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Spire Motorsports, Gainbridge to Promote AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapolis

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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 13, 2024) – Spire Motorsports and Gainbridge® will partner with the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee and feature the “Indy25” logo in recognition of AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 taking place in Indianapolis on Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet ZL1 for this weekend’s NASCAR All-Star Race festivities at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Fever, will be the site of the 21st edition of the WNBA All-Star Game, as well as the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest and WNBA Skills Challenge July 18-19.

“Carson (Hocevar) driving a WNBA All-Star paint scheme is an opportunity to cross promote two properties in our sponsorship portfolio,” said Mike Nichols, Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation at Gainbridge®. “The scheme highlights our commitment to investing in women’s sports and we look forward to welcoming the best of the WNBA to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in two months.”

Much like the love of basketball displayed by Hoosiers of all ages, North Carolinians are often recognized as motorsports devotees. After its founding in 1948 in Daytona Beach, Fla., NASCAR’s popularity quickly spread as the sport ventured to tracks throughout the southeast.

North Wilkesboro Speedway was built by Enoch Staley in 1946 as a dirt oval for whiskey runners to showcase their skill behind the wheel and their abilities to build cars to outrun revenuers. It became a mainstay on the circuit hosting 93 Cup Series races beginning with the 1949 season.

The last points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race to be contested at the venerable Wilkes County oval took place in September 1996 when Jeff Gordon beat Dale Earnhardt by 1.73 seconds before a 25-year hiatus.

While Indianapolis will host the WNBA All-Star game for the first time, North Wilkesboro Speedway is the current site of NASCAR’s All-Star weekend after the division made its lauded return to the .625-mile track in 2023.

Similar to the WNBA All-Star Game, the NASCAR All-Star Race has taken place at several venues since the first event was held in Charlotte on May 25, 1985. Atlanta hosted the 1986 race before activities returned to Charlotte for a 33-year run.

In 2020, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway hosted the events marking the first time the race wasn’t held at a 1.5-mile oval. The race returned to a different intermediate track, Texas Motor Speedway, for a two-year stretch, before moving to its current home.

Hocevar’s first NASCAR experience with All-Star activities came just one season ago. The eventual Cup Series Rookie of the Year started and finished 10th in the 100-lap All-Star Open qualifying race, the precursor to the All-Star Race, but came up short in his bid to battle his way into the fabled event.

Following the 2024 All-Star contest, Hocevar closed out the season with a total of one top-five and six top-10 finishes, including a third-place result, last August, at Watkins Glen International. The Portage, Mich., native has collected one top five and two top 10s through the first 12 races of 2025 and earned his first career Cup Series pole award at Texas Motor Speedway May 3.

“It’s really cool to showcase the WNBA All-Star Game on our car for the NASCAR All-Star Weekend,” said Hocevar. “I had the chance to visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse in January and it’s definitely worthy of hosting the game. The Indiana Fever have a really dedicated fanbase and Indianapolis is such a big market for basketball.

“We see it when we visit Indianapolis every year – the community is so welcoming, and they’re very proud of their sports teams. Gainbridge® has been a great partner for Spire Motorsports and done a lot to promote and expand women’s sports, so it’s exciting to see that support open new doors for those teams and athletes.”

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Spire Motorsports and Gainbridge® to highlight AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 during NASCAR’s All-Star Race,” said WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee Founding Chair and Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines. “We hope to connect with new audiences and fans while continuing to build excitement for the much-anticipated WNBA All-Star weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this summer.”

Hocevar will once again compete in the 100-lap All-Star Open hoping to be one of two drivers to race their way in. One driver will also advance through the NASCAR All Star Fan Vote, totaling three Open drivers who will transfer to the 250-lap feature.

Qualifying for both the NASCAR All-Star Open and NASCAR All-Star Race will take place Friday, May 16, when drivers from both races will take to the track for three timed laps with a mandatory four-tire pit stop.

The total time will set both the field for the All-Star Open and the starting grid for Saturday’s 60-lap heat races that will determine the starting lineup for the All-Star Race.

Live coverage of NASCAR’s annual All-Star Race will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, May 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Both the NASCAR All-Star Open and the NASCAR All-Star Race will broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Heat races will be televised live on FS2 Saturday, May 17 beginning at 5 p.m. EDT.



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PRI Show revs through Indy, sets tone for 2026 racing season

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December 15, 2025

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The racing world descended upon downtown Indianapolis Dec. 10-13, transforming the Indiana Convention Center into the global epicenter of motorsports technology and culture.

The 2025 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show delivered high-octane energy and record-breaking engagement as more than 40,000 attendees filled the convention center halls and Lucas Oil Stadium.

The crowd browsed offerings from more than 1,060 exhibitors representing every facet of the racing industry. As the largest gathering of motorsports professionals in the world, the trade show serves as the primary arena where racing business gets done before the new season begins. Team owners, drivers and engineers scouted the latest parts to gain a competitive edge while the aisles buzzed with activity.

Four-time NHRA Champion Antron Brown (left) during the PRI Show on Dec. 12, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center. (Photo/Noral Parham)
Four-time NHRA Champion Antron Brown (left) during the PRI Show on Dec. 12, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center. (Photo/Noral Parham)

“The PRI Show reflects the strength and passion of the motorsports industry,” PRI President Michael Good said.

Among the thousands of industry leaders, four-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown stood out as a fan favorite and frequent presence at the annual Indianapolis showcase. Brown spent the weekend engaging with fans, media and fellow racers at the NHRA stage. During an interview on the show floor, he talked about the potential of securing championship No. 5 for the NHRA 75th Anniversary.

“That’s not silver, that’s chrome,” Brown said as he pointed to the trophy on display. “And you know brothers love chrome.”

The comment drew laughs and highlighted the unique blend of style and speed that defines the event.

From left: Drag racing pioneer and Senior Sports Photographer Walt Thomas and Senior Editor at HOTROD Kaje "KJ" Jones" during the PRI Show on Dec. 12, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center. (Photo/Noral Parham)
From left: Drag racing pioneer and Senior Sports Photographer Walt Thomas and Senior Editor at HOTROD Kaje “KJ” Jones” during the PRI Show on Dec. 12, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center. (Photo/Noral Parham)

This year’s show featured significant expansions in emerging technology sectors, most notably the “Sim Racing Arena.” The exhibit attracted massive crowds of younger racers and tech enthusiasts, highlighting how digital competition is becoming a legitimate gateway to real-world professional racing.

The PRI Show serves as a significant economic driver, extending beyond the convention center walls. According to a June 2025 study coneduted by John Durham & Associated titled Motorsports Economic Impact Study, motorsports generates $69.2 billion in annual economic activity in the United States, with Indiana alone accounting for $2.75 billion of that total.

Based on previous years here in Indianapolis, the three-day event injects tens of millions of dollars into the local Indianapolis economy, keeping hotels, restaurants and bars packed throughout the week as the industry celebrated in the Circle City.

The 2025 show concluded Dec. 13 with a “final push” of sales and networking as exhibitors scrambled to finalize orders and attendees snapped final photos of the world-class machinery.

Organizers locked in dates for next year’s gathering, confirming the racing world will return to Indianapolis from Dec. 10-12, 2026.

Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Parham is the owner of @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more, click here.


Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver. He is also the owner and founder of Horsemen Sports Media.





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BangShift.com NHRA Announces Great Lakes Nationals At U.S. 131 Motorsports Park!

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December 15, 2025

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NHRA Announces Great Lakes Nationals At U.S. 131 Motorsports Park!

Dec 15, 2025Darr Hawthorne1320 Drag News, 1320 NHRA News, 1320 Vile Rumors And Gossip, BangShift 1320

NHRA Announces Great Lakes Nationals At U.S. 131 Motorsports Park!

(Words by Darr Hawthorne) • The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced today that U.S. 131 Motorsports Park will host a Mission Foods Drag Racing Series event in 2026, with the inaugural NHRA Great Lakes Nationals opening the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

The new event, scheduled for Sept. 18–20 in Martin, Michigan, will serve as the 15th of 20 races during NHRA’s 75th anniversary season and the first of six playoff rounds. Tickets go on sale February 1, 2026. U.S. 131 Motorsports Park will also host an NHRA national open on July 8-9, leading into a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional event on July 10-12.

 

While NHRA framed this announcement as continued growth, the move effectively ends the Keystone Nationals following the IHRA’s acquisition of Maple Grove Raceway, removing one of the sport’s most historic venues from the NHRA national event schedule. 2025 celebrated the 40th annual NHRA Reading Nationals at Maple Grove.

It should be noted that the seating capacity of Maple Grove is upwards of 30,000 while U.S. 131 Motorsports Park reportedly accommodates some 12,000 plus spectators.

The Great Lakes Nationals will mark NHRA’s first national event at U.S. 131 and brings the total to four “new” National Event facilities for 2026. A majority of those tracks were formerly AHRA or IHRA or Outlaw Street sanctions. This shift underscores a changing landscape for NHRA, as expansion into new markets comes at the expense of long-established tracks with large capacity grandstands, raising questions about tradition, territory, and the long-term direction of the national event calendar during NHRA’s milestone 75th Anniversary Season.

Very Cool Onboard Video: The Mercedes C11 Did Not Disappoint! Check Out These Racing Highlights on Spa – HQ V8 sound

 





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“I’m in the Minority”: Joey Logano Does Not Care What the New NASCAR Format Will Look Like

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23 minutes ago

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December 15, 2025

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With the antitrust lawsuit now settled, NASCAR’s attention has shifted toward delivering on the changes it pledged as part of the resolution. Although officials had already floated the idea of format adjustments last year, the sanctioning body later clarified that any structural revisions would not take effect until the 2026 season. That timeline, however, does little to unsettle Joey Logano.

The debate around NASCAR’s championship structure has intensified in recent months. A big portion of the fan base continues to push for a return to a traditional season-long points system, while analysts also have suggested a hybrid approach, with both the regular season and postseason decided strictly on points.

At the same time, fans are also speculating that NASCAR may opt for a finale round rather than dismantling the playoff model entirely. Logano, despite having defended the current chase-style format more than most, remains unbothered by the uncertainty.

Rather than lobbying for one outcome or another, the Team Penske driver has said that his focus lies in his intention to adapt, regardless of the direction NASCAR ultimately chooses, and prepare to win under whatever framework emerges.

“I guess I liked where it was. But I’m going to like where we go to. Like, I’m okay with whatever they do is that’s still going to be the rules. And then we got to go figure out how to win,” said Logano.

That mindset has long defined Logano’s approach to competition. He sees little value in debating the merits of a system once the rules are set. For him, the responsibility begins only after the framework becomes official.

“Like it’s not my job to complain about what we have or what we’re going to have. Like my job is to say, ‘Okay, this is the rules. Okay, let’s figure out the strategy to win this thing.’ Like, how do we do that? I don’t really care what it is. Just tell me what it is. So then we can focus on doing that. But the bottom line is it’ll be the same for everybody, no matter what they come up with.”

Logano understands that parity remains constant regardless of format. Every driver will face the same conditions, the same constraints, and the same opportunities to contend for a championship. Once the rules are finalized, the task becomes execution, not evaluation. He also recognizes that clarity has yet to arrive and that uncertainty fuels much of the current discourse.

“It seems like a lot of people don’t like the format we have. I’m the minority in saying that I love it because I love the pressure part, right? Kind of fits,” he said.

Preferring the chase format, Logano explained that it mirrors his personality, as pressure sharpens his edge. He thrives when the stakes rise and the margins shrink, and that outlook extends beyond NASCAR. In his own words, playoff competition is what draws his attention across sports.

He rarely follows other leagues during their regular seasons, choosing instead to tune in when elimination looms and consequences escalate. He gravitates toward moments when competitors operate with their backs against the wall, forced to take risks and make decisive moves.

For Logano, that intensity defines sport at its most compelling. Whether NASCAR preserves elements of the current playoff system or pivots toward something new, he remains confident that the challenge will endure. As of now, NASCAR has yet to issue an official announcement outlining its next steps. Until then, Logano waits, prepared to adjust once the direction becomes clear.



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Sam Hunt Racing Adds Dead On Tools As 12-Race Primary Sponsor in 2026

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December 15, 2025

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A major piece of the primary sponsorship puzzle for Harrison Burton and the No. 24 Sam Hunt Racing team during the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season has been put into place. Dead On Tools, a longtime partner of Burton, will join the driver for 12 races during the upcoming season.

The team revealed a rendering of the Dead On Tools paint scheme on Monday morning via a post on X.

The partnership will kick off with the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 14. Dead On Tools will book-end the season for the No. 24 Sam Hunt Racing team as it will also serve as the sponsor for Burton in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, November 7.

The complete 2026 sponsorship schedule for Dead On Tools:

  • February 14: Daytona International Speedway
  • March 28: Martinsville Speedway
  • April 11: Bristol Motor Speedway
  • May 23: Charlotte Motor Speedway
  • June 27: Sonoma Raceway
  • July 11: EchoPark Speedway
  • July 25: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
  • September 5: Darlington Raceway
  • September 12: World Wide Technology Raceway
  • October 3: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
  • October 24: Talladega Superspeedway
  • November 7: Homestead-Miami Speedway

As Sam Hunt Racing embarks on expansion to a second full-time car in 2026, team owner Sam Hunt is optimistic about the partnership that is being forged with Dead On Tools.

“I am beyond proud to have Dead On Tools join Sam Hunt Racing in 2026,” said Sam Hunt, Owner of Sam Hunt Racing. “From my first conversation with their leadership, I knew there was a ton of symmetry with what our respective teams are trying to accomplish, and how we go about doing so. They do things the right way and work extremely hard to put out their fantastic line of products. I have no doubts that we will successfully grow together, while creating great memories along the way.”

Partnered with Burton, Dead On Tools made the Playoffs in 2025 with AM Racing. They feel confident in what Burton can achieve with his new team, Sam Hunt Racing, in 2026.

“Everyone at Dead On Tools is thrilled to be able to continue to grow our partnership with Harrison. To be with a team like Sam Hunt Racing, we know the No. 24 will be in great hands and are excited for a terrific 2026 season,” said Joseph Ardell, Marketing Manager for Dead On Tools.”

While Sam Hunt Racing, which was established in 2019, hasn’t captured a victory in 230 starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series ranks, the team has made incredible strides over the past few seasons and seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough.

Heading into the 2026 season, SHR has recorded 13 top-five finishes and 36 top-10s. A season ago, Dean Thompson snagged one top-five finish and eight top-10s during his rookie campaign behind the wheel of the team’s No. 26 Toyota Supra. Thompson is set to return in 2026 as the teammate to Burton.





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Hendrick Motorsports adds 20 acres in Concord NC purchase

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48 minutes ago

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December 15, 2025

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Hendrick Motorsports is adding another Concord property to its growing portfolio.

For around $14.2 million, a limited liability company associated with Hendrick purchased about 20 acres from Charlotte Motor Speedway in November, according to Cabarrus County records.

The site at 7001 Bruton Smith Blvd. sits squarely in Concord’s racing center. It’s wedged between the Camping World Racing Resort, zMAX Dragway and The Charlotte Fair. The site is also near the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Hendrick’s campus.

Hendrick has no plans for the site yet, according to a company spokesman. But the acquisition is another notch in Hendrick’s property belt.

Charlotte Business Journal first reported the purchase.

Hendrick’s NASCAR and automotive growth

On the auto side, Hendrick Automotive recently purchased a 2.6-acre plot at the Capitol Towers complex in SouthPark for $13 million. Hendrick also said there’s no immediate plan for that vacant land at 5954 Carnegie Blvd. in Charlotte.

Back to the NASCAR side, Hendrick Motorsports is planning to build a 204,000-square-foot, two-story manufacturing facility for a future tenant, investing $65 million to $70 million in Concord. Hendrick Motorsports previously declined to comment on the investment.

And Hendrick companies owner Rick Hendrick has also collaborated with Speedway Motorsports. Last year, he and Speedway teamed up for Ten Tenths Motor Club, a car fanatic club, with a lighted road course, a special event facility, garage and off-road driving trails near the speedway.

But a recent contract by Hendrick Motorsports Technical Solutions — a manufacturing company distinct from the Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR team — has been surrounded by controversy

That company entered into a $2.2 million with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for 25 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs. A Hendrick spokesperson said the deal was routine and not political, but some have called for boycotting the company.

Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

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Desiree Mathurin

The Charlotte Observer

Desiree Mathurin covers growth and development for The Charlotte Observer. The native New Yorker returned to the East Coast after covering neighborhood news in Denver at Denverite and Colorado Public Radio. She’s also reported on high school sports at Newsday and southern-regional news for AP. Desiree is exploring Charlotte and the Carolinas, and is looking forward to taking readers along for the ride. Send tips and coffee shop recommendations.



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New Petersen Automotive Museum Exhibit Features Famous Off-Road Vehicles

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December 15, 2025

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The Venn diagram of cars and modern art has a subjective amount of overlap; that is, the average person may see the two circles almost entirely separate, the enthusiast, one single shape. For those of us identifying as the latter, institutions like the Petersen Automotive Museum are like the Louvre of automobiles. We ask that you refrain from pulling any heists to score some sweet rides, but instead visit the Petersen, should you have the chance, to immerse yourself in their latest exhibit: “Legends of the Dirt,” which puts the spotlight on the machines, teams, and tech behind some of history’s most daring off-road vehicles.

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New Petersen Automotive Museum Exhibit Features Famous Off-Road Vehicles
New Petersen Automotive Museum Exhibit Features Famous Off-Road Vehicles 1

From the Baja 1000 to the WRC, “Legends” features iconic off-road machines and the stories behind them. Some of the subjects highlighted in the press release are the “Big Oly” Ford Bronco, winner of the 1971 and ‘72 Baja 1000; Walter Rohrl’s 1983 Lancia Rally 037; and Tanner Foust’s 2017 Volkswagen Beetle rallycross car.

“The innovative designs and engineering found in off-road motorsports have helped push automotive technology forward for decades,” said Terry Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. “Through our partnership with OPTIMA Batteries and Clarios, we look forward to sharing with our guests deep insight into an exciting form of motorsports that continues to make important contributions to automotive culture.”

On display until January 2027, “Legends of the Dirt” will be at home in the Petersen’s Nearburg Gallery. You can get more information online and reserve tickets should you be so inclined.



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