Media Resources: Images | Media Advances | Chevrolet NewsroomCHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESFirestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit St. Petersburg, FloridaSaturday Qualifying ReportFebruary 28, 2026 ST. PETERSBURG, FL (February 28, 2026) For the second straight and the third time in five years, Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet will start the season-opening race, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, from the pole position. The Kiwi’s lap of 60.5426 seconds (107.032 mph) over the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit led his 13th career pole. Team Penske has won 11 of the 15 poles at St. Pete and now has 158 and 106 poles all-time and since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012.  McLaughlin barely escaped the first group of the first segment of qualifying and was joined by Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in advancing to the Fast 12. McLaughlin’s new teammate, David Malukas, in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, led the second group of the first segment, and Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet also advanced.  McLaughlin led the Fast 12, with Malukas also advancing to the Firestone Fast Six in a group that had all 12 drivers separated by less than half a second. Chevrolet pole stats McLaughlin’s pole is the 246th earned pole, all-time, for Chevrolet McLaughlin’s pole is the 142nd earned pole, since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012, for ChevroletMcLaughlin’s pole is the 12th earned pole with Chevrolet for Scott McLaughlin, all-time and since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo, tying for 8th all-time list and 4th since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 McLaughlin’s pole is the 157th earned pole with Chevrolet for Team Penske all-time, tops all timeMcLaughlin’s pole is the  105th earned pole with Chevrolet for Team Penske., since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012, for Chevrolet, tops all timeMcLaughlin’s pole is the 11th pole on the Streets of St. Petersburg for Chevrolet – with all of them coming from Team Penske Lundgaard is quick in pre-qualifying practice Before qualifying, the Team Chevy drivers and teams had just over an hour to find more speed before setting the grid for Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Matching Friday, the practice consisted of one 40-minute session for all drivers and two 12-minute sessions, with the field split. The 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit was still damp from heavy overnight rains as the 40-minute portion of practice got underway.  Rinus VeeKay in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Chevrolet set the quickest lap during the full field running, turning a lap at 61.9918 seconds. He was joined in the top eight by Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, Alexander Rossi in the No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet, Josef Newgarden in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet, Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, and Nolan Siegel in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Friday’s quickest driver, Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, was the second-quickest in the first group, with O’Ward and VeeKay also in the top five. O’Ward’s teammate, Christian Lundgaard, in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, was the quickest of the second group, and the quickest overall in practice with a lap of 61.6157 seconds.Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Qualifying Results What They’re Saying: Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet qualified: on pole“We said to ourselves, if we had the pace to go for pole, we’re going to go for it. So we put tires on and went after it. A couple of guys didn’t obviously, but, you know, best spot to start from. I love St. Pete. It’s great to great to be back here in Florida I think everyone’s enjoying the, the warmth and, yeah, just great. Glad for everyone at Dex as well. “It’s going be a lot of different strategies. Everyone’s trying to figure out the tire and stuff like that, you know?  But we put ourselves in the front and hopefully we keep it.”David Malukas, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet qualified: 5th“We needed that.  We needed that.  I mean, After that first qualifying run there, I was trying so hard, and the car felt so good. I made a mistake on the first lap, so on the second run, I said okay, here we go, put it together, and I just knew we were going to make this fast six.  We decided to go with used reds for the fast six and save the new ones for the race. It seems like it is going to be red dominant. Hopely that strategy works out and we can go for P1.” Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified: 8th“I think we missed the track evolution there a little bit, and our balance fell off from the perfect window. The car definitely didn’t have more in it, and it’s about where we have been today – sitting in eighth and flirting with the final transfer. I’m very happy with the car on primary tires. The soft tires have just been more difficult, as it’s been for us in the past. We need to dive into that and see what’s going on because I do think the car was capable of being a bit higher up.” Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified: 12th“It was a bit of a disappointing Qualifying. We were expecting more after after our P1 and P2 results. I think it was a question in my mind if we had what it really took on the Firestone Red tires. Just judging off of P1, we didn’t really seem to be there on the alternates. It’s frustrating but at the end of the day, points are scored tomorrow, so we’ll keep our heads down and figure out the strategy for the race.” Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet qualified: 14th“We took a gamble with the two sets of reds. We fell on the back foot after not really getting a proper feel in Practice 2. We had an imbalance on the first run and did what we could to try and mitigate that for the second run. It was just limited on what we could do. We went fairly aggressive and it still wasn’t enough. We’ll see what we can do to move forward tomorrow.” Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS Chevrolet qualified: 17th“We unloaded pretty good because the car was decent. We just were a little too free on both runs. Not too much we could do, but we definitely didn’t take a big enough stab at it, either. So, a lot of work to do for tomorrow, but other than that, everything else going in the right direction.” Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Chevrolet qualified: 19th“Tough qualifying. Started in the blacks really good. We’re p3 at the moment. Then when we put the reds on, just never really turned them on. Never really got that, that grip that the reds are supposed to give. So, that was tough. I mean, it’s very tight out there. Miss transferring by two-tenths. It’s definitely in there if we would have got that that grip that we needed. But, yeah, overall, I think still a very positive weekend. We’ve got a lot of pace. That’s what matters in a race. So, excited for that. And, yeah, we’ll make sure we address what went wrong on the red tires in qualifying. I’m very confident in this in this team and, and all the guys on the 76 crew.” Sting Ray Robb, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet qualified: 20th“Today was pretty good. I think that our qualifying performance was, okay. We are two-tenths from transferring, which hindsight, the field is just so tight. There’s no room for error. Little things make make a big difference around this place, but really proud of the team, the Goodheart crew. They worked hard to get the car in a good spot for for qualifying, and I think that we’ll have a competitive race car tomorrow. It seems like both cars are in a very similar position. We’re looking for the same things, and so that should give us a good direction for what we want going in the race.” Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified: 22nd“I was feeling really good about our chances to transfer today, but we didn’t get a lap in Q1. That’s racing, but it’s very disappointing after our No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet crew put so much work into getting this race car into proper form. We’re going to focus on moving forward tomorrow.” Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet qualified: 23rd “Not ideal. We hit a lot of traffic when we came out and I didn’t want to hold anybody up, and that’s what bit us. The sequencing was all off. It felt good on blacks. We’ve been struggling with brakes all weekend and I felt like we got on top of that, finally. The car was really good, it was just unfortunate not to put something together there. The team will fight tomorrow.” Caio Collet, No. 4 COMBITRANS AMAZONA Chevrolet qualified: 24th“It goes by quick– the session. Definitely the step from blacks to reds was something that I really underestimated. I didn’t really use the grip that I had available there. I really under drove the red tires. But it’s a lesson learned. We’ll just keep our heads down and focus on the work for tomorrow, it seems it’s going to be a long race, 100 laps, so we can move forward. I think we have a decent car. I’m looking forward to the first race tomorrow.” Alexander Rossi, No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet qualified: 25th“That was a very difficult qualifying session and a tough way to start the season. We are at a bit of a loss after we had a strong Practice 2. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow but we will be ready.”NTT INDYCAR SERIES News ConferenceSaturday, February 28, 2026Scott McLaughlinPost-Qualifying Press Conference THE MODERATOR: Joined by Scott McLaughlin, the driver of the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet with back-to-back NTT P1 awards here on the Streets of St. Pete, his third all-told here in St. Petersburg, 12th career pole in his INDYCAR Series history.Congratulations. Something about this track, eh? SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yep. Maybe I need to move to Florida. I don’t know what it is. I love this place. Great way to start our year. We did this last year, and I proceeded to have the worst year of my life. I’m just focused on execution tomorrow and the rest of the season. This is one little step. Just really proud of the execution because I felt like we nearly actually missed Q1. We were right on the buffer there, and the car was terrible. It was nice to tune it up and get it right and then it become one of my favorite cars I’ve had around here. It’s a testament to Raul and the camaraderie that we’ve built already and the understanding for each other, and that can only grow from here. Q.  What kind of adjustments did you make?SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: We were firing springs in the thing and front wing changes and everything. We threw the kitchen sink at it between Q1 and Q2, made it a little bit better through Q2, scraped into the Fast Six, and then it was just a matter of executing for the Fast Six and have some fun with house money we like to call it, so it was fun. Q.  Scott, I wanted to go back to the practice in the morning. We had this heavy rain yesterday night. Did you feel any big difference when you had practice in the morning with the grip level?SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, grip level was definitely lower, lower than what we tend to expect here Friday to Saturday morning. So that was a challenge in itself.But I was very happy with my car on Friday. It’s handy when you come to a street circuit and you’ve had a decent P1, and that sort of gave me a little bit of confidence heading into qualifying that we knew where we wanted to be. We obviously missed the window when qualifying started, but we knew where to tune or had an idea where to tune to for Q2. Q.  I hope this will not happen, but everything can be possible with the weather. Did you have a conversation with your team about having a rain race tomorrow?SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: If it rains, it’s the same for everyone. I love the rain. I’m from New Zealand, and it rains half the time there. I think it’s something that I’ve grown up with. I’ve always looked at it, like I said, it’s the same for everyone. You’ve just got to go out there and try and tune the car to the best of your ability and drive it as fast as you can.Q.  Yesterday when we were doing the media bullpen you had talked about execution, like everything is all about execution. You keep saying that word today. I’m curious how you reel yourself in because we know you can get pretty excited in the car. How do you reel yourself in or how do you feel that and know you’ve got to tame it back to execute? SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I know I’m 32, but I guess you could say it’s maturity a little bit, INDYCAR maturity, knowing how long the season is. One sort of pole — it’s quite easy to be 20th next week at Phoenix. It’s INDYCAR racing. Enjoy the highs, but work hard because it’s so close that people are going to be coming for us tomorrow, and we know how good the 10 car has been and how good everyone else has been for so many years. For me, I’m just going out there, I’m trying to enjoy driving the car like a little kid again, just doing what I love and telling Raul what I want from the car and what will make me go faster, and we’re doing that. I didn’t feel good at Q1. I said, I need this, this and this to go faster. He gave me it, and it was about sort of mixing the old potion together and sending it, and it was nice. Q.  When you have the turnover on top of the timing stand, the spotter we talked about yesterday, how reinvigorating is this to you to come out of the gate like this?SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, it’s definitely a refresh. All the guys that I lost are some of my best friends, but they’ve gone on to cooler things for their careers, and I can only wish them well, and now I’ve got guys that can do just the same job, if not better. I felt like me and TC, it was our first qualifying session together, and I was telling him in spots to stop talking. We’re sort of warming up to each other a little bit, and it was fun.But yeah, there’s still a lot of — I think there’s a lot of things that we can work on as a group together, but this is a great start. Q.  Speaking of TC, do you get excited when you think of the prospect of the race because that’s a guy who’s been a master here at coming up with the right strategy to keep you up front, so when you think of possibilities of tomorrow, how excited do you get?SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, I’m excited because we’ve got a great car. I think it’s nice to have a guy that you know that’s got the history of choosing the right calls and whatnot, but I’ve also had plenty of those guys on my stand before and won here with Kyle Moyer, who was unreal in that department, too. The first thing you need is car speed, and for me to make the right moves at the right time, no mistakes, and hopefully we can have a day like we did in 2022. Q.  I know you’re focused on your effort, but to throw a bouquet at Dale Coyne Racing, I don’t know if anybody expected the rookie Dennis Hauger to be third and Grosjean in his first race back to be in the Fast Six, so how impressed are you by what they did?SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I was very impressed. This is INDYCAR. It’s competitive. That’s what makes the sport so awesome is the fact that a lower budget team, whatever you want to call it – I’m sure they don’t like me saying that – but at the end of the day it’s well known, and they’re killing it. That was a great effort. I was certainly surprised to see both of them in the Fast Six, but they’ve made some acquisitions over the off-season and got a couple guys that have been pretty deeply entrenched into the sport, as we all know, and been okay. Q.  Curious about the progress you feel Team Penske has made on its street course package, especially with three before the 500 and one directly after?SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I’m skeptical to go, yeah, we’ve found — I think for me, it’s going to be waiting until Long Beach. Long Beach was our worst street circuit, I thought personally and I think as a team and probably the biggest gap we had to the Andrettis and maybe the Hondas in some ways. This is nice, but we know we’re fast here. It’s just a matter of executing — sorry I keep using that word but you’re going to get used to it. Yeah, I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch. It’s okay right now.Q.  How much of a point of emphasis was the street course package over the off-season? SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: The whole package was, yeah. We need to be better. Q.  Before you’d been on the track, you mentioned that you expected the tire deg to be similar to the 2024 race. Now that you’ve been on both compounds, is that your opinion still?SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: I’m not sure. I don’t think so. Yeah, I think it’s going to be worse than we think. But I think it’s going to be good enough that you have to run on them long enough, but I think there is a cliff there. But we’ll find out tomorrow morning. Q.  How much is that going to change the race, to have to run on two sets of the alternates?SCOTT McLAUGHLIN: Yeah, you have to be good on both compounds. Thankfully my car has been pretty similar balance-wise on both compounds. I don’t know on tire deg, but I know certainly when I go out on used reds that it’s certainly a loss, in some ways, but I think we can make do with it. Tune-In Guide SundayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 9am (ET)/8am (CT)/7am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (100 laps) – noon (ET)/11am (CT)/10am (MT)/9am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Chevrolet history on the Streets of St. PetersburgWins – 9 2024 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2016 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2014 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – James Hinchcliffe – Team Penske2012 – Helio Castroneves – Team PenskePoles – 10 2025 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Will Power – Team Penske2019 – Will Power – Team Penske2017 – Will Power – Team Penske2016 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – Will Power – Team Penske2012 – Will Power – Team PenskePodiums: 25 Chevrolet driver podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (5), Josef Newgarden (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Simon Pagenaud (3), Juan Montoya (2), Marco Andretti (1), James Hinchcliffe (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Tony Kanaan (1), Scott McLaughlin (1) Chevrolet team podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (18), Andretti Global (3), Arrow McLaren (3), Chip Ganassi Racing (1) Laps Led: 754 Chevrolet driver laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (213), Scott McLaughlin (127), Josef Newgarden (83), Helio Castroneves (73), Juan Montoya (71), Simon Pagenaud (64), James Hinchcliffe (26), Christian Lundgaard (23), Pato O’Ward (23), Oriol Servia (16), Rinus VeeKay (13), Ryan Briscoe (9), Jordan King (5), Tomas Enge (4), JR Hildebrand (3), Mike Conway (1) Chevrolet team laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (640), Arrow McLaren (46), Andretti Global (26), ECR (19), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (16), Panther Racing (7)Manufacturer History on the Streets Of St. Petersburg  Wins (with competition)  9 – Chevrolet (2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)6 – Honda (2025, 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2005) Poles (with competition)  10 – Chevrolet (2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012)5 – Honda (2023, 2021, 2018, 2014, 2005) Historical Chevrolet in the INDYCAR SERIES information INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturer Championships (since 1979)Chevrolet-Powered Wins in the Twin-Turbo 2.2L V6 Era (2012-present)Chevrolet-Powered Wins – All-Time

February 28, 2026 — ST. PETERSBURG, FL

• Andretti Global’s Marcus Ericsson scores front-row start in opening race of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season
• Rookie Dennis Hauger qualifies third for his very first IndyCar start
• Honda powers four of six, seven of top 10 in qualifying for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Andretti Global’s Marcus Ericsson notched a front-row start for the opening race of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, qualifying second for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Ericsson considers 2026 a ‘bounce back year’ for the 2023 St. Pete winner and 2022 Indy 500 champion following a difficult season in 2025.

Rookie Dennis Hauger will start third aboard the #19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda in his very first IndyCar start. The 2025 INDY NXT champion set a time that was just three one hundredths of a second off of pole position in an impressive debut outing.

Reigning and four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou lines up fourth for Chip Ganassi Racing. The Spaniard won this race in 2025 starting eighth on the grid, kicking off an incredible campaign that saw him win eight races—including the Indy 500—en route to his third consecutive championship title and fourth in five years.

Hauger’s DCR teammate Romain Grosjean also made it through to the Firestone Fast Six, making it two Dale Coyne Racing cars through to the final round of qualifying for the first time since Detroit 2022.

Other Honda-powered drivers starting in the top 10 include Marcus Armstrong, seventh; 2025 Rookie of the Year Louis Foster in ninth; and Kyffin Simpson in P10.  

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Honda Qualifying Results

2nd Marcus Ericsson	Andretti Global Honda
3rd Dennis Hauger – R	Dale Coyne Racing Honda
4th Alex Palou	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
6th Romain Grosjean	Dale Coyne Racing Honda
7th Marcus Armstrong	Meyer Shank Racing Honda
9th Louis Foster	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
10th Kyffin Simpson	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
11th Felix Rosenqvist	Meyer Shank Racing Honda
13th Will Power	Andretti Global Honda
15th Kyle Kirkwood	Andretti Global Honda
16th Scott Dixon	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
18th Graham Rahal	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
21st Mick Schumacher– R	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda

R – Rookie

Quotes
Marcus Ericsson (#28 Andretti Global Honda) qualified second: “I’ve worked really hard this off-season. The whole #28 Honda crew has put in the hours and we’ve had a really good pre-season. To come to St. Pete—one of my favorite places on the calendar—and kick it off with a qualifying performance like this and be starting from the first row tomorrow feels great. The team did a great job, Honda did a great job as usual, and we have all the power we need to go win tomorrow.”

Dennis Hauger (#19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda) qualified third: “Can’t ask for much more in my first qualifying session! I mean, it could have been pole—we were only three hundredths off so it was pretty close—but I’m super happy. The team did an amazing job. I think we started a bit on the back foot, but we really turned it around. I felt pretty good in the first run and then we just kept the momentum going from there.”

Romain Grosjean (#18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda) qualified sixth: “This is awesome for Dale Coyne Racing, for Dennis, and for myself. We had a good pre-season test, and this has been a strong weekend for us so far. We’ve been working with Honda and getting the most out of the car and the data that we have. I’m happy, it’s great to be back in the Fast Six in my return to IndyCar.”

Honda at St. Pete

• Honda-powered drivers have won 12 of the 21 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races at St. Petersburg since the event was revived for the 2005 season. The late Dan Wheldon led a Honda and Andretti Green Racing sweep of the top four positions in the inaugural 2005 event.
• Alex Palou kicked off his incredible 2025 championship run with a victory at St. Petersburg last season, finishing just ahead of teammate Scott Dixon in a Honda-powered 1-2.
• Other Honda winners on the streets of St. Petersburg include Marcus Ericsson in 2023; Colton Herta in 2021; Sebastian Bourdais in 2017-18; Dario Franchitti in 2011; Will Power in 2010; Ryan Briscoe in 2009; Graham Rahal in 2008; and Helio Castroneves in 2006 and ’07.

Where to Watch

Marcus Ericsson, Dennis Hauger lead Honda qualifying effort at St. Pete

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February 28, 2026 — ST. PETERSBURG, FL

• Andretti Global’s Marcus Ericsson scores front-row start in opening race of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season
• Rookie Dennis Hauger qualifies third for his very first IndyCar start
• Honda powers four of six, seven of top 10 in qualifying for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Andretti Global’s Marcus Ericsson notched a front-row start for the opening race of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, qualifying second for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Ericsson considers 2026 a ‘bounce back year’ for the 2023 St. Pete winner and 2022 Indy 500 champion following a difficult season in 2025.

Rookie Dennis Hauger will start third aboard the #19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda in his very first IndyCar start. The 2025 INDY NXT champion set a time that was just three one hundredths of a second off of pole position in an impressive debut outing.

Reigning and four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou lines up fourth for Chip Ganassi Racing. The Spaniard won this race in 2025 starting eighth on the grid, kicking off an incredible campaign that saw him win eight races—including the Indy 500—en route to his third consecutive championship title and fourth in five years.

Hauger’s DCR teammate Romain Grosjean also made it through to the Firestone Fast Six, making it two Dale Coyne Racing cars through to the final round of qualifying for the first time since Detroit 2022.

Other Honda-powered drivers starting in the top 10 include Marcus Armstrong, seventh; 2025 Rookie of the Year Louis Foster in ninth; and Kyffin Simpson in P10.  

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Honda Qualifying Results

2nd Marcus Ericsson	Andretti Global Honda
3rd Dennis Hauger – R	Dale Coyne Racing Honda
4th Alex Palou	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
6th Romain Grosjean	Dale Coyne Racing Honda
7th Marcus Armstrong	Meyer Shank Racing Honda
9th Louis Foster	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
10th Kyffin Simpson	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
11th Felix Rosenqvist	Meyer Shank Racing Honda
13th Will Power	Andretti Global Honda
15th Kyle Kirkwood	Andretti Global Honda
16th Scott Dixon	Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
18th Graham Rahal	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
21st Mick Schumacher– R	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda

R – Rookie

Quotes
Marcus Ericsson (#28 Andretti Global Honda) qualified second: “I’ve worked really hard this off-season. The whole #28 Honda crew has put in the hours and we’ve had a really good pre-season. To come to St. Pete—one of my favorite places on the calendar—and kick it off with a qualifying performance like this and be starting from the first row tomorrow feels great. The team did a great job, Honda did a great job as usual, and we have all the power we need to go win tomorrow.”

Dennis Hauger (#19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda) qualified third: “Can’t ask for much more in my first qualifying session! I mean, it could have been pole—we were only three hundredths off so it was pretty close—but I’m super happy. The team did an amazing job. I think we started a bit on the back foot, but we really turned it around. I felt pretty good in the first run and then we just kept the momentum going from there.”

Romain Grosjean (#18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda) qualified sixth: “This is awesome for Dale Coyne Racing, for Dennis, and for myself. We had a good pre-season test, and this has been a strong weekend for us so far. We’ve been working with Honda and getting the most out of the car and the data that we have. I’m happy, it’s great to be back in the Fast Six in my return to IndyCar.”

Honda at St. Pete

• Honda-powered drivers have won 12 of the 21 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races at St. Petersburg since the event was revived for the 2005 season. The late Dan Wheldon led a Honda and Andretti Green Racing sweep of the top four positions in the inaugural 2005 event.
• Alex Palou kicked off his incredible 2025 championship run with a victory at St. Petersburg last season, finishing just ahead of teammate Scott Dixon in a Honda-powered 1-2.
• Other Honda winners on the streets of St. Petersburg include Marcus Ericsson in 2023; Colton Herta in 2021; Sebastian Bourdais in 2017-18; Dario Franchitti in 2011; Will Power in 2010; Ryan Briscoe in 2009; Graham Rahal in 2008; and Helio Castroneves in 2006 and ’07.

Where to Watch

• Television coverage of Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg starts at 12:00 PM ET on Fox. Co

NASCAR CUP SERIES CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS TEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTES FEBRUARY 28, 2026

AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, met with the media onsite at Circuit of The Americas in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series’ third points-paying race of the 2026 season.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

NASCAR CUP SERIESCIRCUIT OF THE AMERICASTEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTESFEBRUARY 28, 2026

AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, met with the media onsite at Circuit of The Americas in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series’ third points-paying race of the 2026 season.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Media Availability Quotes:  There’s a lot of tire packs out there. What do you think about how that affects how you guys manage this course and what kind of damage could it do? “A lot… especially through the esses, it’s going to be a lot of damage. I mean, I don’t mind them. It’s nice to have kind of the limitation. When you’re out there, I wouldn’t say you’re guessing, but you’re always on the edge of track limits. Especially in the race when you’re behind somebody, you can’t see in front of you. You just see the car. But yeah, in qualifying especially, it’s going to be, how close do you want to cut it? I think you saw Connor (Zilisch) yesterday, his lap, he about skimmed it through turn four. He made up time doing it, so it’s risk versus reward. But you know, to me, it’s nice to at least have something there to show what the track limit is and not always kind of be — like last year, through turn six, you’re guessing whether it’s track limits or not. So yeah, I’m sure I’ll hate it if I hit it, but you know, I think that goes without saying.”  (No Mic…)“I don’t know… that’s a good question. I don’t know what the best way to do it. You know, I didn’t mind the first year we came here and we had that yellow curbing there, and that was kind of the judge of it, of going inside that curb. But with anything, if you run it over or if you hit it, it’s going to do damage to the car. I guess, in a way, that’s our own fault. We’re the ones inside controlling it. So, I don’t know if it’s the best way. I didn’t mind that curb, but you know, at least there’s something.”  Is the narrative frustrating or more motivating when we come to road courses now and it’s — alright, well it’s SVG and Connor Zilisch, and everyone else is kind of just showing up to run behind them? “I mean, the way we change that narrative is you go beat them, right? But for the most part, we didn’t do that at most of the road courses last year. It’s not frustrating to me. I think, for me, the most frustrating thing was just, in general, we didn’t run great at the road courses last year. You know, I put a lot of that on my shoulders. I think as Goodyear softens the tire, it gives the advantage to a guy like SVG that really knows how to save the tires. It’s something that, whether it was setup-based or my own doing, I struggled with it last year of trying to be good on long runs.  I don’t really put stock in how good SVG is, in that sense. Like for me, it would be different if I ran second every weekend to him on the road courses and you can’t beat him, then that kind of gets frustrating. But we weren’t even in that ballpark, so I think it’s more focusing on myself. You try to learn from them; study it, try to figure out what makes them so good and try to go out there and be better. That’s kind of what I focus on. The only thing I get frustrated with is myself.”   With the reduced help this year, how does that affect you at road courses?“Well, I mean, I think over these next five, six or seven weeks, we’ll kind of really see where we are. Of course, it’s a limitation and it’s a different challenge for us. I think there’s benefits inside the shop of the people that we’ve added and some of the stuff that we’re doing. But there’s also a negative to it, especially if we show up on a weekend and we’re off and you have nothing to kind of fall back on. That’s part of it. That’s part of where we’re at on the Cup side of it with our organization.  You know, at the end of the day, it’s still figuring out where your weaknesses are and trying to strengthen them. I think I’ll probably have a better answer for you on that in the next five, six or seven weeks. These first two weeks, we kind of know that it doesn’t really show anything of what you are or aren’t as a race team. But yeah, it’s a new challenge and we just try to make the best of it.”   With you guys having a familiar tire this year but increased horsepower, how does that I affect the balance of the tire saving as the run goes on?“It probably gives SVG more of an advantage, honestly (laughs). I mean, it’s a decent size gap of horsepower from then to what we have now, but it’s not massive. I definitely think if you’re burning the rear tires off, it’s going to make it worse or you’re just going to have to really be gentle with the throttle. I don’t think it changes it a big difference, but it definitely is going to be more keen on trying to save tires, and if you abuse them, it’s going to be more extreme.”   Take me through that last lap the 2022… what do you remember from that battle with Ross Chastain and Alex Bowman. “I don’t have any recollection of it. It’s out of my memory.”   You’ve seen a lot of kids come and go. What can you say about Connor Zilisch? Have you been just aware of what he’s achieving under the Red Bull banner?“I mean, I think it’s very rare. There’s a lot of great race car drivers. I think word ‘phenom’ kind of gets used too much sometimes,. but it definitely should be used on him. You know, what his career goes to, we’ll all see in live time and if he completely lives up to the hype. But to start with, he is and probably exceeding it.  You saw even yesterday, I mean he’s super quick. I think there’ll be mistakes made. Even like last year, you watch the Xfinity race – I think he made mistakes, but was still fast enough to make up for it.  The biggest thing is that he gets in everything and he’s fast. It’d be different if he got just in a Cup car and he was fast, but he gets in an IMSA car, he got in that GTP, and he was fast. When he was karting, to do it on the world stage and go beat some of the best, that’s hard to do. Karting in Europe, for people that don’t know what it is, it’s a different level than what karting in North America is. It is a completely different level. It’s a profession over there. He was able to go over there and compete, win and do things that a lot of Americans couldn’t. So yeah, I mean we’re going to see what he lives up to. But from what he’s shown so far, it’s going to be pretty special.”

NASCAR CUP SERIES CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS TEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTES FEBRUARY 28, 2026

Carson Hocevar, driver of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media onsite at Circuit of The Americas in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series’ third points-paying race of the 2026 season.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Media Availability Quotes:  Can you talk about the new challenge with the track limits being maybe slightly differently enforced with those new barriers there? Also, what speed and gear will you be pulling through that section?“Yeah, I think it helps a little bit for the driver’s standpoint… now you have something to obviously hit, which is more risky. But the biggest thing is sometimes it’s hard to really 100% gauge because you want to be on the limit of the track limit, so it’s really difficult to judge at times. So as long as we’re not hitting a tire barrier, you know you’re pretty safe. And you know you’re probably not losing time to others that are really, really good at maximizing it all, whereas if you’re trying to be a little bit more conservative with it.  Yeah, I think it helps a lot of us just kind of know exactly how far we’re on the limit. You can kind of tell how close you are to that barrier, versus it’s such a different perspective when you’re looking up and you’re giving up two feet. Yeah, it’s hard to judge 100% when you know the penalty is pretty steep that you’ve got to do a stop and go.”    What’s your mindset coming into these road course races?“I would like to stay on the tarmac… that’s a big one. You know, just not make any mistakes;  know the track limits, don’t hit the tire barrier and hurt my toe, right? Just start with there and race the racetrack. Really, just not trying to get too much. I know this isn’t a place for us to go out and stack a huge points day. But, you know, just maximize whatever it is… whether it’s single digits, whether it’s teens.  Just get as many points as possible for us to help us towards next week for the metric. That’s the biggest thing. If I can break even on points, I think that’s a win. If I gain points, that’s really, really above expectations. But the goal is just not to lose any points on the gap to the cut.”   I was curious with the speed that you guys had at COTA last year. Will that be a matter of trying to just build that cushion so you guys are fourth in points, as opposed to, hey, maybe we can try to hang around late and try to fight for a win?“Yeah, I mean, for me, if there’s stage points available, I’d love to get it. Even if it’s like just two points, I just think it’s super important. And, you know, knowing how chaotic turn one restarts can get, it seems like you can always kind of get track position late. Yeah, obviously not to win the race or be super far from it, but I feel like you can kind of get back to where you were in stage three more likely to have even more restarts.  So, yeah, for us, I just think just continuing to build our points is just the biggest thing. If I could leave plus-29 points heading into Phoenix — whether I’m still fourth or seventh or whatever, if I’m still plus-29 points, I’d be really happy. On the network this week, there were comparisons made to you and Dale Earnhardt. Have you watched videos of Earnhardt? I mean, because clearly you weren’t old enough to kind of live out those glory days of Dale, but what do you think about the comparisons that fans are making to you at this juncture in your career?“Yeah, I’ve watched every documentary of every driver. I’ve watched the Dale documentaries, the Tim Richmond specials, Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki. You know, I’ve watched it all, even as a kid.  Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, everybody’s open to their own interpretation. I feel like you’re always just going to be compared to somebody, whether they’re good or bad. You know, if I was really, really slow, there’s probably comparisons of guys that were really, really slow back in the day, too.  I just go out and race and I enjoy it. I take it as a massive compliment, you know, from Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Dale Jr., all of them making comparisons. I’m appreciative of that. I would like to just have half the success any of those guys did. But I think we’re getting ready to get our cars in a really good spot to be able to be in position. I think we’ve been in position to win three of these races. I don’t know if this week we’ll show that, but I think we have really good tracks coming up that we can do that. But for me, I’m just going in the merch hauler and signing 77 diecasts. You know, that’s me. Maybe in 20-30 years, somebody’s hopefully making comparisons of myself to the next kid that was doing it and running good.  So, yeah, I just think it was a compliment, but you know, I’m not hanging up No. 3 posters on my wall and trying to pretend to be anything I’m not.”   Is there any one style, though, from doing the research and watching the videos or just watching over the last two decades that you’ve been alive that you’ve emulated their styles?“Well, no, not really. I think if you’re building a perfect race car driver, I think you want to be able to emulate a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy. You know, you don’t want to just emulate one whole driver. I think you just want to be successful or be versatile in all areas. So, yeah, there’s not like a direct style. I just want the style of whatever it takes to succeed, whether it’s being aggressive in this spot or letting somebody else be aggressive for me and taking that spot. It’s just all circumstantial. You’re racing at different corners at different times. You’re playing different people, right? You know, it’s not like any other sport where you’re just playing the same guy over and over and over. You have one restart and you have totally different guys than you’ve been racing around all day. You’re going to have to be able to change with them.”    I know wins and losses are in a driver’s stack column, but considering how much you won on the local scene as a kid, is it something that you think about now at the national level, like, oh, I’m 0 for such and such, and that kind of plays a role in your mentality on the track every Sunday?“You know, I feel like going into my rookie year, that was 33rd in owners points when I got into it, right? So, I think from Spires Motorsports’ steps, I think every team that’s not the big three teams that are basically dominating, they’re all trying to emulate Spires’ progression. You saw 23XI, they’re super successful. Trackhouse Racing is super successful. But now, we’re on that.  It’s a lot easier to say it and say you have a five-year plan, but it’s really hard to actually pull it off because when we get faster, the big teams see it and they want to get faster. So it’s like, did you actually get faster or did everybody else just get faster with you? So if everybody else got faster, did you actually get faster? The field just keeps getting tighter. The floors are raising higher than the ceiling right now. We continue to keep adding people, parts and pieces and processes that — I think it was known to all of us after the second year that it was expected to have won already, just because I think if we weren’t so fast, people would still think Spire is this little team. But there’s been a lot of times we’ve been in contention and we’ve changed that narrative ourselves.  So, yeah, I’m excited about it. I think we’re still really early here a little bit. I think we can do it. There were times where I felt like we were in impossible positions and there were things I couldn’t do from behind the seat that took us out of contention.  I think the track record so far this year of being up front in every race is holding a lot of weight for us and our confidence.”    The debut of 750 horsepower with this car on road courses this year, what changes do you foresee in handling and passing ability this weekend compared to the last?“I feel like tire wear is probably going to be a little bit more of an issue, or at least higher heat, which could have more comers and goers and probably reward the guys that can create speed without upsetting the tires. Just being able to make speed while keeping it under control and being on the limit there. So, yeah, I think there could be opportunities for more passing if guys really burn up their stuff early.”

NASCAR CUP SERIESCIRCUIT OF THE AMERICASTEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTESFEBRUARY 28, 2026

Carson Hocevar, driver of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media onsite at Circuit of The Americas in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series’ third points-paying race of the 2026 season.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Media Availability Quotes:  Can you talk about the new challenge with the track limits being maybe slightly differently enforced with those new barriers there? Also, what speed and gear will you be pulling through that section?“Yeah, I think it helps a little bit for the driver’s standpoint… now you have something to obviously hit, which is more risky. But the biggest thing is sometimes it’s hard to really 100% gauge because you want to be on the limit of the track limit, so it’s really difficult to judge at times. So as long as we’re not hitting a tire barrier, you know you’re pretty safe. And you know you’re probably not losing time to others that are really, really good at maximizing it all, whereas if you’re trying to be a little bit more conservative with it.  Yeah, I think it helps a lot of us just kind of know exactly how far we’re on the limit. You can kind of tell how close you are to that barrier, versus it’s such a different perspective when you’re looking up and you’re giving up two feet. Yeah, it’s hard to judge 100% when you know the penalty is pretty steep that you’ve got to do a stop and go.”    What’s your mindset coming into these road course races?“I would like to stay on the tarmac… that’s a big one. You know, just not make any mistakes;  know the track limits, don’t hit the tire barrier and hurt my toe, right? Just start with there and race the racetrack. Really, just not trying to get too much. I know this isn’t a place for us to go out and stack a huge points day. But, you know, just maximize whatever it is… whether it’s single digits, whether it’s teens.  Just get as many points as possible for us to help us towards next week for the metric. That’s the biggest thing. If I can break even on points, I think that’s a win. If I gain points, that’s really, really above expectations. But the goal is just not to lose any points on the gap to the cut.”   I was curious with the speed that you guys had at COTA last year. Will that be a matter of trying to just build that cushion so you guys are fourth in points, as opposed to, hey, maybe we can try to hang around late and try to fight for a win?“Yeah, I mean, for me, if there’s stage points available, I’d love to get it. Even if it’s like just two points, I just think it’s super important. And, you know, knowing how chaotic turn one restarts can get, it seems like you can always kind of get track position late. Yeah, obviously not to win the race or be super far from it, but I feel like you can kind of get back to where you were in stage three more likely to have even more restarts.  So, yeah, for us, I just think just continuing to build our points is just the biggest thing. If I could leave plus-29 points heading into Phoenix — whether I’m still fourth or seventh or whatever, if I’m still plus-29 points, I’d be really happy. On the network this week, there were comparisons made to you and Dale Earnhardt. Have you watched videos of Earnhardt? I mean, because clearly you weren’t old enough to kind of live out those glory days of Dale, but what do you think about the comparisons that fans are making to you at this juncture in your career?“Yeah, I’ve watched every documentary of every driver. I’ve watched the Dale documentaries, the Tim Richmond specials, Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki. You know, I’ve watched it all, even as a kid.  Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, everybody’s open to their own interpretation. I feel like you’re always just going to be compared to somebody, whether they’re good or bad. You know, if I was really, really slow, there’s probably comparisons of guys that were really, really slow back in the day, too.  I just go out and race and I enjoy it. I take it as a massive compliment, you know, from Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, Dale Jr., all of them making comparisons. I’m appreciative of that. I would like to just have half the success any of those guys did. But I think we’re getting ready to get our cars in a really good spot to be able to be in position. I think we’ve been in position to win three of these races. I don’t know if this week we’ll show that, but I think we have really good tracks coming up that we can do that. But for me, I’m just going in the merch hauler and signing 77 diecasts. You know, that’s me. Maybe in 20-30 years, somebody’s hopefully making comparisons of myself to the next kid that was doing it and running good.  So, yeah, I just think it was a compliment, but you know, I’m not hanging up No. 3 posters on my wall and trying to pretend to be anything I’m not.”   Is there any one style, though, from doing the research and watching the videos or just watching over the last two decades that you’ve been alive that you’ve emulated their styles?“Well, no, not really. I think if you’re building a perfect race car driver, I think you want to be able to emulate a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy, a bit of this guy. You know, you don’t want to just emulate one whole driver. I think you just want to be successful or be versatile in all areas. So, yeah, there’s not like a direct style. I just want the style of whatever it takes to succeed, whether it’s being aggressive in this spot or letting somebody else be aggressive for me and taking that spot. It’s just all circumstantial. You’re racing at different corners at different times. You’re playing different people, right? You know, it’s not like any other sport where you’re just playing the same guy over and over and over. You have one restart and you have totally different guys than you’ve been racing around all day. You’re going to have to be able to change with them.”    I know wins and losses are in a driver’s stack column, but considering how much you won on the local scene as a kid, is it something that you think about now at the national level, like, oh, I’m 0 for such and such, and that kind of plays a role in your mentality on the track every Sunday?“You know, I feel like going into my rookie year, that was 33rd in owners points when I got into it, right? So, I think from Spires Motorsports’ steps, I think every team that’s not the big three teams that are basically dominating, they’re all trying to emulate Spires’ progression. You saw 23XI, they’re super successful. Trackhouse Racing is super successful. But now, we’re on that.  It’s a lot easier to say it and say you have a five-year plan, but it’s really hard to actually pull it off because when we get faster, the big teams see it and they want to get faster. So it’s like, did you actually get faster or did everybody else just get faster with you? So if everybody else got faster, did you actually get faster? The field just keeps getting tighter. The floors are raising higher than the ceiling right now. We continue to keep adding people, parts and pieces and processes that — I think it was known to all of us after the second year that it was expected to have won already, just because I think if we weren’t so fast, people would still think Spire is this little team. But there’s been a lot of times we’ve been in contention and we’ve changed that narrative ourselves.  So, yeah, I’m excited about it. I think we’re still really early here a little bit. I think we can do it. There were times where I felt like we were in impossible positions and there were things I couldn’t do from behind the seat that took us out of contention.  I think the track record so far this year of being up front in every race is holding a lot of weight for us and our confidence.”    The debut of 750 horsepower with this car on road courses this year, what changes do you foresee in handling and passing ability this weekend compared to the last?“I feel like tire wear is probably going to be a little bit more of an issue, or at least higher heat, which could have more comers and goers and probably reward the guys that can create speed without upsetting the tires. Just being able to make speed while keeping it under control and being on the limit there. So, yeah, I think there could be opportunities for more passing if guys really burn up their stuff early.”

CASA GRANDE, AZ (Feb. 27, 2026) — Only three weeks removed from a crash that destroyed a brand-new race car, Kyler Johnson is back in the hunt for his first American Sprint Car Series championship.

Johnson, 22, of Quinter, KS, found needed momentum with the Series at Central Arizona Raceway last weekend with his first top-10 finish of the season on Saturday and a runner-up effort after leading several laps during Sunday’s main event. But those efforts didn’t come without a little resilience, having to get acclimated to a car he’d raced only once before.

For the start of his 2026 campaign, Johnson and his family had put together a brand-new car, which they debuted in the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in January. That car met a disastrous fate when Johnson hit the outside wall in Turns 1 and 2 during his Heat Race on Saturday, resulting in terminal damage to the car’s frame.

The team turned to their backup car, which had not yet been raced, and finished the weekend before setting sights on the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona. With only one night of racing on the car, Johnson came to Casa Grande with the kind of speed and skill seen from veterans in mid-season form, matching his career-best Series finish Sunday night.

“It’s good to pull the backup car down and be able to, basically, translate our speed from car-to-car,” Johnson said. “That just [shows] our efforts in the offseason of making both our cars identical. Everything’s just perfect on these things.”

Johnson began Sunday’s program by turning the fastest Qualifying lap of all 34 entrants before crossing the finish line second in the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to grid him on the outside front row for the main event. The green flag dropped, and while polesitter Justin Peck first looked to be the man to beat, a flat right-front tire dashed his chances for a repeat after winning Saturday and handed the lead over to Johnson with 13 laps complete.

Johnson led the field around for the next 10 laps, favoring the bottom lane around the 3/8-mile oval. His closest competition, Series points leader Matt Covington, had been making his way to the front with great speed on the top side and was rapidly closing the gap to the leader. With only five laps left, Covington zoomed past Johnson to his outside and into the lead before driving off with the victory.

“Early in the race, I was able to keep pace with Peck,” Johnson said. “After that yellow, I thought like the top was kinda too dry. Whenever I was running up there in traffic, I just felt like I was losing ground. I guess the top came in there toward the end of the race.

“Once I moved up there, I was just locked down. Matt was able to find it before I did, and that’s kind of the end of the story there.”

Despite falling one spot short of his first career American Sprint Car Series win, Johnson was still in good spirits after the race, knowing he and brother/Crew Chief Kahne Johnson’s efforts showed how capable they are of competing with the best in 360 Sprint Car racing and how close they might be to finally reaching Victory Lane.

“Any time you just have that one extra hand… [Kahne’s] really knowledgeable about setups,” Kyler said. “We’ve kinda got a whole new package going on this year compared to what we were doing last year, and we’re able to adjust on it the same way we had been. Definitely good to have speed early in the year, we’ve just gotta maintain it to have a fight at the championship here.”

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Central Arizona Raceway this Saturday and Sunday night, Feb. 28–March 1, in the finale of the inaugural Sonoran Clash.

Kyler Johnson Refocused After Strong Runs in Round 1 of Sonoran Clash

CASA GRANDE, AZ (Feb. 27, 2026) — Only three weeks removed from a crash that destroyed a brand-new race car, Kyler Johnson is back in the hunt for his first American Sprint Car Series championship.

Johnson, 22, of Quinter, KS, found needed momentum with the Series at Central Arizona Raceway last weekend with his first top-10 finish of the season on Saturday and a runner-up effort after leading several laps during Sunday’s main event. But those efforts didn’t come without a little resilience, having to get acclimated to a car he’d raced only once before.

For the start of his 2026 campaign, Johnson and his family had put together a brand-new car, which they debuted in the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in January. That car met a disastrous fate when Johnson hit the outside wall in Turns 1 and 2 during his Heat Race on Saturday, resulting in terminal damage to the car’s frame.

The team turned to their backup car, which had not yet been raced, and finished the weekend before setting sights on the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona. With only one night of racing on the car, Johnson came to Casa Grande with the kind of speed and skill seen from veterans in mid-season form, matching his career-best Series finish Sunday night.

“It’s good to pull the backup car down and be able to, basically, translate our speed from car-to-car,” Johnson said. “That just [shows] our efforts in the offseason of making both our cars identical. Everything’s just perfect on these things.”

Johnson began Sunday’s program by turning the fastest Qualifying lap of all 34 entrants before crossing the finish line second in the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to grid him on the outside front row for the main event. The green flag dropped, and while polesitter Justin Peck first looked to be the man to beat, a flat right-front tire dashed his chances for a repeat after winning Saturday and handed the lead over to Johnson with 13 laps complete.

Johnson led the field around for the next 10 laps, favoring the bottom lane around the 3/8-mile oval. His closest competition, Series points leader Matt Covington, had been making his way to the front with great speed on the top side and was rapidly closing the gap to the leader. With only five laps left, Covington zoomed past Johnson to his outside and into the lead before driving off with the victory.

“Early in the race, I was able to keep pace with Peck,” Johnson said. “After that yellow, I thought like the top was kinda too dry. Whenever I was running up there in traffic, I just felt like I was losing ground. I guess the top came in there toward the end of the race.

“Once I moved up there, I was just locked down. Matt was able to find it before I did, and that’s kind of the end of the story there.”

Despite falling one spot short of his first career American Sprint Car Series win, Johnson was still in good spirits after the race, knowing he and brother/Crew Chief Kahne Johnson’s efforts showed how capable they are of competing with the best in 360 Sprint Car racing and how close they might be to finally reaching Victory Lane.

“Any time you just have that one extra hand… [Kahne’s] really knowledgeable about setups,” Kyler said. “We’ve kinda got a whole new package going on this year compared to what we were doing last year, and we’re able to adjust on it the same way we had been. Definitely good to have speed early in the year, we’ve just gotta maintain it to have a fight at the championship here.”

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Central Arizona Raceway this Saturday and Sunday night, Feb. 28–March 1, in the finale of the inaugural Sonoran Clash.

Tickets can be purchased at the track on race day. If you can’t make it to the track, how can you watch the action? Every American Sprint Car Series race is live on DIRTVision.

CASA GRANDE, AZ (Feb. 27, 2026) — Only three weeks removed from a crash that destroyed a brand-new race car, Kyler Johnson is back in the hunt for his first American Sprint Car Series championship.

Johnson, 22, of Quinter, KS, found needed momentum with the Series at Central Arizona Raceway last weekend with his first top-10 finish of the season on Saturday and a runner-up effort after leading several laps during Sunday’s main event. But those efforts didn’t come without a little resilience, having to get acclimated to a car he’d raced only once before.

For the start of his 2026 campaign, Johnson and his family had put together a brand-new car, which they debuted in the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in January. That car met a disastrous fate when Johnson hit the outside wall in Turns 1 and 2 during his Heat Race on Saturday, resulting in terminal damage to the car’s frame.

The team turned to their backup car, which had not yet been raced, and finished the weekend before setting sights on the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona. With only one night of racing on the car, Johnson came to Casa Grande with the kind of speed and skill seen from veterans in mid-season form, matching his career-best Series finish Sunday night.

“It’s good to pull the backup car down and be able to, basically, translate our speed from car-to-car,” Johnson said. “That just [shows] our efforts in the offseason of making both our cars identical. Everything’s just perfect on these things.”

Johnson began Sunday’s program by turning the fastest Qualifying lap of all 34 entrants before crossing the finish line second in the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to grid him on the outside front row for the main event. The green flag dropped, and while polesitter Justin Peck first looked to be the man to beat, a flat right-front tire dashed his chances for a repeat after winning Saturday and handed the lead over to Johnson with 13 laps complete.

Johnson led the field around for the next 10 laps, favoring the bottom lane around the 3/8-mile oval. His closest competition, Series points leader Matt Covington, had been making his way to the front with great speed on the top side and was rapidly closing the gap to the leader. With only five laps left, Covington zoomed past Johnson to his outside and into the lead before driving off with the victory.

“Early in the race, I was able to keep pace with Peck,” Johnson said. “After that yellow, I thought like the top was kinda too dry. Whenever I was running up there in traffic, I just felt like I was losing ground. I guess the top came in there toward the end of the race.

“Once I moved up there, I was just locked down. Matt was able to find it before I did, and that’s kind of the end of the story there.”

Despite falling one spot short of his first career American Sprint Car Series win, Johnson was still in good spirits after the race, knowing he and brother/Crew Chief Kahne Johnson’s efforts showed how capable they are of competing with the best in 360 Sprint Car racing and how close they might be to finally reaching Victory Lane.

“Any time you just have that one extra hand… [Kahne’s] really knowledgeable about setups,” Kyler said. “We’ve kinda got a whole new package going on this year compared to what we were doing last year, and we’re able to adjust on it the same way we had been. Definitely good to have speed early in the year, we’ve just gotta maintain it to have a fight at the championship here.”

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Central Arizona Raceway this Saturday and Sunday night, Feb. 28–March 1, in the finale of the inaugural Sonoran Clash.

Kyler Johnson Refocused After Strong Runs in Round 1 of Sonoran Clash

CASA GRANDE, AZ (Feb. 27, 2026) — Only three weeks removed from a crash that destroyed a brand-new race car, Kyler Johnson is back in the hunt for his first American Sprint Car Series championship.

Johnson, 22, of Quinter, KS, found needed momentum with the Series at Central Arizona Raceway last weekend with his first top-10 finish of the season on Saturday and a runner-up effort after leading several laps during Sunday’s main event. But those efforts didn’t come without a little resilience, having to get acclimated to a car he’d raced only once before.

For the start of his 2026 campaign, Johnson and his family had put together a brand-new car, which they debuted in the season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in January. That car met a disastrous fate when Johnson hit the outside wall in Turns 1 and 2 during his Heat Race on Saturday, resulting in terminal damage to the car’s frame.

The team turned to their backup car, which had not yet been raced, and finished the weekend before setting sights on the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona. With only one night of racing on the car, Johnson came to Casa Grande with the kind of speed and skill seen from veterans in mid-season form, matching his career-best Series finish Sunday night.

“It’s good to pull the backup car down and be able to, basically, translate our speed from car-to-car,” Johnson said. “That just [shows] our efforts in the offseason of making both our cars identical. Everything’s just perfect on these things.”

Johnson began Sunday’s program by turning the fastest Qualifying lap of all 34 entrants before crossing the finish line second in the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to grid him on the outside front row for the main event. The green flag dropped, and while polesitter Justin Peck first looked to be the man to beat, a flat right-front tire dashed his chances for a repeat after winning Saturday and handed the lead over to Johnson with 13 laps complete.

Johnson led the field around for the next 10 laps, favoring the bottom lane around the 3/8-mile oval. His closest competition, Series points leader Matt Covington, had been making his way to the front with great speed on the top side and was rapidly closing the gap to the leader. With only five laps left, Covington zoomed past Johnson to his outside and into the lead before driving off with the victory.

“Early in the race, I was able to keep pace with Peck,” Johnson said. “After that yellow, I thought like the top was kinda too dry. Whenever I was running up there in traffic, I just felt like I was losing ground. I guess the top came in there toward the end of the race.

“Once I moved up there, I was just locked down. Matt was able to find it before I did, and that’s kind of the end of the story there.”

Despite falling one spot short of his first career American Sprint Car Series win, Johnson was still in good spirits after the race, knowing he and brother/Crew Chief Kahne Johnson’s efforts showed how capable they are of competing with the best in 360 Sprint Car racing and how close they might be to finally reaching Victory Lane.

“Any time you just have that one extra hand… [Kahne’s] really knowledgeable about setups,” Kyler said. “We’ve kinda got a whole new package going on this year compared to what we were doing last year, and we’re able to adjust on it the same way we had been. Definitely good to have speed early in the year, we’ve just gotta maintain it to have a fight at the championship here.”

The American Sprint Car Series is back in action at Central Arizona Raceway this Saturday and Sunday night, Feb. 28–March 1, in the finale of the inaugural Sonoran Clash.

Tickets can be purchased at the track on race day. If you can’t make it to the track, how can you watch the action? Every American Sprint Car Series race is live on DIRTVision.

Shane van Gisbergen, driver of the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet and the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of running double-duty in the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Circuit of The Americas.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

NASCAR CUP SERIESCIRCUIT OF THE AMERICASTEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTESFEBRUARY 27, 2026

Shane van Gisbergen, driver of the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet and the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of running double-duty in the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Circuit of The Americas.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Media Availability Quotes:  I’m sure you’ve seen the stats, but if you win this week, you’ll tie Jeff Gordon for the most road courses in a row. What would that mean to you?“Yeah, first, afternoon, everyone. Yeah, it’d be pretty cool. Kevin Harvick, I did an interview with him the other day, and he brought that up, so it’d be cool to do that. Very different time with a lot more races per year, but I guess as a crew, last year we had an amazing year and it’d be awesome to carry that on this year.”  It seems like at COTA, you’re human, you haven’t won here yet… so what makes this place so tricky? “Yeah, it’s a tough track, and I think it’s also an easy track. You see the gaps between cars are a lot closer, so it’s more down to executing, not making mistakes and qualifying well. I think you don’t see a big field spread like other tracks, talent-wise. And last year, COTA was only the third or fourth race again, too. So yeah, very new crew within Trackhouse. I made some mistakes. We weren’t quite there yet as a team early in the year, so hopefully that compounds and we’re a bit stronger this year.”  With the change to the Chase, as opposed to the “win and you’re in”, on road courses, do you anticipate any different decisions, where people are going to pit early to try to make a contention for the win late, as opposed to staying up and getting points in the stages?“Yeah, it’ll definitely change that dynamic. And especially on this track, you have a short amount of time really that you have to be close to the leader to have that extra lap to decide if you’re going to pit or not, so hopefully you’re in the lead or close and you can decide. But it’s definitely going to change, I think, how many people flip stages. You know, the points are so important this year, and it might even change us. If we’re not the dominant car, you might sacrifice the stage to get the points. Yeah, it’s all about points accumulation for us this year.”   On a wildly different note, I know when you were in New Zealand doing a competition with ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett and Liam Lawson. I was just curious, is that the first time that you’ve jumped a lawnmower? “On a lawnmower? Yeah, and I wouldn’t recommend that (laughs). But it was a lot of fun playing around with those guys. At Red Bull, we do some pretty cool stuff. It was awesome.”  I think of you as at least somewhat of a semi-private person, and you opened your life up to this documentary that’s coming out. Was that hard for you to sort of open up on everything… your family and have all that stuff out there?“Yeah, I don’t really like doing it, I guess. In this day and age, people have so much access to you. I love people knowing more about my racing life, but I love going away, going home and no one knowing what I do, as well, is kind of cool. There’s still some things you like to keep private, but it was cool to show off our cars, I guess; my relationship with Dad and how much fun we still have hanging out. Yeah, I think he talked a lot about mom and stuff, so yeah, it was pretty cool…. (inaudible).”  I just want to get your general thoughts on the track here (at COTA). We touched on it earlier, you won on every road course last year except for this one, so does that make you even hungrier to win here?“Yeah, I do like the track. I love coming here. The weather’s a bit nicer than where we’re living. But yeah, it’s an odd track with how much grip is off the track. You know, you see everyone blowing the corners to try and get the grip off the track. It’s very different the way you drive. The restart zone is pretty chaotic into turn one… how wide it is, you know, it’s crazy. But yeah, we just have to hopefully have two good races and try and get some results.  But yeah, I like the place, I just haven’t managed to put a whole race together. I think every race I’ve done here in NASCAR, I’ve been reasonably quick, but for one reason or another, I haven’t managed to get it done.” Have you had a chance to enjoy Austin while you’re here? Maybe food, music, you name it…“Yeah, we’re going to Trackhouse Live tonight in town to have a look. I remember when I was here for the V8 Supercars race, I stayed an extra few days and went to some barbecue places and some hot rod shops. It was cool. But yeah, nowadays, we’re kind of in and out. It’s hard to look around, but I don’t mind this place.”   You mentioned, of course, the track is shortened. You’ve seen races here on the full course. Do you prefer one over the other?“I like the short track, yeah. The long track was great, too. But I think doing more laps, you get more chances to pass the crowd and better passing opportunities, too. It’s a lot more technical, I think, the sections that they’ve done. We haven’t really missed much by doing a shorter track, so I think it was a good thing. I think it was a good thing they listened and did the next cut through rather than the one we did in Supercars. It made for some pretty good racing and good passing last year.”  There’s no secret about the expectation that this is going to be a duel between you and Connor (Zilisch). I was wondering if you could kind of size up that matchup. And also, who else do you expect to be really at the front? You know, Tyler (Reddick) is going for history, and he’s won here before…“Yeah, I think on road course weekends, I find there’s probably six to eight guys that you see consistently up there and guys that are really highly good to race. You just don’t know in NASCAR. Everything’s so close. It’s who nails it on the weekend with preparation. And, yeah, there’s always some good drivers up front. And with Connor (Zilisch), it’s exciting, too. Pretty cool talent coming into this level now and obviously in the same equipment as me, too, so it’s going to be good. And as Justin (Marks) said in the meeting we had earlier in the week, we’re in a pretty cool position as a team. It’s special. We’ve got to take advantage of it and make sure we get it right and one of us needs to win, which would be cool.”   This new 750 horsepower package, somewhat similar to the old Supercar days. Is that going to play in your wheelhouse, or do you still need some more practice with the 750 to figure out how close it’s going to be?“No, the Supercar had less, actually. They had 640, 650. But, yeah, I haven’t really noticed it so far. At Bowman Gray, you couldn’t really use the power, I guess. But, yeah, with tomorrow being hot and slick, you’ll probably notice the power then and certainly fight for rear tire life. But, yeah, I don’t know. I haven’t really noticed it so far.”

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESFirestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit St. Petersburg, FloridaFriday Practice ReportFebruary 27, 2026 ST PETERSBURG, FL (February 27, 2026) Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin was doubly quick in the opening practice for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The driver of the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet led the way on the Primary (black) and Alternate (Red) Firestone Firehawk race tires.  “Decent first day,” said McLaughlin after getting out of the car. “Obviously being P1 is a great start. The DEX Imaging Chevy was straight away fast, and felt good and comfortable. It’s good for us. It’s the start of a long season and it was nice to have a smooth session to start. We’ll keep pressing on and see how we go.” The first practice on the road and street course is split into three portions, with the entire field running the first 40 minutes, and the field split in two for a pair of 12-minute sessions.  McLaughlin, in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, led the 40-minute portion of practice on the blacks with a lap at 61.5938 seconds on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit.  McLaughlin wasn’t the only Team Penske driver to make headlines in the first 40 minutes of practice on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit.  His newest teammate, David Malukas, in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, was the only driver to utilize the Firestone Firehawk Alternate (red) tires, while Josef Newgarden, in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet, went for a wild ride through Turns 11 & 12 before ending up nudging the tire barrier on the outside of the final corner.  Newgarden got back on track for his 12-minute session, getting a good read on his red tire run.  David Malukas was the only car to get an extended run on reds during the first 40 minutes.  McLaughlin’s best lap on reds during his 12-minute session was 61.1020 seconds on his 24th of 27 laps.  Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet, Malukas and Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet were also in the top ten on Friday.  The second NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice begins at 9:35 am and airs on FS1; qualifying starts at 4:35 pm and airs on FS2.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Friday Practice Combined Timesheet:

Tune-In Guide: SaturdayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 9:30am (ET)/8:30am (CT)/7:30am (MT)/6:30am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 SundayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 9am (ET)/8am (CT)/7am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (100 laps) – noon (ET)/11am (CT)/10am (MT)/9am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Chevrolet history on the Streets of St. Petersburg

Wins – 9 2024 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2016 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2014 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – James Hinchcliffe – Team Penske2012 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

Poles – 10 2025 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Will Power – Team Penske2019 – Will Power – Team Penske2017 – Will Power – Team Penske2016 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – Will Power – Team Penske2012 – Will Power – Team Penske

Podiums: 25 Chevrolet driver podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (5), Josef Newgarden (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Simon Pagenaud (3), Juan Montoya (2), Marco Andretti (1), James Hinchcliffe (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Tony Kanaan (1), Scott McLaughlin (1) Chevrolet team podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (18), Andretti Global (3), Arrow McLaren (3), Chip Ganassi Racing (1) Laps Led: 754 Chevrolet driver laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (213), Scott McLaughlin (127), Josef Newgarden (83), Helio Castroneves (73), Juan Montoya (71), Simon Pagenaud (64), James Hinchcliffe (26), Christian Lundgaard (23), Pato O’Ward (23), Oriol Servia (16), Rinus VeeKay (13), Ryan Briscoe (9), Jordan King (5), Tomas Enge (4), JR Hildebrand (3), Mike Conway (1) Chevrolet team laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (640), Arrow McLaren (46), Andretti Global (26), ECR (19), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (16), Panther Racing (7)

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESFirestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit St. Petersburg, FloridaFriday Practice ReportFebruary 27, 2026 ST PETERSBURG, FL (February 27, 2026) Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin was doubly quick in the opening practice for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The driver of the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet led the way on the Primary (black) and Alternate (Red) Firestone Firehawk race tires.  “Decent first day,” said McLaughlin after getting out of the car. “Obviously being P1 is a great start. The DEX Imaging Chevy was straight away fast, and felt good and comfortable. It’s good for us. It’s the start of a long season and it was nice to have a smooth session to start. We’ll keep pressing on and see how we go.” The first practice on the road and street course is split into three portions, with the entire field running the first 40 minutes, and the field split in two for a pair of 12-minute sessions.  McLaughlin, in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, led the 40-minute portion of practice on the blacks with a lap at 61.5938 seconds on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit.  McLaughlin wasn’t the only Team Penske driver to make headlines in the first 40 minutes of practice on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit.  His newest teammate, David Malukas, in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, was the only driver to utilize the Firestone Firehawk Alternate (red) tires, while Josef Newgarden, in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet, went for a wild ride through Turns 11 & 12 before ending up nudging the tire barrier on the outside of the final corner.  Newgarden got back on track for his 12-minute session, getting a good read on his red tire run.  David Malukas was the only car to get an extended run on reds during the first 40 minutes.  McLaughlin’s best lap on reds during his 12-minute session was 61.1020 seconds on his 24th of 27 laps.  Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet, Malukas and Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet were also in the top ten on Friday.  The second NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice begins at 9:35 am and airs on FS1; qualifying starts at 4:35 pm and airs on FS2.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Friday Practice Combined Timesheet:

Tune-In Guide: SaturdayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 9:30am (ET)/8:30am (CT)/7:30am (MT)/6:30am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 SundayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 9am (ET)/8am (CT)/7am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (100 laps) – noon (ET)/11am (CT)/10am (MT)/9am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Chevrolet history on the Streets of St. Petersburg

Wins – 9 2024 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2016 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2014 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – James Hinchcliffe – Team Penske2012 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

Poles – 10 2025 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Will Power – Team Penske2019 – Will Power – Team Penske2017 – Will Power – Team Penske2016 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – Will Power – Team Penske2012 – Will Power – Team Penske

Podiums: 25 Chevrolet driver podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (5), Josef Newgarden (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Simon Pagenaud (3), Juan Montoya (2), Marco Andretti (1), James Hinchcliffe (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Tony Kanaan (1), Scott McLaughlin (1) Chevrolet team podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (18), Andretti Global (3), Arrow McLaren (3), Chip Ganassi Racing (1) Laps Led: 754 Chevrolet driver laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (213), Scott McLaughlin (127), Josef Newgarden (83), Helio Castroneves (73), Juan Montoya (71), Simon Pagenaud (64), James Hinchcliffe (26), Christian Lundgaard (23), Pato O’Ward (23), Oriol Servia (16), Rinus VeeKay (13), Ryan Briscoe (9), Jordan King (5), Tomas Enge (4), JR Hildebrand (3), Mike Conway (1) Chevrolet team laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (640), Arrow McLaren (46), Andretti Global (26), ECR (19), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (16), Panther Racing (7)

Manufacturer History on the Streets Of St. Petersburg  Wins (with competition)  9 – Chevrolet (2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)6 – Honda (2025, 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2005) Poles (with competition)  10 – Chevrolet (2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012)5 – Honda (2023, 2021, 2018, 2014, 2005) Historical Chevrolet in the INDYCAR SERIES information INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturer Championships (since 1979)Chevrolet-Powered Wins in the Twin-Turbo 2.2L V6 Era (2012-present)Chevrolet-Powered Wins – All-Time

BARBERVILLE, FL (February 27, 2026) – Volusia Speedway Park was unforgiving to Carson Macedo and Jason Johnson Racing in 2024.

The pairing entered the year with hopes of challenging for their first World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship. But four nights outside the top 10 to start the year buried them in a deep hole. They did all they could to climb out, but ultimately the gap proved too large. Macedo settled for runner-up in the standings as David Gravel was crowned champion.

The next year, Macedo won the season opener, but it only awarded show up points. On the first full points paying night of the season, he slipped to 12th.

This year, there would be no slow start.

Only one car was on the Volusia podium all three nights during the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, and it was none other than the JJR No. 41. Macedo marched from ninth to runner-up in the season opener, came home third the next night, and finalized the week with a charge from 12th to third. The performance left Macedo trailing Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Gravel by only four markers. No huge hole to dig out of.

“Yeah, it was just a great start for us,” Macedo said. “I feel like for JJR and myself to start off on that note is big for us. I think in the past for us we’ve left Volusia with a pretty heavy deficit, not every year, but most years… It’s just tough to play the catch-up game. It’s so close.”

The early speed is a testament to the efforts of Macedo and the JJR crew. One of the areas they highlighted to improve was Qualifying. A few years ago, they were arguably the top qualifiers on the circuit before sliding a bit over the last couple seasons. They had an average Qualifying result of sixth at Volusia and were fastest in their Flight on the second night.

“I just think that JJR put in a lot of work over the off-season to better our program, especially our qualifying program,” Macedo said. “I think, other than the last night, that really showed. We had a lot of speed early in the night.”

Another factor that plagued them in 2025 was the occasional mechanical gremlin. Issues with parts can lead to DNFs and have major points implications. Last year’s issues led to five finishes outside the top 20. For reference, Gravel’s championship stats showed only four results outside the top 10. Macedo slid a spot to third in points as Buddy Kofoid climbed ahead.

Winning a World of Outlaws championship requires near perfection. There may be room for one or two DNFs but nothing beyond that. Blend a few nights of not finishing with a few more nights of bad luck that are bound to struck over the long season, and that’ll effectively end a team’s title chances.

“I think the biggest thing is just our DNFs,” Macedo said. “You can’t have those. We blew up a few engines. I know we also had some stuff happen. Then one night there in Pennsylvania I packed the hood scoop and had to go to the work area and finished in the back because there were only a few laps to go. I got a flat at Attica with like four or five to go. I was running fourth or so before that. But it has nothing to do with luck. It’s on our shoulders to make sure we don’t have failures, don’t have problems and things like that. I do think over the off-season we’ve worked really hard in that area. We spoke to Paul Kistler about the engine failures that we had, and I feel like he’s addressed them. And I think that it wasn’t on his shoulders; it was part failures and other issues. You just can’t have that stuff happen.”

Volusia is ready to breathe life back into the 2026 campaign this weekend. After three weeks off, the tour returns to the Forida 1/2 mile on Sunday-Monday, March 1-2 for the Bike Week Jamboree. Those are the first two of a 10-race March that takes the Series to eight tracks in seven states, signaling the true beginning of the grind that is The Greatest Show on Dirt.

And this time around, Macedo and the team can head to the “Sunshine State” without wondering how they’re going to get themselves back in contention. They didn’t stumble out of the gate. They’re running stride for stride with two fellow title favorites. The 29-year-old feels mentally and physically better than he has in years. They’re a championship caliber organization. Now, it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together.

“I just think it’s big to not be coming in with a deficit,” Macedo said. “It sucks having to battle back and play the catch-up game. I feel like we’re all going in tied at this point, and that makes me confident. For whatever reason, even though we’ve had a lot of speed at Volusia and won races there, it’s just been like an Achilles heel for consistency for some reason.

“I think a big deal too is just coming in healthy for the first time in a while. I feel like I’m super healthy. My body is in a good place. My head is in a good spot, and I think that’s a big deal. I don’t have any broken legs or lingering injuries or a broken back from the year before. From my Knoxville wreck, it took me a while just to get completely in a physical spot. I think that’s helpful as well.”

Macedo and the Jason Johnson Racing team continue their championship chase this Sunday-Monday, March 1-2 at Volusia Speedway Park’s Bike Week Jamboree. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

NOT PLAYING CATCH UP: Carson Macedo Confident After Early Volusia Speed

BARBERVILLE, FL (February 27, 2026) – Volusia Speedway Park was unforgiving to Carson Macedo and Jason Johnson Racing in 2024.

The pairing entered the year with hopes of challenging for their first World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship. But four nights outside the top 10 to start the year buried them in a deep hole. They did all they could to climb out, but ultimately the gap proved too large. Macedo settled for runner-up in the standings as David Gravel was crowned champion.

The next year, Macedo won the season opener, but it only awarded show up points. On the first full points paying night of the season, he slipped to 12th.

This year, there would be no slow start.

Only one car was on the Volusia podium all three nights during the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, and it was none other than the JJR No. 41. Macedo marched from ninth to runner-up in the season opener, came home third the next night, and finalized the week with a charge from 12th to third. The performance left Macedo trailing Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Gravel by only four markers. No huge hole to dig out of.

“Yeah, it was just a great start for us,” Macedo said. “I feel like for JJR and myself to start off on that note is big for us. I think in the past for us we’ve left Volusia with a pretty heavy deficit, not every year, but most years… It’s just tough to play the catch-up game. It’s so close.”

The early speed is a testament to the efforts of Macedo and the JJR crew. One of the areas they highlighted to improve was Qualifying. A few years ago, they were arguably the top qualifiers on the circuit before sliding a bit over the last couple seasons. They had an average Qualifying result of sixth at Volusia and were fastest in their Flight on the second night.

“I just think that JJR put in a lot of work over the off-season to better our program, especially our qualifying program,” Macedo said. “I think, other than the last night, that really showed. We had a lot of speed early in the night.”

Another factor that plagued them in 2025 was the occasional mechanical gremlin. Issues with parts can lead to DNFs and have major points implications. Last year’s issues led to five finishes outside the top 20. For reference, Gravel’s championship stats showed only four results outside the top 10. Macedo slid a spot to third in points as Buddy Kofoid climbed ahead.

Winning a World of Outlaws championship requires near perfection. There may be room for one or two DNFs but nothing beyond that. Blend a few nights of not finishing with a few more nights of bad luck that are bound to struck over the long season, and that’ll effectively end a team’s title chances.

“I think the biggest thing is just our DNFs,” Macedo said. “You can’t have those. We blew up a few engines. I know we also had some stuff happen. Then one night there in Pennsylvania I packed the hood scoop and had to go to the work area and finished in the back because there were only a few laps to go. I got a flat at Attica with like four or five to go. I was running fourth or so before that. But it has nothing to do with luck. It’s on our shoulders to make sure we don’t have failures, don’t have problems and things like that. I do think over the off-season we’ve worked really hard in that area. We spoke to Paul Kistler about the engine failures that we had, and I feel like he’s addressed them. And I think that it wasn’t on his shoulders; it was part failures and other issues. You just can’t have that stuff happen.”

Volusia is ready to breathe life back into the 2026 campaign this weekend. After three weeks off, the tour returns to the Forida 1/2 mile on Sunday-Monday, March 1-2 for the Bike Week Jamboree. Those are the first two of a 10-race March that takes the Series to eight tracks in seven states, signaling the true beginning of the grind that is The Greatest Show on Dirt.

And this time around, Macedo and the team can head to the “Sunshine State” without wondering how they’re going to get themselves back in contention. They didn’t stumble out of the gate. They’re running stride for stride with two fellow title favorites. The 29-year-old feels mentally and physically better than he has in years. They’re a championship caliber organization. Now, it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together.

“I just think it’s big to not be coming in with a deficit,” Macedo said. “It sucks having to battle back and play the catch-up game. I feel like we’re all going in tied at this point, and that makes me confident. For whatever reason, even though we’ve had a lot of speed at Volusia and won races there, it’s just been like an Achilles heel for consistency for some reason.

“I think a big deal too is just coming in healthy for the first time in a while. I feel like I’m super healthy. My body is in a good place. My head is in a good spot, and I think that’s a big deal. I don’t have any broken legs or lingering injuries or a broken back from the year before. From my Knoxville wreck, it took me a while just to get completely in a physical spot. I think that’s helpful as well.”

Macedo and the Jason Johnson Racing team continue their championship chase this Sunday-Monday, March 1-2 at Volusia Speedway Park’s Bike Week Jamboree. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

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

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2026) – The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which takes place March 5-8 at Gainesville Raceway, will once again kick off for fans at Burnyzz Speed Shop, March 4, with the Gatornationals FanFest hosted by Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Josh Hart and wife Brittanie Hart.

 The biggest names in NHRA will be at the Burnyzz Speed Shop FanFest in advance of the 2026 Gatornationals, photo credit Werner Communications

In advance of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season kickoff, NHRA is joining Ocala-based Top Fuel driver for John Force Racing and 2021 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Top Fuel winner Hart along with this wife Brittanie, to host the 4th annual Gatornationals FanFest. The free event will run from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Burnyzz Speed Shop. It will feature a massive car show, live music, food trucks and a driver autograph session from 7-8:30 p.m. that will include current NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series stars as well as former Gatornationals winners.
 
“Every year Brittanie (Hart, Josh’s wife) and our Burnyzz Speed Shop team do a great job organizing the FanFest and I love showing off Burnyzz Speed Shop,” said Hart. “The Gatornationals is one of the most historic motorsports events in the country and we are excited to have it in our backyard. I am looking forward to showing our shop to some of my new John Force Racing teammates and getting that second Gatornationals win. I want to thank everyone at Burnyzz Speed Shop for supporting this great event.”

 NHRA fans packed Burnyzz Speed Shop for the Gatornationals FanFest

AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS FANFEST RETURNS TO BURNYZZ SPEED SHOP ON MARCH 4

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2026) – The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, which takes place March 5-8 at Gainesville Raceway, will once again kick off for fans at Burnyzz Speed Shop, March 4, with the Gatornationals FanFest hosted by Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Josh Hart and wife Brittanie Hart.

 The biggest names in NHRA will be at the Burnyzz Speed Shop FanFest in advance of the 2026 Gatornationals, photo credit Werner Communications

In advance of NHRA’s 75th anniversary season kickoff, NHRA is joining Ocala-based Top Fuel driver for John Force Racing and 2021 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals Top Fuel winner Hart along with this wife Brittanie, to host the 4th annual Gatornationals FanFest. The free event will run from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Burnyzz Speed Shop. It will feature a massive car show, live music, food trucks and a driver autograph session from 7-8:30 p.m. that will include current NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series stars as well as former Gatornationals winners.
 
“Every year Brittanie (Hart, Josh’s wife) and our Burnyzz Speed Shop team do a great job organizing the FanFest and I love showing off Burnyzz Speed Shop,” said Hart. “The Gatornationals is one of the most historic motorsports events in the country and we are excited to have it in our backyard. I am looking forward to showing our shop to some of my new John Force Racing teammates and getting that second Gatornationals win. I want to thank everyone at Burnyzz Speed Shop for supporting this great event.”

 NHRA fans packed Burnyzz Speed Shop for the Gatornationals FanFest

Drivers and former Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals winners who are scheduled to appear include NHRA legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, Hart, John Force Racing’s Jack Beckman, Jordan Vandergriff and Alexis DeJoria, as well as Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley, racing legend Tony Stewart, 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year Spencer Hyde, Pro Stock Motorcycle reigning world champ Richard Gadson, Tony Schumacher, Jasmine Salinas, Ida Zetterstrom, former winners Darrell Gwynn, David Grubnic, Frank Hawley and Jim Yates, as well as other stars of the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
 
A full list of drivers scheduled to appear is included below.
 
Frank Hawley                              Don Garlits                       Darrell Gwynn
David Grubnic                             Jim Yates                         Josh Hart
Justin Ashley                               Doug Foley                       Jasmine Salinas
Shawn Reed                               Tony Schumacher             Tony Stewart
Ida Zetterstrom                           Will Smith                         Scott Farley
Joe Morrison                               Jack Beckman                  Jordan Vandergriff
Buddy Hull                                  Alexis DeJoria                   Spencer Hyde
Chad Green                                Hunter Green                    Chris King
Dan Wilkerson                             Paul Lee                           Dave Richards
Stephen Bell                               Eric Latino                        Ryan Oehler
 
 
In addition, NHRA will have the specialty Gatornationals trophies on display for fans and there will be several ticket giveaways for car show participants and fans.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 1:30 and 4 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, and the final two qualifying rounds on Saturday, March 7 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 8.
 
To purchase tickets to the 2026 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, including upgraded experiences in the Gainesville Top Eliminator Club, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information about the NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.

Friday Portion of Wieland Winter Nationals at Ocala Speedway Canceled Due to Severe Weather Threat

OCALA, FL – (February 27, 2026) – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing and Ocala Speedway officials have announced that the Friday portion of the Wieland Winter Nationals at Ocala Speedway has been canceled due to the forecasted threat of rain and severe thunderstorms in the evening hours. With safety as the top priority for drivers, teams, staff, and fans, officials made the decision following updated weather models indicating a significant chance of heavy rainfall, and potentially severe storm conditions throughout the evening. “We are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone involved,” said Ocala Speedway management. “Given the timing and potential severity of the incoming weather system, canceling Friday’s program is the most responsible course of action.” Friday’s event will not be rescheduled. Saturday’s finale remains on schedule, featuring a complete Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing program, including Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a 50-lap, $25,000-to-win A-Main. Pit gates are scheduled to open at 2:00 PM, with grandstand gates opening at 5:00 PM. On-track action will begin with Dirt Draft Hot Laps at 6:00 PM.  For the latest news, results, championship standings, and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit LucasDirt.com.

Declan Bender (No. 70)

Posted on behalf of On The Box Racing DAYTONA BEACH, FL (February 27, 2026) – On The Box Racing (OTB Racing) is proud to officially announce its five-rider team for the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, marking a significant expansion for the team across three premier classes: Mission AFT SuperTwins, KICKER AFT Singles, and AFT AdventureTrackers. The 2026 program represents the largest and most comprehensive effort in the team’s existence and reflects the continued support and investment from our sponsors. Competing in AFT’s premier division, the Mission AFT SuperTwins, OTB Racing will field Declan Bender and Brandon Price. Price sat out a majority of the season in 2025 due to injury, where OTB picked up Bender for the remaining eleven races of the season. Bender finished 10th overall in 2025 with one podium finish, four top five finishes, and nine top 10 finishes. Price finished 13th overall, with only competing in five of the seventeen races last year, two of which were podium finishes. “I am so excited to be back with OTB racing for this season,” says Bender. “After how we finished 2025, I can’t wait to get back in the saddle and continue where we left off. The team and I have been putting in a lot of work this off-season, and are very confident in where we believe we should be, so now we just have to turn it into reality!” Price also chimed in on his gratitude. “I’m grateful to Wayne for the opportunity to race a full season at the top level once again with OTB Racing. I’m really comfortable on the Yamaha MT-07’s and I’m looking forward to working with Mike Luczak and Wyatt Neal. I’ve been putting in the work this offseason to run up front more consistently and contend for wins.”

Brandon Price (No. 92)

For the first time, OTB also has brought on a KICKER AFT Singles rider, Bradon Pfanders. Last year, Bradon finished 6th overall in the standings with one podium and eleven top ten finishes. Pfanders is super excited for the opportunity to ride for the OTB racing team in 2026. “It’s a fresh start for me, after riding another brand for most of my career and having this opportunity to ride Yamahas I was a little skeptical at first, but maybe it’s the piece of the puzzle that’s been missing to be where I know I should be. I am confident with myself and all the people in my corner we can consistently be fighting at the front all season long.”

Brandon Pfanders (No. 83)

Wrapping up the team’s line up is the two riders who will be competing in the AFT AdventureTrackers series, Austin Luczak and Will Harris. Both Luczak and Harris competed in the class last year. Luczak ran all four races of the series, finishing 6th overall and grabbing a third place finish as well as three tops fives. Team Owner, Wayne Sody is looking forward to the new challenges. “2026 is our year. We have researched and developed new technologies which will take us to the top. Crew chief, Mike Luczak has prepared our bikes for the last two years with absolute perfection and we are so excited to have the best equipment for our riders this season. I am thrilled to have OTB represented in three classes and see what is in store for us this season. We need to show our sponsors that their dedication to the team is well deserved and will bring home the consistent podium finishes that we strive for!” OTB has also added some new faces to the pit. Mike Luczak returns as crew chief along with Wyatt Neal as Brandon Price’s mechanic and Meg Neal as team manager. Rich Pfanders will be wrenching for Declan Bender, and Ryan Wells will wrench and coach the young gun, Bradon Pfanders. Thank you to our sponsors who make this all possible – Memphis Shades, Corbin, Sody Concrete, Glen’s Auto, Luczak Racing, Rausch Racing, Vortex Brewing Company, Fredericktown Yamaha, Lisa Niner, Black Hills Powersports, Vinson Construction, Motion Pro, Vortex, Arai, ODI, RP Exhausts, and Upstate Coatings.

OTB Racing Announces Expanded Five-Rider Program for 2026 Season

Declan Bender (No. 70)

Posted on behalf of On The Box Racing DAYTONA BEACH, FL (February 27, 2026) – On The Box Racing (OTB Racing) is proud to officially announce its five-rider team for the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, marking a significant expansion for the team across three premier classes: Mission AFT SuperTwins, KICKER AFT Singles, and AFT AdventureTrackers. The 2026 program represents the largest and most comprehensive effort in the team’s existence and reflects the continued support and investment from our sponsors. Competing in AFT’s premier division, the Mission AFT SuperTwins, OTB Racing will field Declan Bender and Brandon Price. Price sat out a majority of the season in 2025 due to injury, where OTB picked up Bender for the remaining eleven races of the season. Bender finished 10th overall in 2025 with one podium finish, four top five finishes, and nine top 10 finishes. Price finished 13th overall, with only competing in five of the seventeen races last year, two of which were podium finishes. “I am so excited to be back with OTB racing for this season,” says Bender. “After how we finished 2025, I can’t wait to get back in the saddle and continue where we left off. The team and I have been putting in a lot of work this off-season, and are very confident in where we believe we should be, so now we just have to turn it into reality!” Price also chimed in on his gratitude. “I’m grateful to Wayne for the opportunity to race a full season at the top level once again with OTB Racing. I’m really comfortable on the Yamaha MT-07’s and I’m looking forward to working with Mike Luczak and Wyatt Neal. I’ve been putting in the work this offseason to run up front more consistently and contend for wins.”

Brandon Price (No. 92)

For the first time, OTB also has brought on a KICKER AFT Singles rider, Bradon Pfanders. Last year, Bradon finished 6th overall in the standings with one podium and eleven top ten finishes. Pfanders is super excited for the opportunity to ride for the OTB racing team in 2026. “It’s a fresh start for me, after riding another brand for most of my career and having this opportunity to ride Yamahas I was a little skeptical at first, but maybe it’s the piece of the puzzle that’s been missing to be where I know I should be. I am confident with myself and all the people in my corner we can consistently be fighting at the front all season long.”

Brandon Pfanders (No. 83)

Wrapping up the team’s line up is the two riders who will be competing in the AFT AdventureTrackers series, Austin Luczak and Will Harris. Both Luczak and Harris competed in the class last year. Luczak ran all four races of the series, finishing 6th overall and grabbing a third place finish as well as three tops fives. Team Owner, Wayne Sody is looking forward to the new challenges. “2026 is our year. We have researched and developed new technologies which will take us to the top. Crew chief, Mike Luczak has prepared our bikes for the last two years with absolute perfection and we are so excited to have the best equipment for our riders this season. I am thrilled to have OTB represented in three classes and see what is in store for us this season. We need to show our sponsors that their dedication to the team is well deserved and will bring home the consistent podium finishes that we strive for!” OTB has also added some new faces to the pit. Mike Luczak returns as crew chief along with Wyatt Neal as Brandon Price’s mechanic and Meg Neal as team manager. Rich Pfanders will be wrenching for Declan Bender, and Ryan Wells will wrench and coach the young gun, Bradon Pfanders. Thank you to our sponsors who make this all possible – Memphis Shades, Corbin, Sody Concrete, Glen’s Auto, Luczak Racing, Rausch Racing, Vortex Brewing Company, Fredericktown Yamaha, Lisa Niner, Black Hills Powersports, Vinson Construction, Motion Pro, Vortex, Arai, ODI, RP Exhausts, and Upstate Coatings.

Next UpThe 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season will kick off with the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA doubleheader at the DAYTONA Flat Track during Daytona’s Bike Week festivities. The twin short track races will take place at the “World Center of Racing” on Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6. To purchase tickets to the Royal Enfield Short Track at DAYTONA I & II, visit: https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack. After the season opener, America’s Original Extreme Sport will head north for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track at Senoia Raceway on March 21. Tickets are available now at https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/2026-atlanta-short-track-165280

CONCORD, NC (February 27, 2026) – Michael Ledford is picking up speed in unfamiliar territories. 

Building on a career-high season in the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds during 2025, the 21-year-old racer is preparing to take bigger steps in his career with championship hunts in the Midwest Auto Racing Series (MARS) Modified Championship and the DIRTcar National standings, while gaining seat time in a Super Late Model for the 2026 DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour. 

The Pontiac, IL native has steadily built his resumé aboard a UMP Modified at his home tracks, Fairbury Speedway and Farmer City Raceway, at the start of the decade. In 2023, Ledford ventured across Illinois and Missouri with success. He grabbed 16 wins at local races, along with his first Prairie Dirt Classic Showdown victory with the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, and his first MARS win in the season-closing FALS Frenzy. 

In 2024, Ledford failed to match his previous year’s stats, recording only four Feature wins. Deciding it was time for a reset before 2025, he joined Mike Learman’s Royal Race Cars to pilot the No. 9 house car. 

“It really starts there,” Ledford said. “I got ahold of Mike and wanted to do something a little different. I came off a pretty tough year in 2024, so I got with him and didn’t really plan on doing like a ton of Modified racing to start with. But we ended up winning the Illini 100 with the Modified and decided that we could go for a national title. But it was a really fun year, I did a lot more traveling than we ever did since we were stuck to two tracks (Fairbury and Farmer City).” 

The win at the MARS season-opener propelled Ledford to compete for the overall championship. Throughout the season, he faced an equal on-track adversary in the form of Owensboro, KY’s Cole Falloway. While Ledford topped Falloway in the wins column, the “Blue Grass State” driver scored his first MARS crown by 25 markers. Ledford finished runner-up to Falloway once more in the DIRTcar National points by 54 points. 

“I feel like we can race really hard against each other, but also really clean,” Ledford said. “I got a lot of respect for him. I hadn’t raced against him a ton previous to last year, so it was pretty cool doing that. We raced against each other almost 75% of the time, it seemed like.  

“That’s what made it tough at the end to gain points on him because he would win once and extend his lead, then I would maybe win the next one. But it canceled each other out more than anything. It was a lot of fun, but I kind of wish we were able to sometimes stay away from each other.”

After Ledford got a taste for season-long points racing, he looked to tackle a full slate with the Summit Modified Nationals for the first time in 2025. Through 14 starts, he earned a career-high three Feature wins at Macon Speedway, Farmer City, and Butler Motor Speedway, 10 top fives, and 13 top-10s en route to a third-place points finish. 

“The big thing is that a lot of the tracks were new to me,” Ledford said. “So, it’s like trying to learn how to get around there pretty good, then obviously, there’s a ton of work with these cars. I like my stuff pretty well maintained, and not having to worry about it breaking on the track. 

“It was a lot of work, but if you’re trying to get good laps, there’s no better place than the Hell Tour to get laps against really good competition. So, I’m looking forward to doing some of that with the Modified and Late Model to get some seat time, but it’s tough.” 

Ledford faced the “Sunshine State” for the first time with his UMP Modified at Volusia Speedway Park for the 55th annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. The “World’s Fastest Half Mile” took the “Madman” out of his comfort zone with the high speeds, but he adapted through the week with a showing of three top fives and two second-place runs. 

“It was really fun, the facility and everything there was really, really nice,” Ledford said. “The track races really well. I had some issues in Qualifying just because I’m not used to hammering down and not really lifting. But I think towards the end, we got a lot better. 

“I mean, the only track close to a 1/2-mile is Red Hill (Raceway), and I don’t race there very much. The rest of the stuff around here is all 1/4-miles, so it took about four or five races until I started to feel like I had a little better feel for it. Just like anything, you need laps and learn to change your driving style a little bit.” 

Moving into the 2026 season, Ledford’s primary objective will be the chase for his first MARS Modified crown. After getting a feel for points racing against Falloway, he learned valuable lessons that will help him go a long way in the 21-race journey. 

“I think that starts with the little things,” Ledford said. “There was a night I missed the Feature, and I think I had a provisional that I didn’t use, then I had a couple of DNFs here and there. Matt (Curl) and Jonathan (Clayton) do a really good job with that Series. I really like it, the pay is really good, and it gives us a good regional tour.” 

Alongside the Modified activity, Ledford will get to open up the notebook for the Super Late Model in 2026. With little expectations, it allows him to understand the machine without extra pressure to win each night. 

“I don’t have much experience, but I don’t have a ton of expectations,” Ledford said. “Which is fun for me because with the Modified, you expect to win, and then you get upset if you finish second. I’m looking forward to getting some Summer Nationals time and locally around here at Farmer City and Fairbury.” 

Ledford will be present at the 2026 MARS Modified Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment opener at Farmer City Raceway alongside the World of Outlaws Late Models presented by DIRTVision for the World of Outlaws Illini 100 on Thursday-Saturday, April 9-11. 

ILLINI 100 TICKETS 

Michael Ledford Chasing Championships in UMP Modifieds, Building Late Model Experience in 2026

CONCORD, NC (February 27, 2026) – Michael Ledford is picking up speed in unfamiliar territories. 

Building on a career-high season in the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds during 2025, the 21-year-old racer is preparing to take bigger steps in his career with championship hunts in the Midwest Auto Racing Series (MARS) Modified Championship and the DIRTcar National standings, while gaining seat time in a Super Late Model for the 2026 DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour. 

The Pontiac, IL native has steadily built his resumé aboard a UMP Modified at his home tracks, Fairbury Speedway and Farmer City Raceway, at the start of the decade. In 2023, Ledford ventured across Illinois and Missouri with success. He grabbed 16 wins at local races, along with his first Prairie Dirt Classic Showdown victory with the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, and his first MARS win in the season-closing FALS Frenzy. 

In 2024, Ledford failed to match his previous year’s stats, recording only four Feature wins. Deciding it was time for a reset before 2025, he joined Mike Learman’s Royal Race Cars to pilot the No. 9 house car. 

“It really starts there,” Ledford said. “I got ahold of Mike and wanted to do something a little different. I came off a pretty tough year in 2024, so I got with him and didn’t really plan on doing like a ton of Modified racing to start with. But we ended up winning the Illini 100 with the Modified and decided that we could go for a national title. But it was a really fun year, I did a lot more traveling than we ever did since we were stuck to two tracks (Fairbury and Farmer City).” 

The win at the MARS season-opener propelled Ledford to compete for the overall championship. Throughout the season, he faced an equal on-track adversary in the form of Owensboro, KY’s Cole Falloway. While Ledford topped Falloway in the wins column, the “Blue Grass State” driver scored his first MARS crown by 25 markers. Ledford finished runner-up to Falloway once more in the DIRTcar National points by 54 points. 

“I feel like we can race really hard against each other, but also really clean,” Ledford said. “I got a lot of respect for him. I hadn’t raced against him a ton previous to last year, so it was pretty cool doing that. We raced against each other almost 75% of the time, it seemed like.  

“That’s what made it tough at the end to gain points on him because he would win once and extend his lead, then I would maybe win the next one. But it canceled each other out more than anything. It was a lot of fun, but I kind of wish we were able to sometimes stay away from each other.”

After Ledford got a taste for season-long points racing, he looked to tackle a full slate with the Summit Modified Nationals for the first time in 2025. Through 14 starts, he earned a career-high three Feature wins at Macon Speedway, Farmer City, and Butler Motor Speedway, 10 top fives, and 13 top-10s en route to a third-place points finish. 

“The big thing is that a lot of the tracks were new to me,” Ledford said. “So, it’s like trying to learn how to get around there pretty good, then obviously, there’s a ton of work with these cars. I like my stuff pretty well maintained, and not having to worry about it breaking on the track. 

“It was a lot of work, but if you’re trying to get good laps, there’s no better place than the Hell Tour to get laps against really good competition. So, I’m looking forward to doing some of that with the Modified and Late Model to get some seat time, but it’s tough.” 

Ledford faced the “Sunshine State” for the first time with his UMP Modified at Volusia Speedway Park for the 55th annual Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals. The “World’s Fastest Half Mile” took the “Madman” out of his comfort zone with the high speeds, but he adapted through the week with a showing of three top fives and two second-place runs. 

“It was really fun, the facility and everything there was really, really nice,” Ledford said. “The track races really well. I had some issues in Qualifying just because I’m not used to hammering down and not really lifting. But I think towards the end, we got a lot better. 

“I mean, the only track close to a 1/2-mile is Red Hill (Raceway), and I don’t race there very much. The rest of the stuff around here is all 1/4-miles, so it took about four or five races until I started to feel like I had a little better feel for it. Just like anything, you need laps and learn to change your driving style a little bit.” 

Moving into the 2026 season, Ledford’s primary objective will be the chase for his first MARS Modified crown. After getting a feel for points racing against Falloway, he learned valuable lessons that will help him go a long way in the 21-race journey. 

“I think that starts with the little things,” Ledford said. “There was a night I missed the Feature, and I think I had a provisional that I didn’t use, then I had a couple of DNFs here and there. Matt (Curl) and Jonathan (Clayton) do a really good job with that Series. I really like it, the pay is really good, and it gives us a good regional tour.” 

Alongside the Modified activity, Ledford will get to open up the notebook for the Super Late Model in 2026. With little expectations, it allows him to understand the machine without extra pressure to win each night. 

“I don’t have much experience, but I don’t have a ton of expectations,” Ledford said. “Which is fun for me because with the Modified, you expect to win, and then you get upset if you finish second. I’m looking forward to getting some Summer Nationals time and locally around here at Farmer City and Fairbury.” 

Ledford will be present at the 2026 MARS Modified Championship presented by Summit Racing Equipment opener at Farmer City Raceway alongside the World of Outlaws Late Models presented by DIRTVision for the World of Outlaws Illini 100 on Thursday-Saturday, April 9-11. 

ILLINI 100 TICKETS 

How can you watch the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Summer Nationals? Live on DIRTVision. 

OCALA, FL (February 26, 2026) – Hudson O’Neal passed race-long leader Kyle Bronson on lap 14 and never looked back, capturing Thursday night’s Wieland Winter Nationals feature for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing at Ocala Speedway. O’Neal, who started ninth, earned $10,000 for his second career victory at Ocala. Devin Moran finished second, followed by Bronson, Ricky Thornton Jr., and Tim McCreadie. Despite a late-race caution with three laps remaining, O’Neal maintained control and crossed the finish line 0.924 seconds ahead of Moran. The win marked O’Neal’s 36th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory and his sixth overall triumph of the season – a total that leads the nation. With the win, he also takes over the series points lead heading into Friday night’s $12,000-to-win main event. “It got latched up pretty early, and I was a little nervous,” said the Martinsville, Indiana native. “I was trying to use the right front and not the right rear, keeping the right rear underneath me. I wanted to make sure I didn’t have a flat, especially as hard as I was going to have to run after that last caution to get away from them. It’s pretty awesome to get one here in the middle of the week. Hopefully, this is what’s to come for the rest of the week. “It’s been a really good year so far, and I am very blessed in that aspect of life.” Moran, the defending series champion, came home second after starting seventh. “I was just holding on. I didn’t have much tire left,” Moran said. “Like I said last night, it doesn’t matter what the track conditions are here at Ocala — I love coming here. In three nights, I’ve got three podiums. We just need to work on our early program again. We were good early in the week, but we kind of made the wrong calls the last night or two. We’ll get back to our notebook and figure out what we can do the rest of the week.” Bronson, who led the opening 13 laps, rounded out the Big River Steel Podium despite battling handling issues. “It’s definitely good to run well. We had a really good race car, but the bumper got knocked off on the left front when I hit the wall on the first lap,” Bronson said. “I think me and JD got tight there — maybe he clipped the right rear quarter panel. I’ll have to watch the video. Hopefully he’s okay. I want to thank my guys for not giving up on me. It’s been a tough road here.” The winning Todd and Vickie Burns, SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Wheeler Metals, Merrill Bonding Company, Professional Concrete Cutting and Drilling, O’Neal’s Salvage and Recycling, Lineal Contracting, Seven Spurs Ranch, Beeman Lumber, Lucas Oil Products, Indiana USSSA Fast Pitch Softball, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Penske Racing Shocks. Completing the top ten were Brandon Overton, Carson Ferguson, Boom Briggs, Drake Troutman, and Dennis Erb Jr. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Wieland Winter NationalsThursday, February 26, 2026Ocala Speedway | Ocala, FL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Dallon Murty | 14.232 seconds (Overall)Fast Time Group B: Jonathan Davenport | 14.449 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 2. 13-Dallon Murty[1]; 3. 71-Hudson O’Neal[4]; 4. 09-Michael Leach[3]; 5. 79-Cory Hedgecock[6]; 6. 93-Carson Ferguson[7]; 7. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 8. 9-Tim McCreadie[8]; 9. 8-Dillon McCowan[10]; 10. 81F-Jadon Frame[9]; 11. 93L-Cory Lawler[11] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[4]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[2]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[6]; 5. 60-Dan Ebert[5]; 6. 77-Preston Luckman[8]; 7. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[7]; 8. 32J-Justin Weaver[10]; 9. 17SR-Brody Smith[9]; 10. 16-Tyler Bruening[3] Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 58V-Daulton Wilson[2]; 3. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[3]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[5]; 5. 19M-Brenden Smith[4]; 6. 111-Max Blair[7]; 7. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[6]; 8. 6-Clay Harris[8]; 9. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[9]; 10. 15K-Cody Overton[10] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 2. 1-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 3. 22*-Drake Troutman[3]; 4. 11-Josh Rice[5]; 5. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 6. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[8]; 7. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 8. 15-Clay Stuckey[9]; 9. 55-Eli Johnson[10]; 10. C4-Freddie Carpenter[7] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 93-Carson Ferguson[3]; 2. 60-Dan Ebert[2]; 3. 9-Tim McCreadie[7]; 4. 79-Cory Hedgecock[1]; 5. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 6. 77-Preston Luckman[4]; 7. 8-Dillon McCowan[9]; 8. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[6]; 9. 81F-Jadon Frame[11]; 10. 93L-Cory Lawler[13]; 11. 32J-Justin Weaver[8]; 12. 17SR-Brody Smith[10]; 13. (DNS) 16-Tyler Bruening UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 19M-Brenden Smith[1]; 2. 111-Max Blair[3]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 4. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[5]; 5. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[4]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 15-Clay Stuckey[8]; 8. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[9]; 9. 55-Eli Johnson[10]; 10. C4-Freddie Carpenter[12]; 11. 6-Clay Harris[7]; 12. 15K-Cody Overton[11] Wieland Winter Nationals Feature Finish (40 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 9 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $10,0002 – 7 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $5,5003 – 1 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $3,5004 – 10 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $2,7005 – 21 – 9 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – $2,5006 – 4 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $2,4007 – 17 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $2,2008 – 15 – 99B – Boom Briggs – Bear Lake, PA – $2,1009 – 12 – 22* – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – $2,05010 – 14 – 28 – Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – $2,00011 – 22 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $1,60012 – 13 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – $1,40013 – 24 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $1,20014 – 19 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $1,00015 – 20 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $95016 – 16 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $92517 – 3 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $90018 – 8 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $87519 – 23 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – $85020 – 26 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – $12521 – 18 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $80022 – 28 – 79 – Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – $10023 – 25 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – $10024 – 27 – C4 – Freddie Carpenter – Parkersburg, WV – $10025 – 6 – 58V – Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – $80026 – 5 – 13 – Dallon Murty – Chelsea, IA – $80027 – 11 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $80028 – 2 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – $900 Race Statistics  Entrants: 41Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Kyle BronsonMD3 Lap Leaders: Kyle Bronson (Laps 1-13); Hudson O’Neal (Laps 14-40)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Hudson O’NealWieland Feature Winner: Hudson O’NealMargin of Victory: 0.924 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Kyle Bronson, Jonathan Davenport (Initial Start); Dallon Murty, Garrett Alberson (Lap 1); Brandon Sheppard (Lap 4); Freddie Carpenter (Lap 5); Brenden Smith (Lap 37)MyRacePass Series Provisionals: Daniel Hilsabeck, Clay HarrisFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: Cory Lawler, Ross Robinson, Freddie Carpenter, Cory HedgecockTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle BronsonPenske Shocks Top 5: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle Bronson, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Tim McCreadieBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle BronsonPEM 4th Place Feature: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Diversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Tim McCreadieWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Carson FergusonWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Tyler ErbVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Clay HarrisXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Max BlairHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Tim McCreadie (Advanced 16 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Hudson O’Neal (27 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Hudson O’NealMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon OvertonO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Hudson O’Neal | Lap 39 | 15.384 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Jonathan DavenportVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Hudson O’NealOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Jason DurhamARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brenden Smith | 14.3025 secondsTime of Race: 32 minutes 01 seconds Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP:Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Earnings1 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 935 – $37,0002 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 905 – $35,7003 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 890 – $19,3004 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 790 – $27,2755 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 770 – $10,7006 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 740 – $17,2007 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 730 – $9,2008 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 705 – $9,0509 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 705 – $8,92510 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – 700 – $8,12511 – 3s – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 680 – $8,50012 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 675 – $7,10013 – 79 – Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 670 – $6,60014 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 660 – $9,80015 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 550 – $4,45016 – 13 – Dallon Murty – Chelsea, IA – 525 – $4,45017 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – 525 – $3,40018 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 520 – $4,57519 – 5 – Mark Whitener – Middleburg, FL – 515 – $5,40020 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – 515 – $3,82521 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 500 – $3,70022 – 77 – Preston Luckman – Coos Bay, OR – 490 – $2,92523 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 485 – $2,17524 – 76N – Blair Nothdurft – Renner, SD – 485 – $2,75025 – 81F – Jadon Frame – Winchester, TN – 455 – $2,00026 – 32J – Justin Weaver – Clearspring, MD – 445 – $1,30027 – 15 – Clay Stuckey – Shreveport, LA – 445 – $60028 – 99JR – Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – 425 – $2,80029 – C4 – Freddie Carpenter – Parkersburg, WV – 420 – $60030 – 44 – Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 405 – $3,200

O’Neal Captures Thursday Night Victory at Wieland Winter Nationals in Ocala

OCALA, FL (February 26, 2026) – Hudson O’Neal passed race-long leader Kyle Bronson on lap 14 and never looked back, capturing Thursday night’s Wieland Winter Nationals feature for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing at Ocala Speedway. O’Neal, who started ninth, earned $10,000 for his second career victory at Ocala. Devin Moran finished second, followed by Bronson, Ricky Thornton Jr., and Tim McCreadie. Despite a late-race caution with three laps remaining, O’Neal maintained control and crossed the finish line 0.924 seconds ahead of Moran. The win marked O’Neal’s 36th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory and his sixth overall triumph of the season – a total that leads the nation. With the win, he also takes over the series points lead heading into Friday night’s $12,000-to-win main event. “It got latched up pretty early, and I was a little nervous,” said the Martinsville, Indiana native. “I was trying to use the right front and not the right rear, keeping the right rear underneath me. I wanted to make sure I didn’t have a flat, especially as hard as I was going to have to run after that last caution to get away from them. It’s pretty awesome to get one here in the middle of the week. Hopefully, this is what’s to come for the rest of the week. “It’s been a really good year so far, and I am very blessed in that aspect of life.” Moran, the defending series champion, came home second after starting seventh. “I was just holding on. I didn’t have much tire left,” Moran said. “Like I said last night, it doesn’t matter what the track conditions are here at Ocala — I love coming here. In three nights, I’ve got three podiums. We just need to work on our early program again. We were good early in the week, but we kind of made the wrong calls the last night or two. We’ll get back to our notebook and figure out what we can do the rest of the week.” Bronson, who led the opening 13 laps, rounded out the Big River Steel Podium despite battling handling issues. “It’s definitely good to run well. We had a really good race car, but the bumper got knocked off on the left front when I hit the wall on the first lap,” Bronson said. “I think me and JD got tight there — maybe he clipped the right rear quarter panel. I’ll have to watch the video. Hopefully he’s okay. I want to thank my guys for not giving up on me. It’s been a tough road here.” The winning Todd and Vickie Burns, SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Wheeler Metals, Merrill Bonding Company, Professional Concrete Cutting and Drilling, O’Neal’s Salvage and Recycling, Lineal Contracting, Seven Spurs Ranch, Beeman Lumber, Lucas Oil Products, Indiana USSSA Fast Pitch Softball, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Penske Racing Shocks. Completing the top ten were Brandon Overton, Carson Ferguson, Boom Briggs, Drake Troutman, and Dennis Erb Jr. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Wieland Winter NationalsThursday, February 26, 2026Ocala Speedway | Ocala, FL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Dallon Murty | 14.232 seconds (Overall)Fast Time Group B: Jonathan Davenport | 14.449 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 2. 13-Dallon Murty[1]; 3. 71-Hudson O’Neal[4]; 4. 09-Michael Leach[3]; 5. 79-Cory Hedgecock[6]; 6. 93-Carson Ferguson[7]; 7. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 8. 9-Tim McCreadie[8]; 9. 8-Dillon McCowan[10]; 10. 81F-Jadon Frame[9]; 11. 93L-Cory Lawler[11] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[4]; 3. 58-Garrett Alberson[2]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[6]; 5. 60-Dan Ebert[5]; 6. 77-Preston Luckman[8]; 7. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[7]; 8. 32J-Justin Weaver[10]; 9. 17SR-Brody Smith[9]; 10. 16-Tyler Bruening[3] Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 2. 58V-Daulton Wilson[2]; 3. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[3]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[5]; 5. 19M-Brenden Smith[4]; 6. 111-Max Blair[7]; 7. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[6]; 8. 6-Clay Harris[8]; 9. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[9]; 10. 15K-Cody Overton[10] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 2. 1-Brandon Sheppard[1]; 3. 22*-Drake Troutman[3]; 4. 11-Josh Rice[5]; 5. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 6. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[8]; 7. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 8. 15-Clay Stuckey[9]; 9. 55-Eli Johnson[10]; 10. C4-Freddie Carpenter[7] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 93-Carson Ferguson[3]; 2. 60-Dan Ebert[2]; 3. 9-Tim McCreadie[7]; 4. 79-Cory Hedgecock[1]; 5. 18-Chase Junghans[5]; 6. 77-Preston Luckman[4]; 7. 8-Dillon McCowan[9]; 8. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[6]; 9. 81F-Jadon Frame[11]; 10. 93L-Cory Lawler[13]; 11. 32J-Justin Weaver[8]; 12. 17SR-Brody Smith[10]; 13. (DNS) 16-Tyler Bruening UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 19M-Brenden Smith[1]; 2. 111-Max Blair[3]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 4. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[5]; 5. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[4]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 15-Clay Stuckey[8]; 8. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[9]; 9. 55-Eli Johnson[10]; 10. C4-Freddie Carpenter[12]; 11. 6-Clay Harris[7]; 12. 15K-Cody Overton[11] Wieland Winter Nationals Feature Finish (40 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 9 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $10,0002 – 7 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $5,5003 – 1 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $3,5004 – 10 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $2,7005 – 21 – 9 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – $2,5006 – 4 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $2,4007 – 17 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $2,2008 – 15 – 99B – Boom Briggs – Bear Lake, PA – $2,1009 – 12 – 22* – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – $2,05010 – 14 – 28 – Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – $2,00011 – 22 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $1,60012 – 13 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – $1,40013 – 24 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $1,20014 – 19 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $1,00015 – 20 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – $95016 – 16 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $92517 – 3 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $90018 – 8 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $87519 – 23 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – $85020 – 26 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – $12521 – 18 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $80022 – 28 – 79 – Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – $10023 – 25 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – $10024 – 27 – C4 – Freddie Carpenter – Parkersburg, WV – $10025 – 6 – 58V – Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – $80026 – 5 – 13 – Dallon Murty – Chelsea, IA – $80027 – 11 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $80028 – 2 – 49 – Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA – $900 Race Statistics  Entrants: 41Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Kyle BronsonMD3 Lap Leaders: Kyle Bronson (Laps 1-13); Hudson O’Neal (Laps 14-40)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Hudson O’NealWieland Feature Winner: Hudson O’NealMargin of Victory: 0.924 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Kyle Bronson, Jonathan Davenport (Initial Start); Dallon Murty, Garrett Alberson (Lap 1); Brandon Sheppard (Lap 4); Freddie Carpenter (Lap 5); Brenden Smith (Lap 37)MyRacePass Series Provisionals: Daniel Hilsabeck, Clay HarrisFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: Cory Lawler, Ross Robinson, Freddie Carpenter, Cory HedgecockTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle BronsonPenske Shocks Top 5: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle Bronson, Ricky Thornton, Jr., Tim McCreadieBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Kyle BronsonPEM 4th Place Feature: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Diversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Tim McCreadieWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Carson FergusonWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Tyler ErbVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Clay HarrisXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Max BlairHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Tim McCreadie (Advanced 16 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Hudson O’Neal (27 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Hudson O’NealMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon OvertonO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Hudson O’Neal | Lap 39 | 15.384 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Jonathan DavenportVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Hudson O’NealOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Jason DurhamARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brenden Smith | 14.3025 secondsTime of Race: 32 minutes 01 seconds Big River Steel Championship Standings Presented by ARP:Pos – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Points – Earnings1 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 935 – $37,0002 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 905 – $35,7003 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – 890 – $19,3004 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 790 – $27,2755 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – 770 – $10,7006 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – 740 – $17,2007 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 730 – $9,2008 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – 705 – $9,0509 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – 705 – $8,92510 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – 700 – $8,12511 – 3s – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – 680 – $8,50012 – 111 – Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 675 – $7,10013 – 79 – Cory Hedgecock – Loudon, TN – 670 – $6,60014 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – 660 – $9,80015 – 22 – Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 550 – $4,45016 – 13 – Dallon Murty – Chelsea, IA – 525 – $4,45017 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – 525 – $3,40018 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – 520 – $4,57519 – 5 – Mark Whitener – Middleburg, FL – 515 – $5,40020 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – 515 – $3,82521 – 93L – Cory Lawler – Hanover, PA – 500 – $3,70022 – 77 – Preston Luckman – Coos Bay, OR – 490 – $2,92523 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – 485 – $2,17524 – 76N – Blair Nothdurft – Renner, SD – 485 – $2,75025 – 81F – Jadon Frame – Winchester, TN – 455 – $2,00026 – 32J – Justin Weaver – Clearspring, MD – 445 – $1,30027 – 15 – Clay Stuckey – Shreveport, LA – 445 – $60028 – 99JR – Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – 425 – $2,80029 – C4 – Freddie Carpenter – Parkersburg, WV – 420 – $60030 – 44 – Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 405 – $3,200

CONCORD, NC (February 26, 2026) – The Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals in early February may officially signal the start of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season, but the month of March is when the campaign truly comes alive.

After a few weeks off, The Greatest Show on Dirt is set to tackle a stretch of 10 races in 28 days that will take the world’s best Sprint Car drivers to eight tracks in seven states. It starts with a return to Florida and journeys along the country’s southern rim before wrapping up in the Midwest.

Let’s look at where to find the World of Outlaws in March:

Volusia Speedway Park | Bike Week Jamboree (March 1-2): The “Sunshine State” welcomes the tour on the first day of the month as the World of Outlaws are set to bring some four-wheel flavor to Florida’s Bike Week. Whether you’re local to the area or a biker who rode in from afar, Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park is the place to be on the evenings of Sunday-Monday, March 1-2. David Gravel swept last year’s Bike Week Jamboree.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Talladega Short Track | Dega Duel (March 6): It’s a quick turnaround after Volusia as the teams have just three days off before it’s race day at Eastaboga, AL’s Talladega Short Track. The 1/3-mile dirt track sits down the street from its pavement counterpart, the 2.66 mile Talladega Superspeedway. It’ll mark Talladega’s 14th time hosting the World of Outlaws. The track is home to David Gravel’s first victory (2011). Current full-timers Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Bill Balog are also former Talladega winners.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Magnolia Motor Speedway | Black Ice Brawl (March 7): The only Mississippi visit of the year brings the tour to Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS. The Series’ first stop at “The Mag” in 2021 was topped by Sheldon Haudenschild. More dates followed in 2023 and 2025, and this year will mark the first time Magnolia has hosted the World of Outlaws in consecutive seasons.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Kennedale Speedway Park | Cowtown Classic (March 13-14): Mid-March takes the World of Outlaws to their home state as Kennedale Speedway Park plays host for a full weekend of action. Carson Macedo claimed the Series debut at Kennedale in 2024. Last year continued the tradition of Californians conquering the “Lone Star State” track as Fresno’s Giovanni Scelzi and Penngrove’s Buddy Kofoid split victories.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Lawton Speedway | Sooner Stampede (March 20): An all-Oklahoma weekend opens at Lawton Speedway. The “Sooner State” oval appeared on the schedule twice during the inaugural season in 1978, with Rick Ferkel and Sammy Swindell bagging the wins. The track was frequently visited through the early 1980s before a long hiatus and has since become a staple once again with Daryn Pittman, Carson Macedo, and Buddy Kofoid claiming the trio of trips in the 2020s.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Creek County Speedway | Creekadega 40 (March 21): Yes, Oklahoma, it’s happening. The Greatest Show on Dirt is invading “Creekadega.” The World of Outlaws will make their debut at Sapulpa, OK’s Creek County Speedway to close the “Sooner State” weekend. Combine the best Sprint Car drivers with this bullring, and the result promises to be a thriller. The American Sprint Car Series has delivered many exciting races at Creek County over the years.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

US 36 Raceway | KC Classic (March 27): Sprint Car fans across the country rejoiced when this “Show-Me State” gem was put back on the World of Outlaws calendar. Sprint Cars at US 36 Raceway simply do not miss, and the Osborn, MO track is set to start a weekend in the Midwest. Jac Haudenschild won the Series debut at US 36 in 2006, and the place seems to suit the Haudenschild style as his son Sheldon boasts a pair of victories there (2020 and 2023).

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

81 Speedway | Tallgrass Tussle (March 28): The first of three scheduled nights in Kansas on the 2026 calendar punctuates the month of March. Park City, KS’ 81 Speedway is the destination. Sammy Swindell dominated the opening chapter of the track’s history with the World of Outlaws by winning the first five races. Ten-time champion Donny Schatz has a pair of 81 scores (2006 and 2017), and Rico Abreu topped the two most recent visits.

THE MONTH AHEAD: Busy March Ready to Bring 2026 World of Outlaws Season Back to Life

CONCORD, NC (February 26, 2026) – The Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals in early February may officially signal the start of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season, but the month of March is when the campaign truly comes alive.

After a few weeks off, The Greatest Show on Dirt is set to tackle a stretch of 10 races in 28 days that will take the world’s best Sprint Car drivers to eight tracks in seven states. It starts with a return to Florida and journeys along the country’s southern rim before wrapping up in the Midwest.

Let’s look at where to find the World of Outlaws in March:

Volusia Speedway Park | Bike Week Jamboree (March 1-2): The “Sunshine State” welcomes the tour on the first day of the month as the World of Outlaws are set to bring some four-wheel flavor to Florida’s Bike Week. Whether you’re local to the area or a biker who rode in from afar, Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park is the place to be on the evenings of Sunday-Monday, March 1-2. David Gravel swept last year’s Bike Week Jamboree.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Talladega Short Track | Dega Duel (March 6): It’s a quick turnaround after Volusia as the teams have just three days off before it’s race day at Eastaboga, AL’s Talladega Short Track. The 1/3-mile dirt track sits down the street from its pavement counterpart, the 2.66 mile Talladega Superspeedway. It’ll mark Talladega’s 14th time hosting the World of Outlaws. The track is home to David Gravel’s first victory (2011). Current full-timers Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Bill Balog are also former Talladega winners.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Magnolia Motor Speedway | Black Ice Brawl (March 7): The only Mississippi visit of the year brings the tour to Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS. The Series’ first stop at “The Mag” in 2021 was topped by Sheldon Haudenschild. More dates followed in 2023 and 2025, and this year will mark the first time Magnolia has hosted the World of Outlaws in consecutive seasons.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Kennedale Speedway Park | Cowtown Classic (March 13-14): Mid-March takes the World of Outlaws to their home state as Kennedale Speedway Park plays host for a full weekend of action. Carson Macedo claimed the Series debut at Kennedale in 2024. Last year continued the tradition of Californians conquering the “Lone Star State” track as Fresno’s Giovanni Scelzi and Penngrove’s Buddy Kofoid split victories.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Lawton Speedway | Sooner Stampede (March 20): An all-Oklahoma weekend opens at Lawton Speedway. The “Sooner State” oval appeared on the schedule twice during the inaugural season in 1978, with Rick Ferkel and Sammy Swindell bagging the wins. The track was frequently visited through the early 1980s before a long hiatus and has since become a staple once again with Daryn Pittman, Carson Macedo, and Buddy Kofoid claiming the trio of trips in the 2020s.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

Creek County Speedway | Creekadega 40 (March 21): Yes, Oklahoma, it’s happening. The Greatest Show on Dirt is invading “Creekadega.” The World of Outlaws will make their debut at Sapulpa, OK’s Creek County Speedway to close the “Sooner State” weekend. Combine the best Sprint Car drivers with this bullring, and the result promises to be a thriller. The American Sprint Car Series has delivered many exciting races at Creek County over the years.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

US 36 Raceway | KC Classic (March 27): Sprint Car fans across the country rejoiced when this “Show-Me State” gem was put back on the World of Outlaws calendar. Sprint Cars at US 36 Raceway simply do not miss, and the Osborn, MO track is set to start a weekend in the Midwest. Jac Haudenschild won the Series debut at US 36 in 2006, and the place seems to suit the Haudenschild style as his son Sheldon boasts a pair of victories there (2020 and 2023).

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

81 Speedway | Tallgrass Tussle (March 28): The first of three scheduled nights in Kansas on the 2026 calendar punctuates the month of March. Park City, KS’ 81 Speedway is the destination. Sammy Swindell dominated the opening chapter of the track’s history with the World of Outlaws by winning the first five races. Ten-time champion Donny Schatz has a pair of 81 scores (2006 and 2017), and Rico Abreu topped the two most recent visits.

For tickets and more event information, CLICK HERE.

CONCORD, NC (Feb. 26, 2026) – After succeeding in its mission to help elevate Midget racing and the drivers in the division, the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets presented by Toyota will continue that initiative in a new fashion this year.

Maintaining the goal of putting Midget racers in front of large crowds, Xtreme Outlaw will shift its focus to hosting premier events only, while also supporting two regional series.

Two of the most important tracks to the Xtreme Outlaw brand will, again, present a stage for Midget racers from across the country to showcase their talents in front of thousands, as the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets will join the Ironman 55 Weekend with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, Aug. 7-8, and return to Millbridge Speedway, Nov. 2-3, for the World Championship lead-up to the World of Outlaws World Finals.

“Our goal with Xtreme is always to help elevate dirt Midget racing and help showcase the rising talent of the sport, which has been a tremendous success when you look at the budding careers of former Xtreme drivers like Jade Avedisian, Ryan Timms, Taylor Reimer, Jacob Denney, and more,” said Tyler Bachman, Xtreme Outlaw director of events. “It’s exciting to see what we’ve accomplished in a short time with Xtreme since its inception in 2022. As the economy of Midget racing shifts, this new focus allows us to continue our goals and bring the best talent in Midget racing to fans around the world.”

In addition to hosting the premier events, Xtreme/DIRTcar will also serve as the sanctioning body for the Xtreme Dirt Midget Association and the Centennial Midget Series – formerly the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association, the oldest Midget association in the country.

The Xtreme Outlaw Midgets have been part of the Ironman 55 Weekend at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park since its debut season in 2022. The first five Xtreme races at the high-banked Missouri track saw five different winners, including eventual Series champions Cannon McIntosh and Jade Avedisian. In total, seven different drivers have won during the Ironman weekend – McIntosh, Avedisian, Chance Crum, Michael Pickens, Karter Sarff, Cameron Key, and 2025 Series champion Jacob Denney.

After the success of the World Championship event at Millbridge last year, it only made sense for the Series to again help serve as the prelude to World Finals at the track that helped launch the Series. The Xtreme Midgets debuted at the Salisbury, NC track on May 24, 2022, and saw Gavan Boschele claim the inaugural victory.

Like I-55, Millbridge has had three Series champions score a win at the track, including McIntosh, Denney, and inaugural champion Zach Daum. The other two winners at the track include Sarff and Taylor Reimer, who became the first women to earn a national dirt racing victory.

The events at I-55 and Millbridge will pay $4,000 to win on the first night and $5,000 to win on the final night.

To keep up with the latest event info, visit the Xtreme Outlaw site and follow the Xtreme Outlaw social channels.

Where can you watch the Xtreme Outlaw Midget events? All live on DIRTVision. 

Xtreme Outlaw Midgets Shift Focus to Premier Events

CONCORD, NC (Feb. 26, 2026) – After succeeding in its mission to help elevate Midget racing and the drivers in the division, the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets presented by Toyota will continue that initiative in a new fashion this year.

Maintaining the goal of putting Midget racers in front of large crowds, Xtreme Outlaw will shift its focus to hosting premier events only, while also supporting two regional series.

Two of the most important tracks to the Xtreme Outlaw brand will, again, present a stage for Midget racers from across the country to showcase their talents in front of thousands, as the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets will join the Ironman 55 Weekend with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, Aug. 7-8, and return to Millbridge Speedway, Nov. 2-3, for the World Championship lead-up to the World of Outlaws World Finals.

“Our goal with Xtreme is always to help elevate dirt Midget racing and help showcase the rising talent of the sport, which has been a tremendous success when you look at the budding careers of former Xtreme drivers like Jade Avedisian, Ryan Timms, Taylor Reimer, Jacob Denney, and more,” said Tyler Bachman, Xtreme Outlaw director of events. “It’s exciting to see what we’ve accomplished in a short time with Xtreme since its inception in 2022. As the economy of Midget racing shifts, this new focus allows us to continue our goals and bring the best talent in Midget racing to fans around the world.”

In addition to hosting the premier events, Xtreme/DIRTcar will also serve as the sanctioning body for the Xtreme Dirt Midget Association and the Centennial Midget Series – formerly the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association, the oldest Midget association in the country.

The Xtreme Outlaw Midgets have been part of the Ironman 55 Weekend at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park since its debut season in 2022. The first five Xtreme races at the high-banked Missouri track saw five different winners, including eventual Series champions Cannon McIntosh and Jade Avedisian. In total, seven different drivers have won during the Ironman weekend – McIntosh, Avedisian, Chance Crum, Michael Pickens, Karter Sarff, Cameron Key, and 2025 Series champion Jacob Denney.

After the success of the World Championship event at Millbridge last year, it only made sense for the Series to again help serve as the prelude to World Finals at the track that helped launch the Series. The Xtreme Midgets debuted at the Salisbury, NC track on May 24, 2022, and saw Gavan Boschele claim the inaugural victory.

Like I-55, Millbridge has had three Series champions score a win at the track, including McIntosh, Denney, and inaugural champion Zach Daum. The other two winners at the track include Sarff and Taylor Reimer, who became the first women to earn a national dirt racing victory.

The events at I-55 and Millbridge will pay $4,000 to win on the first night and $5,000 to win on the final night.

To keep up with the latest event info, visit the Xtreme Outlaw site and follow the Xtreme Outlaw social channels.

Where can you watch the Xtreme Outlaw Midget events? All live on DIRTVision. 

ARTICLE: https://xtremeoutlawseries.com/news/xtreme-outlaw-midgets-shift-focus-to-premier-events/FAN 101: https://about.dirtcar.com/ 

Event: DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyneDate/Time: Sunday, March 1, 2026, 3:30 p.m. ETLocation: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, TexasLayout: 2.4 Mile Asphalt Road CourseTV/Radio: FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR RadioAfter opening the 2026 season on two drafting-style oval tracks at Daytona International Speedway and EchoPark Speedway, Josh Berry and the No. 21 DEX team now shift their focus to road-course competition for Sunday’s DuraMAX Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas. While Berry and the No. 21 Mustang Dark Horse have shown consistent speed on intermediate and superspeedway ovals – regularly running among the leaders – road courses have presented a different challenge.  Through nine career road-course starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, Berry is still seeking his first top-10 finish. Even so, he’s encouraged by the team’s preparation and believes the technical, 20-turn, 2.4-mile COTA layout presents an opportunity to take a step forward.Berry emphasized that a strong start to the weekend will be critical. “Qualifying and track position are going to be important,” he said. “For us it’s about executing a clean, solid race and being more competitive than we were last year. “If we can limit mistakes, keep the car pointed in the right direction and stay on track all day, we’ll give ourselves a shot at a solid finish.” On-track activity begins Saturday with practice scheduled for 10 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 11:10 a.m. ET. Coverage of Saturday’s action will air on Amazon Prime. Sunday’s 95-lap, 228-mile event is set to take the green flag just after 3:30 p.m. ET, with live television coverage on FOX. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 20 and 45.Josh BerryAge: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)Hometown: Hendersonville, TennesseeCrew Chief: Miles StanleyIG: @joshberry88X: @joshberryAbout DEX DEX is the nation’s largest independent provider of document technology and managed print services, delivering a broad range of products and solutions that help organizations improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and strengthen security. DEX uses real-time data analytics to help businesses gain valuable insights into their print job patterns and frequency, resource allocation, and cost distribution. The knowledge gained is used to optimize workflows, enhance user performance, eliminate unnecessary expenses, and ensure print security and compliance.

CHICAGO (February 26, 2026) — For decades Zizzo Racing has competed on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series racing the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster across the country at select national events. The part-time team with a full-time team attitude is led by team owner Tony Zizzo, driver TJ Zizzo and crew chief Mike Kern with an assist in recent years from legendary crew chief Rahn Tobler. Prior to the historic Gatornationals Tobler will be inducted into the Don Garlits Drag Racing Hall of Fame and TJ Zizzo along with his entire team could not be more excited for Tobler who has been instrumental in the impressive progression of their Chicago based Top Fuel team.   “I love Rahn for so many reasons and I am so excited for him to receive this amazing honor,” said Zizzo. “He has been a great help to this Rust-Oleum team on and off the track for decades. His attitude is amazing and his knowledge, attention to detail and giving spirit fits in perfectly with our organization. He has no ego and I am so thankful he has been part of our team working with Mike and the rest of our Rust-Oleum crew. We have known he was a Hall of Famer for years.”  Rahn Tobler(left) with Mike Kern have worked together on the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel team for years, photo credit Auto ImageryTobler is one of only three NHRA crew chiefs to win championships in both Top Fuel and Funny Car, capturing 65 races and counting across both disciplines. Between 1980 and ’82, Tobler led NHRA legend Shirley Muldowney to two NHRA and one AHRA Top Fuel titles and was part of her 1977 NHRA championship team. Tobler led Cruz Pedregon to the NHRA 2008 Funny Car championship, and Ron Capps to the 2016 title as part of Don Schumacher Racing. Tobler’s impact extends beyond titles as many assistants who have worked with him have gone on to great achievements on their own, including former-assistants-turned-crew-chiefs Dickie Venables, Eric Lane and John Collins.   For decades he has simply been dedicated to drag racing and a career that started with a passion for drag racing, a relocation and a chance meeting.   “When I was 15, my mom was transferred from Inglewood, California to Houston for her job, which I thought was the end of the world,” said Tobler. “I used to bag groceries at a grocery store as my afternoon job and there was an auto repair shop that always had the front overhead doors open. One time I caught a glimpse of a front engine top fuel dragster sitting in there. I went by this shop for probably about a month just hanging around and then one day they asked me if I wanted to go to a race with them. This was the Stevens and Venables operation, which was Dickie Venables’ father, and they were going to go to Amarillo for the world finals in 1971 and I jumped in this single cab pickup with them. That was kind of the start of it.”  Rahn Tobler keeps a watchful eye on the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster, photo credit Auto ImageryWhen Tobler got the call from the hall of fame he was honored and humbled. His long-time friend and Funny Car world champion Jack Beckman made the call and Tobler was thrilled to have that personal interaction.   “Jack and I are good friends and talk regularly. He had indicated to me that my name was certainly going to be on the ballot when the ballots came around,” said Tobler. “He let me know that the voting came out and it was a landslide. This was the first time that I’d ever been on the ballot, so I felt very, very honored. It’s nice to be noticed what for what I’ve done for the last 54 years.”   As a member of Zizzo Racing Tobler has been instrumental in building consistency and high performance with the team. Over the past two seasons the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel team has recorded No. 1 qualifiers and set team records for low elapsed time and top speed. Tobler’s insight and discussions with crew chief Mike Kern have made TJ Zizzo and the team one of the most feared part-time operations on the NHRA tour. For Zizzo the opportunity to be competitive has been a thrill for the season generation driver.   “I really can’t say enough about Rahn and what he has brought to the team,” said Zizzo. “When he is at the track, he is constantly looking at our dragster and talking to the guys on the crew. I have never felt more confident in the performance of our team. I am so happy for Rahn to be going into the Hall of Fame.”   Zizzo Racing will make their 2026 NHRA season debut at Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway, May 15-17. For more information on Zizzo Racing visit www.zizzoracing.com.

Sheppard Returns to Wieland Winter Nationals Victory Lane at Ocala

OCALA, FL (February 25, 2026) – It took Brandon Sheppard nine years to return to Victory Lane at Ocala Speedway, but on Wednesday night the New Berlin, Illinois driver captured the 30-lap Wieland Winter Nationals feature for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing. Sheppard earned his third career victory at Ocala and his first since 2017, driving the Rocket 1 to a 0.583-second win over Hudson O’Neal. Devin Moran finished third, with Brandon Overton and Clay Harris rounding out the top five. Kyle Bronson powered around the outside of the front row to grab the early lead, with Sheppard settling into second. Bronson, who was seeking his first Lucas Oil Series win since the 2021 Silver Dollar Nationals, maintained a steady two-car-length advantage through the opening laps. However, as he exited Turn 4 to complete Lap 6, Bronson suddenly slowed with apparent drivetrain issues. Sheppard, closing quickly on the bottom, made slight, unavoidable contact as Bronson decelerated. The caution flag waved as Bronson headed to the hot pit, ending his night. Sheppard inherited the lead, with O’Neal and Overton in pursuit until a caution on Lap 18 reset the field. Two laps after the restart, Moran slipped past Overton for third. The final 10 laps featured an intense three-car battle as Sheppard, O’Neal, and Moran navigated heavy lapped traffic. Both challengers closed in, but Sheppard cleared a slower car on the white-flag lap, giving him just enough breathing room to secure the win at the checkers. The victory marked Sheppard’s 37th career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series triumph. He also broke a tie with Don O’Neal for fourth place on the all-time Georgia-Florida Speedweeks win list with his 25th victory.“It felt good to see the checkered flag,” Sheppard said. “We definitely had some stuff messed up on the front end from the contact with Kyle. I felt terrible about that. It looked like he missed it a little bit, and I was filling the gap on the bottom when we came together. I hate that for him, but we had a really fast car again tonight. It was just one of those deals where we got out front. My dad said last night I was messing around too much in lapped traffic, so this one’s for him.” With the win, Sheppard became the winningest Rocket 1 driver during Georgia-Florida Speedweeks over the last 25 years, earning his 11th victory and breaking a tie with Josh Richards. “I was running a different line in Turns 1 and 2 than I expected,” Sheppard added. “I would enter on the bottom and slide across the middle. I kept waiting for it to change because I knew it might go away at some point. I felt good on both the bottom and the top and was just trying to maintain speed. With the front end being jacked up, it was wherever the car put me. Turns 3 and 4 were tougher because I needed to carve down the hill and come off lower and straighter, and I struggled with that late in the race.”O’Neal, who was seeking his second career win at Ocala, closed the gap in the final laps but settled for second. “Sheppy had a good race car,” O’Neal said. “I felt like we were pretty maneuverable and could really build momentum down the back straightaway. The longer the race went, the better I felt. I gained on him late, and lapped traffic definitely played a factor. I got caught behind Ross (Robinson), and I just wasn’t able to capitalize with a lap or two to go.” Moran, who started eighth, advanced to third on Lap 20 and joined the late-race battle to round out the Big River Steel Podium. “I felt like my car was really good again,” Moran said. “I jumped the cushion in the heat race, got into the wall, and let Hud get by me, and that really dictated our night. You have to start up front here. I know they’re working hard on the track night in and night out, and I’m sure they’ll have it figured out by the end of the week.” The winner’s Mark Richards Racing, Rocket Chassis is powered by a Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, Performance Grading, Petroff Towing, Sunoco Race Fuels, Franklin Enterprises, Gunter’s Honey, Stiles Marine and Maintenance, Collins Brothers Towing, and Fox Shocks. Completing the top 10 were Drake Troutman, Brian Shirley, Garrett Alberson, Carson Ferguson, and Ricky Thornton Jr. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Wieland Winter NationalsWednesday, February 25, 2026Ocala Speedway | Ocala, FL Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Brandon Overton | 14.288 secondsFast Time Group B: Garrett Alberson | 14.141 seconds (Overall) Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard[2]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 3. 76N-Blair Nothdurft[3]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[5]; 5. 09-Michael Leach[4]; 6. 11-Josh Rice[7]; 7. 32J-Justin Weaver[6]; 8. 18-Chase Junghans[8]; 9. C4-Freddie Carpenter[9]; 10. 12L-Dave Loudin[10] Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 6-Clay Harris[2]; 2. 13-Dallon Murty[1]; 3. 19M-Brenden Smith[3]; 4. 15K-Cody Overton[4]; 5. 7-Ross Robinson[7]; 6. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[5]; 7. 17SR-Brody Smith[8]; 8. 6B-Adam Boyd[10]; 9. (DNS) 22-Daniel Hilsabeck; 10. (DNS) 111-Max Blair Cool-It Thermo-Tec Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 2. 58-Garrett Alberson[1]; 3. 93-Carson Ferguson[4]; 4. 22*-Drake Troutman[3]; 5. 3S-Brian Shirley[6]; 6. 10-Garrett Smith[5]; 7. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[8]; 8. 77-Preston Luckman[7]; 9. 15-Clay Stuckey[10]; 10. 79-Cory Hedgecock[9] Simpson Race Products Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 71-Hudson O’Neal[1]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[2]; 3. 58V-Daulton Wilson[3]; 4. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 5. 8-Dillon McCowan[6]; 6. 60-Dan Ebert[5]; 7. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[8]; 8. 81F-Jadon Frame[7]; 9. 93L-Cory Lawler[9]; 10. 55-Eli Johnson[10] Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[4]; 2. 7-Ross Robinson[2]; 3. 11-Josh Rice[3]; 4. 09-Michael Leach[1]; 5. 32J-Justin Weaver[5]; 6. 17SR-Brody Smith[6]; 7. 12L-Dave Loudin[11]; 8. C4-Freddie Carpenter[9]; 9. 18-Chase Junghans[7]; 10. 6B-Adam Boyd[8]; 11. (DNS) 22-Daniel Hilsabeck; 12. (DNS) 111-Max Blair UNOH B-Main Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 8-Dillon McCowan[2]; 2. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 3. 10-Garrett Smith[3]; 4. 60-Dan Ebert[4]; 5. 12M-Ryan Montgomery[6]; 6. 81F-Jadon Frame[8]; 7. 15-Clay Stuckey[9]; 8. 93L-Cory Lawler[10]; 9. 55-Eli Johnson[12]; 10. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[5]; 11. 77-Preston Luckman[7]; 12. (DNS) 79-Cory Hedgecock Wieland Winter Nationals Feature Finish (30 Laps):Pos – Start – Car # – Competitor – Hometown – Earnings1 – 1 – 1 – Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – $7,0002 – 4 – 71 – Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – $3,5003 – 8 – 99 – Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – $2,0004 – 5 – 76 – Brandon Overton – Evans, GA – $1,5005 – 3 – 6 – Clay Harris – Jupiter, FL – $1,4006 – 14 – 22* – Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – $1,3007 – 20 – 3S – Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL – $1,2008 – 6 – 58 – Garrett Alberson – Las Cruces, NM – $1,1009 – 10 – 93 – Carson Ferguson – Lincolnton, NC – $1,00010 – 17 – 20RT – Ricky Thornton Jr – Chandler, AZ – $95011 – 7 – 13 – Dallon Murty – Chelsea, IA – $90012 – 13 – 28 – Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – $85013 – 11 – 19M – Brenden Smith – Dade City, FL – $80014 – 9 – 76N – Blair Nothdurft – Renner, SD – $75015 – 24 – 60 – Dan Ebert – Lake Shore, MN – $72516 – 18 – 8 – Dillon McCowan – Urbana, MO – $70017 – 19 – 7 – Ross Robinson – Georgetown, DE – $70018 – 12 – 58V – Daulton Wilson – Fayetteville, NC – $70019 – 22 – 10 – Garrett Smith – Madison, GA – $65020 – 15 – 15K – Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – $62521 – 2 – 40B – Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – $72522 – 23 – 9 – Michael Leach – Sun River, MT – $60023 – 21 – 11 – Josh Rice – Crittenden, KY – $60024 – 16 – 1T – Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – $600 Race Statistics  Entrants: 40Bilstein Shocks Pole Sitter: Brandon SheppardMD3 Lap Leaders: Kyle Bronson (Laps 1-6); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 7-30)Hellraizer Jacks Halfway Leader: Brandon SheppardWieland Feature Winner: Brandon SheppardMargin of Victory: 0.583 secondsHellraizer Jacks Cautions: Tyler Erb (Lap 3); Josh Rice (Lap 5); Kyle Bronson (Lap 6); Ross Robinson (Lap 18)MyRacePass Series Provisionals: n/aFast Time Provisional: n/aEmergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Hudson O’Neal, Devin MoranPenske Shocks Top 5: Brandon Sheppard, Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Brandon Overton, Clay HarrisBehrent’s One-Lap-to-Go Top 3: Brandon Sheppard, Hudson O’Neal, Devin MoranPEM 4th Place Feature: Brandon OvertonDiversified Machine 5th Place Feature: Clay HarrisWilwood Brakes 7th Place Feature: Brian ShirleyWehrs Machine 11th Place Feature: Dallon MurtyVelocity Manufacturing 13th Place Feature: Brenden SmithXS Power Batteries 15th Place Feature: Dan EbertHoker Trucking Hard Charger of the Race: Brian Shirley (Advanced 13 positions)MD3 Most Laps Led: Brandon Sheppard (24 Laps)Sunoco Race Fuels Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Brandon SheppardMidwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Brandon OvertonO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: n/aPro Fabrication Headers Fastest Lap of the Race: Kyle Bronson | Lap 3 | 14.468 secondsFK Rod Ends Hard Luck Award: Kyle BronsonVictory Fuel Power Move of the Race: Brandon SheppardOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Danny WhiteARP Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Race EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Drake Troutman | 14.5629 secondsTime of Race: 17 minutes 09 seconds

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit St. Petersburg, FloridaRace AdvanceFebruary 27-March 1, 2026 DETROIT (February 25, 2026) – The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES kicks off with the traditional spring break party – the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg – with Chevrolet looking to win their tenth manufacturer title since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012, and their 17th all-time manufacturer crown since 1979.  A dozen drivers, including 2025 second-place championship finisher and 2024 winner at this event, Pato O’Ward, will represent the Bowtie brand to start the season on the demanding 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit. “After a strong finish to the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, we’re eager to get back on track and compete for a tenth manufacturers’ title since 2012,” said GM Motorsports – IndyCar Program Manager Andrew Schutter. “An extension to our supplier agreement, the spring break party atmosphere, and massive crowds, provide our engineers a little extra energy as we kick off our season in St. Petersburg. Our talented engineers, teams, and drivers have worked together during the off-season to find every possible hundredth-of-a-second gain that will make the difference in the ultra-competitive field in 2026. ”  Highlights of the 2026 season include the Indianapolis 500, where Chevrolet will be going for their 14th trip to victory lane, a return to Phoenix Raceway in a doubleheader with NASCAR, new street circuits in Arlington, Texas, Markham, Ontario, and Washington, D.C., and visits to iconic tracks across the country as part of the 18-race schedule.

Chevrolet on the Streets of St. Petersburg Chevrolet-powered drivers have won nine of the 14 NTT INDYCAR SERIES held on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012, with Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet winning in 2024. Seven drivers and three teams have combined for the nine wins, with Team Penske’s seven wins leading all squads.Only drivers from Team Penske have won the pole on the palm tree-lined circuit on the edge of Tampa Bay, with the ‘Captain’s’ men wearing Bowties winning ten of the 14 poles since 2012. A driver representing Team Chevy has stood on the podium 25 times since 2012, while 16 drivers representing six teams have led 754 laps across those 14 races.

Starting the year off on a high note Since 1946, Chevrolet-powered cars have won the first race of the year (against competition) on 16 occasions, and eight of the 14 season-opening races since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012.  Juan Pablo Montoya (2015 & 2016), Rick Mears (1989 & 1990) and Mario Andretti (1987 & 1988) are the drivers with multiple Chevrolet-powered wins in season-opening races. Team Penske (1989, 1990, 1992, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022, & 2024) has ten wins in the first race of the year, leading the way for Team Chevy.

Notable Numbers 6 – the number of different countries represented by Team Chevy drivers – United States (6) – Denmark (2) – Brazil (1) – Mexico (1) – Netherlands (1) – New Zealand (1)9 – the number of wins by current Team Chevy teams, Arrow McLaren and ECR12 – the number of drivers representing Team Chevy in the season-opening NTT INDYCAR SERIES race13 – the number of driver championships won by Chevrolet all-time26.7 – the average age of the dozen Chevrolet-powered drivers in the 2026 season opener – Josef Newgarden is the elder statesman at 3532 – the number of wins by Josef Newgarden, the winningest Team Chevy driver all-time 40 – the number of different drivers that have won INDYCAR races while powered by Chevrolet124 – the number of Bowtie-backed wins by Team Penske since their first at Pocono Raceway by Rick Mears in 1987127 – the number of wins by Chevrolet since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012141 – the number of earned poles by Chevrolet-powered teams since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012237 – the number of wins by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time245 – the number of earned poles by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time362 – the number of podiums by Chevrolet-powered teams since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012676 –  the number of podiums by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time

Making his Team Chevy return One of those season-opening winners, James Hinchcliffe, returns to the street circuit where he won the first race of the 2013 NTT INDYCAR SERIES while piloting a Chevrolet-powered Dallara. The Canadian will make his NASCAR debut on Saturday, stepping behind the wheel of the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series.

James Hinchcliffe crosses the line in the No. 27 Andretti Global Chevrolet to win Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the first race of the 2013 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season (Photo: INDYCAR)

“It’s awesome,” said Hinchcliffe after the win in 2013. “There’s been a lot of talk about it in the off-season, when that first one was going to come, what we had to do to get there My answer was always the same. We had to minimize the mistakes. The team is good, the car is good, the engineers are good. We proved last year the team is capable of winning. It’s down to me on any given Sunday to minimize mistakes.  “We capitalized on restarts. The last restart was on blacks, everyone around us was on reds. Helio made a mistake. I thought I would lead for a couple laps, but he would catch up. For that many laps on technically the slower tires took everything out of me.  “I was so happy to get it done and get Go Daddy its first win in IndyCar, Chevrolet back in Victory Circle, one, two, three on the podium, podium sweep. My teammate on the podium. It’s just a helluva day.”

What They’re Saying: Caio Collet, No. 4 COMBITRANS AMAZONA Chevrolet:HOW EXCITED ARE YOU TO MAKE YOUR FIRST INDYCAR START?“Very excited. I think the team has put in a lot of work, and so have I. We have been checking as many boxes as we can to prepare for the race as best we can, and I feel ready to attack the challenge. It is a dream coming true. A little bit anxious about it, but taking it day-by-day. Hopefully we can start off with a great race weekend.” Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS Chevrolet:“I think Chevy’s done a lot of development through the winter, and from what I can tell, in Sebring and at the Open Test in Phoenix, I feel pretty good about some of the things that they’ve accomplished. It’s going to be hard to tell where everybody stacks up but I’ve been quite comfortable with Chevrolet, and y I’m looking forward to returning with them to the grid.” Arrow McLaren Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:“I’m really looking forward to getting back to racing and kicking off the season this weekend in St. Pete. It’s always a great atmosphere down there, and it’s a place where we’ve had success in the past. We had a really strong year in 2025, but the offseason has been all about preparing to take that next step in 2026. That mission starts this weekend.” Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:“It’s been a busy offseason of training for me. I was fortunate to get a lot of track time with the endurance racing along with simulator time, meetings with the crew, our recent tests in Sebring and Phoenix. I’m ready to put all that work to the test in St. Pete and get back to NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing.” Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:“I’m eager to get on track this weekend. My focus is always on getting better, progressing, learning. I’m looking forward to continuing that progress into Year 2 at Arrow McLaren, starting with St. Pete. It’s been a full offseason of prep including two recent quality tests, and we’re ready to go and deliver a strong result.” ECR Alexander Rossi, No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet:“Last week’s Phoenix test was a great first showing of how hard everyone at ECR has worked over the offseason. Now it is finally time to get the season started with the first race of the year and I could not be more excited. St. Pete is always a fun challenge with an unpredictable race, and I can’t wait to get out there and see what the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet can accomplish.”Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet: “I’m excited to get back on track in St. Pete with Splenda Stevia! ECR has done an incredible job over the offseason preparing and I’m looking forward to building on last year’s progress. We had a very solid test at Phoenix as a team and now we want see our hard work come together in the season opener!”

Team and Driver Previews: We sent out extensive team and driver previews earlier this week that you can read here:A.J. Foyt RacingArrow McLarenECRJuncos Hollinger RacingTeam Penske

Tune-In Guide: FridayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #1 – 1:30pm (ET)/12:30pm (CT)/11:30am (MT)/10:30am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 SaturdayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 9:30am (ET)/8:30am (CT)/7:30am (MT)/6:30am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 SundayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 9am (ET)/8am (CT)/7am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (100 laps) – noon (ET)/11am (CT)/10am (MT)/9am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Chevrolet history on the Streets of St. Petersburg Wins – 9 2024 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2016 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2014 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – James Hinchcliffe – Team Penske2012 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

Poles – 10 2025 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Will Power – Team Penske2019 – Will Power – Team Penske2017 – Will Power – Team Penske2016 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – Will Power – Team Penske2012 – Will Power – Team Penske

Podiums: 25 Chevrolet driver podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (5), Josef Newgarden (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Simon Pagenaud (3), Juan Montoya (2), Marco Andretti (1), James Hinchcliffe (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Tony Kanaan (1), Scott McLaughlin (1) Chevrolet team podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (18), Andretti Global (3), Arrow McLaren (3), Chip Ganassi Racing (1) Laps Led: 754 Chevrolet driver laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (213), Scott McLaughlin (127), Josef Newgarden (83), Helio Castroneves (73), Juan Montoya (71), Simon Pagenaud (64), James Hinchcliffe (26), Christian Lundgaard (23), Pato O’Ward (23), Oriol Servia (16), Rinus VeeKay (13), Ryan Briscoe (9), Jordan King (5), Tomas Enge (4), JR Hildebrand (3), Mike Conway (1) Chevrolet team laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (640), Arrow McLaren (46), Andretti Global (26), ECR (19), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (16), Panther Racing (7)

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESFirestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit St. Petersburg, FloridaRace AdvanceFebruary 27-March 1, 2026 DETROIT (February 25, 2026) – The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES kicks off with the traditional spring break party – the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg – with Chevrolet looking to win their tenth manufacturer title since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012, and their 17th all-time manufacturer crown since 1979.  A dozen drivers, including 2025 second-place championship finisher and 2024 winner at this event, Pato O’Ward, will represent the Bowtie brand to start the season on the demanding 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit. “After a strong finish to the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, we’re eager to get back on track and compete for a tenth manufacturers’ title since 2012,” said GM Motorsports – IndyCar Program Manager Andrew Schutter. “An extension to our supplier agreement, the spring break party atmosphere, and massive crowds, provide our engineers a little extra energy as we kick off our season in St. Petersburg. Our talented engineers, teams, and drivers have worked together during the off-season to find every possible hundredth-of-a-second gain that will make the difference in the ultra-competitive field in 2026. ”  Highlights of the 2026 season include the Indianapolis 500, where Chevrolet will be going for their 14th trip to victory lane, a return to Phoenix Raceway in a doubleheader with NASCAR, new street circuits in Arlington, Texas, Markham, Ontario, and Washington, D.C., and visits to iconic tracks across the country as part of the 18-race schedule.

Chevrolet on the Streets of St. Petersburg Chevrolet-powered drivers have won nine of the 14 NTT INDYCAR SERIES held on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn St. Petersburg street circuit since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012, with Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet winning in 2024. Seven drivers and three teams have combined for the nine wins, with Team Penske’s seven wins leading all squads.Only drivers from Team Penske have won the pole on the palm tree-lined circuit on the edge of Tampa Bay, with the ‘Captain’s’ men wearing Bowties winning ten of the 14 poles since 2012. A driver representing Team Chevy has stood on the podium 25 times since 2012, while 16 drivers representing six teams have led 754 laps across those 14 races.

Starting the year off on a high note Since 1946, Chevrolet-powered cars have won the first race of the year (against competition) on 16 occasions, and eight of the 14 season-opening races since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012.  Juan Pablo Montoya (2015 & 2016), Rick Mears (1989 & 1990) and Mario Andretti (1987 & 1988) are the drivers with multiple Chevrolet-powered wins in season-opening races. Team Penske (1989, 1990, 1992, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022, & 2024) has ten wins in the first race of the year, leading the way for Team Chevy.

Notable Numbers 6 – the number of different countries represented by Team Chevy drivers – United States (6) – Denmark (2) – Brazil (1) – Mexico (1) – Netherlands (1) – New Zealand (1)9 – the number of wins by current Team Chevy teams, Arrow McLaren and ECR12 – the number of drivers representing Team Chevy in the season-opening NTT INDYCAR SERIES race13 – the number of driver championships won by Chevrolet all-time26.7 – the average age of the dozen Chevrolet-powered drivers in the 2026 season opener – Josef Newgarden is the elder statesman at 3532 – the number of wins by Josef Newgarden, the winningest Team Chevy driver all-time 40 – the number of different drivers that have won INDYCAR races while powered by Chevrolet124 – the number of Bowtie-backed wins by Team Penske since their first at Pocono Raceway by Rick Mears in 1987127 – the number of wins by Chevrolet since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012141 – the number of earned poles by Chevrolet-powered teams since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012237 – the number of wins by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time245 – the number of earned poles by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time362 – the number of podiums by Chevrolet-powered teams since the introduction of the 2.2L Twin-Turbo V6 in 2012676 –  the number of podiums by Chevrolet-powered cars in INDYCAR all-time

Making his Team Chevy return One of those season-opening winners, James Hinchcliffe, returns to the street circuit where he won the first race of the 2013 NTT INDYCAR SERIES while piloting a Chevrolet-powered Dallara. The Canadian will make his NASCAR debut on Saturday, stepping behind the wheel of the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series.

James Hinchcliffe crosses the line in the No. 27 Andretti Global Chevrolet to win Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the first race of the 2013 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season (Photo: INDYCAR)

“It’s awesome,” said Hinchcliffe after the win in 2013. “There’s been a lot of talk about it in the off-season, when that first one was going to come, what we had to do to get there My answer was always the same. We had to minimize the mistakes. The team is good, the car is good, the engineers are good. We proved last year the team is capable of winning. It’s down to me on any given Sunday to minimize mistakes.  “We capitalized on restarts. The last restart was on blacks, everyone around us was on reds. Helio made a mistake. I thought I would lead for a couple laps, but he would catch up. For that many laps on technically the slower tires took everything out of me.  “I was so happy to get it done and get Go Daddy its first win in IndyCar, Chevrolet back in Victory Circle, one, two, three on the podium, podium sweep. My teammate on the podium. It’s just a helluva day.”

What They’re Saying: Caio Collet, No. 4 COMBITRANS AMAZONA Chevrolet:HOW EXCITED ARE YOU TO MAKE YOUR FIRST INDYCAR START?“Very excited. I think the team has put in a lot of work, and so have I. We have been checking as many boxes as we can to prepare for the race as best we can, and I feel ready to attack the challenge. It is a dream coming true. A little bit anxious about it, but taking it day-by-day. Hopefully we can start off with a great race weekend.” Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS Chevrolet:“I think Chevy’s done a lot of development through the winter, and from what I can tell, in Sebring and at the Open Test in Phoenix, I feel pretty good about some of the things that they’ve accomplished. It’s going to be hard to tell where everybody stacks up but I’ve been quite comfortable with Chevrolet, and y I’m looking forward to returning with them to the grid.” Arrow McLaren Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:“I’m really looking forward to getting back to racing and kicking off the season this weekend in St. Pete. It’s always a great atmosphere down there, and it’s a place where we’ve had success in the past. We had a really strong year in 2025, but the offseason has been all about preparing to take that next step in 2026. That mission starts this weekend.” Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:“It’s been a busy offseason of training for me. I was fortunate to get a lot of track time with the endurance racing along with simulator time, meetings with the crew, our recent tests in Sebring and Phoenix. I’m ready to put all that work to the test in St. Pete and get back to NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing.” Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:“I’m eager to get on track this weekend. My focus is always on getting better, progressing, learning. I’m looking forward to continuing that progress into Year 2 at Arrow McLaren, starting with St. Pete. It’s been a full offseason of prep including two recent quality tests, and we’re ready to go and deliver a strong result.” ECR Alexander Rossi, No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet:“Last week’s Phoenix test was a great first showing of how hard everyone at ECR has worked over the offseason. Now it is finally time to get the season started with the first race of the year and I could not be more excited. St. Pete is always a fun challenge with an unpredictable race, and I can’t wait to get out there and see what the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet can accomplish.”Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet: “I’m excited to get back on track in St. Pete with Splenda Stevia! ECR has done an incredible job over the offseason preparing and I’m looking forward to building on last year’s progress. We had a very solid test at Phoenix as a team and now we want see our hard work come together in the season opener!”

Team and Driver Previews: We sent out extensive team and driver previews earlier this week that you can read here:A.J. Foyt RacingArrow McLarenECRJuncos Hollinger RacingTeam Penske

Tune-In Guide: FridayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #1 – 1:30pm (ET)/12:30pm (CT)/11:30am (MT)/10:30am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 SaturdayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 9:30am (ET)/8:30am (CT)/7:30am (MT)/6:30am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 SundayNTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 9am (ET)/8am (CT)/7am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS1/ INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (100 laps) – noon (ET)/11am (CT)/10am (MT)/9am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Chevrolet history on the Streets of St. Petersburg Wins – 9 2024 – Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2019 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2016 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2015 – Juan Montoya – Team Penske2014 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – James Hinchcliffe – Team Penske2012 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske

Poles – 10 2025 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2024 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2022 – Scott McLaughlin – Team Penske2020 – Will Power – Team Penske2019 – Will Power – Team Penske2017 – Will Power – Team Penske2016 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Will Power – Team Penske2013 – Will Power – Team Penske2012 – Will Power – Team Penske

Podiums: 25 Chevrolet driver podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (5), Josef Newgarden (4), Helio Castroneves (3), Pato O’Ward (3), Simon Pagenaud (3), Juan Montoya (2), Marco Andretti (1), James Hinchcliffe (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Tony Kanaan (1), Scott McLaughlin (1) Chevrolet team podiums on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (18), Andretti Global (3), Arrow McLaren (3), Chip Ganassi Racing (1) Laps Led: 754 Chevrolet driver laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Will Power (213), Scott McLaughlin (127), Josef Newgarden (83), Helio Castroneves (73), Juan Montoya (71), Simon Pagenaud (64), James Hinchcliffe (26), Christian Lundgaard (23), Pato O’Ward (23), Oriol Servia (16), Rinus VeeKay (13), Ryan Briscoe (9), Jordan King (5), Tomas Enge (4), JR Hildebrand (3), Mike Conway (1) Chevrolet team laps led on the Streets of St. Petersburg: Team Penske (640), Arrow McLaren (46), Andretti Global (26), ECR (19), Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (16), Panther Racing (7)

Manufacturer History on the Streets Of St. Petersburg  Wins (with competition)  9 – Chevrolet (2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)6 – Honda (2025, 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2005) Poles (with competition)  10 – Chevrolet (2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012)5 – Honda (2023, 2021, 2018, 2014, 2005) Historical Chevrolet in the INDYCAR SERIES information INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturer Championships (since 1979)Chevrolet-Powered Wins in the Twin-Turbo 2.2L V6 Era (2012-present)Chevrolet-Powered Wins – All-Time