Headlining the festivities, Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee Drew Brees will serve as Grand Marshal, delivering the iconic command for drivers to start their engines.

The pre-race celebration will also include Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and San Diego Padres legend Trevor Hoffman as Honorary Pace Car Rider and ACM Award-Winning recording artist Stephen Wilson Jr. as Honorary Starter, waving the green flag to begin Saturday’s action.

“The United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 is about celebrating those who inspire others through service, leadership and excellence,” said Amy Lupo, NASCAR San Diego President. “From military members to champions in sports and entertainment, this year’s pre-race participants reflect the values that make this event so meaningful.”

Additional ceremonial elements will showcase the rich traditions of the United States Navy. The Naval Base San Diego Color Guard will present the colors before Chaplain Alexandre Hasegawa, and Staff Chaplain at Naval Base Coronado, will deliver the invocation. The Naval Aviation Alumni Choir will perform the national anthem, followed by a thrilling helicopter flyover by the “Blue Hawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 and the “Merlins” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3.

The United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 is part of NASCAR San Diego’s historic inaugural race weekend, marking the first national NASCAR event held aboard an active military installation. The weekend celebrates the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary while bringing together world-class racing and military tradition.

The United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 is scheduled for Saturday, June 20. Fans can purchase tickets and learn more about NASCAR San Diego by visiting NASCARSanDiego.com.

— NASCAR —

SAN DIEGO — One after another NASCAR Cup Series, drivers smirked and/or laughed when asked who should be considered the “favorite” for Sunday‘s Inaugural Anduril 250 on San Diego‘s iconic Naval Base Coronado (4 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Trackhouse Racing driver Shane Van Gisbergen — a multi-time Australian SuperCars Series champion and winner of six of the last seven NASAR Cup Series road course races — was the name on everyone‘s tongue, and he wasted little time claiming the top position on the speed chart in Friday‘s 50-minute opening practice on the 3.4-mile, 16-turn course around the base.

In the final five minutes of the session, Hendrick Motorsports‘ Kyle Larson ultimately turned in the fastest lap of the day (89.612 mph) in the No. 5 Chevrolet with Front Row Motorsports‘ Todd Gilliland, Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Ty Gibbs, Trackhouse Racing rookie Connor Zilisch and Spire Motorsports‘ Carson Hocevar rounding out the top-five in speed.

Van Gisbergen — who has won the last two inaugural road races (at Chicago, 2023 and Mexico City, 2025) – was eighth quickest.

“Not too bad,‘‘ Van Gisbergen said of his eight-lap run, noting that the team had a bit of a communication problem calling him into the pits during the session.

“Surprising how much [tire] fall off there was, I felt like I was slow but I guess everyone else was too.‘‘

Larson was also surprised at the speeds Friday, guessing that in some cases laps were between eight and 10-seconds slower than drivers turned in the sim in preparation. And, he said, a solid start position will likely be pivotal on race day.

“It‘s crucial everywhere but a place here like this track I would think it would be extra important,‘‘ Larson said. “The tire wear is also extreme, I think we‘re cording tires in three or four laps. … hopefully the track will lay some more rubber.‘‘

Busch Light Pole Qualifying is set for 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday (Amazon Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

REDDICK’S UPDATED TITLE APPROACH

A four-time road course winner, NASCAR Cup Series championship leader, 23XI Racing‘s Tyler Reddick certainly has proven himself a threat to win on venues such as this weekend‘s Naval Base Coronado 3.4-mile circuit. But after winning the last three races, Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Denny Hamlin has cut Reddick‘s one-time 100-points plus lead atop the championship standings to only 19 points as the field takes Sunday‘s green flag. And Reddick conceded this week he is approaching the race weekend slightly differently now than he may have a month ago.

“It‘ been something that‘s for sure,‘‘ said Reddick, during a visit to the world famous San Diego Zoo Thursday. “I don‘t think any of us took for granted the amount of points lead we had a month ago. We‘re still doing a good job of leading laps, I think in the last month we‘ve led more laps than anyone else, just unfortunately haven‘t found a way to win.

“It just goes to show when you get really hot and someone goes on a tear and wins a lot of races, they can score a lot of points in a short amount of time. Just taking all that in and understanding that when we get to the Chase it‘s going to be super important to capitalize on the days you have race-winning speed because you can put a gap on the field.”

As for his confidence and optimism when it comes to road courses, in particular while trying to maintain his points lead Reddick said, “Where are heads were a month ago coming into this race was like, ‘we‘ll try to just see how competitive we are, if fast enough win the race.‘ Now just have to be a bit more honest with ourselves and figure out which side of it we‘re going to be on when we get in the race on Sunday.

“If we‘re strong enough on speed to go for the race win or are we just a little off and if we are, have to be honest and go for stage points. We‘ll see how we navigate the next two weeks.‘‘

Reddick was 11th fastest in Friday‘s opening practice session and Hamlin was 14th on the speed chart after several drivers turned in faster qualifying practice runs in the closing minutes.

FROM FORMULA ONE TO NASCAR — MAGNUSSEN IN PROJECT 91

Former Formula One driver Kevin Magnussen is walking around the San Diego paddock with an easy smile and a steely determination — eager to make his NASCAR debut Sunday in the Trackhouse Racing No. 91 Project 91 Chevrolet.

Shane Van Gisbergen has set the bar high for these esteemed Project 91 drivers, the New Zealander and Australian SuperCar Champion won on the Chicago Steet Course in his very first NASCAR Cup Series start in July, 2023.

The 33-year-old Danish driver Magnussen last raced fulltime in 2024 for the Haas Formula One team and has a versatile resume that includes starts in sportscars and IndyCars too.

“I’ve always been fascinated, and I always loved NASCAR,‘‘ Magnussen said. “My dad (sportscar champion Jan Magnussen) had a little bit of experience with NASCAR, probably 15 years ago or so now, and did a race. He was testing for Hendrick and doing some work there. I was speaking to him, and he loved it so much and had such a great experience.

“And just for me as a racing driver, to be able to take part in NASCAR and have an experience there is just going to be great. I think, as I said, it’s a big privilege to have that chance. Not many European drivers get that opportunity, so I’m very thankful and privileged to be here.”

Asked about this new brand of close-quarter, fender-rubbing racing NASCAR presents, Magnussen laughed about having to adapt and race with his “elbows out,” insisting, “They‘re always out.

“I think from what I know about NASCAR, it’s tough racing. And, you know, the way the sporting rules are around racing each other is much more lenient than in European racing. So, yeah, that’s part of what I have to get used to. I got a message from Jenson Button, who also did some races here and he said, be careful and be aware … they’ll turn you around if they have any part of the track on your side. So, yeah, I think I’ll just take it all in and try and enjoy all of it.”

“Couldn‘t think of a form or motorsports I wouldn‘t try,‘‘ Magnussen added with a smile.

As for expectations, Magnussen said, he‘s just really open. He was a respectable 29th among the 39 cars in Friday‘s opening practice.

“I don’t know what to expect,‘‘ he said. “I expect to do my best and push the limits; try and get a feeling for the car as soon as I can. We don’t have a lot of practice. … I’ll just have to try and get going as smooth and as quick as possible.”

LOVE TO WOOD BROTHERS

In major midseason news, the renowned Wood Brothers Racing team announced this week that reigning NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love will join the team in 2027 as the fulltime driver, succeeding the team‘s current driver Josh Berry in the No. 21 Ford.

The famed Wood Brothers team has held a longtime alliance with the powerhouse multi-car Penske Racing team and Berry earned the team‘s 101st victory last year at Las Vegas. The team‘s driver roster has included racing Hall of Famers from A.J. Foyt to Cale Yarborough, from David Pearson to Bill Elliott.

The 21-year-old Californian Love comes to the new job fresh off the 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship year. He‘s currently second in the series‘ title run now, driving the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

“Driving the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing is truly an honor,” said Love, who has made seven NASCAR Cup Series starts with a best finish of 24th driving for Beard Motorsports at Indianapolis last season.

“This team has played such an important role in NASCAR history, and the drivers who have sat behind the wheel of this car are some of the greatest our sport has ever seen.

“I‘m incredibly grateful to everyone at Wood Brothers Racing, Team Penske and Ford Racing for believing in me — I‘m excited to get to work, continue learning from the people around me and compete at the highest level.”

CUTTING EDGE CROSS COUNTRY LOGISTICS

Some in the NASCAR industry got a huge boost in the challenging cross-country logistics required to hold a triple-header NASCAR race weekend more than 3000 miles from the sport‘s Charlotte, North Carolina home base.

Kratos Defense and Security Systems Inc. — along with Champion Tire & Wheel — helped lead the automated transportation of equipment used this weekend in San Diego.

The Kratos system “pairs a human-driven lead truck with an automated follower vehicle using synchronized steering, braking and speed control.‘‘  The system used shared GPS, onboard sensors and vehicle controls to control the driver-less vehicle behind.

“Last year proved the concept – this year demonstrated scalable execution,” said Maynard Factor, Vice President of Business Development at Kratos.

— NASCAR News Wire —

CHRIS BUESCHER SIGNED AND EXTENSION THIS WEEK. WHAT DOES HE BRING TO THIS ORGANIZATION? “Chris right now is obviously a cornerstone of our company. He‘s delivered results. He puts us in a position to win and compete that I‘m really proud of. He‘s doing all the work he needs to do to be successful. He‘s taken his lumps, paid a lot of dues, and we just want to give him the best car we can give him so he can win races. There was a lot of competition for Chris and a lot of teams in the garage area that wanted him. It was not a layup for us to re-sign him, but we feel fortunate that he felt our commitment was strong enough to want to stay with us.”

— Ford Racing —

NASCAR fans are invited to reply to @NASCAR posts on X with messages congratulating the Anduril 250 winner. Selected replies will be printed on the confetti that will rain down on the winning driver and team at Turn 2 of the racetrack during a special photo event.

“At NASCAR, our fans are the lifeblood of this sport, and we‘re dedicated to celebrating them in new ways,” said Craig Stimmel, NASCAR SVP and Chief Commercial Officer. “Through our partnership with X, we‘re giving fans a chance to be part of the race in a completely new way,  turning their passion and excitement into a real, physical celebration with the winning driver. We can‘t wait to see their messages rain down with the confetti and share the moment together.”

“X is the epicenter of sports fandom, and we‘re thrilled to amplify the excitement around NASCAR,” said Beau Jones, Head of Sports Partnerships at X. “Through this fan activation, we‘re leveraging our real-time conversation platform to connect with one of the most passionate communities in sports.”

The @NASCAR account will continue posting and inviting fans to get involved during the Anduril 250. Follow @NASCAR and @JoseCuervo for updates.

— NASCAR —

The program is made possible through the generous support of Black Rifle Coffee Company. The veteran-founded coffee company has stepped forward to put VETS on the No. 28 Chevrolet for an iconic race weekend hosted on Naval Base Coronado before an audience of service members, military families, and first responders.

VETS connects veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and related conditions with access to innovative treatment options and a wrap-around support network to guide them through recovery and beyond.

“VETS was founded with one mission: to end the veteran suicide epidemic. Too many veterans come home carrying invisible wounds and feel like they‘ve run out of options. We‘re here to change that by expanding access to innovative treatment solutions and continuing to push this conversation into the national spotlight. To have the VETS mission represented on the No. 28 car, racing on Naval Base Coronado — where my military career began — is deeply personal. We want all veterans and their families to know there is hope, healing is possible, and no one should have to fight alone.” — Marcus Capone, Navy SEAL and Co-Founder of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS).

For Black Rifle Coffee Company, backing the program is a natural continuation of a mission the company has carried since its founding — supporting veterans, active-duty military, and first responders through advocacy, hiring, and partnerships that give back to the community it serves.

“At Black Rifle Coffee Company, supporting veterans has always been personal to who we are as a company and the community we serve. Too many veterans are still fighting battles long after military service ends, and organizations like VETS are helping lead the charge by pushing for research, advocacy, and new treatment options that give hope to those who feel out of options. We‘re encouraged to see growing national attention around innovative therapies and mental health solutions for veterans. We‘re proud to support organizations committed to fighting for the veteran community and helping end the epidemic of veteran suicide.” — Black Rifle Coffee Company— Dean Goble, Head of Mission & Impact, Black Rifle Coffee Company

The No. 28 VETS Chevrolet will serve as a 200-mph tribute to veterans and military families throughout race weekend, amplifying a message of support, peer connection, and healing.

Driver Kyle Sieg has spent his career climbing the NASCAR ranks, competing full time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Displaying the VETS colors at Coronado makes this a different kind of race for the driver of the No. 28 Chevrolet.

“Racing on a Navy base, in front of the men and women who serve this country, is something I’ll never forget,” said Kyle Sieg. “But this weekend is bigger than the race. A lot of veterans come home carrying things you can’t see, and VETS helps them find a way through it. To have their name on my car means I’m racing for something that actually matters. I’m grateful to Black Rifle Coffee Company for making it happen, and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”

The San Diego event places the partnership on a fitting stage as NASCAR competes within one of the most recognized military communities in the nation, opening conversations around mental health resources and veteran wellness while reaching new audiences through motorsports.

Fans can learn more about Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions at vetsolutions.org and Black Rifle Coffee Company at blackriflecoffee.com.

— RSS Racing —

The event served as both the official cover reveal forNASCAR 26 and a media kickoff ahead of NASCAR San Diego Race Weekend at Naval Base Coronado.

Following remarks from NASCAR Vice President of Interactive & Emerging Platforms Nick Rend and iRacing Studios Vice President and Senior Producer Matt Lewis, attendees received new details about NASCAR 26, including confirmation that the Qualcomm Circuit at Naval Base Coronado will be featured in the game.

The evening’s signature moment came when Larson made a surprise entrance aboard the USS Midway flight deck in theNASCAR 26 cover car, performing a series of burnouts before joining Lewis on stage for the official reveal of the game’s cover art.

During the program, Larson discussed being selected as the face of NASCAR 26, the role gaming plays in growing the sport, and the upcoming NASCAR San Diego Race Weekend.

The event concluded with NASCAR presenting a donation in support of Freedom Park and the USS Midway Museum, recognizing the organizations’ contributions to preserving the stories of military service and leadership in the San Diego community.

Developed by iRacing Studios, NASCAR 26 is scheduled to launch in September 2026.

— NASCAR —

The sponsorship marks a rare moment of national visibility for an industry that powers some of the hardest-working businesses in North America. Landscape and outdoor living professionals build and maintain the spaces people live, gather, and celebrate in, and this July 4th weekend, their names will be on the door of a race car in front of a national audience.

“The people in this industry don’t get enough credit,” said Mark Sedgley, CEO of Granum. “They’re out before sunrise, they’re running crews, managing customers, building businesses from the ground up — and they do it with a level of pride and craftsmanship that’s hard to match anywhere. Putting the Granum name on that car alongside Creekside is our way of saying: this industry deserves to be seen. We’re proud to show up for them in a big way on the Fourth of July.”

Creekside Outdoor Living founder Mike Arnold, a Granum brand ambassador with more than 330,000 followers across social media and one of the most recognized voices in the outdoor living space, will be on-site at Chicagoland Speedway for the event.

“Racing and the green industry have more in common than people think,” said Arnold. “It’s early mornings, hard work, a team you trust, and a real commitment to showing up and performing when it counts. I’m incredibly proud to represent this industry on a national stage — and to do it alongside Granum, a company that genuinely believes in the people doing this work every day.”

Bilicki, who has competed in NASCAR’s top series and brings both competitive experience and regional ties to the Chicago market, echoed the sentiment.

“The landscaping and outdoor living industry is built on hard work, craftsmanship, and helping people enjoy where they live,” said Bilicki. “Those values align perfectly with auto racing, and I’m proud to carry these brands at Chicagoland on one of the biggest weekends of the summer.”

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Chicagoland Speedway will take place on Saturday, July 4, and will be broadcast live on The CW Network.

— Josh Bilicki Racing —

Rear Admiral Rich Jarrett, Commander of Navy Region Southwest, will serve as Grand Marshal and deliver the most famous words in motorsports, commanding drivers to start their engines ahead of the historic NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race.

Joining Rear Admiral Jarrett in pre-race ceremonies will be Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Officer, bestselling author and leadership expert Jocko Willink, who will serve as Honorary Race Official. The Honorable John Duncan, Mayor of the City of Coronado will wave the green flag as Honorary Starter, while Machinist’s Mate Third Class Tyler Henderson, Naval Base Coronado‘s FY-25 Junior Sailor of the Year, will ride in the pace car as Honorary Pace Car Rider.

“The inaugural Navy 250 represents a historic celebration of our nation’s sea services, and this group of incredible leaders is the perfect way to kick off the NASCAR San Diego Weekend,” said Amy Lupo, NASCAR San Diego President. “We’re honored to welcome such an accomplished group of military leaders and community dignitaries whose service, leadership and commitment embody the spirit of this event.”

Members of the military community and their families in attendance will also experience a patriotic pre-race ceremony featuring the Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE Color Guard, while Lieutenant Commander Brad Guillory, United States Navy Chaplain Corps, will deliver the invocation. Musician Second Class Ashley Pollock from Navy Band Southwest will perform the national anthem before a spectacular Osprey flyover by Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron Fifty (VRM-50) “Sunhawks” officially kicks off the inaugural event.

The Navy 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race marks the first national NASCAR series race contested aboard an active military installation, bringing together the excitement of world-class motorsports with a celebration of the men and women who serve their country. In keeping with that commitment, tickets for Friday night‘s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race are limited to members of the military community and their families.

Fans can learn more about the inaugural event by visiting NASCARSanDiego.com. Follow @NASCARSanDiego on Instagram, X and Facebook for the latest news and event updates.

— NASCAR —

Heading into Sunday‘s season finale at San Diego‘s Naval Base Coronado, the 2026 NASCAR on Prime season is averaging 2.29 million viewers through four races. Even though three of those broadcasts were impacted by weather, the apples-to-apples comparison (BD+P vs. BD+P) is posting a +5% increase over the comparable four-race average on Prime Video.

NASCAR on Prime‘s pre and post-race shows continue to deliver impressive audience figures through four races, with NASCAR Live From and NASCAR Live From Victory Lane averaging 827K and 1.01M viewers respectively, up +2% and +13% vs. last season‘s comparable averages.

Below, find additional viewership highlights from Sunday‘s race at Pocono, as well as NASCAR on Prime‘s 2026 season. Please note that all figures are from Nielsen‘s Big Data + Panel measurement.

• NASCAR on Prime‘s Cup Series Racing from Pocono averaged 1.66 million viewers, down 11% vs. last year‘s comparable race from Pocono when the green flag was pushed back by more than two hours.
  • Race coverage peaked from 4:00-4:14 PM ET with 2.30M viewers, up +6% vs. last year‘s peak.
• Through four races, NASCAR on Prime is averaging 2.29M viewers, up +5% vs. the comparable four-race average on Prime Video (2.18M).
• NASCAR on Prime is attracting an increase of +11% among viewers 55+ vs. last year‘s comparable four-race average on Prime (1.29M vs. 1.16M).
• NASCAR on Prime is averaging a median age of 57.9, more than five years younger than audiences watching NASCAR Cup Series races on linear channels this season (63.1).
• NASCAR Live from Pocono, NASCAR on Prime‘s pre-race show, attracted an average audience of 389K viewers on Sunday after moving up two hours ahead of schedule due to weather.
  • Through four broadcasts, pre-race coverage is averaging 827K viewers, up +2% vs. last year‘s comparable average.
• NASCAR Live from Victory Lane, NASCAR on Prime‘s 67-minute post-race show from Pocono, averaged 1.03M viewers, up +29% vs. last year.
  • Through four broadcasts, post-race coverage is averaging 1.01M viewers, up +13% vs. last year‘s comparable average.

— Prime Video —

.@PrimeVideo got 1.66 million viewers for Sunday's NASCAR Cup race at Pocono that was moved up two hours due to weather, down 11% from last year when it ran later in the afternoon and wasn't competing against the @FIFAWorldCup.

➡️ The post-race show got 1.03 million, up 29% YOY. pic.twitter.com/gnOw8EOLYB

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) June 18, 2026

The event will feature more than 30 national and local acts, including Busta Rhymes, Ying Yang Twins and a special guest, who will perform prior to the 225-mile Nu Way 225 Sauced by Blues Hog NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase race on Saturday, Sept. 12, and Old Dominion and The Blues Brothers & The Sacred Hearts, who will perform as part of the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series Chase event on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Old Dominion, the award-winning country band known for its signature blend of clever songwriting, warm harmonies and contemporary country sound, has become one of the genre‘s most successful groups. The band has earned numerous No. 1 hits, including the multiplatinum “One Man Band,” “Break Up With Him” and “Hotel Key,” along with fan favorites such as “Memory Lane” and “Written in the Sand.” Celebrated for chart-topping recordings and dynamic live performances, Old Dominion has helped redefine modern country music while maintaining a strong connection to its storytelling roots.

Busta Rhymes, the Brooklyn-born hip-hop icon and Grammy-nominated artist, has remained one of rap‘s most influential and energetic performers for more than three decades. Known for his rapid-fire delivery, larger-than-life personality and innovative music videos, he has earned numerous chart-topping hits including “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” and “Break Ya Neck”. A celebrated rapper, songwriter and actor, Busta Rhymes has collaborated with some of music‘s biggest names and is widely recognized for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop while maintaining a lasting impact on the culture.

Confluence Music Festival acts from across the region include DJ Rashida, Tim Dugger, Blackwater Acoustic, Cardboard Dale, DJ Big D, DJ Mahf, Dr. Zhivegas, Emily Wallace Trio, Ethan Carl, Jonny Lackey & The Pocket Aces, Lamar Harris, Malena Smith, Macalester Dose & The Rebels, Monte Cristo, Phillip Graves, Red and Black Brass Band, and more.

The Confluence Music Festival is a showcase of innovation, talent and live entertainment. The festival attracts fans from across the country in welcoming NASCAR, the premiere form of motorsports in the United States, to WWTR.

“Fueled by the support and vision of Dave Steward, the Steward Family Foundation and World Wide Technology, NASCAR weekend continues to bring a dynamic lineup of world-class musical talent alongside the thrill of on-track competition,” said Curtis Francois, owner and president of World Wide Technology Raceway. “The Confluence Festival has earned a reputation across the sports and entertainment industry as a premier celebration of the powerful connection between music, motorsports and our community.”

A race ticket includes access to the Confluence Music Festival post-race concert and midway concerts. For closer viewing of the pre-race infield concerts, an upgrade to the Infield Fan Zone is required. In addition to racing and music, the weekend features interactive entertainment displays, a STEM education showcase, car displays, autograph sessions, and live interviews with NASCAR drivers and St. Louis-area sports legends.

On-track action begins Saturday, Sept. 12, with NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series practice at noon CT, followed by qualifying at 1:05 p.m. The NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series Nu Way 225 Sauced by Blues Hog, or the 225-mile, 180-lap event, will begin at 6:30 p.m. for the second of the nine NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase races.

The NASCAR Cup Series stars also will be on track that day with practice at 2:30 p.m. and qualifying at 3:40 p.m.

The weekend will be highlighted by the fifth annual Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, Sept. 13, beginning at 2 p.m. The 300-mile, 240-lap feature will serve as the second of 10 races in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase format.

The weekend‘s events get started Sept. 11 with a Runway to Raceway fashion show, presented by Neiman Marcus. Festivities on the campgrounds kick off Sept. 11.

Nearly 75,000 fans from 48 states, four Canadian provinces and more than 30 countries attended the festival and race in 2025.

Confluence Music Festival upgrade packages include Gateway Garage/Fan Zone access with front-of-stage viewing for Sunday‘s prerace driver introductions, celebrity red carpet walk and Old Dominion post-race concert. Adult Sunday ticket packages start at just $69.

“On the fifth anniversary of Confluence Music Festival, we’re proud to continue the tradition of bringing exceptional live entertainment to this one-of-a-kind event, creating a vibrant destination weekend with something for the whole family,” said Kwofe Coleman, executive producer for the festival. Coleman also is president & CEO of The Muny, which supports production of Confluence Music Festival. “From the ‘Runway to Raceway‘ kickoff to the finale concert, Confluence Music Festival is committed to connecting people through music, racing and culture. And we couldn’t do any of it without the support of Dave Steward, World Wide Technology, the Steward Family Foundation and our generous sponsors who continue to invest in this mission.”

More Confluence Music Festival entertainment acts and a schedule with performance times will be announced.

For tickets and more information, call World Wide Technology Raceway at (618) 215-8888 ext. 1, visit WWTRaceway.com, or follow @WWTRaceway and @ConfluenceMusicFestival on social media.

— World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway —

For the first time in his career, Front Row Motorsports driver Layne Riggs is leading the championship standings — up 26 points on TRICON Garage driver Kaden Honeycutt after winning two of the last three races. Riggs‘ Front Row Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith is third, 90 points off Riggs pace.

It‘s reasonable to expect the weekend trophy to be settled by these title favorites. Riggs won the season‘s first road course — and series‘ first ever street course — at St. Petersburg in March and Honeycutt won the most recent one — at Watkins Glen, N.Y. in May.

Five drivers in the field have won at road courses — also including former series champ Ben Rhodes, Justin Haley and Parker Kligerman. It‘s McAnally-Hilgemann Racing‘s Daniel Hemric (5.86) that boasts the best average finish in the field on road courses.

Six races remain to set the 10-drive Chase field and the battle for the final spots is close with eighth place Tyler Ankrum only 14 points up on 11th place Stewart Friesen, who has the same number of points as ninth place Hemric and 10th place Jake Garcia — the points based on finishes.

Not only is this weekend a big chapter for the sport in terms of locale — but Friday‘s truck race will feature four of the sport‘s very best in rare appearances on the grid.

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson will make his first Truck Series start in 17 years — the San Diego native driving the No. 1 TRICON Garage Toyota in front of the hometown fans. Fellow Californian, Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks will make his first series start since 2022 in the Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet.

Popular former full-timer, Brendon Gaughan who last raced in the series in 2013 will steer the No. 20 Chevrolet for the McAnally-Hilgemann. And NASCAR on Fox commentator and 2010 Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray will make his first series start since 2008. He‘ll drive Kaulig Racing‘s No. 25 Ram truck, which has featured a list of all-star drives this season. So far, the best finish for the No. 25 belongs to NASCAR Cup Series regular A.J. Allmendinger, who finished sixth at Watkins Glen.

Back to back practice sessions for the Truck Series open the weekend on track Friday at Noon ET and 1 p.m. ET followed immediately by Kennametal Pole Qualifying at 2 p.m. ET — all three sessions on FS2 — and the race at 7 p.m. ET (FS1).

— NASCAR Wire Service —

The 3.4-mile, 16-turn course on the active Naval Base may be just what Mayer, 22, needs to get back into the win column for the first since the Wisconsin-native won at Iowa last August.

After back-to-back multi-win seasons in 2023 and 2024, Mayer had just that single victory last year. However, he always shows up to turn right and left feeling optimistic. Half of his eight career series wins have come on road courses – the four victories most among those entered this weekend.

He knows he‘ll have to contend with his former JR Motorsports team — again — for the trophy, however. JR Motorsports drivers have won every road course race since Watkins Glen, in September, 2024 — an 11-race winning streak. Mayer was a part of that run with his former team, claiming his last road course win at the Charlotte ROVAL in October, 2024. However, 14 of the last 15 road course race winners are not competing in San Diego.

Mayer‘s former JR Motorsports teammate, championship leader Justin Allgaier has three road course wins and it was he, who Mayer battled for the trophy last week in the closing laps at Pocono. It‘s a very reasonable bet this weekend‘s California trophy could come down to another duel between the two.

Allgaier, who collected his series-best fifth win at Pocono, has already secured a berth in The Chase with seven regular season races remaining. The 2024 series champ holds an unprecedented 250-point lead over reigning series champion, Richard Childress Racing‘s Jesse Love atop the championship standings — a points-margin greater than second place to 15th place.

Qualifying has proven to be crucial on road courses with the winner starting on the front row an amazing 52 percent of the time. The polesitter has won 31 percent of those races.

The pass for the win, however, has come within the final five laps in five of the last seven road course events. Through the opening 17 races of this season, there has not been an overtime finish — the longest such streak in series history.

Of note, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Brandon Jones is on an eight-race streak of top-10 finishes — best in the series — while conversely, Love‘s streak of 30 races running at the finish ended abruptly last week at Pocono with a lap-one wreck.

Jeremy Clements will make his 548th series start this weekend — setting an all-time record. The driver of his family-owned Jeremy Clements Racing team made his series debut at Pikes Peak, Col. in 2003.

Practice on the new course is set for Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET (CW App), followed by Kennametal Pole Qualifying at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday (The CW).

— NASCAR Wire Service —

The community has gone all-out to welcome race teams to San Diego for the weekend‘s inaugural three-race event around the 3.4-mile street course on Naval Base Coronado — capped with the NASCAR Cup Series‘ Anduril 250 on Sunday (4 p.m. ET on Prime Video, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

The locals are eager to host the sport and drivers and teams have embraced the new opportunity. Now to race.

Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Denny Hamlin shows up in California on an unprecedented career hot streak winning his third race in a row — from pole position — last week at Pocono (Pa) Raceway to cut 23XI Racing‘s Tyler Reddick‘s one-time hundred-point plus championship lead to only 19-points.

The 16-turn never-raced San Diego street course, however, may prove to be a true equalizer for the field.

Hamlin‘s win at the traditional Watkins Glen, N.Y. road course 10 years ago is his only NASCAR Cup Series win on a road course. Reddick has four road course wins and his 9.88 average finish is third best among the field. He, Hendrick Motorsports‘ Chase Elliott and Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Christopher Bell lead active drivers with 11 top-five road course finishes.

Only Trackhouse Racing‘s Shane Van Gisbergen (418) has led more road course laps than Reddick (267) in the Next Gen Era. And Reddick‘s 7.13 is the second best average finish to Van Gisbergen‘s incredible mark (1.75). Reddick‘s streak of six top-10 finishes is second only to Van Gisbergen‘s 10.

As good as they‘ve been all season, however, both Hamlin and Reddick — as well as the entire starting field — realize the weekend storyline will likely come down to who can beat Van Gisbergen. He and Elliott are tied for most road course wins among active drivers with seven each. Elliott‘s 489 laps led (seventh most) and Van Gisbergen‘s 418 laps led (10th most) already place them among the top-10 in history in that category.

The New Zealander and former Australian Supercar Series champion Van Gisbergen has been absolutely dominant on street and road courses and is particularly good at first-time stops on the circuit — claiming trophies at both the inaugural Chicago Street Course and at Mexico City‘s famed Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

The driver of the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet is currently turning in his most productive NASCAR Cup Series season on the ovals too and has positioned himself inside the top-16 in the standings. A victory could be significant for him as he‘s ranked 14th – only 10 points above the cutoff line of drivers that will eventually advance to The Chase to settle the title.

There‘s a lot on the line for Van Gisbergen — and the field – and this week‘s San Diego event brings a particularly high-profile chance to hoist a trophy. And Van Gisbergen‘s statistics in this brand of competition are astounding. He‘s won half the road course races he‘s entered in the series — seven of 14 — and his average finish of 6.71 on road courses is second best all time among drivers with at least four starts, behind only NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts (2.78).

This weekend, Van Gisbergen can become the first driver to claim his first eight NASCAR Cup Series wins all on road courses. He‘s run inside the top-10 for 95 percent of the laps run on road courses since 2025 and he owns four of the five largest margins of victory in the series‘ Next Gen car era.

“I only saw a little bit of the layout, but it was really cool,” Van Gisbergen said of a recent visit to the Naval Base Coronado track. “It’s going to be a really rough and technical course, a lot of unknowns. Thursday will be an important day, when we get on-site and can have a look around the track, get a feel for everything.”

“The surface changes stood out to me the most. Some of it’s really nice, there is new tarmac there in Turn 2, and a couple of other places. Then, it’s really rough like Sebring (International Raceway), kind of with the big cracks and old asphalt. It’s going to be a real challenge to have a car that works all kind of surfaces and transitions to them.”

It’s odd but that makes it a really good challenge,” he continued. “Getting in a rhythm will be really tough but will be important.”

Of note, San Diego native, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will steer his Legacy Motor Club team‘s No. 84 Toyota in his “hometown” race. Trackhouse Racing will field the No. 91 Chevrolet for former Formula One star Kevin Magnussen in its Project 91 entry and former NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champion Corey Heim will drive the No. 67 Toyota for 23XI Racing.

NASCAR Cup Series opening practice is Friday at 5 p.m. ET (Prime Video, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Busch Light Pole Qualifying is set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

— NASCAR News Wire —

…

Ford‘s track-only Mustang Dark Horse Rs will be on display at the Veteran‘s Day race, which is an independent special event separate from the NASCAR race calendar. At that time, Ford will also promote its limited-edition red, white and blue Super Duty Proud to Honor package — with some portion of the proceeds supporting Blue Star Families.

…

NASCAR‘s season had been scheduled to wrap up at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 8, which normally would have led to an off-track NASCAR military tribute on Veterans Day. But the newly minted race on the 11th elevates the tribute exponentially.

…

“The Veterans Day Classic race this November is going to be the start of a great new tradition that I‘m super proud to be a part of,” Brown said Wednesday night following his performance. “And these events will give us a real way to show up for our troops. And to do that during America‘s 250th feels incredibly meaningful.

— Sports Business Journal —

Sycaun Casino Resort will sponsor Ricky Stenhouse Jr in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series race at San Diego. Image from Hyak Motorsports.

Sycuan Casino Resort‘s partnership with Hyak Motorsports continues to highlight the organization‘s growing national reach and connection with fans across major entertainment markets. The Southern California-based brand aligns naturally with NASCAR‘s highly anticipated return to the West Coast spotlight, creating a hometown connection for race weekend festivities. “It‘s going to be really special heading to San Diego for the first time, especially with this race taking place on a Naval base during America‘s 250th anniversary celebration. Events like this are bigger than just racing, and it‘s an honor to be part of something that recognizes the military and the history behind it,” said Stenhouse. “Having Sycuan Casino Resort on board for such a unique weekend makes it even more exciting, and we‘re looking forward to putting together a strong run for all the fans coming out.”

As Hyak Motorsports continues building momentum throughout the 2026 season, the organization remains focused on innovation, growth, and competing at the highest level of the NASCAR Cup Series. Events like the San Diego Street Race showcase the evolving direction of the sport while reinforcing Hyak‘s commitment to embracing new opportunities and marquee events that connect with fans nationwide. Racing aboard Naval Base Coronado represents another milestone moment in NASCAR‘s modern era and highlights the sport‘s continued expansion into destination-style events.

Fans can tune in to Prime this Sunday, June 21, at 4pm ET to watch all the action at the Anduril 250. Be sure to follow Hyak Motorsports on social media for live race updates, track content, and exclusive looks at the No. 47 Sycuan Casino Resort Chevrolet.

— Hyak Motorsports —

Fans will enjoy Dugger‘s tunes at the Cracker Barrel Fan Stage before NASCAR drivers hit EchoPark Speedway‘s high banks for the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart. Dugger‘s concert will be free to attend for all fans attending Atlanta‘s Night Race.

Tim Dugger‘s concert will headline a weekend full of great entertainment and activities fans will find in the EchoPark Speedway Fan Zone in July.

Trackside Live on the Cracker Barrel Fan Stage

Before they hit the track for 400 miles of racing, NASCAR Cup Series drivers will join Kenny Wallace, John Roberts, and Jose Castillo for Trackside Live at the Cracker Barrel Fan Stage. This fan-favorite program is a must-see for gearheads and new fans alike, with a blend of in-depth racing chatter and casual banter that only Trackside Live can deliver.

Live Entertainment and Activities

The EchoPark Speedway Fan Zone is full of fun things to see, from dogs performing amazing tricks in the Canine Stars to live wrestling matches. There‘s also a lot of free interactive exhibits to enjoy, like American Axes ax-throwing, golf and racing simulators, and youth-centered activities in the Kids Zone. Altogether, the Fan Zone has something that will satisfy fans of all ages.

Driver Souvenir Haulers

Race fans love donning the colors and iconography of their favorite track, teams, and drivers. All of that can be found at the souvenir haulers in the EchoPark Speedway Fan Zone. Better yet, each race weekend these haulers offer fans great autograph opportunities from the stars of NASCAR.

More information on the EchoPark Speedway Fan Zone and race day entertainment can be found at www.EchoParkSpeedway.com. Tickets and camping accommodations for the July 11-12 Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart are still available to purchase online or by calling 770-946-4211.

About the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart:

Atlanta‘s Night Race returns with the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on Sunday night, July 12, 2026. Sparks will fly as NASCAR‘s best duel under the lights on EchoPark Speedway‘s challenging high banks.

The rising stars of the NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series bring the action Saturday night in the Focused Health 250 on July 11. Adding even higher stakes to the weekend is NASCAR‘s $1 million In-Season Tournament. Eight of NASCAR‘s stars will compete head-to-head in the bracket-style elimination tournament — four will leave EchoPark Speedway with a chance to claim the $1 million prize.

More information on the July 11—12 Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend and ticket availability can be found online at EchoParkSpeedway.com.

— EchoPark Speedway —

ORIGINAL POST: As it enters the second season of its media rights deal, TNT Sports is bolstering its NASCAR coverage.

Front Office Sports has learned that the network is adding legendary driver Jimmie Johnson to its studio for its upcoming coverage of the In-Season Challenge. A seven-time Cup Series champion, Johnson previously worked at NBC Sports as a NASCAR analyst after retiring from full-time Cup racing following the 2020 season.

…

Johnson will make his TNT Sports debut on June 28 during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. He will also be in the studio for the network‘s coverage at North Wilkesboro Speedway (July 19) and the event‘s championship at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 26). All three races will air on TNT and stream on HBO Max.

In addition to Johnson, ESPN‘s Marty Smith is joining TNT‘s coverage of the In-Season Challenge, serving as a pre- and post-race host during the five-race series, anchoring coverage alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Letarte, and Jamie McMurray. Meanwhile, former NASCAR driver Jeff Burton will fill in as a studio analyst for the two races Johnson isn‘t covering—Chicagoland Speedway (July 5) and Atlanta Motor Speedway (July 12).

— Front Office Sports —

As Honorary Grand Marshal, Baker will deliver the most famous words in motorsports — “Drivers, start your engines!” — signaling the start of Northern California‘s premier NASCAR Cup Series event.

One of the most respected figures in professional sports, Baker enjoyed a distinguished 19-year Major League Baseball playing career before becoming one of the winningest managers in MLB history. He captured a World Series championship as manager of the Houston Astros in 2022 and remains one of only a handful of managers to lead five different franchises to postseason appearances.

Baker also shares a deep connection with Northern California through his successful tenure as manager of the San Francisco Giants from 1993 to 2002. During his decade in San Francisco, he led the Giants to three National League West division titles, earned National League Manager of the Year honors three times, and helped guide the franchise through one of its most memorable eras, making him a beloved figure among Bay Area sports fans.

“Having Dusty Baker join us as Honorary Grand Marshal is a tremendous honor,” said Executive Vice President & General Manager Brian Flynn. “Dusty‘s championship legacy, leadership, and longstanding ties to Northern California make him the perfect choice to help kick off the Toyota/Save Mart 350. His impact on the Bay Area sports community continues to resonate, and we‘re excited to welcome him to Sonoma Raceway.”

Baker said he is looking forward to experiencing the excitement of NASCAR‘s annual visit to Wine Country.

“Northern California has always held a special place in my heart,” Baker said. “The fans here have been incredible to me throughout my career, and it‘s an honor to be part of such a special event at Sonoma Raceway. I‘m looking forward to delivering those famous words and experiencing the excitement of NASCAR firsthand.”

The Toyota/Save Mart 350 will feature the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series battling on Sonoma Raceway‘s challenging 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course, a fan-favorite stop on the NASCAR schedule.

For tickets and event information, visit SonomaRaceway.com or call (800) 870-RACE [7223].

— Sonoma Raceway —

When Kenny Wallace set the record as the driver to compete in the most O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series races, he knew it would eventually be broken. Never did he think it would be Jeremy Clements.

“I didn‘t think that the Clements family was going to have enough money to keep going because the sport was getting so expensive,” Wallace told Jayski last week. “That‘s why I admire the Clements family, because they are still going. Most people would have given up by now. I had Justin Allgaier penciled in to pass me.”

For more than two decades, Clements and his family-operated No. 51 team have hauled his race car from track to track, chasing a dream that outlasted injuries, sponsorship woes and countless long nights in the shop. This weekend at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, that persistence will carry him into the record book as he surpasses Wallace for the most starts in O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series history with 548.

“It will be a hell of a milestone,” Clements said. “To beat Kenny Wallace, he‘s had that record for [11] years now, so it‘s a hard record to beat. [Eleven] years is a long time to hold something. I raced with Kenny and all the guys that we‘ve passed with the starts. Just to be able to keep going at this point — I‘m only 41 — Kenny was 51 when he broke it.

“I‘ve raced my whole life, and I don‘t plan on stopping anytime soon. The hardest part about all of this is keeping it funded. The racing part is the easiest for me. I love it, so that‘s why I keep doing it. The money is the hard part.”

Clements has been around the NASCAR scene since 2003, making his O‘Reilly debut as an 18-year old at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Reflecting back on that day — a race won by Scott Wimmer — Clements knew he wasn‘t ready. It was a family effort to get out West, with “an old car, just ill-prepared.” But as the saying goes, Clements didn‘t know what he didn‘t know.

It was another four years until Clements returned to NASCAR. While racing a Late Model at 311 Speedway on July 24, 2004, he heard an explosion inside the car. Ultimately, a torque arm failure went through his car‘s driveshaft and entered the cockpit, severely injuring his right hand as it was hanging in a different direction from his arm.

Clements thought his career might be over before it even began, though he refused to give up.

After dabbling for three partial seasons in the ARCA Menards Series, Clements returned to the national scene in 2007 at Charlotte Motor Speedway to run the final handful of races for McGill Motorsports. In 2008, Jeremy Clements Racing was introduced to the O‘Reilly division, while he was also making starts for JD Motorsports with his family working on the car.

It wasn‘t until 2011 when Clements started racing full time, remaining a staple of the series for the last 16 years.

“Pretty sure that was when that new car came out then and you could run the same car at most tracks,” Clements said of jumping to the opportunity of going full time. “I think we ended up with two cars and really ran the whole season with those two cars. We could do it that way and make it work. We could race this series and come out ahead.”

Adjusting to the series, Clements was a lone ranger. He can‘t single out a particular mentor, though he has asked some of the sport‘s greats — Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer — for tips at certain layouts.

Clements stated: “I just try to do the best I can with what I‘m given and just figure it out.”

Perseverance has led to a pair of upset victories for Clements at Road America in 2017 and Daytona International Speedway exactly five years later. He can‘t recall another low-funded team having multiple wins on their resume during that time, making him proud to stand above the rest.

“It‘s a hell of an accomplishment because I‘ve driven for myself this whole time,” he said. “I‘ve never been with a big team, which is unfortunate, but it‘s the way it‘s worked out with funding.

“It just never worked out, so to do it by ourselves is a hell of an achievement. There are not many single-car family teams that have won in this series. I think when David Gilliland won in 2007 at Kentucky. I don‘t know of any smaller teams that have won since then. That was a long time, damn near 20 years.”

Clements has made three postseason appearances in the last nine seasons. He has seven top-five and 44 top-10 finishes through his first 547 starts. Two of those top 10s have come in 2026, as the team made a two-year commitment to align with Haas Factory Team, relocating from a 5,000-square-foot shop as the pride of Spartanburg, South Carolina to Haas‘ Kannapolis, North Carolina headquarters.

That in of itself has been an adjustment for Clements, though the No. 51 bunch saw an immediate performance uptick, as the team was previously running nearly decade-old chassis from Chip Ganassi Racing.

“I‘m not there every day like I was at my shop. I don‘t have to babysit it, so that‘s nice,” Clements said of the team moving North. “When you wreck a car, they fix it immediately — it just costs more. We‘re all working closely together. The crew chiefs bounce setup ideas off each other. It‘s certainly a better dynamic to have all that information now.”

Naturally, Clements wants to be contending more regularly at the front of the field. He is a competitor at heart and is not looking to just ride around and make laps. And 2026 is the most prepared he‘s felt behind the wheel, mainly due to the alliance.

“I want to win more,” Clements said bluntly. “This is the first year where I‘ve felt like I‘ve had an opportunity to run up front and compete. It‘s extremely tough. There are so many good cars. You have to have everything right.”

Wallace describes Clements and the No. 51 team as being a sole survivor. He is reminded of the original Busch Grand National days with the way Clements has typically operated.

The nine-time O‘Reilly winner is proud to have held onto the record for 11 years. Wallace was hoping to be in attendance at San Diego to pass the torch over to Clements, similar to how Jason Keller did for him at Iowa Speedway, but he had a family vacation to Cabo planned well in advance.

“I‘m extremely proud because it‘s longevity,” Wallace said of holding the record for an extended period. “The O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series was there for me when I did not make it in the Cup Series. It was there for Justin Allgaier when he did not make it in the Cup Series. It‘s there for Elliott Sadler. It‘s a wonderful series to make a modest living and fulfill your dream of racing in NASCAR.

“When Cup gets difficult, we all go to O‘Reilly.”

Clements has no plans of leaving the series anytime soon. He hopes to race for at least another 10 years before calling it quits. At that point, he would be approaching 900 career starts with the big 1,000 looming the distance.

But to be in the series for 547 starts already holds significant weight on Clements.

“I guess we‘re crazy lovers of racing,” Clements stated. “We love racing. I love racing and have been a student and racer at heart since I was a kid. It‘s all I know and all I want to do. It‘s in my blood and I‘ve never wanted to stop.”

Love will add his name to the long list of accomplished drivers who have competed for the Wood Brothers when he takes over the No. 21 beginning with the 2027 DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

The Menlo Park, California, native has established himself as one of NASCAR‘s brightest young stars. After becoming the youngest champion in ARCA Menards Series history with his first ARCA Menards Series West title at age 16, Love went on to capture the 2023 ARCA Menards Series championship before making the jump to the O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series.

There, he earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 before capturing the series title in 2025. Love has also made seven Cup Series starts and is currently competing for a second consecutive O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series title.

“Driving the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing is truly an honor,” said Love. “This team has played such an important role in NASCAR history, and the drivers who have sat behind the wheel of this car are some of the greatest our sport has ever seen. I‘m incredibly grateful to everyone at Wood Brothers Racing, Team Penske and Ford Racing for believing in me — I‘m excited to get to work, continue learning from the people around me and compete at the highest level.”

Wood Brothers Racing is NASCAR‘s longest-running active team and one of the winningest organizations in series history. The team surpassed the 100-win mark in NASCAR‘s premier series during the 2025 season and has celebrated victories with legendary drivers such as David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Neil Bonnett, A.J. Foyt and others. The organization also enjoys a technical alliance with Team Penske and continues to receive support from Ford Racing.

“Jesse has accomplished a lot at a young age,” said Jon Wood, president of Wood Brothers Racing. “He‘s demonstrated the ability to win races, compete for championships and handle the expectations that come with racing at a high level. We‘re looking forward to giving him the opportunity to take the next step in his career with the No. 21 team.”

The 21-year-old driver currently sits second in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings, where he remains in contention for a second consecutive championship.

Additional details regarding the No. 21 team’s plans for the 2027 Cup Series season will be announced at a later date.

“Arby‘s has been an amazing partner of JRM and they‘re really going all in which makes it so much fun for us drivers,” said Smith. “Racing on the naval base is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity that I‘m looking forward to, especially with this one-of-kind paint scheme that ties in the Navy and Arby‘s new cheesesteaks.”

Earlier this week, Arby‘s kicked off race weekend in unforgettable fashion by teaming up with influencer Robby Berger. Strapped into a real fighter jet, Berger took the first bites 30,000 feet in the air, proving this sandwich delivers the greatest combination of steak and cheese. See more here

In addition to their new-look No. 8 Chevrolet, Arby‘s will take over the Race to the Base with track signage that stretches from Turn 15 to Victory Lane, an activation footprint in the fan zone between Turns 10 and 11, media integrations for both the NOAPS and NASCAR Cup Series races with broadcast partners The CW and Amazon, a live broadcast of the Dale Jr. Download post-race Saturday evening and special digital offers. Arby‘s activation space will include full daily programming with special appearances, live music, merch and other surprise drops. Additionally, be on the lookout out for official schedules and special digital offers on Arby‘s social channels.

“Last summer, we launched a limited-time cheesesteak to great fanfare at NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race. Not only have we brought it back, we’ve made the cheesesteak a permanent menu for fans to enjoy every day, and we took the opportunity to make it even better with authentic Cooper Cheese and Amoroso‘s sesame sub roll used in Philadelphia,” said Jeff Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Arby‘s. “There‘s no better place to celebrate our new cheesesteak than as the Official Cheesesteak of NASCAR San Diego, with our friends at JR Motorsports and fans around the country as a proud sponsor of NASCAR‘s first-ever military base event.”

— JR Motorsports —

The initiative will provide students and young adults with immersive experiences across race team operations, engineering, mechanics, logistics, marketing, content production, business operations, and event management throughout the 2026 NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

The program will activate across ten race markets this summer, including Pocono, San Diego, Sonoma, Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Iowa, Daytona, Darlington, and St. Louis providing participants with direct exposure to professional motorsports both at Alpha Prime Racing‘s headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina and at NASCAR race weekends across the country.

The initiative combines Alpha Prime Racing‘s national motorsports platform with Urban Affairs Coalition‘s long-standing leadership in workforce development, education, and community engagement to create opportunities for individuals who may not traditionally see motorsports as an accessible career path.

“The future of motorsports depends on developing talent both on and off the racetrack,” said Jusan Hamilton, President of Alpha Prime Racing. “Urban Affairs Coalition and Alpha Prime Racing share a belief that exposure creates opportunity. Through this partnership, we‘re using NASCAR as a platform to introduce young people to careers in engineering, mechanics, operations, logistics, marketing, content creation, and leadership. This initiative is about creating access and building pathways that can impact lives long after race day.”

A central figure in the initiative is Alpha Prime Racing driver Lavar Scott, whose journey from the Philadelphia area to the NASCAR national stage embodies the mission of the program. Scott‘s No. 45 Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) Chevrolet will serve as a visible ambassador for the initiative throughout the summer, carrying the message of opportunity, workforce development, and career exploration into communities across the country.

“Lavar‘s story represents exactly why this initiative matters,” Hamilton added. “His journey demonstrates what can happen when talent, mentorship, and opportunity intersect. We want young people to see what is possible and understand that there are countless opportunities within
this industry beyond what they see on television.”

The Workforce Development Initiative is designed to provide participants with hands-on shop immersion, mentorship from industry professionals, race weekend experiences, and exposure to career opportunities throughout the motorsports ecosystem.

“When young people can see someone who comes from a similar background succeeding at the highest levels of competition, it changes what they believe is possible for themselves,” said Lavar Scott. “This initiative is about opening doors, creating opportunities, and helping the next generation discover careers and pathways they may never have known existed.”

Urban Affairs Coalition President Arun Prabhakaran believes the partnership demonstrates the power of combining community-focused workforce development with professional sports platforms.

“This partnership represents an opportunity to connect education, workforce development, and professional sports in a meaningful way,” said Prabhakaran. “Together, Alpha Prime Racing and Urban Affairs Coalition are creating pathways that expose young people who dream of working in motorsports to the industry. It creates career exposure to the vast network of motorsport- related industries who are looking for talent. This type of opportunity drives relationships and experiences that impact careers and lives well beyond a race weekend.”

Throughout the summer, the initiative will feature a dedicated storytelling and content series highlighting participant experiences, mentor relationships, career exposure opportunities, and behind-the-scenes access to professional motorsports.

Program leaders also intend to track measurable outcomes including participant engagement, mentorship opportunities, market activations, career exposure experiences, and workforce development impact as the initiative continues to grow.

Organizations interested in supporting the Alpha Prime Racing Workforce Development Initiative through sponsorship, philanthropy, workforce development partnerships, or educational collaboration are encouraged to contact Alpha Prime Racing for additional information.

— Alpha Prime Racing —

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“With a 3 p.m. start time, you‘re looking at maybe getting through Stage 2,” Forde said. “The average time of the race is about three hours, so if we moved it up only an hour, we‘re probably not going to get in all 160 laps.”

…

Because of the logistics to move the broadcast compound and other setup equipment to Naval Base Coronado, Forde said the contingency plan was 8 a.m. ET start if the Pocono race had been postponed to Monday.

…

“We really, really needed to get that race in on Sunday,” Forde said. “There were a lot of things working against us if we had a rain situation. So I think everyone was pretty eager and had a lot of angst to get that race going by any means possible, and everyone worked together.

— NASCAR.com —

Crew members Garrett Crall and Caison Dillon have been suspended for the next two events.

Click here to download the PDF.

The partnership brings together local businesses, emerging brands and community-focused activations around one of the most anticipated news events on the NASCAR calendar. With NASCAR making a highly anticipated stop at Naval Base Coronado, the program creates a meaningful opportunity to showcase San Diego companies on a national sports and entertainment platform while connecting them with fans, military personnel, and the broader motorsports community.

A First-of-Its-Kind NASCAR Weekend
The San Diego race weekend marks one of the most distinctive events on the 2026 NASCAR calendar. Held at Naval Base Coronado, the weekend brings NASCAR onto an active military installation for a special three-day event that blends major-league stock car racing, San Diego‘s coastal setting, and the region‘s deep military heritage. The NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday, June 20, will be contested over 60 laps and 204 miles, giving fans a rare chance to see NASCAR compete at a venue unlike any other on the schedule.

Local San Diego Partners
The partnership brings together several local brands with deep ties to the San Diego business community, including The Local Pacific Beach, Backyard Banger, PNKYS, First National Bullion, Boutique Recruiting, and Boutique Recruiting‘s EZ Temps. Together, the program reflects Alpha Prime Racing‘s continued focus on introducing new companies to NASCAR through authentic market-driven partnerships.

Race-Week Fan Zone Event
As part of the race-week celebration, The Local Pacific Beach will host the PB Local NASCAR Fan Zone Pre-party on Friday, June 19, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Local Pacific Beach, located at 809 Thomas Ave. in San Diego. The all-ages event will allow fans and San Diego residents to connect with the team the day before the race, and will include a driver meet-and- greet, photo opportunities, merchandise giveaways, and a show car of the No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing entry on-site.

Quotes
“San Diego represents exactly the type of partnership model we want to continue building at Alpha Prime Racing. Bringing local businesses together around a national platform and creating opportunities that extend beyond race day is something our team is passionate about. We‘re excited to help showcase these brands and welcome new audiences into NASCAR,” said Jusan Hamilton, President of Alpha Prime Racing

For Scott, the San Diego race represents another opportunity to continue building his NASCAR profile while bringing new companies into the sport.

“It is exciting to have so many San Diego-based companies on the car for this race,” said Scott. “This is a special weekend for NASCAR, and I am proud to represent partners who are connected to the city and excited about being part of the event. I‘m also looking forward to meeting fans at The Local on Friday night before we go racing on Saturday.”

“This is exactly the kind of program we love putting together,” said Craig Baroncelli of A.E. Engine. “You have a young, talented driver in Lavar Scott, a major NASCAR event coming to San Diego, and a group of local companies that wanted to be part of something memorable. We are also very appreciative of the efforts of Jusan Hamilton, President of Alpha Prime Racing, who went above and beyond to help us bring this program to San Diego businesses.”

Additional Car Partners
The No. 45 entry will also feature the emerging brand Bender Extender Hangover Support. While based in Arizona, Bender Extender is rapidly growing its presence in the San Diego market. The San Diego race marks the brand‘s third involvement with NASCAR, following previous activations at Talladega and Nashville.

In addition, the car will carry the initials WEO in honor of the late brother-in-law of Brent Powell, CEO of Plan B Sales and Circle B Diecast. Powell‘s brother-in-law, William Edward Oxendine, a Navy veteran, passed away several years ago and the family spread his ashes just off the coast of Naval Base Coronado at his request.

How to Watch and Listen
Fans can tune in to the NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series Race at San Diego on Saturday, June 20, at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on The CW. Radio coverage will be available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

— Alpha Prime Racing —

The June 21 race, held as part of commemorations of the U.S. Navy‘s 250th anniversary, will mark the first NASCAR Cup Series event contested on an active military installation. For Texas A&M, the setting provides a fitting stage to honor the 41st president on the No. 41 car and celebrate a life of service that began as one of the Navy‘s youngest aviators during World War II and continued through decades of leadership in public service.

The specially designed No. 41 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will feature imagery honoring Bush‘s legacy while highlighting values that define both him and the university he chose as the home of his presidential library, school of public service and final resting place: character, courage, leadership and selfless service.

“We’ve been thrilled to help tell Texas A&M’s story the past two seasons, and we’re particularly proud to help tell this chapter,” Haas Factory Team President Joe Custer said. “President Bush lived one of the greatest American lives. We’re all better off today because of what he did for our country. For our team to race the No. 41 in tribute to him, and now celebrate all he stood for, is a rare honor.”

Texas A&M‘s partnership with Haas Factory Team is part of a broader strategy to bring the university‘s research, service mission and values to national audiences in places where they have clear meaning. That makes this weekend‘s race at Naval Base Coronado especially significant. The tribute builds on Texas A&M‘s season-long associate sponsorship of the No. 41 car driven by Custer, a number that carries special meaning because of Bush‘s enduring connection to the university and his place in history as the 41st president of the United States. As NASCAR competes for the first time on an active military installation and commemorates the U.S. Navy‘s 250th anniversary, Texas A&M has a fitting national stage to honor Bush‘s naval service, his extraordinary life of public service and the special bond he formed with the university. The tribute will extend beyond the No. 41 car, with a new Texas A&M commercial airing during the Prime Video broadcast that celebrates Bush and his connection to Texas A&M.

“President and Mrs. Bush devoted their lives to serving others and inspiring future generations to do the same,” said Alice Gonzalez Yates, chief executive officer of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation. “It is especially meaningful to honor their legacy through a partnership that reflects President Bush‘s military service, his deep connection to Texas A&M University and the enduring values they championed throughout their lives. We are grateful for the opportunity to share that story with audiences across the country.”

Honoring a life of service

Bush enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday and became one of its youngest aviators. During World War II, he flew combat missions in the Pacific and survived being shot down in 1944. That experience shaped a life defined by duty, humility and service to others.

The Anduril 250 Race the Base NASCAR Cup Series event will take place at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, one of the world‘s largest military complexes. The race will begin at 1 p.m. Pacific Time / 3 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast on Prime Video.

Sam Bush LeBlond, one of Bush‘s grandsons, said his grandfather would have appreciated seeing his naval service recognized by such a large audience.

“He often said that having a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier named in his honor was among the proudest moments of his life,” LeBlond said. “It represented values that guided him throughout his life: service, duty, and love of country. I know he would be incredibly touched to see his legacy celebrated at Naval Base Coronado and proud to know this tribute is helping share those values with a new generation of Americans.”

President Bush and Texas A&M

Although President Bush was not a Texas A&M graduate, his connection to the university became one of the defining relationships of his later life. He visited often, admired the Corps of Cadets and spoke frequently about Texas A&M‘s commitment to service.

He once described Texas A&M as “first in service to our nation.”

That connection grew so strong that Bush chose Texas A&M over other locations, including his alma mater, Yale University, as the home of his presidential library and museum. In his later years, he kept an apartment on campus, attended baseball games, fished at the pond next to the Bush School and often visited with students about their studies, goals and lives.

He felt at home in College Station.

“It‘s the spirit of the place, the mood on this campus,” Bush once said. “It‘s the Aggie Spirit.”

President Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush ultimately chose Texas A&M‘s campus as the final resting place for themselves and their daughter, Pauline “Robin” Bush.

“President Bush choosing Texas A&M was an honor for which we will always be grateful,” Texas A&M President Susan Ballabina said. “This is an opportunity to remind the world what a special leader he was and how much his commitment to service meant to the country.”

Carrying the legacy forward

Today, the former president rests near the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and The Bush School of Government and Public Service. The choice to include service in the school‘s name reflects one of Bush‘s most deeply held beliefs: that “public service is a noble calling.”

The Bush School honors that purpose by shaping leaders of character who serve their communities, their country and the world.

“Any definition of a successful life must include serving others,” Bush said.

That commitment to service continues across Texas A&M today, including in the university‘s growing role in national security, defense innovation, and service to the men and women who protect the country. Texas A&M graduates serve across military branches and intelligence services, while institutes such as the $200 million George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC) conduct cutting-edge research and develop the next generation of defense and security technologies.

“We‘re honored to serve our country through development and testing of new and improved capabilities to provide men and women who serve in uniform,” said Tim Green, a retired Air Force major general and director of the BCDC. “They need advanced and reliable equipment and weapons to deter any potential adversary, and when necessary, enable our forces to deploy, fight, win and return home safely.”

A national stage for values that endure

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the race offers a national stage for a story rooted in service, patriotism, leadership and sacrifice — values that shaped President Bush‘s life and remain central to Texas A&M‘s mission.

Texas A&M‘s partnership with Haas Factory Team has provided opportunities to bring those ideas to broad national audiences through one of America‘s most visible sports. Naval Base Coronado offers a particularly meaningful setting to honor Bush, given his service as a naval aviator and his lifelong commitment to the armed forces.

“Our liveries celebrate values that President Bush lived,” said R. Ethan Braden, vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at Texas A&M. “This sport, this venue and this celebration of the Navy create a powerful moment to honor President Bush and share what Texas A&M stands for. His life reflected courage, character, service and love of country, and those are the values we strive to carry forward every day.”

NASCAR and the military culture that shaped Bush share many of the same values: courage under pressure, sacrifice, patriotism, teamwork and commitment to something larger than self. The No. 41 tribute car will reflect how Bush embodied those values throughout his life and how Texas A&M continues to carry them forward.

“We know in our hearts, not loudly and proudly, but as a simple fact, that this country has meaning beyond what we see,” Bush said, “and that our strength is a force for good.”

On June 21, the No. 41 car will carry that story onto a national stage, honoring a Navy veteran, president, public servant and enduring example of service to country.

— Player Management International —

All 17 O’Reilly races in 2026 have cracked one million total viewers. It was a 28% year-over-year increase in viewership from the same weekend, a race held in Mexico City.

The extension continues a relationship that began nearly two decades ago when Buescher, only a teenager at the time, worked in the race shop and helped with pit practice. By 2009 he traded a wrench for a helmet, becoming part of the team‘s driver development program. Buescher quickly established himself as a winner, claiming the 2012 ARCA and 2015 Xfinity Series Championships driving cars owned by Jack Roush and Fenway Sports Group. Buescher credits his unwavering belief in his team and the bright future of RFK Racing for his easy decision to stay home.

“RFK Racing has been home for most of my racing career, and that‘s something I don‘t take for granted,” Buescher said. “I‘ve grown up with this organization, and I‘m incredibly proud of what we‘ve built together over the last several years. The direction we‘re heading, the people we have in place, and the commitment throughout the company make me excited about the future. I‘m grateful to Mr. Jack, Brad, Fenway Sports Group and everyone at RFK Racing for their belief in me. I‘m looking forward to continuing to chase wins and championships together.”

Buescher is now in his 11^th full-time NASCAR Cup Series season. With six wins at the sport‘s highest level, he has established himself as one of the garage‘s most respected and versatile competitors who has won on short tracks, superspeedways and road courses.

His rise with RFK Racing reached new heights in 2023 when he captured three victories in a five-race stretch at Richmond, Michigan and Daytona, advancing to the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and recording a career-best seventh-place finish in the championship standings. The breakout campaign earned him NASCAR‘s Most Improved Driver honor as voted on by fans.

Buescher followed that effort with another memorable season in 2024, highlighted by a dramatic victory at Watkins Glen International, where he executed a last-lap pass to secure his first career road-course win. In 2025, he continued to showcase his trademark consistency, posting a 14.3 average finish – sixth-best among all Cup Series drivers.

“Chris has been part of this organization for most of his professional career, and there is a tremendous amount of pride in seeing what he has become,” said team founder and co-owner Jack Roush. “He is an exceptional driver, but just as importantly, he is the kind of person who makes our organization stronger. His work ethic, intelligence and commitment to our success have earned the respect of everyone at RFK Racing, and we’re proud that his story with us will continue.”

“Chris is everything you want in a race car driver and teammate,” added Brad Keselowski, co-owner and driver at RFK Racing. “His talent behind the wheel speaks for itself, but what really separates him is his professionalism, preparation and commitment to making everyone around him better. He‘s been instrumental in the progress we‘ve made as an organization, and we‘re excited to continue building toward our goals together.”

The extension represents another significant investment in RFK Racing’s future. With Buescher currently 7^th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings and the No. 17 team firmly established as a championship contender, the agreement secures one of the team’s foundational leaders for years to come.

“Chris has been a driving force behind progress we’ve made as an organization over the last several seasons,” said RFK Racing President Chip Bowers. “He is one of the most respected competitors in our sport; his consistency, leadership, and commitment to excellence help set the standard for the organization. Securing Chris for the long term reinforces our belief in where this organization is headed and our commitment to competing for race wins and championships for years to come.”

This extension underscores RFK Racing‘s mantra of being bold, aggressive, and committed as the team continues to invest in its future and strengthen its standing as one of NASCAR’s premier organizations. With Buescher, Keselowski and Ryan Preece leading its efforts on track, RFK Racing remains focused on relentlessly competing for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.

— RFK Racing —

At 3.4 miles, the brand new street course is the longest track on this year‘s schedule and features 16 turns around the San Diego Bay and Naval Base Coronado, one of the world‘s foremost military installations.

The Goodyear Racing Eagle road course tire run by NASCAR Cup Series teams this weekend has been used at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) and Watkins Glen International this year, and at all six road and street course races last season.

NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams are also familiar with their tire setup. Introduced at Sonoma Raceway last summer, both series have run it twice this season.

Unlike Goodyear‘s oval track tire packages, the same tire specification is used on both sides of the car. Teams in all three series also have wet-weather tires available if required.

“Visiting a new track brings a new set of challenges for the industry – but one constant for the teams will be their Goodyear Racing Eagle tires,” said Justin Fantozzi, Goodyear Director of Racing for the Americas. “The road course specification we introduced for the Cup Series last season will be raced for the ninth time this weekend, and we have seen consistent performance at other road and street courses. That familiarity gives teams a reliable baseline as they prepare for a new venue.”

Fast Facts

NASCAR Cup Series
Race: Anduril 250 (75 laps / 255 miles)
Track: Qualcomm Circuit at Naval Base Coronado (3.4-mile road course)
Date/Time: Sunday, June 21, 4 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, HBO Max

Tire: Goodyear Racing Eagle
Tire Code: D-5242
Previous Usage in 2026: COTA, Watkins Glen International
Tire Circumference: 2,279 mm (89.7 in.)
Recommended Minimum Inflation: LF — 24 psi, RF — 26 psi, LR — 21 psi, RR — 21 psi
Total Dry Weather Sets: 9 (5 new race / 1 qualifying transfer to race / 3 practice)
Total Wet Weather Sets: 6 (4 new race / 1 qualifying transfer to race / 1 practice)

NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series 
Race: United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 (60 laps / 204 miles)
Track: Qualcomm Circuit at Naval Base Coronado (3.4-mile road course)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 20, 5 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: CW, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Tire: Goodyear Racing Eagle
Tire Code: D-6166
Previous Usage in 2026: COTA, Watkins Glen International
Tire Circumference: 2,240 mm (88.2 in.)
Recommended Minimum Inflation: LF — 24 psi, RF — 26 psi, LR — 17 psi, RR — 17 psi
Total Dry Weather Sets: 6 (3 new race / 1 qualifying transfer to start race / 2 practice)
Total Wet Weather Sets: 4 (2 new race / 1 qualifying transfer to start race / 1 practice)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Race: Navy 250 (50 laps / 170 miles)
Track: Qualcomm Circuit at Naval Base Coronado (3.4-mile road course)
Date/Time: Friday, June 19, 7 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: FS1, NASCAR Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Tire: Goodyear Racing Eagle
Tire Code: D-6166
Previous Usage in 2026: St. Petersburg, Watkins Glen International
Tire Circumference: 2,240 mm (88.2 in.)
Recommended Minimum Inflation: LF — 24 psi, RF — 26 psi, LR — 17 psi, RR — 17 psi
Total Dry Weather Sets: 6 (3 new race / 1 qualifying transfer to start race / 2 practice)
Total Wet Weather Sets: 4 (2 new race / 1 qualifying transfer to start race / 1 practice)

— PitBox 91 —

Mayer will serve as the primary partner on the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE — driven by John Hunter Nemechek — at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2027. The race holds special significance for Mayer, whose roots run deep in the surrounding region.

“Mayer has spent nearly a century earning the trust of its customers, and that kind of track record means something,” said Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. “Bringing them to Talladega — one of the most storied tracks in this sport — is the right stage for this partnership. We‘re proud to have Mayer on the No. 42 and excited to keep building on what we‘ve already started with the Rexel family.”

Mayer has served contractors, industrial customers, and utility clients across the Southeast for nearly 100 years. The announcement marks the latest step in the growing relationship between LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and Rexel USA, which first came together ahead of the 2026 season.

“This is a natural extension of our partnership with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB,” said Roger Little, CEO, Rexel USA. “Mayer has nearly 100 years of being the first choice for its customers and bringing it to the track is a great way to showcase a trusted brand that continues to grow and expand.”

“Talladega is an iconic track just down the road from Mayer‘s roots, which makes this especially meaningful for our team,” said Pat Daley, President, Mayer. “Seeing the Mayer and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB car race there with John Hunter Nemechek behind the wheel is a real source of pride and a great way to showcase the strength and momentum of the Mayer brand.”

“Talladega brings out the best in everybody, and having a brand like Mayer on the car there makes it even more special,” said John Hunter Nemechek. “Mayer has been around for a long time and earned everything they have. To represent that kind of brand at a track with that kind of history — that‘s something I‘m genuinely proud of.”

The partnership will come to life through primary placement on the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE at Talladega Superspeedway, with additional branded content across LEGACY MOTOR CLUB‘s platforms throughout the season.

— Legacy Motor Club —

With a skilled team and unwavering standards, Classic Collison delivers exceptional service to its customers and partners. As one of the largest privately held auto body repair providers in the U.S., Classic Collision operates 350 state-of-the-art facilities nationwide.

Last October, Hocevar showcased a Classic Collision Paint Scheme at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and consistently raced inside the top 15 for much of the 400-mile affair until being collected in a multi-car incident in the late goings, leaving him deep in the field when the checkered flag flew.

Hocevar registered his first-career NASCAR Cup Series victory this April at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway where he survived a host of cautions and a late-race restart with just three laps remaining to collect the checkered flag. He became the 13th driver to earn his inaugural Cup Series win at the famed 2.66-mile tri-oval and registered Spire Motorsports‘ first victory since the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

Through 16 races, the 23-year-old driver sits ninth in points, just one marker behind Spire Motorsports teammate Daniel Suárez in eighth. His one win, four top fives, seven top 10s, 450 points scored, average starting position of 11.9 and 14.6 average finish are all career highs through the first 16 points-paying races of the 2026 season.

“I am excited to run it back with Classic Collision,” said Hocevar. “I have grown really close with Toan, and everyone from Classic Collision treats me like family. I‘m thrilled to see the relationship grow and to fly those colors at Sonoma and Phoenix. It‘s been an incredible start to the season for Spire Motorsports and our No. 77 team. Hopefully, we can reward everyone at Classic Collision with a couple good runs.”

Hocevar has a pair of starts in NASCAR‘s premier division at Sonoma Raceway where he logged a venue-best 17th-place finish during his 2024 rookie-of-the-year campaign. He won the pole for the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series‘ 2022 visit to the popular northern California roadcourse and notched a respectable sixth-place finish.

Phoenix has proven to be a bit of an Achilles Heel for the third-year Cup Series regular where he looks to improve upon his 22.7 average finish.

“The road courses haven’t been my strongest, but we ran decent last year and I’ve been working on improving my skills for this type of race,” added Hocevar. “Hopefully, we can give everyone at Classic Collision a great showing at both Sonoma and Phoenix and can bring home the results to go with it.”

The NASCAR Cup Series annual visit to Somona Raceway will be televised live on TNT, Sunday, June 28 beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 18th of 36 points-paying races on the 2026 calendar will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

— Spire Motorsports —

Riggs will bring a new partner aboard the No. 34 Ford F-150 for the event, partnering with Mattermost for the 50-lap race. The open-source, self-hostable collaboration platform built for mission-critical environments will make their NASCAR debut with Riggs and Front Row Motorsports. Trusted by the world’s leading military and security organizations worldwide, public sector organizations, and technology enterprises, Mattermost enables secure, compliant, and extensible team communication at scale. Learn more at mattermost.com.

“I‘m excited to have Mattermost join us as a partner for this race,” said Riggs. “Their commitment to helping teams perform under pressure aligns perfectly with what we do every week in the Truck Series. It means a lot to have a partner that understands the importance of communication, teamwork, and execution at the highest level.”

— Front Row Motorsports —

Stephan Hamilton Waid was born October 6, 1948 in Richmond, Virginia.

Steve was an Army brat who lived in Puerto Rico, Japan, Pittsburgh, and Arizona during his childhood. Upon his dad‘s retirement from the military, the family settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

He graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government in 1970. Married to his college sweetheart Margaret later the same year, Steve was a member of the United States Marine Corps reserves.

Upon learning of a job opportunity at the Martinsville (Va.) Bulletin, Steve began working as a sportswriter for the small town newspaper.

Steve covered his first NASCAR event at Martinsville Speedway in the fall of 1971, a race won by future NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Isaac, and the sport has been a part of his DNA ever since. After a year at the Martinsville paper, Steve landed at The Roanoke Times for a decade.

While still with The Times, Steve began freelancing for the publication then known as Grand National Scene in 1978. Named Scene‘s executive editor in May 1981, he would contribute approximately 2,700 bylines and roughly 1.5-2 million words to the paper over the next 28 years.

Steve‘s full-time tenure at Scene began in the most humble of circumstances.

“Coming from Roanoke, we had a nice, new, modern building and we were working on computers,” Steve said on The Scene Vault Podcast. “My first day with Grand National Scene, I walked into an old converted country store. I had one of these metal desks, one of these old-time Royal typewriters and a chicken-wire inbox. That‘s it.”

The publication grew from 9,000 paid subscribers at the time of his hiring to approximately 150,000 at the height of its popularity in the early 2000s. Renamed Winston Cup Scene in August 1989 and NASCAR Scene at the start of the 2004 season, the newspaper‘s skyrocketing success mirrored NASCAR‘s.

“We had latched ourselves to a star,” Waid said. “As the sport grew, we were able to grow. As we grew, we never neglected what we needed to do for ourselves. If we needed equipment, we were able to get it. Most importantly, we were able to get quality people.

“That‘s what set us apart from the other trade papers of the day. We targeted and got people who had already established themselves either in the sport or with their talent and we were able to bring them on board. The quality of the Scene staff always was high. That was a significant factor in the growth and the popularity of the newspaper.”

Over the course of his career, Steve received virtually every conceivable individual award and recognition the industry had to offer. He served as president of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) for twelve years, during which time his banquet speeches and skits became the stuff of what sometimes he and only he determined to be comedic legend.

His distinguished career also included:

• The George Cunningham Award for NMPA Writer of the Year
• The Henry T. McLemore Award for outstanding lifetime contributions to motorsports
• NMPA Hall of Fame, 2014
• Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence, 2018

Steve‘s innate sense of style was clearly evident in his writing, but every bit as important was his relationship with competitors throughout the NASCAR community and in the uppermost levels of management.

“We could be friends, but we had jobs to do,” Waid said. “Back in those days, I cannot impress upon you enough how much that type of relationship existed among media members and selected drivers. The race drivers themselves and the team owners, they respected the honest journalists … the guys who were fair.

“When there was a controversy, you not only printed one side of the story, you printed the other. They understood that, so they were never really afraid or worried to be talking to you.”

When Steve first moved to North Carolina, Dale Earnhardt — fresh off the first Winston Cup championship of his legendary career — offered the man he‘d nicknamed “Wages” a place to stay in his own home.

Steve declined due to his code of ethics as a journalist. As it was, Steve covered the first race of Earnhardt‘s Winston Cup career to his last and every high and low point in between.

The same can be said of countless NASCAR personalities.

Steve forged strong personal relationships with numerous competitors who would go on to be enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, as well as with those who struggled to make it from one race to the next.

It was with 1992 Winston Cup champion Alan Kulwicki that Waid enjoyed what was likely his closest driver friendship.

“Alan seemed strange to everybody in the garage area,” Steve said. “Nobody took a briefcase to the race track, for example. Everybody said, ‘There‘s no way this kid is going to make it running his own team.‘ I sort of agreed with that, but I was just going to see how far it went.

“After a while, I forgot about watching him trying to make it, as opposed to being his friend. When I say friend … it was beyond the usual race track association. I went to his place and, several times, he came to mine. He even let my wife borrow his racing uniform for Halloween.”

Steve‘s column following Kulwicki‘s death in an April 1, 1993 plane crash is one of the most heart-felt pieces to ever appear in Scene or any other publication.

“I can‘t count how many times we just ‘hung out,‘” Steve wrote in an open letter to Kulwicki that was published in the April 15, 1993 issue of Winston Cup Scene. “Dinner here; comedy club there, lounge over there, my house, your house … all it took was a phone call. One of us would dial the other and simply say, ‘Whattya doin‘? And another adventure would begin.”

Preceded in death by Earnhardt, Kulwicki and far too many other friends from the NASCAR community, Steve‘s two closest friends in the sport also went before him to prepare the way.

Tom “Pappy” Higgins, the longtime NASCAR and outdoors writer for The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, first took Steve under his sizable wing the weekend of the 1976 Southern 500 at Darlington.

It all began when Steve helped Higgins get up to speed on a breaking news story.

“I saw him come in the media center,” Steve remembered. “I knew who he was, of course, but I had never spoken to him. So I came up, introduced myself and I gave him my story, my notes and everything else. I said, ‘This will help you catch up to what everybody is doing.‘ Tom thanked me, but I didn‘t have a chance to speak to him the rest of the day.

“That night, I was in my cheap motel room and there came a knock on the door. I opened the door and there stood Tom Higgins. How he found me, I don‘t know, but he stood there … looked at me … pointed … and said, ‘You are riding with me.‘ We rode together for the next 25 years.”

Joe Whitlock, who served in a multitude of roles during his time in NASCAR, died in May 1991. Steve‘s tribute in the May 9, 1991 issue of Winston Cup Scene was also a masterpiece written in the form of a letter to his late friend.

“Joe, whenever you said, ‘Come over for dinner,‘ you weren‘t kidding, were you,” Steve wrote. “I‘d show up and there would be an army of good folks on hand. And there you would be — over the grill, the stove, the smoker, whatever — cooking ribs, steaks, a chicken bog or some stew with stuff I couldn‘t recognize. … You said you did it because you like to see people enjoying a good meal.

“Heck, Joe, when you were around we enjoyed everything. Sure, there were the serious moments and we would talk about problems. There were some tough ones. But we always ended the talks with a laugh and a hearty handshake. We even hugged more than once.”

Steve retired shortly after Scene ceased publication in January 2010, but his presence in NASCAR journalism remains strong to this day.

A columnist for Frontstretch.com, Steve and former Scene staffer Rick Houston met in January 2018 to discuss preservation of the complete Scene archive. The meeting rekindled their working relationship that summer as co-hosts of The Scene Vault Podcast, a weekly show devoted to NASCAR history that recently topped the 400-episode mark.

“Steve and I might have been on the same editorial staff during my time at Scene, but he was in upper, upper management and I just felt lucky to be there,” Rick said. “Honestly, back then, I couldn‘t really say I knew Steve personally.

“Today, after working together for the past eight years on The Scene Vault Podcast, I trust Steve as one of my best friends and confidantes. His steadfast encouragement has, quite literally, kept me going and pushed me more forward more times than I could possibly ever count.”

Steve is survived by his wife Margaret, and their children, Celeste and Andrew; and his brother, Dr. Lewis Randolph Waid of Mount Pleasant, S.C.

In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to either Atrium Health Cancer Institute or Victory Junction.

AND: On behalf of the National Motorsports Press Association, I offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of longtime racing journalist and one of the sport‘s most celebrated writers, Steve Waid, 77, who passed away today in North Carolina after a lengthy illness.

A mainstay in racetrack pressrooms for decades, the Old Dominion University graduate started his career for the smalltown Martinsville (Va.) Bulletin in his home state and that marked the beginning of an amazing and long-standing tenure covering the sport and people he loved dearly.

Although he worked at other newspapers throughout the Southeast, Waid‘s longest tenure — 28 years — came as Editor in Chief of the Grand National Scene. His commentary and coverage for the sport‘s most popular publication was a must-read for everyone — fan and racer alike — and made him one of the most influential reporters the sport has ever seen. He served 12 years in multiple terms as President of the NMPA.

Although Waid officially “retired” when Grand National Scene ceased operations in 2010 he remained a busy freelance reporter to this day — working for Frontstretch.com and since 2018 co-hosting the weekly, “The Scene Vault Podcast” with longtime friend and journalist Rick Houston.

Waid‘s writing received many distinguished accolades including the NMPA‘s George Cunningham Writer of the Year Award and the Henry McLemore Award for outstanding contributions to motorsport. His is a 2014 NMPA Hall of Fame inductee and won the prestigious Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence presented by the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2018.

Waid is survived by his wife Margaret, and their children, Celeste and Andrew; and his brother, Dr. Lewis Randolph Waid of Mount Pleasant, S.C.

In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to either Atrium Health Cancer Institute or Victory Junction.

— National Motorsports Press Association —

“For decades, Steve Waid was one of the most respected and trusted voices in NASCAR journalism. He chronicled the sport with passion, integrity, and an unmatched appreciation for its people, history and traditions. Through his work at NASCAR Scene, NASCAR Illustrated and several other outlets, Steve’s storytelling helped generations of fans better understand NASCAR and the personalities who shaped it. Deservedly, Steve was recognized for his exemplary work in 2019 as the recipient of the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence, the culmination of a career that garnered him the admiration of competitors, industry members and fellow media professionals alike. NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to Steve‘s family, friends and long-time readers.”

— NASCAR —

The collaboration will debut at the United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 on June 20, where GOVX and Tablo TV will introduce a special offer that provides eligible GOVX members with $30 off the Tablo Total System.

The partnership will be showcased throughout race weekend on the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro driven by Ellis as NASCAR hosts its first event on an active military base.

As an added spotlight for the partnership, Ellis and the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro will also carry one of The CW’s in-car cameras during the inaugural United Rentals Driven to Serve 250, giving viewers a unique behind-the-wheel perspective as NASCAR makes history on the Qualcomm Circuit.

The historic setting provides a fitting backdrop for the launch, bringing together two organizations dedicated to serving military communities while connecting race fans with affordable access to live sports, news and entertainment.

“We’re thrilled to be part of racing on a Navy base — it’s an honor to participate in an event that brings together San Diego’s military and racing community,” said Alicia Hackett, Vice President of Platform Sales & Partnerships for Tablo TV.

“Tablo delivers a simple, subscription-free way to access live TV, local news and sports, helping military households stay connected with their communities in an affordable way.”

“We’re also proud to launch our GOVX partnership in San Diego, offering military members and veterans $30 off the Tablo Total System. We’re excited to demonstrate an additional way for people to discover subscription-free TV and celebrate the service, dedication and resilience of our military community.”

For Ellis and Young’s Motorsports, the partnership represents an opportunity to help connect two brands committed to supporting those who serve while participating in one of the most anticipated events of the NASCAR season.

“As a driver, you dream about competing at iconic venues and being part of moments that make history, and that’s exactly what San Diego represents,” said Ellis.

“The opportunity to race at Naval Base Coronado is something I’ll never forget, and it’s made even more special by being surrounded by the incredible men and women who serve our country. It’s an honor to represent Tablo TV, GOVX and Young’s Motorsports during such a memorable event.”

For Young’s Motorsports team principal and founding driver Tyler Young, the inaugural event at Naval Base Coronado represents more than just another race on the schedule.

It provides an opportunity to celebrate those who serve while helping introduce a collaboration focused on delivering value to military members, veterans and their families.

“The inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado represents a unique opportunity to bring together NASCAR, our partners and the military community in a truly meaningful way,” said Young.

“GOVX and Tablo TV share a commitment to serving military members, veterans and their families, and we’re proud that Ryan Ellis and the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports team can help showcase that commitment during NASCAR’s historic debut on an active military installation.”

Tablo TV will also welcome television personality and sports broadcaster Jesse Palmer to Naval Base Coronado for race weekend festivities. Palmer has partnered with Tablo TV over the past four years to help TV lovers across America discover subscription-free TV with Tablo.

NASCAR has also invited Palmer to be Honorary Race Official and will be introduced on the pre-race stage and will take a lap in the General Motors Pace Car. Palmer will be on-hand to experience NASCAR’s historic debut on an active military installation and help celebrate the partnership’s launch alongside military members, veterans and race fans.

“From quarterback to broadcaster, I’ve seen football from every perspective — but NASCAR is a whole different kind of rush,” said Palmer. “I’m excited to experience that adrenaline up close as Honorary Race Official in San Diego.

“Just like how Tablo TV brings viewers closer to the action by making free over-the-air television more accessible and convenient, being at the track puts you right in the heart of the excitement. There’s something special about witnessing these incredible moments live and in person.”

In addition to the exclusive $30 discount available through GOVX, Tablo TV offers military families and race fans an affordable, subscription-free way to access live local broadcast television, including NASCAR races on The CW, football games, local news and America’s most popular entertainment programming.

Through Tablo, fans can also enjoy The NASCAR Channel, which delivers 24/7 programming and content for free, including classic races, delayed broadcasts from the current season, select live events, NASCAR Studios original content and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s The Morning Drive.

With a simple one-time purchase of a Tablo device, TV antenna and the free Tablo TV app, users can access more than 125 channels, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, ION and The CW, without a monthly subscription fee.

Tablo also features pause and recording functionality with more than 50 hours of onboard storage, allowing fans to relive their favorite moments long after the checkered flag flies.

Designed with families in mind, a single Tablo device can stream free over-the-air television to multiple compatible devices simultaneously throughout the home, making it easy to catch the big race in one room while another family member enjoys different programming elsewhere in the house.

The inaugural United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 marks a landmark moment for NASCAR and the military community, bringing one of America’s premier motorsports series to one of the nation’s most recognizable naval installations while celebrating the service, sacrifice, and dedication of active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families.

All NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races are broadcast live on The CW, with practices and qualifying available on The CW App. Through Tablo TV, viewers can watch, pause and record The CW and more than 125 major broadcast and free streaming channels without a monthly subscription.

Content and channel availability may vary by location.

— Young’s Motorsports —

The event marks the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series‘ first visit to the newly constructed street circuit on Naval Base Coronado as part of NASCAR‘s inaugural San Diego race weekend and the U.S. Navy‘s 250th anniversary celebration.

Grala joins Halmar Friesen Racing for his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start of the season. The Massachusetts native brings experience across NASCAR‘s national touring divisions and currently serves as the full-time simulator driver for Legacy Motor Club.

Adorning the No. 62 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will be Fire Dept. Coffee, a veteran-owned coffee company founded by firefighter and Navy veteran Luke Schneider. Joining the effort is longtime
Grala partner Ruedebusch Development & Construction, a Madison, Wisconsin-based commercial real estate development and construction company.

“I can‘t wait to finally get behind the wheel this weekend in San Diego with Halmar-Friesen Racing,” Grala said. “This No. 62 group has put up some really strong numbers this year, so I
have no doubt that we‘re going to be competitive on what I think might be the most interesting and challenging circuit I‘ve ever seen.”

“It‘s been nearly nine months since I‘ve been in a race car of any kind, but that last outing was a top-five finish in the NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series and luckily my day-job at Legacy
Motor Club as their full-time sim driver has kept me sharp since then.”

“I‘m always so grateful for the opportunity to get out and do what I love, so a huge thank you to Fire Dept. Coffee and Ruedebusch.com. I‘ve worked with both partners for years, and as a
veteran-owned company, Fire Dept. Coffee is a perfect fit for this very special event on the Coronado Naval Base.”

“There will be a lot of unknowns out there this weekend, but one thing‘s for sure: the perfect parking spot for our red, white and blue Toyota Tundra would be in Victory Lane, so that‘s
exactly what we‘re focused on doing.”

The No. 62 team has recorded multiple top-five finishes during the 2026 season and enters San Diego looking to continue its strong performance on one of the most unique and challenging
layouts on the NASCAR schedule.

—Halmar Friesen Racing —

Sunday‘s race in front of a sold-out, ever-enthusiastic Pocono (Pa.) Raceway crowd was significant in many ways — from Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin completing a career first three-in-a-row win streak, to the historical nod of him doing so from pole position in each case (something only three other drivers have ever accomplished) — to the huge impact Hamlin‘s summer vibe on atop the championship standings to the reinvigorated vibe Legacy Motor Club is showing on track.

The championship intrigue and gloves-off competitive spirit are peaking heading into a huge high-profile debut weekend for the sport in San Diego — a tripleheader at Naval Base Coronado capped with Sunday‘s NASCAR Cup Series‘ Anduril 250 (4 p.m. ET on Prime Video, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

As he has since day one of the season, the five-race winner, 23XI Racing‘s Tyler Reddick continues to hold his place atop the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings, but what was a one-time 100-points plus advantage on the field has been sliced and diced to a mere 19-point advantage over the series‘ hottest driver Hamlin. Who just happens to be a co-owner — along with NBA legend Michael Jordan — of Reddick‘s team.

Reddick was 110 points up on Hamlin heading into May. Since then, Hamlin won the non-points paying All-Star Race, and three in a row (at Nashville, Michigan and Pocono).

“I’m just at this point in my career trying to stack as many wins as possible — points, whatever,” Hamlin said after the race. “Wherever we finish in the championship, whatever.

“To me it’s like wins, wins, wins. What is your win percentage? That’s what I really, really am trying to continue on a run. I mean, you always have aspirations to win 36 out of 36 races in a given season. You know it’s not going to happen. But we’ve had so many races where we’ve been dominant this year.

“We won four, but man, we could easily have a lot right now. So, I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve had a year where it’s been this wild and crazy being able to execute. That’s been the biggest difference. The last month compared to earlier in the season, the speed is no different, it’s just that the execution is better.”

Another big storyline out of Pocono was the continued success of another Toyota team, Legacy Motor Club, which had both its drivers finish inside the top-10 for the second time this season — second time in the team‘s history in a non-superspeedway race.

The pair essentially one-upped that Texas effort with Nemechek placing fourth and Jones sixth on Sunday — bettering their previous top-10 double at Texas in May (Jones was fifth and Nemechek eighth). Not just that, but Nemechek‘s 42 laps led in the No. 42 Toyota were significant considering that‘s more than he led the entire 2024 (36 laps) and 2025 (37 laps) full seasons.

Beyond the boost of momentum, the effort has vaulted Jones up three positions to in the championship standings. He‘s now 15th among the Chase-bound top-16.

“Good to keep the momentum rolling,” Jones said. “We‘ve got two challenging weeks ahead in San Diego and Sonoma that we really have to hammer through and get a result out of both of them. Proud of the effort and hopefully we can keep it rolling.”

And truthfully, what better time for Legacy to claim headlines and feel the competitive shift as the sport heads to team owner Jimmie Johnson‘s hometown. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion grew up in El Cajon, less than a half hour drive from the Naval Base Coronado street course hosting NASCAR this weekend, and will drive the No. 84  Legacy Motor Club Toyota on Sunday.

“Proud of what our team showed yesterday,” a proud Johnson posted on social media. “We’ve been seeing the progress internally for a while now, and it’s exciting to see it coming together on track. [Nemechek] led a lot of laps, [Jones] was in the mix all day and the pit crew was incredible. Excited to see what we can do in San Diego.”

— NASCAR Wire Service —

Points leader Tyler Reddick will enter the In-Season Challenge as the No. 1 seed, with Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Ty Gibbs clinching the top five seeds in the bracket.

The In-Season Challenge begins Sunday, June 28 at Sonoma Raceway, with the tournament making stops at Chicagoland Speedway, EchoPark Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and the championship round hosted at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26.

— NASCAR.com —

Click for full sized image

LONG POND, Pa. — Trackhouse Racing entered Pocono Raceway searching for momentum, and team owner Justin Marks made sure everyone knew it. In a pre-race text to team members, Marks challenged the organization to help turn its season around.

Ross Chastain responded with arguably his strongest run of the season. He earned his first top-10 finish of the season at a non-drafting track, placing eighth.

“The 1 car used to poke our lips out sad about an eighth and I‘m ready to drink some Busch Light,” Chastain told Jayski, relieved to crack the top 10.

With a 24th-place qualifying effort, which led the three Trackhouse entries, Chastain knew he was going to have an uphill battle come race day. But first-year crew chief Brandon McSwain aced the strategy, continuously moving the No. 1 car up the leaderboard.

Throughout a long green-flag run to conclude Stage 2, Chastain was among the first cars to pit at Lap 75. That led to a sixth-place finish in the stage, banking a handful of points.

Having pitted early in the middle stage, Chastain was among the drivers that pitted at the stage break and needed less fuel than most drivers when pitting for the final time at Lap 135. In the closing laps, he jumped up to eighth position, his first top 10 period since Talladega Superspeedway in late April.

“We haven‘t been able to pass cars and I was able to pass cars today,” Chastain added. “Tie that together with the strategy working out the way we played it to get stage points and then run deep into Stage 3 with no cautions, we were vulnerable for a while. We needed that to make lap time and we did that. Well execution, well-timed cautions when there weren‘t any and a faster 1 car than we‘ve had in months.”

The month of May was brutal for Chastain. Across the four points-paying races, the No. 1 bunch had a best finish of 26th at Texas Motor Speedway. He had consecutive DNFs at Charlotte Motor Speedway — a run-in with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. — and Nashville Superspeedway when a brake rotor exploded. He dropped as low as 26th in the regular-season championship standings.

Between Pocono and a 16th-place effort at Michigan International Speedway, Chastain has leaped three spots to 23rd in the standings, 61 points below the proverbial cutline with 10 races remaining until The Chase begins.

‘Oh my gosh, I‘m ready to celebrate,” Chastain said of how much the result was needed. “I‘ve crashed so much. I crashed in everything I‘ve been in during the month of May. Justin Marks texted us this morning and was on us to get it turned around, which of course, we‘re all trying to. Just glad to have the speed in the 1 car and the changes that Brandon McSwain made throughout the race and over night.”

Trackhouse’s outlook brightens over the next two weeks as NASCAR shifts to road-course racing. Shane van Gisbergen will be heavily favored at Naval Base Coronado and will have an opportunity to repeat as the winner at Sonoma Raceway.

The race will mark a major milestone in Jeremy‘s career as he makes his 548th start, breaking Kenny Wallace‘s all-time NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series starts record and further cementing his place among the sport‘s ironmen.

As NASCAR brings stock car racing to San Diego and to an active military base for the first time, Jeremy will carry more than experience into the weekend. He will represent a family legacy built over three generations of hard work, determination, and passion for racing. The Clements name has long been synonymous with perseverance in the sport, and Jeremy continues to honor that tradition every time he takes the green flag.

“It‘s incredible now that we‘re here,” Clements said. “I‘ve always worked hard and never given up. I didn‘t start racing in this series to break this record, but it‘s pretty cool for such a small team to accomplish this milestone. It‘s truly a blessing.”

“Being part of NASCAR‘s first race in San Diego on a naval base is something we‘ll always remember,” he added. “To make my 548th career start at such a historic event while celebrating America‘s 250th anniversary makes the weekend even more meaningful.”

Alliance Driveaway Solutions headlines the effort aboard the #51 Chevrolet, and will be joined by the team‘s loyal partners whose continued support has fueled Jeremy Clements Racing full-time for 15 years and throughout the 2026 season.

Partners include All South Electric, One Stop Convenience Stores, Beech Ridge Barber, Richter Chiropractor, Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet, Fly & Form Concrete Structures, First Pacific Funding, All Weather Power Equipment, Spartan Waste, Fox Sports Spartanburg, Rapid Fired Pizza, Kingdom Truck Sales, Sherfick Companies, Elite Towing & Recovery, Dialed In Focus and Energy pouches, Carolina Driveline, Matman Designs, The Racing Warehouse, Premiere Recycling, Nordic Logistics, Volt Battery, Tools4Painting, and zMAX.

— Jeremy Clements Racing —

Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2026 Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA

Start time to record race/commercial periods: 1:02 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 4:19 PM
Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 197
Minutes of race broadcast: 186
Minutes of traditional commercials: 11
Minutes of side-by-side commercials: 38

Total number of commercials: 107
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 41
Total number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 22
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 21
Total number of ‘Side-by-Side‘ commercials during the broadcast (split-screen): 85
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 43
Number of times Amazon Prime utilized ‘Side-by-Side‘ commercials during the broadcast: 14

Companies seen the most in commercials during this broadcast: NASCAR (16 times); Amazon Prime (11 times); Coca-Cola (8 times); Xfinity (8 times); Busch Light (6 times); Freeway Insurance (6 times); Jack Links (6 times); Burger King (5 times); Subway (5 times); Mobil 1 (4 times); Ram Trucks (4 times)

See much more at CawsNJaws.

LONG POND, Pa. — A season filled with missed opportunities and disappointing finishes nearly gained a measure of redemption for William Byron on Sunday. As the closing laps of the Great American Getaway 400 ticked away at Pocono Raceway, Byron knew what was at stake: a chance to turn the page on a difficult 2026 campaign.

But the early season woes crossed the mind of Byron multiple times while cruising inside the top five. He had seen this story before in recent memory.

“I was a little bit nervous in portions of the race because of the way the season has gone,” Byron said after the race. “Everything has started to click.”

Byron took the checkered flag in third position, three seconds behind race winner Denny Hamlin. Tyler Reddick passed the No. 24 car with a few laps remaining to take the runner-up spot.

The podium finish is Byron‘s first top five effort since the end of March at Martinsville Speedway, a stretch spanning nine races. He had a similar lapse last year during the summer months before winning at Iowa Speedway in August.

“This was the first weekend where everything came together,” Byron added. “Everything started to make more sense for us with adjustments and the way we attack the weekend.”

Progress has been made internally at Hendrick Motorsports, Byron stated. Chase Elliott has delivered the organization its pair of wins in 2026, but Kyle Larson is amid a 40-race winless streak dating back to last May.

Effort hasn‘t been the issue. Byron has seen firsthand the commitment from the No. 24 crew as it searches for answers after a difficult start to the year.

“We‘ve been working our asses off,” Byron noted. “Everyone back at the shop. Every week, it feels like we come in and look at all the notes and everything is starting to click. Now, we can use this momentum and keep carving away.”

Byron‘s 38-point haul at Pocono marked his third-best points day of the 2026 season. He spent much of the final run chasing down Denny Hamlin through traffic but ultimately equaled his best result of the season (Las Vegas Motor Speedway).

“I guess the last four laps you start to think about that but until then, you can taste a win,” he said. “So you feel like if you can just get the right run and my balance stays with me, I could have an opportunity.”

With 10 races left in the regular season, Byron sits 11th in the standings and trails his Hendrick teammate Elliott by 96 points.

There were no issues for  #11-Denny Hamlin. He is officially the winner of the race.

Six cars are returning to the R&D Center for further inspection: #5-Kyle Larson (Chevrolet), #7-Daniel Suarez (Chevrolet), #12-Ryan Blaney (Ford), #17-Chris Buescher (Ford), #42-John Hunter Nemechek (Toyota), and #45-Tyler Reddick (Toyota).

Hamlin started from the pole and led 28 laps on the day. He took the lead for the final time with four laps remaining after #20-Christopher Bell tried to stretch the race on fuel but was unsuccessful. It is the first time in his career that Hamlin has won three consecutive races.

The Cup Series now heads to the San Diego street course race at Naval Base Coronado.

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin hoisted his record eighth NASCAR Cup Series trophy at the iconic 2.5-mile Pocono track in Sunday‘s The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA — his No. 11 JGR Toyota holding off the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota of Tyler Reddick by 1.678-seconds in a dramatic fuel-saving dance to the checkered flag.

The victory marks the first-time in his 21-year fulltime career Hamlin‘s won three consecutive races — at Nashville, Michigan and now Pocono. It‘s sure been a productive summer for the 45-year-old Virginian who now has 64 series wins — placing him ninth on the sport‘s all-time list, breaking a tie with his former teammate, the late two-time series champion Kyle Busch.

“Just so special here,” said a smiling Hamlin of his effort at the iconic Tricky Triangle.

“Just so happy for this whole Joe Gibbs Racing team,” he continued. “This is a team effort. They‘ve given me fast cars. The pit crew is flawless right now, we‘ve just got it all going.

“I‘d say it‘s certainly the best we‘ve been,” Hamlin said of his team‘s current confidence level. “We come to the race track every week knowing that we‘ve got a great shot to win. The team is doing an amazing job knowing exactly what I need in the car every week and that‘s why we‘re winning.”

Now with only 10 races left to set the 16-driver Chase field, Hamlin‘s win streak has decisively cut Reddick‘s once three-digit lead atop the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings. Reddick is now only 19 points ahead of Hamlin – who along with NBA legend Michael Jordan co-owns Reddick‘s team. It‘s the smallest margin atop the standings on the year for the five-race winner Reddick.

“It‘s a bummer,” conceded Reddick, who rallied from fifth to second place in the closing laps, after concerns of a tire going down on a late race restart.

“We definitely lost time in a couple spots there. Some of it is everyone‘s racing hard for track position and some of it is just bad luck, I guess, just where you catch cars.

“We knew qualifying was going to be tricky coming into this and just weren‘t able to get stage points – scoring the points we did, just didn‘t get the job done.”

Hamlin‘s JGR teammate Christopher Bell who gambled with a fuel-saving strategy in the closing laps, was passed by Hamlin with five laps remaining and then ran out of gas just as the field took the white flag. He finished 26th despite his valiant effort on the day, nursing a broken left wrist he suffered in an accident last week at Michigan.

“We were mired back in the 20s so I think it was an amazing call,” Bell said of the gamble, calling the calculated risk “worth it.”

Hendrick Motorsports‘ William Byron finished third in the No. 24 Chevrolet, followed by Legacy Motor Club‘s John Hunter Nemechek — claiming his first top-five finish of the season. His race best 42 laps out front in the No. 42 Toyota Sunday were more laps than he led in either the entire 2024 or 2025 seasons.

Hendrick‘s Kyle Larson finished fifth and led laps early. Legacy‘s Erik Jones was sixth — his second consecutive top-10 — followed by Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing‘s Chris Buescher, Trackhouse Racing‘s Ross Chastain, JGR‘s Ty Gibbs and Team Penske‘s Ryan Blaney.

Henrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott finished 11th — just missing out on a fifth consecutive Pocono top-10. Hamlin won stage one and Front Row Motorsports‘ Todd Gilliland claimed the stage two win — his first career stage victory.

With the regular season winding down, points positions to determine which 16 drivers will race for the championship are close. Trackhouse Racing‘s Shane Van Gisbergen is 14th, 10 points to the clear of 17th place Brad Keselowski. Jones and Austin Cindric are ranked 15th and 16th – both only four points to the good. Team Penske‘s Joey Logano is behind Keselowski, 21 points out of 16th place.

The NASCAR Cup Series will headline a triple-header weekend in Southern California with next Sunday‘s inaugural Anduril 250 (4 p.m. ET on Prime Video, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at the Qualcomm Circuit on Naval Base Coronado.

— NASCAR News Wire —

See race details at: Race Results, Driver Points Standings, Owner Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Infraction Report.

For complete race information, check out the Pocono race page.

Sunday‘s NASCAR Cup Series race has attracted fans from all 50 states and 20 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. Australia ranks third in ticket sales behind only the United States and Canada.

The previous three sellouts produced the largest crowds at “The Tricky Triangle” since 2010. This year‘s sellout comes nearly one month after Pocono Raceway announced all 3,300 camping spots had been sold, marking the sixth consecutive year camping has sold out.

The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISIT PA, a 160-lap, 400-mile race, begins at 1 p.m. ET and will be carried nationwide on Amazon Prime Video, Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Radio.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our fans, partners and the entire NASCAR community,” Pocono Raceway President Ben May said. “To sell out the NASCAR Cup Series race for a fourth consecutive year and have camping sell out for a sixth straight year is a testament to the passion of our fans and the unique experience they create at Pocono Raceway. Seeing visitors travel here from all 50 states and 20 countries is truly special. The loyalty and enthusiasm of our fans helped Pocono Raceway earn USA TODAY‘s Best NASCAR Track honor for the third consecutive year, and we look forward to welcoming everyone for a memorable day of racing at ‘The Tricky Triangle.‘”

For additional information about Pocono Raceway and the NASCAR race weekend, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.

— Pocono Raceway —

No cars will go back to the R&D Center.

See race details at: Race Results, Driver Points, Owner Points, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.

Allgaier led a race best 35 of the 100 laps — ultimately taking the lead for good on a restart with two laps remaining. Haas Factory teammates Sam Mayer — who was Allgaier‘s greatest challenge on the day – and Sheldon Creed created a three-wide push for the lead on the final restart but ultimately slid backwards as Allgaier’s JR Motorsports teammate William Byron was able to push Allgaier‘s No. 7 Chevrolet forward to create a gap on the field.

The advantage was all Allgaier needed to race off to a .607-second win over Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Brent Crews — who passed Byron on the last corner of the last lap for second place.

The victory was the 2024 series champion Allgaier‘s first at the historic Pocono 2.5-mile triangle-shaped track giving him wins now at 21 different venues. And it marked the fifth win of the year for Allgaier, tying his previous high season win total.

“First of all, I‘ve got to say thank you to William Byron because without his shove at the end of the race, it was probably game over,” Allgaier said before thanking the fans for filling the grandstands.

“This season has been special with [crew chief] Andrew Overstreet and this whole number seven team and this pit crew right here,” he said, adding with a grin, “We‘re going to go celebrate this one for sure.”

Slowed by all the caution flags — four in the opening 25-lap stage alone — the early part of the race never allowed for one driver to establish a rhythm and truly set a pace among all the starting and stopping.

Polesitter Taylor Gray led 24 laps and won the opening stage and Crews claimed the stage two win. But the final half of the race was really a duel between Allgaier and Mayer, who led 14 laps and exchanged the lead with Allgaier frequently in the race‘s closing laps — sometimes on the same lap. They started side-by-side out front on the three final restarts and Mayer looked like his No. 41 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet would at least keep Allgaier honest. In the end, Mayer and Creed finished fourth and fifth.

“It was either the double zero [Creed] was trying to make a block, or just a push gone wrong a little bit,” Mayer said, of the unsuccessful three-wide move on that last restart. “Just really unfortunate circumstance. We actually had a really good launch.

“At the end of these races, you‘re not going to not take a run so I don‘t blame my teammate for pulling out of line like that, but obviously it put me in a bad spot,” Mayer continued. “The middle [lane] was okay if I had people with me. … obviously today we executed really, really well, so lots to be proud about, but obviously I‘m very devastated right now because I just want a shot at it and don‘t feel like I haven‘t gotten a really true shot at it when the white flag flew.

“We were close today executed really good and really proud of everybody. One day it‘s going to be my turn, and I can‘t wait.”

Incredibly, Allgaier‘s effort — the 33rd victory of his career – now puts him an unbelievable 250 points up on second place, Richard Childress Racing driver Jesse Love in the series championship standings with seven regular season races remaining. Love only completed a single lap after being collected in the first of 10 yellow-flag incidents on the day.

“Just frustrated obviously, thought our Camaro was going to be good today,” Love said, adding, “Only got one lap to feel it out but I was happy with that one corner, wish we had gotten a few more.”

Anthony Alfredo, Rajah Caruth, Brandon Jones, the defending Pocono race winner Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil rounded out the top-10.

Jeremy Clements led a lap and finished 16th in a historical day for his career and the series. The 41-year-old South Carolinian tied Kenny Wallace for the O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series most all-time starts – 547 races. Wallace set the record in 2011 and last raced in 2015. Clements will claim the mark for himself when he takes next week‘s green flag at San Diego.

The series heads to Southern California for next Saturday‘s inaugural United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 (5:30 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) on the Coronado Naval Base.

— NASCAR Wire Service —

See race details at: Race Results, Driver Points, Owner Points, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.

The veteran driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota claimed his fourth Busch Light Pole position of the season Saturday afternoon at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and will lead the field to green in Sunday‘s Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA (1 p.m. ET on Prime Video, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Of note, with poor weather expected later Sunday afternoon, the green flag start time (1 p.m.) has been moved up two hours earlier than its originally scheduled time.

This marks the 64th pole position of Hamlin‘s career and comes as the popular veteran is attempting to win three consecutive races for the first time in his celebrated career after victories the last two weeks in Nashville and Michigan.

He was the last driver to take to the track in Saturday‘s qualifying session and just nudged Hendrick Motorsports‘ driver Kyle Larson from the top position in the final minutes — Hamlin‘s lap of 173.250 mph around the 2.5-mile triangular-shaped Pocono track was .057-second quicker than Larson‘s best.

“Certainly had the grip, this whole team just did a great job with adjustments, making it a little better from practice, I didn‘t execute a very good lap there in Turn 2, but overall I thought I hit [turns] three and one pretty decent – just good enough,” Hamlin said.

He acknowledged he and the team are certainly on a hot streak at the moment with wins in the non-points paying All-Star Race four weeks ago plus the two victories in the last two weeks. The effort has helped Hamlin cut 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick‘s 100-plus point advantage over him atop the standings to only 51 points heading into Pocono, a place Hamlin has won a record seven times.

“It‘s certainly going well and confidence is up with these guys [on the team] that every time I enter a corner at about 200, I know they‘ve built me a car that‘s going to stick,” Hamlin said, acknowledging his three-in-a-row opportunity.

“This is the best shot for sure, we‘ve got a little work to do on the car overnight to get it to be a race winner, but I feel like we‘re in that box where we need to be and we‘ll fine tune it from here.”

Starting behind Hamlin and Larson are Daniel Suarez in the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet and Hamlin‘s JGR teammates Ty Gibbs (No. 54 Toyota) and defending race winner Chase Briscoe (No. 19 Toyota).

Chris Buescher, who won his first career NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono in 2016, qualified sixth — his No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford the first Ford on the grid. Legacy Motor Club teammates Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek will start their Toyotas seventh and eighth. Hendrick Motorsports‘ William Byron (No. 24 Chevrolet) and Team Penske‘s Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Ford) — who also earned his first career series win at Pocono in 2017 — round out the top-10 on the grid.

Of note, 23XI Racing‘s Reddick will roll of 15th and his teammate, Bubba Wallace, will start from the rear of the field after a qualifying session accident. RFK owner-driver Brad Keselowski had engine trouble in the session and will start alongside Wallace on the last row.

— NASCAR News Wire —

See the complete qualifying results and the Great American Getaway 400 Starting Lineup.

For complete race information, check out the Pocono race page.

LONG POND, Pa. — It wasn‘t long ago when RFK Racing had all three of its Cup Series entries inside The Chase bubble. Now, all three teams are looking to turn their fortune around.

With 11 races remaining in the regular season, the steadfast Chris Buescher leads the team, ranking eighth in the championship standings. Meanwhile, co-owner Brad Keselowski has plummeted six positions in the last three races, and enters Pocono Raceway with consecutive DNFs for the first time since he had a three-race stretch just over a calendar year ago. Ryan Preece has bled points since being docked 25 markers for a skirmish with Ty Gibbs at Texas Motor Speedway. The No. 60 team has dropped to 19th, 19 points behind Austin Cindric, who currently holds the coveted 16th position.

“We‘ve spotted a lot of points to a lot of different teams right now and we have to get that back on the up and up,” Buescher said on Saturday at Pocono. “Coming to the race track being fast, figuring out how to put wins on the board, that will fix all of those things real quick.”

For much of the opening few months of the 2026 season, the RFK trio hovered anywhere between fifth and 15th position. Buescher and Keselowski have a pair of top five finishes each, with Preece scoring a best effort of eighth at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Speed hasn‘t been the issue, however. Sure, the three drivers have combined to lead 254 circuits — fifth-most among all organizations — but they have experienced misfortune galore in recent weeks. While running inside the top 10, both Buescher and Preece were swept into a melee during the final stage of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, resulting in 30th- and 33rd-place finishes, respectively.

All three RFK cars failed to finish at Nashville Superspeedway due to incidents. It marked the first time since Richmond Raceway in September 2007 that the team had three DNFs in the same race at a non-drafting event. Preece had part of a brake rotor go through his radiator. Keselowski got a nudge from Austin Dillon during the final stage, crashing into the outside wall on the frontstretch. Buescher brought out the race‘s final caution have a brake rotor of his own explode.

Last weekend at Michigan International Speedway, Buescher led the brigade with a ninth-place outing despite significant cosmetic damage. Preece was scored 28th when involved in a nine-car pileup on the frontstretch. Keselowski clobbered the outside wall with a flat tire in Stage 2.

Yet there‘s no real cause for concern, internally.

“It‘s very largely based on being involved in stuff that isn‘t our doing; some of it is,” Buescher added. “Some of it is a little miss here or there, but nothing major. It‘s not like we‘re showing up to the race track with no speed and just struggling all day long. These things just keep sneaking up on us. We‘re not finishing out the races as good as we should and not showing the true potential of our race cars for our entire organization.

“We‘ve talked about it my entire career, pride ourselves on being able to maximize our days. If we have a race car capable of running 10th, we‘re going to what we can to run eighth with it and not crash trying to be a hero and go to P3 and some outside chance. We‘re not even doing that. That‘s not been our problem, it‘s just getting caught up in stuff.”

Keselowski remains optimistic, knowing how putrid of a start the No. 6 team had in 2025 compared to 2026. Through the opening 15 events last year, the No. 6 team had an average finish was 24.3 compared to 17.3 this year, an increase of a full seven positions.

“We‘re better this year than we were last year, so you try to find the positives,” the 2012 Cup champion noted. “Certainly a tough stretch of weeks for all three of our teams. Last week is last week for better or worse — and in this case for worse. We have got to race the week that is in front of us. One week at a time.”

In a season where Ford, collectively, has lacked speed compared to Toyota and Chevrolet at higher-speed venues, RFK has had the best intermediate speed of the bunch. There is still room to improve to get over the hump and potentially breaking through to Victory Lane for the first time in a points-paying event since 2024.

“We have some work to do and we‘re aware of that, but we‘re certainly in the ballpark,” Buescher stated. “We have good handling race cars at RFK and we‘re working steadily to figure out how to get these Mustangs into Victory Lane. We‘re not quite at that last step yet.”

The No. 17 car was the quickest in the field on five-lap practice averages in Saturday‘s practice session at Pocono. Keselowski will have to start from the rear in Sunday’s The Great American Getaway 400, experiencing an engine issue during his qualifying effort. Preece thought he had a potential mechanical issue as well, good enough for 35th in qualifying.

Less than a week after being involved in a crash at Michigan International Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell met with reporters Saturday at Pocono Raceway — site of Sunday‘s Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISIT PA (1 p.m. ET on Prime Video, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) with a cast on his broken left wrist and a smile on his face.

The 31-year-old praised NASCAR for the sanctioning body‘s always-evolving safety efforts that Bell said prevented any worse injury after his Toyota collided with Chase Elliott‘s Chevrolet and careened hard and awkwardly into a wall at the Michigan track. Bell said he was never given an exact number of the G-forces he sustained in the incident, but said it was around 63 Gs.

And yet, days later — he‘s planning to strap into his No. 20 Toyota and compete Sunday on the famous Pocono “Tricky Triangle.”

“The car did absolutely perfect and all the safety gear did absolutely perfect,” Bell said of his accident. “That‘s why I‘m back in the car a week later.”

“I owe all of the credit to NASCAR and my team for building safe cars,” he added. “All of the previous drivers who have paid somewhat of a price to make these cars as safe as they are today, NASCAR from learning from every experience that they’ve had in every moment, every crash; it all paid off last Sunday. So, super grateful and I’m looking forward to putting it behind me for sure.”

Bell revealed that he remembers everything about the incident and that unfortunately his ear piece popped out after the impact so he couldn‘t communicate with his team in the immediate aftermath, which, he noted, understandably scared his wife.

He said he knew immediately his wrist was likely broken because of the pain and that he couldn‘t use his left hand properly in unstrapping and disconnecting gear to get out of the car. Interestingly, however, while Bell realized the wrist was obviously injured and his ankle was sore, he said never even got a headache afterward.

What Bell has gotten afterward is a whole lot of phone calls and text messages of concern checking on him, “more than I‘ve ever gotten in my life,” he shared. “I‘m thankful for all of the love.”

Elliott, who immediately walked over to Bell on track to check on him in the accident‘s aftermath, has been among those following up with the popular driver — checking in often.

“I can‘t speak highly enough about Chase,”‘ Bell said of Elliott. “He was visibly shaken up and yet very concerned about me. I appreciate so much his demeanor and his thoughts of me and he’s reached out several times throughout the week to make sure I’m okay.

“Obviously, I asked him if he was okay too. He had a big hit as well, but just thankful for all of the love from everybody. Everyone in the community, everyone outside of the community, my phone has been the busiest this week it‘s been in my entire life.”

Bell said he‘ll have a slightly modified steering wheel this weekend to better allow his casted left hand to grip the wheel. And similarly, the team has set up the cockpit to have his drinking bottle, radio and helmet connection swapped from the left side to the right side. And to alleviate the hassle of getting in and out of the car — tightening belts etc. .. he opted to just sit in his car between practice and qualifying Saturday.

He has already been on the SIM this week preparing for next week‘s inaugural Anduril 250 at the Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. He conceded he‘s more concerned with the upcoming road course races — at San Diego then Sonoma, Calif. — than he is about Pocono because of the constant and increased shifting necessary to drive those events.

Although his JGR team will have its fulltime NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Brandon Jones on standby at Pocono should Bell need relief in Sunday‘s race, the perennial championship contender insists he‘s good to go.

“We‘re as ready as we can get,” Bell said, adding with a smile, “As of right now, I‘m full commit and planning to run 400 miles.”

Chase Briscoe is ready to repeat at Pocono

Chase Briscoe has particularly fond memories of Pocono Raceway. It‘s where he celebrated his first victory as a member of the championship Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota organization last summer – that win kickstarting a three-trophy season — the most trophies he‘s ever won in a single year in the NASCAR Cup Series.

To do it, Briscoe had to beat the best — literally, Pocono‘s very best – his teammate, Denny Hamlin. But Briscoe held off the seven-time Pocono winner by more than half a second and led a race best 72 laps — including the final 34.

He‘d love for Pocono to kickstart another strong title run this weekend. The 31-year-old is ranked 13th in the championship standings with seven top-10 finishes. However, the last month and a half has been a challenge for Briscoe. He‘s had top-10 finishes in the last two races, but prior to that endured a streak of three sub-20th-place showings in a four-race span (at Talladega, Ala., Texas and Charlotte) that cost him some points.

Briscoe said he feels the good vibes as the defending Pocono winner, however, and is optimistic about his chances this weekend. He‘s hoping to become the first back-to-back winner since Kyle Busch (2018-19).

“I feel like our prep work is dialed in,” Briscoe said of his No. 19 team‘s situation. “I would say that the pressure, honestly, kind of, it’s a little bit different because last year I felt like I had to perform to maintain my job, which I still need to do that, right? But the pressure now is more in a sense of like, man, I haven’t went to Victory Lane this year and last year I was able to win three races and just from a point standpoint.

“Now the expectation is there, where when I came into this weekend last year, I felt like I could win, but I’d never done it at JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing). It wasn’t necessarily the expectation. So, it’s just, it’s different from that mindset. But the pressure, I feel like, is very similar.

“I obviously want to race for a championship and as a team, we feel like we need to be top five in points at the end of the regular season to really do that, and so I’m 100 points out right now. So, the pressure from that standpoint is very similar. Just knowing that I have to have a good weekend and just knowing that a win could really be the difference maker in getting to that point.”

Legacy Motor Club on positive Summer trajectory

Legacy Motor Club driver Erik Jones, 30, is coming off his first top-five finish of the season — a strong runner-up showing Sunday at Michigan International Speedway — a close drive from his Michigan hometown.

It‘s not just the sentimental aspect of the effort that‘s encouraging, however. It‘s part of the best three-race swing his No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota has put together in 2026. He finished 13th at Charlotte three weeks ago, answered with an 11th-place run at Nashville and then earned this strong second place. His 16 laps led through the opening 15 races is modest — but it‘s greater than his totals in both the previous two years.

He‘s optimistic it‘s a good sign for him and for the greater team in general. And Pocono has been a legitimately positive venue on his resume. He has eight top-10 finishes in 14 starts — five of those are top-five showings. His best day at the track was a runner-up in 2019. He has a pair of third-place finishes (2019 and 2020) and was 13th here last year. He was third fastest in 10-lap averages during practice Saturday.

“With the 43 group, I mean, obviously we’re feeling really good,” Jones said Saturday. “The 42 group [teammate John Hunter Nemechek], I think, is on the up and up too. I know the results haven’t shown for them, but their speed’s been there.

“So yeah, everybody’s really confident,” he continued. “I think at the end of the day, the message for me is that there’s still a lot of work to do. I think as well as we’re running is awesome, but there’s so many little things I think we can still do better and optimize and improve on. There’s still room for growth. We want to make sure that we’re continuing down this path.

This isn’t just a quick flash in the pan here, this last month, or going forward as long as this lasts, that the speed is continued and we can keep this rolling for a long period.”

— NASCAR News Wire —

• The cars of #5-Kyle Larson and #78-Daniel Dye failed inspection twice and passed on their third attempt.
• As a result of the multiple inspection failures, the No. 5 will lose pit selection for this event and car chief, Jesse Saunders has been ejected, and the No. 78  will also lose pit selection for this event and Engineer, Chris Stanley has been ejected.

— NASCAR —

CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 Rheem Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

Do you know how you broke your wrist?
“Yeah, I think I do, so I was still hands on the wheel, hands turned left and then my left hand, which was on the bottom, my wrist was bent over, like that on the underside of the wheel and then just the force into the steering wheel, slightly smashed it. So yeah, just that was that.”

Do you have any more concerns for San Diego and Sonoma?

“It’s certainly going to be hard. I’m just going to play it week by week and see how I feel today and practice at Pocono and then after the race. I have done a couple SIM sessions at San Diego. I mean, I feel like I was able to get through an hour or two in the simulator and do okay. So, I’m thankful that it’s another seven days away. I think certainly it’s going to be a week-to-week thing.”

Are you willing to divulge the numbers on the g-force or the Delta-V number is on your impact?

“Honestly, I don’t really know. I’ve been told that it was 63 g’s on impact, so I don’t know what the Delta V is, and honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. It was a big one, but I’m just so, so incredibly fortunate and thankful and blessed that my head was okay. To get out of there with just a fractured wrist is pretty immaculate. I owe all of the credit to NASCAR and my team for building safe cars. I know I said it in my statement earlier, but all of the previous drivers who have paid somewhat of a price to make these cars as safe as they are today, NASCAR from learning from every experience that they’ve had in every moment, every crash; it all paid off, you last Sunday. So, super grateful and I’m looking forward to putting it behind me for sure.”

What are your limitations with your wrist and what is your recovery like? 

“From what I’ve been told, it’s pretty much just a normal broken bone. So, under normal circumstances, they would say six weeks. I would expect me to be in a cast for a period of time. I’m really glad that I didn’t have any displaced bones, so I didn’t have to have surgery, which was awesome, but yeah, I’m going to take it week-by-week. Obviously, I’ll be wanting to get out of the cast as quickly as I can. I think my group of doctors are all along the same lines to make sure that I’m healed up as much as possible, but obviously as quick as possible as well. Right now, I’m pretty much driving the car one-handed. I can kind of hold the wheel a little bit. I think enough to shift shifting on the straightaways here at Pocono is I think it’s going to be doable. The road courses, specifically San Diego, like there’s a couple corners that you have to shift in. I think turn one at Sonoma is going to be difficult. I hope for more healing before we get to those tracks for sure.”

What is the medical treatment that you can do today and tomorrow when you are at the track? 

“I’m probably not going to disclose that. I think we have a pretty good plan in place. That what I’ll tell you. I will say, I haven’t driven the car yet. I’ve driven a streetcar and I feel fine driving a streetcar, doing normal stuff. So, we’ll learn a lot whenever I get out there here in an hour or so.”

How do you feel like everything in the car performed? 

“The car did absolutely perfect, and all of my safety gear did absolutely perfect.

I was really, really grateful, Sunday whenever I hit the wall that all of that R and D, all of that effort had gone into making sure that I had the perfect containment system and it worked. Everything worked perfectly.”

What was the interaction with Chase Elliott right after, and can you talk about how many people have reached out? 

“It‘s been it’s been incredible, the amount of people that have reached out to me. This past week, my phone has literally been on fire and it’s been eye-opening how much love I have received from everybody, all of my competitors throughout the NASCAR garage, all of my peers and coworkers throughout the NASCAR garage, friends and family members, even drivers and competitors that I raced against on the dirt side that have reached out to me. So, it has been surreal to see that. Then, I can’t speak highly enough of Chase (Elliott) as well. The moment that he saw me out of the car, he was visibly shaken up and concerned about me. I appreciate so much his, demeanor and his thoughts of me and he’s reached out several times throughout the week to make sure I’m okay. Obviously, I asked him if he was okay too. He had a big hit as well, but just thankful for all of the love from everybody. Everyone in the community, everyone outside of the community, my phone has been the busiest this week, it‘s been in my entire life.”

Do you plan to race all 400 miles? Do you have a reserve driver? 

“The plan is absolutely for me to compete all or completes all 400 miles, but we do have a backup plan in place for tomorrow if I am not able to do it. Brandon Jones, he came and set through all of our SIM sessions this week to make sure that he was up to speed. He did a great job driving the simulator as well. I think that it’s either going to be like I’m going to commit to the race and I’m going to do it, or I’m going be out and just start and ride around until the first yellow. But, as of right now, I’m full commit planning on running 400 miles.”

What do you remember about the wreck? What was the impact like? What were your thoughts immediately after? 

“I mean, I remember everything. I remember going into turn 3 side-by-side. I saw Chase (Elliott) wiggle then I thought that I was going to go around the outside of them, and then at the last moment I saw his car come right, and then, if I remember right, it kind of like picked my nose up, and shot me right. So, I remember staring at that Michigan USA sign too, saw the whole thing coming. Once I hit the wall, my earpiece popped out, so I scared the crap out of my wife (Morgan) and probably everyone else listening because I didn’t respond to Tab (Boyd, spotter) whenever he was checking on me, but my ear deal popped out, so I didn’t have any communication, and then I saw the car was on fire. I was trying to get out as quick as I could. I knew my wrist was broke right away, because I couldn’t disconnect my shirt. I reached down, tried to disconnect my shirt, and I couldn’t squeeze the button, so I had to use my right hand to do that. Then, my foot hurt really, really bad too. We got x-rays on my foot. It just ended up being bruised. So, yeah, between beside my foot and my wrist, I was good to go. I knew right away, or I thought I knew right away, that my head was okay because I didn’t have any sort of headache, didn’t black out. I remembered everything. Obviously in the infield care center, they did tests on me. So just super, super blessed that I didn’t hit my noggin and yeah, glad I can continue on.”

Did you feel like that was just a racing incident at Michigan?

“Yeah, I mean, I just thought it was racing. I don’t even know that I would call it hard racing. It was just a racing accident. He got loose. We were side-by-side through the corner, but these cars don’t really tend to lose a lot of side force whenever you’re side by side compared to the other cars. I didn’t think he did anything egregious. I didn’t think I did anything egregious. It was just a racing accident.”

Has your cast been modified to help you in the car? Has the steering wheel been modified at all? 

“The OrthoCarolina team did a really good job of making sure that the cast is as molded to a steering wheel as I could get it. So, I can grip the wheel as well as or as good as I can, and then Max Papis. He did a great job of helping me out with a steering wheel to accommodate me, the best that I can. We took a lot of material off of the left side of the wheel just to make it skinnier, because I have so much material in my palm to help my hand get around the steering wheel. I feel like we’re as ready as we can get and see what happens.”

How different is your steering wheel than normal? 

“It’s not much different. Everything’s the exact same, except for the left side, the left side just has some material taken away and it’s a smaller diameter than my right side, just because I have material taking up space in my palm. I’m going have to acclimate to driving primarily right-handed. I think I primarily drove left-handed under normal circumstances, so it’s going take a little bit of acclimation for sure.”

When did it hit that you were in pain? 

“Yeah, it was it was pretty instantaneous. As soon as I stopped and reached down to undo my shirt and unhook my shirt, I couldn’t hit the button. I had instant pain. I didn’t have pain before I went to hit the button, and then whenever I went to hit the button, I’m like, oh man, something’s wrong. Then I got out of the car and I was like looking at it. I’m like, well, it still looks okay. So, I guess it’s okay, but then I couldn‘t get my chin strap undone. So I’m like, okay, something’s wrong. I knew I knew right away that it was broken, and then once I think I took some Advil or ibuprofen there in the infield care center and they put me in a splint, and then from that point on, the pain has been not much at all if I, if I’m not moving it, but certainly whenever I move it, I get some pain.”

Did you ever consider not racing this week? 

“Honestly, I didn’t even consider the points, but Sunday, whenever I got to the airplane, I didn’t really have any thought of not racing because I’m like, as long as I can hold the steering wheel, I’ll be fine, and then throughout my simulator sessions, obviously that was a test of like, how am I going to do driving the car? I did fine in the simulator. Really, there was no thoughts of me missing a race since my head was fine. The important stuff is fine. Honestly, if we weren’t shifting, Pocono would be a really good track to have this issue with, but the shifting makes it a little bit more difficult. Next week’s going to be interesting, Bob (Pockrass). Next week’s going to be interesting.”

Beyond the steering wheel is there any other modifications?

“So just everything that I would do left-handed, like my drink bottle, my radios, my helmet blower, all of that stuff just got moved to the right side of the car. So, I can use my right hand with it. So, yeah, I think that that’s it.”

— Toyota Racing —

NASCAR, Pocono Raceway and Amazon Prime Video worked together to move the start time earlier to give fans the best opportunity to enjoy the full race before forecasted weather reaches the area.

The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISIT PA was originally scheduled for 3 p.m. but Sunday‘s forecast calls for inclement weather later in the afternoon and evening. The race will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM Radio.

There will be no change to the opening times for the parking lots (6 a.m.) and gates (8 a.m.). Track access for fans opens at 8 a.m. and remains available until the conclusion of NASCAR Cup Series driver introductions. The NASCAR Cup Series drivers meeting will begin at noon.

— NASCAR —

Based in Wallingford, CT, Executive Chevrolet has developed its reputation as a trustworthy establishment to purchase a Chevrolet vehicle. This year, the dealership received its fourth consecutive Cars.com Dealer of the Year award, cementing its legacy as the leading Chevrolet dealer in the state of Connecticut.

“Everyone at Executive Chevrolet is proud to support Ben Maier as he takes on the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Lime Rock Park,” said Shaun Woodward, General Manager of Executive Chevrolet. “Ben represents the future of motorsports with his talent, determination, and passion for racing. Having the opportunity to support an incredible up and coming driver at Lime Rock Park makes this event even more special. We wish Ben and Niece Motorsports the very best and look forward to watching him compete on one of the most iconic road courses in the country.”

Located just under 60 miles away from track, Executive Chevrolet is the perfect local partner to join forces with Maier, who will make his second NCTS start with Niece Motorsports at Lime Rock Park.

Maier, 17, made his NCTS debut at this track last year, and has competed in several different forms of motorsports at the historic facility. In his first start with the team earlier this year at St. Petersburg, the rookie secured his best-career finish of 11th-place in the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado. This time, he will drive the team‘s No. 42 entry.

“I‘m really excited to return to Lime Rock Park with Niece Motorsports and Executive Chevrolet,” said Maier. “I have a lot of experience here, and based off our last race in St. Pete, I feel like we are in position to have a great weekend on the track. None of this would be possible without Executive Chevrolet‘s support, so I‘m hopeful our No. 42 team can deliver their employees and customers a result to be proud of.”

Whether you are searching for a new or pre-owned Chevrolet car, truck, EV, or SUV, the Executive Chevrolet team has plenty of options to choose from. Visit their official site at www.ExecutiveChevy.com to browse all available inventory.

With their free maintenance program, every qualifying purchase includes two years of complimentary oil changes, multipoint inspections, and tire rotations. That‘s the Executive Chevrolet Edge.

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to Lime Rock Park on Saturday, July 18th for the second-annual LiUNA! 150. Live coverage of the race will air on FOX Sports 1, the NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Be sure to tune-in to the race and support Ben Maier as he debuts the No. 42 Executive Chevrolet Silverado on track with Niece Motorsports.

— Niece Motorsports —

Ruedebusch, a Wisconsin-based construction company, joins forces with Fire Department Coffee, a veteran-owned and firefighter-run coffee company dedicated to supporting first responders nationwide, for NASCAR‘s first-ever race on an active United States military base. The unique partnership aligns naturally with the historic event, which will honor the U.S. Navy‘s 250th anniversary.

“This race is going to be unlike anything our sport has ever seen, and I‘m incredibly excited for it,” said Bilicki. “Both Ruedebusch and Fire Department Coffee are built around important values, hard work, and giving back to their communities, so having them involved in NASCAR‘s first race on an active military base makes this partnership especially meaningful.”

The NASCAR San Diego weekend is expected to draw significant national attention as all three of NASCAR‘s national touring series compete on the temporary circuit constructed on Naval Base Coronado.

“As a Navy veteran, I could not be more excited for Fire Department Coffee to be part of this incredible event,” FDC Founder and CEO Luke Schneider said. “It‘s even more special to be represented alongside Ruedebusch and to have Josh Bilicki behind the wheel. This will be a wonderful celebration of NASCAR and the U.S. Navy.”

“We are pleased to be partnering with a long time Sponsor of ours, Fire Department Coffee, and a new Partnership with Josh Bilicki Racing, knowing that the results will be outstanding.” says Carl Ruedebusch, CEO and founder of Ruedebusch.

The inaugural NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Naval Base Coronado will take place on Saturday, June 20, and will be broadcast live on The CW.

— Josh Bilicki Racing —

Governor Shapiro will wave the green flag from the starter‘s stand to officially start The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISIT PA. The 160-lap, 400-mile race begins at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime Video, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM Radio.

In honor of America‘s 250^th anniversary celebration, another prominent dignitary role will be filled by two of the nation‘s most iconic figures with Pennsylvania ties — Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross. The duo will serve as co-Grand Marshals and provide the command for the drivers to start their engines. Franklin and Ross also will be the trophy presenters in Victory Lane following Sunday‘s race.

Franklin, one of America‘s Founding Fathers, drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776 and later served as Chief Executive of Pennsylvania from 1785-88. Ross was credited with sewing the first American flag, which she did in Philadelphia, and she will be honored, fittingly, with the race falling on Flag Day.

Another notable dignitary will be New York Mets public address announcer Colin Cosell, the grandson of legendary sports announcer Howard Cosell. He will bring his signature voice and energy to the NASCAR Cup Series pre-race driver introductions.Top of Form

For more information on the NASCAR race weekend or to purchase tickets, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.

Below are the dignitaries for each of the weekend‘s races.

• Co-Grand Marshals: America‘s Founding Father Benjamin Franklin and America‘s Flag Maker Betsy Ross.
• Honorary Starter: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
• VIPs: United States Congressman Rob Bresnahan; Pennsylvania National Guard Major General John R. Pippy; Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll; Pennsylvania Office of Tourism Deputy Secretary Anne Ryan; and Ronnie Mund from The Howard Stern Show.
• Driver Introductions: Colin Cosell, public address announcer for the New York Mets and Army football.
• National Anthem: Navy Petty Officer First Class (ret.) Generald Wilson.
• God Bless America: Robin Schneider.
• Presentation of Colors: North Plainfield High School NAVY JROTC.
• Invocation: Billy Mauldin, president and senior chaplain, Motor Racing Outreach.
• Flyover: F-16 Viper Demo Team from Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, S.C.
• Grand Marshal: United States Air Force veteran Jason Wolf.
• Honorary Starter: Greg Milgrew.
• Driver‘s Command: MillerTech racing family.
• National Anthem: Thomas Amoriello, electric guitarist from Philadelphia, Pa.; sign language by Taylor Beagle of the Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children.

VIPS: KOA President of Marketing Diane Eichler; MillerTech Energy Vice President of NASCAR Partnerships Dustin Delsignore.

Presentation of Colors: Ligonier Valley High School USAF JROTC.

• Invocation: Morgan Bell, wife of NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell.
• Flyover: F-16 Viper Demo Team from Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, S.C.
• Grand Marshal: Richard Kost.
• Honorary Starter: Nathan Neiswender.
• National Anthem: Carly Green, Spotlight Kidz member from Tamaqua, Pa.; sign language by Taylor Beagle of the Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children.
• Presentation of Colors: James I. O’Neill High School JROTC.
• Invocation: Motor Racing Outreach Chaplain Titan Mauldin.

Pocono Raceway ranks as Team Penske’s fourth-winningest track, with 25 victories. Located less than 100 miles from the team’s original shop in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, the track has been the site of Team Penske wins across NASCAR Cup Series, Grand National, ARCA, and open-wheel competition.

— Team Penske —

Rocket Doctor AI will be featured on all RWR entries across the NASCAR Cup Series, NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track (AFT), FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) and zMAX CARS Tour. It‘s a lineup that includes the top tiers of stock car racing, drag racing, motorcycle racing and grassroots Late Model racing.

Rocket Doctor AI will serve as the primary partner for NASCAR Cup Series driver Cody Ware and his No. 51 Chevrolet in 11 races in 2026, beginning with Sunday‘s Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and next Sunday‘s inaugural Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. Rocket Doctor AI will also be a primary partner of NHRA Top Fuel driver Clay Millican for four events in 2026. At all other NASCAR, NHRA, AFT, WSX and CARS Tour races, Rocket Doctor AI will be an associate partner with access to RWR‘s full driver and rider lineup.

“Motorsports offers a powerful platform to connect with passionate, loyal communities across the country and will help advance our focus on making healthcare more accessible, approachable and trusted,” said Dr. Essam Hamza, CEO of Rocket Doctor AI. “Through Rick Ware Racing and FinTekk AP, we have an opportunity to introduce Rocket Doctor AI to millions of Americans while expanding our presence in key states, such as California and New York. This partnership further validates the strength of our brand, our technology platform, and our vision for the future of healthcare.”

With access to more than 21 million covered lives now through commercial, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and Veterans Affairs plans across multiple states, Rocket Doctor AI is increasingly focused on driving patient awareness and utilization in these newly accessible markets.

The comprehensive partnership with RWR involves FinTekk AP, a corporate finance advisory group that has been making direct investments in and consulting for companies for nearly 30 years. It represents a strategic investment in national brand visibility and patient acquisition, supporting Rocket Doctor AI‘s efforts to connect more Americans with affordable, physician-led healthcare services as it continues to expand across the country. RWR and FinTekk AP will work alongside Rocket Doctor AI to support expansion initiatives in markets hosting major motorsports events and help it engage directly with local communities, healthcare stakeholders, physicians and patients, all while accelerating awareness of Rocket Doctor AI‘s healthcare platform.

“Rocket Doctor AI is using our racing portfolio to help build awareness and create meaningful connections with people across the country,” said team owner Rick Ware. “Our organization competes in multiple series and reaches fans from all walks of life, so we can help tell their story in front of millions of people. Rocket Doctor AI‘s mission of expanding access to quality healthcare is important, and we‘re proud to be part of helping them grow.”

As Rocket Doctor AI looks to expand its presence across the United States, the company is focused on increasing awareness in large healthcare markets where access to timely, affordable care remains a significant challenge. Its partnership with RWR is designed to accelerate Rocket Doctor AI‘s patient growth through a national marketing, brand awareness and business activation campaign targeting communities that closely align with Rocket Doctor AI‘s core patient populations, including rural, underserved and working-class areas. Through nationally televised events and integrated media opportunities, Rocket Doctor AI will engage consumers at live events and through national broadcasts.

“NASCAR fans come from every corner of America, including many rural communities where healthcare access can be limited. For someone who is always on the go and in a different state every weekend, I understand how important it is to get timely access to care,” said Cup Series driver Cody Ware. “No matter your age, location or financial status, Rocket Doctor AI can make a real difference in providing the kind of healthcare services we all need.”

The full RWR driver and rider lineup available to Rocket Doctor AI includes:

• NASCAR Cup Series driver Cody Ware: Winner of the 2019-2020 LMP2 championship in the Asian Le Mans Series with co-driver Gustas Grinbergas. In a prelude to that title, Cody Ware was the 2014 Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America Rookie of the Year. In January 2024 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, he piloted a Ligier JS P320 to a podium finish in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge LMP3 class. He has also competed in Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup and the NTT IndyCar Series.
• NHRA Top Fuel driver Clay Millican: The winningest driver in IHRA history and a six-time IHRA champion. Millican has been with RWR throughout its entire NHRA tenure. He is a seven-time NHRA Top Fuel event winner and has delivered all five of RWR‘s NHRA Top Fuel victories — the 2023 Route 66 Nationals May 21 at Route 66 Raceway in Elwood, Illinois, the 2023 Mile High Nationals July 16 at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado, the 2023 Midwest Nationals Oct. 1 at World Wide Technology Raceway, the 2024 U.S. Nationals Sept. 2 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, and the 2025 NHRA Winternationals March 30 at In-N-Out Pomona (Calif.) Dragstrip.
• NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher: An eight-time NHRA Top Fuel champion whose 88 career wins makes Schumacher the winningest Top Fuel driver in series history. He has 23 more wins than his nearest pursuer, NHRA Top Fuel driver Antron Brown, and Schumacher‘s eight championships long ago surpassed Hall of Famer Joe Amato‘s career total of five NHRA Top Fuel titles. In 2025, Schumacher was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
• AFT SuperTwins rider Briar Bauman: A two-time SuperTwins champion who has earned 16 of his 38 career SuperTwins victories since joining RWR in 2023. Bauman has already won four times in 2026.
• WSX SX1 (450cc class) rider Cooper Webb: An extremely decorated rider with three Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX titles and 31 career 450SX wins. Twice, Webb finished runner-up in the 450SX championship chase. He was third two other times, including this year, when he finished just 34 points behind champion Ken Roczen. This will be his first World Supercross season.
• WSX SX1 (450cc class) rider Justin Hill: Was the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX West champion. While new to RWR, 2026 will mark Hill‘s third World Supercross season.
• WSX SX2 (250cc class) rider Devin Simonson: Has raced professionally since 2021 and is widely considered a leader in the current wave of American talent competing globally. Simonson made his World Supercross debut in 2025.
• WSX SX2 (250cc class) rider Coty Schock: Finished third in the overall SX2 championship standings last year. It was Schock‘s second season with RWR, making him RWR‘s most tenured rider. Schock turned pro in 2016, 20 years after he first began riding dirt bikes.
• CARS Tour driver Carson Ware: In his first-ever Tour Type Modified start at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the fourth-generation racer won. Since that 2019 victory, Carson Ware has run a collection of races across the ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series, while also campaigning Late Models. In fact, he played a key role in securing the 2025 CARS Tour Pro Late Model owners‘ championship for RWR, winning May 3 at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, North Carolina.
• Late Model Stock driver Michael Bumgarner: Drives the No. 51 Chevrolet in a collection of Late Model Stock events for RWR. His 15-race schedule in 2026 features select CARS Tour races, the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown, and weekly events at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway, which includes many of the track‘s signature events, notably the Aug. 1 Jack Ingram Memorial, the Sept. 5 Bobby Isaac Memorial and the Nov. 7 Fall Brawl. Bumgarner is the two-time and reigning track champion in the Late Model Stock division at Hickory. He won 10 races in 2024 and more than doubled that total in 2025, scoring 22 victories, a tally that included wins in the Bobby Isaac Memorial and Fall Brawl.

— Rick Ware Racing —

WHAT‘S NEW AND FRESH?

“The Magic Mile” Happy Hour Show | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 6-8 p.m.

Grab a drink, relax and enjoy “The Magic Mile” Happy Hour Show hosted by NASCAR personality Jose Castillo and New Englanders Mamba Smith and Alan Cavanna at The Groove. This live Saturday night talk show will feature one of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour‘s 40 Greatest Drivers and winner in all three of NASCAR‘s top series, Steve Park, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dick Berggren, Team Penske‘s Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Austin Cindric and “Door Bumper Clear‘s” Freddie Kraft and Tommy Baldwin.

Everybody Wants Some Concert | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 8:30-10 p.m.

Everybody Wants Some, the ultimate tribute to the legendary Van Halen, will transport you back to the golden age of rock when they hit the Cracker Barrel Stage, located just outside the infield tunnel. Expect to hear all the hits and classic album tracks that defined a generation, performed with the energy and precision that Van Halen themselves would be proud of.

Cracker Barrel Speedway Experience | Friday — Sunday, Aug. 21-23

The Cracker Barrel Speedway Experience will feature the Cracker Barrel Stage, giant versions of classic games such as the peg game, cornhole and of course, the famous rocking chairs.

Tim Dugger Concert presented by Keystone | Friday, Aug. 21 | Approx. 9 p.m.

Alabama native and NASCAR enthusiast Tim Dugger will perform live on Friday night on The Flat Track Stage following SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels and the fireworks show. He‘s full of musical talent, southern charm and a little bit of wit. While frequenting bars and clubs near racetracks, Tim developed not only a loyal following of race fans, but he also became a favorite of several NASCAR drivers and their crews.

Family Movie Night: “Zootopia 2” | Thursday, Aug. 20 | 8 p.m.

Campers can enjoy Family Movie Night in a new location this year. “Zootopia 2” will be shown on a big screen on the Cracker Barrel Stage located just outside the infield tunnel. Come early to play some games including giant versions of cornhole and the peg game from Cracker Barrel, NASCAR 25, Dollar Tree plinko and a Ticketmaster reaction game. Don‘t forget to bring your favorite snacks and a chair to enjoy the movie.

TRADITIONAL FAN-FAVORITES

The Groove fan hangout, located in the S2 Lot, will feature Camper Appreciation Musical Bingo (Wednesday | 6-8 p.m.) and Karaoke (Wednesday | 8-9 p.m.), both presented by Keystone, a live performance and line dancing from the April Cushman Band and 603 Line Dancing (Thursday | 7-9 p.m.) and the ever-popular Dueling Pianos show from The Flying Ivories (Saturday | 9-11 p.m.). Race fans can also sign up to ride the Elm City Party Bike all weekend long at The Groove and enjoy a fun and social way to explore the NHMS property while exercising.

Trackside Live is back Sunday morning on the Cracker Barrel Stage from 11 a.m. — 12 p.m. This high-energy pre-race entertainment show hosted by Kenny Wallace and John Roberts will feature some of the top NCS stars before they battle it out on the racetrack at the Dollar Tree 301.

The NCS Hauler Parade will be led by the New Hampshire State Police, Loudon Police and Fire Departments and the NHMS Toyota Camry XSE pace car. Approximately 40 brightly colored, 18-wheeled NCS haulers will drive along Gil Rogers Highway starting at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Friday and make their way through the campgrounds before entering the infield tunnel at 8 a.m.

Families can explore the popular NASCAR Kids Zone in the Fan Zone all weekend featuring LOSI Hobby-Grade RC Cars, LEGO Build and Race, Victory Lane, the Toyota Coloring Book Car, the Gaming Garage, Slot Car Racing, a Crash Circuit and Reaction Race.

The Fan Zone will be open Friday (12-5 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. — 5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. — 3 p.m.) in the S2 Lot across from the infield tunnel full of games, prizes, rides, giveaways, racing simulators, driver appearances and more.

Friday night at The Flat Track, race fans can enjoy giant inflatable games — giant pong, giant cornhole and a bounce house — during SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels. Then, once the final checkered flag flies, an amazing fireworks display will light up the sky presented by Keystone before Tim Dugger hits the stage.

The New England Racing Museum, located near The Flat Track and the speedway‘s South Entrance, will be open 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. daily, Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 19-23. Race fans are encouraged to explore the history of New England motor racing through more than 30 historic race cars and motorcycle displays as well as an iRacing simulator, library and other interactive exhibits.

NHMS‘s Food Court, located behind the Main Grandstands, will be open Friday through Sunday and is the perfect pit stop to fuel up with delicious grab ‘n‘ go options, race weekend favorites and more.

Be sure to check NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Entertainment/ for more information on all of these features and more.

For a full NASCAR weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Schedule/.

This summer‘s Dollar Tree 301 NCS race will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23 and is one of three NASCAR races at “The Magic Mile” from Aug. 21-23. It will be preceded on Doubleheader Saturday by the Team EJP 175 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race (1:30 p.m.) and the Mohegan Sun 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) race (4:30 p.m.).

— NHMS —

Capgemini is an AI-powered global business and technology transformation partner that helps organizations create tangible business value through AI, technology and people. Capgemini is headquartered in Paris, France, and employs more than 420,000 team members across more than 50 countries and delivers services spanning strategy, technology, design, engineering and business operations.

Berry, who has made 51 of his previous 99 starts in a Wood Brothers Ford, said on a teleconference Wednesday that he hasn‘t really kept up with how many career starts he‘s made.

“You hear the 100th race a lot in Cup racing just when they refer to people starting out their careers and the amount of time it takes to get things figured out and get your feet under you,” he said. “So I guess I finally made that and at least have been to victory lane once before that time.

“I‘ve just been really fortunate to drive for four or five teams throughout the 100 starts, a bunch of different car numbers…. and I‘m excited for Pocono.

“Honestly, it‘s one of my favorite tracks to go to. It‘s a really fun place to drive and hopefully we can have us a good weekend.”

— Wood Brothers Racing —

Wallace, who won three points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races at the iconic Wilkes County track in a sterling career that spanned from 1980-2005, will join Window World executives in giving the command to start engines prior to North Wilkesboro‘s first points-paying Cup Series race since 1996.

“It‘s an honor to be named the Grand Marshal at North Wilkesboro,“ Wallace said. “Wilkesboro‘s a track that played a big role in the early history of our sport and it‘s great to see what Marcus Smith and the group at Speedway Motorsports have done to bring it back to life. It‘s also a place where I had a lot of success as a driver.

“I have so many great memories there of battles with guys like Dale Earnhardt and Geoff Bodine. I‘m looking forward to adding to those memories next month.”

The St. Louis, Missouri, native captured the spring Cup Series race at NWS in 1988 and swept both Cup Series events at the five-eighths-mile oval in 1993. In 1989, Wallace won the NASCAR Cup Series championship driving the No. 27 Pontiac for Blue Max Racing. From 1991 to his retirement in 2005, Wallace drove the iconic No. 2 machine for Team Penske, where he captured the majority of his 55 career Cup Series victories.

“Since re-opening North Wilkesboro to NASCAR in 2023, we‘ve had the humble privilege to honor many of the most historic figures in our sport,” said North Wilkesboro Speedway Executive Director Graig Hoffman.

“Rusty Wallace is one of the best short track racers to ever get behind the wheel and one of NASCAR‘s most popular drivers, champions and broadcasters. We look forward to celebrating Rusty and his illustrious career with a return to North Wilkesboro for the Window World 450.”

Wallace‘s appointment as Grand Marshal adds even more star power to a highly anticipated, action-packed weekend of racing that features:

• a zMAX CARS Tour doubleheader (Late Model Stock Skyline National Bank 100 and Pro Late Model Spears Manufacturing 75) on Friday, July 17
• the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series‘ FaithFest 250 presented by Mercer Transportation; a 250-lap duel under the sun on Saturday, July 18
• a rocking Pre-Race Concert presented by Raymer Oil, featuring multi-platinum country music hit-makers Sawyer Brown, prior to the NASCAR Cup Series‘ Window World 450 under the lights on Sunday, July 19

North Wilkesboro‘s showpiece race weekend builds on the excitement of a remarkable reopening in 2022 that preceded three NASCAR All-Star Races — won by Kyle Larson, Joey Logano and Christopher Bell — from 2023-‘25.

Prior to the July 19 Window World 450, the most recent points-paying Cup Series race at NWS took place in September of 1996.

Window World 450 tickets, camping and race-day upgrades — including Pre-Race Track Passes — can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com. Fans can also purchase tickets directly at Wilkes County IGA Fairvalue Marketplace or Raymer Oil locations with no online taxes or fees.

23XI Racing‘s Tyler Reddick once held a 100-point plus advantage on the field with a series-best five wins — including the prized DAYTONA 500 — but his own team owner-driver, Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Denny Hamlin has whittled the lead down by 78 points in just the last three race weekends. He now sits only 51 points behind Reddick riding into Pocono on a two-race winning streak. Counting the non-points paying All-Star event four weeks ago Hamlin has won three of the last four races.

The closest Hamlin has come to winning three consecutive races was last year when he won at Darlington (S.C.) and Martinsville (Va.) but finished runner-up the next week at Bristol. Reddick has already produced his own three-race win streak winning the season‘s first three races — at Daytona, Atlanta and Austin.

But. … Pocono has historically been Hamlin‘s happy place. His seven wins at the track are most all-time. And the 2.5-mile “Tricky Triangle” is the site of his career first NASCAR Cup Series race victory — from pole position no less — in 2006 and he answered with a win there later in the same season, again from pole position.

“It would be hard, but there’s no better opportunity than I’ve had at any point in my career to win Pocono,” the driver of the No. 11 JGR Toyota said of the three-in-a-row opportunity he‘s got this weekend. “You’re going to one of my best tracks. Cars are obviously fast. Me and my team have it going right now. We know what we need every week. Our communication is great. They know exactly to what level to fix things when I ask for it.

“So, now’s as good an opportunity as ever.”

As compelling a storyline is that contest on the other end of the Chase points standings with 11 races still to decide which 16 drivers will move on to challenge for the 2026 championship.

Bubba Wallace, who once sat second in points to his 23XI Racing teammate Reddick early in the season, has endured a Spring of bad luck and poor results. He‘s now ranked 11th — only a single point up on last year‘s regular season champion, Hendrick Motorsports William Byron and a not-fully-comfortable 46 points to the good on Austin Cindric in that 16th and crucial final Chase transfer position.

But the Pocono triangle has been a place close to Wallace‘s heart and presents a legitimate opportunity to re-launch his title run. He made his first ever NASCAR Cup Series start at Pocono in 2017 in the famed No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford finishing 26th — the first of four races he ran that season filling in for that team‘s injured fulltime driver Aric Almirola.

Only 23 years old at the time, Wallace used that Pocono race as a springboard for his career, improving on each of the remaining three races he competed in for the Petty team in 2017 and making himself a viable option for a fulltime ride, which he received with the team the very next year.

Nearly a decade later, Pocono‘s notoriously challenging track could well be Wallace‘s course corrector. He‘s earned top-10 finishes in four of the last five Pocono races. Last year‘s race ended early after a brake rotor failure on his car only 54 laps into the 200-lapper.

He‘s coming off a third-place finish at Michigan last week and led nine laps before getting collected in a big wreck not of his doing. It‘s only his second top-10 since Kansas in mid-April but a starting point, nonetheless.

“It‘s just adapting throughout the year and figuring out this car,” said Wallace, who drives the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota. “We keep bringing the speed. … and it‘s eventually going to turn around, all of our heads are in the right spot to go out and showcase that.”

Pocono, in particular, is a track Wallace concedes even 13 starts later, he‘s still learning, particularly the famous Turn 2 – the ‘Tunnel Turn‘.

“We all know how treacherous that corner is,” Wallace said “As soon as the top guys crowds the bottom guy, it ruins both of their days, so you try to get in there with a respectable amount of room, but again it all depends on who it is.”

Of note, JGR driver Christopher Bell suffered a left wrist fracture in a wreck last week with Chase Elliott at Michigan, but has been cleared by doctors to compete at Pocono.

Practice (1 p.m. ET) followed by Busch Light Pole Qualifying (2:10 p.m. ET) is set for Saturday (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Hamlin is the defending pole winner and his JGR teammate Chase Briscoe is the defending Pocono race winner. The last driver to win from pole position is the late Kyle Busch, who did so in 2017.

— NASCAR News Wire —

Connor Zilisch is the defending race winner. And the only fulltime series driver with a past victory in the race‘s 10-year history is Austin Hill, driver of the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, who won in 2023.

As has become the theme for the season, the question is whether anyone can slow JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier‘s torrent pace. The 2024 series champion is turning in a career year — his four wins already one victory shy of his career best mark.

And he leads all drivers in everything from trophies to top fives (11), top 10s (13), average finish (7.9), laps led (422) and stage wins (six). Seven times he‘s finished first or second. Perhaps most impressive is that his 179 points over reigning series champ, RCR driver Jesse Love atop the championship standings is larger even than the gap between second place (Love) and 11th place (Sam Mayer).

Instead of discouraging the competition, Allgaier‘s dominance has instead been motivating.

Love, for example, who finished runner-up to Zilisch last year at Pocono, has been close to a trophy, finishing runner-up three times and failing to win even after leading the most laps at Nashville, the series‘ most recent race.

He‘s the only driver ranked among the top-five without a victory. Yet only halfway through the calendar and he‘s already led more laps (374) than he has in any previous entire season.

The competition at the other end of the Chase standings is tight – positions 10th  (Parker Retzlaff) and 15th (Ryan Sieg) are separated by only 32 points.

The last three Pocono race winners — Hill, Cole Custer and Zilisch are all entered this weekend as is NASCAR Cup Series regular William Byron. Practice gets underway at 10:30 a.m. ET Saturday (CW App) followed by Kennametal Pole Qualifying at 11:35 a.m. ET (CW App). Chase Elliott started from pole position last year. Custer is the only polesitter (2019) to win at Pocono.

— NASCAR Wire Servie

Presented by Prime Video Sports, Eli Manning Presents: The Undercovers is produced by Range Studios and Ten Till Productions. Eli Manning Presents: The Undercovers is executive produced by Mark Herwick and Simon Andreae of Range Studios; Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Tim Brown, and Jamie Horowitz of Ten Till Productions; and J.D. Amato. Amato also serves as showrunner. The series was nominated for Outstanding Edited Sports Series: Hosted at the 2026 Sports Emmy Awards.

About Eli Manning Presents: The Undercovers—Ryan Blaney

Eli Manning recruits NASCAR champion and Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney to go undercover at the Team Penske Race Shop in Mooresville, NC. Blaney transforms into Hamish Wimsley, a British gent who’s long in the tooth and even longer in the beard. He gets under the hood of NASCAR and Team Penske before showing some diehard fans that he’s still got plenty of petrol left in the tank. Once transformed by a team of Hollywood makeup artists, Blaney tests his prosthetic disguise on INDYCAR driver and Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin before joining a group of NASCAR superfans at the Team Penske Race Shop. With an unprecedented level of access, Blaney secretly tags along as the fans get a rare look behind the scenes of the championship-winning operation. They get a close-up view of the NextGen assembly line, historic Team Penske cars, and private head-to-head pit crew competition. In the end, a trip to a local go-kart track gives Blaney the chance to show them that Hamish Wimsley might not be who he says he is—and that he drives like a madman.

— Prime Video —

The three-day weekend features race every day beginning Friday, but there is plenty more for children and families to enjoy beyond watching NASCAR‘s biggest stars compete on the track. Pocono Raceway has a dedicated Kids Zone with entertainment, displays and activities open each day and ramps the fun even more with Saturday‘s Lehigh Valley Reilly Children‘s Hospital Kids Day.

Making the weekend even more family friendly, children ages 12 and under receive free admission to the 100 and 200 levels of the grandstand, including access to Fan Fair, all weekend long. With every adult ticket purchased, fans can add up to four free children‘s tickets, making Pocono Raceway one of the best family entertainment values of the summer.

From carnival rides and bounce houses to driver appearances and NASCAR racing, Pocono Raceway offers families an affordable way to kick off summer together. Click here for more information on the program.

The Kids Zone, located in Fan Fair, will be packed with activities designed to keep young race fans entertained throughout the weekend. Attractions include the Gladiator Joust, Crayon Moon Bounce, Sports Arena Moon Bounce, Pop-Up Basketball, face painting, strolling performers and Bubbles “That Foam Party Guy.” Pocono Raceway also will feature a retro carnival with rides and games within the Kids Zone. The area will be open from noon—3 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.—4 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m.—3 p.m. Sunday.

The Lehigh Valley Reilly Children‘s Hospital Kids Day is a special event from 9 a.m.—noon Saturday at Chalet Village. The Kids Day will include face painting, strolling performers, bounce houses, a DJ and Bubble vendor to go along with displays and activities from the Bloomsburg Children‘s Museum, Clymer Library, Community Services for Children / ELRC, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Monroe County Habitat for Humanity, PA Office of Attorney General, Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children, Special Recreation Services Inc., Safe Monroe and a photo booth provided by Sandi K Photos.

Of course, the weekend‘s on-track action is just as exciting.

The Pocono Raceway weekend features a race each day, beginning with Friday‘s ARCA Menards Series Sunset Hill Shooting Range 150 at 3 p.m. ET, followed by Saturday‘s NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA at 4 p.m. The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISIT PA NASCAR Cup Series race culminates the weekend on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, fans also will have opportunities to see NASCAR drivers up close, attend appearances and perhaps even score an autograph or take a selfie with some of the sport‘s biggest stars.

With school out for the summer, savings aren‘t limited to the Kids Free program. Pocono Raceway also is offering 10 percent off 100, 200 and 300 level tickets for students and 20 percent off for educators.

— Pocono Raceway —

This collaboration with Blaney marks The Farmer‘s Dog‘s first partnership with an individual sports personality. Blaney is celebrated not only for his incredible racing career but also for his deep devotion to his family, friends, and pets. Through Blaney‘s platform and NASCAR’s passionate fan base, The Farmer’s Dog aims to spark meaningful conversations about the vital role fresh nutrition plays in canine health, while raising awareness for causes that matter to families across the country.

Blaney shares his life with two senior rescue dogs: Sturgill, an 8-year-old German Shepherd-Labrador mix, and Malibu, a 9-year-old Chihuahua mix. Since switching them to The Farmer’s Dog in 2024, he’s seen firsthand the impact better nutrition can have on the dogs he loves — and it changed the way he thought about what dogs everywhere are being fed.

“Sturgill and Malibu have been with me through everything, and making sure they’re taken care of the right way has always mattered to me,” said Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Cup Series Champion. “When I switched them to The Farmer’s Dog, it was clear it was real food made the right way. I wanted to be part of changing that for every dog family out there.”

The partnership will also support the work of the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation, which raises awareness around brain health and supports families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and concussions. Together, the organizations will launch “Dog Comfort Days,” bringing therapy dogs into memory care centers to create meaningful moments for residents, caregivers, and families.

“Our Foundation exists to support families navigating Alzheimer’s and brain health challenges, and Dog Comfort Days is a natural extension of that work,” said Patty Aber, Managing Director of the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation. “We’re glad to partner with a brand that understands the comfort and connection that dogs bring to the people and families we serve.”

The first public activation of the partnership will take place June 13 at Pocono Raceway’s Bark Park, where Blaney will join The Farmer’s Dog to kick off its season-long presence at Pocono.

“We started The Farmer’s Dog when we discovered how broken the pet food system really is and how a switch to real food can change a dog’s life,” said Jonathan Regev, CEO and Co-Founder of The Farmer’s Dog. “From the moment we met Ryan, we knew he deeply understood that. He’s seen the difference with his own dogs, and he’s exactly the kind of partner we want helping us bring that message to millions more dog families.”

— Farmers Dog —

Marks, a St. Louis native and owner of the Nos. 1, 88 and 97 Chevrolet Camaros, will swap his NASCAR Cup Series team owner‘s cap for a helmet, gloves and driver‘s suit when the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series mixes it up for 50 laps for the first of three races for NASCAR‘s national touring series in San Diego June 19-21.

Jockey, the omnipresent innerwear and apparel brand synonymous with comfort, quality, innovation and trust, will serve as Marks‘ primary sponsor aboard his No. 77 Chevy for his first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start since July 2022 at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course.

“It‘s a unique opportunity to drive in the inaugural Truck Series race at San Diego Naval Base,” said Marks. “I enjoy getting behind the wheel every once in a while, and I‘m thankful to do it with Spire‘s help and with a longtime partner like Jockey. They are celebrating their 150th anniversary and are very supportive of our military which makes this endeavor even more special. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the upcoming race weekend and it‘s an honor to be part of it.”

Separate from his team owner accolades that include over a dozen wins in NASCAR‘s premier division and a 2025 victory in the MotoGP ranks, Marks is an accomplished racer with over 80 starts from the cockpit in NASCAR‘s Cup, O‘Reilly Auto Parts and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Marks, 45, has made 39 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts dating to 2007 and earned pole positions at Texas Motor Speedway (2008) and Dover Motor Speedway (2011). Over those nearly 40 starts, he‘s logged four top 10s and calls a pair of eighth-place finishes (Homestead 2007/Dover 2008) his series‘ best.

While his lone NASCAR win as a driver came in 2016 at Mid-Ohio in O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series competition, Marks boasts eight checkered flags in the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series, including a trip to Victory Lane in the GT Class at the 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

“Our relationship with Justin goes back a long way, from his time coming up through the sport, so it means a great deal to have him in Spire Motorsports‘ No. 77 Chevy Silverado for this race,” said Spire Motorsports President Bill Anthony. “We know how important this event is for Justin and Jockey, and we‘re proud to support that opportunity while recognizing the tremendous impact Justin continues to have as one of NASCAR‘s best advocates and forward-thinking leaders.”

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series inaugural visit to Naval Base Coronado will be televised live on FS1 Friday, June 19 beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 13th of 25 races on the 2026 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will also be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

— Spire Motorsports —

Leveraging over 120,000 square feet of manufacturing space across its facilities, Raptor Power Systems is uniquely positioned to meet the rapid expansion demands of modern data centers. The company’s robust domestic manufacturing capabilities allow it to deliver its entire line of customized, mission-critical Voltz solutions to customers in weeks rather than months, setting a new standard for industry lead times.

“In NASCAR, every millisecond counts, and success relies on flawless execution under pressure,” said Evan El Koury, CEO of Raptor Power Systems. “Those exact same principles apply to the critical infrastructure powering today’s AI and cloud environments. Partnering with Leland and DGM Racing is a natural extension of our commitment to speed, precision, and operational excellence.”

“What excites me about partnering with Raptor Power Systems is how closely their business mirrors what we strive for in NASCAR,” said Leland Honeyman Jr. “Success on the racetrack comes down to reliability, precision, and performance under pressure. Every component on our race car has to perform flawlessly when it matters most, and the same is true for the power distribution equipment Raptor provides to mission-critical facilities. Whether it’s keeping a data center online or keeping a race car competitive for 200 miles, there’s no room for failure. I’m proud to represent a company that understands the importance of speed, execution, and delivering results when performance matters most.”

Through its partnership with DGM Racing, Raptor Power Systems is also proud to share the track footprint alongside Honeyman’s long-term partner, DPR Construction, as they serve as an associate sponsor for the race.

The Voltz Chevrolet Camaro will make its primary sponsorship debut on the track at the upcoming NOAPS race at Pocono Raceway this Saturday, June 13, highlighting the high-performance infrastructure keeping the digital world online.

For more information about Raptor Power Systems and its industry-leading power distribution solutions, visit www.voltzpwr.com.

— Raptor Power Systems —

The weekend marks more than a milestone on the track. Costa Oil is using the occasion to host its company-wide Employee Appreciation Day at Pocono Raceway — bringing together team members from across the country for a day at “The Tricky Triangle” to thank the people who keep the business running.

“Putting our colors on a NASCAR car at a track like Pocono is a proud moment for the entire Costa Oil family,” said Brandon Cornelius. “But what makes this weekend special is who we‘re sharing it with. We‘ve flown in employees from all over the country because none of this happens without them. This is our way of saying thank you — and there‘s no better place to do it than at the racetrack.”

The No. 35 will take to the 2.5-mile triangular superspeedway for 100 laps of racing on Saturday afternoon. Pocono‘s three distinct corners and long straightaways make it one of the most demanding ovals on the schedule, and Ware will be looking to make the most of the opportunity with the combined resources of Joey Gase Racing and Mike Harmon Racing behind him.

“I‘m grateful to Costa Oil  as our primary sponsor for Pocono,” said Carson Ware. “It means a lot to carry their name, especially on a weekend they‘re celebrating their people. I‘ll be giving everything I‘ve got to make their employees proud out there.”

For Costa Oil, the partnership reflects a broader commitment to its workforce and its presence in motorsports. Welcoming employees trackside to witness the No. 35 compete firsthand turns a sponsorship into a shared experience — a thank-you that the company‘s team members will see fly past the grandstands at full speed.

The MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, with coverage on The CW, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The car‘s paint scheme was designed by Alan Elwood of Elwood Designs (@ElwoodDesigns), the latest in an ongoing collaboration that has put Elwood‘s work on multiple Costa Oil entries. Known across both professional and sim-racing circles for his liveries and paint-scheme craftsmanship, Elwood once again brings the Costa Oil brand to life on the No. 35.

Costa Oil Filters, which will be prominently featured on Ware‘s race car, deliver advanced filtration technology, enhanced engine protection, and optimized oil flow, making them a top choice for drivers who demand peak performance.

— Costa Oil —

Race car driver Carson Ware will return to NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competition this Saturday at Pocono Raceway, piloting the No. 35 Costa Oil Chevrolet, with teams Joey Gase Racing and Mike Harmon Racing in the MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA. Ware takes on the The Tricky Triangle with positive traction after scoring a victory at Orange County Speedway last week in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series.

The opportunity comes at a time when Ware is enjoying one of the strongest stretches of his racing career. Ware‘s recent CPLMS win was secured after qualifying on the pole, adding to an impressive season that has featured success in several series, including two additional CPLMS wins at Hickory and Caraway.

Known for his versatility behind the wheel, Ware has spent 2026 competing across a variety of racing disciplines while continuing to pursue opportunities on NASCAR’s national stage. His recent performances have demonstrated both his talent and determination as he continues building momentum throughout the season.

Pocono Raceway’s unique three-turn layout presents one of the most challenging tests in NASCAR, requiring drivers to balance speed, patience and strategy throughout the race. Costa Oil, a loyal sponsor of Ware‘s racing career, will serve as his primary Pocono sponsor while celebrating their Employee Appreciation Day. Fans can support both Ware and Costa Oil by visiting costafilters.com and using promo code WARE to receive 10% off all filters.

“Having the opportunity to represent Costa Oil and show appreciation to their employees that make them who they are, is extremely special,” Ware said. “This weekend is bigger than just being on track, it‘s about recognizing the crucial part of what makes Costa Oil so great. This track has produced some of my best finishes, and I‘m excited to put on a show for the employees and fans this Saturday!”

For Ware, the Pocono appearance represents more than just another race. It is the latest chapter in a journey defined by perseverance, growth and a renewed focus on both his racing career and personal life.

The MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA is scheduled for 4PM ET on Saturday June 13 at Pocono Raceway.

— Carson Ware Racing —

“We thank Josh Berry for all he‘s done for Wood Brothers Racing and our partners over the last two seasons. Josh has been a great teammate and we look forward to a strong finish to this season. We wish Josh all the best moving forward. We will announce who will be driving the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in 2027 soon and we are excited for what lies ahead for Wood Brothers Racing.”

— Team Penske —

ORIGINAL POST: Josh Berry says he is focused on finding his next opportunity after learning he will not return to the #21 for the Wood Brothers next season.

“You never know what kind of opportunities come about and where it goes from here,” Berry said. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to get the opportunities that I’ve had and been extremely fortunate to drive for the Wood Brothers and this team.”

Berry said he is open to exploring any opportunities that may become available and believes his performance behind the wheel remains unchanged.

“I still feel like that I’m the same guy that won Las Vegas,” Berry said. “I’m still the same guy that nearly won New Hampshire in the playoffs. We just have to spend a tough year, like I said, but we’ll work through it and try to find out what’s out there.”

While admitting the news was difficult to process, Berry said he is determined to move forward.

Daytona International Speedway announced today that tickets are now on sale for NASCAR‘s 2027 season opener, the DAYTONA 500. The 69th running of The Great American Race takes the track on Sunday, February 21, 2027.

“The Garage,” a free kick-off celebration ahead of the NASCAR race weekend, will blend high-speed racing experiences with local music, art and community partnerships. The all-day event runs this Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT at Waterfront Park.

The activation features countless elements the community will enjoy, including interactive racing simulators and exclusive vehicle displays. Fans can test their skills at a NASCAR 25 Game Pod, compete in sports-themed games courtesy of the San Diego Padres and San Diego FC (SDFC), and collect limited-edition merchandise from a collaboration between Toyota and local skate shop, Arts-Rec (while supplies last).

Team Toyota athlete and Encinitas native Jordyn Barratt will headline a live skate demonstration on a mini halfpipe in conjunction with Arts-Rec, 23XI Racing (co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin), and TOYOTA RACING.  Barratt will also be conducting a pit box interview session and autograph session at the Outfitters merchandise hauler on-site. A San-Diego based muralist will create a live art installation during the event, blending inspiration from TOYOTA RACING and elements of the city‘s culture and identity. Music and other live entertainment will be provided by Padres resident DJ Beto Perez, premium giveaways, local enthusiast vehicles provided by the local Toyota Dealers, TOYOTA RACING merchandise for sale and food for purchase from several food trucks on-site are just a few of the many things to see and do.

“The Garage brings racing closer to fans by celebrating what makes San Diego unique,” said Paul Doleshal, general manager, motorsports and sponsorships, Toyota Motor North America. “From locally inspired art and music, to community partnerships with the Padres and SDFC (San Diego Football Club), this experience connects racing culture with the vibrant local community.”

Below is a highlight list of the extensive things to see and do at the Garage on June 13 at San Diego‘s Waterfront Park:

• A live music experience reflecting San Diego‘s unique sound and local community.

• The event will feature a specially wrapped San Diego Padres RAV4 and SDFC Tacoma courtesy of the local Toyota Dealers Association. In addition, two local enthusiast vehicles will be on display.

• Fans will be able to choose from the high-end premiums by visiting each of the Garage activations and completing their passport.

•Jordyn Barratt is scheduled to make a formal appearance which will include a Q+A Interview with TOYOTA RACING‘S Rob Coffey. Barrett will conduct an autograph session at the on-site merchandise hauler, and skate demo on the mini half-pipe.

• TOYOTA and 23XI partnered with a local skate shop, Arts-Rec, to create unique, high-end premiums for fans to collect by participating in all the Garage activities. The collaboration with Arts-Rec includes the following limited co-branded items — skate deck, trucker hats, bucket hats, and air fresheners. Fans will be given a passport flyer to collect stamps for each of the activations at the Garage to be eligible to receive a premium (*while supplies last).

• Friar from Padres with Pad Squad.

•NASCAR Simulators and NASCAR Gaming Pod.

•Fans will be able to win prizes from a spin wheel attached to the trailer hitch of a specially designed Daniel Diamond Rhinestone Tundra. It features 143,021 rhinestones and took 435 hours of work over 55 straight days with every single rhinestone placed by hand.

•Local Food Trucks with food for purchase.

— Time —

…..

Carson Hocevar could very well be the next face of NASCAR. The 23-year-old from Michigan, who claimed his first Cup Series victory in April, possesses a combination of talent and confidence that attracts a fervent following

— Time —

At Pocono Raceway Stats & Tidbits:
TRACK & RACE DATA
Season Race #: 16 of 36 (June 14, 2026)
Track Length: 2.5 Mile Asphalt Paved Tri-Oval
Race Purse: $11,233,037
Race Length: 400 Miles (160 Laps)
Stage 1 Length 30 laps (Ends on Lap 30)
Stage 2 Length 65 laps (Ends on Lap 95)
Final Stage Length 65 laps (Ends on Lap 160)
Banking in Turn 1: 14 degrees
Banking in Turn 2: 8 degrees
Banking in Turn 3: 6 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,740 feet
Backstretch: 3,055 feet
Shortstretch: 1,780 feet

POCONO QUALIFYING & RACE RECORDS

Track Qualifying Record:
Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 183.438 mph, 49.063 secs., August 1, 2014

Track Race Record (200 laps/500 miles):
Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 145.384 mph, (03:26:21), June 12, 2011

Track Race Record (160 laps/400 miles):
Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 144.202 mph, (02:46:26), June 9, 2013

2025 Pocono Pole Winner:
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 172.599 mph, 52.144 secs., June 21, 2025

2025 Pocono Race Winner:
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 130.199 mph, (03:04:20), June 22, 2025

HISTORY

• Opened in 1968 as a three-quarter-mile track, Pocono Raceway is operated by the family-owned Mattco Inc, started by Joseph II and Rose Mattioli.
• Pocono Raceway held the first race on the 2.5-mile track in 1971.
• The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway was on August 4, 1974, and the event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty driving the famous Petty Enterprises‘ No. 43 Dodge. The average speed of the 192-lap race was 115.593 mph. Petty led 152 of the 192 laps on his way to the win.
• The 2.5-mile track was repaved during the fall of 2011.
• 2012 marked the first season the NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono were scheduled for 400 miles. Prior to 2012, all NASCAR Cup Series races were 500 miles at Pocono Raceway.
• There have been 92 NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono Raceway, one race from 1974 through 1981, and two per year from 1982-2021.
• 2020 marked the first season the NASCAR Cup Series held a doubleheader weekend at Pocono Raceway, with races run and Saturday and Sunday.
• Since 2022, the NASCAR Cup Series has only competed at Pocono Raceway once a season.

STARTS

• A total of 371 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.
• A total of 270=3 have competed in more than one Cup Series race at Pocono.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Ricky Rudd leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Pocono Raceway with 55.
• Top Five In Cup Pocono Starts (All-Time): Ricky Rudd (55), Mark Martin (54), Terry Labonte (54), Kyle Petty (50) and Bill Elliott (48).
• Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Pocono Raceway with 36.
• Top five in Cup Starts at Pocono (Active): Denny Hamlin (36), Joey Logano (30), Brad Keselowski (28), AJ Allmendinger (25), Michael McDowell (23).
• A total of 35 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have made their series debut at Pocono Raceway.
• The most recent driver to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Pocono Raceway is Ty Gibbs in 2022.

• Of the 35 drivers that made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Pocono Raceway, Jan Opperman posted the best finish with an eighth-place result on August 4, 1974. Opperman started in the 14th position.

Average Starting Position

• David Pearson (six starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Pocono Raceway with a 4.67.
• Ty Gibbs (four starts) leads all active series drivers in average starting position at Pocono with a 7.25.

Top 10 Average Starting Positions at Pocono Raceway (All-Time & Active)

POLES

• A total of 47 different drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series pole at Pocono Raceway.
• A total of 21 different drivers have won multiple Cup Series poles at Pocono Raceway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Buddy Baker won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Pocono Raceway in 1974 with a speed of 144.122 mph (Ford). Baker finished second in the event.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott (1984, 1985 sweep, 1995 and 2002), Ken Schrader (1989, 1992, 1993 sweep and 1995) and Denny Hamlin (2006 sweep, 2014, 2022, 2025) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Pocono Raceway with five poles each.
• This weekend, eight of the 47 Pocono Raceway Cup Series pole winners are active.

• Of the 47 Cup Series pole winners at Pocono Raceway, only six have won consecutive poles: Bill Elliott (1984-85), Mark Martin (1990-91), Ken Schrader (1993 sweep), Denny Hamlin (2006 sweep), Joey Logano (fall 2011 and spring 2012) and Kyle Busch (2017 sweep).
• Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive Cup Series poles at Pocono Raceway with three straight from the Fall of 1984 and both races in 1985.
• Youngest Cup Series Pocono pole winner: Joey Logano (August 7, 2011 — 21 years, 2 months, 14 days).
• Oldest Cup Series Pocono pole winner: David Pearson (June 10, 1984 — 49 years, 5 months, 19 days).
• Four drivers have posted their first-career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Pocono Raceway: Harry Gant (1979), Casey Mears (2004), Kyle Larson (2014) and Daniel Suárez (2018).
• A total of 30 different organizations have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono Raceway.
• Five of the 30 NASCAR Cup Series organizations with poles at Pocono Raceway are active this weekend.

• Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Pocono Raceway with 14 poles each.
  • Hendrick Motorsports has 14 Pocono poles among six drivers: Geoff Bodine (1986), Tim Richmond (1987), Ken Schrader (1989, 1992, 1993 sweep, 1995), Jeff Gordon (1996, 1998), Jimmie Johnson (2003, 2008, 2013) and William Byron (2019, 2023).
  • Joe Gibbs Racing has 14 Pocono poles among six drivers: Tony Stewart (2000), Denny Hamlin (2006 sweep, 2014, 2022, 2025), Kyle Busch (2010, 2015, 2017 sweep), Joey Logano (2011, 2012), Daniel Suarez (2018), Ty Gibbs (2024).
• Eight different manufacturers have won a NASCAR Cup Series pole at Pocono Raceway; led by Chevrolet with 35, followed by Ford (18), Toyota (12), Dodge (8), Pontiac (6), Buick (2), American Motors Company and Oldsmobile (each have one).

WINS

• A total of 41 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Pocono Raceway.
• A total of 25 different drivers have won multiple times in the Cup Series at the 2.5-mile track.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway in 1974. Petty ran 500 miles in 4 hours, 9 minutes and 9 seconds with an average speed of 115.593 mph, driving a Petty Enterprises Dodge.
• This weekend, eight of the 41 NASCAR Cup Series Pocono Raceway winners are active.

• Denny Hamlin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Pocono Raceway with seven victories (2006 sweep, 2009, 2010, 2019, 2020, 2023).
• Eight drivers have posted consecutive wins at Pocono Raceway: Bobby Allison (1982 sweep and Spring 1983), Bill Elliott (1985 sweep), Tim Richmond (1986 sweep and spring 1987), Bobby Labonte (1999 sweep), Jimmie Johnson (2004 sweep), Denny Hamlin (2006 sweep and 2009-2010), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2014 sweep), Kyle Busch (2018-2019). Richmond and Allison have won the most consecutive races at Pocono in the Cup Series with each driver putting up three straight.
• Youngest Cup Series Pocono winner: Joey Logano (June 10, 2012 — 22 years, 0 months, 17 days).
• Oldest Cup Series Pocono winner: Harry Gant (June 17, 1990 — 50 years, 5 months, 7 days).
• A total of four NASCAR Cup Series drivers have posted their first career win at Pocono Raceway; three of which are active this weekend:

• Denny Hamlin (2006) is the only active driver to win at Pocono in his first appearance.
• Casey Mears leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Pocono without visiting Victory Lane at 28.
• A total of 23 different starting positions on the grid have resulted in wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono Raceway.
• Of the 92 NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono Raceway, 16 have been won from the pole or first starting position; the most recent was Kyle Busch on July 30, 2017.
• The two NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono Raceway that were won from the first starting position after qualifying was cancelled were the 2009 race (Tony Stewart) and the 2013 race (Jimmie Johnson).
• The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (16) than any other starting position at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series — a 17.3% winning percentage.
• The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Pocono is 29th, by Carl Edwards in the spring of 2005.
• The deepest in the field that an active race winner has started at Pocono is 22nd, by Chris Buescher in 2016.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Pocono Raceway

• A total of 26 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono Raceway; seven are active.

• Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Pocono with 19 victories among nine drivers: Jeff Gordon (six), Tim Richmond (three), Jimmie Johnson (three), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two), Kasey Kahne (one), Geoff Bodine (one), Terry Labonte (one), Alex Bowman (one), Chase Elliott (one).
• Eight different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono; led by Chevrolet with 34 victories; followed by Ford with 25, Toyota (13), Dodge (seven), Pontiac (six), Buick (four), Mercury (two) and Oldsmobile (one).
• The most consecutive wins by a manufacturer in the NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono Raceway is six straight wins by Chevrolet from 8/5/2012 — 6/7/2015.

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes

• A total of 39 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Pocono Raceway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Pocono Raceway with seven second-place finishes.
• Brad Keselowski leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in runner-up finishes at Pocono Raceway with four.

Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Pocono Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Top-Five Finishes

• A total of 82 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-five at Pocono Raceway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famers Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon lead the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Pocono with 20 each.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top fives at Pocono with 17.

Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Pocono Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Top-10 Finishes

• A total of 136 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished in the top-10 at Pocono Raceway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Pocono Raceway with 34 top 10s.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with 24 top-10 finishes at Pocono Raceway.

Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Pocono Raceway (All-Time & Active)

Average Finish

• NASCAR Hall of Famer Davey Allison leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Pocono Raceway with a 9.7 in 13 starts.
• Brad Keselowski leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Pocono with a 10.7 in 28 starts.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Positions at Pocono Raceway (All-Time & Active)

LAP LEADERS & LEAD CHANGES

• A total of 138 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have led at least one lap at Pocono Raceway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Pocono Raceway with 1,040 laps led in 47 starts.
• Denny Hamlin leads all active Cup Series drivers in laps led at Pocono Raceway with 890 laps led in 36 starts.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Pocono Raceway (All-Time)

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Pocono Raceway (Active)

• Most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway by the race winner was 175 of the 200 scheduled laps (87.5%) on August 5, 2007, by race winner Kurt Busch.
• Most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway by a driver that did not win the race was 154 of the scheduled 200 laps (77%) on June 9, 1985, by Geoff Bodine; he finished fourth.
• Fewest laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway by the race winner is just two laps led on August 2, 2015, by Matt Kenseth; he started the race from the seventh starting position. Kenseth led one lap (88) earlier in the race and took the lead on the final lap to win the event.
• Note: The 2022 Pocono race winner, Chase Elliott, won the race by not leading a single lap. Elliott was deemed the winner after Denny Hamlin‘s No. 11 and Kyle Busch‘s No. 18 cars were disqualified in post-race inspection.
• The most leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway is 16 and it occurred three times – 6/17/1990, 6/8/2003 and 6/13/2004.
• The fewest leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway is four and it occurred three times – 7/30/1978, 6/9/1985 and 6/9/2013.
• The most lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway is 56 and it occurred on 7/30/1979.
• The fewest lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway is eight and it occurred last season (7/14/2024).

TRACK SPECIFIC STATS

• Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway is the July 23, 2000 race, that was won by Rusty Wallace over Jeff Burton with a margin of victory of 0.126 second.

Top 10 Closest Margins of Victory at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series

• Since the advent of electronic scoring the largest margin of victory (MOV) in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway is the August 2, 2015 race, that was won by Matt Kenseth over Brad Keselowski with a margin of victory of 9.012 seconds.

Top Five Largest Margins of Victory at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series

• There have been five NASCAR Cup Series races resulting with NASCAR Overtime at Pocono since its inception into the series in 2005.

NASCAR Overtime Races at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series

• Seven of the 92 NASCAR Cup Series races at Pocono Raceway have been shortened due to weather conditions.

Weather Shortened Races at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series

• Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono Raceway seven times, and it has also been cancelled for four additional races (2020-2021) for the pandemic; twice the driver who started first after qualifying was cancelled won the event.

NASCAR Cup Series Races with Qualifying Cancelled at Pocono Raceway

FEMALE COMPETITOR STATS

• Two female drivers have competed at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series: Janet Guthrie (3 starts) and Danica Patrick (10 starts).

Female Competitor Stats at Pocono Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR IN PENNSYLVANIA

• There have been 175 NASCAR national series races among 10 tracks in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Among the 10 tracks in Pennsylvania, Pocono Raceway has hosted the most NASCAR national series events (118).
• The first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Pennsylvania was the NASCAR Cup Series event held on September 11, 1949 at Langhorne Speedway and won by Curtis Turner (Oldsmobile).
• The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway was on August 4, 1974, and the event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty (Dodge, 115.593 mph).

PENNSYLVANIA DRIVERS IN NASCAR

• A total of 152 drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Pennsylvania.
• Three of the 152 Pennsylvania drivers have won in NASCAR‘s national series.

NASCAR Winners from Pennsylvania

— NASCAR —

On the latest episode of the “Hauler Talk” podcast, Mike Forde, NASCAR vice president of racing communications, confirmed that the Delta-v, which measures the change in velocity, was the largest number recorded since the Next Gen made its debut in 2022.

According to Matt Harper, NASCAR managing director of safety systems, it‘s also the hardest recorded hit in at least a decade.

…

“Delta-v is the measure of speed lost in an incident,” Forde said. “So if you‘re going 200 mph and then all of a sudden you come to a stop because you hit a wall and scrub off X amount of speed, that difference is what the Delta-v is. I can‘t give out the Delta-v number for Bell. That data is proprietary in a way. We share that with the team and the driver, and that‘s their data to do with what they want. But we can confirm that it was the largest number we‘ve seen in the Next Gen era.”

— NASCAR.com —

Bell was involved in an accident on Lap 148 and was evaluated and released from the infield care center. After returning to North Carolina, X-rays confirmed the fracture.

Despite the injury, Bell has been medically cleared to compete and will drive the No. 20 Rheem Toyota this weekend at Pocono Raceway.

NEWS 🚨 @CBellRacing suffered a fractured left wrist after an accident on lap 148 of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. After being evaluated and released from the infield care center, Bell returned home to North Carolina where X-rays confirmed… pic.twitter.com/FByoc7lTrR

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) June 9, 2026

The audience was up 17% from the comparable Michigan race in 2025, which drew 1.77 million viewers.

Michigan’s 2.07 million viewers represented Prime Video’s second-largest NASCAR audience of the season, trailing only the Coca-Cola 600 (3.06 million) and slightly exceeding Nashville (2.01 million).

.@PrimeVideo got 2.07 million viewers for Sunday's NASCAR FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan, up 17% from last year's comparable figures, according to Nielsen's Big Data + panel figures. pic.twitter.com/CHGbfgf5na

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) June 9, 2026

Gaughan and McAnally have deep ties tracing back over 25 years, as the driver and owner pair combined to capture consecutive NASCAR Winston West Series championships in 2000 and 2001. McAnally was also involved in establishing Orleans Racing in 2000, the organization that Gaughan took to victory lane for his first NCTS victory in 2002.

The Las Vegas native‘s desire to compete in the inaugural race on the Coronado Naval Base was driven by his military ties. Gaughan is an Honorary Squadron Commander for the U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team and will feature their logo on the bed top of his No. 20 Chevrolet in San Diego. A close friend and former Georgetown football teammate of Gaughan‘s, Captain (Ret.) Ryan Shann, spent the majority of his 28-year career in the Navy stationed at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and was the Commanding Officer of Seal Team 1 in 2015-2016.

“This is so cool to come back and race in a truck again for Bill,” Gaughan said. “We‘ve got a ton of history together, tons of great memories, and this is going to be something we‘ll talk about for a long time. Ever since I heard the race at Coronado was going to happen, I knew I wanted to run something, and I‘m just glad Bill and I were able to make this happen. This is a great chance for the NASCAR community to celebrate and recognize our military with a unique event, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

Gaughan will take the green flag for his 218th NCTS start and his 504th NASCAR national series start on Friday, June 19th at 7:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.

—  McAnally-Hilgemann Racing —

The historic race will take place on the Qualcomm Circuit, the 16-turn, 3.4-mile street course constructed aboard Naval Base Coronado, marking a unique celebration of two iconic American institutions: the United States Navy and NASCAR.

Friday‘s activities on Naval Base Coronado will be reserved exclusively for members of the United States Navy and select Coronado residents. Throughout the day, attendees will enjoy a variety of interactive experiences highlighting both the Navy‘s proud heritage and NASCAR‘s competitive spirit.

“The Navy 250 provides an incredible opportunity to celebrate the men and women who have served our nation for 250 years while bringing NASCAR‘s unique brand of competition and camaraderie to Naval Base Coronado,” said Amy Lupo, president of NASCAR San Diego. “Hosting the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on the Qualcomm Circuit allows us to honor the Navy‘s legacy in a meaningful way and create unforgettable experiences for sailors, military families and the Coronado community.”

The Navy 250 will begin at 4 p.m. PT and air live on FS1, capping an exciting opening day of action for members of the Coronado Navy community. Among the featured events will be the NASCAR Sailor Showdown at 1:30 p.m. PT, an exciting pit crew challenge that pairs sailors with NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series pit crew members in a head-to-head test of teamwork, precision and speed. Additional displays and demonstrations throughout the day will showcase the skills, technology and traditions that define both organizations.

Ticket holders from the general public will be welcomed aboard June 20—21, for the final two days of incredible action. The NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series‘ United Rentals Driven to Serve 250 takes center stage on Saturday, June 20, and the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will compete in the Anduril 250 Race the Base on Sunday, June 21.

For the latest information on NASCAR San Diego Weekend presented by Anduril, visit www.nascarsandiego.com.

— NASCAR —

The new Goodyear Racing Eagle right-side tire combines the compound run at Pocono last year with the construction used at several intermediate tracks this season.

While the left-side tire is new to Pocono, it is already familiar to teams. This weekend will be their fourth consecutive race on this specification, after Charlotte Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway and Michigan International Speedway.

NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series teams will run the left-side specification they most recently used at Dover Motor Speedway, alongside a right-side tire introduced at Iowa Speedway last August. As is standard on tracks one-mile and longer, the 15-inch tires will also use inner liners.

“Pocono is perhaps the most unique oval track we visit,” said Rick Heinrich, Goodyear NASCAR product manager. “At the same time, our tire philosophy here draws on our intermediate track package, which is reflected in the Goodyear Racing Eagle tires we have selected this weekend.”

Goodyear Racing Eagle tires are also in action this weekend in France at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and at Bristol Dragway for the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Fast Facts

NASCAR Cup Series
Race: Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA (160 laps / 400 miles)
Track: Pocono Raceway (2.5-mile tri-oval)
Date/Time: Sunday, June 14, 3 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, HBO Max

Tire: Goodyear Racing Eagle
Tire Code: D-5284 left side, D-5292 right side
Previous Usage in 2026: Las Vegas (LS), Darlington (LS), Kansas (LS), Texas (LS), Charlotte (LS), Nashville (LS), Michigan (LS)
Tire Circumference: 2,263 mm (89.1 in.) left side, 2,281 (89.8 in.) right side
Recommended Minimum Inflation: LF — 20 psi, RF — 40 psi, LR — 22 psi, RR — 38 psi
Total Sets: 8 (6 new race / 1 qualifying transfer to race / 1 practice)

NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series 
Race: MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA (100 laps / 250 miles)
Track: Pocono Raceway (2.5-mile tri-oval)
Date/Time: Saturday, June 13, 4 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: CW, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Tire: Goodyear Racing Eagle
Tire Code: D-6106 left side, D-6134 right side
Previous Usage in 2026: Darlington (LS), Rockingham (LS), Bristol (LS), Dover (LS)
Tire Circumference: 2,225 mm (87.6 in.) left side, 2,250 (88.6 in.) right side
Recommended Minimum Inflation: LF — 19 psi, RF — 52 psi, LR — 19 psi, RR — 48 psi
Total Sets: 5 (3 new race / 1 qualifying transfer to start race / 1 practice)

— PitBox 91 —

Quiet off weekend pic.twitter.com/ghG9DZDKki

— Garrett Smithley (@GarrettSmithley) June 8, 2026

In the post, Busch reflected on their relationship both on and off the racetrack, writing about the memories they shared growing up and throughout their NASCAR careers. He also thanked fans for their support and expressed gratitude for the tributes that have been shared in the days since Kyle’s passing.

Busch’s full post is below.

Dye shared the news on social media Monday morning, stating that he will compete at IMS in addition to the events previously announced by the team.

The original announcement of Dye’s Cup schedule with Live Fast Motorsports can be found here.

Excited to go #NASCAR Cup Racing at @IMS with @teamlivefast, in addition to the other events already announced. Plus a few more @NASCAROReillyAP starts to round out the season. Full Schedule ⬇️https://t.co/qCotLPemPI

— Daniel Dye (@danieldye43) June 8, 2026

At 45 years old in his 21st fulltime season, Hamlin still continues to raise an already stellar game and he‘s done so recently in the midst of hugely emotional personal loss — his father during the off-season and then his friend, former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch only weeks ago.

Even in these difficult life-impacting moments Hamlin is proving to be a source of strength to himself and others — raising his game on and off the race track; responding with leadership and compassion. And wins.

His victory Sunday in the No. 11 JGR Toyota — by more than 11-seconds on the field – was the 63rd of his career, tying him for ninth place on the all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins list with the two-time champion Kyle Busch. And Hamlin showed up prepared for the moment, marking the achievement with an emotional and so-appropriate victory celebration waving a specially-made Kyle Busch flag outside his window and capping the day with a bow — Busch‘s trademark winning salute.

It will be an iconic moment in the sport ever after.

“The NASCAR community has kind of just been through it over the last — certainly the last few weeks, but then just generally in the last six, eight months,” Hamlin said. “It’s been tough. I just wanted to pay my respects to someone that I really did look up to and taught me so much as a teammate. There’s nothing we can say or do that’s going to make his family feel better, but at least during that little time, you can pay him the respects that he deserves.”

Something else Busch could definitely appreciate, is the strength of Hamlin‘s game right now.

Hamlin won the non-points All-Star race four weeks ago and has added those stunning comeback victories at Nashville and Michigan to a win at Las Vegas in March. Four times in the last five races, Hamlin has finished third-place or better.

That kind of early summer effort, combined with Tyler Reddick‘s first DNF of the season Sunday at Michigan, has cut Reddick‘s one-time 100-points plus lead atop the standings to only 51 points with 11 races remaining in the regular season. The five-race winner Reddick, who drives for 23XI Racing team Hamlin co-owns with NBA legend Michael Jordan, and Hamlin have been 1-2 atop the championship standings since April.

“I knew the only way we ever could catch him is he was going to have to have bad luck, I said it weeks ago,” Hamlin conceded of the narrowing points chase. “He had bad luck today. We were in the same wreck. We were turned around backwards. Luckily, no one hit us in turn one. Our car wasn’t very good, and we just, we overcame it.

“I think he’s going to stretch it out at San Diego and Sonoma (Calif.),” Hamlin said of Reddick‘s road course prowess and the upcoming road course races. “I still think he’s in a really good place, but if we keep doing this, it will be — it will keep them interesting and honest for sure.”

Hamlin heads into Sunday‘s Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway (3 p.m. ET on Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) deservedly both the sentimental and logical race favorite. His seven wins there are most in history.

The iconic 2.5-mile triangular shaped Pocono track is where Hamlin earned his first NASCAR Cup Series win in 2006, ultimately sweeping the season‘s two races there – and doing so in impressive fashion by claiming both trophies from pole position.

Amazingly, he‘s been able to maintain that magic all these years later. In just the last three Pocono races, he was a victory (2023) followed by back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2024-25 — a Pocono resume that also features an incredible 17 top-five and 24 top-10 showings in 36 starts.

Confidence is not a problem for Hamlin at Pocono. Or anywhere else right now.

“Just experience,” Hamlin answered when asked why he was still able to be so successful two decades into his career.

“I was talking to [23 year old JGR teammate] Ty Gibbs before the race, and he was like how many starts do you have? . …He’s like, ‘man, I’m at the point now where I feel like I know what I need. I know what I’m looking for.‘ And I said, ‘yeah, imagine having four times as many starts as you have.

“That’s the advantage I have every single week. He feels comfortable where he’s at, but just add another 15 years of experience, and you know the transitions of the track and what happens when it gets cloudy, what happens when it gets sunny, what happens when the wind is this direction, that direction, all those things you just learn over time.

“It’s why we have the upper hand right now.”

And indeed, he does.

— NASCAR Wire Service —

Mr. & Mrs Burton. 👰🏼‍♀️🤵🏼‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/DOKHwiG1MQ

— Jeb Burton (@JebBurtonRacing) June 7, 2026

…

At age 45, Hamlin has won three races in 2026, including each of the last two despite going to the rear early in both events. Pressed by NASCAR Hall of Famer and Sports on Prime analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr. if Hamlin intends to step away after the 2027 season, Hamlin explained the wear and tear he battles between races.

“I don‘t know. The weeks are a little tougher,” Hamlin said. “I feel as though there‘s three things that happen: You lose your eyesight, you lose your reaction and your body hurts. The body hurts are there. It‘s there. During the week, I‘m not recovering as quick. But the other two things are sharp. I want to go out like this. It‘s a fantasy land to do it, but right now …”

…

“At the end of next year … I told him just check with me in six months. Check with me in six months,” Hamlin said. “I don‘t want to leave them in flux. They‘ve got a great driver in Brent Crews that‘s gonna be ready more than likely by the end of next year. It‘d be hard — if [the end of this contract] was right now, it‘d be really hard. But I find it hard to believe we‘re gonna be at this level at this time next year.”

— NASCAR.com —

Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2026 FireKeepers Casino 400
Start time to record race/commercial periods: 3:02 PM
End time to record race/commercial periods: 6:56 PM
Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 234
Minutes of race broadcast: 222
Minutes of traditional commercials: 12
Minutes of side-by-side commercials: 40

Total number of commercials: 111
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 48
Total number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 23
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 13
Total number of ‘Side-by-Side‘ commercials during the broadcast (split-screen): 88
Total number of companies or entities advertised: 46
Number of times Amazon Prime utilized ‘Side-by-Side‘ commercials during the broadcast: 16

See much more at CawsNJaws.

Bubba Wallace had a month of May to forget. He put that in the rear view at Michigan International Speedway.

Taking advantage of Toyota‘s lightning fast speed, Wallace was in the mix throughout Sunday‘s FireKeepers Casino 400. He ended the day with his best finish of the 2026 season, coming home in third, through 15 Cup Series races.

“We‘ve gone through a month of hell,” Wallace told Prime Sports after rounding out the podium, a touch over 12 seconds behind race winner and 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin. “It‘s hard to be happy with a third place because this is what should be happening when we‘re executing like we are and we get blindsided by something. At the end of the day, it‘s no excuses, I just need to be better.”

The No. 23 Toyota led nine laps and was in the middle of a Lap 82 melee that took out his 23XI Racing teammate and Stage 1 victor Tyler Reddick. Carson Hocevar attempted to jump to the inside of John Hunter Nemechek on a restart, but clipped the No. 42 car, turning Nemechek sideways into Wallace. While saving the No. 23 car, Wallace got into the side of Reddick, who also knocked out fellow Toyota teammate Ty Gibbs.

Wallace continued on with minimal damage, though the splitter was hindered from optimal performance. Towards the end of Stage 2, the No. 23 car bled positions, falling one position short of earning additional stage points in 11th.

“We have an asterisk on our finish because of the splitter damage, one of the most important parts of the car has damage, so who knows what our potential was,” Wallace added. “After Stage 1, I thought we were third or fourth, so I would say we executed all day.”

When the checkered flag flew, Wallace was the leader of the 23XI camp in third. Toyota swept the podium, with Hamlin capturing his 63rd career victory, tying Kyle Busch for ninth on the all-time win‘s list. Erik Jones finished runner-up with Legacy Motor Club, his first top-five effort since last year‘s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

By finishing fifth in the opening stage and earning third-place points for his finish, Wallace bagged 40 points for his work. That‘s more than his previous three races combined at Watkins Glen International, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway (34).

Wallace jumped four positions in the regular-season championship standings to 11th, 32 points below Christopher Bell in 10th.

“This is what we can do when we‘re not caught up in someone else‘s [expletive],” Wallace told reporters after the race. “It‘s the same group of guys busting their ass every week and things are just clicking. When they are not clicking, they are not clicking. It‘s about like golf, when it‘s not on, you are shooting a terrible round. We‘ve been shooting terrible. Now, we‘re back on the par trend.”

The Cup Series heads to Pocono Raceway next weekend, where Wallace has four finishes of 11th or better in the last five races. Last year, the No. 23 car had a brake rotor explode.

There were no issues for  #11-Denny Hamlin. He is officially the winner of the race.

The cars of #1-Ross Chastain, #5-Kyle Larson, #22-Joey Logano, and #23-Bubba Wallace are returning to the R&D Center for engine dyno.

Hamlin won the pole Saturday but had to start the race in the rear after unapproved adjustment. He worked himself back into the top 10 before getting some damage in an accident on lap 83. He suffered only minor damage and continued to work his way through the field. He took the lead with 38 laps remaining and pulled away to win by more than 11 seconds.

The Cup Series now heads to Pocono Raceway.

The massive effort marked Hamlin‘s 63rd career win — tying him with the late Kyle Busch for ninth-place on the NASCAR Cup Series all-time wins list. And as importantly, the showing — combined with points leader Tyler Reddick‘s first DNF of the season — cut Hamlin‘s deficit to Reddick nearly in half. He now trails him by only 51 points with 11 races left to settle the NASCAR Cup Series regular season title.

Hamlin, 45, celebrated the milestone victory — his third of the year and second consecutive last-to-first efforts in as many weeks – by waving a black and white No. 18 “Kyle Busch” flag outside his driver‘s window driving around the track for a victory lap — capped by a long burnout. The ode to the two-time series champ Busch, Hamlin‘s former teammate who passed away suddenly two weeks ago from pneumonia and sepsis, received huge applause and a standing ovation from the massive grandstand crowd.

Although Hamlin won pole position for Sunday‘s race, he started from the rear of the 37-car field after the team made adjustments after qualifying. The opening stage was mostly frustrating for Hamlin, who only managed to run between 20-30th place early. But the perennial championship contender and his JGR team made adjustments all day and he was running top-five by lap 140 of the 200-lapper. And moving forward quickly.

“Great car, unbelievable,” Hamlin said thanking his crew after taking the checkered flag. After a day where patience and confidence mattered most, his No. 11 Toyota led 40 laps — including the final 39 of the 200-lap race – and pulled away to an amazing 11.110-second win over fellow Toyota driver, Legacy Motor Club‘s Erik Jones.

“Just amazing,” Hamlin said of his car and crew. “That last run there, just hammered down. Had a few good restarts and once I got the lead, laid out all I had.

“The offseason was rough for me, rough for NASCAR family. We lost a lot of people This week we lost Gentleman Ned (Jarrett) and still thinking of Kyle (Busch), (his wife) Samantha (and children) Brexton and Lennix.

“Just grateful to be able strap in every week and I don‘t take it for granted this opportunity that I‘m in. Just love that we‘re making the best of it.”

A record 11 caution flags — plus a 20-minute red flag – flew for incidents and accidents throughout the afternoon – involved half the field to varying degrees. And while the stoppages slowed the race, it also allowed drivers to save enough fuel late enabling them to make the checkered flag without losing positions on extra pit stops.

Although Hamlin was far in front of the field, the positions just behind him were decided in the closing laps. The runner-up showing was the Michigan-native Jones‘ best of the season. Bubba Wallace finished third in the 23XI Racing Toyota co-owned by Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan. Hendrick Motorsports‘ Kyle Larson was fourth in the No. 5 Chevrolet with Spire Motorsports‘ Carson Hocevar rounding out the top-five in the No. 77 Chevrolet.

“Lot of opportunities there to get stage points, but if we can go up there and challenge for a win, we‘re going to do that,” said Jones, whose primary team owner is seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.

“I think we‘ve got a good package and our group is rolling really well as a team. We‘re executing well. Just got to do every little thing right and it [win] will come. You run up front and it‘s going to happen for you.”

A nine-car chain-reaction wreck early in the race eliminated championship leader, and the 2024 Michigan winner Reddick from contention. Another dramatic incident with frontrunners Chase Elliott and Christopher Bell with 51 laps to go necessitated a 20-minute red flag to repair the track wall.

That red flag was necessitated after a hard collision between the two trophy contenders as they ran side-by-side vying for second place. Elliott‘s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet got loose and moved up track and into Bell‘s No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.

“Totally my fault. I feel so bad for Christopher [Bell],” said Elliott, who won Stage 2 and led a race best 67 laps on the day.

“Was trying to make use of fresh tires and at least get to second and hopefully stay side by side with him.,” he continued. “Got in there and got free. Thought I was going to spin and was kinda committed to spinning out and as soon as I started to commit to spinning it just hooked up, hooked right and unfortunately sent Christopher into the wall super hard and me shortly there behind.

“Just racing really hard. I felt like it was turning point of the race and I needed to make something happen and stepped over the line and paid for it. I just told him (Bell) I was sorry. Obviously, it was not on purpose, but I knew it was a really big hit for both of us. I think he took the brunt of it, honestly, with two really big hits. I have a lot of respect for Bell and feel like we always race each other with respect on track. I don‘t want that to happen to anyone. It was a big one and certainly not intentional.”

It was an especially tough outing for the season‘s championship leader Reddick, who won the opening stage — his first of the season — but was among those collected in a nine-car accident on a Lap 83 restart. A chain reaction collision on the fourth row of the triggered by Hocevar eliminated a large contingent of potentially race-winning entries.

Hocevar‘s Chevrolet hit the rear of John Hunter Nemechek‘s Toyota just after the field took the green flag on the restart, collecting Reddick and others running among the lead pack. Hocevar continued — leading 22 laps on the day en route to his top-five finish.

“Man, I didn‘t mean to do that,” Hocevar said after the race. “I obviously feel bad I wrecked them, but my intention wasn‘t to tear them up or wreck them by any means. Next time I know what to do a little differently there.”

Spire‘s Daniel Suarez — who won at Charlotte two weeks ago — finished sixth followed by three-time series champion, Team Penske‘s Joey Logano whose seventh-place effort marked his fifth top-10 of the season. Logano‘s teammate Ryan Blaney was eighth in the No. 12 Ford, followed by Roush Fenway Keselowski‘s Chris Buescher and JGR‘s Chase Briscoe.

Not only was the top of the championship standings drastically affected Sunday, but only 26 points now separate 14th place Shane Van Gisbergen from 17th place Logano with the top-16 drivers advancing to The Chase which begin Sept. 6 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

The NASCAR Cup Series moves to another of its traditional venues next week, Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, for Sunday‘s Great American Getaway 400 at the famous 2.5-miler (3 p.m. ET on Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Briscoe is the defending race winner.

— NASCAR News Wire —

See race details at: Race Results, Driver Points Standings, Owner Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Infraction Report.

For complete race information, check out the Michigan race page.

On Lap 148, moments after a restart, Elliott bobbled while battling Bell side-by-side, shooting high into the No. 20 Toyota. Both drivers contacted the wall at nearly 200 mph, with the back end of Bell‘s No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota erupting in flames.

Both drivers quickly exited their vehicles, indicating to safety workers that they were OK. Before loading into ambulances for a ride to the infield care center, Elliott walked up to Bell, and the two shared an embrace.

…

Bell spent nearly an hour inside the care center and was later evaluated and released. He declined interview requests.

— NASCAR.com —

JGR team owner Joe Gibbs mentioned that Christopher Bell's wrist and ankle will need to be looked at further when he returns to North Carolina.

He did not offer much other detail about Bell. #nascar

— Chris Knight (@Knighter01) June 7, 2026

Contact between @chaseelliott and @CBellRacing brings out the yellow on Lap 148. pic.twitter.com/R4qc5Fv61k

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 7, 2026

“This sellout was made possible by the incredible passion of our loyal fans and the tremendous support of FireKeepers Casino and our partners,” said Joe Fowler, President of Michigan International Speedway. “From the camping areas to the grandstands, the electric atmosphere of a sold-out crowd will make for unforgettable memories for thousands of fans.”

Last November, the track announced the MISCamping.com infield sold out for the 2026 event, marking the fifth consecutive year that fans have filled the campgrounds inside the famed two-mile circuit. Premium hospitality areas including the Ally Champions Club and Victory Lane Club are also sold out for today‘s race.

The last two winners of the FireKeepers Casino 400 currently sit atop the Cup Series standings. Denny Hamlin looks to win back-to-back races at Michigan International Speedway for the second time in his career after also doing so in 2010 and 2011. With another win, Hamlin could close the first-place gap even more on his 23XI Racing driver — Tyler Reddick — the winner of the 2024 FireKeepers Casino 400.

Fans will enjoy an incredible grand marshal experience during pre-race festivities this afternoon with NHL superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The Michigan native and 2026 Olympic gold medalist for the United States men‘s national ice hockey team will say the most famous words in motorsports prior to the FireKeepers Casino 400 today.

For more information, please visit www.mispeedway.com.

— Michigan International Speedway —

Hamlin‘s lap of 195.117 mph in the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota bettered Hocevar‘s run in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet by a slight .018-second around the two-mile Michigan high-banks and gives the veteran — and defending Michigan race winner – Hamlin 50 career NASCAR Cup Series pole positions.

After climbing out of his Toyota, the 45-year-old Hamlin walked over to the 23-year-old Hocevar on pit road, where they spoke briefly and hugged. Hamlin smiled and joked that he only felt “this bad” holding up a nearly-touching thumb and forefinger for taking the qualifying win.

Only an hour earlier during practice Hamlin‘s car had a tire issue and he was unable to participate in the full session as his team made repairs, making the pole win all the more remarkable and dramatic.

“They did a great job accounting for the damage on the bottom side (of his car), they re-balanced it but it was a handful — all I wanted, certainly,” said Hamlin, who won from pole position last week at Nashville. “That was surprising.

“That was the limit for sure,” Hamlin said.

Hocevar was clearly disappointed in the qualifying outcome. Earlier in the afternoon, he led the most laps in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race only to finish third. A first-time NASCAR Cup Series winner at Talladega in April, Hocevar insisted, however, he was still optimistic about his chances come Sunday afternoon.

“It‘s a testament to these guys, they do a really good job,” Hocevar said. “Yeah, I would have loved to have that there, but third in the truck race {Saturday afternoon} and second in Cup qualifying, hopefully that‘s a trend there.

“I feel like it‘s a really good race car, one of the best I‘ve had here. So, I hope it translates tomorrow. I feel really good about our race car so starting out front is super important.

“I know it‘s just qualifying, but damn, I didn‘t know I wanted it this much here. Just means a lot for so many reasons.”

Reigning championship leader, 23XI Racing‘s Tyler Reddick (who topped Saturday practice) was third fastest in the No. 45 Toyota that Hamlin co-owns with NBA superstar Michael Jordan. Hamlin‘s JGR teammates Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe were next quickest giving Toyota four of the top-five starting positions.

Chase Elliott was the top qualifying Chevrolet in sixth place. Chris Buescher, the 2023 Michigan winner was the top qualifying Ford in 14th place. Ford has a Michigan track record 44 wins – 18 more than Chevrolet and 37 more than Toyota, however Toyota has won the last two races (Reddick in 2024 and Hamlin in 2025).

The last polesitter to win at Michigan from pole was Team Penske‘s Joey Logano in 2019. In fact, Logano‘s three Michigan wins (2019, 2016, 2013) all came from pole position. He‘ll start 18th Sunday.

— NASCAR News Wire —

See the complete qualifying results and the FireKeepers Casino 400 Starting Lineup.

For complete race information, check out the Michigan race page.

There were no issues for #1-Corey Heim. He is the winner.

The following trucks: #12-Brenden Queen, #52-Stewart Friesen, #91-Christian Eckes and #38-Chandler Smith will be taken to aerodyne for wind tunnel testing.

See race details at: Race Results, Driver Point Standings, Owner Point Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report

For complete race information, check out the Michigan race page.

Michigan is the home state for three current NASCAR Cup Series competitors — Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing‘s Brad Keselowski, Legacy Motor Club‘s Erik Jones and Spire Motorsports‘ Carson Hocevar — and all are looking for their first victory at Michigan International Speedway in Sunday‘s FireKeepers Casino 400 (3 p.m. ET on Prime Video, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

When it comes to competing there, the 2012 series champ Keselowski and another former champion, Hendrick Motorsports‘ Chase Elliott have the most runner-up finishes (three) without a win among active drivers.

The owner-driver of the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford has 16 top-10s in 28 Michigan races – including four of the last five series visits. His second-place runs came in 2020, 2018 and his championship 2012 season. He does own a pair of NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series victories at the track, winning in back-to-back seasons (2009-10).

And his RFK team has the most wins (14) historically of any organization at Michigan.

“When we go, it‘s a win that would really mean a lot for me to get,” Keselowski, 42, the Rochester Hills-native noting that he still has a lot of family in the area. “Michigan now has those three fulltime Cup drivers, so really well-covered.”

Smiling when reminded he‘s the only champion among the group, Keselowski grinned and said, “I‘ve just got to be a champion in that [Michigan] race.”

Bell Ready To Remedy Michigan Struggles

Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Christopher Bell is considered a perennial NASCAR Cup Series championship contender – finishing fifth or better in the title chase five of the last six seasons. He‘s earned 13 wins and claimed top-10 finishes in nearly half of his starts — 113 top-10s in 230 races.

However, the lone race track the 31-year-old Oklahoman hasn‘t earned a NASCAR Cup Series top-10? Michigan International Speedway.

The driver of the No. 20 JGR Toyota has a best finish of 13th at Michigan — twice, including 2023 when he started from pole position. He‘s led only 37 laps in seven starts and crashed out in two of the last four races there.

But. … he finished sixth in Saturday‘s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Michigan, sweeping both stages and leading 37 laps. And he‘s very optimistic about improving his NASCAR Cup Series fortunes at the big track.

“Michigan, on paper, that‘s my worst track, but I‘m always super-fast and competitive there,” Bell said smiling at the irony. “I‘m very much looking forward to going there. I‘m sad we‘re only going there once a year, but I‘m looking forward to trying to get a good result there. It‘s a fun race track. I have a lot of fun racing there.”

Erik Jones Sees Progress

Legacy Motor Club driver Erik Jones isn‘t just enthused about racing this weekend because it‘s in his home state, but because he seriously thinks the team‘s progress this season could result in a trophy soon. Perhaps even Sunday.

The 30-year-old from Byron, Michigan — a half-hour drive from the Michigan track — has improved on his race finishes in the famous No. 43 Toyota four of the last five races. His best showing in 2026 are a pair of 10th-place finishes. And he‘s finished 11th or better in three of the last four Michigan races. Jones‘ best showing at the track is third in his 2017 rookie season.

“I think we are in a better spot,” Jones said Saturday about his Michigan expectations. “It‘s funny, I looked at the points position at this point last year, and we aren‘t a whole lot different, but I think as a group we are running consistently better.

“We‘ve had a great stretch here for a month of showing up each week and having good cars and running well. A couple of execution things have kept us from a few better finishes, and some strange strategies have kept us from some stage points, especially last week in Nashville.

“I think overall, we are in a better spot. I think there are so many little things that we can do better still, which is frustrating but good. To have performance like we are currently having and know there are little things that we need to work on and improve, there is value in that.

“For me, yeah, I‘ve been happy with the direction, happy with my team.”

— NASCAR News Wire —

It‘s Heim‘s 26th career victory, but first ever on the two-mile Michigan high banks giving him series wins now on 22 different tracks — second best all-time only NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr. has won at 31 venues. It‘s Heim‘s third win in only five truck starts this season and comes a week after announcing he will join the championship-leading 23XI Racing organization in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2027.

Heim‘s No. 1 TRICON Garage Toyota passed the day‘s most dominant truck driven by NASCAR Cup Series regular Carson Hocevar with 15 laps remaining and crossed the line only .065-second ahead of Honeycutt‘s No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota — the truck Heim drove to the championship last season.

He immediately thanked Honeycutt for the push forward in the final laps — his only laps out front all day — acknowledging the help put just enough distance on Hocevar, who led a race best 65 of the 126 laps.

“We discussed it pre-race that we were going to race it out in the end and that‘s what we did,” the 23-year-old Georgia native Heim said. “He tried to get to my right rear there which would have probably won the race and I had to protect it.

“Props to Kaden there and to [fellow Toyota driver] Christopher Bell, I don‘t know where he ended up but he was strong all day. The last couple laps there at the end, were pretty awesome.

“That was a lot of fun, I had a blast,” he added.

The 21-year-old Honeycutt certainly kept Heim honest in the closing run to the checkered, hoping to earn his second career win – matching his work at Watkins Glen, N.Y. in May.

“Good race there at the end, us five up there and I‘m sure it was a good race for the fans so that was good,” Honeycutt said. “It was unfortunate I didn‘t get the win there. Just feel like I‘ve lost too many of them on my part so I think that‘s what bothers me the most.”

Although boosted by a strong showing all day at his “home track,” the Michigan-native Carson Hocevar was clearly disappointed with his finish, explaining his No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet truck had been overheating all day. He was hoping to win for the hometown crowd and especially for his mother, who is celebrating her birthday this weekend.

“Everyone did a good job,” he said, adding, “Just sucks we didn‘t close it out there. Felt like I could have done a better job but don‘t know what I could have done differently. Would like to see what I would have had full power.

“A lot of reasons to win here at Michigan.”

Front Row Motorsports teammates Chandler Smith and Layne Riggs rounded out the top-five — an especially valiant effort from Riggs, who went a lap down early after a pit stop issue. A winner in the previous two races, Riggs‘ comeback to fifth place keeps him atop the championship standings by 26 over Honeycutt.

Bell finished sixth in the No. 62 Halmar Friesen Toyota after sweeping both stage wins and leading 37 laps — one of six race leaders on the afternoon. Fellow NASCAR Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr was seventh, followed by Connor Mosack, Jake Garcia and Tyler Ankrum.

Fan favorite Cleetus McFarland rallied from a late race spin that brought out one of seven yellow flags — and finished 25th on the lead lap in only his second series start.

After six consecutive races, the trucks go into an off-week and will return to action June 19 in the inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race at San Diego on the Naval Base Coronado (7 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

–NASCAR Wire Service —

See race details at: Race Results, Driver Point Standings, Owner Point Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report

For complete race information, check out the Michigan race page.

It was the first time the NASCAR Hall of Famer owner Childress has spoken at length publicly since the 41-year-old Busch‘s death in Charlotte May 21 from pneumonia and sepsis. And the emotion was still raw – the days and weeks since Busch passed away still so difficult.

“It‘s been an unbelievable challenge we all are facing losing Kyle Busch at such a young age and so unexpected for all of us,” said Childress, whose Richard Childress Racing team fields the Chevrolets for Busch and Childress‘ grandson Austin in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Childress allowed that one of the “hardest parts” of coming forward Saturday to speak of Busch‘s impact on the team and legacy on the sport, was that the two had originally planned to speak to the media on this day to reveal that Busch had signed a one-year contract extension with the team keeping with RCR through 2027.

“And now it‘s a different kind of media availability,” Childress said glancing down and conceding even up until that very moment he “still had envisioned walking in [to the media center] with Kyle.”

He revealed that he and Busch had spoken the Tuesday night before Kyle‘s passing only two days later, calling it a “great conversation.” He said that Busch was invigorated about how things were going with the team and eager to see what another year together may bring, telling Childress, “You give me cars like you did the last three weeks, and he said, “I will make the Chase [NASCAR playoffs] this year.‘ “

“We were that confident.”

And Childress confirmed Saturday that RCR‘s longtime NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series driver, Austin Hill will continue to compete in both series – driving Busch‘s former car — with the number 33 instead of Busch‘s number 8 — for the rest of the season.

Childress spoke often of Busch‘s family — wife Samantha, 11-year-old son Brexton and four-year-old daughter Lennix — acknowledging how much love and pride Busch unfailingly carried and demonstrated for them.

He promised to keep Busch‘s personally stylized No. 8 available for the talented young driver Brexton whenever and for whoever he competes for one day. He‘s attended several of Brexton Busch‘s races, including one this week saying of the young standout, “That kid can drive a race car.

“He‘s just a bright young man and a great race car driver and he‘ll carry the Busch legacy for many years to come.”

Busch‘s legacy is something Childress mentioned often during his 15-minute meeting with the press in advance of Sunday‘s FireKeepers Casino 400 (3 p.m. ET on Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) .

His 254 combined wins in NASCAR‘s three national series — the NASCAR Cup Series, O‘Reilly Auto Parts Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series — will likely never be equaled. And Busch holds the all-time win mark in the O‘Reilly Series (102) and Truck Series (69); claiming a victory in the Truck Series at Dover, Del. only six days before his passing.

His 63 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series are ninth most in the history of the sport. And Busch is one of only 18 drivers to win multiple championships (2015 and 2019).

“Kyle will go down in history as one of the greatest race car drivers that‘s ever been,” Childress said. “He‘ll definitely be in the [NASCAR] Hall of Fame and I‘d love to see them put him in it right away.

“I think his legacy is going to be he was a man who a lot of people thought was tough to deal with,” Childress said acknowledging Busch‘s legendarily bold personality.

“But he is a man that loves this sport. He loved it so much he wanted to see his family carry on and to watch what he had going on with Brexton, just to see the enjoyment in Kyle‘s eyes watching his son race was just unbelievable.

“His legacy in history will be that he will go down as one of the greatest drivers of all time. … and all of us are going to miss him.”

–NASCAR Wire Service–

Opening remarks by Richard Childress:
“First off, I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank all the media, and the ones that aren’t here today, for all of your support through this unbelievable challenge that we’re all facing, losing Kyle Busch unexpectedly at such a young age. I just wanted to look around the room and thank so many of you that have been friends and supporting the Busch family – Brexton, Lennix, Samantha — and RCR through these challenging times.

Secondly, the hardest part of this is that today, we were going to be in here, Kyle was going to be with me, and we were going to announce that he was coming back in 2027 and drive for RCR. We wanted to do it up here in Michigan with our GM friends, with Chevrolet, and it didn’t happen. This is a different type of media availability instead of a press conference that he was coming back to race for us in 2027. I talked to Kyle Tuesday night, before everything went down Wednesday night and Thursday, and we had a great conversation. He said, ‘you give me cars like you gave me the last three weeks and I will make the Chase this year.‘ We were that confident. Both of us had a lot of confidence in this team. We haven’t had the year that any of us expected or wanted. We started out like gangbusters, and it just didn’t go as we expected. We’ve had a lot of opportunities, and we just didn’t finish them off.

But that’s the tough part about today. Even walking in here, I was thinking, what if he and I were walking in together. Instead, I‘m in here talking and thanking the media for your support.”

A couple things… how are you doing? How hard is this hitting? Is this almost, in a sense, like 2001 all over again?
“It’s challenging. You lose two of the greatest drivers that’s ever driven a car in NASCAR, and now having to go through it again. I just feel so bad for the family and the RCR employees. I haven’t slept very well, I’ll leave it at that.”

And obviously, as you stated, you had planned to come in here to announce an extension with Kyle. How does an organization have to shift, and how do you turn a mindset while you’re in mourning of looking at the future and what the future for that No. 33 car is going to be?
“Mike Verlander, our President, and I were talking about it. We made the decision to not run the 8 car. Kyle helped us design it. We told him we had the 8 number. He was happy going back to it a few years. He said, ‘let’s design it differently‘, so this was Kyle’s design. We showed him a lot of stuff, and at the end of the day, this was his design, so we decided to take it off. In 2001, we didn’t have a number. We had the 33 already, so we just figured we’d put it on it. Back then, I just told Bobby Hutchens, ‘call NASCAR and get the lowest number available‘, and it happened to be No. 29 when we put (Kevin) Harvick in it.

We talked about it, and we decided that Austin Hill was who we needed to put in it at this time.”

How long will Austin Hill be in the No. 33 car? Is that for the rest of the season, or is that race to race?
“Our sponsors have been great to work with through this. Just like we had with Dale (Earnhardt Sr.), the sponsors worked really well with us with that loss. Putting Austin Hill in it was a choice that we made for right now.”

It’s been said that you and Kyle were very similar, personality-wise, and he obviously knew that you believed in him. He spoke several times about your belief in him and that meant something to him personally. What did you see of yourself in Kyle, and what kind of bond did you feel like you shared with him?
“Kyle Busch was a totally different person when he was away from the track. He wanted to win. He was driven by winning, hard work and doing everything that he could do to help the team. Once somebody said, ‘the only difference is one’s got an accent and the other doesn’t‘. We built a friendship out of this. We went hunting. I took him on one of his very first hunts, and he really got into hunting. He started taking Brexton.

We had other plans. The sad part for me looking back, knowing what Dale Earnhardt had in mind and the plans he had for his future, and then sitting and talking to Kyle at different times, knowing his plans and what he had in the future for him, Brexton and his family and the many things that we all could have done together; that was probably the toughest part of this whole thing.”

Austin Dillon has played a bigger and bigger role with the organization, and I know he spoke to us last week. He said he was one of the ones who spoke to the entire group at RCR. How is his role growing, and what have you seen in terms of his future leadership and confidence in him of maybe someday running your organization?
“Yes, both Austin and Ty Dillon went up to RCR the next day and talked to the whole company. I see a role with both of them being involved. Austin is the General Manager over the Carolina Cowboys, and he’s learning how to deal with a sanctioning body. He’s learning how to deal with riders instead of drivers, which would be different. Ty’s involved a lot, as well. He’s there with us. It’s a family operation, and we’re doing our best to keep it like that.”

Obviously, you‘re going through something terrible when this is all happening, yourself personally, and you’re feeling all this, but then you also have to lead your company and try to get everybody who is just feeling a loss themselves. How do you get up there yourself, and how do you push your company forward and keep driving everybody despite what’s happened here?
“It’s tough on them too; the people that worked with Kyle and the engine shop. He made a lot of friends at RCR through his time. My job as the owner is to try to talk to them as much as I can. Mike Verlander‘s put together so many things, and he spoke with them a lot, as well. So between Austin, Ty, Mike, and Mike Dillon, as well, they’ve made it a lot easier on me than it was in 2001. It‘s never easy, but they just gave me a little bit of time to get my head right.”

What do you think that Kyle’s long-term legacy is going to be in this sport? How did he help RCR in the short period of time he was there, and what do you think his contributions to NASCAR overall will be?
“Kyle Busch will go down in history as one of the greatest drivers there‘s ever been. He’ll be in the Hall of Fame. I’d love to see them put him in it right away. He helped RCR when we needed him. He came right in, and we won three races the first part of the year. We had a lot of opportunities to win other races, but we just didn’t finish and capitalize on them.

He was a man that a lot of people thought he was tough to deal with and that we wouldn’t last long, but he was a man that loved this sport. He loved it so much that he wanted to see his family carry it on. To watch what he had going on with Brexton — I would go to Millbridge and watch them race together, and just see the enjoyment in Kyle’s eyes watching his son race was just unbelievable. His legacy will be in history. He’ll go down as one of the greatest drivers of all times. He’s won over 200 races. All of us are going to miss him. You all are going to miss having him in here after a win.”

I wanted to ask about the car number a little bit more… what were the discussions like about changing it and preserving it for Brexton in the future, and why was that important to you?
“Kyle designed that style of the No. 8. It was never to put any pressure on him (Brexton) to run the No. 8, but it’s there for him. It‘s stylized. We have the stylized number registered or patented, however they do it, and we saved it for Brexton if he ever comes and says, ‘hey, I’m going to go drive for Rick Hendrick and I want to use that 8‘. That’s what I was saying, we’re saving that stylized No. 8 for him if he wants to run it in the future.”

I just wanted to ask a little bit about Brexton. He’s obviously gone through an incredibly tough time. I know that you obviously knew Kyle’s plans for him. What can RCR do, or what can the racing community do in general, to make sure that Brexton’s going to be put in the best position possible for his future going forward?
“I think just showing him the respect and trying not to put more pressure on him, just like Dale Earnhardt Jr. I think that he’s got a great future. That kid can drive a racecar. Personally and mentally, watching him last Tuesday, was incredible. He’s just a bright young man and a great little racecar driver. He’ll carry the Busch legacy for many years to come.”

— Team Chevy —

“Austin is going to drive it, as far as we‘re concerned, the rest of the year,” Childress told reporters. “We don‘t want to put a burden back on anybody.”

The same partners that were on the No. 8 Chevrolet will be featured on the No. 33 car moving forward with Hill in 2026. It‘s similar to 2001 when GM Goodwrench transitioned to the No. 29 entry with Kevin Harvick after the death of Dale Earnhardt.

“Our sponsors have been great to work with and work through this, just like we had with Dale,” Childress added. “Sponsors worked really good with us through that loss. Putting Austin Hill in it was the choice we made.”

Childress mentioned that Richard Childress Racing was originally set to announce Busch‘s extension with the organization through 2027 with brass from General Motors at Michigan. When talking two nights before Busch‘s passing, Childress recalled Busch saying if the cars unloading at the race track were anything similar to the three races prior — Texas Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen International and Dover Motor Speedway — that the No. 8 team could make a push towards The Chase.

Childress, having worked with many elite drivers during his tenure as a car owner, knows Busch was among the best.

“Kyle will go down as one of the greatest race car drivers that has ever been,” Childress said. “He’ll be in the Hall of Fame. I’d love to see him put in it right away.”

…

With rumors around his next move swirling, Herbst said that he and the people around him are exploring options.

“Not yet, but I think it‘s pretty close,” answered Herbst of a potential move. “Yeah, there are a lot of good things in the works. Like I said, I‘m grateful for where I am and where I have been and I‘m excited for what‘s to come. I should know something, hopefully, in the next month or so. We‘re working on it right now.”

So bring on the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series?

“We hope so,” he said. “That‘s the plan right now.

— Racer—