Motorsports

Team Chevy NASCAR Race Advance: Texas Motor Speedway – Speedway Digest

Published

8 months ago

May 1, 2025

A pair of mile-and-a-half ovals are on deck for the 2025 NASCAR tour, with all three national series making their annual appearance at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for the sport’s seventh tripleheader of the season.

As the only manufacturer to be able to accomplish a tripleheader sweep thus far this season, the Bowtie brigade will look to keep that stat alive – returning to track as the defending winners across all three series.

Defending in the Lone Star State

With a sweep of the annual tripleheader weekend last season, Chevrolet heads back to Texas Motor Speedway with 51 victories across all three national series including 18 NASCAR Cup Series wins (series-best), 13 Xfinity Series wins and 20 Truck Series wins.

Fighting for a Five-Peat

One year ago, Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott snapped a 42-race winless streak by making his long awaited return to victory lane at Texas Motor Speedway. The Georgia native delivered Chevrolet its fourth-straight Cup Series triumph to keep the Bowtie brand undefeated in the Next Gen era at the 1.5-mile oval, while also setting the record for the longest active win streak by a manufacturer at the track in the division. Dating back to the July 2020 event, Chevrolet has hoisted the trophy in five of the six races – each earned by a different driver. Among those victors included a pair of Richard Childress Racing-prepared Chevrolet’s with Austin Dillon (July 2020) and Tyler Reddick (Sept. 2022), as well as Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson (Oct. 2021), William Byron (Sept. 2023) and Elliott (April 2024). Among the series’ seven active past Texas winners, four come from the Chevrolet camp, also including Kyle Busch with a series-best four career Texas triumphs.

Home of a Milestone

Texas Motor Speedway is the site of one of Chevrolet’s many unprecedented milestone feats in NASCAR. On Nov. 4, 2012, NASCAR Hall of Famer, Jimmie Johnson, and the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team took the checkered flag in the AAA Texas 500 to deliver Chevrolet its 700th all-time Cup Series victory. The triumph is part of five-straight milestone Cup Series victories that Hendrick Motorsports has tallied for the Bowtie brand, with the organization also earning Chevrolet its 400th win (Terry Labonte at Richmond Raceway; Sept. 1994), 500th win (Jeff Gordon at Watkins Glen International; Aug. 2001); 600th win (Kyle Busch at Bristol Motor Speedway; March 2007) and 800th win (Chase Elliott at Circuit of The Americas; May 2021).

Top-10 Tally’s

Despite the platter of unknowns that Talladega Superspeedway serves, Chevrolet wrapped up the doubleheader weekend with an exceptional representation in the top-10 of each event. In the Xfinity Series, Austin Hill kept Richard Childress Racing undefeated on drafting tracks this season by taking the checkered flag in Saturday’s Ag-Pro 300. Hill’s first Talladega triumph led a brigade of eight Team Chevy drivers in the top-10, including a sweep of the top-seven positions – marking the first time since Sept. 2004 that a manufacturer has taken the top-seven finishing positions in a Xfinity Series race. The feat came from a collective effort of drivers from five different Chevrolet organizations, including the Richard Childress Racing teammates of Hill (1st) and Jesse Love (3rd); Jordan Anderson Racing’s Jeb Burton (2nd) and Blaine Perkins (7th); JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier (4th); Viking Motorsports’ Matt DiBenedetto (5th) and Young’s Motorsports’ Anthony Alfredo (6th).

The Chevrolet camp in NASCAR’s top division nearly matched those results in Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500, with drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations leading the manufacturer to seven top-10 finishes. Among those contributors included all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers with top-fives by Kyle Larson (2nd), William Byron (3rd) and Chase Elliott (5th), as well as a seventh-place finish by Alex Bowman. Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar brought home a sixth-place finish, with Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez and Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon rounding out the top-10 in the ninth and 10th positions, respectively. The feat matches the manufacturer’s season-best top-10 results, with the Bowtie brigade also earning seven top-10 finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With now 10 points-paying races in the books, the Bowtie brand has earned at least half of the top-10 finishing positions in six events.

Hill Makes History

Richard Childress Racing’s superspeedway dominance continued with yet another commanding performance by teammates Austin Hill and Jesse Love at Talladega Superspeedway. The duo swept the front-row starting positions, going on to take both stage wins and collectively leading 69 of the 113 laps in Saturday’s Ag-Pro 300. In a three-wide photo finish, it was Hill and the No. 21 Chevrolet team that prevailed to record their series-leading third victory of the 2025 season. It was the 30-year-old Georgia native’s first trip to victory lane at Talladega Superspeedway and his ninth all-time superspeedway victory – ultimately passing Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s records to make him the series’ winningest driver on drafting-style tracks.

Sanchez Slated for Truck Series Return

While early in his campaign for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series ‘Rookie of the Year’ title, Nick Sanchez has a double-duty weekend on deck with his return to the Truck Series in Friday’s SpeedyCash.com 250. The 23-year-old Miami, Florida, native will get behind the wheel of the No. 07 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, making him the seventh different Chevrolet driver to make a start in the entry this season. Sanchez moved up into the NASCAR national ranks in 2023, competing two full seasons in the Truck Series with Rev Racing. Within that timeframe, Sanchez earned the ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors and two trips to victory lane. This will mark Sanchez’s first appearance back in his old stomping grounds since making the jump into the Xfinity Series with Big Machine Racing at the beginning of the season.

In just two Truck Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway, Sanchez won the pole in both events and a best-result of third one year ago. The 1.5-mile oval is a place of redemption for the young Chevrolet driver. In his first career start at the track, Sanchez led 168 of 172 laps and earned an average running position of 1.1 before an incident in an overtime restart ending in a heartbreaking 16th-place finish.

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 10 NASCAR Cup Series races complete:

Wins: 3

Poles: 5

Laps Led: 1,232

Top-Fives: 20

Top-10s: 48

Stage Wins: 8

Chevrolet’s season statistics with 11 NASCAR Xfinity Series races complete:

Wins: 9

Poles: 8

Laps Led: 1,573

Top-Fives: 38

Top-10s: 72

Stage Wins: 17

Chevrolet’s season statistics with six NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races complete:

Wins: 4

Poles: 2

Laps Led: 456

Top-Fives: 17

Top-10s: 32

Stage Wins: 4

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Chevrolet will serve as the official pace vehicle for the tripleheader weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, with the Corvette Stingray pacing the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series and the Silverado RST pacing the Craftsman Truck Series.

· Chevrolet is the only manufacturer to accomplish a tripleheader sweep across all three NASCAR national divisions this season – earned at Homestead-Miami Speedway courtesy of victories by Kyle Larson (Cup and Truck Series) and Justin Allgaier (Xfinity Series).

· Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Texas Motor Speedway:

Kyle Busch – four wins (2020, 2018, 2016, 2013)

Chase Elliott – one win (2024)

William Byron – one win (2023)

Kyle Larson – one win (2021)

Austin Dillon – one win (2020)

· In 44 NASCAR Cup Series races at Texas Motor Speedway, Chevrolet has recorded a series-leading 18 victories. The Bowtie brand has earned victories in five of the past six Cup Series races at the 1.5-mile oval, including an active streak of four-straight to keep the manufacturer undefeated in the Next Gen era at the track.

· In the series’ 10th points-paying race of the season at Talladega Superspeedway, Chevrolet matched its season-high top-10 finishes of seven – earned collectively by four different Chevrolet organizations. The Bowtie brand has now earned at least half of the top-10 finishing results in six of the 10 races thus far this season.

· In 118 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 55 victories – a winning percentage of 46.6%.

· With its 43 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 869 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

FOR THE FANS:

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Texas Motor Speedway.

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Silverado EV RST, Silverado 1500 ZR2, Silverado 1500 RST, Traverse Z71, Blazer EV SS, Equinox EV RS, Tahoe RST, Corvette and No. 9 Chase Elliott show car.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Friday, May 2:

Corey Day: 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Tyler Ankrum & Jack Wood: 4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Connor Mosack: 4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Dawson Sutton: 4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Grant Enfinger: 4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 3:

Sammy Smith: 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Justin Allgaier & Carson Kvapil: 10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Connor Zilisch: 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Matt DiBenedetto: 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Christian Eckes: 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 4:

Alex Bowman: 10:40 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.

Daniel Suarez: 10:55 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.

Chase Elliott: 11:10 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.

Austin Dillon: 11:25 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.

Justin Haley: 11:40 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.

William Byron: 11:55 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

AJ Allmendinger: 12:10 p.m. – 12:25 p.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

Friday, May 2: 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 3: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 4: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY

Sunday, May 4, at 3:30 p.m. ET

(FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Andy’s Frozen Custard 300

Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. ET

(CW, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

SpeedyCash.com 250

Friday, May 2, 8 p.m. ET

(FS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Are you looking forward to Texas?

“I’m looking forward to Texas because it’s fun track to race on. We’ve been pretty good there the last couple of years. The Dallas and Fort Worth areas are so much fun because there’s so much to do at the Stockyards and in the surrounding areas.”

Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Katz Coffee is hopping aboard this weekend. What are your thoughts about them joining you at Texas?

“I’m excited for Katz Coffee to ride along with me at Texas Motor Speedway. I’ve had a lot of great runs at Texas, so hopefully we can mix it up at the front of the field and compete for the win. Katz does a great job of fueling the men and women at Spire Motorsports with rich, great tasting coffee both at the shop and at the track every weekend. I’m not going out on a limb when I say Spire Motorsports and Katz Coffee have the best coffee game in the sport.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Let’s talk about what it is about Texas that you like?

“Texas, it’s a challenging racetrack. Turns one and two being as flat as they are and as wide as they are. there’s a lot of room for where you can go. But there’s probably about six inches of that racetrack that feels really good. And that’s the groove that you want to be in, and stay in, in order to get that grip. We’ve been pretty decent there. Last year, we were fast. We had some good speed. Unfortunately, I wrecked in qualifying, which then forced us to go to a backup car. But we were able to come back up through the field and I think get a top-15 finish. So, I think having the primary, we would have been in the top 10. We would have had a shot. But, you never know how some of those races play at the end. I remember Denny (Hamlin), I think, was really pushing hard, running hard, trying the outside. And he finally busted his butt there towards the end as well, too, and Chase (Elliott) was able to get the win. So, it’s really, really finicky. It’s very hard to push harder, to find speed, to make speed to catch the guy in front of you or pass the guy in front of you and not overstep that edge.”

Is it a track that’s really sensitive when it comes to the temperature?

“Obviously, it’s in Texas. It gets hot there. It’s probably a track that may have a little bit of different characteristics when you go back each time.

As the sun and the heat builds up throughout the day, does that track change a lot?

“It does, yeah. That track really changes a lot. I think it changes a lot in the beginning of our races with the Xfinity rubber down from the day before. Then it progressively changes as the day gets hotter in our races or if it goes later and cools off a little bit. It gets faster, it gets more grip. So, you’re always kind of limited on that feel and the grip and how fast you can you feel like you can go. I talk about how treacherous or tricky turns one and two can be as far as being as flat as they are, but the same can be said for three and four with knowing how hard to push. Can you run wide open down there? Do you lift out of the throttle, get back to the throttle early? Do you just part throttle it longer through the corner? There’s a few different ways to run it.”

Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

“Having success at a track always helps, even though Texas has been repaved and the banking is a little different from when I won in the Truck Series. To be able to wear the cowboy hat and celebrate in victory lane is always a cool thing in Texas. For us, I think this is where the relationship really blossomed with myself and Kaulig Racing. We left Texas with a 16th place finish in the race last year. It was one of five starts I made with the team, and I felt like we all left Texas on a really positive energy and that led us to where we are today. Going back to Texas this weekend, it will be the first time that I am going to a track for the second time with Kaulig Racing. It’s a new crew chief and whole new situation, but with the team it feels good to go back to a place for a second time. I’m looking forward to this weekend. I always love being in Texas – great food, catching up with friends and just enjoying being in Texas.”

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

“Headed to Texas, I feel like our mile-and-a-half program has been one of our strong suits this year. I would say I’m cautiously optimistic and confident that we can continue to have speed and execute this weekend. Texas is one of the trickiest mile-and-a-half tracks that we go to with how different each end of the track is and how slick it can be. It’s a track I enjoy racing at and I’m looking forward to seeing what our No. 16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection team can do this weekend.”

Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

What are the challenges of Texas as the track continues to age?

“The bump in Turn Four on the high side is a big challenge, especially during restarts. The track is very daunting still to this day, even as it ages, because the speeds are so high and these cars are right on the edge. Now, you have some of that character with those bumps, and our cars are so low that when you bottom out, they take off. I wasn’t the only car to back it into the fence there while trying to get clear. We saw a few other guys do that last year as well. It just shows that typically Cup guys don’t make a ton of mistakes, and we saw a lot of mistakes there, which proves how challenging the race track is. It’s still one of those places that it can take your breath away.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

The No. 77 team has raced within the top 10 in the last two races and now you head to Texas where you’ve run well in both the Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. What are your expectations for this weekend’s race in Fort Worth?

“I’ve been excited to get to Texas and now even more excited to be able to return to the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. I’ve always done really well at Texas and feel like that’s a place where we can get a win in both series. We’ve been really strong on the intermediate tracks and it feels like we’re finally getting back to a place where we can consistently run up front. We’ve had a lot of fun with Chili’s the last few weeks and I’m ready to keep it going this week at their home track.”

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

What are your thoughts entering this weekend’s race at Texas Motor Speedway?

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never raced at Texas in a Cup car, so I’ll be learning a lot during practice on Saturday. The Xfinity race last year was early on in the season. We finished on the lead lap which was respectable since I didn’t have that many starts on ovals at that time. This weekend will be another challenge for me but looking forward to 400 miles in my SafetyCulture Chevrolet.”

Do you bounce ideas off your Trackhouse teammates in terms of learning? Do you feel like the communication has gotten stronger this season?

“I think that the dynamic in Trackhouse has changed a little bit, which for me is good. Everyone works a lot closer together. At the simulator, all our driving notes are open. I lean on those guys as much as I can. Daniel and Ross are very different in the way they think and describe things. It’s paying back at the moment because I help them on the road course stuff. It’s pretty cool dynamic at the moment and I’m enjoying that.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

What are your thoughts on Texas?

“I love Texas Motor Speedway. I have always enjoyed the track. It’s fast and a big challenge, but very rewarding plus Texas feels like home to me. We have a lot of fans who show up in Texas every year. We didn’t have a perfect race in Talladega, but when it mattered most at the end of the race, we executed well and finished ninth. It would be nice to build upon that this weekend, especially driving the Kubota Chevrolet. Kubota’s corporate office is in Grapevine, Texas. We are visiting there Friday and I know they are bringing a lot of employees and customers to the track for the race on Sunday.”

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“I Felt the Pressure for Him”: Julia Piquet Opens Up on Daniel Suárez’s Dream Win in Mexico City

Published

1 hour ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Daniel Suarez’s 2025 season was not particularly one to write home about. The 33-year-old finished 29th in the standings, marking a rather underwhelming end to his tenure with the organization. The lone high point came when he won the Xfinity Series race on his home ground in Mexico City. His wife, Julia Piquet, spoke about the moment back in September.

Piquet, in a conversation with Samantha Busch, the spouse of two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, was asked what it was like to race in front of so many fans who were rooting for Suarez. She explained that it was not a case of them traveling to Mexico City on a whim and returning immediately after the win. The visit had been months in the making.

Suarez and Piquet traveled to the city multiple times before the race for promotional activities, fan engagements, sponsorship meetings, and more. When race day finally arrived, it was Piquet who felt and showed the most pressure. Suarez, staying true to his nature, remained as calm and collected as ever.

She said, “I felt a lot of pressure for him. I can’t speak for him. I mean, a lot of people always ask me, ‘Does Daniel get nervous before a race?’ And I’m like, ‘Honestly, if he does, he doesn’t show it.’ He’s always cool as a cucumber. He’s always in the right mindset. I’m sure there was extra pressure obviously for Mexico City, but he never, never shows it, you know?”

Piquet had been nervous enough for both of them, given how badly Suarez had wanted to race again in front of his home crowd. The sheer number of media personnel and documentary crews following them around only added to the pressure. Once Suarez reached Victory Lane, the atmosphere turned absolutely electric, and Piquet was still in awe of it even months later.

She continued, “I get goosebumps every time I think about it because it was so magical. You couldn’t have scripted it any better. To crash in qualifying and come back in a backup car. I mean, they were singing the national anthem for the Xfinity race when they were rolling the car onto the grid because it took them up to the last minute to get it fixed or to prepare the backup car. It was a storybook ending.”

In 2026, Suarez will leave Trackhouse Racing for Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series. Expectations are that he is able to fare a lot better with the team than he did with Trackhouse.

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Northern Tool + Equipment Launches TV Show Highlighting Young Tradespeople

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

northern tool student build tv series class around table

Minnesota-based Northern Tool + Equipment is partnering with RACER Network to launch a first-of-its-kind television series highlighting the next generation of tradespeople — namely, high school CTE (career and technical education) students. A new four-episode series will follow Tennessee’s LaVergne High School CTE juniors and seniors as they participate in the Legends Challenge: Student Build from Northern Tool — transforming a Harley-Davidson Nightster into an XR750-inspired flat-track racer with hands-on mentorship from racers and builders.

“The work these students are doing belongs on the big screen,” said Frank Crowson, chief marketing officer at Northern Tool + Equipment. “RACER Network fans—and motorsports diehards everywhere—are going to see real talent, determination and teamwork on display. This is a serious challenge; even seasoned pros would be pushed to finish a build like this in just 174 days.”

The series will highlight Northern Tool’s mission to put professional-grade tools in the hands of high school CTE students and invest in future tradespeople with unique learning experiences and industry mentorship, according to officials in a press release announcing the program. The retailer’s investment has already impacted more than 30 schools across the country, including two previous builds—the Monster Jam Mini Build and Rat Rod Kart Build Off.

Northern Tool + Equipment Launches TV Show Highlighting Young Tradespeople | THE SHOP

“We greenlit the Northern Tool Legends Build because the students at La Vergne High School—and the skilled trades they’re learning—are the future of motorsports,” said Scott McLemore, RACER Network vice president of programming. “The craft, the grit, the teamwork—that’s the story RACER Network tells best. We’re proud to add Northern’s Legends Build to our new show lineup next fall, and we’re already eyeing Northern’s Build 4.”

Northern Tool + Equipment is a family-owned company serving both DIYers and trade professionals as a leading supplier of more than 100,000 high-quality tools and equipment.

The series is anticipated to air in 2026. Updates can be found on social media and Northern Tool’s YouTube channel.

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NASCAR team names 2026 driver after Dale Earnhardt Jr left unhappy – Motorsport – Sports

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

With around two months to go until the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series goes green, Big Machine Racing made the announcement of the exit of Nick Sanchez in early December, after recording the team’s first win since 2022 this past season. Regardless, the team has since moved on, announcing his replacement on Tuesday.

Sanchez’s exit came as a surprise, given that not only did he win at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Focused Health 250, but he recorded a further six top-five finishes as well as another five top 10s, coming home 12th in the driver’s standings.

News of the 24-year-old’s exit did not go down well with Hall of Fame driver and JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., who labeled the decision “surprising” because of both his performances in 2025 and the late timing of it all.

Speaking on the ‘Dale Jr. Download’ podcast, the 51-year-old added, “It’s late. It’s a tough part of the year to find out that you don’t have a job for next season.”

He noted how the “talented” Sanchez could already have a new spot lined up, however, given that as of December 23 he has yet to make any announcements regarding a new home for 2026, this seems increasingly unlikely.

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“He’s decent, and he’s got some talent,” Earnhardt later added. “The other thing too I like is that he pisses some people off, right? I mean, I don’t love that cause sometimes he pisses me off or he pisses one of my guys off…But as a fan or as a broadcaster and as somebody who’s like wanting to fall in love with the sport. We need guys like that.”

With Sanchez no longer behind the wheel of the No. 48 BMR Chevrolet, it now falls upon Dr. Patrick Staropoli, who also happens to be a retina surgeon, to fill his shoes for the 2026 season.

The 36-year-old made his series debut in 2025, making four appearances for Sam Hunt Racing, finishing a season best of 16th at Martinsville Speedway in the US Marine Corps 250.

This will mark Staropoli’s first full-time season in any of NASCAR’s national series, while he also has yet to complete a full-time slate in the ARCA Menards feeder series.

“From the moment I buckled into a pure stock at Hialeah Speedway in 2003, my life’s goal has been to compete at the top levels of this sport. The path has taken many unexpected turns but after working every day for 23 years in pursuit of this dream, I now have the opportunity of a lifetime thanks to Scott Borchetta, Patrick Donahue, and Chevrolet. I am ready to do whatever it takes to put this SYFOVRE Chevy up front and raise awareness for Geographic Atrophy secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration by combining my passion for motorsports and medicine.”

BMR crew chief and team manager, Patrick Donahue, said the team was “pleased to welcome Dr. Patrick Staropoli to the #48 Big Machine Racing team for the 2026 season.

“He brings a rare blend of professionalism, focus, and drive that will continue to strengthen our organization. This partnership reflects our commitment to surrounding the team with individuals who share our values and vision for building long-term success.”

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NASCAR veteran enters Daytona 500 for first time since 2019 – Motorsport – Sports

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

A familiar name is set to return to NASCAR’s biggest stage after MBM Motorsports confirmed that veteran driver Casey Mears will look to qualify for the Daytona 500 for the first time since 2019. Mears has competed in ‘The Great American Race’ fifteen times with his best finish of second in 2006.

Team owner Carl Long confirmed that MBM Motorsports and Garage 66 will field the No. 66 entry for Mears on NASCAR radio on Tuesday. The 47-year-old driver’s return places him among the notable non-chartered NASCAR entries attempting to race their way into the field.

Mears has not started the Daytona 500 since 2019, when he finished 40th after crashing in Stage 2. He made several starts for the MBM and Garage 66 last season. Alongside Mears in the No. 66, confirmed open entries include Justin Allgaier in the No. 40 for JR Motorsports, B.J. McLeod in the No. 78 for Live Fast Motorsports, and Jimmie Johnson in the No. 84 for Legacy Motor Club.

Several additional teams, including RCR, NY Racing, Team AmeriVet, Tricon, Beard Motorsports, and 23XI, have also been mentioned as potential entrants, creating a tight qualifying environment.

During his 16-year Cup career, Mears has started 494 races, with one win, 51 top-10 finishes, and three poles. His only Cup win occurred at the 2007 Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, which established him as a fan favorite during his prime.

His first Cup race came in the 2003 Daytona 500, making this return a full-circle moment more than two decades later. Carl Long’s own Daytona 500 history adds another layer to the storyline.

As a team owner, Long has endured a series of DNQs at Daytona, with failed qualifying attempts stretching from 2000 through 2009 across multiple teams and manufacturers. The entry with Mears represents another chance to finally break through at a race that has repeatedly slipped just out of reach.

MBM Motorsports will also field an ARCA Menards Series entry at Daytona for Derek White. The Canadian stock car driver’s only registered Cup Series race was the 5-hour Energy 301 in New Hampshire, where he finished 33rd.

Mears also made his Truck Series debut with the team last season at Martinsville Speedway and drove the No. 69 Pit Stop Diecasts Ford F-150 for his 600th NASCAR start. He raced to a 24th-place finish during the Slim Jim 200 and said how special it was for the team to give him such an opportunity.

“It’s pretty special to come back to Martinsville for my 600th NASCAR start,” said Mears. “This sport has given me so many incredible experiences, and to make my Truck Series debut with MBM Motorsports and The Pit Stop Diecasts at such an iconic track is exciting.”

“The Truck Series has always been on my list. It’s tough, exciting racing, and Martinsville is the perfect place to make it happen.”

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Spire Motorsports opens full-time dirt racing team for 2026

Published

8 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

“We are not a NASCAR team that is going dirt racing. We are dirt racers who happen to have a NASCAR team.”

Spire Motorsports is going dirt track racing on a much larger scale in 2026. In addition to their NASCAR efforts, they’ll also field a 410 winged sprint car entry. The new team will race full time in the Kubota High Limit Racing series.

In the middle of the 2025 season, Scelzi parted from KCP Racing. He finished the season with Clauson Marshall Racing, filling the seat for the injured Tyler Courtney. Now, he has a new ride…

Giovanni “Gio” Scelzi has been signed as the driver. He was previously awarded the 2023 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year. Scelzi has 12 race wins in national competition.

Eric Prutzman will join the team as the crew chief after taking Brad Sweet to six national championships.

He’ll also race in the 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa. The car is a Spire Motorsports’ Chili’s-sponsored entry fielded by Keith Kunz.

Spire Motorsports has acquired a High Roller Club membership (charter) ahead of the 2026 season. It was purchased from Jason Myers Racing.

High Limit Sprint Cars introducing charter system to dirt racing

Spire Motorsports Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson comments

“Going on the road with High Limit is like a dream come true and to do this with people I have deep respect and appreciation for makes it even better,” said Spire Motorsports Co-Owner Jeff Dickerson in the team release.

“We’ve worked with and for Kyle (Larson), Brad (Sweet), Kendra (Jacobs) and JP (Josh Peterman) for years and I have an immense amount of gratitude to them for not only building a great series but for making a series that offers long-term growth to all of us in a sport we all love.”

“I’m thankful to Tim Clauson and the Marshalls for providing us a launch pad to make this jump and look forward to working closely this season.”

He added, “We are not a NASCAR team that is going dirt racing. We are dirt racers who happen to have a NASCAR team. This is in our blood and we can’t wait to get to Vegas in March.”

Gio Scelzi comments

“To see the enthusiasm from the employees at Spire Motorsports, that’s really something that made an impact on me,” said Scelzi.

“The NASCAR stuff is their job but it’s pretty obvious they enjoy sprint car racing. We’ll likely run 80 to 90 times a year at probably 50 different race tracks, but when you have an owner like Jeff (Dickerson) who truly loves sprint car racing and comes from that background, it really makes this an exciting opportunity.”

“I’ve known Eric (Prutzman) for a long time. When I was probably 10- or 12-years-old, when Donny Schatz was driving for Tony Stewart Racing, those guys would work out of my dad’s shop during that three-week West Coast swing and Eric was the tire guy at the time, so we became friends and stayed in touch.”

“I’ve watched Eric’s career and he’s had amazing success. The guys who run up front all have really good equipment so, now more than ever, it’s the people. Having someone as accomplished as Eric is just as important as the equipment.”

“I’m thrilled to race the Chili Bowl, again. I’ve run it three times in the past. I ran for Clauson Marshall Racing my first time and made the show.”

“The two years after that, I was there with Chad Boat Racing. To race a car prepared by Keith Kunz at the Chili Bowl is a dream come true. They’ve won prelim after prelim and Saturday after Saturday. The Chili Bowl is an event where being lucky is just as important as having a fast race car and putting yourself in position to win a race.”

“I’m really looking forward to getting back there. I’m really grateful to Jeff, Keith and the whole team at Chili’s for the opportunity.”

NASCAR charter sold for $40M to Spire Motorsports; New record

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Gio Scelzi | Spire Motorsports | High Limit Racing | NASCAR

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Motorsports

Ten Tenths Motor Club Names Veteran Automotive Executive Andy Thomas as Vice President of Manufacturer Relations – Speedway Digest

Published

11 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Ten Tenths Motor Club has named longtime automotive executive Andy Thomas as its new Vice President of Manufacturer Relations, bringing more than three decades of global experience in luxury automotive sales, marketing and brand management to the newly opened motorsports and lifestyle destination.

In his new role, Thomas will develop and maintain relationships with OEM partners to understand their needs, perspectives and objectives, while working to identify opportunities for growth by leveraging new and existing partnerships to increase facility usage.

Thomas joins Ten Tenths Motor Club after serving as Vice President of Marketing and Communications for McLaren Automotive North America since 2015, where he led strategic marketing, communications and global strategy that helped drive record sales growth. During his decade with McLaren, Thomas oversaw experiential events in over 30 major metro markets and developed retail programs that significantly increased sales conversions and owner engagement.

“Andy’s reputation and relationships within the global automotive community are unmatched,” said Rick Hendrick, who founded Ten Tenths Motor Club in partnership with Speedway Motorsports. “His leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our partnerships with manufacturers and luxury brands as we continue to establish Ten Tenths as a world-class venue for automotive experiences.”

Prior to McLaren, Thomas served in leadership roles with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in both Goodwood, U.K. and North America, where he guided global brand alignment and oversaw international marketing strategy across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Earlier in his career, he held key marketing and sales roles with BMW of North America, Ferrari North America and Land Rover North America, gaining experience in dealer relations, product marketing and luxury customer engagement.

“Our vision for Ten Tenths Motor Club is to establish the facility as not only a premier experience for passionate automotive enthusiasts, but also to create a destination for corporate events that is unmatched in the automotive industry,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “We look forward to Andy joining our efforts to invite manufacturers from around the world to Ten Tenths Motor Club and the greater Charlotte region.”

A Clemson University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Thomas also serves on the Board of the Erwin Center for Brand Communication at his alma mater. In that role, he mentors students, sponsors real-world marketing projects and connects students with opportunities across the automotive and luxury brand landscape.

A native of Salisbury, Maryland, Thomas began his career in dealer operations at Fox Chevrolet in Baltimore before joining the OEM side of the industry. His work has taken him across the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, building a broad network and a deep understanding of international brand collaboration.

“I’m thrilled to join Ten Tenths at such an exciting time,” Thomas said. “The club’s vision represents the next evolution of automotive lifestyle and performance culture. I look forward to connecting global manufacturers with this extraordinary facility and to becoming part of the Charlotte community.”

Located adjacent to the iconic Charlotte Motor Speedway, Ten Tenths Motor Club combines exclusive track access, curated events and premium hospitality to create an unparalleled environment for members and partners. The facility has quickly become a premier destination in the Charlotte metropolitan area for automotive launches, luxury brand activations, enthusiast experiences and special events. Tickets are now on sale for Ten Tenths Motor Club signature public event, Heritage Invitational, April 9-11, 2026.

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