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(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) NASCAR is considering rotating its Championship race to different locations starting in 2026, moving beyond Phoenix Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway. NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell mentioned discussions about other markets, including Las Vegas Motor Speedway, while acknowledging Phoenix’s success with seven consecutive sellouts and favorable weather. The goal is to broaden the championship's appeal and support playoff growth. The 2025 season will still conclude at Phoenix, so any changes wouldn’t happen before 2026. We’re excited about the potential for variety and would love to hear what you think about this idea!

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) NASCAR is rolling out a driver-focused marketing program in 2025, offering drivers financial incentives ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to up to $1 million for promoting the sport. The program is backed by an annual budget of $10–$20 million, funded through restructured agreements with tracks and teams. NASCAR will also provide increased financial support to teams from 2025 through 2031, improving on the original charter deal from 2016–2024. This initiative aims to strengthen the sport’s visibility and financial foundation. We’re excited to see how this benefits the teams, drivers, and fans moving forward!

Press Release | SPIRE MOTORSPORTS Zeigler Automotive Group, one of the largest privately-owned automotive dealer groups in the United States, will return to Spire Motorsports to partner with Michigan native and reigning NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Carson Hocevar for multiple races in 2025. “We are very excited for the 2025 season with Carson and the Spire team,” said Aaron J. Zeigler, president and CEO of Zeigler Auto Group and Zeigler Racing. “This past year has been nothing short of incredible, with Carson earning the well-deserved Rookie of the Year award. His performance on the track has exceeded all expectations, and if this past year is any indication of what’s to come, we’re in for an exciting ride. Carson’s commitment to excellence, both on and off the track, has made a tremendous impact, and we are honored to continue to support our hometown hero. His dedication to the community has been inspiring, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for Carson, Zeigler, and the entire Spire team.” Zeigler.com and Zeigler Auto Group will be showcased as the team’s primary sponsor in eight Cup Series races in 2025 beginning with the first points-paying race of the season Feb. 16 at Daytona International Speedway. The distinct yellow and black Zeigler paint scheme will be featured aboard Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevy Camaro at the following races in 2025: Daytona International Speedway – February 16 Homestead-Miami Speedway – March 23 Darlington Raceway – April 6 Nashville Superspeedway – June 1 Michigan International Speedway – June 8 Chicago Street Course – July 6 Indianapolis Motor Speedway – July 27 World Wide Technology Raceway – September 7 Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and majority of the imported manufacturers. The family-owned and -operated organization has been a regular on the Cup Series tour since 2019. Hocevar, 21, earned top 2024 rookie honors on the strength of one top-five, six top-10 and 13 top-15 finishes. In his first full-season at the controls of the No. 77 Chevrolet, Hocevar brought home a career-best third-place finish in the Cup Series’ September visit to Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. “I’m excited to continue our partnership with Zeigler Automotive Group after a successful rookie season,” said Hocevar. “They’ve been such a great support group since day one for me and the No. 77 team. I’m looking forward to continuing to build our partnership on and off the track and can’t wait to take the Zeigler Chevrolet to Victory Lane.” The Portage, Mich., native impressed throughout his rookie campaign, accumulating 686 points and being the top-finishing rookie in 15 races on NASCAR’s senior circuit. He out-distanced his next closest competitor by a handsome 107-point advantage when the checkered flag fell on the 2024 season finale at Phoenix Raceway. The 21-year-old made his NCS debut for Spire Motorsports on June 4, 2023 at World Wide Technology Raceway. In addition to his NCS debut, Hocevar made four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts for Spire Motorsports in 2023, earning top-10 finishes at Darlington Raceway (sixth) and Charlotte Motor Speedway (eighth). Hocevar is the third Michigan-born driver to win Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors, following in the footsteps of Johnny Benson (1996) and Erik Jones (2017). The 67th running of the Daytona 500 will be televised live on FOX, Sunday, Feb. 16 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and will also be the first NASCAR event streamed live on Amazon Prime. The first of 36 points-paying races on the 2025 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) Drew Blickensderfer will reunite with Noah Gragson at Front Row Motorsports for the upcoming season. Many of the former No. 10 SHR crew members will join them, making this a strong team. Blickensderfer, known for leading Michael McDowell to his 2021 Daytona 500 win, brings plenty of experience to this partnership. Both Noah and team owner Bob Jenkins are confident about their potential together. We think this reunion will be a fantastic move for everyone involved, and we can’t wait to see how they perform!

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) Viking Motorsports will go independent for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, despite earlier rumors of partnerships with other teams. Team owner Don Sackett believes this decision aligns best with the team's long-term goals. They’re switching from Ford to Chevrolet, running the No. 99, and have extended Matt DiBenedetto’s contract for two more years. We’re curious to see how Viking Motorsports performs with this bold move and how Matty D capitalizes on the opportunity. Let us know your thoughts, and don’t forget to stay connected with Racing Refresh for all the latest Motorsports updates!

Press Release | JOEY GASE MOTORSPORTS Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen confirmed today the signing of ARCA Menards Series veteran driver and race winner Greg Van Alst to compete in a majority of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule, beginning with the United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Sat., Feb. 14, 2025. Van Alst, a former ARCA winner at Daytona, will pilot the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro as part of an already announced two-car effort for the Mooresville, N.C.-based team beginning with the season-opening race at the famed 2.5-mile superspeedway. “I am thrilled about this opportunity to compete in most of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season with Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen,” said Van Alst. “This is an essential step in my racing career, and with a tunneled vision focused on the Xfinity Series, I believe I can step up to the plate and not only be competitive but also produce some strong finishes that can propel our team into the spotlight. “I’m ready to get to work and make the most out of the opportunity to make my NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Daytona in about two months.” Van Alst, 43, graduated to the Xfinity Series part-time with Alpha Prime Racing in 2023 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway, respectively. After spending most of the 2024 season competing in the ARCA Menards Series aboard his family-owned No. 35 entry, Van Alst paired with SS-GreenLight Racing this year for five races, earning a career-best finish in the penultimate race of the season at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in early November. Co-team owner Joey Gase announced last week that his family-owned team had added additional investment support from entrepreneur Scott Osteen. He is excited to work with Van Alst and conquer their season-long goals. “Scott Osteen, myself and our entire Joey Gase Motorsports team are extremely excited to have Greg and his partner be a part of our team in 2025,” offered Gase. “It’s crazy how things happen and work out sometimes. “Greg was in our shop in 2022 when our team started pulling down his ARCA car. Whoever thought he would be driving for us a few years down the road, plus we both have good taste in car numbers. “We became good friends at the track the last few years in the Xfinity garage. We would throw questions at each other and race each other with respect on the track. Now, we’re joining forces with one mission. I’m looking forward to getting started at Daytona.” Beginning at Daytona and throughout the 2025 Xfinity season, Van Alst’s No. 35 Chevrolet will carry continued support from Anderson, Ind.-based CB Fabricating. Headquartered in Anderson, Ind., CB Fabricating offers a complete list of fabricating from design, laser cutting, CNC punching, forming, welding, powder coating, and assembly. Nestled in Van Alst’s hometown, CB Fabricating’s partnership will continue for a fifth consecutive season. “I am excited about this new partnership with Greg and the Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen team, said Chris Barkdull, owner of CB Fabricating. “This is the next chapter of Greg’s and I’s relationship, and we look forward to making some great memories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series during the 2025 season.” Van Alst added, “None of this would have been possible without the support of Chris (Barkdull) and CB Fabrication,” he added. “Chris has been there through the highs and lows of my racing career that reignited back in 2021. “To have his blessing and overwhelming support to make this major leap towards more racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series is incredibly important to me and something I will never forget. Since 2002, Van Alst has 53 ARCA Menards Series starts to his credit, one win, five top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. (Photo Credit: x.com/NASCARHall )

Press Release | NIECE MOTORSPORTS ARCA Menards Series graduate Christian Rose is making the jump up to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for a full-time bid with Niece Motorsports in 2025. Born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Rose did not come from a racing background, but rather, was raised on his family’s farm. When he was a child, Rose dreamt about becoming a professional driver, but his path to the career was formed by a unique journey. A former Division 1 college baseball pitcher, Rose graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. In 2022, he was enshrined into the school’s Wall of Fame for his playing achievements. Shortly after graduating, Rose became a bouncer at a bar & grill in Ocean City, Maryland, before embarking on his driving career. Starting out in Super Late Models, then later progressing into the ARCA ranks, Rose has gained experience racing on all types of tracks throughout the country. In 2023, he joined AM Racing to complete two full-time ARCA national seasons – both of which resulted in top-five finishes in the points standings – highlighted by a third-place title run during his rookie year. Looking ahead to 2025, Rose will take on a new challenge as he learns the ropes of the Truck Series. His rookie campaign will come from behind the wheel of the team’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST. “For me, it’s a huge opportunity to make the jump from the ARCA Series,” said Rose. “I got my feet wet a little bit in the Truck Series a few years ago, but I believe in everything that we have going on in this building and am very excited to get to Daytona. The speed that we’ve seen from this team is a big reason why we signed our deal, and I’m just excited to make that transition. I think if we do the right things and show up and put the work in, we can have a lot of great things to look forward to next year.” Rose joins fellow teammates Matt Mills and Kaden Honeycutt, who will both compete on a full-time basis for the team in 2025. Additional driver lineup announcements, along with primary partnership announcements for Rose’s truck, are forthcoming. Niece Motorsports will enter its 10th season competing in the Truck Series in 2025, marking a milestone year for the organization. “We’re all excited to welcome Christian on with our team next year,” said Cody Efaw, Niece Motorsports CEO. “I think our program has the possibility to have a banner year with the driver and partner lineup that we have. Christian’s drove well in his time running in ARCA, and he will have all the tools he needs to learn from our group of guys. It’s going to be a great year.” Away from the racetrack, Rose enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Brooke, just welcomed the birth of their second son, Rip, a handful of weeks ago. The 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season will commence under the lights at the iconic Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 14th. Tune-in to FOX Sports 1 to see Christian Rose make his first NCTS outing with his new team. (Photo Courtesy Niece Motorsports)

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) Tricon Garage has announced its 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series crew chief lineup. Scott Zipadelli will continue working with Corey Heim on the No. 11, while Jeff Hensley stays paired with Tanner Gray on the No. 15. Jerame Donley will team up with rookie Gio Ruggiero on the No. 17, and Derek Smith will guide Toni Breidinger as she begins her full-time run in the No. 5 truck. It’s great to see this lineup come together, promising a strong season ahead for Tricon Garage. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to subscribe to Racing Refresh for all the latest Motorsports news!

Press Release | SPEEDWAY MOTORSPORTS Speedway Motorsports officials, in recognition of exemplary performance and exceptional service on behalf of and its world-class entertainment facilities, recognized the 2024 recipients for the company’s O. Bruton Smith Award, Promoter of the Year, Speedway of the Year and the Acceleration Award. Announcements were made Thursday night at the Duke Mansion in Charlotte, where the NASCAR industry is celebrating Champions’ Week. Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Susan McKee was named the 2024 O. Bruton Smith Award winner, while Dover Motor Speedway President and General Manager Mike Tatoian earned Promoter of the Year honors. Las Vegas Motor Speedway received the Speedway of the Year award and Sonoma Raceway earned the third annual Acceleration Award. “Speedway Motorsports strives to exceed expectations in the sports and entertainment space through every interaction with fans, partners and stakeholders,” said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports. “It is an honor to recognize some of the company’s standout leaders and our teams across the country whose commitment to excellence drive our company forward. Our success is possible because of their hard work and dedication to making every event remarkable, and I am grateful for the efforts our teammates put forth to achieve success.” Bruton Smith Award Charlotte Motor Speedway Senior Director of Human Resources and IT, Susan McKee, received the 2024 O. Bruton Smith Award. Established 12 years ago to recognize one employee annually across all of Speedway Motorsports and its subsidiaries, the recipient of this prestigious award is someone who exhibits Speedway Motorsports’ founder O. Bruton Smith’s traits: character, enthusiasm, drive, a heart for helping others, respect/appreciation for team members, vision and determination. A 36-year veteran of Speedway Motorsports, McKee oversees the day-to-day HR and IT needs across Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 1,000-acre campus. She also leads the speedway’s Pit Crew, planning, organizing and directing volunteer efforts throughout the year. In August, McKee oversaw Charlotte Motor Speedway’s annual Day of Service, during which 84 employee volunteers came together for a work day that netted more than 275 hours of labor, supporting six area nonprofits. Following Hurricane Helene’s devastation across western North Carolina, McKee spearheaded a month-long donation drive that yielded 650 pallets of food, water, clothing and supplies to be donated to impacted areas across the western part of the state. “Susan stands out among our team in a way that makes us all so proud, and she is certainly deserving of this honor,” said Smith. “You can’t delegate or trust people to do things who don’t get it done, and she gets it done. She goes above and beyond.” Promoter of the Year Dover Motor Speedway President and General Manager Mike Tatoian was named Promoter of the Year. The annual award is chosen by the selection committee and given to one Speedway Motorsports general manager who best displayed the creativity, innovation, leadership and execution that are fundamental to Speedway Motorsports’ way of doing business. Tatoian and his team were heralded for efforts around civic and government relations, hosting one of the biggest events of the year for Speedway Motorsports, and for a tireless commitment to creating a remarkable fan experience for each person who visits the Delaware track. “Mike and the team at Dover Motor Speedway have been firing on all cylinders this year,” said Speedway Motorsports Executive Vice President and Chief Operation Officer Mike Burch in presenting the award. “Dover is one of our top ticket-selling venues, driven by Mike’s exceptional promotional efforts both at the track and in the community. Their fan zone is unmatched, featuring unique entertainment like the Philadelphia Mummers, the world’s largest rubber duck, and a host of engaging displays. Mike’s ability to connect with civic, business, and military leaders has amplified Dover’s presence, making it a must-visit destination for race fans and a pillar of the local community.” Speedway of the Year Las Vegas Motor Speedway received Speedway of the Year recognition, edging out 10 state-of-the-art Speedway Motorsports entertainment complexes to earn top honors 10 of the last 13 years. The award was presented to LVMS President and General Manager Chris Powell for the best overall performance during 2024 in such aspects as fan friendliness, attendance, financial performance, sponsor relations and creativity. In presenting the award, Smith highlighted the facility’s outstanding performance in generating revenue, including a record year for the Electric Daisy Carnival multi-day music festival that drew nearly 200,000 people per day this year. “We have so many people who contribute to this,” Powell said of the award. “It’s not just the sales people who create the revenue. It’s the hard-working maintenance people who make sure that a track rental on Friday night is turned over for a different rental on Saturday. All of our employees across the speedway make it happen, and I appreciate all of them.” Acceleration Award Sonoma Raceway received the third annual Acceleration Award, presented to a Speedway Motorsports subsidiary in recognition of year-over-year improvement across a number of different metrics. Sonoma Raceway’s Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn accepted the award on behalf of the Sonoma Raceway team. Bolstered by increased use of the raceway’s luxury Turn 11 facility for track rentals and a range of cost-saving measures that improved efficiencies across the property without impacting the overall fan experience, Sonoma Raceway excelled in 2024, Flynn’s first full year with the company. “First I spent 25 years with Richard Petty and now I get to work with the Smiths, so I’m blessed,” said Flynn. “These guys put up with our hair-brain ideas. We try to get better every day. We try to keep our nose clean, take care of the team, take care of our corporate clients and take care of the business. It’s really those legs that make everything work.” “We lead the way,” said Burch. “We constantly have people from other sports, other facilities, come to us and saying, ‘How did you do this? How did you do that?’ We’re more than willing to give them our play books because it’s not about the processes; it’s not about the facilities. You need those things, but it comes down to the people. That’s what makes the difference, and you cannot copy our people. You cannot copy our culture.” (Photo Courtesy Speedway Motorsports)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 16, 2024) – NHRA officials announced today that PJH Trackbite has been named the “Official Traction Compound of NHRA,” beginning during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season as part of a long-term partnership. The 2025 season begins March 6-9 with the NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway, and with the multi-year agreement, PJH Trackbite, which has been an industry leader for more than five decades, will supply the traction compound at every NHRA national event. The track sprayer at all Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events will be branded with PJH Trackbite, while the company will also receive digital and print promotional items with the partnership. “Since 1972, PJH TrackBite has been relied upon to create speed, excitement, and consistency in competitive drag racing around the world,” PJH Trackbite President Kurt Hettinga said. “Our partnership with the NHRA highlights Trackbite’s commitment to being the premium product used for track adhesion and performance enhancement.” Known over the years as VHT, PJ1, and now PJH, the production processes, and unwavering quality has made PJH Trackbite an industry leader and a reliable product to help boost performance and consistency of racing surfaces around the world. PJH Trackbite is also a unique formula specifically designed to create adhesion between rubber, asphalt and concrete. “PJH Trackbite is a highly-respected name in the industry and will supply a terrific traction compound for all of our race teams in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series,” NHRA Vice President of Racing Administration Josh Peterson said. “It’s exciting to work with a standout group like PJH Trackbite and we look forward to working together to provide the best and most consistent track surfaces for our racers.” For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 16, 2024) – As part of a multi-year partnership, officials at NHRA announced today that Red Line Oil has been named the presenting sponsor of the annual NHRA Crew of the Year Award. Presented at the annual NHRA Awards Ceremony following the season in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the NHRA Crew of the Year Award is given to a team in each professional category and is based on a number of statistical categories, including average qualifying position, average eliminations E.T., speed index, average points per race and oildowns. The award is tracked over the course of the season, with the top three teams in each professional category (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle) showcased at the awards banquet. This past season, the Scag Power Equipment team of Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley earned the award for the first time, while Austin Prock’s John Force Racing team was named the top crew in Funny Car. The team of six-time champ Greg Anderson earned the award in Pro Stock, while the Vance & Hines team for Gaige Herrera took home the honors in Pro Stock Motorcycle for the second straight year. “All of us at Red Line Oil are honored to be involved, not only with the NHRA but specifically with these awards,” Red Line Oil Brand Director Mark Beatty said. “We are all about teamwork and supporting the crews and teams that work night and day is a core value of everyone at Red Line Oil. This opportunity is a perfect fit for who we are at #teamredlineoil.” As part of the multi-year agreement, the Crew of the Year Award presented by Red Line Oil will also include a purse, with $10,000 being awarded to the Top Fuel and Funny Car winners, and $5,000 to the winners in both Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. “We’re excited to partner with Red Line Oil on this unique award and it’s a great way to reward the crew members who play such a pivotal role in the success of our race teams,” NHRA Vice President of Racing Administration Josh Peterson said. “Winning this award already meant a great deal to our race teams and this adds an extra bonus for them thanks to the support from Red Line Oil.” For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. For more information on Red Line Oil, visit www.redlineoil.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

93.1FM WIBC INDIANAPOLIS — Andretti Global is a racing team that competes in more racing series than any other racing team. Between IndyCar, Indy NXT, Formula E, IMSA Sportscars, Super COPA, and Australian Supercars, the team is hoping to add yet another series to its repertoire. In a video released on Thursday, Andretti Global president JF Thormann announced that the team is planning to expand its operation into the NASCAR Cup Series. This comes as the team still has ambitions to join the Formula One grid. “We’re the only ones that compete in the amount of series that we do,” Thormann said. “And then the ambition that Mike still has – we still have to close the loop obviously with Formula 1, that’s well-documented – and hopefully NASCAR. Then we’re going to have a race virtually every weekend and it’ll keep our name out there and keep us busy.” Thormann said the expansion is appropriate given the Andretti name’s history in stock car racing. “A lot of times when I travel if I have the branding on, the amount of people that will actually ask and say ‘do you work for the Andretti race team, is it Mario, is it Michael?’ You realize the power of the name and how recognized it is,” he added. “It represents that hard work, Mario’s story of coming over with just their shirt on their backs. It’s just pride to wear that.” At the moment, the team is only in the exploratory phase of expanding to NASCAR. Earlier this year Andretti Global, in a partnership with GM’s Cadillac brand, was denied entry onto the F1 grid by the series despite gaining approval from the FIA, which is the governing body of international motorsport. F1’s commercial arm, made up mostly of current team principals and executives, told Andretti that adding them to the grid “would not add value to the series.” The decision was met with lots of backlash against Formula One, especially from those within North American open-wheel racing circles. Andretti is intent on trying again to join Formula One in 2028, which is when the current Concorde Agreement between F1 teams and series bosses expires and the new one takes effect. (Photo Courtesy 93.1FM WIBC)

Max Verstappen with the 2024 FIA Formula One World Drivers' Championship Trophy - Photo by www.x.com/f1 By Ryan Wu With 24 races on the schedule, the Formula 1 season is both long and demanding. Tensions rise and narratives shift as drivers contend with securing their legacy, earning a seat for the next season, and competing for millions of dollars in the constructors' standings. With four wins in the first five races and seven in the first ten, Max Verstappen appeared impervious to shifting narratives. He seemed poised to extend the dominance he and his team (Red Bull Racing) had showcased in 2023, when they secured both drivers' and constructors' championships before the summer solstice. However, upgrades introduced by McLaren in Miami, along with Mercedes' improvements during the Monaco and Canada weekends, began to cast doubt on Red Bull's ability to secure a fourth consecutive championship in both categories. While Verstappen claimed consecutive victories in Canada and Spain, extending his points lead to 69, he wouldn't win again for nearly five months, until November in Brazil. During this 10-race winless streak, McLaren and Mercedes both secured important wins. However, the closest any driver got to Verstappen was Lando Norris after Round 20.  His P2 performance at the Mexican Grand Prix brought him to within 47 points of the eventual World Champion, Verstappen. In Brazil, Norris put in a valiant effort, but a costly sixth-place finish, combined with Verstappen’s masterful performance, set the stage for the championship to be decided under the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip. Starting from 17th place, Verstappen delivered what might have been the race of his life, storming through the field in wet conditions to win by nearly 20 seconds. The city of high stakes, Las Vegas set the stage for a high-pressure showdown on the track, but Verstappen didn’t fold. Needing only to finish one spot ahead of Norris to secure his fourth consecutive title, he rose to the occasion and delivered, finishing in 5th place – directly ahead of Norris.   Heading into the Abu Dhabi finale, Ferrari trailed McLaren by 21 points in the constructors’ standings, but with Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri locking out the front row, the odds seemed in McLaren's favor.   The race, however, was far from straightforward. Piastri's collision with Verstappen on the opening lap, followed by another incident with Williams' Franco Colapinto, dropped him as far back as P18. Despite the chaos, Norris demonstrated remarkable racecraft, delivering a flawless drive to claim victory for himself and secure McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship since 1998, ultimately beating Ferrari by 14 points. F1 Constructors' Champions Past and Present - Graphic by www.x.com/f1 The race was also an emotional day for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who will join Alex Albon at Williams next season. Sainz capped his Ferrari tenure with a podium finish, celebrated by an emotional tribute within the Ferrari paddock. Next season promises even more drama, with seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari in his quest to surpass Michael Schumacher and stand alone at the top of the all-time championship leaderboard. Lewis Hamilton after his final race with Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - photo by www.x.com/F1 The 2025 season also raises intriguing questions: Who will claim the second seat at Red Bull? Can Lando Norris build on the seismic growth he and McLaren showcased this year? While the answers remain uncertain, one thing is clear—I can’t wait to see it all unfold.

NHRA Pro Mod racer Spencer Hyde will fill the open seat at Jim Head Racing for the entire NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series in 2025. The 33-year-old from Ontario, Canada, will immediately begin acclimating himself to the Ford Mustang Funny Car it was announced today from the NHRA on FOX stage at the PRI Show in Indianapolis. Hyde will make the requisite crossover passes to convert his Top Fuel license to Funny Car during the off-season. Last season Jim Head tuned his Funny Car to a win at Brainerd as well as seven additional semifinal finishes and seven top-four qualifier spots. “When I got the call from Jim Head honestly it was humbling to even be considered for this opportunity,” said Hyde. “I spent some time with Jim recently and we have had some great conversations. I am looking forward to this challenge. Driving a Pro Mod car is a handful because they are so unpredictable and getting to make nearly 20 passes in Paton’s Top Fuel dragster has given me the acceleration experience. I know Funny Cars are a whole different deal, but I can’t wait to give it my best.” Hyde started racing in the Jr. Dragster ranks in 2006. He graduated to racing Top Dragster, Top Sportsman, Outlaw 10.5, and a variety of sportsman and bracket classes on the regional and national level. He was recognized in 2021 by Drag Illustrated as a standout member of their 30 Under 30 class. He has most recently raced Pro Modified with PDRA in the Pro Boost class and he won the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod in March 2023. Hyde earned his Top Fuel license in February 2023, and he competed in Top Fuel at two NHRA national events, the 2023 In-N-Out NHRA Finals and 2024 NHRA Texas Fall Nationals. Hyde was recommended for the open seat by Jim Head’s son, Chad Head, who reached out to the aspiring nitro driver about the Funny Car opportunity. Head inquired about Hyde’s interest level as well as the possible opportunity to race a full NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season while still being involved in the family’s construction business, Hyde Construction. Balancing Hyde’s extension involvement in the day-to-day rapidly expanding and well-respected business was a topic that Hyde and Head, also an expert in the construction and engineering world talked about extensively for this relationship was finalized. Hyde examined his previous Pro Mod schedule and the transition to a Funny Car schedule was not out of reach. His conversations with Jim Head about getting behind the wheel accelerated after that realization. “Chad was a big supporter for Spencer, and he made a good case for him,” said Jim Head, Hall of Fame driver, tuner, and team owner. “He has come up through the racing ranks and I like that he is a levelheaded guy who has a passion for drag racing. The fact that he has made passes in a Top Fuel dragster and has had success in Pro Mod was a plus too. We have had a lot of success the past two seasons with Blake (Alexander) driving for us and I don’t see any reason we can’t keep turning on win lights with Spencer.” Plans are still coming together for possible testing and cross-over licensing. Hyde will be in competition at the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals, March 6-9, 2025, at historic Gainesville Raceway. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 13, 2024) – For the first time in NHRA history, there will be four-wide racing in the Countdown to the Championship. NHRA and zMAX Dragway officials announced today the first four-wide playoff race, as the revamped NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals will take place Sept. 19-21, 2025, at the Bellagio of Dragstrips, zMAX Dragway. The annual fall event in Charlotte serves as the second of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and the 16th of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. The playoff race had previously taken place in drag racing’s traditional two-wide format, but one of the most unique spectacles in motorsports will make its playoff debut, with four-wide racing set to bring an intriguing and exciting aspect to the championship race and the fall event at state-of-the-art zMAX Dragway. “Creating remarkable events is at the core of what we strive to do every day, and a four-wide Countdown race is the next in a long line of firsts we’re proud to be part of in motorsports,” said Greg Walter, president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We’ve seen the popularity of four-wide racing with fans for years at our spring event, but with championship implications on the line, next year’s showcase of speed promises to be our best yet.” Since its debut in 2010 at the spring race at zMAX Dragway, the first-ever purpose-built four-lane dragstrip, four-wide racing has been a huge favorite with fans, packing the spacious facility each year during the early-season extravaganza. Bringing the spectacular nature of four-wide racing to the Countdown to the Championship adds a thrilling, must-see aspect to the fall race, which comes in the middle of an important stretch of three straight race weekends to open the playoffs. Last year, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won the Carolina Nationals, with both Brown and Prock finishing the season as world champs, and Glenn and Smith taking second in points in their respective classes. Over the years, zMAX Dragway and four-wide racing have provided incredible moments, unbelievable side-by-side-by-side-by-side action and record-breaking runs, setting the stage for a wild four-wide doubleheader in 2025. The NHRA 4-Wide Nationals on April 25-27 will feature the 1,000th race in the illustrious Top Fuel category, with fans also getting the chance to witness four-wide racing in the fall for the first time ever, only adding to the playoff intensity and electricity at zMAX Dragway. “I think it’s positive. You have to go as many rounds as you can in those six (Countdown) races no matter what, and I think it’ll be good,” Mac Tools Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta said. “If it helps the attendance, that’ll be a double bonus, and I’m totally down with it. People can be pretty opinionated about the four-wide races, but Bruton Smith stepped up like he did his whole life building these beautiful facilities trying to grow the sport. “If somebody’s willing to spend the money to build a four-wide track to try to improve the sport, I’m definitely down with supporting people and efforts like that. I like the four-wide, and I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. Just like with NASCAR and what they do with the road courses and the Roval, we’re mixing it up. I’m for doing whatever it takes to promote our sport and get the most fans at the events.” Added Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III: “We race for the fans, and the engagement for the four-wide races is off the charts. The track thought it would be a great addition to the Countdown, so why not? Four-wide racing pushes some drivers out of their comfort zone, but I’ve had great success in this format. It’s an intense, electrifying experience that the fans absolutely love, so I say give the fans what they want and make it part of the Countdown." Some of the biggest names in the NHRA have also been the biggest winners when it comes to four-wide racing in Charlotte. In the Top Fuel ranks, Brown and Steve Torrence, who both have four world championships, have enjoyed massive success in Charlotte. Torrence has four four-wide victories (and six overall), while Brown has two four-wide wins (and six overall). Funny Car legend John Force won the first four-wide event in 2010 and also the most recent in 2024, with Ron Capps and Jack Beckman also winning twice at the biggest spectacle in drag racing. In Pro Stock, reigning world champion Greg Anderson has three wins in the four-wide format at zMAX Dragway, including a 2024 triumph, while back-to-back Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Gaige Herrera also has won the spring race the past two seasons in Charlotte. “We’re excited to team up with the incredible team at zMAX Dragway and have our first-ever four-wide drag racing in the Countdown to the Championship,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “The Smith family and everyone at zMAX Dragway have always been eager to bring new and innovative ideas to the table, and it was great to see the support from our race teams and partners. We wanted to try something different for our fall race in Charlotte and this marks a thrilling new challenge and full of playoff intensity, and one we think our fans will be eager to see next fall.” Tickets for the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals are on sale now and available at https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/events/nhra-carolina-nationals/. The spectacular, can’t-miss four-wide action will include two rounds of qualifying on both Friday and Saturday, leading into eliminations on Sunday for the pivotal playoff race. For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. For more information on zMAX Dragway, please visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)