Daniel Suarez is at an interesting place in his NASCAR Cup Series career. 

After it was announced that he wouldn’t return to Trackhouse Racing in 2026, Suarez was signed by Spire Motorsports for 2026 in what may as well be a prove-it deal for the 33-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico. 

Suarez, who turns 34 on Jan. 7, has driven for four organizations in nine seasons; Spire will make it five in 10. 

The 2016 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion will be under a great deal of pressure in 2026. He hasn’t won in nearly two calendar years and is yet to make the NASCAR playoffs in back-to-back seasons. He’s won only twice in 323 starts. 

Suarez has bounced back from similar adversity before, but not since 2020 has his career seemingly hung in the balance like this. Justin Marks and Trackhouse Racing won’t be coming through the door to save Suarez if he can’t perform in 2026. 

Why Daniel Suarez could bounce back in 2026

There is reason to believe that Suarez could bounce back, however. 

Spire is a team on the rise, having nearly won several races in 2025 with Carson Hocevar. Suarez will be teammates with Hocevar and veteran driver Michael McDowell — a formidable, three-car team that boasts drivers in three separate stages of their careers. 

Suarez has also shown out with his back up against the wall before. His 2024 win at Atlanta and subsequent playoff berth helped earn him a one-year contract extension with Trackhouse for 2025. 

He’ll need a similar effort — and maybe more — if he wants to stay at Spire and keep his Cup Series career alive. 

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Bubba “The Love Sponge” of Bubba Army and Jack Korpela of Cycledrag discuss the biggest problem facing racing organizations like NHRA, NASCAR, IHRA and many other forms of motorsports which is an aging fan base. In this video Bubba and Cycledrag talk about what it will take to get the younger Gen Z fan out to the races and what is next for originations facing this problem

There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel (please subscribe here) and like the Cycledrag Facebook page (Please like here) and more will be coming soon. Also subscribe to our NEW Youtube channel “Racing Jack” and Check back daily.

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A quick review of the run of show by event officials will see an adjustment to Championship Saturday at the 41st annual Hyper Racing Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink.

Pushing through event No. 389 of 433 on Friday, officials will adjust the start time on Saturday, January 3, 2026, to 10:00 A.M. (CT). Teams and fans needing to get in before the first green flag of the day will be able to do so starting at 8:00 A.M. (CT).

Opening Ceremonies and the Parade of States are slated to begin at 3:00 P.M., followed by track work. Last Chance Qualifiers kick off the evening program at roughly 5:00 P.M. (CT).

Tickets are available online at http://www.tulsashootout.com or at the event. All seating is General Admission at the Tulsa Shootout. Admission is $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and military, $15 for youth, and free for kids six and under. The Pit Pass is all-access and is $45.

Saturday’s order of events is as follows:

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

Expo Opens: 8:00 A.M.

Engine Heat: 9:15 A.M. – 9:20 A.M.

Racing: 10:00 A.M.

Opening Ceremonies: 3:00 P.M.

B Mains:

390-397: Stock Non-Wing (12 Laps: 8 – Top 2 from each Advance to LCQ)

398-405: Outlaw Non-Wing (12 Laps: 8 – Top 2 from each Advance to LCQ)

406-413: Outlaw Winged (12 Laps: 8 – Top 2 from each Advance to LCQ)

414-421: A Class Winged (12 Laps: 8 Top 2 from each Advance to LCQ)

Opening Ceremonies

Last Chance A Main Qualifiers (12 Laps):

422: Stock Non-Wing (Top 8 Advance to A Main)

423: Junior Sprints (Top 8 Advance to A Main)

424: Outlaw Non-Wing (Top 8 Advance to A Main)

425: Restricted A Class (Top 8 Advance to A Main)

426: A Class Winged (Top 8 Advance to A Main)

427: Outlaw Winged (Top 8 Advance to A Main)

Championship A Mains:

428: Stock Non-Wing (30 Laps)

429: Junior Sprints (20 Laps)

430: Outlaw Winged (30 Laps)

431: Restricted A Class (25 Laps)

432: A Class Winged (30 Laps)

433: Outlaw Non-Wing (55 Laps)

Fans and teams can follow along on the MyRacePass App.

The six divisions headlining the 41st annual Hyper Racing Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink include Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw Micros, Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw, JST Motorsports A-Class Winged, Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing, K&B Motorsports Restricted A-Class, and Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints.

Fans not able to attend the 41st annual Hyper Racing Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink can see every lap of action on http://www.floracing.com.

The Hyper Racing Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink takes place at the Tulsa Expo Raceway, located inside the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Okla. All official rules, event information, and dates are online at http://www.tulsashootout.com. Fans can also follow the Hyper Racing Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink at https://www.facebook.com/TulsaShootout and on Twitter (@TulsaShootout).

Tulsa Shootout PR

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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has allocated millions to improve three speedways.

The International Hot Rod Association has purchased Rockingham Speedway, adding another historic motorsports venue to its growing portfolio. The acquisition was confirmed in an official IHRA press release. The purchase follows IHRA’s recent acquisition of Memphis Motorsports Park and continues the organization’s expansion into track ownership and facility management.

Rockingham Speedway, widely known as “The Rock,” recently completed a major restoration project that included a full repave of the racing surface. The work returned the 0.94-mile oval to racing condition and positioned the track for continued national-level events.

IHRA confirms purchase and plans

According to the IHRA official press release, the organization plans to continue investing in Rockingham Speedway following the sale, with a focus on preserving the track’s history while improving the overall fan experience. A report by RacingNews.co writer Shane Walters also detailed IHRA’s next steps for the facility.

“The IHRA intends to expand on the upgrades, the report stated. Those plans include facility upgrades, expanded fan amenities, and the addition of entertainment elements such as concerts and festival-style experiences alongside marquee racing events.”

IHRA stated in its release that the organization intends to restore Rockingham Speedway to its former prominence while enhancing the venue as a multi-use destination. Planned improvements aim to keep the track active beyond race weekends while maintaining its traditional racing identity.

The purchase reflects IHRA’s broader strategy of reinvesting in historic motorsports venues while creating sustainable, fan-focused facilities.

NASCAR events scheduled at Rockingham for 2026

Rockingham Speedway is scheduled to host a national NASCAR weekend during Easter weekend in April 2026, according to the IHRA press release. The event will build on momentum from 2025, when NASCAR’s return to the track delivered strong attendance and national television exposure.

The April 2026 weekend is expected to feature the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series West, along with a full slate of on-track activity and fan-focused programming throughout the holiday weekend. IHRA noted that additional announcements regarding schedules and event details will be released in the coming months.

The IHRA release also confirmed that the organization is in discussions with experienced industry partners, including Bob Sargent and Track Enterprises, as part of its long-term planning for Rockingham Speedway beginning in 2026.

Darryl Cuttell and local leaders respond

IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell addressed the significance of Rockingham Speedway in comments included in the official IHRA press release.

“IHRA recognizes what Rockingham Speedway means to this community and to motorsports fans around the world, Cuttell said. This is a special place with a strong foundation. Our goal is to be good stewards of the facility, respect its history, and work collaboratively to bring quality racing and entertainment back to The Rock.”

Cuttell later emphasized that IHRA does not plan to change what defines the track.

“This isn’t about changing what made Rockingham special Cuttell said.” “It’s about investing in it, taking care of it, and making sure it continues to be a place where great racing and great memories are made.”

Local tourism officials also welcomed the announcement. Meghann Lambeth, Executive Director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, also spoke in the IHRA press release.

“For decades, The Rock has been one of our community’s most recognizable and celebrated tourism icons, Lambeth said. We’re proud to continue supporting Rockingham Speedway as it draws visitors to Rockin’ Richmond County under the new ownership of the International Hot Rod Association.”

With NASCAR events scheduled and further upgrades planned, Rockingham Speedway remains active on the national racing calendar as IHRA begins its stewardship of the historic facility.

Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce

TOWN OF POLK — The Midwest Motorsports Racers’ Expo has released a special incentive for racers across the region, rewarding drivers who finish in the top 10 in points at any race track or racing series in 2025 with free admission to the annual Midwest Racers Auction, a two-day event to be held Jan. 9-10 at Washington County Fair Park, 3000 Highway PV, Town of Polk.

The auction is one of the Midwest’s premier offseason gathering points for racers, teams, builders, and motorsports enthusiasts, according to a news release. Event attendees can find thousands of high-performance items up for bid, including race parts, safety gear, tools, shop equipment, collectibles, hard-to-find components, and more. The Midwest Racers’ Expo kicks off on Friday with the doors open at 3 p.m. and the first item to be sold at 4 p.m. On Saturday, the doors will open at 8 a.m. and the auction ring will go live at 9 a.m.

Auction manager David Deery noted in the release that this promotion is a small gesture to reward the efforts of racers in the area and simultaneously motivate others to perform at their best.

“Short-track racing thrives because of the racers and teams who pour their time, money and passion into the sport,” said Deery. “Offering free admission to the top-10 drivers is our way of giving back and making sure the people who keep this sport alive can take advantage of the deals, networking, and resources the Expo provides.”

Free admission applies to any driver who finished in the top 10 in points at a recognized short track or regional racing series during the 2025 season. Drivers must present proof of point standings at the admission gate. For more information, community members can visit midwestracersauction.com or call Gregg McKarns at 815-703-0285.

You may see a few more motorcycles on the highway this weekend.

But this is no ordinary gathering.

This is the unofficial start of the 2026 Women Riders World Relay.

It began in 2019 with women riders connecting across the globe.

After a pandemic pause – it’s back.

The U.S. leg begins in Rogers, but women all over the world will take part.

That’s all tracked by an app.

However, the digital baton still requires an in-person hand-off.

“Even though I am the creator of this app, I don’t have the baton. We have one ambassador in every country who is given that baton. And from there, they start to share it. And rather than passing it on and it’s gone, it splits off like atoms, so that ambassador can share it with 10 women and then those 10 women share it with 10 women. Now you have a hundred women sharing, and it’s going to keep building,” WRWR co-founder Liza Miller said.

The official start is happening Saturday.

Women riders will hit the highway, starting at Mach 1 Motorsports in Rogers.

It runs the entire year as they try to surpass the 20,000 riders in more than 100 countries who took part last time.

For more information, click here.