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Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 13, 2024) – NHRA officials and FOX Sports announced today the television schedule for the upcoming 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, which includes eight broadcasts on the FOX broadcast network. All 20 races, along with the NHRA All-Star Callout events in Top Fuel and Funny Car, and the GETTRX NHRA All-Star Callout race in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, will be broadcast on either FOX or FS1 during the 2025 campaign. The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season opens March 6-9 with the 56th annual NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway. The race includes the NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, which will be broadcast at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 8 on FS1 and eliminations from the season-opener airing from 7-10 p.m. the following day. For the fifth consecutive season, a September event in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs will also air on FOX adjacent to an NFL broadcast, providing NHRA to a huge audience during its playoffs. That opportunity has repeatedly led to impressive viewership numbers, including an average of more than 1.2 million viewers on FOX last year during the broadcast from Maple Grove Raceway. That marks the final race of the season appearing on the FOX broadcast network, following a summer filled with incredible racing action on the broadcast network. Races scheduled to appear on FOX include the NHRA New England Nationals from New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. (June 1), the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals from Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk (June 29), the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals from Pacific Raceways (July 20), a special showing of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge from Sonoma Raceway (July 26), and the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals from Brainerd International Raceway (Aug. 17), leading into the world’s biggest drag race. The prestigious 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, which takes place Aug. 27-Sept. 1 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, will air on both FOX and FS1, including eliminations on FOX on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1 from the Big Go. The Funny Car All-Star Callout will also air on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 31, ensuring two days of coverage on FOX for NHRA’s biggest event. Eliminations will receive five hours of coverage on Monday, starting with two hours (12-2 p.m. ET) on FS1 before moving to FOX. Along with the nitro Callouts, both the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout and the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout will receive special Saturday broadcasts. The Pro Stock version, which takes place Saturday, June 28 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, will air at 3 p.m. ET that day on FS1, while the PSM Callout from Sonoma Raceway will air at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 26 on FS1. The NHRA and FOX relationship began in 2016, and NHRA and FOX Sports announced a multiyear extension of their agreement in 2021, including expanded coverage, the NFL adjacent event during the Countdown to the Championship, and extensive finals coverage at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals over Labor Day Weekend each year. The partnership has also led to numerous innovations on the broadcast in recent years, with the NHRA on FOX team collecting numerous Telly awards in 2024. FOX Sports and NHRA are also scheduling NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series broadcasts, as well as shows featuring the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series across the FOX Sports networks. NHRA races will also appear in Canada and the Caribbean through FOX Sports Racing as well, as well as through the FOX Sports app. For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 14, 2024) – With two additional events on the season, the NHRA has announced its 11-race schedule for the 2025 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, which will also include a Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals event and the California Hot Rod Reunion. The thrilling racing action of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, featuring both Nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters and Nostalgia Funny Cars, will kick off at the Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet at Famoso Dragstrip, March 6-9. The series then continues to Tucson Dragway for the Tucson Dragway Reunion, April 5-6, before traveling to the Nitro Nationals at Osage Casino Hotel Tulsa Raceway Park, April 24-26. Next up is the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by The Blower Shop, May 16-18, at Firebird Raceway in Boise, continuing to the Funny Car Fever event, May 23-24, at Redding Motorsports Park. The Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals, a fan-favorite event for enthusiasts, will be June 12-14 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. The series will travel to Canada for the Rocky Mountain Nationals, July 11-13, at RAD Torque Raceway in Edmonton, AB. It will return to the U.S. for the Nightfire Nationals presented by BI-MART at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Aug. 1-3, before the Nostalgia Summer Nationals at Woodburn Dragstrip. The Thunder Under the Lights will be held Sept. 19-20 at Redding Motorsports Park and finally the famed California Hot Rod Reunion will return to Famoso Dragstrip, Oct. 24-26. In addition to Nostalgia Top Fuel dragster and Nostalgia Funny Car, there are two groups of other classes. Group 1 includes A/Fuel, Jr. Fuel, and 7.0 Eliminator, while Group 2 includes Nostalgia Eliminator l, Nostalgia Eliminator ll, Nostalgia Eliminator lll, A/Gas, B/Gas, C/Gas, D/Gas, and Hot Rod Eliminator. The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series was developed in 2008 to help preserve NHRA’s rich history and tradition while providing racing opportunities for enthusiasts who enjoy nostalgia drag racing competition. For more information about the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series, please visit www.nhrahotrodheritage.com. For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) LLumar will sponsor Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet for two races in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. They’ll back him for the inaugural race in Mexico City and the penultimate race at Martinsville. LLumar has supported Chase for years, including a strong runner-up finish at Bristol, and they’re aiming for even better results in these upcoming events. Chase Elliott continues to have incredible support, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish with LLumar this season. Let us know your thoughts, and don’t forget to subscribe to Racing Refresh for all the latest NASCAR updates!

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) We’re thrilled to share that Disney+ is reviving Malcolm in the Middle, reuniting creator Linwood Boomer with the original cast, including Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and the rest of the family. Since Frankie Muniz is now a NASCAR driver, we thought it was only fitting to cover this news here at Racing Refresh. There’s no premiere date yet, but the buzz around this revival is huge, and we’re just as excited as you are. Let us know your thoughts, and don’t forget to subscribe to Racing Refresh for updates and maybe even our take on the series!

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) Christopher Bell will return to the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals after a two-year break. Joe Gibbs Racing recently lifted its ban on drivers participating in non-NASCAR events, allowing Bell, a three-time winner, to compete again. His new teammate Chase Briscoe announced the news, referencing a funny moment earlier this year when Bell accidentally leaked Briscoe’s move to JGR. Bell later confirmed his return, making it official and thrilling fans of the Chili Bowl. Let us know your thoughts, and don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned to Racing Refresh for all the latest motorsports updates!

Press Release | JOHN FORCE RACING INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Dec. 13, 2024) – Old World Industries today announced a multi-year extension with John Force Racing that includes primary sponsorship of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet SS in which Jack Beckman will pursue the Funny Car championship in the NHRA’s 2025 Mission Foods drag racing series. Beckman, who won two times last season in relief of the team’s namesake, drag racing legend John Force, will be back on tour full-time for the first time since 2020. He won the NHRA Funny Car championship in 2012 after reigning as NHRA Super Comp Champion in 2003. Injured in a high-speed crash at Richmond, Va., last June, Force continues to receive treatment for a Traumatic Brain Injury. Although he has made significant progress, he remains under the care and evaluation of TBI specialists. “The last eight races we saw that the NHRA is definitely better for having Jack Beckman back in the driver’s seat,” said Brian Bohlander, Director of Sports Marketing for OWI. “We’re excited to have John, Jack, and the entire JFR organization representing the PEAK and BlueDEF brands for years to come. Jack has done a tremendous job, on and off the track, and has earned this opportunity to race full time for the championship.” Beckman slid into the seat of the PEAK Chevrolet for the first time during last August’s “Night Under Fire” match race at Norwalk, Ohio. In eight starts in the Mission Series, he advanced to the final round three times, winning at St. Louis, Mo., and, in the season-ending In-n-Out Burger Finals, at Pomona, Calif. Racing as Force’s proxy, he finished second in points behind JFR teammate Austin Prock. “I am thrilled to continue a partnership with PEAK and BlueDEF and look forward to returning to JFR in 2025,” Beckman said. “As a car enthusiast, I believe in using the best products available for both personal and professional applications. PEAK and BlueDEF products are trusted for our support vehicles and haulers, ensuring reliability and performance. For 11 years a full-time instructor at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, Beckman taught more than 7,000 students the basics of the sport including Force’s wife, Laurie, and his drag racing daughters, Ashley, Brittany and Courtney. A U.S. Air Force veteran and cancer survivor, he has won 37 NHRA national events, 35 of them in a Funny Car. The 11th different driver to win a tour event for JFR, he is the 10th to do so in a Funny Car class over which Force reigned as champion 16 times. “Beckman’s doing the job for PEAK and BlueDEF,” Force said. “I’m still going to therapy every week and working as hard as I can to get back out there with the sponsors and the fans in a sport I love, and I miss. I’ve still got a lot of things I want to do, so I don’t want anybody thinking they’ve seen the last of John Force. We’ll have a lot more to talk about after the holidays.” (Photo Credit: Gary Nastase / Auto Imagery)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 13, 2024) – NHRA officials announced today that Lucas Oil Products, the world leader and distributor of high-performance automotive additives and lubricants, has signed a long-term extension to continue as the naming rights sponsor of Indianapolis Raceway Park. Home to the world’s most prestigious drag race, the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park has hosted the biggest events in NHRA history. The standout facility is also home to several other marquee races, including a NASCAR Truck Series race, and has more than 170 days of track activity annually. As part of the long-term agreement, Lucas Oil, which has been the title rights sponsor at the facility for more than a decade, will receive prominent track signage at both the dragstrip and oval, while Lucas Oil will also offer special promotional discounts for events at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. “It has been a huge thrill for Lucas Oil to be the title sponsor of an iconic track like Indianapolis Raceway Park for so many years, and we’re proud to announce this new, long-term extension,” said Brandon Bernstein, Director of Partnership Marketing for Lucas Oil. “This has been a tremendous relationship, and it means a great deal for Lucas Oil to be associated with the track and all of the amazing events that take place there. The future of the park is looking incredibly bright, with new plans in place that will keep Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park as one of the premier motorsports and NHRA drag racing facilities in the country.” Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park is currently in the midst of an exciting multi-phase plan for future building plans, including a new Wally Parks Tower, renovated suites, a new entrance for fans and moving the professional pits to the west side of the facility. The new Wally Parks Tower is currently under construction and is set to be completed in time for the 2025 Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. It will be an impressive three-story facility that will feature race control, media center, television broadcasting capabilities and three suites on the third floor. “We’re thrilled to have Lucas Oil continue as the title sponsor of Indianapolis Raceway Park and continue this incredible partnership,” NHRA Vice President of Track Management and Operations Kasey Coler said. “They’ve been a terrific sponsor for so many years and have always shown a strong commitment to the facility. Based on their investment and NHRA’s re-investment into the track, we look forward to the future and making the facility and the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals a preeminent destination and event for years to come.” For more information about Lucas Oil, visit www.lucasoil.com. For more information on NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | WOOD BROTHERS RACING Wood Brothers Racing, the oldest active team in NASCAR and one of the winningest organizations in league history, will celebrate a diamond anniversary in 2025 as it enters its 75th season in competition with multiple fan-focused initiatives planned. The season-long celebration will include a fan day at the team’s museum in Stuart, Virginia, special paint schemes, merchandise, digital content, an exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, and more as the team honors its heritage and the fans who have been loyal supporters over the years. “As we prepare for 2025, we’re reflecting on the moments that have shaped our team over the past 75 years while also looking to the future,” said Jon Wood, president, Wood Brothers Racing. “We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with our fans, partners, and those in the NASCAR community who have contributed to our story over the years.” Wood Brothers Racing was founded in 1950 by Glenn Wood, whose humble beginnings were marked by determination and resilience. Glenn, along with his brothers Leonard, Delano, Clay, and Ray Lee, worked on their race cars under a giant beech tree on the family homestead in Buffalo Ridge, Virginia. The Woods are widely credited for their development of the modern pit stop as their efficient, choreographed routines dramatically reduced the time it took to service a car on pit road, giving the team a competitive edge that changed the sport forever. As a result, Ford Motor Company brought in the Wood Brothers crew for the 1965 Indianapolis 500, where their techniques helped Jim Clark’s Ford-powered Lotus win open-wheel racing’s signature event. Since those early days, the team has amassed 100 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series (eighth on the all-time wins list), including an impressive five triumphs in the prestigious DAYTONA 500, as well as victories in other marquee events. Many of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers have raced under the Wood Brothers banner, with several being enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with team patriarchs Glenn (2012) and Leonard (2013). “The Wood Brothers Racing story is one of passion and perseverance. We’ve seen NASCAR evolve through the decades, and we’re proud to have played a role in shaping its history,” said Leonard Wood. “Celebrating 75 years gives us a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and to thank the fans who have supported us every step of the way.” Wood Brothers Racing remains a predominantly family-run operation, with the second and third generations proudly carrying on the family tradition. The team continues to focus on racing, business, and fan engagement, honoring its storied past while maintaining a forward-looking vision for the future. More details regarding 75th-anniversary celebrations will be announced in the near future. (Photo Courtesy Wood Brothers Racing)

Press Release | SPIRE MOTORSPORTS MOORESVILLE, NC (December 13, 2024) – NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Most Popular Driver Rajah Caruth will return to Spire Motorsports in 2025 to pilot the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado in pursuit of the division’s championship honors. In addition to announcing his plans for the 2025 season, Caruth walked the commencement stage Friday morning to accept his college diploma. The newly crowned graduate collected a Bachelor of Science in Motorsports Management from Winston-Salem (N.C.) State University. HendrickCars.com , the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group, will return to the team and serve as Caruth’s primary sponsor. “I’m thrilled to confirm that Rajah Caruth will be back with us in 2025 driving the No. 71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Silverado,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “He took the incredibly high expectations we placed on him to start the year and exceeded them in every way. I’m impressed with how he’s balanced his commitments to his race team, his craft, the media and his growing fanbase while managing a full workload at Winston-Salem State University. Our organization believes in Raj and he has consistently shown the leadership, form and work ethic that every team looks for in a driver. Everyone at Spire Motorsports is really happy to run it back with him next season.” Caruth, a native of Washington D.C., earned his first career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series pole position and victory in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, becoming just the third African-American driver to win a NASCAR National Touring Series race. “It is great to have a home and stability heading into next year,” said Caruth. “I believe this is the first time in my career I won’t be with a new team or competing in a different series at the start of the season. I really appreciate the opportunity Jeff (Dickerson) and T.J. (Puchyr) have given me, and I’m excited to continue preparations for 2025. Our organization has really grown over the past year, and we have shown what we are capable of. We have set the bar high for the season and the expectation is to win more races and compete for a championship.” The 2024 season marked a career year for the 22-year-old, collecting two Cometic Gasket Pole Awards, one win, five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes across 23 races. Caruth compiled a 10.7 average starting position in 2024, nearly five positions better than his 2023 efforts, while his 11.6 average finish calculates to an impressive 6.6 positions better than the year prior. Caruth raced part time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series during the 2022-2023 seasons and matched his career/series best 12th-place finish in October 2023 at Martinsville Speedway. He was named the 2021 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award recipient in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, an award based on a driver’s final Weekly Series national standing and on-track performance, sportsmanship and community service. “Rajah is a young man of tremendous character and has proven to be a great representative of HendrickCars.com and our nearly 11,000 teammates across the country,” said Rick Hendrick, the chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “In addition to being extremely talented, he has an incredible work ethic. We couldn’t be prouder to make this announcement on the same day Rajah and his family celebrate his college graduation. He has a very bright future in the sport, and we are thrilled to continue supporting his journey in 2025.” “It is very special to have Hendrick Automotive Group and HendrickCars.com support me and my racing career,” added Caruth. “When I got the opportunity to drive their Xfinity car at Phoenix in 2023, it felt like an audition for 2024. I didn’t have any plans at that point. I’m thankful for everything Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick and all the great people at HendrickCars.com and Hendrick Automotive Group have done for me. I’m super thankful for their support and I’m ready to put on a show for them next year.” The organization’s team and crew chief lineup is still being finalized and will be announced at a later date. Over the past four years, Caruth has juggled a full academic course load while competing full-time in a touring division. In total, he completed 120 course credit hours while making a combined 108 starts between the NASCAR Xfinity Series, CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series, in addition to various short track and road course events. “I’m glad to be done with school,” added the second-generation college graduate. “It required a lot of hard work and sacrifice, along with diligent time management between coursework and everything associated with racing including team meetings, simulator time and travel. I appreciate everything Dr. (Clay) Harshaw, Dr. (Dennis) Felder and all my professors at Winston-Salem State have done to help me finish school while chasing my dream. It is super cool to have the faculty, student body and WSSU National Alumni Association following me in my journey and cheering me on. The crew chiefs I’ve had through the years have been flexible with my schedule so I could finish this chapter, and I’m ready for racing become my lone focus.” The 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season kicks off with the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. The season-opener will be televised live on FS1, Friday, Feb. 14 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The first of the series’ 25 races will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. (Photo Courtesy Spire Motorsports)

Press Release | TRACKHOUSE RACING DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Trackhouse Racing, already with NASCAR and MotoGP teams in its portfolio, announced today that it will expand into the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship when it partners with TF Sport to field a Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) class for the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January. The No. 91 Corvette race team will be a collaboration between Trackhouse Racing and TF Sport titled Trackhouse by TF Sport and will feature a star-studded driver lineup. Trackhouse NASCAR drivers Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch, IndyCar Series star Scott McLaughlin and longtime sports car racer Ben Keating will share the car in America’s most prestigious endurance race. “Participating in the Rolex 24 has been a dream since the inception of Trackhouse Racing,” said Justin Marks, the Trackhouse owner and founder whose first professional race as a driver came in the 2001 Rolex 24 and peaked when he went to victory lane in 2009. “We wanted to make sure we could enter with a top-notch partner in Chevrolet and TF Sport, as well as a driver lineup that could compete for the victory. We feel like this group we have put together can compete for the trophy.” Trackhouse has fielded NASCAR Cup Series cars since 2021, visiting victory lane eight times with drivers Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez and van Gisbergen – all in Chevrolets. It joined the MotoGP grid in 2024, bringing an American team back to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing for the first time in over a decade. “We set out to become an international company with a global brand and we took a big step in 2024 adding MotoGP,” Marks said. “Today marks another step as Trackhouse enters one of the most prestigious motorsports races in the world with two Americans (Zilisch and Keating) and two New Zealanders (van Gisbergen and McLaughlin) behind the wheel.” Marks said he was intentional about selecting his partners like TF Sport and Chevrolet as well as his drivers, for the 24-hour race. “We wanted the best partners because we know how difficult this task will be,” said Marks. “We are racing against some of the best sports car teams and drivers in the world.” His drivers are familiar to most motorsports fans. Van Gisbergen’s resume includes Australian Supercars championships in 2016, 2021 and 2022, with 78 wins and 47 pole positions. He also won the Bathurst 1000, Supercars’ biggest race, in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Van Gisbergen won his debut NASCAR Cup Series race on the streets of Chicago in 2023 and captured three Xfinity Series victories in 2024. No stranger to IMSA, this will be his sixth start in the Rolex 24 and eighth in the WeatherTech Championship, but his first since the 2020 Rolex 24. The 18-year-old Zilisch won the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class at the Rolex 24 as part of a remarkable 2024 season that included victories at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, his debut Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International and several ARCA and CARS Tour events. McLaughlin won three straight Supercars titles in 2018-2020, including a Bathurst 1000 triumph in 2019, and owns seven victories in the IndyCar Series where he has competed full time since 2021. He also has an LMP2 victory at Sebring in 2023. Keating is the owner of 30 car dealerships across Texas and won the Rolex 24 in the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) class in 2015 as well as WeatherTech Championship LMP2 titles in 2021 and 2023. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 with TF Sport and again in 2023 with Corvette. Keating is also the 2022 and 2023 WEC world champion. The quartet will lean on the ability of the TF Sport team founded by Tom Ferrier and headquartered in Slinfold, West Sussex, England. Founded in 2014, the team has enjoyed a winning pedigree since the outset, claiming multiple championship titles in the British GT Championship, GTWC endurance championship and Michelin Le Mans Cup. TF Sport claimed victory at the Spa 24 Hours (2019) and two wins at Le Mans 24 Hours (2020) and (2022). “This is a fantastic way to kick off our 2025 racing program with Corvette Racing,” Ferrier said. “This team is a combination of sports car, IndyCar and NASCAR all joining together for a common goal, which is to win the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. It is such a great event and we cannot wait to get started with this talented team.” The Trackhouse Racing Powered by TF Sport team makes its on-track debut during the three-day Roar Before the Rolex 24 test on Jan. 17-19. Rolex 24 practice begins Jan. 23, with the 24-hour race starting on Saturday, Jan. 25. Shane van Gisbergen : “This is a dream come true to get to drive alongside Scotty, Connor and Ben. I love the 24 Hours of Daytona and it’s awesome to do this with this team. Justin, Chevrolet and TF Sport have done a great job putting this all together.” Ben Keating : “I’m really excited for this. I’ve won Le Mans in a Corvette and won a world championship in a Corvette. I’m thrilled to be back with TF Sport, a team that I know very well and one where we won a lot of races and a championship together. I’m teaming with some phenomenal Chevrolet drivers in Shane, Scott and Connor, which should be a lot of fun. This will be a big challenge but one that I know we are all looking forward to and are up for.” Scott McLaughlin : “When the opportunity came up from General Motors to run with Ben, Connor and Shane, I jumped at it straight away. I’ve always wanted to run an endurance race in a Chevrolet Corvette, and I could not imagine a better group to join. I am confident we have a real chance of winning a Rolex with this team. Shane and I have so much history racing against each other, including some time as teammates. He is one of the best racers I’ve ever competed against, so it’ll be great to be on his side again for Daytona. Connor is a young star who’s going to be around for a long time, and Ben has won Le Mans and a world championship in a Corvette. We’re going to have some fun.” Connor Zilisch : “I can’t wait for the 24 Hours this year. This will be cool and I really think we can win this race. I love my Rolex (watch for winning in 2024), and if I can get another one, I might wear one on each wrist. It takes so much to win this race, and I think everyone in this group brings something to the table that will help get us to victory lane. I know our Corvette will be fast.” (Photo Courtesy Trackhouse Racing)

(Photo Courtesy NHRA) Chad Green Motorsports is expanding by adding a second funny car team in 2025. Veteran racer Blake Alexander will serve as the primary driver for this new team, while Hunter Green will make his funny car debut in select races. This marks the biggest and most exciting season for Chad Green Motorsports as they look forward to a bold new chapter in NHRA competition. Blake stepping away from Jim Head Racing and joining this new team is a major move, and we’re eager to see how it unfolds. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned to Racing Refresh for all the latest news in motorsports!

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 12, 2024) – Set to celebrate its landmark 75th season in 2026, NHRA officials revealed a series of special plans today to kick off the campaign for the historic year in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. NHRA revealed a special 75th anniversary logo for the 2026 season to launch the campaign, as NHRA looks to celebrate 75 years of incredible racing, founder Wally Parks and the incredible legends that have played a huge role in NHRA’s illustrious history. The buildup to the landmark 75th season in 2026 will take place throughout the 2025 campaign with several initiatives set to take place this year, starting at the season-kickoff NHRA Gatornationals on March 6-9 at Gainesville Raceway. Some of the items introduced today at the 75th anniversary campaign launch include: 75TH ANNIVERSARY RINGS: NHRA also revealed special 75th anniversary replica rings that will be given to fans who renew their tickets for the 2026 race throughout the upcoming season. These rings will be a replica of the 75th anniversary rings given to the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series world champions in 2026. COMMEMORATIVE TICKETS: Each fan can purchase a special commemorative ticket for 2026 events to celebrate the landmark 75th season. SPECIAL 2026 WALLY TROPHY: The NHRA will introduce a new and unique Wally trophy that will be given to all race winners during the 2026 season. The 75th anniversary Wally will only be given out during the 2026 year. WALLY PARKS DOCUMENTARY: A comprehensive and first-time full-length documentary on iconic NHRA Founder Wally Parks will be released during the 2026 season. TOP 75 DRIVER LIST: Much like the Top 50 NHRA Driver List that was released during the 50th anniversary season in 2001, the NHRA will release its Top 75 Driver List during the 2026 season. The Top 75 Drivers list will also be released in book form. 75TH ANNIVERSARY COFFEE TABLE BOOK: A high-quality hardcover coffee table book will be released in alignment with the 75th anniversary as a must-have for any fan, detailing the incredible history of the NHRA, from its humble beginnings to its current status. "The 75th anniversary of NHRA drag racing marks a landmark moment in our sport’s history and we’re excited to kick off the campaign for that historic season in 2026 throughout our upcoming 2025 season,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “From a special logo and 75th anniversary rings, we’re thrilled to introduce several initiatives already for that celebratory season in 2026 and we will have many more to announce throughout 2025 in this exciting year-long buildup. NHRA has an incredible history – as well as a bright future – and we look forward to celebrating that with our fans, race teams, member track and partners.” Additional announcements and initiatives for the 75th anniversary season in 2026 will be released throughout the 2025 campaign. NHRA legends will also be included in the year-long celebration that year, with appearances and special celebrations to be announced in the coming weeks and months. For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 12, 2024) – For the first time ever, NAPA will team up with NHRA as an official partner, becoming the “Official Auto Parts Store of NHRA” as part of an exciting multi-year agreement. NHRA and NAPA officials announced the long-term partnership today, which is set to begin with the 2025 season in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. NAPA has a long and storied history in NHRA drag racing. Since 2008, NAPA has been the primary sponsor on the 11,000-horsepower Funny Car of three-time world champion Ron Capps. This partnership with Capps, the standout driver, 76-time event winner and 152-time finalist will continue, as NAPA looks to strengthen an already impressive footprint in the NHRA drag racing. As part of the partnership, NAPA will also become a presenting sponsor of the NHRA Youth and Education Services (YES) program. The NHRA YES Program is the only full-time education initiative in motorsports, offering quality educational content and activities for schools and youth organizations nationwide. It invites students to NHRA national events to see firsthand the career opportunities within the motorsports field. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with NHRA and become the 'Official Auto Parts Store of NHRA.' This multi-year agreement underscores our commitment to the sport and our dedication to supporting the next generation of automotive enthusiasts and professionals through the NHRA YES Program,” said Emily Schneider, Senior Director of Marketing at NAPA Auto Parts. “We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with Ron Capps and the entire NHRA community, and we are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring." As part of the program, which brings thousands of students to the track each year, NAPA will look to showcase how S.T.E.M. education is applied in career in the automotive area, focusing on attracting a new generation of technicians to America’s largest network of parts and care, with nearly 6,000 Auto Parts stores and over 16,000 Auto Care centers across the country. Along with prominent track signage and displays at each of the 20 NHRA national events, NAPA’s Carlyle Tools brand will be on display in the midway at 15 races during the 2025 campaign. The season begins March 6-9 with the 56th annual NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway. “It’s an exciting time for everyone at NHRA to announce this first-ever partnership with NAPA,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “They’ve been tremendous partners with Ron and his Funny Car team for so many years and it’s a huge thrill to now add them as the ‘Official Auto Parts Store of NHRA.’ They have continually showcased an incredible passion and commitment to motorsports, and we look forward continuing to grow this relationship and seeing the impact they can also have as part of our YES Program.” For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. For more information on NAPA, please visit www.napaonline.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 12, 2024) – NHRA officials today announced the creation of a special two-day exhibition showcase race, a new event featuring big-name NHRA stars racing at an NHRA Member Track. The first showcase event, the Peach State NHRA Showcase of Speed, will take place Oct. 24-25, 2025, at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Ga. The exciting two-day exhibition showcase, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, will feature two drivers each from the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, as well as four competitors in both Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, giving fans at SGMP the unique opportunity to see 330-mph, 11,000-horsepower nitro cars up close, as well as some of the biggest names and world champions in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Tickets for the first-ever Peach State NHRA Showcase of Speed are on sale now, and fans can purchase single-day or two-day tickets, as well as VIP options that offer an exclusive experience, and camping. The exhibition showcase is set to bring the feel of a national event to an NHRA Member Track, offering all the thrills and excitement of side-by-side 330-mph nitro action. “We have been working behind the scenes for a couple of months now as we collaborated with NHRA on all the details for this amazing event. Our community and the state of Georgia deserve an event of this caliber,” SGMP Owner Raul Torres said. “We will be surprised if tickets do not sell out as we are limiting the ticket sales to make sure our guests get the best possible experience at Peach State NHRA Showcase of Speed. We are bringing all the big names in the industry and this will be a weekend to remember for a long time. Our family cannot be prouder of our team that has helped us elevate SGMP to the next level. Now it is our fans’ turn to enjoy themselves at one of the elite events in the Southeast.” Participants in the debut event will be released in the coming weeks and fans can expect major NHRA stars, current champions and longtime standouts to take part in the event. More details about the two-day event, including run of show, additional classes and special attractions will also be announced soon. Located just outside of Valdosta, South Georgia Motorsports has been a standout NHRA Member Track for years, drawing strong participation locally and a great fan turnout, and making the facility an ideal choice to host the first-ever Peach State NHRA Showcase of Speed. The event is a non-points earning exhibition, created for the sake of bringing elements of a national event to an NHRA Member Track, showcasing both the facility for future possibilities as well as the chance for local fans to experience the incredible thrills, sights and sounds of NHRA championship drag racing, major names and 330-plus mph racing. It’s also part of NHRA’s initiative to continue its expansion and bring nitro racing, as well as Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle competition, to new race markets. “This is a tremendous new event that we’re thrilled to present to our race teams, fans and sponsors for the 2025 season, and it’s exciting to have South Georgia Motorsports Park as our host for the first-ever Peach State NHRA Showcase of Speed,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “It’s a fantastic facility and I think our fans in that area will really look forward to the chance to see this type of racing from our professional categories at the track. It’s an incredible way to showcase our nitro racing in markets that don’t currently have it and it also gives us a chance to grow and possibly create new opportunities for the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series in the future.” To purchase tickets to the Peach State NHRA Showcase of Speed, please visit https://nhra.evenue.net/list/SCSG. For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. For more info on South Georgia Motorsports Park, visit www.goracesgmp.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | SCRAPPERS RACING BROWNSBURG, Ind. (December 11, 2024) - Scrappers Racing will feature two Top Fuel competitors at the upcoming SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout. Jasmine Salinas, fresh off her rookie season in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, will be joined by her father, Scrappers Racing team owner Mike Salinas, when their signature flame-laden Peterbilts roll into Bradenton, Florida in February to compete in this one-of-a-kind event. Shortly after competing in the inaugural shootout last year, Mike made the wise decision to step out of the driver’s seat to tend to some health issues. Having earned her Top Fuel license only a few months earlier, Jasmine was thrust into competition with only days to prepare while her father underwent surgery. The father and daughter duo have never competed against each other in the same category before. “I’ve never been one to let my daughters win,” said Mike. “And they’ve never let me win either! That’s not how life works and it’s not how racing works. After being out of commission for almost a year and seeing what Jasmine can do, I know it’s going to take a lot of work to beat her. She stepped up and showed who she is as a driver and a team leader.” Whether or not Mike and Jasmine will face off directly against each other will be up to fate as the PRO Shootout will once again feature a chip draw for competition, creating a dramatic twist to driver matchups. The festival-style event will also hold a Top Fuel vs Funny Car race, adding yet another unique element to the reimagined race format. “Trust me when I say that while I’m excited to have my dad coming back to competition, I’m even more excited to beat him for the first time,” remarked Jasmine with a laugh. “In reality, I’m just really glad that he’s returning to the cockpit because I know how much he’s missed it. The SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout is so cool and drivers have been raving about it all year. I’m honored to be a part of it for the first time and look forward to applying everything I’ve learned since I made my Top Fuel debut back in March.” The SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout takes place at Bradenton Motorsports Park, February 6-8, 2025. Additional announcements including participating drivers, additional sponsors and a schedule of events, including open Testing on Thursday, February 6, will be announced shortly at www.prosuperstarshootout.com. Tickets can be purchased here. (Photo Courtesy Scrappers Racing)