CORVETTE RACING AT VIR: Championships Stay TightChevrolet retains GTD PRO Manufacturers lead; No. 4 still second in Drivers pointsALTON, Va. (August 23, 2026) – Chevrolet and Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports remained in the thick of the GTD PRO championship after Sunday’s Michelin GT Challenge at VIR with two rounds to go in this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Tommy Milner and Nicky Catsburg placed sixth at Virginia International Raceway in the No. 4 Corvette Z06 GT3.R and remained second in the GTD PRO Drivers Championship with the result. Chevrolet also maintained its lead in the Manufacturers standings heading to next month’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The No. 4 team limited the damage from a slow first pit stop at the end of Catsburg’s opening stint after the drivers’ side door wouldn’t latch. Milner rejoined the race ninth in class but rebounded to sixth after making the team’s final pit stop with 62 minutes to go. A problem on the energy fill, however, during the stop forced Milner to save fuel toward the end of his stint and he had to cede a position to the championship-leading BMW in order to get to the finish. In GTD, 13 Autosport’s Matt Bell and Orey Fidani placed sixth in their No. 13 Corvette. The pairing led the Corvette contingent in the class and stands second in the season-long Akin Award standings heading to Indianapolis. Another Akin championship would send the team to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the third straight year. The No. 36 DXDT Racing Corvette of Robert Wickens and Mason Filippi was eighth in GTD in a largely trouble-free run. Filippi drove the first 50 minutes as Wickens double-stinted the Corvette to the end of the race. Two Corvettes saw their days effectively end almost immediately. Alexander Sims went off-track and hard into the tire barriers in the No. 3 Corvette after a side-by-side battle to bring out a full-course yellow on the opening lap. He was evaluated and released from the infield care center after IMSA’s standard post-accident checks. In a separate incident, DragonSpeed’s Casper Stevenson and the GTD pole-sitting No. 81 Corvette were hit by the then-second place Ferrari further back down the track. The contact sent the DragonSpeed Corvette to the garage with damage to the steering system, and the team lost five laps as a result. The next IMSA event for Corvette Racing is the Battle on the Bricks on Sunday, September 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s a little bit harsh but a bit of an embarrassing day for us. We should have been probably a P2 on the road. Instead, we ended sixth and behind the BMW. So not a good day for the whole team with too many mistakes. We can’t have days like that and we have got to be better than that. And we will coming to Indianapolis and Petit Le Mans. Obviously the goal for Indy is to keep ourselves in the hunt and give ourselves a chance to win a championship and get to Road Atlanta with it all to play for.”
NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Really disappointing because I think with the race being green, we would have had an easy P2 today, potentially even P1 with the pace that we had. But on both pit stops, we lost a lot of time. The first pit stop, the door didn’t close, which is a returning issue that we need to address. In WEC the team had a similar issue at Brazil. And then on the second stop, I don’t think all the energy that we needed to put in went in. That meant that Tommy’s stints were heavily compromised. He needed to save like crazy, which he did an awesome job at doing some damage control there. We could have gotten off a lot worse there, but initially we should have definitely had a very good race here and also in terms of championship. This got away from us. It is what it is. We need to get all of our heads together and try and see how we can limit those issues from happening again.”
ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It was tight going up through the Esses with the cars going side-by-side. At some point coming over the small crest, I could see the left-hander coming up and Harry (King, No. 77 Porsche) was on my right and it was just tight. At some point I had to decide to go over the curb… I just lost control, unfortunately, on cold tires in a compromised place on track. It was a big hit but the tire barriers did a really good job thankfully.”Up until that point, there were multiple cars side by side for many corners. I don’t think it was overly aggressive, honestly. We’re all racing hard but pretty fair. I put myself in that situation by having a poor qualifying yesterday. You’re in the pack and it’s racing up through the Esses, and we don’t get a chance to practice these situations. You practice on your own and try to get clear laps, then you’re just thrown into that situation and everyone’s trying to judge it. So, it’s not gone our way that time. There wasn’t a ton of room and in a half-a-tenth you have to make a decision on if he’s going to make room for me or not. I tried to take in my own hands and cut the curb a bit. It was an unfortunate situation.”
MATT BELL, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It was a great performance from 13 Autosport again today. They gave me one of the best cars on the grid, I think, so we were able to go forward all the way through. It’s a shame it stayed green as long as it did. We just needed a yellow to bunch the field up and we could have challenged for a podium. We seemed to have good pace across the long run; tire deg is a huge factor here, and we seemed quite good on that. A huge thanks to the team. We didn’t quite get to jump the 70 as we were coming through the field, so the Akin battle goes on. We’re all pretty determined to keep that fight going and get back to Le Mans.”
OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Overall, I’m really happy with our race today. The Corvette was super quick, and my stint went really well. Matt did an amazing job when he took over and drove a great stint to bring us home sixth in class and second in the Bob Akin. We were hoping for a caution toward the end to help us close the gap, but it never came our way. It was a strong day for the whole team and we got some good points in the championship.”
CORVETTE RACING AT VIR: Championships Stay TightChevrolet retains GTD PRO Manufacturers lead; No. 4 still second in Drivers pointsALTON, Va. (August 23, 2026) – Chevrolet and Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports remained in the thick of the GTD PRO championship after Sunday’s Michelin GT Challenge at VIR with two rounds to go in this year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Tommy Milner and Nicky Catsburg placed sixth at Virginia International Raceway in the No. 4 Corvette Z06 GT3.R and remained second in the GTD PRO Drivers Championship with the result. Chevrolet also maintained its lead in the Manufacturers standings heading to next month’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The No. 4 team limited the damage from a slow first pit stop at the end of Catsburg’s opening stint after the drivers’ side door wouldn’t latch. Milner rejoined the race ninth in class but rebounded to sixth after making the team’s final pit stop with 62 minutes to go. A problem on the energy fill, however, during the stop forced Milner to save fuel toward the end of his stint and he had to cede a position to the championship-leading BMW in order to get to the finish. In GTD, 13 Autosport’s Matt Bell and Orey Fidani placed sixth in their No. 13 Corvette. The pairing led the Corvette contingent in the class and stands second in the season-long Akin Award standings heading to Indianapolis. Another Akin championship would send the team to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the third straight year. The No. 36 DXDT Racing Corvette of Robert Wickens and Mason Filippi was eighth in GTD in a largely trouble-free run. Filippi drove the first 50 minutes as Wickens double-stinted the Corvette to the end of the race. Two Corvettes saw their days effectively end almost immediately. Alexander Sims went off-track and hard into the tire barriers in the No. 3 Corvette after a side-by-side battle to bring out a full-course yellow on the opening lap. He was evaluated and released from the infield care center after IMSA’s standard post-accident checks. In a separate incident, DragonSpeed’s Casper Stevenson and the GTD pole-sitting No. 81 Corvette were hit by the then-second place Ferrari further back down the track. The contact sent the DragonSpeed Corvette to the garage with damage to the steering system, and the team lost five laps as a result. The next IMSA event for Corvette Racing is the Battle on the Bricks on Sunday, September 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s a little bit harsh but a bit of an embarrassing day for us. We should have been probably a P2 on the road. Instead, we ended sixth and behind the BMW. So not a good day for the whole team with too many mistakes. We can’t have days like that and we have got to be better than that. And we will coming to Indianapolis and Petit Le Mans. Obviously the goal for Indy is to keep ourselves in the hunt and give ourselves a chance to win a championship and get to Road Atlanta with it all to play for.”
NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Really disappointing because I think with the race being green, we would have had an easy P2 today, potentially even P1 with the pace that we had. But on both pit stops, we lost a lot of time. The first pit stop, the door didn’t close, which is a returning issue that we need to address. In WEC the team had a similar issue at Brazil. And then on the second stop, I don’t think all the energy that we needed to put in went in. That meant that Tommy’s stints were heavily compromised. He needed to save like crazy, which he did an awesome job at doing some damage control there. We could have gotten off a lot worse there, but initially we should have definitely had a very good race here and also in terms of championship. This got away from us. It is what it is. We need to get all of our heads together and try and see how we can limit those issues from happening again.”
ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It was tight going up through the Esses with the cars going side-by-side. At some point coming over the small crest, I could see the left-hander coming up and Harry (King, No. 77 Porsche) was on my right and it was just tight. At some point I had to decide to go over the curb… I just lost control, unfortunately, on cold tires in a compromised place on track. It was a big hit but the tire barriers did a really good job thankfully.”Up until that point, there were multiple cars side by side for many corners. I don’t think it was overly aggressive, honestly. We’re all racing hard but pretty fair. I put myself in that situation by having a poor qualifying yesterday. You’re in the pack and it’s racing up through the Esses, and we don’t get a chance to practice these situations. You practice on your own and try to get clear laps, then you’re just thrown into that situation and everyone’s trying to judge it. So, it’s not gone our way that time. There wasn’t a ton of room and in a half-a-tenth you have to make a decision on if he’s going to make room for me or not. I tried to take in my own hands and cut the curb a bit. It was an unfortunate situation.”
MATT BELL, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It was a great performance from 13 Autosport again today. They gave me one of the best cars on the grid, I think, so we were able to go forward all the way through. It’s a shame it stayed green as long as it did. We just needed a yellow to bunch the field up and we could have challenged for a podium. We seemed to have good pace across the long run; tire deg is a huge factor here, and we seemed quite good on that. A huge thanks to the team. We didn’t quite get to jump the 70 as we were coming through the field, so the Akin battle goes on. We’re all pretty determined to keep that fight going and get back to Le Mans.”
OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Overall, I’m really happy with our race today. The Corvette was super quick, and my stint went really well. Matt did an amazing job when he took over and drove a great stint to bring us home sixth in class and second in the Bob Akin. We were hoping for a caution toward the end to help us close the gap, but it never came our way. It was a strong day for the whole team and we got some good points in the championship.”
CASPER STEVENSON, NO. 81 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I went into Turn One, Turn Two and Turn Three still in the lead. The Conquest car was side by side with me, and I left him space at the apex as we were told to do. On corner exit he just smashed me off the track. Unluckily at that angle, it broke the steering arm. It’s just not necessary when we have such a fast car… all of us in the top-three. We could have sorted it all out later. The first thing that the race director told us this morning was to leave space. It was literally the first thing he said at 8:30. I think 90 percent of the grid take it on, but there’s a few that don’t. It just causes so much damage and frustration.”
CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.1.7-mile, 7-turn Washington, D.C. street circuitWashington, DCSaturday Qualifying ReportAugust 22, 2026 WASHINGTON (August 22, 2026) – Scott McLaughlin, the driver of the No. 3 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet, was the quickest of the trio of Team Chevy drivers that advanced to the Firestone Fast Six, where Christian Rasmussen joined him in the No. 21 Splenda Stevia Chevrolet and David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. It’s the fifth time this season that McLaughlin, who will start third, has advanced to the Firestone Fast Six, with four of those coming on street circuits. Rasmussen will start a season-best fourth, after making his second Fast Six in the last four races. Malukas, who appeared in his seventh Fast Six of the year, will start from the outside of the third row. Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet), Christian Lundgaard (No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet), Caio Collet (No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet) and Nolan Siegel (No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet) made Chevrolet the dominant manufacturer in the Fast 12, capturing seven of the dozen spots.
Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. qualifying report:
What they’re saying – Freedom 250Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 3rd:“The PPG Chevy felt good, just struggling to get the tires up to temp like some of the cars. We’ll go to work on that. I think we’re in a good spot for tomorrow. To get Fast 6 around here is great. We’ll focus on tomorrow. I think we’ve got a great race car.”Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 Splenda Stevia Chevrolet qualified 4th:“It was there from the beginning. We rolled off the truck super well this weekend. We made a few improvements for the second practice and made a few improvements for qualifying. We improved the car; that’s just the name of the game. We started on the right progression and stepped up each time, which is very big for us. I’m very happy, putting the Splenda Stevia Chevy at the right end of the field is exciting and representing these brands well and hopefully have a good race tomorrow.” David Malukas, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 6th:“It’s obviously a fantastic show for the fans, but for our car specifically, it’s tough because we always struggle with trying to build (tire) temps up. So, it’s a tough situation, and I made a mistake on the lap. We had a big lockup, again, brakes aren’t up to temp, and I had a tow link hit, very light, but I didn’t want to put…Probably could have finished the lap, but I said, you know what? The Verizon Chevy is in one piece, Fast Six, that’s good enough for tomorrow. We can start there; it’s a long race. But yeah, fantastic shootout. I love it. I love the one lap shootout, but we have to figure out how to get our temps up and be on the upper end of it.” Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 7th:“It’s obviously a fantastic show for the fans, but for our car specifically, it’s tough because we always struggle with trying to build (tire) temps up. So, it’s a tough situation, and I made a mistake on the lap. We had a big lockup, again, brakes aren’t up to temp, and I had a tow link hit, very light, but I didn’t want to put…Probably could have finished the lap, but I said, you know what? The Verizon Chevy is in one piece, Fast Six, that’s good enough for tomorrow. We can start there; it’s a long race. But yeah, fantastic shootout. I love it. I love the one lap shootout, but we have to figure out how to get our temps up and be on the upper end of it.” Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 9th:“Long day at the office. We’re obviously driving on a track with some cool surroundings. It’s one hell of an event that’s being put on by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES this weekend. We rolled off pretty well this morning, and I’m a little bummed that we didn’t execute as well as we could have in Q2 as we were fighting grip, fighting lap time. It’s a long race tomorrow, though, so it’s just about being in it.” Caio Collet, No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet qualified 11th:Yeah, quite decent. Just couldn’t really extract a lot of lap time in the fast 12. Need to understand why. We put new tires on and somehow, we went a little bit slower. So yeah, just trying to analyze that, see what happened. Not a bad place to start – 11th. So hopefully we can have a clean race tomorrow.” Nolan Siegel, No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 12th:“It was a very weird day here in D.C. I thought we were going to be in the Fast 6 after Practice 2 but just lost some pace in Qualifying. So, I’m a little disappointed with that, but we will be in an okay spot, and we will be able to pass on this track through a long race.” Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 16th:“Yeah, just missed transferring to the second round. Obviously, this is a short circuit with short lap times, so fewer areas to make up time. It’s a very technical track with the bumps and I love that. While I’m still not racing at 100 percent, I know this team will give me a great Astemo Chevy tomorrow. What a beautiful scheme too. It will look good coming through the field.” Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Chevrolet qualified 19th: Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet qualified 22nd:“The only positives are that we’re racing in D.C. right now. I hit the wall on the first set. The second set, people go off in front of you, and then it goes red, so you just don’t get another lap. It’s just a terrible situation to be put in, insanely unfortunate. So, we’ll just see what happens in the race. I need to be able to have a car to drive and not stuff it in the wall. We’ve got a lot of work to do tonight.” Sting Ray Robb, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet qualified 24th:
CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESFreedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.1.7-mile, 7-turn Washington, D.C. street circuitWashington, DCSaturday Qualifying ReportAugust 22, 2026 WASHINGTON (August 22, 2026) – Scott McLaughlin, the driver of the No. 3 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet, was the quickest of the trio of Team Chevy drivers that advanced to the Firestone Fast Six, where Christian Rasmussen joined him in the No. 21 Splenda Stevia Chevrolet and David Malukas in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. It’s the fifth time this season that McLaughlin, who will start third, has advanced to the Firestone Fast Six, with four of those coming on street circuits. Rasmussen will start a season-best fourth, after making his second Fast Six in the last four races. Malukas, who appeared in his seventh Fast Six of the year, will start from the outside of the third row. Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet), Christian Lundgaard (No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet), Caio Collet (No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet) and Nolan Siegel (No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet) made Chevrolet the dominant manufacturer in the Fast 12, capturing seven of the dozen spots.
Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. qualifying report:
What they’re saying – Freedom 250Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 3rd:“The PPG Chevy felt good, just struggling to get the tires up to temp like some of the cars. We’ll go to work on that. I think we’re in a good spot for tomorrow. To get Fast 6 around here is great. We’ll focus on tomorrow. I think we’ve got a great race car.”Christian Rasmussen, No. 21 Splenda Stevia Chevrolet qualified 4th:“It was there from the beginning. We rolled off the truck super well this weekend. We made a few improvements for the second practice and made a few improvements for qualifying. We improved the car; that’s just the name of the game. We started on the right progression and stepped up each time, which is very big for us. I’m very happy, putting the Splenda Stevia Chevy at the right end of the field is exciting and representing these brands well and hopefully have a good race tomorrow.” David Malukas, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 6th:“It’s obviously a fantastic show for the fans, but for our car specifically, it’s tough because we always struggle with trying to build (tire) temps up. So, it’s a tough situation, and I made a mistake on the lap. We had a big lockup, again, brakes aren’t up to temp, and I had a tow link hit, very light, but I didn’t want to put…Probably could have finished the lap, but I said, you know what? The Verizon Chevy is in one piece, Fast Six, that’s good enough for tomorrow. We can start there; it’s a long race. But yeah, fantastic shootout. I love it. I love the one lap shootout, but we have to figure out how to get our temps up and be on the upper end of it.” Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 7th:“It’s obviously a fantastic show for the fans, but for our car specifically, it’s tough because we always struggle with trying to build (tire) temps up. So, it’s a tough situation, and I made a mistake on the lap. We had a big lockup, again, brakes aren’t up to temp, and I had a tow link hit, very light, but I didn’t want to put…Probably could have finished the lap, but I said, you know what? The Verizon Chevy is in one piece, Fast Six, that’s good enough for tomorrow. We can start there; it’s a long race. But yeah, fantastic shootout. I love it. I love the one lap shootout, but we have to figure out how to get our temps up and be on the upper end of it.” Christian Lundgaard, No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 9th:“Long day at the office. We’re obviously driving on a track with some cool surroundings. It’s one hell of an event that’s being put on by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES this weekend. We rolled off pretty well this morning, and I’m a little bummed that we didn’t execute as well as we could have in Q2 as we were fighting grip, fighting lap time. It’s a long race tomorrow, though, so it’s just about being in it.” Caio Collet, No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet qualified 11th:Yeah, quite decent. Just couldn’t really extract a lot of lap time in the fast 12. Need to understand why. We put new tires on and somehow, we went a little bit slower. So yeah, just trying to analyze that, see what happened. Not a bad place to start – 11th. So hopefully we can have a clean race tomorrow.” Nolan Siegel, No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet qualified 12th:“It was a very weird day here in D.C. I thought we were going to be in the Fast 6 after Practice 2 but just lost some pace in Qualifying. So, I’m a little disappointed with that, but we will be in an okay spot, and we will be able to pass on this track through a long race.” Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet qualified 16th:“Yeah, just missed transferring to the second round. Obviously, this is a short circuit with short lap times, so fewer areas to make up time. It’s a very technical track with the bumps and I love that. While I’m still not racing at 100 percent, I know this team will give me a great Astemo Chevy tomorrow. What a beautiful scheme too. It will look good coming through the field.” Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Chevrolet qualified 19th: Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet qualified 22nd:“The only positives are that we’re racing in D.C. right now. I hit the wall on the first set. The second set, people go off in front of you, and then it goes red, so you just don’t get another lap. It’s just a terrible situation to be put in, insanely unfortunate. So, we’ll just see what happens in the race. I need to be able to have a car to drive and not stuff it in the wall. We’ve got a lot of work to do tonight.” Sting Ray Robb, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet qualified 24th:
Tune-In Guide Sunday, August 9NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 9am (ET)/8am (CT)/7am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS1/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Freedom 250 Grand Prix Pre-Race Show – 11:30am (ET)/10:30am (CT)9:30am (MT)/8:30am (PT) – FOXFreedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. (125 laps) — 1pm (ET)/noon (CT)11am (MT)/10am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
MAQUOKETA, IA (August 23, 2026) – Maquoketa Speedway became the site of some dirt Late Model history on Saturday night.
Bobby Pierce won the Hawkeye 100 for the second year in a row, claiming his 19th win of the season with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision. It may only be August, but the Oakwood, IL native’s 2026 campaign has already become the winningest season in Series history.
Entering the weekend, Pierce sat in a tie with Josh Richards, who won 18 races in 2016, and Brandon Sheppard, who did the same in 2017 and 2019. The “Smooth Operator” now stands alone at the top, and he still has a dozen races left on the schedule to add to his unbelievable tally.
Pierce’s record-breaking Maquoketa win came in dominant fashion, leading all 60 laps to take the checkers by more than four seconds. From second in the starting order, Pierce pounded the cushion around Turns 1 and 2 on the opening lap before cutting to the inside of Bilstein Polesitter Hudson O’Neal down the backstretch. Pierce cleared the K&L Rumley Enterprises No. 6 in Turn 3 and slid up in front to complete the first and only lead change of the race.
“I never thought that would have happened,” Pierce said. “It took me forever to get an Outlaw win, until 2021, and by that time, I had already won the World [100], the North-South [100] years before that before I won my first Outlaw race. It was a hard time getting it, and once we did, once we started running the Series, they just started coming. It’s awesome, I just can’t thank everyone enough that’s gotten me to this point.”
The win expanded Pierce’s lead at the top of the championship standings to 113 points, a margin that reached triple digits for the first time this year. That was due in large part to a tumultuous night for his two closest challengers, Nick Hoffman and Tyler Erb.
Moments after Pierce took the lead, a spinning Clay Stuckey blocked the track for the cars behind and resulted in a massive pileup that saw both Hoffman and Erb go upside down. Both cars were able to be repaired in the work area, with Hoffman and Erb climbing back up to ninth and 11th, respectively.
O’Neal crossed the line second, enough to top the weeklong standings and claim the inaugural Hoker Trucking Iowa Super Late Model Speedweek championship. Third went to Jonathan Davenport, who rebounded from a 23rd-place result on Friday to earn a spot on a World of Outlaws podium for the fourth time in 2026. Brian Shirley and Brandon Sheppard rounded out the top five.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision continues its tour of Iowa on Wednesday, Aug. 26, with the Series debut at Southern Iowa Speedway. Get your tickets in advance by clicking here.
Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.
RACE NOTES:
Chad Simpson set the Dirt King Simulators Fastest Hot Lap.
Pierce Breaks Single-Season Win Record With Second-Straight Hawkeye 100 Triumph
MAQUOKETA, IA (August 23, 2026) – Maquoketa Speedway became the site of some dirt Late Model history on Saturday night.
Bobby Pierce won the Hawkeye 100 for the second year in a row, claiming his 19th win of the season with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision. It may only be August, but the Oakwood, IL native’s 2026 campaign has already become the winningest season in Series history.
Entering the weekend, Pierce sat in a tie with Josh Richards, who won 18 races in 2016, and Brandon Sheppard, who did the same in 2017 and 2019. The “Smooth Operator” now stands alone at the top, and he still has a dozen races left on the schedule to add to his unbelievable tally.
Pierce’s record-breaking Maquoketa win came in dominant fashion, leading all 60 laps to take the checkers by more than four seconds. From second in the starting order, Pierce pounded the cushion around Turns 1 and 2 on the opening lap before cutting to the inside of Bilstein Polesitter Hudson O’Neal down the backstretch. Pierce cleared the K&L Rumley Enterprises No. 6 in Turn 3 and slid up in front to complete the first and only lead change of the race.
“I never thought that would have happened,” Pierce said. “It took me forever to get an Outlaw win, until 2021, and by that time, I had already won the World [100], the North-South [100] years before that before I won my first Outlaw race. It was a hard time getting it, and once we did, once we started running the Series, they just started coming. It’s awesome, I just can’t thank everyone enough that’s gotten me to this point.”
The win expanded Pierce’s lead at the top of the championship standings to 113 points, a margin that reached triple digits for the first time this year. That was due in large part to a tumultuous night for his two closest challengers, Nick Hoffman and Tyler Erb.
Moments after Pierce took the lead, a spinning Clay Stuckey blocked the track for the cars behind and resulted in a massive pileup that saw both Hoffman and Erb go upside down. Both cars were able to be repaired in the work area, with Hoffman and Erb climbing back up to ninth and 11th, respectively.
O’Neal crossed the line second, enough to top the weeklong standings and claim the inaugural Hoker Trucking Iowa Super Late Model Speedweek championship. Third went to Jonathan Davenport, who rebounded from a 23rd-place result on Friday to earn a spot on a World of Outlaws podium for the fourth time in 2026. Brian Shirley and Brandon Sheppard rounded out the top five.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision continues its tour of Iowa on Wednesday, Aug. 26, with the Series debut at Southern Iowa Speedway. Get your tickets in advance by clicking here.
Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.
RACE NOTES:
Chad Simpson set the Dirt King Simulators Fastest Hot Lap.
The Shark Racing driver holds off a hornet’s nest of Haudenschild, Macedo, and Schatz for his third win of the season
JACKSON, MN (August 22, 2026) – Racing doesn’t get much better than Saturday night at Jackson Motorplex.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series made the most of their single stop at the Minnesota track for the Fendt Showdown. The track crew delivered a top-notch surface, and the best Sprint Car drivers in the world did their part.
The green flag ignited 30 laps of thrilling action around the 4/10 mile. Logan Schuchart led as the race began with Donny Schatz stalking him. Eventually, Schuchart put some distance between himself and the 10-time Series champion while battles broke out everywhere behind them.
Sheldon Haudenschild surged by Schatz into the second spot on Lap 16 and wasted no time sliding by Schuchart for the lead two circuits later. That looked like it might be the winning move as Haudenschild motored away, but traffic set the stage for a thrilling conclusion. The Jaws music was cued as Schuchart began to reel Haudenschild back in with less than 10 laps remaining and brought Donny Schatz and Carson Macedo with him.
You could throw a blanket over the top four as the laps clicked away. Schuchart ripped by Haudenschild as they crossed the line with three to go. That proved to be the winning pass as he held off the potent trio behind him to take the Shark Racing No. 1S to Victory Lane.
“I knew somebody was probably coming, and I saw a car out of the corner of my eye on the bottom in (Turns) 1 and 2,” Schuchart said of when Haudenschild passed him. “And I knew it was a lead lap car that got by me at that point. But once Sheldon was in that seat, it’s tough. Sometimes it’s better to be chasing. I felt like I could get the wing back a little bit and make something happen, just kind of gas her up and play cat and mouse. At that point, we were the cat. We just got better there at the end.”
Schuchart’s score gave him three wins this season with The Greatest Show on Dirt and 47 for his career. Five of those have come at Jackson Motorplex, equaling with Eldora Speedway for the winningest track on the Hanover, PA native’s résumé. The Shark crew continued their hot summer with their 13th top five in the last 17 races including a pair of victories in the last four.
Sheldon Haudenschild’s bid for back-to-back checkered flags fell a spot short in the KCP Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 18. The Wooster, OH native has reeled off three consecutive podiums and tallied 21 this season.
Carson Macedo muscled by Donny Schatz late to put the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 in third, giving them podium results both nights of the Minnesota weekend.
Donny Schatz and Emerson Axsom completed the top five.
NIGHTLY NOTES
Carson Macedo ripped the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.
Kasey Jedrzejek set Simpson Quick Time for the second time this year in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.
Heat Races belonged to Emerson Axsom (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Sheldon Haudenschild (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Two), Christopher Thram (WIX Filters Heat Three), and Carson Macedo (Golf Cart Services Heat Four).
The SPA Technique #1 Redraw went to Logan Schuchart.
Schuchart also topped the Toyota Dash.
Jacob Peterson won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Buddy Kofoid took the Roth Motorsports No. 83 from 18th to sixth to earn the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger.
David Gravel was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.
Emerson Axsom came home fifth and was the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.
Logan Schuchart clocked the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Mark Dobmeier.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars head to North Dakota for a triple header at Grand Forks, ND’s River Cities Speedway on Friday, Aug. 28, West Fargo, ND’s Fix It Forward Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 29, and Minot, ND’s Nodak Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 30. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
ANOTHER SHARK STRIKE: Schuchart’s Hot Summer Continues with Thrilling Jackson Victory
The Shark Racing driver holds off a hornet’s nest of Haudenschild, Macedo, and Schatz for his third win of the season
JACKSON, MN (August 22, 2026) – Racing doesn’t get much better than Saturday night at Jackson Motorplex.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series made the most of their single stop at the Minnesota track for the Fendt Showdown. The track crew delivered a top-notch surface, and the best Sprint Car drivers in the world did their part.
The green flag ignited 30 laps of thrilling action around the 4/10 mile. Logan Schuchart led as the race began with Donny Schatz stalking him. Eventually, Schuchart put some distance between himself and the 10-time Series champion while battles broke out everywhere behind them.
Sheldon Haudenschild surged by Schatz into the second spot on Lap 16 and wasted no time sliding by Schuchart for the lead two circuits later. That looked like it might be the winning move as Haudenschild motored away, but traffic set the stage for a thrilling conclusion. The Jaws music was cued as Schuchart began to reel Haudenschild back in with less than 10 laps remaining and brought Donny Schatz and Carson Macedo with him.
You could throw a blanket over the top four as the laps clicked away. Schuchart ripped by Haudenschild as they crossed the line with three to go. That proved to be the winning pass as he held off the potent trio behind him to take the Shark Racing No. 1S to Victory Lane.
“I knew somebody was probably coming, and I saw a car out of the corner of my eye on the bottom in (Turns) 1 and 2,” Schuchart said of when Haudenschild passed him. “And I knew it was a lead lap car that got by me at that point. But once Sheldon was in that seat, it’s tough. Sometimes it’s better to be chasing. I felt like I could get the wing back a little bit and make something happen, just kind of gas her up and play cat and mouse. At that point, we were the cat. We just got better there at the end.”
Schuchart’s score gave him three wins this season with The Greatest Show on Dirt and 47 for his career. Five of those have come at Jackson Motorplex, equaling with Eldora Speedway for the winningest track on the Hanover, PA native’s résumé. The Shark crew continued their hot summer with their 13th top five in the last 17 races including a pair of victories in the last four.
Sheldon Haudenschild’s bid for back-to-back checkered flags fell a spot short in the KCP Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 18. The Wooster, OH native has reeled off three consecutive podiums and tallied 21 this season.
Carson Macedo muscled by Donny Schatz late to put the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 in third, giving them podium results both nights of the Minnesota weekend.
Donny Schatz and Emerson Axsom completed the top five.
NIGHTLY NOTES
Carson Macedo ripped the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.
Kasey Jedrzejek set Simpson Quick Time for the second time this year in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.
Heat Races belonged to Emerson Axsom (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Sheldon Haudenschild (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Two), Christopher Thram (WIX Filters Heat Three), and Carson Macedo (Golf Cart Services Heat Four).
The SPA Technique #1 Redraw went to Logan Schuchart.
Schuchart also topped the Toyota Dash.
Jacob Peterson won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Buddy Kofoid took the Roth Motorsports No. 83 from 18th to sixth to earn the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger.
David Gravel was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.
Emerson Axsom came home fifth and was the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.
Logan Schuchart clocked the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Mark Dobmeier.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars head to North Dakota for a triple header at Grand Forks, ND’s River Cities Speedway on Friday, Aug. 28, West Fargo, ND’s Fix It Forward Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 29, and Minot, ND’s Nodak Speedway on Sunday, Aug. 30. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 22, 2026) – Spearheaded by the efforts of Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) and Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), Estenson Racing Yamaha pulled off a clean sweep of victories at the 79th World Famous Caterpillar Peoria TT presented by Walters Brothers Harley-Davidson, Round 14 of 16 for the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. And as it was, both headlining wins at the Peoria Motorcycle Club in Peoria, Illinois, were of significant consequence. Daniels closed out the day’s proceedings by coming out on top of a tense duel with Mission AFT SuperTwins’ rival Briar Bauman (No. 3 Super.com/RWR/Rocket Doctor Harley-Davidson XG750R). The premier-class Main Event saw the reigning and former Grand National Champions go head-to-head for the entirety of the 10-minute and two lap affair. Bauman grabbed the holeshot but Daniels was restless in second, repeatedly looking for a way up the inside in the track’s first and last corners. After being rebuffed by multiple crisscrossing square-ups, Daniels made his intended maneuver stick with just under six minutes remaining on the clock. The Estenson Racing Yamaha ace grabbed a couple tenths in a hurry and threatened to shake free. However, Bauman found his second wind as the laps wound down and the two encountered lapped traffic. At that point, the Rick Ware Racing pilot closed right back in on Daniels’ rear wheel, eying a final-lap lunge with the checkered flag in sight. Instead, Daniels held his line and raced his way to a 0.325-second margin of victory. The win was especially rewarding for Daniels, who grew up in nearby Mattoon, Illinois, dreaming of days like this. He said, “That was probably the toughest Main Event of my career. I got off in second, but that was actually good. I was watching Briar and seeing where I was a little bit better. He was making a few mistakes, and I snuck by. I tried to be smooth, but it wasn’t super smooth. He was right on me, I kind of pulled a gap, but then he reeled it back in. I could hear him sizing up a move, and I tried to do anything I could to not let it happen. “It feels great. The bike was just flawless. And you know, Briar is really good here… just like Chris (Carr), Henry (Wiles), and JD (Beach) – he’s one of those guys. He was trying to take the reins on taking this place over, and I knew he was going to be really tough to beat. I’m so pumped to get the job done. It’s amazing.” Third title contender, Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), had his work cut out for him after being forced through the LCQ due to losing his chain landing the jump while leading his heat race. Despite this disadvantage, Kopp somehow slotted his way up into fourth on the opening lap of the Main Event. However, he was unable to translate that into genuine contention, quickly losing the position to Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke), who then reeled in Peoria legend Henry Wiles (No. 911 DL Racing/HYMMCO Yamaha MT-07). Fisher finally made his way through on Wiles with less than a minute remaining, as Kopp looked to pull off a similar feat. The Latus Motors Harley runner came up just short, with Fisher earning the final spot on the box, while Wiles edged Kopp for fourth by a scant 0.044 seconds. “Fast Boy from Illinois” Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) finished sixth, with Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), Hunter Bauer (No. 24 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), Chad Cose (No. 49 Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07), and Kole King (No. 80 King Performance/Motul KTM 790 Duke) rounding out the top ten. As a result of his momentous triumph, Daniels now boasts a commanding 20-point advantage in his Grand National Championship defense with just the Caterpillar Springfield Mile I & II to go. He currently sits at 272 points, followed by Bauman (252) and Kopp (249). KICKER AFT Singles The KICKER AFT Singles class promised yet another epic clash with Drane in position to successfully defend his class crown, and his archrival, home-state hero Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), hoping to stay alive by defending his home turf. That promise was broken when it became clear Drane wanted no part of any further drama, while Saathoff got saddled with his own. While the Estenson Racing Yamaha ace powered off with the holeshot, Saathoff initially found himself behind the visiting Max Whale (No. 18 Australian Road Services/Heaton Plant & Pipeline KTM 450 SX-F). While Saathoff rectified that situation in short order, he suffered a bobble in the last corner of the opening lap. That mishap cost him the position, time, and any realistic chance of challenging Drane. Drane ran a clean race at the front, clocking up a record-tying eighth victory to lock down his second consecutive KICKER AFT Singles title. He said, “It’s been a great season – eight wins so far, which is really cool. We didn’t really change anything. We rode the same bike all day… The track just kept getting better and better, and I kept feeling better and better. I knew I had to go out there and try to win, so I put my head down the first half of the race and got a gap. I kept looking back and just tried to manage the gap. I didn’t need to do anything silly and brought the championship home.” Countryman Whale served as a de facto bodyguard, keeping Saathoff corralled behind him for the remainder of the race to claim a runner-up finish in his first attempt of the ‘26 season. With the top three positions well out of reach, several riders were in contention for fourth. That position ultimately went to Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) despite the attempts of Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F), and company. Pfanders finished fifth, while Tadman ultimately dropped back to eighth. Between them, Trevor Brunner (No. 21 JMC Motorsports/Fairway GMC KTM 450 SX-F) and Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) picked up sixth and seventh, respectively, while Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F) and Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) completed the top ten. Now with 264 points, Drane holds an unassailable lead with two rounds remaining. Saathoff has a strong grasp on second at 215, while Tadman (182), Santero (193), and Brunner (170) all retain slim yet mathematical shots at that spot. Dan Bromley AFT ProSport 450 Invitational While Daniels’ and Drane’s wins garnered the headlines, it was actually the KICKER AFT Singles champ’s younger brother, Sam Drane (No. 7 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), who kicked off the Estenson Racing Yamaha sweep. The rising star rounded out a dominant day of his own with a fittingly dominant performance in the Dan Bromley AFT ProSport 450 Invitational. Even amongst an all-star collection of amateurs invited to compete in a race organized in memory of the late Dan Bromley, Drane proved himself in a class of his own in Peoria. After topping the charts in practice, both qualifying sessions, and his heat race, the Australian kept right on rolling through the Main Event. Drane took the holeshot and systematically built up his lead across the 12-lapper, ultimately taking the checkered flag with a 5.020-second margin of victory. The win was Drane’s fourth in the inaugural season of AFT ProSport 450 competition. Jake Paige (No. 55 Paige Racing GASGAS MC 450F) and Adam Costan-Wood (No. 88 Turner Racing Honda CRF450R) attempted to keep Drane in sight early before shifting focus to their fight for second. Paige had gotten away in that position but soon found himself facing constant and intense pressure from Costan-Wood. That carried on right up the final stripe, where Paige just managed to hold Costan-Wood at bay by 0.071 seconds to complete an all Australia 1-2. Behind, Dillon Durelle (No. 58 Durelle Racing Yamaha YZ450F) worked his way past Cody Mishey (No. 26 Team Mishey Racing Honda CRF450R) to score fourth, with Mishey holding on to complete the top five. Next Up It all comes down to this: The 2026 Grand National Championship will be decided at the series’ crown jewel – the Caterpillar Springfield Mile I & II, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6. For tickets visit:
Daniels Victorious, Drane Locks Up Title in Estenson Yamaha Peoria TT Sweep
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 22, 2026) – Spearheaded by the efforts of Dallas Daniels (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07) and Tom Drane (No. 1 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), Estenson Racing Yamaha pulled off a clean sweep of victories at the 79th World Famous Caterpillar Peoria TT presented by Walters Brothers Harley-Davidson, Round 14 of 16 for the 2026 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. And as it was, both headlining wins at the Peoria Motorcycle Club in Peoria, Illinois, were of significant consequence. Daniels closed out the day’s proceedings by coming out on top of a tense duel with Mission AFT SuperTwins’ rival Briar Bauman (No. 3 Super.com/RWR/Rocket Doctor Harley-Davidson XG750R). The premier-class Main Event saw the reigning and former Grand National Champions go head-to-head for the entirety of the 10-minute and two lap affair. Bauman grabbed the holeshot but Daniels was restless in second, repeatedly looking for a way up the inside in the track’s first and last corners. After being rebuffed by multiple crisscrossing square-ups, Daniels made his intended maneuver stick with just under six minutes remaining on the clock. The Estenson Racing Yamaha ace grabbed a couple tenths in a hurry and threatened to shake free. However, Bauman found his second wind as the laps wound down and the two encountered lapped traffic. At that point, the Rick Ware Racing pilot closed right back in on Daniels’ rear wheel, eying a final-lap lunge with the checkered flag in sight. Instead, Daniels held his line and raced his way to a 0.325-second margin of victory. The win was especially rewarding for Daniels, who grew up in nearby Mattoon, Illinois, dreaming of days like this. He said, “That was probably the toughest Main Event of my career. I got off in second, but that was actually good. I was watching Briar and seeing where I was a little bit better. He was making a few mistakes, and I snuck by. I tried to be smooth, but it wasn’t super smooth. He was right on me, I kind of pulled a gap, but then he reeled it back in. I could hear him sizing up a move, and I tried to do anything I could to not let it happen. “It feels great. The bike was just flawless. And you know, Briar is really good here… just like Chris (Carr), Henry (Wiles), and JD (Beach) – he’s one of those guys. He was trying to take the reins on taking this place over, and I knew he was going to be really tough to beat. I’m so pumped to get the job done. It’s amazing.” Third title contender, Kody Kopp (No. 12 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R), had his work cut out for him after being forced through the LCQ due to losing his chain landing the jump while leading his heat race. Despite this disadvantage, Kopp somehow slotted his way up into fourth on the opening lap of the Main Event. However, he was unable to translate that into genuine contention, quickly losing the position to Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing KTM 790 Duke), who then reeled in Peoria legend Henry Wiles (No. 911 DL Racing/HYMMCO Yamaha MT-07). Fisher finally made his way through on Wiles with less than a minute remaining, as Kopp looked to pull off a similar feat. The Latus Motors Harley runner came up just short, with Fisher earning the final spot on the box, while Wiles edged Kopp for fourth by a scant 0.044 seconds. “Fast Boy from Illinois” Declan Bender (No. 70 Memphis Shades/Vinson Construction Yamaha MT-07) finished sixth, with Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), Hunter Bauer (No. 24 G&G Racing Yamaha MT-07), Chad Cose (No. 49 Parker Racing/Pro Roofing Yamaha MT-07), and Kole King (No. 80 King Performance/Motul KTM 790 Duke) rounding out the top ten. As a result of his momentous triumph, Daniels now boasts a commanding 20-point advantage in his Grand National Championship defense with just the Caterpillar Springfield Mile I & II to go. He currently sits at 272 points, followed by Bauman (252) and Kopp (249). KICKER AFT Singles The KICKER AFT Singles class promised yet another epic clash with Drane in position to successfully defend his class crown, and his archrival, home-state hero Chase Saathoff (No. 88 1st Impressions Race Team Husqvarna FC450), hoping to stay alive by defending his home turf. That promise was broken when it became clear Drane wanted no part of any further drama, while Saathoff got saddled with his own. While the Estenson Racing Yamaha ace powered off with the holeshot, Saathoff initially found himself behind the visiting Max Whale (No. 18 Australian Road Services/Heaton Plant & Pipeline KTM 450 SX-F). While Saathoff rectified that situation in short order, he suffered a bobble in the last corner of the opening lap. That mishap cost him the position, time, and any realistic chance of challenging Drane. Drane ran a clean race at the front, clocking up a record-tying eighth victory to lock down his second consecutive KICKER AFT Singles title. He said, “It’s been a great season – eight wins so far, which is really cool. We didn’t really change anything. We rode the same bike all day… The track just kept getting better and better, and I kept feeling better and better. I knew I had to go out there and try to win, so I put my head down the first half of the race and got a gap. I kept looking back and just tried to manage the gap. I didn’t need to do anything silly and brought the championship home.” Countryman Whale served as a de facto bodyguard, keeping Saathoff corralled behind him for the remainder of the race to claim a runner-up finish in his first attempt of the ‘26 season. With the top three positions well out of reach, several riders were in contention for fourth. That position ultimately went to Tarren Santero (No. 75 Roof Systems/Texas Utility Studies/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) despite the attempts of Kage Tadman (No. 28 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Bradon Pfanders (No. 83 Memphis Shades/Corbin Seats Yamaha YZ450F), and company. Pfanders finished fifth, while Tadman ultimately dropped back to eighth. Between them, Trevor Brunner (No. 21 JMC Motorsports/Fairway GMC KTM 450 SX-F) and Jared Lowe (No. 63 Big R Racing/Vinson Construction Honda CRF450R) picked up sixth and seventh, respectively, while Evan Kelleher (No. 31 Schaeffer’s Motorsports KTM 450 SX-F) and Walker Porter (No. 10 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) completed the top ten. Now with 264 points, Drane holds an unassailable lead with two rounds remaining. Saathoff has a strong grasp on second at 215, while Tadman (182), Santero (193), and Brunner (170) all retain slim yet mathematical shots at that spot. Dan Bromley AFT ProSport 450 Invitational While Daniels’ and Drane’s wins garnered the headlines, it was actually the KICKER AFT Singles champ’s younger brother, Sam Drane (No. 7 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), who kicked off the Estenson Racing Yamaha sweep. The rising star rounded out a dominant day of his own with a fittingly dominant performance in the Dan Bromley AFT ProSport 450 Invitational. Even amongst an all-star collection of amateurs invited to compete in a race organized in memory of the late Dan Bromley, Drane proved himself in a class of his own in Peoria. After topping the charts in practice, both qualifying sessions, and his heat race, the Australian kept right on rolling through the Main Event. Drane took the holeshot and systematically built up his lead across the 12-lapper, ultimately taking the checkered flag with a 5.020-second margin of victory. The win was Drane’s fourth in the inaugural season of AFT ProSport 450 competition. Jake Paige (No. 55 Paige Racing GASGAS MC 450F) and Adam Costan-Wood (No. 88 Turner Racing Honda CRF450R) attempted to keep Drane in sight early before shifting focus to their fight for second. Paige had gotten away in that position but soon found himself facing constant and intense pressure from Costan-Wood. That carried on right up the final stripe, where Paige just managed to hold Costan-Wood at bay by 0.071 seconds to complete an all Australia 1-2. Behind, Dillon Durelle (No. 58 Durelle Racing Yamaha YZ450F) worked his way past Cody Mishey (No. 26 Team Mishey Racing Honda CRF450R) to score fourth, with Mishey holding on to complete the top five. Next Up It all comes down to this: The 2026 Grand National Championship will be decided at the series’ crown jewel – the Caterpillar Springfield Mile I & II, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois, on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6. For tickets visit:
Photography: John Force Racing / Auto Imagery / Gary Nastase
VANDERGRIFF TOPS BRAINERD FUNNY CAR FIELD ONE YEAR AFTER RETURN TO COMPETITIONBeckman qualifies sixth, DeJoria eighth and Hart 10th
SATURDAY RECAP – BRAINERDRace 13 of 20
Photography: John Force Racing / Auto Imagery / Gary Nastase
VANDERGRIFF TOPS BRAINERD FUNNY CAR FIELD ONE YEAR AFTER RETURN TO COMPETITIONBeckman qualifies sixth, DeJoria eighth and Hart 10th
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 21, 2026) – One year ago at Brainerd International Raceway, Jordan Vandergriff returned to NHRA Drag Racing competition after a six-year layoff and today finds him the No. 1 Qualifier in Funny Car heading into Sunday’s eliminations for the NHRA Brainerd Nationals. Vandergriff wheeled John Force Racing’s Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Funny Car to a run of 3.879 seconds at 325.50 mph in his fourth and final qualifying run of the weekend. His third No. 1 qualifying positions this year are the second most by a driver in his or first season at John Force Racing. The only first year driver with more No. 1’s was Robert Hight who had five in 2005. Vandergriff will have a Bye run in the first round and will face the winner of first-round matchup between John Force Racing teammate Alexis DeJoria and Dave Richards. Jack Beckman qualified the PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car in the No. 6 spot with his Q1 run of 3.903 seconds at 324.67 mph. He will face No. 11 qualifier Chad Green (3.972 seconds) in Round 1. DeJoria qualified the Bandero Café SS Funny Car eighth with her Q4 run of 3.915 seconds at 326.08 mph. She will face No. 9 qualifier Dave Richards (3.924 seconds) in the first round. Josh Hart qualified the Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster in the 10th position, running 3.774 seconds at 327.35 mph in Q4. He will line up against No. 7 qualifier Tony Stewart (3.758 seconds) in the first round. Beckman and Hart participated in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge based on their semifinal finishes at the July 26 NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash. Hart defeated Leah Pruett in the first round, running 3.774 seconds at 327.35 mph to the run of 4.786 at 151.58 mph by Pruett, who backed off the accelerator after an extended wheel stand. In Beckman’s Rd. 1 matchup, the PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car ran 3.926 seconds at 323.81 mph to Austin Prock’s low ET of the weekend run of 3.881 seconds at 327.19 mph. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 23. Quote from Jordan Vandergriff, Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “That Q4 run felt quicker than I’ve been all weekend and, as it turns out, it was quicker than everybody so far this weekend. That’s a credit to my guys: Chris Cunningham, Jason Bunker, and the entire Cornwell Quality Tools team. They worked hard last night and whatever changes they made, it worked and we find ourselves with this yellow hat (awarded to the No. 1 Qualifier).” “What a difference a year can make. I thought about what happened here for me last year. I got the opportunity I had been waiting on for a very long time and I still thank Shawn Reed for giving it to me. And then to get the call of a lifetime from John Force over this offseason to drive this Cornwell Quality Tools Chevy, and the success we’ve had already so far this year, it’s astonishing to me.” “It was a tough week for the Vandergriff family with the passing of my grandfather, Bob Vandergriff, Sr. He was the one responsible for our passion for NHRA drag racing. He really pioneered our love for this sport and he gave us all an opportunity and provided us with so much. He came from nothing from Missouri and he built a life for himself and his family so I was very fortunate to have him as my grandfather. We will miss him dearly and, hopefully, by tomorrow afternoon I can honor his name further.” Quote from Jack Beckman, PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “The PEAK Chevy has a wide tune up window but we want to narrow the variants on clutch wear. We pushed hard in Q4 because we didn’t really have anything to lose. At first, we didn’t think we were going to be able to pick up but then when we saw Alexis (DeJoria) run a 3.91. We thought she got everything that was out there and then the Cornwell car ran 3.87. We were pushing to run a 3.89 and it looked good until it didn’t. The silver lining is we learned something from it, our clutch wear finally came back up to the high side, and now we should be able to split the difference.” Quote from Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “We made a 3.943-second run in today’s first qualifying session. We were hoping to go a little quicker but I can’t complain. We have a very fast and consistent Bandero Café Chevy. It made it down the track, in the 3.90s in all four runs this weekend. There are a lot of good cars here, we’re all really close together. I’m excited about tomorrow. Anything could happen.” Quote from Josh Hart, Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster: “I have an awesome Speedmaster team and two really smart guys up top working relentlessly around the clock to get us into the Top 5 in the point standings before the Countdown to the Championship reset. I know this probably seems crazy to most people to be testing at this point in the season but this is a war, not just a weekend battle.”
ALTON, Va. (August 22, 2026) – Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs will be on the front row in both classes Sunday for the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR with hopes of a double-victory in the season’s lone GT-only race. Casper Stevenson gave DragonSpeed its first pole position of the season with the No. 81 Corvette in the GTD class. It’s the second GTD pole of the year for the Corvette following Robert Wickens’ pole start at Long Beach for DXDT Racing. In GTD PRO and the overall order, Nicky Catsburg will start on the outside front-row in the No. 4 Corvette from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports. He and Tommy Milner sit second in the class Drivers Championship with Chevrolet leading the Manufacturers’ chase.
Catsburg’s best time was a 1:44.924 (112.195 mph) lap that was 0.151 seconds off Andrea Caldarelli’s pole-winning lap. It matches the best start for Catsburg and Milner this year as they also started second in GTD PRO at Detroit. Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports won last year at VIR with the No. 3 of Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims, who was ninth in qualifying Saturday. Corvette Racing as a program has won nine races at the track – seven in IMSA competition. Stevenson’s GTD pole run in the No. 81 DragonSpeed Corvette continued the team’s strong momentum from Road America. He and Giacomo Altoé finished fourth there with Alec Udell, and Stevenson was second-quickest in class in Saturday’s final practice at VIR. All three GTD Corvettes qualified in the top-10 for the first time this season. DXDT Racing’s No. 36 Corvette qualified seventh after Mason Filippi’s lap of 1:46.251 (110.703 mph). He was less than a second clear of Orey Fidani in 13 Autosports’ No. 13 Corvette, its best qualifying result of the season. The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET on Sunday. It will air live on NBC starting at noon ET as does streaming coverage on Peacock in the U.S. and IMSA’s YouTube channel internationally. IMSA Radio will air on-track sessions at IMSA.com, XM 206 and SiriusXM Online 996.
ANDREA HIDALGO, CORVETTE RACING PROGRAM MANAGER: “Congratulations to Casper and the DragonSpeed team on taking the GTD pole at VIR today. The team’s pace has been impressive all weekend and it’s a great follow-up to its strong run at Road America. All three GTD Corvettes in the top-10 gives us all optimism for great results tomorrow. It’s the same for Nicky’s front-row starting spot in the No. 4 Corvette. That is an important result for the GTD PRO championship and the team can hopefully convert that to a win or another podium.”
CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R POST-QUALIFYING DRIVER QUOTES
CASPER STEVENSON, NO. 81 CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – GTD POLE-WINNER: “It was really good. This track had quite some grip in it. It was a lot of pressure but I delivered, and the car was great. Hopefully this is a clean race and I can set Giacomo up well. He’s the best in the business.”The key was a good qualy strategy. which we had. We did a warm-up on the used tires and a warm-up on the new. Then it was just doing the time while the tires were there. That was the key… putting it all together. You can easily get the driving part right late in the run, but that’s when the tires start to fall off. It’s really hard to pass here and isn’t good to follow. It sets up well and that’s what my job is.”
NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “This is exactly what we needed. I have to say, thanks to the guys on the team because the car was very, very strong in qualy on both sides. I think we nailed set-up pressures, the guys did a good job. Sure there is some more time in there, but it’s the same for everyone. So I’m very happy with P2. We were\ a little bit lucky with the BMW losing his best lap, but still, it’s very nice. The 9 car looks very strong also in their long run like us. So I feel like the 9 might be the one to beat. But that also shouldn’t be our focus. Our focus should be to beat the No. 1, to beat the 77, and the 9 can finish ahead if they want to.”
OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m really happy with qualifying and with how the car feels. The team has worked incredibly hard all weekend, making adjustments session after session, and we’ve made a lot of progress. P10 gives us a solid starting point, and I think we have a really good race car underneath us. I’m excited to see what we can do tomorrow.”
CORVETTE RACING AT VIR: Corvettes Starting Up FrontStevenson takes GTD pole for DragonSpeed, Catsburg P2 overall in No. 4 Corvette
ALTON, Va. (August 22, 2026) – Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs will be on the front row in both classes Sunday for the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR with hopes of a double-victory in the season’s lone GT-only race. Casper Stevenson gave DragonSpeed its first pole position of the season with the No. 81 Corvette in the GTD class. It’s the second GTD pole of the year for the Corvette following Robert Wickens’ pole start at Long Beach for DXDT Racing. In GTD PRO and the overall order, Nicky Catsburg will start on the outside front-row in the No. 4 Corvette from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports. He and Tommy Milner sit second in the class Drivers Championship with Chevrolet leading the Manufacturers’ chase.
Catsburg’s best time was a 1:44.924 (112.195 mph) lap that was 0.151 seconds off Andrea Caldarelli’s pole-winning lap. It matches the best start for Catsburg and Milner this year as they also started second in GTD PRO at Detroit. Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports won last year at VIR with the No. 3 of Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims, who was ninth in qualifying Saturday. Corvette Racing as a program has won nine races at the track – seven in IMSA competition. Stevenson’s GTD pole run in the No. 81 DragonSpeed Corvette continued the team’s strong momentum from Road America. He and Giacomo Altoé finished fourth there with Alec Udell, and Stevenson was second-quickest in class in Saturday’s final practice at VIR. All three GTD Corvettes qualified in the top-10 for the first time this season. DXDT Racing’s No. 36 Corvette qualified seventh after Mason Filippi’s lap of 1:46.251 (110.703 mph). He was less than a second clear of Orey Fidani in 13 Autosports’ No. 13 Corvette, its best qualifying result of the season. The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET on Sunday. It will air live on NBC starting at noon ET as does streaming coverage on Peacock in the U.S. and IMSA’s YouTube channel internationally. IMSA Radio will air on-track sessions at IMSA.com, XM 206 and SiriusXM Online 996.
ANDREA HIDALGO, CORVETTE RACING PROGRAM MANAGER: “Congratulations to Casper and the DragonSpeed team on taking the GTD pole at VIR today. The team’s pace has been impressive all weekend and it’s a great follow-up to its strong run at Road America. All three GTD Corvettes in the top-10 gives us all optimism for great results tomorrow. It’s the same for Nicky’s front-row starting spot in the No. 4 Corvette. That is an important result for the GTD PRO championship and the team can hopefully convert that to a win or another podium.”
CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R POST-QUALIFYING DRIVER QUOTES
CASPER STEVENSON, NO. 81 CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R – GTD POLE-WINNER: “It was really good. This track had quite some grip in it. It was a lot of pressure but I delivered, and the car was great. Hopefully this is a clean race and I can set Giacomo up well. He’s the best in the business.”The key was a good qualy strategy. which we had. We did a warm-up on the used tires and a warm-up on the new. Then it was just doing the time while the tires were there. That was the key… putting it all together. You can easily get the driving part right late in the run, but that’s when the tires start to fall off. It’s really hard to pass here and isn’t good to follow. It sets up well and that’s what my job is.”
NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “This is exactly what we needed. I have to say, thanks to the guys on the team because the car was very, very strong in qualy on both sides. I think we nailed set-up pressures, the guys did a good job. Sure there is some more time in there, but it’s the same for everyone. So I’m very happy with P2. We were\ a little bit lucky with the BMW losing his best lap, but still, it’s very nice. The 9 car looks very strong also in their long run like us. So I feel like the 9 might be the one to beat. But that also shouldn’t be our focus. Our focus should be to beat the No. 1, to beat the 77, and the 9 can finish ahead if they want to.”
OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’m really happy with qualifying and with how the car feels. The team has worked incredibly hard all weekend, making adjustments session after session, and we’ve made a lot of progress. P10 gives us a solid starting point, and I think we have a really good race car underneath us. I’m excited to see what we can do tomorrow.”
MASON FILIPPI, NO. 36 CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Our DXDT team has been working really hard, and we’ve been moving up positions every session and finding more time in the car. We’ve learned things every single time we’ve been out there on track, and our Corvette’s been great. We see a Corvette up front on the pole so we’re gonna try to go get them.”
The KCP Racing crew stays hot after Mother Nature pushes the program into Saturday morning
OGILVIE, MN (August 21, 2026) – Mother Nature may have won a battle with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Friday at Ogilvie Raceway, but she didn’t win the war.
Rain falling four laps into the Big O Showdown presented by Wagamon Brothers Feature halted the 30-lapper for what wound up being a roughly three-hour delay. But when the precipitation stopped, the track crew whipped the surface into shape for a thrilling conclusion.
Sheldon Haudenschild, Carson Macedo, and Garet Williamson gave the fans what they came for over the final 26 circuits. Williamson pulled ahead when the green finally flew again with his sights on his first Series score. Haudenschild had other plans as he rocketed by on Lap 11 in the KCP Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 18. Macedo then surged into second aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 and found the space to slide by Haudenschild for the lead as the race wound down. Haudenschild answered with a crossover out of Turn 4 that proved to be the winning move. The Wooster, OH native put some distance between himself and Macedo on the path to Victory Lane.
“Hats off to (Kyle) Ripper, Adam (Clark), and Dauson (Heitritter),” Haudenschild said. “Nights like this are not that fun. I mean, I get to have fun, but for the crew guys and all these guys that go up and down the road, it’s a ton of work when the rain comes and everything is wet. Then we’ve got to drive four hours to the next place. But man, thank you to the fans for sticking this one out.”
Haudenschild upped his win total for the season to eight as he closes in on the first double-digit victory campaign of his career. He and the KCP Racing crew kept their momentum up after last week’s strong showing during the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s when they picked up a prelim score and runner-up in the finale. The 32-year-old is down to 10 markers behind Michael “Buddy” Kofoid for the second spot in points.
Carson Macedo wheeled the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 to a runner-up finish, their best result since a June win an Angell Park Speedway.
After leading the opening 10 laps, Garet Williamson settled for third in the Fischer Motorsports No. 23 as that first World of Outlaws triumph continues to elude him in seemingly every way possible.
Bill Balog and Logan Schuchart completed the top five.
NIGHTLY NOTES
David Gravel laid down his 17th Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night in 2026.
Gravel also set his 18th Simpson Quick Time of the year in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.
Heat Races belonged to David Gravel (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Steven Snyder Jr. (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Two), and Sheldon Haudenschild (WIX Filters Heat Three).
The SPA Technique #1 Redraw belonged to Garet Williamson.
Bill Balog topped the Toyota Dash.
Kelby Watt won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Spencer Bayston drove from 12th to sixth to earn the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger.
David Gravel was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.
Emerson Axsom was the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.
Sheldon Haudenschild clocked the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Steven Snyder Jr.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars complete a Minnesota doubleheader with the Fendt Showdown at Jackson Motorplex on Saturday, Aug. 22. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
WORTH THE WAIT: Haudenschild Bests Macedo, Williamson for Ogilvie Victory
The KCP Racing crew stays hot after Mother Nature pushes the program into Saturday morning
OGILVIE, MN (August 21, 2026) – Mother Nature may have won a battle with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Friday at Ogilvie Raceway, but she didn’t win the war.
Rain falling four laps into the Big O Showdown presented by Wagamon Brothers Feature halted the 30-lapper for what wound up being a roughly three-hour delay. But when the precipitation stopped, the track crew whipped the surface into shape for a thrilling conclusion.
Sheldon Haudenschild, Carson Macedo, and Garet Williamson gave the fans what they came for over the final 26 circuits. Williamson pulled ahead when the green finally flew again with his sights on his first Series score. Haudenschild had other plans as he rocketed by on Lap 11 in the KCP Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 18. Macedo then surged into second aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 and found the space to slide by Haudenschild for the lead as the race wound down. Haudenschild answered with a crossover out of Turn 4 that proved to be the winning move. The Wooster, OH native put some distance between himself and Macedo on the path to Victory Lane.
“Hats off to (Kyle) Ripper, Adam (Clark), and Dauson (Heitritter),” Haudenschild said. “Nights like this are not that fun. I mean, I get to have fun, but for the crew guys and all these guys that go up and down the road, it’s a ton of work when the rain comes and everything is wet. Then we’ve got to drive four hours to the next place. But man, thank you to the fans for sticking this one out.”
Haudenschild upped his win total for the season to eight as he closes in on the first double-digit victory campaign of his career. He and the KCP Racing crew kept their momentum up after last week’s strong showing during the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s when they picked up a prelim score and runner-up in the finale. The 32-year-old is down to 10 markers behind Michael “Buddy” Kofoid for the second spot in points.
Carson Macedo wheeled the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 to a runner-up finish, their best result since a June win an Angell Park Speedway.
After leading the opening 10 laps, Garet Williamson settled for third in the Fischer Motorsports No. 23 as that first World of Outlaws triumph continues to elude him in seemingly every way possible.
Bill Balog and Logan Schuchart completed the top five.
NIGHTLY NOTES
David Gravel laid down his 17th Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night in 2026.
Gravel also set his 18th Simpson Quick Time of the year in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.
Heat Races belonged to David Gravel (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Steven Snyder Jr. (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Two), and Sheldon Haudenschild (WIX Filters Heat Three).
The SPA Technique #1 Redraw belonged to Garet Williamson.
Bill Balog topped the Toyota Dash.
Kelby Watt won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Spencer Bayston drove from 12th to sixth to earn the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger.
David Gravel was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.
Emerson Axsom was the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.
Sheldon Haudenschild clocked the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Steven Snyder Jr.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars complete a Minnesota doubleheader with the Fendt Showdown at Jackson Motorplex on Saturday, Aug. 22. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
MAQUOKETA, IA (August 21, 2026) – Hudson O’Neal and Kevin Rumley continue to remind the world why they’re one of the most potent combinations in dirt Late Model racing.
Despite only running a partial schedule, they’re continually among the favorites to win when they do show up to the track. Between O’Neal’s natural talent behind the wheel and Rumley’s status as one of the brightest minds in the sport, they don’t need many laps to get up to speed and start rattling off wins. And their latest one came on Friday night at Maquoketa Speedway.
The “New Deal” spent the early laps racing Brandon Sheppard for second, but that battle grew from two cars to three when the pairing caught race leader Tim McCreadie. Sheppard was the first to stick his nose to McCreadie’s outside 12 laps into the 40-lap contest. Sheppard ran out of room on the high side of Turn 2, which forced him to back out and try the middle in Turns 3 and 4. Meanwhile, O’Neal was looking low, and by the time the trio got to the frontstretch, they were three-wide for the lead.
The slower car of Logan Zarin impeded both O’Neal and Sheppard’s progress down low in Turns 1 and 2, which led to O’Neal sliding up to the middle and moving ahead of not just Zarin, but Sheppard and McCreadie as well in Turn 4. The caution-free Feature meant traffic was a factor the rest of the way, and O’Neal navigated it better than anyone on his way to the checkered flag.
“It’s really fun to win in that fashion as far as, I didn’t really know if I felt the best at the very beginning of the race,” O’Neal said. “I felt a little free right around that bottom, and then we got to lap traffic and they started moving around. I was just trying to bide my time on that bottom and make a little move. I got into Sheppard down the back straightaway, I didn’t know we were three-wide and I was going to go root out there into the middle, see if I couldn’t roll to the right side of one of them lap cars. Hopefully that didn’t mess his race up too much, I don’t think we hit hard, just a little bit.”
O’Neal’s Maquoketa victory was the sixth of his career with the World of Outlaws and his fourth in the K&L Rumley Enterprises No. 6, with the first two coming during his stint with Rocket1 Racing. The Martinsville, IN native is up to a career-high 16 wins in 2026 – nine in the Rumley machine and seven in the SSI Motorsports No. 71 – including three World of Outlaws wins, another single-season career best.
Behind O’Neal, McCreadie held onto second over Ricky Thornton Jr., who got to third and sent Sheppard back to fourth. Nick Hoffman completed the top five.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision wraps up the Hawkeye 100 at Maquoketa Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 22, with a 60-lap, $25,000-to-win, main event. Get your tickets in advance by clicking here.
Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.
O’Neal Emerges Victorious From Three-Wide Battle at Maquoketa in Hawkeye 100 Opener
MAQUOKETA, IA (August 21, 2026) – Hudson O’Neal and Kevin Rumley continue to remind the world why they’re one of the most potent combinations in dirt Late Model racing.
Despite only running a partial schedule, they’re continually among the favorites to win when they do show up to the track. Between O’Neal’s natural talent behind the wheel and Rumley’s status as one of the brightest minds in the sport, they don’t need many laps to get up to speed and start rattling off wins. And their latest one came on Friday night at Maquoketa Speedway.
The “New Deal” spent the early laps racing Brandon Sheppard for second, but that battle grew from two cars to three when the pairing caught race leader Tim McCreadie. Sheppard was the first to stick his nose to McCreadie’s outside 12 laps into the 40-lap contest. Sheppard ran out of room on the high side of Turn 2, which forced him to back out and try the middle in Turns 3 and 4. Meanwhile, O’Neal was looking low, and by the time the trio got to the frontstretch, they were three-wide for the lead.
The slower car of Logan Zarin impeded both O’Neal and Sheppard’s progress down low in Turns 1 and 2, which led to O’Neal sliding up to the middle and moving ahead of not just Zarin, but Sheppard and McCreadie as well in Turn 4. The caution-free Feature meant traffic was a factor the rest of the way, and O’Neal navigated it better than anyone on his way to the checkered flag.
“It’s really fun to win in that fashion as far as, I didn’t really know if I felt the best at the very beginning of the race,” O’Neal said. “I felt a little free right around that bottom, and then we got to lap traffic and they started moving around. I was just trying to bide my time on that bottom and make a little move. I got into Sheppard down the back straightaway, I didn’t know we were three-wide and I was going to go root out there into the middle, see if I couldn’t roll to the right side of one of them lap cars. Hopefully that didn’t mess his race up too much, I don’t think we hit hard, just a little bit.”
O’Neal’s Maquoketa victory was the sixth of his career with the World of Outlaws and his fourth in the K&L Rumley Enterprises No. 6, with the first two coming during his stint with Rocket1 Racing. The Martinsville, IN native is up to a career-high 16 wins in 2026 – nine in the Rumley machine and seven in the SSI Motorsports No. 71 – including three World of Outlaws wins, another single-season career best.
Behind O’Neal, McCreadie held onto second over Ricky Thornton Jr., who got to third and sent Sheppard back to fourth. Nick Hoffman completed the top five.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision wraps up the Hawkeye 100 at Maquoketa Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 22, with a 60-lap, $25,000-to-win, main event. Get your tickets in advance by clicking here.
Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.
Photography: John Force Racing / Auto Imagery / Gary Nastase
BECKMAN LEADS JFR TEAMS AFTER DAY 1 AT BIRBeckman second, DeJoria fourth, Vandergriff ninth, Hart 13th
FRIDAY RECAP – BRAINERDRace 13 of 20
Photography: John Force Racing / Auto Imagery / Gary Nastase
BECKMAN LEADS JFR TEAMS AFTER DAY 1 AT BIRBeckman second, DeJoria fourth, Vandergriff ninth, Hart 13th
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 21, 2026) – Jack Beckman and the PEAK SQUAD led John Force Racing’s four-car contingent with the second-quickest Funny Car run of the day in first day qualifying for the NHRA Brainerd Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. Beckman ran 3.903 seconds at 324.67 mph in Q1 and was the quickest of the session, earning three championship points in doing so. In Q2, the PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car spun the tires 200 feet into the run, crossing the finish line in 6.156 seconds at 107.86 mph. Alexis DeJoria put the Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car in the No. 4 spot with a Q2 run of 3.927 seconds 324.83 mph despite a mechanical issue at the finish line. The team’s Q1 run of 3.969 seconds at 325.92 mph was third quickest of the session, earning one championship point. Jordan Vandergriff put the Cornwell Quality Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car in the No. 9 position with a Q2 run of 3.975 seconds at 302.82 mph. In Q1, a dropped cylinder slowed the team’s efforts with a run of 4.035 seconds at 265.38 mph. Josh Hart wheeled the Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster in Q2 to a run of 3.909 seconds at 261.12 mph for the 13th spot on the qualifying ladder after hazing the tires and shutting off early. Loss of traction at half track slowed their Q1 effort to a run of 4.541 seconds at 171.75 mph. Saturday’s two qualifying sessions are scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. CT. Quote from Jack Beckman, PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “I love the fact that we unloaded with low ET in the first session. You’re walking tall and your chest out after that. That gives us the opportunity to push the PEAK Chevy harder on the Friday evening session. It looks like it started spinning the tires just before 200 feet so we probably just pushed too hard on that run. There was a tremendously long delay in front of us and then pair in front of us blew the tires off and we ended up doing the same. I guess the good news is we only dropped one spot in the qualifying order. We’ll go into Saturday and see what the weather and the racetrack have available. I don’t know if it will give us something so we can step on it harder than the current number one spot, but we’re gonna run for points and data.” Quote from Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “We got one bonus point for finishing third in the first round of qualifying which was great. In Q2, we ran quicker with a 3.92 but, unfortunately, broke a belt and dropped a couple cylinders at the top end which oiled down the track. But tomorrow’s a new day. Making good runs here is important on the first day, and that’s what we did, so that’s the most important thing for the Bandero Chevy team.” Quote from Jordan Vandergriff, Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “Day one showed promise for the Cornwell Quality Tools Funny Car team. Our early numbers look good. We just dropped a hole in literally the same spot on both runs. We think we’ve diagnosed the problem. We’re making some changes that should fix things but our early numbers look good and the racetrack seems to be responding. I think Saturday will be better. This race means a lot to me and I think I’m a little more prepared for these runs than I was last year.” Quote from Josh Hart, Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster: “The testing continues for John Force Racing’s Speedmaster Top Fuel team to ensure we are on point for the Countdown to the Championship.”
Shane van Gisbergen, driver of the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 and the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Silverado RST, met with the media in advance of running double duty in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series at Richmond Raceway.
NASCAR Cup SeriesRichmond RacewayTeam Chevy Driver QuotesAugust 14, 2026
Shane van Gisbergen, driver of the No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 and the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Silverado RST, met with the media in advance of running double duty in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series at Richmond Raceway.
Media Availability Quotes: To start off, last time you came to a short-track and did the Truck and Cup race, you left with a pair of top-fives. How are you looking to accomplish that same sort of success this time around?“Yeah, it was a good time. I think the Truck race definitely helps me, so yeah, it’s good to do that again. Thank you to Spire Motorsports for having me. Hopefully, I can get a good feel for the track first before the Cup race and have two good cars this weekend.” Along those lines, are you very specific in what you choose to do outside of Cup, like a track that you want to get to know a little bit better? How do you decide which of these other races that you’re doing?“It is hard to get opportunities in other things, especially for me trying to do ovals. Thankfully, my runs have been getting better, which helps. I’d love to do more, but obviously it’s hard to get good opportunities. But yeah, selfishly, I’d love to do more tracks I struggle at… like I’d love to do Bristol more and even Iowa last week. There are a couple of other tracks that I need more laps at to get better. Hopefully, next year I can work on doing some of them. It sounds like things might be happening, so hopefully I can do that and not just go back to the tracks I’m good at. I need to work on my weaknesses.” You’ve mentioned in the past the short-tracks for you have translated the best, but Iowa for some reason hasn’t been. Why is that?“If I knew, I would fix it (laughs). I don’t know. I feel comfortable there, but then for whatever reason, I’ve always struggled with the car. In O’Reilly, as well, I was weak there. Every time it seems to be an adventure and I seem to have a bad result. But yeah, thankfully, all the guys I was points racing last week, I was around, so it kind of minimized the damage a little bit, which was really good. But yeah, certainly we’d love to know or I’d love to know why I’m not that great there.” Just looking at this weekend in general, I know it’s only one race here that you’ve had the opportunity of doing, but what did you learn from last year that maybe you’re able to take into the second go this year?“Yeah, I had a lot of fun last year. I managed to run the top lane quite a lot and made that work for me. I’s a fun race. I remember my first year here in O’Reilly, too, I really enjoyed it. It’s a fun track with how you can move around, but then you really have to be disciplined and wrap the line. It’s quite fun to hit your marks and be precise every lap. And there’s a lot of time management, too, so you have to have a good balance. I find it one of the more fun tracks. I always remember watching this on TV, especially the end of the race with everyone coming across the line sideways, is always pretty cool here too. It’s one of one of the fun tracks, I think.” I wanted to ask you if you feel like this season has been your greatest improvement from Daytona to where we are now, or do you feel like it’s consistent with what you’ve done before? Do you feel like you’ve really kind of raised your gain and feel much more confident after the work you’ve done this year?“Yeah, I think so. I think the last third of last year, we really took some steps forward, and I think we’ve just continued on that. I feel like I’m a lot closer to Ross (Chastain) this year. You know, he’s a pretty good benchmark, I think as a teammate, and I feel like I’ve been able to match him a lot. Still some areas he’s really good at. He’s really good at not having bad days and dragging results out of cars that probably shouldn’t be up there. He’s someone I’m really trying to learn off and match closely. It’s been good to be around or just in front of him in the points this year Kind of pushing each other along has been really cool. So yeah, just got to keep the improvement going. I feel like every week, I’m learning stuff and still trying new things. I still have a lot to learn.” Obviously, you’ve been dominant on the road courses, but some of your best oval finishes have been on the short-tracks. What is it about road courses and short-tracks that translate so well?“I feel like you can have a little more influence on the car, like you can manipulate it with the brake or brake bias and whatever gear you’re running. You can vary your line a little more. I feel like there’s a little more as a driver you can do. But also, that just means on the big tracks, I’m not good enough of knowing what I want from the car yet or how to get the car to do what I want, whether that’s with feedback to my engineer or just in general. I feel like these tracks, you can kind of make up for a deficiency in the car, as well, with whatever tools you have, whereas on a big track, you’re kind of just stuck with what you got sometimes. So yeah, it seems to help me.” Broadcast mentioned how your strength is your tire management and saving tires. Austin Dillon’s won the past two races, and he said that his biggest strength and how he’s so good here is because he’s able to save tires so well. Does that give you any confidence heading into this weekend?“Yeah, I don’t know how it works on an oval, but it does seem to translate a little bit, like my end of run speed is a little stronger than how I start. But yeah, I don’t know why, I drive flat out the whole time (laughs). But yeah, these high tire wear tracks, I do seem to be a little stronger, and hopefully, that’s the case next couple of nights.” With the new NASCAR points format change, what was your reaction when you initially heard about that? How do you feel like your driving style has kind of evolved a little bit to match necessarily not having the ‘win and you’re in’ style?“I guess initially, it’s probably a good thing for the sport. I guess initially, I was brought over here for that ‘win and you’re in’ to guarantee a spot in the playoffs, so yeah, I certainly knew I had to get better at ovals, and I think we’ve done that. I don’t think my mindset has changed every race. I think, you know, maybe these couple of races, I’m points racing a little bit, but the rest of the year, you’re just driving flat out. I don’t think I’ve ever really points raced trying to stay out of trouble. I think that when you’re not driving naturally, you find yourself in trouble, I guess. So yeah, I just try and drive every race flat out.” You came over here from New Zealand. You were a three-time champion in Supercars, and then, you come here and you are trying to master this whole new discipline of oval racing. You’re 37 years old. When you run so well in these ovals, you’re top-five and you’re racing against the best drivers in the world at oval racing, is that how rewarding or what’s it make you feel at 37 to still be accomplishing these things at such a high level? “You’re saying 37 is old? (laughs). Yeah, I don’t feel old. Yeah, it’s been cool. I’ve had a really awesome last few years changing careers, I guess, and trying something different. It’s been rewarding, as you put it, to show glimpses and be able to show I can do it. I really was a long way away from that my first year and a half in the sport. It’s a very foreign type of driving to me. I certainly feel more comfortable and like I know what I’m doing most of the time now. So yeah, it’s been really awesome to get better. As I sort of said earlier, I know I still have a lot to learn, as well. It’s cool to see it coming along.” This is going to be your fourth start this year in the Truck Series. What is it about the Trucks that helps you translate those skills into Cup?“I actually think they’re a little bit closer to the Cup car than the O’Reilly car nowadays. I haven’t driven one for a little while, but yeah, the Cup car and the Truck kind of races similar with how you have to search for the air and how much it kind of moves and feels. The O’Reilly car always felt disconnected in the way the rearends were set up. So yeah, certainly has felt more relative in the few races that I’ve done, that’s for sure.” You have another short-track next week in New Hampshire. What kind of challenges does that track pose for you?“Yeah, that’s a very different track. I was going pretty decent there last year until I wasn’t. But it’s tough; long straights and short corners. It is a little bit like a road course, the way you approach the corners, trying to make them shorter and straights longer, I guess, so that theory kind of works. But yeah, I enjoy it. It’s a weird oval being so flat. But yeah, that’s a pretty decent track.” With three races left in the regular season and a 47 point margin over the over the cutline right now, are you starting to pay attention specifically to certain drivers that are maybe a threat?“Yeah, 100 percent, especially last week. As I said earlier, I was having a pretty subpar day, to put it nicely, and all the guys around me were points racing guys or guys close to me in the points. So yeah, that was nice, but I can’t afford to have another day like that. But certainly, you have your eyes on those three or four guys who are around us. It’s a pretty tight battle, really. Ross (Chastain) had a pretty good day last week, and he’s sort of clawing his way back into it, so it’s going to be an interesting battle. We just need to not make mistakes the next three weeks.” Do you expect the racing to get any different the next three weeks, in terms of people doing things you might not expect them to do?“I don’t really know how it’s going to play out. I feel like Daytona will be a weird one, especially with the new format with no practice and not knowing how the cars are going to drive. And if it’s a close battle there, you know, you have to decide if you’re going for stage points or not, so that one’s pretty intriguing. But hopefully, the next two weeks are kind of standard and we don’t have to worry about it as much at Daytona. But yeah, I guess the big unknown is why people watch, which is cool.”
Cadillac Unveils V-ONE Concept August 14th, 2026 – Today, Cadillac reveals the V-ONE — a concept study combining the brand’s race-winning authenticity and bespoke Cadillac refinement. Its name unites the Cadillac V-Series performance legacy with a one-of-one, single-seat expression, the first of its kind for the brand. Rooted in performance engineering with shared Cadillac V-Series.R foundations, the V-ONE Concept explores how competition hardware can be translated into a driver-focused experience, while reinforcing Cadillac’s broader race-winning story across design, performance and technology. “The Cadillac V-ONE Concept is the ultimate manifestation of a customer performance concept and is a clear sign of our ambition for the Cadillac V-Series brand in the future,” said Dominic Najafi, Executive Design Director, Global Cadillac.
Cadillac Unveils V-ONE Concept August 14th, 2026 – Today, Cadillac reveals the V-ONE — a concept study combining the brand’s race-winning authenticity and bespoke Cadillac refinement. Its name unites the Cadillac V-Series performance legacy with a one-of-one, single-seat expression, the first of its kind for the brand. Rooted in performance engineering with shared Cadillac V-Series.R foundations, the V-ONE Concept explores how competition hardware can be translated into a driver-focused experience, while reinforcing Cadillac’s broader race-winning story across design, performance and technology. “The Cadillac V-ONE Concept is the ultimate manifestation of a customer performance concept and is a clear sign of our ambition for the Cadillac V-Series brand in the future,” said Dominic Najafi, Executive Design Director, Global Cadillac.
Cadillac Unveils V-ONE Concept August 14th, 2026 – Today, Cadillac reveals the V-ONE — a concept study combining the brand’s race-winning authenticity and bespoke Cadillac refinement. Its name unites the Cadillac V-Series performance legacy with a one-of-one, single-seat expression, the first of its kind for the brand. Rooted in performance engineering with shared Cadillac V-Series.R foundations, the V-ONE Concept explores how competition hardware can be translated into a driver-focused experience, while reinforcing Cadillac’s broader race-winning story across design, performance and technology. “The Cadillac V-ONE Concept is the ultimate manifestation of a customer performance concept and is a clear sign of our ambition for the Cadillac V-Series brand in the future,” said Dominic Najafi, Executive Design Director, Global Cadillac.
Track-proven engineering shapes the future of luxury performance The V-ONE is rooted in Cadillac’s LMDh racing program and informed by the V-Series.R race car, reinforcing that Cadillac performance is defined by real engineering rather than race-inspired styling alone. Co-developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara, the concept is designed to deliver factory-level prototype performance and technology. Its story is backed by Cadillac Racing momentum in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship, which together includes 10 wins, 16 pole positions and 32 podiums since the inception of the V-Series.R in 2023. That record includes the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech Championship manufacturer, team and driver titles, the 2025 Le Mans Hyperpole and Cadillac’s first 1–2 finish in the FIA World Endurance Championship at São Paulo. At the heart of the V-ONE is a V-8 hybrid powertrain that shares foundations with the Cadillac V-Series.R race car, underscoring the concept’s serious capability and authenticity. The concept also shares deeper race-bred architecture with the V-Series.R in areas such as suspension, transmission and select electronics. Even with that race-derived foundation, the V-ONE is intended to be easier to operate while maintaining a similar level of performance.• Hybrid V-8 drivetrain with 830 combined horsepower• Aerodynamic package inspired by V-Series.R• Shared suspension components with V-Series.R, including double wishbonesuspension, pushrod-actuated coil and torsion spring elements with lateral andheave dampers on the front and rear• An intuitive, race-inspired interface and data visualization concept that gives driversclear feedback and coaching as they explore the car’s full capability The V-ONE’s exterior remains faithful to the dramatic proportions and visual intent of the V-Series.R race car, while introducing refined details that make the concept feel more advanced, more technical and more tailored to Cadillac luxury.• Body and overall proportions carry directly from the race car, giving the concept anauthentic foundation.• New V-Series wheel design and updated dark-persona V-Series badging add a more bespoke, high-performance character.• A hand-sprayed paint gradient from silver to deep navy reflects the journey from day to night during an endurance race Inside, the single-seat V-ONE Concept transforms pure prototype hardware into a fully bespoke, race-bred cockpit, blending exposed carbon structure with an immersive, custom UX/UI and deeply personalized materials to create an elevated expression of Cadillac performance luxury.• Steering wheel design lends to the racecar experience complete with button layouttailored for clients and developed by racing engineers• Thoughtful material selection, including Cadillac Collection recycled fabrics•Serialized plaque on the door• Seat customized to the driver’s specifications The Cadillac V-ONE Concept will be on display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, California on August 14, 2026. Visit https://news.cadillac.com/newsroom.html for more information. High res images available here –
The two-time NASCAR champion dazzles with a drive from the fourth row to another Knoxville triumph
KNOXVILLE, IA (August 13, 2026) – Kyle Larson ups his game to another level at Knoxville Raceway.
And he does so even more during the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s.
The sport’s biggest event seems to bring out the absolute best in “Yung Money.” It doesn’t matter that NASCAR Cup Series duties limit his Sprint Car seat time throughout the season. Larson climbs in the Silva Motorsports No. 57 and doesn’t miss a beat when all Sprint Car racing’s toughest competition heads for Knoxville in August.
The latest proof came on Thursday’s Toyota Qualifying Night when the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and Knoxville Raceway finalized the first 16 lock-ins to Saturday’s $200,000-to-win finale.
Larson lined up eighth for the 25-lapper and put on a show. The Elk Grove, CA native worked up to fourth early and then waited for the right opportunity to pounce on the leaders. Those chances came on late restarts when he first wheeled by Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Austin McCarl. Then he set his sights on the leading Garet Williamson out front. Williamson did a solid job of playing defense at first, but a restart with six laps to go gave Larson the shot he needed. Williamson slid in front of him in Turns 3 and 4, but Larson powered under him exiting the corner and finished the pass in Turns 1 and 2. Then he pulled away by over three seconds in the final five laps on his way to Victory Lane.
“He (Williamson) did some stuff I was not expecting that first restart, so I was hoping he would do the same the next time,” Larson said. “I learned from that first restart and was able to make it work. I just had enough room low there in (Turn) 1 to slide him and just get going back on the top. I think I had gotten inside him or by him there, and then the caution came out. Then I think that just had him thinking on where to be, which played into my favor. He was doing a really good job. He had a really great car. That was a fun race.’
Logistics are expected to prevent Larson from competing in Saturday’s finale with the NASCAR Cup Series and Hendrick Motorsports requiring his talents at Richmond Raceway, but he did earn enough points to start on the pole of “The Granddaddy of ‘Em All” if he can find a way to make it back to Knoxville. If he’s able to compete, he’ll be looking to tie Kenny Weld and Danny Lasoski for the fourth most Knoxville Nationals titles all-time with four. Thursday’s score gave him 15 overall wins at “The Sprint Car Capital of the World.” He also remained undefeated in a Sprint Car this week thanks to a Sunday triumph in the Capitani Classic and Monday victory in the Front Row Challenge.
Garet Williamson finished a heartbreaking runner-up in the Fischer Motorsports No. 23 as he continues to absolutely slam on the door of a breakthrough win. On the bright side, his point total was enough to lock him in to start 13th in the Championship Feature.
Brent Marks wheeled the Chase Briscoe Racing No. 19 from 11th to third, enough to give him a front row starting spot for Saturday’s Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Buddy Kofoid and Austin McCarl completed the top five.
FIRST EIGHT ROWS OF THE 65TH KNOXVILLE NATIONALS
Kyle Larson – Sheldon Haudenschild James McFadden – Kasey Kahne Michael Kofoid – Justin Henderson Parker Price-Miller – Daryn Pittman Chase Dietz – David Gravel Rico Abreu – Logan Schuchart Garet Williamson – Cole Macedo Corey Day – Brian Brown
NIGHTLY NOTES
Ashton Torgerson laid down the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.
Tanner Thorson claimed Simpson Quick Time honors.
Heat Races belonged to Spencer Bayton (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Carson Macedo (Toyota Heat Two), Brent Marks (WIX Filters Heat Three), Chris Martin (Golf Cart Services Heat Four), and Ayrton Gennetten (US Air National Guard Heat Five).
The SPA Technique Pole Award went to Garet Williamson.
Logan Schuchart won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Schuchart then drove from 21st to ninth to grab the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger.
Kyle Larson laid down the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Bill Balog.
UP NEXT: The 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s heads into FVP Hard Knox Night to lock four more cars into the finale on Friday, Aug. 14 before Championship Saturday on Aug. 15. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
ANOTHER LEVEL: Kyle Larson Wheels from Eighth to Victory on Knoxville Nationals Toyota Qualifying Night
The two-time NASCAR champion dazzles with a drive from the fourth row to another Knoxville triumph
KNOXVILLE, IA (August 13, 2026) – Kyle Larson ups his game to another level at Knoxville Raceway.
And he does so even more during the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s.
The sport’s biggest event seems to bring out the absolute best in “Yung Money.” It doesn’t matter that NASCAR Cup Series duties limit his Sprint Car seat time throughout the season. Larson climbs in the Silva Motorsports No. 57 and doesn’t miss a beat when all Sprint Car racing’s toughest competition heads for Knoxville in August.
The latest proof came on Thursday’s Toyota Qualifying Night when the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and Knoxville Raceway finalized the first 16 lock-ins to Saturday’s $200,000-to-win finale.
Larson lined up eighth for the 25-lapper and put on a show. The Elk Grove, CA native worked up to fourth early and then waited for the right opportunity to pounce on the leaders. Those chances came on late restarts when he first wheeled by Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Austin McCarl. Then he set his sights on the leading Garet Williamson out front. Williamson did a solid job of playing defense at first, but a restart with six laps to go gave Larson the shot he needed. Williamson slid in front of him in Turns 3 and 4, but Larson powered under him exiting the corner and finished the pass in Turns 1 and 2. Then he pulled away by over three seconds in the final five laps on his way to Victory Lane.
“He (Williamson) did some stuff I was not expecting that first restart, so I was hoping he would do the same the next time,” Larson said. “I learned from that first restart and was able to make it work. I just had enough room low there in (Turn) 1 to slide him and just get going back on the top. I think I had gotten inside him or by him there, and then the caution came out. Then I think that just had him thinking on where to be, which played into my favor. He was doing a really good job. He had a really great car. That was a fun race.’
Logistics are expected to prevent Larson from competing in Saturday’s finale with the NASCAR Cup Series and Hendrick Motorsports requiring his talents at Richmond Raceway, but he did earn enough points to start on the pole of “The Granddaddy of ‘Em All” if he can find a way to make it back to Knoxville. If he’s able to compete, he’ll be looking to tie Kenny Weld and Danny Lasoski for the fourth most Knoxville Nationals titles all-time with four. Thursday’s score gave him 15 overall wins at “The Sprint Car Capital of the World.” He also remained undefeated in a Sprint Car this week thanks to a Sunday triumph in the Capitani Classic and Monday victory in the Front Row Challenge.
Garet Williamson finished a heartbreaking runner-up in the Fischer Motorsports No. 23 as he continues to absolutely slam on the door of a breakthrough win. On the bright side, his point total was enough to lock him in to start 13th in the Championship Feature.
Brent Marks wheeled the Chase Briscoe Racing No. 19 from 11th to third, enough to give him a front row starting spot for Saturday’s Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Buddy Kofoid and Austin McCarl completed the top five.
FIRST EIGHT ROWS OF THE 65TH KNOXVILLE NATIONALS
Kyle Larson – Sheldon Haudenschild James McFadden – Kasey Kahne Michael Kofoid – Justin Henderson Parker Price-Miller – Daryn Pittman Chase Dietz – David Gravel Rico Abreu – Logan Schuchart Garet Williamson – Cole Macedo Corey Day – Brian Brown
NIGHTLY NOTES
Ashton Torgerson laid down the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.
Tanner Thorson claimed Simpson Quick Time honors.
Heat Races belonged to Spencer Bayton (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Carson Macedo (Toyota Heat Two), Brent Marks (WIX Filters Heat Three), Chris Martin (Golf Cart Services Heat Four), and Ayrton Gennetten (US Air National Guard Heat Five).
The SPA Technique Pole Award went to Garet Williamson.
Logan Schuchart won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Schuchart then drove from 21st to ninth to grab the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger.
Kyle Larson laid down the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Bill Balog.
UP NEXT: The 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s heads into FVP Hard Knox Night to lock four more cars into the finale on Friday, Aug. 14 before Championship Saturday on Aug. 15. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham2.19-mile, 12-turn, Markham Ontario street circuit Markham, Ontario, CanadaRace AdvanceAugust 14-16, 2026 DETROIT (August 13, 2026) – The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, along with Team Chevy drivers and teams, makes its lone trip out of the USA for a new event in the “Great White North.” The 2.19-mile, 12-turn Markham, Ontario, street circuit is the 8th different track to host the INDYCAR SERIES and will be the 81st race in Canada. Chevrolet-powered drivers have made 18 trips to the top step of the podium, including last year when Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) won at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario. Chevrolet-powered drivers have stood on the podium 50 times. Al Unser Jr. and Danny Sullivan lead all drivers on Canadian soil with six podiums, while Team Penske’s 16 top-three finishes are the best among the teams. The 14th race of the season is the second in a tough stretch of six races across five weekends. The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham is the second of three brand-new street circuits, following a March race in Arlington, Texas and followed by next week’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. Álex Palou, winner of four of the last five Astor Cups, has 11 drivers still mathematically eligible for the title, including Team Chevy drivers David Malukas (Team Penske), Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren), Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren), Josef Newgarden (Team Penske), Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske), and Rinus VeeKay (Juncos Hollinger Racing).
Tune-In Guide Friday, August 14 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #1 – 3pm (ET)/2pm (CT)/1pm (MT)/noon (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Saturday, August 15NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 10am (ET)/9am (CT)/8am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 2:25pm (ET)/1:25pm (CT)/12;25pm (MT)/11:25am (PT) – FS1/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Sunday, August 16NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 8:30am (ET)/ 7:30am (CT)/6:30am (MT)/5:30am (PT) – FS1/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham (110 laps) – noon (ET)/11am (CT)10am (MT)/9am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) celebrates a 2025 win in Toronto, Ontario
CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESOntario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham2.19-mile, 12-turn, Markham Ontario street circuitMarkham, Ontario, CanadaRace AdvanceAugust 14-16, 2026 DETROIT (August 13, 2026) – The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, along with Team Chevy drivers and teams, makes its lone trip out of the USA for a new event in the “Great White North.” The 2.19-mile, 12-turn Markham, Ontario, street circuit is the 8th different track to host the INDYCAR SERIES and will be the 81st race in Canada. Chevrolet-powered drivers have made 18 trips to the top step of the podium, including last year when Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) won at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario. Chevrolet-powered drivers have stood on the podium 50 times. Al Unser Jr. and Danny Sullivan lead all drivers on Canadian soil with six podiums, while Team Penske’s 16 top-three finishes are the best among the teams. The 14th race of the season is the second in a tough stretch of six races across five weekends. The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham is the second of three brand-new street circuits, following a March race in Arlington, Texas and followed by next week’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. Álex Palou, winner of four of the last five Astor Cups, has 11 drivers still mathematically eligible for the title, including Team Chevy drivers David Malukas (Team Penske), Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren), Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren), Josef Newgarden (Team Penske), Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske), and Rinus VeeKay (Juncos Hollinger Racing).
Tune-In Guide Friday, August 14 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #1 – 3pm (ET)/2pm (CT)/1pm (MT)/noon (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Saturday, August 15NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 10am (ET)/9am (CT)/8am (MT)/6am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 2:25pm (ET)/1:25pm (CT)/12;25pm (MT)/11:25am (PT) – FS1/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Sunday, August 16NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm Up – 8:30am (ET)/ 7:30am (CT)/6:30am (MT)/5:30am (PT) – FS1/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham (110 laps) – noon (ET)/11am (CT)10am (MT)/9am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218
Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) celebrates a 2025 win in Toronto, Ontario
Chevrolet history north of the border Chevrolet wins in Canada: 18Chevrolet poles in Canada: 16Chevrolet podiums in Canada: 50 Exhibition Place (39 races) Chevrolet wins at Exhibition Place: 14 2025- Pato O’Ward – Arrow McLaren2019 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske 2017 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2016 – Will Power – Team Penske2015 – Josef Newgarden – Ed Carpenter Racing2014 Race #2 – Mike Conway – Ed Carpenter Racing2014 Race #1 – Sebastien Bourdais – KV Racing Technology2012 – Ryan Hunter-Reay – Andretti Global1993 – Paul Tracy – Team Penske1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing1990 – Al Unser Jr. – Galles Racing1989 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing1988 – Al Unser Jr. – Galles Racing1987 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Patrick Racing Chevrolet poles on the Exhibition Place: 12 2019 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske2018 – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske2017 – Simon Pagenaud – Team Penske2016 – Scott Dixon – Chip Ganassi Racing2015 – Josef Newgarden – Ed Carpenter Racing2014 Race #1 – Sebastien Bourdais – KV Racing Technology1993 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske1992 – Bob Rahal – Rahal Hogan Racing1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing1990 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske1989 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Patrick Racing1988 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske Chevrolet podiums on the Streets Of Toronto: 37 Chevrolet podiums on the Streets Of Toronto by driver: Danny Sullivan (5), Helio Castroneves (4), Michael Andretti (3), Sebastien Bourdais (3), Emerson Fittipaldi (3), Tony Kanaan (2), Josef Newgarden (2), Simon Pagenaud (2), Will Power (2), Bob Rahal (2), Al Unser Jr. (2), Mario Andretti (1), Eddie Cheever (1), Mike Conway (1), Luca Filippi (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Pato O’Ward (1), Felix Rosenqvist (1), and Paul Tracy (1) Chevrolet podiums on the Streets Of Toronto by team: Team Penske (13), Galles Racing (5),, Ed Carpenter Racing (4), Newman Haas Racing (4), Chip Ganassi Racing (3), Arrow McLaren (2), Dragon Racing (2), Patrick Racing (2) Andretti Global (1), KV Racing Technology (1), and Rahal Hogan Racing (1) Pacific Place – Vancouver (15 races) Chevrolet wins at Pacific Place – Vancouver: 3 1993 – Al Unser Jr. – Galles Racing1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing1990 – Al Unser Jr. – Galles Racing Chevrolet poles at Pacific Place Vancouver: 2 1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing1990 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing Chevrolet podiums at Pacific Place – Vancouver: 11 Chevrolet podiums at Pacific Place – Vancouver by driver: Al Unser Jr. (4),Stefan Johansson (2), Bob Rahal (2), Mario Andretti (1), Michael Andretti (1), Danny Sullivan (1), Chevrolet podiums at Pacific Place – Vancouver by team: Galles Racing (5), Bettenhausen Racing (2), Newman Haas Racing (2), Rahal Hogan Racing (1), Team Penske (1),
Edmonton City Center Airport (8 races) Chevrolet wins at Edmonton City Center Airport: 1 2012 – Helio Castroneves – Team Penske Chevrolet poles at Edmonton City Center Airport: 1 2012 – Ryan Hunter-Reay – Andretti Global Chevrolet podiums at Edmonton City Center Airport: 2 Chevrolet podiums at Edmonton City Center Airport by driver: Helio Castroneves (1), Will Power (1) Chevrolet podiums at Edmonton City Center Airport by team: Team Penske (2) Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (5 races) Le Circuit Mont Tremblant (5 races) Mosport Park (5 races) Sanair Superspeedway (3 races) Chevrolet poles at Sanair Superspeedway – 1 1986 – Rick Mears – Team Penske
Haudenschild goes third to first on the final lap and nips James McFadden at the line to start the week in Victory Lane and be the high point man
KNOXVILLE, IA (August 12, 2026) – The opening act for the 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s couldn’t have gone any better.
The sport’s biggest event delivered a finish that’ll never be forgotten to open the week as the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series rolled into Knoxville Raceway for BRANDT Professional Agriculture Qualifying Night on Wednesday.
Sheldon Haudenschild looked like he had no shot as James McFadden and Jace Park raced into the final set of corners nose to tail. McFadden went low, and Park changed course at the last second and aimed at the top. McFadden slipped up off the low side while third-running Haudenschild stuck the bottom to perfection. He rolled by Park halfway through the turns and pulled alongside McFadden as they exited Turn 4 with the checkered flag waving ahead.
The two drag raced side by side all the way down the front straightaway as the entire grandstands rose to their feet. Neither could pull ahead as they both had the gas pedal mashed down. They crossed the line in a photo finish with Haudenschild pulling off a miracle and winning by .006 seconds. The jaws of everyone in at Knoxville were on the floor. How did he do it? Holy Haud.
“I never count myself out, that’s for sure,” Haudenschild said. “Man, hats off to (Kyle) Ripper, Adam (Clark), and Dauson (Heitritter). The 28 and the 21 got to playing a couple games on the white flag. I saw the 21 cut down real hard. I knew he probably lost a little bit of momentum. Then he slid across the track, and I was like, ‘Man, if I could get my right rear where I’ve been putting it, I think I will have a shot as long as they don’t close that gap too soon.’”
The thrilling score gave Haudenschild his second career Knoxville victory, adding it to a 2021 local win. Most importantly, the Wooster, OH native and the KCP Racing crew are atop the event points and very likely to be starting in at least the top two rows for Saturday’s 50-lap Championship Feature.
James McFadden suffered a tough loss, but it was still a great result for the Tarlton Racing team as their runner-up also slotted them second in points.
“It’s just racing mate,” McFadden said. “The lapped car had hit the bottom every lap before, and he missed it and I chose the wrong lane and allowed Sheldon to get there. I’m just disappointed in myself for not slowing down for the bottom and following the lapped car. Great night for us, sitting good in points.”
Jace Park rounded out the podium after leading the most laps, falling just two spots short of his first 410 Sprint Car win on a massive stage.
Cole Macedo and Chase Dietz rounded out the top five.
NIGHTLY NOTES
Sheldon Haudenschild ripped the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.
Kasey Kahne set Simpson Quick Time in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.
Heat Races belonged to James McFadden (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Riley Goodno (Toyota Heat Two), Danny Sams III (WIX Filters Heat Three), Brock Zearfoss (Golf Cart Services Heat Four), and Ryan Timms (US Air National Guard Heat Five).
The SPA Technique Pole Award went to Jace Park.
Rico Abreu won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Corey Day wheeled from 24th to 11th to take KSE Racing Products Hard Charger honors.
The Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher was Sye Lynch.
Emerson Axsom was the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.
Jace Park clocked the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Emerson Axsom.
UP NEXT: The 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s motors on into Toyota Qualifying Night on Thursday, Aug. 13 to help set the stage for FVP Hard Knox Night on Friday, Aug. 14 and Championship Saturday on Aug. 15. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
HOLY HAUD: Sheldon Haudenschild Tops Wild Photo Finish to Open Knoxville Nationals
Haudenschild goes third to first on the final lap and nips James McFadden at the line to start the week in Victory Lane and be the high point man
KNOXVILLE, IA (August 12, 2026) – The opening act for the 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s couldn’t have gone any better.
The sport’s biggest event delivered a finish that’ll never be forgotten to open the week as the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series rolled into Knoxville Raceway for BRANDT Professional Agriculture Qualifying Night on Wednesday.
Sheldon Haudenschild looked like he had no shot as James McFadden and Jace Park raced into the final set of corners nose to tail. McFadden went low, and Park changed course at the last second and aimed at the top. McFadden slipped up off the low side while third-running Haudenschild stuck the bottom to perfection. He rolled by Park halfway through the turns and pulled alongside McFadden as they exited Turn 4 with the checkered flag waving ahead.
The two drag raced side by side all the way down the front straightaway as the entire grandstands rose to their feet. Neither could pull ahead as they both had the gas pedal mashed down. They crossed the line in a photo finish with Haudenschild pulling off a miracle and winning by .006 seconds. The jaws of everyone in at Knoxville were on the floor. How did he do it? Holy Haud.
“I never count myself out, that’s for sure,” Haudenschild said. “Man, hats off to (Kyle) Ripper, Adam (Clark), and Dauson (Heitritter). The 28 and the 21 got to playing a couple games on the white flag. I saw the 21 cut down real hard. I knew he probably lost a little bit of momentum. Then he slid across the track, and I was like, ‘Man, if I could get my right rear where I’ve been putting it, I think I will have a shot as long as they don’t close that gap too soon.’”
The thrilling score gave Haudenschild his second career Knoxville victory, adding it to a 2021 local win. Most importantly, the Wooster, OH native and the KCP Racing crew are atop the event points and very likely to be starting in at least the top two rows for Saturday’s 50-lap Championship Feature.
James McFadden suffered a tough loss, but it was still a great result for the Tarlton Racing team as their runner-up also slotted them second in points.
“It’s just racing mate,” McFadden said. “The lapped car had hit the bottom every lap before, and he missed it and I chose the wrong lane and allowed Sheldon to get there. I’m just disappointed in myself for not slowing down for the bottom and following the lapped car. Great night for us, sitting good in points.”
Jace Park rounded out the podium after leading the most laps, falling just two spots short of his first 410 Sprint Car win on a massive stage.
Cole Macedo and Chase Dietz rounded out the top five.
NIGHTLY NOTES
Sheldon Haudenschild ripped the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.
Kasey Kahne set Simpson Quick Time in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.
Heat Races belonged to James McFadden (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Riley Goodno (Toyota Heat Two), Danny Sams III (WIX Filters Heat Three), Brock Zearfoss (Golf Cart Services Heat Four), and Ryan Timms (US Air National Guard Heat Five).
The SPA Technique Pole Award went to Jace Park.
Rico Abreu won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
Corey Day wheeled from 24th to 11th to take KSE Racing Products Hard Charger honors.
The Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher was Sye Lynch.
Emerson Axsom was the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.
Jace Park clocked the ACME Trading Company Fast Lap.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Emerson Axsom.
UP NEXT: The 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s motors on into Toyota Qualifying Night on Thursday, Aug. 13 to help set the stage for FVP Hard Knox Night on Friday, Aug. 14 and Championship Saturday on Aug. 15. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
Event: Cook Out 400Date/Time: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 7 p.m. ETLocation: Richmond Raceway, Richmond, VirginiaLayout: 0.75-Mile Short TrackTV/Radio: USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
After back-to-back finishes of seventh at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a season-best fourth at Iowa Speedway, Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team head to Richmond Raceway looking to continue their recent momentum.Berry and the Wood Brothers have delivered two of their strongest performances of the season over the past two weekends, and Richmond presents another opportunity to keep that run going. The three-quarter-mile D-shaped oval shares some characteristics with the 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway, where Berry and the No. 21 team showed strong pace throughout last weekend’s race.“We’ve put together a couple of solid weekends in a row, and it feels like we’re continuing to build some momentum,” Berry said. “Richmond is a place I’ve always enjoyed racing and where I’ve had some good runs in the past, so I’m looking forward to getting back there.”Berry has enjoyed success at Richmond throughout his career. In his first NASCAR Cup Series start at the track in 2023, while filling in for the injured Chase Elliott, Berry raced to a runner-up finish. At Richmond last season with the Wood Brothers, he recorded an eighth-place finish. In four total starts, Berry hasn’t finished worse than 14th. “Hopefully we can keep executing, continue building on what we’ve been doing the last few weeks and put together another strong weekend,” Berry said.Practice for Saturday night’s Cook Out 400 is set for Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 4:40 p.m. Coverage of both sessions will be available on truTV.Saturday’s 400-lap, 300-mile race is scheduled to take the green flag shortly after 7 p.m. ET, with coverage on USA Network. Stage breaks are planned for Laps 70 and 230.
KNOXVILLE, IA (August 12, 2026) — The Grandaddy of Them All will take place with multiple American Sprint Car Series drivers hunting a $200,000 payday in Iowa.
The 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s will see more than 100 of the best Sprint Car drivers compete at Knoxville Raceway tonight through Saturday. Among the faces with ASCS connections who will compete at the Sprint Car Capital of the World are former champions, 2026 winners, and past racers who have made a footprint in the world of dirt racing through ASCS competition.
Take a look at who will compete at Knoxville:
Sam Hafertepe Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX)
Team: Hill’s Racing Team
Feature Starts: 3
Best Finish: 14th (2011)
The current Series points leader will chase his first Feature start since 2014 aboard his familiar Hill’s Racing Team No. 15H Sprint Car.
Hafertepe earned Quick Time honors on Friday for the Xtream powered by Mediacom 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank en route to a 15th-place finish in Saturday’s finale. Overall in 2026, he’s bagged three wins with ASCS and two 410 Sprint Car victories at Lake Ozark Speedway and Creek County Speedway.
Matt Covington (Glenpool, OK)
Team: Matt Covington Racing
Feature Starts: 0
Covington will make his first appearance for the Knoxville Nationals since 2023 amid a busy week across the Hawkeye State in August.
He’s earned two wins with the National Tour in 2026 as he goes after his first Saturday Feature start at the 1/2-mile facility. In ASCS competition, he sits 23 points behind Hafertepe for the overall points lead.
Austyn Gossel (Fort Collins, CO)
Team: Gossel Racing
Feature Starts: 0
Gossel has made strides in his journey with the Series in 2026 by earning two consecutive podiums at Dodge City Raceway Park and Viking Speedway, respectively.
Before Gossel rejoins ASCS for the visit to Riverside International Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 22, he’ll look to bring the No. 16G BG Automotive Triple X Chassis to a first career finale Feature start.
Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, IN)
Team: Clauson Marshall Racing
Feature Starts: 3
Best Finish: 4th (2022)
“Sunshine” has evolved into one of the biggest threats to win a first Knoxville Nationals as he prepares to drive the NOS Energy Drink No. 7BC in a tribute design to the late Bryan Clauson.
Courtney has multiple wins at the track in USAC Sprint Cars and is the 2024 360 Nationals champion. He finished third in the 2026 edition and owns the ASCS Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator title from February.
Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK)
Team: Aberlein Motorsports
Feature Starts: 1
Best Finish: 15th (2024)
The “Macho Man” showed his muscle during the 360 Nationals by leading the first half of Friday’s Feature en route to a second-place finish on the night.
Bacon won with the Series at Volusia Speedway Park on the final night of DIRTcar Nationals and has won at Knoxville six times in USAC competition, with the latest coming in May for the Corn Belt Clash.
Justin Peck (Monrovia, IN)
Team: Rudeen Racing
Feature Starts: 5
Best Finish: 12th (2022)
Peck has suited up for the Saturday finale at Knoxville Nationals each year since 2021, and he’ll attempt to keep the streak going in his second year as a driver for Kevin Rudeen.
In ASCS competition, he won twice in the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona Raceway. While he’s yet to see victory at Knoxville, he’s finished on the podium in his prelim night showings from the last two runnings of the high-stakes event.
Levi Hillier (Burlington, WA)
Team: Rudeen Racing
Feature Starts: 0
16-year-old Levi Hillier will race aboard the second Rudeen Racing machine in his debut appearance at the “Grandaddy of Them All.”
Hillier became the second-youngest National Tour winner when he took victory at Central Arizona and owns four additional victories in Sprint Car racing since May 30. If he wins on Saturday, he’ll take the title of the youngest winner in the event’s history.
Gio Scelzi (Fresno, CA)
Team: Spire Motorsports
Feature Starts: 7
Best Finish: 2nd (2024)
Scelzi began a new journey in 2026 when Spire Motorsports tapped him to pilot the Chili’s-sponsored No. 77 for their flagship Sprint Car program.
His first win of the year was a $100,000 payday in the Bob Weikert Memorial at Port Royal Speedway, then he followed up by winning the 360 Nationals opening night with the ASCS National Tour. “Hot Sauce” has three top-five finishes in the Saturday finale, including a runner-up finish to Kyle Larson in the 2024 edition.
Honorable Mention:
Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK)
Team: Two-C Racing
Feature Starts: 8
Best Finish: 8th (2006)
The 2000 ASCS National Tour champion returns to Knoxville in his role as crew chief for World of Outlaws full-timer Cole Macedo.
The Oklahoma native won the 360 Nationals twice in 2000 and 2008, and earned two top-10 finishes in the finale. Johnson’s expertise helped Macedo earn a spot into his first Saturday Feature start in 2025 as they look to repeat the feat for a second consecutive year.
For more information about the Knoxville Nationals, click here.
Where can you watch every lap of the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.
Multiple ASCS Drivers, Champions Prepare for 65th Knoxville Nationals KNOXVILLE, IA (August 12, 2026) — The Grandaddy of Them All will take place with multiple American Sprint Car Series drivers hunting a $200,000 payday in Iowa.
The 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s will see more than 100 of the best Sprint Car drivers compete at Knoxville Raceway tonight through Saturday. Among the faces with ASCS connections who will compete at the Sprint Car Capital of the World are former champions, 2026 winners, and past racers who have made a footprint in the world of dirt racing through ASCS competition.
Take a look at who will compete at Knoxville:
Sam Hafertepe Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX)
Team: Hill’s Racing Team
Feature Starts: 3
Best Finish: 14th (2011)
The current Series points leader will chase his first Feature start since 2014 aboard his familiar Hill’s Racing Team No. 15H Sprint Car.
Hafertepe earned Quick Time honors on Friday for the Xtream powered by Mediacom 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank en route to a 15th-place finish in Saturday’s finale. Overall in 2026, he’s bagged three wins with ASCS and two 410 Sprint Car victories at Lake Ozark Speedway and Creek County Speedway.
Matt Covington (Glenpool, OK)
Team: Matt Covington Racing
Feature Starts: 0
Covington will make his first appearance for the Knoxville Nationals since 2023 amid a busy week across the Hawkeye State in August.
He’s earned two wins with the National Tour in 2026 as he goes after his first Saturday Feature start at the 1/2-mile facility. In ASCS competition, he sits 23 points behind Hafertepe for the overall points lead.
Austyn Gossel (Fort Collins, CO)
Team: Gossel Racing
Feature Starts: 0
Gossel has made strides in his journey with the Series in 2026 by earning two consecutive podiums at Dodge City Raceway Park and Viking Speedway, respectively.
Before Gossel rejoins ASCS for the visit to Riverside International Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 22, he’ll look to bring the No. 16G BG Automotive Triple X Chassis to a first career finale Feature start.
Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, IN)
Team: Clauson Marshall Racing
Feature Starts: 3
Best Finish: 4th (2022)
“Sunshine” has evolved into one of the biggest threats to win a first Knoxville Nationals as he prepares to drive the NOS Energy Drink No. 7BC in a tribute design to the late Bryan Clauson.
Courtney has multiple wins at the track in USAC Sprint Cars and is the 2024 360 Nationals champion. He finished third in the 2026 edition and owns the ASCS Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator title from February.
Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK)
Team: Aberlein Motorsports
Feature Starts: 1
Best Finish: 15th (2024)
The “Macho Man” showed his muscle during the 360 Nationals by leading the first half of Friday’s Feature en route to a second-place finish on the night.
Bacon won with the Series at Volusia Speedway Park on the final night of DIRTcar Nationals and has won at Knoxville six times in USAC competition, with the latest coming in May for the Corn Belt Clash.
Justin Peck (Monrovia, IN)
Team: Rudeen Racing
Feature Starts: 5
Best Finish: 12th (2022)
Peck has suited up for the Saturday finale at Knoxville Nationals each year since 2021, and he’ll attempt to keep the streak going in his second year as a driver for Kevin Rudeen.
In ASCS competition, he won twice in the Sonoran Clash at Central Arizona Raceway. While he’s yet to see victory at Knoxville, he’s finished on the podium in his prelim night showings from the last two runnings of the high-stakes event.
Levi Hillier (Burlington, WA)
Team: Rudeen Racing
Feature Starts: 0
16-year-old Levi Hillier will race aboard the second Rudeen Racing machine in his debut appearance at the “Grandaddy of Them All.”
Hillier became the second-youngest National Tour winner when he took victory at Central Arizona and owns four additional victories in Sprint Car racing since May 30. If he wins on Saturday, he’ll take the title of the youngest winner in the event’s history.
Gio Scelzi (Fresno, CA)
Team: Spire Motorsports
Feature Starts: 7
Best Finish: 2nd (2024)
Scelzi began a new journey in 2026 when Spire Motorsports tapped him to pilot the Chili’s-sponsored No. 77 for their flagship Sprint Car program.
His first win of the year was a $100,000 payday in the Bob Weikert Memorial at Port Royal Speedway, then he followed up by winning the 360 Nationals opening night with the ASCS National Tour. “Hot Sauce” has three top-five finishes in the Saturday finale, including a runner-up finish to Kyle Larson in the 2024 edition.
Honorable Mention:
Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK)
Team: Two-C Racing
Feature Starts: 8
Best Finish: 8th (2006)
The 2000 ASCS National Tour champion returns to Knoxville in his role as crew chief for World of Outlaws full-timer Cole Macedo.
The Oklahoma native won the 360 Nationals twice in 2000 and 2008, and earned two top-10 finishes in the finale. Johnson’s expertise helped Macedo earn a spot into his first Saturday Feature start in 2025 as they look to repeat the feat for a second consecutive year.
For more information about the Knoxville Nationals, click here.
Where can you watch every lap of the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.
The 2026 regular season enters its closing stretch this weekend as the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series head to Richmond Raceway for a pair of short-track showdowns under the lights. Friday’s Black’s Tire 250 presented by BTS Rewards marks the penultimate race of the Truck Series regular season, while Saturday’s Cook Out 400 serves as the second of three consecutive short-track events for NASCAR’s premier series before its regular season finale at the “World Center of Racing”. The historic Virginia venue presents the potential for a big weekend for the Bowtie brigade. Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon will have his sights set on a three-peat. Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain will look to continue his impressive late-season charge towards the Chase cutline. Strong points runs by Chase Elliott, Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson could end with an early clinch into the title hunt.
DILLON CHASING RICHMOND HISTORY On the heels of a strong top-10 run last weekend, few drivers will arrive at Richmond Raceway with more momentum than Austin Dillon. The Richard Childress Racing driver has won the last two Cup Series races at the Virginia short-track, making him the only active driver and the 12th driver all-time in series history to earn consecutive wins at the track in the sport’s top division. If he keeps his streak alive in Saturday’s event, the win would make Dillon the first driver in over 40 years to accomplish a Richmond three-peat (Bobby Allison – Sept. 1982; 1983 sweep). In the Next Gen era, the North Carolina native ranks seventh in the field with a 12.3 average finish at Richmond – earned by four top-10s, including his pair of wins, in seven events.
CHASTAIN CONTINUES CHARGE TOWARDS THE CHASEAt Iowa Speedway last weekend, Ross Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet team put together a statement performance to prove that they’re still in the Chase conversation. With 40 laps led and top-six points earned in each stage, the Florida native brought home a seventh-place finish and a 43-point day – an effort that made him the biggest mover up the standings of those on the outside looking in. With a 35-point gain towards the cutline, Chastain now sits 18th and just 47 points below the cutline with three races remaining in the regular season.
LARSON’S AVERAGES AT “THE ACTION TRACK” Kyle Larson enters Richmond Raceway looking to rebound from a difficult afternoon at Iowa Speedway where race contending speed gave way to an accident in Stage Two that ultimately took the No. 5 team out of contention. Despite the setback, the Hendrick Motorsports driver remains one of Chevrolet’s strongest short-track competitors. The reigning champion is a six-time short-track winner in NASCAR’s top division, two of which have come at Richmond Raceway (2017 and 2023). “The Action Track” has fit right into Larson’s wheelhouse throughout his NASCAR Cup Series career. In 21 starts, only one time did he finish outside the top-20 to earn an average finish of 10.476. In the Next Gen era, he’s one of just five drivers to own a single-digit average finish at the track, putting him second at 7.9 courtesy of a win and five top-seven results.
ENFINGER, HEMRIC CONTINUE TRUCK PLAYOFF PUSHThe NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series enters its penultimate regular season race with Chevrolet drivers positioned throughout the Chase battle. Ranked in the fourth position is McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes, and as one of the five drivers who has already clinched a postseason position, he remains one of the manufacturer’s strongest championship contenders. With five spots left up for grabs, CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger leads the Team Chevy contingent in eighth with a 26-point cushion over the cutline, while Daniel Hemric sits ninth with a 14-point advantage.
Enfinger’s stout resume at the Virginia-based short-track sets up for the opportunity to build an even stronger position heading into the series’ regular season finale. The Alabama native is one of just four past Richmond winners entered in Friday’s event – a victory that came in his first-ever Truck Series start at the track (2020). In his six career starts, he’s finished no worse than 13th, including five results that came within the top-nine.
MCKEE SET FOR TRUCK SERIES DEBUTOne of Team Chevy’s youngest talents, Tristan McKee, will step foot into the NASCAR national ranks for the first time in his career this weekend to pilot the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Silverado RST entry in Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series race. At just 16 years old, McKee is currently competing in a full-time campaign in the ARCA Menards Series East Series with Pinnacle Racing Group where he sits as the points leader courtesy of podium finishes in six of the seven events this season, including four trips to victory lane. The North Carolina native also has 10 ARCA Menards Series starts under his belt, adding an additional three wins to his resume. McKee will race alongside Team Chevy Cup Series regular, Shane van Gisbergen, as the New Zealand native will take over the driving duties for the No. 7 Silverado RST for the weekend. This will mark Van Gisbergen’s fourth Truck Series start of the season, with his most recent at North Wilkesboro Speedway ending with a third-place result.
BOWTIE BULLETS:· Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond Raceway: Austin Dillon: two wins (2024, 2025)Kyle Larson: two wins (2017, 2023)Alex Bowman: one win (2021)
· In 137 NASCAR Cup Series races at Richmond Raceway, Chevrolet has amassed a series-leading 42 victories and 48 pole wins.
· Chevrolet recorded six consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victories at Richmond Raceway from 2006 to 2008 – a record for the longest streak of consecutive wins by a single manufacturer at the .75-mile Virginia oval. With back-to-back wins, Austin Dillon is the only active driver and the 12th driver all-time in series history to earn consecutive wins at Richmond in NASCAR’s premier series.
· With Grant Enfinger’s win at Lime Rock Park, Chevrolet sits just two wins away from its milestone 300th all-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win.
· With seven-straight victories to start the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, Chevrolet set the record for the longest season-opening streak by a single manufacturer in the division’s history.
· In 166 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 73 victories – a winning percentage of 44%.
· Chevrolet is coming off its 29th all-time sweep of the NASCAR Cup Series championship titles – capturing its 34th driver championship and 44th, and fifth consecutive, manufacturer championship in 2025.
· With its 44 NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer championships, 34 NASCAR Cup Series driver championships, and 887 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.
TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup SeriesCook Out 400Sunday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. ETUSA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesBlack’s Tire 250 presented by BTS RewardsFriday, Aug. 14, at 7:30 p.m. ETFS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90
QUOTABLE QUOTES:Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletYou’re still within striking distance of making the chase, so how do you approach the next three weeks?“It’s just about the speed. The points come with speed, especially at these tracks where, yes, there was some strategy at Iowa where you can be off, but it didn’t play itself out for the end of the stages where you had to make a choice, stage points or track position, for the later in the race. So we were able to play it straight up until the final stage and then we took a shot on running long. Richmond though after 15 laps, maybe even 10 laps, I want a pit, I want tires, so it’s all about speed and that really plays itself similar to Loudon, as well.” Can you talk a little bit about the pit and tire strategy at Richmond?“At Richmond, if you go two more laps than your competitor, they will pass you if they’re behind you and they’re within a couple of seconds. So the tire life, the tire grip goes down so much quicker at Richmond than at Iowa, and then Loudon is somewhere in the middle of those three. Those decisions are for Brandon McSwain, Trackhouse and Chevy to weigh in on and give McSwain all the information he needs to make that call on each track. But you will not see us running until we need fuel at Richmond. I can assure you, I don’t think that will happen for anybody this weekend.” Thoughts on Richmond?“Have to be easy on the throttle there. Yeah, just trying to be easy, be calm, take care of my rear tires. I’ve not done a good job of that in the past. I love riding up there. I’m going to drive up there and then fly home with the team. I’ll go by some farms on the way, do some go kart racing on the way. It’s only a four hour drive which is nice that it’s pretty close to home.”
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletDid you notice any similarities this weekend between Iowa Speedway and Richmond Raceway?“I used to think they didn’t correlate a lot. In the old asphalt getting to the patch in Iowa, I noticed some of the yaw moments you get turning into the corner in Richmond. When you run the bottom its closer to Richmond, but the higher you run, it isn’t conducive. But there are tendencies at Iowa you can make at Richmond.” You’ve been dominant the last two years at Richmond Raceway. What has the No. 3 team figured out about the drivability of the car, unlike anyone else?“I feel like I have a good feel for what I need in our No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Supreme Long Range Chevrolet. We go to the sim, we do some runs and I am pretty adamant on what I am looking for. I guess I am giving good feedback to the guys, and they are delivering what we need. Richmond Raceway is all about managing tire heat and energy, and the way I approach it has just worked out over the long runs. And last year, we could take off on the short runs. We’ve always been good on long runs, and we’ve mixed in short run speed. Last year was the most dominant we have been, but we need to make it better. The other teams will come out swinging. They will have seen the data of what we’ve been doing, so you need to put it all together and hope it works out.”What are your thoughts on the new practice format?“Fifty minutes is plenty of time, especially at Richmond Raceway. You normally get one to two long runs on tires, and you don’t make a lot of adjustments because your cycles can affect the way the car handles. You try not to hit pit road too much in practice.”You’re 144 points back from making The Chase. You’re still in the ball game, but can’t make any errors. How do you view the final three races?“We want to go get a win with the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Supreme Long Range Chevrolet, if we could do that, it would be great for Chevrolet and RCR. We have fought through a lot of adversity this year losing Kyle. Making solid runs is what we’re focused on; making sure we’re set up for a good following year and trying to learn as much as we can. We want to win. We want to get to Victory Lane and points follow that. If you can get to Victory Lane, you don’t need to worry about points.” You have had such an amazing run at Richmond Raceway. What is it about that track, and how can you apply that to other tracks because it is amazing how you get around that racetrack.“I would say Richmond Raceway was probably my worst track at one point in my career. I really struggled there. At one test, I kind of figured out how to approach a particular groove or line around the track. I’ve kept that consistency ever since. I’m also very decisive before we get there in the simulator. I have a feel for it there, as well. Of course, I am trying to recreate that feeling at other places, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. I think another track we have shown promise at was Iowa Speedway. I think there are similarities between the two aging surfaces. Any place that has high tire wear, I think I show up and have pretty good throttle control and that tends to help me. Just trying to be decisive on a line when I get to these tracks is pretty important.” Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWhat do you like about racing at Richmond, and what makes it such a tough track?“Richmond is a track I really enjoy because there’s a lot going on throughout the race. It’s a short track, but it doesn’t feel simple. You’re constantly managing the tires, looking for the right line and trying to keep the car underneath you as the track changes. The long green-flag runs can make a big difference and you have to be smart about when you push and when you save. I think the experience we’ve gained on the short tracks this year will help us at Richmond. We’ve learned more about what I need from the car, especially as the tires start to fall off. Hopefully, we can unload with a strong car, make the right adjustments during the race and put ourselves in position to compete for a strong finish.”Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on Richmond Raceway?“Richmond is one of my favorite tracks. I love short-track racing, so this race is always circled on my calendar every year. Our short-track program at Kaulig Racing has been strong this year. We had good runs at North Wilkesboro and Iowa last weekend.”What are your thoughts on short-track racing?“Our sport was built on short-track racing and our fans want to see more of it. I’d like to see as many short tracks on the schedule as possible. There’s nothing more fun than watching these cars and these drivers on short tracks to me.”AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletRichmond has presented some challenges for you and the team in the past. What are your goals heading into this weekend to maximize performance?“Richmond hasn’t always been one of my best tracks. We qualified third there last time and were about to take the lead 40 laps in, but within 50 laps, all the sudden we were slow. Knowing that, we’ll go to Richmond and give everything we’ve got, just like we did at Iowa.”You’re coming off your 91st career top-10. Knowing the team has no support, what are some difference-makers you can identify that is putting you in position for respectable finishes?“Kaulig Racing is just grinding – at the track, in the race shop and on pit road. The team is further ahead than we’ve ever been when it comes to having our cars prepped and ready to go. Our pit crew has been delivering some solid pit stops, and at Iowa in particular, they played a big role in helping us break into the top 10. We earned a top-10 finish at Iowa, and everyone on this team fought hard for us to bring home a strong result. It feels good to see that work paying off, but we’re never satisfied. We’re highly competitive and we don’t want to settle. We want to win races.”
Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWith making your first Cup Series start at Richmond Raceway this weekend, what is the outlook?“I’ve been watching a lot of videos and SMT of what AD (Austin Dillon) does there to be good. I feel like I naturally run some of the line that he does. He does a little different stuff in Turns 3 and 4 to help with his exit, but the concept is close. I’ve always had confidence that Richmond could be a track that I could be halfway decent at, but we have struggled there at times on the O’Reilly (Auto Parts Series) side. Things have also not gone our way in some of those races, like cording a right front tire. To be good at Richmond though, you have to make the tires last. Tracks that have tire fall off are ones that I really enjoy racing at. It’s a short track but similar to Darlington or Homestead, tracks that I like. It has low grip, and your car needs good drive off to not burn the right rear off of our Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet.”Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet“Richmond is always a fun place to race, especially under the lights. It’s a track where tire management and having a good handling car throughout a long run are really important. We’re excited to have Brazier Lumber Company back on the No. 47 Chevrolet, and hopefully we can put together a strong night for them.”Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet“Richmond is a difficult racetrack because you have two corners that are wildly different. Finding a rhythm there is very tough. Going into turn one, you’ve got a lot of banking holding you into the corner. Then as you’re coming off the corner and getting down to the back straightaway, you transition onto the flat pretty aggressively. Your entry into turn three is completely different. It’s very flat, not a whole lot of banking. You’re braking very early and lifting very early because you can’t carry speed into the corner like you can in turn one. You don’t have that grip and that banking to hold you into the corner.”Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletTalk about the differences and similarities between Iowa and Richmond.“Richmond is very different from Iowa (Speedway). It’s not as bumpy or rough. Richmond is smooth and both tracks are essentially the same shape. Iowa was modeled after Richmond when Rusty (Wallace) and that group put the track together, but it doesn’t feel like Richmond at all. Iowa really is one of a kind. You can burn up rear tires there if you’re not careful, but Richmond has always been the same. Even after transitioning from the old car to the NextGen, we really haven’t seen much of a change. We need a good day in Richmond. We qualified well last year and had a decent day, so hopefully we can take the next step with our short track package and gain some points this weekend.”Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWhat are your thoughts heading to Richmond after a tough day last Sunday in Iowa?“I like racing at Richmond. It is one of those places I can move around and find something that may work for me, but doesn’t necessarily translate to anyone else, similar to North Wilkesboro a few weeks back. Qualifying will be important since it is tough to pass, but we have shown good speed on Saturdays throughout the year. Iowa obviously didn’t go how we wanted. Even with as bad of a day as we had, fifth in points is still within reach.”
The 2026 regular season enters its closing stretch this weekend as the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series head to Richmond Raceway for a pair of short-track showdowns under the lights. Friday’s Black’s Tire 250 presented by BTS Rewards marks the penultimate race of the Truck Series regular season, while Saturday’s Cook Out 400 serves as the second of three consecutive short-track events for NASCAR’s premier series before its regular season finale at the “World Center of Racing”. The historic Virginia venue presents the potential for a big weekend for the Bowtie brigade. Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon will have his sights set on a three-peat. Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain will look to continue his impressive late-season charge towards the Chase cutline. Strong points runs by Chase Elliott, Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson could end with an early clinch into the title hunt.
DILLON CHASING RICHMOND HISTORY On the heels of a strong top-10 run last weekend, few drivers will arrive at Richmond Raceway with more momentum than Austin Dillon. The Richard Childress Racing driver has won the last two Cup Series races at the Virginia short-track, making him the only active driver and the 12th driver all-time in series history to earn consecutive wins at the track in the sport’s top division. If he keeps his streak alive in Saturday’s event, the win would make Dillon the first driver in over 40 years to accomplish a Richmond three-peat (Bobby Allison – Sept. 1982; 1983 sweep). In the Next Gen era, the North Carolina native ranks seventh in the field with a 12.3 average finish at Richmond – earned by four top-10s, including his pair of wins, in seven events.
CHASTAIN CONTINUES CHARGE TOWARDS THE CHASEAt Iowa Speedway last weekend, Ross Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet team put together a statement performance to prove that they’re still in the Chase conversation. With 40 laps led and top-six points earned in each stage, the Florida native brought home a seventh-place finish and a 43-point day – an effort that made him the biggest mover up the standings of those on the outside looking in. With a 35-point gain towards the cutline, Chastain now sits 18th and just 47 points below the cutline with three races remaining in the regular season.
LARSON’S AVERAGES AT “THE ACTION TRACK” Kyle Larson enters Richmond Raceway looking to rebound from a difficult afternoon at Iowa Speedway where race contending speed gave way to an accident in Stage Two that ultimately took the No. 5 team out of contention. Despite the setback, the Hendrick Motorsports driver remains one of Chevrolet’s strongest short-track competitors. The reigning champion is a six-time short-track winner in NASCAR’s top division, two of which have come at Richmond Raceway (2017 and 2023). “The Action Track” has fit right into Larson’s wheelhouse throughout his NASCAR Cup Series career. In 21 starts, only one time did he finish outside the top-20 to earn an average finish of 10.476. In the Next Gen era, he’s one of just five drivers to own a single-digit average finish at the track, putting him second at 7.9 courtesy of a win and five top-seven results.
ENFINGER, HEMRIC CONTINUE TRUCK PLAYOFF PUSHThe NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series enters its penultimate regular season race with Chevrolet drivers positioned throughout the Chase battle. Ranked in the fourth position is McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes, and as one of the five drivers who has already clinched a postseason position, he remains one of the manufacturer’s strongest championship contenders. With five spots left up for grabs, CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger leads the Team Chevy contingent in eighth with a 26-point cushion over the cutline, while Daniel Hemric sits ninth with a 14-point advantage.
Enfinger’s stout resume at the Virginia-based short-track sets up for the opportunity to build an even stronger position heading into the series’ regular season finale. The Alabama native is one of just four past Richmond winners entered in Friday’s event – a victory that came in his first-ever Truck Series start at the track (2020). In his six career starts, he’s finished no worse than 13th, including five results that came within the top-nine.
MCKEE SET FOR TRUCK SERIES DEBUTOne of Team Chevy’s youngest talents, Tristan McKee, will step foot into the NASCAR national ranks for the first time in his career this weekend to pilot the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Silverado RST entry in Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series race. At just 16 years old, McKee is currently competing in a full-time campaign in the ARCA Menards Series East Series with Pinnacle Racing Group where he sits as the points leader courtesy of podium finishes in six of the seven events this season, including four trips to victory lane. The North Carolina native also has 10 ARCA Menards Series starts under his belt, adding an additional three wins to his resume. McKee will race alongside Team Chevy Cup Series regular, Shane van Gisbergen, as the New Zealand native will take over the driving duties for the No. 7 Silverado RST for the weekend. This will mark Van Gisbergen’s fourth Truck Series start of the season, with his most recent at North Wilkesboro Speedway ending with a third-place result.
BOWTIE BULLETS:· Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond Raceway: Austin Dillon: two wins (2024, 2025)Kyle Larson: two wins (2017, 2023)Alex Bowman: one win (2021)
· In 137 NASCAR Cup Series races at Richmond Raceway, Chevrolet has amassed a series-leading 42 victories and 48 pole wins.
· Chevrolet recorded six consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victories at Richmond Raceway from 2006 to 2008 – a record for the longest streak of consecutive wins by a single manufacturer at the .75-mile Virginia oval. With back-to-back wins, Austin Dillon is the only active driver and the 12th driver all-time in series history to earn consecutive wins at Richmond in NASCAR’s premier series.
· With Grant Enfinger’s win at Lime Rock Park, Chevrolet sits just two wins away from its milestone 300th all-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win.
· With seven-straight victories to start the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season, Chevrolet set the record for the longest season-opening streak by a single manufacturer in the division’s history.
· In 166 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 73 victories – a winning percentage of 44%.
· Chevrolet is coming off its 29th all-time sweep of the NASCAR Cup Series championship titles – capturing its 34th driver championship and 44th, and fifth consecutive, manufacturer championship in 2025.
· With its 44 NASCAR Cup Series manufacturer championships, 34 NASCAR Cup Series driver championships, and 887 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.
TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup SeriesCook Out 400Sunday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. ETUSA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesBlack’s Tire 250 presented by BTS RewardsFriday, Aug. 14, at 7:30 p.m. ETFS1, NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90
QUOTABLE QUOTES:Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletYou’re still within striking distance of making the chase, so how do you approach the next three weeks?“It’s just about the speed. The points come with speed, especially at these tracks where, yes, there was some strategy at Iowa where you can be off, but it didn’t play itself out for the end of the stages where you had to make a choice, stage points or track position, for the later in the race. So we were able to play it straight up until the final stage and then we took a shot on running long. Richmond though after 15 laps, maybe even 10 laps, I want a pit, I want tires, so it’s all about speed and that really plays itself similar to Loudon, as well.” Can you talk a little bit about the pit and tire strategy at Richmond?“At Richmond, if you go two more laps than your competitor, they will pass you if they’re behind you and they’re within a couple of seconds. So the tire life, the tire grip goes down so much quicker at Richmond than at Iowa, and then Loudon is somewhere in the middle of those three. Those decisions are for Brandon McSwain, Trackhouse and Chevy to weigh in on and give McSwain all the information he needs to make that call on each track. But you will not see us running until we need fuel at Richmond. I can assure you, I don’t think that will happen for anybody this weekend.” Thoughts on Richmond?“Have to be easy on the throttle there. Yeah, just trying to be easy, be calm, take care of my rear tires. I’ve not done a good job of that in the past. I love riding up there. I’m going to drive up there and then fly home with the team. I’ll go by some farms on the way, do some go kart racing on the way. It’s only a four hour drive which is nice that it’s pretty close to home.”
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletDid you notice any similarities this weekend between Iowa Speedway and Richmond Raceway?“I used to think they didn’t correlate a lot. In the old asphalt getting to the patch in Iowa, I noticed some of the yaw moments you get turning into the corner in Richmond. When you run the bottom its closer to Richmond, but the higher you run, it isn’t conducive. But there are tendencies at Iowa you can make at Richmond.” You’ve been dominant the last two years at Richmond Raceway. What has the No. 3 team figured out about the drivability of the car, unlike anyone else?“I feel like I have a good feel for what I need in our No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Supreme Long Range Chevrolet. We go to the sim, we do some runs and I am pretty adamant on what I am looking for. I guess I am giving good feedback to the guys, and they are delivering what we need. Richmond Raceway is all about managing tire heat and energy, and the way I approach it has just worked out over the long runs. And last year, we could take off on the short runs. We’ve always been good on long runs, and we’ve mixed in short run speed. Last year was the most dominant we have been, but we need to make it better. The other teams will come out swinging. They will have seen the data of what we’ve been doing, so you need to put it all together and hope it works out.”What are your thoughts on the new practice format?“Fifty minutes is plenty of time, especially at Richmond Raceway. You normally get one to two long runs on tires, and you don’t make a lot of adjustments because your cycles can affect the way the car handles. You try not to hit pit road too much in practice.”You’re 144 points back from making The Chase. You’re still in the ball game, but can’t make any errors. How do you view the final three races?“We want to go get a win with the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Supreme Long Range Chevrolet, if we could do that, it would be great for Chevrolet and RCR. We have fought through a lot of adversity this year losing Kyle. Making solid runs is what we’re focused on; making sure we’re set up for a good following year and trying to learn as much as we can. We want to win. We want to get to Victory Lane and points follow that. If you can get to Victory Lane, you don’t need to worry about points.” You have had such an amazing run at Richmond Raceway. What is it about that track, and how can you apply that to other tracks because it is amazing how you get around that racetrack.“I would say Richmond Raceway was probably my worst track at one point in my career. I really struggled there. At one test, I kind of figured out how to approach a particular groove or line around the track. I’ve kept that consistency ever since. I’m also very decisive before we get there in the simulator. I have a feel for it there, as well. Of course, I am trying to recreate that feeling at other places, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. I think another track we have shown promise at was Iowa Speedway. I think there are similarities between the two aging surfaces. Any place that has high tire wear, I think I show up and have pretty good throttle control and that tends to help me. Just trying to be decisive on a line when I get to these tracks is pretty important.” Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWhat do you like about racing at Richmond, and what makes it such a tough track?“Richmond is a track I really enjoy because there’s a lot going on throughout the race. It’s a short track, but it doesn’t feel simple. You’re constantly managing the tires, looking for the right line and trying to keep the car underneath you as the track changes. The long green-flag runs can make a big difference and you have to be smart about when you push and when you save. I think the experience we’ve gained on the short tracks this year will help us at Richmond. We’ve learned more about what I need from the car, especially as the tires start to fall off. Hopefully, we can unload with a strong car, make the right adjustments during the race and put ourselves in position to compete for a strong finish.”Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on Richmond Raceway?“Richmond is one of my favorite tracks. I love short-track racing, so this race is always circled on my calendar every year. Our short-track program at Kaulig Racing has been strong this year. We had good runs at North Wilkesboro and Iowa last weekend.”What are your thoughts on short-track racing?“Our sport was built on short-track racing and our fans want to see more of it. I’d like to see as many short tracks on the schedule as possible. There’s nothing more fun than watching these cars and these drivers on short tracks to me.”AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletRichmond has presented some challenges for you and the team in the past. What are your goals heading into this weekend to maximize performance?“Richmond hasn’t always been one of my best tracks. We qualified third there last time and were about to take the lead 40 laps in, but within 50 laps, all the sudden we were slow. Knowing that, we’ll go to Richmond and give everything we’ve got, just like we did at Iowa.”You’re coming off your 91st career top-10. Knowing the team has no support, what are some difference-makers you can identify that is putting you in position for respectable finishes?“Kaulig Racing is just grinding – at the track, in the race shop and on pit road. The team is further ahead than we’ve ever been when it comes to having our cars prepped and ready to go. Our pit crew has been delivering some solid pit stops, and at Iowa in particular, they played a big role in helping us break into the top 10. We earned a top-10 finish at Iowa, and everyone on this team fought hard for us to bring home a strong result. It feels good to see that work paying off, but we’re never satisfied. We’re highly competitive and we don’t want to settle. We want to win races.”
Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWith making your first Cup Series start at Richmond Raceway this weekend, what is the outlook?“I’ve been watching a lot of videos and SMT of what AD (Austin Dillon) does there to be good. I feel like I naturally run some of the line that he does. He does a little different stuff in Turns 3 and 4 to help with his exit, but the concept is close. I’ve always had confidence that Richmond could be a track that I could be halfway decent at, but we have struggled there at times on the O’Reilly (Auto Parts Series) side. Things have also not gone our way in some of those races, like cording a right front tire. To be good at Richmond though, you have to make the tires last. Tracks that have tire fall off are ones that I really enjoy racing at. It’s a short track but similar to Darlington or Homestead, tracks that I like. It has low grip, and your car needs good drive off to not burn the right rear off of our Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet.”Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet“Richmond is always a fun place to race, especially under the lights. It’s a track where tire management and having a good handling car throughout a long run are really important. We’re excited to have Brazier Lumber Company back on the No. 47 Chevrolet, and hopefully we can put together a strong night for them.”Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet“Richmond is a difficult racetrack because you have two corners that are wildly different. Finding a rhythm there is very tough. Going into turn one, you’ve got a lot of banking holding you into the corner. Then as you’re coming off the corner and getting down to the back straightaway, you transition onto the flat pretty aggressively. Your entry into turn three is completely different. It’s very flat, not a whole lot of banking. You’re braking very early and lifting very early because you can’t carry speed into the corner like you can in turn one. You don’t have that grip and that banking to hold you into the corner.”Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletTalk about the differences and similarities between Iowa and Richmond.“Richmond is very different from Iowa (Speedway). It’s not as bumpy or rough. Richmond is smooth and both tracks are essentially the same shape. Iowa was modeled after Richmond when Rusty (Wallace) and that group put the track together, but it doesn’t feel like Richmond at all. Iowa really is one of a kind. You can burn up rear tires there if you’re not careful, but Richmond has always been the same. Even after transitioning from the old car to the NextGen, we really haven’t seen much of a change. We need a good day in Richmond. We qualified well last year and had a decent day, so hopefully we can take the next step with our short track package and gain some points this weekend.”Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWhat are your thoughts heading to Richmond after a tough day last Sunday in Iowa?“I like racing at Richmond. It is one of those places I can move around and find something that may work for me, but doesn’t necessarily translate to anyone else, similar to North Wilkesboro a few weeks back. Qualifying will be important since it is tough to pass, but we have shown good speed on Saturdays throughout the year. Iowa obviously didn’t go how we wanted. Even with as bad of a day as we had, fifth in points is still within reach.”
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturer Championships:Total (1949-2025): 44First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)Most recent: 2025 Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025Driver Championships:Total (1949-2025): 34First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most recent: Kyle Larson (2025)Driver and Manufacturer Championship Sweeps: 29 Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2025 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007) 2026 STATISTICS: Wins: 6Poles: 5Laps Led: 1,693Top-Fives: 38Top-10s: 78Stage Wins: 16 CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 887 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 771Laps led to date: 258,427Top-fives to date: 4,474Top-10s to date: 9,229 Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date: General Motors: 1,221 Chevrolet: 887 Pontiac: 154 Oldsmobile: 115 Buick: 65 Ford: 851 Ford: 751 Mercury: 96 Lincoln: 4 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467 Dodge: 217 Plymouth: 191 Chrysler: 59 Toyota: 217
CONCORD, NC (August 12, 2026) – One of the most intriguing freshman classes in recent history has been living up to the hype in 2026.
Four drivers are following the full World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision tour for the first time this season, and they’re all doing it with race teams that are also new to full-time national tour competition. They’ve each had their own set of struggles and successes since the season began in January, and the battle between them for the MD3 Rookie of the Year Award is set to come down to the wire in the closing races of the year.
Here’s a look at where each World of Outlaws rookie stands:
Trey Mills – 1st in rookie points, 7th in overall points: Four months ago, top rookie honors looked like a pipe dream for Trey Mills. Not anymore.
The No. 14 team didn’t get off to the start they wanted, and sat 189 points behind Daulton Wilson leaving Farmer City Raceway in April. Late spring was when Mills started to find his groove, and he’s been chipping away at the deficit ever since. Mills beat Wilson by 11 positions in the USA Nationals finale at Cedar Lake Speedway, and that was just enough to edge in front by a single point.
The 18-year-old Floridian has been the underdog in this year’s rookie battle from the start, considering Wilson is 29 and has been driving Super Late Models since Mills was in fifth grade. Despite the experience difference, Mills has proven himself to be a quick learner. He’s finished in the top 10 16 times this season, with 11 of them coming at tracks Mills had never been to before.
While he hasn’t yet won for the first time at the national level, he’s come close on multiple occasions, including on some of the sport’s biggest nights. Mills earned the pole position at both the Dirt Late Model Dream and the Prairie Dirt Classic and led a combined 87 laps between the two crown jewels, more than any other driver.
Daulton Wilson – 2nd in rookie points, 8th in overall points: Less than a year ago, Wilson was wondering if his days as a nationally-touring Late Model driver were behind him. These days, his outlook is brighter than ever.
The Fayetteville, NC driver spent last fall as a free agent after his departure from JRR Motorsports. In October, an opportunity came along from Augie Burttram and Shawn Martin to run a handful of races as part of their Big Frog/Viper Motorsports operation. The combination hit it off, one thing led to another, and Wilson’s short-term arrangement turned into a long-term deal to run the full World of Outlaws schedule for the first time in 2026.
“Big Perm” was competitive out of the gate, going on a run of 13 top 10s in 18 races in the spring. Early summer was a struggle, but all those frustrations vanished at Stateline Speedway when Wilson broke through for his first World of Outlaws victory and Big Frog’s biggest win to date.
Wilson could use a few more nights like that one to lock up the Rookie of the Year title. The schedule says Wilson should have the upper hand in crunch time, as the final races of the season take place at Modoc Speedway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte, two Carolina tracks that Wilson knows well.
Logan Zarin – 3rd in rookie points, 13th in overall points: In his first full season racing with the World of Outlaws, Logan Zarin has also gotten a taste of victory.
Two hours from home at Marion Center Raceway, the Hookstown, PA native took the checkers in his split-field Feature ahead of the Connor Bobik Memorial for the first national-level win of his career. Zarin was joined in Victory Lane that night by Jared Miley, who won the other preliminary race to complete the sweep by the western Pennsylvania locals.
Zarin’s best full-field finish came across the state line at Wayne County Speedway in Ohio, where he finished eighth on May 28. The primary goal for the season has been to learn and build toward a long and successful future in the national Late Model ranks, and that’s exactly what he’s been doing in the first 40 races of the campaign.
Eli Johnson – 4th in rookie points, 14th in overall points: Despite being the oldest member of the rookie class at age 32, Eli Johnson came into the season with the least amount of previous Super Late Model experience.
The Clewiston, FL native grew up around racing, but didn’t climb into a car himself until adulthood. Following a handful of seasons of competing locally in Florida, Johnson went all in on Super Late Model racing midway through 2025. The No. 55E team ran the full DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour and attended several other major events, all in an effort to prepare themselves for full-time World of Outlaws racing the following year.
Johnson’s best night to date came at West Virginia Motor Speedway, where he rallied from 23rd up to a carer-best 12th, earning the FOX Factory Hard Charger Award in the process. He’s also started to find more early-night speed as of late, making a pair of Redraws at River Cities Speedway in June and Stateline Speedway in July.
Mills, Wilson, Zarin and Johnson will resume their World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision rookie campaigns in the Hawkeye 100 at Maquoketa Speedway on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22. Get your tickets in advance by clicking here.
Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.
One Point Separates MD3 Rookie of the Year Battle Entering Iowa
CONCORD, NC (August 12, 2026) – One of the most intriguing freshman classes in recent history has been living up to the hype in 2026.
Four drivers are following the full World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision tour for the first time this season, and they’re all doing it with race teams that are also new to full-time national tour competition. They’ve each had their own set of struggles and successes since the season began in January, and the battle between them for the MD3 Rookie of the Year Award is set to come down to the wire in the closing races of the year.
Here’s a look at where each World of Outlaws rookie stands:
Trey Mills – 1st in rookie points, 7th in overall points: Four months ago, top rookie honors looked like a pipe dream for Trey Mills. Not anymore.
The No. 14 team didn’t get off to the start they wanted, and sat 189 points behind Daulton Wilson leaving Farmer City Raceway in April. Late spring was when Mills started to find his groove, and he’s been chipping away at the deficit ever since. Mills beat Wilson by 11 positions in the USA Nationals finale at Cedar Lake Speedway, and that was just enough to edge in front by a single point.
The 18-year-old Floridian has been the underdog in this year’s rookie battle from the start, considering Wilson is 29 and has been driving Super Late Models since Mills was in fifth grade. Despite the experience difference, Mills has proven himself to be a quick learner. He’s finished in the top 10 16 times this season, with 11 of them coming at tracks Mills had never been to before.
While he hasn’t yet won for the first time at the national level, he’s come close on multiple occasions, including on some of the sport’s biggest nights. Mills earned the pole position at both the Dirt Late Model Dream and the Prairie Dirt Classic and led a combined 87 laps between the two crown jewels, more than any other driver.
Daulton Wilson – 2nd in rookie points, 8th in overall points: Less than a year ago, Wilson was wondering if his days as a nationally-touring Late Model driver were behind him. These days, his outlook is brighter than ever.
The Fayetteville, NC driver spent last fall as a free agent after his departure from JRR Motorsports. In October, an opportunity came along from Augie Burttram and Shawn Martin to run a handful of races as part of their Big Frog/Viper Motorsports operation. The combination hit it off, one thing led to another, and Wilson’s short-term arrangement turned into a long-term deal to run the full World of Outlaws schedule for the first time in 2026.
“Big Perm” was competitive out of the gate, going on a run of 13 top 10s in 18 races in the spring. Early summer was a struggle, but all those frustrations vanished at Stateline Speedway when Wilson broke through for his first World of Outlaws victory and Big Frog’s biggest win to date.
Wilson could use a few more nights like that one to lock up the Rookie of the Year title. The schedule says Wilson should have the upper hand in crunch time, as the final races of the season take place at Modoc Speedway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte, two Carolina tracks that Wilson knows well.
Logan Zarin – 3rd in rookie points, 13th in overall points: In his first full season racing with the World of Outlaws, Logan Zarin has also gotten a taste of victory.
Two hours from home at Marion Center Raceway, the Hookstown, PA native took the checkers in his split-field Feature ahead of the Connor Bobik Memorial for the first national-level win of his career. Zarin was joined in Victory Lane that night by Jared Miley, who won the other preliminary race to complete the sweep by the western Pennsylvania locals.
Zarin’s best full-field finish came across the state line at Wayne County Speedway in Ohio, where he finished eighth on May 28. The primary goal for the season has been to learn and build toward a long and successful future in the national Late Model ranks, and that’s exactly what he’s been doing in the first 40 races of the campaign.
Eli Johnson – 4th in rookie points, 14th in overall points: Despite being the oldest member of the rookie class at age 32, Eli Johnson came into the season with the least amount of previous Super Late Model experience.
The Clewiston, FL native grew up around racing, but didn’t climb into a car himself until adulthood. Following a handful of seasons of competing locally in Florida, Johnson went all in on Super Late Model racing midway through 2025. The No. 55E team ran the full DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour and attended several other major events, all in an effort to prepare themselves for full-time World of Outlaws racing the following year.
Johnson’s best night to date came at West Virginia Motor Speedway, where he rallied from 23rd up to a carer-best 12th, earning the FOX Factory Hard Charger Award in the process. He’s also started to find more early-night speed as of late, making a pair of Redraws at River Cities Speedway in June and Stateline Speedway in July.
Mills, Wilson, Zarin and Johnson will resume their World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision rookie campaigns in the Hawkeye 100 at Maquoketa Speedway on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22. Get your tickets in advance by clicking here.
Want to watch the World of Outlaws? Stream every race live on DIRTVision.
The new HRC Heritage Racing Program offers comprehensive restoration, sales, service and trackside support of historic Honda and Acura race cars
First race car for sale to be featured at the HRC display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, during Monterey Car Week on Aug. 14
Historic 2- and 4-wheel racing machines on display at Monterey Car Week will include F1, IndyCar, IMSA, SCCA, Baja, MotoGP and Dakar race and championship winners
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) is giving enthusiasts the opportunity to own iconic championship race machines through the HRC Heritage Racing Program, launching this week during California’s famed Monterey Car Week. This HRC Heritage Racing Program includes the sale and restoration of historic Honda and Acura race machines that have won races and championships around the world, including at Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona and Laguna Seca.
The first race car available for purchase and restoration from the new HRC Heritage Racing Program is the Sebring-winning V8-powered #26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, which is headlining the HRC display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Aug. 14. The Andretti Green Racing “XM” car was the first purpose-built Acura endurance racer and the first car and engine designed and developed by HRC in the U.S. Winner of the LMP2 class at the 2007 Sebring 12 Hours, its debut race, it was driven to victory by Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan.
“Classic race cars never die, their myth and aura just grow and the HRC Heritage Racing Program is all about keeping our incredible Honda and Acura race cars doing what they were born to do ― race,” said David Salters, president of HRC US. “As the builder of these race-winning machines, and custodian of the original IP and knowledge, HRC is uniquely equipped to restore them to their original form, ensuring they can return to historic racing competition authentically and ready to be enjoyed by our customers and fans.”
“The 2007 XM Acura ARX-01a made you feel like a hero, it made you feel like the best driver in the world, you just pushed harder and harder and it just kept coming back for more,” said Dario Franchitti, who drove the 2007 XM Acura ARX-01a to multiple victories. “It’s just a pleasure to drive, the 2007 XM Acura ARX-01a is a special car for anyone who was lucky enough to get to drive it, and you can’t say that for a lot of cars.”
Restorations of Unmatched Authenticity The HRC Heritage Racing Program delivers restorations of unmatched authenticity, meticulously performed utilizing the race machine’s original homologation documents, plus notes and photographs from the original HRC engineers involved in each project. The work is supported by extensive HRC archives of technical data ensuring each car and engine is restored correctly.
Each race car is completely torn down and reassembled with new and reconditioned parts and, in the interest of safety, some updated materials. Electronics are modernized and the engines are rebuilt at HRC US headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. Finally, post-restoration, each race machine is thoroughly track tested and HRC engineers are available for track support and to assist the new owner in competition.
“HRC restores these historic Honda and Acura race cars to a level enabling them to be driven and feel as original as possible, while still making some updates ― especially with regards to electronics,” said HRC US Commercial Manager John Whiteman. “Our approach maintains the authenticity of design and driving experience of these iconic race cars and adds modifications for safety performance and to ensure they are user-friendly for their new owners.”
HRC at 2026 Monterey Car Week HRC will celebrate the company’s seven decades of two- and four-wheel motorsports heritage during Monterey Car Week (Aug. 12–16) with a showcase of championship-winning race cars and motorcycles from Formula One, IndyCar, IMSA, SCCA, Baja racing, MotoGP, Dakar, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, and more. More than 20 iconic Honda and Acura race machines will be featured at premier events throughout the weekend, including Motorlux, The Quail, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Successful HRC Restorations Lead to New Program The HRC Heritage Racing Program grew out of the recent restoration and sale of a number of significant Honda and Acura race machines performing on track at the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca, and featured throughout Monterey Car Week.
HRC has restored four Acura ARX-05 DPi endurance racers that compete in IMSA’s Historic SportsCar Racing Series, including a 2019 Acura Team Penske car that will be displayed at Laguna Seca this weekend. The Acura ARX-05 is a highly successful sports prototype racing car developed for the Daytona Prototype International (DPi) class in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Competing from 2018 through 2022, the vehicle secured three teams’, drivers’, and constructors’ championships (2019, 2020, 2022) as well as a Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona win in 2023.
Following its recent HRC restoration and track testing, the 2010 ARX-01c “Strakka Racing” Le Mans LMP2 class winner also will be on track at Laguna Seca this weekend — racing in the Scott Pruett Legends event on Saturday with current Acura GTP IMSA driver Nick Yelloly behind the wheel. Then, on Sunday, it will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the Japanese Motorsports: The Rising Sun At Le Mans class alongside the 1996 Team Kunimitsu NSX GT2.
The HRC Heritage Racing Program also was recently involved in the refurbishment of the 2001 Reynard 01i raced by the late Gil de Ferran for Team Penske in the 2001 CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) championship — offering a period correct Honda engine, supporting the engine fire up and inspecting key electronic components for the car’s current owner, Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, long-time friend of de Ferran.
Brown purchased the car from Roger Penske earlier this year and, with the help of HRC US, has made it track ready. It too will be making demonstration laps at Laguna Seca throughout the weekend.
Gil de Ferran won back-to-back CART championships in 2000 and 2001 with Team Penske and Honda power and set the fastest official closed-course qualifying lap in U.S. racing history with a speed of 241.428 miles per hour at California Speedway, a record that still stands today.
Additionally, the Acura NSX GT3 Chassis No. 5 will be displayed at the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca. Recently restored by HRC and currently available for purchase, the Acura NSX GT3 recorded 38 class wins in both IMSA and SRO; plus two manufacturers’ championships, five drivers’ titles and four teams’ championships from 2017-2023. Chassis No. 5 is the winningest NSX GT3 of all time and displayed in its iconic “Lady Liberty” livery.
While currently focused on the restoration of historic endurance racers, HRC US plans to expand the new Heritage Racing Program with future offerings to include more historic Honda-powered IndyCar machines.
HRC Memorabilia and Merchandise In addition to the XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, the HRC display at The Quail will offer fans and collectors the opportunity to own a wide range of authentic, high-quality HRC memorabilia and merchandise, including ultra-limited collectibles from the company’s storied legacy in motorsport and the latest apparel from the HRC Originals collection. These HRC memorabilia and merchandise items will also be offered at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
Genuine engine components from the McLaren MP4/5B driven by Gerhard Berger in the 1990 German Grand Prix will be available, including piston and connecting rod assemblies, camshafts, valves, a cam cover and more. Each part from the race-used RA100E, the last Honda V10 Formula One engine, is beautifully housed in a bespoke display case, accompanied by an original HRC certificate of authenticity. Additionally, a one-of-a-kind jewelry collection crafted from the engine’s smaller components will be featured at Monterey Car Week. The collection was created in collaboration with B.L.S. Co., Ltd., combining HRC’s racing heritage with the silver craftsmanship of Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture – one of Japan’s leading jewelry-making regions – with the pieces paying homage to the ethos and racing machines of HRC and the power of Japanese manufacturing.
HRC also will offer premium scale models of the legendary Honda RA272 (chassis #103) Formula One race car — honoring the very car that won Honda its first F1 victory at the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix. Produced in two sizes, 1:8 scale and 1:18 scale, these meticulously crafted collector’s items are produced in partnership with Amalgam Collection and features authentic painted livery, hand-built bodywork, and precisely engineered parts including a fully replicated Honda V12 engine.
Honda Racing (HRC) Launches Heritage Racing Program for Enthusiasts to Purchase Iconic Race Cars
The new HRC Heritage Racing Program offers comprehensive restoration, sales, service and trackside support of historic Honda and Acura race cars
First race car for sale to be featured at the HRC display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, during Monterey Car Week on Aug. 14
Historic 2- and 4-wheel racing machines on display at Monterey Car Week will include F1, IndyCar, IMSA, SCCA, Baja, MotoGP and Dakar race and championship winners
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) is giving enthusiasts the opportunity to own iconic championship race machines through the HRC Heritage Racing Program, launching this week during California’s famed Monterey Car Week. This HRC Heritage Racing Program includes the sale and restoration of historic Honda and Acura race machines that have won races and championships around the world, including at Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona and Laguna Seca.
The first race car available for purchase and restoration from the new HRC Heritage Racing Program is the Sebring-winning V8-powered #26 XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, which is headlining the HRC display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Aug. 14. The Andretti Green Racing “XM” car was the first purpose-built Acura endurance racer and the first car and engine designed and developed by HRC in the U.S. Winner of the LMP2 class at the 2007 Sebring 12 Hours, its debut race, it was driven to victory by Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan.
“Classic race cars never die, their myth and aura just grow and the HRC Heritage Racing Program is all about keeping our incredible Honda and Acura race cars doing what they were born to do ― race,” said David Salters, president of HRC US. “As the builder of these race-winning machines, and custodian of the original IP and knowledge, HRC is uniquely equipped to restore them to their original form, ensuring they can return to historic racing competition authentically and ready to be enjoyed by our customers and fans.”
“The 2007 XM Acura ARX-01a made you feel like a hero, it made you feel like the best driver in the world, you just pushed harder and harder and it just kept coming back for more,” said Dario Franchitti, who drove the 2007 XM Acura ARX-01a to multiple victories. “It’s just a pleasure to drive, the 2007 XM Acura ARX-01a is a special car for anyone who was lucky enough to get to drive it, and you can’t say that for a lot of cars.”
Restorations of Unmatched Authenticity The HRC Heritage Racing Program delivers restorations of unmatched authenticity, meticulously performed utilizing the race machine’s original homologation documents, plus notes and photographs from the original HRC engineers involved in each project. The work is supported by extensive HRC archives of technical data ensuring each car and engine is restored correctly.
Each race car is completely torn down and reassembled with new and reconditioned parts and, in the interest of safety, some updated materials. Electronics are modernized and the engines are rebuilt at HRC US headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. Finally, post-restoration, each race machine is thoroughly track tested and HRC engineers are available for track support and to assist the new owner in competition.
“HRC restores these historic Honda and Acura race cars to a level enabling them to be driven and feel as original as possible, while still making some updates ― especially with regards to electronics,” said HRC US Commercial Manager John Whiteman. “Our approach maintains the authenticity of design and driving experience of these iconic race cars and adds modifications for safety performance and to ensure they are user-friendly for their new owners.”
HRC at 2026 Monterey Car Week HRC will celebrate the company’s seven decades of two- and four-wheel motorsports heritage during Monterey Car Week (Aug. 12–16) with a showcase of championship-winning race cars and motorcycles from Formula One, IndyCar, IMSA, SCCA, Baja racing, MotoGP, Dakar, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, and more. More than 20 iconic Honda and Acura race machines will be featured at premier events throughout the weekend, including Motorlux, The Quail, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Successful HRC Restorations Lead to New Program The HRC Heritage Racing Program grew out of the recent restoration and sale of a number of significant Honda and Acura race machines performing on track at the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca, and featured throughout Monterey Car Week.
HRC has restored four Acura ARX-05 DPi endurance racers that compete in IMSA’s Historic SportsCar Racing Series, including a 2019 Acura Team Penske car that will be displayed at Laguna Seca this weekend. The Acura ARX-05 is a highly successful sports prototype racing car developed for the Daytona Prototype International (DPi) class in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Competing from 2018 through 2022, the vehicle secured three teams’, drivers’, and constructors’ championships (2019, 2020, 2022) as well as a Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona win in 2023.
Following its recent HRC restoration and track testing, the 2010 ARX-01c “Strakka Racing” Le Mans LMP2 class winner also will be on track at Laguna Seca this weekend — racing in the Scott Pruett Legends event on Saturday with current Acura GTP IMSA driver Nick Yelloly behind the wheel. Then, on Sunday, it will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the Japanese Motorsports: The Rising Sun At Le Mans class alongside the 1996 Team Kunimitsu NSX GT2.
The HRC Heritage Racing Program also was recently involved in the refurbishment of the 2001 Reynard 01i raced by the late Gil de Ferran for Team Penske in the 2001 CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) championship — offering a period correct Honda engine, supporting the engine fire up and inspecting key electronic components for the car’s current owner, Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, long-time friend of de Ferran.
Brown purchased the car from Roger Penske earlier this year and, with the help of HRC US, has made it track ready. It too will be making demonstration laps at Laguna Seca throughout the weekend.
Gil de Ferran won back-to-back CART championships in 2000 and 2001 with Team Penske and Honda power and set the fastest official closed-course qualifying lap in U.S. racing history with a speed of 241.428 miles per hour at California Speedway, a record that still stands today.
Additionally, the Acura NSX GT3 Chassis No. 5 will be displayed at the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca. Recently restored by HRC and currently available for purchase, the Acura NSX GT3 recorded 38 class wins in both IMSA and SRO; plus two manufacturers’ championships, five drivers’ titles and four teams’ championships from 2017-2023. Chassis No. 5 is the winningest NSX GT3 of all time and displayed in its iconic “Lady Liberty” livery.
While currently focused on the restoration of historic endurance racers, HRC US plans to expand the new Heritage Racing Program with future offerings to include more historic Honda-powered IndyCar machines.
HRC Memorabilia and Merchandise In addition to the XM Satellite Radio AGR Acura ARX-01a, the HRC display at The Quail will offer fans and collectors the opportunity to own a wide range of authentic, high-quality HRC memorabilia and merchandise, including ultra-limited collectibles from the company’s storied legacy in motorsport and the latest apparel from the HRC Originals collection. These HRC memorabilia and merchandise items will also be offered at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
Genuine engine components from the McLaren MP4/5B driven by Gerhard Berger in the 1990 German Grand Prix will be available, including piston and connecting rod assemblies, camshafts, valves, a cam cover and more. Each part from the race-used RA100E, the last Honda V10 Formula One engine, is beautifully housed in a bespoke display case, accompanied by an original HRC certificate of authenticity. Additionally, a one-of-a-kind jewelry collection crafted from the engine’s smaller components will be featured at Monterey Car Week. The collection was created in collaboration with B.L.S. Co., Ltd., combining HRC’s racing heritage with the silver craftsmanship of Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture – one of Japan’s leading jewelry-making regions – with the pieces paying homage to the ethos and racing machines of HRC and the power of Japanese manufacturing.
HRC also will offer premium scale models of the legendary Honda RA272 (chassis #103) Formula One race car — honoring the very car that won Honda its first F1 victory at the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix. Produced in two sizes, 1:8 scale and 1:18 scale, these meticulously crafted collector’s items are produced in partnership with Amalgam Collection and features authentic painted livery, hand-built bodywork, and precisely engineered parts including a fully replicated Honda V12 engine.
For more information on the HRC Heritage Racing Program and all Honda Heritage race machines available for purchase visit https://heritage.honda.racing/.
August 14th, 2026 – Today, Cadillac reveals the V-ONE — a concept study combining the brand’s race-winning authenticity and bespoke Cadillac refinement. Its name unites the Cadillac V-Series performance legacy with a one-of-one, single-seat expression, the first of its kind for the brand.
Josh BerryAge: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)Hometown: Hendersonville, TennesseeCrew Chief: Miles StanleyIG: @joshberry88X: @joshberry
DILLON CHASING RICHMOND HISTORY On the heels of a strong top-10 run last weekend, few drivers will arrive at Richmond Raceway with more momentum than Austin Dillon. The Richard Childress Racing driver has won the last two Cup Series races at the Virginia short-track, making him the only active driver and the 12th driver all-time in series history to earn consecutive wins at the track in the sport’s top division. If he keeps his streak alive in Saturday’s event, the win would make Dillon the first driver in over 40 years to accomplish a Richmond three-peat (Bobby Allison – Sept. 1982; 1983 sweep). In the Next Gen era, the North Carolina native ranks seventh in the field with a 12.3 average finish at Richmond – earned by four top-10s, including his pair of wins, in seven events. 
CHASTAIN CONTINUES CHARGE TOWARDS THE CHASEAt Iowa Speedway last weekend, Ross Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet team put together a statement performance to prove that they’re still in the Chase conversation. With 40 laps led and top-six points earned in each stage, the Florida native brought home a seventh-place finish and a 43-point day – an effort that made him the biggest mover up the standings of those on the outside looking in. With a 35-point gain towards the cutline, Chastain now sits 18th and just 47 points below the cutline with three races remaining in the regular season. 
LARSON’S AVERAGES AT “THE ACTION TRACK” Kyle Larson enters Richmond Raceway looking to rebound from a difficult afternoon at Iowa Speedway where race contending speed gave way to an accident in Stage Two that ultimately took the No. 5 team out of contention. Despite the setback, the Hendrick Motorsports driver remains one of Chevrolet’s strongest short-track competitors. The reigning champion is a six-time short-track winner in NASCAR’s top division, two of which have come at Richmond Raceway (2017 and 2023). “The Action Track” has fit right into Larson’s wheelhouse throughout his NASCAR Cup Series career. In 21 starts, only one time did he finish outside the top-20 to earn an average finish of 10.476. In the Next Gen era, he’s one of just five drivers to own a single-digit average finish at the track, putting him second at 7.9 courtesy of a win and five top-seven results.