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RCR Race Preview: EchoPark Speedway – Speedway Digest

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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at EchoPark Speedway… In 167 NASCAR Cup Series starts at EchoPark Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has earned nine wins and three pole awards, including Kevin Harvick’s emotional victory in 2001. Dale Earnhardt won eight times at the Hampton, Ga., track under the RCR banner (1984-fall, 1986-fall, 1988-spring, 1989-fall, 1990-spring, 1995-fall, 1996-spring, 2000-spring). The Welcome, N.C., team has 31 top-five and 64 top-10 finishes at Atlanta and has led a total of 3,045 laps at the 1.54-mile oval.

RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at EchoPark Speedway… RCR has recorded eight NASCAR Xfinity Series wins at the greater Atlanta facility, led by Austin Hill’s five victories (2022-fall, 2023-spring, swept both races in 2024, and won most recently in February 2025). Jeff Burton (2006 and 2007) and Kevin Harvick (2013) also secured victories at Atlanta with RCR. As an organization, RCR has piled up 19 top-five and 35 top-10 finishes over a span of 66 starts at the Peachtree State track.

NASCAR’s $1 Million Showdown: The 2025 In-Season Challenge… The NASCAR In-Season Challenge kicks off this weekend at EchoPark Speedway for the NASCAR Cup Series. The challenge is a new, bracket-style tournament. The 32 qualifying drivers are seeded into a single-elimination bracket. Each race in the tournament reduces the field by half: from 32 to 16, then to 8, 4, and finally 2. The driver with the better finish in the final race is crowned the tournament champion. The challenge will end on July 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

RCR Drafting Track Success in 2025… In NASCAR Xfinity Series competition on drafting tracks this season, RCR has won all three races and swept all six stages. During those three drafting track races, the organization has led 315 laps (78%), with the next closest team only leading 24 laps.

Did You Know? RCR’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program has won seven of the last nine (Hill – five, Jesse Love – two) and 11 of the last 20 drafting track events (all since Hill joined the team in 2022).

Tickets to the 2025 Carolina Cowboys Home Stand Are Available Now… Driven by the same passion for performance that guides his race team, Richard Childress’ latest endeavor brings Professional Bull Riding to the Carolinas. The Carolina Cowboys represent the Carolinas in the PBR Team Series, an elite league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in games throughout the country. The team is owned by Richard Childress and Jeff Broin with 2018 Daytona 500 Champion Dillon serving as General Manager. Don’t miss the Carolina Cowboys 2025 “Cowboy Days” Home Stand September 12-14 at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tickets are on sale at PBR.com and Ticketmaster.

Catch the Action on Friday… The NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 at EchoPark Speedway will be televised live Friday, June 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Friday’s qualifying session will be shown for free on The CW App.

Watch Us on TNT Sports… The NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, June 28, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on TNT Sports, the first of five consecutive races this season that will air on TNT Sports. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at EchoPark Speedway will be broadcast on truTV and Max. Ride shotgun all season long with live, in-car camera feeds and scanner audio with a paid subscription to Max as part of their NASCAR driver cam experience during the race.
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Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… In 17 NASCAR Cup Series starts at EchoPark Speedway, Austin Dillon earned a best finish of sixth in March 2021. In four NASCAR Xfinity Series and four NASCAR Truck Series races at the Hampton, Georgia track, Dillon has posted seven top-10 results and never finished worse than the 11th position.

About Bass Pro Shops… Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations, and more. In 2017, Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations, and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.” Bass Pro Shops has a long relationship with NASCAR, dating back to 1998. For more information, visit basspro.com.

Winchester AA® Super Spreader… New for 2025, Winchester AA® Super Spreader™ loads are designed to give target shooters a competitive edge with close range targets. Available in 12 gauge, this new sporting clays shotshell throws 70% larger patterns at 20 yards vs. standard loads. AA® Super Spreader™ shotshells contain a hinged wad and specialized shot column that allows for a rapid and uniform spread that crushes close range, fast targets. Now available at retailers nationwide.

First Round Opponent… NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge begins Saturday night at EchoPark Speedway. The single-elimination tournament makes its debut during the 2025 season. Dillon’s first-round opponent is Chase Elliott. The $1 million-to-win bonus tournament will be contested over the next five weeks, culminating at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Meet Dillon… Dillon is scheduled to make an appearance at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Fan Zone on Saturday, June 28 at 3:40 p.m. Local Time. Stop by to meet the driver of the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet and get new RCR gear.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

What are your thoughts heading into EchoPark Speedway?

“I’m excited. The new track surface at EchoPark Speedway, which we have been racing on for a couple of years now, has created a whole new style of racing. You get to see these packs that are moving really fast. It’s probably the closest thing to a video game you will see in NASCAR. I’m excited about it and I’ve been studying hard.”

Does EchoPark Speedway feel as wide as it looks?

“It’s pretty wide. You’re running right up against the wall and all the way at the bottom, so it’s pretty wide and you’ll see guys using every single bit of this track, which makes it fun for fans, and the drivers.”

You have a long history at EchoPark Speedway.

“I have a lot of memories of Atlanta, even from a young age. I used to come up here with my family, I think on Wednesday nights or Thursday nights, and we would run the little quarter mile on the front of the track with the Bandolero. Just learning the craft.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 SENIX Tools Chevrolet at Echo Park Speedway… Saturday night’s 400-mile race will mark Kyle Busch’s 32nd career NASCAR Cup Series start at Echo Park Speedway. Busch has two NASCAR Cup Series wins at the 1.5-mile track, finding Victory Lane in March 2008 and September 2013. The 40-year-old driver has 10 top-five finishes and 16 top-10 finishes at the track, has led 623 laps, and has completed 95.4 percent (9,153 of 9,599) of the laps he’s contested there. He holds an average starting position of 11.3 and an average finish of 12.8. In addition to his Cup Series success at Echo Park Speedway, the veteran racer also has eight NASCAR Truck Series and three NASCAR Xfinity Series wins at the 1.54-mile oval.

History Maker… Busch is the youngest winner in Cup Series history at Echo Park Speedway. His 2008 win at the track came at just 22 years, 10 months, and 7 days of age.

Remember When… Busch owns two wins at Echo Park Speedway in the Cup Series. His first win at the track was in 2008. Busch took the lead with 50 laps remaining in the race after Carl Edwards, trying for a third straight victory, retired early with a broken transmission. Busch’s second Cup win at Echo Park Speedway was in 2013. He claimed victory by beating Joey Logano to the finish line by .740 seconds. The win was his fourth of the season and tied him with Rex White for 23rd on the career victory list with 28.

About SENIX Tools… At SENIX, we break barriers and shatter expectations by redefining outdoor power equipment and power tools with cutting-edge innovation and unwavering passion. Whether you’re an arborist, landscaper, or a dedicated DIY enthusiast, SENIX tools have been meticulously crafted with you in mind. Our state-of-the-art technology, top-notch performance, and eco-friendly design options empower you to tackle any task effortlessly. For more information on SENIX Tools and our comprehensive line of outdoor power equipment and power tools, visit senixtools.com.

First Round Opponent… NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge begins Saturday night at Echo Park Speedway. The single-elimination tournament makes its debut during the 2025 season. Busch’s first-round opponent is Brad Keselowski. The $1 million-to-win bonus tournament will be contested over the next five weeks, culminating at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Your Thoughts, Kyle… For the second time this season, Busch will join the CW broadcast booth for Friday night’s Xfinity Series race at Echo Park Speedway as an analyst. Busch made his debut with the network at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

What are your thoughts overall on racing at EchoPark Speedway at night?

“I enjoy night racing. It’s going to be fun, and it’s going to be an important race. There are so many things that can change in any given lap, let alone a whole race, with superspeedway style racing. Those two dynamics – night racing and speedway racing, are going to make Saturday night’s race at Echo Park Speedway one of the ones to remember.”

Is Echo Park Speedway as exciting for you behind the wheel as it is for the fans?

“Racing at Echo Park Speedway is intense, so I guess that would be exciting for us. The race certainly brings a lot of adrenaline and action. There’s something happening all the time so you’re trying to figure out your next move and seeing what lanes are moving, and what things are happening in order to get yourself further up front. It seems like there’s a lot of maneuvering in the middle of the pack from those ten spots between eighth and 18th, but at the same time it might seem like it’s dull up at the front. Although we’re all trying to get there, it just seems like it gets a little locked up because sometimes the track gets that one lane, that high lane moving in the bottom. It just doesn’t materialize.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Roland Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… Jesse Love has made three career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at EchoPark Speedway, all coming behind the wheel of the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. The 20-year-old has qualified on the pole for each of the races and earned a best finish of sixth in the 2024 summer event. Love has completed 100% of laps competed at the Hampton, Georgia facility.

50 NXS Starts… Friday’s race at EchoPark Speedway marks Love’s 50th career Xfinity Series start. Through 49 events, Love has won two races, captured 11 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes, and claimed seven poles. The defending Sunoco Rookie of the Year has led a total of 505 laps.

Mr. Pole Position… Love has won three straight poles at EchoPark Speedway and four straight poles on drafting tracks.

Did You Know? With Love’s six career drafting track poles in the Xfinity Series, the Menlo Park, California native ranks second all-time behind Joe Nemechek with 10.

Laps Leader… In each of Love’s three starts at EchoPark Speedway, the young gun has led a minimum of 13 laps and paced the field for a total of 193 laps.

Points Check… Through 16 races, Love continues to hold the fourth position in the Xfinity Series driver championship point standings – 16 points behind third-place Sam Mayer.

About Roland DGA… Roland DGA serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution, and service arm for Roland DG Corporation. Founded in 1981, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers for the sign, apparel, textile, interior design, personalization, and vehicle graphics markets; engravers for awards, giftware and ADA signage; photo impact printers for direct part marking; and 3D printers and CNC milling machines for the dental CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, part manufacturing and medical industries. To learn more about Roland DGA or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

Meet Love… On Friday, June 27 at 2 p.m. Local Time, Love is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at EchoPark Speedway. Stop by to meet Love and purchase new No. 2 gear.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

What is the key to success at EchoPark Speedway?

“I’m not sure, because I haven’t won there yet. I’ve seemed to dominate every time that I’ve gone there, but a huge part of being successful is having a really fast race car. The spring and fall races are two completely different races and not the same in the slightest. One is a speedway race and then the other is basically a high downforce, high drag intermediate race. I don’t think this race is going to be the same as last year’s fall race. We won’t be packed up tight, and we will probably be sliding around which will be super challenging. I think that caught us a little off guard last year and we are better prepared for it this time around.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at EchoPark Speedway… Austin Hill has seven career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at EchoPark Speedway, earning five wins and a second-place finish while piloting the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet. Hill has led at least one lap in each of his seven starts, totaling 364 laps pacing the field. In addition, Hill has six NASCAR Truck Series starts at the Hampton, Georgia facility, posting one pole (2019), two top-five (2020, 2021) and three top-10 results (2019-2021).

Defending Race Winner… Hill enters EchoPark Speedway as the defending race winner, with the veteran driver claiming the victory in the last three Xfinity Series events – dating back to the 2024 spring race – and five of the last six.

Record Chasing, Again… Hill is currently tied with Kevin Harvick for the most all-time Xfinity Series wins at EchoPark Speedway. Harvick’s five victories came before the track reconfiguration, while Hill’s five checkered flags have all been on the new surface.

Did You Know? After his dramatic three-wide victory at Talladega Superspeedway in April, Hill is now the all-time Xfinity Series drafting track leader in wins (nine), stage wins (14), and laps led (754). The 31-year-old is the only Xfinity Series driver to win on all three drafting tracks.

Bennett Home Track… Located a short 15 minutes from EchoPark Speedway, Bennett Transportation & Logistics’ headquarters are based in McDonough, Georgia. Bennett Family of Companies will have hundreds of guests on site to watch Hill compete on Friday night.

Celebrating Exceptional Truck Drivers… In conjunction with their home track race, Bennett is celebrating exceptional truck drivers with 20 names featured on the No. 21 Chevrolet. Of the 20 individuals honored, seven are from Bennett’s Women In The Drivers Seat program, while 13 are from Bennett’s Driver of the Year program. At Bennett, Driver of the Year is one of the highest honors a professional driver can receive. Each recipient is handpicked by their business unit leader from a group of standout drivers who’ve demonstrated excellence throughout the year. These individuals represent the very best in their fleet – prioritizing safety, living out Bennett’s core values, and going above and beyond in their work.

Georgia Boy Returns Home… Hill is a native of Winston, Georgia, sited 60 miles from EchoPark Speedway. Hill started his motorsports career racing bandolero and legends cars on the frontstretch quarter-mile oval at Atlanta. Hill’s extended family continues to live in the Peachtree State and will be in attendance for Friday’s race.

About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies provides industry-leading logistics solutions that help businesses thrive. Whether you need specialized trucking, warehousing, 3PL, exporting, importing, or crane services, Bennett has the expertise to handle your most complex and time-sensitive freight. From LTL to over-dimensional truckloads, Bennett ensures safe, reliable, and on-time deliveries around the world. With a legacy of excellence since 1974, their family and woman-owned company is dedicated to providing personalized, flexible solutions that meet your unique business needs. Trust Bennett to deliver when it matters most – discover how we can help your business grow at www.bennettig.com. Together we can move anything.

Meet Hill… On Friday, June 27, fans have two opportunities to meet Hill prior to the green flag. At 1:20 p.m. Local Time, Hill is scheduled to make an appearance at the Bennett Family of Companies Display in the Fan Zone at EchoPark Speedway. Immediately following at 1:40 p.m. Local Time, the hometown driver is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at EchoPark Speedway. Stop by to meet and get an autograph from the defending race winner.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

You’ve had a lot of success at EchoPark Speedway. What is the outlook heading back?

“Our No. 21 team has been so good in Atlanta, but it’s just like any superspeedway race. All it takes is one crash or one guy to make a mistake, and you’re on the hook. When we go there, our team can’t be over confident and think ‘oh, we are going to go win the race.’ We have to do everything right and hope that it works out in the end. We know how to put ourselves in positions to run up front and win. We’ve proven that. But we can’t let our guard down and think it will be easy.”

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John Force Racing Names Jordan Vandergriff Driver of Cornwell Tools Funny Car

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Drag racing rising star Jordan Vandergriff has been named as the driver of John Force Racing’s Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car for the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

The announcement was made Friday at the NHRA booth during Day 2 of the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

“This is a dream come true to have the opportunity not only with John Force Racing, the premier team in NHRA Drag Racing, but to drive the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Funny Car for the greatest Funny Car driver of all time,” said Vandergriff. “As a kid growing up in the sport, you look at John and you see the greatness he’s portrayed, so the fact that I get to drive a Funny Car for him is amazing.”

The California native had two NHRA starts in 2025, driving in relief of injured Top Fuel driver Shawn Reed at Brainerd and Indianapolis. In the 11 Top Fuel races of his rookie season in 2019, Vandergriff earned a runner-up finish at Dallas and two other semi-final showings. He has served as an NHRA on FOX reporter the past two seasons.

“I think the transition to Funny Car is going to be fine. I’ve proven that I can drive the Top Fuel car well and the Funny Car presents a new fun challenge. It’s a shorter wheelbase and a lot more violent but I did some test hits in 2024 in John’s car and, ever since, I’ve had to itch to drive these cars.”

Cornwell Quality Tools began its partnership with John Force Racing in 2019 and has steadily expanded its presence. They have been the primary sponsor of the Funny Car program the past two seasons and held the primary position on Brittany Force’s Top Fuel dragster team at the 2025 U.S. Nationals when she set the national speed record of 343.51 mph. Cornwell Quality Tools is also the Official Professional Tools of NHRA.

“We are incredibly excited about today’s announcement from John Force Racing and to welcome Jordan Vandergriff to the Cornwell Tools Funny Car program,” said Cornwell Quality Tools CEO Bob Studenic. “Jordan is a dynamic talent with the skill, professionalism, and competitive fire that align perfectly with Cornwell’s values and our commitment to excellence.

“With more than 810 hardworking, USA-based Cornwell dealers representing our brand coast to coast, this partnership is bigger than racing—it’s a celebration of the drive, integrity, and craftsmanship that define who we are. Our dealers, employees, and customers have helped build Cornwell Tools into a championship-caliber organization, and we look forward to standing beside Jordan and the entire JFR team as we chase even greater success in the year ahead.

“This is an exciting moment for Cornwell Tools. We’re proud to continue our longstanding relationship with John Force Racing, and we can’t wait for our dealers to experience another season of world-class competition with the Cornwell Tools Funny Car.”

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“I have a great relationship with Cornwell Quality Tools and I’m super happy they decided to pick me,” said Vandergriff. “They’re such a quality brand and they’ve done so much in the world of NHRA Drag Racing. I’m excited that I get to help their dealers sell tools and celebrate race wins together!”

John Force Racing’s full 2026 lineup will include 2012 Funny Car Champion Jack Beckman, Alexis DeJoria and Vandergriff in Funny Car and Josh Hart in Top Fuel.

“We’re proud to announce Jordan Vandergriff as the driver of the Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car for John Force Racing,” John Force said. “We worked closely with the folks at Cornwell Tools to make sure we had the right fit for their program. Jordan did a great job when he tested with us a couple of years ago but we didn’t have a place for him at the time. Now that we have all of our drivers in place, we can focus 100 percent on preparing our cars and teams for the 2026 season.”

Veteran crew chief Chris Cunningham will move to the Cornwell Tools team from John Force Racing’s Peak Antifreeze and Coolant Funny Car with 2012 Funny Car Champion Jack Beckman. Cunningham has been a key part of John Force Racing in various positions since 2016.

“This is the opportunity I’ve been working towards. I’ve always wanted to run a full season and compete for a championship,” said Vandergriff. “I want the chance to run with the best and prove that I can be one of the best. This car has won two championships in a row, and Cunningham has so much experience. I have great respect for what he’s done in the sport, and I’m honored that I get to work with him.”

Further announcements from John Force Racing will be made in the coming weeks.

This story was originally published on December 12, 2025. Drag IllustratedDrag Illustrated





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Nascar legal saga ends as 23XI, Front Row secure settlement

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Motor racing’s Nascar series has reached a settlement with its 23XI and Front Row Motorsports teams with which it has been embroiled in a long-term legal feud over antitrust concerns surrounding stock car racing.

Front Row Motorsports and 23XI (co-owned by NBA icon Michael Jordan) accused Nascar of monopolistic practices relating to its revenue-sharing “charter” model, introduced in 2016 and renewed in 2024, through which the pair claimed Nascar worked to prevent competition.

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The settlement, financial terms of which will remain confidential, has ended the case, with a number of notable concessions that could change the landscape of Nascar for the future.

Both 23XI and Front Row Motorsport have regained their charters, three each, which were suspended amid the court proceedings.

Furthermore, the 36 charters of all 15 Nascar teams will now become ‘evergreen’, effectively making them permanent rather than expiring, and those teams now have an increased say in the governance of the series, and crucially, an increased share in the series’ overall revenue.

The teams have, reportedly, already been made aware of these changes in a Thursday meeting, with the new rules to be implemented at a later date.

Also reinstated is the three-strike rule, now expanded to five strikes, which allows teams to flag complaints with Nascar rule changes and, if a team were to reach that three (now five) strike threshold, they could depart to race for a rival stock car series.

The decision came after both plaintiffs rested their case after eight days of court in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Following the conclusion of the case, Bob Jenkins, owner of the Front Row Motorsports team, commented: “After more than 20 years in this sport, today gives me real confidence in where we’re headed.

“It was clear we needed a system that treated our teams, drivers, and sponsors fairly and kept the competition strong. With this change, we can finally build long-term value and have a real voice in Nascar’s future.”

In a separate statement, Nascar chief executive and chair Jim France added: “This outcome gives all parties the flexibility and confidence to continue delivering unforgettable racing moments for our fans, which has always been our highest priority since the sport was founded in 1948.

“We worked closely with race teams and tracks to create the Nascar charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series. Today’s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value, ensuring our fans continue to enjoy the very best of stock car racing for generations to come.”

The next season of Nascar will begin on February 15, 2026, with the iconic Daytona 500 race.




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Sunoco to sponsor No. 8 Ganassi Honda IndyCar in multi-year deal

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Sunoco is making its return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as a full-time primary partner with Chip Ganassi Racing on the No. 8 Honda driven by Kyffin Simpson beginning in 2026. The multi-year agreement marks Sunoco’s first full-season primary partnership in INDYCAR since 1973.

Sunoco, the largest independent fuel distributor in the Americas, previously served as the primary fuel supplier of INDYCAR from 2010-2018 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 2015-2018. The company’s new commitment to the Fastest Racing on Earth signals a powerful reentry into top-tier open-wheel racing and a notable partnership with one of motorsport’s winningest teams.

Notes of Interest:

Returning to American Open-Wheel Racing: With the deal, Sunoco returns to the INDYCAR SERIES with a full season team primary partnership for the first time in 53 years. Sunoco’s relationship with INDYCAR goes back to 1968 in Riverside, California, when Mark Donohue drove the No. 12 Sunoco Eagle. Donohue and Sunoco won their first Indianapolis 500 four years later. Its INDYCAR roster also includes Gary Bettenhausen, Tony Kanaan, NASCAR legend Bobby Allison and current INDYCAR on FOX personality Townsend Bell.

Simpson Behind the Wheel: Kyffin Simpson is one of the young talents in the sport, completing two full INDYCAR seasons before his 21st birthday – which is more starts than Chip Ganassi Racing champions Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Jimmy Vasser or Alex Zanardi had by their 21st birthdays. The 2025 season marked a significant step forward for the Caymanian, scoring his first career podium, three top-5 finishes, six top-10s and his first trip to the Firestone Fast Six. He will look to take another leap forward, fighting for wins in 2026 and continue learning from his teammates that share a combined 10 INDYCAR championships and two Indianapolis 500 victories.

A Trusted Fuel Brand: The largest manufacturer of race fuels, Dallas-based Sunoco will use the partnership to showcase Sunoco 94 Octane, the highest-octane fuel on the market. As a Top Tier™ fuel, it can help engines run cleaner, longer and more efficiently. Beyond INDYCAR, Sunoco remains a dominant force in American motorsports, supplying high-performance fuel to more than 500 tracks and over 50 racing series nationwide.

A Championship Pairing: Sunoco joins Chip Ganassi Racing after one of the most successful seasons for a team in INDYCAR history. Combining for nine wins, six poles and 17 podiums with Dixon, Palou and Simpson, the team won both the Indianapolis 500 and the INDYCAR championship. Since its founding in 1990, CGR has won 17 INDYCAR championships, tied for most all-time, and over 145 INDYCAR races. Sunoco will have a presence across all Chip Ganassi Racing INDYCAR entries for all 17 races.

Chip Ganassi, Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing:“Sunoco has long been synonymous with performance and innovation, values that mirror the DNA of our team. To join forces with such an iconic brand and one with a storied legacy in INDYCAR is truly special. This partnership reflects our shared drive to keep pushing boundaries, and we look forward to what we’ll accomplish together on and off the track.”

Kyffin Simpson, Driver, No. 8 Sunoco Chip Ganassi Racing Honda: “Starting my third year in INDYCAR with Sunoco joining the No. 8 Honda is an incredible boost. We’ve made big strides on the track, and this partnership will only help us get better, I’m confident we can take another step forward and have even more success in 2026 and beyond.”



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NHRA Releases National Event Category Schedule For 2026

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The NHRA has announced the full Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national event category schedule and a series of purse increases for the 2026 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, outlining a wide-ranging competition lineup as the sanctioning body enters its 75th anniversary season.

The schedule details every sportsman and professional category set to compete at NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series national events during the commemorative campaign. Alongside the calendar, NHRA confirmed nearly a 15 percent increase in national-event purse payouts for Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series racers, as well as a 33 percent boost to regional championship purses for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car competitors in each NHRA division. New logos for all seven NHRA divisions were also unveiled.

The milestone season will open with the 57th annual NHRA Gatornationals, March 5–8, at Gainesville Raceway. Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock are scheduled to compete at all 20 national events, while Pro Stock Motorcycle will appear at 15 events in 2025.

nhra, national event, schedule

Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will contest 13 national events in 2026, highlighted by a national-event debut at Maryland International Raceway. Competition Eliminator will race at 15 events, while Super Stock, Stock, and Super Gas will each appear at 19 national events, including first-time national events at South Georgia Motorsports Park and Rockingham Dragway.

Super Street will compete at seven national events, while Top Dragster and Top Sportsman are both slated for 16 appearances. In the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, all four professional categories will again compete at every Countdown to the Championship playoff event. All-Star Callout races will return, with Top Fuel in Gainesville, Funny Car in Indianapolis, Pro Stock in Norwalk, and Pro Stock Motorcycle in Sonoma. The Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge will also return for 13 regular-season events.

NHRA also released the 2026 Super Stock and Stock class specialty race schedule, with events planned at Gainesville, No Problem Raceway, Firebird Raceway, Beech Bend Raceway Park, Brainerd International Raceway, Indianapolis, Famoso Dragstrip, and Maple Grove Raceway.



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Rick Hendrick comments after the NASCAR lawsuit settlement

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23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have settled their lawsuit with NASCAR

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were in court, suing NASCAR for alleged anti competitive practices. On Thursday, the two sides agreed to a settlement.

The two teams will receive an undisclosed amount. 23XI and FRM will now have their charters returned.

NASCAR lawsuit settled; Comments from both sides

In turn, all charter holders will have the option to sign an updated charter agreement. Evergreen charters have entered the agreement, making the charter system permanent.

This is something that all teams were looking for during the negotiations, years ago. NASCAR has just agreed to give it to them.

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports is pleased that it’s over with…

Rick Hendrick comments

“Millions of loyal NASCAR fans and thousands of hardworking people rely on our industry, and today’s resolution allows all of us to focus on what truly matters – the future of the sport,” Rick Hendrick stated.

“For more than 40 years, NASCAR racing has been my passion. I believe deeply in what we can accomplish when we work together.”

“This moment presents an important opportunity to strengthen our relationships and recommit ourselves to building a collaborative and prosperous future for all stakeholders. I’m incredibly optimistic about what’s ahead.”

Hendrick concluded, “When our industry is united, there’s no limit to how far we can go or how much we can grow the sport we love.”

Hendrick Motorsports lost $20M despite 2 NASCAR championships

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NASCAR | Hendrick Motorsports | 23XI Racing | Front Row Motorsports



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Charlotte Motor Speedway sells land near NASCAR track to Hendrick Motorsports

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Hendrick Motorsports has made another significant land purchase in Concord.

ALSO READ: NASCAR settles federal antitrust case

Late last month, an entity tied to Hendrick bought a 20.2-acre site at 7001 Bruton Smith Blvd. for $14.2 million, according to Cabarrus County real estate records. The site was acquired from Charlotte Motor Speedway LLC, which is affiliated with racetrack owner Speedway Motorsports.

Read more at Charlotte Business Journal’s website here.

VIDEO: NASCAR settles federal antitrust case



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