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Press Release | KALITTA MOTORSPORTS INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 12, 2024) --- Dayco is introducing a new 97mm wide 11mm blower belt for Top Fuel cars at this week’s Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis, and Kalitta Motorsports is its exclusive trackside distributor, the team announced today. The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins March 7-9, 2025, at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. Kalitta Motorsports will distribute Dayco’s new 97mm wide blower belt in addition to the existing Dayco 84mm wide 11mm blower belt that’s been used on the team’s Funny Cars as part of their partnership agreement, which commenced prior to the 2024 season. Dayco and Team Kalitta have worked together over the past year to expand the Dayco blower belt line, in an effort to provide more coverage for vehicles with different engine and fuel specifications. The Dayco 11mm blower belt line is specially engineered for Top Fuel and Funny Cars with nitromethane engines. Featuring a hybrid carbon cord encapsulated in custom rubber compounds and patented low friction PTFE tooth fabric, the belt offers one of the highest load ratings in racing and has helped numerous teams cross the finish line first. That success is due in large part to the Dayco team’s utilization of real-world track data to enhance its belt designs. Additional information about Dayco’s commitment to motorsports is available here. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Kalitta Motorsports for the 2025 season and beyond,” said Dayco Marketing Programs Manager Dipesh Maniar. “When we kicked off our relationship in 2024 installing Dayco 11mm belts on Kalitta’s Funny Cars, we knew we wanted to add another belt for the Top Fuel class. For the last year, we’ve worked with our partners at Kalitta to design this new 97mm wide belt – it is a great addition to the product line, and we look forward to seeing how it performs and complements our existing racing products.” “We really enjoyed working with Dayco on this project, and it’s great to see this new belt ready for competition,” General Manager Chad Head said. “We are so happy to work with a Detroit-based company like ours, and we can’t wait to run this new belt on our Top Fuel cars. We only want the best components for our race cars, and this new Dayco belt definitely fits in that category. J.R. Todd’s DHL GR Supra team used Dayco belts this past season, and we look forward to Doug Kalitta’s Mac Tools team and Shawn Langdon’s Kalitta Air Careers team having access to this great product in 2025. We’re also honored to be Dayco’s official NHRA trackside distribution partner so we can share this great new product with the other nitro teams in NHRA competition because reliability benefits the entire sport.” (Photo Courtesy Kalitta Motorsports)

Press Release | SCRAPPERS RACING BROWNSBURG, Ind. (December 12, 2024) - Pro Stock Motorcycle standout Jianna Evaristo is featured as one of drag racing’s brightest young talents in Drag Illustrated’s prestigious “30 Under 30” list, which premiered digitally this week ahead of the PRI Show where all honorees will be recognized at a special press conference. The 30 Under 30 list is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. In that decade, the list has celebrated hundreds of standout individuals who are making a positive impact on the world of drag racing. Jianna is coming off of her best-performing season thus far in her career. In July, she wowed fans at Sonoma Raceway when she raced her Valley Services Scrappers Racing Buell to an outstanding speed of 204.54 mph, the second-fastest speed of all time in the category. That run earned her the distinction of being the fastest woman in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Jianna achieved new personal bests again and again throughout the season as she discovered new levels of confidence aboard her powerful bike. “Being named to Drag Illustrated’s 30 Under 30 list is such a privilege,” said Jianna. “When I look at all of my fellow honorees, it’s incredibly inspiring. This list showcases the intelligent and passionate people who will lead our sport into the future, and I’m excited to share this connection with such a talented group of individuals. It’s a reminder that hard work and dedication don’t go unnoticed. “I know I wouldn’t be here without the unwavering support of my incredible team, my family, and everyone who has believed in me along the way. They’ve all played a huge role in getting me to this point, and I’m so grateful for their encouragement and love. “I’m also thankful to Drag Illustrated for shining a spotlight on young talent in our sport and for giving us a platform to inspire the next generation of racers. This recognition motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and to continue contributing to the growth and evolution of drag racing.” The 30 Under 30 Class of 2024 will be recognized at a special press conference at the PRI Show on Friday, December 13 at 3:00 p.m. (Photo Courtesy Scrappers Racing)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 11, 2024) – NHRA announced today the 2025 season schedule for each of its five specialty classes. The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock and Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle classes will return to the track at several NHRA national events throughout the 2025 season, giving fans a variety of thrilling options at races across the country. The fan-favorite Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series will kick off its 10-race season at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville before heading to the NHRA Arizona Nationals, returning to Phoenix and Firebird Motorsports Park after a successful debut in 2024. The regular season will continue with races at the four-wide race in Charlotte, Chicago and Bristol, with the final race before the playoffs taking place in Richmond. The category’s Road to the Championship playoffs begin at the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, continuing to the Charlotte fall race and St. Louis. Finally, NHRA will crown a Pro Mod champion at the fall race in Las Vegas. Can reigning 2024 champion Jordan Lazic go back-to-back, or will a new champion claim the title in 2025? Fans will be treated to fierce competition all season from the drivers of the standout class. The ultra-competitive NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™ class crowned Mark Pawuk the world champion last season, as the veteran won his first championship in the category. The factory hot rod class will have eight events during the 2025 season, beginning in Gainesville. From there, Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown will race at the four-wide event in Charlotte, Chicago, Bristol and Norwalk, also taking part in the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis. The season then heads to Reading and Maple Grove Raceway before wrapping up their 2025 campaign at the NHRA Midwest Nationals in St. Louis. In 2024, the NHRA Holley EFI Factory X division made its debut as an official class and racing enthusiasts were thrilled to welcome a new category to the NHRA ranks. The class’s sophomore season will start at the NHRA spring race at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte and continue for an eight-race series. Stops also include Chicago, Richmond, Norwalk and the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, as well Reading and St. Louis. The category will finish its 2025 season in Dallas for the first time, as a champion will be crowned at the 40th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. Long-time NHRA racer Greg Stanfield earned the world title this season. The Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock category has long been a fan-favorite category, boasting big speeds, big engines and popular hood scoops. The class was an official category in 2024, with Johnny Pluchino walking away with the championship. This season, Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock will expand to an eight-race season, beginning at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte in late April. The year continues in Epping, Bristol and Norwalk for a busy June, and then will compete at Brainerd International Raceway in August. After a pair of September dates in Reading and the Charlotte fall race, the category will crown its champion in St. Louis as the class continues to grow at an impressive rate. Finally, the Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle division is once again set for a four-race season, beginning at the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance in Chicago and continuing to Richmond, Brainerd and the Charlotte fall event. World champion and fan-favorite Larry “Spiderman” McBride will again be on track on his record-breaking motorcycle, looking to again incredible speeds of well more than 200 mph. For more information on NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) Frontline Fire Protection will sponsor Brennan Poole and Alpha Prime Racing for four races during the 2025 Xfinity Series season. Brennan, who finished 16th in the 2024 standings with two top-10 finishes, was also backed by Frontline for four races last year, earning three top-20 finishes. This sponsorship is especially exciting because it supports smaller, underfunded teams and helps Brennan and Alpha Prime keep pushing forward. We’re happy to see this partnership and hope it leads to even more success for them. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned to Racing Refresh for all the latest news in motorsports!

Press Release | JEREMY CLEMENTS RACING Jeremy Clements Racing and Mark Setzer have mutually agreed to part ways, with Setzer stepping down as the crew chief of the No. 51 Xfinity Series Chevrolet effective immediately. Setzer joined JCR at the beginning of the 2021 season and has been a tremendous asset to the family-owned, single-car team based in Spartanburg. His contributions were pivotal in securing a victory at Daytona in the fall of 2022 and achieving two consecutive playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022. “Mark has done a lot to help grow our program here at JCR,” Jeremy Clements said in a statement. “We have had some memorable moments with him on the pit box for sure, and I am grateful for all his hard work over the last four seasons. We wish him nothing but the best in whatever comes next.” Kase Kallenbach from Marion, N.C. will be stepping in as the new crew chief of the No. 51 Chevy. He’s previously been the crew chief at JD Motorsports and more recently at Alpha Prime Racing. “I am looking forward to working with Kase this coming season, with his previous experience as crew chief in the Xfinity Series, it should help us battle for race wins and chase an Xfinity Series championship,” Clements said. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) We have some exciting news to share, Chris Lawson will return to Front Row Motorsports as the crew chief for Todd Gilliland and the number 34 team in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Lawson previously joined Front Row in 2020 and worked with Zane Smith in the truck series, where they secured six wins and a 2022 championship. Last season, he was with the number 51 car at Rick Ware Racing, shared by Justin Haley and Corey LaJoie. His return to Front Row brings championship experience and familiarity with Todd Gilliland, making this a strong move for the team. Let us know your thoughts on this change, and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates!

Press Release | NASCAR NASCAR today announced that its three national series – the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series – will adjust the practice and qualifying (P&Q) procedures for the 2025 season. The updated P&Q schedule will include more practice time, consistency in procedure across all three series and a return to simplified starting lineup rules. With the exception of the superspeedway events, each qualifying session will be one round, with each vehicle’s starting position determined solely by its qualifying results. In addition, NASCAR announced that a practice session prior to DAYTONA 500 qualifying has been added to the Daytona International Speedway weekend schedule. The 50-minute pre-qualifying practice is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 10:05 a.m. ET. The annual DAYTONA 500 Media Day will also take place Wednesday, Feb. 12, starting at noon and ending at 7 p.m. ET. DAYTONA 500 Busch Light Pole Award Qualifying will follow at 8:15 p.m. ET. Next season, FOX Sports will broadcast P&Q for The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, the DAYTONA 500, the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Raceway, as well as P&Q for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Prime Video will broadcast NASCAR Cup Series P&Q for the first half of the season excluding the events outlined above; TNT Sports will broadcast P&Q on Max and truTV for the second half of the NASCAR Cup Series season. Details for NASCAR Xfinity Series P&Q sessions airing on CW platforms will be announced at a later date. Below are the procedures for each track type. NASCAR CUP SERIES Standard P&Q 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2 Groups and qualifying order are determined by metrics (70% based on previous race finish by owner; 30% based on owner points position. The best scoring cars in metrics will be placed in Group 2.) Qualifying will be one lap, one round Tracks: Las Vegas 1-2, Phoenix-1, Miami, Darlington 1-2, Texas, Kansas 1-2, Charlotte, Nashville, Michigan, Pocono, WWTR, New Hampshire Short Track P&Q 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2 Qualifying will be two laps, one round Tracks: Martinsville 1-2, Bristol 1-2, Dover, Iowa, Richmond Superspeedway Qualifying Qualifying will be one lap, two rounds Fastest 10 cars in first round advance to final round Starting positions 1-10 will be based on fastest qualifying time in final round; remainder of field will start based on qualifying results in first round. Tracks: Atlanta 1-2, Talladega 1-2, Daytona-2 Road Course P&Q 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2 20-minute qualifying for Group 1, multi cars on track; 20-minute qualifying for Group 2, multi cars on track One round of qualifying Tracks: Chicago Street Race, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, Charlotte Roval NASCAR XFINITY SERIES Standard P&Q 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2 Qualifying will be one lap, one round. Tracks: Phoenix-1, Las Vegas 1-2, Miami, Darlington, Texas, Kansas, Charlotte, Nashville, Pocono Short Track P&Q 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2 Qualifying will be two laps, one round. Tracks: Martinsville 1-2, Bristol 1-2, Dover, Iowa Superspeedway Qualifying Qualifying will be one lap, two rounds Fastest 10 cars in first round advance to final round Starting positions 1-10 will be based on finish in final round; remainder of field will start based on qualifying results in first round. Tracks: Atlanta 1-2, Talladega 1-2, Daytona-2 Road Course P&Q 50-minute practice for all cars 20-minute qualifying for Group 1, multi cars on track; 20-minute qualifying for Group 2, multi cars on track One round of qualifying Tracks: COTA, Chicago Street Race, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, Portland, Charlotte Roval NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES Standard P&Q 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2 Qualifying will be one lap, one round. Tracks: Las Vegas, Miami, Texas, Kansas, Charlotte, Nashville, Pocono, Darlington Short Track P&Q 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2 Qualifying will be two laps, one round. Tracks: Martinsville 1-2, Bristol 1-2, North Wilkesboro, Lucas Oil IRP, Richmond Superspeedway Qualifying Qualifying will be one lap, two rounds Fastest 10 trucks in first round advance to final round Starting positions 1-10 will be based on finish in final round; remainder of field will start based on qualifying results in first round. Tracks: Atlanta, Talladega Road Course P&Q 50-minute practice for all cars 20-minute qualifying for Group 1, multi cars on track; 20-minute qualifying for Group 2, multi cars on track One round of qualifying Tracks: Watkins Glen, Charlotte Roval Expanded Practice Weekends The following weekends will have an expanded practice session. NCS: The Clash, DAYTONA 500, COTA*, All-Star Race, Mexico City, Indianapolis, Phoenix Championship NXS: Daytona-1, Rockingham, Mexico City, Indianapolis, WWTR, Phoenix Championship NCTS: Daytona, Rockingham, Michigan, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, New Hampshire, Charlotte Roval, Phoenix Championship Note: The NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of the Americas will use the same practice format as Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval in 2024, where cars will be assigned to two groups, with two 20-minute practices for each group (40 minutes total per car). The COTA practice session will lead into qualifying. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

(Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr / Racing Refresh) By Logan Morris It was a day of reflection for Tony Stewart Racing as they celebrated their 25th anniversary and unveiled a special 25th anniversary logo. Tony Stewart, Leah Pruett, Donny Schatz, and Matt Hagan participated in the festivities. During the event, I had a chance to ask Tony Stewart to reflect on his 2024 NHRA campaign and how he felt it went overall. “It was definitely a learning year, for sure. But, I think the great thing is when you have your wife [Leah Pruett] as your driver coach, a lot of people go, ‘Hm, how’s that going to work?’ and honestly it’s the best thing I ever could have done, having her there. She knows that I don’t want to do it 90 percent, I don’t want to do it 98 percent right, I want to do it 100 percent right, and if there’s anything I leave on the table, she had the confidence in knowing that she’s going to tell me and I’m going to be receptive of it, but I want to know how to fix it. So, that passion and desire that she has is the same that I have and being able to learn from her definitely made the rookie season much more enjoyable and accelerated the learning curve.” He went on to say, “I mean we were in really good company this year, so I think of a rookie season, even though we didn’t necessarily get a win, and it would be easy to say it wasn’t a successful year because of that, with the stats from the driving side, the team was happy with what we were doing, we didn’t hurt a ton of parts. They were all prepared early in the season knowing with a rookie driver that it can be very costly and expensive in parts if the driver doesn’t do their job and we did a good job all year of not hurting parts and catching the car and seeing the stats on reaction time within a year, so I’m calling it a very successful rookie season.” Going into 2025, Tony Stewart is determined to get that elusive first win. “I was determined last year, so I can promise you going into next year I definitely want to get into Winner’s Circle with this Top Fuel car. We won in Alcohol [Top Alcohol Dragster] this year, we won the Regional Championship, so that kind of pacified the disappointment of not winning in the Top Fuel car, but there were a lot of changes this year. Obviously, myself being heavier in the car, tubing changes this year, spec wise, on the cars. Weight change with the cars. I mean a lot of variable changes in the offseason. So, it just took us a little bit longer, our team a little longer, to catch on to. I feel like right at the end of the season it started showing signs of life again, a couple times during the year it started showing signs of life again and it didn’t work out. I feel that we’re finally starting to get a direction and get the needle moving the right way.” I also asked him about his thoughts on winning NHRA Rookie of the Year and what it meant to him. “I laugh about it saying, ‘Apparently you can teach an old dog new tricks.’ But, it was an honor, you know if it was strictly performance-based, you’d have to give it to Richard Gadson. He did an awesome job in Pro Stock Bike this year, but their criteria is a different criteria, and I’m proud of it. I think anytime you win any award in motorsports, you don’t take it lightly, you realize that it takes a lot of work and effort. Whether it was promoting NHRA through the season, or spending time at the rope signing autographs, all the things that they judge on, those sort of things they were excited to do. I’m excited to be a part of NHRA and promote them and see people at the racetrack and see them smile and have a good time. You know, when we’re having a bad day, seeing those people smiling sometimes takes that burn off our shoulders.” The 2025 NHRA season kicks off March 6-9, 2025 at the NHRA GatorNationals.

(Photo Credit: Peyton Lohr / Racing Refresh) By Logan Morris As Tony Stewart Racing celebrated 25 years on Wednesday, I had the opportunity to speak with Leah Pruett. We covered a few different topics, including what the racing itch was like for this season as she stepped away to start a family with her husband. “It changed throughout the year, but the first itch was at the event in Bradenton. Last year, I got to drive that event and then swapping gears into Tony [Stewart] testing. It wasn’t so bad because I definitely had a job to do, which was coaching him and making sure he felt safe and comfortable in the car. So, I kind of personified that, but as the season got going, and he was more comfortable and doing great, there was definitely less need for me. Ironically at that exact same time, I was pretty well along pregnant, so I also then had the purpose and the reasoning for not being in the car. I think the most challenging part of all of that is going to be the itch coming up. I’m not pregnant, I’m taking care of a newborn, I technically could be driving, sitting on the decision that I’ve made to sit out this year instead of one that kind of made me.” Looking to her future and if she’ll return to the seat in 2026, she’s unsure about if she and the team will be prepared to race by then. “I’m not sure yet, because of what it takes to race. There’s one Top Fuel car, and two Top Fuel drivers, and I love my husband [Tony Stewart] enough that I want to see him happy, and if drag racing and hopefully winning with this team makes him happy, well then that means I need to find another thing to race, It’s ‘Tony Stewart Racing’ and even though he says it’s my car and my team because that’s how we built it. I would love for us to have a two-car team but that’s a dream, that’s not necessarily a goal. That’s something that happens if our partners come along and want to see it come into fruition and can help that dream become a possibility, then great. As of right now, we want to get this Top Fuel team up and going in a competitive nature and then I’ll see where all my items lie in the fire.” For now, she’s very focused on 2025 and she intends to be very hands-on with the team next season. She has some major goals set for the upcoming year. “2025 will be getting Tony [Stewart] to be from number four leaver to number one leaver in the class, and that’s going to take some work on both our parts. From a practice cockpit, practice tree, being on him, Tony doesn’t like to practice. So, I’m going to have to be the bad guy to get him to have a different mental shift and execution shift as well. Then, there are some IT projects that I have with Converge Technology Solutions that we’re very much looking forward to being an asset to the crew chiefs. So, I do feel like I have a full plate, raising our kid that will be at every single race, and looking forward to it.”  Thus far she’s steadfast that being a mom hasn’t really shifted her career priorities and she intends to balance both. “So far, it hasn’t. I’m three weeks into being a mom and a lot of, I don’t want to say anxiety, but the thoughts that go through my mind are, what are the projects I need to tend to here with the team that maybe have lapsed over a month or so, because I’m so eager to get back into being involved. I don’t see anything particularly changing, I’m not afraid to get in the seats, that’s just part of what we do in the sport and the dangers that come with it, so I feel like the same as I was before and I think the thing I’m most scared of is just not being a good mom.” The 2025 season kicks off with the NHRA GatorNationals March 6-9th, 2025.

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 11, 2024) – NHRA announced today the 2025 schedule for the Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories in the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, including the dates for the GETTRX NHRA All-Star Callout in both categories. The talent-heavy Pro Stock category will compete at 18 races during the 2025 campaign, racing at every event on the NHRA national tour except for Chicago and Richmond. The 74th season of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series opens with the 55th annual NHRA Gatornationals on March 6-9 at legendary Gainesville Raceway, the first of 20 races next year. Top Fuel and Funny Car will compete at all 20 events, while Pro Stock will race at 18 events and Pro Stock Motorcycle will be contested at 15 races. After taking place in Chicago the previous two seasons, the GETTRX Pro Stock All-Star Callout will also get a new destination in 2025, as the fan-favorite one-day specialty race will take place as part of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals on Saturday, June 28 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. Greg Anderson is the defending winner of the Callout, while Anderson also enters the 2025 season as the reigning world champion, clinching his sixth world championship in a winner-take-all final round against KB Titan Racing teammate Dallas Glenn at the finale in Pomona. Pro Stock Motorcycle will compete at 15 events during the 2025 campaign, beginning with the category’s traditional opener in Gainesville. Pro Stock Motorcycle will also race at the four-wide race in Charlotte and return to Chicago for the third straight year. Following a busy June that includes races in Bristol, Richmond and Norwalk, the class will again compete in Seattle, where the class raced for the first time in 2023, and Sonoma. The GETTRX Pro Stock Motorcycle Callout will also take place at the Denso NHRA Sonoma Nationals on Saturday, July 27, as Matt Smith will look to repeat his specialty race win. After a one-race break, Pro Stock Motorcycle will then return at Indy, finishing the season at the final seven events. Gaige Herrera won the championship in the two-wheeled category for a second straight year, picking up 10 event wins along the way. All four professional categories will also race in all six events in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Callout races will take place in Top Fuel and Funny Car as well, with the Top Fuel All-Star Callout taking place in Gainesville and the Funny Car All-Star Callout thrilling fans at the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy. The popular Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, which brings competitive racing, a bonus purse and bonus championship points to Saturday qualifying, will return in 2025 as well, taking place at 13 regular-season events, including four-wide races at Las Vegas and Charlotte. For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

(Photo Courtesy NASCAR) Haas Factory Team has solidified its crew chief assignments for the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Jonathan Toney, who guided the team to the 2023 championship, will partner with Sheldon Creed, a recent addition to the team from Joe Gibbs Racing. Leading Sam Mayer's No. 41 team will be Jason Trinchere, a veteran crew chief with five Xfinity Series victories to his credit. Furthermore, Haas Factory Team will maintain its strategic alliances with RSS Racing and AM Racing throughout the 2025 season, ensuring continued collaboration and support within the NASCAR ecosystem. Like and subscribe for more updates!

Press Release | TONY STEWART RACING BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Dec. 11, 2024) – Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) an iconic and trailblazing motorsports brand, is elated to announce that the 2025 racing season will be a celebration of its 25th season of full-time competition in auto racing. Since its inception, TSR has remained at the forefront of professional dirt-track racing and expanded the brand into the NHRA professional drag racing divisions in its quarter century foothold. Owned by three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and the brand’s namesake, Tony Stewart, TSR will field an entry in the World of Outlaws (WoO) NOS Energy Sprint Car Series for 10-Time Series Champion, Donny Schatz, and entries in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions for Stewart and 4-Time Series champion, Matt Hagan in 2025. “It’s pretty remarkable to think that we’re 25 years into this now it just seems like yesterday when Danny Lasoski and I had a conversation about starting TSR and what it was going to look like… it literally started with one World of Outlaws team,” said Stewart. “When you look at what we’ve been able to accomplish since 2001 it makes you stop, reflect, smile and think of all the great things that we’ve been able to do as a group of talented drivers, crew members, crew chiefs and great partners along the way… it’s just been a great ride.” TSR’s legacy had humble roots, as Stewart co-owned cars in the USAC Silver Crown Series in the late 1990s with Bob East and the duo won 16 series feature events making the pairing one of the most potent in the sport. As his NASCAR career took off in the 2000s, Stewart looked to further give back to his roots in open-wheel racing and in November of 2000, TSR was forged. 2001 was TSR’s inaugural season, laying the groundwork for the organization to grow into the powerhouse that it is today. As tenacious as Stewart is in the cockpit of a racecar, he’s proven equally adept at providing cars and equipment for racing’s dirt-track elite. In November 2000, Stewart formed Tony Stewart Racing (TSR), and since its inaugural season in 2001, TSR has earned 27 owner championships – 14 in USAC, nine in the World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Car Series and four in the All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets Series. Operating out of a state-of-the-art 25,000- square-foot facility in Brownsburg, Indiana, TSR campaigns a WoO team for ten-time series champion Donny Schatz. Schatz earned TSR Sprint Car’s most recent title when he scored the 2018 WoO Championship with a series-best 22 wins. One of those wins came in the prestigious Kings Royal event (TSR Sprint Car owns six Kings Royal titles) at the legendary Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, which is also owned by Stewart. Schatz has earned five Kings Royal titles driving for TSR, winning the event in 2009, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2023. Steve Kinser earned the Kings Royal title in 2010 for TSR. Additionally, TSR has 12 Knoxville Nationals championships in the WoO. Danny Lasoski captured victories in the famed winged Sprint Car event in 2001, 2003 and 2004, while Schatz earned Knoxville Nationals wins for TSR in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2022. Nine different drivers have won a WoO Feature while in a TSR owned car. That list includes Donny Schatz, Steve Kinser, Kraig Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Paul McMahan, Kerry Madsen, Tony Stewart and Christopher Bell. As of the completion of the 2024 WoO season, TSR’s WoO win total sits at 330 and counting. Twelve different drivers have won a USAC National Feature while in a TSR owned car. That list includes Bobby East, Bryan Clauson, Cory Kruseman, Dave Steele, J.J. Yeley, Jason Leffler, Jay Drake, Josh Wise, Kasey Kahne, Levi Jones, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. & Tracy Hines. In total, TSR accumulated 117 USAC National event Feature wins during its time in the series. Chris Windom also piloted a TSR USAC entry, filling in for an injured Jones in 2012. “When you look at the impressive list of drivers that we’ve been fortunate enough to have as part of TSR, it’s hard to believe that we’ve accomplished everything that we have as an organization. When you look at the stats it’s truly amazing,” said Stewart. “I think we get so focused on everything that’s in front of you and trying to get that next win, that next championship that you never stop long enough to reflect on, look back at and appreciate the incredible accomplishments we’ve had as an organization. Our entire resume has been due to having great people as part of our team and looking ahead to the future it’s very exciting.” Heading into TSR’s 25th season, the organization will field a car for Schatz and will compete full-time in the WoO Sprint Car Series which boasts an ambitious 90+ race schedule. The team will compete in nearly every region of the continental United States and will see the WoO Sprint Car Series’ return to Canada in 2025 as Schatz and the Outlaws will cross our northern border for a three-race stretch this coming May. Tony Stewart Racing Nitro was formed in 2021, with 2022 marking the team’s first season in competition. Matt Hagan pilots the Funny Car and Tony Stewart took over driving duties in 2024 for wife Leah Pruett in the Top Fuel dragster as they started a family. Pruett gave birth to the couple’s first child, Dominic James Stewart during the season finale in Pomona, California. On the drag strip, TSR has earned 16 wins and one Funny Car championship since its inception. Hagan has earned 13 victories for TSR (four in 2022, six in 2023, three in 2024), en route to his 2023 NHRA Funny Car Championship. He has also earned NHRA Funny Car championships in 2011, 2014 and 2020. Pruett brought home three wins for the team (one in 2022, two in 2023). Making his Top Fuel debut in 2024, Stewart advanced to a pair of final rounds, four semifinals, earned a position in the Countdown to the Championship and finished ninth in Top Fuel points. At the NHRA Finals, he had a career-best run of 3.688-seconds at 334.73-mph in his 11,000-horsepower dragster. Stewart earned the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year title in an impressive field that included seven other NHRA rookies. He finished second in the 2023 Top Alcohol Dragster championship standings driving for McPhillips Racing. “Racing and being an owner is something I’ve always enjoyed doing. I’ve always enjoyed having a Sprint Car team. I’ve always enjoyed dirt racing and then when I met Leah, I really gained a great appreciation for Drag Racing,” said Stewart. “There aren’t many organizations around that compete in two forms of motorsports that couldn’t be more drastically different, but we’re making it work. It’s a challenge, but we’ve always enjoyed a challenge as a team… and the sky is the limit at this point.” In celebration of Tony Stewart Racing’s 25th season, the Official Tony Stewart Store is offering commemorative gear for purchase. To view the merchandise selection, please visit the store online at https://tonystewartstore.com/collections/tony-stewart-racing-25th-anniversary-1 . For more information regarding the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Car Series, please visit https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/ . To learn more about the United States Auto Club (USAC) please visit www.usacracing.com . For information regarding TSR’s Donny Schatz, please visit www.DonnySchatz.com . To learn more about the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, visit www.nhra.com. For information regarding TSR’s NHRA program, visit www.tsrnitro.com. (Photo Courtesy Tony Stewart Racing)

(Photo Courtesy NHRA) Blake Alexander has announced that he will not return to Jim Head Racing in 2025. Over his five years with the team, he achieved two event wins and fulfilled his childhood dream of racing this Nitro funny car. Blake reflected on his accomplishments and expressed gratitude to Jim Head and his teammates for their support. He mentioned that he will be attending PRI and is excited to share his future plans soon. Let us know your thoughts on Blake’s decision, and don’t forget to subscribe for updates on all the latest news and notes!

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 9, 2024) – NHRA officials announced today that Evan Jonat has been named Senior Vice President of National Events, effective immediately. Jonat, who is based out of NHRA’s San Dimas, Calif. office, has been Vice President of Live Events since 2018, first joining NHRA in 2007 as a Field Marketing Manager. In his time at NHRA, Jonat has played a pivotal role in creating an enjoyable, one-of-a-kind experience at NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events. Jonat will continue to oversee a live event and marketing team to coordinate all promotional, entertainment and educational aspects of NHRA national events, also working closely with competition and broadcasting departments to help produce an exciting and seamless show. Jonat works closely with NHRA partners and race teams as well, implementing initiatives to connect them with fans in memorable activations. Additionally, Jonat manages the Sportsman Racing department and oversees the Youth & Education/Contingency/Racer Hospitality and the Racer/NHRA Merchandise programs. “It’s a tremendous honor to be named Senior Vice President of National Events at NHRA. I’ve considered myself fortunate to be surrounded by a great team and great people, and it’s been a huge thrill to work closely with our member tracks, partners and race teams to help produce outstanding shows for our race fans,” Jonat said. “It’s always our goal to give our passionate fans an incredible show. I look forward to continuing to help NHRA grow and look for new, creative and innovative ways to make our national events a truly memorable experience for everyone.” Jonat is a graduate of the State University of New York College at Cortland, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, as well as a Master of Science degree. In addition to his role at NHRA, Jonat is on the NHRA Wally Parks Museum board and a board member of ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee for the United States). “Evan has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance, dedication and leadership in his time at NHRA and we’re excited to announce this promotion to Senior Vice President of Live Events,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “We are confident he will continue to excel and contribute to NHRA’s success as we look forward to a thrilling 2025 season and beyond.” For more information on NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, please visit www.NHRA.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 6, 2024) – NHRA officials announced today that Clinton Snead has been named the new NHRA Director of Engineering. Snead returns to NHRA from Toyota Racing Development, where he served as senior engineer. He worked with Top Fuel and Funny Car teams to improve on-track performance, as well as developing and maintaining the NHRA tuning program and engine simulation programs for the nitro teams. Snead previously worked as associate engineer at NHRA from 2013-2015. He returns to the Technical Department and will help lead the team that oversees on-track competition and safety. In his new role at NHRA, Clinton will be the primary engineer for NHRA and will be responsible for supervising and mentoring the Tech Department staff, including Joey Gorman (Top Fuel & Funny Car Specialist), Josh Hamming (Top Fuel & Funny Car Specialist) and Jake Petrusky (Associate Engineer). “I’m most excited to make a positive impact on the sport of drag racing,” Snead said. “Being able to contribute to something I’ve loved my entire life is truly special. It’s an honor to work with the talented NHRA Tech Department team, as well as the teams, manufacturers and racers who bring so much passion to the sport.” Snead will report to NHRA Vice President of Competition Ned Walliser and will be based out of NHRA’s Indianapolis office. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Motorsports Engineering from the Purdue School of Engineering & Technology, IUPUI. “We are thrilled to welcome Clinton back to the NHRA and especially in this important role as Director of Engineering,” Walliser said. “Clinton has an incredible knowledge and love of the sport, and has a great working relationship with our race teams and manufacturers. He is a great addition to our Tech Department staff, and we look forward to great things from him and our entire team in 2025.” For more information on NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)