Cummins, Inc., a global power technology leader and one of America’s most storied engineering and motorsports innovators for over a century, is partnering with RAM and Kaulig Racing to return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026.

The industry-leader in diesel, natural gas, and alternative power technologies will serve as a full-season primary sponsor for defending ARCA Menards Series champion Brenden Queen, as he drives the No. 12 RAM 1500 for Kaulig Racing’s brand-new Truck Series program.

.@03Butterbean‘s No. 12 Cummins Ram 1500 will look stellar at Daytona! ?@Cummins | @RamTrucks | @KauligRacing pic.twitter.com/AoAc2KGBWM

— Kaulig Trucks (@Kaulig_Trucks) January 6, 2026

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Cummins to the Kaulig Racing family,” said Chris Rice, CEO of Kaulig Racing. “Their engineering experience and commitment to innovation are a perfect match for our vision. Brenden is an exceptional talent, and we’re building a program around him that we believe can compete for wins and make a playoff run right away.”

Cummins has a long history of involvement in NASCAR, including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. From 1996 to 1998, the brand partnered with Petty Enterprises to sponsor the No. 43 for Rich Bickle and Jimmy Hensley, netting a single victory at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

“Cummins has racing in its DNA,” said Brett Merritt, Vice President and President, Engine Business, Cummins. “From Clessie Cummins winning the first Indianapolis 500 as a crew member to our leadership in commercial power, we’ve always pushed the limits of what’s possible. Brenden Queen represents that same spirit – talented, hardworking, and full of momentum. Partnering with both Kaulig Racing and RAM provides the opportunity for us to continue to write our motorsports legacy.”

Queen, known affectionately as ‘Butterbean’, is a fan-favorite driver from the world of short track racing, who last season got the opportunity to have a breakout season on a national platform and won the ARCA Menards Series title for Pinnacle Racing Group.

The Chesapeake, Virginia-native was also tested with select starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series, where he delivered solid results. Those performances turned heads and led to him being named one of Kaulig Racing’s five drivers for the RAM program.

“To have a company with Cummins’ history and worldwide reputation support me is incredible,” Queen said. “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of this RAM 1500 and represent Cummins and Kaulig Racing every weekend. This is the type of opportunity that every driver dreams about.”

Queen will make his debut in the No. 12 Cummins RAM 1500 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, set to take place Friday, February 13 at 7:30 PM ET on FS1, NASCAR Radio Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Illinois’ opaque budget process handed $12 million to NASCAR. Fast and furious is no way to treat taxpayers’ money.

Illinois’ 2026 budget included $12 million for NASCAR, but the cash was handed out too fast for anyone to see exactly where it was going.

A $5 million grant to NASCAR from the general revenue fund is for “costs associated with operating expenses.” Another $5 million grant is from the Build Illinois Bond Fund for “costs associated with capital improvements, including prior year costs.” No details were provided about those costs.

Another $2 million grant to Enjoy Illinois Tourism for NASCAR is also for unspecified “operating expenses.” It is possibly for its sponsorship of the Enjoy Illinois 300, held in September in Madison, Illinois, where the title sponsor is the state tourism department.

NASCAR is a private organization that runs high-end stock car racing events and owns the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet. In past years, they have held events in Chicago, converting city streets for use in large-scale events. The event is not taking place in 2026, which raises more questions about why NASCAR needs millions from taxpayers.

Lawmakers claimed the 2026 budget contained no pork, but a closer look shows 2,815 items over $200,000 lawmakers decided to fund in the final hours of the legislative session – rushed, harmful to taxpayers and with no time for public scrutiny. They included $40 million for a high school sports complex at the alma mater of Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch.

The justification commonly given for using state funds to fund activities and events is they help generate tourism and could potentially break even depending on the contract. However, such a method of spurring tourism often ignores substantial hidden costs such as increased police presence.

It also uses the heavy hand of government to pick winners and losers. A better way to increase tourism would be making it cheaper to visit the state, such as eliminating hotel taxes.

NASCAR generated $102.6 million in profit in 2024. They are financially able to cover the costs of events themselves. Plus, the key infrastructure of racetracks already has been built in most locations.

Competitive grants with objective evaluation criteria and reporting requirements should be scored and tracked by a state agency. This ensures the funds are allocated and used properly.

By contrast, earmarks such as NASCAR grants are problematic because they lack transparency. Taxpayers do not know why the appropriations were made or how the funds will be spent.

Illinois’ opaque budgeting process enables this kind of spending to slip through without public review. Lawmakers pass the budget in a rush, with limited time for open debate and no requirement to justify or audit earmarks.

Illinois faces low economic growth, high debt and ballooning pensions – all because state lawmakers are taking ever-more from taxpayers and driving out jobs and working families.

Illinois doesn’t need to funnel $12 million in taxpayer dollars to giant sports associations. It needs to fix its broken budget process.

Reforms such as spending caps, mandatory public review periods and requiring detailed grant disclosures would help restore transparency and trust in Springfield.

Want to see the 2,815 earmarks and questionable spending state lawmakers put in this year’s budget? Use our look-up tool below.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The fallout from NASCAR’s federal antitrust trial continued into the new year as NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps announced his resignation Tuesday after more than 20 years with the top racing series in the United States.

His resignation comes after last month’s trial in which inflammatory texts Phelps sent during contentious revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed. Phelps will leave the company at the end of the month, ahead of the start of the first exhibition race of the season on Feb. 1.

He was named NASCAR’s first commissioner last season after a courting process for the same role by the PGA Tour. The opportunity with the PGA Tour was revealed during December testimony of the antitrust trial brought by two race teams against NASCAR, and Phelps testified he pulled out of consideration for that role upon the NASCAR promotion from president.

The top executive at NASCAR was deeply bruised during the trial — and the discovery process leading into it — when communications he exchanged with his leadership team were exposed. In one exchange, Phelps called Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress “a stupid redneck” who “needs to be taken out back and flogged.”

That led Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, an ardent supporter of both NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing, to write a damning letter demanding Phelps’ removal as commissioner.

After he concluded his testimony in the nine-day trial last month, Phelps left the stand with his jaw clenched, his face red, and he made no eye contact with NASCAR’s owners as he briskly headed directly out of the courtroom. His fiancée trailed after him as he even refused to look in her direction.

NASCAR settled the lawsuit with 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, the day after Morris’ letter went public and two days after Phelps’ testimony.

“As a lifelong race fan, it gives me immense pride to have served as NASCAR’s first commissioner and to lead our great sport through so many incredible challenges, opportunities and firsts over my 20 years,” Phelps said in a statement. “Our sport is built on the passion of our fans, the dedication of our teams and partners and the commitment of our wonderful employees.

“It has been an honor to help synthesize the enthusiasm of long-standing NASCAR stakeholders with that of new entrants to our ecosystem, such as media partners, auto manufacturers, track operators and incredible racing talent.”

He added he will seek “new pursuits in sports and other industries” and thanked colleagues, friends and fans that “played such an important and motivational role in my career.”

He also thanked the France family, the founders and owners of NASCAR, who hired him away from the NFL two decades ago and promoted him to a position that could have netted him $5 million annually with bonuses.

“Words cannot fully convey the deep appreciation I have for this life-changing experience, for the trust of the France family, and for having a place in NASCAR’s amazing history,” Phelps concluded.

Phelps is a native of Vermont, where as a child he became a fan of local racing. He graduated from both the University of Vermont, where he set the school record in the 800 meters, and Boston College, where he earned a master’s in business administration.

NASCAR thanks Phelps for leadership

NASCAR said Phelps’ leadership transformed a stale schedule with new events, “bucket list fan experiences,” and reshaped its strategic vision. Phelps also was lauded for expanding NASCAR’s international footprint, securing long-term media rights and charter agreements and building a leadership team that is focused on building the future of stock car racing with fan experience at its core.

“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders,” said Jim France, the NASCAR chairman and CEO. “For decades he has worked tirelessly to thrill fans, support teams and execute a vision for the sport that has treated us all to some of the greatest moments in our nearly 80-year history.”

Phelps also led NASCAR as it became the first sport to return to competition during the COVID-19 shutdown, as well as developing races inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the downtown streets of Chicago.

“Steve leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and collaboration with an unrelenting growth mindset,” France added.

Lesa France Kennedy, the NASCAR executive vice chair, said “while his career may take him elsewhere, he’ll always have a place in our NASCAR family.”

NASCAR did not announce any additional leadership or personnel changes and said there are no immediate plans to replace him as commissioner or to seek outside leadership. His responsibilities will be delegated internally through NASCAR’s president — now Steve O’Donnell — and the executive leadership team.

O’Donnell moved into Phelps’ role as president upon Phelps’ promotion to commissioner. Although the two were mostly in favor of improving revenue-sharing for the teams in two-plus years of bitter negotiations, the discovery process showed their growing frustration with NASCAR’s board of directors over its refusal to make the charters permanent.

The Childress texts

Phelps appeared to be an advocate for more concessions for the race teams, but as the process dragged on, he ultimately fell in line with the France family. That’s when his communications became more pointed. He testified he felt the teams had received a fair deal on the new charter agreements.

But it was the attacks on Childress that drew the most attention, and Phelps said in court he regretted his words, had apologized to Childress and explained he was venting out of frustration.

It wasn’t good enough for Morris, a longtime backer of Childress teams.

“We can’t help but wonder what would happen if Major League Baseball brought in a new commissioner and he or she trash-talked one of the true legends who built the game like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth?” Morris wrote. “Such blatant disrespect would probably not sit well with the fans — such a commissioner most likely wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, keep his or her job for very long!”

Story Continues

Their team trained the AI gradually:

“It’s not plug-and-play. You have to shape how AI works and thinks.”

They adjusted wording, rules, hold policies, and fallback responses to match real dealership operations. The result? AI that feels like part of the team.

“It’s not cookie cutter… it answers, suggests, compliments, and stays in our tone.”

The Results

1. Huge efficiency gains — no extra headcount needed

Before AI:

After AI:
 → Running the store with 3 salespeople selling up to 100 cars/month

“We sell 85–100 cars a month with three sales guys.”

2. Re-engaged dormant leads = new revenue

AISA revived leads that were 3–12 months old, customers who may be ready to buy now.

“If a customer wasn’t ready to buy 4 months ago, he may be ready now.”

This created a new “hidden” pipeline without buying new lead sources.

3. Faster responses = more appointments

AISA replies instantly, even while reps are typing.

“AISA will answer the customer within a minute… it’s setting appointments for in-person or FaceTime video.”

4. Better lead filtering

AI automatically filters out unqualified shoppers, reducing noise and improving focus.

“If someone doesn’t respond to one or two messages, that’s not a customer… that’s a window shopper.”

5. Strong ROI

Just five extra deals per month pays for the system several times over.

“If you can close five more deals… that’s $10,000 gross. ROI is off the charts.”

Compared to buying new lead sources: “CarGurus or Autotrader want at least $2,500/mo… AISA is cheaper and uses the data we already have.”

Why AutoRaptor?

1. Unmatched customization: Make rule changes instantly, no ticketing system.

“If I can go in there and make changes myself… that’s what I love.”

2. Deep CRM integration: AI leverages old upsheets, call logs, notes, customer history.

3. Real dealership language: AISA adapts to the dealership’s tone, not cookie-cutter templates.

4. Competitive necessity: Large groups have massive AI budgets. Independent dealerships need tools that level the field.

“If you’re not playing at the same level… they will crowd you out.”

The Conclusion

AutoRaptor’s AI Sales Assistant helped Ultimate Motorsport:

• Handle 1,000+ monthly leads

• Sell 85–100 cars each month

• Operate with just three salespeople

• Reactivate older leads

• Improve response time

• Reduce overhead

• And achieve off-the-charts ROI

For independent dealerships facing rising lead volume and competitive pressure, AutoRaptor’s AI Sales Assistant represents a modern, scalable solution that delivers measurable outcomes, immediately and long term.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/how-ultimate-motorsport-uses-autoraptor-ai-to-sell-85100-cars-a-month-with-just-three-salespeople-302654273.html

SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ultimate Motorsport, a high-volume independent dealership, was facing a challenge familiar to many growing stores: rising lead volume, limited staff capacity, and no scalable way to maintain consistent follow-up. Despite receiving 1,000+ leads per month, their four-person sales team struggled to respond quickly or nurture leads over time.

After evaluating multiple AI tools, including Podium, Intel AI, and standalone chatbots, the dealership selected AutoRaptor’s AI Sales Assistant (AISA) because it integrates directly with their CRM, leverages years of customer data, and offers exceptional customization and backend control.

Today, Ultimate Motorsport sells 85–100 vehicles per month with just three salespeople, all while improving engagement, reactivating dormant leads, and generating more appointments with no additional overhead.

The Challenge: Heavy lead volume, small team, missed opportunities

Before using AutoRaptor’s AI, follow-up was the dealership’s biggest pain point.

“The biggest frustration was follow-up… we get close to 1,000 leads a month with four sales guys.”

Because leads were priced aggressively, demand was high, but the team could only follow up for a few days before falling behind.

“My guys were following up maybe five days out… it became almost impossible to keep up with the volume unless you added more salespeople.”

Adding more staff wasn’t an option; it hurt commissions, created internal competition, and didn’t fix the core problem: too many leads, not enough time.

The Solution: Choosing AutoRaptor’s AI Sales Assistant

Omar compared several AI platforms and found that most were expensive, rigid, or required replacing his existing systems.

Podium:

• Tried to take over the entire workflow (phone, CRM, AI).
• Offered low intro pricing that would later increase.
• Provided little backend control.

Intel AI:

• Good technology but required switching CRMs, which was double the cost.
• Migrating years of customer data would be painful and risky.

Standalone Chatbots:

• Poor adoption because most leads come from third-party marketplaces, not the website.

AutoRaptor offered the opposite:

“AutoRaptor was our preferred CRM… and AutoRaptor’s AI is better than Intel and Podium.”

The Implementation: AI trained to match the dealership’s tone, rules, and sales process

Ultimate Motorsports connected AISA to:

• New leads
• Old leads going back 4–12 months
• Missed calls
• Upsheets and existing CRM notes

Their team trained the AI gradually:

“It’s not plug-and-play. You have to shape how AI works and thinks.”

They adjusted wording, rules, hold policies, and fallback responses to match real dealership operations. The result? AI that feels like part of the team.

“It’s not cookie cutter… it answers, suggests, compliments, and stays in our tone.”

The Results

1. Huge efficiency gains — no extra headcount needed

Before AI:

• Needed more staff to manage leads
• Risked oversaturating the sales floor

After AI:
 → Running the store with 3 salespeople selling up to 100 cars/month

“We sell 85–100 cars a month with three sales guys.”

2. Re-engaged dormant leads = new revenue

AISA revived leads that were 3–12 months old, customers who may be ready to buy now.

“If a customer wasn’t ready to buy 4 months ago, he may be ready now.”

This created a new “hidden” pipeline without buying new lead sources.

3. Faster responses = more appointments

AISA replies instantly, even while reps are typing.

“AISA will answer the customer within a minute… it’s setting appointments for in-person or FaceTime video.”

4. Better lead filtering

AI automatically filters out unqualified shoppers, reducing noise and improving focus.

“If someone doesn’t respond to one or two messages, that’s not a customer… that’s a window shopper.”

5. Strong ROI

Just five extra deals per month pays for the system several times over.

“If you can close five more deals… that’s $10,000 gross. ROI is off the charts.”

Compared to buying new lead sources: “CarGurus or Autotrader want at least $2,500/mo… AISA is cheaper and uses the data we already have.”

Why AutoRaptor?

1. Unmatched customization: Make rule changes instantly, no ticketing system.

“If I can go in there and make changes myself… that’s what I love.”

2. Deep CRM integration: AI leverages old upsheets, call logs, notes, customer history.

3. Real dealership language: AISA adapts to the dealership’s tone, not cookie-cutter templates.

4. Competitive necessity: Large groups have massive AI budgets. Independent dealerships need tools that level the field.

“If you’re not playing at the same level… they will crowd you out.”

The Conclusion

AutoRaptor’s AI Sales Assistant helped Ultimate Motorsport:

• Handle 1,000+ monthly leads
• Sell 85–100 cars each month
• Operate with just three salespeople
• Reactivate older leads
• Improve response time
• Reduce overhead
• And achieve off-the-charts ROI

For independent dealerships facing rising lead volume and competitive pressure, AutoRaptor’s AI Sales Assistant represents a modern, scalable solution that delivers measurable outcomes, immediately and long term.

SOURCE AutoRaptor

INDY NXT by Firestone continues to grow into one of North America’s premier development series.

The 2025 season marked the series’ first year on FOX Sports, and INDY NXT delivered an average audience more than five times larger than in 2024. Thirteen of 14 races aired live on FS1 for the first time.

This era has also produced the series’ deepest fields since 2009, with nine on-track passing records set across five tracks last season.

Momentum continues to build as the 2026 season is projected to feature 24 full-time entries, with additional growth and new records anticipated.

Here are five key storylines ahead of 2026.

Lochie Hughes, Myles Rowe Lead Championship Contenders

Three of last season’s top five finishers have departed the series – including champion Dennis Hauger and runner-up Caio Collet, who both climbed to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES – but the 2026 field remains rich with returning talent.

Sophomore Lochie Hughes and third-year driver Myles Rowe return after combining for four victories last season, including wins on three of the four ovals. Hughes triumphed at World Wide Technology Raceway and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, while Rowe won at Iowa Speedway and at the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway.

Hughes looks to deliver Andretti Global its eighth INDY NXT title and third consecutive. He previously won the 2024 USF Pro 2000 championship.

Andretti Global fields a balanced lineup alongside Hughes, pairing veterans with rookie Max Taylor. Sophomore Seb Murray is in the No. 27 entry after topping the Chris Griffis Memorial Test on Oct. 27 on the IMS road course. Josh Pierson replaces James Roe in the No. 29 entry and enters his fourth INDY NXT season after a career-best year with HMD Motorsports, highlighted by two podium results, 11 top-10 finishes and a sixth-place championship result. Pierson ranked inside the top three at both offseason Open Tests when factoring in the November test at Barber Motorsports Park.

Rowe aims to bring ABEL Motorsports its first championship after finishing a career-best fourth in points during his debut season with the team. Georgia native Rowe won the 2023 USF Pro 2000 title and is joined by rookie Max Garcia and veterans Jordan Missig and Colin Kaminsky.

Strong Rookie Class Led by Three American Teenagers

The 2026 rookie roster includes Jack Beeton and Enzo Fittipaldi (HMD Motorsports), Nicholas Stati (Cusick Morgan Motorsports), Nicholas Monteiro and Alessandro De Tullio (AJ Foyt Racing), Garcia (ABEL Motorsports), Taylor (Andretti Global), Carson Etter (Chip Ganassi Racing) and Nikita Johnson (Cape Motorsports powered by Ed Carpenter Racing).

Johnson, 17, of Florida, finished runner-up in both the 2023 USF2000 championship and the 2024 USF Pro 2000 title race.

Taylor, 18, of New Jersey, made six INDY NXT starts last season and completed his rookie USF Pro 2000 campaign with one win, four podiums and nine top-five finishes. He led the Barber Motorsports Park Open Test in November and was second fastest at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test.

Garcia, 16, of Miami, enters with back-to-back titles — USF2000 in 2024 and USF Pro 2000 in 2025. He chases a third consecutive championship and hopes to become the second straight rookie to win the INDY NXT crown, following Hauger’s run last season.

Return of NTT INDYCAR SERIES Teams

Ed Carpenter Racing and AJ Foyt Racing both rejoin the developmental ladder through new technical partnerships — ECR aligning with Cape Motorsports and Foyt partnering with HMD Motorsports.

The addition of an INDY NXT by Firestone program marks AJ Foyt Racing’s second stint in the series. In 2002, A.J. Foyt IV won the inaugural championship, and Ed Carpenter claimed the Freedom 100 for the team in 2003, the series’ first race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Juncos Hollinger Racing also returns after pausing its program early in 2025, fielding a two-car effort. The team previously earned INDY NXT championships in 2015 and 2017 and recorded 18 wins, 18 pole positions and 51 podiums from 2015-21.

New entrant Cusick Morgan Motorsports will debut a two-car effort in collaboration with HMD Motorsports, building on Cusick’s recent Indianapolis 500 partnerships with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

This follows Chip Ganassi Racing’s re-entry last season. CGR expands from two to four cars in 2026 as it continues its pursuit of a first series victory.

The influx of teams and development programs strengthens INDY NXT’s position as the most competitive pathway to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

HMD Rebound?

HMD Motorsports, which has 32 series wins and two INDY NXT championships, endured an uncharacteristically uneven 2025 season. Despite Collet’s championship challenge, which included three wins, four runner-up finishes and nine podiums, Pierson was the team’s only other top-10 points finisher. Additional podiums came from Juan Manuel Correa (third at Detroit) and Evagoras Papasavvas (second at Barber).

To recapture the glory years of titles from Linus Lundqvist in 2022 and from Christian Rasmussen in 2023, HMD shifts to a new structure. The team shrinks from eight cars to four, while supporting two additional two-car teams through technical alliances.

HMD also appears to be mirroring the approach that helped produce Hauger’s 2025 title with Andretti Global: recruiting talent from the European development ladder.

The team enters Beeton and Fittipaldi, with two seats yet to be announced.

Fittipaldi, 24, grandson of two-time Formula One World Champion and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, earned F2 victories in 2023 and 2024 and raced in the European Le Mans Series last season.

Beeton, 17, of Australia, won the 2023 Formula 4 South East Asia championship and spent 2025 in Formula Regional Europe.

Enhanced Schedule

For the 16th time and fifth straight year, the season opens on the sun-splashed Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida – this year on Sunday, March 1.

The race launches a 17-race schedule, the most since 2021, with all races contested during NTT INDYCAR SERIES event weekends.

The schedule is highlighted by participation in the inaugural INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington. The Sunday, March 15 race on the new 14-turn, 2.73-mile Streets of Arlington circuit is a tentpole event during the 2026 INDYCAR calendar.

Five doubleheader weekends are featured, culminating with the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The historic road course returns as the finale for the 15th time in series history. Other doubleheaders take place at Barber Motorsports Park, Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

The calendar also includes oval races at World Wide Technology Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway and the Milwaukee Mile — all of which set series records for on-track passes in 2025.

For the second consecutive season, all races will air live on FOX Sports, with broadcasts on FS1 or FS2. All practice and qualifying sessions will also be televised live on those networks.