BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Jack Beckman and the PEAK SQUAD took a difficult path to victory in last year’s Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK so they’re working toward a much smoother route to winner’s circle in this year’s May 15-17 event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

The PEAK Chevrolet SS was hit with multiple mechanical gremlins in qualifying and traction issues in eliminations during last year’s event. But it all came together in the final round against then-teammate and reigning Funny Car Champion Austin Prock.

Beckman won on a holeshot, cutting a .049 light to Prock’s .063, and taking the win a run of 3.935 seconds at 325.77 mph to his teammate’s quicker run of 3.933 seconds at 329.02 mph. It was Beckman’s 37^th NHRA Funny Car career victory.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. J.R. Todd, 411; 2. Ron Capps, 408; 3. Matt Hagan, 386; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 383; 5. Chad Green, 340; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 297; 7. Spencer Hyde, 275; 8. Jack Beckman, 245; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 201; 10. Dave Richards, 171.

Quotes

Talk about the crazy details of winning that race in Chicago last year. 

“It really looked like it was a scripted weekend for the PEAK SQUAD. We qualified number one, we win the race. It’s an absolute storybook description but it misses a lot of the details. It was an unusual event in that the quickest qualifying runs didn’t come on Friday, they came on Saturday. We were sitting mid-pack when we came up for the first Saturday run and we go right to the top with a 3.85. We thought it might even be a little bit quicker for the last qualifying run. We go up to the line and our car won’t start. The crew did a number of quick checks but couldn’t find the issue. We eventually found a broken air fitting that disarmed the ignition system. But the silver lining there is it happening qualifying, not on race day.

“Race day comes and the car won’t start in the morning warmup. It’s a different issue in the ignition system. We replace the box and now we’ve dodged a couple of bullets. We win 1st round and then smoke the tires in the second round but were still able to win. The car smoked the tires again in the semis but I pedaled it and we got the win. Then we close it with a holeshot win over our teammate, Austin Prock, the defending Funny Car champion and that’s as good as it gets. As a driver, it feels unbelievable to give back to a team that’s given you a fast car all year long because it’s typically the car that wins the race. We bookended qualifying number one and that amazing final round victory with a lot of nail biting.”

What does it mean to you to be able to race in primary sponsor PEAK’s backyard? 

“The big races to win are typically your hometown race, milestone events, the U.S. nationals and, and the Pomona races. They’re the legendary races. But I also put right up there winning your sponsor’s event because their name goes on the trophy at the end of the day, too. When you win at your sponsor’s event, and your sponsor is a company like PEAK and Old World Industries, where all the employees understand the culture of the product that they’re selling, it’s something special. We had so many PEAK employees show up to the race last year. It wasn’t mandatory. They wanted to be there and they were there at the end of the day with the team in winner’s circle holding that trophy up. It’s really hard to think of many better weekends that I’ve had driving a race car than to do it with that PEAK SQUAD surrounding us.”

What was it like seeing your teammate Jordan Vandergriff get his first Funny Car event win?

“It was fantastic for him. He’s a Southern California boy who is now a Georgia transplant. The biggest race you ever win is your first so he got a double whammy with winning in his adopted home state.  I’m still a huge fan of the sport. I’m a participant, but I’m so fortunate to be a participant because I’m such a big fan. Watching that young man have his moment after all the uncertainty the last few years was just special. To say the planets lined up for him is an understatement. He had a steep learning curve and he’s excelled at it. There’s still a lot of things that he’ll get better at but the biggest hurdle of all is getting that first one. And It’s a huge deal for that team. It’s a validation of all their hard work.”

Stats

Chicago	Race Result	Round Wins	Round Loss	Qualified	Event Record
2005 (TF)	1st round		Lost to L. Dixon	11th	0-1
2006	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2007 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. S. Kalitta Def K. Bernstein	Lost to R. Capps	6th	2-2
2008 (FC)	1st round		Lost to M. Oswald	15th	2-3
2009 (FC)	1st round		Lost to A. Force Hood	15th	2-4
2010 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. P. Lee Def B. Tasca	Lost to R. Hight	5th	4-5
2011 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. R. Hight Def M. Troxel	Lost to M. Neff	4th	6-6
2012 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. M. Hagan Def. J. Gray	Lost to J. Arend	3rd	8-7
2013 (FC)	2nd round	Def. A. DeJoria	Lost to M. Hagan	3rd	9-8
2014 (FC)	1st round		Lost to M. Hagan	7th	9-9
2015 (FC)	2nd round	Def. C. Force	Lost to T. Johnson Jr	12th	10-10
2016 (FC)	Winner	Def. J. Hale Def. C. Force Def. R. Hight Def. R. Capps		2nd	14-10
2017 (FC)	2nd round	Def. Bob Bode	Lost to T. Wilkerson	2nd	15-11
2018 (FC)	2nd round	Def. D. Creasy Jr	Lost to J. Force	3rd	16-12
2019 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. B. Alexander Def. J. Arend	Lost to R. Hight	5th	18-13
2020 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2025 (FC)	Winner	Def. D. Richards Def. C. Green Def. C. Pedregon Def. A. Prock		1st	22-13

Starts: 16

Wins: 2 (2016 & 2025)

Runner-ups: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 1 (2025)

Event Round Record: 22-13

Track & TV Schedules

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.

PEAK SQUAD HOPE TO REACH THE PEAK AGAIN AT ROUTE 66

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Jack Beckman and the PEAK SQUAD took a difficult path to victory in last year’s Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK so they’re working toward a much smoother route to winner’s circle in this year’s May 15-17 event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

The PEAK Chevrolet SS was hit with multiple mechanical gremlins in qualifying and traction issues in eliminations during last year’s event. But it all came together in the final round against then-teammate and reigning Funny Car Champion Austin Prock.

Beckman won on a holeshot, cutting a .049 light to Prock’s .063, and taking the win a run of 3.935 seconds at 325.77 mph to his teammate’s quicker run of 3.933 seconds at 329.02 mph. It was Beckman’s 37^th NHRA Funny Car career victory.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. J.R. Todd, 411; 2. Ron Capps, 408; 3. Matt Hagan, 386; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 383; 5. Chad Green, 340; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 297; 7. Spencer Hyde, 275; 8. Jack Beckman, 245; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 201; 10. Dave Richards, 171.

Quotes

Talk about the crazy details of winning that race in Chicago last year. 

“It really looked like it was a scripted weekend for the PEAK SQUAD. We qualified number one, we win the race. It’s an absolute storybook description but it misses a lot of the details. It was an unusual event in that the quickest qualifying runs didn’t come on Friday, they came on Saturday. We were sitting mid-pack when we came up for the first Saturday run and we go right to the top with a 3.85. We thought it might even be a little bit quicker for the last qualifying run. We go up to the line and our car won’t start. The crew did a number of quick checks but couldn’t find the issue. We eventually found a broken air fitting that disarmed the ignition system. But the silver lining there is it happening qualifying, not on race day.

“Race day comes and the car won’t start in the morning warmup. It’s a different issue in the ignition system. We replace the box and now we’ve dodged a couple of bullets. We win 1st round and then smoke the tires in the second round but were still able to win. The car smoked the tires again in the semis but I pedaled it and we got the win. Then we close it with a holeshot win over our teammate, Austin Prock, the defending Funny Car champion and that’s as good as it gets. As a driver, it feels unbelievable to give back to a team that’s given you a fast car all year long because it’s typically the car that wins the race. We bookended qualifying number one and that amazing final round victory with a lot of nail biting.”

What does it mean to you to be able to race in primary sponsor PEAK’s backyard? 

“The big races to win are typically your hometown race, milestone events, the U.S. nationals and, and the Pomona races. They’re the legendary races. But I also put right up there winning your sponsor’s event because their name goes on the trophy at the end of the day, too. When you win at your sponsor’s event, and your sponsor is a company like PEAK and Old World Industries, where all the employees understand the culture of the product that they’re selling, it’s something special. We had so many PEAK employees show up to the race last year. It wasn’t mandatory. They wanted to be there and they were there at the end of the day with the team in winner’s circle holding that trophy up. It’s really hard to think of many better weekends that I’ve had driving a race car than to do it with that PEAK SQUAD surrounding us.”

What was it like seeing your teammate Jordan Vandergriff get his first Funny Car event win?

“It was fantastic for him. He’s a Southern California boy who is now a Georgia transplant. The biggest race you ever win is your first so he got a double whammy with winning in his adopted home state.  I’m still a huge fan of the sport. I’m a participant, but I’m so fortunate to be a participant because I’m such a big fan. Watching that young man have his moment after all the uncertainty the last few years was just special. To say the planets lined up for him is an understatement. He had a steep learning curve and he’s excelled at it. There’s still a lot of things that he’ll get better at but the biggest hurdle of all is getting that first one. And It’s a huge deal for that team. It’s a validation of all their hard work.”

Stats

Chicago	Race Result	Round Wins	Round Loss	Qualified	Event Record
2005 (TF)	1st round		Lost to L. Dixon	11th	0-1
2006	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2007 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. S. Kalitta Def K. Bernstein	Lost to R. Capps	6th	2-2
2008 (FC)	1st round		Lost to M. Oswald	15th	2-3
2009 (FC)	1st round		Lost to A. Force Hood	15th	2-4
2010 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. P. Lee Def B. Tasca	Lost to R. Hight	5th	4-5
2011 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. R. Hight Def M. Troxel	Lost to M. Neff	4th	6-6
2012 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. M. Hagan Def. J. Gray	Lost to J. Arend	3rd	8-7
2013 (FC)	2nd round	Def. A. DeJoria	Lost to M. Hagan	3rd	9-8
2014 (FC)	1st round		Lost to M. Hagan	7th	9-9
2015 (FC)	2nd round	Def. C. Force	Lost to T. Johnson Jr	12th	10-10
2016 (FC)	Winner	Def. J. Hale Def. C. Force Def. R. Hight Def. R. Capps		2nd	14-10
2017 (FC)	2nd round	Def. Bob Bode	Lost to T. Wilkerson	2nd	15-11
2018 (FC)	2nd round	Def. D. Creasy Jr	Lost to J. Force	3rd	16-12
2019 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def. B. Alexander Def. J. Arend	Lost to R. Hight	5th	18-13
2020 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2025 (FC)	Winner	Def. D. Richards Def. C. Green Def. C. Pedregon Def. A. Prock		1st	22-13

Starts: 16

Wins: 2 (2016 & 2025)

Runner-ups: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 1 (2025)

Event Round Record: 22-13

Track & TV Schedules

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.

Television coverage on FS1 includes qualifying on Friday, May 15, from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. ET, a second qualifying show on Saturday, May 16, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET, and the eliminations broadcast on Sunday, May 17, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET.

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Alexis DeJoria and the Mike Neff/Jonnie Lindberg-led Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car program will carry the momentum they earned two weeks ago at the Southern Nationals into the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

The John Force Racing team earned a semifinal finish at the Adel, Ga., facility hosting its first NHRA national event, despite the tricky track conditions and rain canceling the final round of qualifying. In the process, DeJoria solidified her sixth-place position in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings while keeping a close eye on their competitors just ahead.

With the season now 25 percent complete (5 of 20 races), the opportunity for DeJoria and her Bandero Café teammates to hit their mid-season stride is theirs for the taking and she sees the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK as the perfect event to make that next successful step.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. J.R. Todd, 411; 2. Ron Capps, 408; 3. Matt Hagan, 386; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 383; 5. Chad Green, 340; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 297; 7. Spencer Hyde, 275; 8. Jack Beckman, 245; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 201; 10. Dave Richards, 171.

Quotes

How does your semifinal finish at Valdosta help the Bandero Café team headed into Chicago?

“The Bandero Café team had a good Southern Nationals regardless of the tricky track conditions and worked hard to earn out semifinal finish. There’s so much more to come from our team. On any given Sunday, Mike Neff, Jonnie Lindberg, the crew and I are capable of getting into winner’s circle.”

What are your thoughts on John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff earning his first Funny Car event?

“I’m so proud of my teammate Jordan Vandergriff. He’s been driving really well and they have a bad ass race car so I’m not surprised. It couldn’t have happened at a better time at the perfect race track for him. I’m so happy for that whole team.”

PEAK is an important sponsor for John Force Racing so what does it mean to race this week in their backyard?

“Everyone I’ve met so far who represents this great company has been a joy to work with. This being PEAK’s home track means they will have a strong presence in our pit area so we look forward to having them. To win at Chicago on behalf of PEAK, and the unstoppable force of John Force Racing, would be an honor.”

Stats

Chicago	Race Result	Round Wins	Round Loss	Qualified	Event Record
2011 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2012 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def R. Capps Def J. Force	Lost to C. Force	8th	2-1
2013 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to J. Beckman	14th	2-2
2014 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to J. Force	13th	2-3
2015 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to J. Force	9th	2-4
2016 (FC)	2nd Round	Def. B. Stewart	Lost to R. Hight	3rd	3-5
2017 (FC)	2nd Round	Def. C. Pedregon	Lost to M. Hagan	5th	4-6
2018	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2019	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2020(FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to C. Pedregon	15th	4-7
2024 (FC)	2nd Round	Def. J. Todd	Lost to J. Force	5th	5-8
2025 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to R. Capps	11th	5-9

Starts: 9

Wins: 0

Final Rounds: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Round Record: 5-9

Track & TV Schedules

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.

DEJORIA EYES ROUTE 66 AS ROAD TO PROGRESS

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Alexis DeJoria and the Mike Neff/Jonnie Lindberg-led Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car program will carry the momentum they earned two weeks ago at the Southern Nationals into the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

The John Force Racing team earned a semifinal finish at the Adel, Ga., facility hosting its first NHRA national event, despite the tricky track conditions and rain canceling the final round of qualifying. In the process, DeJoria solidified her sixth-place position in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings while keeping a close eye on their competitors just ahead.

With the season now 25 percent complete (5 of 20 races), the opportunity for DeJoria and her Bandero Café teammates to hit their mid-season stride is theirs for the taking and she sees the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by PEAK as the perfect event to make that next successful step.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. J.R. Todd, 411; 2. Ron Capps, 408; 3. Matt Hagan, 386; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 383; 5. Chad Green, 340; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 297; 7. Spencer Hyde, 275; 8. Jack Beckman, 245; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 201; 10. Dave Richards, 171.

Quotes

How does your semifinal finish at Valdosta help the Bandero Café team headed into Chicago?

“The Bandero Café team had a good Southern Nationals regardless of the tricky track conditions and worked hard to earn out semifinal finish. There’s so much more to come from our team. On any given Sunday, Mike Neff, Jonnie Lindberg, the crew and I are capable of getting into winner’s circle.”

What are your thoughts on John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff earning his first Funny Car event?

“I’m so proud of my teammate Jordan Vandergriff. He’s been driving really well and they have a bad ass race car so I’m not surprised. It couldn’t have happened at a better time at the perfect race track for him. I’m so happy for that whole team.”

PEAK is an important sponsor for John Force Racing so what does it mean to race this week in their backyard?

“Everyone I’ve met so far who represents this great company has been a joy to work with. This being PEAK’s home track means they will have a strong presence in our pit area so we look forward to having them. To win at Chicago on behalf of PEAK, and the unstoppable force of John Force Racing, would be an honor.”

Stats

Chicago	Race Result	Round Wins	Round Loss	Qualified	Event Record
2011 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2012 (FC)	Semi Finals	Def R. Capps Def J. Force	Lost to C. Force	8th	2-1
2013 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to J. Beckman	14th	2-2
2014 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to J. Force	13th	2-3
2015 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to J. Force	9th	2-4
2016 (FC)	2nd Round	Def. B. Stewart	Lost to R. Hight	3rd	3-5
2017 (FC)	2nd Round	Def. C. Pedregon	Lost to M. Hagan	5th	4-6
2018	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2019	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2020(FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to C. Pedregon	15th	4-7
2024 (FC)	2nd Round	Def. J. Todd	Lost to J. Force	5th	5-8
2025 (FC)	1st Round		Lost to R. Capps	11th	5-9

Starts: 9

Wins: 0

Final Rounds: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Round Record: 5-9

Track & TV Schedules

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.

Television coverage on FS1 includes qualifying on Friday, May 15, from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. ET, a second qualifying show on Saturday, May 16, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET, and the eliminations broadcast on Sunday, May 17, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET.

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Josh Hart’s debut with John Force Racing couldn’t have played out any better to kick off the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing and the Florida-based driver sees the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK as the perfect opportunity for the Speedmaster Top Fuel team to return to that highest level of performance.

Hart captured his first NHRA Top Fuel win in five years at the season-opening Gatornationals. He earned his first No. 1 Qualifier award and reset his career-best elapsed time and speed records at Gainesville and, as he put it, accomplished more in that one race than he had the entire season before.

Since then, the Speedmaster team has run well but not been able to capitalize fully on the opportunities in front of them. Hart knows a strong start to the second quarter of the season (with five of 20 races completed) is not only important but within his and his team’s grasp. His runner-up finish in the 2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals also provides further encouragement to complete the task to enjoy the full fruits of victory.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. Shawn Langdon, 481; 2. Doug Kalitta, 477; 3. Leah Pruett, 352; 4. Tony Stewart, 332; 5. Josh Hart, 298; 6. Maddi Gordon, 296; 7. Justin Ashley, 280; 8. Billy Torrence, 244; 9. Clay Millican, 220; 10. Antron Brown, 218.

Quotes

What are your memories from your runner-up finish at the 2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals?

“The Chicago runner-up situation is always bittersweet but I love this event! The venue is like a gladiator stadium.”

After struggling the past couple of races, what is the game plan for this weekend?

“The Speedmaster team will regain its ground this weekend at Route 66 Raceway. I love being a part of this John Force Racing program and I know the work David Grubnic and John Collins (crew chiefs) and all the crew has put in since South Georgia is going to pay off for us. We’ve proven what we’re capable so we need to take advantage of this opportunity to execute and earn maximum points.”

What are your thoughts about John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff getting his first win two weeks ago in Georgia?

“Jordan and I have a good history even prior to being John Force Racing teammates. We have a little saying we share amongst ourselves: ‘Best team, best car and now be the best driver!’ I was proud to say it to him last weekend while congratulating him on the victory.”

What does it mean for you to race in longtime John Force Racing’s sponsor PEAK’s back yard?

“PEAK has been an epic supporter of John Force Racing for years. That kind of loyalty is who I try to surround myself with and I am blessed to be a part of the PEAK SQUAD.”

Stats

Chicago	Race Result	Round Wins	Round Loss	Qualified	Event Record
2021 (TF)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022 (TF)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023 (TF)	Runner Up	Def. A. Brown Def. J. McNeal Def. T. Zizzo	Loss to C. Millican	12th	3-1
2024 (TF)	1st Round		Loss to S. Reed	12th	3-2
2025 (TF)	2nd Round	Def. C. Millican	Loss to D. Kalitta	8th	4-3

Starts: 3

Wins: 0

Final Rounds: 1 (2023)

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Round Record: 4-3

Track & TV Schedules

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.

HART LOOKS TO REGAIN GROUND AT ROUTE 66 NATIONALS

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Josh Hart’s debut with John Force Racing couldn’t have played out any better to kick off the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing and the Florida-based driver sees the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK as the perfect opportunity for the Speedmaster Top Fuel team to return to that highest level of performance.

Hart captured his first NHRA Top Fuel win in five years at the season-opening Gatornationals. He earned his first No. 1 Qualifier award and reset his career-best elapsed time and speed records at Gainesville and, as he put it, accomplished more in that one race than he had the entire season before.

Since then, the Speedmaster team has run well but not been able to capitalize fully on the opportunities in front of them. Hart knows a strong start to the second quarter of the season (with five of 20 races completed) is not only important but within his and his team’s grasp. His runner-up finish in the 2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals also provides further encouragement to complete the task to enjoy the full fruits of victory.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. Shawn Langdon, 481; 2. Doug Kalitta, 477; 3. Leah Pruett, 352; 4. Tony Stewart, 332; 5. Josh Hart, 298; 6. Maddi Gordon, 296; 7. Justin Ashley, 280; 8. Billy Torrence, 244; 9. Clay Millican, 220; 10. Antron Brown, 218.

Quotes

What are your memories from your runner-up finish at the 2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals?

“The Chicago runner-up situation is always bittersweet but I love this event! The venue is like a gladiator stadium.”

After struggling the past couple of races, what is the game plan for this weekend?

“The Speedmaster team will regain its ground this weekend at Route 66 Raceway. I love being a part of this John Force Racing program and I know the work David Grubnic and John Collins (crew chiefs) and all the crew has put in since South Georgia is going to pay off for us. We’ve proven what we’re capable so we need to take advantage of this opportunity to execute and earn maximum points.”

What are your thoughts about John Force Racing teammate Jordan Vandergriff getting his first win two weeks ago in Georgia?

“Jordan and I have a good history even prior to being John Force Racing teammates. We have a little saying we share amongst ourselves: ‘Best team, best car and now be the best driver!’ I was proud to say it to him last weekend while congratulating him on the victory.”

What does it mean for you to race in longtime John Force Racing’s sponsor PEAK’s back yard?

“PEAK has been an epic supporter of John Force Racing for years. That kind of loyalty is who I try to surround myself with and I am blessed to be a part of the PEAK SQUAD.”

Stats

Chicago	Race Result	Round Wins	Round Loss	Qualified	Event Record
2021 (TF)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022 (TF)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023 (TF)	Runner Up	Def. A. Brown Def. J. McNeal Def. T. Zizzo	Loss to C. Millican	12th	3-1
2024 (TF)	1st Round		Loss to S. Reed	12th	3-2
2025 (TF)	2nd Round	Def. C. Millican	Loss to D. Kalitta	8th	4-3

Starts: 3

Wins: 0

Final Rounds: 1 (2023)

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Round Record: 4-3

Track & TV Schedules

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.

Television coverage on FS1 includes qualifying on Friday, May 15, from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. ET, a second qualifying show on Saturday, May 16, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET, and the eliminations broadcast on Sunday, May 17, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET.

Dallas Daniels (No. 32) during the 2025 Peoria TT. [Photo: Tim Lester for AMA Pro Racing]Download high-resolution photo from AMA Pro’s Digital Asset Management system

Tickets On Sale Now for the 79th Running of the World Famous Peoria TT

Dallas Daniels (No. 32) during the 2025 Peoria TT. [Photo: Tim Lester for AMA Pro Racing]Download high-resolution photo from AMA Pro’s Digital Asset Management system

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 13, 2026) – Tickets are now on sale for the 79th running of the World Famous Peoria TT, scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at the Peoria Motorcycle Club in Peoria, Illinois. One of the most iconic events in motorcycle racing, the Peoria TT will once again welcome Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, for a can’t-miss day of racing at one of the sport’s most legendary venues. The Peoria TT is famous for its unique layout, high-flying jump, natural amphitheater setting, and passionate fan base. Year after year, it stands as one of the most anticipated stops on the Progressive AFT calendar, delivering a race-day atmosphere unlike any other in the sport. General Admission tickets are available now for $30, with children 12 and under admitted free with a paid adult General Admission ticket. Fans looking to upgrade their race-day experience can also purchase VIP admission for $125, which includes access to the Turn 1 VIP Lounge, VIP parking, food and beverage, a swag bag, General Admission seating, full-event pit access, and a guided tour of the infield podium and start/finish line. The H-D VIP Experience is available for $135 and includes dedicated H.O.G. parking, exclusive grandstand seating, Harley-Davidson rider meet-and-greet and photo opportunities, a private infield tour, track walk, podium photo opportunities, and exclusive Harley-Davidson gifts and fan swag. Peoria TT tickets are available at https://www.tixr.com/groups/peoriamotorcycleclub/events/2026-peoria-tt-185253. Fans are encouraged to purchase early, as premium options are limited. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, visit AmericanFlatTrack.com. Next UpProgressive American Flat Track returns to competition on Saturday, May 16, with Parts Unlimited ThrottleFest presented by Carter CAT at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland. Fans can visit ThrottleFestUSA.com for event schedules, ticket information, camping details, and the latest weekend updates. Tickets for Parts Unlimited ThrottleFest presented by Carter CAT are available now at: https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-throttlefest-saturday-184353. The series then heads to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, May 23, for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile at Williams Grove Speedway. Tickets for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile are available now at: https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-williams-grove-half-mile-185952. How to Watch FloRacingFor those that can’t catch the live action at the track, FloRacing is the live streaming home of Progressive American Flat Track. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2026. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/AFT2026 or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast. FS1FOX Sports will provide in-depth coverage of the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader featuring rider features and thrilling onboard cameras. Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement regarding premiere airdates on FS1 and re-airs on FS2. The full listing of American Flat Track’s television premieres will be posted to the AFT website at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports.

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE Dover Motor SpeedwayMay 15-17, 2026

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

For the first time in the event’s over 40-year history, NASCAR will take the All-Star Race to the track famously known as the “Monster Mile”, Dover Motor Speedway, where drivers and teams will look to conquer the concrete oval and take home one-million dollars. With a new venue also comes a new format, which will feature a final segment of 200-laps where 26 drivers will have the opportunity to cash-in on the grand prize. Among those already locked in includes representation by four different Chevrolet organizations: Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch; Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and William Byron; Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen; and Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar.  For the O’Reilly and Craftsman Truck Series, their respective regular season schedules will continue on as the pair will also join in on the action at the “Monster Mile”. The Delaware venue will welcome the Truck Series back to its facility for the first time since the 2020 season in Friday’s ECOSAVE 200, with the O’Reilly Series taking its turn on the concrete oval in Saturday’s BetRivers 200.

With 21 All-Star victories to its name, Chevrolet leads the way as the series enters the 42nd rendition of the annual non-points paying event. Dover Motor Speedway will become the sixth different host of the All-Star Race, with its longest tenure coming at Charlotte Motor Speedway when the circuit hosted the first 34 events (1985, 1987-2019). Once NASCAR made the decision to explore new homes for the All-Star Race, the next six events saw appearances at three different venues including Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and, most recently, North Wilkesboro Motor Speedway.

With each event’s debut at a new facility, it was a Chevrolet driver that picked up the grand prize including Chase Elliott’s 2020 victory at Bristol, with two of Kyle Larson’s three career All-Star crowns coming at Texas (2021) and North Wilkesboro (2023). Also earning the win in the event’s final race at Charlotte (2019), the reigning champion is one of just nine drivers in series’ history with multiple All-Star wins on his resume.

Chase ElliottNo. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet2020 All-Star Race WinBristol Motor SpeedwayKyle LarsonNo. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet2021 All-Star Race WinTexas Motor Speedway

HITTING A STREAK It’s been a momentum-hitting stride for the Bowtie brand as the NASCAR Cup Series enters an one-week pause in its points-paying competition. With yet another statement road course performance, Shane van Gisbergen’s victory at Watkins Glen International marked Chevrolet’s third consecutive trip to victory lane in the division – an effort that matches the longest win streak by a single manufacturer thus far this season. Accompanying each of those victories has been a strong presence of Team Chevy drivers in the top-10 with the Watkins Glen event marking the third-straight race that the manufacturer has owned 50 percent of the top-10 results. Last weekend, the feat was accomplished by drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations, each of which earned their best result of the season including Spire Motorsports’ Michael McDowell (second); Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon (sixth) and Kyle Busch (eighth); and Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger (seventh).

LARSON LEADING IN AVERAGESWith the pressure of points racing set aside for the weekend, Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team can look at the All-Star Race weekend as an opportunity to turn their season around. From the event’s history alone, Larson knows how to cash-in on the grand prize with the reigning champion leading the series’ active drivers with three career All-Star victories.  The Team Chevy driver also boasts a strong resume at Dover Motor Speedway with his 17 career Cup Series starts at the track featuring one win (2019), nine top-fives, 13 top-10s and a series-best average finish of 7.9.

LOVE LOOKING FOR REDEMPTION Despite coming just one corner short of his first win of the season, Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love walked away from Watkins Glen International with a runner-up finish, his career-best result at the circuit, and a strong 48-point day. The performance was a team-wide effort from the No. 2 camp. Love’s veteran pit crew also led the charge as the only team to reach the 14-second bracket for the four tire averages. With his fourth-straight top-10 finish, the reigning champion continues to chip away at the points standings. His other notable numbers thus far this season include a series-leading 279 laps led, as well as 107 stage points earned to rank him second behind the current points leader, Justin Allgaier. The Menlo Park, California, native has just two career Dover starts under his belt with his best finish of fifth coming in last year’s event.

MHR MAKING MOVES IN THE STANDINGS With a season-best fourth-place finish at Watkins Glen International, Daniel Hemric was the biggest mover in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings – jumping three positions to make his first appearance in the top-10 of the season. His teammate, Christian Eckes, battled through a pair of on-track incidents and a pit road violation to still make a one position gain in the standings and re-enter the top-five of the rankings. Also enduring a challenging day in upstate New York, Tyler Ankrum maintained his position in ninth to give McAnally-Hilgemann Racing three drivers in the top-10 of the standings heading into the series’ return to Dover Motor Speedway.  The trio will join the rest of the series’ full-time drivers looking for their first trip to victory lane at the “Monster Mile”. There’s only one past Truck Series winner at Dover entered in Friday’s race – the series’ winningest driver, Kyle Busch. The Las Vegas, Nevada, native leads the series with four career Dover victories.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·        Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 21 NASCAR All-Star Race victories, including four of the past seven events: 2019:   Kyle Larson, No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet (Charlotte Motor Speedway)2020:   Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (Bristol Motor Speedway)2021:   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (Texas Motor Speedway)2023:   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (North Wilkesboro Speedway) ·        Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Dover Motor Speedway:   Kyle Busch – three wins (2017, 2010, 2008)Chase Elliott – two wins (2022, 2018)Alex Bowman – one win (2021)Kyle Larson – one win (2019) ·        Shane van Gisbergen’s Watkins Glen win marked Chevrolet’s third consecutive trip to victory lane in NASCAR’s premier series – a effort that matches the longest win streak by a single manufacturer thus far this season. The Bowtie brand is also on a three-race streak of owning at least half of the top-10 finishing positions, with five drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations earning top-10 results at the upstate New York circuit.  ·        At Talladega Superspeedway, Chevrolet tallied six top-10 finishes, marking the second time this season a manufacturer has placed six cars in the top-10 of a Cup Series event. The Bowtie brand took it one step further by achieving the highest representation of different organizations within those results with five Chevrolet organizations placing drivers in the top-10.  ·        With seven-straight victories to start the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, Chevrolet set the record for the longest season-opening streak by a single manufacturer in the division’s history.  ·        In 156 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 71 victories – a winning percentage of 45.5%.  ·        Chevrolet is coming off its 29th all-time sweep of the NASCAR Cup Series championship titles – capturing its 34th driver championship and 44th, and fifth consecutive, manufacturer championship in 2025.  ·        With its 44 NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer championships, 34 NASCAR Cup Series driver championships, and 885 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup Series All-Star RaceSunday, May 17, at 1 p.m. ETFS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts SeriesBetRivers 200Saturday, May 16, at 4 p.m. ETCW, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesECOSAVE 200Friday, May 15, at 5 p.m. ETFS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

QUOTABLE QUOTES:Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletHow do you feel having the All-Star Race at Dover this year?“I enjoy racing at Dover, that’s why I’m in all three series. It’s a little bit different that we’re going there for the All-Star race, but the goal remains the same, to win. It doesn’t matter if it’s a points race or not, we still want to win. I’m fortunate that we’re locked in based on wins and I’m not on edge trying to make the race, but we still value winning the All-Star Race. I think some teams may make different strategy calls based on taking more risks than maybe they typically would in a points race, but regardless, we’re all competitors and we’re all here to win.”  How do you feel after Watkins Glen?“Our cars ran strong at Watkins Glen which is very positive. Obviously, Shane getting the win for the organization is great and while Connor and I on paper didn’t have the best result, our cars were good during the race. Getting another stage win for us was great. That’s one of the things my crew chief, Brandon McSwain, has emphasized, getting more stage points. I’m looking forward to Dover this weekend. It’s typically a strong track for me and I’m fully focused on getting the best result each weekend with our car.”   Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat was your experience at the Monster Mile when you came for the first time?“The place is spectacular when you see it for the first time. It’s jaw dropping when you watch cars drive off into Turn 1 at those speeds and eat up the concrete. You move fast at a high rate of speed, so you need a car that can handle that. When you first come there in the lower series, you are pretty much told to run wide open with the lower horsepower. That is intimidating. It’s one of the most intimidating tracks you go to, especially when you go there for the first time.” What is the sensation inside the car when driving at Dover Motor Speedway? Does it feel like a rollercoaster?“It’s rough. It’s not a smooth track, so you feel a lot through the front end and tires. There is a common saying of the bouncy ball or basketball effect when the front tires grow air pressure and heat up. It’s definitely not a smooth place with the ripples of the concrete. You start to figure out that you have to relax from a physical standpoint though. If you stay tense when driving there, you are going to wear yourself out. You are constantly telling yourself to loosen up on the steering wheel and you find a comfortable spot during the rhythm of a race. I don’t think you ever get comfortable qualifying there, because the air pressures are up and the grip is high. You’re on the edge in qualifying so there is no way to calm yourself down for those two laps.”    Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWith no points on the line, how are you feeling going into the All-Star race at Dover?“Dover is one of my favorite racetracks and I always enjoy going there. It’s a lot of fun. It’s like a roller coaster – super-fast and exciting. You can really feel the speed there, and it’s truly one of a kind, nothing like the other tracks on the schedule. It’s also great going there with no points involved because there’s a lot more freedom. I’m excited to see how the All-Star race plays out.”   Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts about Dover Motor Speedway hosting the All-Star Race for the first time?“It’s certainly going to be interesting. Dover has been a pretty good place for us here at RCR and for me. We finished fourth a couple years ago, 11th last year. We’ve been able to get some good top-five, top-10 finishes and are right there on the brink of doing well each time. We qualified on the pole there a couple times as well, so I’m looking forward to getting back to Dover. It’s always a great place to race and I’ve enjoyed that track for a long time. I’ve won there before in the Truck Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and in the Cup Series as well. I’ve got my own little family of monster trophies at home and at the shop.”   Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts looking back at the July race in Dover and your advancement to the finals of the In-Season Tournament:“It felt good. I had been the underdog for a long time, just battling to earn opportunities. Eventually you get comfortable fighting from behind and having people underestimate you. We hadn’t been a dominating car, but we had been a pain to everyone around us. That’s all we could do — put pressure on them and execute at the right time. I had been out of this sport and gained some good perspective. I didn’t take it for granted. I had so much gratitude just to get to race these cars. I’m proud of the way we ran in July. When things were coming together in a season like that, it wasn’t everything we wanted, but we were having fun. And when you could leave the racetrack smiling, you were already winning.”   AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet“Dover Motor Speedway is a racetrack that I always enjoy racing at. It’s going to be interesting with the format of being in the show and trying to still make the show while you’re in it. It’s definitely a racetrack that’s a lot of fun, especially with these cars carrying a lot of speed. Knowing it’s not a points race, maybe we can test a few things out in our No. 16 CELSIUS car and learn some stuff. We want to put together a good weekend for our partners.”   Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet“We’ve got one goal this weekend and that’s racing our way into the All-Star Race. The NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet has had good speed lately, so hopefully we can put ourselves in position early and be there when it counts. It’s always an intense weekend with a lot on the line, but those are the kind of races you want to be a part of.”   Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet“It feels like you’re driving off a cliff at Dover. You almost come out of the racetrack on entry into (turns) one and three there because the transition from the straightaway to the corners is so massive. It’s the elevation change that makes Dover so unique and challenging. It’s probably a two-story drop from the straightaways down into the corners. Your car gets light, and if you’re fighting a loose-handling condition, the rear of the car really wants to come around on you. You’re basically driving down and into a hole, which creates this massive compression zone, and once you land the bottom of the car, your front tires load up. It’s a whole different feeling. There isn’t another track on the schedule that prepares you for it. It’s what sets Dover apart.”   Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletHow will the All-Star Race change how drivers race at Dover?“Dover has always been a tough one for me. At the same time, it’s an incredible track with a lot of speed and history. The commitment it takes, the speed, the drop into turn one. It still takes my breath away. Qualifying has always been nerve‑racking, but that is part of what makes Dover special. I love the challenge, even though the results haven’t always been there, we have improved a good bit over the last few years. We had our best finish there last summer, and our Spire Motorsports organization has a lot of speed this season, so I am confident going into Dover for the All-Star Race. You can be a little more on edge with your decision making. Everyone wants to win the million dollars, but a bad day won’t set you back in the points, so having the All-Star Race in Dover will be a bit different. You’ll see some guys get a little more aggressive, especially at the end of each segment when guys are looking to make the transfer. I am excited to get there and see how the new format plays out and super excited to see if our guys can go back-to-back in the pit crew challenge.”   Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on knowing you are locked into the All-Star Race before arriving on site?“It is super cool knowing we are already in the show. No matter what happens, we can plan on running all 350 laps and being in contention at the end. Ultimately, it is just another race, which I obviously want to win.”   Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletWhat is racing at Dover like for you?“It’s really cool. Believe it or not I have not lost a race at Dover yet. I won the ARCA race there two years ago and then last year I won the O’Reilly race. I have two Monster trophies to my name and hopefully I can find a way to get to the front in the All-Star race and do that again. That would be really cool. Dover is certainly a really cool racetrack. It’s super high grip, super banked, fast. It’s pretty crazy. I’m excited to see what it’s like in a Cup car.” What do you think it’s going to be like at Dover with the short track package in the Cup car?“I think that package is going to change a lot. We lose a lot of downforce when we take that big diffuser off. We’re all curious to see what it does. It’s certainly going to be a lot less grip. We’re going to be flying around and it’s going to be hotter this weekend. I think everybody is curious to see what happens.”    Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletYou were able to pick up some points and spots in The Chase standings. What is your mindset moving forward with the next stretch of races?“Just got to keep accumulating. Going to try to learn a little bit at Dover. I’m looking forward to a long practice and getting to try some things, experiment a little bit. Also, got some decent tracks coming up. Especially Charlotte, that was obviously awesome for us last year. I was pretty competitive too and Ross won that race. But, yeah, looking forward to getting to those tracks. Just going to try to keep scoring points and maximizing every week and not make mistakes.” You’ve won seven times now. What stands out to you most about last weekend’s Watkins Glen win?“It included a whole team execution day. It was amazing. The first half of the race was straight forward, going quit well. But once the yellows started falling at the wrong time, it got really mixed up. So, I think the team did an amazing job. Stephen (Doran, Crew Chief) made some great calls, when to pit, how to manage the race, paint the picture in my head of how many laps on tires I had to do. As a team, that was one of our best wins.” You mention your Crew Chief, Stephen Doran. How has he been the right fit for you and establishing that trust? He made some tough calls last weekend at Watkins Glen, but they were the right calls. “I work with him every week and we get along really good. I don’t second guess or challenge his calls at any point. I just trust him and he says everything with such confidence. Last year, it was only his second year as a crew chief, and I think we’ve just sort of grown together a bit. It’s been really cool seeing him grow as well and get more confident. That was probably the best race he’s done as well. It was awesome!” One of the changes this year was the number on your car. The No. 97 is your family number. You finally brought it to victory lane last weekend. What does that mean to you?“It’s pretty awesome. I have done it in the O’Reilly Series before, but not in the Cup Series, so it’s pretty awesome to represent that. I’ve been lucky enough to drive for teams in professional series that let me run that number. And when Justin told me about it last year, you know, and he said Connor wants the 88, what do you think? The 99 felt like Daniel’s number for the team. Yeah, it was really fitting. It’s pretty proud. You know, it means a lot to me. It’s also the year I started racing too. So pretty cool to be representing it for, what’s that, almost 30 years now. So, yeah, pretty amazing to get a win in the Cup Series with it.”

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCEDover Motor SpeedwayMay 15-17, 2026

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

For the first time in the event’s over 40-year history, NASCAR will take the All-Star Race to the track famously known as the “Monster Mile”, Dover Motor Speedway, where drivers and teams will look to conquer the concrete oval and take home one-million dollars. With a new venue also comes a new format, which will feature a final segment of 200-laps where 26 drivers will have the opportunity to cash-in on the grand prize. Among those already locked in includes representation by four different Chevrolet organizations: Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch; Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and William Byron; Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen; and Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar.  For the O’Reilly and Craftsman Truck Series, their respective regular season schedules will continue on as the pair will also join in on the action at the “Monster Mile”. The Delaware venue will welcome the Truck Series back to its facility for the first time since the 2020 season in Friday’s ECOSAVE 200, with the O’Reilly Series taking its turn on the concrete oval in Saturday’s BetRivers 200.

With 21 All-Star victories to its name, Chevrolet leads the way as the series enters the 42nd rendition of the annual non-points paying event. Dover Motor Speedway will become the sixth different host of the All-Star Race, with its longest tenure coming at Charlotte Motor Speedway when the circuit hosted the first 34 events (1985, 1987-2019). Once NASCAR made the decision to explore new homes for the All-Star Race, the next six events saw appearances at three different venues including Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and, most recently, North Wilkesboro Motor Speedway.

With each event’s debut at a new facility, it was a Chevrolet driver that picked up the grand prize including Chase Elliott’s 2020 victory at Bristol, with two of Kyle Larson’s three career All-Star crowns coming at Texas (2021) and North Wilkesboro (2023). Also earning the win in the event’s final race at Charlotte (2019), the reigning champion is one of just nine drivers in series’ history with multiple All-Star wins on his resume.

Chase ElliottNo. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet2020 All-Star Race WinBristol Motor SpeedwayKyle LarsonNo. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet2021 All-Star Race WinTexas Motor Speedway

HITTING A STREAK It’s been a momentum-hitting stride for the Bowtie brand as the NASCAR Cup Series enters an one-week pause in its points-paying competition. With yet another statement road course performance, Shane van Gisbergen’s victory at Watkins Glen International marked Chevrolet’s third consecutive trip to victory lane in the division – an effort that matches the longest win streak by a single manufacturer thus far this season. Accompanying each of those victories has been a strong presence of Team Chevy drivers in the top-10 with the Watkins Glen event marking the third-straight race that the manufacturer has owned 50 percent of the top-10 results. Last weekend, the feat was accomplished by drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations, each of which earned their best result of the season including Spire Motorsports’ Michael McDowell (second); Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon (sixth) and Kyle Busch (eighth); and Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger (seventh).

LARSON LEADING IN AVERAGESWith the pressure of points racing set aside for the weekend, Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team can look at the All-Star Race weekend as an opportunity to turn their season around. From the event’s history alone, Larson knows how to cash-in on the grand prize with the reigning champion leading the series’ active drivers with three career All-Star victories.  The Team Chevy driver also boasts a strong resume at Dover Motor Speedway with his 17 career Cup Series starts at the track featuring one win (2019), nine top-fives, 13 top-10s and a series-best average finish of 7.9.

LOVE LOOKING FOR REDEMPTION Despite coming just one corner short of his first win of the season, Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love walked away from Watkins Glen International with a runner-up finish, his career-best result at the circuit, and a strong 48-point day. The performance was a team-wide effort from the No. 2 camp. Love’s veteran pit crew also led the charge as the only team to reach the 14-second bracket for the four tire averages. With his fourth-straight top-10 finish, the reigning champion continues to chip away at the points standings. His other notable numbers thus far this season include a series-leading 279 laps led, as well as 107 stage points earned to rank him second behind the current points leader, Justin Allgaier. The Menlo Park, California, native has just two career Dover starts under his belt with his best finish of fifth coming in last year’s event.

MHR MAKING MOVES IN THE STANDINGS With a season-best fourth-place finish at Watkins Glen International, Daniel Hemric was the biggest mover in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points standings – jumping three positions to make his first appearance in the top-10 of the season. His teammate, Christian Eckes, battled through a pair of on-track incidents and a pit road violation to still make a one position gain in the standings and re-enter the top-five of the rankings. Also enduring a challenging day in upstate New York, Tyler Ankrum maintained his position in ninth to give McAnally-Hilgemann Racing three drivers in the top-10 of the standings heading into the series’ return to Dover Motor Speedway.  The trio will join the rest of the series’ full-time drivers looking for their first trip to victory lane at the “Monster Mile”. There’s only one past Truck Series winner at Dover entered in Friday’s race – the series’ winningest driver, Kyle Busch. The Las Vegas, Nevada, native leads the series with four career Dover victories.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·        Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 21 NASCAR All-Star Race victories, including four of the past seven events: 2019:   Kyle Larson, No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet (Charlotte Motor Speedway)2020:   Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (Bristol Motor Speedway)2021:   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (Texas Motor Speedway)2023:   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (North Wilkesboro Speedway) ·        Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Dover Motor Speedway:   Kyle Busch – three wins (2017, 2010, 2008)Chase Elliott – two wins (2022, 2018)Alex Bowman – one win (2021)Kyle Larson – one win (2019) ·        Shane van Gisbergen’s Watkins Glen win marked Chevrolet’s third consecutive trip to victory lane in NASCAR’s premier series – a effort that matches the longest win streak by a single manufacturer thus far this season. The Bowtie brand is also on a three-race streak of owning at least half of the top-10 finishing positions, with five drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations earning top-10 results at the upstate New York circuit.  ·        At Talladega Superspeedway, Chevrolet tallied six top-10 finishes, marking the second time this season a manufacturer has placed six cars in the top-10 of a Cup Series event. The Bowtie brand took it one step further by achieving the highest representation of different organizations within those results with five Chevrolet organizations placing drivers in the top-10.  ·        With seven-straight victories to start the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, Chevrolet set the record for the longest season-opening streak by a single manufacturer in the division’s history.  ·        In 156 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 71 victories – a winning percentage of 45.5%.  ·        Chevrolet is coming off its 29th all-time sweep of the NASCAR Cup Series championship titles – capturing its 34th driver championship and 44th, and fifth consecutive, manufacturer championship in 2025.  ·        With its 44 NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer championships, 34 NASCAR Cup Series driver championships, and 885 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup Series All-Star RaceSunday, May 17, at 1 p.m. ETFS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts SeriesBetRivers 200Saturday, May 16, at 4 p.m. ETCW, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesECOSAVE 200Friday, May 15, at 5 p.m. ETFS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

QUOTABLE QUOTES:Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletHow do you feel having the All-Star Race at Dover this year?“I enjoy racing at Dover, that’s why I’m in all three series. It’s a little bit different that we’re going there for the All-Star race, but the goal remains the same, to win. It doesn’t matter if it’s a points race or not, we still want to win. I’m fortunate that we’re locked in based on wins and I’m not on edge trying to make the race, but we still value winning the All-Star Race. I think some teams may make different strategy calls based on taking more risks than maybe they typically would in a points race, but regardless, we’re all competitors and we’re all here to win.”  How do you feel after Watkins Glen?“Our cars ran strong at Watkins Glen which is very positive. Obviously, Shane getting the win for the organization is great and while Connor and I on paper didn’t have the best result, our cars were good during the race. Getting another stage win for us was great. That’s one of the things my crew chief, Brandon McSwain, has emphasized, getting more stage points. I’m looking forward to Dover this weekend. It’s typically a strong track for me and I’m fully focused on getting the best result each weekend with our car.”   Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat was your experience at the Monster Mile when you came for the first time?“The place is spectacular when you see it for the first time. It’s jaw dropping when you watch cars drive off into Turn 1 at those speeds and eat up the concrete. You move fast at a high rate of speed, so you need a car that can handle that. When you first come there in the lower series, you are pretty much told to run wide open with the lower horsepower. That is intimidating. It’s one of the most intimidating tracks you go to, especially when you go there for the first time.” What is the sensation inside the car when driving at Dover Motor Speedway? Does it feel like a rollercoaster?“It’s rough. It’s not a smooth track, so you feel a lot through the front end and tires. There is a common saying of the bouncy ball or basketball effect when the front tires grow air pressure and heat up. It’s definitely not a smooth place with the ripples of the concrete. You start to figure out that you have to relax from a physical standpoint though. If you stay tense when driving there, you are going to wear yourself out. You are constantly telling yourself to loosen up on the steering wheel and you find a comfortable spot during the rhythm of a race. I don’t think you ever get comfortable qualifying there, because the air pressures are up and the grip is high. You’re on the edge in qualifying so there is no way to calm yourself down for those two laps.”    Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWith no points on the line, how are you feeling going into the All-Star race at Dover?“Dover is one of my favorite racetracks and I always enjoy going there. It’s a lot of fun. It’s like a roller coaster – super-fast and exciting. You can really feel the speed there, and it’s truly one of a kind, nothing like the other tracks on the schedule. It’s also great going there with no points involved because there’s a lot more freedom. I’m excited to see how the All-Star race plays out.”   Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts about Dover Motor Speedway hosting the All-Star Race for the first time?“It’s certainly going to be interesting. Dover has been a pretty good place for us here at RCR and for me. We finished fourth a couple years ago, 11th last year. We’ve been able to get some good top-five, top-10 finishes and are right there on the brink of doing well each time. We qualified on the pole there a couple times as well, so I’m looking forward to getting back to Dover. It’s always a great place to race and I’ve enjoyed that track for a long time. I’ve won there before in the Truck Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and in the Cup Series as well. I’ve got my own little family of monster trophies at home and at the shop.”   Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts looking back at the July race in Dover and your advancement to the finals of the In-Season Tournament:“It felt good. I had been the underdog for a long time, just battling to earn opportunities. Eventually you get comfortable fighting from behind and having people underestimate you. We hadn’t been a dominating car, but we had been a pain to everyone around us. That’s all we could do — put pressure on them and execute at the right time. I had been out of this sport and gained some good perspective. I didn’t take it for granted. I had so much gratitude just to get to race these cars. I’m proud of the way we ran in July. When things were coming together in a season like that, it wasn’t everything we wanted, but we were having fun. And when you could leave the racetrack smiling, you were already winning.”   AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet“Dover Motor Speedway is a racetrack that I always enjoy racing at. It’s going to be interesting with the format of being in the show and trying to still make the show while you’re in it. It’s definitely a racetrack that’s a lot of fun, especially with these cars carrying a lot of speed. Knowing it’s not a points race, maybe we can test a few things out in our No. 16 CELSIUS car and learn some stuff. We want to put together a good weekend for our partners.”   Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet“We’ve got one goal this weekend and that’s racing our way into the All-Star Race. The NOS Energy Drink Chevrolet has had good speed lately, so hopefully we can put ourselves in position early and be there when it counts. It’s always an intense weekend with a lot on the line, but those are the kind of races you want to be a part of.”   Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet“It feels like you’re driving off a cliff at Dover. You almost come out of the racetrack on entry into (turns) one and three there because the transition from the straightaway to the corners is so massive. It’s the elevation change that makes Dover so unique and challenging. It’s probably a two-story drop from the straightaways down into the corners. Your car gets light, and if you’re fighting a loose-handling condition, the rear of the car really wants to come around on you. You’re basically driving down and into a hole, which creates this massive compression zone, and once you land the bottom of the car, your front tires load up. It’s a whole different feeling. There isn’t another track on the schedule that prepares you for it. It’s what sets Dover apart.”   Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletHow will the All-Star Race change how drivers race at Dover?“Dover has always been a tough one for me. At the same time, it’s an incredible track with a lot of speed and history. The commitment it takes, the speed, the drop into turn one. It still takes my breath away. Qualifying has always been nerve‑racking, but that is part of what makes Dover special. I love the challenge, even though the results haven’t always been there, we have improved a good bit over the last few years. We had our best finish there last summer, and our Spire Motorsports organization has a lot of speed this season, so I am confident going into Dover for the All-Star Race. You can be a little more on edge with your decision making. Everyone wants to win the million dollars, but a bad day won’t set you back in the points, so having the All-Star Race in Dover will be a bit different. You’ll see some guys get a little more aggressive, especially at the end of each segment when guys are looking to make the transfer. I am excited to get there and see how the new format plays out and super excited to see if our guys can go back-to-back in the pit crew challenge.”   Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on knowing you are locked into the All-Star Race before arriving on site?“It is super cool knowing we are already in the show. No matter what happens, we can plan on running all 350 laps and being in contention at the end. Ultimately, it is just another race, which I obviously want to win.”   Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletWhat is racing at Dover like for you?“It’s really cool. Believe it or not I have not lost a race at Dover yet. I won the ARCA race there two years ago and then last year I won the O’Reilly race. I have two Monster trophies to my name and hopefully I can find a way to get to the front in the All-Star race and do that again. That would be really cool. Dover is certainly a really cool racetrack. It’s super high grip, super banked, fast. It’s pretty crazy. I’m excited to see what it’s like in a Cup car.” What do you think it’s going to be like at Dover with the short track package in the Cup car?“I think that package is going to change a lot. We lose a lot of downforce when we take that big diffuser off. We’re all curious to see what it does. It’s certainly going to be a lot less grip. We’re going to be flying around and it’s going to be hotter this weekend. I think everybody is curious to see what happens.”    Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletYou were able to pick up some points and spots in The Chase standings. What is your mindset moving forward with the next stretch of races?“Just got to keep accumulating. Going to try to learn a little bit at Dover. I’m looking forward to a long practice and getting to try some things, experiment a little bit. Also, got some decent tracks coming up. Especially Charlotte, that was obviously awesome for us last year. I was pretty competitive too and Ross won that race. But, yeah, looking forward to getting to those tracks. Just going to try to keep scoring points and maximizing every week and not make mistakes.” You’ve won seven times now. What stands out to you most about last weekend’s Watkins Glen win?“It included a whole team execution day. It was amazing. The first half of the race was straight forward, going quit well. But once the yellows started falling at the wrong time, it got really mixed up. So, I think the team did an amazing job. Stephen (Doran, Crew Chief) made some great calls, when to pit, how to manage the race, paint the picture in my head of how many laps on tires I had to do. As a team, that was one of our best wins.” You mention your Crew Chief, Stephen Doran. How has he been the right fit for you and establishing that trust? He made some tough calls last weekend at Watkins Glen, but they were the right calls. “I work with him every week and we get along really good. I don’t second guess or challenge his calls at any point. I just trust him and he says everything with such confidence. Last year, it was only his second year as a crew chief, and I think we’ve just sort of grown together a bit. It’s been really cool seeing him grow as well and get more confident. That was probably the best race he’s done as well. It was awesome!” One of the changes this year was the number on your car. The No. 97 is your family number. You finally brought it to victory lane last weekend. What does that mean to you?“It’s pretty awesome. I have done it in the O’Reilly Series before, but not in the Cup Series, so it’s pretty awesome to represent that. I’ve been lucky enough to drive for teams in professional series that let me run that number. And when Justin told me about it last year, you know, and he said Connor wants the 88, what do you think? The 99 felt like Daniel’s number for the team. Yeah, it was really fitting. It’s pretty proud. You know, it means a lot to me. It’s also the year I started racing too. So pretty cool to be representing it for, what’s that, almost 30 years now. So, yeah, pretty amazing to get a win in the Cup Series with it.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series StatisticsManufacturer Championships:Total (1949-2025): 44First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)Most recent: 2025 Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Driver Championships:Total (1949-2025): 34First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most recent: Kyle Larson (2025)Driver and Manufacturer Championship Sweeps: 29 Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2025 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)                2026 STATISTICS:                                                                                                    Wins: 4Poles: 3Laps Led: 999Top-Fives: 22Top-10s: 44Stage Wins: 9 CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 885 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 769Laps led to date: 257,733Top-fives to date: 4,458Top-10s to date: 9,195                                                                                                          Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,219           Chevrolet: 885           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 848                                                                                          Ford: 748           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 210

National Event in Chicago CHICAGO (May 13, 2026) — This weekend at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by Peak Chicagoan Chris King will hang up his fireman’s protective gear for an Impact firesuit to pilot the Howards Cams/Competition Products Nitro Funny Car. For King handling the dual role of team owner and driver is an exciting diversion from his day-to-day as a lieutenant for the Chicago Fire Department. The team will be looking to grab one of the 16 qualifier spots to race for the coveted 75th anniversary diamond Wally on Sunday at Rt. 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. The last time King was behind the wheel was during the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals in October at the Texas Motorplex outside of Dallas.   “It’s been a long off-season,” said King. “We found something in Dallas and we made an adjustment that has been very positive for our tune up. Ever since getting out of the car in Dallas, I couldn’t wait to get back in this Funny Car. We wanted to run Gainesville, but parts availability and timing just didn’t work out. It’s been a very long, frustrating off-season for me. I am a terrible spectator. Seeing all these other drivers getting to race has just been killing me. To finally make our season debut in Joliet with a good race car that we don’t have to test anymore, we can just send it on the first run is very exciting.”  Chris King is ready to get back on track in Chicago and start his 2026 NHRA season, photo credit Innovative Creation ExpertsThe Howards Cams/Competition Products Funny Car will continue to be tuned by veteran crew chief Bob Peck. He has been instrumental in continuing to lower King’s personal bests in elapsed times and raising his personal bests in speed. A solid racing surface like Rt. 66 Raceway could be a great launching pad for more personal bests by King.   “I am excited to still have crew chief Bob Peck making all the calls and he is excited too,” said King. “I am looking forward to sending this thing full tilt.”   For a team that is building its program from the ground up King has maintained strong support from long-time sponsors Competition Products and Howards Cams. In addition, King has support from NGK and Hydraulic Energy Applications who will be using the event to host clients and guests at the fastest sporting event in the world.   “Competition Products and Howard’s Cams been very loyal,” said King. “NGK stepped up pretty big this year. Robert Rohde with Hydraulic Energy Applications is going to have a couple of people at the race and we are excited to be hosting them. This is the perfect place to host B2B events. There is exciting on-track action and then people can get right up beside the race team.”   The anticipation of getting to race week has been tough for a seasoned competitor like King. He has qualified for the biggest race in the series, the U.S. Nationals, and his team has been working diligently over the off-season. They had planned to get started at the season opening Gatornationals, but parts and supply chain issues kept them on the sidelines. Now with all the equipment and parts in hand King is ready to put the off-season frustration behind him. “Now that it’s race week, I’m getting pumped up,” said King. “Two weeks ago, I was talking about quitting, but now that it’s here, I’m getting excited and getting right back to that point where I need to be as an owner and a driver. I had a lot of hurdles to overcome in the off-season. There were a lot of highs and lows. The was a lot of questioning myself asking, ‘Why am I still doing this?’ When this weekend comes up and its race week things are starting to happen. That’s why I do it and why we are all out here battling.”   Qualifying for the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals will begin on Friday, May 15, with two sessions of the four professional categories. On Saturday, fans will be treated to two more qualifying sessions. The quickest 16 race cars, dragsters and motorcycles will race for the famed Diamond Wally trophy beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. The race will be broadcast nationally on FS1 Sund

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Jordan Vandergriff and his Chris Cunningham-Jason Bunker-led Cornwell Tools team checked off a major accomplishment with their young driver’s well-deserved first NHRA national event win two weeks in South Georgia but it’s back to business as they prepare for the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

It took just five races into Vandergriff’s Funny Car career to earn that first victory, in his adopted home state of Georgia, no less. It was an accomplishment he’d prepared since 2019 when racing an abbreviated Top Fuel season for his family-owned team.

Vandergriff celebrated with his Cornwell Tools team that night and the next morning drove home north on I-75 for three-and-a-half hours with his winner’s trophy belted into the passenger seat of his Chevrolet pickup truck.

But shortly after getting home and finding a spot to display his trophy, it was back to work preparing for this week’s event at Route 66 Raceway.

The Route 66 NHRA Nationals was one of the 11 Top Fuel races Vandegriff competed in during the 2019 season, defeating Clay Millican in the first round before losing to Antron Brown in the second round.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. J.R. Todd, 411; 2. Ron Capps, 408; 3. Matt Hagan, 386; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 383; 5. Chad Green, 340; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 297; 7. Spencer Hyde, 275; 8. Jack Beckman, 245; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 201; 10. Dave Richards, 171.

Quotes

How has your week been since getting that first Funny Car event win?

“That first win was something I’ve been going after for a very long time and getting it under my belt is a dream come true. But honestly, this week it’s been ‘back to work.’ I understand that the first win is huge, for me personally and for my career, but the first win for this Cornwell Quality Tools Chevy team is hopefully the beginning of more this year and a run at the championship.”

What has your winner’s trophy, Wally, been up to? 

“Wally had a great time driving back up to Atlanta sitting in the passenger seat. We chatted the whole way, talked about the weekend, what he’s been up to and how many other people he’s been with. We had a great time and he’s got a place of his own: I have a coffee table in my living room and it’s all his, with his medal and his hat, just chilling.

Talk about the special on-track celebration you had with your uncle Bob Vandergriff Jr.

“As I look back on it, it was just a storybook ending. As I was running back up the track, I was thinking about my entire career and then I looked up and I saw him (his uncle) on the track. I thought it was the perfect ending for him to meet me on the track because I wouldn’t be racing if it wasn’t for him. He gave me an opportunity back in the day to drive for him and I wouldn’t have any of these opportunities without him. I wouldn’t have even be running up the track in celebration if he hadn’t done the same thing. So, to cap off the win with him means a lot to me and my family and it’s a memory we will forever remember.”

What do you take from the Georgia win going into Chicago?

“Winning at South Georgia shows that this Cornwall Quality Tools Funny Car team is not one to mess with. We’re here to win. We knew coming into the season that there was going to be an unknown factor with me being a new driver and a new crew chief duo and a new team. The win is a sign that we’re here. We’ve arrived. We can hang with the best of them. So, that’s how we feel going into Chicago. We’re right in the thick of the points, only 28 points out of first, which is a really good place to be. We want to go to Chicago and do it again.” 

What will it be like racing in PEAK’s back yard?

“PEAK is Mr. Force’s sponsor, and they always will be. So, without PEAK, there would be no opportunity for me. PEAK has been a pivotal sponsor of John Force Racing and I want to do all I can to represent them in their backyard. I know how much this race means to PEAK and the PEAK SQUAD so I’m going into this weekend with the goal of representing them well.”

Stats

Chicago	Race Result	Round Wins	Round Loss	Qualified	Event Record
2019 (TF)	2nd round	Def. C. Millican	Lost to A. Brown	10th	1-1
2020	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2025 (TF)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Starts: 1

Wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Round Record: 1-1

Track & TV Schedules

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.

VANDERGRIFF FOCUSED ON SECOND WIN AFTER FIRST

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (MAY 13, 2026) – Jordan Vandergriff and his Chris Cunningham-Jason Bunker-led Cornwell Tools team checked off a major accomplishment with their young driver’s well-deserved first NHRA national event win two weeks in South Georgia but it’s back to business as they prepare for the May 15-17 Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.

It took just five races into Vandergriff’s Funny Car career to earn that first victory, in his adopted home state of Georgia, no less. It was an accomplishment he’d prepared since 2019 when racing an abbreviated Top Fuel season for his family-owned team.

Vandergriff celebrated with his Cornwell Tools team that night and the next morning drove home north on I-75 for three-and-a-half hours with his winner’s trophy belted into the passenger seat of his Chevrolet pickup truck.

But shortly after getting home and finding a spot to display his trophy, it was back to work preparing for this week’s event at Route 66 Raceway.

The Route 66 NHRA Nationals was one of the 11 Top Fuel races Vandegriff competed in during the 2019 season, defeating Clay Millican in the first round before losing to Antron Brown in the second round.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after five of 20 races are: 1. J.R. Todd, 411; 2. Ron Capps, 408; 3. Matt Hagan, 386; 4. Jordan Vandergriff, 383; 5. Chad Green, 340; 6. Alexis DeJoria, 297; 7. Spencer Hyde, 275; 8. Jack Beckman, 245; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 201; 10. Dave Richards, 171.

Quotes

How has your week been since getting that first Funny Car event win?

“That first win was something I’ve been going after for a very long time and getting it under my belt is a dream come true. But honestly, this week it’s been ‘back to work.’ I understand that the first win is huge, for me personally and for my career, but the first win for this Cornwell Quality Tools Chevy team is hopefully the beginning of more this year and a run at the championship.”

What has your winner’s trophy, Wally, been up to? 

“Wally had a great time driving back up to Atlanta sitting in the passenger seat. We chatted the whole way, talked about the weekend, what he’s been up to and how many other people he’s been with. We had a great time and he’s got a place of his own: I have a coffee table in my living room and it’s all his, with his medal and his hat, just chilling.

Talk about the special on-track celebration you had with your uncle Bob Vandergriff Jr.

“As I look back on it, it was just a storybook ending. As I was running back up the track, I was thinking about my entire career and then I looked up and I saw him (his uncle) on the track. I thought it was the perfect ending for him to meet me on the track because I wouldn’t be racing if it wasn’t for him. He gave me an opportunity back in the day to drive for him and I wouldn’t have any of these opportunities without him. I wouldn’t have even be running up the track in celebration if he hadn’t done the same thing. So, to cap off the win with him means a lot to me and my family and it’s a memory we will forever remember.”

What do you take from the Georgia win going into Chicago?

“Winning at South Georgia shows that this Cornwall Quality Tools Funny Car team is not one to mess with. We’re here to win. We knew coming into the season that there was going to be an unknown factor with me being a new driver and a new crew chief duo and a new team. The win is a sign that we’re here. We’ve arrived. We can hang with the best of them. So, that’s how we feel going into Chicago. We’re right in the thick of the points, only 28 points out of first, which is a really good place to be. We want to go to Chicago and do it again.” 

What will it be like racing in PEAK’s back yard?

“PEAK is Mr. Force’s sponsor, and they always will be. So, without PEAK, there would be no opportunity for me. PEAK has been a pivotal sponsor of John Force Racing and I want to do all I can to represent them in their backyard. I know how much this race means to PEAK and the PEAK SQUAD so I’m going into this weekend with the goal of representing them well.”

Stats

Chicago	Race Result	Round Wins	Round Loss	Qualified	Event Record
2019 (TF)	2nd round	Def. C. Millican	Lost to A. Brown	10th	1-1
2020	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2025 (TF)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Starts: 1

Wins: 0

Runner-ups: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Round Record: 1-1

Track & TV Schedules

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5:0 p.m. CT on Friday, May 15, with the final two rounds Saturday, May 16, at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. CT. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 11 a.m. CT.

Television coverage on FS1 includes qualifying on Friday, May 15, from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. ET, a second qualifying show on Saturday, May 16, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET, and the eliminations broadcast on Sunday, May 17, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET.

BIG news… I’m coming back to IHRA Top Alcohol Dragster competition at Maple Grove Raceway for the first Triple Crown event of the season!! 👊 After getting my feet wet with two races last year, I knew I wasn’t done.  Now it’s time to get serious. I’ll be back behind the wheel of the GUNK dragster in Reading, PA next weekend, and I’m coming with one goal in mind — chasing my first Ironman trophy!!! 🏆  🎟️ Get Tickets HERE  This will be the first of three IHRA Triple Crown events this season, and I’m ready to get after it in Top Alcohol Dragster competition at one of the most legendary tracks in drag racing, alongside my sister, Rachel! If you’re coming out to Maple Grove Raceway, make sure to stop by on Thursday to see me test and come join us at the FREE Pit Party & Autograph Session after testing.  Come check out the cars up close, and hang out before race day! Whether you’re at the track, watching on Speed Sport or IHRA.tv, or following along on my Facebook, I can’t wait to have everyone along for this next race!!  Let’s do this 🔥 – Megan

Event: NASCAR All-Star RaceDate/Time: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 1 p.m. ETLocation: Dover Motor Speedway, Dover, DelawareLayout: 1-Mile Concrete OvalTV/Radio: FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR RadioJosh Berry’s win in the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March 2025 pays another dividend this weekend, as the victory guarantees him a spot among the 26 drivers competing for the $1 million winner’s share in the NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway.“It’s definitely been a cool benefit of getting a win,” Berry told members of the media earlier this week. “And when you win a race, the (All-Star starting spot) comes to mind pretty quickly.”NASCAR has introduced a significant overhaul to the All-Star Race format this year.For the first time, the event moves to Dover Motor Speedway, marking the debut of the exhibition race in the Northeast. The traditional All-Star Open format has also been reworked, with drivers not already locked into the main event joining eligible competitors for the opening two 75-lap segments of the race. Nineteen drivers, including Berry in the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang, are guaranteed starting spots in the third and final segment – a 200-lap showdown. Six additional drivers will transfer based on their finishes in the opening segments, with a seventh advancing via the fan vote.Berry said he believes the new format should create an entertaining show for fans.“It will be a unique experience, a different format, lots of fun and put on a great show,” he said.With essentially a full 36-car field expected on track for the opening two segments, Berry said the additional traffic could make for more competitive racing conditions.“Having all cars on track will help the racing product, widen the track out,” he said.Another notable change for the weekend is the application of resin to Dover’s concrete racing surface. Berry pointed to the success of a similar approach at Nashville Superspeedway several years ago.“When we went back to Nashville for the first time they applied resin,” Berry said. “And, historically, I remember races there being pretty single-file right on the bottom.“The resin seemed to widen out the racetrack a lot, like shockingly in my eyes. So maybe this resin will be a good change.”Practice for the All-Star Race is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. ET on FS2. Qualifying, which includes the Pit Crew Challenge, begins Saturday at noon ET, on FS1. Sunday’s on-track activities begin at 1 p.m. ET, with race coverage airing on FS1.Josh BerryAge: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)Hometown: Hendersonville, TennesseeCrew Chief: Miles StanleyIG: @joshberry88X: @joshberryAbout Motorcraft® Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details. About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com. *See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

Brandon Pfanders (No. 83) leads the Last Chance Qualifier at Silver Dollar Speedway in 2026. [Photo: Tim Lester for AMA Pro Racing]Download high-resolution photo from AMA Pro’s Digital Asset Management system

450cc Singles Primed to Shine at ThrottleFest

Brandon Pfanders (No. 83) leads the Last Chance Qualifier at Silver Dollar Speedway in 2026. [Photo: Tim Lester for AMA Pro Racing]Download high-resolution photo from AMA Pro’s Digital Asset Management system

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 13, 2026) – 450cc racebikes will feature prominently over four days of ThrottleFest, including in amateur flat track, motocross, endurocross, hare scrambles, and stunt shows. That single-cylinder showcase in Mechanicsville, Maryland, will reach its zenith on Saturday, May 16, when the KICKER AFT Singles and AFT ProSport 450 series resume at ThrottleFest for the sixth round of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The Drane Remains the Same The opening four rounds injected some serious intrigue into the KICKER AFT Singles class with four different riders standing atop the box. Round 5 saw its first repeat winner – reigning champion Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) – and brought the title fight into tight focus along with it. While multiple riders have taken their turn in the spotlight, Australian Drane has been the constant all throughout, reeling in a points haul via two firsts, two seconds, and a fourth. As a result, the preseason title favorite has further locked down that status as he’s opened up a bit of space at the top of the order. The upcoming run of Half-Miles only stands to play more heavily in his favor. He’s currently tied for third in class history in HM wins and is perfectly positioned to continue that climb up the charts. Staying Power Record-book revisions have become an annual story in KICKER AFT Singles as of late – a story that predates Drane’s ongoing assault on the sport’s annals. Prior to Dallas Daniels, no rider in class history had earned more than a single class crown. But then Daniels did it twice. He was immediately succeeded by Kody Kopp, who proceeded to do it three times in a row. And now there’s Drane, who is looking like a very strong bet to become the category’s third consecutive multi-title winner. Unsurprisingly, Daniels, Kopp, and Drane have wreaked some serious damage on the record books as a byproduct of their unusually lengthy reigns. Kopp stands as its all-time winningest rider, and Drane is likely to overtake him for that honor yet this season. Daniels boasts the longest-ever win streak – followed by Drane and Kopp, while Drane owns the two longest podium streaks, followed by Kopp. Why the recent trend?  As the class has risen in prominence, as well as in importance to the manufacturers, there’s been greater incentive to keep potential championship winners in play – along with enhanced financial rewards and increased prestige for those who do. Moreover, the jump up to Mission AFT SuperTwins is a precarious transition. If a rider leaps too early, it can be difficult to find their footing – and the transition back to 450s often proves equally difficult once they’ve left the nest. While KICKER AFT Singles champs formerly graduated to Mission AFT SuperTwins upon winning the title almost as a rule, the examples of Daniels and Kopp – the defending Grand National Champion and its current points leader, respectively – have demonstrated the wisdom of waiting until a rider has a bit more seasoning and maturity before they step up to the premier ranks. Drane projects in a similar manner – a forecast for success further solidified by his ‘25 Springfield one-off in which he immediately ran up front on the Yamaha MT-07 DT. If he continues to stretch open his points advantage, that’s a sight we may see again this year . Prior to the season, Estenson Racing’s Team Owner, Tim Estenson, noted that the rulebook allows Drane to take part in as many as six Mission AFT SuperTwins races this season as a wild card. That’s an option they may consider taking advantage of depending on the status of his active title defense. A High Bar to Clear The successive extended runs of Daniels, Kopp, and Drane has also made it more challenging for aspiring aces to make a big impression. No doubt it would have been easier for newcomers to win races and championships had those three all immediately vacated their thrones. But it’s also provided those up-and-comers a realistic measure of their skills and readiness. Their continued presence has set a bar that makes clear to a rider exactly how they match up with what they can reliably believe is one of the very best riders in the paddock. That in turn gives them valuable insight into their relative strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to actively improve before advancing rather than making a blind leap into the deep end. Second-ranked Trevor Brunner (No. 21 KMA Racing/March Equipment Yamaha YZ450F) has measured himself up against Daniels, Kopp, and Drane, whereas third-ranked Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450) has gone head-to-head with Kopp and Drane. Both riders have taken their share of wins in those match-ups. They’ve also taken some lumps along the way. Brunner and Saathoff remain the biggest threat to Drane’s title defense. Brunner already put in one season in Mission AFT SuperTwins where he proved himself a top-five finisher and the Rookie of the Year. Saathoff is now five years into his pro career, and he’s been a frontrunner the entire time. Should either overthrow Drane, their next move would be a fascinating one. But for it to even be a question, they need to do everything in their power to prevent the Drane freight train from building up steam starting this weekend. Mixing It Up It’s up to everyone else to make this more than a three-rider fight. Fortunately, there’s plenty of talent in the ranks to make that a reality. New Yorker Justin Jones (No. 91 Fairway Ford Chevy GMC Yamaha YZ450F) should be buoyed by the return back East, as will DAYTONA winner Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F) after the Pennsylvanian endured a tough West Coast swing. By contrast, Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) – and to a lesser extent, Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) – may find some relief racing free of the expectations that came with the home-state pressure cooker faced in California. Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) and Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) arrive full of confidence after Lowe enjoyed arguably his best round as a pro at Ventura Raceway and Porter did the same the following week at Silver Dollar Speedway. And the KICKER AFT Singles class never has a shortage of promising would-be contenders. That long list includes the likes of Jack Brucks (No. 113 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), Ryder Reese (No. 41 Fasthouse/Smoking Butcher Coffee KTM 450 SX-F FE), Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F), and Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Eisenhard Racing/Pags Powersports KTM 450 SX-F), any one of whom could strike for their maiden win on any given weekend. Head East Twelve amateurs will earn their place in the AFT ProSport 450 field with a successful run during the AMA-sanctioned Mission Foods CTR Showcase Event held on Friday at ThrottleFest. Sam Drane (No. 7 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), Jett Katarzy (No. 17 1st Impressions Husqvarna FC450), and Adam Costan-Wood (No. 88 Turner Racing Honda CRF450R) have all stood on top of the Progressive American Flat Track podium in the class to date. The trip to the East Coast – and in the general neighborhood of some noted hotbeds of flat track talent – might just lure out some new faces who figure to factor in the sport’s not-too-distant future. Full Throttle. Full Festival ThrottleFest is a motorsports and music festival unlike any other. With Progressive American Flat Track at its center, Budds Creek Motocross Park will be loaded up with two-wheeled racing all day for four days, including amateur flat track, motocross, pit bike racing, endurocross, and hare scrambles. And that’s only half the fun. ThrottleFest will also bring it with live music, contests, mechanical bull riding, Stacyc and RC racing, interactive games, food trucks, vendor areas, and more. ThrottleFest is ready. Are you? Don’t Miss This One General Admission Standing Room Only tickets for Saturday start at $65 with Reserved Grandstand tickets available for $90 and Premium Reserved Grandstand tickets $120. Tickets for kids five and under are just $5 in any section, while children 6-12 get their tickets 60% off. The Saturday VIP at ThrottleFest ticket can be had for $205, complete with Premium Reserved seating, complimentary food and refreshments, and paddock access to rub elbows with the best dirt trackers on the planet while getting a close-up view of their racebikes. Fans can also purchase single day tickets for Thursday, Friday, or Sunday, as well as two-, three-, or four-day ticket packages. Camping is available for $100 per vehicle (event passes sold separately), with free parking for all attendees. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-throttlefest-saturday-184353 to choose your adventure today. Gates will open for fans at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT on Saturday with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. ET/4:10 p.m. PT.

CHICAGO (May 13, 2026) — The 75^th anniversary season of the NHRA is underway and this weekend, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will make its annual stop outside of Chicago for the Gerber Collision & Glass Rt. 66 Nationals, May 15-17. Veteran Top Fuel driver TJ Zizzo and his Rust-Oleum sponsored Top Fuel dragster are eager to show off the hard work and dedication they have put into the team throughout the off-season. The past few seasons’ results have shown that the Zizzo Racing operation is a formidable opponent racing on a limited schedule.
 
“We don’t race often, but we are putting in the work year-round to be ready for races like Chicago,” said Zizzo. “Thanks to the support from Rust-Oleum and our other sponsors, we can come out and be very competitive. Our team, led by Mike Kern with input from Hall of Famer Rahn Tobler, will have this Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster set up for success. This sport is so competitive and having the ability to be a No. 1 qualifier is a huge achievement.”

 TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel team will be ready for action this weekend at Route 66 Raceway,
photo credit Auto Imagery

Crew chief Mike Kern and the Rust-Oleum team spent over 2,000 hours working diligently over the off-season to make sure Zizzo Racing is again positioned for success when the season starts this weekend. Over the past two seasons, Zizzo and the Zizzo racing team have turned heads scoring No. 1 qualifiers and posting excellent elapsed times. Their career highlight was a runner-up finish during the 2020 season that was delayed due to rain and completed at the historic U.S. Nationals.
 
“I think our fortunes really changed for the positive in 2020 even though we didn’t win the race,” said Zizzo. “We knew at that moment we could compete with the best of the best and we just needed some better equipment. Thanks to the late Don Schumacher, we upgraded across the board and the rest is history. You must have a passion to compete out here and you also need to take risks, in a good way.”
 
The 2024 No. 1 qualifying effort was Zizzo’s best qualifying effort since 2018 when he raced to the No. 5 spot only to be upset in the first round by Scott Palmer. Last year Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum team finished qualifying in the No. 13 spot and drew three-time Top Fuel champion Antron Brown in the first round.

 Fan favorite TJ Zizzo will be ready to wow the hometown fans in Chicago this weekend, photo credit Auto Imagery

TJ ZIZZO LOOKING TO MAKE A STATEMENT IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN FANS AT THE RT. 66 NHRA NATIONALS

CHICAGO (May 13, 2026) — The 75^th anniversary season of the NHRA is underway and this weekend, the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will make its annual stop outside of Chicago for the Gerber Collision & Glass Rt. 66 Nationals, May 15-17. Veteran Top Fuel driver TJ Zizzo and his Rust-Oleum sponsored Top Fuel dragster are eager to show off the hard work and dedication they have put into the team throughout the off-season. The past few seasons’ results have shown that the Zizzo Racing operation is a formidable opponent racing on a limited schedule.
 
“We don’t race often, but we are putting in the work year-round to be ready for races like Chicago,” said Zizzo. “Thanks to the support from Rust-Oleum and our other sponsors, we can come out and be very competitive. Our team, led by Mike Kern with input from Hall of Famer Rahn Tobler, will have this Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster set up for success. This sport is so competitive and having the ability to be a No. 1 qualifier is a huge achievement.”

 TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel team will be ready for action this weekend at Route 66 Raceway,
photo credit Auto Imagery

Crew chief Mike Kern and the Rust-Oleum team spent over 2,000 hours working diligently over the off-season to make sure Zizzo Racing is again positioned for success when the season starts this weekend. Over the past two seasons, Zizzo and the Zizzo racing team have turned heads scoring No. 1 qualifiers and posting excellent elapsed times. Their career highlight was a runner-up finish during the 2020 season that was delayed due to rain and completed at the historic U.S. Nationals.
 
“I think our fortunes really changed for the positive in 2020 even though we didn’t win the race,” said Zizzo. “We knew at that moment we could compete with the best of the best and we just needed some better equipment. Thanks to the late Don Schumacher, we upgraded across the board and the rest is history. You must have a passion to compete out here and you also need to take risks, in a good way.”
 
The 2024 No. 1 qualifying effort was Zizzo’s best qualifying effort since 2018 when he raced to the No. 5 spot only to be upset in the first round by Scott Palmer. Last year Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum team finished qualifying in the No. 13 spot and drew three-time Top Fuel champion Antron Brown in the first round.

 Fan favorite TJ Zizzo will be ready to wow the hometown fans in Chicago this weekend, photo credit Auto Imagery

Zizzo was first off the starting line but his race car overpowered the track, and the Chicagoan was forced to watch Brown pull away for the first-round win. It was an uncharacteristically unsuccessful run for the team based on their previous runs.
 
“Mike and I talked about what happened,” said Zizzo, following the race. “The idle was a little high and I compounded the situation with my right foot applying a little pressure to the throttle pedal. We are running the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster right on the edge. You must try and get the most out of the tune up and we just tipped it over a little. We can fix that and learn from it.”
 
This year, Zizzo and the team are focused on making the most out of every qualifying session and entertaining the fans. The team will once again host a free pancake social on Saturday morning before qualifying, serving the fan favorite Nitro Cakes to fellow competitors and fans. The annual tradition has become one of the highlight events of the NHRA tour.
 
“Saturday morning serving Nitro Cakes is the best,” said Zizzo. “We haven’t been on tour, so it is a little like the first day of school when all our friends come over. The fans love it and I love to see many of our loyal NHRA fans every year. We have hundreds of people come by and it is just a cool way to thank the fans and have some fun.”
 
Qualifying for the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals will begin on Friday, May 15, with two sessions of the four professional categories. On Saturday, fans will be treated to two more qualifying sessions. The quickest 16 race cars, dragsters and motorcycles will race for the famed Diamond Wally trophy beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The race will be broadcast nationally on FS1 Sunday evening.
 

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbrdige2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval Speedway, Indiana Practice Day (Tuesday) Report May 12, 2026 Indianapolis (May 12, 2026) – The pace that Dreyer & Reinbold Racing displayed at the Indianapolis 500 open test two weeks ago continued when the first official practice day for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge came to a close after six hours of sun and 1996 laps completed by the 33 entries. The fastest overall Chevrolet-powered driver of the day was Conor Daly in the No. 23 DRR KINGSPAN Chevrolet at 225.838mph, the third-best lap of the day. His teammate, Jack Harvey, in the No. 24 DRR INVST Chevrolet, took home Team Chevy honors on the non-tow timesheet at 220.853mph, also the third best of the day.  Josef Newgarden, in the No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet, Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet and David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet joined Daly as one of the ten quickest drivers of the day.Nolan Siegel in the No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, Sting Ray Robb in the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet, Caio Collet in the No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet, and Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet joined Harvey as one of the ten quickest drivers on the non-tow timesheet.Alexander Rossi in the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet was the busiest driver of the day, completing 116 lap of the 2.5-mile Brickyard oval.Daly was also the quickest driver in the speed trap at the start finish line, crossing the yard of bricks at 238.736mph. Rossi, Newgarden and Pato O’Ward, in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, joined Daly in the Top 5.

Indianapolis 500 Practice Day #1 Timesheet

Indianapolis 500 Practice Day #1 No-Tow Timesheet

What They’re Saying – Indianapolis 500 Practice Day #1 – Top Ten Conor Daly, No. 23 DRR KINGSPAN Chevrolet:“We kind of got through our plan of running through three sets of tires. I mean, that’s kind of what you’re limited to per day if we have good weather, so that’s why it kind of gets a little quiet, I would say, from time to time. “But, yeah, our car is fast. It just feels really good. So just kind of driving around and working through a few small things and, yeah, just tuning to kind of what I want and evaluating a few other things. “But, yeah, just a good day one. Obviously the test was good too, but this whole process is you can get swept up in it. You can get behind, and you can get a little messy. “Like, the wind got super gusty towards the end of the day. One set of tires, all of a sudden I think I’m going to crash. I’m sliding around. But we quartered the left rear, so I was, like, okay, we figured that problem out. Then we put another set of tires on. All problems are solved. “You don’t want to fall behind in kind of overreacting to things. I think that’s just kind of what our job is just go through things one step at a time, and it feels good so far.” Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet:“Pretty straightforward start to Indy 500 prep. We turned a lot of laps in the Shell Fuel Rewards Chevy and were able to get through quite a bit of our list for the day. The weather is going to be all over the map so we’ll have to be ready for anything, but that is what Indy is all about.” Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet:“First, great to be back for the “Month of May.” Didn’t do as many laps as I probably wanted. We had a couple little issues, but every time we ran the car it was on track it was super quick. Great to be back in the Yellow Submarine with Pennzoil. Chevy is feeling great.” David Malukas, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet: “I’m in the USA, driving my Chevrolet. It’s incredible. So far, its’s been so good. Car in clear air very quick. Car in traffic, even faster. So far, it’s the best start we can ask for the “Month of May.” Hopefully we keep this momentum going for the rest of the week going into qualifying.”

NTT INDYCAR SERIES News ConferenceTuesday, May 12, 2026Indianapolis, Indiana, USAConor DalyPress Conference THE MODERATOR: Kyle, thanks for coming up. Appreciate it.Conor Daly also joins us in the No. 23 DRR Kingspan Chevrolet for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. Conor is going after his 13th Indy 500 start, best finish of 6th a couple of years ago in 2022. Third quick today of the 89 laps that you turned.Good work today. Your thoughts?CONOR DALY: Yeah, no, we kind of got through our plan of running through three sets of tires. I mean, that’s kind of what you’re limited to per day if we have good weather, so that’s why it kind of gets a little quiet, I would say, from time to time. But, yeah, our car is fast. It just feels really good. So just kind of driving around and working through a few small things and, yeah, just tuning to kind of what I want and evaluating a few other things. But, yeah, just a good day one. Obviously the test was good too, but this whole process is you can get swept up in it. You can get behind, and you can get a little messy. Like, the wind got super gusty towards the end of the day. One set of tires, all of a sudden I think I’m going to crash. I’m sliding around. But we quartered the left rear, so I was, like, okay, we figured that problem out. Then we put another set of tires on. All problems are solved. You don’t want to fall behind in kind of overreacting to things. I think that’s just kind of what our job is just go through things one step at a time, and it feels good so far. THE MODERATOR: Carryover from the open test. Good start to the month. Go ahead with questions. Q.  How much are you prioritizing pack running up until Friday? You even posted on Instagram you’re waiting for a pack to go out. Because a lot of guys were doing single car runs today, so how much are you prioritizing pack running over qaul sims on Tuesday?CONOR DALY: Even Alex Rossi sent an angry group text saying, Why is everyone not going out? A lot of us were trying to figure out what’s going on.Yeah, I mean, we’re going to prioritize more single car running probably Thursday once we get closer to Fast Friday. Honestly, I have a really good teammate in Jack Harvey, who did a lot of single car running already, so we can use a lot of that information as well. Then I’ve been doing a lot of race running just to help the team on that side also. So, yeah, it’s just kind of that’s teamwork I guess, and I’m very confident in what Jack has done with his trim steps so far to where I’m very happy with the mechanical balance of the car right now to where just trim it right now, and we’ll see what happens. But, yeah, I think the pack running and where I think I want to work on things as a driver is, like, lap 26 to 32 on tires, which you hope to really not get to, like, 32, but that’s kind of where I really want to focus in on kind of keeping our balance consistent. But, yeah, it’s been good so far. THE MODERATOR: Is it worth ignoring the angry text from Rossi, or do you just — CONOR DALY: Man, we were all just jacked up and ready to go, and there was no one out there. So I didn’t know what was going on. We were excited. THE MODERATOR: You can’t ignore it, all right. Q.  Conor, you and Christian turned the second highest number of laps today at 89. How much of the program did you actually get through today, or were there still things left on the checklist by the end of the day?CONOR DALY: Yeah, man, I spent most of the day around those ECR cars and kind of dicing it up with a lot of them. I guess I didn’t expect to be tied for running a lot of laps like that or close to running the most laps, but I mean, we got to the end of each set of tires that we had. So, yeah, I think we definitely know what we want to do for tomorrow. We identified a couple of things that we want to re-evaluate tomorrow. Then, yeah, we can kind of get into some of the aero elements as well and try to figure out how we can get the car to run a little bit faster in race pace, but also still with grip. There’s a lot of things we still have on our list. Q.  You also drove for Dreyer & Reinbold a couple of years ago in the 500. Your confidence level today appears to be very high from what you’ve told us. How is it compared to the first day two years ago in practice? What do you notice the similarities are even though we have the hybrid now in the back of it?CONOR DALY: Yeah, I mean, I think these guys have come a completely full step forward from where I was in ’24. We still had a really good race car in ’24. The car is fast, and that’s some of the hardest things to get out of the car is just raw speed. It just feels good. We’re able to kind of do a lot with it. We can start deep in the pack and kind of mess around with some good cars and do some overtaking. But, yeah, I’m so impressed with what they do, honestly. The fact that if you can stay focused during the offseason and use all those months to dial in your package here to be as fast as we’ve been in the first three days in this car, I mean, I think it’s a great sign for anyone who wants to show up to try to compete at this race if you’re full-time or not. Q.  It’s been a few weeks since they announced the alliance with Juncos. I’m curious, how has that gone from your end? Has it been comfortable or not?CONOR DALY: I know those guys really well, so it doesn’t bother me. I think what we have is kind of like it’s so new that we’re not really sure how to use it yet I think. So today we’re trying to communicate with them. Hey, guys, do you want to run together as a group, and that stuff kind of helps. Yeah, like I said kind of earlier, it’s like they’re our best friends. There’s not a ton of information sharing yet and equipment sharing and stuff like that, but definitely the relationship is a good one. Obviously Brad Hollinger and I still talk every week. He’s a great guy, and I know a lot of the people there very well and have a lot of respect for them. Yeah, it just kind of works well for the business side for sure. Q.  Do you have to balance at all the excitement of being in a car versus the disappointment that you’re not in it for the full season?CONOR DALY: Yeah, it sucks. Man, there’s no way around it. I really feel like I’m driving well at this point in my life and really enjoying my time out there.But, yeah, all I can control is what I can control, right? What we’ve got is these next two weeks in front of us, and the car is really fast. If you win the Indy 500, life is good. So doesn’t matter what happens after that because we’ll have a bunch of milk, and that’s really the best part. So we’ll see what happens. Q.  You mentioned kind of carrying this over from the open test. What is the importance to you of being able to stack these days considering the fact that you’re on a team that’s not out there every week, and you are not out there every week too?CONOR DALY: Yeah, I mean, I think just all of the time we get on track helps us just continue to get loose. Like get everyone in the swing of things. I hope things get hectic at some point, right, because it’s going to be a thrash at some point in the day, at some point in these next two weeks. It’s just good to get everyone rolling again. When we get to do hot stops over the next two days, that’s something that we’re going to prioritize highly, right? Get all the pit crew, get everyone out there just hustling and slinging wheel guns around. That’s going to be one of the more important elements for sure. Q.  To take it a step further, how important is it or how much does it validate what you guys did in the test to be able to replicate that immediately in opening day?CONOR DALY: Yeah, I mean, not everyone is hiding everything at the open test, but everyone has their speedway cars now. So it’s hard to argue that everyone is holding anything back now. So you kind of want to get going. Now you’re really focused on dialing things in. It felt good, and I think there’s a lot of cars out there that also look good, but you know, every day is going to be a different group of people you’re going to be around, and you’re going to discover where some cars are better than you and where you’re better than others. The wind is really making things interesting, which it seems like over the last couple of years that’s changed the race a lot, so that’s cool. I think I like the fact that the car is a completely different car from one and two to three and four. I think that creates a really interesting equation for us as drivers when we’re out there. Q.  Also, the rarity — you’ve been around this place a long time, but the rarity of having a completely clean, uninterrupted opening day in. In 2023 it was a complete washout. Ever since 2021, 2022 it’s either started late or ended early because of weather, but today was about as good a day as you could ever have. How rare is that?CONOR DALY: Yeah, and we got sort of two days worth of good running at the open test too, so it’s just great. It’s also great for the fans. A lot of amazing people out here today, and super thankful that they all came out for opening day. It’s good to see so many people in the paddock and around in the grandstands. That’s what makes the Indy 500 so great too, right, is beautiful, sunny, spring/summer weather. I would like a few more of these days basically the next two weeks. We’ll order those up, Dave. Come on. THE MODERATOR: I’ll see what I can do. No pressure. Q.  You’re obviously fast in the test, fast here again. What is the process in terms of not, like, making too many changes in terms of trying to improve yourself and kind of basically staying as you are and keeping the car as quick as it is?CONOR DALY: Yeah, I mean, it’s tough, because we kind of look at each other right now in the timing stand, and I’m, like, hey, give me something more, give me something else, even though I’m not really complaining too much about the car, but I always want more. There are so many things we can change on this car too, that you might discover something all of a sudden by, you know, throwing a bit of a new idea at it. I think that’s what we’re going to think about a lot over these next couple of days is what else can we really do to maybe just put this package a little bit better together and just find speed. Just find raw speed and more comfort as we get late in tires. THE MODERATOR: Thanks for coming up. Good start to the month. Appreciate it.

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbrdige2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway ovalSpeedway, IndianaPractice Day (Tuesday) ReportMay 12, 2026 Indianapolis (May 12, 2026) – The pace that Dreyer & Reinbold Racing displayed at the Indianapolis 500 open test two weeks ago continued when the first official practice day for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge came to a close after six hours of sun and 1996 laps completed by the 33 entries. The fastest overall Chevrolet-powered driver of the day was Conor Daly in the No. 23 DRR KINGSPAN Chevrolet at 225.838mph, the third-best lap of the day. His teammate, Jack Harvey, in the No. 24 DRR INVST Chevrolet, took home Team Chevy honors on the non-tow timesheet at 220.853mph, also the third best of the day.  Josef Newgarden, in the No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet, Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet and David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet joined Daly as one of the ten quickest drivers of the day.Nolan Siegel in the No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, Sting Ray Robb in the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet, Caio Collet in the No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet, and Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet joined Harvey as one of the ten quickest drivers on the non-tow timesheet.Alexander Rossi in the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet was the busiest driver of the day, completing 116 lap of the 2.5-mile Brickyard oval.Daly was also the quickest driver in the speed trap at the start finish line, crossing the yard of bricks at 238.736mph. Rossi, Newgarden and Pato O’Ward, in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, joined Daly in the Top 5.

Indianapolis 500 Practice Day #1 Timesheet

Indianapolis 500 Practice Day #1 No-Tow Timesheet

What They’re Saying – Indianapolis 500 Practice Day #1 – Top Ten Conor Daly, No. 23 DRR KINGSPAN Chevrolet:“We kind of got through our plan of running through three sets of tires. I mean, that’s kind of what you’re limited to per day if we have good weather, so that’s why it kind of gets a little quiet, I would say, from time to time. “But, yeah, our car is fast. It just feels really good. So just kind of driving around and working through a few small things and, yeah, just tuning to kind of what I want and evaluating a few other things. “But, yeah, just a good day one. Obviously the test was good too, but this whole process is you can get swept up in it. You can get behind, and you can get a little messy. “Like, the wind got super gusty towards the end of the day. One set of tires, all of a sudden I think I’m going to crash. I’m sliding around. But we quartered the left rear, so I was, like, okay, we figured that problem out. Then we put another set of tires on. All problems are solved. “You don’t want to fall behind in kind of overreacting to things. I think that’s just kind of what our job is just go through things one step at a time, and it feels good so far.” Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet:“Pretty straightforward start to Indy 500 prep. We turned a lot of laps in the Shell Fuel Rewards Chevy and were able to get through quite a bit of our list for the day. The weather is going to be all over the map so we’ll have to be ready for anything, but that is what Indy is all about.” Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Pennzoil Team Penske Chevrolet:“First, great to be back for the “Month of May.” Didn’t do as many laps as I probably wanted. We had a couple little issues, but every time we ran the car it was on track it was super quick. Great to be back in the Yellow Submarine with Pennzoil. Chevy is feeling great.” David Malukas, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet: “I’m in the USA, driving my Chevrolet. It’s incredible. So far, its’s been so good. Car in clear air very quick. Car in traffic, even faster. So far, it’s the best start we can ask for the “Month of May.” Hopefully we keep this momentum going for the rest of the week going into qualifying.”

NTT INDYCAR SERIES News ConferenceTuesday, May 12, 2026Indianapolis, Indiana, USAConor DalyPress Conference THE MODERATOR: Kyle, thanks for coming up. Appreciate it.Conor Daly also joins us in the No. 23 DRR Kingspan Chevrolet for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. Conor is going after his 13th Indy 500 start, best finish of 6th a couple of years ago in 2022. Third quick today of the 89 laps that you turned.Good work today. Your thoughts?CONOR DALY: Yeah, no, we kind of got through our plan of running through three sets of tires. I mean, that’s kind of what you’re limited to per day if we have good weather, so that’s why it kind of gets a little quiet, I would say, from time to time. But, yeah, our car is fast. It just feels really good. So just kind of driving around and working through a few small things and, yeah, just tuning to kind of what I want and evaluating a few other things. But, yeah, just a good day one. Obviously the test was good too, but this whole process is you can get swept up in it. You can get behind, and you can get a little messy. Like, the wind got super gusty towards the end of the day. One set of tires, all of a sudden I think I’m going to crash. I’m sliding around. But we quartered the left rear, so I was, like, okay, we figured that problem out. Then we put another set of tires on. All problems are solved. You don’t want to fall behind in kind of overreacting to things. I think that’s just kind of what our job is just go through things one step at a time, and it feels good so far. THE MODERATOR: Carryover from the open test. Good start to the month. Go ahead with questions. Q.  How much are you prioritizing pack running up until Friday? You even posted on Instagram you’re waiting for a pack to go out. Because a lot of guys were doing single car runs today, so how much are you prioritizing pack running over qaul sims on Tuesday?CONOR DALY: Even Alex Rossi sent an angry group text saying, Why is everyone not going out? A lot of us were trying to figure out what’s going on.Yeah, I mean, we’re going to prioritize more single car running probably Thursday once we get closer to Fast Friday. Honestly, I have a really good teammate in Jack Harvey, who did a lot of single car running already, so we can use a lot of that information as well. Then I’ve been doing a lot of race running just to help the team on that side also. So, yeah, it’s just kind of that’s teamwork I guess, and I’m very confident in what Jack has done with his trim steps so far to where I’m very happy with the mechanical balance of the car right now to where just trim it right now, and we’ll see what happens. But, yeah, I think the pack running and where I think I want to work on things as a driver is, like, lap 26 to 32 on tires, which you hope to really not get to, like, 32, but that’s kind of where I really want to focus in on kind of keeping our balance consistent. But, yeah, it’s been good so far. THE MODERATOR: Is it worth ignoring the angry text from Rossi, or do you just — CONOR DALY: Man, we were all just jacked up and ready to go, and there was no one out there. So I didn’t know what was going on. We were excited. THE MODERATOR: You can’t ignore it, all right. Q.  Conor, you and Christian turned the second highest number of laps today at 89. How much of the program did you actually get through today, or were there still things left on the checklist by the end of the day?CONOR DALY: Yeah, man, I spent most of the day around those ECR cars and kind of dicing it up with a lot of them. I guess I didn’t expect to be tied for running a lot of laps like that or close to running the most laps, but I mean, we got to the end of each set of tires that we had. So, yeah, I think we definitely know what we want to do for tomorrow. We identified a couple of things that we want to re-evaluate tomorrow. Then, yeah, we can kind of get into some of the aero elements as well and try to figure out how we can get the car to run a little bit faster in race pace, but also still with grip. There’s a lot of things we still have on our list. Q.  You also drove for Dreyer & Reinbold a couple of years ago in the 500. Your confidence level today appears to be very high from what you’ve told us. How is it compared to the first day two years ago in practice? What do you notice the similarities are even though we have the hybrid now in the back of it?CONOR DALY: Yeah, I mean, I think these guys have come a completely full step forward from where I was in ’24. We still had a really good race car in ’24. The car is fast, and that’s some of the hardest things to get out of the car is just raw speed. It just feels good. We’re able to kind of do a lot with it. We can start deep in the pack and kind of mess around with some good cars and do some overtaking. But, yeah, I’m so impressed with what they do, honestly. The fact that if you can stay focused during the offseason and use all those months to dial in your package here to be as fast as we’ve been in the first three days in this car, I mean, I think it’s a great sign for anyone who wants to show up to try to compete at this race if you’re full-time or not. Q.  It’s been a few weeks since they announced the alliance with Juncos. I’m curious, how has that gone from your end? Has it been comfortable or not?CONOR DALY: I know those guys really well, so it doesn’t bother me. I think what we have is kind of like it’s so new that we’re not really sure how to use it yet I think. So today we’re trying to communicate with them. Hey, guys, do you want to run together as a group, and that stuff kind of helps. Yeah, like I said kind of earlier, it’s like they’re our best friends. There’s not a ton of information sharing yet and equipment sharing and stuff like that, but definitely the relationship is a good one. Obviously Brad Hollinger and I still talk every week. He’s a great guy, and I know a lot of the people there very well and have a lot of respect for them. Yeah, it just kind of works well for the business side for sure. Q.  Do you have to balance at all the excitement of being in a car versus the disappointment that you’re not in it for the full season?CONOR DALY: Yeah, it sucks. Man, there’s no way around it. I really feel like I’m driving well at this point in my life and really enjoying my time out there.But, yeah, all I can control is what I can control, right? What we’ve got is these next two weeks in front of us, and the car is really fast. If you win the Indy 500, life is good. So doesn’t matter what happens after that because we’ll have a bunch of milk, and that’s really the best part. So we’ll see what happens. Q.  You mentioned kind of carrying this over from the open test. What is the importance to you of being able to stack these days considering the fact that you’re on a team that’s not out there every week, and you are not out there every week too?CONOR DALY: Yeah, I mean, I think just all of the time we get on track helps us just continue to get loose. Like get everyone in the swing of things. I hope things get hectic at some point, right, because it’s going to be a thrash at some point in the day, at some point in these next two weeks. It’s just good to get everyone rolling again. When we get to do hot stops over the next two days, that’s something that we’re going to prioritize highly, right? Get all the pit crew, get everyone out there just hustling and slinging wheel guns around. That’s going to be one of the more important elements for sure. Q.  To take it a step further, how important is it or how much does it validate what you guys did in the test to be able to replicate that immediately in opening day?CONOR DALY: Yeah, I mean, not everyone is hiding everything at the open test, but everyone has their speedway cars now. So it’s hard to argue that everyone is holding anything back now. So you kind of want to get going. Now you’re really focused on dialing things in. It felt good, and I think there’s a lot of cars out there that also look good, but you know, every day is going to be a different group of people you’re going to be around, and you’re going to discover where some cars are better than you and where you’re better than others. The wind is really making things interesting, which it seems like over the last couple of years that’s changed the race a lot, so that’s cool. I think I like the fact that the car is a completely different car from one and two to three and four. I think that creates a really interesting equation for us as drivers when we’re out there. Q.  Also, the rarity — you’ve been around this place a long time, but the rarity of having a completely clean, uninterrupted opening day in. In 2023 it was a complete washout. Ever since 2021, 2022 it’s either started late or ended early because of weather, but today was about as good a day as you could ever have. How rare is that?CONOR DALY: Yeah, and we got sort of two days worth of good running at the open test too, so it’s just great. It’s also great for the fans. A lot of amazing people out here today, and super thankful that they all came out for opening day. It’s good to see so many people in the paddock and around in the grandstands. That’s what makes the Indy 500 so great too, right, is beautiful, sunny, spring/summer weather. I would like a few more of these days basically the next two weeks. We’ll order those up, Dave. Come on. THE MODERATOR: I’ll see what I can do. No pressure. Q.  You’re obviously fast in the test, fast here again. What is the process in terms of not, like, making too many changes in terms of trying to improve yourself and kind of basically staying as you are and keeping the car as quick as it is?CONOR DALY: Yeah, I mean, it’s tough, because we kind of look at each other right now in the timing stand, and I’m, like, hey, give me something more, give me something else, even though I’m not really complaining too much about the car, but I always want more. There are so many things we can change on this car too, that you might discover something all of a sudden by, you know, throwing a bit of a new idea at it. I think that’s what we’re going to think about a lot over these next couple of days is what else can we really do to maybe just put this package a little bit better together and just find speed. Just find raw speed and more comfort as we get late in tires. THE MODERATOR: Thanks for coming up. Good start to the month. Appreciate it.

Chevrolet History at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval General Motors Wins – 18 Chevrolet Wins – 13 2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2023 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske2018 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2013 – Tony Kanaan – KV Racing Technology-SH Racing2002 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske1993 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske1992 – Al Unser, Jr. – Galles/Kraco1991 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1990 – Arie Luyendyk – Doug Shierson Racing1989 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Patrick Racing1988 – Rick Mears – Team Penske Oldsmobile Wins – 5  2001 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske2000 – Juan Montoya – Chip Ganassi Racing1999 – Kenny Brack – A.J. Foyt Racing1998 – Eddie Cheever, Jr. – Team Cheever1997 – Arie Luyendyk – Treadway Racing General Motors Poles – 20 Chevrolet Poles – 14 2025 – Robert Shwartzman – PREMA Racing2024 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2019 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske2018 – Ed Carpenter – Ed Carpenter Racing2015 – Scott Dixon – Chip Ganassi Racing2014 – Ed Carpenter – Ed Carpenter Racing2013 – Ed Carpenter – Ed Carpenter Racing2012 – Ryan Briscoe – Team Penske2002 – Bruno Junqueira – Chip Ganassi Racing1991 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1990 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske1989 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1988 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing Oldsmobile Poles – 5 2001 – Scott Sharp – Kelley Racing2000 – Greg Ray – Team Menard1999 – Arie Luyendyk – Treadway Racing1998 – Billy Boat – A.J. Foyt Racing1997 – Arie Luyendyk – Treadway Racing Buick Poles – 1 1992 – Roberto Guerrero – King Motorsports General Motors Podiums – 54 Chevrolet Podiums – 38 Chevrolet Driver Podiums – Emerson Fittipaldi (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Josef Newgarden (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Tony Kanaan (2), Arie Luyendyk (2), Rick Mears (2), Simon Pagenaud (2), Will Power (2), Al Unser Jr. (2), Michael Andretti (1), Ed Carpenter (1), Santino Ferrucci (1),Felipe Giaffone (1), Scott Goodyear (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Charlie Kimball (1), David Malukas (1), Juan Montoya (1), Carlos Munoz (1), Bob Rahal (1), Paul Tracy (1), Al Unser (1) Chevrolet Team Podiums –  Team Penske (15), Arrow McLaren (3), A.J. Foyt Racing (2), Andretti Global (2), ECR (2), Galles Racing (2), KV Racing Technology (2), Patrick Racing (2), Chip Ganassi Racing (1), Doug Shierson Racing (1), Granatelli Racing (1), Kraco Enterprises (1), Mo Nunn Racing (1), Newman Haas Racing (1), Team Green (1), Walker Racing (1) Oldsmobile – 15  Oldsmobile Driver Podiums – Buddy Lazier (2), Jeff Ward (2), Michael Andretti (1), Billy Boat (1), Kenny Brack (1), Helio Castroneves (1), Eddie Cheever, Jr. (1), Gil de Ferran (1), Scott Goodyear (1), Steve Knapp (1), Arie Luyendyk (1), Juan Montoya (1), Eliseo Salazar (1) Oldsmobile Team Podiums – A.J. Foyt (3), Hemelgarn Racing (2), Team Cheever (2), Team Penske (2), Treadway Racing (2), Chip Ganassi Racing (1), ISM Racing (1), Team Green (1), Pagan Racing (1) Buick – 1 Buick Driver Podiums – Al Unser (1) Buick Team Podiums – Team Menard (1) General Motors Laps Led – 3709 Chevrolet Laps Led – 2699 Chevrolet Driver Laps Led – Emerson Fittipaldi (348), Mario Andretti (193), Simon Pagenaud (169), Ed Carpenter (144), Will Power (140), Tony Kanaan (133), Michael Andretti (132), Rick Mears (119), Helio Castroneves (98), Pato O’Ward (96), Danny Sullivan (95), Marco Andretti (90), Scott Dixon (87), Conor Daly (82), Josef Newgarden (69), Rinus VeeKay (65), Scott McLaughlin (64), Al Unser Jr. (52), Felix Rosenqvist (47), Arie Luyendyk (37), Bob Rahal (36), Bruno Junqueira (32), Alexander Rossi (30), Al Unser (27), Juan Montoya (26), A.J. Allmendinger (23), Sting Ray Robb (23), Ryan Briscoe (15), Gil de Ferran (13), Santino Ferrucci (12), Felipe Giaffone (12), James Hinchcliffe (12), Carlos Munoz (12), Alex Barron (10), Charlie Kimball (10), Christian Rasmussen (9), Robert Shwartzman (8), Spencer Pigot (7), JR Hildebrand (6), Callum Ilott (6), Oliver Askew (4), Kevin Cogan (4), Sage Karam (4), Kyle Larson (4), Jack Harvey (3), Scott Sharp (3), Rubens Barrichello (2), David Malukas (2) Chevrolet Team Laps Led – Team Penske (1019), Newman Haas Racing (325), ECR (306), Chip Ganassi Racing (179), Arrow McLaren (168), Patrick Racing (158), Andretti Global (140), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (85), A.J. Foyt Racing (56), Galles Racing (56), KV Racing Technology (43), Doug Shierson Racing (37), Kraco Enterprises (35), Mo Nunn Racing (35), Juncos Hollinger Racing (18), King Motorsports (15), Prema Racing (8), Blair Racing (7), Kelley Racing (4), Team Cheever (3) Oldsmobile Laps Led – 996 Oldsmobile Driver Laps Led: Juan Montoya (167), Arie Luyendyk (129), Greg Ray (116), Kenny Brack (89), Tony Stewart (78), Eddie Cheever, Jr. (76), Helio Castroneves (52), Jeff Ward (52), Robby Gordon (50), John Paul, Jr. (39), Mark Dismore (29), Gil de Ferran (27), Buddy Lazier (27), Michael Andretti (16), Robbie Buhl (16), Billy Boat (13), Jimmy Vasser (5), Buzz Calkins (4), Sam Schmidt (4), Davey Hamilton (3), Scott Goodyear (2), Robbie McGehee (2) Oldsmobile Team Laps Led : Team Menard (207), Chip Ganassi Racing (185), Treadway Racing (137), Team Cheever (125), A.J. Foyt Racing (124), Team Penske (79), Team Pelfrey (39), Kelley Racing (29), Hemelgarn Racing (27), Genoa Racing (18), Team Green (16), Bradley Racing (4), Nienhouse Motorsports (3), Pagan Racing (3) Buick Laps Led – 14 Buick Driver Laps Led: Jim Crawford (8), Al Unser (4), Scott Brayton (1), Stephane Gregoire (1) Buick Team Laps Led: King Motorsports (8), Team Menard (4), Brayton Engineering (1), Formula Project (1) Manufacturer History at the Indianapolis 500 Wins (with competition)  27 – Offenhauser (1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1968, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1941, 1937, 1935)18 – General Motors 13 – Chevrolet (2024, 2023, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2013, 2002, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988)12 – Miller (1938, 1936, 1934, 1933, 1932, 1931, 1930, 1929, 1928, 1926, 1923, 1922)10 – Honda (2025, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2005, 2004)10 – Cosworth (1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978)8 – Ford (1996, 1995, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1967, 1965)5 – Oldsmobile (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)3 – Duesenberg (1927, 1925, 19243 – Peugeot (1919, 1918, 1913)2 – Mercedes (1994, 19152 – Maserati (1940, 1939)2 – Frontenac (1921, 1920)1 – Toyota (2003)1 – Foyt (19771 – Sparks (1946)1 – Delage (1914)1 – National (1912)1 – Marmon (1911)  Earned Poles (with competition) 23 – General Motors18 – Offenhauser (1976, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1950, 1946, 1937)14 – Miller (1938, 1935, 1934, 1933, 1932, 1930, 1929, 1928, 1927, 1926, 1925, 1924, 1923, 1922)14 – Chevrolet (2025, 2024, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2002, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)9 – Cosworth (1986, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977)8 – Honda (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016, 2005, 2004)7 – Ford (1993, 1970, 1969, 1967, 1966, 1965, 1964)5 – Oldsmobile (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)4 – Buick (1996, 1995, 1992, 1985)3 – Ballot (1921, 1920, 1919)2 – Foyt (1975, 1974)2 – Novi (1951, 1949)2 – Winfield (1948, 1940)2 – Maserati (1947, 1941)2 – Sparks (1939, 1936)2 – Wisconsin (1912, 1911)1 – Toyota (2003)1 – Mercedes (1994)1 – Pratt & Whitney (1968)1 – Cummins (1952)1 – Studebaker (1931)1 – Peugeot (1916)1 – Stutz (1915)1 – Sunbeam (1914)1 – Mercer (1913)

While the dust has settled and the team are home, the memories made at Initiate Show 2026 continue to live on.

The second year of Initiate Show has officially raised the bar, delivering an action-packed weekend at the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit that brought together drifting, automotive culture, live entertainment and thousands of passionate fans from across the UK and beyond.After a hugely successful debut event, the team behind Initiate Show came back in 2026 with major upgrades across the board and the response from fans, drivers, traders and partners was nothing short of incredible.One of the biggest additions for 2026 was the introduction of CTRL, taking charge of all on-screen action throughout the event and helping deliver a next-level spectator experience. To make sure fans didn’t miss a second of the action, three huge track-side screens were installed around the venue, bringing the energy from the track directly to every corner of the show.

VIP also received a major upgrade this year, offering guests premium viewing areas alongside inclusive food and drinks packages, creating one of the best ways to experience the event from inside the venue.And because Initiate Show is all about doing things differently… yes, there was even a snowmobile flying through the sky across the prestigious Goodwood lawn.The event welcomed over 7,000 attendees through the gates, while more than 300 show cars packed out the hugely popular Sonax Showcase display. Across social media, the show generated close to 2 million views in the 30 days leading up to and during the event, proving just how quickly Initiate Show is becoming one of the standout automotive events in the UK calendar.

INITIATE SHOW 2026 RAISED THE BAR AT GOODWOOD

While the dust has settled and the team are home, the memories made at Initiate Show 2026 continue to live on.

The second year of Initiate Show has officially raised the bar, delivering an action-packed weekend at the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit that brought together drifting, automotive culture, live entertainment and thousands of passionate fans from across the UK and beyond.After a hugely successful debut event, the team behind Initiate Show came back in 2026 with major upgrades across the board and the response from fans, drivers, traders and partners was nothing short of incredible.One of the biggest additions for 2026 was the introduction of CTRL, taking charge of all on-screen action throughout the event and helping deliver a next-level spectator experience. To make sure fans didn’t miss a second of the action, three huge track-side screens were installed around the venue, bringing the energy from the track directly to every corner of the show.

VIP also received a major upgrade this year, offering guests premium viewing areas alongside inclusive food and drinks packages, creating one of the best ways to experience the event from inside the venue.And because Initiate Show is all about doing things differently… yes, there was even a snowmobile flying through the sky across the prestigious Goodwood lawn.The event welcomed over 7,000 attendees through the gates, while more than 300 show cars packed out the hugely popular Sonax Showcase display. Across social media, the show generated close to 2 million views in the 30 days leading up to and during the event, proving just how quickly Initiate Show is becoming one of the standout automotive events in the UK calendar.

Fans were also able to explore an incredible selection of traders and activations throughout the venue, alongside some amazing sponsors whose support helped bring the entire event to life. Thousands of Monster Energy cans were handed out across the weekend, keeping the energy levels high from start to finish.A massive thank you goes out to every sponsor, partner, trader, driver, crew member and attendee who made Initiate Show 2026 possible. Without their support, this event simply wouldn’t happen.Most importantly, Initiate Show 2026 created moments and memories that will stay with people long after the tyre smoke cleared.

CONCORD, NC (May 11, 2026) – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision is rolling east for another stretch of nonstop racing.

This week’s agenda includes five nights of action across four tracks in Delaware and Pennsylvania. It all starts with a bang on Wednesday, May 13, as the World of Outlaws will be joined at Georgetown Speedway by the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds for a rare doubleheader in the Delaware Diamond Clash.

From there, a four-hour tow awaits to Selinsgrove Speedway, where the World of Outlaws will visit for the first time since 2019 on Thursday, May 14. Then it’s off to Marion Center Raceway for the annual Connor Bobik Memorial, which starts with a pair of split-field, $6,000-to-win Features on Friday, May 15, before the $30,000-to-win finale on Saturday, May 16.

The week wraps up at Bedford Speedway on Sunday, May 17, with the Billy Winn Classic, one of the marquee events of the track’s 90th anniversary season.

TICKETS & INFO

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVISION

Here are this week’s top storylines:

NICK VS. BOBBY: As has been the case all season, you don’t need to look any further than the top of the points table to find intriguing storylines.

Nick Hoffman enters the week as the points leader by three markers over two-time and defending champion Bobby Pierce. The two are still the class of the field from every angle – both drivers picked up a win at the last stop on tour at Mississippi Thunder Speedway, and they both still have zero finishes outside the top 10 all season. While Pierce has more wins with seven compared to Hoffman’s five, Hoffman is out front due to a slight edge in consistency. Hoffman is carrying an 11-race top-five streak into Georgetown, while Pierce has finished seventh or worse three times over that span.

Georgetown and Selinsgrove could be a coin flip, as neither driver has any experience at either track. History gives the edge to Pierce in the second half of the week though, as the “Smooth Operator” is a past winner at both Marion Center (2025) and Bedford (2024). Hoffman is searching for his first win at both tracks, although he has three top fives in three starts at Marion Center and a best of fifth at Bedford from last season.

RYAN’S ROLLING: It took a little longer than he would have liked, but Ryan Gustin has found his groove in 2026.

After going winless in his first 29 starts of the year, Gustin spent a break in the World of Outlaws schedule rattling off three-consecutive regional wins. He maintained that speed at Mississippi Thunder, as he finished third on Thursday and second on Friday before finally breaking through for his first Series win of the season on Saturday, bagging $40,000 in the process.

An up-and-down start to the year likely has Gustin out of the championship conversation, but a top-three finish is still a very realistic goal. The win moved him up to fifth in points, 11 back from the tie for third between Tim McCreadie and Tyler Erb. Given his past success at Marion Center as the 2023 Connor Bobik Memorial winner and his two top fives in two starts at Bedford, this weekend could be Gustin’s chance to make another move up the standings.

FAMILIAR GROUND: There aren’t many weeks on the calendar that Drake Troutman looks forward to more than this one.

Each of the four tracks on the itinerary are within a few hours of Troutman’s Hyndman, PA home, but none are more special than the last stop at Bedford. It’s where Troutman fell in love with racing from the stands and one of the first places where he got behind the wheel. It’s also the home of the DJ Troutman Memorial, the DIRTcar UMP Modified event held every September in honor of Troutman’s late father.

After running countless races at Bedford in Modifieds and Late Models at the regional level, Troutman made his first World of Outlaws start at his home track last year and finished 13th. He’ll try to make Bedford the site of his first Series win of 2026 if he can’t do it beforehand at Georgetown, Selinsgrove or Marion Center, three tracks at which he’s looking to crack the top 10 for the first time in national competition.

TIME TO SHINE: Tim McCreadie isn’t chasing his first win of the year, but it might feel like it.

The Watertown, NY driver’s lone win of the campaign came nearly four months ago in the season-opening DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. Since then, he’s been good enough to secure the third spot in the standings, but he’s still trying to lead his first lap since January.

The Northeast has always been fruitful for McCreadie, and 2025 was no different. Last year’s May swing through the region produced McCreadie’s first two wins of the season at Raceway 7 and Bedford, setting him on a trajectory to score four more victories in the summer and fall.

There’s reason to believe this week could once again be a turning point in McCreadie’s season. Like Bedford, Georgetown and Selinsgrove feature the flat 1/2-mile layout that “T-Mac” has so much experience on from his Big Block Modified days. Selinsgrove in particular is a strong track for McCreadie, as he has a win and four top 10s in five World of Outlaws starts there.

LOCAL FAVORITES: Twenty races into his rookie season on tour with the World of Outlaws, Logan Zarin finally gets to race on some tracks he knows well.

Other than Volusia, every facility the Series has been to in 2026 has been new to Zarin, but that changes this week. The former United Late Model Series (ULMS) regular has finished in the top 10 once each at Selinsgrove, Marion Center and Bedford with the regional tour. He’s no stranger to Georgetown either, as he finished 12th in his first Super Late Model start there at the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Championship to go along with a pair of RUSH Crate Late Model starts at the Delaware facility.

Other names slated to join the World of Outlaws this week include Rick Eckert, Ross Robinson, Gregg Satterlee, Trevor Collins and many more.

WHEN AND WHERE:
Wednesday, May 13, at Georgetown Speedway in Georgetown, DE
Thursday, May 14, at Selinsgrove Speedway in Selinsgrove, PA
Friday-Saturday, May 15-16, at Marion Center Raceway in Marion Center, PA
Saturday, May 17, at Bedford Speedway in Bedford, PA

CURRENT POINT STANDINGS:
1. Nick Hoffman (2779 points)
2. Bobby Pierce (-3)
3. Tim McCreadie (-195)
4. Tyler Erb (-195)
5. Ryan Gustin (-206)
6. Drake Troutman (-216)
7. Ethan Dotson (-244)
8. Daulton Wilson (-251)
9. Dustin Sorensen (-326)
10. Dennis Erb Jr. (-370)

FEATURE WINNERS (8):
Bobby Pierce – 7
Nick Hoffman – 5
Brandon Sheppard – 2
Hudson O’Neal – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Tim McCreadie – 1
Chris Madden – 1
Mike Marlar – 1

FEATURE TOP FIVES (20):
Nick Hoffman – 18
Bobby Pierce – 14
Ryan Gustin – 7
Tim McCreadie – 7
Tyler Erb – 7
Brandon Sheppard – 6
Drake Troutman – 6
Chris Madden – 5
Daulton Wilson – 5
Jonathan Davenport – 4
Ethan Dotson – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 4
Hudson O’Neal – 3
Dennis Erb Jr. – 2
Dale McDowell – 2
Ashton Winger – 2
Mike Marlar – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Brent Larson – 1
Trey Mills – 1

FEATURE LAPS LED (18):
Nick Hoffman – 179
Bobby Pierce – 141
Brandon Sheppard – 78
Chris Madden – 73
Ryan Gustin – 72
Drake Troutman – 65
Hudson O’Neal – 45
Jonathan Davenport – 45
Mike Marlar – 39
Daulton Wilson – 37
Tim McCreadie – 28
Ashton Winger – 22
Ethan Dotson – 12
Brandon Overton – 12
Michael Leach – 10
Sam Seawright – 5
Dale McDowell – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 2

BILSTEIN POLE AWARDS (12):
Nick Hoffman – 6
Drake Troutman – 3
Chris Madden – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Daulton Wilson – 1
Jonathan Davenport – 1
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 1
Ethan Dotson – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Michael Leach – 1
Sam Seawright – 1

SIMPSON QUICK TIME AWARDS (13):
Chris Madden – 5
Nick Hoffman – 2
Tim McCreadie – 2
Michael Leach – 2
Bobby Pierce – 1
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Hudson O’Neal – 1
Tyler Erb – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Jonathan Davenport – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Sam Seawright – 1

HEAT RACE WINS (31):
Nick Hoffman – 13
Bobby Pierce – 8
Ryan Gustin – 7
Chris Madden – 7
Tyler Erb – 6
Drake Troutman – 5
Brandon Sheppard – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 3
Jonathan Davenport – 3
Brandon Overton – 3
Hudson O’Neal – 2
Tim McCreadie – 2
Daulton Wilson – 2
Michael Leach – 2
Mike Marlar – 1
Ethan Dotson – 1
Dale McDowell – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr. – 1
Brent Larson – 1
Trey Mills – 1
Devin Moran – 1
Sam Seawright – 1
Austin Smith – 1
Dan Ebert – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Dallon Murty – 1
Tristan Chamberlain – 1
Donald McIntosh – 1
Dustin Sorensen – 1
Blair Nothdurft – 1

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (29):
Ethan Dotson – 3
Dennis Erb Jr. – 3
Josh Rice – 3
Bobby Pierce – 2
Tristan Chamberlain – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Tim McCreadie – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Daulton Wilson – 1
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 1
Dallon Murty – 1
Carson Ferguson – 1
Logan Zarin – 1
Jake Timm – 1
Luke Morey – 1
Michael Leach – 1
Dan Ebert – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Cory Hedgecock – 1
Dalton Cook – 1
Shane Clanton – 1
Michael Page – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Derrick Stewart – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Dustin Sorensen – 1
Chris Simpson – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1

TOP FIVE STORYLINES: Five-Night Northeast Swing Takes World of Outlaws Through Delaware, Pennsylvania

CONCORD, NC (May 11, 2026) – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision is rolling east for another stretch of nonstop racing.

This week’s agenda includes five nights of action across four tracks in Delaware and Pennsylvania. It all starts with a bang on Wednesday, May 13, as the World of Outlaws will be joined at Georgetown Speedway by the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds for a rare doubleheader in the Delaware Diamond Clash.

From there, a four-hour tow awaits to Selinsgrove Speedway, where the World of Outlaws will visit for the first time since 2019 on Thursday, May 14. Then it’s off to Marion Center Raceway for the annual Connor Bobik Memorial, which starts with a pair of split-field, $6,000-to-win Features on Friday, May 15, before the $30,000-to-win finale on Saturday, May 16.

The week wraps up at Bedford Speedway on Sunday, May 17, with the Billy Winn Classic, one of the marquee events of the track’s 90th anniversary season.

TICKETS & INFO

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVISION

Here are this week’s top storylines:

NICK VS. BOBBY: As has been the case all season, you don’t need to look any further than the top of the points table to find intriguing storylines.

Nick Hoffman enters the week as the points leader by three markers over two-time and defending champion Bobby Pierce. The two are still the class of the field from every angle – both drivers picked up a win at the last stop on tour at Mississippi Thunder Speedway, and they both still have zero finishes outside the top 10 all season. While Pierce has more wins with seven compared to Hoffman’s five, Hoffman is out front due to a slight edge in consistency. Hoffman is carrying an 11-race top-five streak into Georgetown, while Pierce has finished seventh or worse three times over that span.

Georgetown and Selinsgrove could be a coin flip, as neither driver has any experience at either track. History gives the edge to Pierce in the second half of the week though, as the “Smooth Operator” is a past winner at both Marion Center (2025) and Bedford (2024). Hoffman is searching for his first win at both tracks, although he has three top fives in three starts at Marion Center and a best of fifth at Bedford from last season.

RYAN’S ROLLING: It took a little longer than he would have liked, but Ryan Gustin has found his groove in 2026.

After going winless in his first 29 starts of the year, Gustin spent a break in the World of Outlaws schedule rattling off three-consecutive regional wins. He maintained that speed at Mississippi Thunder, as he finished third on Thursday and second on Friday before finally breaking through for his first Series win of the season on Saturday, bagging $40,000 in the process.

An up-and-down start to the year likely has Gustin out of the championship conversation, but a top-three finish is still a very realistic goal. The win moved him up to fifth in points, 11 back from the tie for third between Tim McCreadie and Tyler Erb. Given his past success at Marion Center as the 2023 Connor Bobik Memorial winner and his two top fives in two starts at Bedford, this weekend could be Gustin’s chance to make another move up the standings.

FAMILIAR GROUND: There aren’t many weeks on the calendar that Drake Troutman looks forward to more than this one.

Each of the four tracks on the itinerary are within a few hours of Troutman’s Hyndman, PA home, but none are more special than the last stop at Bedford. It’s where Troutman fell in love with racing from the stands and one of the first places where he got behind the wheel. It’s also the home of the DJ Troutman Memorial, the DIRTcar UMP Modified event held every September in honor of Troutman’s late father.

After running countless races at Bedford in Modifieds and Late Models at the regional level, Troutman made his first World of Outlaws start at his home track last year and finished 13th. He’ll try to make Bedford the site of his first Series win of 2026 if he can’t do it beforehand at Georgetown, Selinsgrove or Marion Center, three tracks at which he’s looking to crack the top 10 for the first time in national competition.

TIME TO SHINE: Tim McCreadie isn’t chasing his first win of the year, but it might feel like it.

The Watertown, NY driver’s lone win of the campaign came nearly four months ago in the season-opening DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. Since then, he’s been good enough to secure the third spot in the standings, but he’s still trying to lead his first lap since January.

The Northeast has always been fruitful for McCreadie, and 2025 was no different. Last year’s May swing through the region produced McCreadie’s first two wins of the season at Raceway 7 and Bedford, setting him on a trajectory to score four more victories in the summer and fall.

There’s reason to believe this week could once again be a turning point in McCreadie’s season. Like Bedford, Georgetown and Selinsgrove feature the flat 1/2-mile layout that “T-Mac” has so much experience on from his Big Block Modified days. Selinsgrove in particular is a strong track for McCreadie, as he has a win and four top 10s in five World of Outlaws starts there.

LOCAL FAVORITES: Twenty races into his rookie season on tour with the World of Outlaws, Logan Zarin finally gets to race on some tracks he knows well.

Other than Volusia, every facility the Series has been to in 2026 has been new to Zarin, but that changes this week. The former United Late Model Series (ULMS) regular has finished in the top 10 once each at Selinsgrove, Marion Center and Bedford with the regional tour. He’s no stranger to Georgetown either, as he finished 12th in his first Super Late Model start there at the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Championship to go along with a pair of RUSH Crate Late Model starts at the Delaware facility.

Other names slated to join the World of Outlaws this week include Rick Eckert, Ross Robinson, Gregg Satterlee, Trevor Collins and many more.

WHEN AND WHERE:
Wednesday, May 13, at Georgetown Speedway in Georgetown, DE
Thursday, May 14, at Selinsgrove Speedway in Selinsgrove, PA
Friday-Saturday, May 15-16, at Marion Center Raceway in Marion Center, PA
Saturday, May 17, at Bedford Speedway in Bedford, PA

CURRENT POINT STANDINGS:
1. Nick Hoffman (2779 points)
2. Bobby Pierce (-3)
3. Tim McCreadie (-195)
4. Tyler Erb (-195)
5. Ryan Gustin (-206)
6. Drake Troutman (-216)
7. Ethan Dotson (-244)
8. Daulton Wilson (-251)
9. Dustin Sorensen (-326)
10. Dennis Erb Jr. (-370)

FEATURE WINNERS (8):
Bobby Pierce – 7
Nick Hoffman – 5
Brandon Sheppard – 2
Hudson O’Neal – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Tim McCreadie – 1
Chris Madden – 1
Mike Marlar – 1

FEATURE TOP FIVES (20):
Nick Hoffman – 18
Bobby Pierce – 14
Ryan Gustin – 7
Tim McCreadie – 7
Tyler Erb – 7
Brandon Sheppard – 6
Drake Troutman – 6
Chris Madden – 5
Daulton Wilson – 5
Jonathan Davenport – 4
Ethan Dotson – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 4
Hudson O’Neal – 3
Dennis Erb Jr. – 2
Dale McDowell – 2
Ashton Winger – 2
Mike Marlar – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Brent Larson – 1
Trey Mills – 1

FEATURE LAPS LED (18):
Nick Hoffman – 179
Bobby Pierce – 141
Brandon Sheppard – 78
Chris Madden – 73
Ryan Gustin – 72
Drake Troutman – 65
Hudson O’Neal – 45
Jonathan Davenport – 45
Mike Marlar – 39
Daulton Wilson – 37
Tim McCreadie – 28
Ashton Winger – 22
Ethan Dotson – 12
Brandon Overton – 12
Michael Leach – 10
Sam Seawright – 5
Dale McDowell – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 2

BILSTEIN POLE AWARDS (12):
Nick Hoffman – 6
Drake Troutman – 3
Chris Madden – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Daulton Wilson – 1
Jonathan Davenport – 1
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 1
Ethan Dotson – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Michael Leach – 1
Sam Seawright – 1

SIMPSON QUICK TIME AWARDS (13):
Chris Madden – 5
Nick Hoffman – 2
Tim McCreadie – 2
Michael Leach – 2
Bobby Pierce – 1
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Hudson O’Neal – 1
Tyler Erb – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Jonathan Davenport – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Sam Seawright – 1

HEAT RACE WINS (31):
Nick Hoffman – 13
Bobby Pierce – 8
Ryan Gustin – 7
Chris Madden – 7
Tyler Erb – 6
Drake Troutman – 5
Brandon Sheppard – 4
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 3
Jonathan Davenport – 3
Brandon Overton – 3
Hudson O’Neal – 2
Tim McCreadie – 2
Daulton Wilson – 2
Michael Leach – 2
Mike Marlar – 1
Ethan Dotson – 1
Dale McDowell – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Dennis Erb Jr. – 1
Brent Larson – 1
Trey Mills – 1
Devin Moran – 1
Sam Seawright – 1
Austin Smith – 1
Dan Ebert – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Dallon Murty – 1
Tristan Chamberlain – 1
Donald McIntosh – 1
Dustin Sorensen – 1
Blair Nothdurft – 1

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (29):
Ethan Dotson – 3
Dennis Erb Jr. – 3
Josh Rice – 3
Bobby Pierce – 2
Tristan Chamberlain – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Tim McCreadie – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Daulton Wilson – 1
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 1
Dallon Murty – 1
Carson Ferguson – 1
Logan Zarin – 1
Jake Timm – 1
Luke Morey – 1
Michael Leach – 1
Dan Ebert – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Cory Hedgecock – 1
Dalton Cook – 1
Shane Clanton – 1
Michael Page – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Derrick Stewart – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Dustin Sorensen – 1
Chris Simpson – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODEL SERIES PRESENTED BY DIRTVISION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Jan. 21 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL (Practice)
Thursday, Jan. 22 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Chris Madden (1)
Friday, Jan. 23 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Hudson O’Neal (1)
Saturday, Jan. 24 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Tim McCreadie (1)
Thursday, Feb. 12 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Nick Hoffman (1)
Friday, Feb. 13 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Nick Hoffman (2)
Saturday, Feb. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Sheppard (1)
Thursday, Feb. 19 / Hendry County Motorsports Park / Clewiston, FL (Practice)
Friday, Feb. 20 / Hendry County Motorsports Park / Clewiston, FL / Bobby Pierce (1)
Saturday, Feb. 21 / Hendry County Motorsports Park / Clewiston, FL / Nick Hoffman (3)
Friday, March 13 / Volunteer Speedway / Bulls Gap, TN / Mike Marlar (1)
Saturday, March 14 / Smoky Mountain Speedway / Maryville, TN / Bobby Pierce (2)
Thursday, March 19 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS (Practice)
Friday, March 20 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Bobby Pierce (3)
Saturday, March 21 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Hudson O’Neal (2)
Friday, March 27 / East Alabama Motor Speedway / Phenix City, AL / Nick Hoffman (4)
Saturday, March 28 / Senoia Raceway / Senoia, GA / Bobby Pierce (4)
Thursday, April 9 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL (Practice)
Friday, April 10 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Brandon Sheppard (2)
Saturday, April 11 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Bobby Pierce (5)
Tuesday, April 28 / Independence Motor Speedway / Independence, IA / Bobby Pierce (6)
Thursday, April 30 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Bobby Pierce (7)
Friday, May 1 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Nick Hoffman (5)
Saturday, May 2 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Ryan Gustin (1)
Wednesday, May 13 / Georgetown Speedway / Georgetown, DE
Thursday, May 14 / Selinsgrove Speedway / Selinsgrove, PA
Friday, May 15 / Marion Center Raceway / Marion Center, PA
Saturday, May 16 / Marion Center Raceway / Marion Center, PA
Sunday, May 17 / Bedford Speedway / Bedford, PA
Thursday, May 28 / Wayne County Speedway / Orrville, OH
Friday, May 29 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH
Saturday, May 30 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH
Friday, June 12 / West Virginia Motor Speedway / Mineral Wells, WV
Saturday, June 13 / West Virginia Motor Speedway / Mineral Wells, WV
Friday, June 19 / 141 Speedway / Maribel, WI
Saturday, June 20 / 141 Speedway / Maribel, WI
Monday, June 22 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN
Wednesday, June 24 / I-94 emr Speedway / Fergus Falls, MN
Friday, June 26 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND
Sunday, June 28 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND
Tuesday, June 30 / Norman County Raceway / Ada, MN
Thursday, July 2 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN
Friday, July 3 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN
Saturday, July 4 / Deer Creek Speedway / Spring Valley, MN
Wednesday, July 8 / Stateline Speedway / Busti, NY
Friday, July 10 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Saturday, July 11 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Friday, July 24 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL
Saturday, July 25 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL
Thursday, July 30 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Friday, July 31 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Saturday, Aug. 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Thursday, Aug. 20 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA (Practice)
Friday, Aug. 21 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA
Saturday, Aug. 22 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA
Wednesday, Aug. 26 / Southern Iowa Speedway / Oskaloosa, IA
Friday, Aug, 28 / Adams County Speedway / Corning, IA
Saturday, Aug. 29 / Shelby County Speedway / Harlan, IA
Friday, Sept. 25 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Saturday, Sept. 26 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Friday, Oct. 2 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Saturday, Oct. 3 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Friday, Oct. 23 / Modoc Speedway / Modoc, SC
Saturday, Oct. 24 / Modoc Speedway / Modoc, SC
Wednesday, Nov. 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thursday, Nov. 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Friday, Nov. 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Saturday, Nov. 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

Justin Jones (No. 91), Trevor Brunner (No. 21), and Tom Drane (No. 1) battle during the Silver Dollar Short Track. [Photo: Scott Hunter for AMA Pro Racing] Download high-resolution photo from AMA Pro’s Digital Asset Management system

Progressive American Flat Track Announces Launch of ThrottleFestUSA.com

Justin Jones (No. 91), Trevor Brunner (No. 21), and Tom Drane (No. 1) battle during the Silver Dollar Short Track. [Photo: Scott Hunter for AMA Pro Racing] Download high-resolution photo from AMA Pro’s Digital Asset Management system

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 11, 2026) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is pleased to announce the launch of ThrottleFestUSA.com, the official online destination for ThrottleFest, the four-day motorsports festival set for May 14-17 at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland. Designed to help fans make the most of the full ThrottleFest experience, ThrottleFestUSA.com will serve as the central source for event schedules, start times, activity locations and weekend updates. From on-track racing and fan activities to live entertainment, food, vendors, camping and special events, the website will allow attendees to see what is happening, when it is happening and where to go throughout the weekend. ThrottleFest will be highlighted by Round 6 of the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season on Saturday, May 16, as the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series brings bar-to-bar action to Budds Creek Motocross Park. The four-day festival will also feature a full lineup of motorsports competition, including amateur flat track, motocross, pit bike racing, endurocross and hare scrambles, giving fans a packed schedule of racing across multiple disciplines. The website will continue to be updated as additional programming, schedules and event details are confirmed. Fans are encouraged to visit ThrottleFestUSA.com before arriving at Budds Creek Motocross Park and throughout the weekend for the latest information. Ticket options include single-day and multi-day packages, with camping also available for fans looking to experience the full ThrottleFest weekend. Fans can visit ThrottleFestUSA.com now for event schedules, ticket information, registration details, camping information and the latest updates. Next Up Progressive American Flat Track returns to action on Saturday, May 16, with ThrottleFest at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland. Fans can visit ThrottleFestUSA.com for event schedules, start times, ticket information and weekend updates. To purchase ThrottleFest tickets, visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-throttlefest-saturday-184353. The following weekend, the series heads to Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, for the Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile on Saturday, May 23. To purchase Appalachian Harley-Davidson Williams Grove Half-Mile tickets, visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-williams-grove-half-mile-185952. Fans can find complete event information, tickets and updates at AmericanFlatTrack.com.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Invades Eagle Raceway for Malvern Bank High Bank Heist

BATAVIA, Ohio (May 11, 2026) – The stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing are set to return to one of the Midwest’s most thrilling dirt tracks for the annual Malvern Bank High Bank Heist at Eagle Raceway, taking place May 14-16. The three-night spectacular promises intense side-by-side racing, and a packed field of the nation’s top dirt late model competitors at the famed “World’s Fastest 1/3-Mile Oval.” Located just east of Lincoln at 617 South 238th Street in Eagle, Nebraska, Eagle Raceway has become one of dirt racing’s premier destinations thanks to its high-banked layout and electric atmosphere. The High Bank Heist has quickly evolved into one of the marquee stops on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule, highlighted by a massive Saturday finale paying $50,000-to-win. The event opens Thursday, May 14, with the first of two preliminary nights featuring complete Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series programs paying $10,000-to-win. Friday night continues with another full show and a second $10,000 winner’s payday before Saturday’s championship finale caps the weekend with one of the richest purses in Eagle Raceway history. Fans can expect complete nightly programs including Dirt Draft Hot Laps, Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and A-Main events each night. Pit gates will open daily at 2:00 p.m. General admission gates will open at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, while Saturday’s grandstand gates will open at 5:00 p.m. On-track action is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with Saturday’s finale getting underway at 6:00 p.m. To find more information or purchase tickets in advance, visit EagleRaceway.com. Hudson O’Neal continues to lead the Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP, holding a slim 35-point advantage over Devin Moran, who sits second. Brandon Sheppard remains firmly in the title hunt in third, followed by Brandon Overton in fourth and Ricky Thornton Jr. rounding out the top five. Max Blair sits sixth, while Garrett Alberson and Brian Shirley are tied for seventh. Clay Harris and Josh Rice complete the top 10, though Rice is tied on points with Kyle Bronson just outside the top 10. Carson Ferguson, Dan Ebert, Daniel Hilsabeck, Dillon McCowan, Brenden Smith, and Cory Lawler round out the current championship standings as the battle for points remains tight throughout the field. For the latest news, results, and championship standings from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit LucasDirt.com. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Purses:Thursday: 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 = $48,575 Friday: 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 = $48,575 Saturday: 1. $50,000, 2. $20,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,000, 5. $7,000, 6. $6,000, 7. $4,500, 8. $4,000, 9. $3,800, 10. $3,600, 11. $3,400, 12. $3,200, 13. $3,000, 14. $2,500, 15. $2,400, 16. $2,300, 17. $2,200, 18. $2,100, 19. $2,000, 20. $2,000, 21. $2,000, 22. $2,000, 23. $2,000, 24. $2,000 = $150,000 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NRM NLMT3, (92) NRM NLMT4

Event: Go Bowling at The GlenLocation: Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New YorkDate: Sunday, May 10, 2026Start: 34thFinish: 32ndAfter making steady progress throughout Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International, Josh Berry and the No. 21 DEX team saw a promising afternoon unravel late and ultimately came away with a 32nd-place finish in the 100-lap NASCAR Cup Series event.Berry rolled off 34th on the grid and the No. 21 team immediately went to work on strategy at the historic New York road course. The team made its first pit stop just before pit road closed at the conclusion of the opening 20-lap stage, allowing Berry to gain valuable track position when the remainder of the field pitted under the stage caution. The strategy vaulted the DEX Ford Mustang Dark Horse from 34th to 22nd for the restart.The team utilized a similar approach in the second stage, pitting prior to the end of the 30-lap segment and cycling back to 23rd in the running order for the start of the final stage.A caution on Lap 60 presented another opportunity for crew chief Miles Stanley and the No. 21 team to gain track position, electing to keep Berry on track while others headed to pit road. The call moved Berry up to eighth for the restart, and he maintained a solid top-10 presence over the next several laps.Following a pit stop on Lap 76, Berry returned to the track in 33rd and methodically worked his way back through the field. He climbed to 21st before getting caught in a multi-car incident that shuffled him back several positions. Despite the setback, Berry remained in position for a top-25 result before additional contact in the closing laps relegated the No. 21 entry to a 32nd-place finish at the checkered flag.Next up for Berry and the No. 21 team is next weekend’s NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway.

Van Gisbergen Makes Late-Race Charge to Capture His First Win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Season

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

·        Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen drove to yet another statement road course performance in NASCAR’s premier series – making an impressive late-race charge to take the checkered flag and his first victory of the 2026 season. With now seven road course victories to his name, the record ties fellow Team Chevy driver, Chase Elliott, for the lead as the series’ winningest active road course driver.  ·        The victory marks Chevrolet’s third consecutive, and fourth overall, victory in NASCAR’s premier series this season. The manufacturer’s streak has been accompanied by at least half of the top-10 finishing positions in each event. All earning their season-best finish at the upstate New York circuit, the victory was celebrated by a runner-up finish by Michael McDowell, with Austin Dillon, AJ Allmendinger and Kyle Busch taking the checkered flag in the sixth through eighth positions, respectively.  RACE RECAP:  Stage One: A strong Saturday in upstate New York for the Chevrolet camp resulted in the manufacturer’s second-straight front row sweep – an effort led by Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen, who earned his first pole win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The track’s defending winner set the pace early, edging out fellow Team Chevy driver, Michael McDowell, in Turn One to lead the field on the opening lap. With only 10 laps in the books, the road course ringer had already driven to a 2.5-second lead with a trio of Chevrolet drivers in toe to give the Bowtie brand the top-four of the running order. With the first green flag pit cycle getting underway near the end of the stage, Van Gisbergen surrendered the lead with two laps to go as crew chief Stephen Doran called his driver in for their first scheduled stop of the day. The Auckland, New Zealand, native quickly cycled back up to the eighth position to end the stage, but it was his Trackhouse Racing teammate, Ross Chastain, that opted for points – running out the stage to lead the field to the first green-white checkered flag. Stage Two: Among those that flipped the opening stage included the Team Chevy trio of Van Gisbergen, McDowell and Zilisch, who ultimately cycled back to the front of the field to take the green flag for the 30-lap Stage Two. While Van Gisbergen quickly found his way back to the command position, he had his teammate Zilisch in his rearview mirror throughout the run with the rookie maintaining less than a half-second gap to the lead. Despite a close battle for the lead, there was no challenge for the pair as they pulled to a nearly six-second lead over the field until the first natural caution of the day flew with 10 laps to go in the stage. Among the six cars that chose to run out the stage included the Spire Motorsports teammates of McDowell and Suarez with the pair ultimately lining up on the front row for the restart. But a fresh set of Goodyear tires on the No. 97 Chevrolet paid dividends for Van Gisbergen with the driver going from sixth to the lead in a matter of two laps around the 2.45-mile circuit. Never looking back, Van Gisbergen went on to drive Chevrolet and Trackhouse Racing to a stage win sweep.  Final Stage: Staying out under the stage break, Van Gisbergen reported that he was happy with the handling of his Chevrolet as he geared up to lead the field to the final stage of the race. ECR-powered Chevrolet’s took over half of the top-10 to begin the final run with Richard Childress Racing teammates, Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch, also settled into the top-five. A caution on Lap 60 kickstarted varying strategies along pit road with the No. 97 being among the eight teams that opted to stretch the run. With direction from Doran, Van Gisbergen looked to make a hard charge and build a strong lead to set up for the potential of a green flag pit stop. Maximizing the speed of his Chevrolet, Van Gisbergen pulled to a nearly six-second lead before being called to pit road as the race hit 24 laps to go. The top-12 of the leaderboard were all on the same pit strategy with Zilisch leading the Bowtie brigade in the second position and closing in on then race leader, Ty Gibbs, to a half-second margin with 15 laps remaining. But his fight for the lead came to a disappointing end as a right-front tire going down on his Chevrolet forced crew chief Randall Burnett to bring Zilisch down pit road under the green flag conditions. While the leaders were in fuel-saving mode, Van Gisbergen was able to make an impressive charge through the field to the lead en route to his first trip to victory lane of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Team Chevy Unofficial Top-10 ResultsPos.     Driver 1st – Shane van Gisbergen2nd – Michael McDowell6th – Austin Dillon7th – AJ Allmendinger8th – Kyle Busch Chevrolet’s season statistics with 12 NASCAR Cup Series races complete: Wins: 4Poles: 3Top-Fives: 22Top 10s: 44Stage Wins: 10

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season continues at Dover Motor Speedway with the All-Star Race on Sunday, May 17, at 1 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

NASCAR Cup SeriesWatkins Glen International Go Bowling at The GlenTeam Chevy Post-Race ReportMay 10, 2026

Van Gisbergen Makes Late-Race Charge to Capture His First Win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Season

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

·        Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen drove to yet another statement road course performance in NASCAR’s premier series – making an impressive late-race charge to take the checkered flag and his first victory of the 2026 season. With now seven road course victories to his name, the record ties fellow Team Chevy driver, Chase Elliott, for the lead as the series’ winningest active road course driver.  ·        The victory marks Chevrolet’s third consecutive, and fourth overall, victory in NASCAR’s premier series this season. The manufacturer’s streak has been accompanied by at least half of the top-10 finishing positions in each event. All earning their season-best finish at the upstate New York circuit, the victory was celebrated by a runner-up finish by Michael McDowell, with Austin Dillon, AJ Allmendinger and Kyle Busch taking the checkered flag in the sixth through eighth positions, respectively.  RACE RECAP:  Stage One: A strong Saturday in upstate New York for the Chevrolet camp resulted in the manufacturer’s second-straight front row sweep – an effort led by Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen, who earned his first pole win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The track’s defending winner set the pace early, edging out fellow Team Chevy driver, Michael McDowell, in Turn One to lead the field on the opening lap. With only 10 laps in the books, the road course ringer had already driven to a 2.5-second lead with a trio of Chevrolet drivers in toe to give the Bowtie brand the top-four of the running order. With the first green flag pit cycle getting underway near the end of the stage, Van Gisbergen surrendered the lead with two laps to go as crew chief Stephen Doran called his driver in for their first scheduled stop of the day. The Auckland, New Zealand, native quickly cycled back up to the eighth position to end the stage, but it was his Trackhouse Racing teammate, Ross Chastain, that opted for points – running out the stage to lead the field to the first green-white checkered flag. Stage Two: Among those that flipped the opening stage included the Team Chevy trio of Van Gisbergen, McDowell and Zilisch, who ultimately cycled back to the front of the field to take the green flag for the 30-lap Stage Two. While Van Gisbergen quickly found his way back to the command position, he had his teammate Zilisch in his rearview mirror throughout the run with the rookie maintaining less than a half-second gap to the lead. Despite a close battle for the lead, there was no challenge for the pair as they pulled to a nearly six-second lead over the field until the first natural caution of the day flew with 10 laps to go in the stage. Among the six cars that chose to run out the stage included the Spire Motorsports teammates of McDowell and Suarez with the pair ultimately lining up on the front row for the restart. But a fresh set of Goodyear tires on the No. 97 Chevrolet paid dividends for Van Gisbergen with the driver going from sixth to the lead in a matter of two laps around the 2.45-mile circuit. Never looking back, Van Gisbergen went on to drive Chevrolet and Trackhouse Racing to a stage win sweep.  Final Stage: Staying out under the stage break, Van Gisbergen reported that he was happy with the handling of his Chevrolet as he geared up to lead the field to the final stage of the race. ECR-powered Chevrolet’s took over half of the top-10 to begin the final run with Richard Childress Racing teammates, Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch, also settled into the top-five. A caution on Lap 60 kickstarted varying strategies along pit road with the No. 97 being among the eight teams that opted to stretch the run. With direction from Doran, Van Gisbergen looked to make a hard charge and build a strong lead to set up for the potential of a green flag pit stop. Maximizing the speed of his Chevrolet, Van Gisbergen pulled to a nearly six-second lead before being called to pit road as the race hit 24 laps to go. The top-12 of the leaderboard were all on the same pit strategy with Zilisch leading the Bowtie brigade in the second position and closing in on then race leader, Ty Gibbs, to a half-second margin with 15 laps remaining. But his fight for the lead came to a disappointing end as a right-front tire going down on his Chevrolet forced crew chief Randall Burnett to bring Zilisch down pit road under the green flag conditions. While the leaders were in fuel-saving mode, Van Gisbergen was able to make an impressive charge through the field to the lead en route to his first trip to victory lane of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Team Chevy Unofficial Top-10 ResultsPos.     Driver 1st – Shane van Gisbergen2nd – Michael McDowell6th – Austin Dillon7th – AJ Allmendinger8th – Kyle Busch Chevrolet’s season statistics with 12 NASCAR Cup Series races complete: Wins: 4Poles: 3Top-Fives: 22Top 10s: 44Stage Wins: 10

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season continues at Dover Motor Speedway with the All-Star Race on Sunday, May 17, at 1 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Post-Race Driver Quotes: Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletFinished: 6th“Man, God is so good. We work really hard on these road races. I put a lot of effort into them to get better and we didn’t qualify great, but Richard Boswell (crew chief) and everyone on the Bass Pro Shops/Winchester AA White Flyer team did a good job pushing the strategy early to go hard. We really didn’t worry about tires when we short pitted, and that got us our track position at the end of the stage. After that, we were able to maintain, and it was fun saving fuel there behind (Chase) Briscoe. I probably should have pushed a little harder because I actually made it back all the way around on fuel. So, I did a good job on saving fuel, which was cool. Thanks to all of our partners and everybody that helps us go around. We put a lot of effort into it. We’ve been working really hard at RCR. It’s cool that Kyle (Busch) and I both were racing up front. He (Kyle Busch) scared me into the bus stop with like two to go. He just gave up on saving fuel, and he ran out at the line that was kind of fun getting him back by the line. Just a good day for RCR overall. And Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, my wife. We’ll take this and take the momentum and move on.”  Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 13th“Our Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Chevy was decent at times today. We tried to gain track position all race long, and the No. 7 team fought hard to work our way back toward the front and come away with a decent finish. I felt like it was a step in the right direction for our road course package. Our car was definitely better in the race than it was in practice and qualifying. Stage 2 didn’t feel the best, but the rear handling improved some for the final stage.”  Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletFinished: 8th “Strong day for the No. 8 zone Jalapeño Lime Chevrolet. We were a Top 10 car for the majority of the race, and ended eighth here at Watkins Glen International. We made the adjustments and strategy calls we needed to drive forward and make up track position after qualifying 21st, despite battling a car that trended tight throughout the race. We ran out of fuel at the end of the race, but we’re still going home with our second Top-10 finish of the season. I’m proud of the work the entire Richard Childress Racing team is putting in back in Welcome, NC, and will look to continue that momentum as the season progresses.”  AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletFinished: 7th“That was a crazy race. I thought when we started the race, the No. 16 Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet was pretty good. We just still had some of the same issues that we’ve been fighting. After around 12-14 laps, it hits a cliff and gets loose. But we got some stage points. Unfortunately, that put us a little behind in strategy. It was just so tough to pass, so I thought we were going to be in for a long day. Trent (Owens, crew chief) made a really good call there; we had a good restart and started moving through the field. I don’t know if that run would have been better if it would have stayed green, but overall, despite being in a hole on strategy, Trent did a great job to get us back in position to at least be on the offensive side. Obviously you always want more, but it was a good day.”  Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletFinished: 2ndWas today the spark this team needed to get back going in the right direction?“Yeah, for sure. It’s been a rough few weeks. But that’s what is great about NASCAR – you’re only one week away from grabbing a top-five finish and having some momentum on our side. We knew this was a track we could come to and, if we executed like we did today, we could contend for the win. We still needed a little bit more to hang with Shane van Gisbergen there. But all-in-all, the No. 71 Go Bowling Chevrolet team had a good day. It wasn’t a perfect day, but it was a good day. That’s what we needed. We just needed some momentum on our side.”  What did you learn today that you can take to other road courses?“We qualified second and we finished second. Shane van Gisbergen was a couple tenths better than us in qualifying and he was around a tenth better in the race. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but we still have work to do. I’m just really proud of everyone at Spire Motorsports. Our road course program is coming along really well. We had a top-five at COTA and another top-five here. We’re close, but we just need to keep tuning in on it.”   Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletFinished: 20th“It’s just a bummer. I feel like I did almost everything right today that I could, but it just goes like that sometimes. We’ve got a couple more good road courses to go to this season for Trackhouse Racing, so we’ll keep our heads down and keep digging. At the worst, I was going to finish outside the top-five probably and have my best day in this series, by far. I don’t think I could have beat Shane (van Gisbergen). When you’re so close, it’s just frustrating. I should have passed Ty (Gibbs). I don’t think it would have been any better to stay behind him. I could have saved more fuel in front of him and ran faster, but I’ll learn from it and be better moving forward.”  Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletFinished: 1stHow do you describe how that race unfolded and how you got that win?“Yeah, pretty unreal and just thankful for my No. 97 Superfile Chevrolet team. Just an unbelievable day.  It was amazing in the strategies and how they worked out, but the car was just magic to be able to do that and push when I needed to. To back it up from last year is pretty unreal.” What is it like as a driver to be on offense with a magical race car?“I love being able to do that at the end and chase everyone down on a tire difference.  Josh, my spotter, was excellent in giving me the lap times and what the gap was. I was trying to calculate it as I went and manage the tires so that I would still have some when I got there. It’s just so special and really cool.” One of the changes this year was the number on this car. The No. 97 is your family number. You finally bring it to victory lane here. What does that mean to you?“Yeah, it’s pretty awesome. I have done it in the O’Reilly Series before, but not here. So it’s pretty awesome to represent that, and I’m proud to have it here in victory lane.”

Sheppard Banks $30,000 in FALS Spring Shootout at Fairbury

FAIRBURY, IL (May 9, 2026) – Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Illinois charged to victory Saturday night at Fairbury Speedway, winning the FALS Spring Shootout presented by Titan Industries. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing event paid $30,000 to the winner. Sheppard took the lead from Brian Shirley on lap 13 and led the remainder of the race, holding off a late charge from Nick Hoffman over the final five laps to secure his 38th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory and his 17th career win at Fairbury Speedway. Shirley, who led the opening 12 laps, rounded out the Big River Steel podium in third. Brandon Overton finished fourth, while Bobby Pierce completed the top five. The victory marked Sheppard’s fourth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season and his seventh overall triumph of 2026. With the win, he moves to third in the championship standings heading into next weekend’s events at Eagle Raceway in Nebraska. “This feels awesome. It seems like it’s been forever since we won here,” Sheppard said in Lucas Oil Victory Lane. “We always seem to win prelims at the Prairie Dirt Classic, but these bigger races have avoided me for a while, so it’s really special to win one here tonight.” “When I was growing up, I dreaded coming to Fairbury because it’s so tough to win here. It takes such a different driving style, and the track changes so much throughout the night. The last eight laps, I felt like I was hanging on for dear life. I think the right rear tire may have been going down after I ran over something during that caution, but this car is an absolute dream to drive right now.” Hoffman, seeking his second career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory, started seventh and finished just 0.423 seconds behind Sheppard in the Tye Twarog Motorsports entry. Hoffman moved into second with 10 laps remaining after Clay Harris—who advanced from 12th to second by lap 21 – was slowed in lapped traffic. “He’s the Fairbury GOAT,” Hoffman said of Sheppard. “There were times I felt like I could gain a little on him, and I was hoping we’d get back to lapped traffic after that caution. But he was just better than me up on the cushion and could really pull away down the straightaways. The biggest thing is learning something for when we come back for the Prairie Dirt Classic.” Shirley, who started from the pole, was also eligible for the $1,000 Steering Buddy Darkhorse Award, presented to a first-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series feature winner in a full-points event. “I think it’s honestly just track time here,” said the defending Prairie Dirt Classic champion, who is following the LOLMDS full time for the first time in his career. “We haven’t had enough laps here yet to get the feel and balance exactly where we need it. But this was a really solid finish for our team and sponsors. We need to focus on consistently finishing races before worrying about winning them. I felt like we had a shot tonight, and while maybe we weren’t quite as good as Nick or Sheppy, being this competitive is a huge confidence boost for our team.” Sheppard’s winning Mark Richards Racing, Rocket Chassis is powered by a Durham Racing Engine and backed by Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, Performance Grading, Petroff Towing, Franklin Enterprises, Sunoco Race Fuels, Gunter’s Honey, Stiles Marine and Maintenance, and Collins Brothers Towing. Completing the top ten were Jason Feger, Josh Rice, Clay Harris, Trey Mills, and Justin Duty. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary FALS Spring Shootout Presented by Titan IndustriesSaturday, May 9, 2026Fairbury Speedway | Fairbury, IL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Brian Shirley | 12.883 seconds (Overall)Fast Time Group B: Shannon Babb | 13.116 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 2. 71-Hudson O’Neal[2]; 3. 111-Max Blair[4]; 4. 09-Michael Leach[3]; 5. 15D-Justin Duty[6]; 6. 60-Dan Ebert[9]; 7. 33-Mike Harrison[7]; 8. 22*-Drake Troutman[10]; 9. 14S-Collen Winebarger[8]; 10. 5S-Kolby Vandenbergh[5]; 11. 122-Timmy Dick[11]; 12. 24-Tyler Wyant[12] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 58-Garrett Alberson[2]; 2. 9H-Nick Hoffman[3]; 3. 32-Bobby Pierce[1]; 4. 24U-Ryan Unzicker[4]; 5. 93-Carson Ferguson[6]; 6. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[5]; 7. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[7]; 8. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[9]; 9. 17A-Austin Howes[11]; 10. 93L-Cory Lawler[10]; 11. 8L-Jeffrey Ledford[8]; 12. 729-Mike Winn[12] Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard[2]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[3]; 3. 18-Shannon Babb[1]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[4]; 5. 13-Dallon Murty[6]; 6. 75-Daniel Adam[5]; 7. 16S-Sam Seawright[9]; 8. 99-Devin Moran[7]; 9. 89-Mike Spatola[8]; 10. 19M-Brenden Smith[10]; 11. Z61-Alex Wilson[11]; 12. B12-Kevin Weaver[12] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 1T-Tyler Erb[1]; 2. 25F-Jason Feger[2]; 3. 6-Clay Harris[5]; 4. 11-Josh Rice[7]; 5. 40B-Kyle Bronson[3]; 6. 14-Trey Mills[8]; 7. 8-Dillon McCowan[9]; 8. 45-Kyle Hammer[10]; 9. 42-Mckay Wenger[6]; 10. 16-Tyler Bruening[4]; 11. 32X-Chris Simpson[11]; 12. (DNS) 33 4-Billy Hough Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 15D-Justin Duty[1]; 2. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[4]; 3. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[6]; 4. 22*-Drake Troutman[7]; 5. 93-Carson Ferguson[2]; 6. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[8]; 7. 14S-Collen Winebarger[9]; 8. 60-Dan Ebert[3]; 9. 93L-Cory Lawler[12]; 10. 122-Timmy Dick[13]; 11. 24-Tyler Wyant[15]; 12. 17A-Austin Howes[10]; 13. 5S-Kolby Vandenbergh[11]; 14. 8L-Jeffrey Ledford[14]; 15. 729-Mike Winn[16]; 16. 33-Mike Harrison[5] UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 14-Trey Mills[4]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[7]; 3. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 4. 13-Dallon Murty[1]; 5. 45-Kyle Hammer[8]; 6. 75-Daniel Adam[3]; 7. 16S-Sam Seawright[5]; 8. 42-Mckay Wenger[10]; 9. 32X-Chris Simpson[14]; 10. 8-Dillon McCowan[6]; 11. 16-Tyler Bruening[12]; 12. 19M-Brenden Smith[11]; 13. Z61-Alex Wilson[13]; 14. 89-Mike Spatola[9]; 15. B12-Kevin Weaver[15]; 16. (DNS) 33 4-Billy Hough FALS Spring Shootout Presented by Titan Industries Feature Finish (60 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 2 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $30,9002 – 7 – 9H – Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – $15,0003 – 1 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $7,9004 – 6 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $6,4005 – 11 – 32 – Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – $4,5006 – 8 – 25F – Jason Feger – Bloomington, IL – $3,5007 – 16 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $4,0008 – 12 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $3,4009 – 18 – 14 – Trey Mills – ST. Augustine, FL – $2,40010 – 17 – 15D – Justin Duty – Molalla, OR – $2,30011 – 15 – 24U – Ryan Unzicker – El Paso, IL – $2,20012 – 3 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $3,00013 – 10 – 18 – Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL – $2,00014 – 14 – 28 – Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – $1,90015 – 24 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $2,70016 – 26 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – $1,25017 – 9 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $2,60018 – 4 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $1,65019 – 5 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $3,00020 – 20 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $2,85021 – 23 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $2,45022 – 22 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $2,40023 – 25 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – $1,00024 – 13 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – $1,50025 – 21 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $2,80026 – 19 – 99JR – Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – $1,50027 – 27 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $100 Race Statistics  Entrants: 48Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Brian ShirleyMD3 Lap Leaders: Brian Shirley (Laps 1-12); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 13-60)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Brandon SheppardWieland Feature Winner: Brandon SheppardMargin of Victory: 0.423 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Trey Mills (Lap 13); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Lap 18); Devin Moran (Lap 27); Ricky Thornton, Jr., Hudson O’Neal, Tyler Erb (Lap 52)MyRacePass Series Provisional: Carson Ferguson; Dan EbertFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: Dillon McCowan; Daniel Hilsabeck; Brenden SmithTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Nick Hoffman, Brian ShirleyPenske Shocks Top 5: Brandon Sheppard, Nick Hoffman, Brian Shirley, Brandon Overton, Bobby PierceBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Nick Hoffman, Brian ShirleyPEM 4th Place Feature: Brandon OvertonDiversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Bobby PierceWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Josh RiceWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Ryan UnzickerVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Shannon BabbXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Dan EbertHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Daniel Hilsabeck (Advanced 10 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Brandon Sheppard (48 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon SheppardMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’NealO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Josh RicePro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Brian Shirley | Lap 3 | 13.558 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Devin MoranVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Nick HoffmanOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Danny WhiteARP Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Tyler Erb | 12.5271 secondsTime of Race: 29 minutes 35 seconds Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP:Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Earnings1 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 2695 – $136,1002 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 2660 – $152,6993 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 2560 – $103,6004 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 2490 – $61,7505 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 2465 – $82,7506 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 2440 – $56,2007 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 2210 – $44,6258 – 3s – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 2210 – $41,6009 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 2155 – $47,60010 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – 2135 – $36,87511 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 2135 – $34,27512 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 2090 – $36,95013 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 2060 – $35,57514 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 1795 – $21,97515 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 1785 – $21,90016 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 1755 – $23,25017 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 1560 – $13,625

The two-time champion fends off Justin Whittall to snatch the Morgan Cup from the Posse and bank $20,000

MECHANICSBURG, PA (May 9, 2026) – The Pennsylvania Posse had to stretch a tad to claim the rights to Friday’s HVAC Distributors Morgan Cup opener with Enumclaw, WA’s Kasey Kahne winning in the Macri Motorsports car, but there’s no doubt about who the finale belonged to.

David Gravel is a two-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion chasing a third straight title. He’s the best of the best, and he made sure the Morgan Cup is heading to World of Outlaws headquarters in Concord, NC for the year.

The Watertown, CT native lined up on the outside of the front row for the Williams Grove Speedway 30-lapper and rocketed around polesitter Kasey Kahne on the opening circuit. Gravel ripped through traffic around the 1/2 mile as the laps fell away. The Big Game Motorsports No. 2 was a rocket ship like it has been several times in 2026. Justin Whittall surged into second late and closed in on Gravel, but he couldn’t find quite enough speed to pose a threat. Gravel took the checkered flag, ripped possession of the Morgan Cup from the Posse, and banked $20,000.

“From that rain this morning, that grip up high was there,” Gravel explained. “They patted it down with the push trucks and water trucks. It just launched really good, and actually my motor was really cold. It didn’t run really good for the first five or six laps but had enough horsepower to beat him (Kahne) going into (Turn) 1. He didn’t try to slide me. It looked like he backpedaled and tried to run the bottom, but that was obviously the winning move of the race. You just don’t know; this could’ve been 10 cautions or green-to-checkered. Luckily, it went green-to-checkered.”

Gravel is up to 125 career victories with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Williams Grove is the first track where he’s reached double digit World of Outlaws triumphs as Saturday’s score marked his 10th at the historic “Keystone State” facility. He joins Steve Kinser (38), Donny Schatz (21), Mark Kinser (18), Lance Dewease (17), and Sammy Swindell (16) as the sixth with at least 10. He and Big Game Motorsports also equaled Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Roth Motorsports for the most trophies in 2026 with their fifth. The two powerhouses have combined to 10 of the 19 races this season.

Justin Whittall brought the Rod Gross Motorsports No. 67G home second to notch his best career World of Outlaws finish.

Troy Wagaman Jr. finished third in the Heffner Racing No. 27, also marking his top result with The Greatest Show on Dirt and giving the Posse two of the three podium positions despite not getting the win.

Sheldon Haudenschild and Kasey Kahne completed the top five.

NIGHTLY NOTES

Daryn Pittman clocked the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.

David Gravel collected his eighth Simpson Quick Time of the year in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.

Heat Races belonged to David Gravel (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Kasey Kahne (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Two), Justin Whittall (WIX Filters Heat Three), and Chad Trout (Golf Cart Services Heat Four).

The SPA Technique #1 Redraw went to Kasey Kahne.

Kahne also topped the Toyota Dash.

Daryn Pittman won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

Carson Macedo earned KSE Racing Products Hard Charger honors.

Freddie Rahmer was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.

Ashton Torgerson was the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.

David Gravel laid down the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.

The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Cole Macedo.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars meet up with the USAC National Sprint Cars at Rossburg, OH’s Eldora Speedway for #LetsRaceTwo presented by LGMG on May 15-16. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

FEATURE RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 2-David Gravel[2]; 2. 67G-Justin Whittall[4]; 3. 27W-Troy Wagaman Jr[5]; 4. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[6]; 5. 39M-Kasey Kahne[1]; 6. 41-Carson Macedo[9]; 7. 51R-Freddie Rahmer[3]; 8. 99M-Ashton Torgerson[7]; 9. 48-Danny Dietrich[12]; 10. 17B-Bill Balog[10]; 11. 83-Michael Kofoid[14]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart[15]; 13. 1X-Chad Trout[8]; 14. 23-Garet Williamson[13]; 15. 95-Kody Hartlaub[18]; 16. 15-Donny Schatz[16]; 17. 75-Cameron Smith[17]; 18. 27-Emerson Axsom[11]; 19. 17N-Dylan Norris[19]; 20. (DNF) 2C-Cole Macedo[23]; 21. (DNF) 69K-Daryn Pittman[21]; 22. (DNF) 22-Doug Hammaker[22]; 23. (DNF) 41R-Logan Rumsey[24]; 24. (DNF) 11-TJ Stutts[26]; 25. (DNF) 12-Brent Shearer[25]; 26. (DNF) 11A-Austin Bishop[20]

OUTLAWS ON TOP: Gravel Grabs the Morgan Cup with Dominant Williams Grove Win

The two-time champion fends off Justin Whittall to snatch the Morgan Cup from the Posse and bank $20,000

MECHANICSBURG, PA (May 9, 2026) – The Pennsylvania Posse had to stretch a tad to claim the rights to Friday’s HVAC Distributors Morgan Cup opener with Enumclaw, WA’s Kasey Kahne winning in the Macri Motorsports car, but there’s no doubt about who the finale belonged to.

David Gravel is a two-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion chasing a third straight title. He’s the best of the best, and he made sure the Morgan Cup is heading to World of Outlaws headquarters in Concord, NC for the year.

The Watertown, CT native lined up on the outside of the front row for the Williams Grove Speedway 30-lapper and rocketed around polesitter Kasey Kahne on the opening circuit. Gravel ripped through traffic around the 1/2 mile as the laps fell away. The Big Game Motorsports No. 2 was a rocket ship like it has been several times in 2026. Justin Whittall surged into second late and closed in on Gravel, but he couldn’t find quite enough speed to pose a threat. Gravel took the checkered flag, ripped possession of the Morgan Cup from the Posse, and banked $20,000.

“From that rain this morning, that grip up high was there,” Gravel explained. “They patted it down with the push trucks and water trucks. It just launched really good, and actually my motor was really cold. It didn’t run really good for the first five or six laps but had enough horsepower to beat him (Kahne) going into (Turn) 1. He didn’t try to slide me. It looked like he backpedaled and tried to run the bottom, but that was obviously the winning move of the race. You just don’t know; this could’ve been 10 cautions or green-to-checkered. Luckily, it went green-to-checkered.”

Gravel is up to 125 career victories with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Williams Grove is the first track where he’s reached double digit World of Outlaws triumphs as Saturday’s score marked his 10th at the historic “Keystone State” facility. He joins Steve Kinser (38), Donny Schatz (21), Mark Kinser (18), Lance Dewease (17), and Sammy Swindell (16) as the sixth with at least 10. He and Big Game Motorsports also equaled Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Roth Motorsports for the most trophies in 2026 with their fifth. The two powerhouses have combined to 10 of the 19 races this season.

Justin Whittall brought the Rod Gross Motorsports No. 67G home second to notch his best career World of Outlaws finish.

Troy Wagaman Jr. finished third in the Heffner Racing No. 27, also marking his top result with The Greatest Show on Dirt and giving the Posse two of the three podium positions despite not getting the win.

Sheldon Haudenschild and Kasey Kahne completed the top five.

NIGHTLY NOTES

Daryn Pittman clocked the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.

David Gravel collected his eighth Simpson Quick Time of the year in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.

Heat Races belonged to David Gravel (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Kasey Kahne (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Two), Justin Whittall (WIX Filters Heat Three), and Chad Trout (Golf Cart Services Heat Four).

The SPA Technique #1 Redraw went to Kasey Kahne.

Kahne also topped the Toyota Dash.

Daryn Pittman won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

Carson Macedo earned KSE Racing Products Hard Charger honors.

Freddie Rahmer was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.

Ashton Torgerson was the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.

David Gravel laid down the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.

The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Cole Macedo.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars meet up with the USAC National Sprint Cars at Rossburg, OH’s Eldora Speedway for #LetsRaceTwo presented by LGMG on May 15-16. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.

Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

FEATURE RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 2-David Gravel[2]; 2. 67G-Justin Whittall[4]; 3. 27W-Troy Wagaman Jr[5]; 4. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[6]; 5. 39M-Kasey Kahne[1]; 6. 41-Carson Macedo[9]; 7. 51R-Freddie Rahmer[3]; 8. 99M-Ashton Torgerson[7]; 9. 48-Danny Dietrich[12]; 10. 17B-Bill Balog[10]; 11. 83-Michael Kofoid[14]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart[15]; 13. 1X-Chad Trout[8]; 14. 23-Garet Williamson[13]; 15. 95-Kody Hartlaub[18]; 16. 15-Donny Schatz[16]; 17. 75-Cameron Smith[17]; 18. 27-Emerson Axsom[11]; 19. 17N-Dylan Norris[19]; 20. (DNF) 2C-Cole Macedo[23]; 21. (DNF) 69K-Daryn Pittman[21]; 22. (DNF) 22-Doug Hammaker[22]; 23. (DNF) 41R-Logan Rumsey[24]; 24. (DNF) 11-TJ Stutts[26]; 25. (DNF) 12-Brent Shearer[25]; 26. (DNF) 11A-Austin Bishop[20]

For complete results, CLICK HERE.