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We’ve got updates on more changes happening at Legacy Motor Club. They’ve released Jason Burdett, the crew chief of the No. 84 car, and several members of the team. Jimmie Johnson, who drives the No. 84 on a part-time basis, will still run his remaining scheduled races for 2024, but it’s unclear if he will race in 2025. The team has not yet announced a new crew chief for the 84, and more changes are expected, as Bobby Kennedy recently became the new GM. We’ll keep you updated on all the developments as they happen! (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

We’ve got some exciting news from JR Motorsports! Shopping giant Meijer will be joining Justin Allgaier’s No. 7 Hemlmann's Brand Chevrolet for the upcoming races. The Xfinity Series is on a three-week break due to the Olympics, just like the Cup Series, but when the series returns, Meijer will be part of Allgaier’s team. It's a cool partnership, and we’re looking forward to seeing it in action. Stay tuned for all the latest news and updates on Motorsports! (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

In case you missed it, Corey LaJoie will not be penalized for his actions at Pocono this past weekend, where he right-hooked Kyle Busch after a block. Personally, we don’t agree with the decision, but NASCAR decided not to penalize LaJoie for causing the crash with Busch. What do you think about this call? Let us know in the comments below—we're curious to hear your thoughts. Stay tuned to Racing Refresh’s social media for more updates! (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

We’ve got some news from Alpha Prime Racing, as they’ve announced that Garrett Smithley will drive the No. 45 car this weekend in an attempt to qualify for the Xfinity race. Smithley has made 15 starts this year with JD Motorsports, but Alpha Prime Racing has now acquired the owner points for the No. 4 car. JD Motorsports has laid off much of its workforce and filed for bankruptcy, leaving uncertainty about its future. We’re wishing the best for JD Motorsports, but it’s exciting to see Smithley’s move to Alpha Prime Racing. Stay tuned to Racing Refresh’s social media for updates on how the weekend goes! (Photo Credit: Twitter.com/TeamAlphaPrime )

We’ve got some exciting news for this weekend’s All-Star Speed Tour at Lime Rock! Hailie Deegan is teaming up with legendary NASCAR driver Ken Schrader for the race, marking her first official move after losing her ride at AM Racing. It’ll be interesting to see how she performs with Schrader, especially with the race taking place at the iconic track. We’ll be keeping an eye on the action and updating you on how the effort goes. Stay tuned to Racing Refresh’s social media and website for more updates! (Photo Credit: Twitter.com/BlackFlagMatter )

We’ve got some exciting news for this Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Pocono! Mason Massey will be driving the No. 14 Camaro for SS Greenlight Racing, sponsored by Hulk Hogan’s new Real American Beer. This is Hulk Hogan’s big move into the NASCAR world, teaming up with Fan Controlled Sports Entertainment. It’s interesting to see a brand like Hogan’s get involved in the racing scene. Let us know what you think in the comments below, and stay tuned for more updates! (Photo Credit: Twitter.com/Mason_Massey )

We’ve heard the news that Bubba Wallace was fined $50,000 for his actions on the cooldown lap against Alex Bowman after the Chicago Street Course race. We want to know what you think—was it the right call, too little, or too light of a penalty from NASCAR? Let us know your opinion in the comments below. (Photo Credit: Twitter.com/dailydownforce )

Martin Truex Jr. recently confirmed on the Dale Jr. Download that he's planning to race in the 2025 Daytona 500. The big question now is where he will race—could it be with 23XI Racing, where Denny Hamlin had previously said he’d be ready to provide a car for him? There's also the possibility he could run for Joe Gibbs Racing, where he will remain an ambassador. For Truex fans, it’s clear he’s not done yet, and there's excitement about what’s to come. Stay tuned to our social media and check out the post below for more updates! (Photo Credit: Twitter.com/RaceSonoma )

Josh Berry is reportedly set to drive for the Wood Brothers in 2025, taking over the iconic No. 21 car, according to the Sports Business Journal. This move keeps him in the Ford camp, but it leaves Harrison Burton looking for a new ride. We think it's a good move for the Wood Brothers as they continue their search for their 100th win, and Josh Berry could be the one to deliver it. Berry has proven his capabilities, especially with strong performances at Stewart-Haas Racing in recent weeks. Let us know what you think about Berry’s move, and be sure to stay tuned for more updates on racingrefresh.com and social media. (Photo Credit: Twitter.com/XfinityRacing )

In a recent NASCAR penalty report, we learned that Carson Hocevar, driver for Spire Motorsports, was fined $50,000 and docked 25 driver points for spinning out Harrison Burton at the Ally 400. The penalty is a significant one, and it has raised questions about the potential for retaliation. Fans are wondering if Burton will try to get revenge in the upcoming street race. This event will take place this Sunday, and all eyes will be on the drivers as the rivalry continues. Be sure to stay tuned to racingrefresh.com and our social media for more updates and hot content coming your way. (Photo Credit: Twitter.com/bobpockrass )

Press Release | NHRA POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 12, 2024) – At the beginning of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, Austin Prock wasn’t sure if he’d be a driver or a spectator. But when a Funny Car seat became available within his John Force Racing team, he was more than happy to take on driving duties. The seat was for the 11,000-horsepower Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driven by three-time champion Robert Hight, who stepped out of the car for medical reasons. Prock had the opportunity to not only fill in for a former champion but to team up with his father, Jimmy, as the crew chief and his brother, Thomas. Now heading into the final race of the season at this weekend’s 59th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at legendary In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, the championship is all but decided. With his 188-point lead over his teammate Jack Beckman, who is driving for the 16-time champion John Force, Prock will lock in his title during qualifying, capping off a season the family will never forget. “When I got in the race car at the beginning of the year, my dad told me he wanted a championship,” Prock said. “We’re getting really close and to do it with my dad and brother (assistant crew chief, Thomas), with all three of us Procks, would be really special. This team has really been lights out this year. An outstanding job by each and every one of them. They all carry their weight, and they all have each other’s back. We win and lose as a team.” The championship will be the first for A. Prock, who won the 2019 NHRA Rookie of the Year award. The crowning moment will come in Pomona and will represent an opportunity for Prock to celebrate one of the most impressive seasons in recent Funny Car history. His 14 No. 1 qualifiers are already a single-season record in the Funny Car (and nitro) ranks, while his eight wins, including three in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, matches the likes of Force, Ron Capps and Hight for the most in the class this century. Prock will be named champion following qualifying, but he remains laser-focused on trying to end the year in impressive fashion. A ninth win – and a first world championship for the young standout – would certainly do it. “The job isn’t done. This category is so tough, so unpredictable and the job is finished when the trophy is in our hands,” Prock said. “And when it gets to my hands, it’s going straight to my dad’s hands. We’re getting really close, but the job isn’t finished. I’m excited we won last week in Vegas, but we still haven’t won the championship and that’s our main goal this year." The 2023 In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals saw Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Chad Green (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock), and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) take home event wins, while Kalitta (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) won world titles. The year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1 to close the season in style, including eliminations at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 17. It is the final of 20 races in the 2024 season and the last of six races in the Countdown to the Championship, and Prock has been dominant from start to finish. With the championship, Prock will join an elite group 17 drivers who have claimed Funny Car championships, joining his teammates Force, Hight and Beckman. “It’s ludicrous what we’ve done this year,” Prock said. “I wasn’t even supposed to be driving this season and then all of the sudden we’ve been really making a name for this team. It’s really special and I’m glad I’m a part of it. I’ve had a lot of fun with the team this year and just the success that goes with it. It makes it even more special.” In the Top Fuel ranks, Justin Ashley currently leads the points over former champs Antron Brown and Shawn Langdon by 44 and 45 points, respectively, with Steve Torrence and Doug Kalitta both close behind. Ashley has collected four wins this season, including the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip’s first event of the season. Pro Stock has come down a three-car race, with Aaron Stanfield jumping into the lead with his Las Vegas win. He leads Dallas Glenn by 32 points as both drivers are seeking their first championship. Veteran Greg Anderson is only 56 points back, while the likes of Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. look to finish the year with a Pomona win. The Pro Stock Motorcycle division has once again dominated by Herrera, the defending world champion. He heads to Pomona with 10 wins this year and a 123-point advantage over six-time world champion Matt Smith. With a strong qualifying effort, Herrera can claim his second straight world title. Along with racing in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, fans can also see the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, while the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department will hold a special racing exhibition. Fans are invited to the Nitro Alley Stage in the pits, where they can take part in Nitro School, meet and greets, influencer interviews and much more. Pomona race fans can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday, where fans are invited to congratulate the world champions and event winners. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. They can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes displays, merchandise, food, and fun. NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will feature two qualifying rounds at 1 and 3:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 15, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, Nov. 17. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday and then live eliminations on FS1 at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday. To purchase tickets to the 59th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | KALITTA MOTORSPORTS YPSILANTI, Mich. (Nov. 12, 2024) – After a nearly perfect start to the season eight months ago, J.R. Todd and his DHL team look to close the season the way it began. The 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship NHRA Playoffs conclude Nov. 15-17, 2024 at the In ‘n Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., the last of six playoff races. Todd won the season-opening race in Gainesville, Fla., winning the historic NHRA Gatornationals with his teammate, Shawn Langdon, winning the Top Fuel title in the first “double-up” win in Kalitta Motorsports history. Todd is a two-time Pomona winner – he swept the southern California races in 2018 on his way to the NHRA Funny Car championship. Winning his third-career Pomona race this weekend would bookend the season in perfect fashion. The DHL GR Supra team definitely had some highlights in 2024. Todd won the opening race and advanced to at least the semifinals at 10 of the season’s first 13 races. In addition, he claimed three titles in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge featuring a rematch of the semifinals and finals from the previous race. Yet the DHL team enters the season’s final race in eighth place in the NHRA Funny Car point standings. Following a Monday test session after the most-recent race in Las Vegas, Todd and team hope to put a bow on the season with the season’s final Funny Car trophy. “This DHL GR Supra team has definitely had some ups and downs this season,” Todd said. “We really liked the way we started the season and kept it going for several races, but we never got over the hump in getting the performance we needed. We’ve had some bright spots along the way, and it would be great to finish the season with one more highlight so that’s definitely our goal for this weekend. We need to get a good start on Friday, qualify in the top half of the field to put ourselves in a position to make a run at the trophy on Sunday.” (Photo Courtesy Kalitta Motorsports)

Press Release | KALITTA MOTORSPORTS YPSILANTI, Mich. (Nov. 12, 2024) – Doug Kalitta enters the season’s final race with a shot at successfully defending his 2023 NHRA Top Fuel championship. He’ll need a nearly perfect weekend to make it happen, but come-from-behind championship wins have happened before. The 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship NHRA Playoffs conclude Nov. 15-17, 2024 at the In ‘n Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., the last of six playoff races. One year ago, Kalitta entered this race 15 points behind points leader Steve Torrence. He would win the 2023 title in a “winner-take-all” final round against Leah Pruett. Kalitta enters this year’s final race tied with Torrence for fourth place in the NHRA Mission Foods Top Fuel point standings. He and Torrence trail third-place Shawn Langdon by 40 points, second-place Antron Brown by 41 points, points leader Justin Ashley by 85 and lead sixth-place Clay Millican by eight points. Trailing Ashley by 85 points, repeating as NHRA Top Fuel champion is definitely a tall task – Kalitta must have a phenomenal weekend and get some significant help from not only Ashley but also the other drivers ahead of him in the standings. While multiple scenarios in which Kalitta could repeat as champion exist, the bottom line is the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer needs to win the In ‘n Out Burger NHRA Finals and hope the rest of the chips fall in his favor. With points-and-a-half being awarded this weekend, a round win is worth 30 points instead of 20 adding extra intrigue to the different scenarios. “I know that I never say never, and that’ll be our attitude this weekend,” Kalitta said. “It’s kind of interesting with points and a half going into the last race. I think we’re going to have to get a little bit lucky to pull this thing off, but it’s definitely still mathematically possible. We’ll go there to collect as many points as we can and let it let it be what it’ll be. Pomona has been a great track for me over the years, so we’ll see what happens.” Indeed. Kalitta enjoys prolific Pomona stats. He has seven wins in 14 final-round appearances along with six No. 1 qualifiers. In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip is also Crew Chief Alan Johnson’s home track, and the legendary tuner has won countless races and clinched multiple championships with race wins at the historic track. Kalitta experienced the thrill of winning the Top Fuel title last year but also knows the agony of the near miss with six runner-up finishes before winning his first-career championship last year. “We really have the car to do it so that’s the interesting part of this whole scenario,” Kalitta added. “It would be awesome to get the win this weekend and see how this all shakes out. We have an opportunity to win it, and that’s what it’s all about. Obviously, the team effort and the camaraderie that goes along with it, working with my team and then being able to do it together make it really special. I definitely have the best guys in the business, and nothing they do will be surprising. This Mac Tools Toyota team is hungry to get it done.” (Photo Courtesy Kalitta Motorsports)

Press Release | KALITTA MOTORSPORTS YPSILANTI, Mich. (Nov. 12, 2024) – To say Shawn Langdon had an interesting weekend in Las Vegas two weeks ago would be quite the understatement, yet he enters the final race of the season with a legitimate chance to win his second-career Top Fuel title. The 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship NHRA Playoffs conclude Nov. 15-17, 2024 at the In ‘n Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., the last of six playoff races. Most things went quite well for Langdon and his Kalitta Air Careers Toyota team in Las Vegas with one glaring exception: his semifinal run against teammate Doug Kalitta. Langdon was the No. 2 qualifier. He defeated Jasmine Salinas in the first round and then took out points leader Justin Ashley by .0027 seconds after leaving the starting line before Ashley which is quite an accomplishment. In his semifinal matchup with Kalitta, he was cruising to an easy win because of Kalitta’s mechanical failure when the Kalitta Air Careers car veered towards the centerline. Langdon did all he could to correct it, but he still crossed the centerline, took out some scoring pylons, cut a rear tire and then veered towards the retaining wall. He did a masterful job keeping the car off the wall but was disqualified for his centerline violation. “We were able to win a good race against Justin on the hole shot and give our team an opportunity to continue to make a run at the championship, but in the next run, the car got away from me a little bit and hit the cone and blew the tire,” Langdon remembered. “It’s long process to get the car back together. We got the car in the trailer and left Las Vegas the next morning; the guys drove straight through to Indy. “Luckily, the guys at Precision Built Race Cars are an awesome group of guys. They had everything ready and were waiting for us when the car arrived. It took them just 51 hours to front half and back half the car. When we got it back, we were over at Josh Hart’s shop, Ron Douglas opened up the shop and Jason McCulloch and a couple other crew chiefs were over there helping - it was actually pretty cool, pretty humbling how great the sport is in times like that. “It was a lot of work for a lot of people which was unfortunate. We have a great group of guys and a great team. Nobody said anything other than, ‘we’ll get this car ready for Ponona to go win that championship!’ That’s some incredible support from my Kalitta Air Careers team. I still can’t help feeling like crap that I put them in this position, but we are all 100 percent focused on going to Pomona and winning the championship. There’s no other option.” Langdon trails second-place Antron Brown by one point and first-place Justin Ashley by 45 points entering the last race of the season. He leads the drivers tied for fourth place, his teammate, Doug Kalitta and Steve Torrence, by 40 points. With 30 points per round win at stake in the season’s final race rather than the normal 20 points, Langdon is very much in contention for his second Top Fuel title.  “If we can gain 16 points on Justin (Ashley) in qualifying, we can cut it within one round going into race day,” the 2013 Top Fuel champion said. “We’ll do the best we can. If we can get an opportunity to nip it down less than a round, we’re gonna try to take full advantage of it. If we can’t, then we’ll just have to go two more rounds on Sunday. Like Brian (Crew Chief Brian Husen) says, ‘we just have to trust the process.’ “I honestly feel, not to sound arrogant or anything like that, but I really feel like we’ve had the best car on the property for these last few races. That’s just a testament to this Kalitta Air Careers Toyota team of how hard these guys have worked this year and how good a job they’ve done. I honestly feel that way, but we have to take it one day at a time and not really think about everything that’s going on. We just have to do our jobs like we’ve been doing all season. It would make for a great story if we could win this championship, that’s for sure. Probably one of the greatest stories ever told, but we’ll have to wait and see. I just have one priority: win the race and the championship at Pomona and leave everything else in the past.” (Photo Courtesy Kalitta Motorsports)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 5, 2024) – NHRA officials announced today that Cornwell Quality Tools has been named the new title sponsor of the world’s biggest drag race, the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, as part of an exciting multi-year agreement that includes Cornwell Quality Tools continuing as the “Official Professional Tools of NHRA.”   The 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals will take place Aug. 27-Sept. 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, putting all the stars in NHRA drag racing on the sport’s grandest stage. Tickets are also now on sale for the marquee event on the NHRA schedule.   Part of drag racing lore for seven decades, the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals represents the pinnacle in NHRA drag racing. For 70 years, The Big Go has brought out the best in the sport, with hundreds of racers descending upon Indy each year hoping for their U.S. Nationals moment.   “As our partnership with the NHRA continues to grow, we are very excited about the opportunity to become the title sponsor of the NHRA U.S. Nationals over the next three years,” said Bob Studenic, President and CEO of Cornwell Quality Tools. “This is the world’s biggest drag race, and it’s an honor to have the Cornwell Tools brand associated with this spectacular event. We look forward to continuing our support of the NHRA and engaging with all the fans during this incredible race weekend.”   As part of the title sponsorship at The Big Go and as the “Official Professional Tools of NHRA,” Cornwell Quality Tools will have an extensive on-site presence at all national events on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour, including inflatables, signage, display space, PA and Jumbotron spots, and sponsorship of the “Cornwell Quality Tools Content Creator Zone” near the starting line.   Cornwell Quality Tools, which has been an industry leader for more than 100 years, will also receive television spots and logo integration into all NHRA on FOX broadcasts, including the Cornwell Quality Tools Crew Chief Confidential segment.   At Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Cornwell Quality Tools will get permanent signage on the famous midway arch walking bridge and left lane win light, as well as a suite in the new Wally Parks Tower that is due to be completed for the 2025 event. Cornwell Quality Tools will also receive additional signage during the U.S. Nationals, in-broadcast signage, social media coverage at the race, and its name and logo in all promotional and souvenir items.   “It’s a huge thrill to announce Cornwell Quality Tools as our title sponsor for our biggest and most prestigious race, the U.S. Nationals,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “Their passion and dedication to NHRA drag racing makes them the perfect partner for a race that puts our teams and drivers on the grandest stage in our sport. They’ve been an awesome partner as the ‘Official Professional Tools of NHRA,’ so it’s exciting to see them now be a part of The Big Go for years to come.”   Cornwell Quality Tools is also a partner with the standout John Force Racing team that includes two-time Top Fuel world champion Brittany Force, Funny Car legend and 16-time world champion John Force, two-time champ Jack Beckman and current Funny Car points leader Austin Prock.   Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Prock (Funny Car), Aaron Stanfield (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won at The Big Go this season as the race celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2024. All four standouts celebrated their first Indy win, etching their names in U.S. Nationals history. Next year’s race will be broadcast on FOX and FS1, including live eliminations on FOX on Monday, Sept. 1.   The Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals has been synonymous with some of the biggest moments in NHRA history and more will be made in 2025. Simply put, a win at the world’s biggest drag race simply means more. Careers are defined by victories at The Big Go and every legend has forged their legacies through their Indy success.   Top Fuel’s Schumacher has an amazing 10 victories at The Big Go, the most of any driver in NHRA history, while Force’s five Funny Car wins are tied with Ed McCulloch for the most in class history. Greg Anderson’s 100th career win in 2022 gave the five-time champ seven overall wins in Pro Stock at the world’s biggest drag race, while Antron Brown has five career wins across two classes at the U.S. Nationals.   To purchase tickets for the 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, visit www.nhra.com/tickets . For more information about Cornwell Quality Tools, visit www.cornwelltools.com . For more information on NHRA, visit www.nhra.com . (Photo Courtesy NHRA)