Sources: O’Reilly Auto Parts in line to replace Xfinity as NASCAR’s second-series title sponsor…Dream-Storm draws sellout crowd in Vancouver…Spike Lee, ESPN confirm Kaepernick doc won’t air
O’Reilly Auto Parts title sponsored a NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in 2020 Chris Graythen/Getty Images
O’Reilly Auto Parts is in pole position to replace Xfinity as title sponsor of NASCAR’s second-tier series starting next year, according to sources, as the sanctioning body lands on an endemic brand to the sport to replace the telecommunications company. The deal has not yet been announced but could be as soon as this week when NASCAR is also expected to reveal its 2026 national series schedules. Terms have yet to be learned, but NASCAR went into the effort seeking $10M annually for rights fees plus a mid seven-figure commitment to activation that would take a brand’s per-annum spend to at least around $15M.
NASCAR earlier this year hired Klutch Sports Group in part to help sell this asset. In the end, NASCAR appears to have landed with a company that was already doing business in the sport in O’Reilly, which has been a radio sponsor on NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports’ owned channels for years. It has also been a race title sponsor at SM’s Texas Motor Speedway. But the company will now take on a much higher-profile role replacing Xfinity, which came on in 2015 as parent company NBCUniversal aligned with NASCAR again as a licensee of its media rights.
Xfinity had a 10-year deal originally but extended for an additional season in 2025 to give NASCAR added time to find a replacement. The company remains a major sponsor of NASCAR as one of the sport’s three premier partners and a sponsor of the 23XI Racing team. The publicly traded, Missouri-based O’Reilly is in need of a boost after missing analyst expectations in five of the last fiscal quarters, though it met expectations exactly with $0.78 in earnings per share during the most recent period. Out of 31 analysts tracking the stock, six have a Strong Buy rating 17 have a Buy and eight have a Hold, while none have an Underperform or Sell. It’s unclear if any agencies were involved in negotiating the deal.
The Storm beat the Dream 80-78 before a sellout crowd of 15,892 at Rogers Arena on Friday. NBAE via Getty Images
The Storm beat the Dream 80-78 before a sellout crowd of 15,892 at Rogers Arena on Friday in the WNBA’s first regular-season game outside of the U.S. Signs in the crowd read “Canada loves the WNBA” and “Everyone watches women’s sports.” Storm G Skylar Diggins said that the “atmosphere was ‘amazing.’” She added, “We talked about it in the locker room, it feeling like a playoff game, almost. But we definitely felt them rally behind us.” Toronto Tempo President Teresa Resch and GM Monica Wright Rogers were at the game and “had a special announcement for the crowd” as the expansion team will “play in Vancouver twice during their inaugural season” (Vancouver PROVINCE, 8/16).
In British Columbia, Anna Burns wrote it was “evident that the WNBA and its partners had invested a significant amount of effort into making this game a success.” From “events throughout the Lower Mainland the week leading up to the game, to fan experiences set up throughout the concourse, featuring interactive games, giveaways, photo opportunities, clinics, and merchandise” (SURREY NOW-LEADER, 8/16).
In Vancouver, Patrick Johnston wrote the city hosting the WNBA for more than just a one-off game “remains very much a dream.” NBA Canada Associate VP/Global Partnerships Cheryl Sebastian said that there are “no plans for now for future expansion” of the WNBA (Vancouver PROVINCE, 8/15).
Spike Lee said he “can’t talk about” why the multi-part documentary series about former NFLer Colin Kaepernick is not being released. Getty Images
Spike Lee’s multi-part documentary series for ESPN Films about former NFLer Colin Kaepernick will “not be released.” ESPN in a statement cited “certain creative differences” as the reason. Lee said, “It’s not coming out. That’s all I can say.” When asked why, Lee responded, “I can’t. I signed a nondisclosure. I can’t talk about it.” Production on the series began in 2022, and it was previously reported that the project “faced delays amid disagreements between Kaepernick and Lee over the direction of the film,” and that ESPN Chair Jimmy Pitaro was “open to allowing the filmmakers to shop it elsewhere” (REUTERS, 8/16).
The Big Ten has “considered an idea of a massive expansion of the College Football Playoff that would grow the postseason to 24 or 28 teams.” Getty Images
The Big Ten has “considered an idea of a massive expansion of the College Football Playoff that would grow the postseason to 24 or 28 teams,” according to sources. Sources said that the proposal “eliminates conference title games and offers a large number of auto bids for all four power leagues.” In the 28-team model, the Big Ten and SEC “would each get seven auto bids while the ACC and Big 12 would each receive five.” There would also be “two auto bids for the non-Power 4 conferences and two at-large teams.” The 28-team format “would put 20 playoff games on campus,” and the CFP committee “would seed the field and pick the at-large teams” (ESPN.com, 8/16).
The Power Four conference commissioners have “not had anything more than cursory discussions about the possibility of a massive postseason expansion,” and “nothing has been presented to any of the other FBS conferences or Notre Dame.” The Big Ten was “expected to send a slide deck with some details of the plan to the SEC” (THE ATHLETIC, 8/16).
Haslam Sports Group has been notified by the state of Ohio’s aviation administrator that a permit application for building a new stadium in suburban Brook Park near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport “was denied.” Browns
Haslam Sports Group has been notified by the state of Ohio’s aviation administrator that a permit application for building a new stadium in suburban Brook Park near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport “was denied.” This denial could have “serious repercussions in terms of timing, cost and viability” for the construction of a $3.6B enclosed stadium and proposed supportive development for the Browns. At its proposed location, the new stadium “extends up into this air navigation zone by 58 feet.” The Ohio Department of Transportation said that the Haslams can “resubmit for a new application with a shorter stadium and/or one built farther from the airport” (NEO-TRANS.blog, 8/15).
Meanwhile, the Browns’ federal lawsuit against the city of Cleveland over the planned move to Brook Park has “resumed after a brief pause.” U.S. District Judge David Ruiz on Friday “granted a joint request from both the team and city to restart arguments in the case.” Arguments “could stretch into November,” which could “cause timing issues with the team’s plans” for the new stadium. The Browns “hope to start construction early next year” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 8/15).
Unrivaled could add two teams for the 2026 season while the WNBA and its players make little progress on labor negotiations. Getty Images
Unrivaled is discussing whether to add two teams this upcoming season, sources said, a move not entirely in direct response to WNBA labor negotiations but nonetheless a way for 12 more players to be paid if a work stoppage happens in 2026.
The 3-on-3 league — co-founded by the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier and the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart — played its inaugural season this past winter/spring with six teams and 36 players, all of whom had equity in the business and an average salary of roughly $220,000. Unrivaled was always planning to expand by Year 3, and even potentially overseas at some point, but expedited conversations about adding two teams in Year 2 have apparently caught the attention of the WNBA players union.
Sources said the WNBPA sees adding two teams as potential leverage in labor talks, although indications are Collier and Stewart would not grow Unrivaled to an eight-team league just as a negotiation ploy.
Instead, sources said the success of Year 1 — nearly breaking even largely due to a six-year, $100M media rights deal with TNT and $20M-plus in sponsorships– has led Unrivaled executives to move expansion up on their agenda, with indications they will decide within a month or so. If greenlit, it would likely mean a fourth night of games on Turner (as of now, it plays on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays) and roughly 14 more games over the nine-week season. Unrivaled does not currently intend to lengthen its season, whether there is a WNBA work stoppage or not.
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LIV Golf’s event in Indianapolis this weekend is “poised to become the highest-attended for a U.S. stop in the three-year history of the tour.” Getty Images
LIV Golf’s event in Indianapolis this weekend is “poised to become the highest-attended for a U.S. stop in the three-year history of the tour.” Over 50,000 tickets “have been sold for the weekend, with Friday and Saturday general admission grounds passes selling out entirely, as well as tickets for some hospitality spaces.” LIV is “already planning a return for next year,” as it will “use its one-year option to return to The Club at Chatham Hills for its individual championship.” LIV EVP & Head of Events Ross Hallett said that he “believes Indianapolis could be a strong enough market for LIV to draw 20,000 to each day of the tournament — something no city on the U.S. leg of the tour has achieved” (INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/16).
The K.C. Current-Orlando Pride match at CPKC Stadium on Saturday faced “more than three hours of a heat-related weather delay.” NWSL via Getty Images
The K.C. Current-Orlando Pride match at CPKC Stadium on Saturday faced “more than three hours of a heat-related weather delay.” The match was eventually played in front of a crowd that “appeared to be at half capacity, with stronger numbers in the venue before the initial start time was pushed back.” It also “lacked the edge that the previous matchup between the two teams had.” The National Weather Service “issued an extreme heat advisory for the area” 48 hours prior to kickoff. Attempts to play the game “within the national TV window on CBS fell short” (K.C. STAR, 8/16).
The match was put under the NWSL’s “Extreme Heat Policy,” which states that the league will “begin ‘Wet Bulb Globe Temperature’ measurements 60 minutes prior to kickoff from the center of the field.” The delay began “minutes before the scheduled kickoff” of 3pm CT and “continued — as the WBGT readings were read aloud nearly every 15 minutes — until roughly 4:30.” Around 4:45, the Current “informed those who had stuck around that the match wouldn’t start until roughly 6:20″ and that fans would be “granted reentry.” After Current MF Lo LaBonta addressed the crowd, fans at the sold-out match “left en masse, many to their cars to escape the heat” (K.C. STAR, 8/16).
Renderings released by Sacramento State in October 2024 showcased a “state-of-the-art stadium with a boosted capacity of up to 25,000 people.” Sacramento State
Sacramento State is “considering a plan to build its new Hornet Stadium at Cal Expo.” The Grandstand at Cal Expo facility is the “largest on Cal Expo’s property and was previously primarily used for horse racing.” The school previously announced plans for a new stadium that would be “built on the same footprint as the current Hornet Stadium.” Renderings released by the school in October 2024 showcased a “state-of-the-art stadium with a boosted capacity of up to 25,000 people.” These new stadium plans “come amid a push by Sacramento State to move to the FBS level.” Work on the new Cal Expo Hornet Stadium “could begin by 2027” (CBSNEWS.com, 8/16).
The Storm on Sunday will “unveil a statue” of former WNBAer Sue Bird at Climate Pledge Arena. Getty Images
The Storm today will “unveil a statue” of former WNBAer Sue Bird at Climate Pledge Arena, making her the “first WNBA player ever to be immortalized in bronze.” The unveiling will “kick off a day of festivities dedicated to Bird,” including a “fan fest, the Storm’s game against the Phoenix Mercury and a queer-centered afterparty.” The Storm will unveil the statue at 10am PT with a “free Sue Bird Fan Fest at noon full of activities, giveaways and tributes to Bird.” The first 7,500 fans to enter Climate Pledge Arena for today’s game at 3pm also will be “gifted a drawing of Bird by Seattle artist Keegan Hall.“ Washington State Ferries will “fly special ‘Forever Sue’ flags on all of its vessels over the weekend” and fans are “advised to keep their eyes peeled at the Space Needle, Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park and the Seattle Great Wheel” (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/16).
The Guardians inducted play-by-play announcer Tom Hamilton into the club’s HOF before Saturday’s game. Getty Images
The Guardians inducted play-by-play announcer Tom Hamilton into the club’s HOF before Saturday’s game. The “surprise induction came on ‘Tom Hamilton Night,’ in which he was honored as the 2025 Ford C. Frick winner for broadcasting excellence.” Saturday also was Tom Hamilton bobble-head night. The Guardians HOF is “reserved mostly for non-uniformed members of the organization.” Guardians owner Paul Dolan and his wife Karen “took part in the celebration” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 8/16).
Speed Reads…
The D-backs are “planning to cut payroll in 2026″ after having a franchise-record $190M payroll this season. The club saved $17M in “salary at the trade deadline,” and have $70M “coming off the books after the season” (USA TODAY, 8/17).
UFC 319 was held before a sold out crowd of 20,023 at the United Center on Saturday. It became the highest-grossing event in United Center history with a gate of $11,014,682 (UFC).
Samuel Adams started brewing “Bregman’s Beer,” a “citrusy pale ale” named for Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/16).
Quick Hits…
“I want that Super Bowl in Britain. I don’t care when it takes place but I want it announced while I’m ambassador” — British ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson, on his push to bring the Super Bowl to the U.K. (London TIMES, 8/15).
“I would love to bring this bat out next year, probably, and use that, but I’ll probably come up with a couple more. I’ll try to make it a thing where I try to go for the best bat yearly” — A’s 3B Max Muncy, on his custom Mountain Dew Baja Blast themed bat, which he was not able to use during MLB Players’ Weekend as he is currently on the 10-day injured list (SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/16).
Weekend Hot Reads:
The WASHINGTON POST goes with, “Gambling on the WNBA is way up, as are the unintended consequences.” Despite “frustration among some players,” the WNBA is “courting gamblers more aggressively than ever.” Money wagered on the league “doubled at several top sportsbooks last season compared to the year before,” and has “continued to increase this season.” But as the league “faces significant growing pains, including a rash of abuse toward players,” the WNBA could be “especially vulnerable to some of the dangers that can accompany increased gambling.”
Also:
Social Scoop…
The Little League Classic this year involves two teams in tight races — the Mariners and the Mets. The event is always fun, a great experience for the Little Leaguers and the players, but there will be an extra layer of intensity tonight in Bowman Field.
This reminds me of the NCAA floating the idea of a 96-team basketball tournament in 2010 to make the move from 64 to 68 more palatable. Present a concept that is so terrible that the less-bad (but still bad) expansion alternatives are more acceptable.
Longtime Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup, who retired from that position in 2023, has died.
Racing America, which Printup joined after stepping down as the head of Watkins Glen International, confirmed in a statement Jan. 1 that Printup, 60, passed away unexpectedly.
After leaving WGI, Printup joined Racing America as president of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association and in January 2024 was promoted to chief operating officer.
“Michael was an icon in motorsports, a great partner and a friend,” Racing America said in the statement. “His passion for racing and commitment to the industry made a lasting impact on the sport. He will be deeply missed. Racing America sends our thoughts and condolences to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues.”
Printup, a native of Hamburg, New York, joined Watkins Glen International as track president in June 2009 and served in that position for 15 years before his retirement.
He and his wife Stephanie lived in Horseheads while he was president of WGI.
When he announced his retirement in 2023, Printup said he wanted to spend more time with family and added he was getting burned out after 15 years at the helm.
“I was running out of gas, I’ve got to be candid,” he said at the time. “And I’ve always promised myself I wouldn’t go in and do anything half-naked. I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to be able to go out on a high, I guess.”
Printup began working for International Speedway Corp. in 2000. ISC, which was Watkins Glen’s parent company, merged with NASCAR in 2019. Printup was senior director of facility management at Michigan International Speedway before coming to Watkins Glen.
During Printup’s tenure, Watkins Glen International underwent $56 million in capital improvement projects. Under his leadership, the racetrack hosted music festivals for legendary jam band Phish in 2011 and 2015 and had success with its Wine Festival and other race weekends.
Following the announcement of Printup’s death, Watkins Glen International issued a statement about its former leader.
“During his tenure, Michael played a key role in the continued growth and success of Watkins Glen International, helping to strengthen its operations, partnerships, and standing within the motorsports industry while honoring the venue’s storied history,” the statement said. “Michael was a respected leader who left a lasting impact on the organization and those who worked alongside him.”
Printup’s successor at WGI, Dawn Burlew-Schmidt, also posted a statement about him on her Facebook page.
“Lost my friend Michael Printup who shared a deep passion for Watkins Glen International and the community it calls home,” Burlew-Schmidt wrote. “Michael made a tremendous impact on the track and our team at WGI, and we enjoyed seeing him when SVRA came to town. My thoughts are with his family and friends who are grieving his loss.”
Printup was living in South Carolina at the time of his death. In addition to his wife, Printup had two sons, Brendan and Matthew, and two granddaughters.
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Message from Robert Giannou, Targa Newfoundland owner and co-founder:
Happy New Year from Targa Newfoundland, the most fun you can have in your car with your clothes on. The engines are silent now but in just nine months they will roar to life for the 2026 edition of the world-famous tarmac rally on our beautiful and scenic island home of Newfoundland.
Our next Targa Newfoundland event starts Thursday, September 10, 2026, with Targa School, and ends on Friday, September 18, the night of the awards dinner. The concept for the 2026 course is done, and the detailed course will be confirmed in February.
We’re excited to announce that we’re planning a number of new course concepts, both for transits and competitive stages. We are also welcoming some new towns (and stages) to the fold as well as modifying some much-loved older stages. More to come on both fronts so stay tuned.
But the big news for this year is that we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. Yup, Targa Newfoundland was founded in 2001, and the first rally was held in September of 2002. In the 25 years since then, we have run over 1000 stages in some 130 Newfoundland communities. During that time, we have welcomed hundreds of competitors and volunteers to our island, all the while establishing our event as one of the safest in North America, if not the world.
So, this year we have much to celebrate, including a spectacular motorsport event that turns fantasy into reality and changes normalcy into an unforgettable experience. But most of all, it challenges us out of our day-to-day environment and into the world of our wildest dreams that manifest themselves into wonderful memories.
Teenage dream becomes Targa reality
Devon Knight and Logan King-Gaudon got airborne at Cape St. Mary’s in 2025. CREDIT: Ralph Saulnier
As a young boy, Devon Knight of Corner Brook, NL was already fantasizing about fast cars and Targa Newfoundland. He even did a school project on the history of the legendary rally in his home province that we highlighted back in 2013.
COURTESY: Targa Newfoundland
The Targa bug bit him early. From a young age, he watched Targa on the Speed Channel and dreamed of competing one day. After moving to the Toronto area, he took driver training, spent many weekends doing track days in southern Ontario and got into autocross, something he helped launch in western Newfoundland when he returned there.
It took 11 years but Devon made his Targa dream come true by entering the shorter Bambina event in the fall of 2024 with his thundering V8-powered 2015 Ford Mustang GT. After ripping through the streets of Gander, he was really hooked and determined to come back for the full event.
“It was unreal,” said Devon. “I can’t name one time I’ve ever felt like that in my life. It was the most excited I ever remember being. You’re talking about memories and building friendships with all these people from all over the world and all walks of life.”
Devon says that track days and autocross just don’t compare to experiencing the Targa rally on city streets and closed country roads.
“Running on a road course or competing in an autocross, you don’t really comprehend what it feels like to be on the street because everything’s right there next to you on these narrow lanes. You’re hitting 100 kilometres an hour and it feels like you’re hitting 200 kilometres on the track. It’s the way everything’s flying by.”
Last fall, Devon and co-driver Logan King-Gaudon returned for the full rally and impressed everyone by wheeling their way to a well-deserved second place in Targa 1, just behind pro racer Randy Pobst and Paul Abbott. Dreams can come true.
Devon Knight reviews a stage video with racing legend Randy Pobst. CREDIT: Ralph Saulnier
Watch Knight Motorsports rip through Gander here.
Cool running in a hot car
Cool Runnings raised a little hell in their Dodge Hellcat. CREDIT: Ralph Saulnier
Targa Newfoundland isn’t only about competition. For those entering Targa Tour, it’s about the thrill, camaraderie, and the sights and sounds of a unique motoring adventure in a spectacular location without the pressure of racing the clock.
Charles Brooks and Toby Garrett, two best friends from Northern Ontario, with a shared passion for all things motorsports and performance driving, tried their hand at Targa Newfoundland last fall. They bonded over motorsports and have done drag racing, auto racing, driving the Tail of the Dragon and just about anything else that can be done with fast cars.
Their team name, Cool Runnings, was inspired by the famous Jamaican bobsled team from Charles’ home country. Their bobsled has a lot more power than the namesake though. They drove from Northern Ontario to Newfoundland in two 800-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcats that attracted attention wherever they went and drew admiring crowds at every car show.
Toby (left) and Charles, a pair of cool cats in a Hellcat. CREDIT: Blair Riddle
The entry to Targa Newfoundland was a birthday gift to Charles from his wife, Donna. Toby’s partner Linda drove the support vehicle, the second Hellcat, a purple one that belongs to her. She’d love to run the rally herself but needs a capable co-driver.
Whether you drive a Hellcat or a Honda Civic, Targa Tour is an absolute blast. You get to drive the same stages as the competitive divisions but at your own pace.
Race the Rock in 2026
Targa Newfoundland is the ultimate tarmac rally for classic and modern cars in North America, attracting hundreds of competitors from around the globe since 2002. There are few events like it in the world where competitors get to run their cars at speed and test their skills on closed public roads.
This year’s rally is scheduled for Sept. 10-18, 2026, starting with two days of training and ending with the awards dinner. The competitive stages will run from Saturday, Sept. 12 to Thursday, Sept. 17.
Targa 2026 will cover close to 2000 km (1240 miles) including about 500 km (310 miles) of challenging stages at speed on closed public roads through towns, outports and spectacular scenery. Targa is comprised of two events in one – the Duemila, an eight-day competition, and the Rotoura, a six-day rally experience. Both include two days of Targa School including classroom instruction and practice runs.
Choose your division:
Targa 1 – competitive, roll bar required, top speed – 155 kph Targa 2 – competitive, roll cage required, top speed – 180 kph Grand Touring – time, speed, distance rally; roll bar required – 130 kph Targa Tour – non-competitive adventure, top speed – 130 kph
Are you ready to Race the Rock and take on Targa Newfoundland 2026? Apply to drive and be a part of this unforgettable experience.
About Targa Newfoundland
Targa Newfoundland, which first ran in 2002, is the only tarmac rally of its kind in North America. Held each fall on the ruggedly beautiful island of Newfoundland in eastern Canada, the rally covers 2000 kilometres of challenging, twisty roads through spectacular scenery including about 500 kilometres of thrilling stages at speed on closed sections of public roads and town streets. Targa Newfoundland celebrated its 1000th stage in 2025.
This year’s rally is scheduled for Sept. 10-18, 2026, starting with two days of training and ending with the awards dinner. The competitive stages will run from Saturday, Sept. 12 to Thursday, Sept. 17. The Targa Newfoundland website is your main source for information on the event, including rules and regulations, tech tips, Newfoundland and Labrador, our communities, places to stay, how to get here, and much more!
The NASCAR world has been hit by tragedy once again with the news that Racing America Chief Operating Officer Michael Printup has died.
He was 60.
Per Racing America on SI, Printup spent 30 years working in NASCAR, including 15 as the track president at Watkins Glen International Speedway.
“Watkins Glen International is saddened by the passing for former President Michael Printup, who led the facility for 15 years,” Watkins Glen shared on X. “During his tenure, Michael played a key role in the continued growth and success of Watkins Glen International, helping to strengthen its operations, partnerships, and standing with the motorsports industry while honoring the venue’s storied history.
“Michael was a respected leader who left a lasting impact on the organization and those who worked alongside him. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”
The Racing America account on X called Printup “a true motorsports icon and friend.”
“His passing and leadership shaped our sports and will never be forgotten,” the account added.
Printup is the fifth person with NASCAR ties to die since the start of December, joining former drivers Michael Annett, 39, Nick Joanides, 55, and Greg Biffle, 55 as well as Dennis Hamlin, 75, the father of driver Denny Hamlin.
Prior to Printup’s passing, Hamlin’s death was the most recent after he was killed in a house fire on Sunday in North Carolina. His wife, Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, has been hospitalized after sustaining burns in the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Biffle was killed along with his family and some friends when his plane crashed on Dec. 18 at the Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.
Biffle’s Cessna 550 was reportedly attempting to land at around 10:15 a.m. at the airport just outside of Charlotte when the crash occurred.
Biffle had a 16-year career behind the wheel in the NASCAR Cup Series, starting 515 races and winning 19. He had 175 top ten finishes.
His last race with the series came in the 2022 Geico 500 in Talladega.
Biffle also drove 244 races on the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He won 20 of those and logged 149 more top 10 finishes. He also was behind the wheel for 83 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races, winning 17 of those with 55 top 10 finishes.
His death followed the passing of Nick Joanides on Dec. 5 and Michael Annett on Dec. 2.
Joanides, 55, was a star on the West Coast scene most recently making three starts in the ARCA West Series. He also drove in the NASCAR Xfinity Series when it was called the Nationwide Series.
Annett, 39, drove for JR Motorsports from 2017 through 2021 and the team shared the news of his death on social media.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Annett was behind the wheel for 106 NASCAR Cup Series races, but never managed to finish in the top 10. While his results at that level were not eye-popping, Yahoo Sports noted he drove for a pair of “underfunded teams” in Tommy Baldwin Racing and HScott Racing.
Annett had more success on the Xfinity Series where he drove in 321 races with 95 top-10 finishes. His lone win came in the 2019 NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at Daytona International Speedway.
He also drove in nine NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races with two top-10 finishes.
ARCAposted a statement on Xabout both the deaths of Joanides and Annett that read, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of ARCA Menards Series driver Michael Annett and ARCA Menards Series West driver Nick Joanides, both of whom passed away recently.”
CONCORD, NC, UNITED STATES, January 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Wheelhouse Motorsports today announced a new strategic partnership with Robert Noaker Racing (RNR), uniting two leading organizations known for their development of competitive Mustang racing programs. The collaboration brings together RNR’s championship-winning expertise with Wheelhouse’s operational strength, deep technical resources, and nationally recognized driver development capabilities.
Robert Noaker Racing enters the partnership following back-to-back Team and Driver Championships in 2024 and 2025, including a flawless 2025 Mustang Challenge season in which the Noaker-prepared car led every lap of every race. Wheelhouse Motorsports will integrate this proven technical knowledge with its own established infrastructure, including its GT4 Mustang program competing in the World Racing League (WRL).
Operations will be based at the Wheelhouse Motorsports facility located on the campus of Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Wheelhouse team, including the manager, engineering staff, and technical crew, brings over 100 years of combined motorsports experience to the program. At the track, competitors will also recognize familiar faces, as the RNR crew, led by Bob Noaker, will collaborate with Wheelhouse personnel to support all Mustang Challenge efforts. “As we continue to expand Wheelhouse Motorsports, this partnership represents a significant step forward,” said Dan McKeever, owner of Wheelhouse Motorsports. “Robert Noaker Racing has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in the Mustang Dark Horse R platform, and by combining that expertise with our operational systems and our long-standing commitment to driver development, we are well-positioned to deliver a next-level experience for our customers and competitors.”
The alliance leverages Wheelhouse’s roots in operating the Ford Performance Racing School, the nation’s premier performance driving school since 2006. The organization operates owner-experience programs for Ford and offers 1-day, 2-day, and Advanced high-performance driving courses, giving clients access to top-tier coaching and continuous development. Integrating this expertise with RNR’s race-winning preparation provides a comprehensive solution for drivers seeking a pathway into professional competition.
“This partnership allows both of our organizations to do what we do best,” said Robert Noaker, owner of Robert Noaker Racing. “Wheelhouse brings unmatched operational depth, driver training, and a world-class facility. When we combine that with the experience our team has developed running and winning with the Dark Horse R, we create a program built to elevate any driver who wants to compete at a higher level.”
Through this partnership, drivers have the following opportunities: – Lease a Mustang Dark Horse R for the entire 2026 Mustang Challenge season. – Contract Wheelhouse/RNR to maintain and operate their own cars. – Compete with Wheelhouse Motorsports in the WRL series, piloting a GTO-class Mustang GT4.
Wheelhouse Motorsports and Robert Noaker Racing look forward to delivering a comprehensive, competitive, and professionally supported environment for drivers seeking championship-caliber performance in 2026 and beyond.
Bill Johnson Wheelhouse +1 910-658-1447 email us here
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There are a few deviations from recent years, but the local race calendar looks to be another strong one at Sebring International Raceway. As usual, much of the early action at the track will come in the form of preseason testing, some of it private team testing and other test days are sanctioned by the corresponding series.
The SSCA has a general test slated for Jan. 8, while the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli will take over the track Jan. 21-22. IndyCar make its typical stop at Sebring on Feb. 9-10, where the cars test over the raceway’s short course.
The first event for fans will be the quick turnaround for the last major event held at Sebring, Historic Sportscar Racing’s Sebring Pistons & Props Presented by Alan Jay Automotive Network on Feb. 13-15.
The event will again feature a collection of top-notch vintage airplanes and cars for three days of action on and off the track. Tickets will go on sale shortly.
The season-opener for Sebring the past few years, the Trans Am Series, will now be the second event at SIR this season, running Feb. 26-March 1. The Trans Am races will again be run with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association.
Trans Am will introduce the TA Sprint Championship at Sebring, a new series of five races that are 50 miles or 35 minutes. The series is designed to make it easier for club racers to make the move into a professional series.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce the TA Sprint Championship”, said Trans Am President Andy Lally. “With shorter races and a limited schedule, we believe that TA Sprint will be an exciting opportunity for non-pro club racers who want to experience a professional-level event with live streaming. With TA Sprint holding its own races, it’s a great first step for those who may want to eventually step up into our TA2 Pro/Am Challenge.”
March 18-21 brings the marquee event of the year, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, one of the top sportscar races in the world. There will be plenty of other racing action, with the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Alan Jay Automotive Network 120, along with the Mustang Challenge, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Porsche Carrera Cup North America races.
May 8-10 sees the return of SRO Motorsports and GT World Challenge America powered by AWS. The SRO series provide excellent GT racing and the races feature a handful of drivers who will be competing in the 12 Hours of Sebring.
There’s a bit of a lapse before the final big event of the season, the HSR Classic 12 Hour and Sebring Historics, which will feature some of the finest vintage sportscars still racing. The event is slated for Dec. 3-6. The Classic 12 Hour isn’t a 12-hour race, but rather 12 races for four different run groups, with the winner decided by cumulative time.
There will also be two appearances from the ChampCar Endurance Series, World Racing League and a number of club races, including the National Auto Sport Association Championships in September.
Chevrolet revealed its revised NASCAR Cup Series bodywork in November, shortly after Kyle Larson secured his second Cup championship at Phoenix. The updated body draws inspiration from a performance accessories package developed for the street-going version of the car. On track, the Camaro race body will now carry a taller hood dome, a reshaped front grille, and reworked rocker panels.
Chevrolet explained that those elements mirror the Carbon Performance Package Accessories Kit, which features carbon-fiber components on the hood and rockers, along with a new grille and front splitter. The changes have already sparked renewed belief inside the walls of Hendrick Motorsports.
According to Jeff Gordon, the updated Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 could prove transformative when it makes its competitive debut at the season-opening Cook Out Clash exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium. The new body underwent on-track testing in November, and the early indicators seemingly left the organization encouraged.
“When you’ve done what we’ve done with our car and our teams and one of those things is winning a lot of races and winning a championship, I get really excited when I think we’ve got something that’s an upgrade. I don’t want to get too caught up in that because sometimes, it takes time to fine-tune that change.”
Gordon acknowledged that HMS had been trailing some rivals in aerodynamic efficiency, particularly when comparing HMS Chevrolet entries to competitors. With the revised body now in hand, he believes the gap has closed. “I feel like we’ve gotten ourselves on a level playing field with them, so I’m very excited about that,”he said.
Though the visual changes appear restrained, their purpose runs deeper because the engineers designed the refinements to enhance stability and trim drag, a combination that could sharpen performance as Chevrolet aims to extend its run of five consecutive manufacturer championships. Improved airflow management should translate into greater downforce and a steadier balance at speed.
Chevrolet first introduced the Camaro ZL1 to NASCAR competition in 2018, replacing the outgoing Chevy SS. The body evolved into the Camaro ZL1 1LE in 2020, before transitioning to a Next Gen version when the platform arrived in the Cup Series two years later. On the consumer side, Chevrolet closed the chapter on the passenger-car Camaro after the 2024 model year.
Dale Jr. is skeptical about the new Chevy model
While many teams welcome the update, Dale Earnhardt Jr. finds himself split between anticipation and caution. The JR Motorsports co-owner, who plans another Daytona 500 entry in 2026, admitted the announcement unsettled him. His unease does not stem from budget or preparation but from the uncertainty that accompanies a brand-new body.
From a financial perspective, Junior views the timing as favorable, offering a chance to compete without bleeding resources. Still, the unknowns are haunting. He noted that when manufacturers roll out a new body, early returns at Daytona rarely come easily. Teams must first learn how that shape behaves in race trim, and without inside knowledge of the finer details, he said he will have to take the results as they come.
History also supports his concern. Fresh body designs often force teams into an early-season learning curve, deciphering aerodynamic traits under pressure. The task extends beyond power or mechanical grip, demanding balance where airflow and stability intersect. Manufacturers also tend to prioritize intermediate tracks when refining new bodies, a reality that explains Junior’s apprehension heading into superspeedway competition.
