Photo: PMNA

Porsche Motorsport North America and K1 Speed have announced a multi-year partnership that offers champion kart racers an opportunity to enter the North American Porsche Motorsport Pyramid through Porsche Sprint Challenge North America or Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West.

Under the new agreement, Porsche Motorsport branding will appear at all 72 K1 Speed karting centers in the U.S. K1 Speed decals will appear on the front bumper of cars in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West and Porsche Endurance Challenge North America.

“K1 Speed hosts thousands of motorsports enthusiasts each year and all of us at PMNA look forward to connecting with them,” said Porsche Motorsport North America President and CEO Volker Holzmeyer.

“Whether they are casual fans of motorsport or are searching for a path into professional racing, we are excited to introduce them all to the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid and the opportunities that it offers.”

Known for their arrive-and-drive programs, K1 Speed offers a competitive race series each month where drivers can earn points at their local facility.

Top finishers are able to advance to state, and ultimately national level competition.

As a result of their new partnership, PMNA and K1 Speed will select two drivers from the pool of top racers who reach the national level – one from the teen class and one from the adult class – for whom the entry fee for a future Sprint Challenge or USA West season will be waived.

“It’s an immense honor for K1 to partner with Porsche Motorsport North America to provide up-and-coming American racers with an extraordinary opportunity,” said K1 Speed and K1 Circuit founder and CEO David Danglard.

“We built K1 on the belief that future champions start here, and this partnership with Porsche creates a pathway to take them from our indoor tracks to the country’s greatest circuits.”

The latest sports car racing news from trusted series, manufacturer and team sources based around the world.

New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) announces a 2026 event and entertainment schedule that includes something for everyone. From car and motorcycle races, both modern and vintage, to food truck festivals, obstacle runs, motocross, and the return of Monster Trucks on Father’s Day weekend, NJMP’s 500-acre complex is the premier entertainment and event destination in southern New Jersey.

On-Track Racing

Kicking off the 2026 on-track schedule is the SCCA U.S Majors, the pinnacle of amateur racing, on May 1 – 3. Then the return of the crowd-favorite, Real Hoopties of New Jersey 24 Hours of Lemons endurance weekend, June 6 – 7, promises a zany and outlandish weekend where cars bought and modified for $500 compete in an endurance race around Thunderbolt Raceway.

Later in the month, on June 26 – 28, the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association holds its Vintage Motorcycle Festival, featuring vintage racing on restored historic vehicles and epic sidecar racing! Then, keeping in line with the vintage racing, the Vintage Racer Group is new to the NJMP schedule in 2026 and will offer a weekend of vintage cars on track on July 10 – 12.

Formula cars with the ultra-fast F4 and Formula Americas championships are making their way back to South Jersey with the return of the New Jersey Lottery SpeedTour with SVRA on July 31 – August 2.

Two club racing events, while not new to NJMP, are making their first appearance on NJMP’s main event schedule this year! First is the Schattenbaum Showdown on August 7 – 9, and then the NASA NE & NASA Mid-Atlantic Summer Sizzle event on August 14 – 16.

Closing out the month of August will be the return of ASRA Racing on August 28 – 30 on Thunderbolt Raceway.

September 25 – 27 will excite bike enthusiasts with the MotoAmerica Superbikes at New Jersey season finale featuring our country’s top professional motorcycle racers, as well as the ever-popular King of The Baggers series.

That’s not all that September has to offer; there is one more event to be announced that is sure to excite NJMP fans.

To wrap up the on-track activity is the return of American Endurance Racing on November 13 – 14 with its 14-hour endurance race.

Off-Track Special Events

The thrills off-track begin with TOR Racing’s Thunderbolt GP on March 28 – 29 and end with their Hunter GP on November 21 – 22, both with their unique format combining trail-riding and motocross skills.

Those looking to stretch their legs can anticipate multiple fun runs with the MudGirl Run on June 20 and the Muddy Dash on August 8.

Monster Trucks at New Jersey will be returning to NJMP for Father’s Day weekend on June 20 and June 21. Various ticket options are available for this jaw-dropping spectacle involving stunt shows and head-to-head monster truck battles.

TD Bank’s Music & Food Truck Festival will take place on June 27, featuring a free concert by the 70s and 80s cover band, Arsenal, and plenty of food trucks to appease your appetite.

Go-Karting Events

NJMP’s Tempest Raceway karting facility will also have a full schedule of events in addition to their arrive-and-drive public go-karting and group events programs. Five rounds of the Northeast Karting Challenge will be held throughout the season. Endurance Karting has 2 events this year, May 8 – 10 & a 24-hour race on October 9 – 10.Cup Karts of North America on August 28 – 30, and Eastern Vintage Karting’s weekend, October 9-10, will round out the go-karting races in 2026.

The ever-popular NJ Mini GP camp will also be holding multiple schools and races at NJMP’s Tempest Raceway Liberator Track.

More NJMP Fun

Get behind the wheel this 2026 season with NJMP! These opportunities include the Xtreme Xperience exotic car experience, April 30 – May 3 and August 27 – 30, monthly NJMP Track Days for novice and intermediate drivers, Ciocca Dealerships’ Advanced Open Track Days, regular go-karting events and leagues, and exclusive membership programs providing access to 35+ private dates for NJMP’s Drivers Club and Riders Club.

Select event tickets are now on sale at www.njmp.com. All events and dates are preliminary and subject to change.

Stay up to speed with NJMP by calling (856) 327-8000, visiting www.njmp.com, or following on X: @NJMP, Instagram: @njmotorsportspark, and Facebook: @newjerseymotorsportspark.

In the high-octane world of motorsport, two giants dominate the landscape—but they rule over entirely different kingdoms. NASCAR reigns supreme in America, packing massive oval tracks with roaring crowds and delivering door-to-door racing that feels like homegrown thunder.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Across the Atlantic and beyond, Formula 1 captivates the globe with its glamorous circuits, cutting-edge technology, and international allure. A stunning new survey from S&P Global Market Intelligence lays bare this divide: roughly 75% of U.S. racing fans tune into NASCAR, while an overwhelming 90% of motorsport enthusiasts outside America follow Formula 1.

The data, drawn from surveys of internet-using adults across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, reveals motorsport’s uneven global footprint. In countries like Italy and China, a full 25% of respondents reported watching races from NASCAR, F1, or MotoGP in the past year. India and the UK followed closely at 22%, with Germany at 19%. Yet in the U.S., only 10% of adults said the same—highlighting how NASCAR’s grip on domestic fans contrasts sharply with F1’s international dominance.

Demographics tell an even starker story. American motorsport viewers skew older, with most over 55, fueling long-standing concerns about NASCAR’s aging fanbase. Internationally, F1 draws younger crowds—especially in emerging markets like China and India—who are more digitally engaged and diverse.

This isn’t just about who watches what; it’s reflected in the numbers across the board. Globally, F1 dwarfs NASCAR in reach and revenue. Recent estimates peg F1’s annual earnings at around $3.6 billion, compared to NASCAR’s roughly $425 million. Attendance follows suit: F1 events draw over six million fans yearly across exotic locales like Monaco and Silverstone, with single races like the British Grand Prix hitting 480,000. NASCAR’s flagship Daytona 500 caps at around 182,000, with total seasonal attendance in the 3-4 million range despite having far more races per year (36 vs. 24 for F1).

On social media, F1’s glamour shines brightest—its official Instagram boasts nearly 37 million followers, against NASCAR’s 4 million. Global search interest tells a similar tale: Formula 1 racks up about 40 million monthly queries worldwide (with the U.S. contributing just 6%), while NASCAR hovers around 3 million, 84% from America.

In the U.S., however, NASCAR holds the edge in TV viewership. Cup Series races average 2.8-2.9 million viewers domestically, outpacing F1’s 1.1-1.3 million on ESPN platforms. Head-to-head clashes often favor NASCAR, though F1 has notched wins on high-profile weekends like Miami.

Yet trends point to change. Boosted by Netflix’s Drive to Survive, three U.S. races, and a younger demographic, F1 is surging stateside—some projections even suggest it could overtake NASCAR in American popularity by the mid-2030s. NASCAR, meanwhile, fights to rejuvenate its base amid declining viewership in recent years.

This divide isn’t a flaw—it’s what makes motorsport thrilling. NASCAR embodies raw, accessible American grit: pack racing, close finishes, and fan proximity. F1 offers pinnacle engineering, global prestige, and star power from drivers like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. One thrives on home soil; the other conquers the world.

In the end, there’s room for both. Whether you’re tailgating at Daytona or sipping champagne in Monaco, the roar of engines unites fans across borders. But as data shows, the passion burns brightest in very different places.

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 02: Noah Gragson, driver of the #4 Long John Silver’s Ford, and Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Body Guard Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Hettinger Racing will enter the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series full-time in 2026, marking the team’s first complete season at NASCAR’s national second-tier level. The Mooresville, North Carolina-based organization confirmed the move on December 23, 2025. Team owner Chris Hettinger said the timing aligned with the series’ growth and expanded national exposure.

The team will field the No. 5 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, supported by Ford Performance, with engines supplied by Roush Yates Engines. Hettinger Racing secured owner points from Cope Family Racing’s No. 70 entry, guaranteeing a starting position in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2026. Driver and sponsorship announcements will come at a later date.

Hettinger Racing locks in a full-season NASCAR entry

The 2026 campaign represents a major step forward for Hettinger Racing, which has competed primarily in late model racing, the zMAX CARS Tour, the ARCA Menards Series, and select NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events. Moving to a full-season national schedule required long-term planning and stability.

“This is about putting our race team in the right place at the right time, Hettinger said in a team release.” “The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series has incredible momentum. It features great racing, and the series gets significant exposure thanks to coverage from The CW.”

Hettinger stated that the new platform played a significant role in the decision. “Combining that platform with the support of Ford Racing and Roush Yates Engines gives us the opportunity to grow our program into one that competes at a national level, he said.”

All races in 2026 will air live on The CW Network, with practice and qualifying streaming on the CW App. The season will be the first under the O’Reilly Auto Parts title sponsorship, following the end of Xfinity’s 11-year run as series sponsor.

Ford’s partnership and leadership structure take shape

Hettinger Racing’s alliance with Ford strengthens the manufacturer’s presence in the series after several teams moved to Chevrolet ahead of 2026. The No. 5 team will run Ford Mustang Dark Horse bodies paired with Roush Yates Engines.

Doug Yates, president and CEO of Roush Yates Engines, praised the approach Hettinger has taken. “I’ve been impressed by what Chris Hettinger has already built, and Roush Yates Engines is proud to be a part of Hettinger Racing’s future growth, Doug said.”

“Chris is a racer and a very good businessman who is taking a smart and methodical approach to 2026, Yates added.” “All of us at Roush Yates Engines are committed to him and his vision for Hettinger Racing.”

Veteran crew chief Joe Williams Jr. will lead the No. 5 program. Williams previously worked with Alpha Prime Racing and served as crew chief for Cole Custer during the 2022 season.

Team goals and early preparation for 2026

Hettinger said Williams’ experience will play a key role as the team builds through its first full season. “[Williams] brings a ton of experience, a ton of knowledge, and we’re looking forward to how he can grow this program going forward, Hettinger said.”

“Our goal for this year is to continue to build our program as the year goes on, finish races, run all the laps, and be prepared for every race that we go to and put ourselves in position to win, he added.”

Hettinger Racing has already made progress ahead of schedule. “I actually feel really, really good about our program right now, Hettinger said.” “Joe Williams and our guys have worked really, really hard. We basically have cars ready for the first four events. We feel like we’re way ahead of the game right now.”

The team plans to participate in the open preseason test at Rockingham Speedway in late January. Additional announcements are expected in the weeks leading up to the Daytona opener.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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