 connecting speedway property to convenient parking. Set to open ahead of race week, the bridge is designed to enhance traffic flow and streamline fan entry for growing crowds.

With high-stakes racing and off-track entertainment all happening at one of the most historic venues of NASCAR, North Wilkesboro Speedway is primed to deliver one of the most memorable All-Star Race Weeks yet. From intense on-track battles to exciting new fan experiences, there is sure to be no shortage of momentum that fans won’t want to miss.

TICKETS:

Race week packages, single-day tickets and camping to all NASCAR All-Star Race Week events can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com or by calling 336-844-4735.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race and all North Wilkesboro Speedway events by following on X and Instagram, or by becoming a Facebook fan.

SMI PR