Nissan has a long, proud history in motorsport, which began with a victory in 1958 at the 10,000-mile Round Australia Trial with a Datsun 210. Peter Brock’s BRE Datsun program brought success to America with SCCA dominance throughout the late 1960s and early ’70s. The 1984 founding of Nissan Motorsports International, or NISMO, sharpened Nissan’s efforts to a fine point, and over the next several decades we saw Nissans competing at the sharp end of the grid in motorsports as diverse as Group C endurance racing, GT and touring cars, rallying, and Baja-style off-road events. And with the company’s on-track successes, NISMO performance parts trickled down to the company’s production cars.

Performance enthusiasts take note, then, because in an effort to add more verve to its current lineup, Nissan announced yesterday that is launching new initiatives aimed at enhancing the brand through new motorsport activities and by growing the NISMO lineup.

According to a press release shared on the company’s global newsroom, this will include the introduction of new prototype performance cars for racing as well as to “accelerate technological advancements in both hardware and software development for racing purpose and car lineup expansion.” This initiative is set to begin in 2026. 

Further, for 2026, the company aims to increase the number of NISMO-branded offerings, which currently includes vehicles such as the Z NISMO, Armada NISMO in the U.S. And by 2028, Nissan plans to increase the volume of NISMO vehicles from approximately 100,000 to 150,000. “In pursuit of added customer value,” the statement says, “Nissan will actively consider collaborations with external partners to expand its NISMO car lineup business.” No further information is provided, so we’ll have to see how that shakes out. 

With more than just a focus on new performance cars, Nissan is also doubling down on its restoration and heritage efforts. To that end, Nissan Motorsports & Customization Co. (NMC) “will grow its restoration, restomod, and parts sales businesses, with an initial focus on expanding around the Skyline GT‑R R32, R33, and R34, with more vehicles and regional offerings to follow.” As more and more of these hot JDM machines hit the market, increased factory renovation efforts can only help from a brand identity standpoint, as well as from the perspectives of preservation and values. 

We’ve commented recently that these are turbulent times for Nissan, but the tone of yesterday’s release carries a lot of excitement. A bigger selection of high-performance Nissans, more actively engaged in global motorsport, with an eye on heritage preservation, to boot, bodes well for the company and its loyal fans. 

DGM Racing has tapped Mason Maggio to join its driver lineup for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign, the team confirmed on Wednesday.

Maggio will get behind the wheel of the No. 91 Chevrolet in select events throughout the upcoming season, beginning with the February 14 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

From Florida roots to the Florida team ?We’re excited to have @MasonMaggio1 join the #DGMFamily for the 2026 season.

Fittingly, his first race will be the season-opener at @DAYTONA just two hours from Mason’s hometown and DGM’s HQ!

Read more: https://t.co/WXgLw58P8n#NASCAR |… pic.twitter.com/Hl7IPU2o65

— DGM Racing (@DGMRacingFL) December 17, 2025

Sponsorship details and Maggio’s full schedule of events behind the wheel of an entry for DGM Racing will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I’m super excited and thankful for the opportunity to be driving for DGM Racing in 2026. It is really cool to be able to have the Florida driver work with the Florida team on a regular basis next year,” said Maggio. “A huge thanks to the entire team, my family, partners, and fans for their support and for making this possible. I’m really looking forward to a great season in the inaugural NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.”

The 21-year-old driver has made 47 starts across the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, competing for a number of different organizations. In 2025, Maggio had his biggest season yet, running 12 events in the second-tier series — including one for DGM Racing at Talladega Superspeedway, where he finished 22nd-place.

“We’re excited to welcome another driver from The Sunshine State to our racing family,” said Mario Gosselin, owner of DGM Racing. “Mason is a young, eager driver who isn’t afraid to put in the work to grow on and off track. His demeanor and professionalism at such a young age are refreshing, and I am impressed with his work ethic and willingness to learn.”

Maggio will be partnered with Josh Williams, another Florida-native, for the season-opener at Daytona. Williams was announced earlier in the off-season as the full-time driver of the No. 92 Chevrolet for DGM Racing. 

In 20 career starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Maggio has managed to put up a pair of top-20 results, both with Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen, at Daytona in the Summer (15th) and Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Fall of 2024.

Maggio also has a total of 27 starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series over the last three seasons, including three top-20 results — a 15th in the season-opener at Daytona for Hettinger Racing, an 18th at Talladega in the Fall of 2024, and a 20th-place finish at Nashville Superspeedway in 2023.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts season opener at Daytona International Speedway will take place on Saturday, February 14, at 5:30 PM ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

As William Byron continues to chase his elusive first NASCAR Cup Series championship, he’ll officially have a longtime partner returning for another year of sponsorship. Liberty University will return to the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team as a three-race primary sponsor during the 2026 season.

The red, white, and blue Liberty University colors will first adorn Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, May 10. Liberty University will return as the primary in the crown jewel Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, and the company will round out its three-race schedule on Sunday, November 1 at Martinsville Speedway.

While the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet paint scheme features slight tweaks from last year, the basis of the paint scheme remains the same with white flames down the blue sides of the race car, and the No. 24 is easy to spot in red on the doors.

Of Byron’s 16 career NASCAR Cup Series wins, three have come with Liberty University serving as the primary sponsorship partner. Byron’s most-recent victory with LU’s colors on his car came at Texas Motor Speedway in the Fall of 2023.

Although Liberty University, which has partnered with Byron since his NASCAR K&N Pro East Series season in 2015, is returning for the 2026 season, the three-race slate marks a decrease in overall primary sponsorship races for Liberty University, and it’s the second consecutive season the university has shed some races aboard the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

In 2024, Liberty University was a 12-race primary sponsorship partner. However, in 2025, the university cut that commitment in half to a six-race primary sponsorship schedule. The Liberty University schedule would be cut in half again heading into the 2026 campaign.

Despite the decrease in Liberty University-backed races, don’t expect Byron, who has blossomed into one of the best drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, to be short on sponsorship in 2026. Byron, 28, comes into the 2026 season seeking his third consecutive win in the Daytona 500, a mark that would put him in a category of his own in the history of the iconic race, which stretches back to 1959.

Additionally, Byron will look to work his way into the Championship 4 for a fourth straight season in 2026. And who knows, with a change in scenery for the season finale (Homestead-Miami Speedway takes over the final race from Phoenix Raceway this year), perhaps it’s time for Byron’s breakthrough to hoist a Bill France Cup.

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The antitrust lawsuit between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR may be over, but that hasn’t resolved all of the hard feelings and animosity within the sport. On Tuesday, Denny Hamlin blasted Larry McReynolds and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for what he perceived to be unfair coverage in the lead-up to the antitrust trial.

Responding to McReynolds’ post on X, where he was giving his followers a preview of what was on tap for his SXM show “On Track” for the day, Hamlin unloaded.

“Good morning,” Hamlin replied to McReynolds. “Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?”

Hamlin continued, “I believe it was ‘how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough and FRM wasn’t good enough’. Also how about ‘I don’t know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it’. Just to name a few examples.”

My, oh, my.

READ MORE

Prime Video will return as a three-race primary sponsor for Chase Elliott in 2026, and on Tuesday, a refreshed paint scheme was revealed by Prime Video and Hendrick Motorsports.

In 2026, the Prime Video scheme takes a much darker look than a year ago. Elliott will pilot the car at Talladega (April 26), Texas (May 3), and the All-Star Race at Dover (May 17).

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London, UK – 17 December, 2025 – Multi-Formula 1 championship-winning team boss Ross Brawn will receive the prestigious Autosport Gold Medal at the 2026 Autosport Awards this January, recognising a lifetime of achievement that has shaped the competitive and cultural fabric of modern grand prix racing. 

The accolade, introduced in 2021 and previously awarded to Jean Todt, Roger Penske, and Sir Jackie Stewart, celebrates individuals whose service, leadership and innovation leave an enduring legacy for generations of fans and competitors. 

Brawn’s influence on Formula 1 spans more than four decades. He engineered Michael Schumacher’s championship success at Benetton and went on to mastermind Ferrari’s dominant era in the early 2000s, forging one of the most successful partnerships the sport has ever seen. 

In 2009, his own team, Brawn GP, stunned the world by winning both the F1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in its only season, with Jenson Button’s title run becoming one of the most remarkable stories in the sport’s history. Widely regarded as one of the true architects of modern Formula 1, Brawn later played a defining role in shaping the sport’s current regulatory landscape and competitive future. 

The Autosport Gold Medal incorporates the Gregor Grant Award, honouring Autosport’s founder and the values that continue to define the sport today. In 2025, the Awards marked a milestone moment by recognising Bernie Ecclestone with a special 75th Anniversary Trophy, underscoring the legacy awards among motorsport’s most significant distinctions.  

Werner Brell, CEO at Motorsport Network, added: “The Autosport Awards are about celebrating the very highest achievers in motorsport. After recognising so many legends over the years, we’re delighted to be able to honour Ross Brawn in January. Ross has been one of the iconic figures of Formula 1 in the last 40 years. Starting out as an engineer he went on to lead the technical department at Benetton and won multiple world titles. His partnership with Michael Schumacher continued at Ferrari, where they dominated the sport in the 2000s. He then won the world championship with a team in his own name. I can’t think of a more worthy recipient for the Gold Medal. It should be a great night when he receives his medal honoured by his peers.” 

BUSINESS OF RACING NOMINEES REVEALED  

Alongside honouring icons of the sport, Autosport Awards also recognise the broader ecosystem driving motorsport forward – across innovation, commercial leadership, promotion, and fan engagement. 

Brand Partnership of the Year 

Brand partnerships continue to play a central role in how motorsport teams and series connect with audiences, deliver value, and build long-term brand equity. This year’s nominees reflect partnerships that have gone beyond visibility to drive meaningful engagement and storytelling across the sport. 

Nominees: Elemis (Aston Martin), Marriott Bonvoy (Mercedes), Santander (F1), Shell, IBM (Ferrari), Ford (Red Bull Racing) 

Promoter of the Year

From global destination races to heritage events with decades of history, promoters are increasingly responsible for shaping the live motorsport experience. According to the Motorsport Network x Formula 1 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, intent to attend in-person events is rising: 41% of surveyed fans who haven’t attended an F1 fan experience plan to do so in the future.  

The 2026 nominees recognise events that delivered strong attendance, commercial success, and continued investment in the fan experience. 

Nominees: Miami Grand Prix, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Silverstone, Singapore Grand Prix, Las Vegas Grand Prix 

Pioneering & Innovation 

As motorsport enters a period of rapid change, innovation is increasingly shaping how the sport is raced, regulated, and experienced. This year’s nominees reflect the ideas and initiatives actively redefining motorsport’s next chapter. 

Nominees: More than Equal, A2RL, Le Mans Ultimate, Formula E Pit Boost 

Ends 

About Autosport Awards  

A Motorsport Network event, the prestigious Autosport Awards are an annual celebration of excellence in motorsport, uniting champions and innovators from across the sport, from Formula 1 to MotoGP, Formula E, IndyCar, NASCAR, World Rally Championship and more. At the heart of the Autosport Awards are the fans, who vote on eight major categories, from Driver of the Year, to Rookie of the Year and Moment of the Year. This year, a new category, Creator of the Year reflects the rise of creator-led storytelling and the expanding influence of fan-driven voices in the sport. Since 2024, the Autosport Awards have been held at the iconic Roundhouse in London, with the 38th edition taking place on 21 January, 2026. 

About Motorsport Network  

Motorsport Network is the world’s largest independent motorsport and automotive media platform, reaching more than 40 million unique users each month and engaging over 15 million followers across its social media channels. Its portfolio includes leading global brands such as Motorsport.com, Autosport, InsideEVs, RideApart, Motor1, and GPOne. Motorsport Network connects fans, brands, and the wider motorsport community, partnering with companies worldwide on sponsorship, advertising, and event collaborations that shape the future of the industry. 

About Autosport Business Exchange  

Launched in 2025, Autosport Business Exchange (ABX) is a global event series that serves as the premier platform for strategic dialogue and networking in the motorsport industry. Following successful editions in London, New York and Monaco, ABX has brought together senior leaders from across the world of racing, featuring headline speakers such as Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, and Apple’s Eddy Cue. The U.S. debut of ABX in New York centred on the theme of The Rise of Racing in America, marking a major milestone for the series. The next edition will take place in London on the morning of 21 January, 2026, ahead of the Autosport Awards.

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– The Motorsport.com Team

Another day and another Nitro Motorsports signing. Toyota development driver Jade Avedisian is the latest to sign on. Avedisian is a rising star in motorsports. She has done things on dirt that no other woman has ever done. Now, she’s running part-time in ARCA.

In 2023, she became the youngest female to make the Chili Bowl Nationals A-Main and the first female to ever make the podium in the prestigious event. She claimed the Xtreme Outlaw Series Midget championship in the same year. Avedisian also has a win in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model division from earlier this year.

Jade Avedisian made a few ARCA starts this year with varying success. Now, she is back for another part-time schedule as she continues to develop her skills as a driver. Nitro Motorsports has a deep and diverse group of drivers already signed on for next year.