Connor Zilisch, driver of the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Darlington Raceway.

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NASCAR Cup SeriesDarlington RacewayTeam Chevy Driver QuotesSeptember 5, 2026

Connor Zilisch, driver of the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, met with the media in advance of the NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Darlington Raceway.

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Media Availability Quotes:  You raced in Florence last night, as I understand. How did that go?“It was fun. It was hot. It was a very hot two days, but it was good to get back grassroots racing, racing with everybody at JR Motorsports. I’ve never raced late models for them before, but when Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) texted me and asked me if I wanted to do it, it was a pretty easy answer for me. So yeah, other than the fact that it was miserably hot, it was fun.”    You mentioned the heat. Some guys tolerate the heat, some guys don’t seem to be bothered by it, some guys absolutely hate really hot days. Where do you kind of fall on that list?“I mean, I’d much rather it be 70 degrees outside than 100. But as a racecar driver, you’re an athlete and you get used to this. You get used to these circumstances, and you build a tolerance for it. Am I going to sit here and say that I love racing when it’s very, very hot? No, but it’s part of our job, and I don’t mind it.”   I wondered if you could talk a little bit about Trackhouse’s approach for these last 10 races. I know you guys want to win every race, obviously, and for Shane (van Gisbergen), that was heartbreaking last week for him. But you all kind of also have different reasons and different things that maybe you want to accomplish through the end of the season. Could you just kind of talk about the team’s approach to these last 10 races?“Yeah, I mean, we have nothing to lose at this point. I’ve kind of been in that situation for a few weeks now that I knew I wasn’t going to have a chance to make the Chase, but my mindset’s kind of stayed the same all year, at least in my point of view of just going out every weekend and trying to learn as much as I can. Now with all three cars not being in the Chase, we certainly have a lot of room to explore, try new things and show up to the track differently, and I’m doing that this weekend. We brought a new package, different to anything we’ve ever had with the Next Gen car, so I’m excited to see how it goes.  It’s just kind of trial by error. I mean, you have to try these things to learn and get better. If you keep showing up to the track inside the same box, you’re never going to get better. You’re never going to grow. And as a team, we understand that, so we’re willing to try things and really see what moves the needle for us.”   Going back to yesterday’s race at Florence, is that the first time you’ve ever been to an oval that doesn’t have a wall down the backstretch?“I’ve raced at Florence a few times before, but it was fun when I did the track walk when we first got there. I walked the track with Shane (van Gisbergen). He was literally laughing from the moment we stepped onto the racetrack, all the way around the racetrack, sending videos to his friends in New Zealand, like, look at this track I’m racing at. He thought it was the craziest thing ever, but I think he enjoyed it.”   Obviously, I know you’re still focused on 2027 after this, but is there maybe like a checklist or whatever that maybe you got from Hendrick after you signed saying, hey, we would like to see you, you know, approach this and so on from a growth standpoint before you get the opportunity to run the car the following year?“No, they’ve kind of stayed pretty far out of that. You know, I’m sure things will ramp up as we get closer to 2028, but we haven’t gotten into those conversations yet.”    With Hendrick Motorsports lined up now in 2028, have they begun to have any active input in planning things like Truck and O’Reilly starts and other elements of your ongoing driver development?“No, we haven’t had really any conversations yet about things that they’re going to do to try and help me. You know, I’m sure that’ll come in the next few months and as we get closer to 2028. But right now, I’m pretty focused with what we’re doing at Trackhouse and trying to make our cars better in the present”   It sounds like things went over as well as they could have when you told Justin (Marks) about this decision. You know, we hear all rumors anytime a driver has another situation lined up of like how it changes dynamics of meetings, how it might affect their role and their relationship with their teammates. Does it feel any different walking into the Trackhouse shop, in terms of how you interact with the other people there and how you fit into the team since that came out?“No, it doesn’t. And that’s kind of the approach I wanted to have going into the situation. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. It’s never easy when you leave a relationship that you created over the past few years. It’s not easy, and it wasn’t an easy conversation for me to have with Justin (Marks) either. But I knew that, you know, I had the option to let somebody else tell Justin or for me to go talk to Justin face-to- face and tell him, and I chose the high road, I guess, and went and talked to him myself and was just honest with him. I think he appreciated that and understood where I’m coming from and my point of view, and there’s no resentment from any sides. I’m going to give 110% for the next 16 months, however long I have left, with Trackhouse, and I expect the same back from everybody there in the shop and everybody who works at Trackhouse. You know, we still have a lot of work left to do together, a lot of races to race. And, you know, it wouldn’t help either side to give up on each other. I appreciate Justin; his understanding, his willingness to continue to work hard for me, and I’m excited to work hard for them for the rest of the time we have left.”    When everybody looks at racing, they look at statistics. But I don’t think a lot of people realize the psychological aspect of the sport. How has going into other series helped you stay up psychologically with this really tough Cup season that you’ve had? I’ve talked to drivers in the past and they start doubting themselves and they get down and all, so how has driving in these other series helped you?“Yeah, it’s good whenever I go race in a Truck race, an O’Reilly race, whatever it may be. I feel like I’ve run up front in every one of those that I’ve done, and I remember that I still know how to do it, I haven’t changed and I didn’t lose what I had last year. So it’s nice to be able to go and do that.  I take a lot of pride in running well on Friday’s and Saturday’s, but at the end of the day, my job is to finish well on Sunday. I know that, and I know that I have a job to do on Sunday and I’ve got to get better. That’s something that I know, and I’m prepared to do that, continue to learn, grow and become a better racecar driver.”    Are you planning on running the Rolex in 2027? And secondly, when you spoke with Rick (Hendrick), I know people have asked you about running the Indianapolis 500, but is doing the Rolex and some of those sportscar races, did that come up with Rick going forward?“Yeah, it did. The Rolex is something that I really like doing every year. It’s before our season. It’s kind of out of the way, and it’s honestly one of my favorite races that I get to do out here. I see Bozi looking at me funny… he looks like he wants me to race too (laughs).   So, yeah, I definitely think that’s something that I personally have a lot of interest in and a race that I love doing every year, so hopefully we can make that happen. I loved doing it with Cadillac last year. That was really cool. We’d love to do that again, but I’m not sure how the cards will all align this year.”

The 32-year-old equals his winningest season after a fantastic battle with last season’s Rookie of the Year

BRANDON, SD (September 4, 2026) – The heat in the South Dakota air could only be eclipsed by the action on track Friday night at Huset’s Speedway.

The L.G. Everist Huset’s Shootout presented by D&I Railroad prelim opened three nights of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action at the Brandon, SD track and set the stage for a thrilling weekend. Garet Williamson and Sheldon Haudenschild lined up on the front row and gave the fans what they came to see.

It was Williamson taking the early advantage as Haudenschild slipped to third behind David Gravel. But it didn’t take Haudenschild long to recover as he ripped back around the two-time champion on the fifth lap and set his sights on the Fischer Motorsports No. 23 up front.

Haudenschild quickly reeled Williamson in and looked for the right time to make the move. The moment arrived on Lap 12 as Williamson slipped in Turns 3 and 4, and the KCP Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 18 rocketed around on the top. Williamson returned fire with a slide job in Turns 1 and 2 that Haudenschild countered with a crossover. The fight wasn’t over yet as Williamson came back a few circuits later with another slider that cleared, but Haudenschild managed to drive under him to retain the top spot before a yellow flag cooled the action.

The ensuing restart allowed Haudenschild some clean air and breathing room as battles raged on behind. Both Williamson and Michael “Buddy” Kofoid tried to make a late run at Haudenschild in traffic, but neither had enough as the Wooster, OH native snagged the checkered flag and $15,000.

“I didn’t mind running second there to Garet,” Haudenschild said of the early portion of the race. “We got to lappers and were able to get by him. Then you don’t really want to see the restarts I feel like. I got to lappers, and it took me that whole last section to get by the 19. I couldn’t get him, and then you know they’re coming as soon as you kind of start slowing to their pace. But yeah, I was good. I could put my right rear right in that grippy spot on both ends. I felt like I had good drive.”

The win is Haudenschild’s ninth of 2026, matching his highest total for a season with The Greatest Show on Dirt. He’s up to 55 for his career with the World of Outlaws. Five of those have come at Huset’s, which equals it with Beaver Dam Raceway for the winningest track on Haudenschild’s résumé. He’s also the high point man after the Huset’s Shootout opener, and a solid Saturday should set him up nicely to chase Sunday’s $25,000 prize.

Garet Williamson slid by Kofoid in the final set of corners to take the runner-up spot and notch his fourth podium in the last six races with Fischer Motorsports.

Buddy Kofoid brought the Roth Motorsports No. 83 home third for his 25th podium of the 2026 campaign.

David Gravel and Carson Macedo completed the top five.

NIGHTLY NOTES

Bill Balog laid down the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.

David Gravel grabbed his fourth straight Simpson Quick Time and 22nd of the season in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.

Heat Races belonged to David Gravel (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Logan Schuchart (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Two), Sheldon Haudenschild (WIX Filters Heat Three), and Garet Williamson (Golf Cart Services Heat Four).

The SPA Technique #1 Redraw went to Sheldon Haudenschild.

Garet Williamson topped the Toyota Dash.

Cole Macedo won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

Ryan Timms went to the Federated Car Care Work Zone and made it back out to wheel from 18th to eighth and earn KSE Racing Products Hard Charger honors.

Bill Balog was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.

Emerson Axsom earned 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 Conner Morrell.

UP NEXT: It’s another $15,000-to-win L.G. Everist Huset’s Shootout prelim for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars on Saturday, Sept. 5 to help set the stage for the $25,000-to-win finale on Sunday, Sept. 6 at Brandon, SD’s Huset’s Speedway. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

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

FEATURE RESULTS

NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps): 1. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[2]; 2. 23-Garet Williamson[1]; 3. 83-Michael Kofoid[7]; 4. 2-David Gravel[3]; 5. 41-Carson Macedo[10]; 6. 17-Spencer Bayston[6]; 7. 17B-Bill Balog[5]; 8. 10-Ryan Timms[18]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart[4]; 10. 27-Emerson Axsom[15]; 11. 51-Steven Snyder Jr[9]; 12. 2C-Cole Macedo[21]; 13. 3-Kelby Watt[20]; 14. 7S-Chris Windom[11]; 15. 15-Donny Schatz[14]; 16. 45X-Ashton Torgerson[12]; 17. 24T-Christopher Thram[17]; 18. 13-Mark Dobmeier[22]; 19. 19-Kaleb Johnson[16]; 20. 8-Jacob Hughes[23]; 21. 16C-Skylar Gee[13]; 22. 16-Riley Goodno[19]; 23. 28M-Conner Morrell[24]; 24. 16D-Sean Rayhall[8]

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

BRINGING THE HEAT: Haudenschild Outduels Williamson for Huset’s Shootout Opener Win

The 32-year-old equals his winningest season after a fantastic battle with last season’s Rookie of the Year

BRANDON, SD (September 4, 2026) – The heat in the South Dakota air could only be eclipsed by the action on track Friday night at Huset’s Speedway.

The L.G. Everist Huset’s Shootout presented by D&I Railroad prelim opened three nights of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action at the Brandon, SD track and set the stage for a thrilling weekend. Garet Williamson and Sheldon Haudenschild lined up on the front row and gave the fans what they came to see.

It was Williamson taking the early advantage as Haudenschild slipped to third behind David Gravel. But it didn’t take Haudenschild long to recover as he ripped back around the two-time champion on the fifth lap and set his sights on the Fischer Motorsports No. 23 up front.

Haudenschild quickly reeled Williamson in and looked for the right time to make the move. The moment arrived on Lap 12 as Williamson slipped in Turns 3 and 4, and the KCP Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 18 rocketed around on the top. Williamson returned fire with a slide job in Turns 1 and 2 that Haudenschild countered with a crossover. The fight wasn’t over yet as Williamson came back a few circuits later with another slider that cleared, but Haudenschild managed to drive under him to retain the top spot before a yellow flag cooled the action.

The ensuing restart allowed Haudenschild some clean air and breathing room as battles raged on behind. Both Williamson and Michael “Buddy” Kofoid tried to make a late run at Haudenschild in traffic, but neither had enough as the Wooster, OH native snagged the checkered flag and $15,000.

“I didn’t mind running second there to Garet,” Haudenschild said of the early portion of the race. “We got to lappers and were able to get by him. Then you don’t really want to see the restarts I feel like. I got to lappers, and it took me that whole last section to get by the 19. I couldn’t get him, and then you know they’re coming as soon as you kind of start slowing to their pace. But yeah, I was good. I could put my right rear right in that grippy spot on both ends. I felt like I had good drive.”

The win is Haudenschild’s ninth of 2026, matching his highest total for a season with The Greatest Show on Dirt. He’s up to 55 for his career with the World of Outlaws. Five of those have come at Huset’s, which equals it with Beaver Dam Raceway for the winningest track on Haudenschild’s résumé. He’s also the high point man after the Huset’s Shootout opener, and a solid Saturday should set him up nicely to chase Sunday’s $25,000 prize.

Garet Williamson slid by Kofoid in the final set of corners to take the runner-up spot and notch his fourth podium in the last six races with Fischer Motorsports.

Buddy Kofoid brought the Roth Motorsports No. 83 home third for his 25th podium of the 2026 campaign.

David Gravel and Carson Macedo completed the top five.

NIGHTLY NOTES

Bill Balog laid down the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.

David Gravel grabbed his fourth straight Simpson Quick Time and 22nd of the season in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying.

Heat Races belonged to David Gravel (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Logan Schuchart (TheGreatestStoreonDirt.com Heat Two), Sheldon Haudenschild (WIX Filters Heat Three), and Garet Williamson (Golf Cart Services Heat Four).

The SPA Technique #1 Redraw went to Sheldon Haudenschild.

Garet Williamson topped the Toyota Dash.

Cole Macedo won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

Ryan Timms went to the Federated Car Care Work Zone and made it back out to wheel from 18th to eighth and earn KSE Racing Products Hard Charger honors.

Bill Balog was the Tub O’ Towels Seventh Place Finisher.

Emerson Axsom earned 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 Conner Morrell.

UP NEXT: It’s another $15,000-to-win L.G. Everist Huset’s Shootout prelim for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars on Saturday, Sept. 5 to help set the stage for the $25,000-to-win finale on Sunday, Sept. 6 at Brandon, SD’s Huset’s Speedway. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

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

FEATURE RESULTS

NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps): 1. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[2]; 2. 23-Garet Williamson[1]; 3. 83-Michael Kofoid[7]; 4. 2-David Gravel[3]; 5. 41-Carson Macedo[10]; 6. 17-Spencer Bayston[6]; 7. 17B-Bill Balog[5]; 8. 10-Ryan Timms[18]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart[4]; 10. 27-Emerson Axsom[15]; 11. 51-Steven Snyder Jr[9]; 12. 2C-Cole Macedo[21]; 13. 3-Kelby Watt[20]; 14. 7S-Chris Windom[11]; 15. 15-Donny Schatz[14]; 16. 45X-Ashton Torgerson[12]; 17. 24T-Christopher Thram[17]; 18. 13-Mark Dobmeier[22]; 19. 19-Kaleb Johnson[16]; 20. 8-Jacob Hughes[23]; 21. 16C-Skylar Gee[13]; 22. 16-Riley Goodno[19]; 23. 28M-Conner Morrell[24]; 24. 16D-Sean Rayhall[8]

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/bringing-the-heat-haudenschild-outduels-williamson-for-husets-shootout-opener-win/

BELGRADE, MT (September 4, 2026) — All Sam Hafertepe Jr. needed to win at Gallatin Speedway was one corner.

The American Sprint Car Series kicked off the final leg of Frontier Speedweek with a 25-lap Feature that was worth the wait for race fans in the National Tour’s first race at the track since 2021.

The reigning Series champion started the night in sixth while Kyler Johnson and Matt Covington set the front row. Johnson and Covington held the front two spots through the first two turns, then both drivers slipped off the bottom of Turns 3-4 while Seth Bergman and Hafertepe stayed glued to pass Covington for podium positioning. 

On the next lap, Bergman muscled around Johnson for the lead while Hafertepe stayed in third place behind Johnson.

As Bergman and Johnson’s pace around the bottom became affected by lap traffic, Hafertepe drifted his Hill’s Racing No. 15H towards the middle lane to rebuild momentum. He began creeping closer to Johnson for the runner-up spot through the bottom, then made his move at the halfway mark. Hafertepe got below Johnson off the exit of Turn 2, then outgassed him across the backstretch to secure second place on Lap 14.

Bergman’s struggles became Hafertepe’s gains through the final five laps as the Oklahoma Chillers-sponsored No. 23 was stuck to the bottom with a lapped car directly in front. The Sunnyvale, TX native cut the distance to 0.4 seconds with four laps remaining and kept his car in the middle lane.

As the white flag waved, Bergman continued attempting to make an opening around the lapped car while Hafertepe reached his right-rear tire down the backstretch. While Bergman ran to the middle as Hafertepe drifted higher into Turns 3-4, Hafertepe’s pace in the higher groove overwhelmed Bergman and Hafertepe drove to his fifth victory of the 2026 campaign by a 0.198-second margin.

“That was awesome,” Hafertepe said. “There is nobody I’d like to race beside more than Seth out here. He probably could have shoved it in there as hard as I did. But he didn’t do it. He tried, and we got a lot of respect for each other. 

“He was a sitting duck, just trying to navigate the lapped cars, and you’re the leader out front. It’s hard to know where to be; I’ve been that guy that’s got passed at the end too. Hats off to him for a hell of a race, and hats off to my guys.”

Bergman took a heartbreaking runner-up finish, and Johnson made up the night’s podium. Covington finished fourth, and Cole Schroeder picked up fifth for his second top five of the swing.

With Hafertepe’s win and Covington’s fourth, the Texan retook the points lead by a 14-point margin with seven races left in the 2026 ASCS National Tour campaign.

Recap Notes:

Quick Time Award: Sam Hafertepe Jr. (11.174 sec.)

Heat Race Winners: Seth Bergman, Austyn Gossel, Kyler Johnson

Honest Abe Roofing Dash Winner: Kyler Johnson

Hard Charger Award: Sheldon Bender (+8)

UP NEXT: The American Sprint Car Series will close Frontier Speedweek with two nights of Montana Roundup at Electric City Speedway on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6.

OH MY HAFERTEPE: Last Turn Thriller Drives Sam Hafertepe Jr to Victory at Gallatin BELGRADE, MT (September 4, 2026) — All Sam Hafertepe Jr. needed to win at Gallatin Speedway was one corner.

The American Sprint Car Series kicked off the final leg of Frontier Speedweek with a 25-lap Feature that was worth the wait for race fans in the National Tour’s first race at the track since 2021.

The reigning Series champion started the night in sixth while Kyler Johnson and Matt Covington set the front row. Johnson and Covington held the front two spots through the first two turns, then both drivers slipped off the bottom of Turns 3-4 while Seth Bergman and Hafertepe stayed glued to pass Covington for podium positioning. 

On the next lap, Bergman muscled around Johnson for the lead while Hafertepe stayed in third place behind Johnson.

As Bergman and Johnson’s pace around the bottom became affected by lap traffic, Hafertepe drifted his Hill’s Racing No. 15H towards the middle lane to rebuild momentum. He began creeping closer to Johnson for the runner-up spot through the bottom, then made his move at the halfway mark. Hafertepe got below Johnson off the exit of Turn 2, then outgassed him across the backstretch to secure second place on Lap 14.

Bergman’s struggles became Hafertepe’s gains through the final five laps as the Oklahoma Chillers-sponsored No. 23 was stuck to the bottom with a lapped car directly in front. The Sunnyvale, TX native cut the distance to 0.4 seconds with four laps remaining and kept his car in the middle lane.

As the white flag waved, Bergman continued attempting to make an opening around the lapped car while Hafertepe reached his right-rear tire down the backstretch. While Bergman ran to the middle as Hafertepe drifted higher into Turns 3-4, Hafertepe’s pace in the higher groove overwhelmed Bergman and Hafertepe drove to his fifth victory of the 2026 campaign by a 0.198-second margin.

“That was awesome,” Hafertepe said. “There is nobody I’d like to race beside more than Seth out here. He probably could have shoved it in there as hard as I did. But he didn’t do it. He tried, and we got a lot of respect for each other. 

“He was a sitting duck, just trying to navigate the lapped cars, and you’re the leader out front. It’s hard to know where to be; I’ve been that guy that’s got passed at the end too. Hats off to him for a hell of a race, and hats off to my guys.”

Bergman took a heartbreaking runner-up finish, and Johnson made up the night’s podium. Covington finished fourth, and Cole Schroeder picked up fifth for his second top five of the swing.

With Hafertepe’s win and Covington’s fourth, the Texan retook the points lead by a 14-point margin with seven races left in the 2026 ASCS National Tour campaign.

Recap Notes:

Quick Time Award: Sam Hafertepe Jr. (11.174 sec.)

Heat Race Winners: Seth Bergman, Austyn Gossel, Kyler Johnson

Honest Abe Roofing Dash Winner: Kyler Johnson

Hard Charger Award: Sheldon Bender (+8)

UP NEXT: The American Sprint Car Series will close Frontier Speedweek with two nights of Montana Roundup at Electric City Speedway on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6.

Where can you find Electric City info? Click here.

FRIDAY RECAP – INDIANAPOLIS Race 14 of 20

Photography: John Force Racing / Auto Imagery / Gary Nastase

IT’S ANOTHER FAST JACK FRIDAY AT INDYDeJoria slots into fourth, Hart eighth and Vandergriff 12th after early shutoff

FRIDAY RECAP – INDIANAPOLISRace 14 of 20

Photography: John Force Racing / Auto Imagery / Gary Nastase

IT’S ANOTHER FAST JACK FRIDAY AT INDYDeJoria slots into fourth, Hart eighth and Vandergriff 12th after early shutoff

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Sept. 5, 2026) – For the second consecutive year, Jack Beckman and the PEAK SQUAD earned the low qualifier position in Friday’s extremely hot night session of the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indianapolis. The two-time U.S. Nationals champion (2015, 2020) maneuvered the 12,000-horsepower PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car down the track with a run of 3.937 seconds at 326.79 mph. The PEAK Chevy is sporting the iconic black-and-white flame job paint scheme at the Big Go that team owner John Force’s car carried at the 1996 NHRA season finale to honor his dominant sixth championship season. Beckman is seeking his third No. 1 Qualifier of the season and 36th of his career. Alexis DeJoria put the Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car, carrying Force’s infamous Night Stalker paint scheme from the early 1970s, into the fourth position with a run of 3.947 seconds at 329.26 mph. Josh Hart put the Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster in the No. 8 spot with a safe but solid run of 3.812 seconds at 323.50 mph. Jordan Vandergriff qualified 11th in the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car with an early shutoff run of 4.082 seconds at 263.67 seconds after unveiling a patriotic chrome stars and stripes paint scheme right before the run in the starting line area. Saturday’s qualifying sessions are scheduled for 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET. The final two qualifying rounds are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7. Quote from Jack Beckman, PEAK 1996 John Force Tribute Chevrolet SS Funny Car:“It’s awesome to be No. 1 qualifier when there are 16 cars, but I don’t want to say it’s essential when there are 23 cars – it just sets you right. It’s a unique race because we get five qualifiers. It’s the only event where we’re only scheduled for one run on Friday, and we only get one night session. This might be an interesting weekend. Sunday, it looks like the forecast is a lot more favorable. Maybe there’s a chance to swing harder than that, and I hope there is. “It’s so rewarding when you step on the throttle on one of these things, and it just keeps motoring down there. I don’t know if ours mixed a cylinder up – it wasn’t a great mile an hour, but it was efficient.” Quote from Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Café Night Stalker Chevrolet SS Funny Car: ‘The Friday night qualifying session for the U.S. Nationals is always one you want to run well in. There’s always a lot of Funny Cars attempting to make the show which is always exciting for the category. So, to run a solid number on the very first qualifying run is key. The Bandero Café Chevy, with its awesome Night Stalker paint scheme, ran very well and we earned a championship point in the process. We are very blessed to be running the Night Stalker livery on our car this weekend. It was John’s very first nitro Funny Car so I thought it was the perfect throwback scheme for us.” Quote from Josh Hart, Speedmaster Top Fuel Dragster: “That was a solid first run for the Speedmaster team at the Big Go. We went right down Broadway, a safe A to B run on a very hot race track. We needed some solid date. The driver has lost 20 pounds which means the car has lost 20 pounds. I know David Grubnic (crew chief) has a plan, especially as it looks like the temperatures should be cooling down tomorrow and even more for Sunday. Then it will be time to turn the wick back up.” Quote from Jordan Vandergriff, Cornwell Tools America’s 250th Anniversary Chevrolet SS Funny Car: “It was super cool unveiling the Cornwell Quality Tools chrome Stars and Stripes livery before Q1. It looked great under the lights and I can’t wait for the fans to see it tomorrow in the sunlight. I’m honored to be part of the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals and everything we’re doing here with them. “The run launched clean but then I had to drive it a little bit because it started spinning. I felt something wasn’t right and then it clicked itself off at about 800 feet and coasted across the finish line. We’ve looked at the data and it shows we dropped a cylinder early so we were down on power the entire run. But we live to fight another day and, looking at the weather forecast, we feel confident we’ll have a chance or two to go quicker than that these next two days.”

Media Resources: Images | Media Advances | Chevrolet Newsroom

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESMission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey2.238-mile, 11-turn Weather Raceway Laguna Seca road courseMonterey, CaliforniaFriday Practice ReportSeptember 4, 2026 MONTEREY, California (Sept. 4, 2026) – Pato O’Ward, a winner twice at Milwaukee Mile last weekend in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, continued his stellar run of form. The winner at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course earlier this year was the fastest Team Chevy driver on the Primary (Black) Firestone Firehawk racing tires and, on the Alternate (Red) Firestone Firehawk racing tires, ended as the third-quickest driver on the two types of tires.  Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet ended up as the second-best driver wearing a Bowtie, and the fourth-best all-time. O’Ward was the quickest of the six Chevrolet-powered drivers in the first forty minutes, when all 25 drivers were eligible and spent the session on the Primary (Black) Firestone Firehawk racing tires.  He was joined by Santino Ferrucci (No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet), Nolan Siegel (No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet), Alexander Rossi (No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet), McLaughlin, and David Malukas (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet) in the top 10.  Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey practice results:

Christian Lundgaard gets the checkered flag at Road America in June

Road Course King?  Team Chevy dominated the oval crown during the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, while similarly ceding the street circuit title to our competitors at Honda, leaving the title of road course king to be decided at the iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Across the first five natural terrain road course races at Barber Motorsports Park, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and Portland International Raceway, Team Chevy’s Christian Lundgaard, driving the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, leads series champion Álex Palou by six points on natural terrain road courses. The pair are 50 points clear of another Chevrolet-powered driver, David Malukas (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet), and by over 100 points clear of Rinus VeeKay (No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet), who has the ninth most points.  Natural Terrain Road Course Points Through Five Natural Terrain Road Course Races

RANKDRIVERRD CSE PTS1Christian Lundgaard2072Álex Palou2013David Malukas1574Kyle Kirkwood1375Will Power1366Pato O’Ward1157Felix Rosenqvist1108Josef Newgarden1099Rinus VeeKay10710Graham Rahal10311Scott Dixon10212Kyffin Simpson9513Scott McLaughlin9414Marcus Ericsson8415Santino Ferrucci8216Marcus Armstrong7517Louis Foster7418Alexander Rossi7319Nolan Siegel7320Dennis Hauger – R6321Caio Collet – R6322Romain Grosjean5923Christian Rasmussen5424Mick Schumacher – R4925Sting Ray Robb48

Lundgaard’s average finish of 3.0 includes a pair of wins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Road America, along with podiums at Barber Motorsports Park and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, with a worst finish of ninth at Portland International Raceway.  Palou’s average finish of 3.4 includes wins at Barber Motorsports Park and Portland International Raceway, along with a trio of fifth-place finishes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Road America and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Palou’s average starting position of 2.6 leads Lundgaard’s 10.4, with Lundgaard making up 49 total positions in the five races.  Average Finishing Position Through Five Natural Terrain Road Course Races

1Christian Lundgaard3.02Álex Palou3.43David Malukas5.64Kyle Kirkwood6.45Will Power7.46Josef Newgarden10.67Scott Dixon11.08Rinus VeeKay11.09Pato O’Ward11.810Felix Rosenqvist11.811Scott McLaughlin12.412Graham Rahal12.813Nolan Siegel13.614Santino Ferrucci14.215Marcus Ericsson14.216Louis Foster15.817Marcus Armstrong16.018Alexander Rossi16.219Kyffin Simpson16.820Caio Collet17.421Dennis Hauger17.822Romain Grosjean18.223Christian Rasmussen19.824Mick Schumacher20.225Sting Ray Robb20.4

Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 Splenda Stevia Chevrolet at the Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey

NTT INDYCAR SERIES News Conference Friday, September 4, 2026Christian RasmussenPress Conference THE MODERATOR: Currently joined by Christian Rasmussen. Sixth quick in the group one session. Best finish of ninth last year last year at Laguna Seca. You claim this is the first time you’ve been in on a post-practice news conference. CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: True story (smiling). First time I’ve been invited. You should invite me (smiling). THE MODERATOR: What do you make of the start for your weekend? CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I think it was all right. Definitely found a lot of pace on the red tires. We were struggling a little bit on the blacks. Man, you only get one chance at it. The tire deg increases year to year here. That is no joke this year. Like, tire deg is very, very big. Once you’re past that first run, you’re never going to find that same lap time again. Felt decent on the reds. Yeah, I think we got some pace in it. THE MODERATOR: Might make things kind of spicy on Sunday. CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Usually makes for a good race, right? THE MODERATOR: We’ll open it up for questions. Q.  Can you tell us something about the traffic situation here. Compared to any other kind of championship, especially in Europe, the INDYCAR season is ending very early. Do you have any other races coming up? CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I have nothing scheduled as of right now. I usually do Daytona start of the year, the 24 Hours. Planning to do that. That’s about it.You said the traffic situation? Q.  Yes.CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: In the race? Q.  Yes.CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Well, that’s a thing. Hopefully you’re not part of it and you’re the one going through it (smiling). No, I think it’s similar to other places. I could see that it might be a little bit more this year, if it’s super high deg, that some cars are going to fall off more than others. It’s a thing to manage. If you’re fast enough, you’re on the good side of it. Q.  (No microphone.)CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Well, I think we’ve all seen the clip, right? I think there’s a couple year to year, right? It’s definitely a tough, tough passing zone. Q.  There seems to be traffic everywhere except for the leader. A lot of times we see the leader start on the pole, run off into the distance. What can possibly be done to make it a more competitive race in terms of catching the leader?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Get a different leader (smiling).No, yeah, I don’t know. It’s a good question. But is it that much different than any other race with traffic? I think it’s very much a track length kind of a thing, right? I feel like anywhere we go, if it’s on a shorter track, there’s only going to be so many seconds between each car. I feel like it kind of evens out, right? Q.  How valuable has it been for ECR to not have to worry about any driver lineup drama because everybody is known who is going to be back in 2027?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Yeah, a lot of stuff is going on out there right now. For me personally, it feels very nice to be locked in and just know that I’m going to stay with this organization for the foreseeable future. It excites me. It excites me where we’re going as a team. Again, this year has been super tough, but not necessarily the team’s fault all of it. Again, we’re still building. We’re still getting better. I think there’s a lot of opportunities for us to improve things for 2027, a lot of things in the works.I’m excited to see what’s ahead for us. Q.  Do you put yourself in a decent enough position when it comes to the leaders circle that you can go out and race and not worry about points? If so, is this weekend about next year as much as this year?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I think this weekend is about taking ourselves in the off-season on a good note. I think obviously Milwaukee was super good for us in terms of the leaders circle. I mean, we’re not mathematically out of it, but we’re pretty safe, which is a good feeling. We’re just going into this weekend trying to get the maximum out of it, like we are every weekend, hopefully finish the year on a good note before we go into the off-season. Q.  Good momentum entering this weekend with what happened in Milwaukee. What does that do heading into the off-season confidence-wise after the unfortunate season you had this year?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Again, it’s hard to say, right? There is so many times this year that, like, we’ve just been caught out being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Like Markham where Dixon got spun right in front of us. Same thing in Detroit where we kind of got taken out from the back. I think both places we were fairly competitive. I think we have been competitive in a lot of places, but just haven’t really had the chance to show it.I think it’s just about bringing that into next year. Then again, yeah, hopefully finish the year off strong here. Yeah, hopefully finish off the season strong here so we have something to be proud of going into the off-season. Q.  There’s been a lot of talk about the season finale. Where do you feel a season finale in INDYCAR belongs?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I love being out here on the west coast. Q.  You mentioned tire deg and stuff like that. This practice session we just had is roughly about the same time as when the race is going to take place. Potentially look at the same type of heat range. The thing you see here a lot is people dipping a wheel off the edge of the track, gravel coming onto the track. Is that going to play a part in the tire deg scenario?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I don’t know. I think it’s just this place, like, year to year, you just see it. I was looking at it before the session, kind of was looking at Q2, Fast 12 times from year to year. It’s in between a second and second and a half slower from 2023 to 2024, and the same from 2024 to 2025. Every year I think the tarmac, I don’t know what it is. It’s really rough around here. It takes a big dip year to year. I think we’ll see the same this year. THE MODERATOR: Christian, thanks for coming in.

Tune-In GuideSaturday, September 5NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 1pm (ET)/noon (CT)/11am (MT)/10am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice – 8pm (ET)/ 7pm (CT)/6pm (MT)/5pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Sunday, September 6 Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey (95 laps) – 2:30pm (ET)/1:30pm (CT)12:30pm (MT)/11:30am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren) celebrates on the podium at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2025

Pato O’Ward in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2026

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CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIESMission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey2.238-mile, 11-turn Weather Raceway Laguna Seca road courseMonterey, CaliforniaFriday Practice ReportSeptember 4, 2026 MONTEREY, California (Sept. 4, 2026) – Pato O’Ward, a winner twice at Milwaukee Mile last weekend in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, continued his stellar run of form. The winner at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course earlier this year was the fastest Team Chevy driver on the Primary (Black) Firestone Firehawk racing tires and, on the Alternate (Red) Firestone Firehawk racing tires, ended as the third-quickest driver on the two types of tires.  Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet ended up as the second-best driver wearing a Bowtie, and the fourth-best all-time. O’Ward was the quickest of the six Chevrolet-powered drivers in the first forty minutes, when all 25 drivers were eligible and spent the session on the Primary (Black) Firestone Firehawk racing tires.  He was joined by Santino Ferrucci (No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet), Nolan Siegel (No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet), Alexander Rossi (No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet), McLaughlin, and David Malukas (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet) in the top 10.  Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey practice results:

Christian Lundgaard gets the checkered flag at Road America in June

Road Course King?  Team Chevy dominated the oval crown during the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, while similarly ceding the street circuit title to our competitors at Honda, leaving the title of road course king to be decided at the iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Across the first five natural terrain road course races at Barber Motorsports Park, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and Portland International Raceway, Team Chevy’s Christian Lundgaard, driving the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, leads series champion Álex Palou by six points on natural terrain road courses. The pair are 50 points clear of another Chevrolet-powered driver, David Malukas (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet), and by over 100 points clear of Rinus VeeKay (No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet), who has the ninth most points.  Natural Terrain Road Course Points Through Five Natural Terrain Road Course Races

RANKDRIVERRD CSE PTS1Christian Lundgaard2072Álex Palou2013David Malukas1574Kyle Kirkwood1375Will Power1366Pato O’Ward1157Felix Rosenqvist1108Josef Newgarden1099Rinus VeeKay10710Graham Rahal10311Scott Dixon10212Kyffin Simpson9513Scott McLaughlin9414Marcus Ericsson8415Santino Ferrucci8216Marcus Armstrong7517Louis Foster7418Alexander Rossi7319Nolan Siegel7320Dennis Hauger – R6321Caio Collet – R6322Romain Grosjean5923Christian Rasmussen5424Mick Schumacher – R4925Sting Ray Robb48

Lundgaard’s average finish of 3.0 includes a pair of wins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Road America, along with podiums at Barber Motorsports Park and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, with a worst finish of ninth at Portland International Raceway.  Palou’s average finish of 3.4 includes wins at Barber Motorsports Park and Portland International Raceway, along with a trio of fifth-place finishes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Road America and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Palou’s average starting position of 2.6 leads Lundgaard’s 10.4, with Lundgaard making up 49 total positions in the five races.  Average Finishing Position Through Five Natural Terrain Road Course Races

1Christian Lundgaard3.02Álex Palou3.43David Malukas5.64Kyle Kirkwood6.45Will Power7.46Josef Newgarden10.67Scott Dixon11.08Rinus VeeKay11.09Pato O’Ward11.810Felix Rosenqvist11.811Scott McLaughlin12.412Graham Rahal12.813Nolan Siegel13.614Santino Ferrucci14.215Marcus Ericsson14.216Louis Foster15.817Marcus Armstrong16.018Alexander Rossi16.219Kyffin Simpson16.820Caio Collet17.421Dennis Hauger17.822Romain Grosjean18.223Christian Rasmussen19.824Mick Schumacher20.225Sting Ray Robb20.4

Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 Splenda Stevia Chevrolet at the Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey

NTT INDYCAR SERIES News Conference Friday, September 4, 2026Christian RasmussenPress Conference THE MODERATOR: Currently joined by Christian Rasmussen. Sixth quick in the group one session. Best finish of ninth last year last year at Laguna Seca. You claim this is the first time you’ve been in on a post-practice news conference. CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: True story (smiling). First time I’ve been invited. You should invite me (smiling). THE MODERATOR: What do you make of the start for your weekend? CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I think it was all right. Definitely found a lot of pace on the red tires. We were struggling a little bit on the blacks. Man, you only get one chance at it. The tire deg increases year to year here. That is no joke this year. Like, tire deg is very, very big. Once you’re past that first run, you’re never going to find that same lap time again. Felt decent on the reds. Yeah, I think we got some pace in it. THE MODERATOR: Might make things kind of spicy on Sunday. CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Usually makes for a good race, right? THE MODERATOR: We’ll open it up for questions. Q.  Can you tell us something about the traffic situation here. Compared to any other kind of championship, especially in Europe, the INDYCAR season is ending very early. Do you have any other races coming up? CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I have nothing scheduled as of right now. I usually do Daytona start of the year, the 24 Hours. Planning to do that. That’s about it.You said the traffic situation? Q.  Yes.CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: In the race? Q.  Yes.CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Well, that’s a thing. Hopefully you’re not part of it and you’re the one going through it (smiling). No, I think it’s similar to other places. I could see that it might be a little bit more this year, if it’s super high deg, that some cars are going to fall off more than others. It’s a thing to manage. If you’re fast enough, you’re on the good side of it. Q.  (No microphone.)CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Well, I think we’ve all seen the clip, right? I think there’s a couple year to year, right? It’s definitely a tough, tough passing zone. Q.  There seems to be traffic everywhere except for the leader. A lot of times we see the leader start on the pole, run off into the distance. What can possibly be done to make it a more competitive race in terms of catching the leader?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Get a different leader (smiling).No, yeah, I don’t know. It’s a good question. But is it that much different than any other race with traffic? I think it’s very much a track length kind of a thing, right? I feel like anywhere we go, if it’s on a shorter track, there’s only going to be so many seconds between each car. I feel like it kind of evens out, right? Q.  How valuable has it been for ECR to not have to worry about any driver lineup drama because everybody is known who is going to be back in 2027?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Yeah, a lot of stuff is going on out there right now. For me personally, it feels very nice to be locked in and just know that I’m going to stay with this organization for the foreseeable future. It excites me. It excites me where we’re going as a team. Again, this year has been super tough, but not necessarily the team’s fault all of it. Again, we’re still building. We’re still getting better. I think there’s a lot of opportunities for us to improve things for 2027, a lot of things in the works.I’m excited to see what’s ahead for us. Q.  Do you put yourself in a decent enough position when it comes to the leaders circle that you can go out and race and not worry about points? If so, is this weekend about next year as much as this year?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I think this weekend is about taking ourselves in the off-season on a good note. I think obviously Milwaukee was super good for us in terms of the leaders circle. I mean, we’re not mathematically out of it, but we’re pretty safe, which is a good feeling. We’re just going into this weekend trying to get the maximum out of it, like we are every weekend, hopefully finish the year on a good note before we go into the off-season. Q.  Good momentum entering this weekend with what happened in Milwaukee. What does that do heading into the off-season confidence-wise after the unfortunate season you had this year?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: Again, it’s hard to say, right? There is so many times this year that, like, we’ve just been caught out being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Like Markham where Dixon got spun right in front of us. Same thing in Detroit where we kind of got taken out from the back. I think both places we were fairly competitive. I think we have been competitive in a lot of places, but just haven’t really had the chance to show it.I think it’s just about bringing that into next year. Then again, yeah, hopefully finish the year off strong here. Yeah, hopefully finish off the season strong here so we have something to be proud of going into the off-season. Q.  There’s been a lot of talk about the season finale. Where do you feel a season finale in INDYCAR belongs?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I love being out here on the west coast. Q.  You mentioned tire deg and stuff like that. This practice session we just had is roughly about the same time as when the race is going to take place. Potentially look at the same type of heat range. The thing you see here a lot is people dipping a wheel off the edge of the track, gravel coming onto the track. Is that going to play a part in the tire deg scenario?CHRISTIAN RASMUSSEN: I don’t know. I think it’s just this place, like, year to year, you just see it. I was looking at it before the session, kind of was looking at Q2, Fast 12 times from year to year. It’s in between a second and second and a half slower from 2023 to 2024, and the same from 2024 to 2025. Every year I think the tarmac, I don’t know what it is. It’s really rough around here. It takes a big dip year to year. I think we’ll see the same this year. THE MODERATOR: Christian, thanks for coming in.

Tune-In GuideSaturday, September 5NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 1pm (ET)/noon (CT)/11am (MT)/10am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice – 8pm (ET)/ 7pm (CT)/6pm (MT)/5pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Sunday, September 6 Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey (95 laps) – 2:30pm (ET)/1:30pm (CT)12:30pm (MT)/11:30am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren) celebrates on the podium at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2025

Chevrolet at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Chevrolet wins at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: 5 1993 – Paul Tracy – Team Penske1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing1990 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske1989 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1988 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske Chevrolet poles at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: 8 2023 – Felix Rosenqvist – Arrow McLaren2022 – Will Power – Team Penske1993 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing1990 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske1989 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1988 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing Chevrolet podiums at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: 22 Chevrolet podiums at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca by driver: Mario Andretti (3), Danny Sullivan (3), Al Unser Jr. (3), Michael Andretti (2), Rick Mears (2), Will Power (2), Emerson Fittipaldi (1), Christian Lundgaard (1), Scott McLaughlin (1), Josef Newgarden (1), Bob Rahal (1), Alexander Rossi (1) and Paul Tracy (1)  Chevrolet podiums at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca by team: Team Penske (11), Newman Haas Racing (5), Galles Racing (3), Arrow McLaren (2), Rahal Hogan Racing (1) Chevrolet laps led at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: 556 Chevrolet laps led at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca by driver: Danny Sullivan (156), Michael Andretti (86), Mario Andretti (83), Paul Tracy (81), Rick Mears (52), Will Power (29), Pato O’Ward (15), Al Unser Jr. (14), Felix Rosenqvist (11), Nolan Siegel (11), Josef Newgarden (10), Alexander Rossi (10), Emerson Fittipaldi (7), Callum Ilott (1), and Simon Pagenaud (1) Chevrolet laps led at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca by team: Team Penske (332), Newman Haas Racing (169), Arrow McLaren (47), Galles Racing (14), Patrick Racing (4), and Juncos Hollinger Racing (1) Manufacturer History at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Wins (with competition): 9 – Honda (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2000, 1997, 1996)5 – Chevrolet (1993, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988)5 – Cosworth (1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983)4 – Ford (2001, 1999, 1998, 1992)1 – Ilmor (1994)1 – Mercedes (1995)1 – Toyota (2002) Poles (with competition): 8 – Chevrolet (2023, 2021, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)7 – Honda (2025, 2024, 2021 2019, 2001, 2000, 1996)5 – Ford (1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1992)4 – Cosworth (1986, 1985, 1984, 1983)1 – Ilmor (1994)1 – Toyota (2002)

JST Motorsports is 29th Team to Earn Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Victory

ALGER, WASH. (September 3, 2026) – Ending a 29-race dry spell dating back to March, Tanner Thorson made his long-awaited return to Whiskey Myers Victory Lane with Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing on Thursday night at Skagit Speedway. Dominating all 30 laps of the Angel of the Winds Skagit Nationals opener, Thorson launched from the outside pole and quickly took the lead from pole sitter Tyler Courtney before never looking back. Finishing the race on a 24-lap run, Thorson mastered traffic down the stretch and build a lead big enough to never be challenged – crossing the stripe with a 1.553-second margin of victory. The win was extra special as it marked Thorson’s first High Limit win since JST Motorsports acquired the #88 in late July – making Jason & Shantel Tessier the 29th car owners to claim victory with Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing, the fourth new team this year. Thursday’s triumph marked the first win at Skagit Speedway for the Minden, Nevada native in his 10th try at the Alger, Washington oval. He exits the opening night of Skagit Nationals tied for high point man honors with 385 points. Following a win on Monday at Douglas County, Aaron Reutzel continued his strong recovery in the PNW with a fourth-to-second drive at Skagit Speedway. He’s tied with Thorson for high point honors this week and chopped Rico Abreu’s championship lead down to 32-points holding him off at the end. After five-straight High Limit wins at Skagit, Abreu’s incredible streak at the track finally came to an end as the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #24 finished third-from-fifth. Closing out the top-five on Thursday was Washington’s Trey Starks aboard his own #55X and Australia’s James McFadden in the Tarlton Racing #21. Also earning top-10 finishes at Skagit was Tyler Courtney (6th) in the Clauson-Marshall Racing #7BC, Tanner Holmes (7th) in the Buch Motorsports #13, Danny Sams III (8th) in the Randerson Racing #24D, Daison Pursley (9th) in the Kasey Kahne Racing #9, and Justin Sanders (10th) in the Demo Mittry #2X. THE ALL-IN NOTEBOOK (Thursday, September 3, 2026)Skagit Speedway (Alger, Washington)Night 1 of $126,000-to-win Angel of the Winds Casino Resort Skagit Nationals Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps – Trey Starks (11.473)Capitol Renegade QuickTime – Brent Marks (11.448)TJ Forged Heat One Winner – Tanner HolmesDMI Heat Two Winner – Justin PeckBR Motorsports Heat Three Winner – Kerry MadsenRod End Supply Heat Four Winner – Justin SandersWinters Performance B-Main Winner – Brent MarksDURST Dice Roll Driver – Kasey Kahne (10th-to-13th)Jake’s Golf Carts Fastest Lap – Aaron Reutzel (11.888 on Lap 4)Rod End Supply Hard Charger – Daison Pursley +14 (23rd-9th)Whiskey Meyers Victory Lane Visitors – JST Motorsports #88 (1st of season)CASM Win Sticker – Tanner Thorson (5th of career)Lap Leader(s) – Tanner Thorson 1-30 Interstate Batteries A-Main Results (30 Laps): 1. 88-Tanner Thorson[2]; 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel[4]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu[5]; 4. 55X-Trey Starks[6]; 5. 21-James McFadden[8]; 6. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[1]; 7. 13-Tanner Holmes[9]; 8. 24D-Danny Sams III[3]; 9. 9-Daison Pursley[23]; 10. 2X-Justin Sanders[12]; 11. 26-Justin Peck[11]; 12. 10-Dominic Gorden[14]; 13. 4-Kasey Kahne[10]; 14. 1C-Colton Heath[7]; 15. 55-Kerry Madsen[16]; 16. 21P-Robbie Price[22]; 17. 77-Giovanni Scelzi[24]; 18. 9R-Chase Randall[19]; 19. 19-Brent Marks[21]; 20. 26R-Levi Hillier[18]; 21. 5-Dominic Scelzi[13]; 22. 2XM-Max Mittry[20]; 23. 91-Chase Goetz[17]; 24. 77A-Levi Klatt[15] NEW Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Championship Standings (After 39/54 Races):1. 2,287 pts – Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #24 (Rico Abreu)2. -32 pts – Ridge & Sons Racing #87 (Aaron Reutzel)3. -112 pts – Spire Motorsports #77 (Giovanni Scelzi)4. -161 pts – Clauson-Marshall Racing #7BC (Tyler Courtney)5. -185 pts – Rudeen Racing #26 (Justin Peck)6. -193 pts – Chase Briscoe Racing #19 (Brent Marks)7. -286 pts – JST Motorsports #88 (Tanner Thorson)8. -370 pts – Vermeer Motorsports #55 (Kerry Madsen)9. -447 pts – Buch Motorsports #13 (Tanner Holmes)10. -454 pts – Kasey Kahne Racing w/ Mike Curb #9 (Daison Pursley)11. -684 pts – Mosites Lynch Racing #42 (Sye Lynch)12. -694 pts – CJB Motorsports #5 (Brenham Crouch sub w/ Dominic Scelzi)13. -773 pts – Chase Randall Racing #9R (Chase Randall)14. -774 pts – Michael Dutcher Motorsports #17GP (Brock Zearfoss)15. -880 pts – Randerson Racing #24D (Danny Sams III) WHAT’S NEXT: The highest-paying event of the 2026 Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing campaign continues at Alger, Washington’s Skagit Speedway this weekend. Friday’s event (9/4) will be the $26,000-to-win, $2,000-to-start Rayce Rudeen Foundation Race before Saturday’s show (9/5) offers $126,000-to-win, $3,000-to-start in the Angel of the Winds Casino Resort Skagit Nationals. Tickets are available for purchase at SkagitSpeedway.com, or you can watch every event live on FloRacing.

 BELGRADE, MT (September, 3, 2026) — Home sweet home. 

Those words ring truer for Bozeman, MT’s Cole Schroeder as he’s followed the American Sprint Car Series through his first Frontier Speedweek, a six-race stretch between Montana and Wyoming. 

Before the trip through his home state, the ASCS Rookie of the Year contender has endured being outside of his comfort zone at the larger facilities on the National Tour. 

“We definitely learned and made a lot of progress on our bigger track package,” Schroeder said. “It’s helped a lot to go into some tracks where it’s more of my style of being mostly technical and small. That definitely helped us throughout the year, make a little more progress. We’ll just try to keep it in one piece and make more strides the rest of the year.” 

Before entering the first weekend of the swing at Big Sky Speedway and Sheridan Speedway, Schroeder earned his first three top-10 finishes of the year in consecutive races at Benton Speedway, Creek County Speedway, and 81 Speedway.  

During the hot summer months, Schroeder’s best performance came at Texarkana 67 Speedway, where he drove to a fourth-place finish for his first Series top-five. He also earned his first USCS Feature win on Independence Day weekend at Magnolia Motor Speedway. 

“Going to those tracks, it brought back to kind of being in California,” Schroeder said. “It was huge for us to get that win at Magnolia, then Texarkana was similar in being my way of racing with how small and technical it was. It’s where we excel more than others, and it’s important to capitalize on that.” 

The first night at Big Sky saw Schroeder make the Feature through the Last Chance Showdown, then earned Hard Charger honors with an eight-place charge to finish eighth.  

The final day saw immediate improvement from Schroeder after winning his Heat race and the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to start on the pole in the $10,000-to-win Feature. He ran inside the podium throughout the rain-shortened that rewarded him with a career-high second-place finish in the finale. 

“I feel great,” Schroeder said. “I wish we could’ve got a chance for the lead in traffic. Other than that, it was a great run, and hopefully we can carry the momentum throughout the rest of the couple weeks up here. It definitely brings a lot more confidence into the rest of the swing, and I’m happy to represent Montana like this. We’ll keep building off of it and see if we can pick off a win here or there.” 

While an accident on the final lap on Sunday at Sheridan ended his chances of a top-10 result after running in seventh, he’ll have an opportunity to regain the steam near his Bozeman home. On Friday, Sept. 4, the Series will travel to Belgrade, MT’s Gallatin Speedway before closing the weekend with the Montana Roundup at Electric City Speedway on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6. 

While Schroeder has visited the tracks, he’s never turned laps around them in a 360 Sprint Car. With his experience gained from the National Tour, he’ll use the growing notebook to complete the season with Rookie of the Year honors and a strong points finish. 

“I’m just gonna try to see what we can do out there to be there at the end,” Schroeder said. “To a point, just watching through the years of how the track progresses and being on top of it from that standpoint.  

“It’ll mean a lot to get Rookie of the Year and hopefully finish it out strong. If we can get lucky and push for a top five, it’s definitely helped us a lot running this year on the National level compared to staying local. Just for the learning and the growing from running against better drivers.” 

Schroeder will prepare for the final leg of Frontier Speedweek with Gallatin Speedway on Friday, Sept. 4, and Electric City Speedway for Montana Roundup on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6. 

Where can you find Gallatin info? Click here. 

Where can you find Electric City info? Click here. 

Where can you watch every lap of the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.

Cole Schroeder Savoring Time at Home, Closing on ASCS Rookie of the Year Honors in Final Stretch  BELGRADE, MT (September, 3, 2026) — Home sweet home. 

Those words ring truer for Bozeman, MT’s Cole Schroeder as he’s followed the American Sprint Car Series through his first Frontier Speedweek, a six-race stretch between Montana and Wyoming. 

Before the trip through his home state, the ASCS Rookie of the Year contender has endured being outside of his comfort zone at the larger facilities on the National Tour. 

“We definitely learned and made a lot of progress on our bigger track package,” Schroeder said. “It’s helped a lot to go into some tracks where it’s more of my style of being mostly technical and small. That definitely helped us throughout the year, make a little more progress. We’ll just try to keep it in one piece and make more strides the rest of the year.” 

Before entering the first weekend of the swing at Big Sky Speedway and Sheridan Speedway, Schroeder earned his first three top-10 finishes of the year in consecutive races at Benton Speedway, Creek County Speedway, and 81 Speedway.  

During the hot summer months, Schroeder’s best performance came at Texarkana 67 Speedway, where he drove to a fourth-place finish for his first Series top-five. He also earned his first USCS Feature win on Independence Day weekend at Magnolia Motor Speedway. 

“Going to those tracks, it brought back to kind of being in California,” Schroeder said. “It was huge for us to get that win at Magnolia, then Texarkana was similar in being my way of racing with how small and technical it was. It’s where we excel more than others, and it’s important to capitalize on that.” 

The first night at Big Sky saw Schroeder make the Feature through the Last Chance Showdown, then earned Hard Charger honors with an eight-place charge to finish eighth.  

The final day saw immediate improvement from Schroeder after winning his Heat race and the Honest Abe Roofing Dash to start on the pole in the $10,000-to-win Feature. He ran inside the podium throughout the rain-shortened that rewarded him with a career-high second-place finish in the finale. 

“I feel great,” Schroeder said. “I wish we could’ve got a chance for the lead in traffic. Other than that, it was a great run, and hopefully we can carry the momentum throughout the rest of the couple weeks up here. It definitely brings a lot more confidence into the rest of the swing, and I’m happy to represent Montana like this. We’ll keep building off of it and see if we can pick off a win here or there.” 

While an accident on the final lap on Sunday at Sheridan ended his chances of a top-10 result after running in seventh, he’ll have an opportunity to regain the steam near his Bozeman home. On Friday, Sept. 4, the Series will travel to Belgrade, MT’s Gallatin Speedway before closing the weekend with the Montana Roundup at Electric City Speedway on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6. 

While Schroeder has visited the tracks, he’s never turned laps around them in a 360 Sprint Car. With his experience gained from the National Tour, he’ll use the growing notebook to complete the season with Rookie of the Year honors and a strong points finish. 

“I’m just gonna try to see what we can do out there to be there at the end,” Schroeder said. “To a point, just watching through the years of how the track progresses and being on top of it from that standpoint.  

“It’ll mean a lot to get Rookie of the Year and hopefully finish it out strong. If we can get lucky and push for a top five, it’s definitely helped us a lot running this year on the National level compared to staying local. Just for the learning and the growing from running against better drivers.” 

Schroeder will prepare for the final leg of Frontier Speedweek with Gallatin Speedway on Friday, Sept. 4, and Electric City Speedway for Montana Roundup on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6. 

Where can you find Gallatin info? Click here. 

Where can you find Electric City info? Click here. 

Where can you watch every lap of the American Sprint Car Series? Live on DIRTVision.

ARTICLE:https://ascsracing.com/news/cole-schroeder-savoring-time-at-home-closing-on-ascs-rookie-of-the-year-honors-in-final-stretch/

BRANDON, SD (September 3, 2026) – Garet Williamson and Fischer Motorsports’ joint journey to River Cities Speedway Victory Lane started in south Texas.

A new Sprint Car team rolled into Cotton Bowl Speedway in March of 2024 with one goal. This team was born with the plan to compete at the sport’s highest level.

Curt and Devin Fischer, longtime supporters of Sprint Car racing, unleashed the Fischer Motorsports No. 23. Their first race? A weekend with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in the “Lone Star State.” Their driver? A determined gasser out of Columbia, MO named Garet Williamson.

A year later they hit the road full-time with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Williamson went on to claim the coveted Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year presented by Five Star Bodies, but it didn’t come without some bumps in the road. Eventually, Fischer had a pivotal conversation with the team where crew chief Chad Cypert convinced him to loosen the reins a tad.

“He (Cypert) goes, ‘Here’s the deal. If you quit micromanaging the team and let me do my job, I’ll be fine,’” Curt Fischer recalled. “And that taught me a valuable lesson as an owner that I’ve got to let people do their own thing and do it to the best of their ability.”

Fast forward to early 2026, and the impact of that talk was felt in a big way. Williamson and Cypert wanted to swap chassis as they battled some sophomore struggles. Fischer gave them the green light to move to Triple X, and they’ve upped their game to another level ever since.

After only nine top 10s in the first 22 races and a 12.1 average finish in that span, Williamson has reeled off 23 top 10s in the last 32 races and upped his average result to 7.7 over the stretch. That also included several close calls where Williamson was handed heartbreak as he chased an elusive first World of Outlaws win. Finally, the 26-year-old broke through last Friday at River Cities Speedway, a culmination of Fischer’s faith in his team. Williamson, Cypert, Brady Donnohue, and Dakota Breeland finally stood in Victory Lane after beating the best of the best.

“He wanted a change in that car, and we did it and boy did he ever prove to be right,” Fischer said. “We’ve seen everything we ever wanted to see out of him. Now with the momentum that they’ve got going, he’s just rolling. He’s happy all the time. Our qualifying efforts are outstanding now no matter whether we draw an early pill or late pill it seems like. Racing has finally become a lot more fun for all of us.”

River Cities ripped the monkey off the back for Williamson and the Fischer crew. It feels like the start of something special, the first of many. Fischer’s patience and trust paid off, and now he gets to enjoy his team continue to cement itself as one of the best in the country only two years after they Texas two-stepped their way into the Sprint Car scene.

“They’ve created a special thing now,” Fischer said. “All I’ve done is sit back, try to answer questions when they have them, and pay the bills. After that, they’re on their own. And they’ve just done such a great job.”

Williamson’s sophomore World of Outlaws season with Fischer Motorsports continues this weekend in Brandon, SD at the L.G. Everist Huset’s Shootout on Friday-Sunday, Sept. 4-6. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

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

‘A LOT MORE FUN’: Fischer’s Patience Pays Off with Williamson’s Success

BRANDON, SD (September 3, 2026) – Garet Williamson and Fischer Motorsports’ joint journey to River Cities Speedway Victory Lane started in south Texas.

A new Sprint Car team rolled into Cotton Bowl Speedway in March of 2024 with one goal. This team was born with the plan to compete at the sport’s highest level.

Curt and Devin Fischer, longtime supporters of Sprint Car racing, unleashed the Fischer Motorsports No. 23. Their first race? A weekend with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in the “Lone Star State.” Their driver? A determined gasser out of Columbia, MO named Garet Williamson.

A year later they hit the road full-time with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Williamson went on to claim the coveted Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year presented by Five Star Bodies, but it didn’t come without some bumps in the road. Eventually, Fischer had a pivotal conversation with the team where crew chief Chad Cypert convinced him to loosen the reins a tad.

“He (Cypert) goes, ‘Here’s the deal. If you quit micromanaging the team and let me do my job, I’ll be fine,’” Curt Fischer recalled. “And that taught me a valuable lesson as an owner that I’ve got to let people do their own thing and do it to the best of their ability.”

Fast forward to early 2026, and the impact of that talk was felt in a big way. Williamson and Cypert wanted to swap chassis as they battled some sophomore struggles. Fischer gave them the green light to move to Triple X, and they’ve upped their game to another level ever since.

After only nine top 10s in the first 22 races and a 12.1 average finish in that span, Williamson has reeled off 23 top 10s in the last 32 races and upped his average result to 7.7 over the stretch. That also included several close calls where Williamson was handed heartbreak as he chased an elusive first World of Outlaws win. Finally, the 26-year-old broke through last Friday at River Cities Speedway, a culmination of Fischer’s faith in his team. Williamson, Cypert, Brady Donnohue, and Dakota Breeland finally stood in Victory Lane after beating the best of the best.

“He wanted a change in that car, and we did it and boy did he ever prove to be right,” Fischer said. “We’ve seen everything we ever wanted to see out of him. Now with the momentum that they’ve got going, he’s just rolling. He’s happy all the time. Our qualifying efforts are outstanding now no matter whether we draw an early pill or late pill it seems like. Racing has finally become a lot more fun for all of us.”

River Cities ripped the monkey off the back for Williamson and the Fischer crew. It feels like the start of something special, the first of many. Fischer’s patience and trust paid off, and now he gets to enjoy his team continue to cement itself as one of the best in the country only two years after they Texas two-stepped their way into the Sprint Car scene.

“They’ve created a special thing now,” Fischer said. “All I’ve done is sit back, try to answer questions when they have them, and pay the bills. After that, they’re on their own. And they’ve just done such a great job.”

Williamson’s sophomore World of Outlaws season with Fischer Motorsports continues this weekend in Brandon, SD at the L.G. Everist Huset’s Shootout on Friday-Sunday, Sept. 4-6. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

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

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/a-lot-more-fun-fischers-patience-pays-off-with-williamsons-success/

INDIANAPOLIS (September 3, 2026) — Spencer Hyde will have an added challenge, and an added opportunity, when the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car rolls into Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park for the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, September 4-7.   Hyde earned the eighth and final position in the PlayNHRA All-Star Funny Car Callout, putting him in an eight-car field of some of the biggest names in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Joining Hyde in the specialty event will be Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, J.R. Todd, Austin Prock, Alexis DeJoria and Chad Green.   The callout puts a unique twist on the traditional race weekend. The eight Funny Car drivers will make their first-round selections during a callout ceremony on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET, with each driver selecting his first-round opponent. For Hyde, the event marks his first specialty race since joining the NHRA Funny Car ranks.  Spencer Hyde and the Head Contractors and Engineers Funny Car are ready for the PlayNHRA All-Star Funny Car Callout, photo credit Innovation Creative Experts“I am excited to be in the callout,” said Hyde. “I wasn’t sure if we would make it but I am glad we hung on for that eighth spot. This will be my first specialty race and I remember watching specialty races in the past and thinking they were pretty cool.” The drivers will also participate in an autograph session Sunday at 9:30 a.m. before the first round of the PlayNHRA All-Star Funny Car Callout gets underway at 12:45 p.m. The winner of the specialty event will take home an $80,000 payday. With the first-round matchups determined by the drivers themselves, Hyde won’t know who he will face until the selections are made Saturday morning. Regardless of his opponent, the 2025 NHRA Rookie of the Year is confident in his chances. “There are seven other Funny Cars in this deal and with the callout you don’t know who you are going to get,” said Hyde. “I feel good about racing any of those cars and we’ll just have to see who we get. I know it will make Sunday pretty exciting and this is what makes Indy special.” The PlayNHRA All-Star Funny Car Callout adds another layer of excitement to an already action-packed U.S. Nationals weekend, NHRA’s traditional Labor Day weekend showcase and one of the most prestigious events on the drag racing calendar. Hyde and the Head Racing team, backed by Hyde Construction, OUTLAW Light Beer and the Caine Group, will also compete in the traditional Funny Car eliminations throughout the weekend as they look to close out the regular season on a strong note at the historic race known as ‘The Big Go.’ The Funny Car class will make one qualifying run on Friday, September 4 and then two more qualifying runs on both Saturday and Sunday at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The top 16 quickest Funny Cars will battle it out for the Diamond Wally starting on Monday, September 7 at 10 a.m. ET. Qualifying and the All-Star Funny Car Callout show will be on FS1 and eliminations will air on FOX. For tickets or more information on the NHRA U.S. Nationals visit nhra.com.

INDIANAPOLIS (September 3, 2026) – The 72^nd annual Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals, September 4-7, will feature one of the largest contingents of Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series competitors in recent memory. Over two dozen Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Mustang Cobra Jets and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks fill the entry list for what is shaping up to be a historic race to celebrate the NHRA’s 75^th anniversary. The 2026 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series has been dominated by Jonathan Allegrucci, from Scott Township, Pa., whose three wins and one runner-up finish over the past four races have given him a commanding points lead headed into the biggest race of the season.
 
“This is one of the biggest fields if not the biggest fields of Factory Stock racers I can think of,” said Allegrucci. “It’s the coolest thing in the world and that’s why we are doing it. Anyone who can relate to the class has to be excited to see all those Fords, Chevys and Dodges on the entry list. It is going to be awesome. My first trip to Indy was in 2013 and when you go under that arch that is a big feeling. It is not easy getting to Monday and it really is a privilege to race on Monday. I would give anything for it to be us.”

Points leader Jonathan Allegrucci will aim to race his Mustang Cobra Jet into the U.S. Nationals winner’s circle for the first time this weekend, photo credit Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

 In Norwalk second generation Factory Stock competitor Taylor Dietsch defeated Allegrucci and could be one of the many drivers to watch at Lucas Oil Raceway Park this weekend. The young drivers from Hicksville, Ohio, will carry the $1,000 Flexjet bounty into eliminations and will be looking to defend his U.S. Nationals title from 2025. The younger Dietsch will be joined by his father, Jason, as one of several potent 1-2 father son combinations on the entry list.
 
“This race will be so exciting and I can’t wait to get there,” said Taylor Dietsch. “I feel good being the defending event winner for the U.S. Nationals also coming into the race having won the Norwalk Nationals. There are a lot of tough competitors on the entry list and it’s cool to see some new names as well as some veteran racers on the entry list. Getting the special 75^th anniversary Diamond Wally at the U.S. Nationals would be awesome. There are four rounds of qualifying and then five rounds of eliminations so whoever wins will have earned it for sure.”

Norwalk winner Taylor Dietsch will be looking to win a second U.S. Nationals and defend the Flexjet $1000 bounty, photo credit Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

 
Joining the Dietschs and their Ford Mustangs will be reigning Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series world champion Mark Pawuk and his son Kyle in their Dodge Drag Paks as well as Lee and Matt Hartman racing their Dodge Drag Pak and Chevrolet Camaro respectively.
                                       
Two-time U.S. Nationals winner Jesse Alexandra (2021 and 2023) returns to the class looking for his third U.S. Nationals title while two-time Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champion Pawuk is looking for his first win at the most prestigious drag race in the world.
 
Qualifying will get underway on Friday for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series with two sessions on the schedule. On Saturday one more round of qualifying will be contested and the field will be set for an all-run round of eliminations. The Fords, Chevrolets and Dodges will have two rounds of eliminations on Sunday with the semifinals and final round on Monday. For information on the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals visit www.nhra.com.
 
Flexjet Bounty Program
 
Gatornationals (Gainesville, Fla.)
$1,000 bounty collected by Jonathan Allegrucci, defeated Mark Pawuk (2025 Flexjet world champion)
 
NHRA 4-Wide Nationals (Charlotte, N. C.)
$1,000 bounty collected by Raymond Nash, defeated Ricky Hord (2026 Gatornationals winner)
 
Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals (Chicago, Illinois)
$1,000 bounty was not claimed with Allegrucci’s victory
 
Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals (Bristol, Tenn,)
$2,000 bounty was not claimed with Allegrucci’s victory
 
Norwalk Nationals (Norwalk, Ohio)
$3,000 bounty claimed by Taylor Dietsch, defeated Jonathan Allegrucci (2026 Chicago and Bristol winner)
 
2026 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Results
 
Gainesville – Ricky Hord, winner; David Janac, runner-up
Charlotte – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Jason Dietsch, runner-up
Chicago – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Jason Dietsch, runner-up
Bristol – Jonathan Allegrucci, winner; Raymond Nash, runner-up
Norwalk – Taylor Dietsch, winner; Jonathan Allegrucci, runner-up
 
Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Point Standings
1.        Jonathan Allegrucci      524
2.        Raymond Nash            374
3.        Jason Dietsch              287
4.        David Davies II             268
5.        David Janac                 262
6.        Richard Hord                256
7.        Lee Hartman                235
8.        Scott Libersher             228
9.        Mark Pawuk                 223
10.      Doug Duell                   218
 
2026 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Schedule
 
Sept. 17-20: Inaugural Dodge NHRA Great Lake Nationals, Martin, Mich.
 
Oct. 2-4: 15th annual NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, St. Louis
 
Oct. 14-18: 41st annual Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, Dallas
 

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey 2.238-mile, 11-turn Weather Raceway Laguna Seca road course Monterey, California Race Advance September 4-6, 2026 DETROIT (September 3, 2026) – The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey, the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season finale, is the 18th race of the year and the sixth in the past five weeks.  The manufacturer and driver championships were wrapped up at the Milwaukee Mile, with Álex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) winning his fourth straight and fifth career Astor Cup.  There is still plenty to play for, though, with Chevrolet-powered drivers Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren), Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) and David Malukas (Team Penske) battling HRC and Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood for second in the championship. Only four points separate Lundgaard, Kirkwood and O’Ward. The driver of the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet (Lundgaard) has a two-point lead over the driver of the No. 27 Sam’s Club Andretti Global Honda (Kirkwood), with the driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet (Pato O’Ward) four points adrift of his teammate and nipping at Kirkwood’s heels.  O’Ward has been the best driver during the frenzied run of six races in five weeks to end the season, scoring the most points in the field of 25 drivers. The 27-year-old is on his way to a fifth straight and seventh career top-five championship finish.  Points scored during the last five NTT INDYCAR SERIES races

RANKDRIVERPTS. LAST 5 RACES1Pato O’Ward1672Marcus Ericsson1573Christian Lundgaard1544Álex Palou1505Kyle Kirkwood1356Scott McLaughlin1337Will Power1318Rinus VeeKay1279David Malukas11010Josef Newgarden9811Romain Grosjean9212Kyffin Simpson9113Nolan Siegel8914Christian Rasmussen8515Felix Rosenqvist8316Scott Dixon8217Louis Foster7818Alexander Rossi7419Mick Schumacher – R7320Marcus Armstrong6821Santino Ferrucci6622Dennis Hauger – R6623Graham Rahal6224Caio Collet – R5625Sting Ray Robb52

David Malukas (Team Penske) began the oval portion of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a pole and ended it with the most points scored in the half-dozen left turn only races

Rounding Out The Ovals David Malukas (Team Penske) led a strong Team Chevy contingent for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES oval crown, with Chevrolet-powered drivers taking five of the top points spots. Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren), twice a visitor to victory lane at the Milwaukee Mile last weekend, came close to Malukas, but the first-year Team Penske driver’s consistency paid off.  Malukas’s average finish in the six oval races was a series-best 3.5, including a quartet of podium finishes and a worst finish of seventh. O’Ward’s worst oval finish was 11th, and his average finish on the ovals was 4.7, the third lowest in the series.  Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske), like his teammate Malukas, used consistency to score the third most oval points and had an average oval finishing position of 4.3, the second-lowest. He finished inside the top five of the last five oval events on the calendar and had a worst finish of eighth in the first oval race of the year at Phoenix Raceway.  Josef Newgarden won oval races at Phoenix Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, but failed to finish the Indianapolis 500 and the second race at the Milwaukee Mile, limiting him to fourth in oval points scored.  Rinus VeeKay (Juncos Hollinger Racing) and Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren) rounded out the Bowtie brigade in the top ten of oval points.  Oval points scored at the six oval races during the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season

RANKDRIVEROVAL POINTS1David Malukas2252Pato O’Ward2223Scott McLaughlin2014Josef Newgarden1795Álex Palou1646Rinus VeeKay1517Felix Rosenqvist1498Marcus Ericsson1489Kyle Kirkwood14810Christian Lundgaard12911Marcus Armstrong12612Christian Rasmussen12313Santino Ferrucci11314Scott Dixon10515Kyffin Simpson9916Alexander Rossi9917Mick Schumacher – R9718Nolan Siegel8419Louis Foster7920Will Power7821Romain Grosjean7722Graham Rahal6523Sting Ray Robb6224Dennis Hauger – R6025Caio Collet – R44

Six of the top nine drivers ranked by average oval finish are part of Team Chevy Average oval finish at the six oval races during the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season

RANKDRIVERAVERAGE FINISH1David Malukas3.52Scott McLaughlin4.33Pato O’Ward4.74Rinus VeeKay95Kyle Kirkwood9.26Marcus Ericsson9.27Josef Newgarden10.78Álex Palou10.79Christian Lundgaard10.810Marcus Armstrong11.211Felix Rosenqvist11.512Santino Ferrucci12.813Christian Rasmussen13.214Scott Dixon14.215Mick Schumacher14.216Kyffin Simpson14.817Nolan Siegel1618Alexander Rossi1719Louis Foster1720Romain Grosjean17.721Will Power18.722Graham Rahal19.323Sting Ray Robb19.724Dennis Hauger20.325Caio Collet23.2

Tune-In Guide Friday, September 4NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #1 – 5pm (ET)/4pm (CT)/3pm (MT)/2pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Saturday, September 5NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 1pm (ET)/noon (CT)/11am (MT)/10am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice – 8pm (ET)/ 7pm (CT)/6pm (MT)/5pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Sunday, September 6Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey (95 laps) – 2:30pm (ET)/1:30pm (CT)12:30pm (MT)/11:30am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren) celebrates on the podium at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2025

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey 2.238-mile, 11-turn Weather Raceway Laguna Seca road course Monterey, California Race Advance September 4-6, 2026 DETROIT (September 3, 2026) – The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey, the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season finale, is the 18th race of the year and the sixth in the past five weeks.  The manufacturer and driver championships were wrapped up at the Milwaukee Mile, with Álex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) winning his fourth straight and fifth career Astor Cup.  There is still plenty to play for, though, with Chevrolet-powered drivers Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren), Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren) and David Malukas (Team Penske) battling HRC and Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood for second in the championship. Only four points separate Lundgaard, Kirkwood and O’Ward. The driver of the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet (Lundgaard) has a two-point lead over the driver of the No. 27 Sam’s Club Andretti Global Honda (Kirkwood), with the driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet (Pato O’Ward) four points adrift of his teammate and nipping at Kirkwood’s heels.  O’Ward has been the best driver during the frenzied run of six races in five weeks to end the season, scoring the most points in the field of 25 drivers. The 27-year-old is on his way to a fifth straight and seventh career top-five championship finish.  Points scored during the last five NTT INDYCAR SERIES races

RANKDRIVERPTS. LAST 5 RACES1Pato O’Ward1672Marcus Ericsson1573Christian Lundgaard1544Álex Palou1505Kyle Kirkwood1356Scott McLaughlin1337Will Power1318Rinus VeeKay1279David Malukas11010Josef Newgarden9811Romain Grosjean9212Kyffin Simpson9113Nolan Siegel8914Christian Rasmussen8515Felix Rosenqvist8316Scott Dixon8217Louis Foster7818Alexander Rossi7419Mick Schumacher – R7320Marcus Armstrong6821Santino Ferrucci6622Dennis Hauger – R6623Graham Rahal6224Caio Collet – R5625Sting Ray Robb52

David Malukas (Team Penske) began the oval portion of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a pole and ended it with the most points scored in the half-dozen left turn only races

Rounding Out The Ovals David Malukas (Team Penske) led a strong Team Chevy contingent for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES oval crown, with Chevrolet-powered drivers taking five of the top points spots. Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren), twice a visitor to victory lane at the Milwaukee Mile last weekend, came close to Malukas, but the first-year Team Penske driver’s consistency paid off.  Malukas’s average finish in the six oval races was a series-best 3.5, including a quartet of podium finishes and a worst finish of seventh. O’Ward’s worst oval finish was 11th, and his average finish on the ovals was 4.7, the third lowest in the series.  Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske), like his teammate Malukas, used consistency to score the third most oval points and had an average oval finishing position of 4.3, the second-lowest. He finished inside the top five of the last five oval events on the calendar and had a worst finish of eighth in the first oval race of the year at Phoenix Raceway.  Josef Newgarden won oval races at Phoenix Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, but failed to finish the Indianapolis 500 and the second race at the Milwaukee Mile, limiting him to fourth in oval points scored.  Rinus VeeKay (Juncos Hollinger Racing) and Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren) rounded out the Bowtie brigade in the top ten of oval points.  Oval points scored at the six oval races during the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season

RANKDRIVEROVAL POINTS1David Malukas2252Pato O’Ward2223Scott McLaughlin2014Josef Newgarden1795Álex Palou1646Rinus VeeKay1517Felix Rosenqvist1498Marcus Ericsson1489Kyle Kirkwood14810Christian Lundgaard12911Marcus Armstrong12612Christian Rasmussen12313Santino Ferrucci11314Scott Dixon10515Kyffin Simpson9916Alexander Rossi9917Mick Schumacher – R9718Nolan Siegel8419Louis Foster7920Will Power7821Romain Grosjean7722Graham Rahal6523Sting Ray Robb6224Dennis Hauger – R6025Caio Collet – R44

Six of the top nine drivers ranked by average oval finish are part of Team Chevy Average oval finish at the six oval races during the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season

RANKDRIVERAVERAGE FINISH1David Malukas3.52Scott McLaughlin4.33Pato O’Ward4.74Rinus VeeKay95Kyle Kirkwood9.26Marcus Ericsson9.27Josef Newgarden10.78Álex Palou10.79Christian Lundgaard10.810Marcus Armstrong11.211Felix Rosenqvist11.512Santino Ferrucci12.813Christian Rasmussen13.214Scott Dixon14.215Mick Schumacher14.216Kyffin Simpson14.817Nolan Siegel1618Alexander Rossi1719Louis Foster1720Romain Grosjean17.721Will Power18.722Graham Rahal19.323Sting Ray Robb19.724Dennis Hauger20.325Caio Collet23.2

Tune-In Guide Friday, September 4NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #1 – 5pm (ET)/4pm (CT)/3pm (MT)/2pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Saturday, September 5NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice #2 – 1pm (ET)/noon (CT)/11am (MT)/10am (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying – 4:30pm (ET)/3:30pm (CT)/2:30pm (MT)/1:30pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice – 8pm (ET)/ 7pm (CT)/6pm (MT)/5pm (PT) – FS2/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218 Sunday, September 6Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey (95 laps) – 2:30pm (ET)/1:30pm (CT)12:30pm (MT)/11:30am (PT) – FOX/INDYCAR Radio Network/SIRIUSXM 218

Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren) celebrates on the podium at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2025

Chevrolet at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Chevrolet wins at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: 5 1993 – Paul Tracy – Team Penske1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing1990 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske1989 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1988 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske Chevrolet poles at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: 8 2023 – Felix Rosenqvist – Arrow McLaren2022 – Will Power – Team Penske1993 – Emerson Fittipaldi – Team Penske1991 – Michael Andretti – Newman Haas Racing1990 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske1989 – Rick Mears – Team Penske1988 – Danny Sullivan – Team Penske1987 – Mario Andretti – Newman Haas Racing Chevrolet podiums at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: 22 Chevrolet podiums at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca by driver: Mario Andretti (3), Danny Sullivan (3), Al Unser Jr. (3), Michael Andretti (2), Rick Mears (2), Will Power (2), Emerson Fittipaldi (1), Christian Lundgaard (1), Scott McLaughlin (1), Josef Newgarden (1), Bob Rahal (1), Alexander Rossi (1) and Paul Tracy (1)  Chevrolet podiums at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca by team: Team Penske (11), Newman Haas Racing (5), Galles Racing (3), Arrow McLaren (2), Rahal Hogan Racing (1) Chevrolet laps led at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: 556 Chevrolet laps led at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca by driver: Danny Sullivan (156), Michael Andretti (86), Mario Andretti (83), Paul Tracy (81), Rick Mears (52), Will Power (29), Pato O’Ward (15), Al Unser Jr. (14), Felix Rosenqvist (11), Nolan Siegel (11), Josef Newgarden (10), Alexander Rossi (10), Emerson Fittipaldi (7), Callum Ilott (1), and Simon Pagenaud (1) Chevrolet laps led at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca by team: Team Penske (332), Newman Haas Racing (169), Arrow McLaren (47), Galles Racing (14), Patrick Racing (4), and Juncos Hollinger Racing (1) Manufacturer History at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Wins (with competition): 9 – Honda (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2000, 1997, 1996)5 – Chevrolet (1993, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988)5 – Cosworth (1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983)4 – Ford (2001, 1999, 1998, 1992)1 – Ilmor (1994)1 – Mercedes (1995)1 – Toyota (2002) Poles (with competition): 8 – Chevrolet (2023, 2021, 1993, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987)7 – Honda (2025, 2024, 2021 2019, 2001, 2000, 1996)5 – Ford (1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1992)4 – Cosworth (1986, 1985, 1984, 1983)1 – Ilmor (1994)1 – Toyota (2002)

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 2, 2026) – Alexis DeJoria will have a cadre of friends and family cheering her on at the Sept. 4-7 Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals and she’s hoping the Night Stalker tribute paint scheme on her John Force Racing Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car will provide that little something extra to put her in the Indianapolis Raceway Park winner’s circle on Labor Day Monday.

It was 1973 when John Force attempted to make his Funny Car debut in a rear-engine chain-drive entry at Irwindale (Calif.) Raceway. Force named it Night Stalker and created the unique paint scheme based on the 1972 made-for-TV movie starring the late Darren McGavin. It was a less than successful venture but Force went on to win the 2009 Night Under Fire at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, running a Night Stalker tribute paint scheme.

“We were at the shop one day and Alexis said the car her dad always loved the most was the Night Stalker,” said Force. “That was the rear-engined, chain-drive car with the driver out front that Jack Chrisman built and that I drove briefly in the early 1970s. The Night Stalker TV movie was big at the time so we painted ‘Night Stalker’ with a caped goblin on the side of it. Alexis loved the idea so that’s the paint scheme her Bandero Café Chevy will be running at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.”

DeJoria is currently eighth in the point standings and only 34 points out of sixth place going into the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals, the final event of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series regular season. Each round of eliminations will be worth 30 points instead of the standard 20 points.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 13 of 20 races are: 1. Matt Hagan, 938; 2.  Jordan Vandergriff, 931; 3. Ron Capps, 926; 4. J.R. Todd, 916; 5. Jack Beckman, 864; 6. Austin Prock, 771; 7. Chad Green, 755; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 737; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 615; 10. Spencer Hyde, 610.

Quotes

How was the decision made for you to run the John Force Night Stalker paint scheme from back in the 1970s?

“I was really excited when I found out the other two John Force Racing Funny Cars were doing special liveries and wanted to be part of it. So, I asked if our team could do the Night Stalker paint scheme that was John Force’s very first nitro Funny Car back in the mid-1970s. The Bandero Café car is already black, but it’s just the fact that the Night Stalker is one of the coolest liveries I’ve seen from John Force’s camp. More than anything, I wanted to do it to show support for my new boss and my new team.”

What does it mean to be a Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals Funny Car Champion?

“If there’s one trophy above all that a team wants, it’s the one from the U.S. Nationals. My team and I won the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Nationals and that was special due to that fact that there will never be another 60th. The same can be said of this year’s 75^th.”

What are your memories of winning the 2014 U.S. Nationals?

“The 2014 season was a breakout year for us. Adding the Chevrolet Performance 60th Anniversary U.S. Nationals win was beyond belief, especially winning the final round against none other than the man himself, John Force. It was a daughter/father duo that day, from beating my friend and competitor at the time Courtney Force in the semifinals to beating John in the final. It was a very proud moment to beat the best in front of my family and friends on the biggest stage.”

What are your thoughts on participating in this year’s PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Call Out?

“I’ve been in quite a few of these grudge matches and came close to sealing the deal in 2014. It’s something that’s eluded us but we have a great chance this year to put ourselves in a position to do so this year.”

Appearances

On Sat., Sept. 5, DeJoria will sign autographs at the Cornwell Tools display on the midway from 10-10:30 a.m.; at 11 a.m., she will participate in the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Call Out selection show in the Top Eliminator Club. On Sun., Sept. 6, DeJoria will sign autographs at the Mission Foods display on the midway from 9:30-10 a.m.; at 11 a.m., she will be interviewed on the NHRA Midway Stage with Top Fuel driver Ida Zetterstrom.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 4, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7.

The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 3:40 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 and 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

Race Results

Indianapolis	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2012 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Jeff Arend	5th	0-1
2013 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Ron Capps	12th	0-2
2014 (FC)	Winner	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Blaze Alexander, Courtney Force, John Force	7th	4-2
2015 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Courtney Force	6th	4-3
2016 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Del Worsham	10th	4-4
2017 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Ron Capps	9th	4-5
2018	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2019	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2020 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Bob Bode	6th	4-6
2021 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Blaze Alexander, Bob Tasca; lost to Ron Capps	7th	6-7
2022 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Matt Hagan	10th	6-8
2023 (FC)	2nd round	Beat Bobby Bode; lost to Cruz Pedregon	3rd	7-9
2024 (FC)	2nd round	Beat Matt Hagan; lost to Austin Prock	9th	8-10
2025 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Bobby Bode, Matt Hagan; lost to Jack Beckman	4th	10-11

Wins: 1 (2014)

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 10-11

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	11	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Spencer Hyde, J.R. Todd; lost to Chad Green	3-1	2
Phoenix	12	Lost Jordan Vandergriff	3-2	6
Pomona1	7	Beat Dave Richards; lost to Ron Capps	4-3	7
Charlotte	5	Won 1st Quad; lost 2nd quad	5-4	6
Valdosta	10	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan; lost to J.R. Todd	7-5	6
Chicago	12	Beat Spencer Hyde, Dave Richards, Matt Hagan; lost to Chad Green	10-6	6
Maryland	7	Lost to Ron Capps	10-7	6
Epping	3	Beat Cruz Pedregon; lost to Ron Capps	11-8	7
Bristol	2	Lost to Jordan Vandergriff	11-9	7
Norwalk	2	Beat Blake Alexander, Chad Green; lost to Ron Capps	13-10	7
Sonoma	7	Lost to Cruz Pedregon	13-11	7
Seattle	3	Lost to Dave Richards	13-12	8
Brainerd	8	Beat Dave Richards; lost to Jordan Vandergriff	14-13	8

DEJORIA TO RACE FORCE’S LEGENDARY NIGHT STALKER SCHEME AT U.S. NATIONALS

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Aug. 2, 2026) – Alexis DeJoria will have a cadre of friends and family cheering her on at the Sept. 4-7 Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals and she’s hoping the Night Stalker tribute paint scheme on her John Force Racing Bandero Café Chevrolet SS Funny Car will provide that little something extra to put her in the Indianapolis Raceway Park winner’s circle on Labor Day Monday.

It was 1973 when John Force attempted to make his Funny Car debut in a rear-engine chain-drive entry at Irwindale (Calif.) Raceway. Force named it Night Stalker and created the unique paint scheme based on the 1972 made-for-TV movie starring the late Darren McGavin. It was a less than successful venture but Force went on to win the 2009 Night Under Fire at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, running a Night Stalker tribute paint scheme.

“We were at the shop one day and Alexis said the car her dad always loved the most was the Night Stalker,” said Force. “That was the rear-engined, chain-drive car with the driver out front that Jack Chrisman built and that I drove briefly in the early 1970s. The Night Stalker TV movie was big at the time so we painted ‘Night Stalker’ with a caped goblin on the side of it. Alexis loved the idea so that’s the paint scheme her Bandero Café Chevy will be running at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals.”

DeJoria is currently eighth in the point standings and only 34 points out of sixth place going into the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals, the final event of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series regular season. Each round of eliminations will be worth 30 points instead of the standard 20 points.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 13 of 20 races are: 1. Matt Hagan, 938; 2.  Jordan Vandergriff, 931; 3. Ron Capps, 926; 4. J.R. Todd, 916; 5. Jack Beckman, 864; 6. Austin Prock, 771; 7. Chad Green, 755; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 737; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 615; 10. Spencer Hyde, 610.

Quotes

How was the decision made for you to run the John Force Night Stalker paint scheme from back in the 1970s?

“I was really excited when I found out the other two John Force Racing Funny Cars were doing special liveries and wanted to be part of it. So, I asked if our team could do the Night Stalker paint scheme that was John Force’s very first nitro Funny Car back in the mid-1970s. The Bandero Café car is already black, but it’s just the fact that the Night Stalker is one of the coolest liveries I’ve seen from John Force’s camp. More than anything, I wanted to do it to show support for my new boss and my new team.”

What does it mean to be a Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals Funny Car Champion?

“If there’s one trophy above all that a team wants, it’s the one from the U.S. Nationals. My team and I won the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Nationals and that was special due to that fact that there will never be another 60th. The same can be said of this year’s 75^th.”

What are your memories of winning the 2014 U.S. Nationals?

“The 2014 season was a breakout year for us. Adding the Chevrolet Performance 60th Anniversary U.S. Nationals win was beyond belief, especially winning the final round against none other than the man himself, John Force. It was a daughter/father duo that day, from beating my friend and competitor at the time Courtney Force in the semifinals to beating John in the final. It was a very proud moment to beat the best in front of my family and friends on the biggest stage.”

What are your thoughts on participating in this year’s PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Call Out?

“I’ve been in quite a few of these grudge matches and came close to sealing the deal in 2014. It’s something that’s eluded us but we have a great chance this year to put ourselves in a position to do so this year.”

Appearances

On Sat., Sept. 5, DeJoria will sign autographs at the Cornwell Tools display on the midway from 10-10:30 a.m.; at 11 a.m., she will participate in the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Call Out selection show in the Top Eliminator Club. On Sun., Sept. 6, DeJoria will sign autographs at the Mission Foods display on the midway from 9:30-10 a.m.; at 11 a.m., she will be interviewed on the NHRA Midway Stage with Top Fuel driver Ida Zetterstrom.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 4, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7.

The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 3:40 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 and 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

Race Results

Indianapolis	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2012 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Jeff Arend	5th	0-1
2013 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Ron Capps	12th	0-2
2014 (FC)	Winner	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Blaze Alexander, Courtney Force, John Force	7th	4-2
2015 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Courtney Force	6th	4-3
2016 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Del Worsham	10th	4-4
2017 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Ron Capps	9th	4-5
2018	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2019	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2020 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Bob Bode	6th	4-6
2021 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Blaze Alexander, Bob Tasca; lost to Ron Capps	7th	6-7
2022 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Matt Hagan	10th	6-8
2023 (FC)	2nd round	Beat Bobby Bode; lost to Cruz Pedregon	3rd	7-9
2024 (FC)	2nd round	Beat Matt Hagan; lost to Austin Prock	9th	8-10
2025 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Bobby Bode, Matt Hagan; lost to Jack Beckman	4th	10-11

Wins: 1 (2014)

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 10-11

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	11	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Spencer Hyde, J.R. Todd; lost to Chad Green	3-1	2
Phoenix	12	Lost Jordan Vandergriff	3-2	6
Pomona1	7	Beat Dave Richards; lost to Ron Capps	4-3	7
Charlotte	5	Won 1st Quad; lost 2nd quad	5-4	6
Valdosta	10	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan; lost to J.R. Todd	7-5	6
Chicago	12	Beat Spencer Hyde, Dave Richards, Matt Hagan; lost to Chad Green	10-6	6
Maryland	7	Lost to Ron Capps	10-7	6
Epping	3	Beat Cruz Pedregon; lost to Ron Capps	11-8	7
Bristol	2	Lost to Jordan Vandergriff	11-9	7
Norwalk	2	Beat Blake Alexander, Chad Green; lost to Ron Capps	13-10	7
Sonoma	7	Lost to Cruz Pedregon	13-11	7
Seattle	3	Lost to Dave Richards	13-12	8
Brainerd	8	Beat Dave Richards; lost to Jordan Vandergriff	14-13	8

###

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Sept. 2, 2026) – Josh Hart has made it a point in his professional and personal lives to make big dreams come true in big ways and a win for the Speedmaster Top Fuel team in the Sept. 4-7 Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, long known as the Big Go, would be a big way to conclude the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series regular season.

The win would also make a big statement heading into the upcoming six-race Countdown to the Championship.

Hart won back-to-back Top Alcohol Dragster titles at the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals in 2017 and 2018 while his best event finish in Top Fuel is a semifinal appearance in his rookie season of 2021. He sees this year as the opportunity to add his name to the list of Top Fuel winners and he’s been successful over the years in creating success from a strong belief in himself.

The Speedmaster team is seventh in the Top Fuel point standings, just 79 points out of fifth place. The Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals rewards 30 points for each round of eliminations instead of the standard 20 points so the gap to fifth is less than three rounds of competition instead of almost four.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after 13 of 20 races are: 1. Doug Kalitta, 1,232; 2. Shawn Langdon, 1,165; 3. Leah Pruett, 974; 4. Antron Brown, 808; 5. Maddi Gordon, 784; 6. Tony Stewart, 753; 7. Josh Hart, 705; 8. Billy Torrence, 655; 9. Justin Ashley, 609; 10. Clay Millican, 540.

Quotes

What are your thoughts on competing in the U.S. Nationals, in general, and more specifically about doing so in NHRA’s 75^th anniversary season?

“I think it’s probably a new plateau for anybody who wins the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals. It’s like a whole new level for their career. The fact that you’re going to be forever in the history books to win at Indy is cool, but to win Top Fuel at the Big Go on the 75^th anniversary is just something one person will ever be able to accomplish.”

 What’s the Speedmaster team’s mindset going into the last race of the regular season less than three rounds out of fifth place and earning 1.5x points?

“We definitely need some things to fall in our favor. It’s been a tough season but I’m confident we’re going in the right direction. With the testing that we did in Brainerd, we’re more confident on a warmer track, which should be the case at Indy. We found some things that we needed to adjust and we made those adjustments so I think it will pay dividends going into this race. Being that close to fifth in the point standings and knowing that it’s one last push before it’s in our grasp, we’re definitely going to do everything we can to grab hold of it.”

Is there a common thread that motivates you both professionally and personally that’s allowed you to achieve the success you’ve had in your life and in your business dealings, both on the racetrack?

“When you come from extremely humble beginnings, there are lot of people who try to manage your expectations. People that tell you a dream is just a dream or a goal is just a goal. They can make you feel like it’s not possible. For example, my eighth grade music teacher said, ‘You’ll never be a drummer.’ I prided myself on being the best damn drummer I could possibly be. I told somebody in 2017 that I was going to drive a Top Fuel dragster, maybe even for John Force one day. I remember him just laughing hysterically at me. I sent my first time slip in a Top Fuel car to him in the mail. It’s now come full circle and I do drive for John Force in one of the fastest cars in the world. Anything is possible. I use that motivation in everything I do. I remember when I was starting Burnyzz and everybody just kind of laughed at me, even the family members. They tried to politically manage my expectations and hide behind the notion that they don’t want you to let yourself down. I think that’s complete BS. I think that if you really want it, I am proof that you truly can go out and get anything. Everything in your life is a product of someone else’s imagination. Why can’t it be yours?”

Weekend Appearances

Hart will be signing autographs Sat., Sept. 5, from 10-10:30 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools midway display.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 4, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7.

The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 3:40 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 and 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

Race Results

Indianapolis	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2021 (TF)	Semi-finals	Beat Buddy Hull, Leah Pruett; lost to Brittany Force	4th	2-1
2022 (TF)	2nd round	Beat Doug Foley; lost to Brittany Force	8th	3-2
2023 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Shawn Langdon	8th	3-3
2024 (TF)	2nd round	Beat Tripp Tatum; lost to Clay Millican	12th	4-4
2025 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Tripp Tatum	8th	4-5

Wins: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 4-5

***2017 and 2018 U.S. Nationals Top Alcohol Dragster Champion

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	1	Beat Dan Mercier, Tripp Tatum, Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta	4-0	1
Phoenix	10	Beat Justin Ashley; lost to Leah Pruett	5-1	2
Pomona1	2	Beat Cameron Ferre; lost to Tony Stewart	6-2	4
Charlotte	4	Lost in 1st quad	6-3	5
Valdosta	9	Lost to Leah Pruett	6-4	5
Chicago	4	Beat Justin Ashley, Tony Stewart; lost to Shawn Langdon	8-5	5
Maryland	7	Lost to Clay Millican	8-6	5
Epping	3	Beat Rit Pustari; lost to Billy Torrence	9-7	4
Bristol	6	Lost to Doug Kalitta	9-8	6
Norwalk	2	Beat Scott Farley; lost to Clay Millican	10-9	7
Sonoma	8	Lost to Jasmine Salinas	10-10	7
Seattle	1	Bye, beat Tony Stewart; lost to Leah Pruett	12-11	7
Brainerd	10	Lost to Tony Stewart	12-12	7

HART KNOWS BIG GO IS A MUST DO FOR SPEEDMASTER TEAM

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Sept. 2, 2026) – Josh Hart has made it a point in his professional and personal lives to make big dreams come true in big ways and a win for the Speedmaster Top Fuel team in the Sept. 4-7 Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park, long known as the Big Go, would be a big way to conclude the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series regular season.

The win would also make a big statement heading into the upcoming six-race Countdown to the Championship.

Hart won back-to-back Top Alcohol Dragster titles at the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals in 2017 and 2018 while his best event finish in Top Fuel is a semifinal appearance in his rookie season of 2021. He sees this year as the opportunity to add his name to the list of Top Fuel winners and he’s been successful over the years in creating success from a strong belief in himself.

The Speedmaster team is seventh in the Top Fuel point standings, just 79 points out of fifth place. The Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals rewards 30 points for each round of eliminations instead of the standard 20 points so the gap to fifth is less than three rounds of competition instead of almost four.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel point standings after 13 of 20 races are: 1. Doug Kalitta, 1,232; 2. Shawn Langdon, 1,165; 3. Leah Pruett, 974; 4. Antron Brown, 808; 5. Maddi Gordon, 784; 6. Tony Stewart, 753; 7. Josh Hart, 705; 8. Billy Torrence, 655; 9. Justin Ashley, 609; 10. Clay Millican, 540.

Quotes

What are your thoughts on competing in the U.S. Nationals, in general, and more specifically about doing so in NHRA’s 75^th anniversary season?

“I think it’s probably a new plateau for anybody who wins the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals. It’s like a whole new level for their career. The fact that you’re going to be forever in the history books to win at Indy is cool, but to win Top Fuel at the Big Go on the 75^th anniversary is just something one person will ever be able to accomplish.”

 What’s the Speedmaster team’s mindset going into the last race of the regular season less than three rounds out of fifth place and earning 1.5x points?

“We definitely need some things to fall in our favor. It’s been a tough season but I’m confident we’re going in the right direction. With the testing that we did in Brainerd, we’re more confident on a warmer track, which should be the case at Indy. We found some things that we needed to adjust and we made those adjustments so I think it will pay dividends going into this race. Being that close to fifth in the point standings and knowing that it’s one last push before it’s in our grasp, we’re definitely going to do everything we can to grab hold of it.”

Is there a common thread that motivates you both professionally and personally that’s allowed you to achieve the success you’ve had in your life and in your business dealings, both on the racetrack?

“When you come from extremely humble beginnings, there are lot of people who try to manage your expectations. People that tell you a dream is just a dream or a goal is just a goal. They can make you feel like it’s not possible. For example, my eighth grade music teacher said, ‘You’ll never be a drummer.’ I prided myself on being the best damn drummer I could possibly be. I told somebody in 2017 that I was going to drive a Top Fuel dragster, maybe even for John Force one day. I remember him just laughing hysterically at me. I sent my first time slip in a Top Fuel car to him in the mail. It’s now come full circle and I do drive for John Force in one of the fastest cars in the world. Anything is possible. I use that motivation in everything I do. I remember when I was starting Burnyzz and everybody just kind of laughed at me, even the family members. They tried to politically manage my expectations and hide behind the notion that they don’t want you to let yourself down. I think that’s complete BS. I think that if you really want it, I am proof that you truly can go out and get anything. Everything in your life is a product of someone else’s imagination. Why can’t it be yours?”

Weekend Appearances

Hart will be signing autographs Sat., Sept. 5, from 10-10:30 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools midway display.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 4, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7.

The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 3:40 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 and 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

Race Results

Indianapolis	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2021 (TF)	Semi-finals	Beat Buddy Hull, Leah Pruett; lost to Brittany Force	4th	2-1
2022 (TF)	2nd round	Beat Doug Foley; lost to Brittany Force	8th	3-2
2023 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Shawn Langdon	8th	3-3
2024 (TF)	2nd round	Beat Tripp Tatum; lost to Clay Millican	12th	4-4
2025 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Tripp Tatum	8th	4-5

Wins: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 4-5

***2017 and 2018 U.S. Nationals Top Alcohol Dragster Champion

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	1	Beat Dan Mercier, Tripp Tatum, Antron Brown, Doug Kalitta	4-0	1
Phoenix	10	Beat Justin Ashley; lost to Leah Pruett	5-1	2
Pomona1	2	Beat Cameron Ferre; lost to Tony Stewart	6-2	4
Charlotte	4	Lost in 1st quad	6-3	5
Valdosta	9	Lost to Leah Pruett	6-4	5
Chicago	4	Beat Justin Ashley, Tony Stewart; lost to Shawn Langdon	8-5	5
Maryland	7	Lost to Clay Millican	8-6	5
Epping	3	Beat Rit Pustari; lost to Billy Torrence	9-7	4
Bristol	6	Lost to Doug Kalitta	9-8	6
Norwalk	2	Beat Scott Farley; lost to Clay Millican	10-9	7
Sonoma	8	Lost to Jasmine Salinas	10-10	7
Seattle	1	Bye, beat Tony Stewart; lost to Leah Pruett	12-11	7
Brainerd	10	Lost to Tony Stewart	12-12	7

###

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Sept. 2, 2026) – Last week Jack Beckman helped unveil the John Force 1996 championship tribute paint scheme the PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car will carry during the Sept. 4-7 Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals and this week at Indianapolis Raceway Park his goal is to maintain the paint scheme’s perfect race record.

Force won the 1996 NHRA Finals with the now iconic black-and-white flame job scheme to cap the greatest season in modern NHRA Funny Car competition, accumulating 13 event wins, 16 final-round appearances, 13 No. 1 Qualifier spots and 65 round wins in eliminations. Beckman wants to add another win with the paint scheme to maintain its perfect 2-0 record.

Beckman earned NHRA U.S. Nationals Funny Car titles in 2015 and 2020 and four of the Funny Car special races (2007, 2013, 2015, 2017) currently named the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Call Out.

The PEAK SQUAD is currently fifth in the Funny Car point standings heading into the regular season finale, 62 behind J.R. Todd in fourth and 84 to Matt Hagan in first. The Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals awards 30 points per eliminations round instead of the standard 20 point per round.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 13 of 20 races are: 1. Matt Hagan, 938; 2.  Jordan Vandergriff, 931; 3. Ron Capps, 926; 4. J.R. Todd, 916; 5. Jack Beckman, 864; 6. Austin Prock, 771; 7. Chad Green, 755; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 737; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 615; 10. Spencer Hyde, 610.

Quotes

What does it mean to you to be competing not only in the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, but during the NHRA’s 75th anniversary?

“When I was out from the end of 2020 through more than half of the 2024 season, it wasn’t lost on me that the NHRA 75th anniversary was coming up and I wasn’t going to be a part of it as a competitor. So, just to be a part of it is a huge deal for me. I still, even as an adult, have a lot of ‘pinch me’ moments. Standing in Monument Circle in Indy last week, rolling back the car cover with Brian Bohlander of PEAK to unveil the car that represents the most dominant season in modern Funny Car racing was one of them. We turned the time machine back 30 years to a car that was specifically painted to run one race to celebrate John Force’s sixth championship. Fast forward 30 years and PEAK has chosen this race to celebrate John’s history. The throwback scheme looks virtually identical to the 1996 car but this one says ‘John Force 16-time Champion’ down the side. To be standing next to John while the media is capturing this unveiling, that was a ‘pinch me’ moment. I’m going to roll out for Q1 while John’s standing behind the car watching me. I don’t think the term ‘pinch me’ even comes close to describing what that means to me.”

How special are your two Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals Funny Car titles (2015, 2020)?

“In 2015, I had one of the best weekends you can ever have in Funny Car. I won the Shootout and I won the U.S. Nationals. It just doesn’t get any better than that. In 2020, I got my second U.S. Nationals win driving the Infinite Hero car, like a was in 2015, a program that changed a lot of injured veterans’ lives. John Force Racing wasn’t there because they sat out the latter part of the truncated 2020 season due to COVID. It was still a damn tough field of Funny Cars. And then I didn’t have a ride in 2021 and thought that was it. So, if we can close the deal this year and put that car back in its second winner’s circle in just the second time that scheme’s ever been run would be a fairy tale weekend.”

How have you had such great success in the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals Funny Car special races, regardless of what they’re called?

“I’ve been super fortunate. I’ve won four of the shootout races in my career (2007, 2013, 2015, 2017). I’ve only been in six or seven of them but I’ve had really good success when I have. You could say we go in as the prohibitive favorite but really there are eight good cars competing. It’s going to be a little bit of strategy because two of the three rounds will be during qualifying. There are 23 Funny Cars showing up to qualify at Indy and we have got to get in the show. The perfect scenario is we’ll unload Friday night with probably the best track conditions we’ll have and put that PEAK tribute car on the pole. You can then cross off qualifying and focus on the Call Out. Our first goal is to win the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals and the first step for that is qualifying solid. Once we cross that off, our next goal is to win the Funny Car Call Out on Sunday.” 

Weekend Appearances

On Sat., Sept. 5, Beckman will sign autographs from 10-10:30 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools midway display and, at 11 a.m., will participate in the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Call Out event at the Top Eliminator Club. On Sun., Sept. 6, he will sign autographs from 9:30-10 a.m. at the Mission Foods midway display.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 4, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7.

The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 3:40 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 and 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

Race Results

Indianapolis	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2005 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Tony Schumacher	16th	0-1
2006 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2007 (FC)	2nd round	Beat Scott Kalitta; lost to Mike Ashley	3rd	1-2
2008 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat Ashely Force, Cruz Pedregon, Melanie Troxel; lost to Robert Hight	10th	4-3
2009 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Mike Neff	14th	4-4
2010 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Tim Wilkerson, Melanie Troxel; lost to Ashley Force Hood	7th	6-5
2011 (FC)	2nd round	Beat Paul Lee; lost to Matt Hagan	5th	7-6
2012 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Todd Lesenko	2nd	7-7
2013 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat Chad Head, Jeff Arend, Tim Wilkerson; lost to Robert Hight	8th	10-8
2014 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Blake Alexander	2nd	10-9
2015 (FC)	Winner	Beat Bob Bode, Ron Capps, Del Worsham, Robert Hight	1st	14-9
2016 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Dave Richards	2nd	14-10
2017 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Tommy Johnson Jr, Del Worsham; lost to R. Capps	5th	16-11
2018 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Courtney Force	11th	16-12
2019 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat Justin Schriefer, Bob Tasca, J.R. Todd; lost to J. Force	1st	19-13
2020 (FC)	Winner	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Ron Capps, Tim Wilkerson, J.R. Todd	7th	23-13
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Dale Creasy Jr., Cruz Pedregon; lost to Ron Capps	3rd	25-14
2025 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat Justin Schriefer, Paul Lee, Alexis Dejoria; lost to Austin Prock	1st	28-15

Wins: 2 (2015 & 2020)

No. 1 Qualifiers: 3 (2015, 2019 & 2025)

Event Record: 28-15

2026 Results

BECKMAN WANTS ANOTHER “PINCH ME” MOMENT AT U.S. NATS

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Sept. 2, 2026) – Last week Jack Beckman helped unveil the John Force 1996 championship tribute paint scheme the PEAK Chevrolet SS Funny Car will carry during the Sept. 4-7 Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals and this week at Indianapolis Raceway Park his goal is to maintain the paint scheme’s perfect race record.

Force won the 1996 NHRA Finals with the now iconic black-and-white flame job scheme to cap the greatest season in modern NHRA Funny Car competition, accumulating 13 event wins, 16 final-round appearances, 13 No. 1 Qualifier spots and 65 round wins in eliminations. Beckman wants to add another win with the paint scheme to maintain its perfect 2-0 record.

Beckman earned NHRA U.S. Nationals Funny Car titles in 2015 and 2020 and four of the Funny Car special races (2007, 2013, 2015, 2017) currently named the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Call Out.

The PEAK SQUAD is currently fifth in the Funny Car point standings heading into the regular season finale, 62 behind J.R. Todd in fourth and 84 to Matt Hagan in first. The Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals awards 30 points per eliminations round instead of the standard 20 point per round.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 13 of 20 races are: 1. Matt Hagan, 938; 2.  Jordan Vandergriff, 931; 3. Ron Capps, 926; 4. J.R. Todd, 916; 5. Jack Beckman, 864; 6. Austin Prock, 771; 7. Chad Green, 755; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 737; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 615; 10. Spencer Hyde, 610.

Quotes

What does it mean to you to be competing not only in the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, but during the NHRA’s 75th anniversary?

“When I was out from the end of 2020 through more than half of the 2024 season, it wasn’t lost on me that the NHRA 75th anniversary was coming up and I wasn’t going to be a part of it as a competitor. So, just to be a part of it is a huge deal for me. I still, even as an adult, have a lot of ‘pinch me’ moments. Standing in Monument Circle in Indy last week, rolling back the car cover with Brian Bohlander of PEAK to unveil the car that represents the most dominant season in modern Funny Car racing was one of them. We turned the time machine back 30 years to a car that was specifically painted to run one race to celebrate John Force’s sixth championship. Fast forward 30 years and PEAK has chosen this race to celebrate John’s history. The throwback scheme looks virtually identical to the 1996 car but this one says ‘John Force 16-time Champion’ down the side. To be standing next to John while the media is capturing this unveiling, that was a ‘pinch me’ moment. I’m going to roll out for Q1 while John’s standing behind the car watching me. I don’t think the term ‘pinch me’ even comes close to describing what that means to me.”

How special are your two Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals Funny Car titles (2015, 2020)?

“In 2015, I had one of the best weekends you can ever have in Funny Car. I won the Shootout and I won the U.S. Nationals. It just doesn’t get any better than that. In 2020, I got my second U.S. Nationals win driving the Infinite Hero car, like a was in 2015, a program that changed a lot of injured veterans’ lives. John Force Racing wasn’t there because they sat out the latter part of the truncated 2020 season due to COVID. It was still a damn tough field of Funny Cars. And then I didn’t have a ride in 2021 and thought that was it. So, if we can close the deal this year and put that car back in its second winner’s circle in just the second time that scheme’s ever been run would be a fairy tale weekend.”

How have you had such great success in the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals Funny Car special races, regardless of what they’re called?

“I’ve been super fortunate. I’ve won four of the shootout races in my career (2007, 2013, 2015, 2017). I’ve only been in six or seven of them but I’ve had really good success when I have. You could say we go in as the prohibitive favorite but really there are eight good cars competing. It’s going to be a little bit of strategy because two of the three rounds will be during qualifying. There are 23 Funny Cars showing up to qualify at Indy and we have got to get in the show. The perfect scenario is we’ll unload Friday night with probably the best track conditions we’ll have and put that PEAK tribute car on the pole. You can then cross off qualifying and focus on the Call Out. Our first goal is to win the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals and the first step for that is qualifying solid. Once we cross that off, our next goal is to win the Funny Car Call Out on Sunday.” 

Weekend Appearances

On Sat., Sept. 5, Beckman will sign autographs from 10-10:30 a.m. at the Cornwell Tools midway display and, at 11 a.m., will participate in the PlayNHRA Funny Car All-Star Call Out event at the Top Eliminator Club. On Sun., Sept. 6, he will sign autographs from 9:30-10 a.m. at the Mission Foods midway display.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 4, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7.

The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 3:40 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 and 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

Race Results

Indianapolis	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2005 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Tony Schumacher	16th	0-1
2006 (FC)	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2007 (FC)	2nd round	Beat Scott Kalitta; lost to Mike Ashley	3rd	1-2
2008 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat Ashely Force, Cruz Pedregon, Melanie Troxel; lost to Robert Hight	10th	4-3
2009 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Mike Neff	14th	4-4
2010 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Tim Wilkerson, Melanie Troxel; lost to Ashley Force Hood	7th	6-5
2011 (FC)	2nd round	Beat Paul Lee; lost to Matt Hagan	5th	7-6
2012 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Todd Lesenko	2nd	7-7
2013 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat Chad Head, Jeff Arend, Tim Wilkerson; lost to Robert Hight	8th	10-8
2014 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Blake Alexander	2nd	10-9
2015 (FC)	Winner	Beat Bob Bode, Ron Capps, Del Worsham, Robert Hight	1st	14-9
2016 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Dave Richards	2nd	14-10
2017 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Tommy Johnson Jr, Del Worsham; lost to R. Capps	5th	16-11
2018 (FC)	1st round	Lost to Courtney Force	11th	16-12
2019 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat Justin Schriefer, Bob Tasca, J.R. Todd; lost to J. Force	1st	19-13
2020 (FC)	Winner	Beat Cruz Pedregon, Ron Capps, Tim Wilkerson, J.R. Todd	7th	23-13
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024 (FC)	Semi-finals	Beat Dale Creasy Jr., Cruz Pedregon; lost to Ron Capps	3rd	25-14
2025 (FC)	Runner-up	Beat Justin Schriefer, Paul Lee, Alexis Dejoria; lost to Austin Prock	1st	28-15

Wins: 2 (2015 & 2020)

No. 1 Qualifiers: 3 (2015, 2019 & 2025)

Event Record: 28-15

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	9	Lost to Jordan Vandergriff	0-1	11
Phoenix	2	Lost to Daniel Wilkerson	0-2	10
Pomona1	8	Beat Jim Campbell; lost to J.R. Todd	1-3	10
Charlotte	6	Advanced Rounds 1 & 2; runner-up to Ron Capps	3-4	8
Valdosta	11	Lost to Matt Hagan	3-5	8
Chicago	1	Beat Chris King; lost to Matt Hagan	4-6	8
Maryland	1	Beat Joe Morrison, J.R. Todd, Jordan Vandergriff; lost to Austin Prock	7-7	7
Epping	2	Beat Phil Burkart Jr., Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, Jordán Vandergriff	11-7	5
Bristol	3	Beat Jeff Arend; lost to Daniel Wilkerson	12-8	5
Norwalk	4	Beat Spencer Hyde, Daniel Wilkerson, Austin Prock; lost to Ron Capps	15-9	4
Sonoma	2	Beat Jeff Arend, Cruz Pedregon; lost to Daniel Wilkerson	17-10	3
Seattle	2	Beat Tim Gibbons, Cruz Pedregon; lost to Austin Prock	19-11	2
Brainerd	6	Lost (DQ) to Chad Green	19-12	5

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Sept. 2, 2026) – The conclusion of last year’s Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals left Jordan Vandergriff wondering if he’d ever race again but this year finds the driver of John Force Racing’s Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car with every reason to believe he and his team can and will leave with the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car regular season championship.

The 2025 event was the second and final for Vandergriff who filled in for injured Top Fuel driver Shawn Reed. He qualified second but was eliminated in the first round by Kyle Wurtzel. He got out of the car at the top end wondering if he’d ever get back behind the wheel.

So far this season, the Cornwell Tools Chevy team has earned two wins (Valdosta, Sonoma), two runners-up (Epping, Brainerd) and three No. 1 Qualifier spots (Epping, Sonoma, Brainerd).

Vandergriff enters the Sept. 4-7 Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals just seven points back of leader Matt Hagan and where each round of eliminations will earn 30 championship points instead of the standard 20 points. Vandergriff finished runner-up to Hagan two weeks ago at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 13 of 20 races are: 1. Matt Hagan, 938; 2.  Jordan Vandergriff, 931; 3. Ron Capps, 926; 4. J.R. Todd, 916; 5. Jack Beckman, 864; 6. Austin Prock, 771; 7. Chad Green, 755; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 737; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 615; 10. Spencer Hyde, 610.

Quotes

What’s your mindset with the regular season championship on the line?

“I think the mindset is that we control our own destiny. One of the Cornwell Tools crew guys, Tristan Norton, said ‘Listen, if we win, we win.’ The points show that whoever’s going to go the farthest is going to win this regular season championship so that’s where we want to be. We want to control our own destiny. If we can just focus on us and win the race, then all those other problems go away and we come away as a regular season champion.” 

What are your thoughts now on the decisions you made in the final round at Brainerd that put you in the position you’re now in? 

“I think we’re right where we want to be. We were the No. 1 qualifier and we made the final. I’d say those are pretty good stats. It was unfortunate that we didn’t come away with the win but it put us just seven points out of first, which is basically a dead heat. If we had won, we would have been 13 points up or something like that. It’s basically a dead heat between the top four cars. We’ve put ourselves in the conversation and showed we have a strong Cornwell Quality Tools Chevy race car that can compete for the championship. We’re right where we want to be and we’re in control of our own destiny.”

What were your thoughts when you got out of the car after last year’s first-round loss at Indy, which was the conclusion of your two-race opportunity with Shawn Reed Racing?

“Looking back on last year’s Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals, we qualified second but, unfortunately, went out in the first round. I remember getting out of the race car at the top end and putting my stuff in the Suburban and realizing, in that moment, that I didn’t know when the next time I’d be able to drive again. I kind of took a moment for myself, looked back at the race car, looked at the racetrack. I took it all in and said to myself this might be the last time and, if it is, what’s going to happen next? Fast forward a year and I’m so fortunate it wasn’t the last time. I was very fortunate to get the call from John Force to represent Cornwell Quality Tools at the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals and my life has become a good dream scenario.”

What does it mean to you to compete in the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals during the 75th anniversary season? 

“As if the stakes couldn’t get any higher, it’s the 75th anniversary of NHRA. It is not only the U.S.  Nationals but the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals. This is the granddaddy of them all, and every kid growing up wants to win the U.S. Nationals. People will always refer to you as the U.S. Nationals winner regardless of whatever else they do in their career. I was doing the ESPN announcing last year and Justin (Ashley) won and I said to him, ‘Now we will forever refer to you as the U.S. Nationals winner.’ And now I want to be referred to as a U.S. Nationals winner. It means everything. It’s our Super Bowl. It’s our Daytona 500. It’s the U.S. Nationals. It’s the Big Go! If people say it doesn’t mean more, they’re lying to you. It means more and I want it.” 

Weekend Appearances

On Sat., Sept. 5, Vandergriff will be signing autographs at the following locations: 9:30-10 a.m. at the Mission Foods midway display; 10-10:30 at the Cornwell Tools midway display; and 11-11:30 with John Force at the John Force Racing merchandise trailer on the on the midway.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 4, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7.

The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 3:40 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 and 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

Race Results

Indianapolis	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2019 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Antron Brown	11th	0-1
2020	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2025 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Kyle Wurtzel	2nd	0-2

Wins: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 0

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	8	Beat Jack Beckman, John Smith; lost to Chad Green	2-1	4
Phoenix	5	Beat Alexis DeJoria, lost to Matt Hagan	3-2	7
Pomona1	3	Beat Daniel Wilkerson, Chad Green; lost to Ron Capps	5-3	5
Charlotte	2	Won 1st quad; lost in 2nd quad	6-4	5
Valdosta	3	Beat Jeff Arend, Spencer Hyde, Hunter Green, Ron Capps	10-4	4
Chicago	10	Lost to Chad Green	10-5	5
Maryland	4	Beat Dave Richards, Chad Green; lost to Jack Beckman	12-6	5
Epping	1	Beat Jeff Arend, Chad Green, J.R. Todd; lost to Jack Beckman	15-7	4
Bristol	13	Beat Alexis DeJoria; lost to Ron Capps	16-8	4
Norwalk	11	Lost to J.R. Todd	16-9	5
Sonoma	1	Beat Jason Rupert, Matt Hagan, Austin Prock, Daniel Wilkerson	20-9	2
Seattle	9	Beat Spencer Hyde; lost to J.R. Todd	21-10	4
Brainerd	1	Bye, beat Alexis DeJoria, J.R. Todd; lost to Matt Hagan	24-11	2

REGULAR SEASON TITLE ON THE LINE FOR CORNWELL TOOLS TEAM

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Sept. 2, 2026) – The conclusion of last year’s Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals left Jordan Vandergriff wondering if he’d ever race again but this year finds the driver of John Force Racing’s Cornwell Tools Chevrolet SS Funny Car with every reason to believe he and his team can and will leave with the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car regular season championship.

The 2025 event was the second and final for Vandergriff who filled in for injured Top Fuel driver Shawn Reed. He qualified second but was eliminated in the first round by Kyle Wurtzel. He got out of the car at the top end wondering if he’d ever get back behind the wheel.

So far this season, the Cornwell Tools Chevy team has earned two wins (Valdosta, Sonoma), two runners-up (Epping, Brainerd) and three No. 1 Qualifier spots (Epping, Sonoma, Brainerd).

Vandergriff enters the Sept. 4-7 Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals just seven points back of leader Matt Hagan and where each round of eliminations will earn 30 championship points instead of the standard 20 points. Vandergriff finished runner-up to Hagan two weeks ago at the NHRA Brainerd Nationals.

The 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car point standings after 13 of 20 races are: 1. Matt Hagan, 938; 2.  Jordan Vandergriff, 931; 3. Ron Capps, 926; 4. J.R. Todd, 916; 5. Jack Beckman, 864; 6. Austin Prock, 771; 7. Chad Green, 755; 8. Alexis DeJoria, 737; 9. Daniel Wilkerson, 615; 10. Spencer Hyde, 610.

Quotes

What’s your mindset with the regular season championship on the line?

“I think the mindset is that we control our own destiny. One of the Cornwell Tools crew guys, Tristan Norton, said ‘Listen, if we win, we win.’ The points show that whoever’s going to go the farthest is going to win this regular season championship so that’s where we want to be. We want to control our own destiny. If we can just focus on us and win the race, then all those other problems go away and we come away as a regular season champion.” 

What are your thoughts now on the decisions you made in the final round at Brainerd that put you in the position you’re now in? 

“I think we’re right where we want to be. We were the No. 1 qualifier and we made the final. I’d say those are pretty good stats. It was unfortunate that we didn’t come away with the win but it put us just seven points out of first, which is basically a dead heat. If we had won, we would have been 13 points up or something like that. It’s basically a dead heat between the top four cars. We’ve put ourselves in the conversation and showed we have a strong Cornwell Quality Tools Chevy race car that can compete for the championship. We’re right where we want to be and we’re in control of our own destiny.”

What were your thoughts when you got out of the car after last year’s first-round loss at Indy, which was the conclusion of your two-race opportunity with Shawn Reed Racing?

“Looking back on last year’s Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals, we qualified second but, unfortunately, went out in the first round. I remember getting out of the race car at the top end and putting my stuff in the Suburban and realizing, in that moment, that I didn’t know when the next time I’d be able to drive again. I kind of took a moment for myself, looked back at the race car, looked at the racetrack. I took it all in and said to myself this might be the last time and, if it is, what’s going to happen next? Fast forward a year and I’m so fortunate it wasn’t the last time. I was very fortunate to get the call from John Force to represent Cornwell Quality Tools at the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals and my life has become a good dream scenario.”

What does it mean to you to compete in the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals during the 75th anniversary season? 

“As if the stakes couldn’t get any higher, it’s the 75th anniversary of NHRA. It is not only the U.S.  Nationals but the Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. Nationals. This is the granddaddy of them all, and every kid growing up wants to win the U.S. Nationals. People will always refer to you as the U.S. Nationals winner regardless of whatever else they do in their career. I was doing the ESPN announcing last year and Justin (Ashley) won and I said to him, ‘Now we will forever refer to you as the U.S. Nationals winner.’ And now I want to be referred to as a U.S. Nationals winner. It means everything. It’s our Super Bowl. It’s our Daytona 500. It’s the U.S. Nationals. It’s the Big Go! If people say it doesn’t mean more, they’re lying to you. It means more and I want it.” 

Weekend Appearances

On Sat., Sept. 5, Vandergriff will be signing autographs at the following locations: 9:30-10 a.m. at the Mission Foods midway display; 10-10:30 at the Cornwell Tools midway display; and 11-11:30 with John Force at the John Force Racing merchandise trailer on the on the midway.

Track Schedule

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 6:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 4, two rounds at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 12 and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept 7.

The first round of the Funny Car All-Star Callout takes place at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the semifinals at 2:15 p.m. and the final round at 3:40 p.m. A special broadcast of the Callout takes place on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.

TV Schedule

Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 3 and 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and eliminations at 12 p.m. on FS1 on Monday, shifting to FOX at 2 p.m.

Race Results

Indianapolis	Race Result	Round by Round Results	Qualified	Event Record
2019 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Antron Brown	11th	0-1
2020	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2021	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2023	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2024	Did Not Compete	N/A	N/A	N/A
2025 (TF)	1st round	Lost to Kyle Wurtzel	2nd	0-2

Wins: 0

No. 1 Qualifiers: 0

Event Record: 0

2026 Results

Event	Qualify	Round by Round	Round Record	Points Position
Gainesville	8	Beat Jack Beckman, John Smith; lost to Chad Green	2-1	4
Phoenix	5	Beat Alexis DeJoria, lost to Matt Hagan	3-2	7
Pomona1	3	Beat Daniel Wilkerson, Chad Green; lost to Ron Capps	5-3	5
Charlotte	2	Won 1st quad; lost in 2nd quad	6-4	5
Valdosta	3	Beat Jeff Arend, Spencer Hyde, Hunter Green, Ron Capps	10-4	4
Chicago	10	Lost to Chad Green	10-5	5
Maryland	4	Beat Dave Richards, Chad Green; lost to Jack Beckman	12-6	5
Epping	1	Beat Jeff Arend, Chad Green, J.R. Todd; lost to Jack Beckman	15-7	4
Bristol	13	Beat Alexis DeJoria; lost to Ron Capps	16-8	4
Norwalk	11	Lost to J.R. Todd	16-9	5
Sonoma	1	Beat Jason Rupert, Matt Hagan, Austin Prock, Daniel Wilkerson	20-9	2
Seattle	9	Beat Spencer Hyde; lost to J.R. Todd	21-10	4
Brainerd	1	Bye, beat Alexis DeJoria, J.R. Todd; lost to Matt Hagan	24-11	2

###

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE Darlington RacewaySeptember 5-6, 2026

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Chevrolet’s championship title-defending campaign in the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series begins this Labor Day weekend as the sport heads to the historic venue tapped as “The Track Too Tough To Tame” – Darlington Raceway. Saturday night’s Fleetio 200 will launch the nine-race O’Reilly Series postseason schedule, while Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 kicks off the Cup Series’ 10-race run towards the coveted Bill France Cup. After a Daytona finale that reshuffled both fields, Chevrolet rolls into Darlington with a heavy contingent of title contenders across both series.

Chevrolet’s Southern 500 Pedigree: Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 carries its own distinct history for the Bowtie brand. Since the event’s inception in 1950, Chevrolet has claimed 29 Southern 500 victories, the most of any manufacturer in the crown jewel race’s history. Hendrick Motorsports alone accounts for 12 of those wins, also the most by any team. Career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, leads all drivers with six Southern 500 victories – a run that included four-in-a-row from 1995-98.  Chevrolet’s most recent Southern 500 winner is the series’ reigning champion, Kyle Larson, whose 2023 victory doubled as Chevrolet’s 44th all-time Cup Series win at Darlington and the milestone 500th all-time NASCAR national series win for the Hendrick Engine Department. In the Next Gen era, Chevrolet has won three of nine races at Darlington, including back-to-back Southern 500 triumphs with Erik Jones (2022) and Larson (2023), sandwiched around William Byron’s win in the track’s 2023 spring race. Two of those three Next Gen winners – Larson and Byron – return to Darlington this weekend as part of a five-car Chevrolet contingent in the Cup Series Chase field.

FIVE TEAM CHEVY DRIVERS SET FOR CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLEWith the 16-driver field officially complete, Chevrolet will send five drivers into battle for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Among those includes a pair of past champions, Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, with the duo leading the manufacturer into the postseason seeded in the seventh and eighth positions, respectively. Spire Motorsports, who is on the brink of their first-ever postseason appearance, will have two drivers in the title hunt with Daniel Suarez (11th) and Carson Hocevar (12th). Rounding out the Team Chevy lineup is the 13th seed, William Byron, who is set to embark on his eighth consecutive trip to the postseason.

Larson, Elliott Among Past Champions: Larson and Elliott have earned a spot on an elite list of just four past NASCAR Cup Series champions that are left to vie for the Bill France Cup. The pair have been staple names in postseason competition in recent years, with 2026 marking their 10th title-contending campaigns in NASCAR’s premier series. Larson, the reigning series champion, heads back to a racetrack where he’s found victory lane before. His 2023 Southern 500 win remains one of two active Chevrolet triumphs at Darlington, alongside Byron’s 2023 spring race win. Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, is still chasing his first Cup win at Darlington but arrives with two wins in the bank this season for Hendrick Motorsports.

Byron Taps Postseason Experience: Byron is no stranger to postseason pressure, with the Chevrolet driver coming off his third-consecutive postseason run that ended in a trip to the Championship Four. While still seeking his first trip to victory lane of the season, the No. 24 team knows its way around Darlington better than most of their competitors and will look to turn that track history into a bounce-back performance in the postseason opener. In six of his last eight starts at the track, the North Carolina native has turned in top-eight results, including his 2023 spring race win. In the Next Gen era, his average finish of 10.3 is third-best in the field.

Spire Motorsports’ First Postseason Appearance: For Spire Motorsports, it’s already been a season for the record books. Not only will this be the organization’s first appearance in the postseason, but they will send two drivers into the title hunt. Suarez punched his ticket on the strength of one of the strongest regular seasons of his Cup career, highlighted by a rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 win, while Hocevar, in just his third full-time season, is making his first career trip to the Chase.

CHEVROLET HITS DOUBLE-DIGITS IN THE O’REILLY CHASEA record season for Chevrolet in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is only just beginning as the manufacturer hit a near takeover of the postseason lineup. Ten of the 12 drivers who qualified for the nine-race Chase are Chevrolet-powered – headlined by JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, who enters as the No. 1 seed and a championship favorite after a career-high six-win regular season. His teammate, Carson Kvapil, enters second after wins at Indianapolis and Iowa. Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love and Austin Hill hold down the fourth and fifth seeds, while Haas Factory Team’s Sheldon Creed – now fielding Chevrolet’s after the organization’s manufacturer switch this season – rounds out the top-three. The Hendrick-backed rookie Corey Day and JR Motorsports’ Sammy Smith also transferred into the Chase prior to the regular season finale, entering their championship campaigns seeded seventh and eighth, respectively. Viking Motorsports’ Parker Retzlaff (ninth) and Haas Factory Team’s Sam Mayer (10th), who entered Daytona holding down provisional transfer spots, both raced their way into the field to give Chevrolet nine of the top-10 seeded positions.  One Chevrolet driver in particular delivers on the promise of last week: Rajah Caruth. Trailing the Chase cutline by 15 points entering Daytona, the young Team Chevy driver went on to score his first career O’Reilly Series pole and positioned himself in winning contention through much of the race. Despite a late-race spin that cost him a shot at a big finish, a strong points effort in the first-two stages was enough to lift the rookie into the 12th and final Chase seed – capping a solid first full-time season split across two different Chevrolet organizations.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·        Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Darlington Raceway:     Kyle Larson – one win (2023 Southern 500)William Byron – one win (May 2023)  ·        In 130 NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 44 victories. In nine events in the series’ Next Gen era, Chevrolet has earned three victories – recorded in consecutive events by Erik Jones (Sept. 2022), William Byron (May 2023) and Kyle Larson (Sept. 2023).  ·        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 169 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 73 victories – a winning percentage of 43.2%.  ·        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 Southern 500Sunday, Sept. 6, at 5:00 p.m. ETUSA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts SeriesFleetio 200Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. ETCW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

QUOTABLE QUOTES:Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletWhere does Darlington rank on your list of tracks?“Darlington is my favorite track. I’m very honest about that. I just love it so much. It’s a very challenging track and you have to hit your marks every single time. I want to win there so, so bad. I got the win in the Truck Series in 2024 and that was very special, but man, I really want a Cup win.” How do you like having the longer practice sessions?“I think it’s great. I know as a driver, I love making laps. I still am a fan, but when I was a strictly a fan and not a driver in the series, I loved watching cars on track. So 12-year-old Ross would be pumped to see cars on the track more for practice. As a driver, I think it’s great for us and it’s really great for the younger guys who don’t have much experience in Cup. With testing so limited, these extra few minutes everyone is getting is huge for race preparation.” Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat is the most challenging part of Darlington Raceway? “Probably just taking care of your stuff, taking care of tires, not stepping over the edge, and then you have to be on the edge to be fast, so it’s like a knife edge. You got guys that are going to run right against the fence, you got guys who are on the bottom, but there’s pace on both of those at different times of the race. You got to be comfortable switching lanes.”   What is the physical toll of racing at Darlington, and how demanding is it on you as a driver? “The precision that it takes, you’ll find yourself at times right up against the wall. Other times you’re underneath people in turn 4, which gets really tight. The bumps off of (turn) 4, you really have to stay on your game because one slip can knock you out of the race and put you in a bad position. You’re dancing the whole time on the edge of the intensity levels of what it takes to be good at Darlington.”   Talk about racing at Darlington Raceway and how much emphasis you place on that race?“Darlington is a place that you’re constantly fighting the track. The track changes with temperature, and the Southern 500 is a race where you’ve just got to work at every lap. You try and work your way to the top, and at times you can come off of it and work different lanes. It gets really tight off of turn 4. But it’s a really cool race because it’s so long, and its grueling and everyone wants to win the Southern 500.” You’ve won two Crown Jewel races. What would it mean to you to win this one?“It would be really cool to win the Southern 500 with the No. 3 Boot Barn Chevrolet. We’ve won a couple of big races – the Coke 600 and Daytona 500 – and the Southern 500 is kind of the three that you would really like to get. I would love to bring home that trophy and it would be an epic game changer for us this year.” How different is Darlington Raceway now compared to a couple of years ago when you finished second in the Southern 500?“It’s not much different. I think the car is the biggest thing. We’ve come a long way with the Next Gen car and it takes a little something different. So hopefully we hit on that with the No. 3 Boot Barn Chevrolet and go have some fun.”   Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletHow are you feeling heading into Darlington?“I’m really proud of my team and the work we’ve put in to get to this point. To start The Chase at Darlington, we have some good notes from the spring and a solid notebook to build from. The night race is always a lot of fun and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the track changes as the sun goes down. It’s supposed to be pretty hot, so I think the track is going to be tough on tires, which will make tire management a priority. Hopefully, we can take what we learned in the spring, make the right adjustments throughout the night, and put ourselves in a good position to start The Chase strong.”   Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on Darlington?“Darlington is one of those tracks that is so much fun to drive, but the race is also one of the longest inside the car. I just love racing against the racetrack there—the Lady in Black. It’s so tough, it’s such a challenge, and you always feel like as a driver you can make an extra difference at that racetrack. And it’s been one of the tracks that [I’ve] had some good results at too.” What is racing at Darlington like?“Darlington is one of the top two tracks on my list with Bristol. I love going to Darlington and how you feel like you’ve gone back in time with the old school track and old school vibe. It’s nice to go back to a track for the second time. It’s one of our longest races, and conditioning, especially in this late summer heat, is going to be a lot. I’m looking forward to it and have a lot of high hopes and confidence going into this weekend.”   AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletThey call Darlington Raceway “The Lady in Black” and “The Track Too Tough to Tame” for a reason. What do you think about going back there with your crew chief Trent Owens?“We’re going back to my crew chief’s (Trent Owens) home track for the second time this season. I’m very lucky to have Trent as my crew chief for many reasons and I feel like we’ve become really good friends over the last year and a half. When Chris Rice and I were talking at the start of the Cup program, when Justin (Haley) was full-time, about who we should get, he said I had the chance to get Trent. I’d worked with Trent at the 47 (formerly JTG Daugherty Racing), especially when he was with (Chris) Buescher, and I got to work with him for the last 10 races when I was there. I just thought he was so good. We had a great run at Darlington last August and finished fifth, but we had a difficult time earlier this year. We’ll do our best this weekend to get out of there with a respectable finish.” Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts entering your first Southern 500? “I have run a Cup race at Darlington before, but the package we are racing this weekend is completely different so I’m not sure there is much to transfer over. We have more horsepower and a smaller diffuser. It’s the package we’ve been running at tracks like Richmond, Iowa, and Nashville, so we have a base knowledge of what to expect. I think this package is going to play into my hands better though. You can still get tight in dirty air or get loose but it’s not as aggressive. It cuts it probably in half of how bad the dirty air is. If our Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet is good enough, we should be able to drive up through the field, especially with the tire fall-off. Even though the package is different, Darlington is still Darlington to me. How you approach the racetrack is going to be the same as the O’Reilly (Auto Parts Series) car, so that should be a positive. I’m pretty excited about it.”   Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet“We’re coming off a strong fifth-place finish at Daytona, so we want to carry that momentum into Darlington. It’s always a tough place, but we’re looking forward to the challenge and having Ram Self Storage back on the No. 47 Chevrolet. Hopefully we can put together another solid run.”   Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing ChevroletDarlington is known as the track “Too Tough To Tame.” What makes it so tough?“You’ve got a very old racetrack, high banking, high commitment, just running up super close to the wall in both corners of the track. So to be able to qualify well there, you basically hold your breath for a lap and a half. During the race, when you’re side-by-side with low grip and high commitment, things just happen super quick, especially coming off of turn two. And then the tire degradation – even 10, 15 laps into a run, you feel like you’ve been out there for 100 laps. To stay committed and have the focus you need to hit your marks lap after lap at Darlington is hard. And especially with an extra 100 miles compared to the spring race, it makes for a very tough race.”   Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletHow do you maximize the momentum from Daytona heading into The Chase as a driver who is not eligible for the title?“Daytona was a much-needed result for us. The last few weeks have been tough and we aren’t exactly where we want to be this season. Regardless, having two of our Spire Motorsports Chevrolets locked into The Chase is huge for us as an organization. Our No. 71 team wants to win, and that is still our goal while we keep building our notebook and focus on quality results that we can use as building blocks for next season. Darlington, especially the Southern 500, is such a fun race. Managing tires, running the wall, and watching the track transition from day to night makes for a great weekend all the way around. Hopefully, we can carry the momentum from last weekend into the final stretch of the season and finish 2026 strong.”   Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWith The Chase officially under way, does your mindset shift, at all, heading to Darlington and the final 10 races of the season?“I don’t think anything changes for us. We just get to enjoy it. It is Spire Motorsports’ first time as a part of The Chase, and we’ve got two of us in it. Us and the over 200 employees at Spire get to enjoy, have fun on the journey, and get to go racing for a championship. We are approaching it as we would any other race. Luke (Lambert, crew chief) has a lot of experience in The Chase, and so does Matt McCall (Cup Series Competition Director). No one expected Ryan Newman to make it all the way to Homestead and have a chance in 2014, but they were there, they were competitive, and they did it all with consistency. In that time, the format didn’t reward consistency, and now it does. That’s how we are going to look at it, and we will see how the chips fall while playing the hands we are dealt each week.” Does the Southern 500 have an atmosphere comparable to the other crown jewel events?“For me it does. I enjoy it. First off, I love to rip the fence at Darlington. Then as the run goes on, you really struggle as the tires wear out and you are just trying to hang on. A lot of my friends go to that one just because of the eye candy of the track. You have the old school feel, but you add in the sunset throughout the opening portion of the race, then pure under-the-lights racing for the second half. I think the track suits the nighttime racing more than the daytime, and the place always gets packed out for this one.”   Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletHow big of a thrill ride is racing at Darlington?“Darlington is definitely high on the fun meter. It took me a little bit to figure it out last year in the O’Reilly series. It was one of the few tracks where I qualified outside the top-10. I remember last year in Stage 1 I was running 20th and I was like man, this is difficult, like just trying to put your car in the right spot as the tires wear and making sure that you’re maximizing what you have. We made one adjustment and the next thing I know we were one of the fastest cars on the racetrack and I was driving through the field. It’s certainly one of the toughest tracks that we go to, probably the toughest, as a driver, just being able to manage your tires. After 30 to 40 laps on a tire run, it’s a handful.” Does the history at Darlington resonate with you?“Darlington has obviously got a lot of history and it’s cool for a guy like me who’s really young to go there and take that all in. You walk across the asphalt and you can tell it’s been around for a while. I definitely enjoy the old school feeling that Darlington has.”   Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletIf somebody had said to you at the start of the year you’d have a shot at making The Chase, what would your reaction have been?“I would have been pretty stoked (laughs). But obviously, you want the whole team to have the opportunity because that means the team is doing well. The reality is that we have struggled a bit, but I’m happy on the No. 97 side, personally, to have matched Ross (Chastain). We know how good he is on the ovals, and I think I’ve made a big jump this year to be able to match him most weeks. And obviously Connor (Zilisch), as well, is a huge talent, so to be comparable to those guys has been really cool for me this year. There’s a lot of hard work going on, but we definitely need to improve if we want to have that opportunity at making it (The Chase) next season.” Despite coming up short of making The Chase, how do you assess the season?“The season is not over yet, but I’m proud that I’m closer to my teammates on ovals. I’ve managed to have a pretty good year. Obviously, I want us to do better as a team, and as team we aren’t quite there yet. But we’ve made good improvement on the ovals, which is important.” What do the next 10 weeks look like for you and the No. 97 team?“I guess we can try things now, take a bit more risk and just have some fun, low stress. But also work to do the best we can and learn more about what we need out of the car at certain tracks and prepare for next season.”

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCEDarlington RacewaySeptember 5-6, 2026

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Chevrolet’s championship title-defending campaign in the NASCAR Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series begins this Labor Day weekend as the sport heads to the historic venue tapped as “The Track Too Tough To Tame” – Darlington Raceway. Saturday night’s Fleetio 200 will launch the nine-race O’Reilly Series postseason schedule, while Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 kicks off the Cup Series’ 10-race run towards the coveted Bill France Cup. After a Daytona finale that reshuffled both fields, Chevrolet rolls into Darlington with a heavy contingent of title contenders across both series.

Chevrolet’s Southern 500 Pedigree: Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 carries its own distinct history for the Bowtie brand. Since the event’s inception in 1950, Chevrolet has claimed 29 Southern 500 victories, the most of any manufacturer in the crown jewel race’s history. Hendrick Motorsports alone accounts for 12 of those wins, also the most by any team. Career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, leads all drivers with six Southern 500 victories – a run that included four-in-a-row from 1995-98.  Chevrolet’s most recent Southern 500 winner is the series’ reigning champion, Kyle Larson, whose 2023 victory doubled as Chevrolet’s 44th all-time Cup Series win at Darlington and the milestone 500th all-time NASCAR national series win for the Hendrick Engine Department. In the Next Gen era, Chevrolet has won three of nine races at Darlington, including back-to-back Southern 500 triumphs with Erik Jones (2022) and Larson (2023), sandwiched around William Byron’s win in the track’s 2023 spring race. Two of those three Next Gen winners – Larson and Byron – return to Darlington this weekend as part of a five-car Chevrolet contingent in the Cup Series Chase field.

FIVE TEAM CHEVY DRIVERS SET FOR CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLEWith the 16-driver field officially complete, Chevrolet will send five drivers into battle for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Among those includes a pair of past champions, Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, with the duo leading the manufacturer into the postseason seeded in the seventh and eighth positions, respectively. Spire Motorsports, who is on the brink of their first-ever postseason appearance, will have two drivers in the title hunt with Daniel Suarez (11th) and Carson Hocevar (12th). Rounding out the Team Chevy lineup is the 13th seed, William Byron, who is set to embark on his eighth consecutive trip to the postseason.

Larson, Elliott Among Past Champions: Larson and Elliott have earned a spot on an elite list of just four past NASCAR Cup Series champions that are left to vie for the Bill France Cup. The pair have been staple names in postseason competition in recent years, with 2026 marking their 10th title-contending campaigns in NASCAR’s premier series. Larson, the reigning series champion, heads back to a racetrack where he’s found victory lane before. His 2023 Southern 500 win remains one of two active Chevrolet triumphs at Darlington, alongside Byron’s 2023 spring race win. Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, is still chasing his first Cup win at Darlington but arrives with two wins in the bank this season for Hendrick Motorsports.

Byron Taps Postseason Experience: Byron is no stranger to postseason pressure, with the Chevrolet driver coming off his third-consecutive postseason run that ended in a trip to the Championship Four. While still seeking his first trip to victory lane of the season, the No. 24 team knows its way around Darlington better than most of their competitors and will look to turn that track history into a bounce-back performance in the postseason opener. In six of his last eight starts at the track, the North Carolina native has turned in top-eight results, including his 2023 spring race win. In the Next Gen era, his average finish of 10.3 is third-best in the field.

Spire Motorsports’ First Postseason Appearance: For Spire Motorsports, it’s already been a season for the record books. Not only will this be the organization’s first appearance in the postseason, but they will send two drivers into the title hunt. Suarez punched his ticket on the strength of one of the strongest regular seasons of his Cup career, highlighted by a rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 win, while Hocevar, in just his third full-time season, is making his first career trip to the Chase.

CHEVROLET HITS DOUBLE-DIGITS IN THE O’REILLY CHASEA record season for Chevrolet in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is only just beginning as the manufacturer hit a near takeover of the postseason lineup. Ten of the 12 drivers who qualified for the nine-race Chase are Chevrolet-powered – headlined by JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, who enters as the No. 1 seed and a championship favorite after a career-high six-win regular season. His teammate, Carson Kvapil, enters second after wins at Indianapolis and Iowa. Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love and Austin Hill hold down the fourth and fifth seeds, while Haas Factory Team’s Sheldon Creed – now fielding Chevrolet’s after the organization’s manufacturer switch this season – rounds out the top-three. The Hendrick-backed rookie Corey Day and JR Motorsports’ Sammy Smith also transferred into the Chase prior to the regular season finale, entering their championship campaigns seeded seventh and eighth, respectively. Viking Motorsports’ Parker Retzlaff (ninth) and Haas Factory Team’s Sam Mayer (10th), who entered Daytona holding down provisional transfer spots, both raced their way into the field to give Chevrolet nine of the top-10 seeded positions.  One Chevrolet driver in particular delivers on the promise of last week: Rajah Caruth. Trailing the Chase cutline by 15 points entering Daytona, the young Team Chevy driver went on to score his first career O’Reilly Series pole and positioned himself in winning contention through much of the race. Despite a late-race spin that cost him a shot at a big finish, a strong points effort in the first-two stages was enough to lift the rookie into the 12th and final Chase seed – capping a solid first full-time season split across two different Chevrolet organizations.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·        Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Darlington Raceway:     Kyle Larson – one win (2023 Southern 500)William Byron – one win (May 2023)  ·        In 130 NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 44 victories. In nine events in the series’ Next Gen era, Chevrolet has earned three victories – recorded in consecutive events by Erik Jones (Sept. 2022), William Byron (May 2023) and Kyle Larson (Sept. 2023).  ·        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 169 points-paying races in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 73 victories – a winning percentage of 43.2%.  ·        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 Southern 500Sunday, Sept. 6, at 5:00 p.m. ETUSA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90  NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts SeriesFleetio 200Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. ETCW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90

QUOTABLE QUOTES:Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletWhere does Darlington rank on your list of tracks?“Darlington is my favorite track. I’m very honest about that. I just love it so much. It’s a very challenging track and you have to hit your marks every single time. I want to win there so, so bad. I got the win in the Truck Series in 2024 and that was very special, but man, I really want a Cup win.” How do you like having the longer practice sessions?“I think it’s great. I know as a driver, I love making laps. I still am a fan, but when I was a strictly a fan and not a driver in the series, I loved watching cars on track. So 12-year-old Ross would be pumped to see cars on the track more for practice. As a driver, I think it’s great for us and it’s really great for the younger guys who don’t have much experience in Cup. With testing so limited, these extra few minutes everyone is getting is huge for race preparation.” Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat is the most challenging part of Darlington Raceway? “Probably just taking care of your stuff, taking care of tires, not stepping over the edge, and then you have to be on the edge to be fast, so it’s like a knife edge. You got guys that are going to run right against the fence, you got guys who are on the bottom, but there’s pace on both of those at different times of the race. You got to be comfortable switching lanes.”   What is the physical toll of racing at Darlington, and how demanding is it on you as a driver? “The precision that it takes, you’ll find yourself at times right up against the wall. Other times you’re underneath people in turn 4, which gets really tight. The bumps off of (turn) 4, you really have to stay on your game because one slip can knock you out of the race and put you in a bad position. You’re dancing the whole time on the edge of the intensity levels of what it takes to be good at Darlington.”   Talk about racing at Darlington Raceway and how much emphasis you place on that race?“Darlington is a place that you’re constantly fighting the track. The track changes with temperature, and the Southern 500 is a race where you’ve just got to work at every lap. You try and work your way to the top, and at times you can come off of it and work different lanes. It gets really tight off of turn 4. But it’s a really cool race because it’s so long, and its grueling and everyone wants to win the Southern 500.” You’ve won two Crown Jewel races. What would it mean to you to win this one?“It would be really cool to win the Southern 500 with the No. 3 Boot Barn Chevrolet. We’ve won a couple of big races – the Coke 600 and Daytona 500 – and the Southern 500 is kind of the three that you would really like to get. I would love to bring home that trophy and it would be an epic game changer for us this year.” How different is Darlington Raceway now compared to a couple of years ago when you finished second in the Southern 500?“It’s not much different. I think the car is the biggest thing. We’ve come a long way with the Next Gen car and it takes a little something different. So hopefully we hit on that with the No. 3 Boot Barn Chevrolet and go have some fun.”   Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports ChevroletHow are you feeling heading into Darlington?“I’m really proud of my team and the work we’ve put in to get to this point. To start The Chase at Darlington, we have some good notes from the spring and a solid notebook to build from. The night race is always a lot of fun and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the track changes as the sun goes down. It’s supposed to be pretty hot, so I think the track is going to be tough on tires, which will make tire management a priority. Hopefully, we can take what we learned in the spring, make the right adjustments throughout the night, and put ourselves in a good position to start The Chase strong.”   Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts on Darlington?“Darlington is one of those tracks that is so much fun to drive, but the race is also one of the longest inside the car. I just love racing against the racetrack there—the Lady in Black. It’s so tough, it’s such a challenge, and you always feel like as a driver you can make an extra difference at that racetrack. And it’s been one of the tracks that [I’ve] had some good results at too.” What is racing at Darlington like?“Darlington is one of the top two tracks on my list with Bristol. I love going to Darlington and how you feel like you’ve gone back in time with the old school track and old school vibe. It’s nice to go back to a track for the second time. It’s one of our longest races, and conditioning, especially in this late summer heat, is going to be a lot. I’m looking forward to it and have a lot of high hopes and confidence going into this weekend.”   AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing ChevroletThey call Darlington Raceway “The Lady in Black” and “The Track Too Tough to Tame” for a reason. What do you think about going back there with your crew chief Trent Owens?“We’re going back to my crew chief’s (Trent Owens) home track for the second time this season. I’m very lucky to have Trent as my crew chief for many reasons and I feel like we’ve become really good friends over the last year and a half. When Chris Rice and I were talking at the start of the Cup program, when Justin (Haley) was full-time, about who we should get, he said I had the chance to get Trent. I’d worked with Trent at the 47 (formerly JTG Daugherty Racing), especially when he was with (Chris) Buescher, and I got to work with him for the last 10 races when I was there. I just thought he was so good. We had a great run at Darlington last August and finished fifth, but we had a difficult time earlier this year. We’ll do our best this weekend to get out of there with a respectable finish.” Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing ChevroletWhat are your thoughts entering your first Southern 500? “I have run a Cup race at Darlington before, but the package we are racing this weekend is completely different so I’m not sure there is much to transfer over. We have more horsepower and a smaller diffuser. It’s the package we’ve been running at tracks like Richmond, Iowa, and Nashville, so we have a base knowledge of what to expect. I think this package is going to play into my hands better though. You can still get tight in dirty air or get loose but it’s not as aggressive. It cuts it probably in half of how bad the dirty air is. If our Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet is good enough, we should be able to drive up through the field, especially with the tire fall-off. Even though the package is different, Darlington is still Darlington to me. How you approach the racetrack is going to be the same as the O’Reilly (Auto Parts Series) car, so that should be a positive. I’m pretty excited about it.”   Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet“We’re coming off a strong fifth-place finish at Daytona, so we want to carry that momentum into Darlington. It’s always a tough place, but we’re looking forward to the challenge and having Ram Self Storage back on the No. 47 Chevrolet. Hopefully we can put together another solid run.”   Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing ChevroletDarlington is known as the track “Too Tough To Tame.” What makes it so tough?“You’ve got a very old racetrack, high banking, high commitment, just running up super close to the wall in both corners of the track. So to be able to qualify well there, you basically hold your breath for a lap and a half. During the race, when you’re side-by-side with low grip and high commitment, things just happen super quick, especially coming off of turn two. And then the tire degradation – even 10, 15 laps into a run, you feel like you’ve been out there for 100 laps. To stay committed and have the focus you need to hit your marks lap after lap at Darlington is hard. And especially with an extra 100 miles compared to the spring race, it makes for a very tough race.”   Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports ChevroletHow do you maximize the momentum from Daytona heading into The Chase as a driver who is not eligible for the title?“Daytona was a much-needed result for us. The last few weeks have been tough and we aren’t exactly where we want to be this season. Regardless, having two of our Spire Motorsports Chevrolets locked into The Chase is huge for us as an organization. Our No. 71 team wants to win, and that is still our goal while we keep building our notebook and focus on quality results that we can use as building blocks for next season. Darlington, especially the Southern 500, is such a fun race. Managing tires, running the wall, and watching the track transition from day to night makes for a great weekend all the way around. Hopefully, we can carry the momentum from last weekend into the final stretch of the season and finish 2026 strong.”   Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports ChevroletWith The Chase officially under way, does your mindset shift, at all, heading to Darlington and the final 10 races of the season?“I don’t think anything changes for us. We just get to enjoy it. It is Spire Motorsports’ first time as a part of The Chase, and we’ve got two of us in it. Us and the over 200 employees at Spire get to enjoy, have fun on the journey, and get to go racing for a championship. We are approaching it as we would any other race. Luke (Lambert, crew chief) has a lot of experience in The Chase, and so does Matt McCall (Cup Series Competition Director). No one expected Ryan Newman to make it all the way to Homestead and have a chance in 2014, but they were there, they were competitive, and they did it all with consistency. In that time, the format didn’t reward consistency, and now it does. That’s how we are going to look at it, and we will see how the chips fall while playing the hands we are dealt each week.” Does the Southern 500 have an atmosphere comparable to the other crown jewel events?“For me it does. I enjoy it. First off, I love to rip the fence at Darlington. Then as the run goes on, you really struggle as the tires wear out and you are just trying to hang on. A lot of my friends go to that one just because of the eye candy of the track. You have the old school feel, but you add in the sunset throughout the opening portion of the race, then pure under-the-lights racing for the second half. I think the track suits the nighttime racing more than the daytime, and the place always gets packed out for this one.”   Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletHow big of a thrill ride is racing at Darlington?“Darlington is definitely high on the fun meter. It took me a little bit to figure it out last year in the O’Reilly series. It was one of the few tracks where I qualified outside the top-10. I remember last year in Stage 1 I was running 20th and I was like man, this is difficult, like just trying to put your car in the right spot as the tires wear and making sure that you’re maximizing what you have. We made one adjustment and the next thing I know we were one of the fastest cars on the racetrack and I was driving through the field. It’s certainly one of the toughest tracks that we go to, probably the toughest, as a driver, just being able to manage your tires. After 30 to 40 laps on a tire run, it’s a handful.” Does the history at Darlington resonate with you?“Darlington has obviously got a lot of history and it’s cool for a guy like me who’s really young to go there and take that all in. You walk across the asphalt and you can tell it’s been around for a while. I definitely enjoy the old school feeling that Darlington has.”   Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing ChevroletIf somebody had said to you at the start of the year you’d have a shot at making The Chase, what would your reaction have been?“I would have been pretty stoked (laughs). But obviously, you want the whole team to have the opportunity because that means the team is doing well. The reality is that we have struggled a bit, but I’m happy on the No. 97 side, personally, to have matched Ross (Chastain). We know how good he is on the ovals, and I think I’ve made a big jump this year to be able to match him most weeks. And obviously Connor (Zilisch), as well, is a huge talent, so to be comparable to those guys has been really cool for me this year. There’s a lot of hard work going on, but we definitely need to improve if we want to have that opportunity at making it (The Chase) next season.” Despite coming up short of making The Chase, how do you assess the season?“The season is not over yet, but I’m proud that I’m closer to my teammates on ovals. I’ve managed to have a pretty good year. Obviously, I want us to do better as a team, and as team we aren’t quite there yet. But we’ve made good improvement on the ovals, which is important.” What do the next 10 weeks look like for you and the No. 97 team?“I guess we can try things now, take a bit more risk and just have some fun, low stress. But also work to do the best we can and learn more about what we need out of the car at certain tracks and prepare for next season.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series StatisticsManufacturer Championships:Total (1949-2025): 44First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)Most recent: 2025 Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Driver Championships:Total (1949-2025): 34First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most recent: Kyle Larson (2025)Driver and Manufacturer Championship Sweeps: 29 Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2025 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)                2026 STATISTICS:                                                                                                    Wins: 6Poles: 6Laps Led: 1,859Top-Fives: 43Top-10s: 89Stage Wins: 18 CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 887 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 772Laps led to date: 258,593Top-fives to date: 4,479Top-10s to date: 9,240                                                                                                          Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,221           Chevrolet: 887           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 854                                                                                          Ford: 754           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 217

NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day Team Chevy Driver Quotes September 2, 2026

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet – 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day Quotes

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

NASCAR Cup SeriesChase Media DayTeam Chevy Driver QuotesSeptember 2, 2026

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet – 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day Quotes

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

On the extra noise/attention:“Whether we run good or bad, there always seems to be some sort of talking point. But I enjoy it, I think it’s funny a lot of times. Hopefully it’s entertaining for the fans and TV and everybody. I’d much rather talk about something than nothing.” On whether he’s changed:“I haven’t really had to change much. I just always think it’s crazy that anybody would buy any merch. At Daytona, I decided I’d go get a Kona Ice and just take my golf cart, and the guys around me were freaking out that I was going to go by myself without security. It doesn’t click that there would be a crowd. I could probably get away with saying some answers now that I wouldn’t have been able to before, so it’s been fun.”  On the incident in the regular season finale race at Daytona: “Everybody I talked to said there’s a lot less downforce on the nose and a lot more lift behind people. Preece even went on podcasts saying it almost happened to him. I’d never gotten loose at a superspeedway in this car before, normally you’re always super stuck. My spotter was laughing, saying it looked like I blew a tire. These cars are super aero-sensitive, and once it got loose, it was over. I moved about 30 feet earlier in the corner, but I wasn’t all the way in the banking to put load on the front. I’d do it the same way all over again, knowing what I knew then, but I’d be a little more aware of it now.”  On the No. 77 team’s mentality heading into the Chase:  “Our team moral or motto is we’re playing with house money. Luke (Lambert) and Matt McCall were on that 31 team in 2014, and that’s how they approached it, and they finished second. I’m not going to look at the points until the end. They’ll let me know when I walk up at the banquet where I finished.”  On the tracks in the Chase:  “The faster tracks are better for us. Talladega is exciting. The most difficult one is going to be Martinsville for us, but all the other ones, we’ve run top-five or top-10. I feel good about them excitement-level wise.”  Inaudible…“I think it’s been healthy for all of them. They’ve been wanting to do that for a long time, and that’s been very good. There’s been a lot of turnaround on the 7 car, so it’s great for the 7 team that they are getting some positive reinforcement.”  On the Days of Thunder 2 Announcement:  “That was actually the first time I met him (Tom Cruise). We were trying to line up with his team on when to meet him, and his security guard came and grabbed me and stood me right in front of him. I was talking to the sailors earlier, and they were fans of me. He was going down the line of sailors and kind of glanced over to see if there was another one. He looked back and realized it was me. They were telling me, “When he sees you, he’s going to recognize you. He loves you.” That’s super cool, that’s fun. It’s been super cool to put my input into the movie; give ideas and video clips from real-life moments from the last 20 years that haven’t known have existed.”  On racing for the fans: “I’m a fan myself, and we race for the fans. We appreciate them. I’m thankful my owner lets me do the fun things I do. He appreciates them (fans) just as much as I do. We get to race how I want to race, and that seems to be entertaining. I want to make this journey and Cup thing as fun as I want to make it. If I’m having fun, I think a lot of people enjoy watching me have fun.”  On starting the Chase at Darlington, where he’s had good results: “That helps. I’m excited for that because we started last at that race, too. Darlington has been a good for us. We finished ninth last year and spun out at one point because we were so bad. We made a lot of adjustments that day and I’m looking forward to Darlington because it’s a really fun one to race.”   On balancing the fun and competition:“The day before we won Talladega, we took three $500 cars and raced the hell out of them a dirt bike track. Mine blew up, so we put it at the top of the hill, put a rock on the gas pedal and sent it off a cliff just to see what happens, and we won the next day. (Sarcastically) I guess I was pretty distracted there too, but it worked out. Not everybody sees that side of things. From a racer’s perspective, there always has to be a reason for anything, whether you’re running good or bad, magically, “if you look at the data five more minutes, you’ll go faster.” I just enjoy it. It’s just common for me to have fun and perform well while doing it.”

NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day Team Chevy Driver Quotes September 2, 2026

Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet – 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day Quotes

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NASCAR Cup SeriesChase Media DayTeam Chevy Driver QuotesSeptember 2, 2026

Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet – 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day Quotes

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Inaudible… “I’m always looking forward to the next one. I think, overall at Spire Motorsports, we have shown a lot of speed in on the high downforce racetracks. We still have a little bit of work to do on the low downforce racetracks. I mean, with that being said, we also race very well in Darlington and that’s a low downforce track. Hopefully we can get our package a little bit better for low downforce tracks.”   How do you feel about the performance of the No. 7 team during the regular season? “You know, I try not to think about it too much. I’m so focused on the next 10 races that, honestly, I haven’t really sat down and thought about how good of a job we did as a team in the regular season. The only reason why I’m thinking about it right now is because several people have asked me that today. I’m very proud of the effort. With that being said, I still don’t want to think about it too much because, in my mind, the job is not done yet. We still have a quarter of the season left and that’s the most important one. Hopefully we can continue to grow, continue to learn and continue to improve on this No. 7 team.”    On his mindset heading into the postseason: “I think that the main thing is that you have to control what you can control. Sometimes, as a driver, we want to do too much and there’s only so much that is under our control. You know, the only car I can control out there is the No. 7 car and the No. 7 team. I don’t care about what the other guys are doing or not doing. We have to just control what we can control, and if we can focus on that and maximize that, I feel that we’re going to be in a pretty good spot.”    On being on baby watch to start the Chase: “That’s an important question, man. Listen, obviously this is the first time that we’re going through this, right? But right now, Julia is extremely normal. It’s extremely normal. Yesterday, we had a meeting with our doula and I asked her — I said, hey, what are the chances that the baby comes this weekend? And she said, obviously you never know, but I think that’s pretty low, just because she’s not having a lot of issues yet.  So, yes, we’re on baby watch, but I will be surprised if it happens in the next few days. I think for the next handful of days, I think we’re okay. And then after that, getting into Gateway, I think things are going to start getting a little more serious.”   Inaudible…“Yeah, obviously every racetrack is quite different, right? Every racetrack is very unique. But like I said earlier, you know, it’s going to be very important just to maximize your potential. If you have an amazing start in Darlington, great, continue that momentum. But if you don’t, you have to flip the page. You know, I always tell people this all the time — regardless of what happens on Sunday in the race, on Monday, you have to start the journey all over again. It’s very important to recognize that because if you win or you lose, you have to start all over again. So it’s going to be very important to recognize that and work towards that for 10 weeks.”    On his first season with Spire Motorsports: “Yeah, I mean, obviously we work very hard as a team to build fast racecars. We have a lot of men and women that work very, very hard at Spire Motorsports. I feel very privileged to be able to have fast cars. I know how important that is. Last year was difficult. And if you think about it, I’m the same driver, it’s just a different team, different people, different structure, different culture. And now, here we are in the Chase. We almost finished in the top-10 of the regular season, so it’s pretty remarkable. I’m very proud of that. I think I just told you how important it is to be in the right place with the right people around you. That’s with everything in life. Not just in racing, but with everything in life. You have to find the right people around you to be able to be successful. I feel very proud to be an important piece for Spire Motorsports.”   On working with his teammates: “You know, Carson (Hocevar) is a very talented driver. He can make a lot of speed out of the cars. But he still has to learn that to be able to win races and championships, it’s not just about one lap. It’s not just about one pit stop. It’s not just about going fast. You have to be a good team leader. You have to be able to put the entire team together. That’s something that he’s learning with time. You know, this is only his third season, I think, in the Cup Series. He’s still learning all these things. I believe that he has tremendous potential, but he has to continue to be humble, continue to grow and continue to get better and better. I believe that’s something that — I don’t know if he sees these things this way, but I believe that the No. 7 team has made the No. 77 team way better this year because now he has another strong team that are pushing each other. The No. 77 team has obviously made the No. 71 team better, as well. That healthy competition is something that’s extremely important. Michael (McDowell), I believe that he’s a very, very good driver, and hopefully, we can bring Michael into this group, as well, so we can have three strong teams pushing each other every single week.”    What do you credit towards Spire Motorsports recent success? “Honestly, I think the Hendrick Motorsports alliance is an important piece of this puzzle for Spire Motorsports to be successful, but that’s not everything. That’s one of the things that I have been the most impressed about Spire, how much speed is actually made in-house. You know, this team does a great job with that. I don’t think Spire actually sometimes gets enough credit with the kind of speed and people that we have in-house.  I’m very proud of Spire Motorsports with the growth and how things are getting better. But we have to stay humble. We have to stay moving forward and stay hungry. You know, that’s very important. My goal is not to just make the Chase. My goal is to be strong in the Chase. I have made the postseason several times. I think that’s very cool, but we want to be real contenders. I would be lying to you if I told you that, right now, we’re the favorites to win the championship. But I think that we have to have that mentality to always continue to get better and better.”

NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day Team Chevy Driver Quotes September 2, 2026

Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet – 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day Quotes

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

NASCAR Cup SeriesChase Media DayTeam Chevy Driver QuotesSeptember 2, 2026

Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet – 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase Media Day Quotes

MEDIA RESOURCES: Photo Gallery | Race AdvancesChevrolet Newsroom

Inaudible…“I don’t even know what the third track is, but yeah, I don’t know. It’s just important to get good runs in at every track. Obviously, if you can start the Chase off with some solid results, some solid points, you’ll just give yourself better hope throughout it. I mean, 10 weeks is a long time, but I think you can quickly feel like you’re out of it and you don’t want to do that.”   On how he feels going into the postseason: “I don’t know, I’m not as confident as I’ve been, for sure, in other years. But I wasn’t, honestly, sitting here that confident last year, and we were able to win the championship. I know there’s a path to do it. We did it last year without winning a race in the final 10 races, and we weren’t even really all that consistent, from what I remember. I think if we can be ultra-consistent in these final 10 races, there’s no doubt that I could see ourselves winning the championship.  I mean, I could also see ourselves winning four or five races in the Chase. You know, things have to go perfect, but we do have a lot of good tracks for us in these final 10. We just need to execute at a high level, and I think our team is definitely capable of that. We’ll try and do our best.”    Inaudible…“Yeah, I mean, the good thing is we’ve gotten to live through 26 races of it. I know it’s not with the pressure of the final 10, but still, you get to realize how much consistency really matters. You know, there was a point before we started having our 30th-place finishes where it was like, man, we could get to third in points in the regular season. And then, come Daytona, we had an opportunity to finish 12th in the regular season points. So yeah, it can quickly kind of go either direction. We rattled off a good string of races with four top-fives in a row. We scored a lot more points than I think even Denny (Hamlin) had at that point. So yeah, we just have to work hard at it.”    On the different tracks in the Chase: “Gateway would be a track that doesn’t really tend to suit our style of setup and stuff. But we were really good there last year. I actually thought that we were maybe the best car there last year, just the strategy got away from us.  And then, I don’t know, Talladega could go great or go bad. Phoenix, we suck, so I’m glad that’s not the final race anymore (laughs). We were horrible there, so that’s maybe our worst track on the schedule.”   Inaudible…“I don’t think it changes the way I think about a race or approach a race. You show up and do the best job you can every week. I mean, there’s no guarantee that I’m going win a dirt race when I show up either. So, it’s the same at a NASCAR race. I feel like I have a better opportunity sometimes, but this series is just really tough and the teams are good. There’s a team or two that are just way faster than everybody right now. So, we as a team, are working really hard to get back to that point to make wins a lot easier, like they once were. I mean, I think for me, again, you’re just trying to do the best job you can. You realize early on in the race kind of where you’re at for speed and stuff and you adjust your sort of expectations and goals mid-race to that. And then, you try to match it or do better.   On racing at Gateway: “I mean, Gateway, I don’t look at Richmond as really mattering towards that. It’s a totally different surface, totally different track, everything. There’s nothing like it. I think, last year, we were actually really good at Gateway, so I look more at that. Do I think that we’ll be the best car going again this year? I don’t know…hopefully. We have a good baseline for that track. I think it’s pretty solid.”   Inaudible… “Well, I mean, the ceiling is a championship. We’ve done it twice. I know it’s a previous format, but we would have done it in this format last year. There’s still a way to do it. So, absolutely, I think we can win the championship. It’s going to be tougher than most years, just with where we are at with the speed and deficit in points. But it’s absolutely doable.”    On the change for the postseason format: “I think for the sport, I’m happy with the change, for sure. And then, also, I mean, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m going to show up and race whatever format they bring. But I think this format, so far, has proven to be really exciting still.”    Inaudible… “Well, I mean, you can recognize it your whole career. I feel like, when I was back at Ganassi, there were a lot of weekends where I would go to the racetrack knowing I would have no shot to win. But you have other goals, you know? So, it’s all kind of the same. It’s just, where’s that bar leading into that weekend?  But I think this year, I think it’s fair to lower your expectations a little bit some weekends, just based off where you’re at realistically. And I think that, a lot of times, that can help you execute better days, you know? You’re not reaching for something that’s not reachable. I think we’re in a really, really good spot as a team. We’re continuing to get our cars better. You know, we have gotten our cars better. I feel like from where we were in April, or even early May, we’re way better. I’m proud of our team for that, and we still have 10 weeks to get better. 10 weeks is a long time.”   On the pressure heading into the Chase: “I don’t know how I feel, either way. You know, I’ve come into playoffs before as the number one seed, and I didn’t feel any more or less pressure then than I do now. It’s just about trying to execute on a high level and try to do a good job. I just enjoy this time of year. It’s fun for all of us to be a part of it.  Do I feel like we’re flying under the radar? No. You just kind of go out there and focus on yourself and try to do the best you can.”    On the announcement of Days of Thunder 2: “Oh, I don’t know. I mean, it’s whatever they want. I think it would be a cool opportunity, for sure, but I’m also not an actor, so I don’t want to make the film worse. It was awesome to get the opportunity to meet him (Tom Cruise). He’s a celebrity like I’ve never met before in my life. You could tell he was different than the rest of us, in a cool way, like really, really cool. We got to meet him in a prior meeting before the driver’s meeting, and it was just cool to hear him talk about us. He kind of already knows a little bit about us, so I thought that was neat. I look forward to kind of seeing the process of them making a movie and having, hopefully, us involved in some form or fashion of helping to build a storyline, be a part of the movie or whatever. I would love them (Hendrick Motorsports) to be involved, and I don’t think there’s another team in the sport that would do as much or as good of a job of helping build the best film possible than Hendrick Motorsports. They just go above and beyond on everything, and they have the experience of helping out with the last one. I haven’t heard if they’re a part of it or not. I hope they are. I think that’d be just really cool and awesome to see that kind of happening within the walls of Hendrick Motorsports. I hope they can do something to work it out to be a part of it because I think it would make the movie even better.”    Is the pressure different in this format compared to the previous? “Yeah, it’s probably a different pressure, for sure. I mean, you wanted to be consistent in the previous format so you didn’t want to have to rely on wins. Thankfully, I don’t think I was ever in a must-win situation in my time of being in a competitive car in the playoffs, so I don’t really know what that pressure is like. But for me, I think it’s pretty straightforward. You want to maximize your days in any format, so we’re going to try and do that.”

BRANDON, SD (September 2, 2026) – The world’s best Sprint Car drivers are heading to Brandon, SD for a huge tripleheader this Labor Day weekend.

The L.G. Everist Huset’s Shootout brings the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series back to Huset’s Speedway for three big nights, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 4-6. A pair of $15,000-to-win prelims will set the stage for a $25,000-to-win Sunday showdown at the 1/3 mile.

Fans can expect an interesting format for the tripleheader. The two prelims will utilize the standard World of Outlaws format, but they’ll set the stage for a unique finale with inverted Heat Races and passing points helping line up the Feature. For the complete format, CLICK HERE.

No days off for The Greatest Show on Dirt this Labor Day weekend. All eyes are on Huset’s.

BUY THREE-DAY HUSET’S TICKET PACKAGE HERE
BUY FRIDAY HUSET’S TICKETS HERE
BUY SATURDAY HUSET’S TICKETS HERE
BUY SUNDAY HUSET’S TICKETS HERE

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVision

Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:

MONEYMEN

A pair of drivers have made some hefty deposits to their bank accounts over the last few years thanks to Huset’s Speedway.

The first is Michael “Buddy” Kofoid. A devastating mechanical issue while leading the 2023 Huset’s High Bank Nationals lit a fire under him and Roth Motorsports that keeps on burning. Since then, Huset’s has hosted five races offering a six-figure winner’s check, and Kofoid has claimed four of them. The big paydays are only a piece of the Penngrove, CA native’s overall success in Brandon, SD. Overall, he’s won seven of the last 11 World of Outlaws Features at Huset’s. The first of his career also came there in 2022.

The second is two-time and defending Series champion David Gravel. He and Big Game Motorsports kept Tod Quiring’s money in house when they cashed in for $250,000 at the 2023 High Bank Nationals. Then, they did it again when the winner’s share climbed to a record $300,000. Overall, Gravel boasts five Huset’s victories in the Big Game No. 2.

GUNS BLAZIN’

Kofoid and Gravel are far from the only World of Outlaws drivers capable of cleaning up at the Huset’s Shootout.

Donny Schatz has found success at nearly every track he’s ever visited, and Huset’s is no exception. The 1/3 mile is responsible for four of his 317 career wins. The CJB Motorsports No. 15 finished on the podium during the final two nights of this year’s High Bank Nationals.

Sheldon Haudenschild is a fellow four-time Huset’s victor. His first three came with Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing before adding one with KCP Racing in June. Haudenschild heads to Huset’s third in the standings, trailing Kofoid by 40 markers.

He’s never won a World of Outlaws event there, but Garet Williamson topped a trio of local Huset’s races before joining The Greatest Show on Dirt. The Fischer Motorsports pilot is fresh off securing his first Series checkered flag at River Cities Speedway.

Carson Macedo’s résumé lists two Huset’s triumphs since joining forces with Jason Johnson Racing (2022 and 2024). They’ll roll into South Dakota with the momentum of four podiums in the last five races.

Logan Schuchart and the Shark Racing No. 1S team snagged a High Bank Nationals prelim in 2023. They stumbled a bit over the weekend in North Dakota, but they’ve still been one of the hottest teams all summer with 14 top fives in the last 20 races.

Spencer Bayston took the CJB Motorsports No. 5 to Huset’s Victory Lane in 2022. The Lebanon, IN native wheeled the Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing No. 17 to a pair of top fives over the weekend in North Dakota.

It wasn’t in a Sprint Car, but Chris Windom grabbed a pair of Huset’s trophies in 2021 with the USAC National Midgets. He’ll chase another this weekend in the Sides Motorsports No. 7S.

TWENTY

A milestone of parity was hit over the weekend in North Dakota as 2026 continues to inch toward a record.

Garet Williamson’s popular first Series win made him the 20th different driver to visit Victory Lane this year with the World of Outlaws. That means 2026 is only the 10th time in 49 seasons of history that at least 20 competitors have topped a race. The record of 25 set in 2004 isn’t out of reach with more than 20 races left on the calendar.

Looking ahead to this weekend at Huset’s and who could be number 21, Bill Balog immediately stands out. Last year the “North Pole Nightmare” topped a High Bank Nationals prelim and followed it up with a runner-up in the finale. Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year presented by Five Star Bodies leader Emerson Axsom could also add his name. He led laps and finished third at Huset’s in 2024. Cole Macedo is still hunting his first Series victory. His best Huset’s effort is fifth in June this year.

ROOKIE ON A ROLL

Every rookie World of Outlaws campaign is bound to bring some bumps along the way, but Emerson Axsom and Klaasmeyer/Petry Motorsports are starting to piece together a solid run.

Axsom’s current top-10 streak of five straight is by far his most consistent stretch of the season. The No. 27 has reeled off finishes of 10th at Ogilvie Raceway, fifth at Jackson Motorplex, sixth at River Cites Speedway, sixth at Fix It Forward Speedway, and eighth at Nodak Speedway. That’s an average result of seventh on the dot.

Axsom sits 12th in points as he cruises toward becoming the next Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year presented by Five Star Bodies. Looking at the standings, Axsom climbing a few spots before the year is over isn’t unrealistic. Bill Balog is 11th and only 22 points in front, and then it’s Spencer Bayston in 10th (48 points ahead), Chris Windom in ninth (74 points ahead), and Cole Macedo in eighth (118 points ahead).

TIMMS’ TURF

There’s another driver with a strong chance to add his name to the list of 2026 winners this weekend, and his name is Ryan Timms.

The 20-year-old may be from Oklahoma City, OK, but Huset’s has become de facto home turf for him over the last couple of years. Timms linked with Liebig Motorsports, a team based in Rapid City, SD, and the pairing has become one of the country’s top combinations among those that follow a pick-and-choose schedule.

This year Timms has taken the No. 10 to 15 total victories, including a dozen in 410 competition. Timms’ 12 trails only Chase Dietz (18) and Aaron Reutzel (14). He’s fresh off locking up track championships at both Huset’s Speedway and Knoxville Raceway. It marked his second year in a row taking the Huset’s title.

Now, Timms and Shane Liebig’s crew aim to protect home turf with the best of the best coming to town. Timms is yet to top the World of Outlaws at Huset’s, but he’s come close with a pair of podiums, including a 2024 runner-up.

Timms will lead the charge of many Huset’s regulars in search of success on the big stage.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE 
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 4-6 at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, SD

AROUND THE TURN
Friday, Sept. 11 at Belleville High Banks in Belleville, KS (TICKETS)
Saturday, Sept. 12 at Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, KS (TICKETS)
Monday, Sept. 14 at El Paso County Raceway in Calhan, CO (TICKETS)

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (57/81 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (7288 PTS)
2. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-170 PTS)
3. Sheldon Haudenschild – KCP Racing No. 18 (-210 PTS)
4. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-248 PTS)
5. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-318 PTS)
6. Donny Schatz – CJB Motorsports No. 15 (-536 PTS)
7. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-580 PTS)
8. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-876 PTS)
9. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-920 PTS)
10. Spencer Bayston – Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing No. 17 (-946 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (20 Drivers):
11 Wins – Michael Kofoid
10 Wins – David Gravel
8 Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Wins – Carson Macedo
3 Wins – Anthony Macri, Logan Schuchart
1 Win – Spencer Bayston, Donny Schatz, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Brent Marks, Bryce Lucius, Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Chris Windom, Kyle Larson, Garet Williamson

FEATURE LAPS LED (30 Drivers):
345 Laps Led – David Gravel
303 Laps Led – Michael Kofoid
164 Laps Led – Logan Schuchart
141 Laps Led – Carson Macedo
110 Laps Led – Garet Williamson
107 Laps Led – Sheldon Haudenschild
59 Laps Led – Kyle Larson
58 Laps Led – Bill Balog
56 Laps Led – Anthony Macri
40 Laps Led – Aaron Reutzel, Chris Windom
37 Laps Led – Tyler Courtney
35 Laps Led – Donny Schatz
33 Laps Led – Brady Bacon, Rico Abreu
30 Laps Led – Corey Day, Chase Dietz
28 Laps Led – Ryan Timms
25 Laps Led – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne
21 Laps Led – Kasey Jedrzejek
17 Laps Led – Spencer Bayston
16 Laps Led – Bryce Lucius
15 Laps Led – Christopher Thram
12 Laps Led – Cole Macedo
11 Laps Led – Giovanni Scelzi, Emerson Axsom
7 Laps Led – Brian Brown
6 Laps Led – Brock Zearfoss
3 Laps Led – Brent MarksPODIUM FINISHES (34 Drivers):
26 Podiums – David Gravel
24 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
22 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
17 Podiums – Carson Macedo
10 Podiums – Logan Schuchart
8 Podiums – Garet Williamson
6 Podiums – Donny Schatz
4 Podiums – Ryan Timms, Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu, Bill Balog
3 Podiums – Spencer Bayston, Aaron Reutzel
2 Podiums – Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Tyler Courtney, Giovanni Scelzi, Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne
1 Podium – Ashton Torgerson, Scott Bogucki, Emerson Axsom, Brad Sweet, Justin Whittall, Troy Wagaman Jr., Kasey Jedrzejek, Brent Marks, Bryce Lucius, Corey Day, Daryn Pittman, Logan Rumsey, Chris Windom, Kelby Watt, Kyle Larson

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (21 Drivers):
21 Quick Times – David Gravel
5 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild
4 Quick Times – Bill Balog
3 Quick Times – Logan Schuchart, Michael Kofoid, Brady Bacon
2 Quick Times – Kasey Jedrzejek
1 Quick Time – Ashton Torgerson, Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Justin Henderson, Chase Dietz, Carson Macedo, Daryn Pittman, Logan Rumsey, Kasey Kahne, Tanner Thorson

HEAT RACE WINNERS (57 Drivers):
32 Heat Wins – David Gravel
23 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
17 Heat Wins – Bill Balog
16 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
12 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart
9 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid, Garet Williamson
8 Heat Wins – Emerson Axsom
6 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz, Spencer Bayston
4 Heat Wins – Cole Macedo, Rico Abreu, Brent Marks
3 Heat Wins – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Aaron Reutzel, Giovanni Scelzi, Anthony Macri, Kerry Madsen, Ryan Timms, Christopher Thram
2 Heat Wins – Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Jacob Hughes, Tyler Courtney, Justin Whittall, Daryn Pittman, Kelby Watt, Brock Zearfoss, Rees Moran, Steven Snyder Jr. Bryce Lucius, Chris Windom
1 Heat Win – Justin Peck, Tanner Holmes, Scotty Thiel, Will Armitage, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Chad Trout, Joel Myers Jr., Andy Pake, Sam Henderson, Dayne Kingshott, Daison Pursley, Terry McCarl, Kyle Larson, Brady Bacon, Brent Shearer, Logan Rumsey, James McFadden, Danny Sams III, Riley Goodno, Chris Martin, Ayrton Gennetten, Carson McCarl

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (68 Drivers):
39 Dashes – David Gravel
36 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
27 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
23 Dashes – Carson Macedo
21 Dashes – Bill Balog
19 Dashes – Garet Williamson
16 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
12 Dashes – Emerson Axsom
10 Dashes – Donny Schatz, Cole Macedo
8 Dashes – Spencer Bayston
7 Dashes – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Chris Windom
6 Dashes – Aaron Reutzel
5 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Ryan Timms, Brent Marks, Chase Dietz
4 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Brady Bacon, Logan Rumsey, Kelby Watt
3 Dashes – Kerry Madsen, Tanner Holmes, Justin Henderson, Daryn Pittman, Bryce Lucius, Christopher Thram
2 Dashes – Scotty Thiel, Kasey Kahne, Troy Wagaman Jr., Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Austin McCarl, Joe B. Miller, Brenham Crouch, Conner Morrell, Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson, Justin Whittall, Cory Eliason, Skylar Gee
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Brock Zearfoss, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Rees Moran, Bryce Norris, Brad Sweet, Danny Dietrich, Logan Rumsey, Kody Hartlaub, Freddie Rahmer, Chad Trout, Giovanni Scelzi, Joel Myers Jr., Andy Pake, Tanner Thorson, Corey Day, D.J. Christie, Ricky Peterson, Lance Dewease, Brent Shearer, Dylan Norris, Steven Snyder Jr., Gage Pulkrabek, Sam Henderson

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (35 Drivers):
4 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz, Garet Williamson
3 LCS Wins – Spencer Bayston, Emerson Axsom
2 LCS Wins – Michael Kofoid, Chris Windom, Giovanni Scelzi, Cole Macedo, Skylar Gee, Logan Schuchart, Tyler Courtney
1 LCS Wins – Cameron Martin, Bill Balog, Blake Hahn, Landon Crawley, Bryce Norris, Doug Hammaker, Daryn Pittman, Kerry Madsen, Justin Henderson, Joel Myers Jr., Daison Pursley, Zane DeVault, Logan Julien, Jordan Poirier, Matt Farnham, Jordan Thomas, Dylan Norris, Justin Whittall, Brent Shearer, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Lynton Jeffrey, Kelby Watt, Jacob Peterson

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (25 Drivers):
7 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid, Logan Schuchart
6 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
4 Hard Chargers – Spencer Bayston
3 Hard Chargers – Chris Windom
2 Hard Chargers – Garet Williamson, Cole Macedo, Ashton Torgerson, Sheldon Haudenschild
1 Hard Charger – Giovanni Scelzi, Ryan Timms, Brady Bacon, Tyler Ross, Cameron Smith, David Gravel, Emerson Axsom, Logan Julien, Tyler Courtney, Kasey Jedrzejek, James McFadden, Danny Dietrich, Corey Day, J.J. Hickle, Tanner Holmes

ACME FASTEST LAP AWARDS (26 Drivers):
8 Fastest Laps – Michael Kofoid
7 Fastest Laps – David Gravel
6 Fastest Laps – Logan Schuchart
4 Fastest Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild 
3 Fastest Laps – Carson Macedo, Bill Balog
2 Fastest Laps – Brady Bacon, Aaron Reutzel, Kasey Jedrzejek, Garet Williamson, Anthony Macri, Kyle Larson
1 Fastest Lap – Brock Zearfoss, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms, Brad Sweet, Kelby Watt, Kasey Kahne, Giovanni Scelzi, Rico Abreu, Christopher Thram, Bryce Lucius, Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Jace Park, Donny Schatz

RACE READY CLOTHING HOTTEST LAP OF THE NIGHT AWARDS (17 Drivers):
18 Hottest Laps – David Gravel
8 Hottest Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Hottest Laps – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid
3 Hottest Laps – Logan Schuchart, Garet Williamson
2 Hottest Laps – Ashton Torgerson, Daryn Pittman
1 Hottest Lap – Austin McCarl, Brent Marks, Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Giovanni Scelzi, Bryce Lucius, Nate Dussel, Logan Rumsey, Chris Windom

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner
Wed, Feb 4 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Spencer Bayston (1)
Fri, Feb 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Michael Kofoid (1)
Sat, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (1)
Sun, March 1 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
Mon, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (2)
Fri, March 6 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Donny Schatz (1)
Fri, March 13 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / David Gravel (1)
Fri, March 20 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / David Gravel (2)
Sat, March 21 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / David Gravel (3)
Fri, March 27 / US 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Carson Macedo (1)
Sat, March 28 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Michael Kofoid (2)
Fri, April 10 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (3)
Sat, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (4)
Sun, April 19 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Tyler Courtney (1)
Fri, April 24 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brad Sweet (1)
Sat, April 25 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (4)
Tues, May 5 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Michael Kofoid (5)
Fri, May 8 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Kasey Kahne (1)
Sat, May 9 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (5)
Fri, May 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (1)
Sat, May 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
Tues, May 19 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Carson Macedo (2)
Sat, May 23 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Aaron Reutzel (1)
Mon, May 25 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (6)
Fri, May 29 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Carson Macedo (3)
Sat, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
Sun, June 7 / Angell Park Speedway / Sun Prairie, WI / Carson Macedo (4)
Fri, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brent Marks (1)
Wed, June 17 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (7)
Thurs, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (8)
Fri, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)
Sat, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (6)
Fri, June 26 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (7)
Sat, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (4)
Thurs, July 9 / Hartford Speedway / Hartford, MI / Sheldon Haudenschild (5)
Fri, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Michael Kofoid (9)
Sat, July 11 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (6)
Tues, July 14 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Bryce Lucius (1)
Fri, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Corey Day (1)
Sat, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Anthony Macri (3)
Wed, July 22 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada / David Gravel (8)
Sat, July 25 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / Sheldon Haudenschild (7)
Sun, July 26 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (9)
Wed, July 29 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / Chase Dietz (1)
Fri, July 31 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Michael Kofoid (10)
Sat, Aug 1 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (10)
Fri, Aug 7 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Chris Windom (1)
Sat, Aug 8 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Logan Schuchart (2)
Wed, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Sheldon Haudenschild
Thurs, Aug 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Kyle Larson
Fri, Aug 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Donny Schatz
Sat, Aug 15 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (1)
Fri, Aug 21 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Sheldon Haudenschild (8)
Sat, Aug 22 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Logan Schuchart (3)
Fri, Aug 28 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Garet Williamson (1)
Sat, Aug 29 / Fix It Forward Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Carson Macedo (5)
Mon, Aug 31 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND / Michael Kofoid (11)
Fri, Sept 4 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sat, Sept 5 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sun, Sept 6 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, Sept 11 / Belleville High Banks / Belleville, KS
Sat, Sept 12 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS
Mon, Sept 14 / El Paso County Raceway / Calhan, CO
Fri, Sept 18 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Sat, Sept 19 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Tues, Sept 22 / Kings Speedway / Hanford, CA
Fri, Sept 25 / Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway / Bakersfield, CA
Sat, Sept 26 / Ventura Raceway / Ventura, CA
Fri, Oct 2 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, Oct 3 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Thurs, Oct 8 / Millstream Speedway / Findlay, OH
Fri, Oct 9 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH
Sat, Oct 10 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Fri, Oct 16 / Lincoln Park Speedway / Putnamville, IN
Sat, Oct 17 / Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway / Belleville, IL
Fri, Oct 23 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Sat, Oct 24 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Wed, Nov 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thurs, Nov 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Fri, Nov 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Sat, Nov 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.

TOP FIVE STORYLINES: Labor Day Weekend Sends World of Outlaws to South Dakota for Huset’s Shootout

BRANDON, SD (September 2, 2026) – The world’s best Sprint Car drivers are heading to Brandon, SD for a huge tripleheader this Labor Day weekend.

The L.G. Everist Huset’s Shootout brings the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series back to Huset’s Speedway for three big nights, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 4-6. A pair of $15,000-to-win prelims will set the stage for a $25,000-to-win Sunday showdown at the 1/3 mile.

Fans can expect an interesting format for the tripleheader. The two prelims will utilize the standard World of Outlaws format, but they’ll set the stage for a unique finale with inverted Heat Races and passing points helping line up the Feature. For the complete format, CLICK HERE.

No days off for The Greatest Show on Dirt this Labor Day weekend. All eyes are on Huset’s.

BUY THREE-DAY HUSET’S TICKET PACKAGE HERE
BUY FRIDAY HUSET’S TICKETS HERE
BUY SATURDAY HUSET’S TICKETS HERE
BUY SUNDAY HUSET’S TICKETS HERE

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVision

Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:

MONEYMEN

A pair of drivers have made some hefty deposits to their bank accounts over the last few years thanks to Huset’s Speedway.

The first is Michael “Buddy” Kofoid. A devastating mechanical issue while leading the 2023 Huset’s High Bank Nationals lit a fire under him and Roth Motorsports that keeps on burning. Since then, Huset’s has hosted five races offering a six-figure winner’s check, and Kofoid has claimed four of them. The big paydays are only a piece of the Penngrove, CA native’s overall success in Brandon, SD. Overall, he’s won seven of the last 11 World of Outlaws Features at Huset’s. The first of his career also came there in 2022.

The second is two-time and defending Series champion David Gravel. He and Big Game Motorsports kept Tod Quiring’s money in house when they cashed in for $250,000 at the 2023 High Bank Nationals. Then, they did it again when the winner’s share climbed to a record $300,000. Overall, Gravel boasts five Huset’s victories in the Big Game No. 2.

GUNS BLAZIN’

Kofoid and Gravel are far from the only World of Outlaws drivers capable of cleaning up at the Huset’s Shootout.

Donny Schatz has found success at nearly every track he’s ever visited, and Huset’s is no exception. The 1/3 mile is responsible for four of his 317 career wins. The CJB Motorsports No. 15 finished on the podium during the final two nights of this year’s High Bank Nationals.

Sheldon Haudenschild is a fellow four-time Huset’s victor. His first three came with Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing before adding one with KCP Racing in June. Haudenschild heads to Huset’s third in the standings, trailing Kofoid by 40 markers.

He’s never won a World of Outlaws event there, but Garet Williamson topped a trio of local Huset’s races before joining The Greatest Show on Dirt. The Fischer Motorsports pilot is fresh off securing his first Series checkered flag at River Cities Speedway.

Carson Macedo’s résumé lists two Huset’s triumphs since joining forces with Jason Johnson Racing (2022 and 2024). They’ll roll into South Dakota with the momentum of four podiums in the last five races.

Logan Schuchart and the Shark Racing No. 1S team snagged a High Bank Nationals prelim in 2023. They stumbled a bit over the weekend in North Dakota, but they’ve still been one of the hottest teams all summer with 14 top fives in the last 20 races.

Spencer Bayston took the CJB Motorsports No. 5 to Huset’s Victory Lane in 2022. The Lebanon, IN native wheeled the Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing No. 17 to a pair of top fives over the weekend in North Dakota.

It wasn’t in a Sprint Car, but Chris Windom grabbed a pair of Huset’s trophies in 2021 with the USAC National Midgets. He’ll chase another this weekend in the Sides Motorsports No. 7S.

TWENTY

A milestone of parity was hit over the weekend in North Dakota as 2026 continues to inch toward a record.

Garet Williamson’s popular first Series win made him the 20th different driver to visit Victory Lane this year with the World of Outlaws. That means 2026 is only the 10th time in 49 seasons of history that at least 20 competitors have topped a race. The record of 25 set in 2004 isn’t out of reach with more than 20 races left on the calendar.

Looking ahead to this weekend at Huset’s and who could be number 21, Bill Balog immediately stands out. Last year the “North Pole Nightmare” topped a High Bank Nationals prelim and followed it up with a runner-up in the finale. Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year presented by Five Star Bodies leader Emerson Axsom could also add his name. He led laps and finished third at Huset’s in 2024. Cole Macedo is still hunting his first Series victory. His best Huset’s effort is fifth in June this year.

ROOKIE ON A ROLL

Every rookie World of Outlaws campaign is bound to bring some bumps along the way, but Emerson Axsom and Klaasmeyer/Petry Motorsports are starting to piece together a solid run.

Axsom’s current top-10 streak of five straight is by far his most consistent stretch of the season. The No. 27 has reeled off finishes of 10th at Ogilvie Raceway, fifth at Jackson Motorplex, sixth at River Cites Speedway, sixth at Fix It Forward Speedway, and eighth at Nodak Speedway. That’s an average result of seventh on the dot.

Axsom sits 12th in points as he cruises toward becoming the next Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year presented by Five Star Bodies. Looking at the standings, Axsom climbing a few spots before the year is over isn’t unrealistic. Bill Balog is 11th and only 22 points in front, and then it’s Spencer Bayston in 10th (48 points ahead), Chris Windom in ninth (74 points ahead), and Cole Macedo in eighth (118 points ahead).

TIMMS’ TURF

There’s another driver with a strong chance to add his name to the list of 2026 winners this weekend, and his name is Ryan Timms.

The 20-year-old may be from Oklahoma City, OK, but Huset’s has become de facto home turf for him over the last couple of years. Timms linked with Liebig Motorsports, a team based in Rapid City, SD, and the pairing has become one of the country’s top combinations among those that follow a pick-and-choose schedule.

This year Timms has taken the No. 10 to 15 total victories, including a dozen in 410 competition. Timms’ 12 trails only Chase Dietz (18) and Aaron Reutzel (14). He’s fresh off locking up track championships at both Huset’s Speedway and Knoxville Raceway. It marked his second year in a row taking the Huset’s title.

Now, Timms and Shane Liebig’s crew aim to protect home turf with the best of the best coming to town. Timms is yet to top the World of Outlaws at Huset’s, but he’s come close with a pair of podiums, including a 2024 runner-up.

Timms will lead the charge of many Huset’s regulars in search of success on the big stage.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE 
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 4-6 at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, SD

AROUND THE TURN
Friday, Sept. 11 at Belleville High Banks in Belleville, KS (TICKETS)
Saturday, Sept. 12 at Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, KS (TICKETS)
Monday, Sept. 14 at El Paso County Raceway in Calhan, CO (TICKETS)

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (57/81 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (7288 PTS)
2. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-170 PTS)
3. Sheldon Haudenschild – KCP Racing No. 18 (-210 PTS)
4. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-248 PTS)
5. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-318 PTS)
6. Donny Schatz – CJB Motorsports No. 15 (-536 PTS)
7. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-580 PTS)
8. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-876 PTS)
9. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-920 PTS)
10. Spencer Bayston – Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing No. 17 (-946 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (20 Drivers):
11 Wins – Michael Kofoid
10 Wins – David Gravel
8 Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Wins – Carson Macedo
3 Wins – Anthony Macri, Logan Schuchart
1 Win – Spencer Bayston, Donny Schatz, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Brent Marks, Bryce Lucius, Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Chris Windom, Kyle Larson, Garet Williamson

FEATURE LAPS LED (30 Drivers):
345 Laps Led – David Gravel
303 Laps Led – Michael Kofoid
164 Laps Led – Logan Schuchart
141 Laps Led – Carson Macedo
110 Laps Led – Garet Williamson
107 Laps Led – Sheldon Haudenschild
59 Laps Led – Kyle Larson
58 Laps Led – Bill Balog
56 Laps Led – Anthony Macri
40 Laps Led – Aaron Reutzel, Chris Windom
37 Laps Led – Tyler Courtney
35 Laps Led – Donny Schatz
33 Laps Led – Brady Bacon, Rico Abreu
30 Laps Led – Corey Day, Chase Dietz
28 Laps Led – Ryan Timms
25 Laps Led – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne
21 Laps Led – Kasey Jedrzejek
17 Laps Led – Spencer Bayston
16 Laps Led – Bryce Lucius
15 Laps Led – Christopher Thram
12 Laps Led – Cole Macedo
11 Laps Led – Giovanni Scelzi, Emerson Axsom
7 Laps Led – Brian Brown
6 Laps Led – Brock Zearfoss
3 Laps Led – Brent MarksPODIUM FINISHES (34 Drivers):
26 Podiums – David Gravel
24 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
22 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
17 Podiums – Carson Macedo
10 Podiums – Logan Schuchart
8 Podiums – Garet Williamson
6 Podiums – Donny Schatz
4 Podiums – Ryan Timms, Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu, Bill Balog
3 Podiums – Spencer Bayston, Aaron Reutzel
2 Podiums – Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Tyler Courtney, Giovanni Scelzi, Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne
1 Podium – Ashton Torgerson, Scott Bogucki, Emerson Axsom, Brad Sweet, Justin Whittall, Troy Wagaman Jr., Kasey Jedrzejek, Brent Marks, Bryce Lucius, Corey Day, Daryn Pittman, Logan Rumsey, Chris Windom, Kelby Watt, Kyle Larson

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (21 Drivers):
21 Quick Times – David Gravel
5 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild
4 Quick Times – Bill Balog
3 Quick Times – Logan Schuchart, Michael Kofoid, Brady Bacon
2 Quick Times – Kasey Jedrzejek
1 Quick Time – Ashton Torgerson, Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Justin Henderson, Chase Dietz, Carson Macedo, Daryn Pittman, Logan Rumsey, Kasey Kahne, Tanner Thorson

HEAT RACE WINNERS (57 Drivers):
32 Heat Wins – David Gravel
23 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
17 Heat Wins – Bill Balog
16 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
12 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart
9 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid, Garet Williamson
8 Heat Wins – Emerson Axsom
6 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz, Spencer Bayston
4 Heat Wins – Cole Macedo, Rico Abreu, Brent Marks
3 Heat Wins – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Aaron Reutzel, Giovanni Scelzi, Anthony Macri, Kerry Madsen, Ryan Timms, Christopher Thram
2 Heat Wins – Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Jacob Hughes, Tyler Courtney, Justin Whittall, Daryn Pittman, Kelby Watt, Brock Zearfoss, Rees Moran, Steven Snyder Jr. Bryce Lucius, Chris Windom
1 Heat Win – Justin Peck, Tanner Holmes, Scotty Thiel, Will Armitage, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Chad Trout, Joel Myers Jr., Andy Pake, Sam Henderson, Dayne Kingshott, Daison Pursley, Terry McCarl, Kyle Larson, Brady Bacon, Brent Shearer, Logan Rumsey, James McFadden, Danny Sams III, Riley Goodno, Chris Martin, Ayrton Gennetten, Carson McCarl

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (68 Drivers):
39 Dashes – David Gravel
36 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
27 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
23 Dashes – Carson Macedo
21 Dashes – Bill Balog
19 Dashes – Garet Williamson
16 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
12 Dashes – Emerson Axsom
10 Dashes – Donny Schatz, Cole Macedo
8 Dashes – Spencer Bayston
7 Dashes – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Chris Windom
6 Dashes – Aaron Reutzel
5 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Ryan Timms, Brent Marks, Chase Dietz
4 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Brady Bacon, Logan Rumsey, Kelby Watt
3 Dashes – Kerry Madsen, Tanner Holmes, Justin Henderson, Daryn Pittman, Bryce Lucius, Christopher Thram
2 Dashes – Scotty Thiel, Kasey Kahne, Troy Wagaman Jr., Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Austin McCarl, Joe B. Miller, Brenham Crouch, Conner Morrell, Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson, Justin Whittall, Cory Eliason, Skylar Gee
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Brock Zearfoss, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Rees Moran, Bryce Norris, Brad Sweet, Danny Dietrich, Logan Rumsey, Kody Hartlaub, Freddie Rahmer, Chad Trout, Giovanni Scelzi, Joel Myers Jr., Andy Pake, Tanner Thorson, Corey Day, D.J. Christie, Ricky Peterson, Lance Dewease, Brent Shearer, Dylan Norris, Steven Snyder Jr., Gage Pulkrabek, Sam Henderson

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (35 Drivers):
4 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz, Garet Williamson
3 LCS Wins – Spencer Bayston, Emerson Axsom
2 LCS Wins – Michael Kofoid, Chris Windom, Giovanni Scelzi, Cole Macedo, Skylar Gee, Logan Schuchart, Tyler Courtney
1 LCS Wins – Cameron Martin, Bill Balog, Blake Hahn, Landon Crawley, Bryce Norris, Doug Hammaker, Daryn Pittman, Kerry Madsen, Justin Henderson, Joel Myers Jr., Daison Pursley, Zane DeVault, Logan Julien, Jordan Poirier, Matt Farnham, Jordan Thomas, Dylan Norris, Justin Whittall, Brent Shearer, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Lynton Jeffrey, Kelby Watt, Jacob Peterson

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (25 Drivers):
7 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid, Logan Schuchart
6 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
4 Hard Chargers – Spencer Bayston
3 Hard Chargers – Chris Windom
2 Hard Chargers – Garet Williamson, Cole Macedo, Ashton Torgerson, Sheldon Haudenschild
1 Hard Charger – Giovanni Scelzi, Ryan Timms, Brady Bacon, Tyler Ross, Cameron Smith, David Gravel, Emerson Axsom, Logan Julien, Tyler Courtney, Kasey Jedrzejek, James McFadden, Danny Dietrich, Corey Day, J.J. Hickle, Tanner Holmes

ACME FASTEST LAP AWARDS (26 Drivers):
8 Fastest Laps – Michael Kofoid
7 Fastest Laps – David Gravel
6 Fastest Laps – Logan Schuchart
4 Fastest Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild 
3 Fastest Laps – Carson Macedo, Bill Balog
2 Fastest Laps – Brady Bacon, Aaron Reutzel, Kasey Jedrzejek, Garet Williamson, Anthony Macri, Kyle Larson
1 Fastest Lap – Brock Zearfoss, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms, Brad Sweet, Kelby Watt, Kasey Kahne, Giovanni Scelzi, Rico Abreu, Christopher Thram, Bryce Lucius, Corey Day, Chase Dietz, Jace Park, Donny Schatz

RACE READY CLOTHING HOTTEST LAP OF THE NIGHT AWARDS (17 Drivers):
18 Hottest Laps – David Gravel
8 Hottest Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Hottest Laps – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid
3 Hottest Laps – Logan Schuchart, Garet Williamson
2 Hottest Laps – Ashton Torgerson, Daryn Pittman
1 Hottest Lap – Austin McCarl, Brent Marks, Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Giovanni Scelzi, Bryce Lucius, Nate Dussel, Logan Rumsey, Chris Windom

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner
Wed, Feb 4 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Spencer Bayston (1)
Fri, Feb 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Michael Kofoid (1)
Sat, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (1)
Sun, March 1 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
Mon, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (2)
Fri, March 6 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Donny Schatz (1)
Fri, March 13 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / David Gravel (1)
Fri, March 20 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / David Gravel (2)
Sat, March 21 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / David Gravel (3)
Fri, March 27 / US 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Carson Macedo (1)
Sat, March 28 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Michael Kofoid (2)
Fri, April 10 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (3)
Sat, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (4)
Sun, April 19 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Tyler Courtney (1)
Fri, April 24 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brad Sweet (1)
Sat, April 25 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (4)
Tues, May 5 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Michael Kofoid (5)
Fri, May 8 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Kasey Kahne (1)
Sat, May 9 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (5)
Fri, May 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (1)
Sat, May 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
Tues, May 19 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Carson Macedo (2)
Sat, May 23 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Aaron Reutzel (1)
Mon, May 25 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (6)
Fri, May 29 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Carson Macedo (3)
Sat, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
Sun, June 7 / Angell Park Speedway / Sun Prairie, WI / Carson Macedo (4)
Fri, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brent Marks (1)
Wed, June 17 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (7)
Thurs, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (8)
Fri, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)
Sat, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (6)
Fri, June 26 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (7)
Sat, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (4)
Thurs, July 9 / Hartford Speedway / Hartford, MI / Sheldon Haudenschild (5)
Fri, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Michael Kofoid (9)
Sat, July 11 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (6)
Tues, July 14 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Bryce Lucius (1)
Fri, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Corey Day (1)
Sat, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Anthony Macri (3)
Wed, July 22 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada / David Gravel (8)
Sat, July 25 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / Sheldon Haudenschild (7)
Sun, July 26 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (9)
Wed, July 29 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / Chase Dietz (1)
Fri, July 31 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Michael Kofoid (10)
Sat, Aug 1 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (10)
Fri, Aug 7 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Chris Windom (1)
Sat, Aug 8 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Logan Schuchart (2)
Wed, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Sheldon Haudenschild
Thurs, Aug 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Kyle Larson
Fri, Aug 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA* / Donny Schatz
Sat, Aug 15 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (1)
Fri, Aug 21 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Sheldon Haudenschild (8)
Sat, Aug 22 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Logan Schuchart (3)
Fri, Aug 28 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Garet Williamson (1)
Sat, Aug 29 / Fix It Forward Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Carson Macedo (5)
Mon, Aug 31 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND / Michael Kofoid (11)
Fri, Sept 4 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sat, Sept 5 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sun, Sept 6 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, Sept 11 / Belleville High Banks / Belleville, KS
Sat, Sept 12 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS
Mon, Sept 14 / El Paso County Raceway / Calhan, CO
Fri, Sept 18 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Sat, Sept 19 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Tues, Sept 22 / Kings Speedway / Hanford, CA
Fri, Sept 25 / Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway / Bakersfield, CA
Sat, Sept 26 / Ventura Raceway / Ventura, CA
Fri, Oct 2 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, Oct 3 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Thurs, Oct 8 / Millstream Speedway / Findlay, OH
Fri, Oct 9 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH
Sat, Oct 10 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Fri, Oct 16 / Lincoln Park Speedway / Putnamville, IN
Sat, Oct 17 / Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway / Belleville, IL
Fri, Oct 23 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Sat, Oct 24 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Wed, Nov 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thurs, Nov 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Fri, Nov 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Sat, Nov 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.

ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/top-five-storylines-labor-day-weekend-sends-world-of-outlaws-to-south-dakota-for-husets-shootout/