Motorsports

The curse of the 2nd Toyota Team In NASCAR!

Published

4 months ago

August 29, 2025

One can only imagine what it’s like to be Toyota right now and hear that one of 23XI’s charters might be sold and that might pull the team out of the sport. One could imagine frustration, though not for the reasons one might think. Since 2008, the second Toyota team has been killed for all sorts of reasons!

Red Bull Racing!

There was a lot of excitement when Red Bull returned to NASCAR with Trackhouse sponsoring both Zilisch and SVG. This was because of Red Bull’s long history in motorsport and their recent success with Max Verstappen. It was also the nostalgia of seeing Red Bull back in the sport after their 1st failed run as their own team and sponsor.

In 2009, they established themselves as the second Toyota team when they made the Chase, winning with Vickers for the first time at Michigan, while he also earned the most poles that season. But two years later, right after winning their second race, they announced they were shutting down, which still leaves many bewildered to this day. But looking at Red Bull’s brand, it makes perfect sense.

Red Bull’s brand has always been about being the best in some way, but its NASCAR team wasn’t. Vickers was supposed to be the man, and in 2009, he showed he could be, but his health failed him. Blood clots led to him missing most of 2010, when the new COTs were being driven for the first time. When he returned in 2011, he was a year behind and struggled heavily. That, combined with his heavy aggression, led to the infamous Martinsville race, where he crashed 5 different times.

They rushed Scott Speed from PT in trucks to Cup, wasting his potential before dropping him. And Kahne, who got the team’s second win, was a rental from Hendrick. Compare this to every other RBR venture. In F1, the team started at a similar time and had won its 2nd title with Vettel, Loeb was dominating the rally, and Whincup was dominating V8s. Two wins weren’t going to cut it, so they cut the Toyota program.

Michael Waltrip Racing!

Darrell Waltrip, who is ironically Michael’s brother, once said, “If you aren’t cheating, you aren’t winning.” And MWR is the perfect example of what happens when a team is great at everything but cheating. They were behind JGR and RBR in the Toyota ladder. But they were setting themselves up for success using GM Ty Norris to get big sponsors like Napa, Aaron’s, and Domino’s.

Hiring drivers like Reutimann, who was perfect for a small team to build around and to outdrive the car on occasion. Although being disqualified for the Daytona 500 and starting the 2007 season with negative points because they got with rocket fuel was a preview of things to come. But hiring 2-time Busch Series champion MTJ after DEI collapsed was another savvy move.

But after Red Bull shut down, they went into overdrive, being forced to step up as they took over that second Toyota team mantle, and it worked. In 2012, they brought in Bowyer and part-time Mark Martin plus Vickers, and with Bowyer, they brought out the competition director of his old team, ex-RCR CD Scott Miller. Leading to both MWR and Bowyer, who went on to have their best-ever seasons. MWR went from a team with a couple of wins to winning 3 in 2012 with Bowyer and a new sponsor, 5-Hour Energy, and competing for a title, finishing 2nd in points.

In 2013, it looked like more of the same, with MWR winning twice and Bowyer heading into the Chase top 5 in points. Then “Spin Gate” happened. Trying to get MTJ into the chase, MWR told Bowyer to spin on purpose and then told Vickers to pit, all of which was caught by NASCAR. This caused the team to record fines, and sponsors and drivers to leave as well. They’d never recover, only lasting two more years and never winning another race or making the playoffs ever again.

Furniture Row Racing!

If there was any team that was going to outlast the Toyota curse, it should’ve been FRR. They were the team; they did everything right before they went to Toyota. They sold off their Nationwide series and 87 Cup car and focused everything on the 78 car. They hired discarded talents like Regan Smith, Kurt Busch, and MTJ to outdrive their staff and get race winnings up. They got closer with Chevy and RCR, and then, as RCR started to fall off, they got close with JGR and Toyota.

Leading to the 78 and MTJ dominating 2017 together and becoming the only other Toyota team that isn’t JGR to win the Cup Series title. But for the first time, it would be Toyota’s 1st team that killed its second team. Coach Gibbs hated being beaten by the alliance team, so he increased equipment prices. And in response, FRR would drop out of NASCAR, and now, with team owner Barney Visser dying shortly thereafter, the chances of the team coming back are slim to none.

Leaving Family Racing!

The team shut down before it could even take off. The 95 had put NASCAR fans on notice in 2019 when both LFR and Matt DiBenedetto had their best-ever seasons the moment they switched to Toyota. And they’re 11 laps away from winning their 1st ever race at Bristol on pace. But Toyota had a Christopher Bell problem. The Toyota prospect had been in the lower series since 2015 and had been doing nothing but winning, even being a truck series champion in 2017. So if they weren’t going to bring them to the Cup, some other Ford or Chevy team would pick up Bell themselves.

So Toyota made an executive decision, and with no seats available at JGR, DiBenedetto would get the boot, and Bell would be LFR’s driver for 2020. Looking back, this was the correct move, as Bell has quickly developed into one of the best drivers in NASCAR. Capable of winning three races in a row and making multiple final 4s.

Doing it all with Toyota and JGR meant completely going against Ron Leavine’s authority as a team owner, as he wanted to keep building with Dibby. So, despite having as good a season as he did with rookie Bell, he decided that he was going to pick up his ball and play somewhere else. In fact, he would never return to that court ever again. After 2020, Ron would shut down his team and hasn’t returned.

Now 23XI!

With Michael Jordan co-owning a team with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, this seemed like the team that would withstand the second Toyota curse. If teams like Red Bull and MWR could not make it work, then a team with the brand and backing of the greatest basketball player ever and one of the best drivers in the sport, who was still on JGR, would withstand everything thrown at them, yeah?

To start, they signed the polarizing Bubba Wallace right after the Talladega noose controversy and even won their first race in the rain at Talladega. That was nothing compared to their 2022, and how chaotic that was.

They managed to sweep Kansas but not win anywhere else. Then there was how chaotic things got after Kurt Busch’s Pocono injury, where Ty Gibbs, who hadn’t even completed his first full-time year in Xfinity, would replace Kurt Busch at least until Wallace was put in the 45 for owner points reasons and Ty Gibbs was put in the 23 until the finale, which he would miss due to his father’s tragic passing, so Hemric would drive in the 23, and JHN got a start in the 45 after Bubba wrecked and fought Larson at Vegas and earned a suspension.

Then there was signing Tyler Reddick and how controversial that was. The original plan was to have Reddick debut in 2024 because it was unknown if Kurt Busch would come back in 2023. But RCR openly said they felt betrayed and confirmed that Reddick wouldn’t come back to RCR in 2023. So as tragic as Busch’s career-ending injury was, it was a blessing in disguise for Reddick because otherwise he might’ve had to spend a year on RWR or something. After the usual second Toyota team chaos, 23XI Racing would experience stability.

With Reddick winning multiple races again in 2023 and Wallace finishing 10th in points, then Reddick in 2024 transformed into a title contender. Winning three races and making 23XI’s first-ever final four, finishing 4th in the standings. Then they sued NASCAR along with FRM. This has made massive waves throughout the NASCAR world. FRM and 23XI sued NASCAR for being a monopoly after they felt they were pressured heavily into signing the new charter agreement. This saw both FRM and 23XI have their charters revoked for the season.

The lawsuit hasn’t been going well either, with NASCAR even being confident enough to sell or at least be looking to sell one of 23XI’s charters. Something that Jordan has said is that if it goes through, it means 23XI shuts down. This would be awful after all the potential the team has shown, how many great people they employ, and how important it’s been for the brand of NASCAR.

Bringing in brands like McDonald’s (giving them their first win in 20 years), Columbia, Star Wars, Monster Energy, and of course Jordans. But even if they live through this year, it’s clear 23XI has been infected with the usual chaos all 2nd Toyota teams go through, all for totally different reasons. Thanks a bunch for reading!

Link

Motorsports

Porsche runs Panamericana tribute livery at Mexico City

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Photo credit: Porsche

Porsche is bringing a piece of its racing past to the streets of Mexico City, where its two factory-run Porsche 99X Electric cars will wear a special livery at the second ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race of the season in the country’s capital. The design nods to the 550 Spyder driven by Hans Herrmann at the 1954 Carrera Panamericana, Mexico’s best-known road race.

Herrmann won the “Sport” category for cars up to 1,500 cc and finished third overall. Porsche says the widely acclaimed result helped underline its early international motorsport standing and, along with further successes in 1952 and 1953, contributed to the creation of the Porsche name “Carrera.”

‟Historically and still today, Mexico is a special place for us,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. ‟Porsche’s story in electric motorsport is still young, but the circuit in Mexico City has played a defining part in it. Our factory team took its first Formula E pole position and first victory here, in 2020 and 2022 respectively. Nowhere else has Porsche been more successful in Formula E. The livery honours our motorsport heritage and the Mexican fans at the same time. It is also a thank-you to a country that welcomes us so warmly in Formula E every year.”

Photo credit: Porsche

The appearance also connects to a milestone ahead. In 2026, Porsche says it will celebrate 75 years of motorsport, a history it traces back to 1951 with the Porsche 356 SL and a class win at Le Mans. Laudenbach draws a parallel between eras, noting that the 550 Spyder was the first Porsche designed specifically for racing, while the 99X Electric is the first Porsche developed solely for all-electric motorsport. Laudenbach: ‟Our heritage in traditional motorsport is unique and is reflected in every Porsche. In the future, we want to be able to say the same in all-electric motorsport. That is why we are competing in Formula E. We want to write stories – and history.”

Porsche also points to how the 550 Spyder’s Panamericana effort reflected an evolving racing landscape. Its aluminium bodywork carried multiple brand logos from companies supporting the campaign, at a time when sponsorship was still a relatively new concept in motorsport. Porsche says that influence helped shape some of the most memorable liveries across 75 years of Porsche Motorsport, and the variety of colors that has become part of its racing identity.

Link

Motorsports

Front Row Motorsports announce changes after NASCAR lawsuit – Motorsport – Sports

Published

8 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Following over a year of back-and-forth negotiations with NASCAR after joining forces with 23XI Racing and filing an antitrust lawsuit against the organization in October 2024, FRM is now back as a chartered team and making its final preparations for the upcoming season.

FRM and 23XI sued NASCAR after opting not to sign its new charter agreement in September 2024, alleging “monopolistic” practices. Despite settlement talks prior to the December court date, the suit ultimately went to court, where, after eight days in session, a settlement was reached.

The settlement granted chartered teams “evergreen” status and reinstated all six of 23XI and FRM’s full-time entries as chartered rides. A potentially major financial settlement was also involved, although the specifics of this were not made public.

Now that the ever-looming shadow cast by the lawsuit has finally cleared, FRM’s full attention has turned to the 2026 season, with Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, and Zane Smith all returning to the Cup Series, while Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith will also be back behind the wheel in the team’s two Craftsman Truck Series rides.

But while FRM’s driver lineup will be unchanged, Gragson will be working with a new crew chief after two seasons with Drew Blickensderfer. In an announcement made on Friday, FRM stated that Blickensderfer will be transitioning into the role of competition director, where he and technical director Seth Barbour “will continue to lead the organization’s technical direction and engineering efforts.”

Sign up to our NASCAR newsletter here.

Blickensderfer steps away from the pit box after 17 years in the role, during which he oversaw four wins, including both the 2009 and 2021 Daytona 500s with Matt Kenseth and Michael McDowell, respectively.

Assuming his place in the No. 4 pit box will be Grant Hutchens, who has previously served as a crew chief for Brad Keselowski, Austin Cindric, and Harrison Burton, although only for six total races.

Hutchens’ career has also seen him work as Kevin Harvick’s race engineer, a lead engineer for Ryan Blaney, and in 2025, as the crew chief for Team Penske’s test team.

Beyond a change in crew chief, FRM also announced the addition of former IndyCar Aero Car Chief and Hendrick Motorsports body production manager Jonathan DeHart to lead its aerodynamic operations.

“We are very fortunate, and I am extremely excited to add experienced, talented people like Grant and Jonathan to leadership roles in the organization,” FRM owner Bob Jenkins said.

“With the inclusion of our Truck Series teams, we operate (5) full-time teams and I’m equally as excited to have Drew turn his attention to providing direction and guidance to our crew chiefs and competition group as a whole.

“Having Drew in this new role for us and Seth being able to focus on the technical aspects within our team, it puts us in a better position to execute on the track and achieve our goals in 2026.”

FRM will kick off its 2026 season with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1, before heading to Daytona for the first points-scoring events of the season two weeks later. There, it will be looking to secure its fifth-ever Cup Series win in 2026 and its first since 2023.

Link

Motorsports

Dean Leads Nitro Motorsports Sweep on Opening Day at Daytona – Speedway Digest

Published

8 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Daytona International Speedway roared back to life as pre-season practice for the ARCA Menards Series kicked off, and Nitro Motorsports made an emphatic statement. The team fielded six cars on Friday, and all six topped the leaderboard during the first day of the two-day session.

Leading the charge was Gus Dean in the No. 25 Nitro Motorsports Toyota, returning to the track for the first time since his victory in last year’s season opener. Dean’s strong performance set the tone for the organization, which showcased speed and depth across its lineup. Gavan Boschele followed in second with the No. 90B entry, while Jake Finch placed third in the No. 15 Phoenix Toyota. Thomas Annunziata, Isabella Robusto, and Jake Bollman rounded out the top six, giving Nitro Motorsports a clean sweep of the fastest positions.

Garrett Mitchell, better known to millions of fans as YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland, broke up the Nitro dominance by placing seventh in the No. 30 Kennetix Ford. Andy Jankowiak was eighth in the No. 71 KLAS Motorsports Chevrolet.

Amber Balcaen overcame early adversity after an incident in Turn 3 left her with significant nose damage. Following evaluation and release from the Infield Care Center, Balcaen returned in a backup car and posted the ninth-fastest time. Taylor Reimer completed the top ten in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, marking three female drivers inside the top ten.

Further down the charts, Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Giovanni Ruggiero and Max Reaves finished 13th and 14th, separated by just 0.012 seconds. Reaves will chase the ARCA Menards Series East title in 2026, while Ruggiero will compete in the Daytona season opener alongside his full-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign.

CARS Tour standout Timothy “Mini” Tyrell made his first laps at Daytona, ending the day 20th in the No. 17 Cook Racing Technologies Chevrolet. Incidents also sidelined Bob Martin and Alex Clubb, though both plan to return for Saturday’s session after repairs.

In total, 79 drivers and 49 cars are registered for the pre-race practice, with 65 drivers logging laps on Friday. The second day of testing will set the stage for the highly anticipated season opener next month.

Link

Motorsports

Tibbetts Lumber Backing Spire, McDowell for Truck Race at Daytona

Published

9 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Tibbetts Lumber Company is partnering with Spire Motorsports for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.

The family-owned and Florida-based business will adorn the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST for the February 13 event in Daytona Beach, Florida. 2021 DAYTONA 500 champion Michael McDowell will pilot the entry.

Wood you look at that.@TibbettsLumber will team up with @Mc_Driver in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Daytona!

?: https://t.co/Qd3MwxDt4J pic.twitter.com/Tf4xGtkmhI

— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) January 9, 2026

McDowell will be making his fifth career start in the NASCAR Truck Series, and with a trip to Victory Lane, would join an exclusive list of drivers who have won in each of NASCAR’s top-three divisions.

The Phoenix, Arizona-native competed in two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events last season — Daytona and Atlanta — and recorded a best finish of 12th-place.

“I have a great deal of respect for the Tibbetts Lumber team,” said McDowell, “They’ve helped me on my own property, and their team truly combines outstanding service with a high-quality product. It’s special to have them racing with us at Daytona, and earning a win in all three national series is something I’ve wanted to make happen for a long time. I think we’ll have a real opportunity to do that on Friday night in Daytona in our Tibbetts Lumber Chevy Silverado.”

Founded in 1949 by Linton N. Tibbetts, Tibbetts Lumber Company has grown into the largest independently-owned lumber and building materials supplier in Florida, while building its legacy as one of the largest roof and floor truss companies in the Southeast.

“Tibbetts Lumber Co. is thrilled to be the primary sponsor of the Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Michael McDowell,” said Russ Hallenbeck, CEO of Tibbetts Lumber Company. “Being that we are headquartered in Florida, Daytona International Speedway has become a very special place for us come springtime. We are honored to be teaming up with Spire Motorsports and Michael this February.”

This isn’t the first go-around for Tibbetts Lumber Company when it comes to sponsorship in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, either. Over the last two seasons, the company has backed Spencer Boyd and Freedom Racing Enterprises a total of five times, which resulted in a single top-five result at Daytona in 2024.

With nearly 640 starts across NASCAR’s National Series, McDowell is one of the most seasoned veterans in the sport, right now. The Phoenix, Arizona-native has been to Victory Lane twice at NASCAR’s top-level, and once in NASCAR’s second-level NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season-opener will take place on Friday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1, NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Link

Motorsports

Michael McDowell Running Daytona Truck Race for Spire

Published

9 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Michael McDowell will run the season-opening NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway for Spire Motorsports, the team announced Jan. 9.

McDowell will pilot the No. 7 with sponsorship from Tibbetts Lumber Company.

“I have a great deal of respect for the Tibbetts Lumber team,” McDowell said in a team release. “They’ve helped me on my own property and their team truly combines outstanding service with a high-quality product. It’s special to have them racing with us at Daytona, and earning a win in all three national series is something I’ve wanted to make happen for a long time. I think we’ll have a real opportunity to do that on Friday night in Daytona in our Tibbetts Lumber Chevy Silverado.”

#77: Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports, Delaware Life Chevrolet and #7: Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports, NationsGuard Chevrolet, Bristol

Spire Confirms Truck Return, Announces Promotions

McDowell also drove Daytona for Spire in 2025, steering the No. 07 to a 26th-place finish.

He’s the first driver announced to Spire’s Truck program for 2026. The team previously revealed it plans to field the Nos. 7 and 77 this year.

Executive Editor at Frontstretch

Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.

At his day job, he’s a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio — you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.

Link