Motorsports
Second, again: How a NASCAR Cup win evaded Carson Hocevar in Nashville
Carson Hocevar charged through the field at Nashville after starting 26th, reaching as high as second at the end before seeing the checkered flag. He didn’t get there without some drama as Hocevar ended Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s day after some mid-race contact, drawing the ire of the fiery driver of the No. 47 Chevrolet.
Nonetheless, Hocevar’s march continued, climbing up to seventh by the end of the second stage. The No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet performed a successful undercut in the final round of green-flag pit stops, jumping all the way up to second place on track.
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He started slicing away at margin held by eventual race winner Ryan Blaney, but he stalled out after encountering a wall of traffic. He ended the race with his second runner-up finish of the year after Atlanta, still searching for his first career win after 59 career starts.
“It just proves how strong this group is to go from the disappointment last week to having a really bad qualify draw, qualifying really bad and sticking through it and having a shot. A shot, like a straightaway,” said Hocevar.
He was referencing the Coca-Cola 600, where he was also capable of contending for the race win. Unfortunately, he suffered an engine failure on a mid-race restart while battling for the race lead.
“But just proud of this group, Ziegler Auto Group, everybody that puts [something] into this race car,” continued Hocevar. They deserve good finishes. I think our average with this car is like 38th (with that sponsor). So it’s a big upgrade.”
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He thanked several other team members before continuing: “I was probably being a lot more vocal on the radio than I needed to be, but you’re just trying so hard and trying to find something that is just not there. One spot short again, which is — at least hopefully this is a step in the right direction.”
Read Also:
Ryan Blaney wins NASCAR Cup race at Nashville for Team Penske
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. frustrated with Carson Hocevar after Nashville wreck
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In the high-stakes world of NASCAR Cup Series racing, where billions in revenue swirl around media deals, sponsorships, and the all-important charters that guarantee a team’s spot in every race, most owners play it safe. They sign on the dotted line, grumble privately, and keep the peace with the France family empire. But in late 2024, two teams decided enough was enough.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
23XI Racing—co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin—and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), led by Bob Jenkins, refused to sign NASCAR’s “take-it-or-leave-it” charter extension for 2025-2031. While 13 other teams reluctantly inked the deal, fearing the loss of their valuable franchises, 23XI and Front Row filed a bombshell antitrust lawsuit, accusing NASCAR of monopolistic practices that stifled team growth and funneled too much profit to the sanctioning body.
It was a gutsy move. They raced much of 2025 as “open” teams, forfeiting millions in guaranteed revenue. The trial in Charlotte dragged on for weeks, exposing embarrassing texts, tough negotiations, and the raw power dynamics of the sport. Many in the garage whispered that the rebels were risking it all—for what?
Then, on December 11, 2025, everything changed. Midway through the trial, a settlement was announced. NASCAR blinked.
The deal handed all 15 chartered teams “evergreen” charters—essentially permanent franchises that don’t expire, making them true assets like NFL or NBA teams. Overnight, industry experts estimated charter values could double, from recent sales around $45 million to potentially $90-100 million each. Teams gained shares of international media rights (previously zero for them), a cut of new intellectual property deals, reinstated governance input via an expanded “strike” rule, and more.
The other 13 teams? They got all these upgrades without spending a dime on lawyers, without missing a single purse payout, and without ever sticking their necks out during negotiations.
Although none of the other team owners said, they all had to be thinking, ‘We signed because we felt we had no choice. Those two fought the fight we were all too scared to wage—and now we’re all richer for it.’
The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. The teams that played it safe, signing the original deal under duress, now reap the biggest rewards thanks to the ones who had the balls to sue.
Denny Hamlin captured the resolve behind the fight: “Standing up isn’t easy, but progress never comes from staying silent. The reward is in knowing you changed something.”
Michael Jordan emphasized the broader impact: “From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress. It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans.”
Hamlin added that the outcome is “going to grow the sport, and it’s going to be better for everyone, there’s no doubt about it.”
Other team owners welcomed the resolution. Rick Hendrick stated: “Today’s resolution allows all of us to focus on what truly matters—the future of our sport. 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.”
Roger Penske called it “tremendous news for the industry.”
As ESPN’s Ryan McGee noted, every team once stood united with 23XI and Front Row during negotiations but eventually lacked the balls and signed—leaving the two to carry the fight alone. “They won that fight, and as a result, so did every NASCAR team owner who is fortunate enough to have one of those 36 charters.”
Former NASCAR driver and now pudit, Kenny Wallace, predicted what the settlement by NASCAR could imply for the teams and why it could be game-changing.
Shortly after the announcement, Wallace spoke to the camera, where the 62-year-old shared his thoughts and seemed rather pleased with the turn of events.
Wallace believed 23XI Racing and FRM had gotten what they sought and hence decided to settle. He also presumed that the settlement would translate to more TV revenue and evergreen charters for the teams.
According to Wallace, NASCAR’s leaked letters and the overall fan sentiment prompted the governing body to pursue the settlement route further. He also pointed out that NASCAR bosses’ unwillingness to answer tough questions only weakened the governing body’s case.
For their efforts and fortitude, NASCAR will pay 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports an unknown amount of monetary damages and legal fees.
With permanent charters now in place, the entire Cup Series field reaps enhanced stability and value, courtesy of the two teams that refused to back down. The garage moves forward united, poised for growth in 2026 and beyond.
The overwhelming influence of sponsors in NASCAR became evident during the recent charter agreement fiasco. Teams would face significant challenges in operating and covering their expenses without the substantial real estate opportunities provided by their cars. But seldom do these sponsors, which are often large enterprises, stick to a single team or driver.
Dave Alpern explained why in a video posted by the team on their YouTube handle. He went, “Some sponsors within an organization like to be a family of drivers versus one. Interstate Batteries is a great example.
“Interstate for many years was just on our famed No. 18 car. Now, they try to do at least one race with all of our drivers.”
They also have an associate sponsor logo on all of the team’s cars throughout the season. This is just a marketing strategy that the company employs to have visibility during races and associate itself with one particular well-performing team. Other companies don’t necessarily follow this same approach.
Alpern continued, “There are also brands that choose to sponsor multiple times. I think of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola has a family of different drivers across a bunch of different organizations. Their goal being, they want a winning driver to get out and swig a Coke. The more drivers they have, they feel like that meets their strategy.”
And then, there are companies like Bass Pro Shops. The sporting goods retailer not only sponsors races, but it is also associated with a bunch of different teams. It has strong relationships in the garage with multiple teams and drivers, with a wide reach of sponsorship. The point to be made is that there is no right or wrong in this facet of the sport.
“It kind of just depends on the brand and what their objectives are. But yeah, it’s more common to see one sponsor paired with one driver and car number. But it’s not uncommon to see them spread across multiple cars,” the Joe Gibbs Racing President added.
Race cars are essentially moving billboards for companies, and the ultimate goal is to catch the eye of the passionate fanbase.
Moreover, sponsoring a single car and driver can be a risky gamble. The driver could get injured or perform poorly throughout the season. This would hurt the image of the sponsor heavily and go against their end goal.
Published on
December 13, 2025
MotorCity Dark Horse Racing has started making headlines. Dark Horse Racing is a Detroit-based, newly formed racing company that has just recently started racing in major competitions like the IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) sanctioned events, and has just landed a partnership with global corporations META. It is a pivotal moment in Dark Horse Motor City’s history, and META’s partnership with Motor City opens the door to trailblazing tech innovations for the motorsports industry.
With the company gaining traction, the strategic collaboration with META’s AI program will continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in high-speed motorsports. With AI tools that will enhance motorsport activities like racing, collaboration, and interaction of the vehicles, the company is headed for a bright future.
Motorcity Dark Horse Racing – A New Era in Professional Motorsport
MotorCity Dark Horse Racing set out to make a mark in the motorsport industry and, within a year, achieved extraordinary success by entering the season in major global competitions. The team has competitors in support races at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Lone Star Le Mans, racing events that are synonymous with pushing vehicles and racing athletes to their physical and mental extremes. The team has garnered noteworthy attention, even in its rookie year, for its performance at the events and its relentless commitment to professional motorsport.
Motorcity Dark Horse Racing has a new partnership with Patrick Gen AI Racing. This is the start of new opportunities for this team in professional motorsport. This collaboration will enhance the team’s operational performance, on track and off, and provide the team with the means to implement more advanced and beneficial technology. The team has improved its prospects for success in upcoming races as the collaboration will enhance the team’s operational performance.
META LLama Collaboration: Starting Right
As the team works towards future goals, one of the most recent accomplishments was the acceptance of the team into META Corporation’s LLama Startup AI Program. Beginning in June of 2025, this program pairs early-stage startups and corporate partners, using some of the most innovative and advanced AI technologies to develop cross-industry relationships. It was a first in the sector of motorsport to have a company like MotorCity Dark Horse Racing become a participant.
Thanks to this partnership, the team is now able to use industry-leading AI to streamline how they race and the ways they approach every aspect of the competition. AI is now used in every facet to increase performance through race strategy selection, team coordination, vehicle setup, tire prediction, and more. META worked with their individual AI practitioners to refine and cooperate with the team in model training, using legacy data that was vital to the team’s competitiveness.
Innovations to Combat Motor Racing Performance
The focus of this collaboration with META is in three major areas: AI-powered optimization, predictive analytics, and enhancement of team collaboration.
The Benefits of AI-Driven Optimization: The team has used AI in vehicle setup optimization in areas of suspension settings, aerodynamics, etc. The team obtains a competitive edge by being able to change setups and update conditions in real time.
The Benefits of AI-Driven Predictive Analytics: The team has been able to foresee and track conditions, weather, etc, and adapt strategies accordingly in real time. This has been able to decrease time spent on decision-making especially when it comes to tire compound and pit stop changes.
The Benefits of AI-Enhanced Team Collaboration: There has been an improvement in real-time decision-making and communication with the entire team. The team operates more quickly, collaboratively, and internally.
How META Helps Businesses Innovate
MotorCity Dark Horse Racing has made enormous strides, and META has played a crucial role in that growth. The team benefited from META’s AI tools, as well as systems engineering, and from META’s experts in consulting. Other creative startups in META’s network have partnered with the team and provided helpful knowledge and tactics for MotorCity Dark Horse Racing.
The company collaborates with motor racing with technology in unusual ways, and for that, they partnered with META for the AI program targeted for startups in all sectors. With Starter META’s proprietary tools, they can advance in areas where motor racing is not as developed. Because of all the support they have received, they can compete in highly developed areas and advance motorsports.
Potential Horizons: A New Era of Motorsport
The entry of Motor City Dark Horse Racing to META’s Llama Startup AI program opens a series of opportunities in the world of motorsport. Within a framework of advanced AI development, the team is likely to enjoy consistent success, not only in racing but also in achieving the nirvana of the convergence of technology and motorsport.
With the help of META’s AI-enhanced tools, the team’s efforts towards fostering technology-driven innovativeness should allow them to remain pioneers of technology in the world of motorsport. In the coming years, the continued advancement of AI in partnered development is likely to enable novel technology pathways that could promote sport itself.
Conclusion
During this period, the journey of Motor City Dark Horse Racing is showing the prospective boundaries of multi-sport collaboration. Enrolling in META’s Llama Start-Up Program, Dark Horse Racing the Dark Horse Racing team is now able to explore advanced technologies, which should greatly improve their performance and speed on the track. Utilizing AI Optimisation, Predictive Analytics, and advanced team synchronisation, Motor City Dark Horse Racing is on the verge of doing something remarkable. As the company only strives forward in innovating the technology used in racing and with META, a partnership designed to integrate AI into racing technology, Dark Horse Racing will show how technology in AI can be used to advance racing in the years to come.
The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) today announced its acquisition of Maple Grove Raceway, marking a significant milestone for the sport of drag racing.
Established in the early 1960s, Maple Grove Raceway has earned national recognition as one of the fastest and most respected drag racing venues in the United States. For generations, it has served as a destination for racers and families, building a legacy rooted in community, competition, and tradition.
Under the leadership of the Koretsky family, Maple Grove has undergone a period of revitalization—pairing modern operational enhancements with the family-focused culture that has defined the racetrack for decades. Their commitment has preserved the track’s heritage while positioning it for long-term growth. The Koretsky family will continue to play an active role throughout the transition and in guiding Maple Grove’s future direction.
“This is a track with deep roots and an even stronger future,” said Darryl Cuttell, Owner of IHRA. “Maple Grove represents what racing should be—competitive, welcoming, and centered around racers and families. Bringing it under the IHRA umbrella is not just a business decision; it’s a commitment to strengthening the sport and investing in its long-term success.”
The Koretsky family emphasized the personal significance of this transition.
“Maple Grove has always been more than a racetrack to our family—it is home, not just for us, but for generations of racers,” the Koretskys said. “Our mission has always been to preserve this facility and ensure it remains a premier racing destination. Seeing Maple Grove join the IHRA family feels like a natural and meaningful next step for the sport.
“Meeting Darryl and Leah from the IHRA was truly eye-opening. Their vision, work ethic, and genuine passion for racers and fans are unmatched. Their innovative, forward-thinking approach is exactly what this sport has been missing. The IHRA shares our values—making racing affordable, fun, and family-centered. This new chapter is about honoring Maple Grove’s legacy while elevating the experience for future generations.”
The Koretsky family looks forward to working closely with the IHRA throughout 2026 and beyond.
With IHRA ownership, Maple Grove Raceway is expected to see continued investment in racer-focused services, fan amenities, youth and grassroots development, safety programs, and infrastructure improvements. This acquisition reinforces IHRA’s broader vision to elevate drag racing at every level while protecting the traditions that have made it a cornerstone of American motorsports.
Additional announcements regarding upcoming events, programming, and future initiatives at Maple Grove Raceway will be released in the coming months.
NHRA Implications
The recent acquisition of Maple Grove Raceway by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) — announced on December 12, 2025, from the previous owners (the Koretsky family) — has several potential implications for NHRA races at the track, but no immediate changes have been confirmed for the near term.
Short-Term Implications (2026 Season)
– The 2026 NHRA national event schedule includes a race at Maple Grove Raceway
– NHRA and track officials have multi-year sanctioning agreements for national events, so the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals (or equivalent Reading Nationals) is expected to continue in 2026 without disruption.
– IHRA leadership has publicly stated they have no ill feelings toward NHRA and aim to grow the sport collaboratively (e.g., referencing past track acquisitions where NHRA events continued). This suggests a cooperative approach rather than immediate conflict.
Longer-Term Implications
– Potential shift in focus: IHRA emphasizes grassroots, bracket, and sportsman racing with a family-friendly, affordable model. They plan investments in racer services, fan amenities, youth programs, safety, and infrastructure at Maple Grove — which could benefit NHRA events indirectly (better facilities) but might prioritize IHRA-sanctioned series more over time.
– Risk of losing NHRA national event status: If IHRA pushes its own professional or divisional series harder, or if negotiations sour, NHRA could eventually relocate the Northeast playoff-opener event (historically a high-attendance, record-setting race at Maple Grove). However, this is speculative—no such indications exist yet.
– Precedent from other tracks: Some IHRA-owned facilities host both sanctioning bodies’ events peacefully, while others lean more toward IHRA. Maple Grove’s strong NHRA history (hosting nationals since 1985, consistent sellouts under recent ownership) makes it a valuable venue, reducing the likelihood of abrupt changes.
– Positive side: New ownership could bring fresh marketing, upgrades, and energy, potentially boosting attendance and the overall experience for NHRA fans and teams.
In summary, no NHRA races are canceled or threatened right now—the 2026 event appears secure, and the change could even enhance the track. More details on programming and initiatives are promised in the coming months. If you’re planning to attend future events, keep an eye on official NHRA and Maple Grove announcements for any updates!
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Motorsports
Larry Larson, Lyle Barnett Secure First Two Invites For 2026 King of The South Invitational
Earlier this year, Larry Larson put the small-tire world on notice, defeating Lyle Barnett in the final round of the $75,000 King of the South invitational, headlining the Ronnie Buff Memorial weekend at Shadyside Dragway in Shelby, North Carolina.
During the opening day of PRI in Indianapolis, KotS promoter Corey Stamper and Shadyside Dragway co-owner Seth Buff officially extended invitations to both Larson and Barnett for the 2026 edition of the event, taking place May 21-24.
Both drivers accepted, filling the first two spots in the 64-car, invite-only field of cars competing on 28×10.5 non-w slicks for another $75k.
Larson has only gained momentum since his KotS victory back in May, most recently winning the $40,000 True 10.5 N/T class at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks at Bradenton Motorsports Park. It’s been a dream season for the chassis-builder out of Oak Grove, Missouri, who originally made it into Kots earlier this year as an alternate.
“I wasn’t even invited last year,” said Larson. “They had some people drop out and Corey gave me an invite. I just went down there to see if I could learn something.”
Barnett, meanwhile, will be looking for a little bit of payback behind the wheel of the Tommy Youmans-owned “Salvage Title” Mustang. After losing to Larson by a miniscule .004 margin of victory in 2025, Barnett is hoping to go one round further in 2026 at what he deems his hometown track.
“Shadyside is home to me,” Barnett said. “I live 35 minutes from the track. I’ve won a bunch of Corey’s Carolina Cash Days in Beer Money, and when King of the South became a reality, I told him no matter what, I wanted in.
“I’ll be honest, when I rolled into the final against Larry, I thought I had him covered,” Barnett continued. “And I did until about 330 ft., and then I watched that Harts Charger just walk away from me. Larry’s a good friend, and if we can manage to stay away from each other in the early rounds at Shadyside, I’d love to see him late in the race and see if we can duplicate that final round – just swap who gets to hold the trophy.”
In addition to the hugely popular Small-Tire invitational, Stamper is adding something new for 2026 – the $10,000 Knight of the South class, featuring a 16-car invitational on even smaller 26×8.5 slicks.
KotS looks to once again be one of the biggest events of the year in 2026, building off their 2025 edition that sold out Shadyside and forced the fire marshal to close the gates on Saturday due to a record crowd. Track owners Seth and Zach Buff continue to build on their family’s legacy, giving racers a local “outlaw” feel that can’t be found at larger facilities.
“It means so much to us to have this caliber of drivers at our small track,” said Seth Buff. “It’s so surreal for us. During that weekend, I woke up and said, ‘This is unreal.’ It’s an amazing show they put on, and we appreciate them.”
Invitations will continue going out in the coming weeks. Fans can stay up to date on whether their favorite drivers will make the cut by following Spoold Media on social media outlets.
This story was originally published on December 13, 2025. 
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