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RCR Race Preview: Michigan International Speedway – Speedway Digest

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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway… In 188 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan International Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has recorded three wins with drivers Dale Earnhardt (1987, 1990) and Kevin Harvick (2010), and one pole award with Jeff Burton (2006). RCR has 26 top-five finishes and 60 top-10 finishes in Cup Series competition at Michigan. Earnhardt scored the first Michigan win for the organization in dominating fashion, leading 152 of 200 laps in June 1987. His second win, in June 1990, came when he beat Ernie Irvan to the checkered flag by just .22 seconds. Harvick’s victory in August 2010 came after the No. 29 team elected to gamble late in the race, giving the California native his first win at in the Irish Hills.

Did You Know… Richard Childress made 17 starts at Michigan International Speedway during his NASCAR Cup Series driving career between 1972 and 1981. Childress earned four top-10 finishes at Michigan, with a career-best finish of sixth in June 1974.

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.

Watch Us on Amazon Prime… The NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, June 8, beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime, the third of five consecutive races this season that will air on the streaming service. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR Cup Series Practice & Qualifying at Michigan International Speedway will also be broadcast on Amazon Prime. 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 Dow MobilityScienceTM Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway… Austin Dillon has 21 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan International Speedway, posting his best finish of fourth in August 2018. He owns two top-five finishes, five top-10 finishes and has led 39 laps in Cup Series competition at the track. Additionally at Michigan, Dillon owns one NASCAR Xfinity Series win (2018) and two pole awards (2012 and 2013) in four Series starts. He also has four starts in the NASCAR Truck Series at Michigan, earning two top-five finishes and one pole (2010) with 38 laps led. In his lone ARCA Menards Series start at Michigan, Dillon finished second (2009).

Winner, Winner… Dillon won a rain-shortened NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Michigan International Speedway in 2018, leading 18 laps enroute to victory in the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Cabella’s Chevrolet.

Dow brings a science and engineering crew who is driven by limitless curiosity to the RCR Team… Dillon and the RCR team are again supported by Dow’s materials science expertise and technologies this season. Backed by the power of data analysis and virtual modeling, Dow develops and manufactures high-performance components and materials custom-made for the No. 3 car. Dow and RCR’s partnership has expedited innovation and shortened testing time in the automotive industry by using one of the most extreme environments – the racetrack – as a real-time testbed. After 12 years of collaboration, Dow scientists and RCR engineers are continuing to work together to make the No. 3 car faster, safer, and more precise. Stay up to date with Dow’s exciting developments at www.dow.com/sports, and follow them on X (@DowSports) and LinkedIn (Dow Sports Marketing Solutions).

Dow MobilityScience™… Dow’s MobilityScience™ platform is designed to enhance the customer experience by tailoring technologies, products, and services from across Dow businesses to the transportation industry. The platform is pursuing accelerated growth by addressing Mobility mega-trends – where lighter weight, longer range, greater comfort, enhanced safety, and lower carbon footprint are the ultimate objectives. That is where Dow science, innovation, and people step in – working closely with customers to create the materials that bring the possibilities to life.

Hey Batter, Batter… Dillon and his teammate, Kyle Busch, are scheduled to visit the Detroit Tigers on Friday to participate in batting practice with the team in advance of the first of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. Dillon played in the Little League World Series in 2002.

Meet Dillon… Dillon is scheduled to make a stop at the RCR Merchandise hauler in the fan midway at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, June 8, at 10:20 a.m. Local Time. Stop by to meet the driver of the No. 3 Dow MobilityScienceTM Chevrolet and get new RCR gear.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

What are your thoughts on Michigan International Speedway?

“Michigan International Speedway is a big, fast, two-mile oval. It’s the fastest track on the NASCAR schedule. You’re always trying to make moves and get big runs when you can. Michigan is one of those places where you definitely feel the speed as soon as you get there. Getting to pit road can be tricky because you’re coming in so fast, and it’s key to entering and exiting without any penalties. Michigan provides long green flag runs, and it’s hard to make up a lap there. Overall, I really like racing at Michigan.”

What makes racing at Michigan International Speedway especially important for you and your team?

“When we race at Michigan International Speedway, you always want to perform well for your manufacturer. That’s a big race for all the OEMs, and we want to put Chevy out front at all costs. Michigan is also the home of Dow, which makes it even more meaningful. We want to put on a great race and create a great experience for everyone from Dow who comes out to see the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet on track.”

You’ve had some memorable races at Michigan International Speedway in the past, and have come close to winning there…

“We’ve had some good races in the past at Michigan International Speedway, and some really fast Chevrolets. You always want to perform in front of your manufacturer’s home, and for everyone at Dow. I remember having a shot to win in 2023. We were really fast and then I almost got flipped upside down by Brad Keselowski at the start/finish line and wrecked. It’s racing. It happens in this sport.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 BetMGM Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway… Sunday’s 400-mile race will mark Kyle Busch’s 37th career NASCAR Cup Series start at Michigan International Speedway. Busch earned his lone win at the two-mile oval in August 2011 and boasts 10 top-five finishes and 16 top-10 finishes at the track. Additionally at Michigan, the 40-year-old driver has led 303 laps, holds an average starting position of 12.3 and an average finish of 17.2.

A Winning Tradition… In August 2011, Busch passed Jimmie Johnson in Turn 1 with 12 laps to go and survived a late restart following a caution that extended the race an extra three laps to earn his lone win at the D-shaped oval. It was the first victory for Busch in 14 tries in the Cup Series at Michigan. The win was the series-leading fourth of the season at the time for Busch. Busch also owns two wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Michigan (August 2004 and June 2015), and one win in the NASCAR Truck Series (August 2015).

A Look Back… In last year’s Cup Series race at Michigan, Busch started 13th after much of practice and qualifying rained out. He worked his way forward in the race, claiming the second stage. The No. 8 team took a late-race gamble in the form of a two-tire pit stop, which culminated with Busch claiming a solid fourth-place finish when the rain-delayed race ended Monday.

Testing… Following last week’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway, Busch and the No. 8 team participated in the Goodyear tire test at Iowa Speedway.

Hey Batter, Batter… Busch and his teammate, Austin Dillon, are scheduled to visit the Detroit Tigers on Friday to participate in batting practice with the team in advance of the first of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

Meet Busch… On Sunday, June 8 at 11:25 a.m. ET, Busch is scheduled to visit the Chevrolet display in the Michigan International Speedway midway for a question and answer session.

About BetMGM… BetMGM is a market leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company, pioneering the online gaming industry. Born out of a partnership between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Entain Plc (LSE: ENT), BetMGM has exclusive access to all of MGM’s U.S. land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online gaming businesses. Utilizing Entain’s U.S.-licensed, state-of-the-art technology, BetMGM offers sports betting and online gaming via market-leading brands including BetMGM, Borgata Casino, Party Casino and Party Poker. Founded in 2018, BetMGM is headquartered in New Jersey. For more information, visit https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

How big of a factor is the draft at Michigan International Speedway?

“Over the last couple of years with this new Next Gen car, the draft at Michigan International Speedway has become less effective in my opinion. These cars don’t quite suck up on the straightaways the way the old cars could.”

Is it refreshing to race at a place like Michigan International Speedway where you can move around the track and find a line that works?

“Michigan over the years has been pretty lane dominant, but with the addition of the traction compound through the corners, it has led itself to widening out and allowing you to try different grooves. It still isn’t as wide as it once was. Back in 2013 you could race along the wall, but it’s getting better and going in that direction.”

Looking back at this race last year, what do you remember about that fourth-place finish?

“I wish I came off pit road with about an eight-second lead. That might’ve helped a little bit. Overall, just net positive on the weekend being upfront and having a shot at the win. We ran in the top 10 all day. It was a really good call by Randall Burnett and the guys to take two tires, get us more track position and just try to hold the leaders off as best we could. Overall, it was a good day for our RCR team.”

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$2.3 Trillion Giant Makes Stunning NASCAR Power Play With Chase Elliott for 2026

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The most popular driver in NASCAR is about to carry the colors of the most powerful streamer on the planet in a bold new way. For three races in the 2026 season, Amazon Prime Video will sponsor Chase Elliot, flashing a new color scheme for his car.

Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet will unveil a dramatically revised paint scheme for the 2026 season, a visual declaration of Amazon Prime Video’s deepening and aggressive stake in the sport’s future.

Which Races Will Chase Elliott Run With the Amazon Prime Livery in 2026?

Elliott is about to get a new color scheme for his car as Amazon Prime Video is sponsoring Chase Elliot for three races in the 2026 season. We will see the Amazon Prime Video on Elliott’s car next year at the Talladega, Texas, and the Dover All-Star Race.

The 2026 design shifts away from the brighter blues of the 2025 car, opting for darker, more aggressive tones. Added black accents and stronger contrast to give it a sharper, more authoritative look on track. The update deliberately distances the car from other blue-hued competitors, ensuring the $2.3 trillion tech behemoth’s rolling billboard stands utterly alone.

Amazon joined Hendrick Motorsports as a primary sponsor for Chase Elliott starting in 2025. It also became the sport’s first direct-to-consumer media partner this year. Holding roles as a team sponsor and a broadcaster at the same time raised eyebrows in the NASCAR community.

This time, on-car promotions directly precede Prime Video’s second season of broadcasting five exclusive Cup Series races, which begin with the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24. For 2026, Prime Video will again serve as a primary sponsor for Elliott in three select races, continuing a partnership that runs firmly through 2027.

The No. 9 car will first wear the updated livery at Talladega Superspeedway in late April, then at Texas Motor Speedway, with a final primary appearance at the All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway in mid-May.

MORE: Chase Elliott’s Long-Ignored Warning Forces NASCAR To Reconsider the Next Gen Car

Prime’s broadcast schedule also features the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31, the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 7, and the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on June 14.

Prime Video first sponsored Chase Elliott in 2025 for races at Talladega and Kansas Speedway. Like last year, these races kick off Prime Video’s five-race stretch of NASCAR Cup Series broadcasts.

The Prime broadcast schedule wraps up with the Anduril 250 during NASCAR San Diego Weekend on June 21. The event brings all three of NASCAR’s national series to Naval Base Coronado, where the drivers will tackle a unique 16-turn, 3.4-mile street circuit.





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Ironton Auto Body Challenge Set For Indoor Auto Racing

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ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When the Indoor Auto Racing Series returns to the PPL Center on January 9-10 for the ninth annual Ironton Global Allentown Indoor Races, TQ Midget drivers will once again have a chance to capture the $10,000 Ironton Auto Body Challenge by sweeping the weekend and winning both features.

In 2024, young driver Tanner VanDoren and Ryan Flores split the TQ Midget mains on the tenth-mile concrete oval. Flores won the Friday opener in 2025, but finished second Saturday to Andy Jankowiak. Although both enjoyed a successful weekend, the $10,000 sweep slipped away in Allentown.

Three weeks later, Flores got a second chance at the Ironton Auto Body bonus and redeemed himself by winning the series finale NAPA Auto Parts Gambler’s Classic inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

Thanks to renewed support from Ironton Auto Body, the possibility of a $10,000 weekend inside the PPL Center returns for a third straight year. To complete the challenge, Friday’s winner will be offered a guaranteed starting spot in Saturday’s main event — with one caveat: they must start 10th.

As a bonus for accepting the challenge, Friday’s winner will receive $1,000. Should they advance from 10th and win again on Saturday, another $4,000 bonus will be awarded. Combining the $5,000 in bonus money with Saturday’s purse will bring their total to $10,000.

If the weekend sweep isn’t accomplished, Ironton Auto Body will once again roll over a portion of the challenge to the Atlantic City Indoor Race.

With his victory in last year’s NAPA Gambler’s Classic, Flores collected $10,000, including Ironton Auto Body Challenge bonus money as well as support from the AC Sports Commission and Visit Atlantic City.

The headline TQ Midget division will be joined by Slingshots and Champ Karts, with full programs and feature events for all three classes.

 



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Jimmie Johnson confirms Daytona 500 decision as schedule takes shape – Motorsport – Sports

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NASCAR icon and Legacy Motor Club team owner Jimmie Johnson has all but confirmed that he will be returning behind the wheel for the Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 in February 2026.

While Johnson, 50, retired from full-time driving after the 2020 season, he has gone on to compete in a handful of Cup Series races behind the wheel of the No. 84 for Legacy, since first investing in the team in 2022.

This has included all three Daytona 500s since, including the 2025 edition, which saw him finish a remarkable third, marking the team’s joint-best result of the season, as William Byron took the checkered flag in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for the second consecutive season.

Previously, Johnson’s only confirmed race for 2026 was the inaugural race at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy in his hometown.

However, in a hilarious social media post on Wednesday, Johnson appeared to confirm he will run the 500 again in February, sponsored once again by Carvana.

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In a Bob Ross-inspired video, Johnson painted the No. 84’s paint scheme for the race, commenting, “Let’s make some magic here. The key to a happy paint scheme is happy colors…We can’t forget the Carvana happy halos. Because every cardeserves a happy driver.”

The clip was accompanied by the caption, “The 2026 Daytona paint scheme drops tomorrow! Stay tuned to watch your favorite artist (and driver) design a new look for the iconic Carvana 84 car.”

Fans were thrilled by the announcement and justifiably loved the video, with one commenting, “This is quality content.” A second said, “Oh didnt realize Jimmie was making an attempt again for the 500!!! Oh this made my day hearing so.” While another simply replied, “HAPPY COLORS HAPPY CARS.”

Johnson’s decision to run the 500, a race won in 2006 and 2013, adds to what is currently a relatively quiet Cup Series schedule for the No. 84 in 2026. This isn’t a surprise given that back in August, he told fellow former champion Kevin Harvick that while he “would like” to compete this coming season, “I am finding that I am more impactful for the business side of the house out of the car and in the suite or in our hospitality area with our sponsors.”

Johnson will be racing alongside the returning full-time Legacy start Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, who finished 12th and fifth, respectively, at the 2025 500, going on to finish the season 24th and 25th in the drivers’ standings.

To date, Legacy’s only Cup Series win since 2022 came in its inaugural season courtesy of Jones, taking the checkered flag at Darlington Raceway in the Cook Out Southern 500. Beyond NASCAR, it remains unclear if Johnson plans to race in any further events in 2026.



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Motorsports journalist Matt Weaver talks NASCAR lawsuit | Racing Report | Ep. 042

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(WGHP) — Join FOX8 Photojournalist Chris Weaver as we show you the world behind the driver’s seat in Racing Report.

Today on Racing Report with Chris Weaver, we’ve got a full breakdown of the settlement between NASCAR, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in the antitrust lawsuit filed by the two teams against NASCAR.

Matt Weaver, the senior motorsports editor at Motorsport.com, joins us today to give his detailed analysis of the case. He spent nearly every day in the courtroom during the trial and much of the last year following the proceedings as it came to this point.

With the settlement, NASCAR is giving the teams much of what they asked for in their lawsuit. We’ll break it all down on Racing Report.

Tune in using the video player above or watch it on the MyFOX8+ connected TV app on Roku, AppleTV and Fire TV.



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LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Takes NASCAR Spirit to Japan with Toyota, Jimmie Johnson, and John Hunter Nemechek – Speedway Digest

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Today, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB released a comprehensive behind-the-scenes video documenting a recent trip to Japan. The YouTube video titled “The Climb to Mt. Fuji | Building NASCAR for Japan” highlights global motorsports culture, fan connection, and the cross-cultural exchange between two countries who share a passion for motorsports. The video recaps the journey made by a ten-member delegation from LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, along with drivers John Hunter Nemechek and Jimmie Johnson to participate in a special exhibition event hosted by the Automobile Business & Culture Association of Japan (ABAJ). 

While in Japan, Nemechek drove the No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE and Johnson piloted the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Garage 56 Chevrolet, the same vehicle that competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The multi-day visit included time in Tokyo, where the drivers explored iconic districts and neighborhoods, as well as extensive fan-focused activities at Fuji Speedway. Johnson and Nemechek participated in media interviews, autograph sessions, and provided ride-along experiences for guests. Both cars completed exhibition pace laps and celebratory burnouts ahead of the Super Taikyu Series endurance championship finale on November 16.

The event at Fuji Speedway offered Japanese fans a rare opportunity to see NASCAR vehicles on their home soil. Fans waved American flags as Johnson and Nemechek, along with Japanese drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Takuma Koga, took their places on the grid before the exhibition laps.

A Trip Focused on Culture and Connection 
During their stay, Johnson and Nemechek toured Toyota facilities, visited an active volcanic site, explored Tokyo, immersed themselves in the Japanese culture, and connected with hundreds of fans who have followed their careers for years.

“Japan has always had an incredible passion for motorsports,” said Johnson, owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. “Being able to share our sport with fans halfway around the world – seeing them decked out in our gear and experiencing their racing culture firsthand – was something I’ll never forget.”

Nemechek echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the special connection made with fans abroad. He also posted a behind the scenes video exclusive to his YouTube channel which can be viewed HERE.

“Japan welcomed us with open arms,” said Nemechek. “From the action on track to the energy of the fans, this trip showed how powerful motorsports can be as a universal language. I am very thankful to Toyota and the ABAJ for their hospitality and hope we get to go back.”

Inside the Video: A Closer Look at the Journey 
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s behind-the-scenes feature “The Climb to Mt. Fuji | Building NASCAR for Japan” captures the authentic, unfiltered experience of the trip and includes contributions from Johnson, Nemechek, key team members and fans.

  • Logistics of preparing the NASCAR vehicles and sending them to Japan
  • Candid moments between Johnson and Nemechek
  • Build of the two-seater No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
  • Street-level exploration of Tokyo’s districts
  • Cultural highlights including temples, cuisine, and traditional craft demonstrations
  • Conversations with Japanese motorsports fans and longtime NASCAR supporters
  • The lighter side of international travel – traveling across the world and team camaraderie

The video can be seen across LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s social platforms, in hopes to offer fans an entertaining and immersive look at the international experience. LEGACY MC also released a photo gallery which can be seen HERE.

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Why William Byron Leaned on Chase Elliott When He Was Starting At Hendrick Motorsports

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William Byron’s path to NASCAR’s top tier did not follow the traditional script. But he is pretty much at home alongside the sport’s elite right now. Unlike most drivers who begin in go-karts almost as soon as they can reach the pedals, Byron, 28, did not climb into a race car until his early teens.

Byron’s introduction to motorsports came through iRacing, where he picked up racecraft in a virtual environment before applying those skills to the real world. That unconventional foundation did little to slow his ascent, though.

Once Byron entered NASCAR’s national ranks in 2016, results followed quickly. His early years in the Truck and Xfinity Series progressed impressively. He won seven races during his rookie Truck season in 2017, and followed that with four victories in Xfinity, a performance that saw him win the 2017 championship.

The transition to the Cup Series, however, demanded patience. His first forays at the sport’s highest level proved more challenging. However, during that period, Byron relied heavily on guidance from within Hendrick Motorsports, particularly Chase Elliott.

In 2018, as he continued to learn the Cup Series and its finer details, Byron acknowledged that he was still a work in progress. Despite having legends such as Jeff Gordon available, he frequently turned to Elliott for perspective.

“I think I lean on all of them pretty equally. I think that I lean on Alex [Bowman] the least amount because we’re both new to what’s happening. We have little conversations of what our cars are doing here and there. But it’s not as broad of information as Chase or Jimmie [Johnson],” Byron had said.

The way Byron leaned on some drivers more than others in the team was logical. Elliott and Johnson represented recent success within the organization, and Byron recognized the value of measuring himself against drivers who consistently contended.

“I feel like Chase and Jimmie are the guys I lean on most because those are the guys that have had the most success the last couple [of] years in our organization. I try to gauge myself off of Chase a lot of times because I think we have very similar styles. We’re really close in the shop. It makes a little more sense for me to lean on him,” added Byron.

That willingness to learn has shaped Byron’s growth. Over eight Cup seasons, he has collected 16 wins across 288 starts. The past three seasons have reinforced his growth. Byron finished each year in the top four, securing a spot in the Championship 4.

The #24 driver captured back-to-back Daytona 500 wins in 2024 and 2025, a feat that places him in rare company and reflects his ability to perform on the sport’s biggest stage. Though Byron’s most prolific season came in 2023, when he won six times, his production has remained steady.

Over the last two seasons, Byron added three wins each year, maintaining his presence near the front of the field. And his decision to lean on the stalwarts like Johnson and Elliott seems to have elevated him as one of the top drivers of this generation.



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